Air conditioner

Abstract

The utility model discloses an air conditioner, and belongs to the technical field of refrigeration equipment. The air conditioner includes: a heat exchanger serving as one of an evaporator or a condenser; the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of heat exchange pipes which are arranged in the first direction and used for circulation of refrigerants, and the heat exchange pipes are flat pipes; the distributor is used for distributing the refrigerant to the plurality of heat exchange tubes; the distributor includes: an inflow plate on which an inflow portion is formed; at least one branch flow path plate in which at least one branch flow path, which has a branch inflow part and a branch outflow part, is formed, said branch flow path causing the refrigerant that has flowed in from the inflow part to branch and flow therethrough; the branch flow path plate closest to the heat exchange tube in the branch flow path plates is a downstream side branch flow path plate; on the downstream side branch flow path plate, the branch flow-out part extends in the third direction different from the first direction, and the connecting position of the branch flow-in part and the branch flow-out part is arranged close to the windward side of the heat exchanger. The air conditioner can improve the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.

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 uneven distribution, resulting in low heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger. Summary of the Utility Model

[0003] This application provides an air conditioner, which can improve the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0004] In one aspect 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 circulation of the refrigerant, and the heat exchange tubes are flat tubes; 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; at least one branch flow path plate on which at least one branch flow path is formed for branching the refrigerant flowing in from the inflow portion and flowing it to the heat exchange tubes, the branch flow path having a branch inflow portion for the refrigerant to flow in and a plurality of branch outflow portions for the refrigerant to branch out and flow out; the branch flow path plate closest to the heat exchange tubes is the downstream side branch flow path plate;

[0005] Wherein, on the downstream side branch flow path plate, the branch outflow portions extend in a direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the connection position between the branch inflow portion and the branch outflow portions is arranged close to the windward side of the heat exchanger.

[0006] In this application, the branch outflow portions of the downstream side branch flow path plate extend in a direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the connection position between the branch inflow portion and the branch outflow portions is arranged close to the windward side of the heat exchanger, so that the distance from the branch inflow portion to the windward side portion of the heat exchange tube is shorter than the distance to the leeward side portion of the heat exchange tube. Therefore, the refrigerant at the branch inflow portion will first flow to the windward side portion of the heat exchange tube, so that more refrigerant is obtained in the holes near the windward side in the heat exchange tube. When the air flows from the windward end to the leeward end of the heat exchange tube (when the heat exchanger is an evaporator), the temperature of the air gradually decreases, and the refrigerant flow rate near the windward side in the heat exchange tube 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 higher.

[0007] In some embodiments, in the projection on the plate surface of the downstream side branch flow path plate, the heat exchange tubes are located within the branch outflow portions.

[0008] In one aspect of the present application, an air conditioner includes: a heat exchanger configured as one of an evaporator or a condenser; the heat exchanger includes: a plurality of heat exchange tubes arranged along a first direction for refrigerant circulation, and the heat exchange tubes are flat tubes; and a distributor for distributing refrigerant to the plurality of heat exchange tubes; wherein, the distributor includes: an inflow plate formed with an inflow portion thereon; at least one branch flow path plate formed with at least one branch flow path for branching and circulating the refrigerant flowing in from the inflow portion, the branch flow path having a branch inflow portion for refrigerant inflow and a plurality of branch outflow portions for branched refrigerant outflow, and the branch flow path plate closest to the heat exchange tubes is the downstream side branch flow path plate; an outflow plate provided with a plurality of outflow portions thereon, and the outflow portions communicatively connect the branch outflow portions of the downstream side branch flow path plate and the heat exchange tubes in an opposite direction.

[0009] Wherein, on the downstream side branch flow path plate, the branch outflow portion has a branch outflow end for refrigerant outflow; the branch outflow end is disposed close to the windward side of the heat exchanger.

[0010] In the present application, the branch outflow end of the downstream side branch flow path plate is disposed close to the windward side of the heat exchanger, such that the distance from the branch outflow end to the windward side portion of the heat exchange tube is shorter than the distance to the leeward side portion of the heat exchange tube. Therefore, the refrigerant at the branch outflow end will first flow to the windward side portion of the heat exchange tube, so that more refrigerant is obtained in the holes near the windward side inside the heat exchange tube. When air flows from the windward end to the leeward end of the heat exchange tube, the temperature gradually decreases (when the heat exchanger is an evaporator), and the refrigerant flow rate near the windward side inside the heat exchange tube 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 higher.

[0011] In some embodiments, on the downstream side branch flow path plate, the branch outflow portion extends in a direction orthogonal to the first direction; the distributor further includes: a communication plate disposed between the downstream side branch flow path plate and the outflow plate, and the communication plate is formed with a plurality of communication portions for communicating the branch outflow end and the outflow portion.

[0012] In the present application, since the branch outflow end is close to the windward side of the heat exchanger, the communication portion communicating with the branch outflow end is close to the windward side, thus ensuring that the refrigerant first flows to the windward side of the heat exchanger.

[0013] In some embodiments, the branch inflow portion includes a first branch inflow portion and a second branch inflow portion that are spaced apart and arranged in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0014] In the present application, there are two spaced-apart branch inflow portions, such that the refrigerant is directly divided into two parts at the branch inflow portion, and there is no need to increase the lateral dimension of the branch flow path portion to achieve horizontal flow splitting, solving the problem in the prior art that when the branch inflow portion is a horizontal straight segment, the lateral dimension of the branch flow path is relatively large. In the present application, the lateral dimension of the branch flow path is more compact.

[0015] In some embodiments, the lengths w of the first branch inflow part and the second branch inflow part in the direction orthogonal to the first direction are both not greater than the length u of the branch outflow part in the direction perpendicular to its extension direction.

[0016] In this application, the sizes of the branch inflow parts are defined so that the lateral sizes of the first branch inflow part and the second branch inflow part are relatively small.

[0017] In some embodiments, there are at least two branch flow path plates; the distributor further includes: a connecting plate disposed between the two branch flow path plates, and a plurality of connecting parts are formed on the connecting plate to connect the branch outflow part of the upstream branch flow path plate and the branch inflow part of the downstream branch flow path plate; in the projection on the plate surface of the connecting plate, the areas where the first branch inflow part and the second branch inflow part on the downstream branch flow path plate coincide with the connecting parts are equal.

[0018] In this application, the areas where the first branch inflow part and the second branch inflow part coincide with the connecting parts are equal, which can ensure uniform flow division at both places and avoid uneven flow of the refrigerant at the branch inflow part.

[0019] In some embodiments, the branch flow path plate includes an upstream branch flow path plate located between the downstream branch flow path plate and the inflow plate; on the upstream branch flow path plate, the branch outflow part extends in the direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a transition part is connected between the branch inflow part and the branch outflow part, and the transition part extends in the first direction.

[0020] In some embodiments, the outer end surface P of the branch inflow part extending in the first direction is coplanar with the transition part, so that the shape of the branch flow path is relatively regular, which is beneficial to processing and manufacturing.

[0021] In some embodiments, it further includes: a fan 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 distributors with multiple different numbers of outlets, the number of outlets of the distributor increases from top to bottom.

[0022] 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, so that the refrigerant flow on the heat exchanger increases from bottom to top, which matches the distribution trend that the wind speed also increases with the increase in height on the heat exchanger, thereby maximizing the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 A view showing the appearance of an air conditioner according to some embodiments;

[0024] Figure 2Shows a diagram of a refrigerant system in an air conditioner according to some embodiments;

[0025] Figure 3 Shows a cross-sectional view of an air conditioner according to some embodiments;

[0026] Figure 4 Shows a schematic structural diagram of a heat exchanger in an air conditioner according to some embodiments;

[0027] Figure 5 Shows a side view of a heat exchanger in an air conditioner according to some embodiments;

[0028] Figure 6 Shows a partial schematic diagram of a microchannel heat exchanger in an air conditioner according to some embodiments;

[0029] Figure 7 Shows a cross-sectional view at the gas header of a heat exchanger according to some embodiments;

[0030] Figure 8 Shows a perspective view of a distributor in a disassembled state according to some embodiments;

[0031] Figure 9 Shows a diagram of a distributor in a disassembled and laid - flat state according to some embodiments;

[0032] Figure 10 Shows a schematic of a branch flow path according to some embodiments Figure 1 ;

[0033] Figure 11 Shows a front - view partial diagram of the downstream - side branch flow path of a distributor and a heat exchange tube according to some embodiments;

[0034] Figure 12 Shows a schematic of a branch flow path according to some embodiments Figure 2 ;

[0035] Figure 13 Shows a diagram of a distributor in a disassembled and laid - flat state according to some other embodiments;

[0036] Figure 14 Shows a schematic diagram of a branch flow path according to some other embodiments;

[0037] Figure 15 Shows a front - view partial diagram of the downstream - side branch flow path of a distributor and a heat exchange tube according to some embodiments;

[0038] Figure 16 Shows a schematic diagram of a branch flow path according to still some other embodiments;

[0039] Figure 17 Shows a top - view of a distributor according to some other embodiments;

[0040] Figure 18 shows a line graph of the heat exchanger height versus the wind speed / refrigerant flow rate;

[0041] Figure 19 shows a partial view of a heat exchanger according to some embodiments.

[0042] In the above figures, 100, outdoor unit; 111, compressor; 112, outdoor heat exchanger; 113, four-way valve; 114, outdoor throttling device; 115, accumulator; 116, outdoor fan; 200, indoor unit; 211, indoor heat exchanger; 212, indoor throttling device; 213, indoor fan; 300, heat exchanger; 310, heat exchange tube; 310a, hole; 320, fin; 330, gas header; 331, confluent flow path; 340, heat exchanger body; 400, distributor; 410, inflow plate; 411, inflow portion; 420, heat exchange tube mounting plate; 421, heat exchange tube insertion portion; 430, branch flow path plate; 431, branch flow path; 432, branch inflow portion; 432a, first branch inflow portion; 432b, second branch inflow portion; 433, branch outflow portion; 433a, branch outflow end; 434, partition portion; 435, transition portion; 440, downstream side branch flow path plate; 441, downstream side branch flow path; 450, upstream side branch flow path plate; 451, upstream side branch flow path; 460, connecting plate; 461, connecting portion; 470, outflow plate; 471, outflow portion; 510, fan; 600, shunt; 610, capillary tube. Detailed Embodiments

[0043] To make the objectives and embodiments of the present application clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the exemplary embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the exemplary embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described exemplary embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments.

[0044] In the description of the present 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 drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present 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 therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present application.

[0045] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the 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.

[0046] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "install", "connect", and "couple" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0047] <Structure of the air conditioner>

[0048] Referring to Figure 1 , the air conditioner according to an embodiment of this 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.

[0049] Figure 1 A 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 this application is equally applicable to the case of one indoor unit 200.

[0050] 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 guide 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 guided to the outdoor heat exchanger 112 in the heating mode; and a receiver 115 configured to prevent unevaporated liquid refrigerant from flowing to the compressor 111.

[0051] When the compressor 111 is powered on, it compresses the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant to a high pressure by using the rotational force of a compressor motor (not shown).

[0052] The four-way valve 113 guides the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 111 to the outdoor heat exchanger 112 in the cooling mode, and guides the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 111 to the indoor unit 200 in the heating mode.

[0053] The outdoor heat exchanger 112 condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 111 in the cooling mode, and evaporates the refrigerant depressurized by the indoor unit 200 in the heating mode.

[0054] The outdoor fan 116 blows outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 112.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] The indoor heat exchanger 211 evaporates the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant in the cooling mode, and condenses the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant in the heating mode.

[0058] Hereinafter, the flow of the refrigerant in the cooling mode or the heating mode of the air conditioner will be described.

[0059] When the air conditioner operates in the cooling mode, the compressor 111 of the outdoor unit 100 compresses the refrigerant to high pressure. As the refrigerant is compressed, the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant increase.

[0060] 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.

[0061] After passing through the outdoor throttling device 124, the condensed refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit 200.

[0062] The refrigerant supplied to the indoor unit 200 is depressurized by the indoor throttling device 212, and at the same time the refrigerant becomes a two-phase refrigerant with low temperature, low pressure and a certain dryness.

[0063] The depressurized 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.

[0064] 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, completing one cycle of the refrigerant.

[0065] 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 the indoor air to cool the indoor air.

[0066] 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.

[0067] After passing through the four-way valve 113, the compressed refrigerant is guided to the indoor unit 200.

[0068] The refrigerant is condensed by the indoor heat exchanger 211, and heat exchange is carried out between the refrigerant and the indoor air while the refrigerant is being condensed. Specifically, the state of the refrigerant changes from gaseous to liquid.

[0069] After passing through the indoor heat exchanger 211, the condensed refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor unit 100 again.

[0070] 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 two-phase state with low temperature, low pressure and a certain dryness.

[0071] The decompressed refrigerant is evaporated by the outdoor heat exchanger 112, and heat exchange is carried out between the refrigerant and the outdoor air while the refrigerant is evaporating. Specifically, the state of the refrigerant changes to gaseous.

[0072] 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, completing one cycle of the refrigerant.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] Figure 3 Taking the top - blowing outdoor unit as an example for display, that is, the blower 510 is located above the heat exchanger 300. Figure 3 The arrows in it indicate the air flow direction. When the blower 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.

[0076] The end of the heat exchanger 300 extends out with multiple heat exchange tubes 310 arranged from top to bottom (to be introduced later), which are used as the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet.

[0077] 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, there will be a phase separation phenomenon, which will lead to uneven distribution. Especially for Figure 3 the shown outdoor unit, Figure 3 in which 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.

[0078] In the following text, the present application will be introduced in detail in combination with the structure of the heat exchanger 300.

[0079] <Structure of the heat exchanger 300>

[0080] Referring to Figures 4 to 7 , the heat exchanger 300 includes a heat exchanger main body 340. The heat exchanger main body 340 has multiple heat exchange tubes 310 and fins 320.

[0081] For the heat exchange tubes 310, the refrigerant flows on them; for the fins 320, they are 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.

[0082] The heat exchange tubes 310 can be flat tubes or round tubes.

[0083] When the heat exchange tubes 310 are round tubes, the heat exchanger 300 is a fin - and - 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.

[0084] When the heat exchange tubes 310 are flat tubes, the heat exchanger 300 is a micro - channel heat exchanger. Multiple flat tubes are arranged at intervals in the first direction (the up - and - down direction Z). Fins 320 are connected between the flat tubes.

[0085] The following takes the micro - channel 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.

[0086] The heat exchange tube 310 is a porous tube having a plurality of holes 310a that form a refrigerant flow path. The refrigerant exchanges heat with air as it flows through each hole 310a of the heat exchange tube 310. The plurality of holes 310a are arranged in the heat exchange tube 310 along the flow direction of the air relative to the heat exchanger body 340.

[0087] At both lateral ends of the heat exchanger body 340, a plurality of heat exchange tubes 310 extend out relative to the fins 320 for connection to the refrigerant system.

[0088] 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.

[0089] One header is a distributor 400 through which a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows. The other header is a gas header 330 through which a gas refrigerant flows. A diverter 600 having a plurality of capillaries 610 is connected to the distributor 400.

[0090] The refrigerant needs to be diverted into the plurality of 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.

[0091] 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 effect of the heat exchanger 300.

[0092] 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 one end of the heat exchanger 300 connected to the throttling device 520. In other embodiments, the gas header 330 can also adopt the structure form of a distributor.

[0093] The distributor 400 is provided with a refrigerant inflow portion as the refrigerant inflow port and a plurality of refrigerant outflow portions as the refrigerant outflow ports.

[0094] Specifically referring to Figure 6 and 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.

[0095] A plurality of refrigerant inlet portions and one or more refrigerant outlet portions are provided on the gas header 330. Refrigerant pipes of the refrigerant system are connected to the refrigerant inlet portion of the distributor 400 and the refrigerant outlet portion of the gas header 330. The heat exchange tubes 310 are connected to the refrigerant outlet portion of the distributor 400 and the refrigerant inlet portion of the gas header 330.

[0096] When the heat exchanger 300 functions as an evaporator, the refrigerant flows into the distributor 400 through the refrigerant inlet portion and is branched, and then flows out to the plurality of heat exchange tubes 310 through the plurality of refrigerant outlet portions. 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 inlet portions and merges, and then flows out to the refrigerant pipe through the refrigerant outlet portion.

[0097] In addition, when the heat exchanger 300 functions as a condenser, the refrigerant flows in the opposite direction to the above flow.

[0098] <Structure of the distributor 400>

[0099] Hereinafter, the structure of the distributor 400 will be described in detail.

[0100] First, the stacked distributor 400 will be taken as an example for illustration.

[0101] Refer to Figure 8 、 Figure 9 The distributor 400 is formed by laminating multiple layers of plates. In this application, the length direction of the plate is set as the first direction Z, the direction in which the plates are laminated and orthogonal to the first direction is set as the second direction X, and the direction orthogonal to the first direction Z and the second direction X is set as the third direction Y. The distributor 400 of the present embodiment is arranged in the up-down direction of the first direction Z, in the front-rear direction of the second direction X, and in the left-right direction of the third direction Y. Therefore, in the following description, the first direction Z can be converted into the up-down direction, the second direction X can be converted into the front-rear direction, and the third direction Y can be converted into the left-right direction.

[0102] The multiple layers of plates include the inlet plate 410. The inlet plate 410 is a rectangular plate that is longer in the up-down direction Z. In the inlet plate 410, the plate surface is arranged along the up-down direction Z and the left-right direction Y.

[0103] The inlet plate 410 is provided with through holes penetrating in the front-rear direction X to form an inlet flow path 411. The inlet flow path 411 corresponds to the refrigerant inlet portion of the distributor 400.

[0104] The inlet plate 410 may include one or a plurality of stacked layers.

[0105] The flow path cross-section of the inlet flow path 411 is circular and can be connected to the capillary tube 610 (or refrigerant piping). The inlet flow path 411 can be directly connected to the capillary tube 610 (or refrigerant piping) by welding; alternatively, a pipe joint can be connected to the inlet flow path 411, and the capillary tube 610 can be connected through the pipe joint. 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 within the inlet flow path 411.

[0106] <Heat exchange tube mounting plate 420>

[0107] Refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 The multilayer plate body includes the heat exchange tube mounting plate 420. The heat exchange tube mounting plate 420 is a rectangular plate that is relatively long in the vertical direction Z. In the heat exchange tube mounting 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.

[0108] A plurality of through grooves are provided on the heat exchange tube mounting plate 420 to form a plurality of heat exchange tube insertion portions 421.

[0109] The heat exchange tube 310 can be installed on the heat exchange tube mounting plate 420 from the heat exchange tube insertion portion 421. The heat exchange tube 310 can be connected to the heat exchange tube mounting plate 420 by welding.

[0110] The heat exchange tube 310 communicates with the branch flow path 431 of the branch flow path plate 430 described later.

[0111] In other embodiments, the heat exchange tube mounting plate 420 can be omitted, that is, the distributor 400 does not include the heat exchange tube mounting plate 420, and the heat exchange tube 310 is directly connected to the branch flow path plate 430 or the outflow plate 470 described later.

[0112] <Branch flow path plate 430>

[0113] The multilayer plate body includes the branch flow path plate 430. The branch flow path plate 430 is a rectangular plate that is relatively long in the vertical direction Z. On the branch flow path 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.

[0114] At least one through groove penetrating in the front-rear direction X is provided on the branch flow path plate 430. The through groove forms the branch flow path 431.

[0115] The branch flow path plate 430 can have at least one. The one closest to the heat exchange tube 310 in the branch flow path plate 430 is the downstream side branch flow path plate 440.

[0116] If there is only one branch flow path plate 430, then this branch flow path plate 430 is the downstream side branch flow path plate 440. If there are multiple branch flow path plates 430, then the branch flow path plate located between the inflow plate 410 and the downstream side branch flow path plate 440 is the upstream side branch flow path plate 450.

[0117] For the sake of easy distinction, the branch flow paths of the downstream side branch flow path plate 440 are also called downstream side branch flow paths 441. The branch flow paths of the upstream side branch flow path plate 450 are also called upstream side branch flow paths 451.

[0118] Referring to Figure 10 、 Figure 14 and Figure 16 , the branch flow path 431 has a branch inflow portion 432 and at least two branch outflow portions 433. The branch outflow portions 433 of the branch flow path 431 communicate with the heat exchange tubes 310. The two branch outflow portions 433 are connected to both sides of the branch inflow portion 432 in the up-down direction Z.

[0119] In the present application, for the sake of convenient description, the side of the distributor 400 on the same side as the windward surface of the heat exchanger 300 is also called the windward side of the distributor 400.

[0120] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 11 , the arrows in the figure indicate the air flow direction, and the branch outflow portions 433 of the downstream side branch flow path 441 extend substantially along the left-right direction Y.

[0121] The connection position between the branch inflow portion 432 and the branch outflow portions 433 of the downstream side branch flow path 441 is arranged close to the windward side of the distributor 400. In this way, the refrigerant will first flow to 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 in the heat exchange tube 310.

[0122] Due to the heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant in 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 there is a relatively large refrigerant flow rate near the windward side in the heat exchange tube 310, which can adapt to the energy of the air in the windward direction, making the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 300 higher.

[0123] According to the embodiments of the present application, the shape of the branch outflow portion 433 can be the same as the shape of the heat exchange tube 310.

[0124] Referring to Figure 12 , the branch inflow portion 432 includes a first branch inflow portion 432a and a second branch inflow portion 432b separated by a partition portion 434. The first branch inflow portion 432a and the second branch inflow portion 432b are arranged along the left-right direction Y.

[0125] The length w of the first branch inlet portion 432a in the left-right direction is not greater than the length u of the branch outlet portion 433 in the up-down direction Z. Since the length w of the first branch inlet portion 432a in the left-right direction Y is relatively small, after the refrigerant flows into the first branch inlet portion 432a, it flows in the up-down direction Z towards the branch outlet portion 433.

[0126] The length w of the second branch inlet portion 432b in the left-right direction is not greater than the length u of the branch outlet portion 433 in the up-down direction Z. Since the length w of the second branch inlet portion 432b in the left-right direction Y is relatively small, after the refrigerant flows into the first branch inlet portion 432a, it flows in the up-down direction Z towards the branch outlet portion 433.

[0127] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 13 and Figure 14 , the free end of the branch outlet portion 433 is the branch outlet end 433a. The refrigerant flows along the branch outlet portion 433 towards the branch outlet end 433a and flows from the branch outlet end 433a to the next plate.

[0128] Referring to Figure 15 , the arrows in the figure indicate the air flow direction, and the branch outlet end 433a is arranged on the windward side of the distributor 400 in the left-right direction Y. In this way, the refrigerant will first flow from the refrigerant outlet end 433a 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 in the heat exchange tube 310.

[0129] Due to the heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant in 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 in 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.

[0130] In this embodiment, the multiple plates may include a connecting plate 460.

[0131] <Connecting plate 460>

[0132] Referring to Figure 13 , the multi-layer plates include a connecting plate 460. The connecting plate 460 is a rectangular plate that is relatively long in the up-down direction Z. In the connecting plate 460, 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 along the up-down direction Z and the left-right direction Y.

[0133] A plurality of through holes penetrating in the front-rear direction X are provided on the connecting plate 460 to form a plurality of connecting portions 461.

[0134] The connecting plate 460 can be disposed between the downstream side branch flow path plate 440 and the outflow plate 470 described later. The connecting portion 461 communicates with the branch outflow end 433a of the downstream side branch flow path plate 440 in an opposing manner. The connecting portion 461 communicates with the outflow portion 471 of the outflow plate 470 in an opposing manner. Thus, the connecting portion 461 connects the branch outflow end 433a of the downstream side branch flow path plate 440 and the outflow portion 471 of the outflow plate 470.

[0135] Refer to Figure 8 , Figure 9 , Figure 13 , when there are multiple branch flow path plates 430, the connecting plate 460 can be disposed between two adjacent branch flow path plates 430. The connecting portion 461 connects the branch outflow portion 433 of the previous branch flow path plate 430 and the branch inflow portion 432 of the subsequent branch flow path plate 430.

[0136] The shape of the flow path cross section of the connecting portion 461 can be the same as that of the branch outflow end 402a.

[0137] It should be noted that 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 within the connecting portion 461.

[0138] For the branch flow path plate 430 closest to the inflow plate 410, when projected onto a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction X, the overlapping areas of the first branch inflow portion 401a and the second branch inflow portion 401b of the branch inflow portion 401 with the inflow portion 411 of the inflow plate 410 are the same.

[0139] For the branch flow path plates 430 excluding the one closest to the inflow plate 410, when projected onto a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction X, the overlapping areas of the first branch inflow portion 401a and the second branch inflow portion 401b of the branch inflow portion 401 with the connecting portion 461 of the connecting plate 460 are the same.

[0140] The partition portion 434 at the branch inflow portion 432 arranges the first branch inflow portion 432a and the second branch inflow portion 432b in the horizontal direction, which can prevent the uneven flow caused by the gas-liquid stratification in the capillary tube 610.

[0141] Refer to Figure 12For the downstream side branch flow path 441, the length h of the branch inflow portion 432 in the vertical direction Z is not much different from the length of the communication portion 461. Since the length h of the branch inflow portion 432 in the vertical direction Z is relatively small, the refrigerant directly flows to the branch outflow portion 433 after flowing into the branch inflow portion 432. In addition, since the length h of the branch inflow portion 432 in the vertical direction Z is relatively small, the distance between the two branch outflow portions 433 can be made relatively compact, so that more heat exchange tubes 310 can be arranged in the vertical direction Z, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0142] <Outlet plate 470>

[0143] Continue to refer to Figure 8 、 Figure 9 、 Figure 13 The multilayer plate body includes an outlet plate 470. The outlet plate 470 is a rectangular plate that is relatively long in the vertical direction Z. In the outlet 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 inlet plate 410, and the plate surface is arranged along the vertical direction Z and the left - right direction Y.

[0144] A plurality of through grooves are provided on the outlet plate 470. The plurality of through grooves form an outflow portion 471.

[0145] The outlet plate 470 is located on the upstream side of the heat exchanger mounting plate 420, and the outflow portion 471 communicates with the heat exchange tubes 310 on the heat exchange tube mounting plate 460 in an opposite direction.

[0146] The cross - sectional shape of the flow path of the outflow portion 471 can be the same as the shape of the heat exchange tube 310.

[0147] It should be noted that 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 outflow portion 471.

[0148] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 16 The branch outflow portion 433a of the upstream side branch flow path 451 extends substantially along the left - right direction Y. The upstream side branch flow path 451 has a transition portion 435 connected between the branch inflow portion 432 and the branch outflow portion 433a. The transition portion 435 extends substantially along the vertical direction Z.

[0149] In the upstream side branch flow path 451, the outer side surface P of the branch inflow portion 432 in the left - right direction Y is coplanar with the outer side surface of the transition portion 435. The shape of the branch flow path 451 is relatively regular, which is beneficial to processing and manufacturing.

[0150] In the above embodiments, the distributor 400 is in the shape of a cuboid. However, in other embodiments, referring to Figure 17, the outer shape of the dispenser 400 can also be made cylindrical. The outer side surface of each plate in the plate body is an arc surface forming a cylinder.

[0151] Therefore, the present application does not limit the outer shape of the dispenser.

[0152] Next, taking the dispenser 400 as an integral structure as an example for explanation.

[0153] In this embodiment, the dispenser 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 dispenser 400, and then aluminum liquid is injected into the second mold; after the aluminum solidifies, the first mold is melted and flowed out.

[0154] In this embodiment, the dispenser 400 is an integral structure, which is the same as the dispenser 400 in the above embodiment except that the dispenser 400 in the above embodiment is formed by laminating multiple plate bodies.

[0155] For the air conditioner with top air outlet, referring to Figure 3 and Figure 18 , the blower 510 is located above the heat exchanger 300, which causes 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.

[0156] As the height of the heat exchanger 300 increases, the wind speed on the heat exchanger 300 also shows an increasing trend. And when the refrigerant flow rate on the heat exchanger 300 matches the wind speed distribution, the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 300 can be optimized.

[0157] In the embodiment of the present application, referring to Figure 19 , in the heat exchanger 300, the dispenser 400 has at least one first dispenser 4001, at least one second dispenser 4002,..., at least one Nth dispenser 400n distributed from top to bottom;

[0158] The number of heat exchange tubes 310 connected by the first dispenser 4001, the second dispenser 4002,..., the Nth dispenser 400n increases progressively.

[0159] Exemplarily, the first dispenser 4001 is a four-outlet dispenser connecting four heat exchange tubes 310, the second dispenser 4002 is an eight-outlet dispenser connecting eight heat exchange tubes 310, and the Nth dispenser 400n is a sixteen-outlet dispenser connecting sixteen heat exchange tubes 310.

[0160] From top to bottom, the number of heat exchange tubes 310 connected by the dispenser 400 increases progressively, 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.

[0161] As described above, according to an embodiment of the present application, the distributor 400 includes an inflow plate 410 on which an inflow portion 411 is formed; at least one branch flow path plate 430 on which at least one branch flow path 431 for branching and flowing the refrigerant flowing in from the inflow portion 411 is formed. The one of the branch flow path plates 430 closest to the heat exchange tube 310 is the downstream side branch flow path plate 440, and the branch flow path on the downstream side branch flow path plate 440 is the downstream side branch flow path 441. Among them, the branch outlet portion 433 of the downstream side branch flow path 441 extends in a direction different from the first direction, and the connection position between the branch inlet portion 432 and the branch outlet portion 433 is arranged close to the windward side of the heat exchanger 300, so that more refrigerant can be obtained in the holes 310a near the windward side in the heat exchange tube 310. When the air flows from the windward end to the leeward end of the heat exchange tube 310, the temperature gradually decreases (when the heat exchanger is an evaporator), and the refrigerant flow rate near the windward side in 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.

[0162] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present application, the distributor 400 includes an inflow plate 410 on which an inflow portion 411 is formed; at least one branch flow path plate 430 on which at least one branch flow path 431 for branching and flowing the refrigerant flowing in from the inflow portion 411 is formed. The one of the branch flow path plates 430 closest to the heat exchange tube 310 is the downstream side branch flow path plate 440, and the branch flow path on the downstream side branch flow path plate 440 is the downstream side branch flow path 441. The downstream side branch flow path 441 has a branch outlet portion 433, and the downstream side branch flow path 441 allows the refrigerant to flow out from the branch outlet end 433a of the branch outlet portion 433. The branch outlet end 433a is arranged close to the windward side of the distributor 400, so that more refrigerant can be obtained in the holes 310a near the windward side in the heat exchange tube 310. When the air flows from the windward end to the leeward end of the heat exchange tube 310, the temperature gradually decreases (when the heat exchanger is an evaporator), and the refrigerant flow rate near the windward side in 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.

[0163] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and are not intended 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 on some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

[0164] For the sake of convenience in explanation, the above description has been made in connection with specific embodiments. However, the above exemplary discussion is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the specific forms disclosed above. 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 modified embodiments suitable for specific use considerations.

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 flow of refrigerant, and the heat exchange tubes are flat tubes; and A distributor for distributing refrigerant to the plurality of heat exchange tubes; Wherein, the distributor includes: An inflow plate on which an inflow portion is formed; At least one branch flow path plate on which at least one branch flow path is formed for branching the refrigerant flowing in from the inflow portion and flowing it to the heat exchange tubes. The branch flow path has a branch inflow portion for the refrigerant to flow in and a plurality of branch outflow portions for the branched refrigerant to flow out. The branch flow path plate closest to the heat exchange tubes is the downstream side branch flow path plate; Wherein, on the downstream side branch flow path plate, the branch outflow portions extend in a direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the connection position between the branch inflow portion and the branch outflow portions is arranged close to the windward side of the heat exchanger.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein Projected on the plate surface of the downstream side branch flow path plate, the heat exchange tubes are located within the branch outflow portions.

3. 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 flow of refrigerant, and the heat exchange tubes are flat tubes; and A distributor for distributing refrigerant to the plurality of heat exchange tubes; Wherein, the distributor includes: An inflow plate on which an inflow portion is formed; At least one branch flow path plate on which at least one branch flow path is formed for branching the refrigerant flowing in from the inflow portion and flowing it to the heat exchange tubes. The branch flow path has a branch inflow portion for the refrigerant to flow in and a plurality of branch outflow portions for the branched refrigerant to flow out. The branch flow path plate closest to the heat exchange tubes is the downstream side branch flow path plate; An outflow plate on which a plurality of outflow portions are provided, and the outflow portions communicatively connect the branch outflow portions of the downstream side branch flow path plate and the heat exchange tubes in opposite directions; Wherein, on the downstream side branch flow path plate, the branch outflow portions have branch outflow ends for the refrigerant to flow out; the branch outflow ends are arranged close to the windward side of the heat exchanger.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, On the downstream side branch flow path plate, the branch outflow portions extend in a direction orthogonal to the first direction; The distributor further includes: A connection plate provided between the downstream side branch flow path plate and the outflow plate, and a plurality of connection portions are formed on the connection plate for connecting the branch outflow ends and the outflow portions.

5. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The branch inflow portion includes a first branch inflow portion and a second branch inflow portion which are arranged at intervals and arranged in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, characterized in that, The lengths w of the first branch inflow portion and the second branch inflow portion in the direction orthogonal to the first direction are both not greater than the length u of the branch outflow portions in the direction perpendicular to their extending direction.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein There are at least two branch flow path plates; The distributor further includes: A connection plate provided between the two branch flow path plates, and a plurality of connection portions are formed on the connection plate for connecting the branch outflow portions of the upstream branch flow path plate and the branch inflow portions of the downstream branch flow path plate. When projected onto the surface of the connection plate, the areas where the first branch inflow portion and the second branch inflow portion on the downstream branch flow path plate coincide with the connection portion are equal.

8. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The branch flow path plate includes an upstream branch flow path plate located between the downstream branch flow path plate and the inflow plate; On the upstream branch flow path plate, the branch outflow portion extends in a direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a transition portion is connected between the branch inflow portion and the branch outflow portion, and the transition portion extends in the first direction.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 8, characterized in that, The outer end surface P of the branch inflow portion extending in the first direction is coplanar with the transition portion.

10. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, It further includes: A fan, 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 distributors with different numbers of outlets, the number of outlets of the distributor increases from top to bottom.

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