Condensing device and household appliance

Abstract

The condensing device comprises a condensing part, a flow guide layer, at least one flow guide piece and a flow guide channel, the flow guide layer is arranged on the condensing face of the condensing part, and the flow guide layer and the flow guide piece are each provided with a capillary structure; one end face of the flow guide piece is connected with the flow guide layer in an attached mode and arranged in the flow guide channel, and the flow guide channel is used for keeping attached connection. Condensate generated on the condensing surface and the flow guide layer is continuously discharged through the capillary action and the gravity action of the flow guide layer and the flow guide piece. The problems that in the prior art, the structure is complex, cost is high, the size is large, and production is difficult are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of liquid treatment involving liquid phase change, and more specifically, to a condensation device. Furthermore, this application also relates to a household appliance that includes a condensation device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, liquid treatment condensation equipment (also known as liquid treatment distillation equipment) is mainly used in industrial and laboratory environments, where it purifies wastewater using condensation technology (also known as distillation technology). However, these devices generally suffer from complex structures, high manufacturing costs, and large sizes, limiting their widespread application in home or miniaturized settings.

[0003] Existing wastewater condensation treatment equipment typically comprises multiple modules, including evaporators, condensers, airflow channels, pump systems, and control units. The connections between these modules require sophisticated processes and high-standard materials, significantly increasing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, to ensure sufficient treatment efficiency and reliability, the equipment is often large and space-consuming, making it difficult to adapt to applications demanding miniaturization and integration. In addition, the complex structure and high maintenance costs further limit its widespread adoption. Especially in the home appliance sector, such equipment struggles to achieve simplified and user-friendly interfaces, failing to meet the demands of everyday household environments for small size, ease of operation, and reasonable pricing.

[0004] In addition, small, simple liquid handling condensation equipment typically employs a tilt angle to improve condensate drainage by utilizing gravity to facilitate the removal of condensate from the condenser shroud surface. However, this tilt design introduces several significant technical challenges: the tilt angle requires sufficient space in the condenser shroud's geometry to achieve the appropriate tilt, resulting in a substantial increase in the overall size of the condenser shroud. In applications with compact layouts, this increased condenser shroud size can occupy more installation space, limiting system feasibility. Furthermore, an excessively large condenser shroud increases manufacturing costs and material usage. Simultaneously, the tilt angle design usually necessitates maintaining a certain distance between the condensation surface and the evaporation interface. Increased distance forces vapor to travel a longer path to the condensation surface, increasing mass transfer resistance due to interactions between vapor molecules and between vapor and air. Moreover, the vapor may partially cool during diffusion, resulting in a temperature closer to the condensation surface upon arrival, thus reducing the temperature difference driving force.

[0005] Document CN109292874A discloses a solar-powered distiller for collecting condensate based on capillary action. This distiller includes a condenser plate with a condensing surface and a dripping surface. The dripping surface contacts the inner wall of the inner baffle of the collection tank via an overlapping mechanism. When hot steam from the storage tank contacts the condensing surface, the steam condenses into liquid on this surface. The condensed liquid is transported from the condensing surface to the dripping surface under capillary action and flows into the collection tank as a stream or droplets under gravity. However, in this design, the length of the collection tank needs to match the length of the dripping surface, increasing the size, structural complexity, and manufacturing cost of the equipment. Furthermore, because the dripping surface uses a flexible structure and can only be placed at the edge of the condensing surface, it is not conducive to production and subsequent replacement.

[0006] Document CN113443669A discloses a distillation apparatus comprising a first capillary layer and a second capillary layer with a gap between them. The first end of the first capillary layer extends into a high-concentration brine solution, and the second end is used for the precipitation of crystalline salt. The first end of the second capillary layer is positioned below the heating section of the first capillary layer, and the second end extends to a freshwater collection device. Water vapor passes through the gap to reach the second capillary layer and condenses to obtain freshwater. However, this scheme still requires the collection of freshwater through a freshwater collection device, and the second capillary layer employs a flexible structure, which is not conducive to production and subsequent replacement.

[0007] Document CN113247981A discloses a distiller in which a water-absorbing mesh is closely attached to the condenser cover plate of the first-stage distiller. Multiple cotton threads above the mesh provide capillary force to draw the condensate from the cover plate into a collection tray, preventing the condensate from dripping back into the water tank of the first-stage distiller. However, this design still requires a collection tray to collect the condensate, and the water-absorbing mesh is made of a flexible material, which is inconvenient for production and replacement. Furthermore, the 1-2 cm spacing between the cotton threads prevents the mesh from fully covering the condensate surface.

[0008] Document CN206094501U discloses a radiant plate for passively removing condensate, comprising a plate body, at least one heat transfer channel, and at least one dehumidification channel. The radiant plate is made of a porous medium material. This technical solution has multiple liquid guides at the top of the dehumidification channels to guide moisture from inside the radiant plate downwards by gravity. A condensate collection tank is located at the bottom of the dehumidification channels to collect condensate droplets falling from the liquid guides. However, this solution requires a large number of liquid guides, increasing equipment costs; furthermore, the surface of the liquid guides needs to be coated with a hydrophilic coating, which not only increases the surface treatment process but also raises concerns about the lifespan of the hydrophilic coating.

[0009] Therefore, the complexity and high cost of existing liquid handling and condensation equipment are the main obstacles to its promotion, and there is an urgent need for a solution with a simpler structure, lower cost, smaller size, and suitability for large-scale production. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The purpose of this application is to provide an improved condensation device to solve the problems of complex structure, high cost, large size and difficulty in production in the prior art.

[0011] Therefore, according to a first aspect of this application, a condensation device is provided, comprising a condensation section, a flow guiding layer, at least one flow guiding element, and a flow guiding channel, wherein:

[0012] The flow guide layer is disposed on the condensation surface of the condensation section, and both the flow guide layer and the flow guide component have a capillary structure;

[0013] One end face of the flow guide is connected to the flow guide layer and placed in the flow guide channel, which is used to maintain the connection;

[0014] The condensate generated on the condensing surface and the guide layer is continuously discharged through the capillary action and gravity of the guide layer and guide components.

[0015] This application achieves efficient and continuous transport and discharge of condensate by ingeniously combining capillary structure and gravity. Both the guide layer and the guide element possess capillary structures, allowing the condensate to flow rapidly within the guide layer and be effectively transferred to the guide element by capillary force. The guide element acts like a miniature capillary pump, continuously drawing condensate from the guide layer and discharging it as droplets under gravity. This design effectively prevents the thickening of the liquid film or the formation of droplets on the condensation surface, thus maintaining stable thermal resistance and ensuring the continuous and efficient operation of the condensation process. Therefore, this application significantly improves the condensation rate and accelerates the overall efficiency of the distillation or condensation process.

[0016] The design of this application allows the condensing surface to be horizontally positioned, which significantly reduces the distance between the condensing surface and the evaporation interface. A shorter distance translates to lower heat transfer resistance, thereby further improving evaporation and condensation rates. Simultaneously, the horizontal condensing surface design also simplifies and compacts the product structure, facilitating miniaturization and integration of the equipment, and simplifying installation and maintenance.

[0017] This application utilizes the capillary force of a guide vane to pump and collect the condensate, cleverly avoiding the need for a collection tank commonly used in traditional designs. Eliminating the need for a collection tank not only simplifies the structure and reduces the number of parts, but also effectively reduces the size of the equipment, making it lighter and more compact. This is especially important for space-constrained applications.

[0018] The flow guide component in this application can be quickly connected and disconnected from the flow guide layer. This design greatly improves production efficiency, making it especially suitable for mass production. At the same time, this detachable design facilitates later maintenance and replacement, reduces maintenance costs, and extends the service life of the equipment.

[0019] The overall system design of this application is simple and efficient, suitable for both miniaturized and integrated applications as well as large-scale applications. It effectively improves condensation efficiency, simplifies equipment structure, reduces energy consumption and failure rate, significantly extends equipment lifespan and economic efficiency, and has promising application prospects.

[0020] Preferably, the flow guiding layer includes at least one capillary structure selected from fibrous capillary structure, granular capillary structure, mesh capillary structure, layered capillary structure, porous capillary structure, microgroove capillary structure, and pointed capillary structure.

[0021] Preferably, the flow guide is made of fibrous material and maintains structural stability after absorbing water.

[0022] Preferably, the condensation device further includes a spring for ensuring continuous contact between the flow guide layer and the flow guide component connection.

[0023] Preferably, the condensation device further includes a container, wherein the flow channel and flow guide are disposed at any position inside the container.

[0024] Preferably, the condensation device further includes a capillary connector, one end face of the flow guide is connected to the flow guide layer through the capillary connector, and the capillary connector is elastic to adapt to changes in the gap between one end face of the flow guide and the flow guide layer.

[0025] Preferably, the condensation device further includes a seal disposed between the condensation section and the container to form a first chamber for preventing condensate and vapor from leaking out from the gap between the condensation section and the container.

[0026] Preferably, the condenser section has a corrugated structure.

[0027] Preferably, heat dissipation fins are provided on the heat dissipation surface of the condensation section.

[0028] Preferably, the condenser section has an arched structure.

[0029] Preferably, a liquid cooling channel is provided inside the condenser section.

[0030] Preferably, the condensation device includes multiple containers, which are stacked vertically in sequence. The bottom surface of each container serves as the condensation surface of the next-level condensation section, and both the condensation surface and the bottom of the container are provided with a flow guide layer.

[0031] Preferably, the condensation device further includes a liquid inlet channel and an overflow channel, which are coaxially arranged so that when multiple containers are stacked, the overflow channel of the upper container is connected to the liquid inlet channel of the lower container.

[0032] Preferably, the condensation device further includes a fan, a heat source, and an insulation layer. The fan is used to accelerate the airflow around the surface of the condensation section, the heat source is used to heat the liquid to be processed inside the container, and the insulation layer is disposed on the outer layer of the container to reduce the loss of heat from inside the container to the outside.

[0033] Preferably, the flow guiding layer is made of a high thermal conductivity material, including a metal material with a capillary structure, such as a copper mesh or a titanium mesh, and the flow guiding layer is a single layer or a multi-layer structure.

[0034] Preferably, a drainage channel is also provided for the flow guiding layer, and the drainage channel is configured as at least one of the following: linear structure, tree structure, mesh structure, and meridian structure.

[0035] Preferably, the drainage channel is bonded to the flow guiding layer, and one end face of the flow guiding element is connected to the drainage channel to form a continuous capillary channel.

[0036] Preferably, the flow-guiding layer can be made of nonwoven fabric made of fibrous material.

[0037] Preferably, the guide element may be an absorbent cotton strip made of fibrous material.

[0038] Preferably, a portion of the guide can be inserted into a spring.

[0039] Preferably, the materials of the flow guiding layer and the flow guiding component can be hydrophilic.

[0040] Preferably, the flow guiding layer has a thickness of 0.01-5 mm.

[0041] Preferably, when the area of ​​the flow guide layer is large, multiple flow guides and flow guide channels matching the flow guides can be set at any position of the flow guide layer.

[0042] Preferably, the flow guiding layer and / or flow guiding element can be made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as copper mesh, titanium mesh, etc., of a metal material with a capillary structure.

[0043] Preferably, the flow guiding layer can be a single layer or multiple layers stacked together.

[0044] Preferably, the flow guide and / or the flow guide can be made of sintered metal materials, porous metal materials, metal foam, etc.

[0045] Preferably, the capillary connector can be made of a polymer.

[0046] Preferably, the seal can be a planar structure, and one side of the seal can be bonded and fixed to the condenser or container; the seal can also be a circular or rectangular cross-section structure, and the seal can also be placed in a seal receiving groove on the container; the condenser and the container can be fixedly connected by screws, magnets, snap-fit, etc.

[0047] Preferably, the shape of the flow guiding layer matches the cross-section of the first chamber and the upper cross-section of the flow guiding channel, and is spaced a certain distance from the inner edge of the seal, for example, 1-5 mm.

[0048] Preferably, the heat source can be located at the bottom of the container to transfer heat to the liquid to be treated through the bottom of the container. The heat source can also be located inside the container to reduce the impact of the thermal resistance of the container material on heat transfer. The heat source can also be located in the first chamber to directly heat the liquid to be treated. In addition, when the container is made of metal, the heat source can also be an electromagnetic coil to heat the metal container through eddy currents to heat the liquid to be treated.

[0049] Preferably, the insulation layer includes at least one of polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam (EPS), vacuum insulation panel (VIP), aerogel felt, rubber and plastic insulation material, glass fiber and perlite.

[0050] Preferably, the liquid cooling channel includes, but is not limited to, straight flow channels, bent flow channels, spiral flow channels, serpentine flow channels, grid flow channels, and branched flow channels.

[0051] Furthermore, according to a second aspect of this application, a household appliance is provided, which includes a condensing device constructed according to the above preferred design.

[0052] The various design schemes of this application can be implemented individually or in any combination. In particular, without departing from the scope of this application, the features mentioned above and explained below can be used not only in the described combinations, but also in other combinations or individually. Attached Figure Description

[0053] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. For clarity, not every component is labeled in every drawing. Embodiments of this application will now be described by way of example only with reference to the illustrative drawings, in which:

[0054] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a condensation device according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0055] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the location of the flow channels and flow guides within the container.

[0056] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a condensation apparatus according to another embodiment of this application is shown.

[0057] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a condensation apparatus according to another embodiment of this application is shown.

[0058] Figure 5A schematic diagram of a first structure of a condenser according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0059] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a second structure of the condenser section according to another embodiment of this application is shown.

[0060] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a third structure of the condenser section according to another embodiment of this application is shown.

[0061] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a multi-stage condensation apparatus according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0062] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a condensation apparatus according to another embodiment of this application is shown.

[0063] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a multi-stage condensation apparatus according to another embodiment of this application is shown.

[0064] In each diagram, components with the same function and operation mode are given the same reference symbol. Detailed Implementation

[0065] The aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the details of the construction and arrangement of the elements set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The aspects and embodiments disclosed herein can be practiced or implemented in various ways.

[0066] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a condensation device according to an embodiment of this application is shown. The condensation device includes a flow guiding layer 02, a flow guiding element 03, a spring 11, a flow guiding channel 06, and a water outlet 07. Both the flow guiding layer 02 and the flow guiding element 03 have capillary structures, and the flow guiding layer 02 is in close contact with the condensation surface 09.

[0067] The flow guiding layer 02 may include at least one capillary structure selected from the following: fibrous capillary structure, granular capillary structure, mesh capillary structure, layered capillary structure, porous capillary structure, microgroove capillary structure, and angular capillary structure. For example, the flow guiding layer 02 may be a nonwoven fabric made of fibrous material.

[0068] The condensation surface 09 of the condensation section 01 is closely attached to the flow guide layer 02, for example, by at least one of the following methods: bonding, adhesive bonding, hot melting, sintering, hot air bonding or welding.

[0069] The flow guide 03 is made of a capillary structure material with a certain mechanical strength to ensure that it does not deform under wet and dry conditions, allowing for rapid connection and separation between the flow guide 03 and the flow guide layer 02. For example, when the flow guide 03 uses absorbent swabs, it is usually made of fibrous material. Through a reasonable fiber arrangement and bonding technology, it ensures sufficient tensile strength and tear resistance during use. At the same time, the absorbent swab can maintain a certain structural stability after absorbing water, and will not lose its load-bearing capacity or experience fiber separation due to swelling from water absorption.

[0070] The flow guide 03 is placed within the flow guide channel 06. The flow guide channel 06 maintains sufficient contact between the upper end face of the flow guide 03 and the flow guide layer 02 to ensure full connection between the capillary channels of the flow guide 03 and the flow guide layer 02. The flow guide channel 06 also isolates the liquid to be treated, forming an independent, clean condensate delivery channel. One end face of the flow guide 03 is in close contact with the flow guide layer 02. The spring force of the spring 11 ensures continuous contact between the connection between the flow guide layer 02 and the flow guide 03, avoiding gaps caused by manufacturing or installation errors, thermal expansion and contraction of materials, or disassembly / reassembly, which could affect the rapid transport of condensate. Therefore, the elastic deformation capacity of the spring 11 can compensate within a certain range, making the connection between the flow guide layer 02 and the flow guide 03 more adaptable.

[0071] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The diagram illustrates the structural arrangement of the flow guiding channels and components within the container. Flow guiding channel 06 and flow guiding component 03 are positioned in the center of container 05. A portion of flow guiding component 03 can be inserted into spring 11 to allow for the selection of a longer stroke spring and a gentler elastic force, preventing excessive elasticity from compressing the capillary channels of flow guiding layer 02 and affecting capillary force. Through the interconnected capillary channels, a continuous liquid transfer path is formed using capillary action, allowing condensate to rapidly transfer from flow guiding layer 02 to flow guiding component 03, achieving efficient condensate transfer. Furthermore, the materials of flow guiding layer 02 and flow guiding component 03 can undergo hydrophilic treatment to further optimize liquid transfer performance.

[0072] When the vapor generated by the evaporation of the liquid to be treated encounters the guide layer 02 and the condensation surface 09, the temperature of the vapor is reduced, causing it to revert to a liquid condensate. Under the capillary action of the guide layer 02, the condensate flows to all parts of the guide layer 02. When the condensate reaches the contact point between the guide layer 02 and the guide element 03, under the capillary action of the guide element 03, the condensate flows into the interior of the guide element 03. Under the influence of gravity, the condensate accumulates at the lower part of the guide element 03 and forms droplets that fall from the guide element 03 into the outlet 07. Thus, the guide element 03 continuously draws in the condensate from the guide layer 02, ensuring a continuous flow of condensate out of the guide layer 02 and preventing the liquid film on the condensation surface 09 from thickening or forming droplets. Because the thickness of the liquid film will never exceed the thickness of the guide layer 02 due to the continuous suction of the guide element 03, the thermal resistance of the guide layer 02 will not change. That is, the thermal resistance is the same as that of the guide layer 02 containing condensate, thus having a stable thermal resistance to maintain a sustainable condensation effect.

[0073] Since the thickness of the liquid within the flow guide layer 02 will not exceed the thickness of the flow guide layer 02 due to capillary force, the thermal resistance is fixed. The thinner the flow guide layer 02, the lower the thermal resistance, but the fewer the capillary structures in the flow guide layer 02, the lower the capillary force, and the lower the liquid flow velocity. In practical applications, the thickness of the flow guide layer 02 is 0.01-5mm, depending on the manufacturing process and application requirements, for example, 0.01mm, 0.05mm, 0.08mm, 0.15mm, 0.25mm, 0.3mm, 0.35mm, 0.5mm, 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 5mm, etc.

[0074] When the area of ​​the flow guiding layer 02 is large, in order to ensure the rapid discharge of condensate, multiple flow guiding elements 03 and flow guiding channels 06 matching the flow guiding elements 03 can be set at any position of the flow guiding layer 02.

[0075] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a condensation device according to another embodiment of this application is shown. The condensation device includes a flow guiding layer 02, a flow guiding component 03, a capillary connector 41, a flow guiding channel 06, and a water outlet 07. Both the flow guiding layer 02 and the flow guiding component 03 have capillary structures, and the flow guiding layer 02 is in close contact with the condensation surface 09.

[0076] The flow guiding layer 02 can be made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as a copper mesh or titanium mesh made of a metal material with a capillary structure. The flow guiding layer 02 can be a single layer or multiple layers stacked together.

[0077] The flow guide 03 is made of a capillary structure material with a certain mechanical strength. For example, the flow guide 03 can be made of sintered metal materials, porous metal materials, and metal foam, etc., which have good capillary action and mechanical strength through their complex internal capillary structure.

[0078] One end face of the flow guide 03 is connected to the flow guide layer 02 via a capillary connector 41. The capillary connector 41 has a certain elasticity to adapt to changes in the gap between the end face of the flow guide 03 and the flow guide layer 02, ensuring full contact and connection between the end face of the flow guide 03, the flow guide layer 02, and the capillary connector 41 to form a continuous capillary channel liquid transport path. For example, the capillary connector 41 can be made of a polymer to possess a certain elasticity to adapt to changes in the gap. Thus, through the connection of mutually contacting capillary channels, a continuous liquid transport path is formed using capillary action, allowing condensate to quickly transfer from the flow guide layer 02 to the flow guide 03, achieving efficient condensate transport.

[0079] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a condensation device according to another embodiment of this application is shown. The condensation device includes a condensation section 01, a flow guiding layer 02, a flow guiding component 03, a sealing component 04, a container 05, a flow guiding channel 06, and a water outlet 07. By providing the flow guiding layer 02 and the flow guiding component 03 with capillary structures on the condensation surface 09 of the condensation section 01, this condensation device achieves rapid discharge of condensate, improving the condensation rate and the stability and continuity of condensate collection.

[0080] The condensation surface 09 of the condensation section 01 is closely attached to the flow guide layer 02, for example, by at least one of the following methods: bonding, adhesive bonding, hot melting, sintering, hot air bonding or welding.

[0081] To ensure continuous contact between the flow guide layer 02 and the flow guide component 03, a spring 11 is installed in the device to maintain a reliable connection between them through spring force. When the condenser 01 is connected to or separated from the container 05, the capillary channel between the flow guide component 03 and the flow guide layer 02 is also connected or separated accordingly. This design structure is simple and reliable.

[0082] A seal 04 is disposed between the condenser 01 and the container 05 to form a relatively closed first chamber 08. The main function of the seal 04 is to prevent condensate from seeping out from the gap between the condenser 01 and the container 05, thus avoiding water leakage; at the same time, it prevents steam from escaping from the gap, reducing steam and temperature loss; in addition, it can effectively prevent the overflow of odors emitted by the liquid to be treated, improving the user experience.

[0083] The seal 04 can take various structural forms, such as planar structure, circular or rectangular cross-section structure. In specific implementations, one side of the seal 04 can be bonded and fixed to the condenser 01 or container 05 for convenient production and subsequent maintenance; or, the seal 04 can also be placed in the seal receiving groove (not shown in the figure) on the container 05.

[0084] The condenser 01 and the container 05 can be fixedly connected by screws, magnets, snap-fit, etc.

[0085] The shape of the flow guiding layer 02 matches the cross section of the first chamber 08 and the upper cross section of the flow guiding channel 06, and maintains a certain distance from the inner edge of the seal 04, for example, 1-5 mm, to prevent the condensate in the flow guiding layer 02 from contacting the seal 04.

[0086] The liquid to be treated is placed in the first chamber 08. When the vapor generated by evaporation encounters the guide layer 02 and the condenser section 01, its temperature decreases and it re-condenses into a liquid condensate. Under the capillary action of the guide layer 02, the condensate flows to all parts of the guide layer 02. When the condensate reaches the contact point between the guide layer 02 and the guide member 03, under the capillary action of the guide member 03, the condensate flows into the interior of the guide member 03. Under the action of gravity, the condensate accumulates at the lower part of the guide member 03 and forms droplets that drip from the guide member 03 to the outlet 07. Through the continuous suction of the guide member 03, the condensate in the guide layer 02 can flow out continuously, effectively preventing the liquid film on the condensation surface 09 of the condenser section 01 from thickening or forming droplets. Due to the continuous suction effect of the guide element 03, the thickness of the liquid film will never exceed the thickness of the guide layer 02. Therefore, the thermal resistance of the condenser and the guide layer 02 remains stable, that is, the thermal resistance is the sum of the thermal resistance of the material of the condenser 01 and the thermal resistance of the guide layer 02 containing the condensate, thus ensuring a sustainable condensation effect.

[0087] The material of the flow guiding layer 02 can be diverse, such as ES fibers, which can be used to create a fibrous capillary structure through hot air bonding. Specific connection processes include, but are not limited to, lamination, bonding, adhesive bonding, hot melting, sintering, hot air bonding, and welding. For example, the ES fibers can be hot-melted and bonded to the contact position of the condenser material 09 by heating or preheating and / or hot air bonding, while other ES fibers are bonded to each other to form a flow guiding layer 02 with a capillary structure; or, the fibers can be directly sprayed onto the condenser material through melt-blown nonwoven technology to form a fibrous capillary flow guiding layer 02; or, for example, the prepared polypropylene material flow guiding layer 02 can be welded to a plastic sheet (such as acrylic or plexiglass) by ultrasonic spot welding or continuous welding, or the polypropylene material fibers can be directly sprayed onto the plastic sheet through melt-blown nonwoven technology to form a fibrous capillary flow guiding layer 02. When the condensation surface 09 is made of a metallic material, the flow guiding layer 02 can be connected by localized adhesive bonding in a dotted or linear manner. Alternatively, the flow guiding layer 02, which is also made of a metallic material, can be sintered or welded onto the condensation surface 09, such as a metal mesh, metal foam, or metal felt. The above are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0088] It is understandable that when the area of ​​the condensation section 01 is large, in order to ensure the rapid discharge of condensate, multiple flow guides 03 and flow guide channels 06 matching the flow guides 03 can be set at any position of the flow guide layer 02.

[0089] Through the above design, the condensing device provided in this embodiment shortens the distance between the condensing surface 09 and the evaporation interface, thereby improving the evaporation and condensation rates; it avoids the problem of uneven steam distribution and improves condensation efficiency; the overall system design is simple and efficient, suitable for both miniaturized and integrated applications as well as large-scale applications; and it is easy to manufacture, install and maintain.

[0090] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a first structure of a condenser section according to an embodiment of this application is shown. In this embodiment, the condenser section 01 adopts a corrugated structure. The corrugated structure design has multiple advantages: First, it significantly enhances the rigidity of the condenser section 01 material, improves its compressive and bending resistance in the vertical direction, enabling it to withstand greater pressure and bending force, thereby ensuring the stability and reliability of the device; second, the corrugated structure increases the surface area of ​​the condensation surface 09 and the heat dissipation surface of the condenser section 01, increases the temperature difference driving force, and effectively improves the condensation efficiency; in addition, since the corrugated structure enhances the strength of the material, a thinner material can be selected to manufacture the condenser section 01, thereby reducing the structural weight and meeting the requirements of lightweight design. In actual production, the sheet metal of the condenser section 01, which is attached and connected to the flow guiding layer 02, can be processed by bending or stamping to produce the required corrugated structure.

[0091] See you again Figure 2 The diagram illustrates another structural form of the condenser section 01. In this embodiment, heat dissipation fins 12 are provided on the heat dissipation surface of the condenser section 01. The design of the heat dissipation fins 12 aims to further improve the heat dissipation performance of the condenser section 01. Specifically, the heat dissipation fins 12 significantly increase the heat exchange area of ​​the condenser section 01, thereby effectively improving the overall heat dissipation efficiency of the condenser section and accelerating the condensation process. At the same time, the arrangement of the heat dissipation fins 12 also enhances the overall strength and stability of the condenser section 01, improving the mechanical properties of the device.

[0092] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a second structure of the condenser section according to another embodiment of this application is shown. In this embodiment, the condenser section 01 adopts an arched structure. The main advantage of the arched structure is that it enhances the pressure-bearing capacity of the condenser section 01, enabling it to withstand higher internal pressures. For example, the design of the condenser section 01, through the natural transition between the arc-shaped edge and the top micro-plane, not only optimizes the structural strength and avoids stress concentration, but also gives the condenser section 01 a simple and smooth appearance, improving the overall aesthetics of the device. In actual production, the condenser section 01 plate connected to the flow guide layer 02 can also be processed by stamping or other processes to produce the required arched structure.

[0093] Figure 7A schematic diagram of a third structure of a condenser according to another embodiment of this application is shown. In this embodiment, a liquid cooling channel 13 is provided inside the condenser 01. The liquid cooling channel 13 is provided along the surface or inside of the condenser 01, and through the circulation of coolant, it can quickly remove the heat released during the condensation process, effectively maintaining the low temperature of the condensation surface 09, thereby significantly enhancing the condensation rate of steam.

[0094] The flow channel form of the liquid cooling channel 13 can be selected according to actual needs, including but not limited to straight flow channel, bent flow channel, spiral flow channel, serpentine flow channel, grid flow channel and branch flow channel.

[0095] Compared to natural cooling or air cooling, liquid cooling offers higher heat transfer efficiency, contributing to stable condensation performance. For example, increasing the coolant flow rate removes heat more quickly, accelerating the condensation rate and improving efficiency; conversely, reducing the flow rate slows the condensation rate, preventing overcooling or energy waste. By adjusting the coolant flow rate, the condensation rate can be precisely controlled according to the actual heat load, flexibly adapting to different operating conditions. This design not only enhances system adaptability but also optimizes energy efficiency while maintaining equipment stability and reliability, achieving a good balance between high-efficiency condensation and energy-saving operation.

[0096] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a multi-stage condensing device according to an embodiment of this application is shown. This multi-stage condensing device achieves multi-stage energy utilization by vertically stacking multiple containers 05 sequentially, and increases the evaporation and condensation surfaces, thereby improving the evaporation and condensation rates.

[0097] Specifically, the bottom surface of each container 05 serves as the condensation surface 09 of the preceding condensation section 01, and both the condensation surface 09 and the bottom of the container 05 are provided with a flow guide layer 02, so that the condensate can be quickly transferred from the flow guide layer 02 to the flow guide component 03. The latent heat released by the condensation of water vapor is transferred upward through the flow guide layer 02 and the bottom of the container 05 to the liquid to be treated inside the container 05, realizing the effective recovery and utilization of energy.

[0098] In this multi-stage structure, the condensate discharged from the upper guide element 03 flows to the lower guide layer 02 and is discharged through the lower guide element 03, and so on, until the condensate is finally discharged from the outlet 07 of the lowest container 05. To prevent condensate from seeping out from the gap between the upper and lower containers 05, adjacent containers 05 are sealed together by a sealing element 04 to ensure the airtightness and operating efficiency of the device.

[0099] Figure 10A schematic diagram of a multi-stage condenser according to another embodiment of this application is shown, wherein the multi-stage condenser further includes a liquid inlet channel 21 and an overflow channel 22. The liquid inlet channel 21 and the overflow channel 22 are coaxially arranged so that when multiple containers 05 are stacked, the overflow channel 22 of the upper container 05 communicates with the liquid inlet channel 21 of the lower container 05.

[0100] The liquid to be processed flows into the inlet channel 21 from the inlet 33, and then into the first chamber 08 from the inlet 33. When the liquid level in the first chamber 08 reaches the overflow port 36, the liquid to be processed flows into the overflow channel 22 from the overflow port 36, and then into the inlet channel 21 of the next layer container 05 through the drain port 37, and so on. In this way, the liquid level of the liquid to be processed will never exceed the height of the overflow port 36, thereby maintaining the set liquid level in each first chamber 08 and ensuring the stable operation of the condensation process.

[0101] In practical applications, in order to further improve the sealing effect and prevent the liquid to be treated from leaking between the upper and lower containers 05, when the overflow channel 22 of the upper container 05 is connected to the liquid inlet channel 21 of the lower container 05, the drain port 37 of the upper container 05 and the liquid inlet channel 21 of the lower container 05 can be sealed by a sealing ring (not shown in the figure) to ensure that the liquid to be treated overflowing from the upper container 05 can effectively flow into the lower container 05, thereby replenishing the liquid to be treated in the lower container 05.

[0102] By employing the aforementioned multi-stage stacked structure and inlet / overflow channel design, this condensation device not only improves energy utilization efficiency but also increases the effective area for evaporation and condensation, thereby significantly enhancing the evaporation and condensation rates and achieving a highly efficient condensation process. Simultaneously, this design ensures the independence and stability of each condensation stage, avoiding mutual interference and improving the overall performance of the device.

[0103] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a condensing device according to another embodiment of this application is shown. The condensing device includes a fan 31, a heat source 32, and an insulation layer 35, as well as the condensing section 01, flow guiding layer 02, flow guiding element 03, sealing element 04, container 05, flow guiding channel 06, spring 11, and water outlet 07 described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0104] The heat source 32 is used to heat the liquid to be treated inside the container 05 to accelerate the evaporation rate, thereby increasing the condensation rate and ultimately accelerating the processing speed of the liquid. The arrangement of the heat source 32 can be flexibly selected according to actual conditions: for example, it can be located at the bottom of the container 05, transferring heat to the liquid to be treated through the bottom of the container 05; it can also be located inside the container 05 to reduce the impact of the thermal resistance of the container 05 material on heat transfer; or it can be located inside the first chamber 08 to directly heat the liquid to be treated. Furthermore, when the container 05 is made of metal, the heat source 32 can also be an electromagnetic coil, heating the metal container 05 through eddy currents, thereby heating the liquid to be treated.

[0105] The liquid to be treated evaporates into water vapor in the first chamber 08. Upon encountering the guide layer 02, the water vapor condenses into condensate. The heat released during condensation is transferred away through the condenser section 01. The fan 31 accelerates the airflow around the surface of the condenser section 01, improving heat transfer efficiency and quickly removing the heat released by the condenser section 01, maintaining a low temperature on the surface of the condenser section 01, thereby accelerating the condensation process. The resulting condensate is discharged through the guide element 03 to the outlet 07, completing the evaporation process of the liquid to be treated.

[0106] The insulation layer 35 is disposed on the outer layer of the container 05 to reduce heat loss from the inside of the container 05 to the outside, maintain a stable temperature inside the heated container 05, improve heating efficiency, and thus save energy. At the same time, the insulation layer 35 also protects surrounding equipment and the environment from the effects of high temperatures. The material of the insulation layer 35 may include, but is not limited to, at least one of polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam (EPS), vacuum insulation panel (VIP), aerogel felt, rubber and plastic insulation materials, fiberglass, and perlite.

[0107] See you again Figure 7 The condensation device also includes a water pump 34, a heat source 32, and a liquid inlet 33, as well as the condensation section 01, the flow guide layer 02, the flow guide component 03, the seal component 04, the container 05, the flow guide channel 06, the spring 11, and the water outlet 07 described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0108] and Figure 9 The main difference in the embodiment shown is that the condenser 01 in this embodiment is provided with a liquid cooling channel 13. The water pump 34 is used to pump coolant through the liquid cooling channel 13 to quickly remove the heat released during the condensation process, maintain the low temperature of the condensation surface 09, and thus enhance the steam condensation rate.

[0109] The function of heat source section 32 and Figure 9The embodiment shown is the same, used to heat the liquid to be treated in container 05 to accelerate evaporation and increase condensation, thereby speeding up the processing of the liquid. The resulting condensate is also discharged to outlet 07 through guide 03, completing the evaporation process of the liquid. Inlet 33 is used to add the liquid to be treated into container 05.

[0110] By combining the two different cooling methods described above with the heating effect of the heat source 32, the temperature during the condensation process can be effectively controlled, improving condensation efficiency and processing speed. Air cooling is simple in structure and low in cost, suitable for applications with less stringent cooling requirements; liquid cooling offers better cooling performance and higher temperature control accuracy, suitable for applications with higher cooling requirements. Selecting the appropriate cooling method based on actual application needs can better meet diverse usage requirements.

[0111] Furthermore, when the area of ​​the flow guiding layer 02 is large, in order to ensure rapid discharge of condensate, in the above embodiments, at least one of the following raised structures—linear, dendritic, mesh-like, and meridian-like—can be provided on the flow guiding layer 02 for better liquid transport. Mimicking the vein structure of a leaf, which typically includes a midrib, lateral veins, and veinlets, the midrib has the largest cross-sectional area, the lateral veins are numerous and have a relatively smaller cross-sectional area, and the veinlets are even more numerous and comprehensively distributed, thus facilitating the transport of water and nutrients.

[0112] Based on this principle, the raised structure can mimic the blade structure, effectively gathering the surrounding liquid into the structure, optimizing the direction and position of liquid flow in the guide layer, improving the liquid delivery speed, and without increasing the overall thickness of the guide layer.

[0113] Optionally, by mimicking the vein structure of a blade, multiple flow channels are provided for the flow guide layer 02. The flow channels are fitted and connected to the flow guide layer, with one end face of the flow guide connected to the flow channel to form a continuous capillary channel. Liquid that condenses directly on the condensation surface 01 without flow channels will form a liquid film that spreads outwards. When the liquid film reaches the flow channel, capillary force will cause it to flow into the channel, thereby removing the liquid on the condensation surface 01 and reducing the heat transfer resistance.

[0114] In practical applications, the spacing of the drainage channels can be adjusted according to the wetting properties of the condensation surface to control the liquid film thickness and obtain the optimal condensation rate. The cross-sectional thickness of the drainage channels can be selected within the range of 0.1mm-10mm.

[0115] The drainage channels can adopt linear, tree-like, mesh-like, or meridian-like structures, and can be composed of fibrous, granular, layered, porous, or microgroove capillary structures. The porous or microgroove capillary structures are disposed on the condenser and capillarily connected to the flow guide layer. For example, capillary microgrooves are machined from the condensing surface into the condenser interior. After the flow guide layer adheres to the condensing surface, it also connects to the capillary microgrooves to form capillary channels. Drainage channels with different cross-sectional thicknesses can be designed; for example, the cross-sectional thickness of the first drainage channel is greater than that of the second drainage channel.

[0116] The connection methods for the flow channels can include at least one of the following: nonwoven fabrication, bonding, adhesive bonding, hot melting, sintering, hot air bonding, welding, etc. A tight connection between the network layers can be achieved through edge connections or overlay methods, ensuring the stability and continuity of the liquid transport system. Specific connection processes can be flexibly selected based on the material properties of the flow guide layer and the application scenario to optimize the overall performance of the condensation device.

[0117] By designing flow channels within the guide layer, liquid permeability can be significantly improved, accelerating liquid flow velocity. This design reduces the local thickness of the guide layer, minimizing its impact on the condensation surface and thus increasing the condensation rate. Simultaneously, this method effectively increases the effective area of ​​both the condensation surface and the guide layer, further optimizing the overall performance of the condensation device.

[0118] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” as used herein are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprising” and / or “including” as used in this specification indicate the presence of the indicated features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0119] While this disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereunder without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, many modifications may be made to suit particular situations or materials to the teachings of this disclosure without departing from its essential scope. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode for carrying out the concepts of this disclosure, but rather that this disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

[0120] Reference Symbol List

[0121] 01 Condensation Section

[0122] 02 Deflection Layer

[0123] 03 Airflow guide

[0124] 04 Seals

[0125] 05 Container

[0126] 06. Diversion Channel

[0127] 07 Water outlet

[0128] 08 First Chamber

[0129] 09 Condensation Surface

[0130] 11 Springs

[0131] 12 Heat dissipation fins

[0132] 13 Liquid cooling channel

[0133] 21 Liquid Inlet Channel

[0134] 22 Overflow Channel

[0135] 31 Fans

[0136] 32 Heat Source Section

[0137] 33 Liquid Inlet

[0138] 34 Water pumps

[0139] 35 Insulation layer

[0140] 36 Overflow outlets 36

[0141] 37 drain port

[0142] 41 Capillary connector

Claims

1. A condensation device, comprising a condensation section, a flow guiding layer, at least one flow guiding element, and a flow guiding channel, characterized in that: The flow guiding layer is disposed on the condensation surface of the condensation section, and both the flow guiding layer and the flow guiding element have capillary structures; One end face of the flow guide is connected to the flow guide layer and placed in the flow guide channel, the flow guide channel being used to maintain the connection; The condensate generated on the condensation surface and the guide layer is continuously discharged through the capillary action and gravity of the guide layer and the guide element.

2. The condensation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow guide is made of fibrous material and maintains structural stability after absorbing water.

3. The condensation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The condensation device also includes a spring for ensuring continuous contact between the flow guide layer and the connection portion of the flow guide element.

4. The condensation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a capillary connector, one end face of the flow guide is connected to the flow guide layer through the capillary connector, and the capillary connector is elastic to adapt to the change in the interval between one end face of the flow guide and the flow guide layer.

5. The condensation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The condensation device also includes a sealing element disposed between the condensation section and the container to form a first chamber, which is used to prevent condensate and vapor from seeping out from the gap between the condensation section and the container.

6. The condensation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The condenser section has a corrugated or arched structure.

7. The condensing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The condenser section has heat dissipation fins on its heat dissipation surface, or a liquid cooling channel is provided inside the condenser section.

8. The condensing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The condensation device includes multiple containers that are stacked vertically in sequence. The bottom surface of each container serves as the condensation surface of the next-level condensation section, and both the condensation surface and the bottom of the container are provided with a flow guide layer.

9. The condensation device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The condensation device further includes a liquid inlet channel and an overflow channel, which are coaxially arranged so that when the multiple containers are stacked, the overflow channel of the upper container is connected to the liquid inlet channel of the lower container.

10. A household appliance, characterized in that, It includes a condensation device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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