Micro-channel heat exchanger

Abstract

The utility model provides a micro-channel heat exchanger. Comprising a liquid inlet pipe, a liquid outlet pipe, a flat pipe and fins, the liquid outlet pipe is parallel to the liquid inlet pipe, the flat pipe comprises a plurality of straight pipe sections which are arranged side by side at intervals, a plurality of bent pipe sections which are sequentially connected with two adjacent straight pipe sections in series and flow channels which extend along the interiors of the straight pipe sections and the bent pipe sections, and the two ends of the flat pipe are connected with the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid outlet pipe respectively. The fins are arranged between every two adjacent pipe sections and extend along the straight pipe sections to form a wavy structure, and the width of the flat pipes is smaller than that of the fins. On the premise that the width of the fins is not changed or the height of the fins is slightly increased, the overall weight is lighter by reducing the width of the flat pipes, increasing the heat exchange amount of the micro-channel heat exchanger and reducing wind resistance, and the overall performance and cost of the micro-channel heat exchanger are superior to those of a traditional micro-channel heat exchanger.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of thermal management technology, and in particular to a microchannel heat exchanger. Background Technology

[0002] Microchannel heat exchangers are characterized by high cooling efficiency, small size, light weight, and strong pressure resistance, making them suitable for various fields such as automotive air conditioning, electronic equipment, refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, and clothes dryers. They can effectively reduce the temperature of equipment in high-temperature environments. In existing technologies, to meet heat dissipation requirements, the width of both the flat tube and the heat dissipation fins needs to be increased, which leads to increased air resistance and weight in serpentine tube microchannel heat exchangers. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a microchannel heat exchanger that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a microchannel heat exchanger.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a microchannel heat exchanger is provided, comprising: an inlet pipe, wherein the axial direction of the inlet pipe is defined as the width direction; an outlet pipe, wherein the outlet pipe is arranged parallel to the inlet pipe; a flat tube, wherein the flat tube includes a plurality of straight pipe segments arranged at intervals and side by side, a plurality of bent pipe segments connected in series with two adjacent straight pipe segments, and flow channels extending along the interior of the straight pipe segments and the bent pipe segments, wherein the two ends of the flat tube are respectively connected to the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe; and fins, wherein the fins are disposed between two adjacent straight pipe segments and extend along the straight pipe segments to form a wavy structure, wherein the width of the flat tube is smaller than the width of the fins.

[0005] Preferably, the flat tube has a side plate on its outer side, one end of which extends along the straight tube section to wrap around the inlet or outlet tube, and the side plate is the same width as the fin.

[0006] Preferably, the other end of the side plate extends along the outside of the bend to the outlet pipe or inlet pipe.

[0007] Preferably, the side plate has a flow channel extending along the flat tube inside, and the two ends of the side plate are respectively connected to the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe.

[0008] Preferably, fins are provided between the side plate and the adjacent straight pipe section.

[0009] Preferably, the fin includes multiple main body portions, multiple crest bend portions, and multiple trough bend portions. The main body portions are arranged along the width direction of the flat tube and there is a predetermined angle between two adjacent main body portions. The crest bend portions are respectively connected to two adjacent main body portions and connected to a straight pipe section. The trough bend portions are respectively connected to two adjacent main body portions and connected to another straight pipe section.

[0010] Preferably, the main body is provided with a first window structure and a second window structure in the width direction, and the first window structure and the second window structure form two air channels with different orientations on the main body.

[0011] Preferably, the portion of the fins protruding from the flat tube has no window structure.

[0012] Preferably, the number of flow channels inside the flat tube is positively correlated with the width of the flat tube, and the ratio of the width of the flat tube to the width of the fin is 1.2 to 2.

[0013] Preferably, the width of the flat tube is 20-25 mm, the thickness of the flat tube is 2 ± 0.5 mm, and the number of flow channels inside the flat tube is 10-20; the width of the fin is 25-32 mm, the thickness of the fin is 0.08 ± 0.02 mm, the wave height of the fin is 8 ± 0.5 mm, and the wave pitch of the fin is 4 to 5.5 mm.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the microchannel heat exchanger provided by this utility model has the following beneficial effects: without changing the fin width or slightly increasing the fin height, this utility model increases the heat exchange capacity of the microchannel heat exchanger by reducing the width of the flat tube, reduces the wind resistance, and makes the overall weight lighter, so that the overall performance and cost of the microchannel heat exchanger are better than those of traditional microchannel heat exchangers. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the microchannel heat exchanger in this utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a top view of a microchannel heat exchanger according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a top view of another microchannel heat exchanger in this utility model;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the flow channel within the straight pipe section of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fin in this utility model;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the main body in this utility model;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the main body of this utility model.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Inlet pipe; 2. Outlet pipe; 3. Flat pipe; 31. Straight pipe section; 32. Bend pipe section; 33. Flow channel; 4. Fin; 41. Main body; 42. Peak bend section; 43. Valley bend section; 411. First window structure; 412. Second window structure; 5. Side plate. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] To keep the drawings concise, only the parts relevant to this invention are shown schematically in each figure, and they do not represent the actual structure of the product. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, in some figures, only one of the components with the same structure or function is schematically depicted, or only one is labeled. In this document, "one" not only means "only one," but can also mean "more than one."

[0026] It should also be further understood that the term “and / or” as used in this application specification and the appended claims means any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0027] In this document, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0028] Furthermore, in the description of this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0029] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the specific implementation methods of this utility model will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings and other implementation methods can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0030] See appendix Figures 1 to 7 This embodiment provides a microchannel heat exchanger, specifically a serpentine tube microchannel heat exchanger, which includes an inlet pipe 1, an outlet pipe 2, a flat tube 3, fins 4, and a side plate 5.

[0031] See appendix Figures 1 to 3 The outlet pipe 2 is set parallel to the inlet pipe 1, and the inlet pipe 1, outlet pipe 2, and flat pipe 3 form a refrigerant flow loop. The positions of the inlet pipe 1 and outlet pipe 2 are not fixed, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 2 As shown in the attached diagram, the inlet and outlet are located diagonally opposite each other in the microchannel heat exchanger. Figure 3 As shown, the inlet and outlet are located at two adjacent corners of the microchannel heat exchanger. Of course, those skilled in the art can design the shape and number of flat tubes 3 to place the inlet and outlet on the same side or at a corner of the microchannel heat exchanger.

[0032] For ease of subsequent description, the orientation of the microchannel heat exchanger is defined, and those skilled in the art will understand that the above orientation is not unique. Since the microchannel heat exchanger is generally placed vertically during use, and there are potential heat dissipation risks on its front and rear sides, the axial direction of the inlet pipe 1 is defined as the width direction.

[0033] The flat tube 3 includes multiple straight pipe sections 31 arranged at intervals and side by side, multiple bent pipe sections 32 connected in series with adjacent straight pipe sections 31, and flow channels 33 extending inside the straight pipe sections 31 and bent pipe sections 32. The flat tube 3 has a microchannel structure and is formed by multiple bends, which facilitates heat exchange of the refrigerant within the flow channels 33. See Appendix. Figure 4 The width of the flat tube 3 is 20-25 mm, the thickness of the flat tube 3 is 2 mm, and the thickness of the flat tube 3 is 2 ± 0.5 mm. The number of flow channels 33 inside the flat tube 3 is positively correlated with the width of the flat tube 3, and the number of flow channels 33 inside the flat tube 3 is 10-20. The chamfer radius of the flat tube 3 at the bend section 32 is greater than 4 mm. The two ends of the flat tube 3 are connected to the inlet pipe 1 and the outlet pipe 2, respectively.

[0034] Fins 4 are disposed between two adjacent straight pipe sections 31 and extend along the straight pipe sections 31 to form a wavy structure. The width of the flat pipe 3 is smaller than the width of the fins 4. The width of the fins 4 is 25-32 mm, the thickness of the fins 4 is 0.08±0.02 mm, the wave height of the fins 4 is 8±0.5 mm, and the wave pitch of the fins 4 is 4 to 5.5 mm.

[0035] A side plate 5 is provided on the outer side of the flat tube 3. One end of the side plate 5 extends along the straight tube section 31 to wrap around the liquid inlet pipe 1 or the liquid outlet pipe 2. The side plate 5 is made of ordinary aluminum plate and is the same width as the fins 4. Fins 4 are provided between the side plate 5 and the adjacent straight tube section 31. The side plate 5 protects the fins 4 and prevents deformation of the fins 4 during transportation and installation, which would affect the heat dissipation effect of the microchannel heat exchanger.

[0036] See appendix Figure 3 The side plate 5 can also be a microchannel flat tube, with the other end of the side plate 5 extending along the outside of the bent section 32 to the liquid outlet pipe 2 or the liquid inlet pipe 1. The side plate 5 has a flow channel 33 extending along the flat tube 3 inside, and the two ends of the side plate 5 are connected to the liquid inlet pipe 1 and the liquid outlet pipe 2 respectively. In other words, the side plate 5 also has a microchannel structure and can also form a refrigerant flow loop.

[0037] See appendix Figure 5 The fin 4 includes multiple main body sections 41, multiple crest bends 42, and multiple trough bends 43. The main body sections 41 are arranged along the width direction of the flat tube 3, and adjacent main body sections 41 are at a predetermined angle. The crest bends 42 are connected to two adjacent main body sections 41 and connected to a straight tube section 31, respectively. The trough bends 43 are connected to two adjacent main body sections 41 and connected to another straight tube section 31. The fin 4 between two adjacent straight tube sections 31 is an integral structure, and the waveform structure is achieved by bending.

[0038] See appendix Figure 6 Appendix Figure 7 To improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the fins 4, a first window structure 411 and a second window structure 412 are respectively provided in the width direction of the main body 41. The first window structure 411 and the second window structure 412 form two air channels with different orientations on the main body 41, which increases the degree of air turbulence and thus improves the heat exchange between the air and the main body 41. In addition, the part of the fins 4 that protrudes from the flat tube 3 has no window structure, which can strengthen the structural strength of the fins 4.

[0039] The ratio of the width of the flat tube 3 to the width of the fin 4 is 1.2 to 2, and more preferably the ratio of the width of the fin 4 to the width of the flat tube 3 is 1.6. Specifically, experiments have shown that a serpentine microchannel with the above-mentioned structure is obtained by using a flat tube 3 with specifications of 20mm×2mm×12 (width×thickness×number of holes) and a fin 4 with specifications of 32mm×0.08mm×8.1mm×5.5mm (width×thickness×wave height×wave pitch). Simulation experiments have shown that the heat exchange of the serpentine microchannel with the above-mentioned structure is 388W, the air resistance is 4.9Pa, and the pressure drop is 46492. Compared with the traditional serpentine microchannel (flat tube 3 with specifications of 25.4mm×2mm×20 and fin 4 with specifications of 25.4mm×0.08mm×8.1mm×6.4mm), although the pressure drop is slightly increased, the heat exchange is increased, the air resistance is reduced, and the overall weight is lighter. Therefore, the overall performance and cost of the microchannel heat exchanger are better than those of the traditional microchannel heat exchanger.

[0040] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations falling within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A microchannel heat exchanger, characterized in that, include: Inlet pipe, the axial direction of the inlet pipe is defined as the width direction; The liquid outlet pipe is arranged parallel to the liquid inlet pipe; The flat tube includes multiple straight pipe sections arranged at intervals and side by side, multiple bends connected in series with two adjacent straight pipe sections, and flow channels extending inside the straight pipe sections and bends. The two ends of the flat tube are respectively connected to the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. The fins are disposed between two adjacent straight pipe sections and extend along the straight pipe sections to form a wavy structure, wherein the width of the flat pipe is smaller than the width of the fins.

2. The microchannel heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The flat tube has a side plate on its outer side, one end of which extends along the straight tube section to wrap around the inlet or outlet tube. The side plate is the same width as the fin.

3. The microchannel heat exchanger as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The other end of the side plate extends along the outside of the bend to the outlet pipe or inlet pipe.

4. The microchannel heat exchanger as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The side plate has a flow channel extending along the flat tube inside, and the two ends of the side plate are respectively connected to the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe.

5. The microchannel heat exchanger as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, Fins are provided between the side plate and the adjacent straight pipe section.

6. The microchannel heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fin includes multiple main body sections, multiple crest bend sections, and multiple trough bend sections. The main body sections are arranged along the width direction of the flat tube and there is a predetermined angle between two adjacent main body sections. The crest bend sections are connected to two adjacent main body sections and connected to a straight pipe section. The trough bend sections are connected to two adjacent main body sections and connected to another straight pipe section.

7. The microchannel heat exchanger as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The main body is provided with a first window structure and a second window structure in the width direction, and the first window structure and the second window structure form two air channels with different directions on the main body.

8. The microchannel heat exchanger as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The portion of the fins protruding from the flat tube has no window structure.

9. The microchannel heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The number of flow channels inside the flat tube is positively correlated with the width of the flat tube, and the ratio of the width of the flat tube to the width of the fin is 1.2 to 2.

10. The microchannel heat exchanger as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The flat tube has a width of 20-25 mm and a thickness of 2 ± 0.5 mm, and the number of flow channels inside the flat tube is 10-20; the fin has a width of 25-32 mm, a thickness of 0.08 ± 0.02 mm, a wave height of 8 ± 0.5 mm, and a wave pitch of 4 to 5.5 mm.

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