Micro-channel structure and water heater

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of water heaters, and particularly relates to a micro-channel structure and a water heater. The utility model provides a micro-channel structure which comprises a micro-channel assembly arranged on the side wall of a water tank in a surrounding mode. The auxiliary heating assembly is arranged on at least one of the upper end and the lower end of the water tank, communicates with the micro-channel assembly and is used for heating at least one of the upper end and the lower end of the water tank. The side wall of the water tank is heated through the micro-channel assembly, the two ends of the water tank are heated through the auxiliary heating assembly, and therefore the heating efficiency of the water tank is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of water heater technology, specifically relating to a microchannel structure and a water heater. Background Technology

[0002] Air source heat pump water heaters, also known as "air source heat pump water heaters," work by using a small amount of electricity to drive a compressor. The high-pressure liquid working fluid evaporates into a gaseous state in the evaporator after passing through the expansion valve, absorbing a large amount of heat energy from the air. The gaseous working fluid is then compressed by the compressor into a high-temperature, high-pressure liquid state, which then enters the condenser to release heat and heat the water.

[0003] An air source water heater includes a water tank, microchannels, and a heat pump system. The heat pump is connected to the microchannels through refrigerant pipes. The heat pump system delivers high-temperature refrigerant to the microchannels, which are arranged around the outside of the water tank and deliver heat to the water tank to heat the water.

[0004] However, the microchannels only heat the side walls of the water tank, resulting in poor heating efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a microchannel structure and a water heater, which are used to heat the side wall and both ends of a water tank, thereby improving the heating efficiency of the water tank.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a microchannel structure applied to a water tank, comprising:

[0007] Microchannel components are arranged around the side wall of the water tank;

[0008] An auxiliary heating component is disposed at at least one end of the upper and lower ends of the water tank and is connected to the microchannel component. The auxiliary heating component is used to heat at least one end of the upper and lower ends of the water tank.

[0009] In this embodiment of the application, the microchannel component includes:

[0010] The first microchannel pipeline is arranged around the outer wall of the water tank;

[0011] A fixed bracket is installed on the first microchannel tube;

[0012] The air intake pipe has one end mounted on the fixed bracket and the other end connected to the first microchannel pipe.

[0013] The air outlet pipe has one end mounted on the fixed bracket and the other end connected to the first microchannel pipe.

[0014] In this embodiment of the application, the first microchannel conduit includes:

[0015] Two manifolds are arranged parallel to each other on the water tank, one of which is connected to the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe respectively.

[0016] At least two sets of microchannel tubes are arranged around the outer wall of the water tank. Each set of microchannel tubes is connected to two manifolds at both ends. The refrigerant flows in opposite directions in two adjacent sets of microchannel tubes.

[0017] In this embodiment, the microchannel tube group near the bottom of the water tank includes at least five microchannel tubes, and the number of microchannel tubes in each group of microchannel tubes increases sequentially from bottom to top.

[0018] In this embodiment of the application, the auxiliary heating component includes a heat exchange tube, and the gas outlet pipeline includes a first gas outlet pipe and a second gas outlet pipe;

[0019] One end of the first air outlet pipe is mounted on the fixed bracket (), and the other end is connected to the air inlet of the heat exchange pipe;

[0020] One end of the second outlet pipe is connected to the outlet of the heat exchange tube, and the other end is connected to the manifold.

[0021] The heat exchange tube is laid on at least one end of the water tank, both above and below.

[0022] In this embodiment, the heat exchange tube is spiral-shaped.

[0023] In this embodiment of the application, the fixing bracket includes:

[0024] A fixed plate, which is connected to the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe;

[0025] The first connector has one end connected to the fixed plate and the other end threadedly connected to at least one of the two manifolds.

[0026] The second connector has one end connected to the fixing plate and the other end snapped into connection with at least one of the two manifolds.

[0027] In this embodiment of the application, the intake pipe includes a first metal pipe and a first rubber pipe, the first metal pipe is connected to the first rubber pipe, the first metal pipe is connected to at least one of the two manifolds, and the first rubber pipe is disposed on the fixed plate.

[0028] The air outlet pipeline includes a second metal pipe and a second rubber pipe, the second metal pipe is connected to the second rubber pipe, the second metal pipe is connected to at least one of the two manifolds, and the second rubber pipe is disposed on the fixed plate.

[0029] In this embodiment of the application, the auxiliary heating component includes a second microchannel pipeline, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the two manifolds, and the second microchannel pipeline is laid on at least one end of the upper and lower ends of the water tank.

[0030] Secondly, embodiments of this application also provide a water heater, including a water tank and a microchannel structure as described in the first aspect disposed on the water tank.

[0031] This application provides a microchannel structure, including a microchannel assembly disposed around the side wall of a water tank. An auxiliary heating assembly is disposed at at least one end of the water tank (both upper and lower) and communicates with the microchannel assembly. The auxiliary heating assembly is used to heat at least one end of the water tank (both upper and lower). By heating the side wall of the water tank through the microchannel assembly and then heating both ends of the water tank through the auxiliary heating assembly, the heating efficiency of the water tank is improved. Attached Figure Description

[0032] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the microchannel structure provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0034] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure after removing the water tank;

[0035] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the fixed bracket in the diagram.

[0036] Figure label:

[0037] 100 - Water tank; 110 - Microchannel assembly; 120 - Auxiliary heating assembly;

[0038] 200 - First microchannel conduit; 210 - Manifold; 220 - Microchannel conduit assembly; 221 - Microchannel conduit;

[0039] 300 - Fixed bracket; 310 - Fixed plate; 320 - First connector; 330 - Second connector; 340 - Connecting block;

[0040] 400 - Intake pipe; 410 - First metal pipe; 420 - First rubber hose;

[0041] 500 - Exhaust pipe; 510 - Heat exchanger tube; 520 - Second metal tube; 530 - Second rubber tube; 540 - First exhaust pipe; 550 - Second exhaust pipe;

[0042] 600-Spring.

[0043] The accompanying drawings illustrate specific embodiments of this application, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of this application to those skilled in the art through reference to particular embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0044] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0045] Air source heat pump water heaters, also known as "air source heat pump water heaters," work by using a small amount of electricity to drive a compressor. The high-pressure liquid working fluid evaporates into a gaseous state in the evaporator after passing through the expansion valve, absorbing a large amount of heat energy from the air. The gaseous working fluid is then compressed by the compressor into a high-temperature, high-pressure liquid state, which then enters the condenser to release heat and heat the water.

[0046] An air source water heater includes a water tank, microchannels, and a heat pump system. The heat pump is connected to the microchannels through refrigerant pipes. The heat pump system delivers high-temperature refrigerant to the microchannels, which are arranged around the outside of the water tank and deliver heat to the water tank to heat the water.

[0047] The existing method of heating the water tank only through microchannels results in low heating efficiency.

[0048] This application provides a microchannel structure and a water heater. By contacting the air inlet pipe in the microchannel structure with the bottom of the water tank, the microchannel structure heats the outer wall of the water tank while the refrigerant in the air outlet pipe heats the bottom of the water tank, thereby improving heating efficiency.

[0049] The technical solutions of this application and how they solve the aforementioned technical problems are described in detail below with specific embodiments. These specific embodiments may exist independently or in combination with each other. Identical or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments. The embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the microchannel structure provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 for Figure 1A schematic diagram of the structure after removing the water tank.

[0051] This application provides a microchannel structure applied to a water tank 100, including a microchannel assembly 110, which is arranged around the side wall of the water tank 100. An auxiliary heating assembly 120 is disposed at at least one end of the water tank 100 at both the upper and lower ends and is in communication with the microchannel assembly 110. The auxiliary heating assembly 120 is used to heat at least one end of the water tank 100 at both the upper and lower ends.

[0052] The side wall of the water tank 100 is heated by the microchannel component 110, and the two ends of the water tank 100 are heated by the auxiliary heating component 120, thereby improving the heating efficiency of the water tank 100.

[0053] In this embodiment, the microchannel assembly 110 includes a first microchannel conduit 200, which is disposed around the outer wall of the water tank 100.

[0054] The fixed bracket 300 is installed on the first microchannel tube 200.

[0055] The intake pipe 400 is mounted on the fixed bracket 300 at one end and connected to the first microchannel pipe 200 at the other end.

[0056] The air outlet pipe 500 has one end mounted on the fixed bracket 300 and the other end connected to the first microchannel pipe 200.

[0057] The side wall of the water tank 100 is heated through the first microchannel pipe 200.

[0058] The air source water heater heats water using a reverse Carnot cycle. The heat pump system inside the air source water heater includes an evaporator, a compressor, a first microchannel pipe 200, and an expansion valve connected in sequence. Therefore, the air inlet pipe 400 is used to connect to the compressor and to deliver refrigerant to the first microchannel pipe 200, and the air outlet pipe 500 is connected to the expansion valve and to output refrigerant.

[0059] In this embodiment of the application, the first microchannel pipeline 200 includes two manifolds 210, which are arranged parallel to each other on the water tank 100. The two manifolds 210 are respectively connected to the air inlet pipeline 400 and the air outlet pipeline 500.

[0060] At least two sets of microchannel tubes 220 are arranged around the outer wall of the water tank 100. The two ends of the microchannel tubes 220 are connected to two manifolds 210 respectively. The refrigerant flows in opposite directions in the two adjacent sets of microchannel tubes 220.

[0061] For example, two manifolds 210 are arranged in parallel on the outer wall of the water tank 100, and four sets of microchannel tubes 220 are connected to the two manifolds 210 from top to bottom. The microchannel tubes 220 are arranged around the outside of the water tank 100 for heat exchange with the water tank 100.

[0062] The topmost group of microchannel tubes 220 is the first group, and the bottommost group of microchannel tubes 220 is the fourth group. During the heating process of the water tank 100, the refrigerant flows in the same direction as the first and third groups, and the refrigerant flows in the same direction as the second and fourth groups. This grouping arrangement makes the refrigerant distribution in each microchannel tube group 220 more uniform, thereby making the water tank 100 more evenly heated and improving the heating efficiency.

[0063] In this embodiment, the microchannel tube group 220 near the bottom of the water tank 100 includes at least five microchannel tubes 221, and the number of microchannel tubes 221 in each microchannel tube group 220 increases sequentially from bottom to top.

[0064] For example, the number of microchannel tubes 221 in the first to fourth groups of microchannel tube groups 220 are 12-9-7-5 respectively, which further shortens the distance, improves the circulation efficiency of the refrigerant, and improves the heat exchange efficiency.

[0065] In this embodiment, the auxiliary heating assembly 120 includes a heat exchange tube 510, and the gas outlet pipe 500 includes a first gas outlet pipe 540 and a second gas outlet pipe 550.

[0066] One end of the first exhaust pipe 540 is mounted on the fixed bracket 300, and the other end is connected to the air inlet of the heat exchange pipe 510.

[0067] One end of the second outlet pipe 550 is connected to the outlet of the heat exchange tube 510, and the other end is connected to the manifold 210.

[0068] The heat exchange tube 510 is laid on at least one end of the water tank 100.

[0069] The heat exchange tube 510 uses the refrigerant flowing inside to heat the bottom of the water tank 100 a second time, thereby improving the heating efficiency.

[0070] In this embodiment, the heat exchange tube 510 is spiral-shaped. This increases the contact area between the heat exchange tube 510 and the bottom of the water tank 100, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0071] like Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the fixed bracket in the diagram.

[0072] In this embodiment, the fixed bracket 300 includes a fixed plate 310, which is connected to the air inlet pipe 400 and the air outlet pipe 500.

[0073] The first connector 320 is connected at one end to the fixing plate 310 and at the other end to at least one of the two manifolds 210 by thread.

[0074] The second connector 330 is connected at one end to the fixing plate 310 and at the other end to at least one of the two manifolds 210.

[0075] The fixing bracket 300 is located in the middle of the two manifolds 210 and is used to fix the intake pipe 400 and the exhaust pipe 500. By integrating the two in the middle of the manifolds 210, the fixing bracket 300 facilitates assembly and improves assembly efficiency.

[0076] For example, the first connector 320 and the second connector 330 are both fixedly connected to the right-side manifold 210. Two connecting blocks 340 are arranged opposite each other on the fixing plate 310. The upper connecting block 340 is threadedly connected to the first connector 320 through its threaded hole, and the lower connecting block 340 is snapped into the second connector 330.

[0077] When installing the fixed bracket 300, the second connector 330 needs to be snapped into the lower connector 340 first, and then the first connector 320 is fixed to the upper connector 340 with bolts to fix the fixed plate 310. Moreover, only one bolt is needed to fix the fixed plate 310, which improves the assembly efficiency.

[0078] For example, the functions of the first connector 320 and the second connector 330 can be interchanged, that is, the first connector 320 is snapped into the upper connecting block 340, and the second connector 330 is threaded into the lower connector.

[0079] For example, the fixed bracket 300 has mounting ports on both sides for installing the air inlet pipe 400 and the air outlet pipe 500.

[0080] In this embodiment of the application, the intake pipe 400 includes a first metal pipe 410 and a first rubber pipe 420. The first metal pipe 410 is connected to the first rubber pipe 420. The first metal pipe 410 is connected to at least one of the two manifolds 210. The first rubber pipe 420 is disposed on the fixing plate 310.

[0081] The air outlet pipe 500 includes a second metal pipe 520 and a second rubber pipe 530. The second metal pipe 520 is connected to the second rubber pipe 530. The second metal pipe 520 is connected to at least one of the two manifolds 210. The second rubber pipe 530 is mounted on the fixed plate 310.

[0082] The first metal tube 410 is connected to the first group of microchannel tubes 220, and the second metal tube 520 is connected to the second group of microchannel tubes 220. The first rubber tube 420 and the second rubber tube 530 are both connected to the fixing plate 310. The elasticity of the rubber tubes facilitates the adjustment of the position of the fixing plate 310 during the actual installation process for the air inlet pipe 400 and the air outlet pipe 500.

[0083] For example, the second metal tube 520 is divided into a first vent tube 540 and a second vent tube 550. One end of the first vent tube 540 is connected to the second rubber tube 530, and the other end is connected to the heat exchange tube 510.

[0084] One end of the second exhaust pipe 550 is connected to the manifold 210, and the other end is connected to the heat exchange pipe 510.

[0085] In this embodiment, the bottom of the water tank 100 is semi-circular, and the heat exchange tube 510 is spiral. The spiral heat exchange tube 510 can better fit the bottom of the water tank 100 and increase the contact area between the heat exchange tube 510 and the bottom of the water tank 100, thereby achieving better heat exchange.

[0086] For example, when the bottom of the water tank 100 is flat, the heat exchange tube 510 is serpentine to increase the contact area between the heat exchange tube 510 and the bottom of the water tank 100.

[0087] In this embodiment, a spring 600 is provided between the two manifolds 210. The spring 600 is used to tighten the two manifolds 210, so that the arc-shaped microchannel tube assembly 220 fits better against the outer wall of the water tank 100, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0088] In this embodiment of the application, the auxiliary heating component 120 includes a second microchannel pipeline (not shown in the figure), the two ends of the second microchannel pipeline are respectively connected to two manifolds 210, and the second microchannel pipeline is laid on at least one end of the upper and lower ends of the water tank 100.

[0089] The second microchannel pipe has the same structure as the first microchannel pipe 200. The bottom of the manifold 210 extends parallel to the bottom of the water tank 100. The second microchannel pipe is installed on this part of the manifold 210, and the second microchannel pipe is in contact with the bottom of the water tank 100 for heat transfer.

[0090] It should be noted that the spring 600 can also be used to fix the water tank 100 by pulling the two manifolds 210 to clamp the microchannel tube assembly 220.

[0091] For example, 2-7 springs 600 are provided between the two manifolds 210.

[0092] In this embodiment, the width of the microchannel tube 221 is 20-30 mm.

[0093] The existing microchannel tubes 221 typically have a width of 14-20 mm, resulting in large gaps between them, a small heat exchange area, insufficient contact with the inner tank, and a small internal volume. This leads to uneven and uneven refrigerant flow, resulting in poor heat pump water heating performance. Therefore, this proposal aims to improve heat exchange efficiency by increasing the width of the microchannel tubes 221.

[0094] In this embodiment, the interval between two adjacent microchannel tubes 221 is 4-6 mm.

[0095] Compared to existing technologies, by reducing the gap between the two microchannel tubes, the surface area is increased, the heat exchange area is improved, the hot water production capacity of the heat pump tank is enhanced, the product stability is improved, and users can better control the temperature of the heat pump water heater, thus improving the user experience.

[0096] In embodiments of this application, a thermometer and a control valve are also included, with the thermometer disposed on the surface of the water tank and the control valve disposed on the air inlet pipe.

[0097] The microchannel flow path electronic control is related to the ambient temperature and the water temperature in the tank. It measures the water tank temperature and the environmental conditions to control the internal valve angle and the refrigerant flow rate. When the exhaust temperature Td > 75℃ (EE) is detected, the internal flow rate is reduced based on the intake superheat control until the exhaust temperature ≤ 55℃ (EE), thereby increasing the internal temperature of the tank and raising the water temperature.

[0098] This application also provides a water heater, including a water tank and a microchannel structure disposed on the water tank.

[0099] The water heater provided in this application embodiment heats the side wall of the water tank through a first microchannel pipe in the microchannel structure, and then heats both sides of the water tank through a heat exchange pipe or a second microchannel pipe, thereby improving the heating efficiency of the water tank.

[0100] The technical solutions of this application have been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it is readily understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of protection of this application is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

[0101] Generally speaking, terms should be understood at least in part by their use in context. For example, at least in part by context, the term "one or more" as used in the text can be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic of the singular meaning, or a combination of features, structures, or characteristics of the plural meaning. Similarly, at least in part by context, terms such as "one" or "multiple" can also be understood to convey either singular or plural usage.

[0102] It should be readily understood that the terms "on," "above," and "over" in this disclosure should be interpreted in the broadest possible sense, such that "on" not only means "directly on something," but also includes "on something" with intermediate features or layers in between, and "above" or "over" not only includes "above" or "over" something, but also includes "above" or "over" something without intermediate features or layers in between (i.e., directly on something). Thus far, the technical solutions of this application have been described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it is readily understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of protection of this application is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and not to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A microchannel structure applied to a water tank (100), characterized in that, include: A microchannel assembly (110) is disposed around the side wall of the water tank (100); An auxiliary heating component (120) is disposed on at least one end of the upper and lower ends of the water tank (100) and communicates with the microchannel component (110). The auxiliary heating component (120) is used to heat at least one end of the upper and lower ends of the water tank (100).

2. The microchannel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microchannel component (110) includes: A first microchannel conduit (200) is arranged around the outer wall of the water tank (100); A fixed bracket (300) is disposed on the first microchannel tube (200); An intake pipe (400) is mounted on the fixed bracket (300) at one end and connected to the first microchannel pipe (200) at the other end. The air outlet pipe (500) has one end mounted on the fixed bracket (300) and the other end connected to the first microchannel pipe (200).

3. The microchannel structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first microchannel conduit (200) includes: Two manifolds (210) are arranged parallel to each other on the water tank (100), and one of the manifolds (210) is connected to the air inlet pipe (400) and the air outlet pipe (500) respectively; At least two sets of microchannel tube groups (220) are arranged around the outer wall of the water tank (100). The two ends of each set of microchannel tube groups (220) are respectively connected to two manifolds (210), and the refrigerant flows in opposite directions in the two adjacent sets of microchannel tube groups (220).

4. The microchannel structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The microchannel tube group (220) near the bottom of the water tank (100) includes at least five microchannel tubes (221), and the number of microchannel tubes (221) in each group of microchannel tubes (220) increases sequentially from bottom to top.

5. The microchannel structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The auxiliary heating assembly (120) includes a heat exchange tube (510), and the air outlet pipe (500) includes a first air outlet pipe (540) and a second air outlet pipe (550). One end of the first air outlet pipe (540) is mounted on the fixed bracket (300), and the other end is connected to the air inlet of the heat exchange pipe (510). One end of the second outlet pipe (550) is connected to the outlet of the heat exchange pipe (510), and the other end is connected to the manifold (210); The heat exchange tube (510) is laid on at least one end of the water tank (100) at both the upper and lower ends.

6. The microchannel structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The heat exchange tube (510) is spiral-shaped.

7. The microchannel structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The fixed bracket (300) includes: A fixed plate (310) is connected to the intake pipe (400) and the exhaust pipe (500); The first connector (320) is connected at one end to the fixing plate (310) and at the other end to at least one of the two manifolds (210) by thread. The second connector (330) is connected at one end to the fixing plate (310) and at the other end to at least one of the two manifolds (210).

8. The microchannel structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, The intake pipe (400) includes a first metal pipe (410) and a first rubber pipe (420). The first metal pipe (410) is connected to the first rubber pipe (420). The first metal pipe (410) is connected to at least one of the two manifolds (210). The first rubber pipe (420) is disposed on the fixed plate (310). The air outlet pipe (500) includes a second metal pipe (520) and a second rubber pipe (530), the second metal pipe (520) is connected to the second rubber pipe (530), the second metal pipe (520) is connected to at least one of the two manifolds (210), and the second rubber pipe (530) is disposed on the fixed plate (310).

9. The microchannel structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The auxiliary heating component (120) includes a second microchannel pipeline, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the two manifolds (210), and the second microchannel pipeline is laid on at least one end of the upper and lower ends of the water tank (100).

10. A water heater, characterized in that, It includes a water tank (100) and a microchannel structure as described in any one of claims 1-9 disposed on the water tank (100).

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