Evaporator, refrigerant system, and refrigeration device
By adopting a multi-flow path design and fin structure in the evaporator, the problem of pressure drop of R290 refrigerant in the refrigeration system was solved, and the energy efficiency stability and performance of the refrigerant system were improved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TCL HOME APPLIANCES (HEFEI) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-14
AI Technical Summary
In refrigeration systems, R290 refrigerant causes a pressure drop on the evaporator side due to its low density and high flow rate, resulting in a reduction in the refrigeration capacity and energy efficiency of the system.
Design an evaporator that uses multiple branch pipes and finned structures to increase the refrigerant flow area, reduce flow velocity, and decrease frictional pressure loss. The multi-flow-path design also makes the refrigerant distribution more uniform and reduces local pressure fluctuations.
It effectively reduces the pressure drop on the evaporator side, maintains the stable cooling and heating performance of the refrigerant system, and improves system energy efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN224121439U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of electrical manufacturing technology, and in particular to an evaporator, a refrigerant system, and a refrigeration device. Background Technology
[0002] With increasing global emphasis on environmental protection and energy conservation, traditional refrigerants used in refrigeration systems, such as CFCs and HCFCs, are gradually being replaced by environmentally friendly refrigerants due to their high global warming potential (GWP) and oxygen depletion potential (ODP). Simultaneously, people are demanding lower temperatures, faster cooling rates, and greater energy efficiency from refrigeration systems for food storage. Currently, R290 (propane) refrigerant is gaining increasing attention from refrigeration companies worldwide, gradually replacing traditional refrigerants and being widely adopted in refrigeration systems. This is because R290 possesses excellent physical properties and environmental friendliness. Furthermore, as a natural refrigerant with high latent heat of vaporization and high thermal conductivity, it exhibits superior heat transfer characteristics compared to other refrigerants with similar properties. This allows it to better utilize the cooling / heating capacity of refrigeration systems.
[0003] However, due to its low density and high flow rate, R290 refrigerant causes a pressure drop on the evaporator side of the refrigeration system. The high pressure drop leads to a significant decrease in the evaporation temperature of the R290 refrigeration system, resulting in a substantial reduction in the maximum cooling capacity and low-temperature heating capacity of the refrigeration system, thus reducing the energy efficiency of the refrigeration system. Utility Model Content
[0004] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide an evaporator, a refrigerant system, and a refrigeration device.
[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an evaporator, including a heat exchange tube and a plurality of fins sleeved on the heat exchange tube. The heat exchange tube includes a first main pipe, a first pipe joint, a plurality of branch pipes, a second pipe joint, and a second main pipe. The first pipe joint has a first interface and a plurality of second interfaces. One end of the first main pipe is connected to the first interface of the first pipe joint. One end of the plurality of branch pipes is respectively connected to the plurality of second interfaces of the first pipe joint. The second pipe joint has a third interface and a plurality of fourth interfaces. The other end of the plurality of branch pipes is respectively connected to the plurality of fourth interfaces of the second pipe joint. One end of the second main pipe is connected to the third interface of the second pipe joint.
[0006] For example, "multiple" refers to two or more, such as three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, etc.
[0007] In some embodiments, a plurality of the fins are sleeved on a plurality of the branch pipes.
[0008] In some embodiments, the evaporator includes a first region and a second region arranged sequentially in the direction from the first pipe joint to the second pipe joint, wherein the fin distribution density in the first region is greater than the fin distribution density in the second region.
[0009] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a refrigerant system, including the evaporator described above.
[0010] In some embodiments, the refrigerant system further includes a compressor, a condenser, and a throttling device, wherein one end of the compressor is connected to one end of the condenser, the other end of the condenser is connected to one end of the throttling device, the other end of the throttling device is connected to one end of the evaporator, and the other end of the evaporator is connected to the other end of the compressor.
[0011] In some embodiments, the refrigerant system further includes a switching unit having a fifth interface, a sixth interface, a seventh interface, and an eighth interface. The fifth interface is connected to the end of the evaporator away from the throttling device, the sixth interface is connected to one end of the compressor, the seventh interface is connected to the other end of the compressor, and the eighth interface is connected to the end of the condenser away from the throttling device.
[0012] In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the gas connection pipe between the evaporator and the fifth interface of the switching unit is 8mm to 10mm; and / or,
[0013] The switching unit is a four-way valve; and / or,
[0014] The switching unit is a solenoid valve or an electric switching valve.
[0015] In some embodiments, the throttling device is a capillary tube, a thermostatic expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve, or a float throttling valve; and / or,
[0016] The compressor is a variable frequency compressor.
[0017] In some embodiments, the refrigerant system further includes a condenser fan, the outlet of which is oriented toward the condenser; and / or,
[0018] The refrigerant system also includes an evaporator fan, the outlet of which is oriented toward the evaporator.
[0019] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a refrigeration device, including the refrigerant system described above.
[0020] The evaporator provided in this application embodiment, by setting heat exchange tubes including multiple branch pipes, allows the refrigerant to flow in multiple parallel flow channels, increasing the total flow area of the refrigerant and reducing the flow velocity. This reduces the friction between the refrigerant and the inner wall of the evaporator pipes, thereby reducing pressure loss caused by friction and lowering the evaporation pressure drop. In addition, the multi-flow-path design can make the refrigerant distribution in the evaporator more uniform, further reducing pressure fluctuations and pressure drop caused by excessive local flow. When this evaporator is applied to a refrigerant system, it can reduce the evaporation-side pressure drop of the refrigerant system, keeping the cooling and / or heating performance of the refrigerant system stable, and thus keeping the energy efficiency of the refrigerant system stable. Attached Figure Description
[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below.
[0022] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the evaporator provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged schematic diagram of region A in the middle.
[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A magnified view of region B in the middle.
[0025] Figure 4 This is a front view schematic diagram of an evaporator provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant system provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0027] Component symbol explanation:
[0028] 110. Evaporator; 20. Heat exchange tube; 21. First main pipe; 22. First pipe joint; 23. Branch pipe; 24. Second pipe joint; 25. Second main pipe; 30. Fin; 41. First zone; 42. Second zone; 100. Refrigerant system; 120. Compressor; 130. Condenser; 140. Throttling device; 150. Switching unit; 160. Gas connection pipe; 170. Condenser fan; 180. Evaporator fan. Detailed Implementation
[0029] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0030] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.
[0031] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0032] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0033] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.
[0034] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 This application provides an evaporator 110, including a heat exchange tube 20 and a plurality of fins 30 sleeved on the heat exchange tube 20. The heat exchange tube 20 includes a first main pipe 21, a first pipe joint 22, a plurality of branch pipes 23, a second pipe joint 24, and a second main pipe 25. The first pipe joint 22 has a first interface and a plurality of second interfaces. One end of the first main pipe 21 is connected to the first interface of the first pipe joint 22. One end of the plurality of branch pipes 23 is connected to the plurality of second interfaces of the first pipe joint 22. The second pipe joint 24 has a third interface and a plurality of fourth interfaces. The other end of the plurality of branch pipes 23 is connected to the plurality of fourth interfaces of the second pipe joint 24. One end of the second main pipe 25 is connected to the third interface of the second pipe joint 24.
[0035] For example, the heat exchange tube 20 includes a plurality of parallel gas pipelines connected to each other by connecting pipes, and a plurality of fins 30 are spaced apart and parallel to each other in the extending direction of the gas pipelines.
[0036] The evaporator 110 provided in this embodiment of the application, by setting the heat exchange tube 20 to include multiple branch pipes 23, allows the refrigerant to flow in multiple parallel flow channels, increasing the total flow area of the refrigerant and reducing the flow velocity. This reduces the friction between the refrigerant and the inner wall of the evaporator 110 pipes, thereby reducing pressure loss caused by friction and lowering the evaporation pressure drop. In addition, the multi-flow-path design can make the distribution of refrigerant in the evaporator 110 more uniform, further reducing pressure fluctuations and pressure drop caused by excessive local flow. When the evaporator 110 is applied to the refrigerant system 100, it can reduce the evaporation side pressure drop of the refrigerant system 100, so that the cooling and / or heating performance of the refrigerant system 100 remains stable, thereby keeping the energy efficiency of the refrigerant system 100 stable.
[0037] For example, "multiple" refers to two or more, such as three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, etc.
[0038] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 4 The multiple fins 30 are mounted on the multiple branch pipes 23.
[0039] Please see Figure 4In the direction from the first pipe joint 22 to the second pipe joint 24, the evaporator 110 includes a first region 41 and a second region 42 arranged sequentially, wherein the distribution density of fins 30 in the first region 41 is greater than the distribution density of fins 30 in the second region 42.
[0040] It should be noted that the first region 41 of the evaporator 110 can be the upper region, and the second region 42 can be the lower region. That is, the second region 42 is usually located close to the heater used for defrosting the evaporator 110. Therefore, the distribution density of the fins 30 in the second region 42 (lower region) of the evaporator 110 is usually set to be relatively sparse, which is conducive to the rapid rise of hot air, thereby improving the defrosting speed of the evaporator 110.
[0041] Please see Figure 5 This application provides a refrigerant system 100, including the evaporator 110 in any of the above embodiments.
[0042] Please see Figure 5 The refrigerant system 100 further includes a compressor 120, a condenser 130, and a throttling device 140. One end of the compressor 120 is connected to one end of the condenser 130, the other end of the condenser 130 is connected to one end of the throttling device 140, the other end of the throttling device 140 is connected to one end of the evaporator 110, and the other end of the evaporator 110 is connected to the other end of the compressor 120.
[0043] For example, one end of the compressor 120 and the other end are each one of an input end and an output end; in cooling mode, the output end of the compressor 120 is connected to the condenser 130, and the evaporator 110 is connected to the input end of the compressor 120; in heating mode, the output end of the compressor 120 is connected to the evaporator 110, and the condenser 130 is connected to the input end of the compressor 120.
[0044] Please see Figure 5 For example, the refrigerant system 100 also includes a condenser fan 170, the outlet of which is oriented toward the condenser 130. It is understood that in cooling mode, the condenser fan 170 can force heat from the condenser 130 into the air.
[0045] Please see Figure 5 For example, the refrigerant system 100 further includes an evaporator fan 180, the air outlet of which is oriented toward the evaporator 110. It is understood that in cooling mode, the evaporator fan 180 can perform forced heat exchange between the cold energy on the surface of the evaporator 110 and the air that needs to be cooled.
[0046] Please see Figure 5 The refrigerant system 100 further includes a switching unit 150, which has a fifth interface, a sixth interface, a seventh interface and an eighth interface. The fifth interface is connected to one end of the evaporator 110 away from the throttling device 140, the sixth interface is connected to one end of the compressor 120, the seventh interface is connected to the other end of the compressor 120, and the eighth interface is connected to one end of the condenser 130 away from the throttling device 140.
[0047] It should be noted that by setting a switching unit 150 with four interfaces, the refrigerant system 100 can be switched between cooling mode and heating mode.
[0048] Specifically, the refrigerant flow path in refrigeration mode includes:
[0049] Compression process: Compressor 120 compresses the low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, at which point the refrigerant flows out from compressor 120;
[0050] Condensation process: High temperature and high pressure gaseous refrigerant flows to condenser 130 through switching unit 150. With the assistance of condenser fan 170, the refrigerant dissipates heat to the external environment and changes from gaseous to liquid.
[0051] Throttling process: After condensation, the liquid refrigerant is throttled and depressurized through the throttling device 140, becoming a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant;
[0052] Evaporation process: Low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator 110, and with the assistance of the evaporation fan 180, it absorbs the surrounding heat and vaporizes into low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, which then returns to the compressor 120 through the return pipe to complete a refrigeration cycle.
[0053] Specifically, the refrigerant flow path in heating mode includes:
[0054] Compression process: The compressor 120 compresses the low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant;
[0055] Evaporation process (role change): The high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant changes its flow direction through the switching unit 150 and enters the evaporator 110. At this time, the evaporator 110 acts as a condenser and releases heat into the room with the assistance of the evaporation fan 180, and the gaseous refrigerant becomes liquid.
[0056] Throttling process: The liquid refrigerant is throttled and depressurized by the throttling device 140, becoming a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant;
[0057] Condensation process (role change): Low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant enters the condenser 130. With the assistance of the condenser fan 170, it absorbs external heat and vaporizes into low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, which returns to the compressor 120 through the return pipe to complete the heating cycle.
[0058] For example, the switching unit 150 is a four-way valve.
[0059] For example, the switching unit 150 is a solenoid valve or an electric switching valve.
[0060] For example, the throttling device 140 is a capillary tube, a thermostatic expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve, or a float throttling valve.
[0061] For example, the inner diameter of the gas connection pipe 160 between the evaporator 110 and the fifth interface of the switching unit 150 is 8mm to 10mm, such as 8mm, 8.5mm, 9mm, 9.5mm, or 10mm.
[0062] It should be noted that in existing refrigerant systems 100, the inner diameter of the gas connecting pipe 160 between the outlet of the evaporator 110 and the inlet of the compressor 120 is typically 6 mm. In this embodiment, by increasing the inner diameter of the gas connecting pipe 160 from 6 mm to 8 mm to 10 mm, i.e., expanding the inner diameter of the gas connecting pipe 160, the contact area between the refrigerant and the gas connecting pipe 160 can be reduced, thereby reducing the frictional resistance between the refrigerant and the gas connecting pipe 160. At the same time, due to the increased cross-sectional area of the gas connecting pipe 160, the refrigerant flow rate can be reduced, thereby reducing pressure loss and thus reducing the pressure drop within the gas connecting pipe 160. It is known that in existing refrigerant systems 100, the pressure drop within the gas connecting pipe 160 accounts for about 30% of the total pressure drop on the evaporator side. Therefore, by reducing the pressure drop within the gas connecting pipe 160, the total pressure drop on the evaporator side of the refrigerant system 100 can be significantly reduced, thereby improving the stability of the cooling and / or heating performance of the refrigerant system 100.
[0063] For example, the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant system 100 is propane (R290), which has good environmental friendliness and better heat transfer characteristics compared with other refrigerants with the same performance.
[0064] For example, the compressor 120 is a variable frequency compressor. The variable frequency compressor can automatically adjust its speed according to the changes in the cooling load. It consumes less energy when operating under partial load. Compared with a fixed frequency compressor, it can avoid frequent start-up and stop, reducing the high energy consumption during start-up and thus achieving energy saving. At the beginning of startup, the variable frequency compressor can run at a higher speed to quickly adjust the indoor temperature. The time to reach the set temperature is shortened by about 30%-50% compared with a fixed frequency compressor, allowing users to enjoy a comfortable environment more quickly.
[0065] This application also provides a refrigeration device, including the refrigerant system 100 in any of the above embodiments.
[0066] For example, the refrigeration device can be a refrigerator, freezer, beverage cooler, wine cooler, freezer box, ice cream machine, ice maker, etc.
[0067] The evaporator, refrigerant system, and refrigeration device provided in the embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application, and the descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand this application. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of this application, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.
Claims
1. An evaporator, characterized in that, The device includes a heat exchange tube and multiple fins sleeved on the heat exchange tube. The heat exchange tube includes a first main pipe, a first pipe joint, multiple branch pipes, a second pipe joint, and a second main pipe. The first pipe joint has a first interface and multiple second interfaces. One end of the first main pipe is connected to the first interface of the first pipe joint. One end of each of the multiple branch pipes is connected to the multiple second interfaces of the first pipe joint. The second pipe joint has a third interface and multiple fourth interfaces. The other end of each of the multiple branch pipes is connected to the multiple fourth interfaces of the second pipe joint. One end of the second main pipe is connected to the third interface of the second pipe joint.
2. The evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple fins are fitted onto multiple branch pipes.
3. The evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the direction from the first pipe joint to the second pipe joint, the evaporator includes a first region and a second region arranged sequentially, wherein the fin distribution density in the first region is greater than the fin distribution density in the second region.
4. A refrigerant system, characterized in that, Includes the evaporator according to any one of claims 1-3.
5. The refrigerant system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The refrigerant system also includes a compressor, a condenser, and a throttling device. One end of the compressor is connected to one end of the condenser, the other end of the condenser is connected to one end of the throttling device, the other end of the throttling device is connected to one end of the evaporator, and the other end of the evaporator is connected to the other end of the compressor.
6. The refrigerant system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The refrigerant system further includes a switching unit having a fifth interface, a sixth interface, a seventh interface, and an eighth interface. The fifth interface is connected to the end of the evaporator away from the throttling device, the sixth interface is connected to one end of the compressor, the seventh interface is connected to the other end of the compressor, and the eighth interface is connected to the end of the condenser away from the throttling device.
7. The refrigerant system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the gas connection pipe between the evaporator and the fifth interface of the switching unit is 8mm to 10mm; and / or, The switching unit is a four-way valve; and / or, The switching unit is a solenoid valve or an electric switching valve.
8. The refrigerant system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The throttling device is a capillary tube, a thermostatic expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve, or a float throttling valve; and / or, The compressor is a variable frequency compressor.
9. The refrigerant system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The refrigerant system further includes a condenser fan, the outlet of which is oriented toward the condenser; and / or, The refrigerant system also includes an evaporator fan, the outlet of which is oriented toward the evaporator.
10. A refrigeration device, characterized in that, Includes the refrigerant system according to any one of claims 4-9.