Air conditioner outdoor unit

Abstract

The utility model discloses an air conditioner outdoor unit, and belongs to the technical field of air conditioners. The air conditioner outdoor unit comprises a machine shell, a draught fan, a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and a flow dividing system. The outdoor heat exchanger comprises a plurality of heat exchange pipes which are independently arranged, and at least part of the heat exchange pipes are arranged in the height direction of the outdoor heat exchanger. The flow dividing system comprises a flow dividing pipe and a plurality of capillary pipes connected to the flow dividing pipe. The shunting pipe is arranged along the height direction of the outdoor heat exchanger; the top end of the shunting pipe is a liquid inlet end; the plurality of capillary tubes and the plurality of heat exchange tubes are correspondingly arranged; one end of each capillary tube is connected to the shunt tube, and the other end of each capillary tube is connected to the corresponding heat exchange tube; the joints of the capillary tubes and the flow dividing tube are arranged in the axial direction of the flow dividing tube. According to the air conditioner outdoor unit, the flow dividing pipes are arranged in the height direction of the outdoor heat exchanger, so that the flow dividing pipes convey the refrigerant to the heights corresponding to the heat exchange pipes, and then the capillary pipes are used for dividing the refrigerant into the multiple heat exchange pipes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the technical field of air conditioning, and particularly relates to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] Heat exchangers are crucial components of air conditioning systems, primarily responsible for the transfer and exchange of heat. The heat exchangers in the outdoor and indoor units work together, utilizing the circulation of refrigerant to transfer heat and jointly complete the cooling or heating cycle of the air conditioning system, ensuring its efficient and stable operation.

[0003] Outdoor heat exchangers are typically designed with a multi-pass structure, meaning they have multiple heat exchange pipes through which the refrigerant flows. This reduces pressure drop and flow resistance, improving system efficiency. The multi-pass structure also increases the heat exchange area, allowing for better heat exchange between the refrigerant and air, thus enhancing the cooling or heating performance of the air conditioning system. In existing technologies, a distributor is usually used to divert the refrigerant entering the outdoor heat exchanger. After the refrigerant enters the distributor, it is further branched into multiple capillary tubes to achieve uniform distribution of the refrigerant across the heat exchange pipes. However, this method involves numerous and long capillary tubes, a complex distributor structure, and high costs. Furthermore, the bundled and fixed capillary tubes are prone to wear during transportation. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the shortcomings of related technologies, this application provides an air conditioner outdoor unit that arranges a distribution pipe along the height direction of the outdoor heat exchanger so that the distribution pipe delivers refrigerant to the corresponding height of each heat exchange tube in the outdoor heat exchanger, and then uses a capillary tube to distribute the refrigerant in the distribution pipe to multiple heat exchange tubes.

[0005] This application provides an outdoor unit for an air conditioner, comprising:

[0006] The housing includes a housing air inlet and a housing air outlet. The housing air inlet is located on the outer periphery of the housing, and the housing air outlet is located on the front side of the housing.

[0007] The fan is located inside the casing, with its outlet facing the air outlet of the casing.

[0008] A compressor, located inside a casing, is used to drive the flow of refrigerant;

[0009] An outdoor heat exchanger is located inside the casing, with its windward side facing the air inlet of the casing; at least a portion of the outdoor heat exchanger's leeward side is located on the air inlet side of the fan; the outdoor heat exchanger includes:

[0010] The heat exchange tubes are configured in multiple ways, and the multiple heat exchange tubes are independently configured. At least some of the heat exchange tubes are arranged along the height direction of the outdoor heat exchanger. Refrigerant flows inside the heat exchange tubes.

[0011] A flow distribution system is used to divert the refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger; the flow distribution system includes:

[0012] The manifold is installed along the height of the outdoor heat exchanger, with the top of the manifold being the liquid inlet.

[0013] Multiple capillary tubes are configured, each corresponding to a heat exchange tube. One end of each capillary tube is connected to a distributor tube, and the other end is connected to the corresponding heat exchange tube. The connections between the multiple capillary tubes and the distributor tube are arranged along the axial direction of the distributor tube.

[0014] This technical solution involves setting up a distribution pipe along the height of the outdoor heat exchanger to deliver refrigerant to the height of each heat exchange tube; and by setting up a capillary tube, the refrigerant is divided into multiple flow paths and flows into the corresponding heat exchange tubes.

[0015] In some embodiments, the diameter of the shunt pipe decreases from top to bottom.

[0016] This technical solution reduces the diameter of the manifold from top to bottom, creating a tapered structure that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. This not only allows the refrigerant to flow more smoothly downwards under gravity, reducing flow resistance, but also enables the refrigerant to be distributed more evenly to each capillary tube before flowing into the corresponding heat exchange tube, thus achieving uniform refrigerant distribution.

[0017] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the diverter tube and the axis of the diverter tube have an included angle α, which satisfies: α≥0°, α≤5°.

[0018] This technical solution ensures that the included angle α satisfies: α≥0°, α≤5°, so that the refrigerant flow velocity in the distribution tube is within a suitable range, and the refrigerant is evenly distributed to multiple heat exchange tubes. At the same time, it avoids the separation of gaseous and liquid refrigerant, which would lead to uneven distribution of the gaseous and liquid phases of the refrigerant.

[0019] In some embodiments, the diameter D of the shunt pipe satisfies: D≥3mm, D≤55mm.

[0020] This technical solution ensures that the diameter D of the distribution pipe meets the following conditions: D≥3mm, D≤55mm, so that the refrigerant has a suitable flow rate and the refrigerant is evenly distributed into multiple heat exchange tubes. At the same time, it avoids the separation of gaseous and liquid refrigerant, which would lead to uneven distribution of the gaseous and liquid phases of the refrigerant.

[0021] In some embodiments, the length L of the shunt tube satisfies: L≥100mm, L≤2000mm.

[0022] This technical solution ensures the refrigerant distribution effect by ensuring that the length L of the manifold meets the following conditions: L≥100mm, L≤2000mm.

[0023] In some embodiments, the diverter tube is provided with a liquid distribution port, which is connected to a capillary tube; multiple liquid distribution ports are provided, which are arranged along the axial direction of the diverter tube, and the multiple liquid distribution ports are configured to correspond one-to-one with multiple capillary tubes.

[0024] This technical solution involves setting multiple liquid distribution ports on the distribution tube, with each port corresponding to a capillary tube, so that the capillary tubes can be connected to the distribution tube through the corresponding liquid distribution ports.

[0025] In some embodiments, multiple liquid outlets are located on the same straight line along the axial direction of the distribution tube and are located near the heat exchange tube.

[0026] This technical solution reduces the length of the capillary tube by aligning the liquid outlet along the axial direction of the distribution tube and positioning the liquid outlet near the heat exchange tube.

[0027] In some embodiments, the diameter of the manifold decreases as the number of refrigerant streams increases.

[0028] This technical solution reduces the diameter of the distribution pipe as the number of refrigerant channels increases, thereby offsetting the increased refrigerant velocity caused by gravitational potential energy. This maintains a relatively constant pressure throughout the distribution pipe's flow path, allowing the refrigerant to be evenly distributed into multiple heat exchange tubes.

[0029] In some embodiments, the number of capillaries S satisfies: S≥3, S≤12.

[0030] This technical solution ensures the heat exchange efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger by ensuring that the number of capillary tubes S satisfies: S≥3, S≤12.

[0031] In addition, this application also provides an outdoor unit for an air conditioner, comprising:

[0032] The housing includes a housing air inlet and a housing air outlet. The housing air inlet is located on the outer periphery of the housing, and the housing air outlet is located on the front side of the housing.

[0033] The fan is located inside the casing, with its outlet facing the air outlet of the casing.

[0034] A compressor, located inside a casing, is used to drive the flow of refrigerant;

[0035] An outdoor heat exchanger is located inside the casing, with its windward side facing the air inlet of the casing; at least a portion of the outdoor heat exchanger's leeward side is located on the air inlet side of the fan; the outdoor heat exchanger includes:

[0036] The heat exchange tubes are configured in multiple ways, and the multiple heat exchange tubes are set independently of each other; at least some of the heat exchange tubes are arranged along the height direction of the outdoor heat exchanger; refrigerant flows inside the heat exchange tubes.

[0037] The first pipeline is used to connect the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger;

[0038] The manifold is installed along the height of the outdoor heat exchanger; the top of the manifold is connected to the end of the first pipe away from the indoor heat exchanger; and the diameter of the top of the manifold is larger than the diameter of the bottom of the manifold; the manifold is provided with multiple liquid outlets, and the multiple liquid outlets are corresponding to the multiple heat exchange pipes along the height of the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0039] Capillary tubes are provided, with multiple capillary tubes corresponding to multiple heat exchange tubes, and each capillary tube is also corresponding to a different liquid outlet. One end of the capillary tube is connected to the corresponding liquid outlet, and the other end of the capillary tube is connected to the corresponding heat exchange tube.

[0040] This technical solution involves setting the distribution pipe along the height of the outdoor heat exchanger and setting multiple liquid outlets and multiple heat exchange tubes corresponding to the height of the outdoor heat exchanger. This allows the distribution pipe to deliver refrigerant to the corresponding height of each heat exchange tube, and then uses capillary tubes to distribute the refrigerant in the distribution pipe to multiple heat exchange tubes.

[0041] In the above embodiments, an outdoor air conditioning unit arranges a distribution pipe along the height direction of the outdoor heat exchanger so that the distribution pipe delivers refrigerant to the corresponding height of each heat exchange tube in the outdoor heat exchanger, and then uses a capillary tube to distribute the refrigerant in the distribution pipe to multiple heat exchange tubes. Attached Figure Description

[0042] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner in this application;

[0043] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner in one embodiment of this application when the fan cover is not installed;

[0044] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the casing of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner in one embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a portion of the refrigerant flow path in one embodiment of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner in this application;

[0046] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the outdoor heat exchanger and compressor installed on the base plate in one embodiment of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner in this application;

[0047] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Enlarged view of a portion of point A in the middle;

[0048] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the outdoor heat exchanger in one embodiment of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner in this application;

[0049] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Enlarged view of a section at point B in the middle;

[0050] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the air conditioner outdoor unit in the first embodiment of this application when the splitter pipe and the capillary tube are connected to each other;

[0051] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the diversion pipe in the first embodiment of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner in this application;

[0052] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of the diversion pipe in the first embodiment of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner in this application.

[0053] In the diagram, 100 is the casing; 200 is the fan cover; 300 is the fan; 400 is the outdoor heat exchanger; 500 is the compressor; 600 is the gas-liquid separator; 700 is the liquid receiver; 800 is the four-way valve; and 900 is the first pipeline.

[0054] 101. Air inlet of the casing; 102. Air outlet of the casing;

[0055] 110. Top panel; 120. Front panel; 130. Side panel; 140. Bottom panel; 150. Partition;

[0056] 410. Distributor tube; 420. Heat exchanger tube; 430. Capillary tube;

[0057] 411. Separator;

[0058] 810. Second pipeline; 811. Branch pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0059] To make the objectives and implementation methods of this application clearer, the exemplary implementation methods of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the exemplary embodiments of this application. Obviously, the exemplary embodiments described are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0060] It should be noted that the brief descriptions of terms in this application are only for the convenience of understanding the embodiments described below, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. Unless otherwise stated, these terms should be understood in their ordinary and common meaning.

[0061] The terms "first," "second," "third," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar or related objects or entities, and do not necessarily imply a specific order or sequence, unless otherwise specified. It should be understood that such terms are interchangeable where appropriate.

[0062] The terms “include” and “have”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover but not exclusively include, for example, a product or device that includes a range of components is not necessarily limited to all of the components that are clearly listed, but may include other components that are not clearly listed or that are inherent to such product or device.

[0063] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner provided in this application can have various implementation forms, such as a side-discharge type outdoor unit or a top-discharge type outdoor unit. Figures 1-4 This is one specific implementation of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner in this application.

[0064] like Figure 1 As shown, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner provided in this application includes a housing 100, which forms the overall appearance of the outdoor unit. The top and bottom of the housing 100 are opposite ends, and the height direction of the housing 100 is from the top to the bottom. The left and right sides of the housing 100 are opposite sides, and the length direction of the housing 100 is from the left to the right. The front and rear sides of the housing 100 are opposite sides, and the thickness direction of the housing 100 is from the front to the rear.

[0065] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing 100 includes a top plate 110, which is located at the top of the housing 100 and forms the top surface of the housing 100.

[0066] like Figure 3 As shown, the housing 100 includes a bottom plate 140, which is located at the bottom of the housing 100 and forms the bottom surface of the housing 100; the bottom plate 140 and the top plate 110 are arranged opposite to each other along the height direction of the housing 100.

[0067] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing 100 includes a front panel 120, which is located on the front side of the housing 100 and forms the front side surface of the housing 100.

[0068] The housing 100 includes a rear panel located at the rear of the housing 100, forming the rear side surface of the housing 100. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the housing 100 may not include a rear panel to increase the air intake volume of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0069] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing 100 includes a side plate 130, which is located on the left or right side of the housing 100 and is used to form the left or right side of the housing 100.

[0070] like Figure 3 As shown, the housing 100 includes a partition 150, which is located inside the housing 100. The partition 150 is arranged along the height direction of the housing 100 and divides the interior of the housing 100 into a first chamber and a second chamber.

[0071] like Figure 1 As shown, the housing 100 includes a housing air inlet 101, which communicates with the first chamber. Air from outside the housing 100 enters the housing 100 through the housing air inlet 101. The housing air inlet 101 can be located on the rear side of the housing 100 or on the side wall of the first chamber away from the second chamber.

[0072] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing 100 includes a housing air outlet 102, which is located on the front side of the housing 100 and communicates with the first chamber. Air inside the housing 100 is output to the outside through the housing air outlet 102.

[0073] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner includes a fan 300, which is located in the first chamber, with the air outlet side of the fan 300 facing the air outlet 102 of the casing. Through the operation of the fan 300, external air is introduced into the casing 100 through the casing air inlet 101 and / or air inside the casing 100 is discharged to the outside of the casing 100 through the casing air outlet 102.

[0074] In this embodiment, the fan 300 is an axial flow fan 300, and the rotation axis of the fan 300 is set along the thickness direction of the casing 100.

[0075] like Figure 1As shown, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner includes a fan cover 200, which is located at the air outlet 102 of the casing and is installed on the front panel 120. The fan cover 200 can protect the fan 300 from entering the casing 100 through the air outlet 102 and contacting the fan 300, thus affecting the normal operation of the fan 300. On the other hand, it can concentrate the air drawn in by the fan 300, thereby increasing the speed and pressure of the air and ultimately increasing the air output of the fan. In other words, the fan cover 200 can focus the air out, improve the heat dissipation effect, and make the cooling and heating effects better.

[0076] like Figure 3 As shown, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner includes an outdoor heat exchanger 400, which is located inside the casing 100. The outdoor heat exchanger 400 is used to exchange heat with the air passing through it. The outdoor heat exchanger 400 is placed on the base plate 140. The windward side of the outdoor heat exchanger 400 faces the air inlet 101 of the casing, and at least part of the leeward side of the outdoor heat exchanger 400 faces the air inlet side of the fan 300. The operation of the fan 300 accelerates the heat exchange between the air and the outdoor heat exchanger 400, thereby increasing the heat exchange effect of the outdoor heat exchanger 400.

[0077] In this embodiment, the outdoor heat exchanger 400 extends from the left side of the housing 100, past the rear side of the housing 100, to a position near the right side of the housing 100. This increases the heat exchange area of ​​the outdoor heat exchanger 400 without changing the internal space of the housing 100, thereby increasing its heat exchange efficiency. It should be noted that the extension direction of the outdoor heat exchanger 400 is its length direction.

[0078] The outdoor heat exchanger 400 works in conjunction with the indoor heat exchanger in the indoor unit of the air conditioner to achieve cooling or heating of the air conditioner through the change of refrigerant between the gas phase and the liquid phase.

[0079] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner includes a compressor 500, which is located in the second chamber and connected to the base plate 140. The compressor 500 is used to drive the refrigerant to flow between the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger 400.

[0080] When the air conditioner is cooling, the outdoor heat exchanger 400 works as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger works as an evaporator, with refrigerant flowing from the outdoor heat exchanger 400 to the indoor heat exchanger; when the air conditioner is heating, the indoor heat exchanger works as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger 400 works as an evaporator, with refrigerant flowing from the indoor heat exchanger to the outdoor heat exchanger 400.

[0081] To switch the refrigerant flow direction, the air conditioner includes a four-way valve 800 located in the outdoor unit. The four-way valve 800 has four ports, which connect to the inlet and outlet of the compressor 500, one port of the indoor heat exchanger, and one port of the outdoor heat exchanger 400. By controlling the opening and closing of these four ports, the refrigerant flow direction is switched. The four-way valve 800 is a standard technical feature in air conditioners and will not be elaborated upon further here.

[0082] The outdoor heat exchanger 400, compressor 500, indoor heat exchanger, and four-way valve 800 are interconnected through piping to form a refrigerant flow path. The refrigerant circulates within this path, thus achieving cooling or heating for the air conditioner. It should be noted that, if... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the refrigerant flow path is also equipped with components such as a gas-liquid separator 600 and a liquid receiver 700 to ensure the reliability and stability of the refrigerant circulation. The gas-liquid separator 600 and the liquid receiver 700 are respectively located in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. The gas-liquid separator 600 and the liquid receiver 700 are conventional technical means in this field and will not be described in detail here.

[0083] like Figures 4-6 As shown, one port of the outdoor heat exchanger 400 is connected to a first pipe 900, and the end of the first pipe 900 away from the outdoor heat exchanger 400 is connected to another port of the indoor heat exchanger; the other port of the outdoor heat exchanger 400 is connected to a second pipe 810, and the end of the second pipe 810 away from the outdoor heat exchanger 400 is connected to one port of the four-way valve 800.

[0084] When the outdoor heat exchanger 400 operates as an evaporator, the refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 400 through the first pipe 900, then into the four-way valve 800 through the second pipe 810, and finally into the compressor 500. When the outdoor heat exchanger 400 operates as a condenser, the refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 400 through the second pipe 810, and then into the indoor heat exchanger through the first pipe 900.

[0085] like Figures 6-8 As shown, the outdoor heat exchanger 400 includes heat exchange tubes 420 for refrigerant circulation; one end of the heat exchange tube 420 is connected to the second pipe 810, and the other end is connected to the first pipe 900. Multiple heat exchange tubes 420 are configured, and these multiple heat exchange tubes 420 are independently arranged, with at least some of them arranged along the height direction of the outdoor heat exchanger 400; the multiple heat exchange tubes 420 are connected in parallel to the first pipe 900 and the second pipe 810, respectively.

[0086] like Figure 8As shown, the second pipe 810 is arranged along the height direction of the outdoor heat exchanger 400. The second pipe 810 is connected to multiple branch pipes 811. The connection points of the multiple branch pipes 811 and the second pipe 810 are arranged along the axial direction of the second pipe 810. The multiple branch pipes 811 are correspondingly arranged with multiple heat exchange tubes 420. When the outdoor heat exchanger 400 is an evaporator, the refrigerant in the heat exchange tubes 420 flows to the second pipe 810, so that the second pipe 810 collects the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 400. At the same time, when the outdoor heat exchanger 400 is a condenser, the multiple branch pipes 811 can divide the refrigerant in the second pipe 810, so that the refrigerant flows evenly into the multiple heat exchange tubes 420.

[0087] In order to ensure that the refrigerant in the first pipe 900 can flow evenly into multiple heat exchange tubes 420 when the outdoor heat exchanger 400 is an evaporator, a distribution system is usually set up to distribute the refrigerant in the first pipe 900.

[0088] In the prior art, the distribution system includes a distributor and capillary tubes 430. The distributor is connected to multiple capillary tubes 430, and the end of each capillary tube 430 away from the distributor is connected to a heat exchange tube 420. The refrigerant in the first pipeline 900 is first collected in the distributor, then distributed to multiple branches of the distributor to the distribution capillary tubes 430, and finally enters the corresponding heat exchange tube 420 through the capillary tubes 430.

[0089] Since the position of the distributor is relatively fixed, and the heights of the heat exchange tubes 420 are different, the length of the capillary tubes 430 needs to be increased to achieve communication between the distributor and the heat exchange tubes 420. This results in a large number and length of capillary tubes 430, a complex distributor structure, and higher costs. Furthermore, the bundled and fixed distributor capillary tubes 430 are prone to wear during transportation.

[0090] Based on this, in this application, by setting the diversion pipe 410 to be connected to the first pipeline 900, the diversion pipe 410 is set along the height direction of the outdoor heat exchanger 400, and multiple capillary tubes 430 are set along the axial direction of the diversion pipe 410, so that the capillary tubes 430 can divert the refrigerant in the diversion pipe 410.

[0091] Specifically, such as Figure 9As shown, when the outdoor heat exchanger 400 is an evaporator, the top end of the distribution pipe 410 is the liquid inlet, and the top end of the distribution pipe 410 is connected to the liquid outlet of the first pipe 900. The refrigerant flows from top to bottom in the distribution pipe 410. Multiple capillary tubes 430 are provided, and multiple capillary tubes 430 are correspondingly arranged with multiple heat exchange tubes 420. One end of the capillary tube 430 is connected to the distribution pipe 410, and the other end of the capillary tube 430 is connected to the corresponding heat exchange tube 420. The connection points of the multiple capillary tubes 430 and the distribution pipe 410 are arranged along the axial direction of the distribution pipe 410 so that the capillary tubes 430 can divide the refrigerant in the distribution pipe 410 along the axial direction of the distribution pipe 410.

[0092] Since the diversion pipe 410 is arranged along the height direction of the outdoor heat exchanger 400, the distances between the diversion pipe 410 and different heat exchange tubes 420 are similar, and the distances between the diversion pipe 410 and each heat exchange tube 420 are relatively short. Therefore, the length of the capillary tube 430 in this application is relatively small, and the lengths of different capillary tubes 430 are approximately the same. At the same time, the positions of the liquid distribution port 411 and the heat exchange tube 420 are fixed and not easily changed. In some embodiments, the capillary tube 430 is a rigid straight tube, which eliminates the trouble of needing to bundle and store flexible tubes that bend under gravity, and can also reduce the damage to the capillary tube 430 caused by bundling.

[0093] In some embodiments, the transport breakage rate of capillary 430 can be reduced by 60%.

[0094] like Figure 10 As shown, the diverter tube 410 is provided with a liquid dispensing port 411, which is connected to the capillary tube 430. Multiple liquid dispensing ports 411 are provided, and the multiple liquid dispensing ports 411 are arranged along the axial direction of the diverter tube 410. The multiple liquid dispensing ports 411 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the multiple capillary tubes 430, so that the capillary tubes 430 are connected to the diverter tube 410 through the corresponding liquid dispensing port 411.

[0095] It should be noted that at least a portion of the liquid distribution port 411 is configured to correspond in height to at least a portion of the heat exchange tube 420, so that the capillary tube 430 can connect the liquid distribution port 411 and the corresponding heat exchange tube 420 with a shorter length.

[0096] In some embodiments, the liquid outlet 411 is located on the same straight line along the axial direction of the diversion tube 410, and the liquid outlet 411 is located near the heat exchange tube 420 of the diversion tube 410 to reduce the length of the capillary tube 430.

[0097] Since the manifold 410 is arranged along the height of the outdoor heat exchanger 400, the refrigerant flow velocity increases as it flows downward in the manifold 410. In order to distribute the refrigerant evenly among the multiple heat exchange tubes 420, in this application, the diameter of the manifold 410 decreases as the number of refrigerant flow paths increases, so as to offset the increase in refrigerant flow velocity caused by the increase in gravitational potential energy by reducing the diameter of the manifold 410, thereby maintaining the pressure of the entire flow path of the manifold 410 relatively constant.

[0098] Specifically, such as Figure 10 As shown, the diameter of the manifold 410 decreases from top to bottom, giving it a tapered structure that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. This allows the refrigerant to flow more smoothly downwards under gravity, reducing flow resistance. Furthermore, by reducing the diameter at the lower end of the manifold 410, the refrigerant flow rate at the lower end of the manifold 410 is prevented from being too fast, ensuring a uniform flow rate of the refrigerant in the manifold 410. This allows the refrigerant to be evenly distributed to each capillary tube 430 before flowing into the corresponding heat exchange tube 420, achieving uniform refrigerant distribution.

[0099] In some embodiments, the formula for decreasing the diameter of the diversion pipe 410 is: Dn=DO-a(1×Nn / N); where Dn is the diameter of the diversion pipe 410 at the current liquid distribution port 411 position; DO is the diameter of the top liquid distribution port 411 position of the diversion pipe 410; N is the total number of branches, and a is the diversion correction coefficient.

[0100] Under the influence of gravity, liquids settle at the bottom of the heat exchanger, while gases flow upwards. This uneven distribution of the gas-liquid mixture entering the heat exchanger severely impacts its heat exchange efficiency. If the flow rate is too low, the refrigerant will evaporate quickly, resulting in a high superheat at the outlet. Conversely, if the flow rate is too high, incomplete evaporation will lead to a low superheat at the outlet, or even the presence of liquid. If this liquid enters the compressor 500, it will cause liquid slugging and damage the compressor. Excessively high flow rates may exacerbate gas-liquid separation, resulting in uneven distribution. Conversely, excessively low flow rates may cause the fluid to remain in the distributor tube 410 for too long, increasing the likelihood of gas-liquid stratification. Therefore, the refrigerant flow rate needs to be controlled within a reasonable range to ensure uniform distribution of the refrigerant in each capillary tube 430 and to ensure a homogeneous mixture of gaseous and liquid refrigerant.

[0101] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the manifold 410 and the axis of the manifold 410 are at an angle α, which satisfies: α≥0°, α≤5°, so that the refrigerant flow rate in the manifold 410 is within a suitable range.

[0102] If α > 5°, the cone angle of the manifold 410 will be too large, the refrigerant flow rate in the manifold 410 will decrease, and the pipe diameter of the manifold 410 will increase if the length of the manifold 410 remains unchanged, thereby increasing the space occupied by the manifold 410.

[0103] It should be noted that the cone angle β of the shunt 410 satisfies: β≥0°, β≤10°.

[0104] In some embodiments, the cone angle of the shunt 410 varies with the spacing of the capillary 430.

[0105] The size of the cone angle affects the flow state of the mixed fluid. A smaller cone angle allows for smoother fluid flow, reducing gas-liquid separation and uneven distribution caused by abrupt changes in flow direction; a larger cone angle causes greater variations in fluid velocity, easily leading to turbulence and flow deviation. By ensuring that the cone angle β of the distributor 410 satisfies: β ≥ 0°, β ≤ 10°, the refrigerant in the distributor 410 can be evenly distributed within each capillary tube 430, while simultaneously ensuring uniform mixing of the gaseous and liquid refrigerants.

[0106] In some embodiments, the diameter D of the manifold 410 satisfies: D≥3mm, D≤55mm, so that the refrigerant has a suitable flow rate and avoids separation of gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant.

[0107] If D < 3 mm, the diameter of the manifold 410 is too small, and the refrigerant flow velocity in the manifold 410 is low; if D > 55 mm, the diameter of the manifold 410 is too large, and the refrigerant flow velocity in the manifold 410 is high.

[0108] It should be noted that the diameters of the multiple capillary tubes 430 can be the same or different, but the refrigerant flow rates of the multiple capillary tubes 430 are approximately the same, so that the heat exchange effect of the multiple heat exchange tubes 420 is the same.

[0109] In some embodiments, the length L of the manifold 410 satisfies: L≥100mm, L≤2000mm, to ensure the refrigerant distribution effect.

[0110] If L < 100 mm, the length of the manifold 410 is too small, the distribution ports 411 are too densely arranged in the manifold 410, and the refrigerant will flow a short distance along the manifold 410 after being split and then be split again. The refrigerant will have less gravitational potential energy, which will easily make the refrigerant flow velocity of the subsequent split smaller.

[0111] If L>2000mm, the length of the manifold 410 is too large, and the distribution of the liquid outlets 411 in the manifold 410 is relatively sparse. After the refrigerant is divided, it needs to flow a long distance along the manifold 410 to be divided again. The refrigerant gains a large gravitational potential energy, which makes the flow velocity of the refrigerant in the subsequent divisions relatively large.

[0112] In some embodiments, the number S of capillary tubes 430 satisfies: S≥3, S≤12, to ensure the heat exchange efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger 400.

[0113] An excessive number of capillary tubes 430 may result in insufficient flow rate into each heat exchange tube 420, affecting the flow rate and thus reducing the heat exchange efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger 400. Conversely, an insufficient number of capillary tubes 430 will result in fewer refrigerant flow paths, which may also reduce the heat exchange efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger 400.

[0114] It should be noted that, depending on the diversion requirements and pipeline layout, the refrigerant main flow direction may be from top to bottom or from bottom to top.

[0115] It should also be noted that the diverter pipe 410 is not limited to use in the outdoor unit, but can also be used in the indoor unit; the diverter pipe 410 can be tubular or in other forms such as thin plates.

[0116] The working principle of the distribution system in the above-mentioned outdoor unit of the air conditioner is as follows: the refrigerant in the first pipe 900 flows into the distribution pipe 410 from the top and flows from top to bottom in the distribution pipe 410; during the flow of the refrigerant in the distribution pipe 410, each time it passes through a liquid distribution port 411, at least part of the refrigerant is diverted to the capillary tube 430 connected to the liquid distribution port 411, and then flows into the corresponding heat exchange tube 420 through the capillary tube 430.

[0117] As the refrigerant flows in the distributor tube 410, its flow rate should increase under the influence of gravity. However, since the diameter of the distributor tube 410 decreases as the refrigerant flows, it will offset the increase in refrigerant flow rate. Therefore, the refrigerant flow rate in the distributor tube 410 is approximately the same, which allows the refrigerant to be evenly distributed into multiple capillary tubes 430 and then evenly flow into multiple heat exchange tubes 420.

[0118] By making the refrigerant flow velocity and pressure in the distribution tube 410 approximately the same, the gas phase refrigerant and liquid phase refrigerant are evenly distributed, thereby making the mixed refrigerant formed by the gas phase refrigerant and liquid phase refrigerant evenly distributed in multiple heat exchange tubes 420.

[0119] The aforementioned outdoor air conditioning unit arranges the distribution pipe 410 along the height of the outdoor heat exchanger 400, and the liquid outlet 411 and heat exchange tube 420 are correspondingly positioned along the height of the outdoor heat exchanger 400. This allows the distribution pipe 410 to deliver refrigerant to the corresponding height of each heat exchange tube 420. Then, a capillary tube 430 is used to split the refrigerant in the distribution pipe 410, allowing it to flow through the capillary tube 430 to the corresponding heat exchange tube 420, thereby achieving heat exchange between the outdoor heat exchanger 400 and the outdoor air. By designing the distribution pipe 410 as a tapered tube structure, with the diameter of the distribution pipe 410 gradually decreasing with each branch capillary tube 430, the pressure along the entire flow path of the distribution pipe 410 remains balanced.

[0120] The aforementioned air conditioner outdoor unit eliminates the complex splitter structure, reducing the manufacturing cost of the outdoor unit. In some embodiments, material costs are reduced by 42%, and assembly time is shortened by 65%. Finally, it should be noted that 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; 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.

[0121] For ease of explanation, the above description has been provided in conjunction with specific embodiments. However, the above exemplary discussion is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the specific forms disclosed above. Various modifications and variations can be obtained based on the above teachings. The selection and description of the above embodiments are for the purpose of better explaining the principles and practical applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better utilize the described embodiments and various different variations of embodiments suitable for specific use considerations.

Claims

1. An outdoor unit for an air conditioner, characterized in that, include: The housing includes a housing air inlet and a housing air outlet, wherein the housing air inlet is located on the outer periphery of the housing and the housing air outlet is located on the front side of the housing. A fan is located inside the housing, with the air outlet side of the fan facing the air outlet of the housing. A compressor, located inside the housing, is used to drive the flow of refrigerant; An outdoor heat exchanger is located inside the casing, with the windward side of the outdoor heat exchanger facing the air inlet of the casing. At least a portion of the leeward side of the outdoor heat exchanger is located on the inlet side of the fan; the outdoor heat exchanger includes: The heat exchange tubes are configured in multiple ways, and the multiple heat exchange tubes are independently arranged. At least some of the heat exchange tubes are arranged along the height direction of the outdoor heat exchanger. Refrigerant flows inside the heat exchange tubes. A diversion system is used to divert the refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger; the diversion system includes: A diversion pipe is installed along the height of the outdoor heat exchanger, with the top end of the diversion pipe being the liquid inlet. Multiple capillary tubes are provided, and the multiple capillary tubes are correspondingly arranged with multiple heat exchange tubes; one end of the capillary tube is connected to the flow divider tube, and the other end of the capillary tube is connected to the corresponding heat exchange tube; the connection points of the multiple capillary tubes and the flow divider tube are arranged along the axial direction of the flow divider tube.

2. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the shunt pipe decreases from top to bottom.

3. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the diverter tube and the axis of the diverter tube have an included angle α, which satisfies: α≥0°, α≤5°.

4. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, The diameter D of the shunt pipe satisfies: D≥3mm, D≤55mm.

5. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, The length L of the shunt tube satisfies: L≥100mm, L≤2000mm.

6. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diversion tube is provided with a liquid distribution port, which is connected to the capillary tube; multiple liquid distribution ports are provided, which are arranged along the axial direction of the diversion tube, and each of the multiple liquid distribution ports corresponds to one of the multiple capillary tubes.

7. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 6, characterized in that, The plurality of liquid outlets are located on the same straight line along the axial direction of the distribution pipe and are located near the heat exchange pipe of the distribution pipe.

8. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the diversion pipe decreases as the number of refrigerant diversion paths increases.

9. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number S of capillaries satisfies: S≥3, S≤12.

10. An outdoor unit for an air conditioner, characterized in that, include: The housing includes a housing air inlet and a housing air outlet, wherein the housing air inlet is located on the outer periphery of the housing and the housing air outlet is located on the front side of the housing. A fan is located inside the housing, with the air outlet side of the fan facing the air outlet of the housing. A compressor, located inside the housing, is used to drive the flow of refrigerant; An outdoor heat exchanger is located inside the casing, with the windward side of the outdoor heat exchanger facing the air inlet of the casing. At least a portion of the leeward side of the outdoor heat exchanger is located on the inlet side of the fan; the outdoor heat exchanger includes: The heat exchange tubes are configured in multiple ways, and the multiple heat exchange tubes are independently configured; at least some of the heat exchange tubes are arranged along the height direction of the outdoor heat exchanger; refrigerant flows inside the heat exchange tubes. The first pipeline is used to connect the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger; A diversion pipe is provided along the height of the outdoor heat exchanger; the top end of the diversion pipe is connected to the end of the first pipe away from the indoor heat exchanger; and the top diameter of the diversion pipe is larger than the bottom diameter of the diversion pipe; the diversion pipe is provided with multiple liquid outlets, and the multiple liquid outlets are provided with multiple heat exchange pipes along the height of the outdoor heat exchanger. The capillary tubes are arranged in a corresponding manner with the heat exchange tubes, and each capillary tube is also arranged in a corresponding manner with the liquid distribution port. One end of each capillary tube is connected to the corresponding liquid distribution port, and the other end of each capillary tube is connected to the corresponding heat exchange tube.

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