Heat exchanger and refrigeration equipment
By setting notches on the fins and adopting a finned heat exchanger with a corrugated structure, combined with an integrated heat exchange tube and microchannel design, the problem of low heat exchange efficiency of finned condensers is solved, achieving more efficient cooling effect and reduced energy consumption.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TCL HOME APPLIANCES (HEFEI) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-12
AI Technical Summary
The heat exchange efficiency of existing finned condensers is not ideal, resulting in slow refrigerator cooling speed and high energy consumption.
Design a finned heat exchanger with notches on the fins and a corrugated structure, combined with an integrated heat exchange tube. There is no contact thermal resistance between the fins and the heat exchange tube. Microchannels and protrusions are provided inside to enhance the heat transfer effect.
By disrupting the airflow boundary layer, the direct contact area between the airflow and the fins is reduced, flow resistance is lowered, heat exchange efficiency is improved, cooling speed is increased, and energy consumption is reduced.
Smart Images
Figure CN224230385U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of electrical manufacturing technology, and in particular to a heat exchanger and refrigeration equipment. Background Technology
[0002] With the improvement of people's living standards, refrigerators have become an indispensable appliance in modern family life. Refrigerators are mainly divided into direct-cooling refrigerators, air-cooling refrigerators, hybrid refrigerators, and inverter refrigerators. Among them, air-cooling refrigerators use air for cooling. The refrigeration system of an air-cooling refrigerator mainly consists of components such as a compressor, condenser, evaporator, and capillary tube. The compressor compresses the refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure gas, and then dissipates heat through the condenser, cooling the refrigerant into a high-pressure liquid. Then, the high-pressure liquid enters the evaporator after being throttled and depressurized through the capillary tube. In the evaporator, the refrigerant evaporates and absorbs heat, which lowers the temperature of the air around the evaporator, thereby achieving cooling.
[0003] The condenser is a crucial component in a refrigerator for heat transfer, and its structure directly affects cooling performance. Finned condensers are a commonly used type in refrigerators, increasing heat dissipation area and improving efficiency by installing fins on the heat exchange tubes. However, existing finned condensers have less than ideal heat exchange efficiency, resulting in slower cooling speeds and higher energy consumption. Utility Model Content
[0004] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a heat exchanger and a refrigeration device.
[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a heat exchanger, including a heat exchange tube and fins connected to the heat exchange tube. The fins have a top edge and a bottom edge disposed opposite to each other, and a first side edge and a second side edge disposed opposite to each other. The bottom edge is connected to the heat exchange tube, and a notch is provided on the fins in the area near the top edge and the first side edge.
[0006] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger is a condenser or an evaporator; and / or,
[0007] The first side is the windward side of the heat exchanger; and / or,
[0008] The heat exchange tube and the fins are an integral structure.
[0009] In some embodiments, the fins are wavy.
[0010] In some embodiments, the ratio L / A between the amplitude L of the fin and the wavelength A is 6.85-15.7.
[0011] In some embodiments, the ratio Cl / La between the length Cl of the notch and the length La of the fin is 0.01 to 0.5; and / or,
[0012] The ratio Ch / Fh between the height Ch of the notch and the height Fh of the fin is 0.01 to 0.2.
[0013] In some embodiments, the heat exchange tube includes multiple straight pipe sections and multiple bent pipe sections, the multiple straight pipe sections are arranged sequentially and spaced apart, and any two adjacent straight pipe sections are connected by the bent pipe sections;
[0014] The straight pipe section is connected to a plurality of fins, which are arranged sequentially according to the extension direction of the straight pipe section.
[0015] In some embodiments, on the straight pipe section, the angle between each of the plurality of fins and the extending direction of the straight pipe section is 50° to 90°; and / or,
[0016] On the straight pipe section, the distance between any two adjacent fins is 2mm to 4mm.
[0017] In some embodiments, the length-to-width ratio of the heat exchange tube cross-section is 6 to 13; and / or,
[0018] The heat exchange tube is provided with multiple microchannels, which extend along the extension direction of the heat exchange tube and pass through both ends of the heat exchange tube.
[0019] In some embodiments, the number of microchannels within the heat exchange tube is 3-6; and / or,
[0020] The microchannel has protrusions that are connected to the inner wall of the microchannel and extend along the extension direction of the heat exchange tube.
[0021] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a refrigeration device, including the heat exchanger described above.
[0022] The heat exchanger provided in this application embodiment, by forming a notch on the side of the top of the fin, can effectively disrupt the velocity boundary layer formed by the airflow on both sides of the fin, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency. On the other hand, it can reduce the direct contact area between the airflow and the fin, thereby reducing the flow resistance. By improving the heat exchange efficiency and reducing the flow resistance, the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger can be effectively improved, thereby improving the cooling speed of the refrigerator containing the heat exchanger and reducing the refrigerator's energy consumption. Attached Figure Description
[0023] 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.
[0024] Figure 1This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the heat exchanger provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0025] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of region B in the middle.
[0026] Figure 3 This is a side view of a heat exchanger provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0027] Figure 4 This is a top view schematic diagram of a heat exchanger provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0028] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A magnified view of region C in the middle.
[0029] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchange tube provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0030] Component symbol explanation:
[0031] 100. Heat exchanger; 20. Heat exchange tube; 21. Straight tube section; 22. Bend section; 40. Microchannel; 41. Protrusion; 30. Fin; 31. Top edge; 32. Bottom edge; 33. First side edge; 34. Second side edge; 35. Notch. Detailed Implementation
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 This application provides a heat exchanger 100, including a heat exchange tube 20 and fins 30 connected to the heat exchange tube 20. The fins 30 have a top edge 31 and a bottom edge 32 disposed opposite to each other, and a first side edge 33 and a second side edge 34 disposed opposite to each other. The bottom edge 32 is connected to the heat exchange tube 20. A notch 35 is provided on the fins 30 in the area near the top edge 31 and the first side edge 33.
[0038] For example, the two ends of the first side 33 are respectively connected to one end of the top side 31 and one end of the bottom side 32, and the two ends of the second side 34 are respectively connected to the other end of the top side 31 and the other end of the bottom side 32.
[0039] For example, the heat exchanger 100 is a condenser or an evaporator.
[0040] For example, the first side 33 is the windward side of the heat exchanger 100.
[0041] It should be noted that in existing tube-fin heat exchangers, the fins have through holes through which the heat exchange tubes pass. In this case, there is a contact thermal resistance between the fins and the tube wall of the heat exchange tube, resulting in a low heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger. However, in the embodiment of this application, the fins 30 are connected to the heat exchange tubes 20. Therefore, there is no contact thermal resistance between the fins 30 and the heat exchange tubes 20, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger.
[0042] For example, the heat exchange tube 20 and the fins 30 can be an integral structure. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 100 is a shovel-type heat exchanger, that is, the fins 30 are formed by shoveling the two sides of the heat exchange tube 20 using a shovel-cutting process.
[0043] The heat exchanger 100 provided in this application embodiment, by forming a notch 35 on the side of the top end of the fin 30, can effectively break the velocity boundary layer formed on both sides of the fin 30 by the airflow, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency. On the other hand, it can reduce the direct contact area between the airflow and the fin 30, thereby reducing the flow resistance. By improving the heat exchange efficiency and reducing the flow resistance, the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 100 can be effectively improved, thereby improving the cooling speed of the refrigerator containing the heat exchanger 100 and reducing the refrigerator's energy consumption.
[0044] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 5 For example, the fin 30 is wavy.
[0045] It should be noted that, compared to ordinary flat fins, the corrugated fins 30 have an uneven surface, which increases the contact area with air within the same space. More contact area means more heat exchange sites between the refrigerant and the air, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency. In addition, the more turbulent airflow on the surface of the corrugated fins 30 can disrupt the formation of the boundary layer, allowing the air to come into fuller contact with the surface of the fins 30, thereby enhancing the convective heat transfer process between the air and the fins 30 and further improving the heat exchange effect. Moreover, the corrugated structure gives the fins 30 higher rigidity and stability. Compared with flat fins, corrugated fins 30 are less prone to deformation when subjected to external forces, such as the pressure generated by airflow and vibrations during equipment operation. This structure can better maintain the shape and spacing of the fins 30, ensuring the stable performance of the heat exchanger 100 and extending the service life of the equipment.
[0046] Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5For example, the ratio L / A between the amplitude L of the fin 30 and the wavelength A is 6.85-15.7, such as 6.85, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5, 15, 15.5, 15.7, etc.
[0047] Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5 The vertical distance between adjacent peaks and troughs on the fin 30 is the amplitude L, and the distance between two adjacent peaks (troughs) on the fin 30 is the wavelength A.
[0048] It should be noted that when L / A is less than 6.85, the amplitude is too small, the ripples do not disturb the airflow enough, and the heat exchange efficiency is low; when L / A is greater than 15.7, the amplitude is too large, which will cause a flow dead zone to form at the ripples of the fin 30, resulting in a decrease in the performance of the fin 30. Therefore, the ratio of the amplitude L of the fin 30 to the wavelength A, L / A, is set between 6.85 and 15.7.
[0049] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 For example, the ratio Cl / La between the length Cl of the notch 35 and the length La of the fin 30 is 0.01 to 0.5, such as 0.01, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, etc.
[0050] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 For example, the ratio Ch / Fh between the height Ch of the notch 35 and the height Fh of the fin 30 is 0.01 to 0.2, such as 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, etc.
[0051] It is understandable that when a notch 35 is formed on the fin 30, the heat exchange area of the fin 30 is reduced. In order to avoid affecting the heat exchange effect of the fin 30, the area of the notch 35 should not be too large. Based on this, the ratio Cl / La between the length Cl of the notch 35 and the length La of the fin 30 is designed to be 0.01 to 0.5, and the ratio Ch / Fh between the height Ch of the notch 35 and the height Fh of the fin 30 is designed to be 0.01 to 0.2.
[0052] Please see Figure 3 For example, the heat exchange tube 20 includes a plurality of straight tube sections 21 and a plurality of bent tube sections 22. The plurality of straight tube sections 21 are arranged sequentially and spaced apart. Any two adjacent straight tube sections 21 are connected through the bent tube sections 22. A plurality of fins 30 are connected to the straight tube sections 21. The plurality of fins 30 are arranged sequentially according to the extension direction of the straight tube sections 21.
[0053] For example, the number of straight pipe sections 21 is 9-16, such as 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, etc.
[0054] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3 For example, on the straight pipe section 21, the angle between each of the plurality of fins 30 and the extension direction of the straight pipe section 21 is 50° to 90°, such as 50°, 60°, 70°, 80°, 90°, etc.
[0055] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3 For example, on the straight pipe section 21, the distance between any two adjacent fins 30 is 2mm to 4mm, such as 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, etc.
[0056] It should be noted that when the distance between two adjacent fins 30 is greater than 4mm, the heat exchange area on the air side is reduced due to the excessive distance between the fins 30, resulting in a smaller heat exchange capacity and lower heat exchange efficiency. On the other hand, when the distance between two adjacent fins 30 is less than 2mm, the excessive distance between the fins 30 will reduce the airflow through the heat exchanger 100 and thus affect the heat exchange efficiency. Therefore, the distance between two adjacent fins 30 is designed to be between 2mm and 4mm.
[0057] Please see Figure 6 For example, the heat exchange tube 20 is a flat tube, and the ratio of the length M to the width N of the cross-section of the heat exchange tube 20 is 6 to 13, such as 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, etc.
[0058] Please see Figure 6 For example, the heat exchange tube 20 is provided with a plurality of microchannels 40, which extend in the extension direction of the heat exchange tube 20 and penetrate both ends of the heat exchange tube 20.
[0059] Understandably, by setting multiple microchannels 40 inside the heat exchange tube 20, the heat transfer area inside the heat exchange tube 20 can be increased. When the fluid flows in the microchannels 40, the contact area with the tube wall increases significantly, allowing heat to be transferred more effectively from the hot fluid to the cold fluid, or from the tube wall to the fluid, thereby improving the heat transfer efficiency. Furthermore, the presence of the microchannels 40 makes the flow of the fluid inside the tube more complex, generating more disturbances and mixing. This mixing effect can break the fluid boundary layer, making the heat transfer between the hot fluid and the cold fluid more complete, reducing thermal resistance, and further enhancing the heat transfer effect.
[0060] Please see Figure 6 For example, the number of microchannels 40 in the heat exchange tube 20 is 3-6, such as 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
[0061] Please see Figure 6 For example, the microchannel 40 is provided with a protrusion 41, which is connected to the inner wall of the microchannel 40 and extends in the direction of extension of the heat exchange tube 20.
[0062] Understandably, by setting strip-shaped protrusions 41 on the inner side of the microchannel 40, the roughness and surface area of the inner surface of the microchannel 40 can be increased, thereby increasing the contact area between the fluid and the channel wall, which can improve the heat transfer efficiency and allow heat to be transferred more quickly from the hot fluid to the cold fluid, or from the wall to the fluid. In addition, when the fluid flows in the microchannel 40, a temperature boundary layer will be formed near the wall, which will hinder the transfer of heat. The strip-shaped protrusions 41 can disrupt the integrity of the boundary layer, causing the fluid within the boundary layer to be disturbed, allowing the heat transfer between the hot fluid and the cold fluid to be more complete, reducing thermal resistance, and further enhancing the heat transfer effect.
[0063] Please see Figure 1 For example, the heat exchange tube 20 has an inlet and an outlet arranged opposite to each other, wherein the inlet is located at the top of the heat exchanger 100 and the outlet is located at the bottom of the heat exchanger 100. That is, the refrigerant in the heat exchange tube 20 adopts a "top-in, bottom-out" flow direction. This is because adopting a "top-in, bottom-out" flow direction can increase the flow velocity of the refrigerant in the heat exchange tube 20, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency. However, if a "bottom-in, top-out" flow direction is adopted, the refrigerant will have to overcome the influence of gravity when flowing in the heat exchange tube 20, thereby increasing the flow resistance of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 100, increasing the exhaust pressure, and thus increasing the compression ratio of the compressor.
[0064] This application also provides a refrigeration device, including the heat exchanger 100 in any of the above embodiments.
[0065] For example, the refrigeration equipment can be a refrigerator, freezer, beverage cooler, wine cooler, freezer box, ice cream machine, ice maker, etc.
[0066] For example, the refrigeration system of the refrigeration equipment includes a condenser and an evaporator, at least one of which is the heat exchanger 100.
[0067] The heat exchanger and refrigeration equipment 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. 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. A heat exchanger, characterized in that, The device includes a heat exchange tube and fins connected to the heat exchange tube. The fins have a top edge and a bottom edge disposed opposite to each other, as well as a first side edge and a second side edge disposed opposite to each other. The bottom edge is connected to the heat exchange tube, and a notch is provided on the fin near the top edge and the first side edge.
2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchanger is a condenser or an evaporator; and / or, The first side is the windward side of the heat exchanger; and / or, The heat exchange tube and the fins are an integral structure.
3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fins are wavy.
4. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that, The ratio L / A between the amplitude L of the fin and the wavelength A is 6.85-15.
7.
5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ratio Cl / La between the length Cl of the notch and the length La of the fin is 0.01 to 0.5; and / or, The ratio Ch / Fh between the height Ch of the notch and the height Fh of the fin is 0.01 to 0.
2.
6. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchange tube includes multiple straight pipe sections and multiple bent pipe sections. The multiple straight pipe sections are arranged sequentially and spaced apart. Any two adjacent straight pipe sections are connected by the bent pipe sections. The straight pipe section is connected to a plurality of fins, which are arranged sequentially according to the extension direction of the straight pipe section.
7. The heat exchanger according to claim 6, characterized in that, On the straight pipe section, the angle between each of the plurality of fins and the extending direction of the straight pipe section is 50° to 90°; and / or, On the straight pipe section, the distance between any two adjacent fins is 2mm to 4mm.
8. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The length-to-width ratio of the heat exchange tube's cross-section is 6–13; and / or, The heat exchange tube is provided with multiple microchannels, which extend along the extension direction of the heat exchange tube and pass through both ends of the heat exchange tube.
9. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, characterized in that, The number of microchannels within the heat exchange tube is 3-6; and / or, The microchannel has protrusions that are connected to the inner wall of the microchannel and extend along the extension direction of the heat exchange tube.
10. A refrigeration device, characterized in that, Includes the heat exchanger as described in any one of claims 1-9.