Evaporators and air conditioners

Abstract

The utility model discloses an evaporator and air conditioner, evaporator includes: evaporator body, evaporator body has a plurality of heat exchange pipes, evaporator body has first flow path and second flow path, along the flow direction of refrigerant, first flow path includes first sub flow path and second sub flow path connected in proper order, and first sub flow path flows through part heat exchange pipe, and second sub flow path flows through part heat exchange pipe, and the number of heat exchange pipe that second sub flow path flows through is greater than the number of heat exchange pipe that first sub flow path flows through, and second flow path is parallel with first sub flow path, and second flow path is located heat exchange pipe outside. According to the evaporator of the utility model, make the refrigerant dryness of second sub flow path appropriate, thereby make the heat exchange coefficient of evaporator at second sub flow path be at higher level, improve the heat exchange performance of evaporator, also guarantee the refrigerant of second sub flow path end has higher dryness, thereby reduce liquid refrigerant to enter compressor and cause compressor liquid knock damage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of air handling equipment technology, and in particular to an evaporator and an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] As a major component of an air conditioner, the evaporator's heat exchange performance is closely related to the refrigerant dryness during operation. Heat exchange performance affects the overall performance of the air conditioner. Both high and low refrigerant dryness can lead to a decrease in the evaporator's heat exchange performance. In addition, low refrigerant dryness at the evaporator terminal can also cause liquid slugging in the compressor. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes an evaporator that ensures the refrigerant in the evaporator has a suitable dryness, thereby improving the heat exchange performance of the evaporator and preventing damage from liquid slugging in the compressor.

[0004] This utility model also proposes an air conditioner, including the evaporator described above.

[0005] An evaporator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an evaporator body having a plurality of heat exchange tubes, the evaporator body having a first flow path and a second flow path along the flow direction of the refrigerant, the first flow path including a first sub-flow path and a second sub-flow path connected in sequence, the first sub-flow path flowing through a portion of the heat exchange tubes, the second sub-flow path flowing through a portion of the heat exchange tubes, the number of heat exchange tubes through which the second sub-flow path flows being greater than the number of heat exchange tubes through which the first sub-flow path flows, the second flow path being connected in parallel with the first sub-flow path, and the second flow path being located outside the heat exchange tubes.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the evaporator, by setting a first flow path and a second flow path, along the refrigerant flow direction, includes a first sub-flow path and a second sub-flow path connected in sequence. The first sub-flow path flows through a portion of the heat exchange tubes, and the second sub-flow path flows through a portion of the heat exchange tubes. The second flow path is connected in parallel with the first sub-flow path and is located outside the heat exchange tubes. This allows the refrigerant at the end of the first sub-flow path to mix with the refrigerant in the second flow path before entering the second sub-flow path. That is, a refrigerant with higher dryness and a refrigerant with lower dryness are mixed, resulting in a suitable refrigerant dryness in the second sub-flow path. This ensures that the heat transfer coefficient of the evaporator at the second sub-flow path is at a higher level, thereby improving the overall average heat transfer coefficient of the evaporator and enhancing its heat transfer performance. Furthermore, the number of heat exchange tubes through which the second sub-flow path flows is greater than the number of heat exchange tubes through which the first sub-flow path flows. This allows the refrigerant to fully evaporate during its flow in the second sub-flow path, ensuring that the refrigerant at the end of the second sub-flow path has a high dryness, thereby reducing the risk of liquid refrigerant entering the compressor and causing liquid slugging damage.

[0007] In some embodiments of this utility model, the ratio of the number of heat exchange tubes flowing through the first sub-flow path to the number of heat exchange tubes flowing through the second sub-flow path is 1 / 3 to 5 / 6.

[0008] In some embodiments of this utility model, the second flow path, the end of the first sub-flow path near the second sub-flow path, and the end of the second sub-flow path near the first sub-flow path are connected by a mixer.

[0009] In some embodiments of this utility model, there are multiple first flow paths and one second flow path, and the one second flow path and multiple first sub-flow paths of the multiple first flow paths are all connected in parallel.

[0010] In some embodiments of this utility model, the second flow path, the end of the first sub-flow path near the second sub-flow path, and the end of the second sub-flow path near the first sub-flow path are connected by the same heat exchange tube.

[0011] In some embodiments of this utility model, there are multiple first flow paths, and multiple second flow paths that correspond one-to-one with the multiple first flow paths. The multiple second flow paths are respectively connected in parallel with the first sub-flow paths of the multiple first flow paths.

[0012] In some embodiments of this invention, the ends of multiple second flow paths that are away from the second sub-flow paths are connected by a distributor.

[0013] In some embodiments of this invention, the ends of multiple first sub-flow paths that are away from the second sub-flow path are connected by a distributor.

[0014] In some embodiments of this invention, the ends of a plurality of second sub-flow paths near the first sub-flow path are connected by a distributor.

[0015] The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the evaporator described above.

[0016] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner, by setting the evaporator described above, provides a first flow path and a second flow path. Along the flow direction of the refrigerant, the first flow path includes a first sub-flow path and a second sub-flow path connected in sequence. The first sub-flow path flows through a portion of the heat exchange tube, and the second sub-flow path flows through a portion of the heat exchange tube. The second flow path is connected in parallel with the first sub-flow path and is located outside the heat exchange tube. This allows the refrigerant at the end of the first sub-flow path to mix with the refrigerant in the second flow path before entering the second sub-flow path. That is, a refrigerant with higher dryness and a refrigerant with lower dryness are mixed, thereby making the refrigerant dryness in the second sub-flow path suitable. This results in a higher heat transfer coefficient of the evaporator at the second sub-flow path, thereby improving the overall average heat transfer coefficient of the evaporator and improving the heat transfer performance of the evaporator. The number of heat exchange tubes flowing through the second sub-flow path is greater than that flowing through the first sub-flow path, which allows the refrigerant to evaporate fully during its flow in the second sub-flow path. This ensures that the refrigerant at the end of the second sub-flow path has a high dryness, thereby reducing the amount of liquid refrigerant entering the compressor and causing liquid slugging damage.

[0017] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this utility model will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a flow path diagram of the evaporator according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a flow path diagram of the evaporator according to Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a graph showing the relationship between the evaporator heat transfer coefficient, the cumulative average heat transfer coefficient, and the refrigerant dryness according to an embodiment of the present invention, where A (dashed line) represents the heat transfer coefficient and B (solid line) represents the cumulative average heat transfer coefficient.

[0022] Figure label:

[0023] 10. Evaporator;

[0024] 1. Evaporator body; 11. Heat exchange tube; 12. First flow path; 121. First sub-flow path; 122. Second sub-flow path; 13. Second flow path;

[0025] 2. Mixer;

[0026] 3. Distributor;

[0027] 4. Throttling device. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0029] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "transverse," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0030] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; 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; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0031] The following is for reference. Figures 1-3 Evaporator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0032] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the evaporator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an evaporator body 1.

[0033] Specifically, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The evaporator body 1 has multiple heat exchange tubes 11 and a first flow path 12 and a second flow path 13. Along the flow direction of the refrigerant, the first flow path 12 includes a first sub-flow path 121 and a second sub-flow path 122 connected in sequence. The first sub-flow path 121 flows through a portion of the heat exchange tubes 11, and the second sub-flow path 122 flows through a portion of the heat exchange tubes 11. The number of heat exchange tubes 11 that the second sub-flow path 122 flows through is greater than the number of heat exchange tubes 11 that the first sub-flow path 121 flows through. The second flow path 13 is connected in parallel with the first sub-flow path 121 and is located outside the heat exchange tubes 11.

[0034] It should be noted that the air conditioner also includes a compressor and a condenser (both not shown). One end of the first flow path 12 and the second flow path 13 are both connected to the condenser. The refrigerant flows from the compressor's exhaust port to the condenser. As the refrigerant flows, the dryness of the refrigerant in the condenser continuously decreases. The refrigerant coming out of the condenser flows through the first sub-flow path 121 and the second flow path 13 to the second sub-flow path 122, and finally flows out from the evaporator body 1 and returns to the compressor from the compressor's suction port, forming a refrigerant cycle.

[0035] Furthermore, the refrigerant dryness is related to the heat transfer coefficient of the evaporator 10. A suitable refrigerant dryness helps ensure the heat transfer coefficient of the evaporator 10, and the higher the heat transfer coefficient of the evaporator 10, the better its heat transfer performance. For example, Figure 3 As shown, when the refrigerant dryness fraction is between 0.4 and 0.9, the heat transfer coefficient of evaporator 10 is relatively high, and the heat transfer performance of evaporator 10 is better at this time.

[0036] Understandably, if there were no second flow path 13, the refrigerant coming out of the first sub-flow path 121 would directly enter the second sub-flow path 122. Since the refrigerant coming out of the first sub-flow path 121 has undergone a period of evaporation, the dryness of the refrigerant coming out of the first sub-flow path 121 is relatively high. If it directly enters the second sub-flow path 122, the dryness of the refrigerant in the second sub-flow path 122 would be too high, which would lead to a decrease in the heat exchange performance of the evaporator 10.

[0037] In this invention, after the refrigerant in the first sub-flow path 121 exchanges heat with the air through the heat exchange tube 11, the refrigerant dryness continuously increases with the flow of the refrigerant. The second flow path 13 is located outside the heat exchange tube 11, so the second flow path 13 does not exchange heat with the air, and the refrigerant dryness in the second flow path 13 is always low. Since the second flow path 13 is connected in parallel with the first sub-flow path 121, the refrigerant at the end of the first sub-flow path 121 can be mixed with the refrigerant in the second flow path 13 before entering the second sub-flow path 122. That is, the refrigerant with higher dryness and the refrigerant with lower dryness are mixed, so that the refrigerant dryness in the second sub-flow path 122 is suitable (0.4-0.9), and the heat transfer coefficient of the evaporator 10 at the second sub-flow path 122 is at a high level, thereby improving the overall average heat transfer coefficient of the evaporator 10 and improving the heat transfer performance of the evaporator 10.

[0038] Furthermore, the number of heat exchange tubes 11 flowing through the second sub-flow path 122 is greater than the number of heat exchange tubes 11 flowing through the first sub-flow path 121. This allows the refrigerant to fully evaporate during its flow through the second sub-flow path 122, ensuring that the refrigerant at the end of the second sub-flow path 122 has a high dryness, thereby reducing the risk of liquid refrigerant entering the compressor and causing liquid slugging damage.

[0039] In addition, since the refrigerant in the second flow path 13 does not exchange heat through the heat exchange tube 11, the overall pressure loss of the refrigerant in the evaporator 10 is reduced, thereby further improving the heat exchange performance of the evaporator 10.

[0040] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, both the first sub-flow path 121 and the second flow path 13 are equipped with a throttling device 4 (electronic expansion valve or capillary tube, etc.), thereby enabling the refrigerant in the first sub-flow path 121 to be throttled and depressurized, and the refrigerant in the second flow path 13 to be regulated in terms of flow rate.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the evaporator 10 is provided with a first flow path 12 and a second flow path 13. Along the flow direction of the refrigerant, the first flow path 12 includes a first sub-flow path 121 and a second sub-flow path 122 connected in sequence. The first sub-flow path 121 flows through a portion of the heat exchange tube 11, and the second sub-flow path 122 flows through a portion of the heat exchange tube 11. The second flow path 13 is connected in parallel with the first sub-flow path 121 and is located outside the heat exchange tube 11. This allows the refrigerant at the end of the first sub-flow path 121 to mix with the refrigerant in the second flow path 13 before entering the second sub-flow path 122. That is, a refrigerant with higher dryness and a refrigerant with lower dryness are mixed, so that the refrigerant dryness in the second sub-flow path 122 is appropriate. This results in a higher heat transfer coefficient of the evaporator 10 at the second sub-flow path 122, thereby improving the overall average heat transfer coefficient of the evaporator 10 and improving the heat transfer performance of the evaporator 10. The number of heat exchange tubes 11 flowing through the second sub-flow path 122 is greater than the number of heat exchange tubes 11 flowing through the first sub-flow path 121. This allows the refrigerant to fully evaporate during its flow through the second sub-flow path 122, ensuring that the refrigerant at the end of the second sub-flow path 122 has a high dryness, thereby reducing the amount of liquid refrigerant entering the compressor and causing liquid slugging damage.

[0042] In some embodiments of this invention, the ratio of the number of heat exchange tubes 11 flowing through the first sub-flow path 121 to the number of heat exchange tubes 11 flowing through the second sub-flow path 122 is 1 / 3 to 5 / 6, for example, 1 / 3, 1 / 2, or 5 / 6. This ensures a reasonable ratio between the number of heat exchange tubes 11 flowing through the first sub-flow path 121 and the second sub-flow path 122. On the one hand, this allows the refrigerant in the first sub-flow path 121 to evaporate sufficiently, preventing the refrigerant at the end of the first sub-flow path 121 from having a low dryness, which would result in the refrigerant entering the second sub-flow path 122 after mixing with the second flow path 13 having a low dryness, thus affecting the performance of the evaporator 10.

[0043] On the other hand, it also allows the refrigerant in the second sub-flow path 122 to evaporate fully, avoiding low refrigerant dryness at the end of the second sub-flow path 122, which could cause liquid slugging damage to the compressor.

[0044] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 1 As shown, the second flow path 13, the end of the first sub-flow path 121 near the second sub-flow path 122, and the end of the second sub-flow path 122 near the first sub-flow path 121 are connected by a mixer 2. It should be noted that the section of the second flow path 13 away from the condenser, the end of the first sub-flow path 121 near the second sub-flow path 122, and the end of the second sub-flow path 122 near the first sub-flow path 121 are connected by a mixer 2.

[0045] It is understandable that the refrigerant in the second flow path 13 and the refrigerant in the first sub-flow path 121 are connected by the mixer 2 through the second flow path 13 and the first sub-flow path 122, respectively. This allows the refrigerant in the second flow path 13 and the refrigerant in the first sub-flow path 121 to be mixed evenly, so that the dryness of the mixed refrigerant is the same in all areas, thereby further improving the heat exchange performance of the evaporator 10.

[0046] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 1 As shown, there are multiple first flow paths 12 and one second flow path 13. Each second flow path 13 is connected in parallel with multiple first sub-flow paths 121 of the multiple first flow paths 12. It can be understood that since there are multiple first flow paths 12, there are also corresponding multiple first sub-flow paths 121 and second sub-flow paths 122. The ends of one second flow path 13, the multiple first sub-flow paths 121 near the second sub-flow path 122, and the ends of the multiple second sub-flow paths 122 near the first sub-flow path 121 are connected via a mixer 2. The arrangement of multiple first flow paths 12 improves the heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator 10.

[0047] In this invention, the heat exchange tubes 11 are arranged in multiple rows, and each row of heat exchange tubes 11 includes multiple heat exchange tubes 11 arranged along the height direction of the evaporator body 1. The first flow path 12 consists of multiple flow paths arranged along the height direction of the evaporator body 1. As a result, the evaporator 10 is arranged in a more regular manner, which is beneficial to production and manufacturing.

[0048] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 2 As shown, the second flow path 13, the end of the first sub-flow path 121 near the second sub-flow path 122, and the end of the second sub-flow path 122 near the first sub-flow path 121 are connected by the same heat exchange tube 11. Therefore, no additional structure is needed between the second flow path 13, the end of the first sub-flow path 121 near the second sub-flow path 122, and the end of the second sub-flow path 122 near the first sub-flow path 121, making the evaporator 10 simple in structure and easy to manufacture.

[0049] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 2 As shown, there are multiple first flow paths 12, and multiple second flow paths 13 corresponding one-to-one with the multiple first flow paths 12. The multiple second flow paths 13 are respectively connected in parallel with the first sub-flow paths 121 of the multiple first flow paths 12. Therefore, when one of the first flow paths 12 malfunctions, the remaining first flow paths 12 can still flow normally, thereby improving the fault tolerance of the evaporator 10.

[0050] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 2As shown, the ends of the multiple second flow paths 13 that are away from the second sub-flow path 122 are connected by a distributor 3. This ensures that the refrigerant charge in each second flow path 13 is uniform, thereby further improving the heat exchange performance of the evaporator 10.

[0051] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the ends of multiple first sub-flow paths 121 that are away from the second sub-flow path 122 are connected by a distributor 3. This ensures that the refrigerant charge in each first sub-flow path 121 is uniform, thereby further improving the heat exchange performance of the evaporator 10.

[0052] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the ends of multiple second sub-flow paths 122 closest to the first sub-flow path 121 are connected via a distributor 3. This ensures that the refrigerant charge in each second sub-flow path 122 is uniform, thereby further improving the heat exchange performance of the evaporator 10.

[0053] The following describes an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the evaporator 10 described above.

[0055] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner, by setting the evaporator 10 described above, and setting the first flow path 12 and the second flow path 13, along the flow direction of the refrigerant, the first flow path 12 includes a first sub-flow path 121 and a second sub-flow path 122 connected in sequence. The first sub-flow path 121 flows through part of the heat exchange tube 11, the second sub-flow path 122 flows through part of the heat exchange tube 11, and the second flow path 13 is connected in parallel with the first sub-flow path 121. The second flow path 13 is located outside the heat exchange tube 11, so that the refrigerant at the end of the first sub-flow path 121 can be mixed with the refrigerant in the second flow path 13 before entering the second sub-flow path 122. That is, the refrigerant with higher dryness and the refrigerant with lower dryness are mixed, so that the refrigerant dryness in the second sub-flow path 122 is appropriate, so that the heat transfer coefficient of the evaporator 10 at the second sub-flow path 122 is at a higher level, thereby improving the overall average heat transfer coefficient of the evaporator 10 and improving the heat transfer performance of the evaporator 10. The number of heat exchange tubes 11 flowing through the second sub-flow path 122 is greater than the number of heat exchange tubes 11 flowing through the first sub-flow path 121. This allows the refrigerant to fully evaporate during its flow through the second sub-flow path 122, ensuring that the refrigerant at the end of the second sub-flow path 122 has a high dryness, thereby reducing the amount of liquid refrigerant entering the compressor and causing liquid slugging damage.

[0056] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. 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.

[0057] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An evaporator, characterized in that, include: The evaporator body has multiple heat exchange tubes. The evaporator body has a first flow path and a second flow path along the flow direction of the refrigerant. The first flow path includes a first sub-flow path and a second sub-flow path connected in sequence. The first sub-flow path flows through a portion of the heat exchange tubes, and the second sub-flow path flows through a portion of the heat exchange tubes. The number of heat exchange tubes through which the second sub-flow path flows is greater than the number of heat exchange tubes through which the first sub-flow path flows. The second flow path is connected in parallel with the first sub-flow path and is located outside the heat exchange tubes.

2. The evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ratio of the number of heat exchange tubes flowing through the first sub-flow path to the number of heat exchange tubes flowing through the second sub-flow path is 1 / 3 to 5 / 6.

3. The evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second flow path, the end of the first sub-flow path near the second sub-flow path, and the end of the second sub-flow path near the first sub-flow path are connected by a mixer.

4. The evaporator according to claim 3, characterized in that, There are multiple first flow paths and one second flow path. The one second flow path and multiple first sub-flow paths of the multiple first flow paths are all connected in parallel.

5. The evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second flow path, the end of the first sub-flow path near the second sub-flow path, and the end of the second sub-flow path near the first sub-flow path are connected by the same heat exchange tube.

6. The evaporator according to claim 5, characterized in that, There are multiple first flow paths, and multiple second flow paths that correspond one-to-one with the multiple first flow paths. The multiple second flow paths are respectively connected in parallel with the first sub-flow paths of the multiple first flow paths.

7. The evaporator according to claim 6, characterized in that, The ends of multiple second flow paths that are away from the second sub-flow paths are connected by a distributor.

8. The evaporator according to claim 4 or 6, characterized in that, The ends of multiple first sub-flow paths that are away from the second sub-flow path are connected by a distributor.

9. The evaporator according to claim 4 or 6, characterized in that, The ends of multiple second sub-flow paths closest to the first sub-flow path are connected via a distributor.

10. An air conditioner, characterized in that, Includes the evaporator according to any one of claims 1-9.

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