Manifold and heating system

Abstract

The application discloses a manifold and a heating and ventilation system. The manifold comprises a stainless steel collecting pipe and a plurality of stainless steel distributing pipes in communication with the stainless steel collecting pipe. At least one stainless steel distributing pipe is arranged in a bent manner relative to the stainless steel collecting pipe. The stainless steel collecting pipe and the plurality of stainless steel distributing pipes are integrally formed, so that the whole manifold adopts a single-layer structure, and the stainless steel collecting pipe and the stainless steel distributing pipes do not need to be spliced, the structure is simple, and assembly is convenient. In addition, the connection between the inner walls of any two of the stainless steel collecting pipe and the plurality of stainless steel distributing pipes can be smoothly transitioned, the flow resistance is reduced, the impact of the heat exchange medium on the inner wall surface of the manifold is small, the corrosion of the heat exchange medium on the inner wall is reduced, and the service life of the manifold is effectively prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of air conditioning duct technology, and more particularly to a branch pipe and HVAC system. Background Technology

[0002] In multi-split air conditioning (heat pump) systems, one or more outdoor units are connected to several indoor units. To distribute the heat exchange medium among the units, a manifold is often used to connect to the transfer pipes of multiple units to achieve the splitting or merging of the heat exchange medium. In related technologies, manifolds are mainly made of copper, which is easy to form; however, copper manifolds are expensive and have poor corrosion resistance. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application provides a manifold and HVAC system that can solve the problems of high cost and poor corrosion resistance of manifolds.

[0004] In a first aspect, this application provides a branch pipe, including a stainless steel manifold and a plurality of stainless steel branch pipes communicating with the stainless steel manifold, wherein at least one of the stainless steel branch pipes is bent relative to the stainless steel manifold; wherein the stainless steel manifold and the plurality of stainless steel branch pipes are integrally formed.

[0005] In some embodiments, the branch pipe includes two stainless steel branch pipes, each having a branch opening and the other having a collection opening; the branch openings of the two stainless steel branch pipes are parallel in direction and both face away from the collection opening of the stainless steel collection pipe.

[0006] In some embodiments, the branch pipe includes a first main pipe, which includes two parallel connecting sections and a bent section connecting the two connecting sections. The bent section is a convex arc shape protruding away from the two connecting sections. One of the connecting sections and a portion of the bent section form one of the stainless steel branch pipes, and the other connecting section and another portion of the bent section form another stainless steel branch pipe. The stainless steel manifold is integrally formed from the bent section away from the two connecting sections.

[0007] In some embodiments, the branch pipe includes a second main pipe;

[0008] One of the two stainless steel manifolds is a first manifold and the other is a second manifold. A portion of the second main manifold forms a stainless steel manifold, and the other portion of the second main manifold forms the first manifold. The second manifold is integrally protruded from the second main manifold.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first branch pipe is coaxially arranged with the stainless steel manifold; or, the portion of the first branch pipe connected to the stainless steel manifold is arranged at an angle to the stainless steel manifold.

[0010] In some embodiments, the branch pipe includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes an integrally formed stainless steel manifold and a first connecting section. The second section includes an integrally formed second connecting section and two stainless steel branch pipes. The first connecting section and the second connecting section are integrally formed.

[0011] In some embodiments, there is a center-to-center distance R1 between the ends of two adjacent stainless steel diverter pipes, where R1 satisfies: 30mm≤R1≤100mm.

[0012] In some embodiments, the manifold satisfies at least one of the following conditions:

[0013] (1) The tensile strength of the branch pipe is A, and A satisfies: 400MPa≤A≤600MPa;

[0014] (2) The yield strength of the branch pipe is B, and B satisfies: 140MPa≤B≤180MPa;

[0015] (3) The yield strength ratio of the branch pipe is C, and C satisfies: 0.23≤B≤0.45;

[0016] (4) The elongation rate of the branch pipe is D, and D satisfies: 50%≤D≤80%;

[0017] (5) The hardness of the branch pipe is E, and E satisfies: 100Hv≤E≤120Hv;

[0018] (6) The MD30 value of the branch pipe satisfies: -50℃≤MD30≤-80℃.

[0019] In some embodiments, at least one of the stainless steel manifold and the stainless steel branch pipe has a variable diameter end, the variable diameter end comprising at least two pipe sections with different diameters, and the outer diameter ratio of two adjacent pipe sections of the variable diameter end is Q, 0.85≤Q≤1.15.

[0020] In some embodiments, the stainless steel manifold includes a first mating end forming one of the variable diameter ends, and the pipe segment of the first mating end furthest from the stainless steel branch pipe has a manifold opening; and / or, at least one of the stainless steel branch pipes includes a second mating end forming one of the variable diameter ends, and the pipe segment of the second mating end furthest from the stainless steel manifold has a branch opening.

[0021] In some embodiments, the branch pipe further includes at least one extension pipe, each of the extension pipes being connected to one of the stainless steel manifold and the stainless steel branch pipe.

[0022] In some embodiments, the extension tube is radially overlapped with the stainless steel manifold or the stainless steel shunt tube; the extension tube is welded and fixed to the corresponding stainless steel manifold or the stainless steel shunt tube; and / or, the length of the radially overlapping portion of the extension tube and the corresponding stainless steel manifold or the stainless steel shunt tube is L1, where 5mm≤L1≤20mm.

[0023] In some embodiments, the branch pipe includes a copper sleeve, and one of the stainless steel manifold and the extension pipe is radially overlapped and integrally disposed with one end of the copper sleeve, and the other is radially overlapped and welded to the other end of the copper sleeve; the material of the portion of the extension pipe that radially overlaps with the copper sleeve is copper or stainless steel.

[0024] In some embodiments, the branch pipe includes two copper sleeves, one end of which is radially overlapped and integrally formed with the end of the extension pipe, and the other end of which is radially overlapped and integrally formed with the end of the stainless steel manifold. The ends of the two copper sleeves extending out of the extension pipe and the stainless steel manifold are radially overlapped and welded together. The material of the radially overlapping portion of the extension pipe and the copper sleeve is copper or stainless steel.

[0025] Secondly, this application provides a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, including a heat source unit, a utilization unit, and a gas pipe and a liquid pipe connecting the heat source unit and the utilization unit, wherein the number of gas pipes and liquid pipes is at least one; the HVAC system further includes a branch pipe as described above, wherein the branch pipe is disposed at at least one of the at least one gas pipe and at least one of the at least one liquid pipe.

[0026] Based on the manifold and HVAC system of this application embodiment, the manifold is integrally stamped with a stainless steel manifold and multiple stainless steel branch pipes, giving it the excellent properties of stainless steel, reducing costs, and providing good corrosion resistance. The entire manifold adopts a single-layer structure, which is simple and facilitates connection with other transition pipes in the HVAC system, with good connection stability. In addition, this application can achieve a smooth transition at the connection between the inner walls of any two of the stainless steel manifold and multiple stainless steel branch pipes, reducing the flow resistance of the heat exchange medium entering the manifold, minimizing the impact of the heat exchange medium on the inner wall of the manifold, thereby reducing the damage caused by the impact of the heat exchange medium on the inner wall of the manifold, and also reducing the probability of heat exchange medium remaining in the pores inside the manifold, reducing the corrosion of the inner pipe wall by the heat exchange medium, thus effectively improving the service life of the manifold. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a front view schematic diagram of a branch pipe including a first main pipe according to an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a front view schematic diagram of a branch pipe including a second main pipe according to an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a front view schematic diagram of a manifold including a second main pipe according to another embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a front view schematic diagram of a manifold comprising a first segment and a second segment according to an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a front view schematic diagram of a stainless steel manifold connected to an extension pipe according to an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a front view schematic diagram of a second branch pipe connected to an extension pipe according to an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 7 This is a front view schematic diagram of a second branch pipe connected to an extension pipe according to another embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 8 This is a front view schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present application, showing that both stainless steel diversion pipes are connected to extension pipes.

[0036] Figure label:

[0037] 10. Branch pipe;

[0038] 100. Stainless steel manifold; 101. Manifold opening; 102. First mating end;

[0039] 200. Stainless steel diversion pipe; 201. Diversion opening; 202. Second mating end;

[0040] 11. First supervisor; 111. Connecting section; 112. Bending section;

[0041] 12. Second Supervisor;

[0042] 13. First segment; 131. First docking segment; 14. Second segment; 141. Second docking segment;

[0043] 300, extension tube; 301, third mating end. Detailed Implementation

[0044] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0045] The inventors of this application have discovered that in related technologies, most manifolds used in HVAC systems are made of copper. Currently, the main factors restricting the replacement of copper manifolds with stainless steel manifolds include: ① Stainless steel has higher strength and hardness, but its processing performance is worse than copper. ② The welding process between stainless steel and copper is complex and difficult. To facilitate welding and assembly in downstream factories, stainless steel pipe manufacturers often add copper sleeves at the joints, but this significantly increases costs. ③ Stainless steel has poor weldability; welding steel pipes is significantly more difficult than welding copper pipes, and the performance of the welded part (including mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, etc.) is often lower than that of the metal substrate, resulting in a high reliability risk for steel-to-steel welds.

[0046] The inventors also discovered that in related technologies, adding a composite copper layer inside the steel pipe is used to try to solve the problem of welding difficulties between steel and copper pipes. However, this still cannot avoid the need to add a composite process between the steel pipe and the copper layer before steel-copper welding, which increases the construction period and cost. Additionally, using two threaded connecting blocks welded to the steel pipe and the copper pipe to cooperate with each other is used to try to solve the problem of welding difficulties and connection difficulties between steel and copper pipes. However, the reliability of the threaded connection under high temperature, high pressure and high frequency vibration still needs to be explored. Furthermore, it adds two extra parts and an extra welding process, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, increasing the construction period and cost.

[0047] Based on this, such as Figure 1 As shown, this application embodiment provides a branch pipe 10, which includes a stainless steel manifold 100 and a plurality of stainless steel branch pipes 200 connected to the stainless steel manifold 100. At least one stainless steel branch pipe 200 is bent relative to the stainless steel manifold 100, wherein the stainless steel manifold 100 and the plurality of stainless steel branch pipes 200 are integrally formed.

[0048] The stainless steel manifold 100 and stainless steel branch pipe 200 are used to connect with the transfer pipes of the HVAC system unit to realize the merging and branching of the heat exchange medium. Specifically, the heat exchange medium enters the interior of the branch pipe 10 from the stainless steel manifold 100 and flows out from multiple stainless steel branch pipes 200 to divide the heat exchange medium; the heat exchange medium enters the interior of the branch pipe 10 from each stainless steel branch pipe 200 and converges before flowing out from the stainless steel manifold 100 to merge the heat exchange medium.

[0049] This application integrally stamps a stainless steel manifold 100 and multiple stainless steel branch pipes 200, giving the branch pipe 10 the excellent properties of stainless steel. The entire branch pipe 10 adopts a single-layer structure, eliminating the need to splice the stainless steel manifold 100 and the stainless steel branch pipes 200. This simple structure facilitates connection between the branch pipe 10 and other transition pipes in the HVAC system, ensuring good connection stability. Furthermore, while meeting the requirements for manufacturing the required specifications of the stainless steel manifold 100 and stainless steel branch pipes 200, this application ensures a smooth transition at the connection points of the inner walls of any two of the stainless steel manifold 100 and the multiple stainless steel branch pipes 200. This reduces the flow resistance of the heat exchange medium entering the branch pipe 10, minimizing the impact of the heat exchange medium on the inner wall of the branch pipe 10, thereby reducing damage caused by the impact of the heat exchange medium on the inner wall of the branch pipe 10. It also reduces the probability of heat exchange medium residue remaining in the pores inside the branch pipe 10, reducing corrosion of the inner pipe wall and effectively improving the service life of the branch pipe.

[0050] In addition, the inventors discovered that by using soft stainless steel pipes and reducing the yield strength of stainless steel pipes, they attempted to solve the problem of poor processing performance of stainless steel pipes. However, at the same time, they also needed to consider the complex and slow bright annealing process after the soft stainless steel pipes were processed by cutting, stretching and other processes, in order to prevent the complexity of the process from delaying the production schedule and increasing additional costs.

[0051] Based on this, the embodiments of this application also improve the materials of the stainless steel manifold 100 and the stainless steel branch pipe 200 of the branch pipe 10. Both the stainless steel manifold 100 and the stainless steel branch pipe 200 are made of the same flexible stainless steel material, which specifically includes the following components by mass fraction:

[0052] C 0%~0.02%, Si 0%~1%, Mn 1%~2%, Cr 16%~18%, Ni 9%~11%, Cu 2%~4%, Mo 0%~0.02%, P 0%~0.03%, S 0%~0.03%, with the balance being Fe and impurity elements, the total mass percentage of impurity elements being less than or equal to 0.2%.

[0053] The addition of Cr and Ni elements to the materials of the aforementioned stainless steel manifold 100 and stainless steel branch pipe 200 imparts to them lower pitting corrosion potential, lower pitting corrosion weight loss, and lower martensitic transformation temperature. This makes it more difficult for the branch pipe 10 to undergo martensitic phase transformation during processing, thereby achieving stronger resistance to pitting corrosion and stress corrosion, allowing for direct flame welding without annealing. Furthermore, the lower C content makes it more difficult for the material to pass through the material sensitization range during hot working and welding, effectively controlling the formation of M23C6 carbides, thus achieving stronger resistance to intergranular corrosion and effectively reducing welding defects.

[0054] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the stainless steel manifold 100 and the stainless steel branch pipe 200 are made of the same material. Correspondingly, the mechanical properties of the stainless steel manifold 100 and the stainless steel branch pipe 200 (including but not limited to tensile strength, yield strength, yield strength ratio, elongation and hardness as described below) are the same.

[0055] In some exemplary embodiments, the tensile strength of the manifold 10 is A, which satisfies the following condition: 400MPa≤A≤600MPa. For example, A can be 400MPa, 450MPa, 500MPa, 550MPa, 600MPa, or any range thereof. The tensile strength is measured with reference to the national standard GB / T228.1-2021.

[0056] In some exemplary embodiments, the yield strength of the manifold 10 is B, which satisfies the following condition: 140MPa≤B≤180MPa. For example, B can be 140MPa, 150MPa, 160MPa, 170MPa, 180MPa, or any range thereof. The yield strength is measured with reference to the national standard GB / T228.1-2021.

[0057] In some exemplary embodiments, the yield strength ratio of the manifold 10 is C, which satisfies: 0.23 ≤ B ≤ 0.45. For example, C can be 0.23, 0.30 MPa, 0.34 MPa, 0.40, 0.45, or any range thereof. The yield strength ratio C is the ratio of the yield strength B to the tensile strength A.

[0058] In some exemplary embodiments, the elongation of the manifold 10 is D, where D satisfies: 50% ≤ D ≤ 80%. For example, D can be 50%, 55%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or any range thereof. The elongation is measured with reference to the national standard GB / T228.1-2021.

[0059] In some exemplary embodiments, the hardness of the manifold 10 is E, which satisfies: 100Hv ≤ E ≤ 120Hv. For example, E can be 100Hv, 120Hv, 135Hv, 140Hv, 150Hv, or any range thereof. The hardness is measured with reference to the national standard GB / T4340.1-2009.

[0060] In some exemplary embodiments, the MD30 value of the branch pipe 10 satisfies: -50℃ ≤ MD30 ≤ -80℃. For example, the MD30 value can be -50℃, -60℃, -65℃, -70℃, -80℃, or any range of the above. The MD30 value is one of the indicators of phase stability of a multi-component system, representing the electron orbital energy of each component of the flexible stainless steel material in the d orbital. The higher the MD30 value, the more unstable the phase, and the easier it is for intermetallic compounds such as the σ phase to form. In the embodiments of this application, the flexible stainless steel material has a small MD30 value in the range of -50℃ to -80℃, indicating that the flexible stainless steel material is in a stable phase state.

[0061] The manifold 10 of this application embodiment has better mechanical properties than copper. Compared with copper pipe, it greatly increases the possibility of using high-pressure flammable new heat exchange medium in manifold 10, and can withstand the high-frequency vibration caused by the impact of the compressor and heat exchange medium. The wall thickness of manifold 10 under the same application scenario can be reduced by 10% to 30% compared with the wall thickness of manifold 10 made of copper pipe. Thus, the wall thickness of manifold 10 under the same application scenario is lower than that of copper pipe while the outer diameter remains unchanged, which makes the diameter of the heat exchange medium flow channel larger and the pressure loss of heat exchange medium circulation flow lower.

[0062] In related technologies, the mechanical properties of 304L series stainless steel (specific composition refers to the national standard: GB / T 20878-2007) are as follows: tensile strength 685MPa, yield strength 304MPa, yield strength ratio C is 0.444, elongation 55%, and hardness 180HV. Compared with 304L series stainless steel, the flexible stainless steel material used in the manifold 10 of this application embodiment has better mechanical properties than 304L series stainless steel, and can be stamped into stainless steel manifold 100 and stainless steel branch pipe 200, and the formed manifold 10 has a stable shape.

[0063] The manifold 10 described in this embodiment has a low yield strength B and a high elongation D, thus possessing processing performance close to that of copper pipes. It can be processed using equipment used for processing copper pipes, such as flanging, bending, flaring, and necking. Unlike traditional stainless steel flanging processes that require punching before flanging (two steps), the manifold 10 can be punched and flanged in a single step, just like copper pipes.

[0064] The manifold 10 in this embodiment possesses near-copper pipe processing performance and significantly superior mechanical properties, thus allowing for a reduction in bending radius and a shorter bending length, enabling more space-saving manifold 10 structural designs. In terms of processing, copper pipes typically require a bending radius of at least 1.8 times their diameter, while the flexible stainless steel used in this application, due to its superior toughness, theoretically allows for a bending radius of 1.2 to 1.5 times the pipe diameter. Furthermore, because stainless steel is stronger than copper, it exhibits greater resistance to vibration stress and is less prone to cracking due to vibration. Therefore, the number of bends in the manifold 10 system designed to reduce vibration stress can be reduced, thereby saving piping space and decreasing the overall size of the device.

[0065] The stainless steel manifold 100 and stainless steel branch pipe 200 of the branch pipe 10 in this embodiment can be welded to structural components of the same material or copper material, which solves the problem of difficult steel-copper welding in traditional processes and allows direct welding without copper sleeve.

[0066] The welding process for the manifold 10 in this embodiment can be either brazing or fusion welding for steel-to-steel welding. For brazing, flame welding or high-frequency welding techniques can be selected; for fusion welding, argon arc welding techniques can be selected.

[0067] The welding process of the branch pipe 10 in this embodiment of the application does not require ammonia decomposition furnace, and has lower requirements for processing precision.

[0068] The manifold 10 made of flexible stainless steel provided in this application solves the problems of poor processing performance, complex welding process, high welding difficulty, and high cost of copper sleeves when stainless steel pipes replace copper pipes in the field of manifolds. Compared with traditional copper manifolds, the manifold 10 of this application has better mechanical properties, and the manifold 10 has better corrosion resistance than copper pipes and is on par with or better than 304L stainless steel pipes, including resistance to pitting corrosion, intergranular corrosion, and stress corrosion. Specifically, it is reflected in low pitting corrosion potential, low pitting corrosion weight loss, long sensitization range, low M23C6 precipitation, low martensite transformation temperature, and low martensite content.

[0069] Furthermore, the cost of the manifold 10 product in this application embodiment is lower. Currently, the price of copper is 68,000 yuan / ton, and it fluctuates wildly, while the current price of stainless steel is 18,000 yuan / ton and is very stable. Considering that stainless steel has a lower density and the manifold 10 has a thinner wall, this application can also reduce the cost of the manifold 10.

[0070] In this embodiment of the application, when using the manifold 10 for the merging and splitting of the heat exchange medium, two or more merging or splitting paths can be performed. This application does not limit the number of merging or splitting paths; the specific number can be selected according to actual needs. This embodiment of the application describes two merging or splitting paths as the number of merging or splitting paths.

[0071] like Figure 1 As shown, the branch pipe 10 includes two stainless steel branch pipes 200, each with a branch opening 201, and the stainless steel manifold 100 with a manifold opening 101. The heat exchange medium enters the interior of the branch pipe 10 from the manifold opening 101 of the stainless steel manifold 100 and flows out from the branch openings 201 of the two stainless steel branch pipes 200, thus dividing one stream of fluid into two branches flowing out of the branch pipe 10, achieving flow splitting. The heat exchange medium enters the branch pipe 10 from the branch openings 201 of the two stainless steel branch pipes 200, and merges into one stream inside the stainless steel manifold 100 before flowing out from the manifold opening 101 of the stainless steel manifold 100, achieving flow merging.

[0072] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the branching openings 201 of the two stainless steel branch pipes 200 are opened towards the side away from the stainless steel manifold 100. In this way, the stainless steel manifold 100 and at least one of the two stainless steel branch pipes 200 are set at an angle to the remaining two, so as to guide the heat exchange medium to achieve confluence and branching inside the branch pipe 10. It also makes the heat exchange medium flow back and forth more smoothly and with less flow resistance inside the stainless steel manifold 100 and the stainless steel branch pipes 200.

[0073] Wherein, the opening direction A of the diversion opening 201 along the axial direction of the diversion opening 201 of the stainless steel diversion pipe 200 and away from the stainless steel manifold 100 is the opening direction B of the diversion opening 201 along the axial direction of the manifold opening 101 of the stainless steel manifold 100 and away from the stainless steel separation pipe. Optionally, as follows... Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the opening directions A of the branch openings 201 of the two stainless steel branch pipes 200 are parallel, and both face away from the opening direction B of the collection opening 101 of the stainless steel manifold 100; or, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the opening directions A of the two stainless steel diversion pipes 200 openings 201 are set at an angle.

[0074] Along the opening direction of the diversion opening 201 of the stainless steel diversion pipe 200, the lengths of the two stainless steel diversion pipes 200 may be equal or unequal. This application embodiment does not limit this, and the specific choice can be made according to actual needs.

[0075] Please refer to the following: Figure 1Optionally, the branch pipe 10 includes a first main pipe 11, which includes two parallel connecting sections 111 and a bent section 112 connecting the two connecting sections 111. The bent section 112 is a convex arc shape that protrudes to the side away from the two connecting sections 111. Each connecting section 111 has a diversion opening 201. One connecting section 111 is connected to a part of the bending section 112 to form one stainless steel diversion pipe 200. The other connecting section 111 is connected to another part of the bending section 112 to form another stainless steel diversion pipe 200. The stainless steel manifold 100 is integrally formed from the bending section 112 to the side away from the two connecting sections 111. For example, the bending section 112 has a bending midpoint Q. The dividing line is a straight line passing through the bending midpoint Q and parallel to the opening direction of the diversion opening 201. Each connecting section 111 and a part of the bending section 112 located on the same side of the dividing line and connected to it form a stainless steel diversion pipe 200. The stainless steel manifold 100 is protruding from the bending section 112 corresponding to the bending midpoint Q. That is, the stainless steel manifold 100 is connected to the bending section 112 at the part of the bending section 112 that is farthest from the two diversion openings 201. In this way, the flow resistance is effectively reduced.

[0076] The bent section 112 can be an arc-shaped pipe, and the two connecting sections 111 are both straight pipes with parallel axes. The axis of the diversion opening 201 is coaxial with the axis of the connecting section 111. During processing, a pipe can be bent into a structure with two connecting sections 111 and one bent section 112. Then, the structure is placed in the mold groove. After injecting high-pressure liquid into the openings at both ends of the structure, a stainless steel manifold 100 is directly stamped out at the bent section 112, thereby integrally stamping out a branch pipe 10 with two stainless steel branch pipes 200 and one stainless steel manifold 100. The inner wall surface of the branch pipe 10 is smooth, which can effectively reduce flow resistance and reduce the corrosion of the heat exchange medium on the branch pipe 10. When bending the straight pipe, two stainless steel branch pipes 200 of the required length can be bent directly, and then a stainless steel manifold 100 can be stamped out. In this way, the branch pipe 10 of the required specifications can be formed directly in two steps, and there is no need to adjust the length of the stainless steel branch pipe 200 afterward.

[0077] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, optionally, the branch pipe 10 includes a second main pipe 12, and two stainless steel branch pipes 200, one of which is a first branch pipe and the other is a second branch pipe. A portion of the second main pipe 12 forms a stainless steel manifold 100, and the other portion forms the first branch pipe. The second branch pipe is integrally protruded from the second main pipe 12. In this case, during processing, a pipe can be placed in the groove of a mold, and high-pressure liquid can be injected into the pipe from both ends to punch out the protruding second main pipe 12, thereby forming a branch pipe 10 with a first branch pipe, a second branch pipe, and a stainless steel manifold 100.

[0078] Optionally, such as Figure 2 As shown, the first branch pipe is coaxially arranged with the stainless steel manifold 100. In this case, a straight pipe can be used. The straight pipe is placed in the groove of the mold, and a second protruding pipe is punched out on one side of the straight pipe, thereby forming a branch pipe 10 in which the first branch pipe is coaxial with the stainless steel manifold 100 and the second branch pipe protrudes from one side of the first branch pipe and the stainless steel manifold 100. Or, as Figure 3 As shown, the part of the first branch pipe connected to the stainless steel manifold 100 is set at an angle to the stainless steel manifold 100. At this time, a straight pipe can be used. First, the straight pipe is pre-bent to form the shape of the first branch pipe and the stainless steel manifold 100. Then, it is placed in the mold groove and the second branch pipe is stamped out, thereby forming a structure in which the connection between the first branch pipe, the second branch pipe and the stainless steel manifold 100 is at an angle to each other.

[0079] like Figure 4 As shown, optionally, the branch pipe 10 includes a first section 13 and a second section 14. The first section 13 includes an integrally formed stainless steel manifold 100 and a first connecting section 131. The second section 14 includes an integrally formed second connecting section 141 and two stainless steel branch pipes 200. The first connecting section 131 and the second connecting section 141 are integrally formed to fix the relative positions of the first section 13 and the second section 14, thereby forming the branch pipe 10. In this case, the two pipe sections can be placed in corresponding mold grooves, and the first section 13 and the second section 14 can be stamped and formed respectively. Then, the first connecting section 131 and the second connecting section 141 can be connected.

[0080] Optionally, along the opening direction A of the stainless steel manifold 200, the first mating section 131 and the second mating section 141 are inserted into each other. For example, the second mating section 141 is inserted into the first mating section 131, or the first mating section 131 is inserted into the second mating section 141. The insertion depth of the first mating section 131 and the second mating section 141 is m, where m satisfies: 5mm ≤ m ≤ 20mm, ensuring a stable insertion fit between the first mating section 131 and the second mating section 141. The gap between the first mating section 131 and the second mating section 141 is filled with a solder layer to seal the gap.

[0081] Optionally, the diameter and wall thickness of the stainless steel manifold 100 can be designed to remain constant in the extension direction of the stainless steel manifold 100. Optionally, the diameter and wall thickness of the stainless steel branch pipe 200 can be designed to remain constant in the extension direction of the stainless steel branch pipe 200. Optionally, at least one of the stainless steel manifold 100 and the stainless steel branch pipe 200 has a reducing end, which includes at least two pipe sections with different diameters, and the outer diameter ratio of two adjacent pipe sections at the reducing end is Q, where 0.85≤Q≤1.15. By using flexible stainless steel material, the branch pipe 10 with the required specifications for the docking port can be manufactured, and the diameter of the reducing end of the branch pipe 10 meets the above range, so that the branch pipe 10 has good docking stability with other pipelines.

[0082] like Figure 5 As shown, the stainless steel manifold 100 includes a first mating end 102, which forms one of the reducing ends. The first mating end 102 includes at least two pipe sections with different diameters, and the pipe section of the first mating end 102 furthest from the stainless steel branch pipe 200 has a flow-collecting opening 101. At least one stainless steel branch pipe 200 includes a second mating end 202, which forms one of the reducing ends. The second mating end 202 includes at least two pipe sections with different diameters, and the pipe section of the second mating end 202 furthest from the stainless steel manifold 100 has a flow-dividing opening 201. Thus, by using flexible stainless steel material, stainless steel manifolds 100 and stainless steel branch pipes 200 with different end diameters can be manufactured, facilitating the connection of the stainless steel manifolds 100 and stainless steel branch pipes 200 with pipes of corresponding sizes. It also facilitates the adjustment of the flow state of the heat exchange medium entering the branch pipe 10, thereby assisting in regulating the state of the heat exchange medium entering each unit of the HVAC system.

[0083] Optionally, the inner diameter of the pipe section closest to the stainless steel diverter pipe 200 at the first docking end 102 is the largest, and the inner diameter of the pipe section closest to the stainless steel manifold pipe 100 at the second docking end 202 is the largest.

[0084] The stainless steel manifold 100 and stainless steel branch pipe 200 in this embodiment are integrally formed by stamping. The length of the stamped pipe is relatively short. For example, the stainless steel manifold 100 is stamped when the branch pipe 10 includes the first main pipe 11, the second branch pipe is stamped when the branch pipe 10 includes the second main pipe 12, and the stainless steel manifold 100 and stainless steel branch pipe 200 are stamped when the branch pipe 10 includes the first section 13 and the second section 14. These stamped pipes may all be short in length. Based on this, the branch pipe 10 also includes at least one extension pipe 300. Each extension pipe 300 is connected to one of the stainless steel manifold 100 and the stainless steel branch pipe 200, and the length of the stainless steel manifold 100 and the stainless steel branch pipe 200 is correspondingly extended by the extension pipe 300.

[0085] Specifically, such as Figure 5 As shown, when the branch pipe 10 includes the first main pipe 11, the branch pipe 10 also includes an extension pipe 300 connected to the stainless steel manifold 100 to extend the length of the stainless steel manifold 100, so as to facilitate the connection between the piping of the HVAC system unit and the stainless steel manifold 100.

[0086] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, when the branch pipe 10 includes the second main pipe 12, the branch pipe 10 also includes an extension pipe 300 connected to the second branch pipe. Specifically, the extension pipe 300 is inserted into the branch opening 201 of the second branch pipe to extend the length of the second branch pipe.

[0087] like Figure 8 As shown, when the branch pipe 10 includes the first section 13 and the second section 14, the branch pipe 10 also includes three extension pipes 300. One of the extension pipes 300 is connected to the stainless steel manifold 100, and the remaining two extension pipes 300 are connected to the two stainless steel branch pipes 200 respectively.

[0088] The extension tube 300 is inserted into the collection opening 101 of the stainless steel manifold 100, and the extension tube 300 is radially overlapped with the stainless steel manifold 100. The extension tube 300 is also inserted into the diversion opening 201 of the stainless steel diversion tube 200, and the extension tube 300 is radially overlapped with the stainless steel diversion tube 200. Optionally, the extension tube 300 is radially overlapped with the corresponding stainless steel manifold 100 and stainless steel diversion tube 200 by welding, so that the stainless steel manifold 100 and stainless steel diversion tube 200 are respectively connected to the corresponding extension tube 300 for easy assembly.

[0089] The length of the radially overlapping portion of the extension tube 300 and the corresponding stainless steel manifold 100 or stainless steel branch tube 200 is L1, where 5mm≤L1≤20mm. Within this insertion depth, the connection of the plug-in structure can be made stable by welding.

[0090] In some embodiments, the branch pipe 10 further includes a copper sleeve, and one of the stainless steel manifold 100 and the extension pipe 300 is radially overlapped and integrally disposed with one end of the copper sleeve, and the other is radially overlapped and welded to the other end of the copper sleeve. For example, the end of the stainless steel manifold 100 is radially overlapped with one end of the copper sleeve, and the other end of the copper sleeve extends out of the stainless steel manifold 100 and is nested with the end of the extension pipe 300 (extending into the extension pipe 300 or sleeved on the outside of the extension pipe 300). After the copper sleeve is welded and fixed to the extension pipe 300, the connection between the extension pipe 300 and the stainless steel manifold 100 is completed. Alternatively, the end of the extension pipe 300 is radially overlapped with one end of the copper sleeve, and the other end of the copper sleeve extends out of the extension pipe 300 and is nested with the end of the stainless steel manifold 100 (extending into the stainless steel manifold 100 or sleeved on the outside of the stainless steel manifold 100). After the copper sleeve is welded and fixed to the extension pipe 300, the connection between the extension pipe 300 and the stainless steel manifold 100 is completed. The material of the radially overlapping part of the extension tube 300 and the copper sleeve is copper or stainless steel, so as to achieve the connection of stainless steel manifold 100-copper sleeve-copper or stainless steel extension tube 300.

[0091] In some embodiments, the branch pipe 10 includes two copper sleeves. One end of one copper sleeve is radially overlapped and integrally formed with the end of the extension pipe 300, and one end of the other copper sleeve is radially overlapped and integrally formed with the end of the stainless steel manifold 100. The ends of the two copper sleeves extending out of the extension pipe 300 and the stainless steel manifold 100 are radially overlapped and welded together. The material of the radially overlapping portion of the extension pipe 300 and the copper sleeve is copper or stainless steel, thereby achieving the connection of the stainless steel manifold 100-copper sleeve-copper sleeve-copper or stainless steel extension pipe 300.

[0092] Of course, in some other embodiments, the branch pipe 10 may also include more copper sleeves, and the same docking method as the stainless steel manifold 100 and the extension pipe 300 may be used to dock the stainless steel branch pipe 200 and the extension pipe 300 through the copper sleeve, thereby realizing the docking of stainless steel branch pipe 200-copper sleeve-copper or stainless steel extension pipe 300, or realizing the docking of stainless steel branch pipe 200-copper sleeve-copper sleeve-copper or stainless steel extension pipe 300.

[0093] The extension pipe 300 also includes a third connecting end 301 located away from the stainless steel manifold 100 and the stainless steel branch pipe 200. The third connecting end 301 is used for connection to the transfer pipe of the HVAC system unit. The third connecting end 301 includes at least two pipe sections with different diameters, similarly enabling the extension pipe 300 to regulate the flow state of the heat exchange medium entering the branch pipe 10. Optionally, the pipe section of the third connecting end 301 closest to either the stainless steel manifold 100 or the stainless steel branch pipe 200 has the largest diameter.

[0094] There is a center-to-center distance R1 between the ends of two adjacent stainless steel branch pipes 200, where R1 satisfies: 30mm ≤ R1 ≤ 100mm. Specifically, when the branch pipe 10 includes... Figure 5 and Figure 8 When two stainless steel branch pipes 200 are shown, the center-to-center distance R1 at their ends is the axial vertical distance between the branch openings of the two stainless steel branch pipes 200; when the branch pipe 10 includes Figure 6 and Figure 7 When two stainless steel branch pipes 200 are shown, the center-to-center distance R1 between their ends is the axial vertical distance between the branch opening of one of the stainless steel branch pipes 200 (the first branch pipe) and the third mating end 301 of the parallel extension pipe 300. When R1 satisfies 30mm≤R1≤100mm, the spacing between the two stainless steel branch pipes 200 is appropriate, which facilitates the forming of the branch pipe 10, and the structure is stable and not easily deformed, and can also effectively improve flow resistance.

[0095] In addition, the stainless steel diverter pipe 200 and stainless steel manifold pipe 100 of this application adopt a new type of stainless steel material, which can make the pipe wall design thinner. Optionally, the wall thickness of the stainless steel diverter pipe 200 is h, where h satisfies: 1.0mm≤h≤2mm. Within this wall thickness range, R1 is set to satisfy: 30mm≤R1≤100mm, which makes it easier for the stainless steel diverter pipe 200 to have a larger pipe diameter, thereby effectively reducing flow resistance.

[0096] In this embodiment, the extension tube 300, the stainless steel manifold 100, and the stainless steel branch tube 200 may be made of the same material. Alternatively, the extension tube 300 may be made of copper so that it can be welded to the stainless steel manifold 100 and the stainless steel branch tube 200.

[0097] In addition, copper pipes and pipes made of the flexible stainless steel material of this application have good flexibility and are easy to cut. The first docking end 102, the second docking end 202 and the third docking end 301 can be formed by cutting multiple pipe diameters. Taking the first docking end 102 as an example, which includes two pipes with different diameters, during processing, three pipes with different diameters can be stamped out first by stamping process. In the direction away from the stainless steel manifold 100, the diameter of the three pipes gradually decreases. Then, the pipe segment away from the stainless steel manifold 100 is cut off to obtain the first docking end 102 with two pipe diameters.

[0098] This application embodiment also provides a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, which includes the branch pipe 10 as described above, and further includes a heat source unit, a utilization unit, and gas pipes and liquid pipes connecting the heat source unit and the utilization unit, with at least one gas pipe and one liquid pipe. The heat source unit generates heat and transfers it to the utilization unit via a heat exchange medium for heat exchange. The gas pipes and liquid pipes are used to transfer the heat exchange medium between the heat source unit and the utilization unit.

[0099] The HVAC system also includes a branch pipe 10 as described above. The branch pipe 10 is located in at least one of at least one gas pipe and at least one liquid pipe, thereby realizing the collection and distribution of heat exchange medium between the heat source unit and the utilization unit. This helps to simplify the piping of the gas pipe and the liquid pipe. The branch pipe 10 can smoothly collect and distribute the heat exchange medium with low flow resistance, which in turn makes the power consumption of the entire HVAC system lower.

[0100] It should be noted that this application is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The above embodiments are merely examples, and any embodiments with the same structure and effect as the technical concept within the scope of this application are included in the technical scope of this application. Furthermore, various modifications that can be conceived by those skilled in the art to the embodiments, and other ways of constructing by combining some of the constituent elements of the embodiments, without departing from the spirit of this application, are also included in the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A branch pipe, characterized in that, It includes a stainless steel manifold and a plurality of stainless steel branch pipes connected to the stainless steel manifold, wherein at least one of the stainless steel branch pipes is bent relative to the stainless steel manifold. The stainless steel manifold and the multiple stainless steel branch pipes are integrally formed.

2. The manifold according to claim 1, characterized in that, The branch pipe includes two stainless steel branch pipes, each having a branch opening and the other having a collection opening. The opening directions of the two stainless steel diverter pipes are parallel and both face away from the opening direction of the collection opening of the stainless steel collector pipe.

3. The branch pipe according to claim 2, characterized in that, The branch pipe includes a first main pipe, which includes two parallel connecting sections and a bent section connecting the two connecting sections. The bent section is a convex arc shape that protrudes away from the two connecting sections. One of the connecting sections and a portion of the bending section form one of the stainless steel diverter pipes, and the other connecting section and another portion of the bending section form another stainless steel diverter pipe; The stainless steel manifold is integrally formed from the bent section toward the side away from the two connecting sections.

4. The branch pipe according to claim 2, characterized in that, The branch pipe includes a second main pipe; One of the two stainless steel manifolds is a first manifold and the other is a second manifold. A portion of the second main manifold forms a stainless steel manifold, and the other portion of the second main manifold forms the first manifold. The second manifold is integrally protruded from the second main manifold.

5. The branch pipe according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first branch pipe is coaxially arranged with the stainless steel manifold; or, The portion of the first branch pipe connected to the stainless steel manifold is set at an angle to the stainless steel manifold.

6. The branch pipe according to claim 2, characterized in that, The branch pipe includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes an integrally formed stainless steel manifold and a first connecting section. The second section includes an integrally formed second connecting section and two stainless steel branch pipes. The first connecting section and the second connecting section are integrally formed.

7. The branch pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two adjacent stainless steel diverter pipes have an end center distance R1, where R1 satisfies: 30mm≤R1≤100mm.

8. The manifold according to claim 1, characterized in that, The branch pipe satisfies at least one of the following conditions: (1) The tensile strength of the branch pipe is A, and A satisfies: 400MPa≤A≤600MPa; (2) The yield strength of the branch pipe is B, and B satisfies: 140MPa≤B≤180MPa; (3) The yield strength ratio of the branch pipe is C, and C satisfies: 0.23≤B≤0.45; (4) The elongation of the branch pipe is D, and D satisfies: 50% ≤ D ≤ 80%; (5) The hardness of the branch pipe is E, and E satisfies: 100Hv≤E≤120Hv; (6) The MD30 value of the branch pipe satisfies: -50℃≤MD30≤-80℃.

9. The branch pipe according to claim 8, characterized in that, At least one of the stainless steel manifold and the stainless steel branch pipe has a variable diameter end, the variable diameter end includes at least two pipe sections with different diameters, and the outer diameter ratio of two adjacent pipe sections of the variable diameter end is Q, 0.85≤Q≤1.

15.

10. The branch pipe according to claim 9, characterized in that, The stainless steel manifold includes a first mating end, which forms one of the variable diameter ends, and the section of the first mating end furthest from the stainless steel branch pipe has a manifold opening; and / or, At least one of the stainless steel manifolds includes a second mating end, the second mating end forming one of the variable diameter ends, and the section of the second mating end furthest from the stainless steel manifold has a manifold opening.

11. The branch pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that, The branch pipe also includes at least one extension pipe, each of the extension pipes being connected to one of the stainless steel manifold and the stainless steel branch pipe.

12. The branch pipe according to claim 11, characterized in that, The extension tube is radially overlapped with the stainless steel manifold or the stainless steel branch tube. The extension pipe is welded and fixed to the corresponding stainless steel manifold or stainless steel branch pipe; and / or The length of the radially overlapping portion of the extension pipe and the corresponding stainless steel manifold or stainless steel branch pipe is L1, where 5mm ≤ L1 ≤ 20mm.

13. The branch pipe according to claim 11, characterized in that, The branch pipe includes a copper sleeve, and one of the stainless steel manifold and the extension pipe is radially overlapped and integrally formed with one end of the copper sleeve, while the other is radially overlapped and welded to the other end of the copper sleeve. The portion of the extension tube that radially overlaps with the copper sleeve is made of copper or stainless steel.

14. The branch pipe according to claim 11, characterized in that, The branch pipe includes two copper sleeves, one end of which is radially overlapped and integrally formed with the end of the extension pipe, and one end of the other copper sleeve is radially overlapped and integrally formed with the end of the stainless steel manifold. The ends of the two copper sleeves extending out of the extension pipe and the stainless steel manifold are radially overlapped and welded together. The portion of the extension tube that radially overlaps with the copper sleeve is made of copper or stainless steel.

15. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, characterized in that, It includes a heat source unit, a utilization unit, and a gas pipe and a liquid pipe connecting the heat source unit and the utilization unit, wherein the number of gas pipes and liquid pipes is at least one; The HVAC system further includes a branch pipe according to any one of claims 1-14, the branch pipe being disposed at at least one of at least one of the gas pipe and at least one of the liquid pipes.

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