Liquid pipe condensate water supercooling structure, air conditioner indoor unit and air conditioner

Abstract

The utility model relates to air conditioning technical field provides a kind of liquid pipe condensate water supercooling structure, air conditioner indoor unit and air conditioner, and liquid pipe condensate water supercooling structure is used for air conditioner, including refrigerant flow pipe and heat exchange tube, refrigerant flow pipe is connected in the outlet of condenser, part refrigerant flow pipe is spiral pipe;Heat exchange tube is wound in the outer periphery of the refrigerant flow pipe;And heat exchange tube is located in the sump area of the air conditioner, condensate water is covered and flows through the surface of spiral pipe under the action of natural gravity.The utility model, part refrigerant flow pipe is spiral pipe, heat exchange tube is wound in the outer periphery of the refrigerant flow pipe, forms multiple turns winding, increases the flow path and surface area of liquid refrigerant;Condensate water generated in the refrigeration process of air conditioner is covered and flows through the surface of spiral pipe under the action of natural gravity, since the temperature of condensate water is lower, and the temperature of refrigerant in refrigerant flow pipe is relatively higher, temperature difference exists between the two, to realize the transfer of heat, and refrigerant is supercooled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of air conditioning technology, and in particular to a liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure, an indoor air conditioning unit, and an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] The air conditioning refrigeration system is the core of an air conditioner's cooling function. Essentially, it transfers indoor heat to the outdoors through the phase change of the refrigerant, thereby reducing the indoor air temperature.

[0003] In air conditioning refrigeration systems, the liquid line is usually directly connected from the condenser outlet to the inlet of the electronic expansion valve. However, due to the high temperature of the liquid line, there is often a certain proportion of flash gas in the condensate flowing out of the condenser outlet before it enters the throttling device. This causes the electronic expansion valve to be unstable, reduces the effective heat exchange area of ​​the evaporator, and limits the cooling capacity and energy efficiency ratio.

[0004] In existing technologies, there are structures that utilize condensate to perform secondary subcooling on liquid pipes. However, most of these structures use straight pipes, resulting in limited heat exchange area, low utilization of condensate, and limited subcooling effect. Utility Model Content

[0005] This utility model provides a liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure, an indoor air conditioning unit, and an air conditioner, which solves the problems of existing structures that use condensate to subcool the liquid pipe for secondary cooling, which mostly adopt straight pipe structures, have limited heat exchange area, low condensate utilization rate, and poor subcooling effect.

[0006] This utility model provides a liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure for use in an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a condenser and a condensate tray, the condensate tray being used to collect condensate generated during the air conditioner's cooling process. The liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure includes: A refrigerant flow pipe is connected to the outlet of the condenser; part of the refrigerant flow pipe is a spiral pipe. A heat exchange tube is wound around the outer periphery of the refrigerant flow pipe; and the heat exchange tube is located in the water collection pan area of ​​the air conditioner, where condensate covers and flows over the surface of the spiral tube under the action of natural gravity.

[0007] This utility model provides a liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure, in which part of the refrigerant flow pipe is a spiral tube, with heat exchange tubes wound around the outer circumference of the refrigerant flow pipe, forming multiple turns to increase the flow path and surface area of ​​the liquid refrigerant. During the air conditioning cooling process, the condensate produced covers and flows over the surface of the spiral tube under the influence of gravity. Because the condensate is at a lower temperature while the refrigerant inside the flow pipe is at a relatively higher temperature, a temperature difference exists between the two, thus achieving heat transfer and subcooling the refrigerant. Without adding additional refrigeration components, this structure fully utilizes the indoor unit's condensate resources to effectively subcool the liquid pipe, improving the system's cooling performance and energy efficiency ratio. The spiral subcooling structure allows for more complete heat exchange, accelerating the flow of refrigerant and condensate, and improving efficiency.

[0008] According to the present invention, a liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure is provided, wherein the outer wall of the refrigerant flow pipe is provided with a hydrophilic coating.

[0009] The above structural design reduces the contact angle between water and the pipe wall, preventing condensate from forming discrete water droplets on the pipe wall surface and instead forming a continuous and uniform water film.

[0010] According to the present invention, a liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure is provided, wherein the outer wall of the refrigerant flow pipe is provided with a surface roughening layer.

[0011] By setting up the above structure, the actual surface area of ​​the refrigerant flow pipe can be greater than the geometric surface area of ​​the smooth pipe wall. By changing the contact pattern, flow pattern and heat exchange interface characteristics between the pipe wall and the condensate, the heat exchange efficiency between the condenser and the refrigerant can be further enhanced.

[0012] According to the present invention, a liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure is provided, wherein the bottom of the water collection pan is provided with a guide rib, which is used to allow the condensate to flow continuously to the area where the refrigerant flow pipe is located.

[0013] With the above structural design, the guide ribs can guide the flow path of condensate through physical structure, ensuring that the condensate can flow accurately and continuously to the heat exchange area where the refrigerant flow pipe is located. No matter where the condensate initially drips into the condensate pan, it will be guided by the guide ribs to the preset refrigerant flow pipe area, ensuring that the outer wall of the spiral tube is always covered with condensate.

[0014] According to the present invention, a liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure is provided, wherein the spiral pipe is a copper pipe.

[0015] With the above structural design, copper has a high thermal conductivity. When condensate flows on the surface of the spiral tube, copper can quickly transfer the low-temperature cooling capacity of the condensate through the tube wall to the refrigerant inside the tube, reducing the resistance to heat transfer in the tube wall.

[0016] According to the present invention, a liquid tube condensate subcooling structure is provided, wherein the heat exchange tube is a copper tube.

[0017] With the above structural design, copper has a high heat transfer rate. When condensate covers the copper heat exchange tubes, the cooling capacity can be quickly transferred through the copper tubes to the refrigerant flow tubes that are in contact with it inside, which are usually also made of copper. This forms a low-resistance heat transfer chain of condensate, copper heat exchange tubes, copper refrigerant flow tubes, and refrigerant. Compared with other materials, copper heat exchange tubes can reduce the intermediate thermal resistance between condensate and refrigerant flow tubes, making the cooling capacity transfer more direct and faster. Especially in the area where the heat exchange tubes and refrigerant flow tubes are in close contact, it can significantly increase the local heat exchange capacity and further enhance the refrigerant subcooling effect.

[0018] According to the present invention, a liquid tube condensate subcooling structure is provided, wherein the shape of the heat exchange tube is adapted to that of the spiral tube.

[0019] By configuring the above structure, the contact method between the two is changed from point contact or line contact when they are not compatible to a large-area close contact. The cooling capacity of the condensate can be transferred more efficiently to the refrigerant inside the spiral tube through the close contact surface of the heat exchange tube and the spiral tube, reducing the thermal resistance in the cooling capacity transfer process.

[0020] According to the present invention, a liquid tube condensate subcooling structure is provided, wherein the inlet and outlet of the heat exchange tube are located on opposite sides of the spiral tube.

[0021] The above structural design creates a counter-current heat exchange mode, where the refrigerant flows in from one end of the spiral tube and the condensate flows in from the other end, with both flowing in opposite directions on the surface of the spiral tube, significantly improving heat exchange efficiency. Furthermore, the opposite inlet / outlet layout, combined with the spiral structure of the spiral tube, allows the condensate to form a continuous and uniform water film flowing along the surface of the spiral tube under gravity.

[0022] This utility model also provides an air conditioner indoor unit, including the liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure as described above.

[0023] The air conditioner indoor unit provided by this utility model has the various advantages described above because it includes the liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure as described above.

[0024] This utility model also provides an air conditioner, including the liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure as described in any of the preceding claims or the air conditioner indoor unit as described above.

[0025] The air conditioner provided by this utility model has the various advantages described above because it includes the liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure or the air conditioner indoor unit as described above. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this utility model 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 some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure provided by this utility model.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant flow pipe provided by this utility model.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the condensate heat exchange tube provided by this utility model.

[0030] Figure label: 10. Condenser; 20. Electronic expansion valve; 1. Refrigerant flow pipe; 2. Heat exchanger tube. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0032] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this utility model. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0033] The first aspect of this utility model provides a liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure for use in an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a condenser 10, a condensate pan, and an electronic expansion valve 20. The condensate pan collects the condensate generated during the air conditioner's cooling process. The liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure is located between the condenser 10 and the electronic expansion valve 20. This ensures that the high-temperature liquid refrigerant discharged from the condenser 10 is further cooled by the liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure before entering the electronic expansion valve 20 for throttling and pressure reduction. This reduces the risk of liquid slugging when the compressor draws in gaseous refrigerant mixed with liquid refrigerant, ensuring the stability and efficiency of the refrigeration cycle.

[0034] The liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure includes a refrigerant flow pipe 1 and a heat exchange pipe 2.

[0035] The refrigerant flow pipe 1 is connected to the outlet of the condenser 10, and can directly receive the high-temperature liquid refrigerant discharged from the condenser 10, forming a continuous refrigerant flow path. This avoids increased refrigerant transmission resistance or cooling loss caused by additional transfer pipes, ensuring that the high-temperature liquid refrigerant can enter the subcooled structure with lower energy consumption. Part of the refrigerant flow pipe 1 is a spiral pipe. Compared to traditional straight pipes, spiral pipes can significantly increase the outer wall surface area of ​​the refrigerant flow pipe 1 within the same installation space, while extending the flow path and residence time of the high-temperature liquid refrigerant in the subcooled region. This allows the refrigerant more time to exchange heat with the external condensate, thereby significantly improving the subcooling degree of the refrigerant.

[0036] The heat exchange tube 2 is wound around the outer circumference of the refrigerant flow pipe 1, allowing it to fit tightly against the outer wall of the pipe. This minimizes the gap between them, reducing contact thermal resistance during heat transfer and enabling the cooling capacity of the condensate carried by the heat exchange tube 2 to be transferred more efficiently to the high-temperature liquid refrigerant inside the pipe 1, avoiding ineffective loss of cooling capacity during the transfer process. Located in the condensate pan area of ​​the air conditioner, the heat exchange tube 2 can directly utilize the low-temperature condensate collected in the pan and naturally generated during the air conditioning cooling process as the cooling medium. This eliminates the need for an external cold source or additional power unit, achieving the recovery and reuse of cooling capacity and reducing energy waste.

[0037] Meanwhile, condensate covers and flows over the surface of the spiral tube under the influence of gravity. This eliminates the need for pumps, fans, or other power components to drive the condensate flow, reducing manufacturing costs and operating noise while avoiding the risk of subcooling failure due to power component malfunctions. Furthermore, gravity-driven condensate evenly covers the surface of the spiral tube along its spiral trajectory, forming a continuous and uniformly thick water film. This effectively prevents localized water accumulation or dry areas, ensuring that every section of the spiral tube's outer wall fully participates in heat exchange, further guaranteeing the stability and efficiency of the refrigerant's subcooling.

[0038] In one feasible embodiment of this utility model, a hydrophilic coating is provided on the outer wall of the refrigerant flow pipe 1. This hydrophilic layer reduces the surface tension of the outer wall of the refrigerant flow pipe 1 and enhances its affinity for water molecules. Firstly, when condensate flows across the surface of the spiral pipe under natural gravity, the hydrophilic coating promotes the rapid spread of the condensate to form a continuous and uniform water film, increasing the water film coverage on the outer wall of the spiral pipe to over 90%. This significantly increases the actual heat exchange contact area between the condensate and the refrigerant flow pipe 1, thereby improving the cold transfer efficiency per unit time and further enhancing the refrigerant subcooling. Firstly, the continuous water film on the hydrophilic coating surface has lower flow resistance, which can accelerate the flow rate of condensate, reduce the residence time of condensate on the pipe surface, and prevent the formation of a dirt layer due to the combination of local water accumulation and dust in the air, thereby maintaining long-term stable heat exchange efficiency and reducing the frequency of regular cleaning and maintenance. Secondly, by using acid and alkali resistant materials, the hydrophilic coating can directly isolate condensate from the metal outer wall of the refrigerant flow pipe 1, reduce the electrochemical corrosion rate of the pipe, significantly extend the service life of the refrigerant flow pipe 1, and reduce the risk of system failure caused by pipe corrosion and leakage.

[0039] In one feasible embodiment of this utility model, the outer wall of the refrigerant flow pipe 1 is provided with a surface roughening layer. The surface roughening layer can significantly increase the actual heat exchange surface area of ​​the refrigerant flow pipe 1 by forming a micron-level or sub-millimeter-level uneven structure on the outer wall of the pipe. When the condensate covers the pipe wall under the action of gravity, it can contact more of the outer wall surface of the pipe, directly increasing the contact surface for cold transfer.

[0040] In one feasible embodiment of this utility model, a guide rib is provided at the bottom of the water collection pan. The guide rib is used to ensure that the condensate flows continuously to the area where the refrigerant flow pipe 1 is located. The guide rib is usually a raised rib or groove structure integrally formed with the water collection pan. Through physical guidance, it optimizes the flow path of the condensate. The guide rib can break the disordered diffusion state of the condensate in the water collection pan. Through a preset tilt angle or directional groove, it guides the condensate in the water collection pan to converge and flow to the surface of the spiral tube of the refrigerant flow pipe 1, regardless of the output, thus preventing the condensate from stagnating and forming dead water in the edges and corners of the water collection pan.

[0041] In a feasible embodiment of this utility model, both the spiral tube and the heat exchange tube are copper tubes. Copper tubes have a high thermal conductivity, which can accelerate the transfer of the cooling capacity of the condensate to the refrigerant inside the tube. When the condensate covers and flows over the surface of the spiral tube, the copper tube can quickly conduct the cooling capacity to the high-temperature liquid refrigerant inside the tube, thereby increasing the cooling rate of the refrigerant within the same residence time.

[0042] In a feasible embodiment of this utility model, the heat exchange tube 2 is adapted to the shape of the spiral tube, which can reduce the contact thermal resistance between the two. Not only when the condensate enters the heat exchange tube 2 and flows through the spiral tube area, the cooling capacity can be quickly transferred to the high-temperature liquid refrigerant in the spiral tube through the larger base area, thereby increasing the subcooling of the refrigerant; but the adapted shape also allows the heat exchange tube 2 and the spiral tube to form a continuous and smooth outer peripheral surface, which can guide the condensate to form a uniform water film along the surface of the spiral tube under the action of natural gravity.

[0043] In a feasible embodiment of this utility model, the inlet and outlet of the heat exchange tube 2 are located on opposite sides of the spiral tube. Specifically, the inlet of the condensate in the heat exchange tube 2 is located at one end of the spiral tube's axial direction, and the outlet is located at the other end of the spiral tube's axial direction. This opposite-side arrangement allows the condensate in the heat exchange tube 2 and the refrigerant in the spiral tube to form a counter-current heat exchange mode. The refrigerant flows into the spiral tube from the condenser 10 and flows along the spiral path towards the electronic expansion valve 20, while the condensate enters from the heat exchange tube inlet at one end of the spiral tube and flows in the opposite direction to the outlet at the other end. This counter-current flow ensures that the two maintain a large temperature difference throughout the entire length of the spiral tube, avoiding the heat transfer bottleneck where the temperature difference at the end approaches zero when flowing in parallel, significantly enhancing refrigeration efficiency and reducing operating energy consumption.

[0044] The second aspect of this utility model is to provide an indoor air conditioning unit, including the liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure as described in any of the preceding embodiments.

[0045] The air conditioner indoor unit provided in this embodiment includes a liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure as described above, thus increasing the flow path and surface area of ​​the liquid chiller. During the air conditioning cooling process, the condensate generated covers and flows over the surface of the spiral tube under the influence of gravity. Because the condensate is at a lower temperature while the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow pipe is at a relatively higher temperature, a temperature difference exists between the two, thereby achieving heat transfer and subcooling the refrigerant. Without adding additional refrigeration components, it fully utilizes the indoor unit's condensate resources to effectively subcool the liquid pipe, improving the system's cooling performance and energy efficiency ratio. The threaded subcooling structure allows for more complete heat exchange and accelerates the flow of refrigerant and condensate, improving efficiency.

[0046] The third aspect of this utility model provides an air conditioner, including the liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure as described in any of the above embodiments or the indoor unit of the air conditioner as described in the above embodiments.

[0047] The air conditioner provided by this utility model has the various advantages described above because it includes the liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure or the air conditioner indoor unit as described above.

[0048] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" 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. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0049] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "method," "specific method," or "some methods," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or method is included in at least one embodiment or method of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or method. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or methods. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or methods described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or methods.

[0050] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure for use in an air conditioner, the air conditioner comprising a condenser (10), a condensate pan, and an electronic expansion valve (20), the condensate pan being used to collect condensate generated during the air conditioner's cooling process; characterized in that, The liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure is located between the condenser (10) and the electronic expansion valve (20), and the liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure includes: A refrigerant flow pipe (1) is connected to the outlet of the condenser (10), and part of the refrigerant flow pipe (1) is a spiral pipe; The heat exchange tube (2) is wound around the outer periphery of the refrigerant flow tube (1); and the heat exchange tube (2) is located in the water collection pan area of ​​the air conditioner, and the condensate covers and flows through the surface of the spiral tube under the action of natural gravity.

2. The liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the refrigerant flow pipe (1) is provided with a hydrophilic coating.

3. The liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the refrigerant flow pipe (1) is provided with a surface roughening layer.

4. The liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The bottom of the water collection pan is provided with guide ribs, which are used to ensure that the condensate flows continuously to the area where the refrigerant flow pipe (1) is located.

5. The liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The spiral tube is a copper tube.

6. The liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The heat exchange tube (2) is a copper tube.

7. The liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The heat exchange tube (2) is adapted to the shape of the spiral tube.

8. The liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, The inlet and outlet of the heat exchange tube (2) are located on opposite sides of the spiral tube.

9. An indoor unit for an air conditioner, characterized in that, Includes the liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. An air conditioner, characterized in that, include: The liquid pipe condensate subcooling structure as described in any one of claims 1-8 or the air conditioning indoor unit as described in claim 9.

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