Water-cooled cabinet air conditioner

Abstract

The application discloses a water-cooled cabinet air conditioner, which comprises a cabinet body, a heat exchanger, a collector and a fan arranged in the cabinet body, an air inlet and an air outlet arranged on the side of the cabinet body, wherein the air outlet is arranged above the air inlet; one side surface of the heat exchanger is arranged to be inclined downward to form a windward side, the windward sides are arranged to be spaced from each other and face the air inlet; and the fan is used for making air flow from the air inlet to the air outlet. The heat exchanger is arranged in the cabinet body and is far away from the air inlet and the air outlet, so that water drops condensed at the air inlet and the air outlet can be avoided from entering the circuit in the cabinet body, and in addition, the condensed water condensed on the heat exchanger can slide along the heat exchanger to the collector and be discharged outward. The inclined heat exchanger can utilize the space at the diagonal of the inside of the cabinet body, the size of the heat exchanger is larger, and the refrigeration capacity is stronger.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of refrigeration equipment, and in particular to a water-cooled cabinet air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] Water-cooled rack air conditioners are professional temperature control devices used in high-power-density electronic racks. They replace traditional air-cooled heat exchangers with water-cooled heat exchangers, utilizing the high specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity of water to efficiently remove heat from the rack's interior. In some related technologies, the heat exchanger is placed in the air intake or exhaust area of ​​the air conditioning system. During this process, because the surface temperature of the heat exchanger is lower than the dew point temperature of the air inside the rack, and it comes into full contact with the high-humidity air under the forced convection of an external fan, condensation occurs on the outer surface of the heat exchanger. Currently, if the heat exchanger is installed close to the air intake or exhaust vent, the condensate can easily seep outwards along the vent structure or drip into the rack's interior. Since racks typically house various electrical devices and wiring, the intrusion of condensate can cause short circuits, electrical leaks, corrosion, and other electrical safety hazards, affecting the reliable operation of the equipment. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application proposes a water-cooled cabinet air conditioner, in which a heat exchanger is built into the cabinet and tilted, and condensate is collected inside the cabinet, thus solving the safety problems caused by condensate.

[0004] This application proposes a water-cooled cabinet air conditioner, comprising:

[0005] The cabinet has an air inlet and an air outlet on its side, with the air outlet located above the air inlet.

[0006] A heat exchanger is installed in the cabinet. One side surface of the heat exchanger is inclined downward to form a windward side. The windward side is arranged facing the air inlet and is spaced apart from each other.

[0007] A collector, located inside the cabinet and at the lower end of the heat exchanger, is used to collect condensate.

[0008] A fan, located inside the cabinet, is used to direct air from the air inlet to the air outlet.

[0009] In some embodiments, the cabinet includes a bottom plate and a side plate, with a corner formed at the connection between the bottom plate and the side plate. The lower end of the heat exchanger is located at the corner, and the upper end is located near the other opposite side plate.

[0010] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger is plate-shaped and has a refrigerant flow channel inside; the surface of the heat exchanger is also provided with fins arranged at intervals, and the heat exchanger is also provided with through holes that are isolated from the refrigerant flow channel, the through holes being located between adjacent fins to allow air circulation.

[0011] In some embodiments, the cabinet is provided with a partition inside, which divides the cabinet into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The partition is provided with a ventilation opening that connects the upper chamber and the lower chamber. The heat exchanger is located in the lower chamber, the air inlet is located on the side plate corresponding to the lower chamber, and the air outlet is located on the side plate corresponding to the upper chamber.

[0012] In some embodiments, the side of the heat exchanger opposite to the windward side is the leeward side, and the water-cooled cabinet air conditioner also includes a controller, which is located in the lower chamber and on the side panel of the cabinet facing the leeward side.

[0013] In some embodiments, the cabinet includes four side panels and a top panel; the top panel is arc-shaped, the lower end of the top panel is connected to one of the side panels, the upper end of the top panel is connected to another side panel with the air outlet, the arc-shaped edge of the top panel is connected to the other two side panels one by one, and the arc-shaped surface of the top panel is used to guide the airflow in the cabinet.

[0014] In some embodiments, the fan is disposed adjacent to the air inlet, the air outlet, or the ventilation opening.

[0015] In some embodiments, the collector is located at the corner and installed on the bottom surface of the cabinet, the lower end of the heat exchanger is located in the collector, and the bottom of the collector is also provided with a drain outlet.

[0016] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger is further provided with an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe communicating with the refrigerant flow channel. The inlet pipe is located at one corner of the lower end of the heat exchanger, and the outlet pipe is located at one corner of the upper end of the heat exchanger. The ends of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe away from the heat exchanger are both inserted through and installed on the side plate corresponding to the lower chamber.

[0017] In some embodiments, the water-cooled cabinet air conditioner further includes an external water-cooling device, which is connected to the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid outlet pipe at the side plate via connecting pipes.

[0018] The water-cooled cabinet air conditioner in this embodiment includes a cabinet and a heat exchanger, a collector, and a fan disposed within the cabinet. The cabinet has an air inlet and an air outlet on its side, with the air outlet located above the air inlet. One surface of the heat exchanger is angled downwards to form a windward side, facing the air inlet and spaced apart from each other. The fan directs airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet. The heat exchanger is built into the cabinet and located away from the air inlet and outlet, preventing condensation at these points and avoiding water droplets entering the cabinet's electrical circuitry. Furthermore, any condensate on the heat exchanger slides down into the collector and is discharged. The angled placement of the heat exchanger utilizes the diagonal space inside the cabinet, allowing for a larger heat exchanger and stronger cooling capacity. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a water-cooled cabinet air conditioner in one embodiment of this application.

[0020] Label Explanation:

[0021] 10. Cabinet; 11. Air inlet; 12. Air outlet; 13. Side panel; 14. Top panel; 15. Partition; 20. Heat exchanger; 21. Liquid inlet pipe; 22. Liquid outlet pipe; 30. Collector; 40. Fan; 50. Controller;

[0022] The purpose, features, and advantages of this application will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments in this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments in this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0024] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of this application, such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc., are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture as shown in the attached figure. If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0025] It should also be noted that when a component is described as "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or may have an intervening component present. When a component is described as "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or may have an intervening component present.

[0026] Furthermore, the descriptions involving "first," "second," etc., in the embodiments of this application are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. If the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that the combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0027] This application proposes a water-cooled cabinet air conditioner, referring to... Figure 1 The water-cooled cabinet air conditioner includes: a cabinet 10 with an air inlet 11 and an air outlet 12 on its side, the air outlet 12 being located above the air inlet 11; a heat exchanger 20, disposed within the cabinet 10, with one side surface of the heat exchanger 20 inclined downwards to form a windward side, the windward side facing the air inlet 11 and spaced apart from each other; a collector 30, disposed within the cabinet 10 and located at the lower end of the heat exchanger 20, for collecting condensate; and a fan 40, disposed within the cabinet 10, for directing airflow from the air inlet 11 to the air outlet 12. In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 20 is built into the cabinet 10 and located away from the air inlet 11 and air outlet 12, which prevents water droplets from condensing at the air inlet 11 and air outlet 12 and prevents water droplets from entering the circuitry within the cabinet 10. Furthermore, the condensate condensing on the heat exchanger 20 will slide down the heat exchanger 20 into the collector 30 and be discharged outwards. After passing through the heat exchanger 20, the air becomes dry due to condensation, and no water droplets form at the air outlet 12 when it is discharged. The angled heat exchanger 20 can utilize the diagonal space inside the cabinet 10, and the heat exchanger 20 is larger in size and has a stronger cooling capacity (10 / 20 / 30 / 12).

[0028] The principle is that the inclined plate heat exchanger 20 increases the air-facing area and prolongs the contact time between the air and the refrigerant, making the heat exchange more complete; the condensate slides into the collector 30 along the heat exchanger 20 due to gravity, avoiding secondary evaporation and humidity rise; the heat exchanger 20 is far away from the air outlet, avoiding the low temperature surface being directly exposed to the air outlet, reducing the risk of condensation; after the size is enlarged, the refrigerant circulation volume per unit time is increased, and the cooling capacity is enhanced accordingly.

[0029] In some embodiments, the cabinet 10 includes a bottom plate and side plates 13, with a corner formed at the connection between the bottom plate and the side plates 13. The lower end of the heat exchanger 20 is located at the corner, and the upper end is located near the other opposite side plate 13. The corner is a right angle or a chamfered structure. The lower end of the heat exchanger 20 is embedded in the groove of the collector 30 through a shock-absorbing pad, and the upper end is bolted to the side plate 13 through an angle steel bracket to form a stable triangular support. A 5-10mm expansion gap is maintained between the heat exchanger 20 and the bottom plate and side plates 13 to prevent stress caused by thermal expansion and contraction. The space at the corner is fully utilized, so that the length of the heat exchanger 20 can reach 80% of the diagonal of the cabinet 10, maximizing the heat exchange area, while not encroaching on the space of other components, resulting in a compact overall structure.

[0030] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 20 is plate-shaped and has internal refrigerant channels. The surface of the heat exchanger 20 is also provided with spaced-apart fins, and the heat exchanger 20 also has through holes isolated from the refrigerant channels, located between adjacent fins to allow air circulation. The refrigerant channels are serpentine microchannels with circular or elliptical cross-sections to improve pressure resistance and heat exchange efficiency. The fins are hydrophilic aluminum foil corrugated sheets with a fin spacing of 3 mm and an electrophoretic treatment on the surface to promote condensate film formation and rapid sliding off. The through holes have a diameter of 2 mm and are arranged in a matrix to create turbulence between the fins, disrupting the boundary layer and improving the heat transfer coefficient. The through holes and refrigerant channels are isolated from each other to ensure airtightness and prevent refrigerant leakage.

[0031] In some embodiments, the cabinet 10 has an internal partition 15 that divides the cabinet 10 into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The partition 15 has ventilation openings connecting the upper and lower chambers. The heat exchanger 20 is located in the lower chamber, with an air inlet 11 on the side plate 13 corresponding to the lower chamber and an air outlet 12 on the side plate 13 corresponding to the upper chamber. The partition 15 is a double-layer foam board filled with polyurethane, which serves to insulate and reduce noise. The ventilation openings are rectangular or circular array holes, with a total area of ​​more than 50% of the area of ​​the partition 15. The chamfered edges of the holes reduce airflow resistance. The height of the lower chamber accounts for more than 60% of the total height of the cabinet 10, providing sufficient installation space for the heat exchanger 20. The upper chamber acts as a static pressure box, which uniformly slows down the air cooled by the heat exchanger 20, reducing the noise of the air outlet 12.

[0032] In some embodiments, the side of the heat exchanger 20 opposite to the windward side is the leeward side. The water-cooled cabinet air conditioner also includes a controller 50, which is located in the lower chamber and on the side plate 13 of the cabinet 10 facing the leeward side. The controller 50 has an aluminum alloy heat dissipation shell with an anodized surface. It is tightly attached to the side plate 13 with a thermally conductive pad to quickly dissipate heat. The airflow temperature on the leeward side is reduced to prevent the controller 50 from overheating. An anti-vibration pad is provided between the mounting plate of the controller 50 and the side plate 13 to reduce the impact of fan 40 vibration on electronic components. The horizontal distance between the controller 50 and the heat exchanger 20 is ≥150mm to prevent condensate splashing and ensure electrical safety.

[0033] In some embodiments, the cabinet 10 includes four side panels 13 and a top panel 14. The top panel 14 is arc-shaped, with its lower end connected to one of the side panels 13 and its upper end connected to another side panel 13 with an air outlet 12. The arc-shaped edge of the top panel 14 is connected to the other two side panels 13 one-to-one. The arc-shaped surface of the top panel 14 is used to guide the airflow in the cabinet 10. The top panel 14 can be made of cold-rolled steel sheet and stamped, with sound-absorbing cotton attached to its inner surface. The arc radius is greater than half the width of the cabinet 10, and the angle is 90°, so that the airflow smoothly turns along the tangential direction, reducing eddies and pressure loss. The top panel 14 and the side panels 13 use a labyrinthine folded edge with a sealing strip to prevent air leakage. The arc-shaped top panel 14 also serves as a condensate baffle. In case of condensation at the top, the water film slides down the arc surface to the side panel 13, where a drainage groove is provided to guide the condensate to the collector 30, preventing it from dripping onto the controller 50.

[0034] In some embodiments, the fan 40 is located near the air inlet 11, air outlet 12, or vent. The fan 40 can be axial or centrifugal: if the fan 40 is located at the air inlet 11, it is a blowing type, ensuring uniform airflow and consistent air velocity on the windward side of the heat exchanger 20; if the fan 40 is located at the air outlet 12, it is a suction type, creating negative pressure to prevent air leakage and reducing noise; if the fan 40 is located at the vent, it is a mixed-flow type, which can also be used for pressure differential regulation between the upper and lower chambers. The fan 40 is mounted using a vibration-damping bracket or rubber feet, and its speed is controlled by PWM, automatically adjusting the speed according to the temperature inside the cabinet 10, achieving energy saving and noise reduction. Of course, the fan 40 can also be installed at all three air outlets to enhance air delivery capacity.

[0035] In some embodiments, the collector 30 is located at a corner and installed on the bottom inner surface of the cabinet 10. The lower end of the heat exchanger 20 is located in the collector 30, and the bottom of the collector 30 is also provided with a drain outlet. The collector 30 can be made of 304 stainless steel with a stamped groove, 50mm deep, with a guide slope at the front end and a V-shaped water collection groove at the rear end. The lower end of the heat exchanger 20 is inserted into the collector 30 to a depth of 20mm to prevent condensate from splashing. The drain outlet is a G1 / 2 thread, with an external pagoda connector and a silicone hose. The hose leads to a quick-connect connector at the bottom of the cabinet 10 for easy connection to an external drainage system. The inner surface of the collector 30 is coated with Teflon to reduce surface tension, accelerate drainage, and prevent bacterial growth. In addition, ultraviolet LEDs can be installed on the collector 30 and / or the side panel 13 to irradiate the windward and leeward sides of the heat exchanger 20 and the collector 30 with ultraviolet light, which has a certain antibacterial effect and prevents odors from being generated in the cabinet 10.

[0036] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 20 is further provided with an inlet pipe 21 and an outlet pipe 22 communicating with the refrigerant flow channel. The inlet pipe 21 is located at one corner of the lower end of the heat exchanger 20, and the outlet pipe 22 is located at one corner of the upper end of the heat exchanger 20. The ends of the inlet pipe 21 and the outlet pipe 22 away from the heat exchanger 20 are both inserted and installed on the side plate 13 corresponding to the lower chamber. The inlet pipe 21 and the outlet pipe 22 can be made of oxygen-free copper pipes, with PE insulation cotton covering them to prevent cold loss. After the pipe ends are flared, plate-type quick connectors are welded, and double O-rings are provided on the inner side of the connectors to ensure no leakage after multiple insertions and removals. The side plate 13 has corresponding punched side holes with embedded rubber sleeves to prevent wear on the copper pipes. The inlet pipe 21 is located at the lower end, and the outlet pipe 22 is located at the upper end, forming a countercurrent heat exchange of "low inlet and high outlet", which improves heat exchange efficiency and prevents air blockage, ensuring stable system operation.

[0037] In some embodiments, the water-cooled cabinet air conditioner also includes an external water-cooling device, which is connected to the inlet pipe 21 and the outlet pipe 22 at the side plate 13 via connecting pipes. The water-cooling device is a combination of a water pump + expansion tank + fan cooling or a cooling tower. The water pump flow rate is adjustable to match different heat loads. The connecting pipe is a nylon braided hose with a pressure resistance of 1.5MPa and an outer anti-rodent spiral sheath. A quick-connect panel is provided on the outside of the side plate 13, allowing the external water-cooling device to be placed away from the cabinet 10, reducing noise in the computer room, and utilizing the low outdoor temperature environment to achieve high-efficiency cooling throughout the year.

[0038] In this embodiment, the working principle of the water-cooled cabinet air conditioner is as follows:

[0039] The water-cooled cabinet air conditioner in this embodiment includes a cabinet and a heat exchanger, a collector, and a fan disposed within the cabinet. The cabinet has an air inlet and an air outlet on its side, with the air outlet located above the air inlet. One surface of the heat exchanger is angled downwards to form a windward side, facing the air inlet and spaced apart from each other. The fan directs airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet. The heat exchanger is built into the cabinet and located away from the air inlet and outlet, preventing condensation at these points and avoiding water droplets entering the cabinet's electrical circuitry. Furthermore, any condensate on the heat exchanger slides down into the collector and is discharged. The angled placement of the heat exchanger utilizes the diagonal space inside the cabinet, allowing for a larger heat exchanger and stronger cooling capacity.

[0040] The above are only some or preferred embodiments of this application. Neither the text nor the drawings can limit the scope of protection of this application. All equivalent structural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings under the same overall concept as this application, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A water-cooled cabinet air conditioner, characterized in that, include: The cabinet has an air inlet and an air outlet on its side, with the air outlet located above the air inlet. A heat exchanger is installed in the cabinet. One side surface of the heat exchanger is inclined downward to form a windward side. The windward side is arranged facing the air inlet and is spaced apart from each other. A collector, located inside the cabinet and at the lower end of the heat exchanger, is used to collect condensate. A fan, located inside the cabinet, is used to direct airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet; The cabinet has an internal partition that divides it into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The partition has ventilation openings connecting the upper and lower chambers. The heat exchanger is located in the lower chamber. The air inlet is located on the side panel corresponding to the lower chamber, and the air outlet is located on the side panel corresponding to the upper chamber. The side of the heat exchanger that is opposite to the windward side is the leeward side. The water-cooled cabinet air conditioner also includes a controller, which is located in the lower chamber and on the side panel of the cabinet facing the leeward side.

2. The water-cooled cabinet air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cabinet includes a bottom plate and side plates. The connection between the bottom plate and the side plates forms a corner. The lower end of the heat exchanger is located at the corner, and the upper end is located near the other opposite side plate.

3. The water-cooled cabinet air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that, The heat exchanger is plate-shaped and has a refrigerant flow channel inside. The surface of the heat exchanger is also provided with fins arranged at intervals. The heat exchanger is also provided with through holes that are isolated from the refrigerant flow channel. The through holes are located between adjacent fins to allow air circulation.

4. The water-cooled cabinet air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cabinet includes four side panels and a top panel. The top panel is arc-shaped, with its lower end connected to one of the side panels and its upper end connected to another side panel with the air outlet. The arc-shaped edge of the top panel is connected to the other two side panels in a corresponding manner, and the arc-shaped surface of the top panel is used to guide the airflow in the cabinet.

5. The water-cooled cabinet air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that, The fan is located near the air inlet, the air outlet, or the ventilation opening.

6. The water-cooled cabinet air conditioner according to claim 5, characterized in that, The collector is located at the corner and installed on the bottom surface of the cabinet. The lower end of the heat exchanger is located in the collector, and the bottom of the collector is also provided with a drain outlet.

7. The water-cooled cabinet air conditioner according to claim 6, characterized in that, The heat exchanger is also provided with an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe that communicate with the refrigerant flow channel. The inlet pipe is located at one corner of the lower end of the heat exchanger, and the outlet pipe is located at one corner of the upper end of the heat exchanger. The ends of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe that are away from the heat exchanger are both inserted through and installed on the side plate corresponding to the lower chamber.

8. The water-cooled cabinet air conditioner according to claim 7, characterized in that, The water-cooled cabinet air conditioner also includes an external water-cooling device, which is connected to the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid outlet pipe at the side plate via connecting pipes.

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