Heat exchanger and vehicle-mounted refrigerator

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes a first header (1), a second header (2), a third header (3), a heat exchange tube (4), a first port (5) and a second port (6). The first and second headers (1, 2) are spaced. The third header (3) is spaced from the first and second headers (1, 2) and includes a first tube segment (31) and a second tube segment (32) arranged in a length direction of the third header (3). The heat exchange tube (4) includes first heat exchange tubes (41) communicating the first header (1) with the third header (3), and second heat exchange tubes (42) communicating the second header (2) with the third header (3). The first port (5) is located in the first tube segment (31), and the second port (6) is located in the second tube segment (32).

Description

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of heat exchanging technologies, and more particularly to a heat exchanger and a vehicle-mounted refrigerator.BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of the electric vehicle market, some high-end vehicle models are equipped with vehicle-mounted refrigerators. Vehicle-mounted refrigerators have a small volume, and therefore require heat exchangers with smaller volume to meet the heat exchange needs of vehicle-mounted refrigerators. In related art, heat exchangers of vehicle-mounted refrigerators mostly include two headers and heat exchange tubes provided between the two headers. During the operation of the heat exchangers, the refrigerant undergoes multi-pass flow through a single flow path between the two headers to achieve heat exchange. However, due to the small volume of the heat exchangers, charge volume of the refrigerant is less, and the flow pattern of multi-pass flow in a single flow path can lead to a more significant decrease in the heat exchange effect of the refrigerant in the later part of the multi-pass flow of the heat exchanger. The heat exchange between the prior and latter parts of the multi-pass flow of the heat exchanger is uneven, which affects refrigeration effect of the vehicle-mounted refrigerators.SUMMARY

[0003] A first aspect of the present invention provides a heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger has a more uniform heat exchange effect during operation.

[0004] The heat exchanger provided by the first aspect of the present invention includes a first header and a second header spaced apart from each other; a third header spaced apart from the first header and the second header and including a first tube segment and a second tube segment, the third header further including a first port and a second port, the first port being located in the first tube segment, the second port being located in the second tube segment; and a heat exchange tube including a plurality of first heat exchange tubes and a plurality of second heat exchange tubes, the plurality of first heat exchange tubes communicating the first header with the third header, the plurality of second heat exchange tubes communicating the second header with the third header.

[0005] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows.

[0006] In actual operation of the heat exchanger of the present invention, the refrigerant can enter the first tube segment from the first port, and then is shunted within the first tube segment. A part of the refrigerant can enter the first header through the first heat exchange tube, converge in the first header, and flow through the communicated first heat exchange tube to the second tube segment. Another part of the refrigerant can enter the second header through the second heat exchange tube, converge in the second header, and flow through the communicated second heat exchange tube to the second tube segment. In such a flow process, the refrigerant is divided into two paths in the first tube segment and flows separately for heat exchange, shortening a flow distance that the refrigerant needs to pass through when flowing in the heat exchanger, thus making heat exchange effect of the heat exchanger more uniform.

[0007] Optionally, the first heat exchange tube includes a first sub-segment, a second sub-segment and a first bent segment, the first bent segment communicates the first sub-segment with the second sub-segment, the first sub-segment is in communication with the first header, and the second sub-segment is in communication with the third header; and / or, the second heat exchange tube includes a third sub-segment, a fourth sub-segment and a second bent segment, the second bent segment communicates the third sub-segment with the fourth sub-segment, the third sub-segment is in communication with the second header, and the fourth sub-segment is in communication with the third header.

[0008] Optionally, a length direction of the first sub-segment or the third sub-segment is defined as a first direction, and the third header is located at a same side of the first header and the second header in the first direction.

[0009] Optionally, the heat exchange tube has a plurality of channels, and the plurality of channels are spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the heat exchange tube; and defining a width of the heat exchange tube to be a, a thickness of the heat exchange tube to be b, a width of the channel to be f, a height of the channel to be h, the number of channels in one heat exchange tube to be n, and a bending radius of the first bent segment and / or the second bent segment to be x, then x satisfies: 0.03 ≤(ab-fhn) / (0.785*x 2< )≤0.79.

[0010] Optionally, a relationship of the number n of the channels in one heat exchange tube to the width a of the heat exchange tube, the width f of the channel, and the bending radius x of the first bent segment and / or the second bent segment satisfies: 0.014≤(a-fn) / (n+1) / x≤0.07.

[0011] Optionally, the heat exchange tube includes a necking segment, the necking segment is located at an end of the second sub-segment away from the first bent segment, and / or the necking segment is located at an end of the fourth sub-segment away from the second bent segment, the necking segment has a cross-sectional area less than a cross-sectional area of the second sub-segment or the fourth sub-segment; defining a length of the necking segment to be d, and a length of an inner cavity of the third header in the second direction to be j, then: 1.2≤ j / 2d≤2.4, and the second direction is a length direction of the second sub-segment or the fourth sub-segment.

[0012] Optionally, the heat exchange tube further includes a transition segment, the transition segment connects the second sub-segment to the necking segment, and / or the transition segment connects the fourth sub-segment to the necking segment, and a width of the transition segment is linearly reduced along a direction from the second sub-segment or the fourth sub-segment to the necking segment; and an angle between the transition segment and the second sub-segment or the fourth sub-segment is defined as a, then 30° ≤ a <90° .

[0013] Optionally, a cross-sectional radius of the first header or the second header is defined as r, a relationship between the r and the length j of the inner cavity of the third header in the second direction satisfies: 0.6≤2 π r 2< / j 2< ≤ 1.3.

[0014] Optionally, the heat exchanger further including: a barrier member, at least part of the barrier member is located in the third header, and the first tube segment and the second tube segment are respectively located at two sides of the barrier member; or a plurality of barrier members are provided, and the plurality of barrier members are respectively located in the first header, the second header and the third header.

[0015] A second aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle-mounted refrigerator, and the vehicle-mounted refrigerator has a more uniform refrigeration effect.

[0016] The vehicle-mounted refrigerator provided by the second aspect of the present invention includes an inner liner and the heat exchanger in embodiments of the first aspect. The first header and the second header are located at opposite sides of the inner liner, and the heat exchange tube is fitted to an outer wall of the inner liner.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows.

[0018] The vehicle-mounted refrigerator of the present invention includes the heat exchanger in embodiments of the first aspect, and the heat exchanger in embodiments of the first aspect has a more uniform heat exchange effect, therefore, the vehicle-mounted refrigerator has a more uniform refrigeration effect accordingly.

[0019] Optionally, the heat exchange tube includes a third bent segment, and the third bent segment is located at an end of the heat exchange tube close to the first header and / or the second header.

[0020] Optionally, brazing material or heat conductive adhesive is provided between at least one of the first header, the second header, the third header or the heat exchange tube and the outer wall of the inner liner, and the brazing material or the heat conductive adhesive connects the inner liner to at least one of the first header, the second header, the third header or the heat exchange tube.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an overall structure of a heat exchanger provided by the present invention in a specific embodiment; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an A-direction structure of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a B-direction structure of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a heat exchange tube provided by the present invention in a specific embodiment; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a partially enlarged structure of a heat exchange tube provided by the present invention; FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a perspective structure of an inner liner and a heat exchanger of a vehicle-mounted refrigerator provided by the present invention; FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a side structure of one of the sides of FIG. 6; and FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a side structure of one of the sides of FIG. 6.

[0022] Reference numerals: first header 1; second header 2; third header 3; first tube segment 31; second tube segment 32; heat exchange tube 4; first heat exchange tube 41; first sub-segment 411; second sub-segment 412; first bent segment 413; second heat exchange tube 42; third sub-segment 421; fourth sub-segment 422; second bent segment 423; third bent segment 43; channel 44; necking segment 45; transition segment 46; first port 5; second port 6; barrier member 7; inner liner 8.

[0023] The accompanying drawings herein are incorporated into the specification and constitute a part of the specification. Theses accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments conform to the present invention and are used to explain the principles of the present invention together with the specification.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to better understand the technical solutions of the present invention, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0025] It should be clarified that embodiments described herein are only a part but not all of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without paying creative efforts, fall into the protection scope of the present invention.

[0026] The terms used in embodiments of the present invention are only for purpose of description of particular embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular form "a", "the" and "this" used in embodiments of the present invention and the appended claims is also intended to include the plural form, unless other meanings are explicitly expressed in the context.

[0027] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used herein only describes the association relationship of the associated objects, and means that there can be three types of relationships. For example, A and / or B, can mean that A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. Additionally, the character " / " herein generally indicates that the associated objects before and after it are an "or" relationship.

[0028] It should be noted that the directional words such as "up", "down", "left", "right" described in embodiments of the present invention are described from the perspective shown in the accompanying drawings and should not be construed as limiting embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, in context, it should also be understood that when reference is made to an element being connected "on" or "under" another element, it can be connected not only directly "on" or "under" another element, but also indirectly "on" or "under" another element through an intermediate element.

[0029] With the development of the electric vehicle market, some high-end vehicle models are equipped with vehicle-mounted refrigerators. Electric vehicles are usually equipped with high-capacity batteries and efficient energy management systems, which can continuously power the vehicle refrigerator, and because of the relatively low power of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator, the amount of electrical energy consumed is negligible in relation to the total electrical energy of the vehicle, and hardly affects the range of the vehicle. In addition, new energy vehicles can also power the vehicle-mounted refrigerator through the power battery in a parking state, realizing the function of uninterrupted cold storage or heat preservation for a long time. With the development of electric vehicle intelligence, the vehicle-mounted refrigerator can be better integrated with the entire vehicle system to realize remote control, temperature setting and other functions, becomes part of the vehicle ecosystem, and is expected to become a standard configuration of electric vehicles.

[0030] At present, there are two main types of vehicle-mounted refrigerators: semiconductor refrigerators and compressor refrigerators, among which, semiconductor vehicle-mounted refrigerators have weak refrigeration capacity, cannot reach a low-temperature freezing effect in a high-temperature environment, have high maintenance costs, do not have a stable heating function, have short service life and other obvious short boards, thus they do not have the conditions for a large-scale promotion in the electric vehicles. Therefore, economical, compact, and reliable compressor vehicle-mounted refrigerators are still the relatively clear development direction for vehicle-mounted refrigerators at present.

[0031] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, a first aspect of embodiments of the present invention provides a heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger can be used as an important component in a vehicle-mounted refrigerator, better adapted to the vehicle-mounted refrigerator. The application of the heat exchanger in the vehicle-mounted refrigerator is taken as an example herein to describe the technical solution and effect. Of course, the application field of the heat exchanger in embodiments of the present invention is not limited to the description herein, and it can also be used in other systems, such as water heaters, household air conditioners, household refrigerators and other refrigeration systems.

[0032] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the heat exchanger provided by a first aspect of embodiments of the present invention mainly includes a first header 1, a second header 2, a third header 3, a heat exchange tube 4, a first port 5 and a second port 6. Specifically, the first header 1 and the second header 2 are spaced apart from each other; the third header 3 is spaced apart from the first header 1 and the second header 2, the third header 3 includes a first tube segment 31 and a second tube segment 32, and the first tube segment 31 and the second tube segment 32 are arranged in a length direction of the third header 3; the heat exchange tube 4 includes a plurality of first heat exchange tubes 41 and a plurality of second heat exchange tubes 42, the plurality of first heat exchange tubes 41 communicate the first header 1 with the third header 3, and the plurality of second heat exchange tubes 42 communicate the second header 2 with the third header 3; the first port 5 is located in the first tube segment 31, the second port 6 is located in the second tube segment 32, and the first port 5 and the second port 6 serve as inlet and outlet for the refrigerant during operation of the heat exchanger.

[0033] It should be noted that the term "communication" and its variations herein refer to fluid communication. For example, A communicating B with C means that A fluidly communicates B with C, and A is in communication with B means that A is in fluid communication with B.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the first header 1, the second header 2 and the third header 3 are all spaced apart from each other. That is, the first header 1, the second header 2, and the third header 3 have certain spacing between them, and a distance and a position of the spacing depend mainly on an overall size and a shape of the heat exchanger. For example, in the present embodiment, the first header 1, the second header 2, the third header 3 and the heat exchange tube 4 have a substantially U-shaped structure after the connection is completed, the first header 1, the second header 2, the third header 3 and the heat exchange tube 4 are fixedly connected by brazing, the first header 1 and the second header 2 are located at two ends of the U-shaped structure respectively, and the third header 3 is located at a bottom of the U-shaped structure. In addition, the first header 1, the second header 2 and the third header 3 are arranged substantially parallel to each other, but in some other embodiments, in order to adapt to the installation environment or under some other working conditions, it is also possible that the first header 1 and the second header 2 are inclined with respect to the third header 3, which is not specifically limited herein.

[0035] The first tube segment 31 and the second tube segment 32 of the third header 3 are isolated from each other, the reference to being isolated from each other means that the first tube segment 31 and the second tube segment 32 are not communicated with each other, i.e. the refrigerant in the first tube segment 31 and the second tube segment 32 cannot flow into each other in the absence of any other communicating member for communicating the two. The first tube segment 31 and the second tube segment 32 may be formed by welding two tubes together or may be formed by partitioning a single tube, as will be described herein in subsequent embodiments. In addition, the lengths of the first tube segment 31 and the second tube segment 32 can be allocated according to actual needs. For example, the length of the first tube segment 31 can be reduced when the second tube segment 32 needs to be divided into more independent cavities in order to make the heat exchanger have a flow with more passes, but generally, when the heat exchanger is applied to the vehicle-mounted refrigerator, because the overall volume of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator is small, and the corresponding volume of the heat exchanger is small as well, it is not necessary to further divide the first tube segment 31 and the second tube segment 32 for a flow with too many passes.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, a cross-sectional shape of the third header 3 is substantively rectangular, such that the third header 3 can be better fitted to an outer wall of the heat exchange component, and connection of the third header 3 and the heat exchange tubes 4 on both sides can be facilitated. A cross-sectional shape of the first header 1 and the second header 2 may be circular, rectangular, or other shapes. In addition, a circulation cross-sectional area of the third header 3 is larger than a circulation cross-sectional area of the first header 1 and the second header 2, so that a refrigerant circulation volume in the third header 3 can be increased, thereby ensuring that the refrigerant circulation volume after the shunting can better satisfy the heat exchange demand. It is to be noted that the cross-sectional shapes of the first header 1, the second header 2, and the third header 3 may also be other shapes, such as polygonal or irregular shapes according to the installation environment, and so on, which will not be discussed herein.

[0037] When the heat exchanger of the present embodiment is in operation, the refrigerant can enter the first tube segment 31 from the first port 5, and then is shunted within the first tube segment 31. A part of the refrigerant can enter the first header 1 through the first heat exchange tube 41, converge in the first header 1, and flow through the communicated first heat exchange tube 41 to the second tube segment 32. Another part of the refrigerant can enter the second header 2 through the second heat exchange tube 42, converge in the second header 2, flow through the communicated second heat exchange tube 42 to the second tube segment 32, and flow out from the second port 6. In such a flow process, the refrigerant is divided into two paths in the first tube segment 31 and flows separately for heat exchange, shortening a flow distance that the refrigerant needs to pass through when flowing in the heat exchanger, thus making heat exchange effect of the heat exchanger more uniform.

[0038] It should be noted that the shunting of the third header 3 for heat exchange increases the flow paths of the refrigerant, thereby appropriately increasing charge volume of the refrigerant and improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger. For a small-volume heat exchanger, the heat exchange performance is greatly improved, and when it is applied to the vehicle-mounted refrigerator, the vehicle-mounted refrigerator may have better the refrigeration effect.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 3, in a specific embodiment, the first heat exchange tube 41 includes a first sub-segment 411, a second sub-segment 412 and a first bent segment 413, the first bent segment 413 communicates the first sub-segment 411 with the second sub-segment 412, the first sub-segment 411 is in communication with the first header 1, and the second sub-segment 412 is in communication with the third header 3; and / or, the second heat exchange tube 42 includes a third sub-segment 421, a fourth sub-segment 422 and a second bent segment 423, the second bent segment 423 communicates the third sub-segment 421 with the fourth sub-segment 422, the third sub-segment 421 is in communication with the second header 2, and the fourth sub-segment 422 is in communication with the third header 3. A length direction of the first sub-segment 411 or the third sub-segment 421 is defined as a first direction, and the third header 3 is located at a same side of the first header 1 and the second header 2 in the first direction.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the first sub-segment 411, the second sub-segment 412, and the first bent segment 413 combine to form the first heat exchange tube 41, and generally, the first sub-segment 411, the second sub-segment 412, and the first bent segment 413 are formed by bending a whole first heat exchange tube 41. Lengths of the first sub-segment 411 and the second sub-segment 412 can be preset according to the actual installation size. For example, depending on the size of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator, the length of the first sub-segment 411 can be greater than the length of the second sub-segment 412, or it can be less than or equal to the length of the second sub-segment 412, which is not specifically limited herein.

[0041] In addition, the third sub-segment 421, the fourth sub-segment 422 and the second bent segment 423 combine to form the second heat exchange tube 42, and the third sub-segment 421, the fourth sub-segment 422 and the second bent segment 423 may also be formed by bending a whole second heat exchange tube 42. Similarly, their lengths can also be preset and adjusted according to actual needs. It should be noted that the size specifications of the first heat exchange tube 41 and the second heat exchange tube 42 can be the same or different. Generally, when the heat exchanger is applied to the vehicle-mounted refrigerator, the size specifications and structure of the first heat exchange tube 41 and the second heat exchange tube 42 are the same.

[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 4, in a specific embodiment, the heat exchange tube 4 has a plurality of channels 44, and the plurality of channels 44 are spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the heat exchange tube 4; and defining a width of the heat exchange tube 4 to be a, a thickness of the heat exchange tube 4 to be b, a width of the channel 44 to be f, a height of the channel 44 to be h, the number of channels 44 in one heat exchange tube 4 to be n, and a bending radius of the first bent segment 413 and / or the second bent segment 423 to be x, then x satisfies: 0.03≤(ab-fhn) / (0.785*x 2< )≤0.79.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the heat exchange tube 4 is a micro-channel flat tube (i.e., the first heat exchange tube 41 and the second heat exchange tube 42 are micro-channel flat tubes), which is generally shaped as a flat shape, and the circulation heat exchange mode of the plurality of channels 44 can help to improve the uniformity of the distribution of the refrigerant in the process of heat exchange to avoid the phenomenon of localized overheating or overcooling, and the micro-channel structure has a high heat exchange area and volume ratio, which can achieve a large heat exchange effect in a small space, and is in line with the trend of compactness and lightweight of on-board electric appliances in electric vehicles.

[0044] In addition, taking the first heat exchange tube 41 as an example, because the first heat exchange tube 41 has the first bent segment 413, and an angle between the first sub-segment 411 and the second sub-segment 412 is roughly 90° to adapt to the shape of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator, the first bent segment 413 needs to have a certain bending radius in order to avoid that the bending results in the circulation cross-sectional area of the channel 44 at the first bent segment 413 being too small, which affects the flow of the refrigerant. The bending radius of the first bent segment 413 mainly depends on the proportion of the channel 44 relative to the first heat exchange tube 41, if the circulation cross-sectional area of the channel 44 is large, and the proportion in the first heat exchange tube 41 is high, a wall of the first heat exchange tube 41 is correspondingly thinner, and the bending is more likely to lead to exposure of ribs or a serious deformation inside the channel 44, affecting the flow of refrigerant; but when the circulation cross-sectional area of the channel 44 is small or the number is small, and the proportion in the first heat exchange tube 41 is low, the wall of the first heat exchange tube 41 is correspondingly thicker, which in turn causes the first heat exchange tube 41 to be too heavy, and the circulation cross-sectional area of the channel 44 to be too small to affect the heat exchange, and additionally leads to an increase in the cost of manufacturing and reduction in the heat exchanger performance, making the refrigeration effect of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator poorer. Therefore, the effect is better when each of the above parameters satisfies: 0.03 ≤ (ab-fhn) / (0.785*x 2< ) ≤ 0.79.

[0045] Similarly, the second bent segment 423 of the second heat exchange tube 42 will have a similar situation when bending, and therefore, the second bent segment 423 of the second heat exchange tube 42 is more effective when it satisfies the above parameter conditions, which will not be specifically elaborated herein.

[0046] It should be noted that after the product size of the heat exchange tube 4 (the first heat exchange tube 41 and the second heat exchange tube 42) is finalized, the width a of the heat exchange tube 4, the thickness b of the heat exchange tube 4, the width f of the channel 44, the height h of the channel 44, and the number n of the channels 44 in one heat exchange tube 4 are all fixed values that can be measured, so that it is only necessary to determine an interval of the bending radius of this type of the heat exchange tube according to the pre-set range, and then to apply it to different scenarios, or to measure the adapted type of heat exchange tube 4 according to the bending radius x of the bent segment.

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 4, a relationship of the number n of the channels 44 in one heat exchange tube 4 to the width a of the heat exchange tube 4, the width f of the channel 44, and the bending radius x of the first bent segment 413 and / or the second bent segment 423 satisfies: 0.014≤ (a-fn) / (n+1) / x≤0.07. If the above ratio is less than 0.014, the heat exchange tube 4 after bending may undergo exposure of ribs and internal flow channel deformation phenomenon, and if it is greater than 0.07, it will cause the product to be too heavy and the circulation area of the flat tube to be too small, so it is necessary to maintain it within a certain interval to ensure the refrigerant circulation volume at the bent segment 413.

[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 5, in a specific embodiment, the heat exchange tube 4 includes a necking segment 45, the necking segment 45 is located at an end of the second sub-segment 412 away from the first bent segment 413, and / or the necking segment 45 is located at an end of the fourth sub-segment 422 away from the second bent segment 422; the necking segment 45 has a cross-sectional area less than a cross-sectional area of the second sub-segment 412 or the fourth sub-segment 422; defining a length of the necking segment 45 to be d, and a length of an inner cavity of the third header 3 in the second direction to be j, then: 1.2≤j / 2d≤2.4, and the second direction is a length direction of the second sub-segment 412 or the fourth sub-segment 422.

[0049] Again taking the first heat exchange tube 41 in the heat exchange tube 4 as an example, a depth of the first heat exchange tube 41 inserted into the third header 3 can be better controlled by the provided necking segment 45. Because both sides of the third header 3 have the first heat exchange tube 41 and the second heat exchange tube 42 inserted and connected to the first header 1 and the second header 2, respectively, i.e., the third header 3 has two heat exchange tubes 4 inserted at the same height, the insertion depth of the heat exchange tubes 4 is particularly important for the distribution of the third header 3, and if the insertion depth is too large it will cause the remaining space between the two heat exchange tubes 4 to be too small, affecting the distribution of the refrigerant. The necking segment 45 allows intuitive regulation of the insertion depth of the first heat exchange tube 41, and generally it is sufficient that there is a certain difference between the length j of the inner cavity of the third header 3 in the second direction and the length d of the necking segment, i.e. 1.2 ≤j / 2d ≤ 2.4 in the present embodiment.

[0050] If the ratio between the length j of the inner cavity of the third header 3 in the second direction and the length d of the necking segment is less than 1.2, it will lead to uneven shunting inside the heat exchanger or even the refrigerant not being able to enter the flow channel, reducing the performance of the heat exchanger, and if it is greater than 2.4, it will lead to the solder entering the flow channel along the heat exchange tube 4, resulting in the flow channel being clogged. In addition, the end of the first sub-segment 411 away from the first bent segment 413 may also be provided with a necking segment 45 to control the depth of the first heat exchange tube 41 inserted into the first header 1. Similarly, the layout and design of the same structure as the first heat exchange tube 41 can also be carried out on the second heat exchange tube 42, as the structure of the first heat exchange tube 41 and the second heat exchange tube 42 can be the same, which is therefore not expanded herein.

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 5, in a specific embodiment, the heat exchange tube 4 further includes a transition segment 46, the transition segment 46 connects the second sub-segment 412 to the necking segment 45, and / or the transition segment 46 connects the fourth sub-segment 422 to the necking segment 45, and a width of the transition segment 46 is linearly reduced along a direction from the second sub-segment 412 or the fourth sub-segment 422 to the necking segment 45, that is a side of the transition segment is a sloping surface tapered from the second sub-segment 412 to the necking segment 45; and an angle between the transition segment 46 and the second sub-segment 412 or an angle between the transition segment 46 and the fourth sub-segment 422 is defined as α, then 30°≤α<90°. The transition segment 46 may increase a contact area of the connection between the heat exchange tube 4 and the corresponding header, thus making the connection of the heat exchanger more stable and solid after the brazed connection.

[0052] In a specific embodiment, a cross-sectional radius of the first header 1 or the second header 2 is defined as r, a relationship between the r and the length j of the inner cavity of the third header 3 in the second direction satisfies: 0.6≤2πr 2< / j 2< ≤1.3. As mentioned above, the refrigerant enters the third header 3 and then separately enters the heat exchange tubes 4 in communication with the first header 1 or the second header 2 after shunting, and therefore the circulation cross-sectional area of the third header 3 needs to be greater than the circulation cross-sectional area of the first header 1 or the second header 2. When the ratio of the two is less than 1.6, it will increase local resistance of the refrigerant in the system. If it is greater than 1.3, it will increase unnecessary charge volume of the refrigerant, which is not in line with the trend of lightweight and future environmental protection of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator.

[0053] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, in a specific embodiment, the heat exchanger includes a barrier member 7, at least part of the barrier member 7 is located in the third header 3, and the first tube segment 31 and the second tube segment 32 are respectively located at two sides of the barrier member 7; or a plurality of barrier members 7 are provided, and the plurality of barrier members 7 are respectively located in the first header 1, the second header 2 and the third header 3. By using the barrier member 7, the heat exchanger can be separated to form the multi-pass flow. However, as mentioned above, the volume of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator is small, and if there is a flow with many passes, the heat exchange capacity of the refrigerant in the latter half of the flow with many passes is weak. Therefore, generally, the entire heat exchanger can be divided for a flow with two or three passes.

[0054] In the present embodiment, a lumen of the third header 3 can be partitioned by the barrier member 7, forming the first tube segment 31 and the second tube segment 32 that are mutually isolated. The barrier member 7 can be a partition plate or a barrier block. It should be noted that at least part of the barrier member 7 herein refers to the fact that the barrier member 7 may be completely located in the lumen of the third header 3, for example, by means of welding or the like so that the entire outer wall of the barrier member 7 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the third header 3, thereby causing the entire of the barrier member 7 to be completely located in the lumen of the third header 3; alternatively, only a part of the barrier member 7 may be located in the lumen of the third header 3, and another part may extend out of the lumen of the third header 3, for example, in the case where the barrier member 7 is provided in the third header 3 by means of insertion or the like, the area of the barrier member 7 needs to be slightly larger than the cross-section of the third header 3, in order to ensure a stable fit between the barrier member 7 and the third header 3, i.e., the barrier member 7 is partially located in the lumen of the third header 3.

[0055] The heat exchanger has an evaporation condition in operation, and in the evaporation condition, the length direction of the third header 3 is parallel to the direction of gravity, the second tube segment 32 is located above the first tube segment 31, and the refrigerant enters from the first port 5 and exits from the second port 6.

[0056] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, a second aspect of embodiments of the present invention provides a vehicle-mounted refrigerator, and the vehicle-mounted refrigerator includes an inner liner 8 and the heat exchanger in embodiments of the first aspect. The first header 1 and the second header 2 are respectively located at opposite sides of the inner liner 8, and the heat exchange tube 4 is fitted to an outer wall of the inner liner 8. The vehicle-mounted refrigerator in the present embodiment includes the heat exchanger in embodiments of the first aspect, and the heat exchanger in embodiments of the first aspect has a better and more uniform heat exchange effect, therefore, the vehicle-mounted refrigerator has a better refrigeration effect and more uniform refrigeration.

[0057] In addition, the heat exchanger in the vehicle-mounted refrigerator further includes an inlet pressure plate connector and an outlet pressure plate connector, the inlet pressure plate connector is connected to the first port 5, and the outlet pressure plate connector is connected to the second port 6, and the heat exchanger is then connected to the whole heat exchange system. In addition, the vehicle-mounted refrigerator also includes a compressor, a condenser, a throttle assembly, and a thermostat, etc., which will not be described in an expanded manner because the improvement of these components is not involved herein.

[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, in a specific embodiment, the heat exchange tube 4 includes a third bent segment 43, and the third bent segment 43 is located at an end of the heat exchange tube 4 close to the first header 1 and / or the second header 2. Specifically, the third bent segment 43 is gradually inclined from the side of the first header 1 or the second header 2 to the side of the third header 3 towards the inner liner 8, and by arranging the third bent segment 43 on the heat exchange tube 4, the contact area between the heat exchange tube 4 and the inner liner 8 can be ensured to improve the heat transfer between the heat exchange tube 4 and the inner liner 8.

[0059] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, in a specific embodiment, brazing material or heat conductive adhesive is provided between at least one of the first header 1, the second header 2, the third header 3 or the heat exchange tube 4 and the outer wall of the inner liner 8, and the brazing material or the heat conductive adhesive connects the inner liner 8 to at least one of the first header 1, the second header 2, the third header 3 or the heat exchange tube 4. Connecting the heat exchanger and the inner liner 8 by means of brazing material or heat-conductive adhesive can increase the contact area between the two, thereby increasing the heat transfer efficiency and further improving the heat exchange effect.

[0060] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention, and various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention for those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, comprising: a first header (1) and a second header (2) spaced apart from each other; a third header (3) spaced apart from the first header (1) and the second header (2) and comprising a first tube segment (31) and a second tube segment (32), the third header (3) comprising a first port (5) and a second port (6), the first port (5) being located in the first tube segment (31), the second port (6) being located in the second tube segment (32); and a heat exchange tube (4) comprising a plurality of first heat exchange tubes (41) and a plurality of second heat exchange tubes (42), the plurality of first heat exchange tubes (41) communicating the first header (1) with the third header (3), the plurality of second heat exchange tubes (42) communicating the second header (2) with the third header (3).

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first heat exchange tube (41) comprises a first sub-segment (411), a second sub-segment (412) and a first bent segment (413), the first bent segment (413) communicates the first sub-segment (411) with the second sub-segment (412), the first sub-segment (411) is in communication with the first header (1), and the second sub-segment (412) is in communication with the third header (3); and / or, the second heat exchange tube (42) comprises a third sub-segment (421), a fourth sub-segment (422) and a second bent segment (423), the second bent segment (423) communicates the third sub-segment (421) with the fourth sub-segment (422), the third sub-segment (421) is in communication with the second header (2), and the fourth sub-segment (422) is in communication with the third header (3).

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein a length direction of the first sub-segment (411) or the third sub-segment (421) is defined as a first direction, and the third header (3) is located at a same side of the first header (1) and the second header (2) in the first direction.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the heat exchange tube (4) has a plurality of channels (44), and the plurality of channels (44) are spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the heat exchange tube (4); and defining a width of the heat exchange tube (4) to be a, a thickness of the heat exchange tube (4) to be b, a width of the channel (44) to be f, a height of the channel (44) to be h, the number of channels (44) in one heat exchange tube (4) to be n, and a bending radius of the first bent segment (413) and / or the second bent segment (423) to be x, then x satisfies: 0.03≤(ab-fhn) / (0.785 *x2)≤0.79.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein a relationship of the number n of the channels (44) in one heat exchange tube (4) to the width a of the heat exchange tube (4), the width f of the channel (44), and the bending radius x of the first bent segment (413) and / or the second bent segment (423) satisfies: 0.014≤(a-fn) / (n+1) / x≤0.07.

6. The heat exchanger according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the heat exchange tube (4) comprises a necking segment (45), the necking segment (45) is located at an end of the second sub-segment (412) away from the first bent segment (413), and / or the necking segment (45) is located at an end of the fourth sub-segment (422) away from the second bent segment (423), the necking segment (45) has a cross-sectional area less than a cross-sectional area of the second sub-segment (412) or the fourth sub-segment (422); defining a length of the necking segment (45) to be d, and a length of an inner cavity of the third header (3) in the second direction to be j, then: 1.2≤j / 2d≤2.4, and the second direction is a length direction of the second sub-segment (412) or the fourth sub-segment (422).

7. The heat exchanger according to claim 6, wherein the heat exchange tube (4) further comprises a transition segment (46), the transition segment (46) connects the second sub-segment (412) to the necking segment (45), and / or the transition segment (46) connects the fourth sub-segment (422) to the necking segment (45), and a width of the transition segment (46) is linearly reduced along a direction from the second sub-segment (412) or the fourth sub-segment (422) to the necking segment (45); and an angle between the transition segment (46) and the second sub-segment (412) or the fourth sub-segment (422) is defined as α, then 30°≤α <90°.

8. The heat exchanger according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a cross-sectional radius of the first header (1) or the second header (2) is defined as r, a relationship between the r and the length j of the inner cavity of the third header (3) in the second direction satisfies: 0.6≤2πr2 / j2≤1.3.

9. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: a barrier member (7), at least part of the barrier member (7) is located in the third header (3), and the first tube segment (31) and the second tube segment (32) are respectively located at two sides of the barrier member (7); or a plurality of barrier members (7) are provided, and the plurality of barrier members (7) are respectively located in the first header (1), the second header (2) and the third header (3).

10. A vehicle-mounted refrigerator, comprising an inner liner (8) and a heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first header (1) and the second header (2) are respectively located at opposite sides of the inner liner (8), and the heat exchange tube (4) is fitted to an outer wall of the inner liner (8).

11. The vehicle-mounted refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the heat exchange tube (4) comprises a third bent segment (43), and the third bent segment (43) is located at an end of the heat exchange tube (4) close to the first header (1) and / or the second header (2).

12. The vehicle-mounted refrigerator according to claim 10 or 11, wherein brazing material or heat conductive adhesive is provided between at least one of the first header (1), the second header (2), the third header (3) or the heat exchange tube (4) and the outer wall of the inner liner (8), and the brazing material or the heat conductive adhesive connects the inner liner (8) to at least one of the first header (1), the second header (2), the third header (3) or the heat exchange tube (4).

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