Fin structure and heat exchanger

Abstract

A fin structure (100) is applied to a microchannel heat exchanger, the fin structure (100) having flat tube grooves (10) drilled therein, flat tubes inserted into the flat tube grooves (10), a medium flows through the flat tubes, and the flat tubes cooperate with the fin structure (100) to absorb or release heat from the air. The fin structure (100) includes a plurality of inclined segments (20), each extending from one end to the other of the fin structure (100), and the inclined segments (20) are connected head to tail to form a wave shape, and each inclined segment (20) has an inclined surface (21) on both opposite sides.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Related Applications) This application claims priority to a Chinese patent application bearing application number 202222312278.5, filed on August 30, 2022, and entitled "Fin structure and heat exchanger therefor," the entire text of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of heat exchangers, and more particularly to a fin structure and a heat exchanger thereof. [Background technology]

[0003] A heat exchanger is usually applied to a refrigeration system, and is used to realize a cooling or heating function by absorbing or releasing heat from or to air using a medium flowing therethrough.

[0004] Related fin-type heat exchangers typically include heat exchange tubes and fins. The fins are inserted into the heat exchange tubes to increase the contact area between the heat exchanger and the air, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency. However, the general fin structure does not provide high heat exchange efficiency, and if moisture in the air remains on the fins, the drainage effect of the fins is insufficient. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to various embodiments of the present application, a fin structure is provided.

[0006] A fin structure applied to a microchannel heat exchanger, the fin structure having flat tube grooves formed therein, the flat tube grooves penetrating one side of the fin structure to form openings, flat tubes inserted into the flat tube grooves, a medium flowing through the flat tubes, and the flat tubes absorbing or radiating heat to or from air in cooperation with the fin structure, The fin structure includes a plurality of inclined segments, each extending from one end of the fin structure to the other and connected in sequence to form a wave shape, and both opposite side surfaces of the inclined segments are inclined surfaces that are inclined relative to the direction of the opening.

[0007] In one embodiment, the angle α between the inclined surfaces and the opening direction is 5° to 20°.

[0008] In one embodiment, the angles between the inclined surfaces and the direction in which the opening faces are all the same.

[0009] In one embodiment, the angle between the angled surface and the opening close to the flattened tubular groove is smaller than the angle between the angled surface and the opening away from the flattened tubular groove.

[0010] In one embodiment, the connecting curvature between the plurality of angled surfaces is continuous.

[0011] In one embodiment, the number of sloped segments is between 3 and 5.

[0012] In one embodiment, the fin structure forms a wave shape through a bending process.

[0013] In one embodiment, a protrusion is provided on the edge of the flat tube groove, and the protrusion extends in a direction perpendicular to the orientation of the opening.

[0014] In one embodiment, the inner wall of the opening is provided with a guide segment, which is connected to the inner wall of the flat tube groove.

[0015] The present application further provides a heat exchanger including a fin structure as described above.

[0016] To more clearly understand other features, objects and advantages of the present application, reference is made to the details of one or more embodiments of the present application in the drawings and description that follow. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] In order to more clearly explain the technical aspects of the embodiments of the present application or the related art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings that are necessary to be used in the description of the embodiments or the related art. However, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious that those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the fin structure provided in the present application. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a fin structure provided in the present application. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the fin structure provided in the present application, in which a first flange and a second flange are provided. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a heat exchanger provided in the present application.

[0019] The meanings of the symbols in the figure are as follows: 100 fin structure, 10 flattened tube groove, 11 guide segment, 12 opening, 20 inclined segment, 21 inclined surface, 30 protrusion, 40 first flange, 50 second flange, 200 heat exchanger. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The technical aspects of the embodiments of the present application are described below clearly and completely with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, but it is clear that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, and are not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments that can be obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without creative efforts belong to the protection scope of the present application.

[0021] It should be understood that when an assembly is referred to as being "fixed" or "mounted" to another assembly, it may be directly fixed to the other assembly, or there may be an intervening assembly present. When an assembly is referred to as being "connected" to another assembly, it may be directly connected to the other assembly, or there may be an intervening assembly present as well. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in the specification of this application are for descriptive purposes only and do not represent the only embodiments.

[0022] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or as implicitly designating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature qualified by "first" or "second" can explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "plurality" means at least two, e.g., two, three, etc., unless explicitly and specifically limited.

[0023] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact with each other, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact with each other via an intermediate medium. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "above," or "upper side" of a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," or "below" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature.

[0024] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. The terms used in the specification of this application are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. The term "or / and" as used in this application includes one or more of the associated listed items, and any and all combinations thereof.

[0025] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the present application provides a fin structure 100 that is applied to a microchannel heat exchanger, is inserted into and engaged with a heat exchange tube, and is used to increase the contact area between the heat exchanger and air and improve heat exchange efficiency.

[0026] A fin structure (100) having flattened tube grooves (10) drilled therein, the flattened tube grooves (10) penetrating the sides of the fin structure (100) to form openings (12), flattened tubes inserted into the flattened tube grooves (10), the flattened tubes being inserted into the flattened tube grooves (10) from the openings (12), a medium flowing through the flattened tubes, which cooperate with the fin structure (100) to absorb or release heat from or to the air, The fin structure 100 includes a plurality of inclined segments 20, each extending from one end of the fin structure 100 to the other, the inclined segments 20 connected in sequence from beginning to end to form a wave shape, and both opposite sides of the inclined segments are inclined surfaces that are inclined relative to the direction of the opening 12.

[0027] This arrangement allows air to flow through the corrugated fin structure 100, and while the overall width remains the same, the path the air takes over the surface of the fin structure 100 is longer, extending the contact time between the air and the surface of the fin structure 100 and increasing the contact area between the air and the fin structure 100, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency. The corrugated fins also provide increased resistance to air flow, slowing the air flow velocity, which in turn extends the time the air spends on the surface of the fin structure 100, improving heat exchange efficiency. Furthermore, because the angled segments 20 extend from one end of the fin structure 100 to the other, drainage is improved, preventing moisture from remaining on the fins and ultimately condensing.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the facing direction of the opening 12 described in this application is the direction in which the opening 12 moves away from the groove bottom of the flattened tube groove 10.

[0029] Specifically, referring to Figure 2, the included angle α between the multiple inclined surfaces 21 and the direction in which the openings 12 face is 5° to 20°, for example, 5°, 8°, 12°, 13°, 15°, 18° or 20°. By setting it in this manner, the inclination of the inclined surfaces 21 can be made a reasonable value. If the inclination angle is less than 5°, the fin structure 100 cannot significantly improve the heat exchange efficiency. If the inclination angle is greater than 20°, the power requirement for the external blowing element will be too high and the power loss will be too large. At the same time, the inclination angle is too large, which poses a risk of deformation when assembling the flat tube and the fin structure 100.

[0030] The included angle here means the smallest positive angle formed between the inclined surface 21 and the flattened tube groove 10, and it can be understood that in this embodiment, the included angle α is embodied as an acute angle.

[0031] Furthermore, the angles between the inclined surfaces 21 and the openings 12 are all the same, which makes it easier to form the fin structures 100, reduces process costs, and improves the consistency of the fin structures 100 during assembly.

[0032] Optionally, the angle α between the inclined surface 21 and the direction in which the opening 12 faces is 8°, which provides an optimum ratio between the heat exchange efficiency and the power requirement for the external blowing element.

[0033] In one embodiment, the angle between the inclined surface 21 closest to the flattened tube groove 10 and the opening 12 is smaller than the angle between the inclined surface 21 away from the flattened tube groove 10 and the opening 12, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency between the fin structure 100 and the air. Specifically, in this embodiment, one side of the inclined surface 21 closest to the flattened tube groove 10 is the upwind side, and the other side away from the flattened tube groove 10 is the downwind side, so that moisture in the air condenses on the downwind side away from the flattened tube groove 10 and is more likely to flow and drip along the downwind inclined surface 21, facilitating drainage.

[0034] The connecting curvature between the inclined surfaces 21 is continuous. This arrangement makes the surface of the fin structure 100 smoother, reduces dust accumulation, and allows for smoother liquid flow.

[0035] By continuous curvature, it is meant that each inclined surface 21 is connected by a smooth transition segment and there are no discontinuous steps at the connections between the inclined surfaces 21 .

[0036] The fin structure 100 includes three, four, or five inclined segments 20. Increasing the number of inclined segments 20 can further increase the number of peaks and valleys on the surface of the fin structure 100, which in turn increases the number of paths through which air can flow, thereby increasing factors such as the contact area between the fin structure 100 and the air and the flow resistance of the air, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the fin structure 100. When the fin structure 100 has three inclined segments 20, the power requirement for the external air blowing element can be reduced, and when the fin structure 100 has five inclined segments 20, the heat exchange efficiency of the fin structure 100 can be improved.

[0037] The fin structure 100 forms a wave shape through a bending process. In this manner, the fin structure 100 is formed by bending its own material without the need for a separate structure, thereby reducing material consumption and cost.

[0038] Of course, it will be appreciated that the fin structure 100 may have its corrugated shape formed by other processes, such as a stamping process.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, the inner wall of the flattened tube groove 10 is formed with a flange. The flange includes a first flange 40 and a second flange 50. The second flange 50 surrounds the edge of the flattened tube groove 10, and the first flange 40 is attached to the second flange 50 to enhance the flange strength. The abutment of the second flange 50 with the flattened tube increases the contact area between the fin structure 100 and the flattened tube, thereby improving the connection stability between them. At the same time, the second flange 50 effectively controls the spacing between the multiple fin structures 100 of the heat exchanger, facilitating assembly of the heat exchanger.

[0040] A protrusion 30 is provided on the edge of the flat tube groove 10, and the protrusion 30 is provided on the first flange 40, and the protrusion 30 extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the opening 12 faces. By providing the protrusions in this manner, when the multiple fin structures 100 and the flat tube are engaged, it is easy to control the spacing between adjacent multiple fin structures 100, and it is also possible to ensure consistency in the spacing between the multiple fin structures 100.

[0041] The surface of the protrusion 30 facing the adjacent fin structure 100 is flat, allowing for better adhesion to the side surface of the adjacent fin structure 100 .

[0042] There are a plurality of protrusions 30, and the protrusions 30 on adjacent fin structures 100 may be in contact with each other or may be provided alternately, thereby adjusting the spacing between adjacent fin structures 100.

[0043] A guide segment 11 is provided in the notch of the flat tube groove 10, and the guide segment 11 is connected to the inner wall of the flat tube groove 10, which can guide the direction when assembling the flat tube and make it easier to insert the flat tube into the flat tube groove 10.

[0044] In one embodiment, the guide segment 11 is an inclined surface formed by a chamfer, but in another embodiment, the guide segment 11 may be an arcuate surface formed by a chamfer.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 4, the present application further provides a heat exchanger 200 including the fin structure 100 as described above.

[0046] Compared with the related art, the fin structure 100 provided in the present application has a corrugated design that allows air to flow through the corrugated fin structure 100. Under the condition that the total width remains unchanged, the path of air flowing over the surface of the fin structure 100 is lengthened, thereby extending the contact time between the air and the surface of the fin structure 100 and increasing the contact area between the air and the fin structure 100, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency. The corrugated fins also strengthen the resistance to air flow, slowing the air flow velocity and similarly extending the time the air remains on the surface of the fin structure 100, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency. Furthermore, the inclined segments 20 extending from one end of the fin structure 100 to the other facilitate drainage, preventing moisture from accumulating on the fins and ultimately condensing.

[0047] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way, and for the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described, but as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, any combination should be considered within the scope described in this specification.

[0048] The above examples merely illustrate some embodiments of the present application, and although the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be understood as limiting the scope of the claims of the present application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make some modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present application, and all of these are within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the patent of the present application should be determined according to the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

1. A fin structure applied to a microchannel heat exchanger, the fin structure having flat tube grooves formed therein, the flat tube grooves penetrating one side of the fin structure to form openings, flat tubes inserted into the flat tube grooves, a medium flowing through the flat tubes, and the flat tubes absorbing or radiating heat to or from air in cooperation with the fin structure, The fin structure includes a plurality of inclined segments, each of which extends from one end of the fin structure to the other and is connected in sequence to form a wave shape, and both opposite side surfaces of the inclined segments are inclined surfaces that are inclined relative to the direction of the opening.

2. The fin structure according to claim 1 , wherein an included angle α between the plurality of inclined surfaces and the direction of the opening is between 5° and 20°.

3. The fin structure according to claim 1 , wherein the angles formed by the plurality of inclined surfaces and the direction in which the opening faces are all the same.

4. The fin structure according to claim 1 , wherein an angle formed between the inclined surface close to the flattened tube groove and the direction of the opening is smaller than an angle formed between the inclined surface away from the flattened tube groove and the direction of the opening.

5. The fin structure of claim 1 , wherein the connecting curvatures between the plurality of said angled surfaces are continuous.

6. The fin structure of claim 1 , wherein the number of the inclined segments is 3 to 5.

7. The fin structure of claim 1 , wherein the fin structure forms a wave shape by a bending process.

8. The fin structure according to claim 1 , wherein a protrusion is provided on an edge of the flat tube groove, and the protrusion extends in a direction perpendicular to the orientation of the opening.

9. The fin structure according to claim 1 , wherein an inner wall of the opening is provided with a guide segment, and the guide segment is connected to the inner wall of the flattened tube groove.

10. A heat exchanger comprising a fin structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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