HEAT EXCHANGER, HEAT EXCHANGE ASSEMBLY AND THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention discloses a heat exchanger, a heat exchange assembly, and a thermal management system, which are related to the field of fluid control. The heat exchanger includes a first heat exchange area (15) and a second heat exchange area (16). The heat exchanger includes four plates, a first plate (11), a third plate (12), a fourth plate (13), and a second plate (14), arranged in this order. The third plate (12) includes an engaging hole for engagement. The fourth plate (13) includes an engaging hole arranged opposite to the engaging hole of the third plate and engaging and communicating with it. The fourth plate includes an engaging hole arranged opposite to the second plate and engaging and communicating with it. The second plate includes an engaging hole arranged opposite to the fourth plate and engaging and communicating with it. One hole in the first heat exchange area (15) communicates with one hole in the second heat exchange area (16) through the third plate (12) and the fourth plate (13). In this way, the two heat exchange areas can be easily integrated, and the communication between them is convenient. The plate structure can be changed to meet the various needs of various systems, reducing the number of pipes to be installed and making system connection simple and convenient.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to a Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on October 23, 2020, bearing application number "202011148716.8" and entitled "Heat Exchanger, Heat Exchange Assembly and Thermal Management System," the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The invention of this application relates to the field of fluid control, and more particularly to heat exchangers, heat exchange assemblies and thermal management systems. [Background technology]

[0003] Currently, thermal management systems may include two or more heat exchangers, such as plate evaporators. These heat exchangers and components are typically connected by piping and are in a fixed location during operation of the thermal management system. Additionally, due to the increased number of components within the thermal management system, the piping connections within the thermal management system have become relatively complex. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a heat exchanger, a heat exchange assembly, and a thermal management system that can simplify piping connections in the thermal management system.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a heat exchanger including two heat exchange areas each having a different function, which is compact and easy to assemble, and also provides a relatively simple heat exchange assembly to be applied in a thermal management system and a thermal management system. Specifically, the present invention is realized in the following form: A heat exchanger including a first heat exchange area and a second heat exchange area, the first heat exchange area including a first plate and the second heat exchange area including a second plate, the heat exchanger further including a third plate and a fourth plate, a body portion of the third plate being located between the first plate and the fourth plate and a body portion of the fourth plate being located between the third plate and the second plate, the second heat exchange area including two fluid flow paths and capable of performing heat exchange between the two fluid flow paths. The first heat exchange area includes a first hole passage and a second hole passage, the second heat exchange area includes four hole passages, namely, the first hole passage, the second hole passage, the third hole passage, and the fourth hole passage, the second heat exchange area has two communication holes, i.e., a first hole and a second hole, on one side close to the first heat exchange area, and the second plate includes the first hole and the second hole.

[0006] The fourth plate includes at least two engagement holes, the third plate includes an engagement hole arranged opposite one of the engagement holes of the fourth plate, one of the engagement holes of the fourth plate corresponding to a position of the engagement holes of the third plate and communicating with each other, and another of the engagement holes of the fourth plate corresponding to a position of a hole of the second plate and communicating with each other.

[0007] The third plate may include at least one engagement portion, and the engagement portion may be provided with one engagement hole. The fourth plate includes at least two engagement portions, each of which is provided with an engagement hole. The engagement portion of the third plate is positioned opposite one of the engagement portions of the fourth plate and fixed thereto by welding, and the engagement hole provided in the engagement portion of the third plate faces and communicates with one of the engagement holes in the fourth plate. The second plate includes at least one engagement portion, and a hole is provided in the engagement portion. Another engagement portion of the fourth plate is positioned opposite the engagement portion of the second plate and is fixed by welding, and another engagement hole of the fourth plate communicates with a hole provided in the engagement portion of the second plate. The second passage of the first heat exchange area communicates with one passage of the second heat exchange area via the third plate and the fourth plate.

[0008] According to a second aspect, the invention of the present application further provides a heat exchange assembly including a throttling element, a connecting member, and a heat exchanger as provided in the above implementation. The throttling element is provided relatively close to the first heat exchange area and is fixed or positionally restricted to the heat exchanger, and the heat exchange assembly includes a first connection port, a second connection port, a third connection port, and a fourth connection port. The connecting member is fixedly disposed on the heat exchanger, the second passage of the first heat exchange area communicates with one of the fluid passages of the second heat exchange area, the inlet of the throttle element communicates with the other of the fluid passages of the second heat exchange area, and the outlet of the throttle element communicates with the first passage of the first heat exchange area.

[0009] The first heat exchange area may include two fluid flow paths: a refrigerant flow path and a coolant flow path. The coolant flow path includes a first hole passage and a second hole passage, and the coolant flow path of the first heat exchange area includes a third hole passage and a fourth hole passage.

[0010] According to a third aspect, the invention of the present application further provides a thermal management system including a coolant flow path and a heat exchange assembly as described above. The thermal management system includes a compressor, a condenser, and at least one evaporator, the outlet of the condenser being connected to a first connection port via piping, or further includes a liquid reservoir between the outlet of the condenser and the first connection port, the inlet of the compressor being connected to a second connection port, and the inlet of the evaporator being connected to a third connection port, or the vehicle thermal management system further includes a throttling element between the inlet of the evaporator and the third connection port, and the outlet of the evaporator being connected to a fourth connection port.

[0011] By providing four plates in the heat exchanger, two heat exchange areas with different functions can be welded together to form an integrated structure. By providing an engagement hole in the plate between the two heat exchange areas, it is possible to realize control of the flow direction of the fluid in the heat exchange areas, so that the second hole in the first heat exchange area communicates with one hole in the second heat exchange area, which makes the assembly relatively convenient and can lead to a relatively compact heat exchanger. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a heat exchange assembly according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a heat exchange assembly according to the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a heat exchange assembly according to the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchange assembly shown in FIG. 3 along the line A-A. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of an embodiment of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view of another embodiment of a heat exchange assembly according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a heat exchange assembly according to the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a heat exchange assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a heat exchange assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a heat exchange assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Specific embodiments will be described below. As shown in Figures 1 to 7, Figures 1 and 2 are three-dimensional schematic views of a heat exchange assembly according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a front view of a heat exchange assembly according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view in the A-A direction of the heat exchange assembly shown in Figure 3, Figure 5 is a local enlarged view of one embodiment of Figure 4, Figure 7 is an exploded view of a heat exchange assembly according to the present invention, and Figure 6 is a local enlarged view of another embodiment of a heat exchange assembly according to the present invention. The exploded view shows the structure in two directions, and is disassembled as shown in the figure to show the structure of this part, unlike the actual processing.

[0014] The heat exchange assembly includes a heat exchanger 10, a throttling element 20, and connecting members.

[0015] Here, the heat exchanger 10 comprises a first heat exchange area 15 , a second heat exchange area 16 , a third plate 12 and a fourth plate 13 .

[0016] The main body of the third plate 12 is located between the first heat exchange area 15 and the second heat exchange area 16, and the main body of the fourth plate 13 is located between the first heat exchange area 15 and the second heat exchange area 16.

[0017] The first heat exchange area 15 includes the first plate 11, the second heat exchange area 16 includes the second plate 14, the main bodies of the third plate 12 and the fourth plate 13 are located between the first plate 11 and the second plate 14, and the third plate 12 is located between the first plate 11 and the fourth plate 13. In this embodiment, a first plate 11, a third plate 12, a fourth plate 13, and a second plate 14 are arranged in this order.

[0018] The first heat exchange area 15 has a heat exchange core, and the first heat exchange area 15 has two fluid flow paths through which fluids can flow and exchange heat with each other, and the two fluid flow paths are separated from each other.

[0019] The first heat exchange area 15 includes a plurality of plate pieces, and the first heat exchange area 15 may further include fins that are beneficial for heat exchange. The first heat exchange area 15 has interlayer flow paths separated by stacking of plate pieces, and at least two fluids can flow through the first heat exchange area 15, and these two fluids can exchange heat in the first heat exchange area 16. For example, one fluid may be a refrigerant and the other a cooling liquid for cooling a heat generating element such as a battery. Furthermore, it can also be used in the case of three fluids, for example, when one fluid is a refrigerant and the remaining two are cooling liquids, the two cooling liquids are controlled to exchange heat with the refrigerant, and then the cooling liquids are cooled by heat exchange and can be used to cool the parts that need cooling.

[0020] The first heat exchange area 15 may also have only one fluid flow path and two pores, i.e., a first pore path 151 and a second pore path 152, which are connected only to the refrigerant flow path and contact and exchange heat with other elements or media requiring heat exchange.

[0021] The second heat exchange area 16 comprises a heat exchange core. The second heat exchange area 16 includes plate pieces, and the second heat exchange area 16 has two fluid flow paths through which fluid can flow to perform heat exchange, and the two fluid flow paths are separated by a stack of plate pieces, allowing heat exchange to occur. The second heat exchange area 16 includes interlayer flow paths separated by stacking of plate pieces, allowing at least two fluids to flow through the second heat exchange area 16, and these two fluids can exchange heat in the second heat exchange area 16. For example, the two fluids may all be refrigerants, with one fluid being a relatively hot refrigerant and the other being a relatively cold refrigerant. Alternatively, one fluid may be a refrigerant and the other fluid may be a coolant for cooling a heat generating element such as a battery.

[0022] The second heat exchange area 16 has four holes: a first hole 161, a second hole 162, a third hole 163, and a fourth hole 164.

[0023] The first plate 11 has a cuff portion 119 folded over at its peripheral portion toward the third plate, the third plate 12 has a cuff portion 129 folded over at its peripheral portion toward the fourth plate, the fourth plate 13 has a cuff portion 139 folded over at its peripheral portion toward the second plate, and the second plate 14 has a cuff portion 149 folded over at its peripheral portion toward the second heat exchange area, and these plates have the same folding direction and are welded to form a relatively sealed structure so that the space between the plates does not leak from the periphery. Furthermore, the plates can also be designed so that they are folded in the opposite direction, ie towards the first heat exchange area.

[0024] The first plate 11 has a first engagement portion 111 protruding toward the third plate and a second engagement portion 112 recessed toward the first heat exchange area, and the first plate 11 has one hole in the first engagement portion 111, and a part of the connecting pipe 105 passes through the hole, or one end of the connecting pipe 105 is installed substantially flush with the hole and one end of the connecting pipe 105 is engaged with and welded to the first engagement portion, so that the first hole passage 151 in the first heat exchange area is not directly connected to the space between the first plate, the third plate and the fourth plate. The first plate 11 has a hole 118 for circulating fluid to the second engagement portion 112, and the hole 118 is connected to the second hole passage 152 of the first heat exchange area, or the hole 118 is part of the second hole passage 152 that constitutes the first heat exchange area.

[0025] The third plate 12 has a first engagement portion 121 at a position opposite to the first engagement portion 111 of the first plate 11, and the first engagement portion 121 of the third plate 12 protrudes toward the first plate side, and the first engagement portion 121 of the third plate 12 and the first engagement portion 111 of the first plate 11 can be engaged by almost abutting each other to achieve welding. The third plate 12 has a first engagement hole 127 in the first engagement portion, and the communication port 102 of the connecting pipe 105 communicates with the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate 12, or the connecting pipe 105 passes through the first engagement hole 127 and engages with the first engagement portion of the third plate 12 and is welded.

[0026] The third plate 12 has a second engagement portion 122 at a position opposite to the second engagement portion 112 of the first plate 11, the second engagement portion 122 of the third plate 12 protruding toward the fourth plate 13, and the second engagement portion 112 of the first plate 11 having a recessed structure toward the first heat exchange area side when viewed from the third plate, and the distance between the second engagement portion 122 of the third plate 12 and the second engagement portion 112 of the first plate 11 is greater than the distance between the second main plate surface 120' of the third plate 12 and the main plate surface 110 of the first plate 11, thus forming a space available for fluid circulation between the second engagement portion 122 of the third plate 12 and the second engagement portion 112 of the first plate 11. Moreover, the third plate 12 has a fourth engagement portion 124, and the third plate 12 has a second engagement hole 128 in the fourth engagement portion 124, and the fourth engagement portion 124 protrudes towards the fourth plate 13 side. In contrast, the fourth plate 13 is provided with a fourth engagement portion 134 at a position facing the fourth engagement portion 124 of the third plate, and the fourth engagement portion 134 protrudes towards the third plate. The fourth engagement portion 124 of the third plate 12 and the fourth engagement portion 134 of the fourth plate 13 are engaged and welded, and the second engagement hole 128 of the third plate 12 and the fourth engagement hole 138 of the fourth plate 13 are opposed and communicated.

[0027] The third plate 12 may further include a third engagement portion 123, and the third engagement portion 123 of the third plate 12 protrudes towards the first plate side. Moreover, the third plate 12 may further have a second engagement portion 122, and the second engagement portion 122 of the third plate 12 protrudes towards the fourth plate side. Furthermore, the third plate 12 does not necessarily have to include the second engagement portion and / or the third engagement portion.

[0028] The fourth plate 13 is provided with a first engagement portion 131, a third engagement portion 133, and a fourth engagement portion . The position of the first engagement portion 131 of the fourth plate 13 corresponds to the position of the first engagement portion 121 of the third plate, and the position of the fourth engagement portion 134 of the fourth plate 13 corresponds to the position of the fourth engagement portion 124 of the third plate. The first engagement portion 131 of the fourth plate 13 protrudes toward the second plate side, the third engagement portion 133 of the fourth plate 13 protrudes toward the second plate side, and the fourth engagement portion 134 of the fourth plate 13 protrudes toward the third plate side. The fourth engaging portion 134 of the fourth plate 13 and the fourth engaging portion 124 of the third plate 12 are engaged and welded to be relatively sealed.

[0029] The fourth plate 13 has a third engagement hole 137 in the third engagement portion 133, and the fourth plate 13 has a fourth engagement hole 138 in the fourth engagement portion .

[0030] The second plate 14 is provided with a third engagement portion 143 and a fourth engagement portion 144, and the position of the third engagement portion 143 of the second plate 14 corresponds to the position of the third engagement portion 133 of the fourth plate. The second plate 14 is further provided with a fourth engagement portion 144, and the position of the fourth engagement portion 144 of the second plate 14 corresponds to the position of the fourth engagement portion 134 of the fourth plate.

[0031] The third engaging portion 143 of the second plate 14 protrudes toward the fourth plate, and the third engaging portion 133 of the fourth plate 13 and the third engaging portion 143 of the second plate 14 are engaged and welded to be relatively sealed. The second plate 14 has a first hole 147 for allowing fluid to flow to the third engagement portion 143 , and the second plate 14 has a second hole 148 for allowing fluid to flow to the fourth engagement portion 144 . The first hole 147 communicates with a third hole passage 163 of the second heat exchange area 16, or the first hole 147 is a part of the third hole passage 163 that constitutes the second heat exchange area. The second hole 148 communicates with a fourth passage 164 of the second heat exchange area 16, or the second hole 148 is part of the fourth passage 164 that constitutes the second heat exchange area.

[0032] The second plate 14 may further be provided with a first engagement portion 141, and the first engagement portion 141 of the second plate 14 may protrude toward the fourth plate side. The first engaging portion 141 of the second plate 14 and the first engaging portion 131 of the fourth plate 13 are engaged with each other and welded to be relatively sealed.

[0033] The space between the second main plate surface 120' of the third plate 12 and the main plate surface 110 of the first plate 11 communicates with the holes 118 of the first plate, i.e., the space between the second main plate surface 120' of the third plate 12 and the main plate surface 110 of the first plate 11 communicates with the second hole passage 152 of the first heat exchange area. The space between the second main plate surface 120' of the third plate 12 and the main plate surface 110 of the first plate 11 communicates with the second engagement hole 128 of the third plate, as well as with the fourth engagement hole 138 of the fourth plate and with the second hole 148 of the second plate, i.e., with the fourth hole passage 164 of the second heat exchange area, and the fourth hole passage 164 of the second heat exchange area and the second hole passage 152 of the first heat exchange area are connected via the second engagement hole 128 of the third plate and the fourth engagement hole 138 of the fourth plate. The first engagement hole 127 of the third plate communicates with the communication port 102 , and the throttle element 20 communicates with the other side of the communication port 102 .

[0034] The space between the main plate surface 120 of the third plate 12 and the second main plate surface 130 ′ of the fourth plate 13 communicates with the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate or the communication port 102 of the connection pipe 105 . The space between the main plate surface 120 of the third plate 12 and the second main plate surface 130 ′ of the fourth plate 13 communicates with the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate 13 . The third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate 13 is connected to the first hole 147 of the second plate, i.e., the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate 13 is connected to the third hole passage 163 of the second heat exchange area, i.e., the third hole passage 163 of the second heat exchange area and the communication port 102 are connected via the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate and the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate.

[0035] The connection member includes a first connection port portion 43, a first connection port portion 44, and a second connection port 45, with the first connection port portion 43 being provided with a first connection port 53, the first connection port portion 44 being provided with a second connection port 54, and the second connection portion 45 being provided with a third connection port 55 and a fourth connection port 56.

[0036] In a specific automotive air conditioning system, high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flows from the first connection port 53 into the first hole passage 161 of the second heat exchange area 16, exchanges heat with a relatively low-temperature refrigerant in another fluid flow path in the second heat exchange area 16, and enters the third hole passage 163. In the third hole passage 163 of the second heat exchange area 16, the refrigerant is divided into two parts: one part flows into the system's evaporator via the third connection port 55 or into the system's evaporator via the throttling element, and the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator passes through the fourth connection port 56 and enters the second hole passage 162 of the second heat exchange area 16, where it exchanges heat with a relatively high temperature refrigerant in another fluid flow path. Another portion of the refrigerant passes through the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate 13 and the space between the third and fourth plates, enters the throttling element 20 through the communication port 102, is throttled by the throttling element 20, enters the first hole passage 151 of the first heat exchange area, exchanges heat with a medium from another fluid flow path, such as a coolant, in the first heat exchange area 15, enters the second hole passage 152 of the first heat exchange area, and after heat exchange in the first heat exchange area 15, passes through the space between the first and third plates, the second engagement hole 128 of the third plate, the fourth engagement hole 138 of the fourth plate, and the fourth hole passage 164 of the second heat exchange area, flows out from the second connection port 54 and enters the compressor, and of course, may be configured to return to the compressor after passing through a component such as a gas-liquid separator.

[0037] In this embodiment, by providing four plates in the heat exchanger, two heat exchange areas with different functions can be welded together to form an integrated structure. By providing engagement parts and engagement holes on the plate between the two heat exchange areas, it becomes possible to control the flow direction of the refrigerant. If the flow direction of the refrigerant differs, the communication needs of various systems can be met simply by changing the local structure of the plate, for example, the engagement parts and conductive engagement holes of the plate, and this is expected to enable the heat exchanger structure to be made relatively compact.

[0038] Also, holes may be provided at the positions of the engagement portions. As shown in FIG. 6, the difference between this embodiment and the above-described embodiments is that a hole 145 is also provided in the first engagement portion of the second plate, no hole is provided in the first engagement portion of the fourth plate, and the first engagement portion of the second plate and the first engagement portion of the fourth plate are relatively engaged with each other and welded to provide a relative seal. It is also possible to reverse this, i.e., to design the fourth plate so that a hole is provided in the first engagement portion and the second plate so that no hole is provided in the first engagement portion. Furthermore, the connecting pipe 105 provided with the communication port 102 may also protrude from the first heat exchange area. The connecting pipe 105 may be engaged with the first engaging portion of the first plate and welded to form a relatively sealed seal, or the connecting pipe 105 may extend into the first engaging hole 127 of the third plate and engage with the first engaging portion of the third plate and welded to form a relatively sealed seal. Here, the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate is no longer for electrical connection but is used to engage with the connecting tube 105 .

[0039] A specific embodiment is as shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a heat exchange assembly, also showing two orientations, for which reference can be made to the above embodiments. The heat exchanger 10 includes a first heat exchange area 15 , a second heat exchange area 16 , a third plate 12 , and a fourth plate 13 . The main body of the third plate 12 and the main body of the fourth plate 13 are located between the first plate and the second plate. The first heat exchange area 15 comprises the first plate 11 , the second heat exchange area 16 comprises the second plate 14 , and the third plate 12 is located between the first plate 11 and the fourth plate 13 . In this embodiment, a first plate 11, a third plate 12, a fourth plate 13, and a second plate 14 are arranged in this order.

[0040] The first plate 11 has a first engagement portion 111 protruding towards the third plate side and a second engagement portion 112 recessed into the first heat exchange area. The first plate 11 has a through hole in the first engagement portion 111, and a portion of the connecting pipe 105 passes through the through hole, or one end of the connecting pipe 105 is installed substantially flush with the through hole and engaged with the first engagement portion 111 and welded to be relatively sealed. The first plate 11 has a hole 118 for communicating a fluid with the second engagement portion 112, and the hole 118 communicates with the second hole passage 152 of the first heat exchange area, or the hole 118 is part of the second hole passage 152 that constitutes the first heat exchange area. The third plate 12 has a first engagement portion 121 at a position opposite to the first engagement portion 111 of the first plate 11, and the first engagement portion 121 of the third plate 12 protrudes toward the first plate side, and the first engagement portion 121 of the third plate 12 and the first engagement portion 111 of the first plate 11 engage with each other and are welded to be relatively sealed.

[0041] The third plate 12 has a second engagement portion 122 at a position opposite to the second engagement portion 112 of the first plate 11, the second engagement portion 122 of the third plate 12 protruding toward the fourth plate 13 side, and the second engagement portion 112 of the first plate 11 has a recessed structure toward the first heat exchange area side when viewed from the third plate, and the distance between the second engagement portion 122 of the third plate 12 and the second engagement portion 112 of the first plate 11 is greater than the distance between the second main plate surface 120' of the third plate 12 and the main plate surface 110 of the first plate 11. Furthermore, the third plate 12 may include a third engagement portion 123, and the third engagement portion 123 of the third plate 12 protrudes towards the first plate 11 side. The third plate 12 has a first engagement hole 127 in the first engagement portion, and the third plate 12 has a second engagement hole 128 in the second engagement portion 122. The communication port 102 of the connecting pipe 105 communicates with the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate 12, or the communication port 102 of the connecting pipe 105 communicates with the space between the third plate and the fourth plate. The second engagement hole 128 of the third plate 12 communicates with a portion of the second hole passage 152 of the first heat exchange area that is relatively close to the third plate.

[0042] The second engagement portion of the first plate and the second engagement portion of the third plate do not need to be provided as long as holes enabling fluid communication are provided at these positions, i.e., the second hole passage 152 of the first heat exchange area may be configured to communicate with the second heat exchange area via the communication hole of the first plate, the space between the first plate and the third plate, the engagement hole of the third plate, and the engagement hole of the fourth plate. The fourth plate 13 has a second engagement portion 132 at a position opposite to the second engagement portion 122 of the third plate, and the second engagement portion 132 of the fourth plate 13 protrudes toward the third plate side, and the second engagement portion 122 of the third plate 12 and the second engagement portion 132 of the fourth plate 13 engage with each other and are welded to be relatively sealed. The fourth plate 13 is provided with a third engagement portion 133 at a position facing the third engagement portion 123 of the third plate, and a third engagement portion 132 of the fourth plate 13 protrudes towards the second plate side. The fourth plate 13 has a fourth engagement hole 138 in the second engagement portion 132 , and the fourth plate 13 has a third engagement hole 137 in the third engagement portion 133 .

[0043] The second plate 14 is provided with a second engagement portion 142 and a third engagement portion 143, the position of the second engagement portion 142 of the second plate 14 faces the position of the second engagement portion 132 of the fourth plate, the position of the third engagement portion 143 of the second plate 14 faces the position of the third engagement portion 133 of the fourth plate, and the third engagement portion 143 of the second plate 14 protrudes toward the fourth plate. The second plate 14 has a first hole 147 for allowing fluid to flow to the third engagement portion 143 , and the second plate 14 has a second hole 148 for allowing fluid to flow to the second engagement portion 142 .

[0044] The first hole 147 of the second plate 14 communicates with the third hole passage 163 of the second heat exchange area 16, or the first hole 147 is part of the third hole passage 163 that constitutes the second heat exchange area. The second hole 148 communicates with a second passage 162 of the second heat exchange area 16, or the second hole 148 is part of the second passage 162 that constitutes the second heat exchange area. The third engaging portion 133 of the fourth plate 13 and the third engaging portion 143 of the second plate 14 are engaged with each other and welded to be relatively sealed.

[0045] A first engagement portion 141 may also be provided on the second plate 14, and accordingly, a first engagement portion 131 may be provided on the fourth plate, the position of the first engagement portion 141 of the second plate 14 corresponding to the position of the first engagement portion 131 of the fourth plate, the first engagement portion 141 of the second plate 14 may protrude toward the fourth plate side, and the first engagement portion 131 of the fourth plate 13 protrudes toward the second plate side, and the first engagement portion 131 of the fourth plate 13 and the first engagement portion 141 of the second plate 14 are engaged and welded to be relatively sealed. Alternatively, the fourth engagement portion 144 can be provided on the second plate 14, and accordingly, the fourth engagement portion 134 can be provided on the fourth plate, the position of the fourth engagement portion 144 of the second plate 14 corresponds to the position of the fourth engagement portion 134 of the fourth plate, the fourth engagement portion 144 of the second plate 14 can protrude toward the fourth plate side, and the fourth engagement portion 134 of the fourth plate 13 protrudes toward the second plate side, and the fourth engagement portion 134 of the fourth plate 13 and the fourth engagement portion 144 of the second plate 14 engage and are welded to be relatively sealed. The second plate may or may not have a hole in the first engagement portion or the fourth engagement portion.

[0046] The second engagement hole 128 of the third plate 12 is connected to the fourth engagement hole 138 of the fourth plate 13, and the space between the second main plate surface 120' of the third plate 12 and the main plate surface 110 of the first plate 11 is connected to the second engagement hole 128 of the third plate, as well as to the fourth engagement hole 138 of the fourth plate and to the second hole 148 of the second plate, i.e., to the second hole path 162 of the second heat exchange area, and the second hole path 162 of the second heat exchange area and the second hole path 152 of the first heat exchange area are connected via the second engagement hole 128 of the third plate and the fourth engagement hole 138 of the fourth plate.

[0047] The first engagement hole 127 of the third plate communicates with the communication port 102 , and the other side of the communication port 102 communicates with the throttle element 20 . The space between the main plate surface 120 of the third plate 12 and the second main plate surface 130 ′ of the fourth plate 13 communicates with the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate and also communicates with the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate 13 . The third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate 13 communicates with the first hole 147 of the second plate, that is, the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate 13 communicates with the third hole passage 163 of the second heat exchange area. That is, the third hole passage 163 of the second heat exchange area and the communication port 102 are communicated with each other via the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate and the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate. The cuffs of these plates also all face the same direction and are secured together by welding, making them relatively sealed.

[0048] The connection member also includes a first connection port portion 43, a first connection portion 44, and a second connection portion 45. The first connection port portion 43 is provided with a first connection port 53, the first connection port 44 is provided with a second connection port 54, and the second connection portion 45 is provided with a third connection port 55 and a fourth connection port 56.

[0049] In a specific automobile air conditioning system, the first connection port 43 can be connected to the outlet port of the compressor, the first connection port 44 can be connected to the inlet port of the compressor, the second connection port 54 can be connected to the gas return port of the compressor, the second connection port 45 can be connected to the inlet / outlet port of the evaporator, the third connection port 55 can be connected to the evaporator or throttling element etc. of the system, and the fourth connection port 56 can be connected to the outlet of the evaporator or the outlet of the gas-liquid separator etc. of the system.

[0050] When the system is operating, high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flows out of the compressor, flows through the first connection port 53 into the first hole passage 161 of the connected second heat exchange area 16, enters the third hole passage 163, and can exchange heat with a relatively low-temperature refrigerant in another fluid flow path in the second heat exchange area 16. In the third hole passage 163 of the second heat exchange area 16, the refrigerant is divided into two parts, one part flows into the system's evaporator through the third connection port 55 or into the system's evaporator through the throttling element, or is distributed to the two evaporators after being throttled, and the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator flows through the fourth connection port 56 into the second hole passage 162 of the second heat exchange area 16 and enters the fourth hole passage 164, where it exchanges heat with a relatively high temperature refrigerant in another fluid flow path. Another part of the refrigerant passes through the first hole 147 of the second plate, the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate 13, and the space between the first main plate surface 120 of the third plate and the second main plate surface 130′ of the fourth plate, flows into the throttling element 20 from the communication port 102, is throttled by the throttling element 20, and then flows into a portion of the first hole passage 151 of the first heat exchange area that is relatively close to the throttling element, exchanges heat with a medium in another fluid flow path, for example, a coolant, in the first heat exchange area 15, and is then passed through the second hole passage 152 of the first heat exchange area. After completing the heat exchange in the second heat exchange area, the refrigerant passes through the second engagement hole 128 of the third plate, the fourth engagement hole 138 of the fourth plate, and the second hole 148 of the second plate to reach the second hole passage 162 of the second heat exchange area, merges with the refrigerant returning from the fourth connection port 56, flows into the fourth hole passage 164, exchanges heat with the refrigerant in another fluid flow path, flows out from the second connection port 54 connected to the fourth hole passage 164, and flows into the compressor. Of course, the refrigerant may be configured to return to the compressor after passing through a component such as a gas-liquid separator.

[0051] In this embodiment, the low-temperature refrigerant at two locations joins and then exchanges heat with a relatively high-temperature refrigerant. For other structures and operation methods, reference can be made to the above first embodiment.

[0052] The third embodiment will be described below. As shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of a heat exchange assembly.

[0053] The heat exchanger 10 similarly includes a first heat exchange area 15 , a second heat exchange area 16 , a third plate 12 , and a fourth plate 13 . The main bodies of the third plate 12 and the fourth plate 13 are located between the first heat exchange area 15 and the second heat exchange area 16 . The first heat exchange area 15 includes the first plate 11, the second heat exchange area 16 includes the second plate 14, the third plate 12 and the fourth plate 13 are located between the third plate 12 and the second plate 14, and the third plate 12 is located between the first plate 11 and the fourth plate 13. A first plate 11, a third plate 12, a fourth plate 13, and a second plate 14 are arranged in this order.

[0054] The first plate 11 can have a first engagement portion 111 that protrudes towards the third plate side and a second engagement portion 112 that is recessed into the first heat exchange area. Furthermore, the first plate 11 can be provided with a third engagement portion 113 or a fourth engagement portion 114.

[0055] The first plate 11 has one through hole in the first engagement portion 111, and a part of the connecting pipe 105 passes through the through hole, or one end of the connecting pipe 105 is installed substantially flush with the through hole and engaged with the first engagement portion 111 and welded to be relatively sealed. Also, one end of the connecting pipe 105 can be engaged with and welded to the third plate to be relatively sealed, and at the same time, the connecting pipe can be engaged with and welded to the first plate to be relatively sealed.

[0056] The first plate 11 has a hole 118 for communicating a fluid with the second engagement portion 112, and the hole 118 communicates with the second hole passage 152 of the first heat exchange area, or the hole 118 is part of the second hole passage 152 that constitutes the first heat exchange area.

[0057] The third plate 12 has a plurality of projections and recesses in the main body area, and projections and recesses may also be provided on the fourth plate, etc. The third plate 12 has a first engagement portion 121 at a position facing the first engagement portion 111 of the first plate 11, and the first engagement portion 121 of the third plate 12 may protrude towards the first plate side. The first engaging portion 121 of the third plate 12 and the first engaging portion 111 of the first plate 11 are engaged and welded to each other to be sealed relatively, or engaged with the connecting pipe and welded to be sealed.

[0058] The third plate 12 has a second engagement portion 122 at a position opposite to the second engagement portion 112 of the first plate 11, and the second engagement portion 122 of the third plate 12 protrudes toward the fourth plate 13, while the second engagement portion 112 of the first plate 11 is recessed toward the first heat exchange area side when viewed from the third plate.

[0059] The third plate 12 may further include a third engagement portion 123 or a fourth engagement portion 124. The third plate 12 has a first engagement hole 127 at the first engagement portion for engaging with a conductive or connecting pipe, and the third plate 12 has a second engagement hole 128 at the second engagement portion 122, and the communication port 102 of the connecting pipe 105 is connected to the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate 12, or the connecting pipe is engaged with and welded to a hole in the second engagement portion of the third plate, or the communication port 102 of the connecting pipe 105 is connected to the space between the third plate and the fourth plate. The second engagement hole 128 of the third plate 12 communicates with the hole 118 of the first plate, and the second engagement hole 128 of the third plate 12 communicates with a portion of the second hole passage 152 of the first heat exchange area close to the third plate.

[0060] The fourth plate 13 is provided with a first engagement portion 131 . The first engagement portion 131 may be provided at a position facing the first engagement portion 121 of the third plate, or at another open position.

[0061] The fourth plate 13 has a second engagement portion 132 at a position opposite to the second engagement portion 122 of the third plate, and the second engagement portion 132 of the fourth plate 13 protrudes toward the third plate, and the second engagement portion 122 of the third plate 12 and the second engagement portion 132 of the fourth plate 13 engage and weld to be relatively sealed.

[0062] The fourth plate 13 has a fourth engagement hole 138 in the second engagement portion 132 , and the fourth plate 13 has a third engagement hole 137 in the first engagement portion 131 .

[0063] The second plate 14 is provided with a first engagement portion 141 and a fourth engagement portion 144, and the position of the first engagement portion 141 of the second plate 14 faces the position of the first engagement portion 131 of the fourth plate, and the first engagement portion 141 of the second plate 14 protrudes toward the fourth plate.

[0064] The second plate 14 has a first hole 147 for communicating a fluid with the first engagement portion 141 , and the second plate 14 has a second hole 148 for communicating a fluid with the fourth engagement portion 144 . The first hole and the second hole are holes each used to communicate with one fluid passage in the second heat exchange area.

[0065] The first holes 147 of the second plate 14 communicate with the first hole passages 161 of the second heat exchange area 16, or the first holes 147 are part of the first hole passages 161 that constitute the second heat exchange area. The second hole 148 communicates with a fourth passage 164 of the second heat exchange area 16, or the second hole 148 is part of the fourth passage 164 that constitutes the second heat exchange area.

[0066] In addition, the second plate 14 may be provided with a third engagement portion 143. The position of the first engagement portion 141 of the second plate 14 corresponds to the position of the first engagement portion 131 of the fourth plate, the first engagement portion 141 of the second plate 14 protrudes toward the fourth plate side, and the first engagement portion 131 of the fourth plate 13 protrudes toward the second plate side, and the first engagement portion 131 of the fourth plate 13 and the first engagement portion 141 of the second plate 14 engage and are welded to be relatively sealed. The fourth engagement portion 144 of the second plate 14 is recessed towards the second heat exchange area.

[0067] The second engagement hole 128 of the third plate 12 is connected to the fourth engagement hole 138 of the fourth plate 13, and the space between the second main plate surface 120' of the third plate 12 and the main plate surface 110 of the first plate 11 is connected to the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate, or is connected to the communication port, and is also connected to the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate and is connected to the first hole 147 of the second plate, that is, is connected to the first hole path 161 of the second heat exchange area, and the first hole path 161 of the second heat exchange area and the communication port 102 are connected via the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate and the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate. The other side of the communication port 102 is connected to the throttle element 20 .

[0068] The second engagement hole 128 of the third plate communicates with the second passage 152 of the first heat exchange area. The space between the main plate surface 120 of the third plate 12 and the second main plate surface 130 ′ of the fourth plate 13 communicates with the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate or with the communication port 102 . The space between the main plate surface 120 of the third plate 12 and the second main plate surface 130' of the fourth plate 13 communicates with the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate. The third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate 13 communicates with the first hole 147 of the second plate, that is, the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate 13 communicates with the first hole passage 161 of the second heat exchange area. The first hole passage 161 of the second heat exchange area and the communication port 102 are connected via the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate and the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate, or the first hole passage 161 of the second heat exchange area and the communication port 102 are connected via the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate.

[0069] The connection member of this embodiment includes a first connection port portion 43, a first connection portion 44, and a second connection portion 45, with the first connection port portion 43 being provided with a first connection port 53, the first connection portion 44 being provided with a second connection port 54, and the second connection portion 45 being provided with a third connection port 55 and a fourth connection port 56.

[0070] In a specific automobile air conditioning system, the first connection port 43 can be connected to the outlet port of the compressor, the second connection port 54 of the first connection port 44 can be connected to the gas return port of the compressor, the third connection port 55 of the second connection port 45 can be connected to an evaporator or a throttling element or the like of the system, and the fourth connection port 56 can be connected to an outlet of the evaporator or an outlet of a gas-liquid separator or the like of the system.

[0071] When the system is operating, high temperature, high pressure refrigerant flows from the first connection port 53 into the second hole passage 162 (not shown) of the second heat exchange area 16, where it exchanges heat with a relatively low temperature refrigerant in another fluid flow path, and then flows into the first hole passage 161. In the first hole 161 of the second heat exchange area 16, the refrigerant is divided into two parts, one part flows into the evaporator of the system through the third connection port 55, or flows into the evaporator of the system through the throttling element, or is distributed to the two evaporators after being throttled, and the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator passes through the fourth connection port 56 and flows into the fourth hole 164 of the connected second heat exchange area 16, where it exchanges heat with a relatively high temperature refrigerant in another fluid flow path. Another part of the refrigerant passes through the first hole 147 of the second plate, the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate 13, the space between the first main plate surface 120 of the third plate and the second main plate surface 130' of the fourth plate, or the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate, flows into the throttling element 20 from the communication port 102, is throttled by the throttling element 20, and then flows into a portion of the first hole path 151 of the first heat exchange area close to the throttling element, exchanges heat with a medium in another fluid flow path in the first heat exchange area 15, for example, a coolant, and enters the second hole path 152 of the first heat exchange area. The refrigerant passes through the second engagement hole 128 of the third plate, the fourth engagement hole 138 of the fourth plate, the space between the first main plate surface 130 of the fourth plate and the main plate surface 140 of the second plate, and the second hole 148 of the second plate to reach the fourth hole passage 164 of the second heat exchange area, merges with the refrigerant returning from the fourth connection port 56 and flows into the third hole passage 163, exchanges heat with the refrigerant in another fluid flow path, flows out from the second connection port 54 connected to the third hole passage 163 and flows into the compressor, and of course, it may be configured to return to the compressor after passing through a component such as a gas-liquid separator.

[0072] For other structures and methods of this embodiment, reference can be made to the above first embodiment.

[0073] In the above second and third embodiments, all of the relatively low temperature refrigerant in the second heat exchange area exchanges heat with the relatively high temperature refrigerant, but localized low temperature refrigerant can also participate in the heat exchange in the second heat exchange area. As shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a fourth embodiment of a heat exchange assembly.

[0074] The heat exchanger 10 similarly includes a first heat exchange area 15 , a second heat exchange area 16 , a third plate 12 and a fourth plate 13 . A first plate 11, a third plate 12, a fourth plate 13, and a second plate 14 are arranged in this order.

[0075] The first plate 11 has a first engagement portion 111 that protrudes toward the third plate side, and a second engagement portion 112 that is recessed into the first heat exchange area. The first plate 11 may also be provided with a third engagement portion 113 and a fourth engagement portion 114.

[0076] The first plate 11 has one through hole in the first engagement portion 111 that engages with the connecting pipe 105, and one end of the connecting pipe 105 is installed substantially flush with the through hole and engaged with the first engagement portion 111 and welded to be relatively sealed. Also, one end of the connecting pipe 105 may be engaged with the third plate and welded to form a relatively sealed seal, and at the same time, the connecting pipe may be engaged with the first plate and welded to form a relatively sealed seal. The first plate 11 has a hole 118 for communicating a fluid with the second engagement portion 112, and the hole 118 is a part of a second hole path 152 that constitutes the first heat exchange area. The third plate 12 or the fourth plate has a plurality of projections and recesses in the main body area.

[0077] The third plate 12 has a first engagement portion 121 at a position facing the first engagement portion 111 of the first plate 11 . The first engagement portion 121 of the third plate 12 may protrude toward the first plate, and the first engagement portion 121 of the third plate 12 and the first engagement portion 111 of the first plate 11 may be engaged and welded to be relatively sealed, or the connecting tube and the first engagement portion of the third plate may be engaged and welded to be relatively sealed.

[0078] The third plate 12 is provided with a second engagement portion 122, and the second engagement portion 122 of the third plate 12 protrudes towards the fourth plate 13 side. The third plate 12 may also include a third engagement portion 123 or a fourth engagement portion 124 . The third plate 12 has a first engagement hole 127 in the first engagement portion, and the third plate 12 has a second engagement hole 128 in the second engagement portion 122, and the communication port 102 of the connecting pipe 105 is connected to the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate 12, or the connecting pipe is engaged with and welded to a hole in the second engagement portion of the third plate, or the communication port 102 of the connecting pipe 105 is connected to the space between the third plate and the fourth plate. The second engagement hole 128 of the third plate 12 communicates with the hole 118 of the first plate, and the second engagement hole 128 of the third plate 12 communicates with a portion of the second hole passage 152 of the first heat exchange area close to the third plate.

[0079] The fourth plate 13 is provided with a first engagement portion 131 . The first engagement portion 131 may be provided at a position facing the first engagement portion 121 of the third plate. Since this flow path is connected through the space between the third plate and the fourth plate, the positions of the engagement portion and the engagement hole can be adjusted according to the structure of the first heat exchange area and the second heat exchange area, or according to the structure of the first plate and the second plate, that is, they can be provided in other vacant positions, which makes the adjustment relatively convenient.

[0080] The fourth plate 13 has a second engagement portion 132 provided at a position opposite to the second engagement portion 122 of the third plate, and the second engagement portion 132 of the fourth plate 13 protrudes toward the third plate side, and the second engagement portion 122 of the third plate 12 and the second engagement portion 132 of the fourth plate 13 engage with each other and are welded to be relatively sealed.

[0081] The fourth plate 13 has a fourth engagement hole 138 in the second engagement portion 132 , and the fourth plate 13 has a third engagement hole 137 in the first engagement portion 131 . Also, the first engagement portion 131 of the fourth plate 13 may be provided with a hole for engagement with the connecting pipe.

[0082] The second plate 14 is provided with a first engagement portion 141 and a third engagement portion 143, and the position of the first engagement portion 141 of the second plate 14 faces the position of the first engagement portion 131 of the fourth plate, and the first engagement portion 141 of the second plate 14 protrudes toward the fourth plate.

[0083] The second plate 14 has a first hole 147 for communicating a fluid with the first engagement portion 141 , and the second plate 14 has a second hole 148 for communicating a fluid with the third engagement portion 143 . The first holes 147 of the second plate 14 communicate with the first hole passages 161 of the second heat exchange area 16, or the first holes 147 are part of the first hole passages 161 that constitute the second heat exchange area. The second hole 148 communicates with a third hole passage 163 of the second heat exchange area 16, or the second hole 148 is a part of the third hole passage 163 that constitutes the second heat exchange area.

[0084] In addition, the second plate 14 may be provided with a third engagement portion or a fourth engagement portion 144.

[0085] The position of the first engagement portion 141 of the second plate 14 corresponds to the position of the first engagement portion 131 of the fourth plate, the first engagement portion 141 of the second plate 14 protrudes toward the fourth plate side, and the first engagement portion 131 of the fourth plate 13 protrudes toward the second plate side, and the first engagement portion 131 of the fourth plate 13 and the first engagement portion 141 of the second plate 14 engage and are welded to be relatively sealed. The third engagement portion 143 of the second plate 14 is recessed towards the second heat exchange area.

[0086] The second engagement hole 128 of the third plate 12 communicates with the fourth engagement hole 138 of the fourth plate 13, and the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate communicates with the first hole 147 of the second plate, i.e., with the first hole passage 161 of the second heat exchange area, and the first hole passage 161 of the second heat exchange area and the communication port 102 are communicated via the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate and the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate. The other side of the communication port 102 is connected to the throttle element 20 . The second engagement hole 128 of the third plate communicates with the second passage 152 of the first heat exchange area.

[0087] The space between the main plate surface 120 of the third plate 12 and the second main plate surface 130 ′ of the fourth plate 13 communicates with the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate or with the communication port 102 . The space between the main plate surface 120 of the third plate 12 and the second main plate surface 130' of the fourth plate 13 communicates with the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate.

[0088] The third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate 13 communicates with the first hole 147 of the second plate, that is, the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate 13 communicates with the first hole passage 161 of the second heat exchange area.

[0089] The first hole passage 161 of the second heat exchange area and the communication port 102 are connected via the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate and the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate, or the first hole passage 161 of the second heat exchange area and the communication port 102 are connected via the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate.

[0090] The connection member in this embodiment includes a first connection port portion 43, a first connection portion 44, and a second connection portion 45, with the first connection port portion 43 being provided with a first connection port 53, the first connection portion 44 being provided with a second connection port 54, and the second connection portion 45 being provided with a third connection port 55 and a fourth connection port 56.

[0091] In a specific automobile air conditioning system, the first connection port 43 can be connected to the outlet port of the compressor, the second connection port 54 of the first connection port 44 can be connected to the gas return port of the compressor, the third connection port 55 of the second connection port 45 can be connected to an evaporator or a throttling element or the like of the system, and the fourth connection port 56 can be connected to an outlet of the evaporator or an outlet of a gas-liquid separator or the like of the system.

[0092] When the system is operating, high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flows from the first connection port 53 into the second hole passage 162 (not shown) of the connected second heat exchange area 16, and after exchanging heat with a relatively low-temperature refrigerant in another fluid flow path in the second heat exchange area 16, it can flow into the first hole passage 161. In the first hole 161 of the second heat exchange area 16, the refrigerant is divided into two parts, one part flows into the evaporator of the system through the third connection port 55 or into the evaporator of the system through the throttling element, or is throttled and then distributed to the two evaporators, and the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator passes through the fourth connection port 56 and flows into the fourth hole 164 of the second heat exchange area 16 to exchange heat with a relatively high temperature refrigerant in another fluid flow path. Another part of the refrigerant passes through the first hole 147 of the second plate, the third engagement hole 137 of the fourth plate 13, the space between the first main plate surface 120 of the third plate and the second main plate surface 130′ of the fourth plate, or the first engagement hole 127 of the third plate, flows into the throttling element 20 from the communication port 102, is throttled by the throttling element 20, and then flows into a portion of the first hole path 151 of the first heat exchange area close to the throttling element, and exchanges heat with a medium in another fluid flow path, for example, a coolant, in the first heat exchange area 15, thereby forming a first heat exchanger. The refrigerant enters the second hole passage 152 of the second heat exchange area, passes through the second engagement hole 128 of the third plate, the fourth engagement hole 138 of the fourth plate, the space between the first main plate surface 130 of the fourth plate and the main plate surface 140 of the second plate, and the second hole 148 of the second plate to reach the fourth hole passage 164 of the second heat exchange area, where it merges with the refrigerant from the fourth hole passage, flows out from the second connection port 54 connected to the third hole passage 163, and flows into the compressor, and of course, it may be configured to return to the compressor after passing through a component such as a gas-liquid separator.

[0093] For other structures and methods of this embodiment, reference can be made to the above third embodiment.

[0094] In the above embodiment, there are four connections connected to the refrigerant, but there could also be five or six. For example, if the system has two evaporators, the two connection ports are respectively connected to the two evaporators or to the throttling element and the evaporator and / or the two connection ports are respectively connected to the outlets of the evaporators. Furthermore, the connection member may be an integral structure, instead of being a combination of multiple members as in the embodiment.

[0095] The heat exchanger described above may be used in a heat exchange assembly. The heat exchange assembly can have a first coolant connection port 41 and a second coolant connection port 42, the first coolant connection port 41 having a first coolant connection port 51 and the second coolant connection port 42 having a second coolant connection port 52, the first coolant connection port 51 and the second coolant connection port 52 being connected via a refrigerant flow path in the first heat exchange area and exchanging heat with another fluid flow path, i.e., a medium in the refrigerant flow path.

[0096] The first coolant connection port 41 and the second coolant connection port 42 are fixedly connected to the heat exchanger by welding; specifically, the first coolant connection port 41 and the second coolant connection port 42 are positioned on one side relatively close to the first heat exchange area and welded to the side plate of the heat exchanger.

[0097] The refrigerant flow path in the first heat exchange area of ​​the above-mentioned components may be a single flow, i.e., from the first hole passage 151 to the second hole passage 152, or it may be three flows or five flows, in which case the first heat exchange area is roughly divided into three parts, the first hole passage 151 is divided into a first part close to the throttling element and a second part relatively close to the third plate, and the second part of the first hole passage 151 is longer than the first part.

[0098] The second hole passage 152 is divided into a first portion close to the throttle element and a second portion relatively close to the third plate, and the second portion of the second hole passage 152 is shorter than the first portion. In the first flow, the fluid flows from a first portion of the first hole passage 151 to a first portion of the second hole passage 152, then flows from a portion of the first portion of the second hole passage 152 that is relatively close to the center to a second portion of the first hole passage, and then flows from a portion of the second portion of the first hole passage 151 that is relatively close to the third plate to a second portion of the second hole passage 103. Therefore, in the above embodiment, only the form in which the fluid flows out from the second hole path 152 has been described.

[0099] The heat exchange assembly may be used in a thermal management system for a vehicle. The thermal management system includes a compressor, a heat exchange assembly, at least one evaporator, a second heat exchanger, a liquid reservoir or liquid-gas separator, and at least one throttling element.

[0100] The thermal management system includes a refrigerant system and a cooling fluid system, the medium flowing through the refrigerant system being a refrigerant and the medium flowing through the cooling fluid system being a cooling fluid. The first coolant connection port 51 and the second coolant connection port 52 are connected via a coolant flow path in the first heat exchange area, and the first coolant connection port 41 and the second coolant connection port 42 may be part of the side plate of the first heat exchange area, or may be processed separately and fixed by welding to the side plate and / or the heat exchange core of the first heat exchange area, and the first coolant connection port and the second coolant connection port may also be fixed to the first heat exchange area in the form of a piping connection.

[0101] The refrigerant flow passage of the first heat exchange area includes a first hole passage and a second hole passage, and the coolant flow passage does not communicate with the refrigerant flow passage. The provision of a heat exchange assembly can facilitate installation and connection of the thermal management system, reduce the number of connecting pipes, and reduce the volume of the system.

[0102] The heat exchange assembly will be described by way of example in a vehicle thermal management system. During actual use, these members are fixed. For ease of illustration, exploded views herein show refrigerant flow schemes that are labeled for clarity of illustration only.

[0103] The heat exchange assembly provides heat exchange between a hot refrigerant and a cold refrigerant, allowing the temperature of the hot refrigerant to be reduced for improved efficiency. The two parts of low temperature refrigerant can return to the compressor through the second connection port of the heat exchange assembly, which can reduce the number of piping installations and make the system connection easy and convenient. Another form of this heat exchange assembly provides heat exchange between a portion of the hot refrigerant and the cold refrigerant, allowing the temperature of the hot refrigerant to be reduced while not raising the temperature of the refrigerant returning to the compressor too high, thus improving efficiency and making system connection easier and more convenient.

[0104] The flow directions in this specification are for illustration only and are not limiting, nor are they required to be closed, and other components can be added therein, such as adding other control valves, etc. before the compressor, and for example, flowing to an evaporator includes placing a throttling element before the evaporator, further comprising a control valve, etc. These can be changed according to the actual system, and the communication conditions are based on the specific embodiment.

[0105] In this specification, communication between two or communication between other members is not a closed expression in this specification, but means that the two are in communication, and also includes the fact that there are many possibilities that a throttling element, separator, control valve, check valve, heat exchanger, etc. may be provided between the two.

[0106] The communication method in this specification is not a closed method, and for example, when the second hole passage of the first heat exchange area and the first hole passage of the second heat exchange area are communicated through an engagement hole of a plate, this means that the flow path between the second hole passage of the first heat exchange area and the first hole passage of the second heat exchange area passes through the engagement hole and can be communicated solely by the engagement hole, and may also include multiple methods such as via an engagement hole of another plate or even via the space between two plates, but otherwise is similar.

[0107] In this specification, for the convenience of explanation, the numbers used, such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, are merely for the purpose of clearly distinguishing and facilitating explanation, and do not necessarily mean that the part has four of the structures, but may have only one or two of the structures. For example, the fact that a third plate includes a second engagement portion and a fourth engagement portion means that the third plate includes these two engagement portions, but does not mean that the third plate has four engagement portions. When the second heat exchange area is an intermediate heat exchanger and the first heat exchange area is a cooler, the heat exchange assembly needs to further include a throttling element, in this way, the high-temperature refrigerant from the intermediate heat exchanger can be throttled by the throttling element, when an electronic expansion valve is selected as the throttling element, a manner in which a connecting pipe is extended can be adopted to communicate with the high-temperature refrigerant, when a throttling pipe type is adopted, the throttling pipe can be realized by arranging the throttling pipe in the first hole. These configurations can be appropriately changed depending on the application form of the system. In the above embodiments, the thickness of the four plates may be the same as that of the plates in the first heat exchange area, or the external shapes and sizes of the four plates may be similar and only the positions of the engagement portions and engagement holes may be different, or the external shapes and sizes may be different, for example the third plate may be extended outward, which makes it easier to distinguish and identify.

[0108] In addition, the two plates are arranged opposite each other, and the engaging portions that engage with each other may be configured to protrude as in the embodiment, or a metal fitting such as a gasket with a hole may be added between the engaging portions. For example, the second engaging portion of the third plate and the second engaging portion of the fourth plate may be flat with their main bodies and not protrude, and a gasket made of an appropriate material may be provided between the two to engage and weld them, and the two plates may be welded to the gaskets, and the two may be fixed by welding. By installing four plates in a heat exchanger, one of the flow paths between two adjacent plates is connected through an engagement hole, and the other is connected through the space between the two plates, so that two heat exchange areas with different functions can be easily integrated by welding. By installing an engagement part and engagement hole of the plate between the two heat exchange areas, an integrated heat exchanger with two heat exchange area structures can be formed, and the second hole path of the first heat exchange area can be connected to one hole path of the second heat exchange area. When the flow direction of the refrigerant is different, the communication needs of various systems can be met simply by changing the local structure of the plate, for example, the engagement part of the plate and the engaging hole for conduction, so that the heat exchanger structure can be expected to be relatively compact.

[0109] It should be noted that the above embodiments are for the purpose of explaining the present invention, and do not limit the embodiments described in the present invention, for example, limiting the orientation of "front", "back", "left", "right", "upper", "lower", etc. Although the present invention has been described in detail in this specification with reference to the above embodiments, as can be understood by those skilled in the art, they may modify, combine or equivalently replace the present invention, and all embodiments and improvements thereon that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger comprising a first heat exchange area (15) and a second heat exchange area (16), The first heat exchange area (15) comprises a first plate (11) and the second heat exchange area (16) comprises a second plate (14); The heat exchanger further includes a third plate (12) and a fourth plate (13); a body portion of the third plate (12) is located between the first plate (11) and the fourth plate (13), and a body portion of the fourth plate (13) is located between the third plate (12) and the second plate (14); the second heat exchange area (16) includes two fluid flow paths and is capable of exchanging heat between the two fluid flow paths; The first heat exchange area (15) includes a first hole passage (151) and a second hole passage (152), the second heat exchange area (16) includes four holes, namely, a first hole passage (161), a second hole passage (162), a third hole passage (163), and a fourth hole passage (164), and has two communication holes, i.e., a first hole (147) and a second hole (148), on one side close to the first heat exchange area (15), and the second plate (14) includes the first hole (147) and the second hole (148), The third plate (12) includes at least one engagement portion, and one engagement hole is provided in each of the at least one engagement portion of the third plate (12); The fourth plate (13) includes at least two engagement portions, and one engagement hole is provided in each of the at least two engagement portions of the fourth plate (13); The at least one engagement portion of the third plate (12) is disposed opposite one of the at least two engagement portions of the fourth plate (13) and is fixed by welding, and an engagement hole of the at least one engagement portion of the third plate (12) is opposite and communicates with one of the at least two engagement holes of the fourth plate (13); the second plate (14) includes at least one engagement portion, one hole is provided in one of the at least one engagement portion of the second plate (14), another one of the at least two engagement portions of the fourth plate (13) is disposed opposite one of the at least one engagement portion of the third plate (12) and is fixed by welding, and another one of the at least two engagement holes of the fourth plate (13) is connected to a hole provided in one of the at least one engagement portion of the second plate (14); A second passage of the first heat exchange area (15) communicates with one passage of the second heat exchange area (16) via the third plate (12) and the fourth plate (13); The engaging portion of the third plate (12) is provided so as to protrude toward the fourth plate (13), One of the two engagement portions of the fourth plate (13) is provided so as to protrude toward the third plate (12), and the other engagement portion is provided so as to protrude toward the second plate (14); The third plate (12) has two engagement holes, a first engagement hole (127) and a second engagement hole (128), one of which is provided in an engagement portion of the third plate (12) that protrudes toward the fourth plate (13), and the other engagement hole communicates with a space between the third plate (12) and the fourth plate (13); The fourth plate (13) includes two engagement holes for passing a fluid, i.e., a third engagement hole (137) and a fourth engagement hole (138), one of which is provided in an engagement portion of the fourth plate (13) that protrudes toward the third plate (12) and communicates with the space between the fourth plate (13) and the second plate (14), and the other engagement hole communicates with the space between the third plate (12) and the fourth plate (13).

2. Further comprising a connecting tube (105), the connecting pipe (105) is at least partially located in a first hole (151) of the first heat exchange area (15); the first plate (11) includes an engagement portion (111) protruding toward the second plate (14); the third plate (12) further includes an engagement portion protruding toward the first plate (11); the engagement portion of the third plate (12) protruding toward the first plate (11) is engaged with and welded to the engagement portion of the first plate (11) protruding toward the third plate (12) or is engaged with and welded to the connecting pipe (105); the first heat exchange area (15) includes two fluid flow paths, one of which includes the first hole path (151) and the second hole path (152); The other fluid flow path of the first heat exchange area (15) includes a third hole path and a fourth hole path, 2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that the second hole of the first heat exchange area (15) communicates with one fluid flow path of the second heat exchange area (16) through the third plate (12) and the fourth plate (13), and the communication port (102) of the connecting pipe (105) communicates with the other fluid flow path of the second heat exchange area (16).

3. The first plate (11), the third plate (12), the fourth plate (13), and the second plate (14) have cuff portions on their peripheral sides, 3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cuff portions of the first plate (11), the third plate (12), the fourth plate (13), and the second plate (14) face the same side, the cuff portion of the first plate (11) and the cuff portion of the third plate (12) are fixed by welding, the cuff portion of the third plate (12) and the cuff portion of the fourth plate (13) are fixed by welding, and the cuff portion of the fourth plate (13) and the cuff portion of the second plate (14) are fixed by welding.

4. The first heat exchange area (15) has a heat exchange core, the first heat exchange area (15) includes a plurality of plates, the heat exchange core further includes fins, 4. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that the first plate (11), the third plate (12), the fourth plate (13), and the second plate (14) are arranged in sequence, and at least one of them has a concave-convex structure on a main body portion.

5. A heat exchange assembly comprising a throttle element, a connecting member and a heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the throttle element is relatively close to the first heat exchange area (15) and is fixed or limited in position to the heat exchanger, The heat exchange assembly includes a first connection port (53), a second connection port (54), a third connection port (55), and a fourth connection port (56); The connection member is fixedly disposed on the heat exchanger, a second passage (152) of the first heat exchange area (15) communicating with one fluid flow path of the second heat exchange area (16), an inlet of the throttling element communicating with the other fluid flow path of the second heat exchange area (16), and an outlet of the throttling element communicating with a first passage (151) of the first heat exchange area (15).

6. Including the connecting pipe, the connecting pipe communicates with an inlet of the throttle element, the connecting pipe being fixed by welding to the first plate (11) and / or the second plate (14); The first connection port (53), the second connection port (54), the third connection port (55), and the fourth connection port (56) are provided on the connection member, the first connection port (53), the second connection port (54), the third connection port (55), and the fourth connection port (56) each communicate with one of the passages in the second heat exchange area (16); The heat exchange assembly further includes a first coolant connection port (41) and a second coolant connection port (42); 6. The heat exchange assembly of claim 5, wherein the first heat exchange area (15) includes two fluid flow paths, a refrigerant flow path and a cooling liquid flow path, the refrigerant flow path includes the first hole path (151) and the second hole path (152), and the cooling liquid flow path of the first heat exchange area (15) includes a third hole path and a fourth hole path.

7. A thermal management system including a refrigerant flow path and a heat exchange assembly according to claim 5 or claim 6, The thermal management system further includes a compressor, a condenser, and at least one evaporator; The outlet of the condenser is connected to the first connection port (53) via a pipe, or the condenser further includes a liquid reservoir between the outlet of the condenser and the first connection port (53); the inlet of the compressor communicates with the second connection port (54) and the inlet of the evaporator communicates with the third connection port (55), or the thermal management system further comprises a throttling element between the inlet of the evaporator and the third connection port (55), and the outlet of the evaporator communicates with the fourth connection port (56).

8. a cooling fluid passage; The first heat exchange area (15) further comprises a first coolant connection (41) and a second coolant connection (42); The first coolant connection port (41) has a first coolant connection port (51), and the second coolant connection port (42) has a second coolant connection port (52), 8. The thermal management system of claim 7, wherein the coolant flow path flows through a coolant flow path that communicates with the first coolant connection port (41), the second coolant connection port (42), and the first coolant connection port (51) and the second coolant connection port (52) in the first heat exchange area (15).

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