Shunt and cooling system having the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flow diverter (100) and a cooling system having the same. The flow diverter (100) includes a body (10), the body (10) has a chamber (11), an inlet (12) and an outlet (13) are formed in the body (10), the inlet (12) and the outlet (13) are located at both ends of the body (10), the inlet (12) and the outlet (13) are connected to each other by the chamber (11), and the body (10) is formed by drawing a metal plate. The cooling system includes a heat exchanger and the above-mentioned flow diverter (100), and the flow diverter (100) is provided at the inlet of the heat exchanger.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Related Application This application claims the priority of a Chinese patent application with an application number of 202120925911.0 and an invention title of "Flow Divider and Cooling System Having the Same", which was filed on April 30, 2021, and all of its contents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application relates to the field of cooling technology, and in particular, to a flow divider and a cooling system having the same.

Background Art

[0003] A flow divider, also called a liquid distributor or dispenser, is an important component in an air-conditioning cooling system, which plays a role in mixing fluids (liquids, gases or gas-liquid mixtures) and uniformly distributing them to each pipeline. The flow divider is usually installed at the inlet of a heat exchanger in the cooling system and is used to uniformly distribute the medium to each heat exchange tube of the heat exchanger for heat exchange.

[0004] In related flow dividers, the processing process of the body of the flow divider is usually formed by turning a copper rod. First, the copper rod is cut, and then a plurality of flow holes are sequentially processed using cutting tools. However, such a method has low processing efficiency, high manufacturing cost, long manufacturing cycle, and is disadvantageous for subsequent use and maintenance.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, in response to the above technical problems, this application provides a flow divider with low manufacturing cost.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, this application provides the following technical solutions. A flow divider including a body, the body having a chamber, the body being provided with an inlet and an outlet, the inlet and the outlet being located at both ends of the body respectively, the inlet and the outlet being communicated with each other by the chamber, and the body being formed by pulling a metal plate.

[0007] This application adopts a method of forming the main body by pulling using a metal plate and integrally pulling the main body by the metal plate, so as to make the main body without welding beads, enhance the overall airtightness, and this method can reduce the manufacturing cost, shorten the manufacturing cycle, and further make both subsequent use and maintenance more convenient.

[0008] In one embodiment, the main body includes an inlet segment and a taper segment connected to each other. The inlet is formed in the inlet segment, and the vertical distance from the taper segment to the axis of the main body gradually increases in the direction from the inlet to the outlet. A transition segment is provided between the inlet segment and the taper segment. The transition segment is located at the connection position between the inlet segment and the taper segment and is used to transition the flow of the fluid in the main body.

[0009] It can be understood that by installing the transition segment, the stress is not concentrated on the transition segment located at the connection position between the inlet segment and the taper segment, and the structural breakage caused by stress concentration is avoided.

[0010] In one embodiment, the cross-section along the axial direction of the transition segment is an arc segment. The arc opening of the arc segment faces the outside of the main body, and the radius R of the arc segment satisfies R≧15mm.

[0011] It can be understood that if the radius R of the arc segment is too small, the effect of avoiding stress concentration cannot be achieved.

[0012] In one embodiment, the main body further includes an outlet segment. The outlet segment is connected to one end away from the inlet segment of the taper segment. The outlet is formed in the outlet segment. The wall thickness of the inlet segment is t1, the wall thickness of the taper segment is t2, and the wall thickness of the outlet segment is t3, and t1, t2, and t3 satisfy the following relational expression: t1>t3>t2.

[0013] In one embodiment, the diverter further includes a diverter plate, the diverter plate is attached to the position of the outlet in the main body, a plurality of diversion holes are formed in the diverter plate, the diversion holes are communicated with the inlet by a chamber, and the diversion holes are formed in the diverter plate through punching.

[0014] It can be understood that by punching and forming the diversion holes in the diverter plate, the processing efficiency is improved.

[0015] In one embodiment, a widened flange is formed by punching on the diverter plate, and the diversion holes are formed in the space surrounded by the flange.

[0016] In one embodiment, the flange extends in a direction away from the inlet.

[0017] In one embodiment, the included angle between the axis of the flange and the axis of the main body is α, and α satisfies the following relational expression: α ≤ 90°.

[0018] By limiting it to α ≤ 90°, it can be understood that the diverter can improve the diversion efficiency without being obstructed by the fluid.

[0019] In one embodiment, a limiting structure is provided at a position relatively close to the outlet in the main body, and the diverter plate can be abutted against the limiting structure.

[0020] It can be understood that by providing the limiting structure, the mounting position of the diverter plate is restricted.

[0021] In one embodiment, the metal plate is a stainless steel plate.

[0022] It can be understood that by making the main body of stainless steel material, the welding strength between the diverter plate and the main body can be improved, and the pressure resistance and sealing performance can be improved.

[0023] This application further provides the following technical aspects. A cooling system including a heat exchanger and a diverter, the diverter being provided at the inlet of the heat exchanger.

[0024] Compared with the related art, the present application adopts a method of forming the main body by pulling using a metal plate and integrally pulling the main body by the metal plate so that there is no welding bead on the main body, enhancing the overall airtightness. This method can reduce the manufacturing cost, shorten the manufacturing cycle, and further make both subsequent use and maintenance more convenient.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1

Figure 2

[0026] The meanings of the reference numerals in the figure are as follows. 100 Diverter, 10 Main body, 11 Chamber, 12 Inlet, 121 Inlet pipe, 13 Outlet, 14 Inlet segment, 15 Taper segment, 16 Transition segment, 17 Outlet segment, 20 Diverting plate, 21 Diverting hole, 211 Outlet pipe, 22 Flange.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described. It is obvious that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0028] It should be noted that when an assembly is said to be "mounted" on another assembly, it may be directly mounted on the other assembly or there may be intervening assemblies. When one assembly is considered to be "provided" on another assembly, it may be directly provided on the other assembly or there may be coexisting intervening assemblies. When one assembly is considered to be "fixed" on another assembly, it may be directly fixed on the other assembly or there may be coexisting intervening assemblies.

[0029] All technical and scientific terms used herein shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application pertains, unless otherwise defined. In this text, the terms used in the description of this application are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The term "or / and" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the recited related items.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2, this application provides a diverter 100, which is usually mounted at the inlet of a heat exchanger in a cooling system and is used to evenly distribute a medium to each heat exchange tube of the heat exchanger for heat exchange. In this embodiment, the diverter 100 is mounted at the inlet of an evaporator, but in other embodiments, the diverter 100 may be mounted at the inlet of a condenser, which is not limited herein.

[0031] Specifically, the diverter 100 provided in this application includes a main body 10, the main body 10 has a chamber 11, and an inlet 12 and an outlet 13 are formed in the main body 10. The inlet 12 and the outlet 13 are respectively located at both ends of the main body 10, and the inlet 12 and the outlet 13 are communicated with each other by the chamber 11. The main body 10 is formed by pulling a metal plate.

[0032] In a related diverter, the processing process of the body of the diverter is usually formed by turning a copper bar. First, the copper bar is cut, and then a plurality of diversion holes are sequentially processed using a cutting tool. However, such a method has low processing efficiency, high manufacturing cost, long manufacturing cycle, and is disadvantageous for subsequent use and maintenance. In this embodiment, the body 10 is formed by pulling using a metal plate, and a method of integrally pulling the body 10 by the metal plate is adopted to make the body 10 without welding beads, enhance the overall airtightness. This method can reduce the manufacturing cost, shorten the manufacturing cycle, and make both subsequent use and maintenance more convenient.

[0033] In this embodiment, the specific method of forming the body 10 by pulling using a metal plate is to clamp the metal plate material only from both sides and pull it to the plastic zone. Then, wrap the convex mold at a location exceeding half, remove the concave mold, and complete the drawing forming of the body 10. The advantages of such a processing process are that the member can be automatically removed by the action of the spring, thereby improving the removal efficiency of the member, and without damaging the parts, the structure of the mold is simple, thus reducing the manufacturing cost, shortening the manufacturing cycle, and making both subsequent use and maintenance more convenient.

[0034] Optionally, the metal plate is a stainless steel plate, that is, the material of the body 10 is stainless steel. Naturally, in other embodiments, the metal plate may be a plate structure of other materials such as a copper plate, an aluminum plate or an iron plate, which is not limited here.

[0035] Compared with the brass material diverter 100, the stainless steel material body 10 can reduce the cost, has high pressure resistance and high sealing performance. At the same time, it can be understood that the problem of cracking when performing an ammonia fumigation test using a brass material can be avoided.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 10 includes an inlet segment 14 and a tapered segment 15 that are connected to each other. The inlet segment 14 is provided as a straight segment extending in the axial direction of the main body 10, and the perpendicular distance from the tapered segment 15 to the axis of the main body 10 gradually increases in the direction from the inlet 12 to the outlet 13. That is, the tapered segment 15 is provided with an increasing diameter in the direction of the outlet 13. An inlet 12 is formed at one end of the inlet segment 14, and the other end is connected to the small-diameter end of the tapered segment 15. Specifically, a transition segment 16 is provided between the inlet segment 14 and the tapered segment 15. The transition segment 16 is located at the connection position between the inlet segment 14 and the tapered segment 15, and both ends of the transition segment 16 are respectively connected to the inlet segment 14 and the tapered segment 15. The transition segment 16 is used to transition the flow of the fluid in the main body 10.

[0037] In addition, in the process of pulling out the inlet segment 14 and the tapered segment 15 by the method of stretch forming a metal plate, there is a bending point where the diameter rapidly increases between the inlet segment 14 and the tapered segment 15. Therefore, the stress becomes concentrated at the bending point, causing the structure to break during the bending process. Accordingly, in this application, by installing the transition segment 16, the stress is prevented from concentrating at the connection position between the inlet segment 14 and the tapered segment 15, thus avoiding the breakage of the structure due to stress concentration.

[0038] The cross-section along the axial direction of the transition segment is an arc segment. The arc opening of the arc segment faces the outside of the main body, and the radius R of the arc segment is R≧15 mm.

[0039] Optionally, in this embodiment, the cross-section along the axial direction of the transition segment 16 is an arc segment. Both ends of the arc segment are respectively connected to the inlet segment 14 and the taper segment 15, and the radius R of the arc segment is R≥15 mm. Naturally, in other embodiments, the transition segment 16 may adopt other types of transition structures such as fillets or chamfers, which are not limited here.

[0040] Note that the cross-section along the axial direction of the transition segment 16 is an arc segment. The cross-section along the axial direction here means that the sides of the cross-section of the transition segment 16 along the axial line direction of the main body 10 are arc segments, and the arc openings of these arc segments face the outside of the main body.

[0041] If the radius of the arc segment is too small, the arc length of the arc segment will be too short, so the effect of avoiding stress concentration cannot be achieved. Therefore, by limiting the radius of the arc segment to R≥15 mm, it can be understood that the effect of avoiding the breakage of the structure due to stress concentration can be achieved.

[0042] It should be noted that the main body 10 has a certain wall thickness. In other words, there are two bending points where the diameter increases rapidly at the connection between the inlet segment 14 and the taper segment 15. That is, when the transition segment 16 is cut along the axial line direction of the main body 10, there are two arc segments located on the outer wall and the inner wall of the main body 10 on the sides of the cross-section of the transition segment 16. In this case, there are three embodiments, namely, an arc segment is provided only on the outer wall surface of the main body 10, an arc segment is provided only on the inner wall surface of the main body 10, and arc segments are provided on both the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface of the main body 10. Here, the specific installation position of the arc segment is not limited.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 10 further includes an outlet segment 17. The outlet segment 17 is connected to one end away from the inlet segment 14 of the tapered segment 15, and the outlet 13 is formed in the outlet segment 17. Here, the inlet 12 is formed in one end away from the tapered segment 15 of the inlet segment 14, and the outlet 13 is formed in one end away from the tapered segment 15 of the outlet segment 17. The space surrounded by the inlet 12 and the inlet segment 14, the space surrounded by the tapered segment 15, the space surrounded by the outlet segment 17, and the entire space surrounded by the outlet 13 are collectively referred to as the chamber 11 of the main body 10.

[0044] Specifically, the wall thickness of the inlet segment 14 is t1, the wall thickness of the tapered segment 15 is t2, and the wall thickness of the outlet segment 17 is t3, and t1, t2, and t3 satisfy the relational expression: t1 > t3 > t2.

[0045] In this embodiment, the main body 10 is formed by pulling a stainless steel plate into a cylinder and then reducing the diameter of the tail. In this case, the processing method of reducing the diameter of the tail increases the wall thickness of the outlet segment 17, and the wall thickness relationship among the inlet segment 14, the tapered segment 15, and the outlet segment 17 is formed into the relational expression of t1 > t3 > t2 by the process of drawing.

[0046] Furthermore, the flow divider 100 further includes a flow dividing plate 20, and the flow dividing plate 20 is attached to the position of the outlet 13 in the main body 10.

[0047] Specifically, in this embodiment, the main body 10 is substantially cylindrical, and the corresponding flow dividing plate 20 is disk-shaped. The disk-shaped flow dividing plate 20 is attached to the position of the outlet 13 of the cylindrical main body 10. Naturally, in other embodiments, the main body 10 and the flow dividing plate 20 may have other shapes, which are not limited here.

[0048] Optionally, in this embodiment, the flow splitter plate 20 is made of stainless steel. The stainless steel flow splitter plate 20 can reduce costs, has high pressure resistance and high sealing performance. The flow splitter plate 20 can be welded into the main body 10 by laser welding or argon arc welding, without the need for welding materials, with a small heat affected zone, a high melting point, which can improve the welding consistency and the welding strength. However, the copper main body 10 and the flow splitter plate 20 can only be welded by flame welding or high frequency welding. The requirements for the penetration depth of the welding are relatively high, and a relatively long welding penetration is required. If the penetration depth or the welding penetration of the welding does not meet the requirements, it will affect the welding strength. Of course, in other embodiments, the flow splitter plate 20 may adopt other materials, which are not limited here.

[0049] Furthermore, a plurality of flow splitting holes 21 are formed in the flow splitter plate 20. The flow splitting holes 21 are communicated with the inlet 12 through the chamber 11. The flow splitter plate 20 is formed with the flow splitting holes 21 through punching. Compared with the conventional lathe processing of the flow splitting holes 21 by copper rods, the processing efficiency can be improved in this way.

[0050] Specifically, an expanded flange 22 is formed by punching on the flow splitter plate 20, and the flow splitting holes 21 are formed in the space surrounded by the flange 22. That is, a plurality of flanges 22 are formed by punching on the flow splitter plate 20, and each flange 22 correspondingly has one flow splitting hole 21, and the flow splitting holes 21 are uniformly distributed on the flow splitter plate 20.

[0051] Optionally, the flange 22 may extend in a direction away from the chamber 11, or the flange 22 may extend in a direction close to the chamber 11. In this embodiment, the flange 22 extends in a direction away from the chamber 11.

[0052] Optionally, the axis of the flange 22 is provided obliquely with respect to the axis of the main body 10, and the included angle α between the axis of the flange 22 and the axis of the main body 10 satisfies the relational expression: α≦90°.

[0053] The fluid flows into the chamber 11 from the inlet 12. After flowing out from the diversion holes 21, its flow direction is inclined with respect to the axis of the main body 10. Therefore, the diversion efficiency of the fluid is improved. However, when the included angle α between the axis of the flange 22 and the axis of the main body 10 exceeds 90°, the fluid needs to bend when flowing out from the diversion holes 21, the flow resistance increases, and it can be understood that this is disadvantageous to the normal diversion of the fluid.

[0054] Furthermore, a limiting structure (not shown) is provided on the main body 10. The diversion plate 20 is fixed to the outlet 13 and can abut against the limiting structure. By providing the limiting structure, the mounting position of the diversion plate 20 is restricted. That is, in this embodiment, when the diversion plate 20 is mounted at the position of the outlet 13 on the main body 10, the limiting structure is provided on the inner wall of the outlet segment 17. When the diversion plate 20 is mounted at the position of the outlet 13 of the main body 10, it can abut against the limiting structure and be restricted, thereby restricting the mounting position of the diversion plate 20.

[0055] Optionally, in this embodiment, the limiting structure may be a limiting protrusion or a limiting protruding ring. Naturally, in other embodiments, the limiting structure may be provided as a reduced-diameter structure or an enlarged-diameter structure, which is not limited here.

[0056] Furthermore, an inlet pipe 121 is inserted into the inlet 12. The inlet pipe 121 is fixed to the inlet 12 by welding. The inlet pipe 121 is used, for example, to connect to an external device such as a throttle valve. An outlet pipe 211 is provided at the orifice located outside the chamber 11 of the diversion holes 21. The outlet pipe 211 and the flange 22 are fixedly connected by welding. By providing it in this way, the connection strength of the outlet pipe 211 can be increased.

[0057] In other embodiments, the inlet pipe 121 may be fitted to the inlet 12 and fixed to the inlet 12 by welding. Similarly, the outlet pipe 211 may be partially inserted into the diversion hole 21 or may be partially fitted to the outer wall of the flange 22. This can not only enhance the connection strength, but also allow the flange 22 to be connected to the outlet pipes 211 with different pipe diameters.

[0058] In this embodiment, the plurality of outlet pipes 211 are connected to the plurality of heat exchange pipes of the evaporator. However, in other embodiments, the outlet pipes 211 may be connected to different devices according to different connection targets, which is not limited herein.

[0059] Optionally, the inlet pipe 121 and the outlet pipe 211 may be made of stainless steel pipes or copper pipes. However, since stainless steel pipes have a lower cost and are the same material as the main body 10, the difficulty of welding can be reduced. Similarly, since the pipeline of the cooling system is usually made of copper pipes, using the inlet pipe 121 and the outlet pipe 211 as copper pipes can facilitate welding. The flow divider 100 of the present application may select the inlet pipe 121 and the outlet pipe 211 made of stainless steel material or copper material according to different situations, which is not limited herein.

[0060] The present application provides a flow divider. By adopting a processing process of stretch forming the stainless steel plate to manufacture the main body 10, the manufacturing cost is reduced, the manufacturing cycle is shortened, and both subsequent use and maintenance become more convenient.

[0061] The present application includes a heat exchanger (not shown) and the above-mentioned flow divider 100. The flow divider 100 further provides a cooling system (not shown) provided at the inlet of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be an evaporator or a condenser. The cooling system of the present application can improve the heat exchange effect of the evaporator and the performance of the cooling system by providing the flow divider 100 provided in the present application.

[0062] Each technical feature of the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of each technical feature in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should all be regarded as within the scope described in this specification.

[0063] The above embodiments merely illustrate some embodiments of the present application. Although the description is relatively specific and detailed, it should not be understood as limiting the scope of the patent claims of the application. It must be pointed out that those skilled in the art can make some modifications and improvements on the premise of not departing from the spirit of the present application, and all of these are included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the patent protection scope of the present application should be in accordance with the appended patent claims.

Claims

1. It includes a main body, the main body has a chamber, an inlet and an outlet are formed in the main body, the inlet and the outlet are respectively located at both ends of the main body, the inlet and the outlet are communicated with each other by the chamber, and the main body is formed by pulling a metal plate. The main body includes an inlet segment and a taper segment connected to each other, the inlet is formed in the inlet segment, and the vertical distance from the taper segment to the main body axis gradually increases in the direction from the inlet to the outlet. The main body further includes an outlet segment, the outlet segment is connected to one end of the taper segment away from the inlet segment, and the outlet is formed in the outlet segment. The wall thickness of the inlet segment is t1, the wall thickness of the taper segment is t2, and the wall thickness of the outlet segment is t3, and t1, t2, and t3 satisfy the following relational expression t1 > t3 > t2, a flow splitter.

2. A transition segment is provided between the inlet segment and the taper segment, the transition segment is located at the connection position between the inlet segment and the taper segment, and is used to transition the flow of the fluid in the main body. The flow splitter according to Claim 1.

3. The cross-section along the axial direction of the transition segment is an arc segment, the arc opening of the arc segment faces the outside of the main body, and the radius R of the arc segment is R ≧ 15 mm. The flow splitter according to Claim 2.

4. The flow splitter further includes a flow splitting plate, the flow splitting plate is attached to the position of the outlet in the main body, a plurality of flow splitting holes are formed in the flow splitting plate, the flow splitting holes are communicated with the inlet by the chamber, and the flow splitting holes are formed in the flow splitting plate through punching. The flow splitter according to Claim 1.

5. The diverter plate is formed with a punched-out widened flange, and the diversion holes are formed within the space surrounded by the flange. The diverter according to claim 4.

6. The flange extends in a direction away from the inlet. The diverter according to claim 5.

7. The included angle between the axis of the flange and the axis of the main body is α, and α satisfies the following relational expression. The diverter according to claim 5. α≦90°

8. A limiting structure is provided at a position relatively close to the outlet of the main body, and the diverter plate can abut against the limiting structure. The diverter according to claim 4.

9. The metal plate is a stainless steel plate. The diverter according to claim 1.

10. A cooling system including a heat exchanger and the diverter according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the diverter is provided at the inlet of the heat exchanger.

11. When the main body and the diverter plate are made of stainless steel, a step of welding the diverter plate into the main body by adopting laser welding or argon arc welding; When the main body and the diverter plate are made of copper, a step of welding the diverter plate into the main body by adopting flame welding or high-frequency welding; The welding method of the diverter according to any one of claims 4 to 8, including the above steps.

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