Heat exchanger and thermal management system

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes a flow guide plate which is disposed in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers. A plurality of first flow guide grooves are disposed on the flow guide plate the plurality of first flow guide grooves are spaced from each other, forming a plurality of flow diverting gaps. Each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves is formed one of a straight groove section and a curved groove section individually or is formed by alternately arranging both a straight groove section and a curved groove section, the straight groove section comprises a plurality of staggered passages communicated with each other in sequence along a center line of the straight groove section and adjacent two of the plurality of staggered passages are distributed in a staggered manner along a direction perpendicular to the center line of the straight groove section.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a U.S. national phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 based upon international patent application No. PCT / CN2023 / 080830, filed on Mar. 10, 2023, which itself claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202211692896.5, filed on Dec. 28, 2022, and titled “HEAT EXCHANGER AND THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM”. The contents of the above identified applications are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of heat exchange device technology, and in particular, to a heat exchanger and a thermal management system.BACKGROUND

[0003] A heat exchanger generally includes a hot collecting inlet channel, a plurality of hot fluid channel layers, and a hot collecting outlet channel sequentially connected and in communication with each other. Additionally, the heat exchanger further includes a cold collecting inlet channel, a plurality of cold fluid channel layers, and a cold collecting outlet channel sequentially connected and in communication with each other. To rapidly dissipate heat from a hot fluid in the plurality of hot fluid channel layers, the plurality of hot fluid channel layers and the plurality of cold fluid channel layers are alternately stacked. After a cold fluid enters the plurality of cold fluid channel layers, it tends to generate turbulence in the cold fluid channel layers. This turbulence increases a flow resistance of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers, thereby affecting a heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0004] Typically, to address an issue of excessive flow resistance of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers, the conventional technical approach is to provide a plurality of flow channels in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers. However, the conventional flow channels cannot resolve a problem of inconsistent heat exchange effects of the cold fluid in different areas of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers, which in turn leads to the heat exchanger being prone to thermal stress concentration.SUMMARY

[0005] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger with a thermal management system.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a hot collecting inlet channel, a plurality of hot fluid channel layers and a hot collecting outlet channel sequentially connected and in communication with each other. The heat exchanger further includes a cold collecting inlet channel, a plurality of cold fluid channel layers and a cold collecting outlet channel sequentially connected and in communication with each other, the plurality of hot fluid channel layers and the plurality of cold fluid channel layers are alternately stacked. The heat exchanger further includes a flow guide plate, which is disposed in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers. The flow guide plate is provided with a plurality of first flow guide grooves connected and in communication with the cold collecting inlet channel and the cold collecting outlet channel. The plurality of first flow guide grooves are spaced from each other, forming a plurality of flow diverting gaps, such that a cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers is capable of flowing from the cold collecting inlet channel to the cold collecting outlet channel along both the plurality of first flow guide grooves and the plurality of flow diverting gaps. And each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves is formed by one of a straight groove section and a curved groove section individually or is formed by alternately arranging both a straight groove section and a curved groove section. A side wall of the curved groove section is in a smoothly curved shape, and a center line of the straight groove section is in a linear shape, the straight groove section includes a plurality of staggered passages communicated with each other in sequence along a center line of the straight groove section and adjacent two of the plurality of staggered passages are distributed in a staggered manner along a direction perpendicular to the center line of the straight groove section, such that each of the plurality of staggered passages is capable of being in communication with adjacent one of the plurality of staggered passages and corresponding one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps on a side of the straight groove section.

[0007] In some embodiments, a side wall of the curved groove section is provided with a communication hole at its maximum curvature position, and the communication hole is connected and in communication with corresponding one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps.

[0008] In some embodiments, the cold collecting inlet channel and the cold collecting outlet channel are diagonally distributed, and the hot collecting inlet channel and the hot collecting outlet channel are diagonally distributed, the plurality of first flow guide grooves are arranged between the hot collecting inlet channel and the hot collecting outlet channel.

[0009] In some embodiments, the flow guide plate is further provided with a plurality of second flow guide grooves, one part of the plurality of second flow guide grooves are arranged at a side of the hot collecting inlet channel away from the hot collecting outlet channel, and the other part of the plurality of second flow guide grooves are arranged at a side of the hot collecting outlet channel away from the hot collecting inlet channel.

[0010] In some embodiments, the flow guide plate is further provided with a plurality of flow guide protrusions, the plurality of flow guide protrusions are arranged between the plurality of first flow guide grooves and the plurality of second flow guide grooves, to divide surfaces of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers between the plurality of first flow guide grooves and the plurality of second flow guide grooves into a plurality of flow guide channels, and a cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of flow guide channels, a cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves and a cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of second flow guide grooves are all equal.

[0011] In some embodiments, when each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves is formed by alternately arranging both the straight groove section and the curved groove section. A size of each of the plurality of staggered passages along the direction perpendicular to the center line of the straight groove section is defined as a width of each of the plurality of staggered passages. The width of each of the plurality of staggered passages tends to increase along a direction from away from the curved groove section to towards the curved groove section.

[0012] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of any one of the plurality of first flow guide grooves adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel is equal to a cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of any one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel.

[0013] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional flow area of an outlet end of any one of the plurality of first flow guide grooves adjacent to the cold collecting outlet channel is equal to a cross-sectional flow area of an outlet end of any one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps adjacent to the cold collecting outlet channel.

[0014] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger further includes a plurality of splitter plates. The plurality of cold fluid channel layers and the plurality of hot fluid channel layers are sequentially formed among the plurality of splitter plates, and the flow guide plate is fixedly connected with adjacent two of the plurality of splitter plates.

[0015] The present disclosure further provides a thermal management system, including the above heat exchanger is provided.

[0016] Details of one or more embodiments of this application are presented in the attached drawings and descriptions below. And other features, purposes and advantages of this application will become apparent from the description, drawings and claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] For a better description and illustration of embodiments and / or examples of those disclosures disclosed herein, reference may be made to one or more attached drawings. Additional details or examples used to describe the drawings should not be considered as limiting the scope of any of the disclosed disclosures, currently described embodiments and / or examples, and currently understood best modes of these disclosures.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a heat exchanger according to one or more embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of a heat exchanger according to one or more embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a flow guide plate according to one or more embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a thermal management system according to one or more embodiments.

[0022] Reference signs are as follows: 100 represents a heat exchanger; 110 represents a cold fluid inlet pipe; 120 represents a cold fluid outlet pipe; 130 represents a hot fluid inlet pipe; 140 represents a hot fluid outlet pipe; 150 represents a hot flow channel layer; 160 represents a cold flow channel layer; 200 represents a heat exchange core; 210 represents a hot collecting inlet channel; 230 represents a hot collecting outlet channel; 240 represents a cold collecting inlet channel; 260 represents a cold collecting outlet channel; 300 represents a flow guide plate; 310 represents a first flow guide groove; 311 represents a straight groove section; 312 represents an staggered passage; 313 represents a curved groove section; 314 represents a communication hole; 320 represents a flow diverting gap; 330 represents a flow guide protrusion; 331 represents a flow induction channel; 340 represents a second flow guide groove; 400 represents a splitter plate; and 500 represents a thermal management system.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the terms “center”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “length”, “width”, “thickness” and “up”, “down”, “before” and “after”, “left”, “right” and “vertical”, “level”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside” and “outside”, “clockwise” and “rotate”, “axis”, “radial” and “to the” instructions for the location or position relations is based on the azimuth or positional relationship shown in the attached drawings, only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, so it cannot be understood as a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0024] In addition, if these terms “first” and “second” appear, these terms are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with “first” and “second”′ may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present disclosure, if there is a term “a plurality of”, the meaning of “a plurality of” is at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless specifically defined otherwise.

[0025] In the present disclosure, unless expressly specified and defined otherwise, the terms “mounted”, “connected”, “connected”, “fixed”, etc., should be construed broadly, unless expressly specified and defined otherwise. For example, it may be a fixed connection, or may be a detachable connection, or a whole; may be a mechanical connection, or may be an electrical connection; may be directly connected, or may be indirectly connected by means of an intermediate medium, may be a communication relationship between the interior of the two elements or an interaction relationship between the two elements, unless explicitly defined otherwise. For a person of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application may be understood according to specific situations.

[0026] In the present disclosure, unless expressly specified and defined otherwise, if there is a similar description of the first feature in the second feature “upper” or “lower”, the meaning may be that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or the first feature and the second feature are indirectly in contact with each other by means of the intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature “above”, “above”, and “upper” of the second feature may be that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature horizontal height is higher than the second feature. The first feature “below”, “lower”, and “lower surface” of the second feature may be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature horizontal height is less than the second feature.

[0027] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as being “fixed to” or “disposed on” another element, it may be directly on another element or intervening elements may also be present. If one element is considered to be “connected” another element, it may be directly connected to another element or may have a centering element at the same time. If present, the terms “vertical”, “horizontal”, “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, and the like used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and are not shown as unique implementations.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field of this application. The terminology used herein in the specification of this application is only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and is not intended to limit this application. As used herein, the term “or / and” includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0029] A heat exchanger generally includes a hot collecting inlet channel, a plurality of hot fluid channel layers, and a hot collecting outlet channel sequentially connected and in communication with each other. Additionally, the heat exchanger further includes a cold collecting inlet channel, a plurality of cold fluid channel layers, and a cold collecting outlet channel sequentially connected and in communication with each other. To rapidly dissipate heat from a hot fluid in the plurality of hot fluid channel layers, the plurality of hot fluid channel layers and the plurality of cold fluid channel layers are alternately stacked. After a cold fluid enters the plurality of cold fluid channel layers, it tends to generate turbulence in the cold fluid channel layers. This turbulence increases a flow resistance of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers, thereby affecting a heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0030] Typically, to address an issue of excessive flow resistance of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers, the conventional technical approach is to provide a plurality of flow channels in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers. However, the conventional flow channels cannot resolve a problem of inconsistent heat exchange effects of the cold fluid in different areas of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers, which in turn leads to the heat exchanger being prone to thermal stress concentration.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, in order to solve a problem that the heat exchanger is prone to thermal stress concentration due to an inconsistent heat exchange effect of a cold fluid in a cold flow channel layer, the present disclosure provides a heat exchanger 100. The heat exchanger 100 includes a cold fluid inlet pipe 110, a cold fluid outlet pipe 120, a hot fluid inlet pipe 130, a hot fluid outlet pipe 140 and a heat exchange core 200. A cold fluid enters the heat exchange core 200 from the cold fluid inlet pipe 110 and leaves the heat exchange core 200 from the cold fluid outlet pipe 120. A hot fluid enters the heat exchange core 200 from the hot fluid inlet pipe 130 and leaves the heat exchange core 200 from the hot fluid outlet pipe 140. The cold fluid and the hot fluid is capable of exchanging heat in the heat exchange core 200. The heat exchanger 100 is provided with a hot collecting inlet channel 210, a plurality of hot fluid channel layers 150 and a hot collecting outlet channel 230 sequentially connected and in communication with each other. The heat exchanger 100 is further provided with a cold collecting inlet channel 240, a plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 and a cold collecting outlet channel 260 sequentially connected and in communication with each other. The plurality of hot fluid channel layers 150 and the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 are alternately stacked. Furthermore, the cold fluid inlet pipe 110 is connected and in communication with the cold collecting inlet channel 240. And the cold fluid outlet pipe 120 is connected and in communication with the cold collecting outlet channel 260. The hot fluid inlet pipe 130 is connected and in communication with the hot collecting inlet channel 210, and the hot fluid outlet pipe 140 is connected and in communication with the hot collecting outlet channel 230. The plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 and the plurality of hot flow channel layers 150 are both disposed in the heat exchange core 200.

[0032] The heat exchanger 100 further includes a flow guide plate 300, which is disposed in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160. And the flow guide plate 300 is provided with a plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 that connected and in communication with the cold collecting inlet channel 240 and the cold collecting outlet channel 260. The plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 are spaced from each other, forming a plurality of flow diverting gaps 320. Such that the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 is capable of flowing from the cold collecting inlet channel 240 into the cold collecting outlet channel 260 along both the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 and the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320. And each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 includes a straight groove section 311 and a curved groove section 313. Each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves is formed by one of the straight groove section 311 and the curved groove section 313 or is formed by alternating arrangements both the straight groove section 311 and the curved groove section 313. A side wall of the curved groove section 313 is in a smoothly curved shape, and a center line of the straight groove section 311 is a linear shape. The straight groove section 311 includes a plurality of staggered passages 312 communicated with each other in sequence along a center line of the straight groove section 311 and adjacent two of the plurality of staggered passages 312 are distributed in a staggered manner along a direction perpendicular to the center line of the straight groove section 311, such that each of the plurality of staggered passages 312 is capable of being in communication with adjacent one of the plurality of staggered passages 312 and corresponding one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 on a side of the straight groove section 311.

[0033] It should be noted that the plurality of staggered passages 312 passes through the straight groove section 311 along the direction of the center line of the straight groove section 311.

[0034] It can be understood that, a whole area of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 is relatively greater than a cross-sectional area of the cold collecting inlet channel 240 or the cross-sectional area of the cold collecting outlet channel 260. Therefore, in order to connect the cold collecting inlet channel 240 and the cold collecting outlet channel 260, and to make the cold fluid more evenly distributed in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160, the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 generally cannot connect to the cold collecting inlet channel 240 and the cold collecting outlet channel 260 along a straight line, that is, one part of each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 may extend along one side of a connecting center line of the cold collecting inlet channel 240 and the cold collecting outlet channel 260, and the other part of each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 may extends along the other side of a connection center line of the cold collecting inlet channel 240 and the cold collecting outlet channel 260. Compared with each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves extends along a folded line, each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 formed by combining the straight groove section 311 and the curved groove section 313 can make the cold fluid flow smoothly in each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 in a maximum extent, to avoid a problem of sharp increase in flow resistance caused by sudden change in flow direction of the cold fluid. That is, this arrangement can minimize a flow resistance of the cold fluid in each of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160.

[0035] Furthermore, by setting a side wall of the curved groove section 313 into a smoothly extending curve shape, it is capable to reduce the flow resistance of the cold fluid in the curved groove section 313, further improving a flow velocity of the cold fluid in the curved groove section 313. In addition, by setting the straight groove section 311 and arranging adjacent two of the plurality of staggered passages 312 to distribute in a staggered manner along a direction perpendicular to the center line of the straight groove section 311, the cold fluid can continuously switch the flow channels between the staggered passages 312 and the flow diverting gap 320. In this way, a flow velocity of the cold fluid can be reduced, so that the flow velocity of the cold fluid in the straight groove section 311 (including the flow diverting gap 320 between the straight groove section 311 and another adjacent straight groove section 311) and the curved groove section 313 (including the flow diverting gap 320 between the curved groove section 313 and another adjacent curved groove section 313) tend to be consistent with each other.

[0036] Furthermore, each of the staggered passages 312 can be in communication with the adjacent the staggered passage 312 and the flow diverting gap 320 located at one side of the straight groove section 311, a continuous redistribution of the cold fluid between the straight groove section 311 and the flow diverting gap 320 can be realized, so that a hydraulic pressure of the cold fluid in the straight groove section 311 tends to be balanced. Furthermore, the flow velocity of the cold fluid in the straight groove section 311 tends to be the same, thus realizing a flow equalization effect of the cold fluid.

[0037] To sum up, by balancing the flow velocity of the cold fluid at different positions of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160, the heat exchange effect of the cold fluid at different positions of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 can be consistent with each other. Thereby, the problem that the heat exchanger 100 is prone to thermal stress concentration due to the inconsistent heat exchange effect of the cold fluid in all parts of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 can be effectively solved.

[0038] Furthermore, the side wall of the curved groove section 313 is in a smoothly curve shape, which is beneficial to the mold opening process of the flow guide plate 300.

[0039] Specifically, in an embodiment, a plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 can be processed in the flow guide plate 300 by stamping.

[0040] In other embodiments, the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 can be processed in the flow guide plate 300 by welding or 3D printing, which is not limited here.

[0041] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, when each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 is formed by alternately arranging both the straight groove section 311 and the curved groove section 313. A size of each of the plurality of staggered passages 312 along the direction perpendicular to the center line of the straight groove section 311 is defined as a width of each of the plurality of staggered passages 312, the width of each of the plurality of staggered passages 312 tends to increase along a direction from away from the curved groove section 313 to towards the curved groove section 313.

[0042] By such arrangement, it is beneficial for the cold fluid to enter the staggered passage 312 adjacent to the curved groove section 313 from an inside of the curved groove section 313, and enter the curved groove section 313 from the staggered passage 312 adjacent to the curved groove section 313, thereby being beneficial to improving the flow velocity of the cold fluid in the staggered passage 312 adjacent to the curved groove section 313.

[0043] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of any one of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240 is equal to a cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of any one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240.

[0044] It should be noted that, wording “a cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of any one of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240 is equal to a cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of any one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240” means that the cross-sectional flow area of the inlet end of each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240 is equal to each other, the cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of each of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240 is equal to each other, and the cross-sectional flow area of the inlet end of each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240 and the cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of each of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240 is also equal to each other.

[0045] In this way, the cold fluid flowing out of the cold collecting inlet channel 240 can uniformly enter the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 and the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320, such that the flow of the cold fluid in each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 and each of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 is equal to each other. Thereby, it ensures that the total amount of heat exchange of the cold fluid in which the flow guide plate 300 is located in each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 and each of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 is consistent. Combined with the cold fluid, the flow velocity in an area of the straight groove section 311 is consistent with that in the flow velocity in an area of the curved groove section 313. It can be seen that this arrangement can keep a flow rate and velocity of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 consistent with each other. It can further ensure the heat exchange effect in these cold fluid channel layers 160 is also consistent, thus avoiding thermal stress concentration in the heat exchanger 100.

[0046] Specifically, in an embodiment, when a distance between two of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 tends to increase or decrease along the flow direction of the cold fluid, a distance between the above two of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 and the cold collecting inlet channel 240 corresponding to the above two of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 is adjusted, thereby a cross-sectional flow area of the inlet end of any one of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240 is equal to the cross-sectional flow area of the inlet end of any one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240.

[0047] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional flow area of an outlet end of any one of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 adjacent to the cold collecting outlet channel 260 is equal to a cross-sectional flow area of an outlet end of any one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 adjacent to the cold collecting outlet channel 260.

[0048] As such, a phenomenon that a turbulence is generated at the cold collecting outlet channel 260 due to the cold fluid from flowing out of the different first flow guide grooves 310 and the different flow diverting gaps 320 with different rates of flow can be avoided. Furthermore, it can prevent the flow resistance of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 from increasing.

[0049] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, a side wall of the curved groove section 313 is provided with a communication hole 314 at its maximum curvature position, and the communication hole 314 is connected and in communication with corresponding one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320.

[0050] Since the flow diverting gap 320 is formed by surrounding adjacent multiple of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310, when the cold fluid passes through the position where the curvature of the curved groove section 313 is maximum, the curvature of the cold fluid passing through the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 is also the greater. It can be understood that at this time, a resistance of the cold fluid by the side wall of the curved groove section 313 is the greater. By providing the communication hole 314, the cold fluid at the communication hole 314 can flow between the curved groove section 313 and the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 to achieve a more uniform effect of the cold fluid in an area of the curved groove section 313. Moreover, the cold fluid in the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 can be acted by the side wall of the curved groove section 313 under an action of hydraulic pressure. Such that the cold fluid in the curved groove section 313 can pass through the position with the greater curvature in the curved groove section 313 with less resistance. Similarly, the cold fluid in the curved groove section 313 can also be acted by the side wall of the corresponding one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 under the action of hydraulic pressure, so that the cold fluid in the flow diverting gap 320 can pass through the position with the greater curvature in the flow diverting gap 320 with less resistance.

[0051] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, the cold collecting inlet channel 240 and the cold collecting outlet channel 260 are diagonally distributed, and the hot collecting inlet channel 210 and the hot collecting outlet channel 230 are diagonally distributed, the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 are arranged between the hot collecting inlet channel 210 and the hot collecting outlet channel 230.

[0052] The cold fluid can mainly enter into the cold collecting outlet channel 260 from the cold collecting inlet channel 240 through an area between the hot collecting inlet channel 210 and the hot collecting outlet channel 230. Therefore, by arranging the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 between the hot collecting inlet channel 210 and the hot collecting outlet channel 230, it can ensure that the flow rates of most of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 are consistent.

[0053] Furthermore, in an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, the flow guide plate 300 is further provided with a plurality of second flow guide grooves 340, one part of the plurality of second flow guide grooves 340 are arranged at a side of the hot collecting inlet channel 210 away from the hot collecting outlet channel 230, and the other part of the plurality of second flow guide grooves 340 are arranged at a side of the hot collecting outlet channel 230 away from the hot collecting inlet channel 210.

[0054] As such, the cold fluid can smoothly pass through a side of the hot collecting outlet channel 210 away from the hot collecting outlet channel 230 and a side of the hot collecting outlet channel 230 away from the hot collecting inlet channel 210, thereby further effectively reducing a flow resistance of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 and further reducing a pressure drop of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160.

[0055] Furthermore, in an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, the flow guide plate 300 is further provided with a plurality of flow guide protrusions 330, the plurality of flow guide protrusions 330 are arranged between the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 and the plurality of second flow guide grooves 340, to divide surfaces of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 between the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 and the plurality of second flow guide grooves 340 into a plurality of flow guide channels 331. A cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of flow guide channels 331, a cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 and a cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of second flow guide grooves 340 are all equal to each other.

[0056] In this way, the flow resistance of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 is further effectively reduced, and the pressure drop of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 is further reduced.

[0057] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, the heat exchanger 100 further includes a plurality of splitter plates 400. The plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 and the plurality of hot fluid channel layers 150 are sequentially formed among the plurality of splitter plates 400. The flow guide plate 300 is fixedly connected with adjacent two of the plurality of the splitter plates 400.

[0058] In this way, a connection strength of the flow guide plate 300 can be improved.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 3, the present disclosure further provides a thermal management system 500, which includes the above heat exchanger 100 described in any one embodiment.

[0060] The technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features are described in the embodiments. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, the combinations should be considered as in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0061] One of ordinary skill in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are used only to illustrate the present disclosure and are not used to limit the present disclosure, and that appropriate variations and improvements to the above embodiments fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure so long as they are made without departing from the substantial spirit of the present disclosure.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0023]In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the terms “center”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “length”, “width”, “thickness” and “up”, “down”, “before” and “after”, “left”, “right” and “vertical”, “level”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside” and “outside”, “clockwise” and “rotate”, “axis”, “radial” and “to the” instructions for the location or position relations is based on the azimuth or positional relationship shown in the attached drawings, only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, so it cannot be understood as a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0024]In addition, if these terms “first” and “second” appear, these terms are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indi...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a U.S. national phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 based upon international patent application No. PCT / CN2023 / 080830, filed on Mar. 10, 2023, which itself claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202211692896.5, filed on Dec. 28, 2022, and titled “HEAT EXCHANGER AND THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM”. The contents of the above identified applications are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of heat exchange device technology, and in particular, to a heat exchanger and a thermal management system.BACKGROUND

[0003] A heat exchanger generally includes a hot collecting inlet channel, a plurality of hot fluid channel layers, and a hot collecting outlet channel sequentially connected and in communication with each other. Additionally, the heat exchanger further includes a cold collecting inlet channel, a plurality of cold fluid channel layers, and a cold collecting outlet channel sequentially connected and in communication with each other. To rapidly dissipate heat from a hot fluid in the plurality of hot fluid channel layers, the plurality of hot fluid channel layers and the plurality of cold fluid channel layers are alternately stacked. After a cold fluid enters the plurality of cold fluid channel layers, it tends to generate turbulence in the cold fluid channel layers. This turbulence increases a flow resistance of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers, thereby affecting a heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0004] Typically, to address an issue of excessive flow resistance of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers, the conventional technical approach is to provide a plurality of flow channels in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers. However, the conventional flow channels cannot resolve a problem of inconsistent heat exchange effects of the cold fluid in different areas of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers, which in turn leads to the heat exchanger being prone to thermal stress concentration.SUMMARY

[0005] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger with a thermal management system.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a hot collecting inlet channel, a plurality of hot fluid channel layers and a hot collecting outlet channel sequentially connected and in communication with each other. The heat exchanger further includes a cold collecting inlet channel, a plurality of cold fluid channel layers and a cold collecting outlet channel sequentially connected and in communication with each other, the plurality of hot fluid channel layers and the plurality of cold fluid channel layers are alternately stacked. The heat exchanger further includes a flow guide plate, which is disposed in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers. The flow guide plate is provided with a plurality of first flow guide grooves connected and in communication with the cold collecting inlet channel and the cold collecting outlet channel. The plurality of first flow guide grooves are spaced from each other, forming a plurality of flow diverting gaps, such that a cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers is capable of flowing from the cold collecting inlet channel to the cold collecting outlet channel along both the plurality of first flow guide grooves and the plurality of flow diverting gaps. And each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves is formed by one of a straight groove section and a curved groove section individually or is formed by alternately arranging both a straight groove section and a curved groove section. A side wall of the curved groove section is in a smoothly curved shape, and a center line of the straight groove section is in a linear shape, the straight groove section includes a plurality of staggered passages communicated with each other in sequence along a center line of the straight groove section and adjacent two of the plurality of staggered passages are distributed in a staggered manner along a direction perpendicular to the center line of the straight groove section, such that each of the plurality of staggered passages is capable of being in communication with adjacent one of the plurality of staggered passages and corresponding one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps on a side of the straight groove section.

[0007] In some embodiments, a side wall of the curved groove section is provided with a communication hole at its maximum curvature position, and the communication hole is connected and in communication with corresponding one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps.

[0008] In some embodiments, the cold collecting inlet channel and the cold collecting outlet channel are diagonally distributed, and the hot collecting inlet channel and the hot collecting outlet channel are diagonally distributed, the plurality of first flow guide grooves are arranged between the hot collecting inlet channel and the hot collecting outlet channel.

[0009] In some embodiments, the flow guide plate is further provided with a plurality of second flow guide grooves, one part of the plurality of second flow guide grooves are arranged at a side of the hot collecting inlet channel away from the hot collecting outlet channel, and the other part of the plurality of second flow guide grooves are arranged at a side of the hot collecting outlet channel away from the hot collecting inlet channel.

[0010] In some embodiments, the flow guide plate is further provided with a plurality of flow guide protrusions, the plurality of flow guide protrusions are arranged between the plurality of first flow guide grooves and the plurality of second flow guide grooves, to divide surfaces of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers between the plurality of first flow guide grooves and the plurality of second flow guide grooves into a plurality of flow guide channels, and a cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of flow guide channels, a cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves and a cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of second flow guide grooves are all equal.

[0011] In some embodiments, when each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves is formed by alternately arranging both the straight groove section and the curved groove section. A size of each of the plurality of staggered passages along the direction perpendicular to the center line of the straight groove section is defined as a width of each of the plurality of staggered passages. The width of each of the plurality of staggered passages tends to increase along a direction from away from the curved groove section to towards the curved groove section.

[0012] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of any one of the plurality of first flow guide grooves adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel is equal to a cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of any one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel.

[0013] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional flow area of an outlet end of any one of the plurality of first flow guide grooves adjacent to the cold collecting outlet channel is equal to a cross-sectional flow area of an outlet end of any one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps adjacent to the cold collecting outlet channel.

[0014] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger further includes a plurality of splitter plates. The plurality of cold fluid channel layers and the plurality of hot fluid channel layers are sequentially formed among the plurality of splitter plates, and the flow guide plate is fixedly connected with adjacent two of the plurality of splitter plates.

[0015] The present disclosure further provides a thermal management system, including the above heat exchanger is provided.

[0016] Details of one or more embodiments of this application are presented in the attached drawings and descriptions below. And other features, purposes and advantages of this application will become apparent from the description, drawings and claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] For a better description and illustration of embodiments and / or examples of those disclosures disclosed herein, reference may be made to one or more attached drawings. Additional details or examples used to describe the drawings should not be considered as limiting the scope of any of the disclosed disclosures, currently described embodiments and / or examples, and currently understood best modes of these disclosures.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a heat exchanger according to one or more embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of a heat exchanger according to one or more embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a flow guide plate according to one or more embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a thermal management system according to one or more embodiments.

[0022] Reference signs are as follows: 100 represents a heat exchanger; 110 represents a cold fluid inlet pipe; 120 represents a cold fluid outlet pipe; 130 represents a hot fluid inlet pipe; 140 represents a hot fluid outlet pipe; 150 represents a hot flow channel layer; 160 represents a cold flow channel layer; 200 represents a heat exchange core; 210 represents a hot collecting inlet channel; 230 represents a hot collecting outlet channel; 240 represents a cold collecting inlet channel; 260 represents a cold collecting outlet channel; 300 represents a flow guide plate; 310 represents a first flow guide groove; 311 represents a straight groove section; 312 represents an staggered passage; 313 represents a curved groove section; 314 represents a communication hole; 320 represents a flow diverting gap; 330 represents a flow guide protrusion; 331 represents a flow induction channel; 340 represents a second flow guide groove; 400 represents a splitter plate; and 500 represents a thermal management system.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the terms “center”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “length”, “width”, “thickness” and “up”, “down”, “before” and “after”, “left”, “right” and “vertical”, “level”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside” and “outside”, “clockwise” and “rotate”, “axis”, “radial” and “to the” instructions for the location or position relations is based on the azimuth or positional relationship shown in the attached drawings, only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, so it cannot be understood as a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0024] In addition, if these terms “first” and “second” appear, these terms are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with “first” and “second”′ may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present disclosure, if there is a term “a plurality of”, the meaning of “a plurality of” is at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless specifically defined otherwise.

[0025] In the present disclosure, unless expressly specified and defined otherwise, the terms “mounted”, “connected”, “connected”, “fixed”, etc., should be construed broadly, unless expressly specified and defined otherwise. For example, it may be a fixed connection, or may be a detachable connection, or a whole; may be a mechanical connection, or may be an electrical connection; may be directly connected, or may be indirectly connected by means of an intermediate medium, may be a communication relationship between the interior of the two elements or an interaction relationship between the two elements, unless explicitly defined otherwise. For a person of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application may be understood according to specific situations.

[0026] In the present disclosure, unless expressly specified and defined otherwise, if there is a similar description of the first feature in the second feature “upper” or “lower”, the meaning may be that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or the first feature and the second feature are indirectly in contact with each other by means of the intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature “above”, “above”, and “upper” of the second feature may be that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature horizontal height is higher than the second feature. The first feature “below”, “lower”, and “lower surface” of the second feature may be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature horizontal height is less than the second feature.

[0027] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as being “fixed to” or “disposed on” another element, it may be directly on another element or intervening elements may also be present. If one element is considered to be “connected” another element, it may be directly connected to another element or may have a centering element at the same time. If present, the terms “vertical”, “horizontal”, “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, and the like used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and are not shown as unique implementations.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field of this application. The terminology used herein in the specification of this application is only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and is not intended to limit this application. As used herein, the term “or / and” includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0029] A heat exchanger generally includes a hot collecting inlet channel, a plurality of hot fluid channel layers, and a hot collecting outlet channel sequentially connected and in communication with each other. Additionally, the heat exchanger further includes a cold collecting inlet channel, a plurality of cold fluid channel layers, and a cold collecting outlet channel sequentially connected and in communication with each other. To rapidly dissipate heat from a hot fluid in the plurality of hot fluid channel layers, the plurality of hot fluid channel layers and the plurality of cold fluid channel layers are alternately stacked. After a cold fluid enters the plurality of cold fluid channel layers, it tends to generate turbulence in the cold fluid channel layers. This turbulence increases a flow resistance of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers, thereby affecting a heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0030] Typically, to address an issue of excessive flow resistance of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers, the conventional technical approach is to provide a plurality of flow channels in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers. However, the conventional flow channels cannot resolve a problem of inconsistent heat exchange effects of the cold fluid in different areas of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers, which in turn leads to the heat exchanger being prone to thermal stress concentration.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, in order to solve a problem that the heat exchanger is prone to thermal stress concentration due to an inconsistent heat exchange effect of a cold fluid in a cold flow channel layer, the present disclosure provides a heat exchanger 100. The heat exchanger 100 includes a cold fluid inlet pipe 110, a cold fluid outlet pipe 120, a hot fluid inlet pipe 130, a hot fluid outlet pipe 140 and a heat exchange core 200. A cold fluid enters the heat exchange core 200 from the cold fluid inlet pipe 110 and leaves the heat exchange core 200 from the cold fluid outlet pipe 120. A hot fluid enters the heat exchange core 200 from the hot fluid inlet pipe 130 and leaves the heat exchange core 200 from the hot fluid outlet pipe 140. The cold fluid and the hot fluid is capable of exchanging heat in the heat exchange core 200. The heat exchanger 100 is provided with a hot collecting inlet channel 210, a plurality of hot fluid channel layers 150 and a hot collecting outlet channel 230 sequentially connected and in communication with each other. The heat exchanger 100 is further provided with a cold collecting inlet channel 240, a plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 and a cold collecting outlet channel 260 sequentially connected and in communication with each other. The plurality of hot fluid channel layers 150 and the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 are alternately stacked. Furthermore, the cold fluid inlet pipe 110 is connected and in communication with the cold collecting inlet channel 240. And the cold fluid outlet pipe 120 is connected and in communication with the cold collecting outlet channel 260. The hot fluid inlet pipe 130 is connected and in communication with the hot collecting inlet channel 210, and the hot fluid outlet pipe 140 is connected and in communication with the hot collecting outlet channel 230. The plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 and the plurality of hot flow channel layers 150 are both disposed in the heat exchange core 200.

[0032] The heat exchanger 100 further includes a flow guide plate 300, which is disposed in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160. And the flow guide plate 300 is provided with a plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 that connected and in communication with the cold collecting inlet channel 240 and the cold collecting outlet channel 260. The plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 are spaced from each other, forming a plurality of flow diverting gaps 320. Such that the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 is capable of flowing from the cold collecting inlet channel 240 into the cold collecting outlet channel 260 along both the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 and the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320. And each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 includes a straight groove section 311 and a curved groove section 313. Each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves is formed by one of the straight groove section 311 and the curved groove section 313 or is formed by alternating arrangements both the straight groove section 311 and the curved groove section 313. A side wall of the curved groove section 313 is in a smoothly curved shape, and a center line of the straight groove section 311 is a linear shape. The straight groove section 311 includes a plurality of staggered passages 312 communicated with each other in sequence along a center line of the straight groove section 311 and adjacent two of the plurality of staggered passages 312 are distributed in a staggered manner along a direction perpendicular to the center line of the straight groove section 311, such that each of the plurality of staggered passages 312 is capable of being in communication with adjacent one of the plurality of staggered passages 312 and corresponding one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 on a side of the straight groove section 311.

[0033] It should be noted that the plurality of staggered passages 312 passes through the straight groove section 311 along the direction of the center line of the straight groove section 311.

[0034] It can be understood that, a whole area of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 is relatively greater than a cross-sectional area of the cold collecting inlet channel 240 or the cross-sectional area of the cold collecting outlet channel 260. Therefore, in order to connect the cold collecting inlet channel 240 and the cold collecting outlet channel 260, and to make the cold fluid more evenly distributed in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160, the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 generally cannot connect to the cold collecting inlet channel 240 and the cold collecting outlet channel 260 along a straight line, that is, one part of each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 may extend along one side of a connecting center line of the cold collecting inlet channel 240 and the cold collecting outlet channel 260, and the other part of each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 may extends along the other side of a connection center line of the cold collecting inlet channel 240 and the cold collecting outlet channel 260. Compared with each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves extends along a folded line, each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 formed by combining the straight groove section 311 and the curved groove section 313 can make the cold fluid flow smoothly in each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 in a maximum extent, to avoid a problem of sharp increase in flow resistance caused by sudden change in flow direction of the cold fluid. That is, this arrangement can minimize a flow resistance of the cold fluid in each of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160.

[0035] Furthermore, by setting a side wall of the curved groove section 313 into a smoothly extending curve shape, it is capable to reduce the flow resistance of the cold fluid in the curved groove section 313, further improving a flow velocity of the cold fluid in the curved groove section 313. In addition, by setting the straight groove section 311 and arranging adjacent two of the plurality of staggered passages 312 to distribute in a staggered manner along a direction perpendicular to the center line of the straight groove section 311, the cold fluid can continuously switch the flow channels between the staggered passages 312 and the flow diverting gap 320. In this way, a flow velocity of the cold fluid can be reduced, so that the flow velocity of the cold fluid in the straight groove section 311 (including the flow diverting gap 320 between the straight groove section 311 and another adjacent straight groove section 311) and the curved groove section 313 (including the flow diverting gap 320 between the curved groove section 313 and another adjacent curved groove section 313) tend to be consistent with each other.

[0036] Furthermore, each of the staggered passages 312 can be in communication with the adjacent the staggered passage 312 and the flow diverting gap 320 located at one side of the straight groove section 311, a continuous redistribution of the cold fluid between the straight groove section 311 and the flow diverting gap 320 can be realized, so that a hydraulic pressure of the cold fluid in the straight groove section 311 tends to be balanced. Furthermore, the flow velocity of the cold fluid in the straight groove section 311 tends to be the same, thus realizing a flow equalization effect of the cold fluid.

[0037] To sum up, by balancing the flow velocity of the cold fluid at different positions of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160, the heat exchange effect of the cold fluid at different positions of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 can be consistent with each other. Thereby, the problem that the heat exchanger 100 is prone to thermal stress concentration due to the inconsistent heat exchange effect of the cold fluid in all parts of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 can be effectively solved.

[0038] Furthermore, the side wall of the curved groove section 313 is in a smoothly curve shape, which is beneficial to the mold opening process of the flow guide plate 300.

[0039] Specifically, in an embodiment, a plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 can be processed in the flow guide plate 300 by stamping.

[0040] In other embodiments, the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 can be processed in the flow guide plate 300 by welding or 3D printing, which is not limited here.

[0041] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, when each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 is formed by alternately arranging both the straight groove section 311 and the curved groove section 313. A size of each of the plurality of staggered passages 312 along the direction perpendicular to the center line of the straight groove section 311 is defined as a width of each of the plurality of staggered passages 312, the width of each of the plurality of staggered passages 312 tends to increase along a direction from away from the curved groove section 313 to towards the curved groove section 313.

[0042] By such arrangement, it is beneficial for the cold fluid to enter the staggered passage 312 adjacent to the curved groove section 313 from an inside of the curved groove section 313, and enter the curved groove section 313 from the staggered passage 312 adjacent to the curved groove section 313, thereby being beneficial to improving the flow velocity of the cold fluid in the staggered passage 312 adjacent to the curved groove section 313.

[0043] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of any one of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240 is equal to a cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of any one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240.

[0044] It should be noted that, wording “a cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of any one of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240 is equal to a cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of any one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240” means that the cross-sectional flow area of the inlet end of each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240 is equal to each other, the cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of each of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240 is equal to each other, and the cross-sectional flow area of the inlet end of each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240 and the cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of each of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240 is also equal to each other.

[0045] In this way, the cold fluid flowing out of the cold collecting inlet channel 240 can uniformly enter the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 and the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320, such that the flow of the cold fluid in each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 and each of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 is equal to each other. Thereby, it ensures that the total amount of heat exchange of the cold fluid in which the flow guide plate 300 is located in each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 and each of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 is consistent. Combined with the cold fluid, the flow velocity in an area of the straight groove section 311 is consistent with that in the flow velocity in an area of the curved groove section 313. It can be seen that this arrangement can keep a flow rate and velocity of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 consistent with each other. It can further ensure the heat exchange effect in these cold fluid channel layers 160 is also consistent, thus avoiding thermal stress concentration in the heat exchanger 100.

[0046] Specifically, in an embodiment, when a distance between two of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 tends to increase or decrease along the flow direction of the cold fluid, a distance between the above two of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 and the cold collecting inlet channel 240 corresponding to the above two of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 is adjusted, thereby a cross-sectional flow area of the inlet end of any one of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240 is equal to the cross-sectional flow area of the inlet end of any one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel 240.

[0047] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional flow area of an outlet end of any one of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 adjacent to the cold collecting outlet channel 260 is equal to a cross-sectional flow area of an outlet end of any one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 adjacent to the cold collecting outlet channel 260.

[0048] As such, a phenomenon that a turbulence is generated at the cold collecting outlet channel 260 due to the cold fluid from flowing out of the different first flow guide grooves 310 and the different flow diverting gaps 320 with different rates of flow can be avoided. Furthermore, it can prevent the flow resistance of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 from increasing.

[0049] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, a side wall of the curved groove section 313 is provided with a communication hole 314 at its maximum curvature position, and the communication hole 314 is connected and in communication with corresponding one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320.

[0050] Since the flow diverting gap 320 is formed by surrounding adjacent multiple of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310, when the cold fluid passes through the position where the curvature of the curved groove section 313 is maximum, the curvature of the cold fluid passing through the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 is also the greater. It can be understood that at this time, a resistance of the cold fluid by the side wall of the curved groove section 313 is the greater. By providing the communication hole 314, the cold fluid at the communication hole 314 can flow between the curved groove section 313 and the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 to achieve a more uniform effect of the cold fluid in an area of the curved groove section 313. Moreover, the cold fluid in the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 can be acted by the side wall of the curved groove section 313 under an action of hydraulic pressure. Such that the cold fluid in the curved groove section 313 can pass through the position with the greater curvature in the curved groove section 313 with less resistance. Similarly, the cold fluid in the curved groove section 313 can also be acted by the side wall of the corresponding one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps 320 under the action of hydraulic pressure, so that the cold fluid in the flow diverting gap 320 can pass through the position with the greater curvature in the flow diverting gap 320 with less resistance.

[0051] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, the cold collecting inlet channel 240 and the cold collecting outlet channel 260 are diagonally distributed, and the hot collecting inlet channel 210 and the hot collecting outlet channel 230 are diagonally distributed, the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 are arranged between the hot collecting inlet channel 210 and the hot collecting outlet channel 230.

[0052] The cold fluid can mainly enter into the cold collecting outlet channel 260 from the cold collecting inlet channel 240 through an area between the hot collecting inlet channel 210 and the hot collecting outlet channel 230. Therefore, by arranging the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 between the hot collecting inlet channel 210 and the hot collecting outlet channel 230, it can ensure that the flow rates of most of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 are consistent.

[0053] Furthermore, in an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, the flow guide plate 300 is further provided with a plurality of second flow guide grooves 340, one part of the plurality of second flow guide grooves 340 are arranged at a side of the hot collecting inlet channel 210 away from the hot collecting outlet channel 230, and the other part of the plurality of second flow guide grooves 340 are arranged at a side of the hot collecting outlet channel 230 away from the hot collecting inlet channel 210.

[0054] As such, the cold fluid can smoothly pass through a side of the hot collecting outlet channel 210 away from the hot collecting outlet channel 230 and a side of the hot collecting outlet channel 230 away from the hot collecting inlet channel 210, thereby further effectively reducing a flow resistance of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 and further reducing a pressure drop of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160.

[0055] Furthermore, in an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, the flow guide plate 300 is further provided with a plurality of flow guide protrusions 330, the plurality of flow guide protrusions 330 are arranged between the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 and the plurality of second flow guide grooves 340, to divide surfaces of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 between the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 and the plurality of second flow guide grooves 340 into a plurality of flow guide channels 331. A cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of flow guide channels 331, a cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves 310 and a cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of second flow guide grooves 340 are all equal to each other.

[0056] In this way, the flow resistance of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 is further effectively reduced, and the pressure drop of the cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 is further reduced.

[0057] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, the heat exchanger 100 further includes a plurality of splitter plates 400. The plurality of cold fluid channel layers 160 and the plurality of hot fluid channel layers 150 are sequentially formed among the plurality of splitter plates 400. The flow guide plate 300 is fixedly connected with adjacent two of the plurality of the splitter plates 400.

[0058] In this way, a connection strength of the flow guide plate 300 can be improved.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 3, the present disclosure further provides a thermal management system 500, which includes the above heat exchanger 100 described in any one embodiment.

[0060] The technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features are described in the embodiments. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, the combinations should be considered as in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0061] One of ordinary skill in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are used only to illustrate the present disclosure and are not used to limit the present disclosure, and that appropriate variations and improvements to the above embodiments fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure so long as they are made without departing from the substantial spirit of the present disclosure.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0023]In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the terms “center”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “length”, “width”, “thickness” and “up”, “down”, “before” and “after”, “left”, “right” and “vertical”, “level”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside” and “outside”, “clockwise” and “rotate”, “axis”, “radial” and “to the” instructions for the location or position relations is based on the azimuth or positional relationship shown in the attached drawings, only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, so it cannot be understood as a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0024]In addition, if these terms “first” and “second” appear, these terms are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indi...

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, comprising a hot collecting inlet channel, a plurality of hot fluid channel layers and a hot collecting outlet channel sequentially connected and in communication with each other; the heat exchanger further comprises a cold collecting inlet channel, a plurality of cold fluid channel layers and a cold collecting outlet channel sequentially connected and in communication with each other, wherein the plurality of hot fluid channel layers and the plurality of cold fluid channel layers are alternately stacked;the heat exchanger further comprises a flow guide plate, which is disposed in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers, the flow guide plate is provided with a plurality of first flow guide grooves connected and in communication with the cold collecting inlet channel and the cold collecting outlet channel, the plurality of first flow guide grooves are spaced from each other, forming a plurality of flow diverting gaps, such that a cold fluid in the plurality of cold fluid channel layers is capable of flowing from the cold collecting inlet channel to the cold collecting outlet channel along both the plurality of first flow guide grooves and the plurality of flow diverting gaps; andeach of the plurality of first flow guide grooves is formed by one of a straight groove section and a curved groove section individually or is formed by alternately arranging both a straight groove section and a curved groove section, a side wall of the curved groove section is in a smoothly curved shape, and a center line of the straight groove section is in a linear shape, the straight groove section comprises a plurality of staggered passages communicated with each other in sequence along a center line of the straight groove section and adjacent two of the plurality of staggered passages are distributed in a staggered manner along a direction perpendicular to the center line of the straight groove section, such that each of the plurality of staggered passages is capable of being in communication with adjacent one of the plurality of staggered passages and corresponding one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps on a side of the straight groove section.

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a side wall of the curved groove section is provided with a communication hole at its maximum curvature position, and the communication hole is connected and in communication with corresponding one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps.

3. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the cold collecting inlet channel and the cold collecting outlet channel are diagonally distributed, and the hot collecting inlet channel and the hot collecting outlet channel are diagonally distributed, the plurality of first flow guide grooves are arranged between the hot collecting inlet channel and the hot collecting outlet channel.

4. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein the flow guide plate is further provided with a plurality of second flow guide grooves, one part of the plurality of second flow guide grooves are arranged at a side of the hot collecting inlet channel away from the hot collecting outlet channel, and the other part of the plurality of second flow guide grooves are arranged at a side of the hot collecting outlet channel away from the hot collecting inlet channel.

5. The heat exchanger of claim 4, wherein the flow guide plate is further provided with a plurality of flow guide protrusions, the plurality of flow guide protrusions are arranged between the plurality of first flow guide grooves and the plurality of second flow guide grooves, to divide surfaces of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers between the plurality of first flow guide grooves and the plurality of second flow guide grooves into a plurality of flow guide channels, and a cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of flow guide channels, a cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves and a cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of second flow guide grooves are all equal.

6. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein when each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves is formed by alternately arranging both the straight groove section and the curved groove section, a size of each of the plurality of staggered passages along the direction perpendicular to the center line of the straight groove section is defined as a width of each of the plurality of staggered passages, the width of each of the plurality of staggered passages tends to increase along a direction from away from the curved groove section to towards the curved groove section.

7. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of any one of the plurality of first flow guide grooves adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel is equal to a cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of any one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel.

8. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein a cross-sectional flow area of an outlet end of any one of the plurality of first flow guide grooves adjacent to the cold collecting outlet channel is equal to a cross-sectional flow area of an outlet end of any one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps adjacent to the cold collecting outlet channel.

9. The heat exchanger of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of splitter plates, wherein the plurality of cold fluid channel layers and the plurality of hot fluid channel layers are sequentially formed among the plurality of splitter plates, and the flow guide plate is fixedly connected with adjacent two of the plurality of splitter plates.

10. A thermal management system, comprising the heat exchanger of claim 1.

11. The thermal management system of claim 10, wherein a side wall of the curved groove section is provided with a communication hole at its maximum curvature position, and the communication hole is connected and in communication with corresponding one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps.

12. The thermal management system of claim 10, wherein the cold collecting inlet channel and the cold collecting outlet channel are diagonally distributed, and the hot collecting inlet channel and the hot collecting outlet channel are diagonally distributed, the plurality of first flow guide grooves are arranged between the hot collecting inlet channel and the hot collecting outlet channel.

13. The thermal management system of claim 12, wherein the flow guide plate is further provided with a plurality of second flow guide grooves, one part of the plurality of second flow guide grooves are arranged at a side of the hot collecting inlet channel away from the hot collecting outlet channel, and the other part of the plurality of second flow guide grooves are arranged at a side of the hot collecting outlet channel away from the hot collecting inlet channel.

14. The thermal management system of claim 13, wherein the flow guide plate is further provided with a plurality of flow guide protrusions, the plurality of flow guide protrusions are arranged between the plurality of first flow guide grooves and the plurality of second flow guide grooves, to divide surfaces of the plurality of cold fluid channel layers between the plurality of first flow guide grooves and the plurality of second flow guide grooves into a plurality of flow guide channels, and a cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of flow guide channels, a cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of first flow guide grooves and a cross-sectional flow area of each of the plurality of second flow guide grooves are all equal.

15. The thermal management system of claim 10, wherein when each of the first flow guide groove is formed by alternately arranging both the straight groove section and the curved groove section, a size of each of the plurality of staggered passages along the direction perpendicular to the center line of the straight groove section is defined as a width of each of the plurality of staggered passages, the width of each of the plurality of staggered passages tends to increase along a direction from away from the curved groove section to towards the curved groove section.

16. The thermal management system of claim 10, wherein a cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of any one of the plurality of first flow guide grooves adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel is equal to a cross-sectional flow area of an inlet end of any one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps adjacent to the cold collecting inlet channel.

17. The thermal management system of claim 16, wherein a cross-sectional flow area of an outlet end of any one of the plurality of first flow guide grooves adjacent to the cold collecting outlet channel is equal to a cross-sectional flow area of an outlet end of any one of the plurality of flow diverting gaps adjacent to the cold collecting outlet channel.

18. The thermal management system of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of splitter plates, wherein the plurality of cold fluid channel layers and the plurality of hot fluid channel layers are sequentially formed among the plurality of splitter plates, and the flow guide plate is fixedly connected with adjacent two of the plurality of splitter plates.

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