Heat exchanger

Abstract

Provided in the present application is a heat exchanger, comprising: a first header, a second header and a plurality of heat exchange tubes, the plurality of heat exchange tubes being located between the first header and the second header, each heat exchange tube being in communication with the first header and the second header, and the heat exchange tubes being welded to the first header; and a water guide component, which is mounted to the heat exchange tubes and arranged close to the first header, and comprises a shielding portion and a drainage portion connected to each other, the shielding portion extending in the widthwise direction of the heat exchange tubes, the shielding portion being connected to the heat exchange tubes, the drainage portion being located on the outer side of the heat exchange tubes, and the water guide component covering welding seams between the heat exchange tubes and the first header in the lengthwise direction of the heat exchange tubes. By means of the technical solution of the present application, it is possible to solve the problem in the prior art of the occurrence of electrochemical corrosion of the parts between the heat exchange tubes and the first header due to a condensate flushing the welding seams between the heat exchange tubes and the first header.

Description

heat exchanger

[0001] This application claims priority to a patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on January 31, 2024, with application number 202420247561.0 and named “Heat Exchanger”. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of heat exchangers, and in particular to a heat exchanger. Background Art

[0003] Existing heat exchangers are commonly used in devices such as air conditioners. They include a header, a liquid outlet, and multiple heat exchange tubes arranged between the header and the liquid outlet. The header is located below the heat exchange tubes, while the liquid outlet is located above them. Fins are also provided between adjacent heat exchange tubes. During use, the heat exchanger is typically placed vertically, with the heat exchange tubes and fins extending vertically and the header extending horizontally. Condensate accumulates on the heat exchange tubes and fins, especially when the heat exchanger is used as an evaporator. This condensate flows along the heat exchange tubes and fins to the bottom of the heat exchanger, where it flows onto the header. Since a fan blows through the heat exchanger during operation, if drainage is not done promptly, water may flow from the heat exchanger, affecting the normal operation of devices such as air conditioners.

[0004] Among them, in the prior art, in order to solve the above problems, a water collection structure is usually set at the bottom of the collecting pipe. However, the condensed water will wash the welds between the heat exchange tubes and the collecting pipes. When the condensed water contains ionic impurities, electrochemical corrosion will occur between the heat exchange tubes and the collecting pipes, resulting in refrigerant leakage, and then causing malfunctions of equipment such as air conditioners. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a heat exchanger to solve the problem in the prior art that condensed water flushes the welds between the heat exchange tubes and the header, causing electrochemical corrosion between the heat exchange tubes and the header.

[0006] The present application provides a heat exchanger, which includes: a first header, a second header and multiple heat exchange tubes, the multiple heat exchange tubes are located between the first header and the second header, each heat exchange tube is connected to the first header and the second header, and the heat exchange tube is welded to the first header; a water guide is installed on the heat exchange tube, and the water guide is arranged close to the first header, the water guide includes a shielding part and a drainage part that are connected to each other, the shielding part extends along the width direction of the heat exchange tube, the shielding part is connected to the heat exchange tube, the drainage part is located on the outside of the heat exchange tube, and along the length direction of the heat exchange tube, the water guide covers the welding weld between the heat exchange tube and the first header.

[0007] Furthermore, the shielding portion includes a shielding plate, both ends of which along the width direction extend to the outside of the heat exchange tube, and the diversion portion includes a diversion plate, which is connected to the diversion plate, and the diversion plate extends away from the shielding plate along the width direction of the shielding plate. Along the length direction of the heat exchange tube, the diversion plate is arranged closer to the first collecting pipe than the shielding plate.

[0008] Furthermore, a plurality of slots are provided on the shielding plate, and the plurality of slots are spaced apart along the length direction of the shielding plate. The plurality of slots are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of heat exchange tubes, and the heat exchange tubes are inserted into the slots.

[0009] Furthermore, the shielding plate is arranged obliquely, and has a free end and a connecting end arranged relatively to each other, the connecting end is arranged closer to the first collecting pipe than the free end, and the guide plate is arranged at the connecting end of the shielding plate.

[0010] Furthermore, a drainage structure is provided on the drainage plate, and the drainage structure is arranged along the extension direction of the drainage plate. The drainage structure is a groove or a protrusion, and there are one or more drainage structures. When there are multiple drainage structures, the multiple drainage structures are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the drainage plate.

[0011] Furthermore, the guide plate has an abutting portion away from the connecting end, and the abutting portion abuts against the outer side wall of the first collecting pipe.

[0012] Furthermore, the included angle between the shielding plate and the guide plate is α, and α satisfies: 90°≤α<180°.

[0013] Furthermore, the water guide member includes a water guide plate, which extends along the width direction of the heat exchange tube to the outside of the welding seam between the heat exchange tube and the first collecting pipe, and the water guide plate is arranged obliquely.

[0014] Furthermore, a coating is provided on the water guide.

[0015] Furthermore, a projection of the first header in the vertical direction is located inside the water guide.

[0016] Furthermore, the angle between the shielding plate and the horizontal direction is set between 0 and 60 degrees.

[0017] Furthermore, the shielding plate is fixed to the heat exchange tube by welding.

[0018] By applying the technical solution of the present application, the two ends of each heat exchange tube pass through the tube walls of the first header and the second header respectively to connect the first header and the second header. The first header is located below the second header, and the shielding portion is arranged above the first header. The shielding portion can shield the weld between the heat exchange tube and the first header to prevent condensed water from flowing between the heat exchange tube and the first header. The drainage portion can drain the condensed water to the outside of the heat exchange tube to prevent condensed water from accumulating at the bottom of the heat exchanger. This arrangement can avoid electrochemical corrosion between the heat exchange tube and the first header, thereby preventing refrigerant leakage and ensuring the normal operation of devices such as air conditioners. At the same time, the water guide can also serve as a windbreak to prevent water from floating on the heat exchanger. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The drawings that constitute part of this application are used to provide a further understanding of this application. The illustrative embodiments of this application and their descriptions are used to explain this application and do not constitute an improper limitation on this application. In the drawings:

[0020] FIG1 shows a schematic structural diagram of a heat exchanger provided in Embodiment 1 of the present application;

[0021] FIG2 shows a side view of a heat exchanger provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] FIG3 shows a schematic structural diagram of a water guide member provided in accordance with a first embodiment of the present application.

[0023] The above drawings include the following reference numerals: 10, first header; 20, heat exchange tube; 30, water guide; 31, shielding plate; 311, slot; 312, free end; 313, connecting end; 32, guide plate; 40, second header. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the present application and its application or use. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the present application provides a heat exchanger comprising a first header 10, a second header 40, a plurality of heat exchange tubes 20, and a water guide 30. The plurality of heat exchange tubes 20 are located between the first header 10 and the second header 40. Each heat exchange tube 20 is connected to the first header 10 and the second header 40, and the heat exchange tubes 20 are welded to the first header 10. The water guide 30 is mounted on the heat exchange tubes 20 and disposed adjacent to the first header 10. The water guide 30 comprises a shielding portion and a drainage portion that are interconnected. The shielding portion extends along the width of the heat exchange tubes 20 and is connected to the heat exchange tubes 20. The shielding portion is used to block condensed water on the heat exchange tubes 20. The drainage portion is located on the outside of the heat exchange tubes 20 and covers the weld between the heat exchange tubes 20 and the first header 10 along the length of the heat exchange tubes 20. The drainage portion is used to drain condensed water. As shown in Figure 1 , the X direction is the length direction of the first header 10, the Z direction is the length direction of the heat exchange tube 20, and the Y direction is the width direction of the heat exchange tube 20. In the present application, the heat exchanger is a microchannel heat exchanger, the heat exchange tube 20 is a flat tube, and the microchannel heat exchanger further includes fins (not shown in the drawings). The water guide 30 is disposed between the first header 10 and the fins.

[0026] In one embodiment, the fins are disposed between adjacent heat exchange tubes 20 , and the fins extend in a corrugated shape along the length direction of the heat exchange tubes 20 .

[0027] In another embodiment, a plurality of inserting slots are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the fin, and the plurality of inserting slots are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of heat exchange tubes 20 , and the heat exchange tubes 20 are inserted into the inserting slots.

[0028] Using the technical solution of the present application, the two ends of each heat exchange tube 20 pass through the tube walls of the first header 10 and the second header 40, respectively, to connect the first header and the second header. The first header is located below the second header, and the shielding portion is arranged above the first header 10. The shielding portion can shield the weld between the heat exchange tube 20 and the first header 10, preventing condensed water from flowing between the heat exchange tube 20 and the first header 10. The drainage portion can drain the condensed water to the outside of the heat exchange tube 20, preventing condensed water from accumulating at the bottom of the heat exchanger. This arrangement can prevent electrochemical corrosion between the heat exchange tube 20 and the first header 10, thereby preventing refrigerant leakage and ensuring the normal operation of equipment such as air conditioners. At the same time, the water guide 30 can also serve as a windbreak, preventing water from floating on the heat exchanger.

[0029] In the prior art, to prevent water from flowing through the heat exchanger, a water collection structure is typically installed at the bottom of the manifold. To ensure the technical effectiveness of the water collection structure, the water collection structure is typically larger, but this results in a larger heat exchanger volume and inconvenience in heat exchanger layout. However, in the present application, the water collection structure can be installed at the bottom of the drainage portion. The water collection structure is installed corresponding to the drainage portion, thereby preventing water from flowing through the heat exchanger while reducing the heat exchanger volume and facilitating heat exchanger layout.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the shielding portion includes a baffle 31, both ends of which extend along the width direction to the outside of the heat exchange tube 20, with direction B being the width direction of the baffle 31. The drainage portion includes a drainage plate 32, which is interconnected with the baffle 31. The drainage plate 32 extends along the width direction of the baffle 31 in a direction away from the baffle 31. Along the length direction of the heat exchange tube 20, the drainage plate 32 is arranged closer to the first header 10 than the baffle 31. This arrangement simplifies the structure of the water guide 30, facilitates processing of the water guide 30, and facilitates the discharge of condensed water. In addition, the drainage plate 32 extends along the width direction of the baffle 31 in a direction away from the baffle 31, which can prevent condensed water from flowing back between the heat exchange tube 20 and the first header 10, thereby ensuring the drainage effect of the drainage plate 32.

[0031] Specifically, the shielding plate 31 is provided with a plurality of slots 311 spaced apart along the length of the shielding plate 31. Each slot 311 corresponds to each of the heat exchange tubes 20, and the heat exchange tubes 20 are inserted into the slots 311. The length of the shielding plate 31 is the X-direction. This arrangement ensures that the shielding plate 31 effectively shields the weld between the heat exchange tubes 20 and the first header 10, while also facilitating machining of the shielding plate 31. The structure is simple and easy to operate.

[0032] Furthermore, the drainage plate 32 is provided with a drainage structure, which is arranged along the extension direction of the drainage plate 32, that is, the drainage structure extends along the width of the drainage plate 32. The drainage structure is a groove or a protrusion, and there are one or more drainage structures. When there are multiple drainage structures, the multiple drainage structures are spaced apart along the length of the drainage plate 32. This arrangement can further ensure the accurate flow of condensed water and further ensure that the condensed water can flow into the water collection structure. It also facilitates the processing of the drainage plate 32, has a simple structure, and is easy to operate.

[0033] The shielding plate 31 is tilted and has a free end 312 and a connecting end 313 that are oppositely disposed. The connecting end 313 is disposed closer to the first manifold 10 than the free end 312. The guide plate 32 is disposed at the connecting end 313 of the shielding plate 31. This arrangement facilitates the drainage of condensed water to the guide plate 32, thereby ensuring that the condensed water can flow into the water collection structure.

[0034] Furthermore, the drainage plate 32 is provided with a drainage structure, which is arranged along the extension direction of the drainage plate 32, that is, the drainage structure extends along the width of the drainage plate 32. The drainage structure is a groove or a protrusion, and there are one or more drainage structures. When there are multiple drainage structures, the multiple drainage structures are spaced apart along the length of the drainage plate 32. This arrangement can further ensure the accurate flow of condensed water and further ensure that the condensed water can flow into the water collection structure. It also facilitates the processing of the drainage plate 32, has a simple structure, and is easy to operate.

[0035] Specifically, a drainage groove or a guide rib may be provided on the drainage plate 32. More specifically, the drainage structure is a groove or a protrusion. It should be noted that the number of grooves or protrusions is not limited, and may be one or more, with multiple grooves or protrusions spaced apart.

[0036] The guide plate 32 has an abutment portion away from the connection end 313, which abuts against the outer wall of the first header 10. This arrangement facilitates assembly of the water guide 30, making the overall structure of the heat exchanger more compact and secure, while also preventing a gap between the guide plate 32 and the first header 10, thereby preventing condensed water from splashing onto the weld.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3 , the angle α between the shielding plate 31 and the guide plate 32 satisfies the following: 90°≤α<180°. This arrangement, while ensuring the drainage function of the guide plate 32, makes the overall structure of the heat exchanger more compact, saves materials, and reduces the production cost of the water guide 30.

[0038] Alternatively, α may be 90°, 150° or 179°.

[0039] Furthermore, a coating is provided on the shielding plate 31 and the guide plate 32. In this way, the coating can protect the shielding plate 31 and the guide plate 32, increase the service life of the shielding plate 31 and the guide plate 32, and prevent the shielding plate 31 and the guide plate 32 from rusting.

[0040] Among them, in the present application, the coating on the baffle plate 31 and the drain plate 32 is a hydrophilic coating. Such a setting can further improve the smoothness of the flow of condensed water and prevent the condensed water from gathering on the baffle plate 31 and the drain plate 32.

[0041] Specifically, the vertical projection of the first manifold 10 is located inside the water guide 30. This arrangement can prevent condensed water from flowing onto the first manifold 10. When the heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, the first manifold 10 contains a low-temperature refrigerant. When the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant is less than 0°C, if the condensed water flows to the outer wall of the first manifold 10, there may be a risk of freezing, thereby affecting the normal use of the first manifold 10. However, this arrangement can reduce the risk of freezing on the outer wall of the first manifold 10, ensure the normal use of the first manifold 10, and at the same time increase the service life of the first manifold 10.

[0042] Furthermore, the angle between the baffle 31 and the horizontal direction is set between 0 and 60 degrees. That is, as shown in FIG2 , the angle A between the baffle 31 and the horizontal direction is set between 0 and 60 degrees. When the angle between the baffle 31 and the horizontal direction is greater than 60 degrees, to ensure that both ends of the baffle 31 in the width direction extend outside the heat exchange tubes 20, the width of the baffle 31 is larger, which increases the cost of the water guide 30. Furthermore, the distance between the free end 312 of the baffle 31 and the first manifold 10 is larger. As a result, condensed water is likely to accumulate on the heat exchange tubes 20 and fins between the baffle 31 and the first manifold 10, allowing the condensed water to flow between the heat exchange tubes 20 and the first manifold 10. Therefore, setting the angle between the baffle 31 and the horizontal direction between 0 and 60 degrees can reduce the cost of the water guide 30 while preventing condensed water from accumulating on the heat exchange tubes 20 and fins between the baffle 31 and the first manifold 10. Optionally, the angle between the shielding plate 31 and the horizontal direction may be 0°, 30° or 60°. In the present application, the angle between the shielding plate 31 and the horizontal direction is 30°.

[0043] The shielding plate 31 is welded to the heat exchange tube 20. This arrangement ensures a stable connection between the shielding plate 31 and the heat exchange tube 20 and prevents the shielding plate 31 from falling. In this application, when installing the water guide 30, the water guide 30 is first inserted into the heat exchange tube 20, the groove 311 is pre-tightened between the heat exchange tube 20, and then the shielding plate 31 is brazed to the heat exchange tube 20.

[0044] Specifically, the heat exchanger also includes a water receiving trough, which is located below the drainage portion and extends along the extension direction of the first manifold 10 to both ends of the first manifold 10. The water collection structure is the water receiving trough. This arrangement is simple and facilitates processing and layout of the water collection structure.

[0045] The second embodiment of the present application provides a heat exchanger. This differs from the first embodiment in that the water guide 30 includes a water guide plate extending along the width of the heat exchange tube 20 to the outside of the weld between the heat exchange tube 20 and the first header 10. The water guide plate is tilted. Specifically, in this embodiment, the water guide 30 is a plate-shaped structure, and the tilt of the water guide 30 can be adjusted as needed. This direct tilt of the water guide 30 simplifies its structure, thereby saving material and reducing the cost of the water guide 30.

[0046] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0047] Unless otherwise specified, the relative arrangement of the parts and steps, numerical expressions and numerical values ​​set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present application. Meanwhile, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the sizes of the various parts shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn according to actual proportional relationships. Technology, methods and equipment known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but in appropriate cases, the technology, methods and equipment should be considered as a part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed here, any specific value should be interpreted as being merely exemplary, rather than as a limitation. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments can have different values. It should be noted that similar numbers and letters represent similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in an accompanying drawing, it does not need to be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0048] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the directions or positional relationships indicated by directional words such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" are usually based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise specified, these directional words do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction or be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of this application; the directional words "inside and outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0049] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature to other devices or features as shown in the figures. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation described in the figures. For example, if the device in the drawings is inverted, the device described as "above other devices or structures" or "above other devices or structures" will be positioned as "below other devices or structures" or "below other devices or structures". Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below". The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptions used here are interpreted accordingly.

[0050] In addition, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to limit components is only for the convenience of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of this application.

[0051] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Various modifications and variations are possible for those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, characterized in that: The heat exchanger comprises: A first header (10), a second header (40) and a plurality of heat exchange tubes (20), wherein the plurality of heat exchange tubes (20) are located between the first header (10) and the second header (40), each heat exchange tube (20) is connected to the first header (10) and the second header (40), and the heat exchange tubes (20) are welded to the first header (10); A water guide (30) is installed on the heat exchange tube (20), and the water guide (30) is arranged close to the first header (10). The water guide (30) includes a shielding portion and a drainage portion that are connected to each other. The shielding portion is extended along the width direction of the heat exchange tube (20), and the shielding portion is connected to the heat exchange tube (20). The drainage portion is located on the outside of the heat exchange tube (20). Along the length direction of the heat exchange tube (20), the water guide (30) covers the welding seam between the heat exchange tube (20) and the first header (10).

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that The shielding portion includes a shielding plate (31), both ends of which along the width direction extend to the outside of the heat exchange tube (20), and the guide portion includes a guide plate (32), the shielding plate (31) and the guide plate (32) are connected to each other, and the guide plate (32) extends in a direction away from the shielding plate (31) along the width direction of the shielding plate (31), and along the length direction of the heat exchange tube (20), the guide plate (32) is arranged closer to the first collecting pipe (10) than the shielding plate (31).

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that A plurality of slots (311) are provided on the shielding plate (31), and the plurality of slots (311) are spaced apart along the length direction of the shielding plate (31). The plurality of slots (311) are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of heat exchange tubes (20), and the heat exchange tubes (20) are inserted into the slots (311).

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The shielding plate (31) is arranged at an angle, and has a free end (312) and a connecting end (313) arranged opposite to each other, the connecting end (313) being arranged closer to the first collecting pipe (10) than the free end (312), and the guide plate (32) being arranged at the connecting end (313) of the shielding plate (31).

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The guide plate (32) is provided with a guide structure, and the guide structure is arranged along the extension direction of the guide plate (32). The guide structure is a groove or a protrusion. There are one or more guide structures. When there are multiple guide structures, the multiple guide structures are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the guide plate (32).

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, characterized in that The guide plate (32) has an abutment portion away from the connection end (313), and the abutment portion abuts against the outer side wall of the first collecting pipe (10).

7. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that The included angle between the shielding plate (31) and the guide plate (32) is α, and α satisfies: 90°≤α<180°.

8. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that The water guide member (30) comprises a water guide plate, which extends along the width direction of the heat exchange tube (20) to the outside of the welding seam between the heat exchange tube (20) and the first collecting pipe (10), and the water guide plate is arranged obliquely.

9. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that The water guide is provided with a coating.

10. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that The projection of the first header (10) in the vertical direction is located inside the water guide (30).

11. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that The angle between the shielding plate (31) and the horizontal direction is set between 0 and 60 degrees.

12. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that The shielding plate (31) is fixed to the heat exchange tube (20) by welding.

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