Heat exchanger and heat pump system using same

Abstract

The present application provides a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger having a length direction, a width direction, and a height direction and comprising: a housing, a first heat exchange tube group, a second heat exchange tube group, a redistribution apparatus, and a driving apparatus. The housing encloses to form a housing cavity. The first heat exchange tube group and the second heat exchange tube group are located in the housing cavity, heat exchange tubes in the first heat exchange tube group and the second heat exchange tube group extend in the length direction of the heat exchanger and are arranged in columns in the width direction of the heat exchanger, and the first heat exchange tube group is located above the second heat exchange tube group. The redistribution apparatus is provided between the first heat exchange tube group and the second heat exchange tube group, and the redistribution apparatus is provided with a plurality of columns of through holes. The driving apparatus is connected to the redistribution apparatus and can drive the redistribution apparatus to move in the width direction of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger in the present application has high heat exchange efficiency in both heating and cooling modes.

Description

Heat exchanger and heat pump system using the same TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a heat exchanger, in particular to a heat exchanger applied to a heat pump system. BACKGROUND

[0002] A conventional heat pump system has a heat exchanger, a throttling device and a compressor. The heat pump system has a cooling and heating working mode, and in different working modes, the heat exchanger can act as a condenser or an evaporator, which is related to the circulating loop direction of the refrigerant in the heat pump system. SUMMARY

[0003] The present application provides a heat exchanger, which has a length direction, a width direction and a height direction, and comprises a shell, a first heat exchange tube group and a second heat exchange tube group, a redistribution device and a driving device, the shell encloses a shell cavity; the first heat exchange tube group and the second heat exchange tube group are located in the shell cavity, the heat exchange tubes in the first heat exchange tube group and the second heat exchange tube group extend along the length direction of the heat exchanger and are arranged in columns along the width direction of the heat exchanger, the first heat exchange tube group is located above the second heat exchange tube group; the redistribution device is arranged between the first heat exchange tube group and the second heat exchange tube group, and a plurality of columns of through holes are arranged on the redistribution device; the driving device is connected with the redistribution device and can drive the redistribution device to move along the width direction of the heat exchanger.

[0004] The heat exchanger as described above, the driving device can drive the redistribution device to move between the first position and the second position, when the redistribution device is located at the first position, each column of the plurality of columns of through holes is aligned with a corresponding column of heat exchange tubes in the second heat exchange tube group; when the redistribution device is located at the second position, each column of the plurality of columns of through holes is staggered with the heat exchange tubes in the second heat exchange tube group.

[0005] The heat exchanger as described above, the second heat exchange tube group has a spacing between adjacent columns, thereby forming a plurality of flow spaces, when the redistribution device is located at the second position, each column of the plurality of columns of through holes is aligned with a corresponding flow space.

[0006] The heat exchanger as described above, the driving device comprises a driving device shell and a piston, the driving device shell comprises a piston cavity, one end of the piston is located in the piston cavity, and the other end is connected with the redistribution device, the piston can be driven to move in the piston cavity, so that the redistribution device moves between the first position and the second position.

[0007] The heat exchanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the piston cavity is in fluid communication with an external pressure component and is fluidly disconnected from the housing cavity of the heat exchanger, and the piston is configured to move according to a pressure difference between the external pressure component and the housing cavity.

[0008] The heat exchanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a baffle assembly covering a top portion and both sides in a width direction of the first heat exchange tube group to guide fluid to flow through the first heat exchange tube group, wherein a bottom portion of the baffle assembly has a spacing from the redistribution device to form a baffle fluid passage.

[0009] The heat exchanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a flow guide plate assembly located at one side of the baffle fluid passage to guide a flow direction of fluid flowing out of the baffle fluid passage.

[0010] The heat exchanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchanger is applied to a heat pump system capable of operating a refrigeration cycle and a heating cycle, in the refrigeration cycle, the heat exchanger is an evaporator, and the redistribution device is located at a first position, in the heating cycle, the heat exchanger is a condenser, and the redistribution device is located at a second position.

[0011] The heat exchanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a third heat exchange tube group arranged below the second heat exchange tube group, wherein the third heat exchange tube group has a spacing from the second heat exchange tube group to form a liquid storage space capable of storing a certain amount of refrigerant.

[0012] The present application also provides a heat pump system, comprising: a compressor, a four-way valve, a throttling device, an air-side heat exchanger, a water-side heat exchanger, and a first communication pipe, wherein the water-side heat exchanger is the heat exchanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; the throttling device is arranged between the air-side heat exchanger and the water-side heat exchanger, the four-way valve is connected with the compressor, the air-side heat exchanger, and the water-side heat exchanger, refrigerant can flow between the compressor, the four-way valve, the throttling device, the air-side heat exchanger, and the water-side heat exchanger to form a circulation loop, the four-way valve can be switched to change the connection relationship between the compressor, the air-side heat exchanger, and the water-side heat exchanger, so that the refrigerant in the heat pump system can be switched between a refrigeration cycle and a heating cycle; wherein the driving device of the water-side heat exchanger comprises a driving device housing and a piston, one end of the piston is located in the piston cavity of the driving device housing, and the other end is connected with the redistribution device, the piston cavity is in fluid communication with a pipe or component between the air-side heat exchanger and the four-way valve through the first communication pipe, and is fluidly disconnected from the housing cavity of the heat exchanger, the piston is configured to move according to a pressure difference between the piston cavity and the housing cavity to drive the redistribution device to move.

[0013] The heat pump system as described above, the water-side heat exchanger further comprises a third heat exchange tube group, the third heat exchange tube group is arranged below the second heat exchange tube group, and a spacing is provided between the third heat exchange tube group and the second heat exchange tube group to form a liquid storage space capable of storing a certain amount of refrigerant; the heat pump system further comprises a second communication pipe, one end of the second communication pipe is communicated with the lower part of the water-side heat exchanger, and the other end is communicated with the high-pressure liquid pipe or component before the inlet of the throttling device to introduce refrigerant into the water-side heat exchanger.

[0014] The heat pump system as described above, the second communication pipe is provided with a control valve, the control valve is configured to be closed when the heat pump system is in a stable operation heating cycle or refrigeration cycle, and the control valve is opened before the heat pump system is switched from the refrigeration cycle to the heating cycle, so that a certain amount of refrigerant enters the water-side heat exchanger.

[0015] The heat exchanger in the present application has a shell, at least two heat exchange tube groups, a redistribution device and a driving device. The redistribution device is arranged between the at least two heat exchange tube groups, and the redistribution device is provided with multiple rows of holes capable of redistributing fluid. The driving device is connected with the redistribution device and can drive the redistribution device to move to change the relative position of the holes of the redistribution device relative to the lower heat exchange tube group, so as to change the amount of fluid contacted by the heat exchange tubes in the lower heat exchange tube group, thereby adapting to different requirements of the heat exchanger as a condenser and an evaporator.

[0016] The heat exchanger in the present application has a liquid storage space capable of storing a certain amount of refrigerant during operation of the heat pump system in a heating cycle. The heat exchanger in the present application also has a control valve capable of guiding the liquid produced by condensation in the air-side heat exchanger out of the air-side heat exchanger during heating defrosting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the heat exchanger in the present application;

[0018] FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the heat exchanger in FIG. 1A;

[0019] FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger in FIG. 1A along a radial direction;

[0020] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the heat exchange tube assembly in FIG. 1B;

[0021] FIG. 2B is a side view of the heat exchange tube assembly in FIG. 2A;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the redistribution device in FIG. 2A;

[0023] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the driving device in FIG. 2A;

[0024] Fig. 4B is a perspective view of the device of Fig. 4A from another angle;

[0025] Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger of Fig. 1A with the redistribution device in a first position;

[0026] Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger of Fig. 1A with the redistribution device in a second position;

[0027] Fig. 6A is a schematic illustration of the flow of refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle of the heat pump system;

[0028] Fig. 6B is a schematic illustration of the flow of refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle of the heat pump system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Various specific embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the use of directional terms such as "front", "back", "up", "down", "left", "right", "in", "out", "top", "bottom", "forward", "rearward", "proximal", "distal", "transverse", "longitudinal", and the like, are used for convenience and are in no way intended to imply any particular orientation of the various example structural portions and elements described herein or to imply any particular orientation of the application in use. Directional terms are used with respect to the examples illustrated in the drawings and so are not intended to be limiting.

[0030] Figure 1A is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the present application, and Figure IB is an exploded view of the heat exchanger of Figure 1A. Figure 1C is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger of Figure 1A along a radial direction. As shown in Figures 1A-1C, the heat exchanger 100 includes a housing 102, a first tube sheet assembly 103, a second tube sheet assembly 104, and a heat exchange tube assembly 160. The heat exchanger 100 has a length direction L, a width direction W, and a height direction H. The housing 102 is generally cylindrical and extends along the length direction L of the heat exchanger 100. The housing 102 encloses a housing cavity 105, the ends of which are closed by the first tube sheet assembly 103 and the second tube sheet assembly 104. The heat exchange tube assembly 160 is housed in the housing cavity 105. The first tube sheet assembly 103 is provided with a first fluid inlet 141 and a first fluid outlet 142. The housing 102 is provided with a second fluid first inlet 171, a second fluid gas interface 172, and a second fluid outlet 173. The heat exchange tube assembly 160 includes a heat exchange tube bundle 108 that extends along the length direction L of the heat exchanger 100. The interior of the heat exchange tube bundle 108 is configured to contain a first fluid, and the space outside the heat exchange tube bundle 108 in the housing cavity 105 is configured to contain a second fluid. The first fluid can enter the heat exchange tube bundle 108 from the first fluid inlet 141, exchange heat with the second fluid outside the heat exchange tube bundle 108, and exit from the first fluid outlet 142. The second fluid can enter from the second fluid first inlet 171 and exit from the second fluid gas interface 172, or enter from the second fluid gas interface 172 and exit from the second fluid outlet 173. The second fluid first inlet 171 is provided with a liquid inlet pipe 175 that includes an outer section 168 outside the housing 102 and an inner section 169 in the housing 102. The two ends of the inner section 169 are connected to the second fluid first inlet 171 and the heat exchange tube assembly 160, respectively. The liquid inlet pipe 175 is configured to guide fluid outside the heat exchanger to flow to the heat exchange tube assembly 160 through the second fluid first inlet 171.

[0031] In one application of the present application, the first fluid is water or other cooling liquid, and the second fluid is refrigerant.

[0032] In other embodiments of the present application, the first fluid inlet 141 and the first fluid outlet 142 are provided at the first tube sheet assembly 103 and the second tube sheet assembly 104, respectively.

[0033] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the heat exchange tube assembly in FIG. IB, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the heat exchange tube assembly in FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the heat exchange tube assembly includes a heat exchange tube bundle 108, a redistribution device 208, a driving device 240, a baffle assembly 261, a flow guide plate assembly 267, a flow guide 295, and a heat exchange tube support 277. Among them, the plurality of heat exchange tubes in the heat exchange tube bundle 108 form a first heat exchange tube group 231, a second heat exchange tube group 232, and a third heat exchange tube group 233. The first heat exchange tube group 231, the second heat exchange tube group 232, and the third heat exchange tube group 233 are arranged in order from high to low along the height direction of the heat exchanger, and have a spacing between adjacent heat exchange tube groups. The heat exchange tubes in the second heat exchange tube group 232 are arranged in columns, and have a spacing between adjacent columns, thereby forming a flow space 275.

[0034] The baffle assembly 261 includes a top baffle 243 and a pair of side baffles 245 and 244. The top baffle is arranged above the first heat exchange tube group, and the side baffles 245 and 244 are connected to both ends of the top baffle 243 in the width direction, thereby being located on both sides of the first heat exchange tube group 231. In the width direction of the heat exchanger, the top baffle 243 has a trapezoidal structure with the middle being high and the two ends being low. The flow guide 295 is connected to the top baffle 243 and arranged below the top baffle 243, and has a spacing between the flow guide 295 and the first heat exchange tube group 231. The top baffle 243 is provided with an opening 297, and the liquid inlet pipe 175 communicates with the flow guide 295 through the opening 297, so that the fluid in the liquid inlet pipe 175 can enter the flow guide 295 below the top baffle 243. The flow guide 295 is used to uniformly distribute the fluid in the length direction of the heat exchanger. The baffle assembly 261 is used to guide the fluid to flow from top to bottom through the first heat exchange tube group 231.

[0035] The redistribution device 208 is arranged between the first heat exchange tube group 231 and the second heat exchange tube group 232, and has a spacing with the first heat exchange tube group 231 and the second heat exchange tube group 232. The redistribution device 208 is used to guide the liquid after heat exchange by the first heat exchange tube group 231 to the second heat exchange tube group 232 after being redistributed. The redistribution device 208 has a spacing with the bottom of the side baffles 245 and 244, thereby forming baffle fluid passages 265 and 266, and the fluid generated after heat exchange by the first heat exchange tube group 231 can pass through the baffle fluid passages 265 and 266.

[0036] The driving device 240 is connected to one side of the redistribution device 208 and can drive the redistribution device 208 to move in the width direction of the heat exchanger.

[0037] The drain plate assembly 267 includes first drain plates 253 and 254, and second drain plates 255 and 256. Each of the second drain plates 255 and 256 is generally L-shaped. The second drain plates 255 and 256 respectively extend outwardly along the width direction of the heat exchanger 100 from the outer side of the side baffles 245 and 244 for a distance, and then extend downwardly along the height direction. The first drain plates 253 and 254 are respectively disposed on both sides of the width direction of the redistribution device 208. The side baffle 245, the first drain plate 253, and the second drain plate 255 form a drain passage 296 therebetween, and the side baffle 244, the first drain plate 254, and the second drain plate 256 form a drain passage 298 therebetween. The drain passages 296 and 298 are capable of guiding the fluid flowing out of the baffle fluid passages 265 and 266 along a certain path.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present application, in the height direction, the top of the first drain plates 253 and 254 exceeds the bottom of the side baffles 245 and 244, and there is a spacing between the second drain plates 255 and 256. The second drain plates 255 and 256 exceed the top end of the respective first drain plates 253 and 254. The drain passages 296 and 298 guide the fluid flowing out of the baffle fluid passages 265 and 266 to flow upwardly and then downwardly.

[0039] The third heat exchange tube group 233 is disposed below the second heat exchange tube group 232, and there is a spacing between the second heat exchange tube group and the third heat exchange tube group.

[0040] The heat exchange tube support 277 is generally plate-shaped, and is used to support the first heat exchange tube group 231, the second heat exchange tube group 232, the third heat exchange tube group 233, and the redistribution device 208. The heat exchange tubes in the first heat exchange tube group 231, the second heat exchange tube group 232, and the third heat exchange tube group 233 pass through the heat exchange tube support 277 along the length direction of the heat exchanger 100.

[0041] The third heat exchange tube group 233 and the second heat exchange tube group 232 have a spacing therebetween to form a liquid storage space 180, and the liquid storage space 180 is capable of storing a certain amount of refrigerant.

[0042] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the redistribution device in Fig. 2A. As shown in Fig. 3, the redistribution device 208 is generally flat. Along the width direction of the heat exchanger 100, the redistribution device 208 has a first side 311 and a second side 312. The first side 311 and the second side 312 are respectively connected with the first drain plates 253 and 254. The redistribution device 208 has a plurality of through holes 380, and the plurality of through holes 380 are arranged in a plurality of columns of through holes in a certain order, the plurality of columns of through holes are arranged along the width direction, and each column of through holes extends along the length direction of the heat exchanger. The spacing between adjacent columns is generally equal to the spacing between adjacent heat exchange tube groups in the second heat exchange tube group 232.

[0043] Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the drive device in Fig. 2A, and Fig. 4B is a perspective view of the drive device in Fig. 4A from another angle. As shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, the drive device 240 comprises a drive device housing 401 and a piston 402, wherein the drive device housing 401 comprises a piston cavity 425. One side of the piston cavity 425 is provided with an opening 428, and the rest is closed. In Figs. 4A and 4B, the wall plates at both ends of the drive device housing 401 in the length direction of the heat exchanger are hidden for the convenience of viewing the structure of the piston 402. The piston 402 comprises a head 421 and a body 422, wherein the head 421 is located in the piston cavity 425 and can close the opening 428, so that a closed space 463 is formed between the piston head 421 and the drive device housing 401. The closed space 463 is fluidically disconnected from the housing cavity 105. The head 421 can move in the piston cavity 425 to change the volume of the closed space 463. At least a part of the body 422 is located outside the piston cavity 425, and a distal end 427 of the body 422 is connected to the redistribution device 208. The piston 402 can move in the piston cavity 425 to move the redistribution device 208 between the first position and the second position. In an embodiment of the present application, the opening 428 is located in the middle of the side wall 473 of the piston cavity 425.

[0044] The piston 402 comprises a main body 469 and a pair of limiters 481 and 482. The limiters 481 and 482 are respectively connected to the upper and lower ends of the main body 469 and extend beyond the left and right ends of the main body 469. The limiters 481 and 482 can be in contact with the inner wall of the piston cavity 425 to limit the farthest distance of movement of the piston 402. When the piston 402 moves to the farthest position to the left, the limiters 481 and 482 abut against the side wall 472 of the piston cavity 425 to avoid the main body 469 approaching the side wall 472 of the piston cavity 425, so that the minimum volume of the closed space 463 is greater than 0. When the piston 402 moves to the farthest position to the right, the limiters 481 and 482 abut against the side wall 473 of the piston cavity 425, so that the piston 402 cannot continue to move to the right.

[0045] In an embodiment of the present application, the body 422 is a protrusion extending from the head 421, and the body 422 discontinuously extends in the length direction of the heat exchanger.

[0046] In an embodiment of the present application, the piston cavity 425 is provided with a drainage pipe 499 at one end, one end of the drainage pipe 499 is in communication with the closed space 463, and the other end is in fluid communication with an external pressure component.

[0047] Fig. 5A is a sectional view of the heat exchanger in Fig. 1A when the redistribution device of the heat exchanger is in the first position, and Fig. 5B is a sectional view of the heat exchanger in Fig. 1A when the redistribution device of the heat exchanger is in the second position.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5A, when the redistribution device 208 is in the first position, each column of the plurality of columns of through holes 380 is aligned with a corresponding column of the second set of heat exchange tubes 232. At this time, the heat exchanger 100 functions as an evaporator in the heat pump cycle system. Refrigerant is introduced into the interior of the heat exchanger 100 through the inlet pipe 175, and is distributed by the flow guide 295 to flow toward the first set of heat exchange tubes 231. The refrigerant passes through the first set of heat exchange tubes 231 from top to bottom under the guidance of the baffle assembly 261, and exchanges heat with the first set of heat exchange tubes 231. The refrigerant absorbs heat, and a portion of the refrigerant is converted from liquid to gas.

[0049] The heat-exchanged refrigerant gas can flow out of the heat exchanger from the baffle fluid passages 265 and 266 through the second fluid gas interface 172, and the remaining refrigerant liquid flows toward the redistribution device 208. The refrigerant liquid accumulates a certain liquid level above the redistribution device 208, and the refrigerant flows toward the second set of heat exchange tubes through the plurality of columns of through holes of the redistribution device 208. The redistribution device 208 is in the first position, and each column of the plurality of columns of through holes of the redistribution device 208 is aligned with each column of the second set of heat exchange tubes 232, so that the refrigerant distributed by the redistribution device 208 flows toward the corresponding column of the second set of heat exchange tubes 232. The refrigerant liquid is wrapped around the outside of the heat exchange tubes of the second set of heat exchange tubes 232, which facilitates the evaporation heat exchange between the refrigerant liquid and the fluid in the second set of heat exchange tubes 232. The dashed lines in FIG. 5A schematically show the flow direction of the refrigerant liquid passing through the redistribution device 208.

[0050] In the first position of the redistribution device 208, each column of the second set of heat exchange tubes 232 receives refrigerant liquid from the redistribution device 208, ensuring that the heat exchange tubes in the second set of heat exchange tubes 232 are covered by a certain thickness of liquid film. The refrigerant exchanges heat with the first fluid inside the heat exchange tubes at a higher temperature, thereby evaporating to produce refrigerant gas.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5B, when the redistribution device 208 is in the second position, each column of the plurality of columns of through holes 380 is misaligned with a corresponding column of the second set of heat exchange tubes 232. That is, each column of the plurality of columns of through holes 380 is aligned with the flow space 275 between adjacent heat exchange tubes of the second set of heat exchange tubes 232. At this time, the heat exchanger 100 functions as a condenser in the heat pump cycle system. High-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas from the compressor enters the interior of the heat exchanger 100 through the second fluid gas interface 172, a portion of the refrigerant gas flows toward the first set of heat exchange tubes through the flow guide passages 296 and 298, and the baffle fluid passages 265 and 266, and exchanges heat with the first set of heat exchange tubes 231, the refrigerant gas releases heat and is converted into refrigerant liquid, which flows toward the redistribution device 208. Another portion of the refrigerant gas directly flows toward the second set of heat exchange tubes 232 for condensation heat exchange, and the refrigerant releases heat and is converted into liquid, which flows to the bottom of the heat exchanger.

[0052] The condensed refrigerant liquid flows to the redistribution device 208 through the first heat exchange tube group 231. The redistribution device 208 stores a certain liquid level of liquid refrigerant above. The refrigerant flows to the second heat exchange tube group 232 through the multiple columns of through holes on the redistribution device 208. The redistribution device 208 is in the second position, and each column of the multiple columns of through holes of the redistribution device 208 is staggered with each column of the second heat exchange tube group 232. Thus, the refrigerant liquid distributed by the redistribution device 208 flows to the flow space 275 between the adjacent heat exchange tubes of the corresponding column of the second heat exchange tube group 232, which can avoid the refrigerant liquid from dripping on the second heat exchange tube group 232 in large amount, reduce the liquid film thickness of the second heat exchange tube group 232, and enable the refrigerant gas to fully exchange heat with the second heat exchange tube group 232. The dotted line in FIG. 5B schematically shows the flow direction of the refrigerant liquid through the redistribution device 208.

[0053] In the second position of the redistribution device 208, each column of the heat exchange tubes of the second heat exchange tube group 232 avoids the refrigerant liquid from the redistribution device 208, which reduces the thickness of the liquid film of the heat exchange tubes in the second heat exchange tube group 232 and is conducive to the gaseous refrigerant exchanging heat with the fluid in the heat exchange tubes. The gaseous refrigerant exchanges heat with the first fluid in the heat exchange tubes at a lower temperature, thereby condensing to generate refrigerant liquid.

[0054] In the present application, the redistribution device 208 can be switched between the first position shown in FIG. 5A and the second position shown in FIG. 5B, so as to adapt to different working modes of the heat pump system and take into account the refrigeration and heating performance of the heat exchanger. The movement of the redistribution device 208 is driven by the driving device 240. The piston 402 in the driving device 240 is connected with the redistribution device 208, and the piston 402 moves in the piston cavity 425 to drive the redistribution device 208 to be switched between the first position shown in FIG. 5A and the second position shown in FIG. 5B.

[0055] In combination with FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the closed space 463 of the driving device 240 is in communication with the external pressure component through the drain pipe 499, and the closed space 463 is fluidically disconnected from the housing cavity 105, so that the pressure on both sides of the head 421 of the piston 402 is the same as the external pressure component and the housing cavity 105, respectively. As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, when the pressure of the closed space 463 is greater than the pressure of the housing cavity 105, the piston 402 moves to the far right position, and when the pressure of the closed space 463 is less than the pressure of the housing cavity 105, the piston 402 moves to the far left position. In an embodiment of the present application, when the piston 402 moves to the far right position, the re-distribution device 208 is in the first position, and when the piston 402 moves to the far left position, the re-distribution device 208 is in the second position. In other embodiments of the present application, the far right position of the piston 402 can correspond to the second position of the re-distribution device 208, and the far left position of the piston 402 can correspond to the first position of the re-distribution device 208.

[0056] In another embodiment of the present application, the driving device 240 is an electric motor capable of driving the re-distribution device 208 to move. In another embodiment of the present application, the driving device 240 is a movable mechanical device capable of driving the re-distribution device 208 to move by mechanical or electrical force.

[0057] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of the flow direction of the refrigerant when the heat pump system operates in a cooling cycle, and FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of the flow direction of the refrigerant when the heat pump system operates in a heating cycle.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the heat pump system comprises a compressor 601, a four-way valve 602, a throttling device 605, an air-side heat exchanger 603, a water-side heat exchanger 604, and a first communication pipe 671 and a second communication pipe 672. The water-side heat exchanger 604 is the heat exchanger 100 described above. The throttling device 605 is arranged between the air-side heat exchanger 603 and the heat exchanger 100, the four-way valve 602 is connected to the compressor 601, the air-side heat exchanger 603 and the heat exchanger 100, and the refrigerant can flow between the compressor 601, the four-way valve 602, the throttling device 605, the air-side heat exchanger 603 and the heat exchanger 100 to form a circulation loop, and the four-way valve 602 can be switched to change the connection relationship between the compressor 601, the air-side heat exchanger 603 and the heat exchanger, so that the refrigerant in the heat pump system can be switched between the cooling cycle and the heating cycle.

[0059] The two ends of the first communication pipe 671 are respectively in fluid communication with the closed space 463 of the driving device 240 and the pipeline or component between the air-side heat exchanger 603 and the four-way valve 602, and the first communication pipe 671 is provided with a control valve 674. During the operation of the heat pump system, the control valve 674 remains open.

[0060] The second communication pipe 672 is in communication with the lower portion of the heat exchanger 100 at one end and in communication with the pipe or component at the inlet end of the throttling device 605 at the other end, and can introduce refrigerant into the heat exchanger 100. A control valve 675 is provided in the second communication pipe 672, and the control valve 675 is configured to be closed when the heat pump system is in a stable operation heating cycle or refrigeration cycle. When the heat pump system is in a heating mode, it can be necessary to switch between the heating cycle and the refrigeration cycle. For example, when the ambient temperature is relatively low and the heating cycle is running, frost is likely to form on the surface of the air-side heat exchanger 603, and the heat pump system needs to be switched to the refrigeration cycle for defrosting. After defrosting is completed, the heat pump system needs to be switched from the refrigeration cycle to the heating cycle. During the defrosting mode of the air-side heat exchanger 603, a certain amount of refrigerant liquid is stored. Before switching to the heating mode, the refrigerant liquid stored in the air-side heat exchanger 603 needs to be introduced to avoid the refrigerant liquid in the air-side heat exchanger 603 entering the compressor after switching. Therefore, before switching from the defrosting mode to the heating mode, that is, before switching from the refrigeration cycle to the heating cycle, the control valve 675 needs to be opened first, so that a certain amount of refrigerant liquid enters the heat exchanger 100 through the second communication pipe 672, so that the refrigerant liquid stored in the air-side heat exchanger 603 is introduced, and then the control valve 675 is closed, and the heating cycle is switched.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 6A, when the heat pump system is in a refrigeration or defrosting mode and runs in a refrigeration cycle, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 601 enters the air-side heat exchanger 603 through the four-way valve, at which time the air-side heat exchanger 603 acts as a condenser, and the heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas is released, and the refrigerant is condensed into refrigerant liquid. The refrigerant liquid is throttled and depressurized by the throttling device 605 and then enters the interior of the heat exchanger 100 through the liquid inlet pipe 175 for heat exchange. The heat exchanger 100 acts as an evaporator, and the refrigerant absorbs heat and is converted into gas, which returns to the compressor 601 through the second fluid gas interface 172, forming a refrigeration cycle.

[0062] In the heat pump system shown in FIG. 6A, when the heat pump system is running in a refrigeration cycle, the pressure in the closed space 463 of the driving device 240 is greater than the pressure in the housing cavity 105, and the piston 402 moves to the farthest position to the right as shown in FIG. 5A. The redistribution device 208 of the heat exchanger 100 is in the first working position as shown in FIG. 5A to facilitate the evaporation heat exchange of the refrigerant liquid.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 6B, when the heat pump system is in the heating mode, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 601 enters the heat exchanger 100 through the second fluid gas interface 172 via the four-way valve 602, at this time the heat exchanger 100 acts as a condenser, and the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas releases heat and is converted into refrigerant liquid. The refrigerant liquid in the heat exchanger 100 enters the throttling device 605 for pressure reduction and then enters the air-side heat exchanger 603 for heat exchange. The air-side heat exchanger 603 acts as an evaporator, and the refrigerant absorbs heat and is converted into gas, returning to the compressor 601 to form a heating cycle.

[0064] In the heating mode shown in Fig. 6B, the pressure in the closed space 463 of the driving device 240 is less than the pressure in the shell cavity 105, and the piston 402 moves to the farthest left position as shown in Fig. 5B. The redistribution device 208 of the heat exchanger 100 is in the second working position as shown in Fig. 5B to facilitate the condensation heat exchange of the refrigerant gas.

[0065] The heat pump system in the present application can be switched between the cooling and heating modes shown in Figs. 6A and 6B. The required circulating amount of refrigerant in the cooling and heating cycle is different, and in general, more refrigerant is required to circulate in the cooling cycle. In some heat pump systems, a liquid storage tank can be added to store refrigerant, and in the heating cycle, a part of the refrigerant is introduced into the liquid storage tank. In the present application, the third heat exchange pipe group 233 and the second heat exchange pipe group 232 of the heat exchanger 100 have a liquid storage space 180 capable of storing part of the refrigerant.

[0066] A second communication pipe 672 is provided in the present application, one end of which communicates with the lower part of the heat exchanger 100, and the other end communicates with the pipe or component at the inlet end of the throttling device 605. When the heat pump system is operated in the heating mode in the low-temperature season, frost will form on the surface of the air-side heat exchanger, and it is necessary to operate the cooling cycle to defrost. After defrosting is completed, before the heat pump system is switched from the cooling cycle to the heating cycle, the control valve 675 needs to be opened first, so that a certain amount of refrigerant liquid enters the liquid storage space 180 of the heat exchanger 100, and after the refrigerant stored during the defrosting of the air-side heat exchanger is discharged, the control valve 675 is closed again, and the heating cycle is switched, thereby preventing the refrigerant liquid from entering the compressor. When the heat pump system is switched from the heating cycle to the cooling cycle, the control valve 675 does not need to be operated.

[0067] The heat exchanger 100 in the present application can work in the refrigeration and heating operation modes of the heat pump system, and can achieve high heat exchange efficiency in the refrigeration and heating operation modes of the heat pump system, respectively. The heat exchanger 100 in the present application has a liquid storage space, and can store a certain amount of refrigerant in the heating operation mode of the heat pump system. The heat exchanger in the present application has a control valve 675, which can guide the liquid generated by condensation in the air-side heat exchanger out of the air heat exchanger during heating defrosting.

[0068] While the present disclosure has been described in connection with the examples of the embodiments outlined above, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and / or substantial equivalents, whether known or not, can be used to practice the various embodiments of the disclosure. Additionally, the technical effects and / or technical problems described in this specification are exemplary and not limiting; therefore, the disclosure disclosed in this specification can be used to solve other technical problems and have other technical effects. Accordingly, the examples of the embodiments of the present disclosure as stated above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to include all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and / or substantial equivalents.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger having a length direction (L), a width direction (W) and a height direction (H), characterized by Comprising: a housing (102) enclosing a housing volume (105); a first heat exchange tube group (231) and a second heat exchange tube group (232) located in the housing volume (105), the heat exchange tubes in the first heat exchange tube group (231) and the second heat exchange tube group (232) extend along a length direction of the heat exchanger and are arranged in columns along a width direction (W) of the heat exchanger, the first heat exchange tube group (231) is located above the second heat exchange tube group (232); a redistribution device (208) disposed between the first heat exchange tube group (231) and the second heat exchange tube group (232), the redistribution device (208) is provided with a plurality of columns of through holes (380); a driving device (240) connected with the redistribution device (208) and capable of driving the redistribution device (208) to move along the width direction of the heat exchanger.

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein: the driving device (240) is capable of driving the redistribution device (208) to move between a first position and a second position, when the redistribution device (208) is located at the first position, each column of the plurality of columns of through holes (380) is aligned with a corresponding column of heat exchange tubes in the second heat exchange tube group (232); when the redistribution device (208) is located at the second position, each column of the plurality of columns of through holes (380) is misaligned with the heat exchange tubes in the second heat exchange tube group (232).

3. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein: the second heat exchange tube group (232) has a spacing between adjacent columns, thereby forming a plurality of flow spaces (275), when the redistribution device (208) is located at the second position, each column of the plurality of columns of through holes (380) is aligned with a corresponding flow space (275).

4. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein: the driving device (240) comprises a driving device housing (401) and a piston (402), the driving device housing (401) comprises a piston volume (425), one end of the piston (402) is located in the piston volume (425), the other end of the piston (402) is connected with the redistribution device (208), the piston (402) can be driven to move in the piston volume (425) to move the redistribution device (208) between the first position and the second position.

5. The heat exchanger of claim 4, wherein: the piston volume (425) is in fluid communication with an external pressure component and is fluidly disconnected from the housing volume (105) of the heat exchanger, the piston (402) is configured to move according to a pressure difference between the external pressure component and the housing volume (105).

6. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein: The heat exchanger further comprises a baffle assembly (261) covering the top and both sides in the width direction of the first heat exchange tube group to guide the fluid to flow through the first heat exchange tube group (231); Wherein, the bottom of the baffle assembly (261) and the redistribution device (208) have a spacing to form a baffle fluid passage (265, 266).

7. The heat exchanger of claim 6, wherein: The heat exchanger further comprises a flow guide plate assembly (267) located on one side of the baffle fluid passage (265) to guide the flow direction of the fluid flowing out of the baffle fluid passage (265, 266).

8. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein: The heat exchanger is applied to a heat pump system capable of running a refrigeration cycle and a heating cycle, in the refrigeration cycle, the heat exchanger is an evaporator, and the redistribution device (208) is located at a first position, in the heating cycle, the heat exchanger is a condenser, and the redistribution device (208) is located at a second position.

9. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein: The heat exchanger further comprises a third heat exchange tube group (233) arranged below the second heat exchange tube group (232), and the third heat exchange tube group (233) and the second heat exchange tube group (232) have a spacing to form a liquid storage space (180) capable of storing a certain amount of refrigerant.

10. A heat pump system characterized by Comprising: A compressor (601), a four-way valve (602), a throttling device (605), an air-side heat exchanger (603), a water-side heat exchanger (604), and a first communication pipe (671), wherein the water-side heat exchanger (604) is the heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1-3, 6-8; The throttling device (605) is arranged between the air-side heat exchanger (603) and the water-side heat exchanger (604), the four-way valve (602) is connected with the compressor (601), the air-side heat exchanger (603), and the water-side heat exchanger (604), and the refrigerant can flow between the compressor (601), the four-way valve (602), the throttling device (605), the air-side heat exchanger (603), and the water-side heat exchanger (604) to form a circulation loop, and the four-way valve (602) can be switched to change the connection relationship between the compressor (601), the air-side heat exchanger (603), and the water-side heat exchanger (604) to enable the refrigerant in the heat pump system to switch between a refrigeration cycle and a heating cycle; The driving device (240) of the water-side heat exchanger (604) comprises a driving device shell (401) and a piston (402), the driving device shell (401) comprises a piston cavity (425), one end of the piston (402) is located in the piston cavity (425), and the other end is connected with the redistribution device (208); the piston cavity (425) is in fluid communication with the pipeline or component between the air-side heat exchanger (603) and the four-way valve (602) through the first communication pipe (671) and is in fluid disconnection with the shell cavity (105) of the heat exchanger; the piston (402) is configured to move according to the pressure difference between the piston cavity (425) and the shell cavity (105), so as to drive the redistribution device to move.

11. The heat pump system of claim 10, wherein: The water-side heat exchanger further comprises a third heat exchange pipe group (233), the third heat exchange pipe group (233) is arranged below the second heat exchange pipe group (232), and the third heat exchange pipe group (233) and the second heat exchange pipe group (232) have a certain spacing to form a liquid storage space (180), and the liquid storage space (180) can store a certain amount of refrigerant; The heat pump system further comprises a second communication pipe (672), one end of the second communication pipe (672) is in communication with the lower part of the water-side heat exchanger (604), and the other end is in communication with the high-pressure liquid pipeline or component before the inlet of the throttling device (605), so as to introduce refrigerant into the water-side heat exchanger (604).

12. The heat pump system of claim 11, wherein: The second communication pipe (672) is provided with a control valve (675), the control valve (675) is configured to be closed when the heat pump system is in a stable operation heating cycle or refrigeration cycle, and to be opened before the heat pump system needs to be switched from the refrigeration cycle to the heating cycle, so that a certain amount of refrigerant enters the water-side heat exchanger, and then the heat pump system is switched to the heating cycle.

Images