Heat exchanger, air conditioning system, and vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle, comprising a heat exchanger and an air conditioning system. The heat exchanger comprises: at least a first heat exchange assembly and a second heat exchange assembly which are in communication, the first heat exchange assembly being provided with a first heat exchange medium flow path, the second heat exchange assembly being provided with a second heat exchange medium flow path, and flow rates or flow velocities of heat exchange media in the first heat exchange medium flow path and the second heat exchange medium flow path being different.

Description

Heat exchangers, air conditioning systems and vehicles

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent No. 2024111786863, filed on August 26, 2024, entitled “Heat Exchanger, Air Conditioning System and Vehicle”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to, but is not limited to, the field of heat exchange equipment technology, specifically to a heat exchanger, an air conditioning system, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0003] Conventional parallel flow heat exchangers mainly consist of a left manifold, a right manifold, and several flat tubes connected between the left and right manifolds, as well as fins arranged in the middle of the flat tubes. They can only achieve a single temperature zone and have relatively simple functions.

[0004] Therefore, improvements are needed to at least partially address the aforementioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The summary section introduces a series of simplified concepts, which will be further explained in detail in the detailed description section. This summary section is not intended to limit the key and essential technical features of the claimed technical solution, nor is it intended to determine the scope of protection of the claimed technical solution.

[0006] To at least partially solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of this application, a heat exchanger is provided, which includes at least a first heat exchange component and a second heat exchange component in communication, the first heat exchange component having a first heat exchange medium flow path, the second heat exchange component having a second heat exchange medium flow path, and the flow rate or velocity of the heat exchange medium in the first heat exchange medium flow path and the second heat exchange medium flow path being different.

[0007] In some embodiments of this application, the first heat exchange assembly includes a first manifold, a second manifold, and a first heat exchange tube group;

[0008] The first manifold and the second manifold are located at the two ends of the first heat exchange tube group, and the first manifold, the second manifold and the first heat exchange tube group together form the first heat exchange medium flow path;

[0009] The second heat exchange assembly includes the first manifold, the third manifold, and the second heat exchange tube group;

[0010] The first manifold and the third manifold are located at the two ends of the second heat exchange tube group, and the first manifold, the third manifold and the second heat exchange tube group together form the second heat exchange medium flow path.

[0011] In some embodiments of this application, the first heat exchange tube group and the second heat exchange tube group are arranged side by side on the same plane.

[0012] In some embodiments of this application, the second manifold and the third manifold are not connected to each other, and the second manifold is provided with a first heat exchange medium inlet, and the third manifold is provided with a second heat exchange medium inlet;

[0013] The first heat exchange medium flow path and the second heat exchange medium flow path share a first heat exchange medium outlet, which is located in the first manifold.

[0014] In some embodiments of this application, the heat exchanger further includes a fourth manifold, a fifth manifold, and a third heat exchange tube group;

[0015] The fourth and fifth manifolds are located at both ends of the third heat exchange tube group, and the fourth and fifth manifolds are respectively provided with a second heat exchange medium outlet and a third heat exchange medium inlet. The fourth manifold, the fifth manifold, and the third heat exchange tube group together form the third heat exchange medium flow path.

[0016] The third heat exchange tube group is arranged in parallel with both the first and second heat exchange tube groups.

[0017] In some embodiments of this application, the first manifold and the fourth manifold are arranged side by side in parallel.

[0018] The fifth manifold is arranged in parallel with both the second and third manifolds.

[0019] In some embodiments of this application, a first gap exists between the first manifold and the fourth manifold;

[0020] The fifth manifold has a second gap between it and both the second and third manifolds.

[0021] In some embodiments of this application, a first heat insulation element is provided in the first interval; and a second heat insulation element is provided in the second interval.

[0022] In some embodiments of this application, the heat exchanger further includes fins;

[0023] The first heat exchange tube group and the third heat exchange tube group are connected by the fins, and the second heat exchange tube group and the third heat exchange tube group are connected by the fins.

[0024] In some embodiments of this application, the fins include a plurality of parallel spaced heat exchange plates and a plurality of connecting plates, with adjacent heat exchange plates connected by the connecting plates. A first portion of the heat exchange plate has a plurality of parallel spaced first fins, and a second portion of the heat exchange plate has a plurality of parallel spaced second fins. The first portion of the heat exchange plate is located between two adjacent heat exchange tubes in the first or second heat exchange tube group, and the second portion of the heat exchange plate is located between two adjacent heat exchange tubes in the third heat exchange tube group.

[0025] In some embodiments of this application, the heat exchange plate further has at least one hollow portion, which is located between the first portion and the second portion of the heat exchange plate.

[0026] In some embodiments of this application, the first heat exchange tube group, the second heat exchange tube group, and the third heat exchange tube group all include multiple flat tubes arranged in parallel at intervals.

[0027] According to a second aspect of this application, an air conditioning system is provided, which includes a heat exchanger as described above.

[0028] According to a third aspect of this application, a vehicle is provided that includes the air conditioning system described above.

[0029] According to the heat exchanger, air conditioning system and vehicle of this application, the heat exchanger includes at least a first heat exchange component and a second heat exchange component connected in series. The flow rate or velocity of the heat exchange medium in the first heat exchange medium flow path and the second heat exchange medium flow path of the first heat exchange component are different. Therefore, the first heat exchange component and the second heat exchange component can achieve heat exchange to different degrees. As a result, the heat exchanger can realize multi-temperature zone function, making the heat exchanger more functional and applicable to a wider range of scenarios.

[0030] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The following drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference and are used to understand this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and their descriptions, thereby explaining the apparatus and principles of the invention. In the drawings,

[0032] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of this application, wherein the black arrows indicate the flow direction of the heat exchange medium;

[0034] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a heat exchanger according to the second embodiment of this application, wherein the black arrows indicate the flow direction of the heat exchange medium;

[0036] Figure 5 is a side view of a heat exchanger according to a third embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 6 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a heat exchanger according to a third embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the fourth manifold, the fifth manifold, and the third heat exchange tube group in the heat exchanger according to the three embodiments of this application, wherein the black arrows indicate the flow direction of the heat exchange medium;

[0039] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fins in the heat exchanger according to the third embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 9 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the end cap in a heat exchanger according to the third embodiment of this application.

[0041] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 100, First heat exchange assembly; 110, First manifold; 111, First heat exchange medium outlet; 120, Second manifold; 111, First heat exchange medium inlet; 130, First heat exchange tube group; 200, Second heat exchange assembly; 220, Third manifold; 221, Second heat exchange medium inlet; 230, Second heat exchange tube group; 300, Third heat exchange assembly; 320, Manifold; 321, Heat exchange medium inlet; 330, Heat exchange tube group; 410, Fourth manifold; 411, Second heat exchange medium outlet; 420, Fifth manifold; 421, Third heat exchange medium inlet; 430, Third heat exchange tube group; 500, Fin; 510, Heat exchange plate; 510A, First part; 510B, Second part; 511, First fin body; 512. Second fin body; 513. Hollowed-out part; 520. Connecting plate; 600. End cap; 610. First cover plate; 620. Second cover plate. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The following description provides numerous specific details to offer a more thorough understanding of this application. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this application can be practiced without one or more of these details. In other instances, certain technical features well-known in the art have not been described to avoid confusion with this application.

[0043] It should be understood that this application can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, providing these embodiments will make the disclosure thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of this application to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, for clarity, the dimensions and relative dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated. The same reference numerals denote the same elements throughout.

[0044] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used to describe various elements, components, areas, layers, and / or parts, these elements, components, areas, layers, and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, area, layer, or part from another element, component, area, layer, or part. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of this application, the first element, component, area, layer, or part discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, area, layer, or part.

[0045] Spatial relation terms such as "below," "under," "below," "under," "above," and "above" are used here for convenience to describe the relationship between one element or feature shown in the figure and other elements or features. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientation shown in the figure, spatial relation terms are intended to also include different orientations of devices in use and operation.

[0046] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. When used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “ / the” are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms “compose” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, identify the presence of features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups. When used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of the associated listed items.

[0047] Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to cross-sectional views that serve as schematic diagrams of preferred embodiments (and intermediate structures) of this application. Thus, variations in the shown shape are contemplated due to, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Therefore, embodiments of this application should not be limited to the specific shapes shown herein, but include shape deviations due to, for example, manufacturing processes. Consequently, the figures are substantially schematic, and their shapes are not intended to show the actual shape of the device and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0048] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an exemplary description of a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of this application will be provided.

[0049] The heat exchanger includes a first heat exchange component 100 and a second heat exchange component 200 connected in series. The first heat exchange component 100 has a first heat exchange medium flow path, and the second heat exchange component 200 has a second heat exchange medium flow path. The flow rates or velocities of the heat exchange medium in the first heat exchange medium flow path and the second heat exchange medium flow path are different.

[0050] The first heat exchange component 100 and the second heat exchange component 200 can be used to exchange heat with air or other media. Thus, the first heat exchange component 100 and the second heat exchange component 200 can achieve different degrees of heat exchange. That is, the air or other media in the corresponding areas of the first heat exchange component 100 and the second heat exchange component 200 can be heated to different temperatures. As a result, the heat exchanger can achieve multi-temperature zone function, making the heat exchanger more functional and its application scenarios more extensive.

[0051] In this embodiment, the first heat exchange component 100 includes a first manifold 110, a second manifold 120, and a first heat exchange tube group 130. The first manifold 110 and the second manifold 120 are located at the two ends of the first heat exchange tube group 130, and the first manifold 110, the second manifold 120, and the first heat exchange tube group 130 together form a first heat exchange medium flow path.

[0052] The second heat exchange assembly 200 includes a first manifold 110, a third manifold 220, and a second heat exchange tube group 230. That is, the first heat exchange assembly 100 and the second heat exchange assembly 200 share the first manifold 110. The first manifold 110 and the third manifold 220 are located at opposite ends of the second heat exchange tube group 230, and the first manifold 110, the third manifold 220, and the second heat exchange tube group 230 together form the second heat exchange medium flow path.

[0053] The second manifold 120 and the third manifold 220 are not connected to each other (here, "not connected to each other" means that the manifolds themselves are not directly connected). The second manifold 120 is provided with a first heat exchange medium inlet 111, and the third manifold 220 is provided with a second heat exchange medium inlet 221. The first heat exchange medium flow path and the second heat exchange medium flow path share a first heat exchange medium outlet 111, which is located in the first manifold 110.

[0054] The heat exchange medium entering the first heat exchange medium flow path from the first heat exchange medium inlet 111 flows sequentially through the second manifold 120, the first heat exchange tube group 130 and the first manifold 110, and finally exits from the first heat exchange medium outlet 111; the heat exchange medium entering the second heat exchange medium flow path from the second heat exchange medium inlet 221 flows sequentially through the third manifold 220, the second heat exchange tube group 230 and the first manifold 110, and finally exits from the first heat exchange medium outlet 111.

[0055] The same heat exchange medium can pass through the first heat exchange medium flow path and the second heat exchange medium flow path, but the flow rate or velocity of the heat exchange medium is different. Therefore, when the heat exchange medium with different flow rates or velocities passes through the first heat exchange tube group 130 and the second heat exchange tube group 230, it can exchange heat to different temperatures for the air or other gas medium flowing outside the first heat exchange tube group 130 and the second heat exchange tube group 230, so as to achieve zoned heat exchange with two temperature zones.

[0056] In this embodiment, the first heat exchange tube group 130 and the second heat exchange tube group 230 are arranged side by side on the same plane. The second manifold 120 and the third manifold 220 are connected in sequence. Exemplarily, the second manifold 120 and the third manifold 220 may share a portion of the tube wall. For example, the tube wall of the second manifold 120 away from the first heat exchange medium inlet 111 and the tube wall of the third manifold 220 away from the second heat exchange medium inlet 221 may share a single tube wall to save material. In some embodiments, the second manifold 120 and the third manifold 220 may be two independent manifolds (not sharing a common wall) connected together only by connection methods commonly used in the art, such as welding.

[0057] In this embodiment, both the first heat exchange tube group 130 and the second heat exchange tube group 230 include multiple flat tubes arranged in parallel at intervals. The multiple flat tubes in the first heat exchange tube group 130 and the multiple flat tubes in the second heat exchange tube group 230 are located on the same plane. Exemplarily, the flat tubes in the first heat exchange tube group 130 and the second heat exchange tube group 230 can be porous flat tubes, internally finned flat tubes, or corrugated flat tubes.

[0058] In some other embodiments, the first heat exchanger tube group 130 and the second heat exchanger tube group 230 may also include multiple parallel and spaced round tubes, square tubes or other shaped heat exchanger tubes, with the multiple heat exchanger tubes in the first heat exchanger tube group 130 located on the same plane, and the multiple heat exchanger tubes in the second heat exchanger tube group 230 located on the same plane.

[0059] In some other embodiments, the first heat exchange tube group 130 and the second heat exchange tube group 230 may not be arranged side by side on the same plane. The plane in which multiple heat exchange tubes in the first heat exchange tube group 130 are located may be parallel to or at a certain angle to the plane in which multiple heat exchange tubes in the second heat exchange tube group 230 are located. Those skilled in the art can configure it according to the actual application scenario of the heat exchanger.

[0060] In this embodiment, the heat exchanger also includes fins 500, which are connected to the first heat exchange tube group 130 and the second heat exchange tube group 230 to further increase the heat exchange area and enhance the heat exchange effect between the first heat exchange tube group 130, the second heat exchange tube group 230 and the incoming air.

[0061] For example, there are multiple fins 500, and multiple fins 500 are connected to the first heat exchange tube group 130 and the second heat exchange tube group 230. The fins 500 can be connected between two adjacent heat exchange tubes in the heat exchange tube group. For example, the fins 500 can be straight fins, louvered fins, serrated fins, porous fins or corrugated fins.

[0062] According to the heat exchanger of this embodiment, when the heat exchanger needs to achieve the heating function, high-temperature refrigerants with different flow rates or velocities can be introduced into the first heat exchange medium flow path and the second heat exchange medium flow path, respectively. Thus, the first heat exchange tube group 130 and the second heat exchange tube group 230 can respectively raise the temperature of the incoming air passing through them to different temperatures, achieving the function of two temperature zones. The temperatures of the two temperature zones can be adjusted independently. Specifically, this can be achieved by adjusting the flow rate or velocity of the high-temperature refrigerant entering the first heat exchange medium flow path and the second heat exchange medium flow path. It should be noted that the incoming air through the first heat exchange tube group 130 and the second heat exchange tube group 230 refers to air or other gaseous media flowing from outside the heat exchange tubes in the first heat exchange tube group 130 and the second heat exchange tube group 230.

[0063] According to the heat exchanger of this embodiment, when the heat exchanger needs to realize the cooling function, low-temperature refrigerant with different flow rates or flow velocities can be introduced into the first heat exchange medium flow path and the second heat exchange medium flow path respectively. As a result, the first heat exchange tube group 130 and the second heat exchange tube group 230 can cool the incoming air passing through them to different temperatures respectively, realizing the function of two temperature zones. The temperature of the two temperature zones can be adjusted independently. Specifically, this can be achieved by adjusting the flow rate or flow velocity of the low-temperature refrigerant entering the first heat exchange medium flow path and the second heat exchange medium flow path.

[0064] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of this application will be described exemplarily. The heat exchanger includes a first heat exchange component 100, a second heat exchange component 200, and a third heat exchange component 300 that are connected in series. The first heat exchange component 100 has a first heat exchange medium flow path, the second heat exchange component 200 has a second heat exchange medium flow path, and the third heat exchange component 300 has a third heat exchange medium flow path. The flow rates or velocities of the heat exchange medium in the first, second, and third heat exchange medium flow paths are different. The first heat exchange component 100, the second heat exchange component 200, and the third heat exchange component 300 can be used to exchange heat with air or other media. Thus, the first heat exchange component 100, the second heat exchange component 200, and the third heat exchange component 300 can achieve different degrees of heat exchange. That is, the air or other media in the corresponding areas of the first heat exchange component 100, the second heat exchange component 200, and the third heat exchange component 300 can be heated to different temperatures. As a result, the heat exchanger can achieve multi-temperature zone function, making the heat exchanger more functional and its application scenarios more extensive.

[0065] In this embodiment, the first heat exchange component 100 includes a first manifold 110, a second manifold 120, and a first heat exchange tube group 130. The first manifold 110 and the second manifold 120 are located at the two ends of the first heat exchange tube group 130, and the first manifold 110, the second manifold 120, and the first heat exchange tube group 130 together form a first heat exchange medium flow path.

[0066] The second heat exchange assembly 200 includes a first manifold 110, a third manifold 220, and a second heat exchange tube group 230. That is, the first heat exchange assembly 100 and the second heat exchange assembly 200 share the first manifold 110. The first manifold 110 and the third manifold 220 are located at opposite ends of the second heat exchange tube group 230, and the first manifold 110, the third manifold 220, and the second heat exchange tube group 230 together form the second heat exchange medium flow path.

[0067] The third heat exchange assembly 300 includes a first manifold 110, a manifold 320, and a heat exchange tube group 330. That is, the first heat exchange assembly 100, the second heat exchange assembly 200, and the third heat exchange assembly 300 share the first manifold 110. The first manifold 110 and the manifold 320 are located at opposite ends of the heat exchange tube group 330, and the first manifold 110, the manifold 320, and the heat exchange tube group 330 together form the third heat exchange medium flow path.

[0068] The second manifold 120, the third manifold 220, and the manifold 320 are not interconnected (meaning they are not directly connected). The second manifold 120 is provided with a first heat exchange medium inlet 111, the third manifold 220 is provided with a second heat exchange medium inlet 221, and the manifold 320 is provided with a heat exchange medium inlet 321. The first heat exchange medium flow path, the second heat exchange medium flow path, and the third heat exchange medium flow path share a first heat exchange medium outlet 111, which is located in the first manifold 110.

[0069] The heat exchange medium entering the first heat exchange medium flow path from the first heat exchange medium inlet 111 flows sequentially through the second manifold 120, the first heat exchange tube group 130, and the first manifold 110, and finally exits from the first heat exchange medium outlet 111; the heat exchange medium entering the second heat exchange medium flow path from the second heat exchange medium inlet 221 flows sequentially through the third manifold 220, the second heat exchange tube group 230, and the first manifold 110, and finally exits from the first heat exchange medium outlet 111; the heat exchange medium entering the third heat exchange medium flow path from the heat exchange medium inlet 321 flows sequentially through the manifold 320, the heat exchange tube group 330, and the first manifold 110, and finally exits from the first heat exchange medium outlet 111.

[0070] The first, second, and third heat exchange medium flow paths can all use the same heat exchange medium, but the flow rates or velocities of the heat exchange mediums are different. Thus, when the heat exchange mediums with different flow rates or velocities pass through the first heat exchange tube group 130, the second heat exchange tube group 230, and the heat exchange tube group 330, they can exchange heat to different temperatures on the air or other gaseous media flowing outside the first heat exchange tube group 130, the second heat exchange tube group 230, and the heat exchange tube group 330, achieving zoned heat exchange with three temperature zones.

[0071] In this embodiment, the first heat exchange tube group 130, the second heat exchange tube group 230, and the heat exchange tube group 330 are arranged side by side on the same plane. The second manifold 120, the third manifold 220, and the manifold 320 are connected sequentially. Exemplarily, the second manifold 120, the third manifold 220, and the manifold 320 may share a portion of the tube wall. In some embodiments, the second manifold 120, the third manifold 220, and the manifold 320 may be three independent manifolds (not sharing walls), connected together only by connection methods commonly used in the art, such as welding.

[0072] In this embodiment, the first heat exchanger tube group 130, the second heat exchanger tube group 230, and the heat exchanger tube group 330 all include multiple flat tubes arranged in parallel and spaced apart. The multiple flat tubes in the first heat exchanger tube group 130, the second heat exchanger tube group 230, and the heat exchanger tube group 330 are all located on the same plane. Exemplarily, the flat tubes in the first heat exchanger tube group 130, the second heat exchanger tube group 230, and the heat exchanger tube group 330 can be porous flat tubes, internally finned flat tubes, or corrugated flat tubes. In other embodiments, the first heat exchanger tube group 130, the second heat exchanger tube group 230, and the heat exchanger tube group 330 may also include multiple parallel and spaced-apart round tubes, square tubes, or other shaped heat exchanger tubes, with the multiple heat exchanger tubes in the first heat exchanger tube group 130, the second heat exchanger tube group 230, and the heat exchanger tube group 330 all located on the same plane. In some other embodiments, the first heat exchanger tube group 130, the second heat exchanger tube group 230 and the heat exchanger tube group 330 may not be arranged side by side on the same plane. The plane in which multiple heat exchanger tubes in the first heat exchanger tube group 130 are located, the plane in which multiple heat exchanger tubes in the second heat exchanger tube group 230 are located and the plane in which multiple heat exchanger tubes in the heat exchanger tube group 330 are located may be parallel or at a certain angle. Those skilled in the art can configure them according to the actual application scenario of the heat exchanger.

[0073] In this embodiment, the heat exchanger further includes fins 500, which are connected to the first heat exchange tube group 130, the second heat exchange tube group 230, and the heat exchange tube group 330 to further increase the heat exchange area and enhance the heat exchange effect between the first heat exchange tube group 130, the second heat exchange tube group 230, and the incoming air. Exemplarily, there are multiple fins 500, with multiple fins 500 connected to the first heat exchange tube group 130, the second heat exchange tube group 230, and the heat exchange tube group 330. Fins 500 can be connected between two adjacent heat exchange tubes in a heat exchange tube group. Exemplarily, the fins 500 can be straight fins, louvered fins, serrated fins, porous fins, or corrugated fins.

[0074] Referring to Figures 5 to 9, a heat exchanger according to a third embodiment of this application will be described exemplarily. The heat exchanger includes a first heat exchange component 100 and a second heat exchange component 200 connected in communication. The specific structure and connection method of the first heat exchange component 100 and the second heat exchange component 200 are the same as those of the first heat exchange component and the second heat exchange component 200 in the first embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0075] In this embodiment, the heat exchanger further includes a fourth manifold 410, a fifth manifold 420, and a third heat exchange tube group 430. The fourth manifold 410 and the fifth manifold 420 are located at both ends of the third heat exchange tube group 430. The fourth manifold 410 and the fifth manifold 420 are respectively provided with a second heat exchange medium outlet 411 and a third heat exchange medium inlet 421. The fourth manifold 410, the fifth manifold 420, and the third heat exchange tube group 430 together form the third heat exchange medium flow path.

[0076] In this embodiment, the third heat exchange tube group 430 is arranged parallel to both the first heat exchange tube group 130 and the second heat exchange tube group 230. The third heat exchange tube group 430 includes multiple flat tubes arranged in parallel and spaced apart. The multiple flat tubes in the first heat exchange tube group 130, the multiple flat tubes in the second heat exchange tube group 230, and the multiple flat tubes in the third heat exchange tube group 430 are all located on the same plane. Exemplarily, the flat tubes in the third heat exchange tube group 430 can be porous flat tubes, internally finned flat tubes, or corrugated flat tubes. In some other embodiments, the third heat exchange tube group 430 may also include multiple parallel and spaced-apart round tubes, square tubes, or other shaped heat exchange tubes, with the multiple heat exchange tubes in the third heat exchange tube group 430 located on the same plane.

[0077] In this embodiment, the third heat exchanger tube group 430, the first heat exchanger tube group 130, and the second heat exchanger tube group 230 can exchange heat with the incoming air passing through the heat exchanger sequentially. That is, the incoming air can first flow through the third heat exchanger tube group 430 to exchange heat with it, and then flow through the first heat exchanger tube group 130 and the second heat exchanger tube group 230 respectively, exchanging heat with them respectively. The third heat exchanger tube group 430 can be used to heat or cool the incoming air, and the first heat exchanger tube group 130 and the second heat exchanger tube group 230 can be used for zoned temperature regulation.

[0078] When the heat exchange medium through the third heat exchange medium flow path is a high-temperature refrigerant (or coolant), the heat exchange medium through the first heat exchange medium flow path and the second heat exchange medium flow path can be low-temperature refrigerants (or coolants) with different flow rates or velocities. Thus, the first heat exchange tube group 130 can raise the temperature of the incoming air passing through it to a suitable temperature, and the first heat exchange tube group 130 and the second heat exchange tube group 230 can cool the incoming air passing through them to different temperatures, thereby realizing zoned temperature control and regulation, and achieving multi-temperature zone function. Correspondingly, when the heat exchange medium through the third heat exchange medium flow path is a low-temperature refrigerant (or coolant), the heat exchange medium through the first heat exchange medium flow path and the second heat exchange medium flow path can be high-temperature refrigerants (or coolants) with different flow rates or velocities. Thus, the first heat exchange tube group 130 can cool the incoming air passing through it to a suitable temperature, and the first heat exchange tube group 130 and the second heat exchange tube group 230 can respectively heat the incoming air passing through them to different temperatures, thereby realizing zoned temperature control and regulation.

[0079] In this embodiment, the first manifold 110 and the fourth manifold 410 are arranged in parallel, and the fifth manifold 420 is also arranged in parallel with the second manifold 120 and the third manifold 220. The first manifold 110 and the fourth manifold 410 are located at the upper and lower ends of the heat exchanger in Figure 6, respectively, and the fifth manifold 420 and the second manifold 120 and the third manifold 220 can also be located at the upper and lower ends of the heat exchanger in Figure 6, respectively. This arrangement makes the overall structure of the heat exchanger more compact and reduces space occupation. Correspondingly, in this embodiment, the flat tubes in the first heat exchange tube group 130, the second heat exchange tube group 230, and the third heat exchange tube group 430 are all parallel to each other.

[0080] In some other embodiments, the first manifold 110 and the fourth manifold 410 may be perpendicular to each other, and the fifth manifold 420 may be perpendicular to both the second manifold 120 and the third manifold 220. For example, the first manifold 110 and the fourth manifold 410 are located at the upper and lower ends of the heat exchanger in Figure 6, respectively, and the fifth manifold 420 is located at the left and right ends of the heat exchanger in Figure 6, respectively, along with the second manifold 120 and the third manifold 220. Correspondingly, the flat tubes in the third heat exchanger tube group 430 are perpendicular to the flat tubes in the first heat exchanger tube group 130 and the second heat exchanger tube group 230.

[0081] In this embodiment, a first gap exists between the first manifold 110 and the fourth manifold 410, and a second gap exists between the fifth manifold 420 and both the second manifold 120 and the third manifold 220. That is, a certain distance exists between the first manifold 110 and the fourth manifold 410, and a certain distance exists between the fifth manifold 420 and both the second and third manifolds 220. This effectively prevents direct heat exchange between the first manifold 110 and the fourth manifold 410, and also prevents direct heat exchange between the fifth manifold 420 and both the second and third manifolds 220, thereby effectively reducing heat loss. Referring to Figure 9, in this embodiment, the heat exchanger also includes an end cover 600, which includes a first cover plate 610 and a second cover plate 620, with the second cover plate 620 vertically disposed in the middle of the first cover plate 610. The second cover plate 620 is inserted between the first manifold 110 and the fourth manifold 410, forming a gap between the first manifold 110 and the fourth manifold 410. The ends of the first cover plate 610 and the first manifold 110 and the fourth manifold 410 are fitted together. The end cap 600 can be connected to the first manifold 110 and the fourth manifold 410 by welding.

[0082] In this embodiment, a first heat insulation element is provided in the first interval, and a second heat insulation element is provided in the second interval. The first and second heat insulation elements can be heat insulation elements known to those skilled in the art, such as aerogel and composite foam. By providing the first and second heat insulation elements, heat exchange between the first manifold 110 and the fourth manifold 410 can be more effectively limited, as can heat exchange between the fifth manifold 420 and the second manifold 120 and the third manifold 220, thereby more effectively reducing heat loss.

[0083] In this embodiment, the heat exchanger further includes fins 500. The first heat exchange tube group 130 and the third heat exchange tube group 430 are connected by fins 500, and the second heat exchange tube group 230 and the third heat exchange tube group 430 are also connected by fins 500. That is, the outer wall of the heat exchange tubes in the first heat exchange tube group 130 is connected to the outer wall of a portion of the heat exchange tubes in the third heat exchange tube group 430 by multiple fins 500, and the outer wall of the heat exchange tubes in the second heat exchange tube group 230 is connected to the outer wall of another portion of the heat exchange tubes in the third heat exchange tube group 430 by multiple fins 500. It should be noted that "connected by fins 500" here means simultaneously connected to the fins 500. The arrangement of fins 500 can further increase the heat exchange area and enhance the heat exchange effect between the first heat exchange tube group 130, the second heat exchange tube group 230, and the third heat exchange tube group 430 and the incoming air. In some embodiments, the fin 500 can be a straight fin, a louvered fin, a serrated fin, a porous fin, or a corrugated fin.

[0084] Referring to Figure 8, in this embodiment, the fin 500 includes a plurality of parallel and spaced heat exchange plates 510 and a plurality of connecting plates 520. Adjacent heat exchange plates 510 are connected by connecting plates 520, thereby the plurality of heat exchange plates 510 and the plurality of connecting plates 520 can form a whole, achieving integral installation and simplifying the installation process. In this embodiment, the plurality of heat exchange plates 510 and the plurality of connecting plates 520 are corrugated in shape, and the plurality of heat exchange plates 510 and the plurality of connecting plates 520 can be integrally formed, that is, they can be formed from a single plate by bending.

[0085] The first part 510A of the heat exchange plate 510 has a plurality of parallel and spaced first fins 511. The first part 510A of the heat exchange plate 510 is located between two adjacent heat exchange tubes in the first heat exchange tube group 130 or between two adjacent heat exchange tubes in the second heat exchange tube group 230. That is, the plurality of first fins 511 are located between two adjacent heat exchange tubes in the first heat exchange tube group 130 or between two adjacent heat exchange tubes in the second heat exchange tube group 230, so as to increase the heat exchange area. The second part 510B of the heat exchange plate 510 has a plurality of parallel and spaced second fins 512. The second part 510B of the heat exchange plate 510 is located between two adjacent heat exchange tubes in the third heat exchange tube group 430. That is, the plurality of second fins 512 are located between two adjacent heat exchange tubes in the third heat exchange tube group 430, so as to increase the heat exchange area. When the fins 500 are simultaneously connected to the first heat exchanger tube group 130 and the third heat exchanger tube group 430, the first part 510A of the heat exchanger plate 510 is located between two adjacent heat exchanger tubes in the first heat exchanger tube group 130, and the second part 510B of the heat exchanger plate 510 is located between two adjacent heat exchanger tubes in the third heat exchanger tube group 430; when the fins 500 are simultaneously connected to the second heat exchanger tube group 230 and the third heat exchanger tube group 430, the first part 510A of the heat exchanger plate 510 is located between two adjacent heat exchanger tubes in the second heat exchanger tube group 230, and the second part 510B of the heat exchanger plate 510 is located between two adjacent heat exchanger tubes in the third heat exchanger tube group 430.

[0086] The heat exchange plate 510 also has at least one perforated portion 513, which is located between the first portion 510A and the second portion 510B of the heat exchange plate 510. The perforated portion can effectively reduce the area of ​​the connection between the first portion 510A and the second portion 510B of the heat exchange plate 510, thereby reducing direct heat transfer between them and effectively reducing unnecessary heat loss.

[0087] This application also provides an air conditioning system including the heat exchanger described above. This heat exchanger can integrate the functions of an evaporator, condenser, heater core, and electric heater in a traditional air conditioning system by introducing different heat exchange media, effectively reducing costs.

[0088] This application also provides a vehicle that includes the air conditioning system described above.

[0089] Although exemplary embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the above exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Various changes and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this application. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this application as claimed in the appended claims.

[0090] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0091] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be ignored or not executed.

[0092] Numerous specific details are set forth in the specification provided herein. However, it will be understood that embodiments of this application may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this specification.

[0093] Similarly, it should be understood that, in order to simplify this application and aid in understanding one or more of the various inventive aspects, features of this application are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof in the description of exemplary embodiments of this application. However, this approach should not be construed as reflecting an intention that the claimed application requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the corresponding claims, the inventive point lies in solving the corresponding technical problem with fewer features than all of those in a single disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into that detailed description, wherein each claim itself is a separate embodiment of this application.

[0094] Those skilled in the art will understand that, apart from the mutual exclusion of features, all features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) and all processes or elements of any method or apparatus so disclosed can be combined in any combination. Unless otherwise expressly stated, each feature disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by an alternative feature serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose.

[0095] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that although some embodiments described herein include certain features but not others included in other embodiments, combinations of features from different embodiments are intended to be within the scope of this application and form different embodiments. For example, in the claims, any one of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0096] It should be noted that the above embodiments are illustrative of this application and not restrictive of this application, and that those skilled in the art can devise alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A heat exchanger includes at least a first heat exchange component (100) and a second heat exchange component (200) in communication. in, The first heat exchange component (100) has a first heat exchange medium flow path, and the second heat exchange component (200) has a second heat exchange medium flow path. The flow rate or velocity of the heat exchange medium in the first heat exchange medium flow path and the second heat exchange medium flow path are different. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein, The first heat exchange assembly (100) includes a first manifold (110), a second manifold (120), and a first heat exchange tube group (130); The first manifold (110) and the second manifold (120) are located at the two ends of the first heat exchange tube group (130), and the first manifold (110), the second manifold (120) and the first heat exchange tube group (130) together form the first heat exchange medium flow path; The second heat exchange assembly (200) includes the first manifold (110), the third manifold (220), and the second heat exchange tube group (230); The first manifold (110) and the third manifold (220) are located at the two ends of the second heat exchange tube group (230), and the first manifold (110), the third manifold (220) and the second heat exchange tube group (230) together form the second heat exchange medium flow path. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein, The first heat exchange tube group (130) and the second heat exchange tube group (230) are arranged side by side on the same plane. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein, The second manifold (120) and the third manifold (220) are not connected to each other, and the second manifold (120) is provided with a first heat exchange medium inlet (111), and the third manifold (220) is provided with a second heat exchange medium inlet (221); The first heat exchange medium flow path and the second heat exchange medium flow path share a first heat exchange medium outlet (111), and the first heat exchange medium outlet (111) is located in the first manifold (110). The heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein, The heat exchanger also includes a fourth manifold (410), a fifth manifold (420), and a third heat exchange tube group (430); The fourth manifold (410) and the fifth manifold (420) are located at both ends of the third heat exchange tube group (430), and the fourth manifold (410) and the fifth manifold (420) are respectively provided with a second heat exchange medium outlet (411) and a third heat exchange medium inlet (421). The fourth manifold (410), the fifth manifold (420) and the third heat exchange tube group (430) together form the third heat exchange medium flow path. The third heat exchange tube group (430) is arranged in parallel with both the first heat exchange tube group (130) and the second heat exchange tube group (230). The heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein, The first manifold (110) and the fourth manifold (410) are arranged side by side in parallel. The fifth manifold (420) is arranged in parallel with the second manifold (120) and the third manifold (220). The heat exchanger according to claim 6, wherein, There is a first gap between the first manifold (110) and the fourth manifold (410); there is a second gap between the fifth manifold (420) and the second manifold (120) and the third manifold (220). The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein, The first interval is provided with a first heat insulation component; the second interval is provided with a second heat insulation component. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein, The heat exchanger also includes fins (500); The first heat exchange tube group (130) and the third heat exchange tube group (430) are connected by the fins (500), and the second heat exchange tube group (230) and the third heat exchange tube group (430) are connected by the fins (500). The heat exchanger according to claim 9, wherein, The fins (500) include a plurality of heat exchange plates (510) arranged in parallel at intervals and a plurality of connecting plates (520); The adjacent heat exchange plates (510) are connected by the connecting plate (520). The first part (510A) of the heat exchange plate (510) has a plurality of parallel spaced first fins (511), and the second part (510B) of the heat exchange plate (510) has a plurality of parallel spaced second fins (512). The first part (510A) of the heat exchange plate (510) is located between two adjacent heat exchange tubes in the first heat exchange tube group (130) or the second heat exchange tube group (230), and the second part (510B) of the heat exchange plate (510) is located between two adjacent heat exchange tubes in the third heat exchange tube group (430). The heat exchanger according to claim 10, wherein, The heat exchange plate (510) also has at least one hollowed-out portion (513); The hollow portion (513) is located between the first part (510A) and the second part (510B) of the heat exchange plate (510). The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein, The first heat exchange tube group (130), the second heat exchange tube group (230) and the third heat exchange tube group (430) each include multiple flat tubes arranged in parallel at intervals. An air conditioning system includes a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger including at least a first heat exchange component (100) and a second heat exchange component (200) in communication; in, The first heat exchange component (100) has a first heat exchange medium flow path, and the second heat exchange component (200) has a second heat exchange medium flow path. The flow rate or velocity of the heat exchange medium in the first heat exchange medium flow path and the second heat exchange medium flow path are different. The air conditioning system according to claim 13, wherein, The first heat exchange assembly (100) includes a first manifold (110), a second manifold (120), and a first heat exchange tube group (130); The first manifold (110) and the second manifold (120) are located at the two ends of the first heat exchange tube group (130), and the first manifold (110), the second manifold (120) and the first heat exchange tube group (130) together form the first heat exchange medium flow path; The second heat exchange assembly (200) includes the first manifold (110), the third manifold (220), and the second heat exchange tube group (230); The first manifold (110) and the third manifold (220) are located at the two ends of the second heat exchange tube group (230), and the first manifold (110), the third manifold (220) and the second heat exchange tube group (230) together form the second heat exchange medium flow path. The air conditioning system according to claim 14, wherein, The first heat exchange tube group (130) and the second heat exchange tube group (230) are arranged side by side on the same plane. According to claim 15, the air conditioning system, wherein, The second manifold (120) and the third manifold (220) are not connected to each other, and the second manifold (120) is provided with a first heat exchange medium inlet (111), and the third manifold (220) is provided with a second heat exchange medium inlet (221); The first heat exchange medium flow path and the second heat exchange medium flow path share a first heat exchange medium outlet (111), and the first heat exchange medium outlet (111) is located in the first manifold (110). The air conditioning system according to claim 16, wherein, The heat exchanger also includes a fourth manifold (410), a fifth manifold (420), and a third heat exchange tube group (430); The fourth manifold (410) and the fifth manifold (420) are located at both ends of the third heat exchange tube group (430), and the fourth manifold (410) and the fifth manifold (420) are respectively provided with a second heat exchange medium outlet (411) and a third heat exchange medium inlet (421). The fourth manifold (410), the fifth manifold (420) and the third heat exchange tube group (430) together form the third heat exchange medium flow path. The third heat exchange tube group (430) is arranged in parallel with both the first heat exchange tube group (130) and the second heat exchange tube group (230). The air conditioning system according to claim 17, wherein, The first manifold (110) and the fourth manifold (410) are arranged side by side in parallel. The fifth manifold (420) is arranged in parallel with the second manifold (120) and the third manifold (220). The air conditioning system according to claim 18, wherein, There is a first gap between the first manifold (110) and the fourth manifold (410); there is a second gap between the fifth manifold (420) and the second manifold (120) and the third manifold (220). A vehicle comprising an air conditioning system as described in any one of claims 13 to 19.

Images