Heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger (100), comprising: a plurality of heat exchange tubes (10), which are arranged in an array; and a plurality of fins (20), wherein at least some adjacent rows of the heat exchange tubes (10) share the same fin (20) disposed therebetween. The plurality of heat exchange tubes (10) comprise odd-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes and even-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes. In at least one pair of adjacent odd-numbered row of heat exchange tubes and even-numbered row of heat exchange tubes, the orthographic projection, in the column direction, of at least one heat exchange tube (11, 13) in the odd-numbered row of heat exchange tubes at least partially non-overlap with the orthographic projection, in the column direction, of the heat exchange tube (12, 14) in the even-numbered row of heat exchange tubes adjacent to the at least one heat exchange tube.

Description

heat exchanger Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a heat exchanger. Background Technology

[0002] A heat exchanger consists of heat exchange tubes and fins. Summary of the Invention

[0003] At least one objective of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger that can, for example, improve heat exchange efficiency.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a heat exchanger is provided, comprising:

[0005] Multiple heat exchange tubes, said multiple heat exchange tubes arranged in an array; and

[0006] Multiple fins, with the same fin provided between at least partially adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes;

[0007] The plurality of heat exchange tubes are divided into: odd-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes and even-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes;

[0008] In at least one pair of adjacent odd-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes and even-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes, the orthographic projection of at least one heat exchange tube in the odd-numbered rows in the column direction and the orthographic projection of another heat exchange tube in the even-numbered rows adjacent to the at least one heat exchange tube in the column direction do not at least partially overlap.

[0009] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerant flow paths within the heat exchanger are all fluidly connected.

[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in any pair of adjacent odd-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes and even-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes, the orthographic projection of each heat exchange tube in the odd-numbered rows in the column direction and the orthographic projection of the other heat exchange tube in the even-numbered rows adjacent to that heat exchange tube in the column direction do not at least partially coincide.

[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least some of the heat exchange tubes in the rows include at least two or more heat exchange tubes; the plurality of heat exchange tubes are arranged in the row direction such that: heat exchange tubes in at least a plurality of odd-numbered rows are arranged at position 2M-1; heat exchange tubes in at least a plurality of even-numbered rows are arranged at position 2M; and where M is a positive integer.

[0012] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the orthographic projection of the heat exchange tube located at each of the 2M-1 positions in the column direction does not coincide with the orthographic projection of the heat exchange tube located at each of the 2M positions in the column direction.

[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the orthographic projection of the heat exchange tube located at at least the 2M-1 position in the column direction at least partially coincides with the orthographic projection of the heat exchange tube located at at least the 2M position in the column direction.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of heat exchange tubes has the same width.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange tube located at at least one second M-1 position has the same width as and / or is greater than the width of the remaining heat exchange tubes as the heat exchange tube located at at least one second M position.

[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fin is a corrugated fin; the fin is a corrugated fin extending along the length direction of the heat exchange tube, and in the column direction, the distance F between at least one pair of adjacent heat exchange tubes in at least a portion of the adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes is the height of a fin in the column direction, the at least one pair of adjacent heat exchange tubes are located in different columns, and the distance between the at least one pair of adjacent heat exchange tubes and their respective adjacent heat exchange tubes in the column direction is greater than F.

[0017] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the column direction, the spacing between at least one pair of adjacent heat exchange tubes in at least one column of heat exchange tubes is different from the spacing between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the remaining columns of heat exchange tubes.

[0018] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fins are corrugated fins extending along the length of the heat exchange tube;

[0019] The plurality of heat exchange tubes are arranged in at least four columns; wherein, the pitch between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the first column is 4N, the pitch between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the second column is 3N, the pitch between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the third column is 2N, and the pitch between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the fourth column is N; wherein, N is the sum of the height of a fin and the thickness of a heat exchange tube, and the pitch between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the column direction refers to the distance between the centers of adjacent heat exchange tubes in the column direction.

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the width direction of each heat exchange tube is parallel to the row direction; and the length direction of each heat exchange tube is perpendicular to the plane defined by the row direction and the column direction.

[0021] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger further includes: a plurality of first manifolds; wherein the plurality of heat exchange tubes are arranged in L columns of heat exchange tubes, and L≥2n, where L and n are positive integers; at least a portion of the heat exchange tubes in each column are connected and in fluid communication with a first manifold; one heat exchange tube in each (2n-1)th column of heat exchange tubes and another heat exchange tube in the (2n-1)th column of heat exchange tubes adjacent to the one heat exchange tube constitute a heat exchange tube group, wherein the one heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a first heat exchange tube, and the other heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a second heat exchange tube, wherein the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube are formed by bending a single heat exchange tube, and the second end of the first heat exchange tube opposite to the first end and the second end of the second heat exchange tube opposite to the first end are connected and in fluid communication through a bent section.

[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one of the plurality of first manifolds is used as an inlet manifold, another of the plurality of first manifolds is used as an outlet manifold, and the remaining of the plurality of first manifolds are used as intermediate manifolds; wherein at least two intermediate manifolds are connected and in fluid communication with each other by a connecting pipe.

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger further includes: a plurality of first manifolds and a plurality of second manifolds; at least a portion of the heat exchange tubes in each row are connected to and in fluid communication with a first manifold at their first ends; and the second ends of the at least a portion of the heat exchange tubes in each row, opposite to the first ends, are connected to and in fluid communication with a second manifold.

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one of the plurality of first manifolds is used as an inlet manifold, another of the plurality of first manifolds or one of the plurality of second manifolds is used as an outlet manifold, and the remaining first manifolds and the remaining second manifolds are used as intermediate manifolds; wherein at least two intermediate manifolds are connected and in fluid communication with each other through connecting pipes.

[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger further includes: a plurality of first manifolds and at least one common manifold; wherein the plurality of heat exchange tubes are arranged in L columns of heat exchange tubes, L≥2n, where L and n are positive integers; at least a portion of the first ends of the heat exchange tubes in at least two adjacent columns are connected and fluidly communicated to the common manifold, and at least a portion of the first ends of the heat exchange tubes in each of the remaining columns are connected and fluidly communicated to a first manifold; one heat exchange tube in each (2n-1)th column and another heat exchange tube in the (2n-1)th column adjacent to the first heat exchange tube constitute a heat exchange tube group, wherein the heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a first heat exchange tube, and the other heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a second heat exchange tube, wherein the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube are formed by bending a single heat exchange tube, and the second end of the first heat exchange tube opposite to the first end and the second end of the second heat exchange tube opposite to the first end are connected and fluidly communicated by a bent section.

[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one of the plurality of first manifolds is used as an inlet manifold, another of the plurality of first manifolds is used as an outlet manifold, and the remaining first manifolds and the at least one shared manifold are used as intermediate manifolds; wherein, at least two intermediate manifolds are connected and in fluid communication with each other through connecting pipes.

[0027] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, adjacent intermediate manifolds are connected and fluidly communicated with each other through the connecting pipe, or at least two intermediate manifolds spaced apart by at least one row of heat exchange tubes are connected and fluidly communicated with each other through the connecting pipe.

[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger further includes: an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold; all heat exchange tubes in each row of heat exchange tubes in at least a portion of the rows are formed by bending a single heat exchange tube multiple times, one end of each column of heat exchange tubes is connected to and in fluid communication with the inlet manifold, and the other end of each column of heat exchange tubes is connected to and in fluid communication with the outlet manifold.

[0029] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one pair of adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes in the at least some rows are partially or completely offset in the column direction.

[0030] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger includes one side and the other side in the row direction of the heat exchange tubes, and air flows from the one side of the heat exchanger to the other side; the heat exchanger is configured such that refrigerant passes sequentially through each row of heat exchange tubes in the direction from the one side to the other side in the row direction; or, the heat exchanger is configured such that refrigerant passes sequentially through each row of heat exchange tubes in the direction from the other side to the one side in the row direction.

[0031] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger is configured such that refrigerant flows out from at least one row of heat exchange tubes and then enters another row of heat exchange tubes spaced apart by at least one row of heat exchange tubes.

[0032] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least some of the plurality of fins are different in fin density, fin height, window angle, window spacing and / or number of windows.

[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least some of the plurality of heat exchange tubes are different in terms of heat exchange tube width, heat exchange tube height and / or number of flow channels.

[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the length direction of each heat exchange tube is perpendicular to the plane defined by the row direction and the column direction, and the plurality of first manifolds are located below the length direction of the plurality of heat exchange tubes.

[0035] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the length direction of each heat exchange tube is perpendicular to the plane defined by the row direction and the column direction, the plurality of first manifolds are located on the lower side of the length direction of the plurality of heat exchange tubes, and the plurality of second manifolds are located on the upper side of the length direction of the plurality of heat exchange tubes.

[0036] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the length direction of each heat exchange tube is perpendicular to the plane defined by the row direction and the column direction, and the plurality of first manifolds and the at least one common manifold are located on the lower side of the length direction of the plurality of heat exchange tubes.

[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one pair of adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes are connected to the same fin.

[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fin is an insert-type fin, and the insert-type fin is provided with a plurality of first insertion portions and a plurality of second insertion portions arranged side by side along the length direction of the insert-type fin. The opening orientations of the plurality of first insertion portions and the opening orientations of the plurality of second insertion portions are opposite, and the plurality of first insertion portions and the plurality of second insertion portions are staggered in the length direction of the insert-type fin; wherein, one or more heat exchange tubes are inserted into one or more of the plurality of first insertion portions, and / or, one or more heat exchange tubes are inserted into one or more of the plurality of second insertion portions.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least two rows of heat exchange tubes are provided in at least one of the plurality of first plug-in portions and the plurality of second plug-in portions, wherein the orthographic projection of at least one heat exchange tube in the first row of heat exchange tubes in the column direction and the orthographic projection of another heat exchange tube in the second row of heat exchange tubes adjacent to the at least one heat exchange tube in the column direction do not at least partially overlap.

[0040] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in at least two rows of heat exchange tubes, the fluid passages of at least a plurality of heat exchange tubes in one row of heat exchange tubes and the fluid passages of at least a plurality of heat exchange tubes in the other row of heat exchange tubes are connected in series.

[0041] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in at least two rows of heat exchange tubes, the first ends of at least a plurality of heat exchange tubes in each row are connected and in fluid communication to a first manifold, and the two first manifolds are connected and in fluid communication through a connecting pipe.

[0042] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first ends of the at least one plurality of heat exchange tubes in at least two adjacent columns of heat exchange tubes are connected and in fluid communication with a common manifold.

[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a heat exchange tube in an odd-numbered heat exchange tube column and another heat exchange tube in an even-numbered heat exchange tube column adjacent to the odd-numbered heat exchange tube column constitute a heat exchange tube group. The heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a first heat exchange tube, and the other heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a second heat exchange tube. The first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube are formed by bending a single heat exchange tube.

[0044] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the first heat exchange tubes and the second heat exchange tubes in the heat exchange tube group are offset or completely offset in the orthogonal projection portion in the row direction.

[0045] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least some of the heat exchange tubes are connected in series in terms of fluid passages.

[0046] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in at least one pair of adjacent odd-numbered row heat exchange tubes and even-numbered row heat exchange tubes, the orthographic projection of at least one heat exchange tube in the odd-numbered row heat exchange tubes in the column direction and the orthographic projection of another heat exchange tube in the even-numbered row heat exchange tubes adjacent to the at least one heat exchange tube in the column direction are staggered from each other and have a distance greater than or equal to 0.

[0047] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of heat exchange tubes are arranged in at least three rows of heat exchange tubes.

[0048] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger has two operating modes, wherein in one operating mode the heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, and in another operating mode the heat exchanger is used as a condenser.

[0049] The heat exchanger of this invention provides condensate drainage channels between the heat exchange tubes to accelerate condensate discharge, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency. Furthermore, the heat exchanger of this invention allows two or more rows of heat exchange tubes to share a single fin, thereby improving the heat exchanger's production efficiency.

[0050] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 2 is a front view structural schematic diagram showing the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of the present invention, taken along line AA in Figure 2.

[0054] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram showing a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram showing a heat exchanger according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 6 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a heat exchanger according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a heat exchanger according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 8 is a side view of a heat exchanger according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the fins are omitted;

[0059] Figure 9 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a heat exchanger according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

[0060] Figure 10 is a side view of a heat exchanger according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the fins are omitted;

[0061] Figure 11 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a heat exchanger according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

[0062] Figure 12 is a side view schematic diagram showing the heat exchanger according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

[0063] Figure 13 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a heat exchanger according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

[0064] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram showing a heat exchanger according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention;

[0065] Figure 15 is a front view schematic diagram showing the structure of the fins in a heat exchanger according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0066] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention. In this specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar parts.

[0067] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or fixture referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0068] Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth for ease of explanation to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses are illustrated to simplify the figures.

[0069] An air conditioner comprises a compressor, a heat exchanger acting as an evaporator, a heat exchanger acting as a condenser, an expansion valve, etc., constituting a refrigerant cycle. An air conditioner may include one refrigerant cycle system, referred to as a single-system air conditioner. An air conditioner may also include multiple refrigerant cycle systems, referred to as a multi-system air conditioner, where the flow paths of each refrigerant cycle are independent. Referring to Figures 1 to 15, an embodiment of the present invention provides a heat exchanger 100, for example, the refrigerant flow paths within this heat exchanger can be uniformly connected. The heat exchanger provided in this embodiment can be used in a single-system air conditioner or in one refrigerant cycle of a multi-system air conditioner. The heat exchanger provided in this embodiment is suitable for one refrigerant cycle in a multi-system air conditioner, meaning that the heat exchanger of this embodiment cannot simultaneously supply multiple refrigerant cycle systems; multiple refrigerant cycles in a multi-system air conditioner require multiple heat exchangers of this embodiment. The heat exchanger includes multiple heat exchange tubes 10 (including 11, 12, 13, and 14), multiple fins 20, and manifolds 30A, 30B, 31, or 32. Multiple heat exchange tubes 10 are arranged in a defined array, which defines a row direction X, a column direction Y substantially perpendicular to the row direction X, and a height direction Z substantially perpendicular to both the row direction X and the column direction Y. The heat exchange tubes 10 may be in the form of flat tubes, wherein the length direction of each heat exchange tube 10 in the array may extend along the height direction Z, and the width direction of each heat exchange tube 10 may extend along the height direction Z. According to the invention, multiple heat exchange tubes are arranged in at least three columns or at least three rows of heat exchange tubes, with at least some rows or columns comprising two or more heat exchange tubes 10. For example, multiple heat exchange tubes 10 are arranged in L columns or L rows of heat exchange tubes, where L ≥ 2n, where L and n are positive integers. According to the invention, at least partially adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes 10 are provided with the same fin 20, or in other words, all heat exchange tubes 10 of at least one pair of adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes 10 are connected to the same fin 20. For example, in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, any two adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes 10 are arranged and share the same fin 20; that is, all heat exchange tubes 10 of any two adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes 10 are connected to the same fin 20. As shown in Figure 1, the heat exchanger 100 includes one side and the other side of the heat exchange tubes 10 in the row direction X, and air flows from one side of the heat exchanger 100 to the other side. The heat exchanger 100 is configured such that the refrigerant passes sequentially through each column of heat exchange tubes 10 from one side to the other side in the row direction X; or, the heat exchanger 100 is configured such that the refrigerant passes sequentially through each column of heat exchange tubes 10 from the other side to the first side in the row direction X. According to the invention, at least some of the heat exchange tubes are different in terms of heat exchange tube width, heat exchange tube height, and / or number of flow channels. According to the invention, at least some of the fins are different in terms of fin density, fin height, window angle, window spacing, and / or number of windows.

[0070] According to the design concept of the present invention, at least one pair of adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes are respectively disposed on both sides of the same fin and connected to the fin. The orthographic projection of at least one heat exchange tube in the first row in the column direction and the orthographic projection of another heat exchange tube in the second row adjacent to the at least one heat exchange tube in the second row in the column direction do not coincide at least partially. Alternatively, the orthographic projections of at least one pair of adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes in at least some rows are partially or completely offset in the column direction. For example, in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, referring to Figure 3, adjacent first row heat exchange tubes 11, 13 and second row heat exchange tubes 12, 14 are respectively disposed on both sides of the same fin 20 and connected to the fin 20. The orthographic projection of at least one heat exchange tube 11 or 13 in the first row in the column direction Y and the orthographic projection of another heat exchange tube 12 or 14 in the second row adjacent to the at least one heat exchange tube 11 or 13 in the second row in the column direction Y do not coincide. This design allows for condensate drainage channels to be provided between at least one pair of adjacent heat exchange tubes in at least one row of heat exchange tubes. When air flows across the heat exchanger 100 in a direction substantially parallel to or at a certain angle to the X direction, condensate can be discharged through these drainage channels, thus accelerating condensate drainage. Furthermore, since the fins 20 are only connected to the heat exchange tubes 11 on their top side, the cooling energy of the heat exchange tubes 11 is conducted along the fins to the lower side of the fins 20. The further away from the contact point between the heat exchange tubes 11 and the fins 20, the higher the surface temperature of the fins. Under the same conditions, the higher the temperature, the less condensate is released from the air, thus preventing excessive condensate release at the inlet and avoiding the problem of excessive localized condensate buildup. As the air flows backward, since the heat exchange tube 12 is connected to the lower side of the fins, and similarly, the top of the heat exchange tube 12 has no heat exchange tube, the local temperature of the fin surface at the top is relatively higher than that at the bottom. This reduces the excessive local precipitation of condensate and avoids the risk of condensate being blown out. Furthermore, since the absolute moisture content in the air at the inlet is relatively high, if the heat exchange tubes 11 and 12 are not arranged in an interleaved manner, there will be relatively more condensate precipitation at the inlet, resulting in a large amount of local condensate accumulation, which can easily lead to the risk of water being blown out. In this invention, heat exchange tubes 11 and 12 are staggered in the X direction. A portion of the uncooled humid air is cooled at the fin inlet, resulting in condensation. Another portion of the air is initially cooled by the fins at the bottom of the fins 20, before reaching the temperature at which water condenses. When this portion of humid air reaches both sides of the heat exchange tube 12, it is further cooled, achieving the effect of condensation. This results in a relatively uniform distribution of condensate in the fin space, reducing the risk of excessive localized condensation and subsequent water condensation. Of course, as the air flows, heat exchange tubes 13 and 14 can continue to exchange heat, resulting in some condensation.Furthermore, because this invention employs a multi-row heat exchange tube design, heat exchange tubes 11 and 14 are relatively wide, while heat exchange tubes 12 and 13 are absent. If the width of fin 20 remains constant, it means that air first flows through the overlapping fin area of ​​heat exchange tubes 11 and 20. In the area close to the heat exchange tubes, the air temperature is rapidly reduced, while the temperature of the air at the top of fin 20, away from 11, remains relatively high, which is detrimental to heat exchange between air and refrigerant, resulting in performance degradation. However, with the multi-row heat exchange tube design, the air close to 11 is cooled during flow, while the top of fin 20, away from 11, is rapidly cooled upon contact with heat exchange tube 12. As the air continues to flow, it is subsequently cooled by heat exchange tubes 13 and 14. This improves the uniformity of air temperature and enhances the heat exchange effect. Referring to Figure 3, the orthographic projection of at least one heat exchange tube 11 or 13 in the first row of heat exchange tubes in the column direction Y and the orthographic projection of another heat exchange tube 12 or 14 adjacent to the at least one heat exchange tube 11 or 13 in the second row of heat exchange tubes in the column direction Y do not coincide and there is no gap. In other embodiments of the present invention, the orthographic projection of at least one heat exchange tube 11 or 13 in the first row of heat exchange tubes in the column direction Y and the orthographic projection of another heat exchange tube 12 or 14 adjacent to the at least one heat exchange tube 11 or 13 in the second row of heat exchange tubes in the column direction Y may have a gap. This gap may exist only between the first and second columns of heat exchange tubes, or between the second and third columns of heat exchange tubes, or between all columns of heat exchange tubes. Alternatively, there may be gaps between some columns of heat exchange tubes and no gaps between some columns of heat exchange tubes. The advantage of having gaps is that the gaps between the two rows of heat exchange tubes provide a more ample flow channel for the drainage of condensate. When the drainage volume of condensate is large, a larger gap can be left to avoid the risk of condensate being blown out. In areas where less condensate is formed, the gap can be reduced or even eliminated, which can reduce the thickness of the product and improve the utilization rate of the fin area.

[0071] According to embodiments of the present invention, as shown in Figures 1 to 15, in an array composed of a plurality of heat exchange tubes 10, the width direction of each heat exchange tube 10 is substantially parallel to the row direction X, and the length direction of each heat exchange tube 10 is substantially perpendicular to the plane jointly defined by the row direction X and the column direction Y; that is, the length direction of each heat exchange tube 10 extends substantially along the height direction Z. According to some embodiments of the present invention, in an array composed of a plurality of heat exchange tubes 10, each heat exchange tube 10 may have the same width. According to other embodiments of the present invention, in an array composed of a plurality of heat exchange tubes 10, at least some of the heat exchange tubes 10 may have a width different from the width of the remaining heat exchange tubes 10. This has the advantage of avoiding complexity in the manufacturing process and reducing the possibility of installation errors during production.

[0072] According to embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of heat exchange tubes can be divided into odd-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes and even-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes. According to embodiments of the present invention, in at least one pair of adjacent odd-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes and even-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes, the orthographic projection of at least one heat exchange tube in the odd-numbered rows in the column direction and the orthographic projection of another heat exchange tube in the even-numbered rows adjacent to the at least one heat exchange tube in the column direction do not at least partially coincide. For example, in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, in any pair of adjacent odd-numbered rows and even-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes, the orthographic projection of each heat exchange tube (e.g., 11 or 13) in the odd-numbered rows in the column direction Y does not coincide with the orthographic projection of another heat exchange tube (e.g., 12 or 14) adjacent to that heat exchange tube (e.g., 11 or 13) in the even-numbered rows in the column direction Y. That is, the orthographic projection of one heat exchange tube (e.g., 11 or 13) in each row in the column direction Y is completely offset from the orthographic projection of another heat exchange tube (e.g., 12 or 14) adjacent to that heat exchange tube (e.g., 11 or 13) in the adjacent row in the column direction Y.

[0073] Alternatively, the multiple heat exchange tubes can be divided into odd-numbered rows and even-numbered rows. According to embodiments of the present invention, the multiple heat exchange tubes are arranged in the row direction such that: at least a plurality of heat exchange tubes in the odd-numbered rows are arranged at position 2M-1; at least a plurality of heat exchange tubes in the even-numbered rows are arranged at position 2M; where M is a positive integer. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the orthographic projection of the heat exchange tubes located at at least some positions 2M-1 in the column direction does not coincide with the orthographic projection of the heat exchange tubes located at at least some positions 2M in the column direction. For example, in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the heat exchange tubes (including 11 and 13) in each odd-numbered row of heat exchange tubes are arranged at position 2M-1; at least a plurality of heat exchange tubes (including 12 and 14) in each even-numbered row of heat exchange tubes are arranged at position 2M, where M is a positive integer; the orthographic projection of the heat exchange tube (e.g., 11 or 13) at each position 2M-1 in the column direction Y does not coincide with the orthographic projection of the heat exchange tube (e.g., 12 or 14) at each position 2M in the column direction Y.

[0074] According to embodiments of the present invention, at least some adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes are provided with the same fin, which can be a corrugated fin extending along the length direction of the heat exchange tube; and, in the column direction, the distance F between at least one pair of adjacent heat exchange tubes in at least some columns of heat exchange tubes is equal to the height of one fin, at least one pair of adjacent heat exchange tubes are located in different columns, and the distance between at least one pair of adjacent heat exchange tubes and their respective adjacent heat exchange tubes in the column direction is greater than F. For example, in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, a single corrugated fin 20 is provided between any two adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes 10, and in the column direction Y, the distance F between any pair of adjacent heat exchange tubes (11 and 12, 12 and 13, or 13 and 14) in any two adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes is equal to the height of one fin. The embodiments of the present invention use the height of a single fin, which, compared to the height of multiple fins, results in a smaller distance between the heat exchange tubes in the rows, allowing the flowing air to be sufficiently cooled, thus improving heat exchange efficiency. In addition, since the spacing between the heat exchange tubes remains consistent during the airflow, the overall air cooling rate can be maintained, preventing localized rapid cooling and excessive condensation.

[0075] According to the present invention, at least some heat exchange tubes can be fluidly connected through manifolds or connecting pipes, and adjacent heat exchange tubes can be formed by bending a single heat exchange tube. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger further includes a plurality of first manifolds; the plurality of heat exchange tubes are arranged in L columns, where L≥2n, and L and n are positive integers; at least some heat exchange tubes in each column are connected and fluidly connected at their first ends to a first manifold; one heat exchange tube in each (2n-1)th column and another heat exchange tube in the (2n-1)th column adjacent to that heat exchange tube constitute a heat exchange tube group, one heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a first heat exchange tube, and the other heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a second heat exchange tube, wherein the first and second heat exchange tubes are formed by bending a single heat exchange tube, and the second ends of the first and second heat exchange tubes opposite to their first ends are connected and fluidly connected through a bent section. Furthermore, one of the multiple first manifolds is used as an inlet manifold, another of the multiple first manifolds is used as an outlet manifold, and the remaining multiple first manifolds are used as intermediate manifolds, wherein at least two intermediate manifolds are connected and fluidly communicated with each other by a connecting pipe. For example, in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the heat exchanger 100 includes a plurality of first manifolds 31. The first end (the lower end in Figure 1) of the heat exchange tube 10 in each row of heat exchange tubes is connected and fluidly communicated to a first manifold 31. One heat exchange tube in each (2n-1)th row of heat exchange tubes and another heat exchange tube in the (2n-1)th row of heat exchange tubes adjacent to that heat exchange tube constitute a heat exchange tube group. One heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a first heat exchange tube (e.g., 11 in Figure 3), and the other heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a second heat exchange tube (e.g., 12 in Figure 3). The first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube are formed by bending a single heat exchange tube, and the second end of the first heat exchange tube opposite to the first end and the second end of the second heat exchange tube opposite to the first end are connected and fluidly communicated through a bending section 19. Thus, in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the second end of each heat exchange tube 10 (the upper end in Figure 1) is connected and fluidly communicated with the second end of the adjacent heat exchange tube 10 via a bend 19, and the first ends of the heat exchange tubes 10 in the same row are all connected and fluidly communicated to a first manifold 31. In the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first manifold 31 located on the lower left side of Figure 1 is used as an inlet manifold, the first manifold located on the upper right side of Figure 1 (not labeled in the figure) is used as an outlet manifold, and the remaining two first manifolds (not labeled in the figure) are used as intermediate manifolds, and these two intermediate manifolds are connected and fluidly communicated with each other via a connecting pipe 39.As shown in Figure 1, the length direction of each heat exchange tube 10 is perpendicular to the plane defined by the row direction X and the column direction Y, and multiple first manifolds 31 are located below the length direction of the multiple heat exchange tubes 10. The advantage of this embodiment is that when the heat exchange tubes are placed vertically, condensate in the humid air flowing through the heat exchanger can be quickly discharged along the gaps between the vertical heat exchange tubes. Furthermore, since the heat exchange tubes are placed vertically and continuously, it is equivalent to setting up a flow guide structure for the condensate drainage channel, allowing the condensate to flow along the edges of the vertical heat exchange tubes. Due to surface tension and the gravity of the condensate, the condensate drainage process is further accelerated. Moreover, due to surface tension, the condensate is less likely to be blown out of the heat exchanger by the flowing air, reducing the risk of water blowing.

[0076] According to the present invention, taking the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 as an example, the refrigerant fluid flow is as follows with the above structure: after the refrigerant fluid flows into the heat exchanger 100 from the first heat exchange tube 31, which serves as the inlet manifold, the refrigerant fluid enters each heat exchange tube in the first row of heat exchange tubes (e.g., 11 in Figure 3) respectively through the first end connected and fluidly connected to the first manifold 31. Then, it flows from the second end of each heat exchange tube in the first row of heat exchange tubes (e.g., 11 in Figure 3) through the bend section 19 into the second end of each heat exchange tube in the second row of heat exchange tubes (e.g., 12 in Figure 3). Then, it flows from the first end of each heat exchange tube in the second row of heat exchange tubes (e.g., 12 in Figure 3) into another first manifold (unlabeled), and then from this other first manifold into an adjacent first manifold (unlabeled) through the connecting pipe 39. This cycle continues until the refrigerant fluid flows out from the first manifold (unlabeled) located on the upper right side of Figure 1, which serves as the outlet manifold.

[0077] According to the heat exchanger 100 provided by the present invention, taking the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 as an example, in an array configuration composed of a plurality of heat exchange tubes 10, by configuring the heat exchange tubes between at least some adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes such that the orthographic projection of one heat exchange tube in one row in the column direction does not at least partially coincide with the orthographic projection of another heat exchange tube adjacent to that heat exchange tube in the adjacent row in the column direction, gaps are left between at least one row of heat exchange tubes as drainage channels, so as to accelerate the discharge of condensate, and also improve the uniformity of the fin surface temperature, reduce the risk of excessive local condensate precipitation, and reduce the risk of condensate being blown out of the heat exchanger; in addition, the improved temperature uniformity can also improve the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger. Furthermore, according to the heat exchanger 100 provided by the present invention, two or more rows of heat exchange tubes are installed and share a fin, so that the fin only needs to be installed once during the assembly process, thereby improving the production efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0078] Although the basic structure of the heat exchanger provided by the present invention has been described above with reference to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, various variations and modifications may exist in the heat exchanger provided by the present invention in terms of the structure of the heat exchange tubes (e.g., parameters such as width, height, length, and number of holes), the layout of the heat exchange tubes, the connection relationship between the heat exchange tubes, the type and layout of the fins, the structure and type of the manifold, and the connection relationship between the manifold and the heat exchange tubes, without departing from the design concept and spirit of the present invention. Various possible alternatives to the heat exchanger provided by the present invention are described below with reference to the embodiments shown in Figures 4-15.

[0079] According to the heat exchanger provided by the present invention, in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to 3 is that: in the multiple rows of heat exchange tubes, the orthographic projection of the heat exchange tube located at least at position 2M-1 in the column direction at least partially coincides with the orthographic projection of the heat exchange tube located at least at position 2M in the column direction, where M is a positive integer; and / or, the width of the heat exchange tube located at at least position 2M-1 is the same as and / or greater than the width of the remaining heat exchange tubes. As shown in FIG. 4, the widths of the heat exchange tubes in the first and second columns on the left side are the same, and both are greater than the widths of the remaining columns of heat exchange tubes. In addition, the orthographic projections of the heat exchange tubes in the first and second columns on the left side in the column direction partially coincide. Through this embodiment, it can be seen that the heat exchanger provided by the present invention can adjust the amount of heat exchange by adjusting the structure of the heat exchange tubes (e.g., width, height, number of holes, etc.). The advantage of this embodiment is that the design of the heat exchange tubes can be flexibly adjusted to achieve the design goals for different applications. For example, for designs with low moisture content, the heat exchange capacity can be increased by overlapping some heat exchange tubes. The shaded area in Figure 4 indicates that there are heat exchange tubes on both the upper and lower surfaces of the fin 20. This means that there is cooling energy that can be conducted to the fins from both the top and bottom, so the flowing humid air can be cooled down quickly. This achieves the purpose of increasing the heat exchange capacity, and because the air has a low moisture content, it will not cause a large amount of localized rapid precipitation of condensate, thus balancing the issues of heat exchange and condensation.

[0080] According to the heat exchanger provided by the present invention, in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to 3 is that, in the column direction, the spacing between at least one pair of adjacent heat exchange tubes in at least one column of heat exchange tubes is different from the spacing between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the remaining columns of heat exchange tubes. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of heat exchange tubes 10 are arranged into 4 columns of heat exchange tubes. The pitch between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the column direction in the first column of heat exchange tubes is 4N, the pitch between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the column direction in the second column of heat exchange tubes is 3N, the pitch between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the column direction in the third column of heat exchange tubes is 2N, and the pitch between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the column direction in the fourth column of heat exchange tubes is N; wherein, N can be the sum of the height of a corrugated fin in the column direction and the thickness of a heat exchange tube in the column direction. In other words, in this embodiment, from left to right in the figure, the tube pitch (Tp1) between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the first column along the Y direction is 4N; the tube pitch (Tp2) between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the second column along the Y direction is 3N; the tube pitch (Tp3) between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the third column along the Y direction is 2N; and the tube pitch (Tp4) between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the fourth column along the Y direction is N. The tube pitch between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the column direction refers to the distance between the centers of the two heat exchange tubes in the column direction. The advantage of this embodiment is that the spacing of the heat exchange tubes can be flexibly adjusted according to specific application conditions. For example, on the windward side, if the air has a high moisture content and excessive condensate will still be generated under the condition of a single fin height, the pitch of the heat exchange tubes (Tp1) can be increased. As the pitch of the heat exchange tubes is increased, the temperature and humidity of the humid air remain unchanged at the fins that are not in direct contact with the heat exchange tubes, and it flows directly to the position of the second row of heat exchange tubes. In the second row, because the pitch of the heat exchange tubes becomes Tp2, more humid air will be cooled and dehumidified. The discharge of some of the condensate reduces the absolute moisture content in the air flowing backward. As the humid air continues to flow backward, the third row of heat exchange tubes can continue to dehumidify the humid air because the pitch of the heat exchange tubes has been further reduced. Thanks to the dehumidification of part of the air by the first two rows of heat exchange tubes, the amount of moisture generated in the third row will not be excessive, ensuring that the amount of moisture generated by condensate in each row is relatively uniform and reducing the problem of condensate blowing. In addition, at the rear of the airflow, the absolute moisture content in the air decreases, and the heat exchange efficiency can be significantly improved by reducing the pitch of the heat exchange tubes, thereby increasing the heat exchange capacity to meet the heat exchange requirements.

[0081] According to the heat exchanger provided by the present invention, in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to 3 is that, in the plurality of heat exchange tubes, at least two ends of each row of heat exchange tubes are connected and fluidly communicated to a manifold. As shown in FIG. 6, the heat exchanger 100 includes: a plurality of first manifolds 31 and a plurality of second manifolds 32. The first end of each row of heat exchange tubes is connected and fluidly communicated to a first manifold 31, and the second end of each row of heat exchange tubes opposite to the first end is connected and fluidly communicated to a second manifold 32. One of the plurality of first manifolds 31 (e.g., the one on the lower right in FIG. 6) serves as an inlet manifold, another of the plurality of first manifolds (e.g., the one on the upper right in FIG. 6) serves as an outlet manifold, and the remaining first manifolds and the remaining second manifolds serve as intermediate manifolds, wherein at least two intermediate manifolds are connected and fluidly communicated with each other by a connecting pipe 39. Alternatively, the second manifold 32 in the plurality of second manifolds can also be used as an inlet manifold or an outlet manifold. As shown in Figure 6, the length direction of each heat exchange tube 10 is perpendicular to the plane defined by the row direction X and the column direction Y. The plurality of first manifolds 31 are located on the lower side of the length direction of the plurality of heat exchange tubes 10, and the plurality of second manifolds 32 are located on the upper side of the length direction of the plurality of heat exchange tubes 10.

[0082] According to the heat exchanger provided by the present invention, in the fifth embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, in at least two rows of heat exchange tubes, the first ends of at least a plurality of heat exchange tubes 10 in each row of heat exchange tubes are connected and in fluid communication to a first manifold 31, and the two first manifolds 31 are connected and in fluid communication through a connecting pipe 39.

[0083] According to the heat exchanger provided by the present invention, in the sixth embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, the difference from the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 is that the heat exchanger may include at least one common manifold shared by two or more rows of heat exchange tubes. That is, the first ends of at least a plurality of heat exchange tubes in at least two adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes are connected and in fluid communication with the common manifold. Specifically, the plurality of heat exchange tubes are arranged in L rows of heat exchange tubes, L≥2n, where L and n are positive integers. The first ends of at least a portion of the heat exchange tubes in at least two adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes are connected and in fluid communication with the common manifold, and the first ends of at least a portion of the heat exchange tubes in the remaining rows of heat exchange tubes are connected and in fluid communication with a first manifold. One heat exchanger tube in each of the (2n-1)th column of heat exchanger tubes and another heat exchanger tube in the 2nth column adjacent to the one heat exchanger tube in the (2n-1)th column of heat exchanger tubes constitute a heat exchanger tube group. One heat exchanger tube in each heat exchanger tube group is a first heat exchanger tube, and the other heat exchanger tube in each heat exchanger tube group is a second heat exchanger tube. The first heat exchanger tube and the second heat exchanger tube are formed by bending a single heat exchanger tube, and the second end of the first heat exchanger tube opposite to the first end and the second heat exchanger tube opposite to the first end are connected and fluidly communicated through the bent section. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the heat exchanger 100 may include two first manifolds 31 and a common manifold 38 shared by the two columns of heat exchanger tubes 10. The two first manifolds 31 are used as the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold, respectively, and the common manifold 38 is used as the intermediate manifold. Each heat exchange tube 10 is perpendicular to the plane defined by the row direction X and the column direction Y. A plurality of first manifolds 31 and at least one common manifold 38 are located below the plurality of heat exchange tubes 10 along their length. In cases including more rows of heat exchange tubes or two or more intermediate manifolds, adjacent intermediate manifolds are connected and fluidly communicated via connecting pipes; alternatively, at least two intermediate manifolds spaced at least one row of heat exchange tubes are connected and fluidly communicated via connecting pipes. The first and second rows of heat exchange tubes constitute a first heat exchange tube group, and the third and fourth rows constitute a second heat exchange tube group. An advantage of this embodiment is that the refrigerant in the front row of heat exchange tubes, which may experience uneven refrigerant distribution due to uneven airflow on the heat exchanger surface, can undergo sufficient secondary mixing in the intermediate manifolds after flowing out of the first heat exchange tube group and before flowing into the second heat exchange tube group. This mixing of gas and liquid refrigerant before entering the second heat exchange tube group reduces the reduction in heat exchange performance caused by uneven refrigerant distribution. Furthermore, since the two sets of heat exchange tubes share the same common manifold, the refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchange tube set can effectively agitate the refrigerant in the intermediate manifold cavity due to the inertia of the flow, resulting in a more uniform mixing of the refrigerant. Additionally, sharing the same intermediate manifold can effectively reduce the overall thickness of the product, saving installation space.

[0084] According to the heat exchanger provided by the present invention, in the seventh embodiment shown in Figures 11 and 12, the difference from the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 is that all heat exchange tubes in at least a portion of the rows of heat exchange tubes are formed by bending a single heat exchange tube multiple times. For example, one heat exchange tube in an odd-numbered column of heat exchange tubes and another heat exchange tube in an even-numbered column of heat exchange tubes adjacent to that one heat exchange tube constitute a heat exchange tube group. One heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a first heat exchange tube, and the other heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a second heat exchange tube, wherein the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube are formed by bending a single heat exchange tube. Referring to Figures 11 and 12, the heat exchanger 100 includes an inlet manifold 30A and an outlet manifold 30B. All heat exchange tubes in each row are formed by bending a single heat exchange tube multiple times. One end of each row of heat exchange tubes is connected and fluidly communicated to the inlet manifold 30A, and the other end of each row of heat exchange tubes is connected and fluidly communicated to the outlet manifold 30B. The advantage of this embodiment is that the heat exchange tubes can be pre-bent before assembly, and since the heat exchange tubes are basically on the same plane, assembly convenience is increased, and assembly efficiency is improved. Furthermore, since each heat exchange tube is formed by bending a single heat exchange tube with only one inlet, the refrigerant is distributed at the inlet end and will not undergo secondary distribution in subsequent flow. Therefore, the uniformity of refrigerant distribution in each heat exchange tube is relatively easy to control, making it easier to achieve uniform refrigerant distribution.

[0085] According to the heat exchanger provided by the present invention, in the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the same as the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 to 12 is that the fluid passages of all columns of heat exchange tubes are connected in series. The difference is that in the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 to 12, the heat exchanger includes one side and the other side in the row direction of the heat exchange tubes, and the heat exchanger is configured such that the refrigerant flows sequentially through each column of heat exchange tubes from said side in the row direction to said other side; or the heat exchanger is configured such that the refrigerant flows sequentially through each column of heat exchange tubes from said other side in the row direction to said one side. The airflow direction is approximately the same as or opposite to the refrigerant flow direction. In the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the heat exchanger is configured such that the refrigerant flows out from at least one column of heat exchange tubes and enters another column of heat exchange tubes spaced at least one column apart. Specifically, a manifold connected to and fluidly communicating with the lower ends of all heat exchangers in one column of heat exchange tubes is connected to and fluidly communicating with another manifold connected to and fluidly communicating with the lower ends of all heat exchangers in another column of heat exchange tubes via a connecting pipe 19. Therefore, the refrigerant flows in the same direction as the airflow in some rows of heat exchange tubes, and in the opposite direction in others. Before the air comes into contact with the refrigerant heat exchange tubes, the amount of sensible heat energy and moisture in the air is at its maximum. As heat exchange proceeds with the heat exchange tubes, the moist air is gradually cooled, producing condensate. The amount of condensate produced depends not only on the amount of moist air but also on factors such as the surface temperature of the heat exchange tubes. Similarly, as heat exchange progresses, the refrigerant's state changes, and the heat transfer coefficient inside the tubes changes accordingly, thus affecting the surface temperature of the heat exchange tubes. For these reasons, we can effectively balance the changes in the surface temperature of the heat exchange tubes and the amount of moisture in the air to achieve a balanced condensation process, preventing extreme variations in condensation levels between different areas.

[0086] According to the heat exchanger provided by the present invention, in the ninth embodiment shown in Figures 14 and 15, the difference from the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 is that the fins 20 are insert-type fins. As shown in Figure 15, the insert-type fins 20 are provided with a plurality of first insertion portions and a plurality of second insertion portions arranged side by side along their length direction. The opening orientations of the plurality of first insertion portions and the opening orientations of the plurality of second insertion portions are opposite, and the plurality of first insertion portions and the plurality of second insertion portions are staggered in the length direction of the insert-type fins. As shown in Figure 14, one or more heat exchange tubes (e.g., 11 or 12) are inserted into one or more of the plurality of first insertion portions, and / or one or more heat exchange tubes (e.g., 13 or 14) are inserted into one or more of the plurality of second insertion portions. The heat exchanger using the embodiments of the present invention has good condensate drainage effect and higher design optimization flexibility.

[0087] According to the ninth embodiment shown in Figures 14 and 15, at least two rows of heat exchange tubes are provided in at least one of the plurality of first insertion portions and the plurality of second insertion portions, wherein the orthographic projection of at least one heat exchange tube (e.g., 11) in the first row of heat exchange tubes in the column direction Y and the orthographic projection of another heat exchange tube (e.g., 12) adjacent to the at least one heat exchange tube in the second row of heat exchange tubes in the column direction Y do not at least partially coincide. Referring to Figures 14 and 15, in at least one pair of adjacent odd-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes and even-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes, the orthographic projection of at least one heat exchange tube in the odd-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes in the column direction Y and the orthographic projection of another heat exchange tube adjacent to the at least one heat exchange tube in the even-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes in the column direction Y are staggered from each other and have a distance greater than or equal to 0.

[0088] According to the present invention, the heat exchanger has two operating modes, wherein in one operating mode the heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, and in the other operating mode the heat exchanger is used as a condenser.

[0089] The heat exchanger of this invention provides condensate drainage channels between the heat exchange tubes to accelerate condensate discharge, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency. Furthermore, the heat exchanger of this invention allows two or more rows of heat exchange tubes to share a single fin, thereby improving the heat exchanger's production efficiency.

[0090] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary, and that modifications can be made to them without departing from the general concept and spirit of the invention. The structures described in the various embodiments can be freely combined without structural or principle-related conflicts. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, characterized by, The heat exchanger includes: Multiple heat exchange tubes, said multiple heat exchange tubes arranged in an array; and Multiple fins, with the same fin provided between at least partially adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes; Its features are, The plurality of heat exchange tubes are divided into: odd-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes and even-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes; In at least one pair of adjacent odd-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes and even-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes, the orthographic projection of at least one heat exchange tube in the odd-numbered rows in the column direction and the orthographic projection of another heat exchange tube in the even-numbered rows adjacent to the at least one heat exchange tube in the column direction do not at least partially overlap.

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein The refrigerant flow paths within the heat exchanger are all fluidly connected.

3. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein In any pair of adjacent odd-row and even-row heat exchange tubes, the orthographic projection of each heat exchange tube in the odd-row in the column direction and the orthographic projection of the other heat exchange tube adjacent to that heat exchange tube in the even-row in the column direction do not at least partially coincide.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least some of the heat exchange tubes include at least two or more heat exchange tubes; The plurality of heat exchange tubes are arranged in the row direction as follows: At least a plurality of heat exchange tubes in odd-numbered rows are arranged at position 2M-1; At least a plurality of even-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes are arranged at position 2M; and Where M is a positive integer.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, characterized in that, The orthographic projection of the heat exchange tube at each position 2M-1 in the column direction does not coincide with the orthographic projection of the heat exchange tube at each position 2M in the column direction.

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, characterized in that, The orthographic projection of the heat exchange tube located at at least the 2M-1 position in the column direction at least partially coincides with the orthographic projection of the heat exchange tube located at at least the 2M position in the column direction.

7. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of heat exchange tubes has the same width.

8. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, characterized in that, The heat exchange tube located at at least one of the 2M-1 positions has the same width as and / or is greater than the width of the remaining heat exchange tubes, as does the heat exchange tube located at at least one of the 2M positions.

9. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein The fins are corrugated fins extending along the length of the heat exchange tube. In the column direction, the distance F between at least one pair of adjacent heat exchange tubes in at least a portion of the heat exchange tubes in two adjacent rows of heat exchangers is the height of one fin. The at least one pair of adjacent heat exchange tubes are located in different columns, and the distance between the at least one pair of adjacent heat exchange tubes and their respective adjacent heat exchange tubes in the column direction is greater than F.

10. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the column direction, the spacing between at least one pair of adjacent heat exchange tubes in at least one column is different from the spacing between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the remaining columns.

11. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, characterized in that, The fins are corrugated fins extending along the length of the heat exchange tube; The plurality of heat exchange tubes are arranged in at least four rows; wherein... The pitch between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the first column is 4N in the column direction. In the second column of heat exchange tubes, the pitch between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the column direction is 3N. In the third column of heat exchange tubes, the pitch between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the column direction is 2N, and The pitch between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the column direction in the 4th column is N; Where N is the sum of the height of a fin and the thickness of a heat exchange tube, and the pitch between adjacent heat exchange tubes in the column direction refers to the distance between the centers of adjacent heat exchange tubes in the column direction.

12. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width direction of each heat exchange tube is parallel to the row direction; and The length direction of each heat exchange tube is perpendicular to the plane defined by the row direction and the column direction.

13. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchanger also includes: a plurality of first manifolds; The plurality of heat exchange tubes are arranged in L columns, and L≥2n, where L and n are positive integers; At least a portion of the heat exchange tubes in each row are connected and in fluid communication with a first manifold at their first ends; One heat exchange tube in each of the (2n-1)th column of heat exchange tubes and another heat exchange tube in the 2nth column of heat exchange tubes adjacent to the one heat exchange tube in the (2n-1)th column of heat exchange tubes constitute a heat exchange tube group. The heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a first heat exchange tube, and the other heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a second heat exchange tube. The first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube are formed by bending a single heat exchange tube, and the second end of the first heat exchange tube opposite to the first end and the second end of the second heat exchange tube opposite to the first end are connected and fluidly communicated through a bent section.

14. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, characterized in that, One of the plurality of first manifolds is used as the inlet manifold. Another of the plurality of first manifolds is used as the outlet manifold, and The remaining first manifolds among the plurality of first manifolds are used as intermediate manifolds; Among them, at least two intermediate manifolds are connected and fluidly communicated with each other through connecting pipes.

15. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchanger further includes: a plurality of first manifolds and a plurality of second manifolds; At least a portion of the heat exchange tubes in each row are connected and in fluid communication with a first manifold at their first ends; At least a portion of the heat exchange tubes in each row are connected to and in fluid communication with a second end opposite to the first end to a second manifold.

16. The heat exchanger according to claim 15, characterized in that, One of the plurality of first manifolds is used as the inlet manifold. One of the plurality of first manifolds or one of the plurality of second manifolds is used as the outlet manifold. The remaining first manifolds among the plurality of first manifolds and the remaining second manifolds among the plurality of second manifolds are used as intermediate manifolds; Among them, at least two intermediate manifolds are connected and fluidly communicated with each other through connecting pipes.

17. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchanger further includes: a plurality of first manifolds and at least one common manifold; The plurality of heat exchange tubes are arranged in L columns, where L ≥ 2n, and L and n are positive integers. At least a portion of the heat exchange tubes in at least two adjacent columns of heat exchange tubes are connected and in fluid communication with a common manifold, and at least a portion of the heat exchange tubes in each of the remaining columns of heat exchange tubes are connected and in fluid communication with a first manifold. One heat exchange tube in each of the (2n-1)th column of heat exchange tubes and another heat exchange tube in the 2nth column of heat exchange tubes adjacent to the one heat exchange tube in the (2n-1)th column of heat exchange tubes constitute a heat exchange tube group. The heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a first heat exchange tube, and the other heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a second heat exchange tube. The first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube are formed by bending a single heat exchange tube, and the second end of the first heat exchange tube opposite to the first end and the second end of the second heat exchange tube opposite to the first end are connected and fluidly communicated through a bent section.

18. The heat exchanger according to claim 17, characterized in that, One of the plurality of first manifolds is used as the inlet manifold. Another of the plurality of first manifolds is used as the outlet manifold, and The remaining first manifolds among the plurality of first manifolds and the at least one common manifold are used as intermediate manifolds; Among them, at least two intermediate manifolds are connected and fluidly communicated with each other through connecting pipes.

19. The heat exchanger according to claim 14 or 18, characterized in that, Adjacent intermediate manifolds are connected and fluidly communicated via the connecting pipe, or At least two intermediate manifolds spaced at least one row of heat exchange tubes are connected and in fluid communication with each other via the connecting pipe.

20. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchanger also includes: an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold; All heat exchange tubes in each row of heat exchange tubes are formed by bending a single heat exchange tube multiple times. One end of each row of heat exchange tubes is connected and fluidly communicated to the inlet manifold, and the other end of each row of heat exchange tubes is connected and fluidly communicated to the outlet manifold.

21. The heat exchanger according to claim 20, characterized in that, In the at least some rows of heat exchange tubes, at least one pair of adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes are partially or completely offset in the column direction.

22. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that, The heat exchanger includes one side and the other side in the row direction of the heat exchange tubes, and air flows from one side of the heat exchanger to the other side. The heat exchanger is configured such that the refrigerant passes sequentially through each column of heat exchange tubes from one side in the row direction to the other side; or The heat exchanger is configured such that the refrigerant passes sequentially through each column of heat exchange tubes from one side in the row direction to the other side.

23. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that, The heat exchanger is configured such that refrigerant flows out from at least one set of heat exchange tubes and then enters another set of heat exchange tubes spaced apart by at least one set of heat exchange tubes.

24. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that, At least some of the fins are different in fin density, fin height, window angle, window spacing and / or number of windows.

25. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that, At least some of the heat exchange tubes are different in terms of heat exchange tube width, heat exchange tube height and / or number of flow channels.

26. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, characterized in that, The length direction of each heat exchange tube is perpendicular to the plane defined by the row direction and the column direction, and the plurality of first manifolds are located below the length direction of the plurality of heat exchange tubes.

27. The heat exchanger according to claim 15, characterized in that, The length direction of each heat exchange tube is perpendicular to the plane defined by the row direction and the column direction. The plurality of first manifolds are located on the lower side of the length direction of the plurality of heat exchange tubes, and the plurality of second manifolds are located on the upper side of the length direction of the plurality of heat exchange tubes.

28. The heat exchanger according to claim 17, characterized in that, The length direction of each heat exchange tube is perpendicular to the plane defined by the row direction and the column direction, and the plurality of first manifolds and the at least one common manifold are located on the lower side of the length direction of the plurality of heat exchange tubes.

29. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that, All heat exchange tubes of at least one pair of adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes are connected to the same fin.

30. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 8, 10 and 12 to 21, characterized in that, The fin is an insert-type fin, and the insert-type fin has a plurality of first insertion portions and a plurality of second insertion portions arranged side by side along its length. The opening orientations of the plurality of first insertion portions and the opening orientations of the plurality of second insertion portions are opposite, and the plurality of first insertion portions and the plurality of second insertion portions are staggered along the length of the insert-type fin; wherein... One or more of the plurality of first insertion portions are connected to one or more heat exchange tubes, and / or One or more heat exchange tubes are inserted into one or more of the plurality of second insertion portions.

31. The heat exchanger according to claim 30, characterized in that, At least two rows of heat exchange tubes are provided in at least one of the plurality of first insertion portions and the plurality of second insertion portions. Wherein, the orthographic projection of at least one heat exchange tube in the first column of heat exchange tubes in the column direction and the orthographic projection of another heat exchange tube in the second column of heat exchange tubes adjacent to the at least one heat exchange tube in the column direction do not at least partially overlap.

32. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, In at least two rows of heat exchange tubes, the fluid passages of at least a plurality of heat exchange tubes in one row and the fluid passages of at least a plurality of heat exchange tubes in the other row are connected in series.

33. The heat exchanger according to claim 32, characterized in that, In at least two rows of heat exchange tubes, the first ends of at least a plurality of heat exchange tubes in each row are connected and in fluid communication to a first manifold, and the two first manifolds are connected and in fluid communication through a connecting pipe.

34. The heat exchanger according to claim 32, characterized in that, The first ends of the at least one or more heat exchange tubes in at least two adjacent columns are connected and in fluid communication with a common manifold.

35. The heat exchanger according to claim 32, characterized in that, A heat exchange tube in an odd-numbered heat exchange tube column and another heat exchange tube in an even-numbered heat exchange tube column adjacent to the odd-numbered heat exchange tube column constitute a heat exchange tube group. The heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a first heat exchange tube, and the other heat exchange tube in each heat exchange tube group is a second heat exchange tube. The first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube are formed by bending a single heat exchange tube.

36. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 13, 17, and 35, characterized in that, At least one of the first and second heat exchange tubes in the heat exchange tube group has its orthogonal projection portion in the row direction offset or completely offset.

37. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that, At least some of the heat exchange tubes are connected in series in terms of fluid passages.

38. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that, In at least one pair of adjacent odd-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes and even-numbered rows of heat exchange tubes, the orthographic projection of at least one heat exchange tube in the odd-numbered rows in the column direction and the orthographic projection of another heat exchange tube in the even-numbered rows adjacent to the at least one heat exchange tube in the column direction are staggered from each other and have a distance greater than or equal to 0.

39. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that, The plurality of heat exchange tubes are arranged in at least three rows.

40. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that, The heat exchanger has two operating modes, in which it is used as an evaporator and in the other operating mode it is used as a condenser.

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