Heat Exchanger

This application is a continuation patent application No. PCT/CN2024/079660, filed on Mar. 1, 2024, which itself claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202310216237.2, filed on Mar. 2, 2023, and titled “HEAT EXCHANGER”. The contents of the above identified applications are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

The present disclosure relates to the field of heat exchange technology, and in particular, to a heat exchanger.

A heat exchanger is an apparatus typically configured to transfer heat to a working fluid (i.e., gas or liquid). The heat exchanger is widely applied to various cooling systems.

The heat exchanger includes a fin and a plurality of heat exchange tubes. The plurality of heat exchange tubes are separated from each other. The fin is disposed between adjacent two of the plurality of heat exchange tubes. In order to improve heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger, each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes may be in an A shape.

However, when the A-shaped heat exchanger is used as a heat pump heat exchanger, condensed water is prone to accumulate between the fin and the plurality of heat exchange tubes, accumulated condensed water is prone to frost, such that a problem of frost formation may occur in the heat exchanger, resulting in affecting the heat exchanger to use.

Based on this, it is required to provide a heat exchanger to solve the above problem of frost formation caused by water accumulated between a fin and a plurality of heat exchanger tubes.

A heat exchanger includes at least two heat exchange assemblies. Each of the at least two heat exchange assemblies includes a plurality of heat exchange tube units and a plurality of fin units. The plurality of fin units are separated from each other and disposed in parallel. Two ends of each of the plurality of heat exchange tube units penetrate through the plurality of fin units along an axis of each of the plurality of heat exchange tube units, respectively. The plurality of heat exchange tube units are distributed at interval along a length direction of each of the plurality of fin units. Adjacent two of the plurality of heat exchange tube units are connected and in communication with each other end to end. Adjacent two of the at least two heat exchange assemblies are inclined relative to each other. The connecting assembly is disposed between the at least two heat exchange assemblies to connect the at least two heat exchange assemblies.

In an embodiment, the connecting assembly includes a first connecting component, a second connecting component, a third connecting component and a first adjusting component. The first adjusting component is arranged to be extendable and retractable along its length direction. The first connecting component and the second connecting component are rotatably connected to two sides of the third connecting component, respectively. The first adjusting component is disposed between the first connecting component and the second connecting component. The two heat exchange assemblies are connected to the first connecting component and the second connecting component, respectively.

In an embodiment, the connecting assembly includes a first connecting component, a second connecting component, a third connecting component, a second adjusting component and a third adjusting component. The second adjusting component is arranged to be extendable and retractable along its length direction. The third adjusting component is arranged to be extendable and retractable along its length direction. The first connecting component and the second connecting component are rotatably connected to two sides of the third connecting component, respectively. The second adjusting component is disposed between the first connecting component and the third connecting component. The third adjusting component is disposed between the second connecting component and the third connecting component. The at least two heat exchange assemblies are connected to the first connecting component and the second connecting component, respectively.

In an embodiment, the heat exchanger further includes a liquid separator and a liquid collector. The liquid separator is provided with at least two inlet pipes. The at least two liquid inlet pipes are connected to and in communication with the at least two heat exchange assemblies, respectively. The liquid collector is provided with at least two outlet pipes. The at least two outlet pipes are in communication with and connected to the at least two heat exchange assemblies, respectively.

In an embodiment, the heat exchanger further includes a reinforcing component. The reinforcing component is disposed on the connecting assembly. Two sides of the reinforcing component abut against the at least two heat exchange assemblies, respectively.

In an embodiment, a reinforcing component is provided with a reinforcing structure. At least part of each of the plurality of fin units abuts against the reinforcing structure.

In an embodiment, the reinforcing structure includes a convex portion protruding from a side surface of the reinforcing component. The convex portion is capable of matching with a part of each of the plurality of fin units. Alternatively, the reinforcing structure includes a snapping groove disposed on the side surface of the reinforcing component. The snapping groove is capable of matching with a part of each of the plurality of fin units.

In an embodiment, the reinforcing structure includes a notch disposed on a side of the reinforcing component and an extending portion protruding from the side of the reinforcing component. The notch is capable of being snapped with a part of each of the plurality of heat exchange tube units. The extending portion is capable of abutting against a side surface of each of the plurality of fin units.

In an embodiment, each of the at least two heat exchange assemblies further include a bent pipe. Each of the plurality of heat exchange tube units includes a first heat exchange tube and a second heat exchange tube. Each of the plurality of fin units includes a first fin and a second fin. The first heat exchange tube penetrates through the first fin correspondingly. The second heat exchange tube penetrates through the second fin correspondingly. The first heat exchange tube is connected to and in communication with the second heat exchange tube via the bent pipe.

In an embodiment, a dividing structure is provided inside each of the plurality of heat exchange tube units. The dividing structure extends along the axis of each of the plurality of heat exchange tube units, so as to form a plurality of medium flow channels which is coaxial with each of the plurality of heat exchange tube units.

In an embodiment, an inner circumferential surface of each of the plurality of heat exchange tube units is provided with a plurality of protrusions. The plurality of protrusions extend along the axis of each of plurality of heat exchange tube units.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of fin units is provided with a plurality of heat exchange structures. The plurality of heat exchange structures are distributed at interval along the length direction of each of the plurality of fin units.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of fin units is provided with a plurality of inserting grooves configured to fix the plurality of heat exchange tube units. Each of the plurality of inserting grooves is disposed between two adjacent heat exchange structures.

The details of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are presented in the accompanying drawings and description below. The other features, objectives, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the specification, drawings, and claims.

Reference signs are as follows:represents a heat assembly;represents a heat exchange tube unit;represents a first heat exchange tube;represents a second heat exchange tube;represents a fin unit;represents a first fin;represents a second fin;represents a first groove;represents a second groove;represents a heat exchange structure;represents a heat exchange plate;represents a heat exchange opening;represents an inserting groove;represents a bent pipe;represents a dividing structure;represents a protrusion;represents a connecting assembly;represents a first connecting component;represents a second connecting component;represents a third connecting component;represents a first adjusting component;represents a second adjusting component;represents a third adjusting component;represents a liquid separator;represents an inlet pipe;represents a capillary tube;represents a liquid collector;represents an outlet connector;represents a liquid-collecting pipe;represents an outlet pipe;represents a straight connector;represents a reinforcing component;represents a reinforcing structure;represents a snapping groove;represents a convex portion;represents a notch; andrepresents an extending portion.

In order to make above objectives, features, and advantages of the present disclosure more obvious and understandable, a detailed explanation of the specific implementation of the present disclosure will be provided below in combination with drawings. Many specific details are elaborated in following description to facilitate a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. A specific implementation described here is only for a purpose of explaining the present disclosure and does not limit a scope of protection of the present disclosure.

In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the terms “center”, “longitudinal”, “transversely”, “length”, “width”, “thickness”, “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside”, “outside”, “clockwise”, “counterclockwise”, “axial”, “radial”, “circumferential” and so on denoting an orientation or a position relationship are based on the orientation or the position relationship shown in the attached drawings, it is just for convenience and simple to describe the present disclosure, but not indicating or implying an apparatus and a device having a specific orientation, constructing and operating in a specific orientation, therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present disclosure.

In addition, the terms “first” and “second” are only used to describe the purpose and can not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implying the quantity of indicated technical features. Therefore, the features limited to “first” and “second” can explicitly or implicitly include at least one of these features. In the description of the present disclosure, “multiple” means at least two, such as two, three and so on, unless there is an otherwise specific limitation.

In the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified and limited, the terms “installation”, “contact”, “connection”, “fixation” and so on should be broadly understood. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; and it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and may be a connection within two components or an interaction relationship between two components, unless otherwise specified. For ordinary skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present disclosure may be understood as required.

In the present disclosure, unless there is the otherwise specifications and limitations, the first feature is “above” or “below” the second feature which may be a direct contact between the first and second features or the first features and the second features may be in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature is “on”, “above”, and “over” the second feature can be that the first feature is directly or diagonally above the second feature, or only indicates that the first feature is horizontally higher than the second feature. The first feature is “beneath”, “below”, and “under” the second feature can be that the first feature is directly or diagonally below the second feature, or only indicate that the horizontal height of the first feature is less than that of the second feature.

It should be noted that, when a member is considered “fixed on” or “set on” another member, it can be directly fixed to another member or there may be a centered member present simultaneously. When a member is considered “connected to” another member, it can be directly connected to another member or there may be a centered member present simultaneously. The terms “vertical”, “horizontal”, “left”, “right” and similar expressions used in the specification of the present disclosure are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation method.

In a related technology, when the heat exchanger which is in an A shape is produced, a most part of the heat exchanger is directly bent from the middle. After being bent, the plurality of heat exchange tubes are disposed in parallel and horizontally disposed on the fin to fix. However, difficulty of bending the plurality of heat exchange tubes is relatively high, improper operation may cause scratches and damage to a product, leading to leakage problems, and bending may affect a heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger. In addition, the heat exchanger which is in the A shape is used as a heat pump heat exchanger, condensed water is prone to accumulate between the fin and the plurality of heat exchange tubes and hard to flow away from the fin. The condensed water accumulated between the fin and the plurality of heat exchange tubes is prone to frost, such that a problem of frost formation occurs in the heat exchanger, resulting in affecting the heat exchanger to use.

In the present disclosure, the two heat exchange assemblies are inclined and connected to each other via the connecting assembly, such that the heat exchanger may not be required to be bent in the A shape, resulting in reducing difficulty of production and processing. The fin unit is disposed in parallel, and the heat exchange tube units is disposed horizontally, such that after the condensed water between the fin unit and the heat exchange tube unit accumulating to a certain volume, the condensed water may flow from the fin unit to the heat exchange tube unit, and flow away along a smooth pipe wall of the heat exchange tube unit, so as to prevent the heat exchanger from frost formation due to an accumulation of the condensed water.

Referring to, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes at least two heat exchange assembliesand a connecting assembly. The at least two heat exchange assembliesare configured to process a heat exchange operation for the medium. The connecting assemblyis configured to connect the at least two adjacent heat exchange assemblies, such that the heat exchanger may be in the A shape.

The two adjacent heat exchange assembliesare inclined relative to each other. An angle between the two heat exchange assembliesis in a range of 20 degrees to 120 degrees. The connecting assemblyis disposed between the two heat exchange assembliesto fix the two heat exchange assemblies. In an embodiment, the angle between the two heat exchange assembliesis in a range of 20 degrees to 60 degrees, facilitating the heat exchanger discharging the condensed water.

Each of the two heat exchange assembliesincludes a plurality of heat exchange tube unitsand a plurality of fin units. The plurality of fin unitsare separated from each other and disposed in parallel. Two ends of each of the plurality of heat exchange tube unitspenetrate through the plurality of fin units along an axis of each of the plurality of heat exchange tube units, respectively. The plurality of heat exchange tube unitsare distributed at interval along a length direction of each of the plurality of fin units. Adjacent two of the plurality of heat exchange tube unitsare connected and in communication with each other end to end.

Alternatively, the plurality of fin unitsare provided with a plurality of inserting grooves. The plurality of heat exchange tube unitsare snapped with the plurality of fin unitsby the plurality of inserting grooves. Two sides of a bottom of the connecting assembliesare connected to tops of two of the plurality of fin units, respectively. Two ends of each of the plurality of fin units are relatively fragile, such that the connecting assemblymay play a role of protecting the plurality of fin unitsby connecting tops of the plurality of fin unitwith the bottom of the connecting assembly.

In the heat exchanger, the plurality of heat exchange tube unitmay be in a horizontal state by fixing the plurality of heat exchange tube unitson two of the plurality of fin unitsdisposed in parallel, such that after condensed water between the plurality of fin unitsand the plurality of heat exchange tube unitsflowing onto the plurality of heat exchange tube units, the condensed water may flow away along a smooth pipe sidewall of the plurality of heat exchange tube units, resulting in improving a discharging capacity of the heat exchanger, and preventing the heat exchanger from frosting due to the accumulation of the condensed water. Furthermore, the two heat exchange assembliesare inclined relative to and connected to each other via the connecting assembly, such that after the heat exchanger disposing on a bearing surface (such as a surface of a ground, tabletop, or other supporting body), the plurality of fin unitsand the plurality of heat exchange tube unitsmay be in an inclined state relative to the bearing surface, facilitating the condensed water flowing away from the plurality of heat exchange tube units.

Referring to, in an embodiment, the connecting assemblyincludes a first connecting component, a second connecting componentand a third connecting component. The first connecting componentand the second connecting componentare inclined relative to and disposed on two sides of the third connecting component, respectively, and fixedly connected to the third connecting component.

Referring to, in another embodiment, the connecting assemblyincludes a first connecting component, a second connecting component, a third connecting componentand a first adjusting component. The first connecting componentand the second connecting componentare rotatably connected to two sides of the third connecting component, respectively. The first adjusting componentis disposed between the first connecting componentand the second connecting component. The two heat exchange assembliesare connected to the first connecting componentand the second connecting component, respectively. An angle between the first connecting componentand the third connecting componentmay be changed as required and an angle between the second connecting componentand the third connecting componentmay be changed as required by a rotatable connection way, such that the angle between the two heat exchange assembliesmay be changed.

Alternatively, the first connecting component, the second connecting componentand the third connecting componentmay all be a plate-shaped structure. The first connecting componentand the second connecting componentare connected to two edges of the third connecting component, respectively, such that the angle between the first connecting componentand the third connecting componentand the angle between the second connecting componentand the third connecting componentmay be both adjusted as required, resulting in adjusting the angle between the two heat exchange assembliesas required.

In the present disclosure, the first adjusting componentmay be connecting rods or connecting ropes with different length. Alternatively, the first adjusting componentmay be a structure that can adjust length such as a telescopic pole and so on. The first adjusting componentis arranged to be extendable and retractable along its length direction. Connection modes between the first adjusting componentand the first connecting componentand between the first adjusting componentand the second connecting componentare not limited. In some embodiments, two ends of the first adjusting componentare connected to the first connecting componentand the second connecting componentin a detachable manner along an axis of the first adjusting component, such that the first adjusting componentis capable of connecting and fixing the first adjusting componentwith the second connecting componentafter the angle between the first connecting componentand the second connecting componentbeing adjusted. Alternatively, two ends of the first adjusting componentalong an axis of the first adjusting componentcan be connected to the first connecting componentand the second connecting componentvia a connecting element, or two ends of the first adjusting componentalong an axis of the first adjusting component can be directly sleeved and fixed with the first connecting componentand the second connecting component. After the first adjusting componentis extended and adjusted to a required length, it is then fixed to adjust an angle between the first connecting componentand the second connecting component.

Referring to, in another embodiment, the connecting assemblyincludes a first connecting component, a second connecting component, a third connecting component, a second adjusting componentand a third adjusting component. The first connecting componentand the second connecting componentare rotatably connected to two edges of the third connecting component, respectively. The second adjusting componentis disposed between the first connecting componentand the third connecting component. The third adjusting componentis disposed between the second connecting componentand the third connecting component. The two heat exchange assembliesare connected to the first connecting componentand the second connecting component, respectively.

Alternatively, the first connecting component, the second connecting componentand the third connecting componentmay be all a plate-shaped structure. The first connecting componentand the second connecting componentare connected to the third connecting componentalong two edges of the third connecting component, respectively, such that the angle between the first connecting componentand the third connecting componentand the angle between the second connecting componentand the third connecting componentmay be both adjusted as required, resulting in adjusting the angle between the two heat exchange assembliesas required. After the second adjusting componentis extended and adjusted to a required length, it is then fixed to adjust an angle between the first connecting componentand the third connecting component.

In the present disclosure, the second adjusting componentmay be connecting rods or connecting ropes with different length. Alternatively, the second adjusting componentmay be a structure that can adjust length such as a telescopic pole and so on. The second adjusting componentis arranged to be extendable and retractable along its length direction. Two ends of the second adjusting componentare connected to the first connecting componentand the second connecting componentalong an axis of the second adjusting componentin a detachable manner, such that the second adjusting componentis capable of connecting and fixing the first adjusting componentwith the second connecting componentafter the angle between the first connecting componentand the second connecting componentbeing adjusted. Connection modes between the second adjusting componentand the first connecting componentand between the second adjusting componentand the third connecting componentare not limited. For example, two ends of the second adjusting componentalong an axis of the second adjusting componentcan be connected to the first connecting componentand the third connecting componentvia a connecting element, or two ends of the second adjusting componentalong an axis of the second adjusting componentcan be directly sleeved and fixed with the first connecting componentand the third connecting component. After the third adjusting componentis extended and adjusted to a required length, it is then fixed to adjust an angle between the second connecting componentand the third connecting component.

The third adjusting componentmay be connecting rods or connecting ropes with different length. Alternatively, the third adjusting componentmay be a structure that can adjust length such as a telescopic pole and so on. The third adjusting componentis arranged to be extendable and retractable along its length direction. Two ends of the third adjusting componentare connected to the first connecting componentand the second connecting componentalong an axis of the third adjusting componentin a detachable manner, such that the third adjusting componentis capable of connecting and fixing the first adjusting componentwith the second connecting componentafter the angle between the first connecting componentand the second connecting componentbeing adjusted. Connection modes between the third adjusting componentand the second connecting componentand between the third adjusting componentand the third connecting componentare not limited. For example, two ends of the third adjusting componentalong an axis of the third adjusting componentcan be connected to the second connecting componentand the third connecting componentvia a connecting element, or two ends of the third adjusting componentalong an axis of the third adjusting componentcan be directly sleeved and fixed with the second connecting componentand the third connecting component.

Referring to, in an embodiment, the heat exchanger further includes a liquid separatorand a liquid collector. The liquid separatoris provided with at least two inlet pipes. The at least two liquid inlet pipesare connected to and in communication with the at least two heat exchange assemblies, respectively. The liquid collectoris provided with at least two outlet pipes. The at least two outlet pipesare in communication with and connected to the at least two heat exchange assemblies, respectively. The medium may be realized to be distributed and collected via the liquid separatorand the liquid collector, such that the medium may be distributed in the heat exchange assemblyvia the liquid separatorand collected to the liquid collectorafter processing the heat exchange operation, and a medium may be input by the liquid collectorafter processing the heat exchange operation to a next processing mechanism. The two heat exchange assembliesshare one liquid separatorand one liquid collector, resulting in reducing a cost of the heat exchanger. Compared with a separation tube, the liquid separatormay mix a gas and a liquid in the medium via a structure of the liquid separator, resulting in a better liquid separation effect.

Alternatively, each of the at least two inlet pipesincludes a plurality of capillary tubes. The plurality of capillary tubesare disposed on the heat exchange assemblyalong a length direction of each of the plurality of fin unit. After the medium mixing the gas and the liquid in the liquid separator, the medium uniformly enters into the heat exchange assemblyvia the plurality of capillary tubes. The separation tube is replaced by the liquid separator, such that a process may be simplified, and if a process is required to be changed, it is only required to choose an appropriate liquid separatorand reduce the number of capillary tubes.

Each of the at least two outlet pipes includes a plurality of straight connectors. The plurality of straight connectorsare disposed on each of the two heat exchange assembliesalong the length direction of each of the plurality of fin units. After the medium processing the heat exchange operation via the at least two heat exchange assemblies, the medium may be collected to the liquid collectorvia the plurality of straight connectors, such that the medium after heat exchanging may be input by the liquid collectorto the next processing mechanism.

In the present embodiment, each of the at least two heat exchange assembliesmay be divided into a first part, a second part, a third part and a fourth part along the length direction of each of the plurality of fin units. Each of the at least two inlet pipesincludes three capillary tubes. The three capillary tubesare in communication with and connected to the second part of the heat exchange assembly, the third part of the heat exchange assemblyand the fourth part of the heat exchange assembly, respectively. The liquid collectorincludes three straight connectors. The three straight connectorsare in communication with and connected to the first part of the heat exchange assembly, the second part of the heat exchange assemblyand the third part of the heat exchange assembly, respectively.

Furthermore, the liquid collectorincludes an outlet connectorand two liquid-collecting pipes. Two inlets of the outlet connectorare in communication with outlets of the two liquid-collecting pipes, respectively. After the medium in the heat exchange assemblybeing collected to the two liquid-collecting pipesvia the outlet pipe, the medium may be output to the next processing mechanism via the outlet connector.

Referring to, in an embodiment, the heat exchanger further includes a reinforcing component. The reinforcing componentis disposed on the connecting assembly. Two sides of the reinforcing component abut against the two heat exchange assemblies, respectively. In the present embodiment, at least two reinforcing componentsare provided. The reinforcing componentmay assistant the connecting assemblyto connect the two heat exchange assemblies, such that connecting stability between the connecting assemblyand the heat exchange assemblyis improved. Furthermore, the reinforcing componentis provided to effectively preventing the two heat exchange assembliesfrom leaking air, resulting in improving heat exchange efficiency.

Alternatively, the reinforcing componentis in a trapezoid structure. A top surface of the reinforcing componentis connected to a bottom surface of the connecting assembly. Two inclined side surfaces of the reinforcing componentis capable of abutting against the two heat exchange assemblies, respectively. The top surface of the reinforcing componentis connected to a bottom surface of the third connecting component.

In an embodiment, the two inclined side surfaces of the reinforcing componentare connected to the plurality of fin unitsof each of the two heat exchange assemblies.