ES3029083T3 - Heat exchanger and refrigeration system - Google Patents

Abstract

A heat exchanger (100) and a cooling system (1000). The heat exchanger (100) comprises header tubes (10); each header tube (10) comprises a plurality of unitary section tubes (13); these unitary section tubes (13) are connected sequentially in a stacked manner; each unitary section tube (13) comprises a first section (131) and a second section (132), the diameter of the first section (131) being smaller than that of the second section (132), such that the first section (131) of each unitary section tube (13) can be inserted into the second section (132) of the adjacent unitary section tube (13); an arched section (133) is arranged between the first section (131) and the second section (132) of each unitary section tube (13). and the arc-shaped section (133) extends to the top of the second section (132) from the bottom of the first section (131), such that the first section (131) is connected to the second section (132). (Automatic translation with Google Translate, no legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Heat exchanger and cooling system

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a field of refrigeration technology, in particular to a heat exchanger and a refrigeration system.

BACKGROUND

In the field of refrigeration technology, a heat exchanger, as one of the four main components of a refrigeration system, plays an important role in exchanging heat with the outside air.

In the prior art, a heat exchanger collection pipe includes a plurality of pipe units, and stress concentration exists in the plurality of pipe units. Under varying loads, fatigue fracture is likely to occur, affecting the service life of the heat exchanger.

Document DE10112697A1 discloses "Heat exchanger, in particular for motor vehicles, with tubes and in each case the ends of the tubes associated with these collector spaces, the collector spaces being formed by individual segments, characterized in that the adjacent segments (18) have pluggable connection areas (19)". Document JPH01203890A discloses "Providing a heat exchanger having excellent pressure resistance, ease of transportation in a vehicle, and freedom of tube passage by providing open ends of the tube with an independent tank respectively which is connected with another tank or a plurality of tanks through a nozzle. Cooling water enters a tank 2A from a pipe, and part of the cooling water goes to a tank 2J through a pipe 6, and other cooling water enters a tank 2B through a nozzle 31 from a tank 2A and enters the tank 2A through the pipe 6. Cooling water which has entered the tanks 2J and 2K goes to a tank 2L and a tank 2M from the nozzle 31, and then enters the tanks 2C and 2D through the pipe 6. The cooling water reaches a tank 2E through the nozzle 31 and enters a tank 2N through of tube 6. Cooling water cooled by a heat exchanger passes through the nozzle 31 of the tank 2N and returns again to the water jacket of an engine by a pipe connected Since tanks 2A-2N are provided on the sides of the open ends 61 and 62 of each tube, each tank can be small and its resistance against pressure is raised due to a small area for receiving pressure." JP H0229594 A discloses a heat exchanger according to the preamble of claim 1 and states "To obtain a heat exchanger, easy in inserting and incorporating tubes and not needing airtight inspection of a separator after incorporation, by a method in which both ends of tubes are inserted into a tubular tank in advance and fins are provided between the tubes while each tubular tank is connected to each other continuously to obtain a laminated shape." Constitution: Both ends 61,61 of the tubes 6 are inserted into the insertion holes 15 of an intermediate tubular tank 11 and temporarily fixed. Next, the small diametrical portions of the respective upper-side tubular tanks are fitted into the large diametrical portions of the respective tubular tanks while fitting the fins 7 between the tubes 6 to constitute the headers 1, I and the entire body of a heat exchanger by continuously connecting them. Subsequently, an inlet pipe 10 and an outlet pipe 13 are incorporated to braze the fins, tubes, and tubular tanks through integral brazing and manufacture the heat exchanger. Accordingly, the leak test of the tubular tanks 12 for a separator can be performed at the time of manufacture, and therefore, the airtight inspection of the separator unit may not be necessary after assembly.

SUMMARY

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a heat exchanger is provided.

A heat exchanger includes a collection pipe, and the collection pipe includes a plurality of pipe units. The plurality of pipe units are sequentially stacked and connected, and each of the plurality of pipe units includes a first section and a second section. The diameter of the first section is smaller than that of the second section, such that the first section of one of the two adjacent pipe units is capable of being inserted into the second section of the other of the two adjacent pipe units. An arc-shaped section is provided between the first section and the second section of each of the plurality of pipe units, and the arc-shaped section extends to an upper portion of the second section from a lower portion of the first section, such that the first section is connected to the second section. And a space defined between the first section of one of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units and the second section of the other of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units and a size of 0.1 mm.

The above-described collection pipe includes a plurality of pipe units, each of which is connected to a heat exchange pipe, respectively. In a conventional technique, when brazing the heat exchanger in a brazing furnace, settling may occur in the heat exchange pipe and the collection pipe. The heat exchange pipe is lowered/sunk more severely than the collection pipe, and these two pipes cannot be lowered synchronously. However, in the present disclosure, the first section of one of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units is inserted into the second section of the other of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units, providing an expansion margin for a sinking of each of the plurality of pipe units. In this way, the collection pipe and the heat exchange pipe can be lowered/sunk synchronously, and the welding efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, the arc-shaped section is provided between the first section and the second section of each of the plurality of pipe units, which can reduce a stress concentration at a joint between the first section and the second section, and prolong a service life of the heat exchanger.

In one embodiment, a length of the first section along the axis of the collection pipe ranges from 2 mm to 6 mm. Thus, the length of the first section may be suitable. It is understood that flow through the collection pipe will be reduced if the length of the first section is too long, and that it will not be possible to provide the expansion margin for collapsing the collection pipe if the length of the second section is too short.

In this way, the gap between an outer wall of the first section of one of the two adjacent pipe units and an inner wall of the second section of the other of the two adjacent pipe units has a size of 0.1 mm, which not only allows the first section of one of the two adjacent pipe units to be smoothly inserted into the second section of the other of the two adjacent pipe units, but also prevents the gap between the two from becoming too large and causing a weld failure.

In one embodiment, in each of the plurality of pipe units, the first section, the arc-shaped section, and the second section are combined as an integrity structure. In this way, it is possible to simplify a welding process between the first section, the arc-shaped section, and the second section of each of the plurality of pipe units, while simultaneously preventing a weld failure.

In one embodiment, the radian of the arcuate section of each of the plurality of pipe units is the same. Thus, the radian of the arcuate section of each of the plurality of pipe units is the same, making it convenient to process.

In one embodiment, the first section is formed by one end of each of the plurality of pipe units by a neck-narrowing process. Thus, the first section is formed by the end of each of the plurality of pipe units by the neck-narrowing process, so the process is simple.

In one embodiment, the heat exchanger further includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes, each of the plurality of pipe units is provided with a groove, and two ends of the plurality of heat exchange pipes are inserted into the corresponding groove, resulting in the collection pipe and the plurality of heat exchange pipes being in communication with each other.

In one embodiment, an upper and a lower one of the plurality of pipe units are provided with an end cover respectively, and the end cover is configured to seal the collection pipe.

In one embodiment, the heat exchanger further includes a plurality of fins disposed between two adjacent ones of the plurality of heat exchange pipes and distributed from one end of the plurality of heat exchange pipes to the other end thereof. In this way, the fin is configured to accelerate heat exchange between the heat exchanger and the outside air.

A refrigeration system is also provided, including a compressor, a throttle element, and the heat exchanger described above. The heat exchanger is connected and in communication with the compressor and the throttle element, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings which constitute a part of this invention are used to provide a better understanding of this invention, and the schematic embodiments of this invention and a description thereof are used to explain this invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of this invention which is defined by the appended claims.

To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments are briefly presented below. It is evident that the drawings in the following description are only some of the embodiments of the present invention; for those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can also be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a heat exchanger in one embodiment.

Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a collection pipe of a heat exchanger in one embodiment.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a collection pipe of a heat exchanger in one embodiment.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a cooling system in one embodiment.

In the figures, 1000 represents a refrigeration system, 100 represents a heat exchanger, 10 represents a collection pipe, 11 represents a slot, 12 represents a connecting pipe, 13 represents pipe units, 131 represents a first section, 132 represents a second section, 133 represents an arc-shaped section, 14 represents an end cover, 20 represents a heat exchange pipe, 30 represents a fin, 40 represents a side panel, 200 represents a compressor, and 300 represents a throttle element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A clear and complete description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be given below in conjunction with the drawings accompanying the embodiments of the present invention. It will be evident that the described embodiments are only a part and not all of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present invention, providing the scope of the appended claims.

It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "situated" above another element, it may be located directly above the other element, or another element may be present between them. When an element is referred to as "arranged" above another element, it may be directly arranged above the other element, or another element may be present between them. When an element is said to be "fixed" to another element, it may be directly attached to the other element, or another element may be present between them.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning commonly understood by someone of ordinary skill in the art of the present invention. The term "or/and," as used herein, includes all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.

Referring to Figure 4, the present invention provides a refrigeration system 1000. The refrigeration system 1000 is applied to a cold chain system, such as a domestic air conditioner, a refrigerator, a commercial air conditioner freezer, or a cold room, or other occasions that need to reduce or raise a temperature of the natural environment.

The refrigeration system 1000 includes a compressor 200, a throttle element 300, and a heat exchanger 100, and the compressor 200, the throttle element 300, and the heat exchanger 100 are connected to each other by piping. Other accessories such as liquid tanks and gas-liquid separators may also be provided between the compressor 200, the throttle element 300, and the heat exchanger 100.

1 to FIG. 3 , the heat exchanger 100 includes a collection pipe 10 and a plurality of heat exchange pipes 20. The collection pipe 10 is arranged at both ends of the heat exchange pipe 20, respectively, and the plurality of heat exchange pipes 20 are located in parallel with each other. The collection pipe 10 provides a plurality of slots 11, and the plurality of heat exchange pipes 20 are inserted into the corresponding slot 11, resulting in the collection pipe 10 and the plurality of heat exchange pipes 20 being in communication with each other. The number of heat exchange pipes 20 corresponds one to one with the number of slots 11.

Specifically, the heat exchanger 100 further includes a plurality of fins 30 arranged between two adjacent ones of the plurality of heat exchange pipes 20, that is, one fin 30 is arranged between two adjacent ones of the plurality of heat exchange pipes 20. The plurality of fins 30 are distributed from one end of the plurality of heat exchange pipes to the other end thereof, thereby improving a heat exchange between a medium in the heat exchange pipe 20 and the external environment.

In addition, the heat exchanger 100 further includes two side panels 40, the two side panels 40 being arranged on an outside of an upper and a lower one of the plurality of fins 30 respectively, and being fixed to the upper and a lower one of the plurality of fins 30 respectively to protect them.

The collecting pipes 10 are located on both sides of the heat exchange pipe 20, that is, the number of collecting pipes 10 is two, and one end of each of the collecting pipes 10 is provided with a connecting pipe 12, wherein one of the connecting pipes 12 is defined as an inlet connecting pipe 12, and the other as an outlet connecting pipe 12, and the medium flows into the collecting pipes 10 via the inlet connecting pipe 12 and flows out of the collecting pipe 10 via the outlet connecting pipe 12. When the heat exchanger 100 is used as a condenser, the medium in the heat exchange pipe 20 releases heat to the outside environment through the plurality of fins 30. The inlet connecting pipe 12 is connected to an outlet of the compressor 200, and the outlet connecting pipe 12 is connected to an inlet of the throttling element 300. Of course, Other accessories such as oil separators may be provided between the inlet connection pipe 12 and the compressor 200, and other accessories such as tanks may be provided between the outlet connection pipe 12 and the throttling element 300. When the heat exchanger 100 is used as an evaporator, the medium in the heat exchange pipe 20 absorbs heat from the outside environment through the plurality of fins 30. The inlet connection pipe 12 is connected to an outlet of the throttling element 300, the outlet connection pipe 12 is connected to an inlet of the compressor 200. Of course, other accessories, such as ball valves, may be provided between the inlet connection pipe 12 and the throttling element 300, and other accessories, such as gas-liquid separators, may be provided between the outlet connection pipe 12 and the compressor 200.

Referring to Figure 2 to Figure 3, the collection pipe 10 includes a plurality of pipe units 13, and the plurality of pipe units 13 are sequentially stacked and connected along an axis of the collection pipe.

Specifically, each of the plurality of pipe units 13 includes a first section 131 and a second section 132, and a diameter of the first section 131 is smaller than that of the second section 132, such that the first section 131 of one of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units 13 is capable of being inserted into and fixed to the second section 132 of the other of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units 13 by a welding process.

It is understood that before brazing, the surfaces of the collecting pipe 10 and the heat exchanger pipe 20 are coated with a composite layer. It is necessary to explain that the composite layer is a brazing material. In a conventional technique, during brazing, the heat exchanger 100 is placed in a brazing furnace, and the high-temperature environment causes the brazing material to melt, so that the heat exchanger pipe 20 and the collecting pipe 10 are lowered/sunk, and the heat exchange pipe 20 is lowered/sunk more significantly than the collecting pipe 10. Two ends of the plurality of heat exchange pipes 20 are inserted into the corresponding groove 11 of the collecting pipe 10 and are restricted by a notch of the groove 11, a subsidence in one middle of the heat exchange pipe 20 may be more serious than that of the two sides. The overall structure of the heat exchange pipe 20 may be deformed, and the heat exchange pipe 20 and the groove 11 may also be tilted, which can easily cause virtual welding and desoldering during welding. However, in the present invention, the first section of one of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units is inserted into the second section of the other of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units, providing an expansion margin for a sinking of each of the plurality of pipe units. In this way, the collection pipe and the heat exchange pipe are lowered/sunk synchronously and the welding efficiency is improved.

Furthermore, an arc-shaped section is provided between the first section and the second section of each of the plurality of pipe units, and the arc-shaped section extends to an upper portion of the second section from a lower portion of the first section, thereby preventing a stress concentration due to the direct connection between the first section 131 and the second section 132. Since the medium inside the collection pipe 10 is under a variable load, that is, an impact force of the medium inside the collection pipe 10 on an inner wall of the collection pipe 10 is not constant. Under prolonged impact of the medium or a vibrating environment, a direct connection between the first section 131 and the second section 132 will cause a joint between the first section 131 and the second section 132 to fracture due to the stress concentration. The arc-shaped section 133 can reduce the stress concentration therebetween and prolong the service life of the heat exchanger 100.

Alternatively, a length of the first section 131 along an axis of the collection pipe 10 is in a range of 2 mm to 6 mm. It is understood that the flow through the collection pipe 10 will be reduced if the length of the first section 131 is too large, and that it will not be possible to provide the expansion margin for the collapse of the collection pipe 10 if the length of the second section 132 is too small. Therefore, 2 mm to 6 mm of the length of the first section 131 may be a suitable range. The length of the first section 131 may be 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.8 mm, 4 mm, 4.5 mm, 5 mm, 5.3 mm, 6 mm or any value between 2 mm and 6 mm.

Before welding, the first section 131 of one of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units 13 is inserted into the second section 132 of the other of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units 13, and a depth of an insertion part of the first section 131 is less than the length of the first section 131 to provide an expansion margin for sinking each of the plurality of pipe units 13.

Preferably, in the present embodiment, the length of the first section 131 is 4 mm, and the depth of the insertion portion of the first section 131 is 2 mm. In other embodiments, the length of the first section 131 may be other values, and the depth of the insertion portion of the first section 131 may be other values.

A gap of 0.1 mm in size is defined between the first section 131 of one of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units 13 and the second section 132 of the other of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units 13. This gap between the first section 131 of the one of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units 13 and the second section 132 of the other of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units 13 not only allows the first section 131 of the one of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units 13 to be smoothly inserted into the second section 132 of the other of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units 13, but also prevents the gap between the two from becoming too large and resulting in a weld failure.

Furthermore, in each of the plurality of pipe units 13, the first section 131, the arc-shaped section 133, and the second section 132 are combined as an integrity structure. In this way, it is possible to simplify a welding process between the first section 131, the arc-shaped section 133, and the second section 132 of each of the plurality of pipe units 13, thereby preventing welding defects and increasing the reliability of the heat exchanger 100.

Referring to Figure 3, the first section 131 is formed by a neck-tapering process at one end of each of the plurality of pipe units 13. The process is simple and requires no additional welding.

Preferably, a length of each of the plurality of pipe units 13 is the same, a height of each of the plurality of pipe units 13 is all the same. The length of the first section 131 of each of the plurality of pipe units 13 is the same, an inner diameter of the first section 131 of each of the plurality of pipe units 13 is all the same, an outer diameter of the first section 131 of each of the plurality of pipe units 13 is the same. The length of the second section 132 of each of the plurality of pipe units 13 is the same, an inner diameter of the second section 132 of each of the plurality of pipe units 13 is all the same, an outer diameter of the second section 132 of each of the plurality of pipe units 13 is the same. A radian of the arc-shaped section 133 of each of the plurality of pipe units 13 is the same, and it is convenient for processing. Of course, in other embodiments, according to different designs, the length and height of each of the plurality of pipe units 13 may be different, the length, the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the first section 131 and the second section 132 of each section of the pipe unit 13 may also be different, and the radian of the arc-shaped section 133 of each of the plurality of pipe units 13 may also be different.

An upper and a lower one of the plurality of pipe units 13 are provided with an end cover 14 respectively, that is, both ends of the collecting pipe 10 are provided with the end cover 14. The end cover 14 is configured to seal the collecting pipe 10 to prevent the medium within the collecting pipe 10 from leaking.

During an assembly process, the first section 131 of one of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units 13 is inserted into the second section 132 of the other of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units 13, and the surfaces of the collecting pipe 10 and the heat exchange pipe 20 are coated with the composite layer. Next, the plurality of heat exchange pipes 20 are inserted into the corresponding groove 11 and introduced into the brazing furnace to be brazed. The composite layer is melted due to the high temperature so that the heat exchange pipe 20 and the collecting pipe 10 can be lowered/sunk. The collecting pipe 10 has an expansion margin due to a mutual insertion between the first section 131 and the second section 132 of the plurality of pipe units 13, so that the collecting pipe 10 and the heat exchange pipe 20 descend synchronously. After the composite layer is melted, the plurality of pipe units 13 and the heat exchange pipe 20 are welded to form a whole.

During a working process, the arc-shaped section 133 between the first section 131 and the second section 132 can reduce the stress concentration at the joint between the first section 131 and the second section 132, which can prevent breakage under long-term use in the vibrating environment or the impact of the medium.

The technical features of the embodiments described above can be combined in any combination. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features of the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction between the combinations of these technical features, all are to be considered within the scope of this invention provided they are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (9)

1. A heat exchanger (100) comprising a collection pipe (10), wherein the collection pipe (10) comprises a plurality of pipe units (13), the plurality of pipe units (13) being sequentially stacked and connected, each of the plurality of pipe units (13) comprising a first section (131) and a second section (132), and a diameter of the first section (131) is smaller than that of the second section (132), such that the first section (131) of one of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units (13) is capable of being inserted into the second section (132) of the other of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of pipe units (13), an arc-shaped section (133) is provided between the first section (131) and the second section (132) of each of the plurality of pipe units (13), and the arc-shaped section (133) extends to an upper part of the second section (132) from a lower part of the first section (131), so that the first section (131) is connected to the second section (132), characterized in that a space is defined between the first section (131) of one of the two adjacent pipe units (13) and the second section (132) of the other of the two adjacent pipe units (13), with a size of 0.1 mm. 2. The heat exchanger (100) of claim 1, wherein a length of the first section (131) along an axis of the collection pipe (10) is between 2 mm and 6 mm. 3. The heat exchanger (100) of claim 1, wherein in each of the plurality of pipe units (13), the first section (131), the arc-shaped section (133) and the second section (132) are combined as an integrity structure. 4. The heat exchanger (100) of claim 1, wherein a radian of the arc-shaped section (133) of each of the plurality of pipe units (13) is the same. 5. The heat exchanger (100) of claim 1, wherein the first section (131) is formed by one end of each of the plurality of pipe units (13) by a mouth narrowing process. 6. The heat exchanger (100) of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of heat exchange pipes (20), each of the plurality of pipe units (13) being provided with a groove (11), and two ends of the plurality of heat exchange pipes (20) are inserted into the corresponding groove (11), resulting in the collection pipe (10) and the plurality of heat exchange pipes (20) being in communication with each other. 7. The heat exchanger (100) of claim 1, wherein an upper and a lower one of the plurality of pipe units (13) are provided with an end cover (14) respectively, and the end cover (14) is configured to seal the collection pipe (10). 8. The heat exchanger (100) of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of fins (30) arranged between two adjacent ones of the plurality of heat exchange pipes (20) and distributed from one end of the plurality of heat exchange pipes (20) to the other end thereof. 9. A refrigeration system (1000) comprising a compressor (200), a throttle element (300) and the heat exchanger (100) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heat exchanger (100) is connected and in communication with the compressor (200) and the throttle element (300) respectively.