U.S. patent application number 16/710084 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-18 for heat exchanger and air-conditioning system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Danfoss A/S. Invention is credited to Junfeng Jin, Yanxing Li, Pierre Olivier Pelletier.
Application Number | 20200191490 16/710084 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 71072825 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200191490 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jin; Junfeng ; et
al. |
June 18, 2020 |
HEAT EXCHANGER AND AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a heat exchanger
and an air-conditioning system. The heat exchanger includes heat
exchange tubes. The heat exchange tubes include first heat exchange
tubes configured to form a first circuit, and second heat exchange
tubes configured to form a second circuit. With the heat exchanger
according to the embodiments of the present invention, if one of
two circuits of a two-circuit air-conditioning system is turned
off, a heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger can be
improved.
Inventors: |
Jin; Junfeng; (Nordborg,
DK) ; Pelletier; Pierre Olivier; (Nordborg, DK)
; Li; Yanxing; (Nordborg, DK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Danfoss A/S |
Nordborg |
|
DK |
|
|
Family ID: |
71072825 |
Appl. No.: |
16/710084 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 39/00 20130101;
F28F 9/0278 20130101; F28D 1/05391 20130101; F28F 1/022 20130101;
F25B 2400/061 20130101; F28D 2021/0084 20130101; F28F 9/0214
20130101; F28D 2021/0085 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28D 1/053 20060101
F28D001/053; F28F 9/02 20060101 F28F009/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 14, 2018 |
CN |
201811538891.0 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger comprising: heat exchange tubes, wherein the
heat exchange tubes comprise first heat exchange tubes configured
to form a first circuit, and second heat exchange tubes configured
to form a second circuit.
2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein: the first heat exchange
tubes have a greater total heat exchange capability than the second
heat exchange tubes.
3. The heat exchanger of claim 2, further comprising: first fins,
at least a portion of each of which extends in a first direction,
which are arranged in a row in a second direction perpendicular to
the first direction, and which are arranged alternately with the
heat exchange tubes.
4. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein: first heat exchange tube
sets each composed of at least one of the first heat exchange
tubes, and second heat exchange tube sets each composed of at least
one of the second heat exchange tubes are arranged alternately in
the second direction.
5. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein: the first heat exchange
tubes, the second heat exchange tubes, and the first fins are
aligned, on at least one side in a third direction perpendicular to
both the first direction and the second direction, with one another
in the second direction.
6. The heat exchanger of claim 4, wherein: a number of the first
heat exchange tubes is greater than a number of the second heat
exchange tubes, the first heat exchange tube has a greater length
than the second heat exchange tube, the first heat exchange tube
has a greater width than the second heat exchange tube, the first
heat exchange tube has a greater thickness than the second heat
exchange tube, and/or a total cross sectional area of internal
channels of the first heat exchange tube is greater than a total
cross sectional area of internal channels of the second heat
exchange tube.
7. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein: the heat exchange tubes
are arranged in the second direction such that a plurality of same
repeating units are arranged in the second direction, each of the
repeating units is composed of a predetermined number of heat
exchange tubes, and in each of the repeating units, the first heat
exchange tubes and the second heat exchange tubes are arranged
alternately in the second direction.
8. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein: each of the repeating
units is composed of three first heat exchange tubes and two second
heat exchange tubes, and each of the two second heat exchange tubes
is located between two adjacent ones of the three first heat
exchange tubes; each of the repeating units is composed of two
first heat exchange tubes and one second heat exchange tube, and
the one second heat exchange tube is located between the two first
heat exchange tubes; or each of the repeating units is composed of
four first heat exchange tubes and three second heat exchange
tubes, and each of the three second heat exchange tubes is located
between two adjacent ones of the four first heat exchange
tubes.
9. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein: the first heat exchange
tube comprises: a first heat exchange tube part and a second heat
exchange tube part arranged in a third direction perpendicular to
both the first direction and the second direction; and a connection
part connecting and fluidly communicating the first heat exchange
tube part and the second heat exchange tube part with each other,
and the first heat exchange tube part and the second heat exchange
tube part are in contact with a same first fin located on one side
of the first heat exchange tube part and the second heat exchange
tube part in the second direction and are in contact with a same
first fin located on the other side of the first heat exchange tube
part and the second heat exchange tube part in the second
direction.
10. The heat exchanger of claim 2, further comprising: first fins,
at least a portion of each of which extends in a first direction,
and which are arranged in a row in a second direction perpendicular
to the first direction; and second fins, at least a portion of each
of which extends in the first direction, and which are arranged in
a row in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction,
wherein the first heat exchange tube comprises: a first heat
exchange tube part and a second heat exchange tube part arranged in
a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the
second direction; and a connection part connecting and fluidly
communicating the first heat exchange tube part and the second heat
exchange tube part with each other, wherein the first fins and a
first set of heat exchange tubes composed of both the first heat
exchange tube parts and the second heat exchange tubes are arranged
alternately in a row in the second direction perpendicular to the
first direction, and wherein the second fins and a second set of
heat exchange tubes composed of the second heat exchange tube parts
are arranged alternately in a row in the second direction
perpendicular to the first direction.
11. The heat exchanger of claim 9, wherein: the first heat exchange
tube part, the second heat exchange tube part, and the connection
part of the first heat exchange tube are formed by bending a single
heat exchange tube.
12. The heat exchanger of claim 2, further comprising: first
manifolds respectively disposed at two ends of each of the first
heat exchange tubes; and second manifolds respectively disposed at
two ends of each of the second heat exchange tubes.
13. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein: the first fin has a
same size in a third direction perpendicular to both the first
direction and the second direction as a bigger one of a portion of
the first heat exchange tube in contact with the first fin and a
portion of the second heat exchange tube in contact with the first
fin.
14. The heat exchanger of claim 1, further comprising: first fins,
at least a portion of each of which extends in a first direction,
which are arranged in a row in a second direction perpendicular to
the first direction, and which are arranged alternately with the
heat exchange tubes, wherein the heat exchanger is bent in an L
shape, a U shape, or a C shape when viewed in the second
direction.
15. An air-conditioning system comprising: the heat exchanger of
claim 1.
16. The heat exchanger of claim 5, wherein: a number of the first
heat exchange tubes is greater than a number of the second heat
exchange tubes, the first heat exchange tube has a greater length
than the second heat exchange tube, the first heat exchange tube
has a greater width than the second heat exchange tube, the first
heat exchange tube has a greater thickness than the second heat
exchange tube, and/or a total cross sectional area of internal
channels of the first heat exchange tube is greater than a total
cross sectional area of internal channels of the second heat
exchange tube.
17. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein: the first heat
exchange tube part, the second heat exchange tube part, and the
connection part of the first heat exchange tube are formed by
bending a single heat exchange tube.
18. The heat exchanger of claim 3, further comprising: first
manifolds respectively disposed at two ends of each of the first
heat exchange tubes; and second manifolds respectively disposed at
two ends of each of the second heat exchange tubes.
19. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein: the first fin has a
same size in a third direction perpendicular to both the first
direction and the second direction as a bigger one of a portion of
the first heat exchange tube in contact with the first fin and a
portion of the second heat exchange tube in contact with the first
fin.
20. The heat exchanger of claim 2, further comprising: first fins,
at least a portion of each of which extends in a first direction,
which are arranged in a row in a second direction perpendicular to
the first direction, and which are arranged alternately with the
heat exchange tubes, wherein the heat exchanger is bent in an L
shape, a U shape, or a C shape when viewed in the second direction.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119 to Chinese Patent Application No. 201811538891.0
filed on Dec. 14, 2018, the content of which is hereby incorporated
by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a heat
exchanger and an air-conditioning system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Heat exchangers for two circuits are separate from each
other in a conventional air-conditioning system.
SUMMARY
[0004] An object of embodiments of the present invention is to
provide a heat exchanger and an air-conditioning system. Thereby,
for example, if one of two circuits of a two-circuit
air-conditioning system is turned off, at least some of fins for
the one circuit may be used for the other circuit to improve a heat
exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.
[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide a heat
exchanger including: heat exchange tubes, wherein the heat exchange
tubes include first heat exchange tubes configured to form a first
circuit, and second heat exchange tubes configured to form a second
circuit.
[0006] According to embodiments of the present invention, the first
heat exchange tubes have a greater total heat exchange capability
than the second heat exchange tubes.
[0007] According to embodiments of the present invention, the heat
exchanger further includes: first fins, at least a portion of each
of which extends in a first direction, which are arranged in a row
in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and
which are arranged alternately with the heat exchange tubes.
[0008] According to embodiments of the present invention, first
heat exchange tube sets each composed of at least one of the first
heat exchange tubes, and second heat exchange tube sets each
composed of at least one of the second heat exchange tubes are
arranged alternately in the second direction.
[0009] According to embodiments of the present invention, the first
heat exchange tubes, the second heat exchange tubes, and the first
fins are aligned, on at least one side in a third direction
perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction,
with one another in the second direction.
[0010] According to embodiments of the present invention, a number
of the first heat exchange tubes is greater than a number of the
second heat exchange tubes, the first heat exchange tube has a
greater length than the second heat exchange tube, the first heat
exchange tube has a greater width than the second heat exchange
tube, the first heat exchange tube has a greater thickness than the
second heat exchange tube, and/or a total cross sectional area of
internal channels of the first heat exchange tube is greater than a
total cross sectional area of internal channels of the second heat
exchange tube.
[0011] According to embodiments of the present invention, the heat
exchange tubes are arranged in the second direction such that a
plurality of same repeating units are arranged in the second
direction, each of the repeating units is composed of a
predetermined number of heat exchange tubes, and in each of the
repeating units, the first heat exchange tubes and the second heat
exchange tubes are arranged alternately in the second
direction.
[0012] According to embodiments of the present invention, each of
the repeating units is composed of three first heat exchange tubes
and two second heat exchange tubes, and each of the two second heat
exchange tubes is located between two adjacent ones of the three
first heat exchange tubes; each of the repeating units is composed
of two first heat exchange tubes and one second heat exchange tube,
and the one second heat exchange tube is located between the two
first heat exchange tubes; or each of the repeating units is
composed of four first heat exchange tubes and three second heat
exchange tubes, and each of the three second heat exchange tubes is
located between two adjacent ones of the four first heat exchange
tubes.
[0013] According to embodiments of the present invention, the first
heat exchange tube includes: a first heat exchange tube part and a
second heat exchange tube part arranged in a third direction
perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction;
and a connection part connecting and fluidly communicating the
first heat exchange tube part and the second heat exchange tube
part with each other, and the first heat exchange tube part and the
second heat exchange tube part are in contact with a same first fin
located on one side of the first heat exchange tube part and the
second heat exchange tube part in the second direction and are in
contact with a same first fin located on the other side of the
first heat exchange tube part and the second heat exchange tube
part in the second direction.
[0014] According to embodiments of the present invention, the heat
exchanger further includes: first fins, at least a portion of each
of which extends in a first direction, and which are arranged in a
row in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and
second fins, at least a portion of each of which extends in the
first direction, and which are arranged in a row in the second
direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the first
heat exchange tube includes: a first heat exchange tube part and a
second heat exchange tube part arranged in a third direction
perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction;
and a connection part connecting and fluidly communicating the
first heat exchange tube part and the second heat exchange tube
part with each other, wherein the first fins and a first set of
heat exchange tubes composed of both the first heat exchange tube
parts and the second heat exchange tubes are arranged alternately
in a row in the second direction perpendicular to the first
direction, and wherein the second fins and a second set of heat
exchange tubes composed of the second heat exchange tube parts are
arranged alternately in a row in the second direction perpendicular
to the first direction.
[0015] According to embodiments of the present invention, the first
heat exchange tube part, the second heat exchange tube part, and
the connection part of the first heat exchange tube are formed by
bending a single heat exchange tube.
[0016] According to embodiments of the present invention, the heat
exchanger further includes: first manifolds respectively disposed
at two ends of each of the first heat exchange tubes; and second
manifolds respectively disposed at two ends of each of the second
heat exchange tubes.
[0017] According to embodiments of the present invention, the first
fin has a same size in a third direction perpendicular to both the
first direction and the second direction as a bigger one of a
portion of the first heat exchange tube in contact with the first
fin and a portion of the second heat exchange tube in contact with
the first fin.
[0018] According to embodiments of the present invention, the heat
exchanger further includes: first fins, at least a portion of each
of which extends in a first direction, which are arranged in a row
in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and
which are arranged alternately with the heat exchange tubes,
wherein the heat exchanger is bent in an L shape, a U shape, or a C
shape when viewed in the second direction.
[0019] Embodiments of the present invention further provide an
air-conditioning system including the above heat exchanger.
[0020] With the heat exchanger according to the embodiments of the
present invention, for example, if one of two circuits of a
two-circuit air-conditioning system is turned off, at least some of
fins for the one circuit may be used for the other circuit to
improve a heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the heat exchanger
according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in
which flow directions of a refrigerant are indicated by arrows
along heat exchange tubes;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of a heat exchanger according
to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which flow
directions of a refrigerant are indicated by arrows along heat
exchange tubes;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic partial enlarged view of a heat
exchanger according to a third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a schematic partial enlarged view of a heat
exchanger according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger
according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of the heat exchanger
according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger
according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of the heat exchanger
according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger
according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and
[0031] FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of the heat exchanger
according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] An air-conditioning system according to embodiments of the
present invention includes a heat exchanger. Specifically, the
air-conditioning system according to the embodiments of the present
invention includes a compressor, a heat exchanger as an evaporator,
a heat exchanger as a condenser, an expansion valve, and the like.
The air-conditioning system may include two or more circuits. Each
circuit is constituted by a portion of a heat exchanger configured
to form this circuit. A plurality of portions of the heat exchanger
respectively configured to form the circuits are connected in
parallel and are independent of one another.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, a heat exchanger 100 according
to embodiments of the present invention includes heat exchange
tubes 1. The heat exchange tubes 1 include first heat exchange
tubes 1A configured to form a first circuit, and second heat
exchange tubes 1B configured to form a second circuit.
[0034] According to embodiments of the present invention, the first
circuit and the second circuit may be two circuits connected in
parallel and are independent of each other. The first circuit has a
greater heat exchange capability than the second circuit. For
example, the first heat exchange tubes 1A have a greater total heat
exchange capability than the second heat exchange tubes 1B.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 to 11, the heat exchanger 100
according to the embodiments of the present invention further
includes first fins 2, at least a portion of each of which extends
in a first direction D1, which are arranged in a row in a second
direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1, and which are
arranged alternately with the heat exchange tubes 1. Thereby, for
example, if one of two circuits of a two-circuit air-conditioning
system is turned off, at least some of fins for the one circuit may
be used for the other circuit to improve a heat exchange efficiency
of the heat exchanger. In some examples of the present invention,
the first heat exchange tubes 1A include a plurality of first heat
exchange tube sets, the second heat exchange tubes 1B include a
plurality of second heat exchange tube sets, and the plurality of
first heat exchange tube sets and the plurality of second heat
exchange tube sets are arranged alternately in the second direction
D2. The plurality of first heat exchange tube sets may have the
same number or different numbers of first heat exchange tubes 1A.
The plurality of second heat exchange tube sets may have the same
number or different numbers of second heat exchange tubes 1B.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, in some embodiments of the
present invention, a heat exchange capability between the first
heat exchange tubes 1A and the fins is greater than a heat exchange
capability between the second heat exchange tubes 1B and the fins.
In the present embodiment, a heat exchange capability between the
first heat exchange tubes 1A and the first fins 2 is greater than a
heat exchange capability between the second heat exchange tubes 1B
and the first fins 2. For example, the different heat exchange
capabilities of the first heat exchange tubes 1A and the second
heat exchange tubes 1B become advantageous when refrigerant
circuits and associated compression systems have different sizes
and capacities to allow for a capacity modulation and an unloading
at different stages.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, in some embodiments of the
present invention, the first heat exchange tubes 1A and the second
heat exchange tubes 1B are arranged alternately in the second
direction D2. In other embodiments of the present invention, first
heat exchange tube sets each composed of at least one (one, two,
three or more) of the first heat exchange tubes 1A, and second heat
exchange tube sets each composed of at least one (one, two, three
or more) of the second heat exchange tubes 1B are arranged
alternately in the second direction D2. In other words, a plurality
of first heat exchange tube sets and a plurality of second heat
exchange tube sets are arranged alternately. The heat exchange tube
1 may be a flat tube. A number of the first heat exchange tubes 1A
is greater than a number of the second heat exchange tubes 1B, the
first heat exchange tube 1A has a greater length than the second
heat exchange tube 1B, the first heat exchange tube 1A has a
greater width than the second heat exchange tube 1B, the first heat
exchange tube 1A has a greater thickness than the second heat
exchange tube 1B, and/or a total cross sectional area of internal
channels of the first heat exchange tube 1A is greater than a total
cross sectional area of internal channels of the second heat
exchange tube 1B. According to examples of the present invention,
the first heat exchange tubes 1A, the second heat exchange tubes
1B, and the first fins 2 are aligned, on at least one side in a
third direction D3 perpendicular to both the first direction D1 and
the second direction D2, with one another in the second direction
D2.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 11, in some embodiments of the
present invention, the heat exchange tube 1 may be a flat tube. A
number of the first heat exchange tubes 1A is greater than a number
of the second heat exchange tubes 1B, the first heat exchange tube
1A has a greater width than the second heat exchange tube 1B, the
first heat exchange tube 1A has a greater thickness than the second
heat exchange tube 1B, and/or a total cross sectional area of
internal channels of the first heat exchange tube 1A is greater
than a total cross sectional area of internal channels of the
second heat exchange tube 1B. According to examples of the present
invention, the first heat exchange tubes 1A, the second heat
exchange tubes 1B, and the first fins 2 are aligned, on at least
one side in a third direction D3 perpendicular to both the first
direction D1 and the second direction D2, with one another in the
second direction D2.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 to 11, in some embodiments
of the present invention, the first fin 2 has a same size in the
third direction D3 perpendicular to both the first direction D1 and
the second direction D2 as a bigger one of a portion of the first
heat exchange tube 1A in contact with the first fin 2 and a portion
of the second heat exchange tube 1B in contact with the first fin
2. Thereby, both the first heat exchange tube 1A and the second
heat exchange tube 1B are in contact with the first fin 2 over
their entire sizes (for example their entire widths) in the third
direction D3.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 5, in some embodiments of the present
invention, the heat exchange tubes 1 are arranged in the second
direction D2 such that a plurality of same repeating units 20 are
arranged in the second direction D2, each of the repeating units 20
is composed of a predetermined number of heat exchange tubes 1, and
in each of the repeating units 20, the first heat exchange tubes 1A
and the second heat exchange tubes 1B are arranged alternately in
the second direction D2. For example, each of the repeating units
20 is composed of three first heat exchange tubes 1A and two second
heat exchange tubes 1B, and each of the two second heat exchange
tubes 1B is located between two adjacent ones of the three first
heat exchange tubes 1A; each of the repeating units 20 is composed
of two first heat exchange tubes 1A and one second heat exchange
tube 1B, and the one second heat exchange tube 1B is located
between the two first heat exchange tubes 1A; or each of the
repeating units 20 is composed of four first heat exchange tubes 1A
and three second heat exchange tubes 1B, and each of the three
second heat exchange tubes 1B is located between two adjacent ones
of the four first heat exchange tubes 1A. The first heat exchange
tube 1A and the second heat exchange tube 1B are heat exchange
tubes of the same type. Alternatively, the first heat exchange tube
1A and the second heat exchange tube 1B may be heat exchange tubes
of different types. In this way, for example, a ratio of the heat
exchange capability between the first heat exchange tubes 1A and
the first fins 2 to the heat exchange capability between the second
heat exchange tubes 1B and the first fins 2 may be 2:1, 3:2, 4:3,
or the like. In this way, a heat exchange capability of the first
fins 2 can be utilized to the utmost extent, while achieving
various ratios of the heat exchange capability between the first
heat exchange tubes 1A and the first fins 2 to the heat exchange
capability between the second heat exchange tubes 1B and the first
fins 2.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, in some embodiments of the present
invention, the first heat exchange tube 1A includes: a first heat
exchange tube part 1A1 and a second heat exchange tube part 1A2
arranged in the third direction D3 perpendicular to both the first
direction D1 and the second direction D2; and a connection part 1A3
connecting and fluidly communicating the first heat exchange tube
part 1A1 and the second heat exchange tube part 1A2 with each
other. The first heat exchange tube part 1A1 and the second heat
exchange tube part 1A2 are in contact with a same first fin 2
located on one side of the first heat exchange tube part 1A1 and
the second heat exchange tube part 1A2 in the second direction D2
and are in contact with a same first fin 2 located on the other
side of the first heat exchange tube part 1A1 and the second heat
exchange tube part 1A2 in the second direction D2. For example, the
first heat exchange tube part 1A1, the second heat exchange tube
part 1A2, and the connection part 1A3 of the first heat exchange
tube 1A may be formed by bending a single heat exchange tube.
[0041] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the heat exchanger 100
further includes: first fins 2, at least a portion of each of which
extends in the first direction D1, and which are arranged in a row
in the second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1;
and second fins, at least a portion of each of which extends in the
first direction D1, and which are arranged in a row in the second
direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. The first
heat exchange tube 1A includes: a first heat exchange tube part 1A1
and a second heat exchange tube part 1A2 arranged in the third
direction D3 perpendicular to both the first direction D1 and the
second direction D2; and a connection part 1A3 connecting and
fluidly communicating the first heat exchange tube part 1A1 and the
second heat exchange tube part 1A2 with each other. The first fins
2 and a first set of heat exchange tubes 1 composed of both the
first heat exchange tube parts 1A1 and the second heat exchange
tubes 1B are arranged alternately in a row in the second direction
D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1, and the second fins and
a second set of heat exchange tubes 1 composed of the second heat
exchange tube parts 1A2 are arranged alternately in a row in the
second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. A
height of the second fin in the second direction D2 is
substantially equal to a distance between two adjacent second heat
exchange tube parts 1A2, and is greater than a height of the first
fin 2 in the second direction D2. In other words, in the present
embodiment, the first heat exchange tube 1A has a greater length
than the second heat exchange tube 1B, thereby achieving different
heat exchange capabilities of different circulation circuits. In
addition to the achievement of the different heat exchange
capabilities of the different circulation circuits, an installation
space for the heat exchanger is sufficiently utilized. The heat
exchanger is obviously superior in heat exchange capability to a
single-row heat exchanger. The first heat exchange tube parts 1A1
and the second heat exchange tube parts 1A2 may be substantially
parallel to one another, and may be substantially parallel to the
second heat exchange tubes 1B.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6 to 11, in some embodiments
of the present invention, the heat exchanger 100 further includes:
first manifolds 3A respectively disposed at two ends of each of the
first heat exchange tubes 1A; and second manifolds 3B respectively
disposed at two ends of each of the second heat exchange tubes
1B.
[0043] According to embodiments of the present invention, referring
to FIGS. 6 to 11, the heat exchanger 100 further includes: first
fins 2, at least a portion of each of which extends in a first
direction D1, which are arranged in a row in a second direction D2
perpendicular to the first direction D1, and which are arranged
alternately with the heat exchange tubes 1. The heat exchanger 100
is bent in an L shape (FIGS. 6 and 7), a U shape (FIGS. 10 and 11),
or a C shape (FIGS. 8 and 9) when viewed in the second direction D2
(i.e. when viewed in a top view). In addition, the heat exchanger
100 may be bent in any other shape such as a V shape.
[0044] According to the embodiments of the present invention, at
least some of the plurality of first fins 2 are shared by the first
heat exchange tubes 1A and the second heat exchange tubes 1B.
Therefore, if one of two circuits of a two-circuit air-conditioning
system is turned off, at least some of the first fins for the one
circuit may be used for the other circuit to improve a heat
exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.
[0045] According to embodiments of the present invention, referring
to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the first heat exchange tubes 1A and the
second heat exchange tubes 1B are arranged alternately in the
second direction D2. The heat exchange tube 1 is a flat tube, and
the first heat exchange tube 1A has a greater width than the second
heat exchange tube 1B. According to examples of the present
invention, the first heat exchange tubes 1A, the second heat
exchange tubes 1B, and the first fins 2 are aligned, on at least
one side in a third direction D3 perpendicular to both the first
direction D1 and the second direction D2, with one another in the
second direction D2. If a flat tube having a small width which is
easily bent is used, a manifold having a small diameter may be
used, thereby greatly saving a cost. In addition, an existing flat
tube may be used without needing a flat tube having a new
specification. For example, a ratio of the width of the first heat
exchange tube 1A to the width of the second heat exchange tube 1B
is 2:1. Thereby, the ratio of the heat exchange capability between
the first heat exchange tubes 1A and the first fins 2 to the heat
exchange capability between the second heat exchange tubes 1B and
the first fins 2 is 2:1.
[0046] According to the embodiments of the present invention, the
heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger in the part load
condition is improved, the heat exchanger can maintain an enough
flow rate of a refrigerant for returning an oil in the part load
condition, and in the case where one circuit fails, the
air-conditioning system can continue to operate through another
circuit.
[0047] According to the embodiments of the present invention, the
heat exchanger is more compact. In addition, the first heat
exchange tubes 1A and the second heat exchange tubes 1B are
arranged alternately to the utmost extent, while achieving heat
exchange capabilities of two circulation circuits which are
different in ratio.
[0048] In addition, the above embodiments of the present invention
may be combined into new embodiments.
[0049] While the present disclosure has been illustrated and
described with respect to a particular embodiment thereof, it
should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that
various modifications to this disclosure may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
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