Plate heat exchanger with improved connection strength

Abstract

A plate heat exchanger includes a number of first heat exchange plates and a number of second heat exchange plates. The plate heat exchanger has a first inter-plate channel and a second inter-plate channel. The first inter-plate channel is located between a front surface of the second heat exchange plate and an adjacent first heat exchange plate. The second inter-plate channel is located between a back surface of the second heat exchange plate and another adjacent first heat exchange plate. The first heat exchange plate has a first flat joint portion and a second flat joint portion. The front surface of the second flat joint portion is spaced apart from an adjacent first flat joint portion. The plate heat exchanger includes at least one connection portion connecting the front surface of the second flat joint portion and the adjacent first flat joint portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plate heat exchanger, comprising:
 a plurality of plates stacked along a thickness direction of the plate heat exchanger; the plurality of plates comprising a plurality of first heat exchange plates and a plurality of second heat exchange plates; the first heat exchange plate and the second heat exchange plate being disposed alternately along the thickness direction of the plate heat exchanger;   wherein the plate heat exchanger has a first inter-plate channel and a second inter-plate channel; the first inter-plate channel is located between a front surface of a corresponding second heat exchange plate and a corresponding first heat exchange plate disposed adjacent to the corresponding second heat exchange plate along the thickness direction of the plate heat exchanger; the second inter-plate channel is located between a back surface of the corresponding second heat exchange plate and another corresponding first heat exchange plate disposed adjacent to the corresponding second heat exchange plate along the thickness direction of the plate heat exchanger;   each first heat exchange plate and each second heat exchange plate have first corner holes corresponding with each other and communicating with the first inter-plate channel; the first heat exchange plate has a first flat joint portion in which the first corner hole of the first heat exchange plate is located; the second heat exchange plate has a second flat joint portion in which the first corner hole of the second heat exchange plate is located; a front surface of the second flat joint portion is at least partially spaced from an adjacent first flat joint portion; a back surface of the second flat joint portion is at least partially connected to another adjacent first flat joint portion;   each first heat exchange plate and each second heat exchange plate have second corner holes corresponding with each other and communicating with the first inter-plate channel; on a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the plate heat exchanger, a projected area of at least one of the first flat joint portion and the second flat joint portion is larger than a projected area of a flat joint portion of the first heat exchange plate on a peripheral side of the second corner hole;   the projected area of at least one of the first flat joint portion and the second flat joint portion is larger than a projected area of a flat joint portion of the second heat exchange plate on a peripheral side of the second corner hole;   the plate heat exchanger comprises at least one connection portion which connects the front surface of the second flat joint portion and the adjacent first flat joint portion.   
     
     
         2 . The plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection portion comprises a boss which is provided on at least one of the first flat joint portion and the second flat joint portion; the boss protrudes toward the first inter-plate channel; the boss has a first contact surface; a width of the first contact surface is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection portion comprises a connection block located in the first inter-plate channel; the connection block is connected to the first flat joint portion and the second flat joint portion which are located on two sides of the first inter-plate channel; the connection block has a second contact surface; a width of the second contact surface is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate heat exchanger has a flange, and a circulation gap is formed between the connection portion and the flange. 
     
     
         5 . The plate heat exchanger according to  claim 4 , wherein the flange comprises a first side and a second side; on the peripheral side of the first corner hole, an edge of the second inter-plate channel extends to the first side and the second side;
 an area among the edge of the second inter-plate channel, the first side and an edge of the first corner hole is defined as a first area, wherein at least one connection portion is located in the first area; and/or, an area among the edge of the second inter-plate channel, the second side and the edge of the first corner hole is defined as a second area, wherein at least one connection portion is located in the second area;   the edge of the second inter-plate channel is a boundary of the first flat joint portion and the second flat joint portion, and located adjacent to a side of the second inter-plate channel.   
     
     
         6 . The plate heat exchanger according to  claim 5 , wherein a length of the first side is greater than a length of the second side; the edge of the second inter-plate channel is located in a direction from the first side to the second side, vertical distances from points on the edge of the second inter-plate channel to the second side decrease;
 the edge of the second inter-plate channel and the first side form a first comprised angle; an opening angle of the first comprised angle faces the first corner hole; wherein 10°≤the first comprised angle≤30°;   the edge of the second inter-plate channel and the second side form a second comprised angle; an opening angle of the second comprised angle faces the first corner hole; wherein 70°≤the second comprised angle≤90°;   a minimum distance from the edge of the second inter-plate channel to the edge of the first corner hole is greater than or equal to 2 mm.   
     
     
         7 . The plate heat exchanger according to  claim 6 , wherein the first heat exchange plate and the second heat exchange plate are corrugated plates; the first heat exchange plate has a first corrugation extending to an edge of the first flat joint portion; the second heat exchange plate has a second corrugation extending to an edge of the second flat joint portion;
 the first heat exchange plate and the second heat exchange plate have third corner holes corresponding with each other and communicating with the second inter-plate channel; the first heat exchange plate and the second heat exchange plate have fourth corner holes corresponding with each other and communicating with the second inter-plate channel;   an orifice area of the first corner hole is smaller than an orifice area of any one of the second corner hole, the third corner hole and the fourth corner hole;   a contact area of the first flat joint portion and the second flat joint portion is larger than a contact area of any one of a flat joint portion on a peripheral side of the second corner hole, the third corner hole and the fourth corner hole.   
     
     
         8 . The plate heat exchanger according to  claim 6 , wherein the first inter-plate channel and the second inter-plate channel are provided and alternately distributed along the thickness direction of the plate heat exchanger; the first inter-plate channels are configured to circulate a refrigerant; the first corner holes are configured to allow the refrigerant to flow into the first inter-plate channels; the second inter-plate channels are not in fluid communication with the first inter-plate channels; a volume of each first inter-plate channel is greater than or smaller than a volume of each second inter-plate channel. 
     
     
         9 . The plate heat exchanger according to  claim 7 , wherein the first corner hole and the second corner hole are distributed diagonally; the third corner hole and the fourth corner hole are distributed diagonally;
 the first heat exchange plate comprises a third flat joint portion located on a peripheral side of the fourth corner hole of the first heat exchange plate; the second heat exchange plate comprises a fourth flat joint portion located on a peripheral side of the fourth corner hole of the second heat exchange plate; the plate heat exchanger comprises a first blocking portion located at a corner of the second inter-plate channel on the peripheral side of the fourth corner hole; the first blocking portion comprises a first protrusion which is provided on at least one of the third flat joint portion and the fourth flat joint portion; the first protrusion protrudes toward the second inter-plate channel;   the first heat exchange plate comprises a fifth flat joint portion located on a peripheral side of the third corner hole of the first heat exchange plate; the second heat exchange plate comprises a sixth flat joint portion located on the peripheral side of the third corner hole of the second heat exchange plate; the plate heat exchanger comprises a second blocking portion located at a corner of the second inter-plate channel on the peripheral side of the third corner hole; the second blocking portion comprises a second protrusion which is provided on at least one of the fifth flat joint portion and the sixth flat joint portion; the second protrusion protrudes toward the second inter-plate channel; the third corner hole and the first corner hole are distributed along a length direction of the second side.   
     
     
         10 . The plate heat exchanger according to  claim 9 , wherein the second inter-plate channel comprises a flow guide channel which is located at the corner of the second inter-plate channel on the peripheral side of the second corner hole;
 the plate heat exchanger comprises a distribution portion; the distribution portion defines a distribution hole communicating with the first corner hole and the first inter-plate channel;   the distribution portion is provided on at least one of the first flat joint portion and the second flat joint portion; or the distribution portion is located between the first flat joint portion and the second flat joint portion.   
     
     
         11 . A plate heat exchanger, comprising:
 a plurality of plates stacked along a thickness direction of the plate heat exchanger; the plurality of plates comprising a plurality of first heat exchange plates and a plurality of second heat exchange plates; the first heat exchange plate and the second heat exchange plate being disposed alternately along the thickness direction of the plate heat exchanger;   wherein the plate heat exchanger has a first inter-plate channel configured to circulate a refrigerant and a second inter-plate channel configured to circulate a heat exchange medium; the first inter-plate channel is not in fluid communication with the second inter-plate channel; the first inter-plate channel is located between a front surface of a corresponding second heat exchange plate and a corresponding first heat exchange plate disposed adjacent to the corresponding second heat exchange plate along the thickness direction of the plate heat exchanger; the second inter-plate channel is located between a back surface of the corresponding second heat exchange plate and another corresponding first heat exchange plate disposed adjacent to the corresponding second heat exchange plate along the thickness direction of the plate heat exchanger;   each first heat exchange plate and each second heat exchange plate have first corner holes corresponding with each other and communicating with the first inter-plate channel; the first heat exchange plate has a first flat joint portion in which the first corner hole of the first heat exchange plate is located; the second heat exchange plate has a second flat joint portion in which the first corner hole of the second heat exchange plate is located; a front surface of the second flat joint portion is at least partially spaced from an adjacent first flat joint portion; a back surface of the second flat joint portion is at least partially connected to another adjacent first flat joint portion;   each first heat exchange plate and each second heat exchange plate have second corner holes corresponding with each other and communicating with the first inter-plate channel;   the plate heat exchanger comprises a plurality of connection blocks which are independent components before being assembled and connected to the plurality of first heat exchange plates and the plurality of second heat exchange plates; each connection block connects the front surface of the second flat joint portion and the adjacent first flat joint portion.   
     
     
         12 . The plate heat exchanger according to  claim 11 , wherein each connection block is located in the first inter-plate channel; the connection block is connected to the first flat joint portion and the second flat joint portion which are located on two sides of the first inter-plate channel; the connection block has a second contact surface; a width of the second contact surface is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The plate heat exchanger according to  claim 11 , wherein the plate heat exchanger has a flange, and a circulation gap is formed between the connection portion and the flange. 
     
     
         14 . The plate heat exchanger according to  claim 13 , wherein the flange comprises a first side and a second side; on the peripheral side of the first corner hole, an edge of the second inter-plate channel connects the first side and the second side;
 an area among the edge of the second inter-plate channel, the first side and an edge of the first corner hole is defined as a first area, wherein at least one connection portion is located in the first area; and/or, an area among the edge of the second inter-plate channel, the second side and the edge of the first corner hole is defined as a second area, wherein at least one connection portion is located in the second area;   the edge of the second inter-plate channel is a boundary of the first flat joint portion and the second flat joint portion, and located adjacent to a side of the second inter-plate channel.   
     
     
         15 . The plate heat exchanger according to  claim 14 , wherein a length of the first side is greater than a length of the second side; the edge of the second inter-plate channel is located in a direction from the first side to the second side; vertical distances from points on the edge of the second inter-plate channel to the second side decrease;
 the edge of the second inter-plate channel and the first side form a first comprised angle; an opening angle of the first comprised angle faces the first corner hole; wherein 10°≤the first comprised angle≤30°;   the edge of the second inter-plate channel and the second side form a second comprised angle; an opening angle of the second comprised angle faces the first corner hole; wherein 70°≤the second comprised angle≤90°;   a minimum distance from the edge of the second inter-plate channel to the edge of the first corner hole is greater than or equal to 2 mm.   
     
     
         16 . The plate heat exchanger according to  claim 15 , wherein the first heat exchange plate and the second heat exchange plate are corrugated plates; the first heat exchange plate has a first corrugation extending to an edge of the first flat joint portion; the second heat exchange plate has a second corrugation extending to an edge of the second flat joint portion;
 the first heat exchange plate and the second heat exchange plate have third corner holes corresponding with each other and communicating with the second inter-plate channel; the first heat exchange plate and the second heat exchange plate have fourth corner holes corresponding with each other and communicating with the second inter-plate channel;   an orifice area of the first corner hole is smaller than an orifice area of any one of the second corner hole, the third corner hole and the fourth corner hole;   a contact area of the first flat joint portion and the second flat joint portion is larger than a contact area of any one of a flat joint portion on a peripheral side of the second corner hole, the third corner hole and the fourth corner hole.   
     
     
         17 . The plate heat exchanger according to  claim 15 , wherein a first inter-plate channel and a second inter-plate channel are provided and alternately distributed along the thickness direction of the plate heat exchanger; the first corner holes are configured to allow the refrigerant to flow into the first inter-plate channels; a volume of each first inter-plate channel is greater than or smaller than a volume of each second inter-plate channel. 
     
     
         18 . The plate heat exchanger according to  claim 16 , wherein the first corner hole and the second corner hole are distributed diagonally; the third corner hole and the fourth corner hole are distributed diagonally;
 the first heat exchange plate comprises a third flat joint portion located on a peripheral side of the fourth corner hole of the first heat exchange plate; the second heat exchange plate comprises a fourth flat joint portion located on a peripheral side of the fourth corner hole of the second heat exchange plate; the plate heat exchanger comprises a first blocking portion located at a corner of the second inter-plate channel on the peripheral side of the fourth corner hole; the first blocking portion comprises a first protrusion which is provided on at least one of the third flat joint portion and the fourth flat joint portion; the first protrusion protrudes toward the second inter-plate channel;   the first heat exchange plate comprises a fifth flat joint portion located on a peripheral side of the third corner hole of the first heat exchange plate; the second heat exchange plate comprises a sixth flat joint portion located on the peripheral side of the third corner hole of the second heat exchange plate; the plate heat exchanger comprises a second blocking portion located at a corner of the second inter-plate channel on the peripheral side of the third corner hole; the second blocking portion comprises a second protrusion which is provided on at least one of the fifth flat joint portion and the sixth flat joint portion; the second protrusion protrudes toward the second inter-plate channel; the third corner hole and the first corner hole are distributed along a length direction of the second side.   
     
     
         19 . The plate heat exchanger according to  claim 18 , wherein the second inter-plate channel comprises a flow guide channel which is located at the corner of the second inter-plate channel on the peripheral side of the second corner hole;
 the plate heat exchanger comprises a distribution portion; the distribution portion defines a distribution hole communicating with the first corner hole and the first inter-plate channel;   the distribution portion is provided on at least one of the first flat joint portion and the second flat joint portion; or the distribution portion is located between the first flat joint portion and the second flat joint portion.