HEAT EXCHANGE PLATE AND HEAT EXCHANGER INCLUDING HEAT EXCHANGE PLATE

A heat exchange plate which includes: a base board, where the base board includes a first edge along a first direction and a second edge along a second direction, and the first direction and the second direction are different directions; first flow guiders, where the first flow guiders are disposed on the base board, and are configured to guide flowing of air flows, where a plurality of the first flow guiders are arranged along the first direction at intervals into one column, and a plurality of columns of the first flow guiders are arranged along the second direction at intervals; and supporting structures, where the supporting structures are disposed on the base board, the supporting structures extend along the first direction, and the supporting structures and each column of the first flow guiders are arranged alternately along the second direction at intervals.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to heat exchanger technologies, such as a heat exchange plate and a heat exchanger including the heat exchange plate.

BACKGROUND

With the development of artificial intelligence technologies and the advent of the big data era, data centers need to process a surge of data, and devices used for data processing release more heat energy. How to reduce heat of a data center becomes a problem that urgently needs to be resolved.

In a conventional technology, a plate heat exchanger may be used to implement exchange between a hot air flow released by a device in a data center and an external cold air flow. In the plate heat exchanger, surface characteristics (for example, a surface pattern and pattern arrangement) of a heat exchange plate affect heat exchange efficiency of air passages on two sides of the heat exchanger.

In a related technology, convex hull structures may be formed on a surface of the heat exchange plate to increase a heat transfer coefficient of the heat exchange plate. The convex hull structures may include vertical-bar-shaped convex hulls or circular convex hulls arranged in an array. The convex hull structures may be arranged in a sparse or dense manner. When the convex hull structures are arranged in a sparse arrangement manner, air flow distribution may be uneven, and a utilization rate of the heat exchange plate is reduced. When the convex hull structures are arranged in the dense manner, flow resistance of air flows is increased, and consequently, a flow speed of the air flows is reduced. Further, flow efficiency is reduced. In conclusion, how to improve heat exchange efficiency of a heat exchanger for air flows becomes a problem.

SUMMARY

According to a heat exchange plate provided, heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange plate for air flows can be improved by disposing first flow guiders or a combination of the first flow guiders and second flow guiders.

To resolve the foregoing problems, the following solutions may be used.

According to a first aspect, an embodiment may provide a heat exchange plate, including: a base board, where the base board includes a first edge along a first direction and a second edge along a second direction, and the first direction and the second direction are different directions; first flow guiders, where the first flow guiders are disposed on the base board, and are configured to guide flowing of air flows, where a plurality of the first flow guiders are arranged along the first direction at intervals into one column, and a plurality of columns of the first flow guiders are arranged along the second direction at intervals; and supporting structures, where the supporting structures are disposed on the base board, the supporting structures extend along the first direction, and the supporting structures and each column of the first flow guiders are arranged alternately along the second direction at intervals.

By forming the first flow guiders and the supporting structures on a surface of the base board, air passing through a heat exchanger can be guided so that air flows flow along a flow guide direction. In addition, the heat exchange plate can be further evenly separated into a plurality of cavities, so that the air flows can be evenly limited in the cavities, to avoid uneven distribution of the air flows on the heat exchange plate and improve a utilization rate of the heat exchange plate, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the heat exchange plate further includes second flow guiders disposed on the base board; and the first flow guiders and the second flow guiders are arranged along the first direction at intervals into one column, to form a plurality of columns of flow guider groups arranged along the second direction, where location arrangements of the first flow guiders and the second flow guiders in each column of the flow guider groups are the same.

The flow guider groups including the first flow guiders and the second flow guiders, may be disposed, so that the air flows can form vortexes at some positions of the heat exchange plate, thereby increasing a contact area between the air flows and the heat exchange plate. In this way, heat exchange between the air flows and the heat exchange plate can be performed sufficiently, thereby improving an air flow exchange effect.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, along the second direction, the flow guider groups are axis-symmetrically arranged in pairs; and in the flow guider groups in pairs, first flow guiders and second flow guiders in one column of the flow guider groups extend along a third direction, and first flow guiders and second flow guiders in the other column of the flow guider groups extend along a fourth direction, and the first direction, the second direction, the third direction, and the fourth direction are different directions.

The flow guider groups may be axis-symmetrically arranged in pairs, so that the air flows can flow along a same direction, to avoid uneven distribution of the air flows in flow passages and between third convex hulls caused by the air flows flowing along a plurality of directions, thereby improving evenness of air flow distribution, and further improving a heat exchange effect.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the flow guider groups in pairs and the supporting structures are arranged alternately along the second direction at intervals.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the heat exchange plate further includes third flow guiders disposed on the base board; and the first flow guiders and the third flow guiders are arranged along the first direction at intervals into one column, to form a plurality of columns of flow guider groups arranged along the second direction, where location arrangements of the first flow guiders and the third flow guiders in adjacent columns of the flow guider groups are different.

The flow guider groups may include the first flow guiders and the third flow guiders are disposed, so that the air flows can form vortexes when flowing through gaps between the convex hulls, to increase the contact area between the air flows and the heat exchange plate, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the first flow guiders extend along the first direction, the third flow guiders extend along a third direction, and the first direction and the third direction are different directions.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the first flow guiders and the supporting structures separately protrude toward different surfaces of the base board.

The first flow guiders and the supporting structures may separately protrude toward different surfaces of the base board, so that the air flows can exchange heat on two surfaces of the heat exchange plate, thereby reducing a quantity of heat exchange plates required in the heat exchanger and reducing manufacturing costs of the heat exchanger.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, a reinforcing structure is connected between every two of the first flow guiders arranged at intervals.

The reinforcing structure is disposed between every two flow guiders, so that the first flow guiders are more stable. This helps improve stability of the heat exchange plate, and further helps improve heat exchange performance of the heat exchange plate.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, positioning bosses are further disposed on the base board.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the heat exchange plate further includes a plurality of positioning bosses configured to assemble the heat exchange plate with an adjacent heat exchange plate, and the plurality of positioning bosses are disposed on the base board.

The positioning bosses may be disposed on the base board, so that assembly between the heat exchange plates can be facilitated, thereby further improving stability between the heat exchange plates, and making the heat exchanger more secure.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, a pattern formed by an orthographic projection of the first flow guider onto the base board includes at least one of the following: a circle, an oval, a water drop, a strip, and a triangle.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the base board, the first flow guiders, and the supporting structures are integrally formed; and a material forming the heat exchange plate includes at least one of the following: a metal material and a non-metal material.

According to a second aspect, an embodiment provides a heat exchanger, including a plurality of heat exchange plates according to the first aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following describes the solutions in embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is clear that the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope.

“First”, “second”, or the like does not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but is used only for distinguishing between different components. Likewise, “a/an”, “one”, or the like does not indicate a quantity limitation either but is intended to indicate that at least one exists. “Connection”, “link”, or the like is not limited to a physical or mechanical connection, but may include an electrical connection, whether directly or indirectly.

“Unit” mentioned herein may be a functional structure that is divided based on logic, and the “unit” may be implemented only by hardware or implemented by a combination of hardware and software.

In addition, in embodiments, the word “example” or “for example” is used to represent giving an example, an illustration, or a description. Any embodiment described as an “example” or “for example” should not be explained as being more preferred or having more advantageous than another embodiment. Use of the word such as “example” or “for example” is intended to present a related concept in a manner.

In the description of embodiments, unless otherwise stated, “a plurality of” means two or more than two. For example, a plurality of processing units are two or more processing units. A plurality of systems are two or more systems.

To make the objectives, solutions, and advantages clearer, the following clearly and completely describes the solutions with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is clear that the described embodiments are merely a part rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on embodiments without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of the described embodiments.

FIG. 1ais a schematic diagram of a surface structure of a heat exchange plate in a conventional technology. As shown inFIG. 1a, the heat exchange plate in the conventional technology includes elongated convex hulls101and convex hulls102that are arranged in a crisscross manner. The convex hulls101form protrusions on a first surface S1shown inFIG. 1a, and form recesses in a second surface opposite to the first surface S1. The convex hulls102form recesses in the first surface S1shown inFIG. 1a, and form protrusions on the second surface opposite to the first surface S1. It can be learned fromFIG. 1athat, the elongated convex hulls101and102are arranged densely. The densely arranged convex hulls can enable heat exchange to be performed sufficiently between air flows and the heat exchange plate, to increase a heat transfer coefficient of the heat exchange plate. However, because the convex hulls are arranged densely, flow resistance of the air flows greatly increases, further limiting a fluid flow speed. Consequently, an air flow heat exchange speed of a data center is reduced.

FIG. 1bis a schematic diagram of a surface structure of another heat exchange plate in the conventional technology. As shown inFIG. 1b, a surface of the heat exchange plate includes a plurality of circular convex hulls arranged in an array. It can be learned fromFIG. 1bthat, there are large intervals between rows or columns of the convex hulls. The surface of the heat exchange plate may be designed with convex hulls of this shape, so that the fluid flow speed can be increased. However, sparse convex hulls reduce a heat transfer coefficient of the surface of the heat exchange plate. Consequently, heat exchange efficiency between cold air flows and hot air flows is reduced.

Based on problems of the surface structures of the foregoing existing heat exchange plates, a heat exchange plate and a heat exchanger may include the heat exchange plate. Air flows are guided by disposed first flow guiders and supporting structures, to improve heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger, and reduce air flow resistance.

It should be noted first that, the flow guider may include one convex hull (for example, a convex hull2011shown inFIG. 2or a convex hull20131shown inFIG. 8), or may further include a plurality of convex hulls (for example, a flow guider201shown inFIG. 2) along a second direction in embodiments shown inFIG. 2,FIG. 5, andFIG. 14, or may include a pair of convex hulls (for example, a third convex hull2013shown inFIG. 8) along a first direction in embodiments shown inFIG. 8,FIG. 10,FIG. 11, andFIG. 12, or may include a plurality of convex hull pairs (for example, a flow guider201shown inFIG. 8) along a second direction in embodiments shown inFIG. 8,FIG. 10,FIG. 11, andFIG. 12.

FIG. 2is a schematic diagram of a surface structure of a heat exchange plate according to an embodiment. InFIG. 2, the heat exchange plate20includes a base board21and flow guiders201and supporting structures202that are formed on the base board21.

The base board21includes a first edge B1and a second edge B2that are along a first direction x and a third edge B3and a fourth edge B4that are along a second direction y. The first direction x is a horizontal direction, and the second direction y is a vertical direction. The base board21further includes a first surface S1and a second surface opposite to the first surface S1. The second surface is not shown inFIG. 2.

The flow guider201includes a plurality of convex hulls2011arranged along the second direction y at intervals. A pattern formed by an orthographic projection of the convex hull2011onto the base board21may include but not limited to an oval, a water drop, a strip, and a triangle. The plurality of convex hulls2011may have same or different shapes or may have same or different sizes.FIG. 2schematically shows a case in which the pattern formed by the orthographic projection of the convex hull2011onto the base board21is an oval.

The supporting structure202extends along the second direction y. Herein, the supporting structures may alternatively be referred to as supporting convex hulls because the supporting structures protrude outwards relative to the base board21. As shown inFIG. 2, the supporting structure may extend from a side on which the first edge B1is located to a side on which the second edge B2is located. By setting the supporting structure202into a shape shown inFIG. 2, structural strength of a heat exchanger formed by stacking and assembling a plurality of heat exchange plates20can be increased.

It should be noted herein that, along the second direction y, the supporting structure may alternatively be a plurality of elongated convex hulls arranged at intervals, and an arrangement manner of the plurality of elongated convex hulls included in the supporting structure may be the same as an arrangement manner of the convex hulls in the flow guider201. In other words, the supporting structure202shown inFIG. 2is divided into three to five sections, and a gap is disposed between every two of the sections. The supporting structure in this case is not shown again in the figure.

In the heat exchange plate20shown inFIG. 2, the flow guiders201including a plurality of convex hulls2011arranged at intervals and the supporting structures202including supporting convex hulls are disposed alternately along the first direction x at intervals. Intervals between the flow guiders along the first direction x may be equal. In this way, the heat exchange plate is evenly separated into a plurality of cavities. The side on which the second edge B2of the heat exchange plate20is located may be an air inlet, and external air flows flow from the side of B2to the side of B1. By disposing the supporting structures202, the air flows can be evenly limited in the cavities, to avoid uneven distribution of the air flows on the heat exchange plate and improve a utilization rate of the heat exchange plate, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency.

In the heat exchange plate20shown inFIG. 2, the flow guiders201and the supporting structures202may be formed on a same surface, for example, on the first surface S1. In other words, the convex hulls of the flow guiders201and the convex hulls of the supporting structures202protrude toward a same direction.FIG. 3shows a cross-sectional view of the heat exchange plate20along AA′.

In a possible implementation, the flow guiders201and the supporting structures202may be formed on different surfaces. For example, the flow guiders201are formed on a second surface S2, and the supporting structures202are formed on the first surface S1.FIG. 4schematically shows another cross-sectional view of the heat exchange plate20along AA′.

In this embodiment, the base board21, the flow guiders201, and the supporting structures202may be integrally formed. In other words, the base board21, the flow guiders201, and the supporting structures202are made of a same material. Herein, the material that forms the heat exchange plate20may be a metal material or may be a non-metal material. The metal material includes but is not limited to: aluminum, copper, and an alloy material (for example, an aluminum alloy) obtained by mixing various metal materials. The non-metal material includes but is not limited to PP (Polypropylene, polypropylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PS (polystyrene), PC (polycarbonate), and a material obtained by mixing various non-metal materials based on a proportion.

Because the metal material has high hardness, a height of outward protrusion of the formed convex hulls is limited. In a process of assembling heat exchange plates made of a metal material into a heat exchanger, a large interval may be provided between every two heat exchange plates, the interval may be greater than the height of outward protrusion of the convex hulls and may be twice the height of outward protrusion of the convex hulls. Therefore, when the heat exchange plate is made of a metal material, a structure in the cross-sectional view shown inFIG. 4, namely, the structure in which the flow guiders201are disposed on the second surface S2and the supporting structures202are disposed on the first surface S1, may be preferentially selected. In this way, the structure shown inFIG. 4may enable the interval between every two heat exchange plates to be approximately twice the height of outward protrusion of the convex hulls. In addition, because both the two surfaces of the heat exchange plate have flow guide structures, outdoor fresh air and indoor hot air can exchange heat alternately on the two surfaces of the heat exchange plate, so that a quantity of heat exchange plates required in the heat exchanger is reduced, and manufacturing costs of the heat exchanger are reduced.

The non-metal materials PP, PVC, PS, PC, and the like are all polymer materials, and have characteristics of low hardness and high flexibility compared with metal materials. Therefore, convex hulls formed by using the non-metal materials may have a large thickness of protrusion. Therefore, when the heat exchange plate is made of a non-metal material, the structure in the cross-sectional view shown inFIG. 3may be used. The flow guiders201and the supporting structures202may be disposed on the first surface S1shown inFIG. 3. The structure shown inFIG. 3may enable the interval between every two heat exchange plates to be approximately the height of outward protrusion of the convex hulls. In this way, the flow guiders201and the supporting structures202of the heat exchange plate20are more stable.

In some optional implementations, when the heat exchange plate is manufactured by using a non-metal material, to further improve stability of the heat exchange plate20, reinforcing structures for connecting the convex hulls2011of the flow guiders201may be disposed between the convex hulls2011, where the reinforcing structures are convex hulls2012.FIG. 5is a schematic diagram of a surface structure of another heat exchange plate20according to an embodiment. A projection of the convex hull2012onto a base board21is elongated. Herein, the convex hulls2012have a supporting function for the convex hulls2011. By disposing the convex hulls2012, the convex hulls2011are more stable. This helps improve stability of the heat exchange plate20, and further helps improve heat exchange performance of the heat exchange plate. Herein, to minimize fluid resistance of the heat exchange plate20, a width of the convex hull2012along a first direction x may be less than or equal to a width of the convex hull2011along the first direction x, as shown inFIG. 5. Herein, a ratio of the width of the convex hull2012along the first direction x to the width of the convex hull2011along the first direction x may be within a range of [0.2,1].

In some optional implementations, when the heat exchange plate with the cross-sectional structure shown inFIG. 3is manufactured by using a non-metal material, flow guiders are formed only on one surface of the heat exchange plate20, namely, single-surface convection heat exchange is performed on the heat exchange plate20. Therefore, to improve a heat exchange effect of a heat exchanger, several more heat exchange plates may be added (for example, a quantity of heat exchange plates is doubled) compared with a structure in which flow guiders are formed on two surfaces. In this case, to further improve stability between the heat exchange plates and make the heat exchange plates more secure, bosses203may be disposed on the heat exchange plate20, as shown inFIG. 5. The bosses203are disposed on the base board21. InFIG. 5, the bosses203may be disposed at positions shown inFIG. 5. It should be noted that a quantity of the bosses203is not fixed and is set based on a requirement of an application scenario. For example, in some embodiments, the heat exchange plate may include four bosses, and the four bosses may be bosses at four positions: an upper left corner, a lower left corner, an upper right corner, and a lower right corner, as shown inFIG. 5.

Optionally, the bosses203may be disposed on the supporting structures202.

The bosses203on the heat exchange plate20may be configured to position and assemble the heat exchange plate20with an adjacent heat exchange plate20. On the other surface on which no boss203is disposed and that is of the heat exchange plate20, grooves are further provided at positions the same as the positions of the bosses203. In a process of assembling the heat exchange plates20, bosses203of a first heat exchange plate are embedded into grooves of a second heat exchange plate adjacent to the first heat exchange plate. A depth of the groove may be one third to one half of a thickness of the base board, so that the bosses203of the first heat exchange plate and bosses203of the second heat exchange plate press against each other. A height of unembedded parts of the bosses203is the same as a height of outward protrusion of the convex hulls2011. Therefore, a height of outward protrusion of the bosses203may be a sum of the height of outward protrusion of the convex hulls2011and the depth of the grooves.

In some optional implementations of this embodiment, a thickness of the convex hull2011gradually increases from an edge to the middle. In this optional implementation, an orthographic projection of the convex hull2011onto the base board21is in shapes shown inFIG. 6. It can be learned fromFIG. 6that, the pattern formed by the orthographic projection of the convex hull2011onto the base board21is nesting of two same shapes.

A structure of the convex hull2011in a projection shape shown inFIG. 6is described with reference toFIG. 7by using an oval convex hull as an example.FIG. 7is a schematic diagram of a structure of an oval convex hull. The oval convex hull includes a first surface a1and a second surface a2, where the first surface a1is attached to a first surface S1of the base board21, and the second surface a2is a convex surface. Boundaries of the first surface a1and the second surface a2are both ovals having different sizes and same or similar shapes. In other words, the first surface and the second surface have a same shape. It can be learned fromFIG. 6andFIG. 7that, the oval convex hull gradually protrudes from a bottom part to a top part, so that a cross-sectional view of the oval convex hull is in a shape of a trapezoid. In other words, orthographic projections of the surface a1and the surface a2onto the base board21are similar ovals, and the two ovals have a same axis center, and a long axis of the oval of the surface a1is greater than a long axis of the oval of the surface a2. By setting the convex hull into this shape, flow resistance of air flows can be reduced and a fluid heat exchange speed can be increased.

Structures of an elongated convex hull and a water-drop-shaped convex hull are similar to the structure of the oval convex hull, except that shapes of boundaries surrounding the first surface and the second surface are different. Details are not described herein again.

Continue to refer toFIG. 8.FIG. 8is a schematic diagram of a surface structure of another heat exchange plate according to an embodiment.

InFIG. 8, the heat exchange plate20includes a base board21and flow guiders201formed on the base board21.

The base board21includes a first edge B1and a second edge B2that are along a first direction x and a third edge B3and a fourth edge B4that are along a second direction y. The first direction x is a horizontal direction, and the second direction y is a vertical direction. The base board21further includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface.

The flow guider201includes third convex hulls2013.FIG. 8schematically shows that the flow guider201includes a column of third convex hulls2013along the second direction y. The third convex hull2013includes a convex hull20131and a convex hull20132. The two convex hulls are separated from each other, as shown inFIG. 9a.FIG. 9ais an enlarged schematic diagram of the third convex hull2013. The convex hull20131extends along a third direction m, and the convex hull20132extends along a fourth direction1. Any two of an extending line along the third direction m, an extending line along the fourth direction1, and an extending line along the first direction x intersect with each other. In this case, a column of convex hulls20131arranged along the second direction y may form a flow guider group, and a column of convex hulls20132arranged along the second direction y may form a flow guider group.

The convex hull20131and the convex hull20132may have same or different shapes. Orthographic projections of the convex hull20131and the convex hull20132onto the base board21may be in an elongated shape shown inFIG. 9a. The convex hull20131and the convex hull20132each include two ends, where one end is close to the first edge B1of the base board21and the other end is close to the second edge B2of the base board21. It can be learned fromFIG. 8andFIG. 9athat, a splay shape is formed between the convex hull20131and the convex hull20132. On a side close to the first edge B1of the base board21, two ends of the convex hull20131and the convex hull20132are close to each other, and on a side close to the second edge B2of the base board21, two ends of the convex hull20131and the convex hull20132are far away from each other.

In this embodiment, air flows flow from the second edge B2of the heat exchange plate20to the first edge B1of the heat exchange plate20. When the air flows pass through the third convex hull2013, because two ends of the convex hull20131and the convex hull20132are separated from each other at a position close to the second edge B2(namely, bottom ends of two convex hulls shown inFIG. 8), the air flows can flow from the bottom ends more easily. Two ends of the convex hull20131and the convex hull20132are close to each other at a position close to the first edge B1(namely, top ends of two convex hulls shown inFIG. 8). In this case, when the air flows pass through the position, because an opening is small, the air flows form vortexes at this position. A contact area between the air flows and the heat exchange plate is increased. In this way, heat exchange between the air flows and the heat exchange plate can be performed sufficiently, thereby improving an air flow exchange effect.

In some possible implementations, thicknesses of the convex hulls20131and the convex hulls20132gradually increase from the position close to the second edge B2shown inFIG. 8to the position far from the second edge B2. A cross-sectional view of the convex hulls20131along the direction m and/or a cross-sectional view of the convex hulls20132along the direction1present a shape shown inFIG. 9b. InFIG. 9b, fis the position at which the convex hulls20131and the convex hulls20132are close to the second edge B2, and f is the position at which the convex hulls20131and the convex hulls20132are far away from the second edge B2. By setting different thicknesses for the convex hulls, flow resistance of the air flows in the convex hulls20131and the convex hulls20132shown inFIG. 8can be reduced, thereby increasing a fluid flow speed.

In this embodiment, the heat exchange plate21includes a plurality of third convex hulls2013arranged along the first direction x and the second direction y at intervals. In other words, the plurality of third convex hulls2013form a third convex hull array on the base board21.

It should be noted herein that, for the third convex hulls2013in a same column, the convex hulls20131and the convex hulls20132are symmetrical about a same symmetry axis. For example, for the third convex hulls2013in the first column from the left inFIG. 8, the convex hulls20131and the convex hulls20132are symmetrically distributed on two sides of a symmetry axis L shown inFIG. 8. In this way, the air flows can flow along a same direction, to avoid uneven distribution of the air flows in flow passages and between the third convex hulls2013caused by the air flows flowing along a plurality of directions, thereby improving evenness of air flow distribution, and further improving a heat exchange effect.

In some optional implementations of this embodiment, the convex hull20131and the convex hull20132included in the third convex hull2013may alternatively be in a shape shown inFIG. 10.FIG. 10is a schematic diagram of a surface structure of another heat exchange plate according to an embodiment. InFIG. 10, flow guiders201are arranged along a first direction x at intervals, and the flow guider201includes a plurality of third convex hulls2013arranged along a second direction y at intervals. Different from the heat exchange plate shown inFIG. 8, a pattern formed by a projection of the convex hull20131and the convex hull20132of the heat exchange plate20shown inFIG. 10onto the base board21may be an oval, a water drop, or the like.FIG. 10schematically shows a case in which the pattern is an oval. In some implementations, the convex hull20131and the convex hull20132gradually protrude from edges to the middle, namely, are in shapes of convex hulls shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 7.

By setting the third convex hulls into the shapes shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 10, fluid resistance can be reduced and a fluid flow speed can be increased when heat exchange efficiency is ensured.

In this embodiment, the heat exchange plate20may be integrally formed by using a metal material or may be integrally formed by using a non-metal material.

It can be learned from the heat exchange plates20shown inFIG. 8andFIG. 10that, the convex hull20131shown inFIG. 8is elongated, and compared with the convex hull20131shown inFIG. 10, a length of the convex hull20131shown inFIG. 8along the third direction m is greater than a length of the convex hull20131shown inFIG. 10along the third direction m. Therefore, compared with the shape of the convex hulls in the heat exchange plate20shown inFIG. 10, the convex hulls in the heat exchange plate20shown inFIG. 8are arranged more densely and securely, and have stronger bearing force. Therefore, in some implementations, when the heat exchange plate20is made of a metal material, because the metal material has high hardness, in this case, the heat exchange plate may be formed by using the convex hull structures shown inFIG. 10. In the heat exchange plate shown inFIG. 10, the flow guiders201may be formed on a same surface, for example, on a first surface S1, or may be formed on different surfaces. In this case, the flow guiders201are formed on different surfaces at intervals. In a left-to-right direction shown inFIG. 10, the third convex hulls2013in the first column are formed on the first surface, the third convex hulls2013in the second column are formed on the second surface, the third convex hulls2013in the third column are formed on the first surface, etc. Therefore, a quantity of heat exchange plates in a heat exchanger can be reduced, to reduce costs.

In some implementations, when the heat exchange plate20is made of a non-metal material, because a polymer material forming the non-metal material has low hardness, in this case, the heat exchange plate may be formed by using the convex hull structures shown inFIG. 8. In this case, the flow guiders201may be formed on a same surface, to improve bearing force of the heat exchange plate.

In some possible implementations, the flow guider201may include a combination of the third convex hulls2013shown inFIG. 8and the third convex hulls2013shown inFIG. 10, as shown inFIG. 11.FIG. 11is another schematic diagram of a surface structure of a heat exchange plate according to an embodiment. In a flow guider201shown inFIG. 11, third convex hulls2013in the shape shown inFIG. 8and third convex hulls2013in the shape shown inFIG. 10are alternately arranged. In this case, the convex hulls20131shown inFIG. 8and the convex hulls20131shown inFIG. 10form flow guider groups along a second direction y, and the convex hulls20132shown inFIG. 8and the convex hulls20132shown inFIG. 10form flow guider groups along the second direction y. As shown inFIG. 11, the flow guider groups may be axis-symmetrically arranged in pairs. When the heat exchange plate is manufactured by using this structure, both heat exchange efficiency and supporting force of the heat exchange plate can be ensured. The heat exchange plate of this structure is not only suitable to be manufactured by using a metal material, but also suitable to be manufactured by using a non-metal material. This may be selected based on a requirement of an application scenario. For example, this structure may be used when an air flux is small, but to-be-exchanged energy is high.

In some possible implementations, the heat exchange plate20includes a combination of the flow guiders201shown in any one ofFIG. 8,FIG. 10, andFIG. 11and supporting structures202.FIG. 12is a schematic diagram of a surface structure of a heat exchange plate including a combination of the flow guiders201shown inFIG. 11and the supporting structures202. The supporting structure202may have a same structure as the supporting structure202shown inFIG. 2. Details are not described herein again. In this way, air flows may be further limited in a cavity including two supporting structures202, so that the air flows are distributed more evenly. In addition, by disposing the supporting structures202, the heat exchange plate20may further be more stable.

In some possible implementations, convex hulls2021may alternatively be disposed on the supporting structures202shown inFIG. 12, as shown inFIG. 13. A shape of the convex hull2021may be any one shown inFIG. 6. Heat exchange efficiency can be further improved by disposing the convex hulls2021on the supporting structures202.

Continue to refer toFIG. 14.FIG. 14is a schematic diagram of a surface structure of another heat exchange plate according to an embodiment.

InFIG. 14, the heat exchange plate20includes a base board21and a plurality of flow guiders formed on the base board21.

The base board21includes a first edge B1and a second edge B2that are along a first direction x and a third edge B3and a fourth edge B4that are along a second direction y. The first direction x is a horizontal direction, and the second direction y is a vertical direction. The base board21further includes a first surface S1and a second surface opposite to the first surface S1.

The plurality of flow guiders may include flow guiders201. The flow guider201includes fourth convex hulls2014and fifth convex hulls2015. The fourth convex hull2014extends along the second direction y, and the fifth convex hull2015extends along a third direction z. Herein, an extending line of the third direction z intersects an extending line of the second direction y. A range of an included angle between the third direction z and the second direction y is [−15°, −75°]. A pattern formed by an orthographic projection of each of the fourth convex hull2014and the fifth convex hull2015onto the base board21may be an oval, a water drop, a strip, or the like.

In some implementations, the pattern formed by the orthographic projection of each of the fourth convex hull2014and the fifth convex hull2015onto the base board21may alternatively be shown inFIG. 6. For structure, refer to related description corresponding toFIG. 6. Details are not described herein again.

Still referring toFIG. 14, two adjacent convex hulls have different extending directions along the first direction x. The first row of convex hulls inFIG. 14are used as an example. From left to right, the first row of convex hulls may be a fourth convex hull2014, a fifth convex hull2015, a fourth convex hull2014, . . . , respectively. In other words, an extending direction of one convex hull is different from extending directions of both convex hulls adjacent to the convex hull. In this way, air flows form vortexes when flowing through gaps between convex hulls, to increase a contact area between the air flows and the heat exchange plate, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency.

Further, starting with the 1st flow guider201on the left, every two flow guiders are used as one group, and there is a large distance interval between this group of flow guiders and an adjacent group of flow guiders, to form an air flow passage. That is, inFIG. 15, a flow passage is formed between the second first flow guider and the third first flow guider. In this way, flow resistance of air flows in flow passages of the heat exchange plate can be reduced, and a flow speed of the air flows can be increased.

Based on the heat exchange plates shown in the foregoing embodiments, an embodiment further provides a heat exchanger.FIG. 15is a schematic diagram of a structure of a heat exchanger1500. The heat exchanger1500includes supporting members1502configured to structurally support the heat exchanger, barriers1501configured to protect heat exchange plates, and a plurality of stacked heat exchange plates1503. It can be learned fromFIG. 15that there are a total of four supporting members1502distributed on a periphery of the heat exchanger1500, to support the heat exchanger1500and form a space for accommodating the heat exchange plates1503. The barriers1501are disposed opposite to each other on two opposite surfaces of the heat exchanger1500. The heat exchange plates can be supported and protected by disposing the supporting members1502and the barriers1501.

The plurality of heat exchange plates1503shown inFIG. 15may be the heat exchange plates shown in any one of the foregoing embodiments.

The heat exchange plate shown inFIG. 5is used as an example below, and a manner of assembling heat exchange plates is described in detail with reference toFIG. 16,FIG. 17(a)toFIG. 17(c), andFIG. 18(a)toFIG. 18(c). To describe more clearly the manner of assembling heat exchange plates,FIG. 16schematically shows two adjacent heat exchange plates. A quantity of heat exchange plates included in the heat exchanger is not limited and may be set based on a requirement of an application scenario.

As shown inFIG. 16, a schematic diagram of a surface structure of a heat exchange plate161is the same as the schematic diagram of the surface structure of the heat exchange plate20shown inFIG. 5, and a schematic diagram of a surface structure of a heat exchange plate162is rotated to the right by 90 degrees compared with the schematic diagram of the surface structure of the heat exchange plate161. In a mounting process of the heat exchanger, positioning bosses1611,1612,1613,1614,1615, and1616of the heat exchange plate161are correspondingly mounted in one-to-one correspondence with positioning bosses1621,1622,1623,1624,1625, and1626of the heat exchange plate162. InFIG. 16, a first flow guider in the heat exchange plate161includes a plurality of convex hulls1618, and a second flow guider in the heat exchange plate161includes a supporting convex hull1617; and a first flow guider in the heat exchange plate162includes a plurality of convex hulls1628, and a second flow guider in the heat exchange plate162includes supporting convex hulls1627.

When first flow guiders and second flow guiders in the heat exchange plates are located on a same surface and protrude toward a same direction, cross-sectional views of the heat exchange plate161and the heat exchange plate162are shown inFIG. 17(a)andFIG. 17(b), respectively.FIG. 17(a)is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchange plate161shown inFIG. 16along a position bb′, andFIG. 17(b)is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchange plate162shown inFIG. 16along a position cc′. InFIG. 17(a), bosses1614,1615, and1616are disposed on a first surface S1of the heat exchange plate161, and grooves1619are provided in a second surface S2of the heat exchange plate161at positions the same as positions of the bosses1614,1615, and1616. In FIG.17(b), bosses1624,1625, and1626are disposed on a first surface S3of the heat exchange plate162, and grooves1629are provided in a second surface S4of the heat exchange plate162at positions the same as positions of the bosses1624,1625, and1626, where a depth of each of the groove1619and the groove1629is less than a thickness of the base board. Optionally, the depth of the groove may be one third to one half of the thickness of the base board. In a process of assembling the heat exchange plates, the bosses1614,1615, and1616disposed on the first surface S1of the heat exchange plate161are respectively embedded into the grooves1629in the second surface S4of the heat exchange plate162.FIG. 17(c)is a schematic diagram of assembly between two heat exchange plates according to an embodiment. A height of outward protrusion of the foregoing bosses may be a sum of the depth of the grooves and a height of outward protrusion of the convex hulls1618. Herein, the convex hulls1618and the supporting convex hulls1617may have a same height, so that when the bosses1614,1615, and1616are respectively embedded into the grooves1629, convex surfaces of the convex hulls1618and the supporting convex hulls1617in the heat exchange plate161exactly press against a back surface of the heat exchange plate162, to form a plurality of air flow passages, and evenly limit air flows into the flow passages, so that the air flows are distributed in the flow passages more evenly. In addition, the heat exchange plates may be further enabled to support each other, to improve stability and firmness of the heat exchange plates. It should be noted herein that, other bosses in the heat exchange plate161are all embedded into the grooves in the second surface S4of the heat exchange plate162in the foregoing embedding manner. It may be understood that every two adjacent heat exchange plates in the heat exchanger1500shown inFIG. 15may be assembled in the assembly manner shown inFIG. 17(c).

When the first flow guiders and the second flow guiders in the heat exchange plates are located on different surfaces, the cross-sectional views of the heat exchange plate161and the heat exchange plate162are shown inFIG. 18(a)andFIG. 18(b), respectively.FIG. 18(a)is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchange plate161shown inFIG. 16along the position bb′, andFIG. 18(b)is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchange plate162shown inFIG. 16along the position cc′. The convex hulls1618are located on the first surface S1of the heat exchange plate161, and the supporting convex hulls1617are located on the second surface S2of the heat exchange plate161. The convex hulls1628are located on the first surface S3of the heat exchange plate162, and the supporting convex hulls1627are located on the second surface S4of the heat exchange plate162. When the cross-sectional views of the heat exchange plate161and the heat exchange plate162are shown inFIG. 18(a)andFIG. 18(b), respectively, an assembly manner between the heat exchange plate161and the heat exchange plate162is the same as an assembly manner between the cross-sectional views shown inFIG. 17(a)andFIG. 17(b). Refer to the related description ofFIG. 17(a)andFIG. 17(b). Details are not described herein again. A cross-sectional view obtained after the heat exchange plate161and the heat exchange plate162are stacked and assembled is shown inFIG. 18(c). It should be noted herein that the height of outward protrusion of the foregoing bosses may be a sum of the depth of the grooves, the height of outward protrusion of the supporting convex hulls1617(or1627), and the height of outward protrusion of the convex hulls1618(or1628). In this way, after the bosses1614,1615, and1616are respectively embedded into the grooves1629, convex surfaces of the convex hulls1618located on the first surface S1of the heat exchange plate161exactly press against convex surfaces of the supporting convex hulls1627located on the second surface S4of the heat exchange plate162, to form a plurality of air flow passages, and evenly limit air flows into the flow passages, so that the air flows are distributed in the flow passages more evenly. In addition, the heat exchange plates may be further enabled to support each other, to improve stability and firmness of the heat exchange plates. It may be understood that every two adjacent heat exchange plates in the heat exchanger1500shown inFIG. 15may be assembled in the assembly manner shown inFIG. 18(c).

It should be noted herein that, when no boss is disposed on the heat exchange plates, mutually pressing force between the convex hulls in the heat exchange plates may be used for assembly. This method is a common manner of assembling existing heat exchange plates. Details are not described herein.

InFIG. 15, the heat exchanger1500includes a first surface T1, a second surface T2opposite to the first surface T1, a third surface T3, and a fourth surface T4opposite to the third surface that are formed by stacking a plurality of heat exchange plates1503. The second surface T2and the fourth surface T4are not shown. A side on which the first surface T1is located is a cold air inlet, a side on which the second surface T2is located is an air outlet of hot air obtained after heat exchange of cold air, a side on which the third surface T3is located is a hot air inlet, and a side on which the fourth surface T4is located is an air outlet of air obtained after heat exchange and cooling of hot air. An edge B1of the heat exchange plate161shown inFIG. 16and an edge B1of the heat exchange plate162shown inFIG. 16are located on the side of the first surface T1. An edge B2of the heat exchange plate161and an edge B2of the heat exchange plate162are located on the side of the second surface T2. An edge B3of the heat exchange plate161and an edge B3of the heat exchange plate162are located on the side of the third surface T3. An edge B4of the heat exchange plate161and an edge B4of the heat exchange plate162are located on the side of the fourth surface T4.

When the heat exchanger1500shown inFIG. 15is formed in the assembly manner between two heat exchange plates that is shown inFIG. 17(c), a heat exchange principle of the heat exchanger1500is described with reference toFIG. 15,FIG. 16, andFIG. 17(a)toFIG. 17(d).FIG. 17(d)is a schematic diagram of a structure of stacking four heat exchange plates. A structure and an assembly direction of heat exchange plates d1and d3may be the same as a structure and an assembly direction of the heat exchange plate162inFIG. 16,FIG. 17(b), andFIG. 17(c). A structure and an assembly direction of heat exchange plates d2and d4may be the same as a structure and an assembly direction of the heat exchange plate161inFIG. 16,FIG. 17(a), andFIG. 17(c).

External cold air enters the heat exchanger1500from the first surface T1may enter the heat exchanger1500from an air flow passage n formed between the heat exchange plates d1and d2shown inFIG. 17(d), and from an air flow passage n formed between the heat exchange plates d3and d4shown inFIG. 17(d). In the heat exchanger1500, the external cold air exchanges heat with the heat exchange plates d1, d2, d3, and d4in a contact manner, and after performing air flow heat exchange with air in the air flow passages, the external cold air is converted into hot air, and the hot air is output from the second surface T2of the heat exchanger1500. Hot air generated by devices in a data center enters the heat exchanger1500from the third surface T3may enter the heat exchanger1500from an air flow passage formed between the heat exchange plate d1shown inFIG. 17(d)and a heat exchange plate (not shown in the figure) at an upper layer of the heat exchange plate d1, and from an air flow passage formed between the heat exchange plate d2and the heat exchange plate d3shown inFIG. 17(d)(because the air flow passage is blocked by supporting convex hulls inFIG. 17(d), the air flow passage is not shown in the figure). In the heat exchanger1500, the hot air exchanges heat with the heat exchange plates d1, d2, and d3in a contact manner, and after performing air flow heat exchange with air in the air flow passages, the hot air is converted into cooled air, namely, fresh air required by the data center, and the fresh air is output from the fourth surface T4of the heat exchanger1500. Therefore, the heat exchanger1500implements exchange between the hot air and the cold air and reduces an air temperature of the data center. In other words, air flow passages of the external cold air and the hot air that is generated by the devices of the data center are separately disposed in different layers, and the external cold air and the hot air that is generated by the devices of the data center enter the heat exchanger1500by using the air flow passages in the different layers, and flow out after exchanging heat with the heat exchange plates and the air in the air flow passages.

When the heat exchanger1500shown inFIG. 15is formed in the assembly manner between two heat exchange plates that is shown inFIG. 18(c), a heat exchange principle of the heat exchanger1500is described with reference toFIG. 15,FIG. 16, andFIG. 18(a)toFIG. 18(d).FIG. 18(d)is a schematic diagram of a structure of stacking four heat exchange plates. A structure and an assembly direction of heat exchange plates d1and d3may be the same as a structure and an assembly direction of the heat exchange plate162inFIG. 16,FIG. 18(b), andFIG. 18(c). A structure and an assembly direction of heat exchange plates d2and d4may be the same as a structure and an assembly direction of the heat exchange plate161inFIG. 16,FIG. 18(a), andFIG. 18(c).

External cold air enters the heat exchanger1500from the first surface T1may enter the heat exchanger1500from an air flow passage n formed between the heat exchange plates d1and d2shown inFIG. 18(d), from an air flow passage n formed between the heat exchange plates d2and d3shown inFIG. 18(d), and from an air flow passage n formed between the heat exchange plates d3and d4shown inFIG. 18(d). In the heat exchanger1500, the external cold air exchanges heat with the heat exchange plates d1, d2, d3, and d4in a contact manner, and after performing air flow heat exchange with air in the air flow passages, the external cold air is converted into hot air, and the hot air is output from the second surface T2of the heat exchanger1500. The hot air generated by the devices in the data center enters the heat exchanger1500from the third surface T3may enter the heat exchanger1500from the air flow passage formed between the heat exchange plates d1and d2shown inFIG. 18(d), from the air flow passage formed between the heat exchange plates d2and d3shown inFIG. 18(d), and from the air flow passage formed between the heat exchange plates d3and d4shown inFIG. 18(d)(the air flow passages of the hot air are not shown inFIG. 18(d)). In the heat exchanger1500, the hot air exchanges heat with the heat exchange plates d1, d2, d3, and d4in a contact manner, and after performing air flow heat exchange with air in the air flow passages, the hot air is converted into cooled air, namely, fresh air required by the data center, and the fresh air is output from the fourth surface T4of the heat exchanger1500. Therefore, the heat exchanger1500implements exchange between the hot air and the cold air and reduces an air temperature of the data center. In other words, air flow passages of the external cold air and the hot air that is generated by the devices of the data center may be disposed in a same layer, and the external cold air and the hot air that is generated by the devices of the data center may enter the heat exchanger1500by using the air flow passages in the same layer, and flow out after exchanging heat with the heat exchange plates and the air in the air flow passages.

The foregoing describes embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The foregoing implementations are merely examples. A person of ordinary skill in the art may further make many modifications without departing from the protection scope of the claims, and all the modifications shall fall within the protection scope.