Thermal management device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a thermal management device including a connector, a throttling unit and a heat exchange core. The tube body is located in a first channel. The tube body is fixed to a valve mouth through a connecting portion to achieve communication between the tube body cavity and the valve mouth. The connecting portion is fixed to the first valve body. In this way, the structure of the thermal management device is relatively compact, which is conducive to miniaturization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of thermal management technology, and in particular to a thermal management device. Background Art

[0002] The thermal management system includes a heat exchanger and an expansion valve, which are connected by a pipe. By integrating the heat exchanger and the expansion valve and fixing the expansion valve body to the heat exchanger, the overall structure is compact, while still maintaining a pipe connection to the expansion valve body. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a thermal management device to facilitate the miniaturization of the thermal management device structure.

[0004] One embodiment of the technical solution of the present invention provides a thermal management device, comprising a connector, a throttling unit, and a heat exchange core, wherein the heat exchange core comprises a plurality of stacked plates, a first plate body, and a second plate body, wherein the plates are located between the first plate body and the second plate body along the stacking direction of the plates; the heat exchange core further comprises a first channel;

[0005] The throttling unit includes a first valve body and a valve port portion, the throttling unit having a first channel and a second channel, the valve port portion having a valve port, the valve port being able to connect the first channel and the second channel; the first valve body is fixed to the second plate body, the first valve body includes a first through hole, and the first through hole has an opening facing the first channel on the bottom wall of the first valve body;

[0006] The connecting body includes a tube body and a connecting part, at least part of the tube body is located in the first channel, the tube body cavity is connected to the second channel, the connecting part has a communicating cavity and a first accommodating cavity accommodating at least part of the valve mouth part, the communicating cavity connects the first channel and the first channel, and the connecting part also includes a fixing part, which is fixed to the wall of the first through hole.

[0007] The thermal management device provided in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present application includes a connector, a throttling unit and a heat exchange core. The tube body is located in the first channel. The tube body is fixed to the valve mouth through a connecting part to achieve communication between the tube body cavity and the valve mouth. The connecting part is fixed to the first valve body. In this way, the structure of the thermal management device is relatively compact, which is conducive to miniaturization. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a connection schematic block diagram of a thermal management system;

[0009] Figure 2 It is another connection schematic block diagram of a thermal management system;

[0010] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a first embodiment of a thermal management device;

[0011] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the first-person perspective of the three-dimensional structure of a local explosion;

[0012] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the second-perspective three-dimensional structure of a local explosion;

[0013] Figure 6 3 is a schematic diagram of the top view structure;

[0014] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the first cross-sectional structure along AA;

[0015] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the cross-section structure along BB;

[0016] Figure 9 2. It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the connecting part;

[0017] Figure 10 yes Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of the middle part A;

[0018] Figure 11 yes Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of the middle part B;

[0019] Figure 12 is a schematic perspective structural diagram of a second embodiment of a thermal management device;

[0020] Figure 13 It is a schematic diagram of the second enlarged structure of part A;

[0021] Figure 14 yes Figure 6 Schematic diagram of another cross-sectional structure along AA;

[0022] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 Schematic diagram of the plate structure of the second heat exchange part;

[0023] Figure 16 yes Figure 14 A schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of the middle part A;

[0024] Figure 17 It is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of a third embodiment of a thermal management device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The thermal management system and thermal management device of the technical solution of the present invention can have multiple implementation modes, at least one of which can be applied to a vehicle thermal management system, and at least one of which can be applied to other thermal management systems such as a household thermal management system or a commercial thermal management system. The following is an illustration using a vehicle thermal management device as an example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] See also Figure 3-11 . The thermal management device 1000 includes a heat exchange core and a throttling unit 1300. The heat exchange core includes a first plate 1140 and a second plate 1210, and a plurality of stacked plates located between the first plate 1140 and the second plate 1210 along the stacking direction of the plates. In some embodiments, the heat exchange core includes a first heat exchange part 1100, a connecting plate 1400, and a second heat exchange part 1200. In this embodiment, the first plate 1140 is a part of the first heat exchange part 1100, the second plate 1210 is a part of the second heat exchange part 1200, and the first heat exchange part 1100 further includes a top plate, and several plates of the first heat exchange part 1100 are stacked from the first plate 1140 to the top plate. The second heat exchange part 1200 further includes a bottom plate, and several plates of the second heat exchange part 1200 are stacked from the bottom plate to the second plate 1210. The connecting plate 1400 is located between the top plate and the bottom plate, and is welded and fixed to the top plate and the bottom plate. In other embodiments, the top and bottom plates may not be provided, and the connecting plate 1400 may be directly welded to the plates of the first heat exchange section 1100 and the plates of the second heat exchange section 1200. It should be noted that, for ease of description, the second heat exchange section 1200 is defined as being located above the first heat exchange section 1100. Of course, the connecting plate may not be provided, and the heat exchange core may be a group structure, comprising a first plate 1140 and a second plate 1210, and a plurality of stacked plates located between the first plate 1140 and the second plate 1210 along the stacking direction of the plates. These plates are located between the first plate 1140 and the second plate 1210 along the stacking direction of the plates, with several plates stacked from the first plate 1140 to the second plate 1210, or in other words, several plates stacked from the second plate 1210 to the first plate 1140.

[0027] The first heat exchange section 1100 and the second heat exchange section 1200 each include a plurality of stacked plates. The plate structures of the first heat exchange section 1100 and the second heat exchange section 1200 can be identical. The structure of the first heat exchange section 1100 will be described using the first heat exchange section 1100 as an example. In the first heat exchange section 1100, adjacent plates are stacked to form a first inter-plate flow channel and a second inter-plate flow channel. Except for the two plates closest to the first plate body 1140 and the top plate, one side of the inner plate forms the first inter-plate flow channel and the other side forms the second inter-plate flow channel. In this embodiment, the adjacent plates have the same structure. For ease of description, one of the two adjacent plates is defined as the first plate and the other as the second plate. For example, a first plate and one of the two adjacent second plates form a first inter-plate flow channel, while the first plate and the second plate form a second inter-plate flow channel. The first inter-plate flow channel and the second inter-plate flow channel are relatively disconnected. The fluid in the first inter-plate channel and the fluid in the second inter-plate channel can exchange heat. It should be noted that the relative disconnection between the first and second inter-plate flow channels refers to a lack of connection within the first heat exchange unit 1100. Once the thermal management device 1000 becomes part of the thermal management system, connection may occur. The thickness of the main body of the connecting plate, top plate, and bottom plate is greater than that of the main body of the plate, thereby enhancing the mechanical strength of the thermal management device.

[0028] The thermal management device 1000 has a refrigerant flow channel, a coolant flow channel, a first inlet 1001, a first outlet 1002, a second inlet 1003 and a second outlet 1004. The refrigerant flow channel connects the first inlet 1001 and the first outlet 1002, that is, the first inlet 1001 is the inlet of the refrigerant flow channel, and the first outlet 1002 is the outlet of the refrigerant flow channel; the coolant flow channel connects the second inlet 1003 and the second outlet 1004, the second inlet 1003 is the inlet of the coolant flow channel, and the second outlet 1004 is the outlet of the coolant flow channel. The second outlet 1004, the second inlet 1003, and the coolant flow channel are formed in the second heat exchange portion 1200, and the first outlet 1002 and the first inlet 1001 are formed in the first heat exchange portion 1100. Along the stacking direction of the plates, the second outlet 1004 and the second inlet 1003 are located on one side of the thermal management device 1000, while the first outlet 1002 and the first inlet 1001 are located on the opposite side of the thermal management device 1000. The first inlet 1001 and the first outlet 1002 can be formed in a pipe or protrusion fixedly connected to the first plate, and the second inlet 1003 and the second outlet 1004 can be formed in a pipe or protrusion fixed to the first plate. In other embodiments, the first inlet 1001 and the first outlet 1002 can be formed in the first plate, and the second inlet 1003 and the second outlet 1004 can be formed in the first plate.

[0029] See also Figure 7 and Figure 8The refrigerant flow path includes a first flow path, a second flow path, and a third flow path. The first flow path and the second flow path are formed in the first heat exchange section 1100. The first inter-plate flow path of the first heat exchange section 1100 is part of the first flow path, and the second inter-plate flow path of the first heat exchange section 1100 is part of the second flow path. The third flow path is formed in the second heat exchange section.

[0030] In this embodiment, see Figure 7 and Figure 8 The first heat exchange section 1100 includes at least a fifth channel 1160, a second channel 1120, a third channel 1130, and a fourth channel 1150. These channels extend along the stacking direction of the plates of the first heat exchange section. The first flow channel includes the fifth channel 1160, a first inter-plate channel located between the plates, and the second channel 1120. The first inter-plate channel of the first heat exchange section 1100 connects the fifth channel 1160 and the second channel 1120. In this embodiment, the first inlet 1001 is connected to the fifth channel 1160. The refrigerant enters the fifth channel 1160 through the first inlet 1001, then enters the first inter-plate channel of the first heat exchange section. After heat exchange with the refrigerant in the second inter-plate channel of the first heat exchange section, it enters the second channel 1120. The second channel 1120 has an opening in the top plate of the first heat exchange section, and the refrigerant leaves the first heat exchange section 1100 through the opening in the top plate of the first heat exchange section. The second flow channel includes a third channel 1130, a second inter-plate channel located between the plates, and a fourth channel 1150. The second inter-plate channel of the first heat exchange unit 1100 connects the third channel 1130 and the fourth channel 1150. The first outlet 1002 is connected to the fourth channel 1150. That is, the refrigerant in the second flow channel enters the second inter-plate channel of the first heat exchange unit 1100 through the third channel 1130, exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the first inter-plate channel, and then enters the fourth channel 1150. The refrigerant in the fourth channel 1150 is discharged from the thermal management device through the first outlet 1002.

[0031] The first inter-plate flow channel of the second heat exchange section 1200 is part of the third flow channel, and the second inter-plate flow channel of the second heat exchange section 1200 is part of the coolant flow channel. The second heat exchange section 1200 includes at least a first channel 1240, a sixth channel 1230, a seventh channel 1260, and an eighth channel 1270. The first channel 1240 and the sixth channel 1230 are part of the third flow channel, while the seventh channel 1260 and the eighth channel 1270 are part of the coolant flow channel. The third flow channel includes the first channel 1240 and the sixth channel 1230, located in the first inter-plate flow channel of the second heat exchange section 1200. The first inter-plate channel of the second heat exchange section 1200 connects the first channel 1240 and the sixth channel 1230. The coolant flow path includes a seventh channel 1260, a second inter-plate channel located in the second heat exchange section 1200, and an eighth channel 1270. The second inter-plate channel of the second heat exchange section 1200 connects the seventh channel 1260 and the eighth channel 1270. In this embodiment, the second inlet 1003 is connected to the seventh channel 1260, and the second outlet 1004 is connected to the eighth channel 1270. The coolant enters the seventh channel 1260 through the second inlet 1003, then enters the second inter-plate channel of the second heat exchange section 1200, exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the third channel, and then enters the eighth channel 1270 and exits the thermal management device through the second outlet 1004.

[0032] Along the plate stacking direction, the connecting plate body 1400 is located between the first heat exchange portion 1100 and the second heat exchange portion 1200. Specifically, the first heat exchange portion 1100 includes a first wall 1110, and the second heat exchange portion 1200 includes a second wall 1220. In this embodiment, the first wall 1110 is formed on the top plate of the first heat exchange portion 1100, and the second wall 1220 is formed on the bottom plate of the second heat exchange portion 1200. The lower side wall of the connecting plate body 1400 is welded to the first wall 1110, and the upper side wall of the connecting plate body 1400 is welded to the second wall 1220. The first wall 1110 and the second wall 1220 are arranged opposite each other. The relative arrangement described here includes indirect relative arrangement and direct relative arrangement. Indirect relative arrangement means that there is another object, such as the connecting plate body 1400, between the first wall 1110 and the second wall 1220. The connecting plate body 1400 may not be arranged between the first wall 1110 and the second wall 1220, that is, the first wall 1110 and the second wall 1220 are directly opposite each other and are welded to each other. The heat exchange core includes a first through-hole 1410 and a second through-hole 1420. In this embodiment, the first through-hole 1410 and the second through-hole 1420 are formed in the connecting plate body 1400. The first through-hole 1410 and the second through-hole 1420 extend through the connecting plate body 1400 and have openings on the upper and lower walls of the connecting plate body 1400, respectively. The second through-hole 1420 connects the sixth channel 1230 with the third channel 1130, that is, the second through-hole 1420 connects the third flow channel and the second flow channel. Specifically, the sixth channel 1230 has a second opening 1231 on the second wall. The second opening 1231 at least partially faces the second through-hole 1420 and connects to the second through-hole 1420. The third channel 1130 has a first opening 1131 in the first wall. The first opening 1131 is at least partially oriented toward the second through-hole 1420. The first opening 1131 communicates with the second opening 1231 through the second through-hole 1420. Thus, the third channel 1130 communicates with the sixth channel 1230 through the second through-hole 1420. In this embodiment, the first opening 1131 and the second opening 1231 are staggered, and the second through-hole extends narrowly. This facilitates smoother flow of the refrigerant through the second through-hole. Of course, the first opening 1131 and the second opening 1231 can also be arranged opposite each other. After heat exchange between the refrigerant in the third channel and the coolant in the coolant channel in the second heat exchange section 1200, the refrigerant enters the second channel of the first heat exchange section through the second through-hole 1420, and then heat exchanges with the refrigerant in the first channel in the first heat exchange section 1100.

[0033] The first through hole 1410 is in communication with the second channel 1120. Specifically, the second channel 1120 forms a first communication opening 1121 in the first wall 1110. The first communication opening 1121 at least partially faces the first through hole 1410 and is in communication with the first through hole 1410. Of course, a seal is provided between the first wall 1110 and the corresponding position of the connecting plate body 1400 to prevent refrigerant from leaking from the connection between the first heat exchange portion 1100 and the connecting plate body 1400. A seal is provided between the second wall 1220 and the corresponding position of the connecting plate body 1400 to prevent refrigerant from leaking from the connection between the second wall and the connecting plate body 1400. In addition, in this embodiment, the connecting plate body 1400 also includes two square holes 1430. The function of the square holes 1430 is to reduce the weight of the connecting plate body 1400, thereby reducing the weight of the thermal management device 1000; the two square holes 1430 are larger than the first through hole and the second through hole, and the square holes 1430 also have the function of reducing heat conduction between the first heat exchange part 1100 and the second heat exchange part 1200; the two square holes 1430 are located near the middle position of the connecting plate body 1400, and the middle position of the first heat exchange part 1100 and the second heat exchange part 1200 is a region with a large temperature difference, which is not only beneficial to reducing heat conduction, but also beneficial to the balanced mass distribution of the thermal management device.

[0034] See also Figure 7 and Figure 10The throttling unit 1300 includes a valve core, a valve port 1350, and a valve seat 1370. The throttling unit 1300 also includes a first channel 1353 and a second channel 1352. The valve port 1350 has a valve port 1351. The second channel 1352 is closer to the first plate 1140 than the valve port 1351 and communicates with the valve port 1351. In this embodiment, the valve core is a valve needle 1320, which can move relative to the valve port 1350 to adjust the opening of the valve port 1351. The throttling unit 1300 also includes a transmission mechanism, a stator, a rotor, and a guide portion 1380. The transmission mechanism is a threaded transmission mechanism, comprising a movable portion and a fixed portion. One of the movable portion and the fixed portion comprises a screw, and the other comprises a nut threadedly engaged with the screw. The movable portion is assembled with the valve needle 1320, and the fixed portion can be directly or indirectly fixed to the valve seat 1370. The guide portion 1380 is fixed to the valve seat 1370 and can guide the valve needle to prevent axial deviation of the valve needle. The valve port 1350 is fixedly connected to the guide portion 1380. In this embodiment, the valve port 1350 and the guide portion 1380 are integrally formed, and the valve needle 1320 and the valve port 1351 are substantially coaxial. A first channel 1353 is formed in the guide portion 1380. When the valve needle 1320 opens the valve port 1351, the first channel 1353 communicates with the valve port 1351. The stator is electrically connected to a control circuit that controls it. When energized, the stator generates an excitation magnetic field that drives the rotor to rotate, which in turn drives the valve needle through a threaded transmission mechanism. As the rotor rotates, the screw, driven by the rotor and driven by the pitch, rotates relative to the nut, achieving rotational and axial movement. The valve needle is relatively fixed to the screw, allowing the valve needle to move axially with the screw, thereby increasing or decreasing the gap between valve needle 1320 and valve port 1351, thereby achieving refrigerant throttling. In this embodiment, the first channel, or a substantial portion of the first channel, is approximately perpendicular to the direction of movement of the valve needle, while the second channel is approximately parallel to the direction of movement of the valve needle.

[0035] The throttling unit 1300 also includes a first valve body 1310, which can be block-shaped or tubular. The first valve body 1310 includes a first through hole 1311, which has an opening on the upper wall of the first valve body 1310, and the first through hole 1311 has a third opening 1312 on the bottom wall of the first valve body 1310. The bottom wall of the first valve body 1310 is relatively fixed to the second plate body 1210, and the fixing method can be welding, bonding or threaded connection. The second plate body 1210 has a fourth opening 1211, which is connected to the first channel 1240, and the third opening 1312 is arranged opposite to the fourth opening 1211. The third opening 1312 is connected to the fourth opening 1211, and then the third opening 1312 is connected to the first channel 1240. The valve seat 1370 extends into the cavity formed by the first through hole 1311 and is fixed to the wall of the first through hole 1311, wherein the valve seat 1370 is threadedly connected, plugged in, or welded to the wall of the first through hole 1311, and compared to the bottom wall of the first valve body 1310, the valve seat 1370 is relatively close to the upper wall of the first valve body.

[0036] The thermal management device also includes a connector, which includes a tube body 1500 and a connecting portion 1340. Tube body 1500 and connecting portion 1340 are fixedly arranged. Tube body 1500 and connecting portion 1340 can be a single-piece structure or a separate structure, which is then fixed by welding. In this embodiment, tube body 1500 and connecting portion 1340 are separate. At least a portion of connecting portion 1340 extends into the cavity formed by first through-hole 1311 and is fixed to the wall of first through-hole 1311. Specifically, first through-hole 1311 forms a first stepped surface 1313, and connecting portion 1340 is fixed to the first stepped surface 1313. Compared to the upper wall of the first valve body, connecting portion 1340 is relatively close to the lower wall of the first valve body. Along the extension direction of the first through hole 1311 , the space between the valve seat 1370 and the connecting portion 1340 forms a valve cavity 1330 . When the valve needle 1320 opens the valve port 1351 , the valve port 1351 communicates with the valve cavity 1330 through the first channel 1353 .

[0037] Please participate Figure 9 and Figure 10The connecting portion 1340 includes a fixing portion 1343 and a first accommodating portion 1341. The connecting portion 1340 further has a communicating cavity 1342. The fixing portion 1343 is fixed to the wall of the first through-hole 1311. In this embodiment, the throttling unit 1300 further includes a support ring 1360. The support ring 1360 is located in the first through-hole 1311. The outer wall of the support ring is threadedly fixed to the inner wall 1310 of the first through-hole. The first end of the support ring 1360 abuts the fixing portion 1343, thereby limiting the fixing portion 1343 relative to the first step surface 1313. In other embodiments, the second end of the support ring 1360 abuts the second plate 1210, and the first end of the support ring 1360 abuts the fixing portion 1343. During welding, the support ring 1360 limits the connecting portion 1340 to the first step surface, preventing the connecting portion 1340 from shifting. In other embodiments, the outer diameter of the support ring matches the inner diameter of the first through hole, and the support ring 1360 is tightly fitted into the first through hole 1311 , thereby abutting the fixing portion 1343 against the first step surface 1313 .

[0038] The first accommodating portion 1341 is formed with a first accommodating cavity, in which at least a portion of the valve mouth portion 1350 is located. A seal is provided between the outer wall of the valve mouth portion 1350 and the inner wall of the first accommodating portion 1341, such as a sealing ring is provided between the outer wall of the valve mouth portion 1350 and the inner wall of the first accommodating portion 1341. In this way, when the thermal management device is assembled, the valve mouth portion 1350 can be directly inserted into the first accommodating portion 1341. In another specific embodiment, the guide portion and the valve mouth portion are separately provided. Along the axial direction of the first channel, the first channel is the gap between the guide portion and the valve mouth portion. Since the valve mouth portion and the guide portion are separately provided, the valve mouth portion and the first accommodating portion can be welded and sealed. During assembly, after the valve mouth portion, the connector, and the heat exchange core are welded, the portion fixed to the guide portion, such as the valve seat, can be inserted into the first through hole and then fixed to the first through hole.

[0039] The refrigerant flow path may further include a fourth flow path. In this embodiment, the fourth flow path is located within the heat exchange core and is capable of connecting the first flow path and the third flow path. Specifically, the third flow path includes a first aperture 1240, the first flow path includes a second aperture 1120, at least a portion of the fourth flow path is located within the first aperture 1240, one end of the fourth flow path is connected to the second aperture 1120, and the other end of the fourth flow path is connected to the valve port 1351 of the throttling unit 1300. In this way, the refrigerant in the first heat exchange unit 1100 can enter the valve port 1351 of the throttling unit through the fourth flow path.

[0040] The tube body 1500 is hollow and has openings at both ends. Most of the tube body 1500 is located in the first channel 1240. In other words, the first channel 1240 accommodates the tube body 1500. Figure 11The first plate of the second heat exchange section includes a first opening 1204. Multiple first openings 1204 form a first channel. Along the radial direction of the first channel 1240, the first channel 1240 is located around the tube 1500. In other words, the first channel 1240 accommodates at least a portion of the fourth flow channel. Axially, at least a portion of the tube 1500 is located between the valve port 1351 and the second wall 1220. The second end of the tube 1500 is located in the first through-hole 1410. The outer wall of the second end of the tube 1500 is sealed and fixed to the inner wall of the first through-hole 1410. This allows the cavity of the first through-hole 1410 to communicate with the cavity of the tube 1500, and the first flow channel to communicate with the first through-hole, thereby achieving communication between the first flow channel and the cavity of the tube 1500. It can be seen that the second wall 1220 of the second heat exchange section 1200 has an opening for accommodating the tube 1500. In this embodiment, the fourth flow channel includes the cavity of the tube body 1500 , that is, the fourth flow channel is a part of the refrigerant flow channel and can communicate with the first flow channel and the valve port 1351 of the throttling unit.

[0041] Connecting portion 1340 also includes a tube mating portion 1344. Along the axial direction of the first channel, tube mating portion 1344 is closer to the first plate than first accommodating portion 1341. The first end of tube 1500 is sealed and fixed to tube mating portion 1344. Specifically, the first end of tube 1500 is located in the cavity formed by tube mating portion 1344. The outer wall of the first end of tube 1500 is sealed and fixed to the inner wall of tube mating portion 1344. The sealing method is welding. Of course, the inner wall of the first end of tube 1500 can also be sealed and fixed to the outer wall of tube mating portion 1344. Furthermore, the tube body mating portion 1344 includes a closing section 13441 and a small-diameter section 13442. The radial dimension of the closing section decreases from the first accommodating portion to the small-diameter section. Along the axial direction of the first channel 1240, the closing section 13441 is closer to the first accommodating portion 1341 than the small-diameter section 13442, and the radial dimension of the closing section 13441 is larger than that of the small-diameter section. Accordingly, the first end of the tube body includes a flared section 1510 and a straight section 1520. The small-diameter section 13442 matches the straight section 1520, and the flared section 1510 matches the closing section 13441. Furthermore, the tube body mating portion 13444 includes a second accommodating cavity for accommodating the first end of the tube body. The outer wall of the flared section 1510 is sealed and fixed to the inner wall of the closing section 13411, and the outer wall of the straight section 1520 is sealed and fixed to the inner wall of the small-diameter section 13442. A gap is defined between the first end of the tube and the valve opening along the axial direction of the first channel. This gap prevents displacement due to thermal expansion and contraction during welding, which could reduce welding quality. Furthermore, the reduced radial dimension of the closing section serves to limit the tube's position, preventing it from shifting toward the first plate during welding.

[0042] Along the extension direction of first through-hole 1311, the first end of tube 1500 is closer to the second plate than valve port 1350. Valve port 1350 is relatively close to valve seat 1370, and the opening of tube 1500 faces valve port 1351. Thus, the cavity of tube 1500 communicates with valve port 1351. Along the radial direction of first through-hole 1311, connecting cavity 1342 is located between fixing portion 1343 and first accommodating portion 1341. Connecting cavity 1342 connects valve cavity 1330 and first channel 1240. In this embodiment, connecting cavity 1342 is a hole extending through connecting portion 1340. During operation of thermal management device 1000, refrigerant passing through tube 1500 is throttled by valve port 1351 before flowing into valve cavity 1330 and then into first channel 1240, thereby entering the third flow channel, through connecting cavity 1342. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 1340 is integrally stamped from a plate and is generally trumpet-shaped. In other embodiments, the fixing portion of the connecting portion 1340 can also be fixed between the second plate 1210 and the first valve body 1310, or the fixing portion can be accommodated in the fourth opening 1211 and fixed to the inner wall of the fourth opening 1211. In this way, there is no need for a support ring, which relatively reduces the number of parts and assembly steps. It should be noted that the fourth opening 1211 is the passage connecting the valve cavity to the first channel 1240. Please refer to Figure 11 The second heat exchange portion 1200 includes a first baffle 1280. The first baffle 1280 is integrally formed with a plate of the second heat exchange portion. Along the axial direction of the first channel 1240, the first baffle 1280 forms the bottom wall of the first channel 1240. The first baffle 1280 includes a through hole for accommodating the tube 1500. The wall of the through hole of the first baffle 1280 is fixed to the wall of the tube 1500, and a seal is provided between the wall of the through hole of the first baffle 1280 and the wall of the tube 1500. In addition, please refer to Figure 10 The second heat exchange part 1200 also includes a second partition 1281. The second partition 1281 is closer to the throttling unit than the first partition. The second partition 1281 is located in the first channel 1240. The second partition 1281 is an integrated structure with a plate of the second heat exchange part. The second partition 1281 also has a through hole to accommodate the tube body. The wall of the through hole of the second partition 1281 is sealed with the outer wall of the tube body, so that the second partition 1281 can change the flow direction of the refrigerant, so that the second heat exchange part 1200 has multiple processes.

[0043] See also Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 , combined with Figure 1The thermal management system shown in the figure describes the operation of thermal management device 1000. The thermal management system includes a compressor 100, a condenser 200, and thermal management device 1000. The outlet of compressor 100 is connected to the first inlet 1001 of the thermal management device through condenser 200, and the first outlet 1002 of the thermal management device is connected to the inlet of compressor 100. The thermal management system also includes a first heat exchanger 400 and a pump 300. The second inlet 1003 of the thermal management device is connected to the second outlet 1004 of the thermal management device through the first heat exchanger 400 and pump 300. In other words, the coolant flow path of thermal management device 1000, the first heat exchanger 400, and the pump 300 form a coolant system or part of the coolant system. The coolant in the coolant system flows within the coolant system driven by pump 300. During operation, the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant releases heat in condenser 200. Relatively low-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant enters the refrigerant flow path of thermal management device 1000, namely the first flow path of first heat exchange section 1100, through the first inlet. It then enters the cavity of tube body 1500. After throttling and reducing pressure through valve port 1351, the refrigerant enters valve cavity 1330 and then enters first channel 1240, also known as the third flow path. There, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the coolant, lowering its temperature. The refrigerant then enters sixth channel 1230. The refrigerant in the third flow path enters the second flow path through second through-hole 1420 of connecting plate 1400 and exits thermal management device 1000 through first outlet 1002. The refrigerant in the second flow path exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the first flow path in first heat exchange section 1100, further lowering the refrigerant temperature in the first flow path and raising the refrigerant temperature in the second flow path, thereby reducing compressor surge. After the coolant temperature in the coolant flow channel is reduced, it enters the first heat exchanger 400 to reduce the temperature of the battery or other equipment. The thermal management device 1000 includes two heat exchange parts, which are fixed by a connecting plate 1400. The first heat exchange part 1100 is for refrigerant-refrigerant heat exchange, and the second heat exchange part 1200 is for refrigerant-coolant heat exchange. The refrigerant in the first heat exchange part 1100 is connected to the throttling unit 1300 through the tube 1500. The tube 1500 is built into the heat exchange core. The throttling unit 1300 is fixed to the second plate of the second heat exchange part 1200. The throttled refrigerant exchanges heat with the coolant in the second heat exchange part to reduce the coolant temperature. The tube 1500 is built after the second heat exchange part 1200, which relatively reduces the length of the thermal management device along the plate stacking direction. The tube body used to connect the first heat exchange part 1100 and the throttling unit 1300 is placed in the heat exchange core, which can not only further reduce the volume of the thermal management device 1000, but also effectively reduce external damage to the tube body, thereby increasing the life of the thermal management device.

[0044] See also Figure 2 as well as Figure 12 , Figure 2Another embodiment of the thermal management system is shown. Figure 1 Compared with the embodiment of , in this embodiment, the thermal management device further includes a third outlet 1005 and a third inlet 1006, wherein the third outlet 1005 is connected to the second channel 1120. That is, the refrigerant in the second channel can enter the throttling unit 1300 through the pipe body 1500, and can also be discharged from the third outlet 1005. The third inlet 1006 is connected to the third channel 1130, that is, the refrigerant flowing into the third channel includes both the refrigerant flowing in from the second heat exchange part and the refrigerant flowing in from the third inlet 1006. Figure 1 Compared to the illustrated thermal management system, the refrigerant in the first flow channel of thermal management device 1000 can enter throttling unit 1300 through tube body 1500 or enter throttling element 500 through third outlet 1005. After throttling by throttling element 500, the refrigerant enters second heat exchanger 600 to absorb external heat. The refrigerant then enters first heat exchange portion 1100 of the thermal management device through third inlet 1006, and finally is discharged through first outlet 1002 and enters compressor 100. By adding an inlet and an outlet to first heat exchange portion 1100 of thermal management device 1000, the second heat exchanger 600 can be connected to the thermal management system as an additional evaporator, achieving a higher degree of integration of the thermal management device.

[0045] See also Figure 13 , Figure 13 The illustrated solution integrates the connecting portion and the tube body. The cavity formed by the connecting portion accommodates at least a portion of the valve port 1350. The sidewalls of the valve port 1350 are sealed against the walls of the first accommodating portion. This ensures communication between the valve port and the tube body cavity. Without the connecting portion 1340, the throttled refrigerant enters the valve cavity directly into the first channel, reducing both component count and assembly steps.

[0046] Figure 13 The valve mouth portion 1350 shown is located in the first through hole 1311 of the first valve body. After being fixed, the valve mouth portion 1350 and the connecting body can also be located in the first channel 1240. In this way, the length of the first valve body can be reduced along the radial direction of the first channel 1240, and the volume of the thermal management device is relatively small.

[0047] See also Figure 14-16The first plate of the second heat exchange portion 1200 includes a first orifice 1204 and at least one second orifice 1205. The wall forming the first orifice 1204 includes a first flange 1290, which is folded from the main body of the first plate toward the throttling unit 1300. Multiple first plates are stacked, and the first flange 1290 is inserted into the first flange adjacent to it, and the two adjacent flanges are sealed. In this way, the stacked first flanges can form the tube body 1500. The inner wall of the first flange 1290 of the multiple plates forms the wall of the fourth flow channel. The portion of the first flange 1290 adjacent to the valve port 1350 is located in the first accommodating cavity and is sealed with the wall of the first accommodating portion 1341, so that the fourth flow channel is connected to the valve port 1351. Four second orifices 1205 are distributed radially outside the first orifice 1204, and the second orifices 1205 form the first orifice 1240. In other embodiments, each plate includes at least one second orifice. The opening of the first valve body 1310 faces the first orifice 1240, establishing communication between the valve cavity 1330 and the first orifice 1240. In other embodiments, the connecting portion 1340 can also be inserted into the inner wall of the first flange 1290 and sealed. It can be seen that the plate closest to the first heat exchange portion only includes the first orifice, not the second orifice. The second orifice is replaced by the first partition 1280.

[0048] In another specific embodiment, see Figure 17 The heat exchange core only includes the second heat exchange part 1200, that is, the plate of the second heat exchange part is located between the first plate body 1140 and the second plate body 1210, and the second heat exchange part has a plate in contact with the first plate body. At this time, the first through hole and the second through hole are formed in the first plate body, wherein the first through hole forms a first inlet 1001 on the bottom wall of the first plate body, and the first inlet is directly connected to the tube body cavity, and the second through hole forms a first outlet 1002 on the bottom wall of the first plate body, and the first outlet is directly connected to the tube body cavity.

[0049] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical solutions described in the present invention. Although this specification has described the present invention in detail with reference to the above embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can still be modified or replaced by equivalents, and all technical solutions and improvements thereof that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A thermal management device, comprising a connector, a throttling unit, and a heat exchange core, wherein the heat exchange core comprises a plurality of stacked plates, a first plate, and a second plate, wherein the plates are located between the first plate and the second plate along a stacking direction of the plates; and the heat exchange core further comprises a first channel; The throttling unit includes a first valve body and a valve port portion, the throttling unit having a first channel and a second channel, the valve port portion having a valve port, the valve port being able to connect the first channel and the second channel; the first valve body is fixed to the second plate body, the first valve body includes a first through hole, and the first through hole has an opening facing the first channel on the bottom wall of the first valve body; The connecting body includes a tube body and a connecting part, at least part of the tube body is located in the first channel, the tube body cavity is connected to the second channel, the connecting part has a communicating cavity and a first accommodating cavity accommodating at least part of the valve mouth part, the communicating cavity connects the first channel and the first channel, and the connecting part also includes a fixing part, which is fixed to the wall of the first through hole.

2. The thermal management device according to claim 1, characterized in that The throttling unit further includes a support ring, which is located in the first through hole. The first through hole includes a first step surface, and the fixing portion is in contact with the first step surface and the first end portion of the support ring respectively.

3. The thermal management device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer wall of the support ring is tightly matched with the inner wall of the first through hole so that the fixing portion is located on the first step surface, or the outer wall of the support ring is threadedly connected with the inner wall of the first through hole so that the fixing portion is located on the first step surface.

4. The thermal management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The tube body and the connecting part are separately arranged, and the connecting part includes a tube body fitting part and a first accommodating part, the first accommodating part forms the first accommodating cavity or a part of the first accommodating cavity, the tube body fitting part is sealed and fixed to the first end part of the tube body, and along the axial direction of the first channel, the tube body fitting part is closer to the first plate body than the first accommodating part.

5. The thermal management device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The tube body fitting portion includes a closing section and a small diameter section. Along the axial direction of the first channel, the closing section is closer to the first accommodating portion than the small diameter section. The radial dimension of the closing section is larger than the radial dimension of the small diameter section. The first end portion of the tube body includes a flared section and a straight section, the small diameter section matches the straight section, and the flared section matches the closed section.

6. The thermal management device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The tube body fitting portion includes a second accommodating cavity, the outer wall of the expanded section is sealed and fixed to the inner wall of the closed section, the outer wall of the straight section is sealed and fixed to the inner wall of the small diameter section, and along the axial direction of the first channel, there is a gap between the first end of the tube body and the valve mouth.

7. The thermal management device according to claim 5, characterized in that The throttling unit includes a guide portion, the guide portion is separately provided with the valve port portion, the wall of the first channel includes an upper wall of the valve port portion and a lower wall of the guide portion, and the side wall of the valve port portion is welded and sealed to the wall of the first accommodating portion; Alternatively, the throttling unit includes a guide portion, the guide portion is integrally provided with the valve mouth portion, the first channel is formed in the guide portion, and a sealing ring is provided between a side wall of the valve mouth portion and a wall of the first accommodating portion.

8. The thermal management device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The throttling unit includes a guide portion, the guide portion is separately provided with the valve port portion, the wall of the first channel includes an upper wall of the valve port portion and a lower wall of the guide portion, and the side wall of the valve port portion is welded and sealed to the wall of the first accommodating portion; Alternatively, the throttling unit includes a guide portion, the guide portion is integrally provided with the valve mouth portion, the first channel is formed in the guide portion, and a sealing ring is provided between a side wall of the valve mouth portion and a wall of the first accommodating portion.

9. The thermal management device according to any one of claims 1-3 and 5-7, characterized in that: The heat exchange core includes a first through hole, the first valve body is located at one end of the first channel, the first through hole is located at the other end opposite to the first channel, the second end of the tube body is sealedly connected to the first through hole, and the cavity of the first through hole is in communication with the cavity of the tube body; The heat exchange core includes a first partition and a second heat exchange part. The first partition and one of the plates of the second heat exchange part are an integral structure. Along the axial direction of the first channel, the first partition forms the bottom wall of the first channel. The first partition has an opening to accommodate the tube body, and a sealing arrangement is formed between the wall of the first partition opening and the wall of the tube body.

10. The thermal management device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The heat exchange core includes a first through hole, the first valve body is located at one end of the first channel, the first through hole is located at the other end opposite to the first channel, the second end of the tube body is sealedly connected to the first through hole, and the cavity of the first through hole is in communication with the cavity of the tube body; The heat exchange core includes a first partition and a second heat exchange part. The first partition and one of the plates of the second heat exchange part are an integral structure. Along the axial direction of the first channel, the first partition forms the bottom wall of the first channel. The first partition has an opening to accommodate the tube body, and a sealing arrangement is formed between the wall of the first partition opening and the wall of the tube body.

11. The thermal management device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The heat exchange core also includes at least one second partition, which is an integral structure with one of the plates of the second heat exchange part. Along the axial direction of the first channel, the second partition is closer to the first valve body than the first partition. The second partition has an opening to accommodate the tube body, forming a sealing arrangement between the wall of the second partition opening and the wall of the tube body.

12. The thermal management device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The heat exchange core also includes at least one second partition, which is an integral structure with one of the plates of the second heat exchange part. Along the axial direction of the first channel, the second partition is closer to the first valve body than the first partition. The second partition has an opening to accommodate the tube body, forming a sealing arrangement between the wall of the second partition opening and the wall of the tube body.

13. The thermal management device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The heat exchange core includes a connecting plate, a first heat exchange part and a second heat exchange part, the connecting plate is located between the first heat exchange part and the second heat exchange part, the connecting plate is fixed to the first heat exchange part and the second heat exchange part, and the first through hole is formed on the connecting plate; the thermal management device includes a refrigerant flow channel and a coolant flow channel, the coolant flow channel is formed on the second heat exchange part, the refrigerant flow channel includes a first flow channel, a second flow channel and a third flow channel, the first flow channel and the second flow channel are formed on the first heat exchange part, the third flow channel is formed on the second heat exchange part, the first The refrigerant in the flow channel and the refrigerant in the second flow channel can exchange heat in the first heat exchange portion, and the refrigerant in the third flow channel and the coolant in the coolant flow channel can exchange heat in the second heat exchange portion; the first heat exchange portion includes a first wall, and the second heat exchange portion includes a second wall, the first wall and the second wall are arranged opposite to each other, the first wall is formed with a first opening, the first opening is communicated with the second flow channel, the second wall is formed with a second opening, the second opening is communicated with the third flow channel, the first opening and the second opening are arranged opposite to or staggered, and the first opening and the second opening are communicated; The third flow channel includes the first channel, the first flow channel includes the second channel, the first wall has a first connecting port, at least part of the first connecting port is arranged opposite to the first through hole and the second channel, and the first through hole is connected to the second channel.

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