Fluid management devices and thermal management systems

By designing a fluid management device, the piping connections of the thermal management system are simplified, the intermediate heat exchanger and gas-liquid separation functions are integrated, the problem of complex pipe connections is solved, and the system compactness and heat exchange effect are improved.

CN114379311BActive Publication Date: 2025-09-09SHAOXING SANHUA AUTOMOTIVE THERMAL MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202011140153.8
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2020-10-22
Publication Date
2025-09-09
Estimated Expiration
2040-10-22

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The pipe connections in the thermal management system are complex and take up a lot of space, which makes the system installation complicated and non-compact.

Method used

A fluid management device is designed, including a first connector, a first valve portion, a first heat exchange portion, and a first cylinder. By adjusting the valve opening and the gas-liquid separation function, the pipeline connection is simplified, and the intermediate heat exchanger and the gas-liquid separation function are integrated to reduce the pipeline connection.

Benefits of technology

The structure of the thermal management system is simplified, the compactness of the system is improved and the flow resistance is reduced, the heat exchange effect is enhanced, and the battery temperature uniformity and performance are improved.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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    Figure CN114379311B_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The fluid management device and thermal management system disclosed in the present invention include a first connecting block, a first valve part, a first heat exchange part, a first cylinder and a second cylinder, at least part of the first valve part is located in the first mounting hole of the first connecting block, and at least part of the second cylinder is located in the first cylinder; the fluid management device has a first valve port, a first cavity, and a second cavity, the opening of the first valve port can be adjusted, at least part of the first heat exchange part is located in the first cavity, the first heat exchange part has a first heat exchange channel, the first heat exchange channel can be connected to the second cavity through the first valve port, and the fluid flowing through the first heat exchange channel can exchange heat with the fluid in the first cavity. In this way, the pipeline connections of each component are relatively reduced, which is conducive to simplifying the thermal management system.
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Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Components of the thermal management system used for fluid management are connected through pipes, which results in a large number of pipes in the thermal management system, making installation complex and occupying a large space. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a fluid management device and a thermal management system to facilitate simplifying the thermal management system.

[0004] In one aspect, an embodiment of the technical solution of the present application provides a fluid management device, comprising a first connector, a first valve portion, a first heat exchange portion, a first barrel, and a second barrel, wherein the first connector is fixedly connected or positionally connected to the first barrel, and the first connector is fixedly connected or positionally connected to the second barrel, the first connector having a first mounting hole, at least a portion of the first valve portion being located in the first mounting hole, and at least a portion of the second barrel being located in the first barrel;

[0005] The fluid management device has a first valve port, a first cavity, and a second cavity. The first valve port is formed in the first valve part or the first connecting body. The first valve part can adjust the opening of the first valve port. Along the radial direction of the first cylinder, at least part of the first cavity is located between the first cylinder and the second cylinder. At least part of the first heat exchange part is located in the first cavity. The first heat exchange part has a first heat exchange channel. The first heat exchange channel can be connected to the second cavity through the first valve port. The fluid flowing through the first heat exchange channel can exchange heat with the fluid in the first cavity.

[0006] On the other hand, one embodiment of the technical solution of the present application provides a thermal management system, including a compressor, a first heat exchanger, the above-mentioned fluid management device, and a second heat exchanger, wherein the fluid management device has a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet, and a second outlet, the first inlet is connected to the first heat exchange channel, the first outlet is connected to the second cavity, the second inlet is connected to the first cavity, and the second outlet is connected to the first cavity;

[0007] The compressor can be in communication with the first inlet via the second heat exchanger, the first outlet is in communication with the inlet of the first heat exchanger, the outlet of the first heat exchanger is in communication with the second inlet, and the second outlet is in communication with the inlet of the compressor.

[0008] The fluid management device and thermal management system provided by the above-mentioned embodiments of the present application include a first connector, a first valve part, a first heat exchange part, a first cylinder and a second cylinder, at least part of the first valve part is located in the first mounting hole of the first connector, and at least part of the second cylinder is located in the first cylinder; the fluid management device has a first valve port, a first cavity, and a second cavity, the opening of the first valve port can be adjusted, at least part of the first heat exchange part is located in the first cavity, the first heat exchange part has a first heat exchange channel, the first heat exchange channel can be connected to the second cavity through the first valve port, and the fluid located in the first heat exchange channel can exchange heat with the fluid in the first cavity. In this way, the pipeline connections of each component are relatively reduced, which is conducive to simplifying the thermal management system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the thermal management system connection of the first embodiment of the technical solution of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 2 This is a connection diagram of a thermal management system according to a second embodiment of the technical solution of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 3 This is a connection diagram of a thermal management system according to a third embodiment of the technical solution of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a connection between the fluid management device and the first heat exchanger;

[0013] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a connection between the fluid management device and the first heat exchanger;

[0014] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a first embodiment of a fluid management device;

[0015] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the fluid management device from another perspective;

[0016] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the first exploded structure of the fluid management device;

[0017] Figure 9 yes Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the second explosion structure of the fluid management device;

[0018] Figure 10 yes Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of the fluid management device from another perspective of the second explosion;

[0019] Figure 11 yes Figure 6 A schematic top view of the fluid management device;

[0020] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 Schematic cross-sectional view along AA;

[0021] Figure 13 yes Figure 11 Schematic cross-sectional view along BB;

[0022] Figure 14 yes Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the second explosion structure of the fluid management device;

[0023] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a second embodiment of the fluid management device;

[0024] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 Schematic diagram of the first exploded structure of the fluid management device;

[0025] Figure 17 yes Figure 15 A schematic structural diagram of the first explosion of the fluid management device from another perspective;

[0026] Figure 18 yes Figure 15 A schematic top view of the fluid management device;

[0027] Figure 19 yes Figure 18 A schematic cross-sectional view of the fluid management device along CC;

[0028] Figure 20 This is a connection diagram of a thermal management system according to the fourth embodiment of the technical solution of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0030] The fluid management device in this application can be applied to a vehicle thermal management system, where the vehicle can be a new energy vehicle, and the fluid in the fluid management device 1000 can be a refrigerant, such as R134a or CO2. Figure 6-Figure 14The fluid management device 1000 includes a first valve portion 1500, a first heat exchange portion 1600, a first barrel 1200, a second barrel 1700, a first connector 1100, and a second connector 1300. The first connector 1100 has a first mounting hole 1105, at least a portion of the first valve portion 1500 is located in the first mounting hole 1105, and the first valve portion 1500 is fixedly or positionally connected to the first connector 1100. Both ends of the first barrel 1200 and the second barrel 1700 are open, at least a portion of the second barrel 1700 is located within the first barrel 1200. The first connector 1100 is fixedly or positionally connected to the first end of the first barrel 1200 and the first end of the second barrel 1700, and the connections are relatively sealed. The second connector 1300 is fixedly or positionally connected to the second end of the first barrel 1200 and the second end of the second barrel 1700, and the connections are relatively sealed. For ease of description, the axis direction of the first cylinder 1200 is defined as the up-down direction, the second connector 1300 is located below, and the first connector 1100 is located above. The first cylinder and the second cylinder can be circular cylinders, or square cylinders or cylinders of other shapes.

[0031] See also Figure 12 and Figure 13 The fluid management device 1000 comprises a first channel 1140, a second channel 1150, a first valve port 1501, a first heat exchange channel 1601, a first chamber 1010, and a second chamber 1020. The first valve port 1501 is located within the first connector and can be formed within the first connector 1100 or within the first valve unit 1500. The first valve unit 1500 comprises a first drive unit and a first valve core. The first drive unit can drive the first valve core to operate, thereby enabling the first valve core to open, close, and adjust the opening of the first valve port 1501. When the first valve core opens the first valve port 1501, the first channel 1140 can communicate with the second channel 1150 through the first valve port 1501. Along the radial direction of the first cylinder 1200, at least a portion of the first cavity 1010 is located between the inner wall of the first cylinder 1200 and the outer wall of the second cylinder 1700; the second cavity 1020 is at least a portion of the cavity of the second cylinder 1700, or in other words, the wall forming the second cavity 1020 includes the inner wall of the second cylinder 1700, at least a portion of the first channel 1140 and the second channel 1150 are formed in the first connector 1100, at least a portion of the first heat exchange portion 1600 is located in the first cavity 1010, and the first heat exchange portion 1600 has a first heat exchange channel 1601. In this embodiment, please refer to Figure 8The first heat exchange part 1600 includes a first header 1620, a second header 1630 and a plurality of flat tubes 1610 fixedly connected to the first header 1620 and the second header 1630 respectively. The cavity of the first header 1620 can be connected to the cavity of the second header 1630 through the flat tube channel. The cavity of the first header 1620 can serve as the inlet cavity of the first heat exchange part 1600, and the cavity of the second header 1630 can serve as the outlet cavity of the first heat exchange part 1600, or the refrigerant in the cavity of the first header 1620 can flow into the cavity of the second header 1630 through the flat tube channel. The second connection portion of the first heat exchange section 1600 is fixedly connected or positionally connected to the second connector 1300, and the connection is relatively sealed. The first connection portion of the first heat exchange section 1600 is fixedly connected or positionally connected to the first connector 1100, and the connection is relatively sealed. The first channel 1140 communicates with the cavity of the second header 1630, and the second channel 1150 communicates with the second cavity 1020. The first connection portion of the first heat exchange section 1600 is located on the second header 1630, and the second connection portion of the first heat exchange section 1600 is located on the first header 1620. During operation of the fluid management device 1000, refrigerant is contained in the first cavity 1010, and the refrigerant in the first cavity 1010 can exchange heat with the refrigerant in the first heat exchange section 1600. To enhance the heat exchange effect, a plurality of fins may be fixedly connected to the outer wall of the flat tube 1610 to increase the heat exchange area between the refrigerant in the first heat exchange section 1600 and the refrigerant in the first cavity 1010. It should be noted that the first cavity accommodates a portion of the first heat exchange unit, and the first cavity also accommodates refrigerant, which can exchange heat with the refrigerant in the first heat exchange unit. In other embodiments, the first heat exchange unit 1600 can also be another type of heat exchanger, such as a tube.

[0032] The refrigerant in the second chamber 1020 is capable of gas-liquid separation. The second chamber 1020 also houses an umbrella cap 1710 and at least a portion of a return air pipe 1720. These umbrella cap 1710 and return air pipe 1720 enhance gas-liquid separation efficiency and are not described in detail here. During the gas-liquid separation process, gas rises while liquid sinks, exiting through the bottom of the second cylindrical body 1700. The fluid management device 1000 includes a liquid channel 1040, at least partially formed within the second connector body. Liquid channel 1040 communicates with the second chamber 1020.

[0033] In other embodiments, the fluid management device 1000 may also have both a liquid channel 1040 and a gas channel 1030. The gaseous refrigerant in the second chamber 1020 may enter the first chamber 1010 through the gas channel 1030. After entering the first chamber 1010, the gaseous refrigerant may exchange heat with the refrigerant in the first heat exchange channel 1601 before exiting the fluid management device 1000. The first connector 1100 may also have an outlet for the gas channel 1030, allowing the gaseous refrigerant to directly exit the fluid management device 1000.

[0034] The fluid management device 1000 has a first inlet 1002, a first outlet 1001, a second inlet 1004 and a second outlet 1003. The first inlet 1002 is connected to the first heat exchange channel 1601. In this embodiment, the second connector 1300 has a second connecting channel 1321 connected to the cavity of the first manifold 1620. The second connecting channel 1321 forms the first inlet 1002 in the second connector 1300. The first inlet 1002 is connected to the cavity of the first manifold 1620. In other embodiments, the first inlet 1002 can also be formed in the first cylinder 1200 or the first connector 1100 or formed in the first manifold 1620, which will not be described in detail. The first outlet 1001 is in communication with the second cavity 1020 via the liquid channel 1040, the second inlet 1004 is in communication with the first cavity 1010, and the second outlet 1003 is in communication with the first cavity 1010. The second inlet 1004 can communicate with the second outlet 1003 via the first cavity 1010. In this embodiment, the first outlet 1001 and the second outlet 1003 are formed on the second connector 1300, and the second inlet 1004 is formed on the first connector 1100. It can be seen that the second outlet 1003 is located below the second inlet 1004. The first connector may also include a boss or a pipe, and the first inlet 1002, the first outlet 1001, and the second outlet 1003 may also be located on the corresponding boss or pipe. Similarly, the second connector may also include a boss or a pipe, and the second inlet 1004 may also be located on the corresponding boss or pipe.

[0035] The following describes how the fluid management device 1000 works in a thermal management system. Figure 20 as well as Figure 6-Figure 14The vehicle thermal management system includes a compressor 100, a second heat exchanger 200, a fluid management device 1000, and a first heat exchanger 600. In this embodiment, the second heat exchanger 200 is a condenser, and the first heat exchanger 600 is a direct cooling plate, which can be used to reduce the temperature of the battery. The thermal management system is connected as follows: the outlet of the compressor 100 is connected to the first inlet 1002 of the fluid management device 1000 through the second heat exchanger 200, the first outlet 1001 is connected to the inlet of the first heat exchanger 600, the outlet of the first heat exchanger 600 is connected to the second inlet 1004, and the second outlet 1003 is connected to the inlet of the compressor 100. During operation of the thermal management system, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the second heat exchanger 200 enters the first heat exchange section 1600 through the first inlet 1002 and then enters the first channel 1140 through the cavity of the second header 1630. After throttling and reducing the pressure at the first valve port 1501, it enters the second channel 1150 and the second cavity 1020. The gas-liquid mixed refrigerant separates in the second cavity 1020. The liquid refrigerant enters the first heat exchanger 600 through the first outlet 1001, where it evaporates and absorbs heat. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the battery in the first heat exchanger 600 to reduce the battery temperature. The refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger 600 enters the first cavity 1010 through the second inlet 1004. The relatively high-pressure, relatively high-temperature refrigerant in the first heat exchange section 1600 exchanges heat with the relatively low-pressure, relatively low-temperature refrigerant in the first cavity 1010. The refrigerant in the first cavity 1010 is discharged from the fluid management device 1000 through the second outlet 1003 and finally enters the inlet of the compressor 100, starting another cycle.

[0036] In this embodiment, the first heat exchange channel can be considered the high-pressure channel of the intermediate heat exchanger, while at least a portion of the first chamber 1010 serves as the low-pressure channel of the intermediate heat exchanger. The provision of an intermediate heat exchanger in the thermal management system can ensure a more uniform temperature distribution of the refrigerant in the first heat exchanger 600, thereby achieving a more uniform temperature for the battery, thereby improving battery performance. If further precise regulation of the battery temperature is required, the opening of the first valve 1501 can be controlled to adjust the heat exchange rate between the refrigerant in the first heat exchange channel and the refrigerant in the first chamber 1010, thereby adjusting the heat exchange rate between the battery and the first heat exchanger 600. The second chamber 1020 has a gas-liquid separation function. After the throttled refrigerant is separated into gas and liquid in the second chamber 1020, the liquid refrigerant enters the first heat exchanger 600. The liquid refrigerant is evenly distributed in the first heat exchanger 600, ensuring uniform heat exchange between the first heat exchanger 600 and the battery, thereby improving battery performance. The fluid management device 1000 integrates a first valve portion 1500 capable of adjusting the opening of the first valve port 1501, a first heat exchange portion 1600 serving as an intermediate heat exchanger, a first cavity 1010, and a second cavity 1020 having a gas-liquid separation function, thereby reducing the number of pipe connections within the thermal management system, making the structure of the fluid management device 1000 compact, and also reducing flow resistance.

[0037] See also Figure 9 and Figure 10 The first connector 1100 includes a first valve body 1120, a first cover 1110, and a second cover 1130. The first valve body 1120, the first cover 1110, and the second cover 1130 are separately provided. The upper wall of the first cover 1110 and the lower wall of the first valve body 1120 are welded and sealed. The first channel 1140 is formed in the first cover 1110 and the first valve body 1120, respectively. The first cover 1110 is fixedly connected or positionally connected to the first end of the first cylinder 1200, and the connection is relatively sealed. More specifically, the lower end of the first cover 1110 is located in the cavity formed by the first cylinder 1200, and the lower end of the first cover 1110 is welded and sealed to the first end of the first cylinder 1200. The first cover 1110 includes a first wall portion 1101, which includes a first wall surface 1101' facing the first chamber 1010. The first connection portion of the second manifold 1630 is fixedly or positionally connected to the first wall portion 1101, and the connection is relatively sealed. The first heat exchange channel 1601 communicates with the first channel 1140. The fluid management device 1000 has a first communication channel 1170 formed in the first cover 1110. The first communication channel 1170 forms a second inlet 1004 in the first cover 1110. The first communication channel 1170 has an opening on the first wall surface 1101', thereby communicating the second inlet 1004 with the first chamber 1010.

[0038] The second cover body 1130 includes a main body and a boss, part of the main body is located in the second cylinder 1700, the main body is welded and sealed to the first end of the second cylinder 1700, the main body includes a second wall portion 1102, and the second wall portion 1102 includes a second wall surface facing the second cavity 1020; the boss protrudes toward the first cover body 1110 relative to the main body, and along the axial direction of the first cylinder 1200, there is a gap between the main body and the first cover body 1110, and the gap between the main body and the first cover body 1110 is part of the first cavity 1010, the boss of the second cover body 1130 is fixedly connected or limit-connected to the first cover body 1110, and the second channel 1150 is respectively formed on the main body of the second cover body 1130, the boss of the second cover body 1130, the first cover body 1110 and the first valve body 1120, the second channel 1150 has an opening on the second wall surface, and then the second channel 1150 is connected to the second cavity 1020. Of course, the boss can also be a part of the first cover body 1110 , or the boss can be separately provided from the first cover body 1110 and the second cover body 1130 , and the boss can be fixed to the first cover body 1110 and the second cover body 1130 by welding.

[0039] When the fluid management device 1000 has a gas channel 1030, see Figure 12At least part of the gas channel 1030 is formed on the second cover body 1130. The gas channel 1030 has an opening facing the first cover body 1110 on the upper wall of the main body. The opening is the outlet of the gas channel 1030. Since the gap between the main body and the first cover body 1110 is part of the first cavity 1010, the gas channel 1030 is connected to the first cavity 1010. The gas channel 1030 has an entrance of the gas channel 1030 near the main body. The gas in the second cavity 1020 enters the gas channel 1030 through the entrance of the gas channel 1030.

[0040] In other embodiments, the first cover 1110 and the first valve body 1120 may also be an integral structure, which will not be described in detail. The first cover 1110 and the second cover 1130 may also be an integral structure, see Figure 14 The first cover body 1110 and the second cover body 1130 are defined as cover bodies, the first valve body 1120 is fixedly connected or limit-connected to the cover body, at least part of the gas channel 1030 is formed on the cover body, the cover body includes a first side wall 1160, the first side wall 1160 faces the first cavity 1010, the gas channel 1030 has a gas channel 1030 outlet on the first side wall 1160, and then the gas channel 1030 is connected to the first cavity 1010.

[0041] See also Figure 6 、 Figure 7 as well as Figure 13 The fluid management device 1000 further includes a second valve portion 1400, the second valve portion 1400 includes a second valve core, the driving portion of the second valve portion 1400 can drive the second valve core to operate, the second connecting body 1300 has a second mounting hole, a third channel 1311 and a fourth channel 1312, at least part of the second valve portion 1400 is located in the second mounting hole, the fluid management device 1000 has a second valve port 1401, the second valve port 1401 is located in the second connecting body, and the second valve port 1401 can be formed in the second valve portion 1 400 or second connecting body 1300. When the second valve core opens the second valve port 1401, the third channel 1311 can communicate with the fourth channel 1312 through the second valve port 1401. The third channel 1311 has an opening on the wall facing the first chamber 1010, thereby communicating with the first chamber 1010. The fourth channel 1312 forms a second outlet 1003 on the second connecting body 1300. The second valve portion 1400 can open, close, and adjust the opening of the second valve port 1401. The fluid management device 1000 adjusts the opening of the second valve port 1401 via the second valve core, thereby adjusting the pressure of the refrigerant flowing out of the first chamber 1010 and, in turn, the pressure at the outlet of the first heat exchanger 600, thereby facilitating adjustment of the heat exchange capacity of the first heat exchanger 600.

[0042] The second connecting body 1300 includes a second valve body 1310 and a first lower cover 1320. The second valve body 1310 and the first lower cover 1320 are provided separately and are fixed by welding, threading, or other methods or are fixed or positionally connected. The first lower cover 1320 is fixedly connected to the second end of the first cylinder 1200 and is relatively sealed at the connection. The first inlet 1002 and the first outlet 1001 are formed in the first lower cover 1320. The third channel 1311 is formed in the second valve body 1310 and the first lower cover 1320. The fourth channel 1312 is formed in the second valve body 1310, and the fourth channel 1312 forms the second outlet 1003 in the second valve body 1310.

[0043] See also Figures 15-19 The embodiment shown in the figure differs from the above-mentioned embodiment in that the first outlet 1001 and the second inlet 1004 are formed in the second connecting body 1300, and the second outlet 1003 is formed in the first connecting body 1100. The first outlet 1001 and the second inlet 1004 are formed in the second connecting body 1300. The first outlet 1001 is used to connect to the inlet of the first heat exchanger 600, and the second inlet 1004 is used to connect to the outlet of the first heat exchanger 600. The first outlet 1001 and the second inlet 1004 are used to connect to the first heat exchanger 600. The proximity of the first outlet 1001 and the second inlet 1004 can reduce the number of connecting pipes between the fluid management device 1000 and the first heat exchanger 600. It can also reduce the installation time and material consumption. Furthermore, the first outlet 1001 and the second inlet 1004 are formed on the same wall of the second connector 1300. When the inlet and outlet of the first heat exchanger 600 are on the same wall, the fluid management device 1000 and the first heat exchanger 600 can be directly connected as one, which can reduce the connecting pipelines and improve the integration.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first inlet 1002 is formed on the second connector 1300. The first inlet 1002 may also be formed on other parts of the fluid management device 1000, which will not be described in detail.

[0045] The first connector 1100 has a second mounting hole, a third channel 1311, and a fourth channel 1312. At least a portion of the second valve portion 1400 is located in the second mounting hole. The second valve portion 1400 is fixedly connected or positionally connected to the first connector 1100. The second valve port is formed in the second valve portion 1400 or the first connector 1100, and the second valve portion 1400 can adjust the opening of the second valve port. The third channel 1311 has an opening on the first wall surface and communicates with the first cavity 1010. The fourth channel 1312 forms a second outlet 1003 on the first connector 1100. When the second valve core opens the second valve port, the first cavity 1010 can communicate with the second outlet 1003 through the second valve port. In this embodiment, gas channel 1030 is formed in second cover 1130, first cover 1110, and second valve body 1310. When second valve unit 1400 opens second valve port 1401, gas channel 1030 communicates with second outlet 1003 through second valve port 1401. At this point, the gas after gas-liquid separation is discharged from the fluid management device through the second valve port and second outlet.

[0046] For a specific implementation, see Figure 16 and Figure 17 The first connecting body 1100 includes a second valve body 1310, the first valve body 1120 and the second valve body 1310 are separately arranged, the second outlet 1003 and the second mounting hole are formed in the second valve body 1310, the third channel 1311 is formed in the second valve body 1310 and the first cover body 1110, and the second valve body 1310 is fixedly connected or limit-connected to the first cover body 1110.

[0047] Of course, the first valve body 1120 and the second valve body 1310 can also be an integral structure. The integral first valve body 1120 and the second valve body 1310 are collectively referred to as the valve body. The second outlet 1003 and the second mounting hole are formed in the valve body. The third channel 1311 is formed in the valve body and the first cover 1110. The valve body is fixedly connected or positionally connected to the first cover 1110. The third channel 1311 is formed in the valve body and the first cover 1110. The fourth channel 1312 is formed in the valve body and communicates with the second outlet. The connection relationship between the valve body, the first cover 1110, and the second cover 1130 and the first cylinder 1200 and the second cylinder 1700 is the same as in the above embodiment and will not be described in detail.

[0048] In addition, the first cover 1110 and the second cover 1130 may also be an integral structure, with the first cover 1110 and the second cover 1130 being defined as the cover, the valve body being fixedly connected or positionally connected to the cover, at least a portion of the gas channel 1030 being formed in the cover, the cover including a first sidewall facing the first cavity 1010, the gas channel 1030 having an opening in the first sidewall, and the gas channel 1030 being in communication with the first cavity 1010. Of course, the gas channel 1030 may also have a third outlet formed in the cover.

[0049] An embodiment of the technical solution of the present invention also provides a thermal management device, including a first heat exchanger 600 and a fluid management device 1000. In this embodiment, the first heat exchanger 600 is a direct cooling plate, the direct cooling plate includes a connecting portion, the direct cooling plate has a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet, the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet are formed in the connecting portion, the connecting portion is fixedly connected or limit-connected to the second connecting body 1300, the first outlet 1001 is connected to the refrigerant inlet, and the second inlet 1004 is connected to the refrigerant outlet.

[0050] An embodiment of the technical solution of the present invention further provides a thermal management system, which can be applied to a vehicle, which may be a new energy vehicle. Figure 1-Figure 5The thermal management system includes a compressor 100, a first heat exchanger 600, a second heat exchanger 200, and a fluid management device 1000. The fluid management device 1000 includes a separator 1200', a first expansion valve 1500', and a dual-channel heat exchanger 1600'. The separator 1200' described herein has a gas-liquid separation function and a liquid outlet, enabling the liquid refrigerant in the separator 1200' to flow out. The dual-channel heat exchanger 1600' can be a plate heat exchanger, a heat recovery tube, or other type of heat exchanger. The dual-channel heat exchanger 1600' has a first channel and a second channel, and the refrigerant in the first channel and the refrigerant in the second channel can exchange heat. The outlet of the compressor 100 is communicated with the inlet of the second heat exchanger 200, the outlet of the second heat exchanger 200 is communicated with the first port of the first flow channel, the first port of the first flow channel is the first inlet 1002 of the fluid management device 1000 or is communicated with the first inlet 1002 of the fluid management device 1000, the second port of the first flow channel is communicated with the inlet of the separator 1200' through the first expansion valve 1500', the liquid outlet of the separator 1200' is communicated with the inlet of the first heat exchanger 600, the outlet of the first heat exchanger 600 is communicated with the inlet of the second flow channel, and the outlet of the second flow channel is communicated with the compressor 100 The inlet of the machine 100 is connected or connected to the inlet of the compressor 100 through the gas-liquid separator 400, wherein the liquid outlet of the separator 1200' is the first outlet 1001 of the fluid management device 1000 or is connected to the first outlet 1001 of the fluid management device 1000, the inlet of the second flow channel is the second inlet 1004 of the fluid management device 1000 or is connected to the second inlet 1004 of the fluid management device 1000, and the outlet of the second flow channel is the second outlet 1003 of the fluid management device 1000 or is connected to the second outlet 1003 of the fluid management device 1000. The high-pressure refrigerant enters the first flow channel of the dual-flow heat exchanger 1600' from the second heat exchanger 200. It can be seen that the refrigerant in the first flow channel is relatively high pressure and relatively high temperature. After being throttled by the first expansion valve 1500', the refrigerant enters the separator 1200'. After the refrigerant is separated into gas and liquid in the separator 1200', the liquid refrigerant enters the first heat exchanger 600 to evaporate and absorb heat, and then enters the second flow channel. The relatively low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant enters the second flow channel to exchange heat with the refrigerant in the first flow channel and then enters the compressor 100. The thermal management system is equipped with a separator 1200' downstream of the first expansion valve 1500'. The refrigerant entering the first heat exchanger 600 is in liquid form, which is conducive to uniform distribution of the refrigerant in the first heat exchanger 600, thereby improving the temperature uniformity of the heat exchange surface of the first heat exchanger 600. In particular, when the first heat exchanger 600 is a direct cooling plate for cooling batteries, the batteries have high requirements for temperature uniformity. This is conducive to ensuring the temperature uniformity of the batteries, thereby improving the service life of the batteries.Because there is a temperature difference between the refrigerant in the first flow channel of the dual-channel heat exchanger 1600' and the refrigerant in the second flow channel of the dual-channel heat exchanger 1600', the refrigerant undergoes heat exchange in the dual-channel heat exchanger 1600'. As a result, the temperature of the refrigerant entering the compressor 100 is lower than the temperature of the refrigerant at the outlet of the first heat exchanger 600. Compared to not having the dual-channel heat exchanger 1600', the temperature difference between the batteries at the inlet and outlet sides of the first heat exchanger 600 is reduced, preventing the battery temperature from being too high, relatively improving the temperature uniformity of the batteries, and thus keeping the battery temperature within a reasonable range. This also relatively reduces the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet sides of the first heat exchanger 600, improving the temperature uniformity of the first heat exchanger 600 and making the battery temperature relatively uniform.

[0051] The fluid management device 1000 may also include a first regulating valve 1400'. The second flow channel is connected to the inlet of the compressor 100 via the first regulating valve 1400'. The first regulating valve 1400' can adjust the pressure at the outlet of the second flow channel, thereby adjusting the superheat of the dual-channel heat exchanger 1600', adjusting the heat exchange rate within the dual-channel heat exchanger 1600', and thus adjusting the heat exchange rate between the battery and the compressor 100. If more precise regulation of the battery temperature is required, the opening of the first regulating valve 1400' and the opening of the first expansion valve 1500' can be controlled to jointly adjust the heat exchange rate within the dual-channel heat exchanger 1600', thereby adjusting the heat exchange rate between the battery and the compressor 100. In this embodiment, the outlet of the first regulating valve 1400' is the second outlet 1003.

[0052] The separator 1200' may also have a gas outlet, that is, the separator 1200' has both a gas outlet and a liquid outlet, see Figure 1 The gas outlet can also be connected to the inlet of the compressor 100 through the second flow channel. The gaseous refrigerant discharged from the separator 1200' participates in heat exchange in the dual-flow heat exchanger 1600'. Figure 2 The gas outlet can also be connected to the inlet of the compressor 100 through the first regulating valve 1400'. The gas outlet can also be connected to the inlet of the compressor 100, and the gas discharged from the separator 1200' enters the compressor 100 for the next cycle.

[0053] Fluid management device 1000 also includes a throttle 1800', which can adjust the pressure of the gas discharged from separator 1200'. The outlet of throttle 1800' is connected to the gas outlet, or the outlet of throttle 1800' serves as the gas outlet of separator 1200'. The provision of throttle 1800' in fluid management device 1000 can adjust the pressure between the gas outlet and the outlet of compressor 100, thereby preventing refrigerant from the outlet of compressor 100 from entering separator 1200'. Throttle 1800' can be an expansion valve or a capillary tube, and will not be described in detail.

[0054] See also Figure 2 The thermal management system also includes a second expansion valve 300 and a third heat exchanger 500. The second heat exchanger 200 can be connected to the third heat exchanger 500 through the second expansion valve 300. The outlet of the third heat exchanger 500 is connected to the inlet of the compressor 100. The third heat exchanger 500 is in the air-conditioning box of the vehicle. The third heat exchanger 500 can adjust the temperature in the passenger compartment.

[0055] The dual-channel heat exchanger 1600', the first regulating valve 1400', the first expansion valve 1500' and the separator 1200' in the fluid management device 1000 can be connected by pipelines, or the above components can be integrated into one. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The illustration is shown here and no further detailed description is given.

[0056] 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 fluid management device, comprising a first connector, a first valve portion, a first heat exchange portion, a first barrel, and a second barrel, wherein the first connector is fixedly connected or positionally coupled to the first barrel, and the first connector is fixedly connected or positionally coupled to the second barrel, the first connector having a first mounting hole, at least a portion of the first valve portion being located in the first mounting hole, and at least a portion of the second barrel being located in the first barrel; The fluid management device has a first valve port, a first cavity, and a second cavity. The first valve port is located in the first connecting body. The first valve part can adjust the opening of the first valve port. Along the radial direction of the first cylinder, at least part of the first cavity is located between the first cylinder and the second cylinder. At least part of the first heat exchange part is located in the first cavity. The first heat exchange part has a first heat exchange channel. When the first valve part opens the first valve port, the first heat exchange channel is connected to the second cavity through the first valve port. The fluid located in the first heat exchange channel can exchange heat with the fluid located in the first cavity. The wall forming the second cavity includes the inner wall of the second cylinder. The second cavity is the gas-liquid separation cavity of the fluid management device.

2. The fluid management device according to claim 1, characterized in that The first connecting body includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion, the first wall portion includes a first wall surface facing the first cavity, the second wall portion includes a second wall surface facing the second cavity, the first connecting body has a first channel and a second channel, the first channel is connected to the second channel through the first valve port, the first end portion of the first heat exchange portion is fixedly or positionally connected to the first wall portion and is sealed at the connection, the first heat exchange channel is connected to the first channel, the second channel has an opening on the second wall surface, and the second channel is connected to the second cavity.

3. The fluid management device according to claim 2, characterized in that The fluid management device has a gas channel and a liquid channel, the liquid channel is connected to the second cavity, at least part of the gas channel is formed on the first connecting body, the gas channel is closer to the first connecting body than the liquid channel, the gas channel has a gas channel inlet near the first connecting body, the gas channel is connected to the second cavity, the gas channel is connected to the first cavity or has a gas channel outlet at the first connecting body.

4. The fluid management device according to claim 3, characterized in that The first connecting body includes a first cover body, a second cover body and a first valve body. Along the axial direction of the first cylinder, at least part of the first cover body is located between the first valve body and the second cover body. The first cover body is fixedly connected or limit-connected to the first end of the first cylinder and is sealed at the connection. The second cover body is fixedly connected or limit-connected to the first end of the second cylinder and is sealed at the connection. The first wall portion is a part of the first cover body, and the second wall portion is a part of the second cover body. The first mounting hole is formed in the first valve body, the first channel is formed in the first valve body and the first cover body, and the second channel is formed in the first valve body, the first cover body and the second cover body.

5. The fluid management device according to claim 4, characterized in that The first cover body and the second cover body are provided separately; the first cover body is fixedly connected or position-limitedly connected to the first valve body, or the first cover body and the first valve body are an integral structure; The first channel is formed in the first valve body and the first cover body, and the second channel is formed in the first valve body, the first cover body and the second cover body. A gap is set between the first cover body and the second cover body along the axial direction of the first cylinder body. The gap between the first cover body and the second cover body is part of the first cavity. The gas channel has a gas channel outlet on the wall surface of the second cover body facing the first cover body, and the gas channel is connected to the first cavity.

6. The fluid management device according to claim 4, characterized in that The first cover body and the second cover body are an integral structure, the first cover body and the second cover body are defined as a cover body, the first valve body is fixedly connected or positionally connected to the cover body or is an integral structure with the cover body, and at least a portion of the gas channel is formed on the cover body; The cover body includes a first side wall, the first side wall faces the first cavity, the gas channel has a gas channel outlet on the first side wall, and the gas channel is connected to the first cavity; Alternatively, the gas channel has a gas channel outlet on the cover.

7. The fluid management device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The fluid management device includes a second connecting block, and it is defined that the first connecting body is located above the second connecting block, the second connecting block is fixedly or positionally connected to the second end of the second cylinder, the second connecting block is fixedly or positionally connected to the second end of the first cylinder, the second end of the first heat exchange part is fixedly or positionally connected to the second connecting block and is sealed at the connection, at least part of the liquid channel is formed in the second connecting block, and the liquid channel has a channel opening in the second connecting block.

8. The fluid management device according to claim 7, characterized in that The fluid management device has a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet, and a second outlet. The first inlet is formed in the second connecting block or the second end of the first heat exchange portion. The first inlet is connected to the first heat exchange channel. The first outlet and the second outlet are formed in the second connecting block. The first outlet is connected to the liquid channel. The second inlet is formed in the first connecting body. The second outlet is formed in the second connecting block. The second outlet is connected to the first cavity. The second inlet is connected to the first cavity. The second inlet can be connected to the second outlet through the first cavity.

9. The fluid management device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4-6, and 8, characterized in that: The fluid management device includes a second connecting block and a second valve part, the second connecting block is fixedly or positionally connected to the second end of the second cylinder and the second end of the first cylinder, the second connecting block has a second mounting hole, at least part of the second valve part is located in the second mounting hole, the fluid management device has a third channel, a fourth channel and a second valve port, the third channel can be connected to the fourth channel through the second valve port, the third channel is connected to the first cavity, the fourth channel forms a second outlet of the fluid management device in the second connecting block, and the second valve part can open, close and adjust the opening of the second valve port.

10. A thermal management system comprising a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a fluid management device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and a second heat exchanger, wherein the fluid management device has a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet, and a second outlet, the first inlet communicating with the first heat exchange channel, the first outlet communicating with the second cavity, the second inlet communicating with the first cavity, and the second outlet communicating with the first cavity; The compressor can be in communication with the first inlet via the second heat exchanger, the first outlet is in communication with the inlet of the first heat exchanger, the outlet of the first heat exchanger is in communication with the second inlet, and the second outlet is in communication with the inlet of the compressor.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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