Water valves and thermal management system

Abstract

The water valve of this application has four ports. The second branch has three connection ports, and the first branch has two ports. The four ports of the water valve connect the four connection ports of the two branches. The two ports of the first branch are connected and connected to one connection port of the second branch. By using a water valve with four ports to connect two branches with five connection ports, the connection of the thermal management system is relatively simple, and the requirement for water valve interfaces is reduced. In addition, only two ports are connected in each working mode of the water valve, which also simplifies the design of the water valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of fluid management, specifically to water valves and thermal management systems. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of vehicles, thermal management systems need to manage more and more objects, making them increasingly complex. The functions of the components within the system are also becoming more complex, and the design requirements for the components are becoming more demanding. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a water valve and a thermal management system to simplify the thermal management system.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, one embodiment of this application adopts the following technical solution: a thermal management system, including a first branch, a second branch, and a water valve; the first branch includes a first pump and a first heat exchanger, the first pump and the first heat exchanger being connected in series; the first branch has a first port and a second port, the first port being able to communicate with the second port through the first pump and the first heat exchanger; the second branch has a first connection port, a second connection port, and a third connection port, the second branch includes a second pump and a second heat exchanger, the second pump and the second heat exchanger being connected in series; the first connection port being able to communicate with the second connection port through the second pump and the second heat exchanger, and the second connection port being able to communicate with the third connection port through the second pump and the second heat exchanger;

[0005] The water valve includes a first interface, a second interface, a third interface, and a fourth interface. The first connection port is connected to the first interface, the second interface is connected to the second connection port, the third connection port is connected to the third interface and the second interface, and the first interface is connected to the second interface and the fourth interface.

[0006] The thermal management system includes at least one temperature controller, which is located in at least one of the first branch and the second branch. When the temperature controller is located in the first branch, it is connected in series with the first pump and the first heat exchanger. When the temperature controller is located in the second branch, the first connection port is connected to the first interface through the temperature controller.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, another embodiment of this application adopts the following technical solution: a water valve, including a valve core and a valve housing, with at least a portion of the valve core located within the valve housing. The water valve has a first interface, a second interface, a third interface, and a fourth interface. The water valve has at least one of four operating modes. In the first operating mode of the water valve, the valve core is located in a first operating position, and the first interface is connected to the third interface. In the second operating mode of the water valve, the valve core is located in a second operating position, and the second interface is connected to the third interface. In the third operating mode of the water valve, the valve core is located in a third operating position, and the first interface is connected to the fourth interface. In the fourth operating mode of the water valve, the valve core is located in a fourth operating position, and the second interface is connected to the fourth interface.

[0008] The water valve of this application has four ports. The second branch has three connection ports, and the first branch has two ports. The four ports of the water valve are connected to the four connection ports of the two branches. The two ports of the first branch are connected to one connection port of the second branch. By using a water valve with four ports to connect two branches with five ports, the connection of the system is relatively simple, and the requirement for water valve ports is reduced. In addition, only two ports are connected in each working mode of the water valve, which also simplifies the design of the water valve. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the thermal management system of this application in the first working mode;

[0010] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection of the thermal management system of this application in the second working mode;

[0011] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the thermal management system of this application in the third working mode;

[0012] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the thermal management system of this application in the fourth working mode;

[0013] Figure 5 This is a connection diagram of the first branch road;

[0014] Figure 6 This is a connection diagram of the second branch;

[0015] Figure 7 This is a connection diagram showing the four operating modes of the water valve, where... Figure 7-1 This is a connection diagram for the first operating mode of the water valve. Figure 7-2 This is a connection diagram for the second operating mode of the water valve. Figure 7-3 This is a connection diagram for the third operating mode of the water valve. Figure 7-4This is a connection diagram for the fourth working mode of the water valve. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The thermal management system and water valve of this application can be applied to vehicle thermal management systems, including new energy vehicles. The invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0017] See Figures 1 to 7 The illustrated thermal management system includes a first branch 100, a second branch 300, and a water valve 200. The fluids in the first branch 100 and the second branch 300 include coolant. The first branch 100 includes a first heat exchanger 110, a first thermostat 130, and a first pump 120. The first heat exchanger 110, the first thermostat 130, and the first pump 120 are connected in series. The series connection here does not limit the positional relationship of the first heat exchanger 110, the first thermostat 130, and the first pump 120. The first branch 100 also has a first port 101 and a second port 102. Along the flow direction of the coolant, a first heat exchanger 110, a first temperature controller 130, and a first pump 120 are located between the first port 101 and the second port 102. The first port 101 and the second port 102 are the inlet and outlet of the first branch 100. For example, if the first port 101 is the inlet of the first branch 100, the second port 102 is the outlet of the first branch 100; if the second port 102 is the inlet of the first branch 100, the first port 101 is the outlet of the first branch 100. The first port 101 and the second port 102 can be located in a pipe or block connected to the components of the first branch 100. The first port 101 and the second port 102 can also be located in the components of the first branch 100, including the first temperature controller 130, the first heat exchanger 110, and the first pump 120. The first thermostat 130 can regulate the temperature of the coolant flowing through it. When the first thermostat 130 is a heater, it can increase the temperature of the coolant flowing through it. When the first thermostat 130 is a cooler, it can decrease the temperature of the coolant flowing through it. In this embodiment, the first thermostat 130 is a cooler and has a first flow channel and a second flow channel. The first flow channel is part of the first branch 100 and is not connected to the second flow channel. The fluid in the second flow channel includes refrigerant, and the fluid in the first branch 100 includes coolant. The throttling unit of the thermal management system can regulate the refrigerant pressure entering the first thermostat 130. The refrigerant evaporates and absorbs heat in the second flow channel, thereby reducing the temperature of the coolant flowing through the first flow channel. In this embodiment, the first heat exchanger 110 exchanges heat with the battery to regulate its temperature.

[0018] In this embodiment, along the flow direction of the coolant, the first heat exchanger 110 is located between the first temperature controller 130 and the first pump 120. The first port 101 is located in a pipe or block connected to the inlet of the first pump 120, or the first port 101 is the inlet of the first pump 120. The second port 102 is a port of the first heat exchanger 110, or the second port 102 is located in a pipe or block connected to a port of the first heat exchanger 110.

[0019] The second branch 300 includes a second heat exchanger 310, a second thermostat 400, and a second pump 320. The second heat exchanger 310 and the second pump 320 are connected in series. The second branch 300 has a first connection port 301, a second connection port 302, and a third connection port 303. The first connection port 301 can be connected to the second connection port 302 through the second pump 320 and the second heat exchanger 310. The second connection port 302 can be connected to the third connection port 303 through the second pump 320 and the second heat exchanger 310. One port of the second thermostat 400 is connected to the first connection port 301. In this embodiment, the first connection port 301 is the first port of the second heat exchanger 310 or the first connection port 301 is located on the tube or block connected to the first port of the third heat exchanger. The second port of the second heat exchanger 310 is connected to the outlet of the second pump 320. The second connection port 302 is the first port of the second heat exchanger 310 or the second connection port 302 is located on the tube or block connected to the first port of the second heat exchanger 310. The third connection port 303 is the inlet of the second pump 320 or the third connection port 303 is connected to the inlet of the second pump 320.

[0020] The second thermostat 400 can regulate the temperature of the coolant flowing through it. When the second thermostat 400 is a heater, it can increase the temperature of the coolant flowing through it. When it is a cooler, it can decrease the temperature of the coolant flowing through it. In this embodiment, the second thermostat 400 is a cooler, and the coolant inside it can release heat to the air, thus lowering the temperature of the coolant flowing through it. In a specific embodiment, the second thermostat 400 is a microchannel heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger 310 can exchange heat with a motor or electronic device in the vehicle to regulate its temperature.

[0021] The water valve 200 includes a valve body and a valve core, with at least a portion of the valve core located within the valve body. The water valve 200 has a first interface 201, a second interface 202, a third interface 203, and a fourth interface 204. The first connection port 301 is connected to the first interface 201 via a second thermostat 400; the second interface 202 is connected to the second connection port 302; the third interface 203 is connected to the third connection port 303; the first port 101 is connected to the fourth interface 204; and the second port 102 is connected to both the first port 101 and the third connection port 303.

[0022] The thermal management system includes four operating modes. Corresponding to these four operating modes, the water valve 200 has four operating modes, and its valve core has four operating positions. For the first operating mode of the thermal management system, please refer to... Figure 1 Water valve 200 is in its first operating mode, with its valve core in the first operating position. Specifically, the first port 201 of water valve 200 is connected to the third port 203. Since the first port 101 is connected to the second port 102, the coolant in the first branch 100 flows within it under the drive of the first pump 120. The thermal management system regulates the temperature of the coolant in the first branch 100 via the first thermostat 130, thereby regulating the battery temperature. The third connection port 303 of the second branch 300 is connected to the second thermostat 400 via water valve 200. The coolant in the second branch 300 flows within it under the drive of the second pump 320. Heat from the motor or electronic equipment is released to the coolant in the second branch 300 via the second heat exchanger 310, and then the coolant in the second branch 300 is released into the air via the second thermostat 400. It should be noted that although the third connection port 303 is connected to the second port 102, due to the combined action of the first pump 120 and the second pump 320, the coolant in the first branch 100 and the coolant in the second branch 300 do not exchange with each other or exchange only a small amount.

[0023] For the second operating mode of the thermal management system, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 2 Water valve 200 is in the second working mode, and the valve core of water valve 200 is in the second working position. That is, the second interface 202 of water valve 200 is connected to the third interface 203 of water valve 200. The difference between the second working mode and the first working mode of the thermal management system is that the third connection port 303 of the second branch 300 is connected to the second connection port 302 through water valve 200. The coolant in the second branch 300 flows in the second branch 300 under the drive of the second pump 320, and the coolant in the second thermostat 400 does not flow or has a low flow rate.

[0024] For the third operating mode of the thermal management system, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 3Water valve 200 is in the third working mode, and the valve core of water valve 200 is in the third working position. That is, the first port 201 of water valve 200 is connected to the fourth port 204 of water valve 200. At this time, the first port 101 of the first branch 100 is connected to the second thermostat 400 through water valve 200. Although the first port 101 is connected to the second port 102, under the action of the first pump 120 and the second pump 320, the first port 101 and the second port 102 do not directly flow with coolant or flow with a small amount of coolant. The coolant in the thermal management system flows under the drive of the first pump 120 and the second pump 320. Specifically, the coolant in the second branch 300 enters the first branch 100 through the second thermostat 400 and the water valve 200. The coolant in the first branch 100 flows out through the second port 102 and enters the third connection port 303. At this time, the first thermostat 130 can be deactivated, and the coolant in the thermal management system is released into the air through the second thermostat 400, thereby reducing the temperature of the battery, motor, or electronic equipment. Since the compressor needs to be turned on when the first thermostat 130 is working, the energy consumption of the thermal management system can be reduced in the third operating mode of the thermal management system.

[0025] For the fourth operating mode of the thermal management system, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 4 In the fourth operating mode, water valve 200 is in its fourth operating position, meaning the second port 202 of water valve 200 is connected to the fourth port 204. The difference between the fourth and third operating modes of the thermal management system is that the first port 101 of the first branch 100 is connected to the second connection port 302 via water valve 200. The coolant in the second thermostat 400 is not flowing or has a low flow rate. At this time, the first thermostat 130 is active, and the coolant in the thermal management system is cooled by the first thermostat 130, thereby reducing the temperature of the battery, motor, or electronic equipment. Compared to the third operating mode, the thermal management system can reduce the temperature of the battery, motor, or electronic equipment more quickly.

[0026] The water valve has four ports. The second branch has three connection ports, and the first branch has two ports. The four ports of the water valve connect the four connection ports of the two branches. The two ports of the first branch are connected to one connection port of the second branch. By using a water valve with four ports to connect two branches with five connection ports, the connection of the system is relatively simple, and the requirement for water valve ports is reduced. In addition, only two ports are connected in each working mode of the water valve, which also simplifies the design of the water valve.

[0027] In other embodiments, the second thermostat 400 may also be located in the first branch 100, and the first connection port 301 of the second branch 300 is connected to the first interface 201 of the water valve 200 through the first thermostat 130, which will not be described in detail here.

[0028] In other embodiments, the thermal management system may include a thermostat, and the cooler may be located in the first branch 100, or the first connection port 301 of the second branch 300 may be connected to the first interface 201 of the water valve 200 through the thermostat, which will not be described in detail here.

[0029] 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 the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still make modifications or equivalent substitutions to the present invention. All technical solutions and improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A thermal management system, comprising a first branch, a second branch, and a water valve, wherein the first branch includes a first pump and a first heat exchanger, the first pump and the first heat exchanger being connected in series, the first branch having a first port and a second port, the first port being able to communicate with the second port through the first pump and the first heat exchanger; the second branch has a first connection port, a second connection port, and a third connection port, the second branch including a second pump and a second heat exchanger, the second pump and the second heat exchanger being connected in series, the first connection port being able to communicate with the second connection port through the second pump and the second heat exchanger, and the second connection port being able to communicate with the third connection port through the second pump and the second heat exchanger; The water valve includes a first interface, a second interface, a third interface, and a fourth interface. The first connection port is connected to the first interface, the second interface is connected to the second connection port, the third connection port is connected to the third interface and the second interface, and the first interface is connected to the second interface and the fourth interface. The thermal management system includes at least one temperature controller, which is located in at least one of the first branch and the second branch. When the temperature controller is located in the first branch, it is serially connected to the first pump and the first heat exchanger. When the temperature controller is located in the second branch, the first connection port is connected to the first interface through the temperature controller. The thermal management system has at least one of four operating modes: in the first operating mode of the thermal management system, the third connection port is connected to the first connection port via the water valve; in the second operating mode of the thermal management system, the third connection port is connected to the second connection port via the water valve; in the third operating mode of the thermal management system, the first port is connected to the first connection port via the water valve; and in the fourth operating mode of the thermal management system, the first port is connected to the second connection port via the water valve.

2. The thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water valve includes a valve body and a valve core, with at least a portion of the valve core located within the valve body. Corresponding to the four operating modes of the thermal management system, the valve core has four operating positions: in the first operating mode of the thermal management system, the valve core is located in the first operating position, and the first interface is connected to the third interface; in the second operating mode of the thermal management system, the valve core is located in the second operating position, and the second interface is connected to the third interface; in the third operating mode of the thermal management system, the valve core is located in the third operating position, and the first interface is connected to the fourth interface; in the fourth operating mode of the thermal management system, the valve core is located in the fourth operating position, and the second interface is connected to the fourth interface.

3. The thermal management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second port is the exit of the first branch and the third connection port is the entrance of the second branch, or the second port is the entrance of the first branch and the third connection port is the exit of the second branch.

4. The thermal management system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The thermal management system includes a first thermostat and a second thermostat. The first thermostat has a first flow channel and a second flow channel. The first flow channel and the second flow channel are not in communication with each other. The fluid in the second flow channel includes refrigerant. The fluid in the first branch includes coolant. The first flow channel is part of the first branch. The second thermostat is located in the second branch and is capable of exchanging heat with the air.

5. The thermal management system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The thermal management system includes a throttling unit that can regulate the pressure of the refrigerant entering the first thermostat. The second thermostat is a microchannel heat exchanger, and the coolant in the second thermostat can release heat to the air.

6. A water valve, applied to a thermal management system according to any one of claims 1-5, comprising a valve core and a valve housing, wherein at least a portion of the valve core is located within the valve housing, the water valve having a first interface, a second interface, a third interface, and a fourth interface, the water valve having at least one of four operating modes: in the first operating mode of the water valve, the valve core is located in a first operating position, and the first interface is connected to the third interface; in the second operating mode of the water valve, the valve core is located in a second operating position, and the second interface is connected to the third interface; in the third operating mode of the water valve, the valve core is located in a third operating position, and the first interface is connected to the fourth interface; in the fourth operating mode of the water valve, the valve core is located in a fourth operating position, and the second interface is connected to the fourth interface.

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