Manifold module and secondary injection molding method

Abstract

According to the manifold module and the secondary injection molding method, a first runner, a second runner, a third runner and a plastic packaging plate are arranged, the contact surface of the plastic packaging plate is a secondary injection molding finished product, and the contact surface is located at the joint of a first inlet, a second inlet and a third inlet and a three-way valve; therefore, communication between the three-way valve and each flow channel of the manifold assembly is ensured, and circulation of substances contained in the flow channels is ensured. Moreover, the content ratio of glass fibers in the plastic for the first injection molding of the contact surface is lower than the content ratio of glass fibers in the plastic for the second injection molding of the contact surface, so that the contact surface can deal with extrusion, plane concavo-convex caused by shrinkage of the plastic after molding is avoided, and finally, the flatness is effectively improved; the technical defect that the contact surface between the manifold and the valve in the manifold module in the prior art shrinks is overcome.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automobile parts manufacturing, and in particular to a manifold module and a secondary injection molding method. Background Art

[0002] As one of the key technologies to ensure automobile safety, improve driving experience, and achieve energy conservation and environmental protection, the importance of automotive thermal management technology is becoming increasingly prominent. In recent years, the automotive manifold module has been widely used and developed in automotive thermal management technology due to its high efficiency, integration, and intelligence, and has become an important force in promoting the innovation of automotive thermal management technology.

[0003] The manifold module integrates multiple thermal management components, including a manifold and a valve. The number of valve ports of the valve is the same as the number of flow channels of the manifold, and the manifold and the valve are provided with contact surfaces that match each other. The module must not only ensure the smooth connection between the manifold and the valve, but also ensure that the contact surface on the manifold that matches the contact surface of the valve is not squeezed and deformed. However, the contact panel of the manifold is a one-time injection-molded panel, which is prone to fluctuations in the flatness of its contact surface due to unstable process, and ultimately causes module leakage due to a series of reasons.

[0004] In order to deal with the fluctuation of the flatness of the primary injection molding surface, the existing technology adopts the method of reducing the contact area between the manifold and the valve, or increasing the thickness of the injection molding surface. However, both methods have the technical defect of shrinking the contact surface between the manifold and the valve, making it difficult to meet the technical requirements of contact sealing between the manifold and the valve. Summary of the invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is how to overcome the technical defect of shrinkage of the contact surface between the manifold and the valve in the manifold module of the prior art under the premise of ensuring smooth connection between the manifold and the valve. In order to overcome the above defects of the prior art, the present invention provides a manifold module and a secondary injection molding method, including a manifold module and a secondary injection molding method for a manifold module.

[0006] A manifold module provided by the present invention comprises a manifold assembly and a three-way valve;

[0007] The manifold assembly includes a support seat and a first flow channel, a second flow channel, a third flow channel and a plastic sealing plate arranged on the support seat, the first flow channel is provided with a first inlet, the second flow channel is provided with a second inlet, and the third flow channel is provided with a third inlet;

[0008] The first flow channel, the second flow channel and the third flow channel all pass through the plastic sealing plate, and the first inlet, the second inlet and the third inlet are respectively connected to a valve port of the three-way valve;

[0009] The plastic sealing plate is an inner and outer structure composed of an inner plate and an outer plate, the outer plate is provided with a contact surface matching the contact surface of the three-way valve, and the contact surface is flush with the first inlet, the second inlet and the third inlet;

[0010] The inner layer plate and the outer layer plate are both made of plastic, wherein the glass fiber content ratio of the plastic used in the inner layer plate is lower than the glass fiber content ratio of the plastic used in the outer layer plate.

[0011] The manifold module disclosed in the present invention is provided with a first flow channel, a second flow channel, a third flow channel and a plastic sealing plate, and the plastic sealing plate is an inner and outer structure composed of an inner plate and an outer plate, and the contact surface of the outer plate is flush with the first inlet, the second inlet and the third inlet, thereby ensuring the connection between the three-way valve and each flow channel of the manifold assembly and ensuring the circulation of the substances contained in the flow channel. In addition, since the glass fiber content ratio of the plastic used in the inner plate is lower than the glass fiber content ratio of the plastic used in the outer plate, the plastic sealing plate can cope with extrusion and will not have plane bumps due to shrinkage after plastic molding, and finally effectively improves the flatness of the contact surface, overcoming the technical defect of shrinkage of the contact surface between the manifold and the valve in the manifold module of the prior art.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the second flow channel is provided with a fourth inlet, the second flow channel passes through the support seat, and the fourth inlet is located at the bottom of the support seat; this solution can ensure that the second flow channel is fixed in the support seat and ensure that the flow channel is unobstructed.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the first inlet, the second inlet and the third inlet are laterally spaced apart on the outer plate; this solution can ensure the sealing contact surface characteristics of the plastic sealing plate for the three-way valve and the manifold assembly while ensuring connectivity with the three-way valve.

[0014] In one possible embodiment, the material of the outer layer plate is a plastic with a glass fiber content ratio of 18%-19%, and the material of the inner layer plate is a plastic with a glass fiber content ratio of 20%-24%; this solution can ensure that the inner and outer layer plate structures of the plastic sealing plate are integrated, avoid deformation due to high temperature, and thereby ensure the sealing flatness of the contact surface.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the outer plate is provided with a plurality of insert openings, and the three-way valve is provided with a plurality of inserts tightly fitting with the insert openings; this arrangement ensures a tight fit connection between the three-way valve and the plastic sealing plate, ensuring contact sealing.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the first flow channel, the second flow channel, the third flow channel and the plastic sealing plate are fixed by criss-crossing reinforcing ribs, thereby ensuring that the relative positions of the first flow channel, the third flow channel and the plastic sealing plate are fixed, ensuring the stability of the manifold assembly structure; ensuring the stability of the manifold assembly structure and ensuring the flatness of the plastic sealing plate.

[0017] Another technical solution of the present invention is to provide a secondary injection molding method of a manifold module, comprising the following steps:

[0018] S1: preparing a support seat and a three-way valve, and setting a first flow channel, a second flow channel, and a third flow channel on the support seat, and respectively connecting the first flow channel, the second flow channel, and the third flow channel to three valve ports of the three-way valve;

[0019] S2: Using plastic with a glass fiber content ratio of 18%-19% as raw material, an injection molding machine and an injection mold are used to extend from the contact surface of the three-way valve along the first flow channel, the second flow channel and the third flow channel on the support seat to form an outer layer plate with a preset thickness and a cavity, and a plurality of injection ports for secondary injection molding are formed on the outer layer plate, and the plurality of injection ports are connected to the cavity;

[0020] S3: Using plastic with a glass fiber content ratio of 20%-24% as raw material, performing injection molding from a plurality of injection ports through an injection molding machine to fill the cavity to form an inner layer plate, thereby obtaining a plastic-sealed plate.

[0021] The secondary injection molding method of the manifold module disclosed in the present invention forms a plastic sealing plate by secondary injection molding. In this process, a cavity for secondary injection molding and a plurality of injection ports are provided on the panel formed by the first injection molding, thereby achieving the purpose of changing the injection molding process to improve the flatness and contour of the plastic sealing plate, and finally improving the air tightness of the manifold module assembly. Compared with other flatness improvement methods, the beneficial effect of this method is that the amount of modification is small, the final shape of the manifold module is not changed, the mold repair cost is saved, and the final improvement effect is better.

[0022] In a possible implementation, step S1 includes the following steps:

[0023] S11: preparing a support seat, a first flow channel, a second flow channel, and a third flow channel, wherein the first flow channel is provided with a first inlet, the second flow channel is provided with a second inlet and a fourth inlet, and the third flow channel is provided with a third inlet;

[0024] S12: Adding mounting positions on the support seat to respectively fix the first flow channel, the second flow channel and the third flow channel;

[0025] S13: vertically penetrate a through hole that is tightly matched with the second flow channel from the upper surface to the lower surface of the support seat, and make the second flow channel pass through the through hole and the fourth inlet be located at the bottom of the support seat;

[0026] S14: Prepare a three-way valve whose pipe opening distribution of the communicating vessel is compatible with the distribution of the first inlet, the second inlet, and the third inlet, and respectively connect the first inlet, the second inlet, the third inlet and the three valve openings of the communicating vessel of the three-way valve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the manifold assembly disclosed in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 It is a front view of the manifold assembly disclosed in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 is a top view of the manifold assembly disclosed in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 It is a bottom view of the manifold assembly disclosed in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the three-way valve disclosed in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the plastic sealing plate disclosed in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 7 This is a flow chart of the method disclosed in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a one-shot injection molded product in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0035] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram of the secondary injection molding result in Example 2 of the present invention.

[0036] Description of reference numerals:

[0037] 1. Manifold assembly, 11. Support seat, 12. First flow channel, 121. First inlet, 122. Fifth inlet, 13. Second flow channel, 131. Second inlet, 132. Fourth inlet, 14. Third flow channel, 141. Third inlet, 142. Sixth inlet, 15. Plastic sealing plate, 151. Inner plate, 152. Outer plate, 153. Contact surface, 154. Insert port, 2. Three-way valve, 21. Connecting vessel, 211. Embedded part, 22. Controller, 3. Reinforcement ribs, 4. Injection port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] First, those skilled in the art should understand that these implementations are only used to explain the technical principles of the embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can make adjustments to them as needed to adapt to specific application scenarios.

[0039] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0040] In addition, the term "tight fit" refers to a fitting method in which there is no gap between the hole and the shaft, rod or tube, and they are tightly connected. Therefore, when it is mentioned that one component is tightly fitted with another component, it means that a through hole or hole that tightly fits with the rod or tube of the other component is provided on one of the components, thereby realizing the connection between the two.

[0041] In the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" or "above" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0042] Two embodiments will be used below, and the present application will be further described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0043] Embodiment 1

[0044] See also Figure 1 to Figure 6 As shown, the embodiment of the present application discloses a manifold module, including a manifold assembly 1 and a three-way valve 2; the manifold assembly 1 includes a support seat 11 and a first flow channel 12, a second flow channel 13, a third flow channel 14 and a plastic sealing plate 15 arranged on the support seat 11. The first flow channel 12 is provided with a first inlet 121 and a fifth inlet 122. Figure 4 As shown, the second flow channel 13 passes through the support seat 11, and is provided with a second inlet 131 and a fourth inlet 132, and the fourth inlet 132 is located at the bottom of the support seat 11. The third flow channel 14 is provided with a third inlet 141 and a sixth inlet 142, and the sixth inlet 142 opens upward.

[0045] See also Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the first flow channel 12, the second flow channel 13 and the third flow channel 14 all pass through the plastic sealing plate 15, and the plastic sealing plate 15 is an inner and outer structure composed of an inner plate 151 and an outer plate 152, and its structural schematic diagram is shown in FIG. Figure 6 The outer plate 152 is provided with a contact surface 153 matching the contact surface of the three-way valve 2, the contact surface 153 is flush with the first inlet 121, the second inlet 131 and the third inlet 141, and the first inlet 121, the second inlet 131 and the third inlet 141 are distributed on the contact surface 153 in a transversely spaced manner.

[0046] See also Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the three-way valve 2 includes a connecting vessel 21 and a controller 22 connected to the connecting vessel 21. The controller 22 is used to adjust the flow rate of the pipe in the connecting vessel 21. The contact surface of the three-way valve 2 is arranged on the connecting vessel 21. Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the outer plate 152 is provided with a plurality of insert ports 154, and four are provided in this embodiment, which are distributed at the top corners of the outer plate 152. The communicating vessel 21 is provided with a plurality of inserts 211 that are tightly matched with the insert ports 151, thereby achieving a tight fit connection. The communicating vessel 21 of the three-way valve 2 is provided with three valve ports, and the first inlet 121, the second inlet 131 and the third inlet 141 are respectively connected to one valve port.

[0047] See also Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the material of the inner plate 151 and the outer plate 152 are both plastic, wherein the glass fiber content ratio of the plastic used in the inner plate 151 is lower than the glass fiber content ratio of the plastic used in the outer plate 152. Specifically, the glass fiber content ratio of the plastic used in the outer plate 152 is 18%-19%, and the glass fiber content ratio of the plastic used in the inner plate 151 is 20%-24%.

[0048] See also Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the first flow channel 12, the second flow channel 13, the third flow channel 14 and the plastic sealing plate 15 are fixed by crisscrossing reinforcing ribs 3, thereby further ensuring the stability of the manifold assembly structure and ensuring the flatness of the plastic sealing plate.

[0049] The manifold module disclosed in the present embodiment is provided with a first flow channel 12, a second flow channel 13, a third flow channel 14 and a plastic sealing plate 15, and the contact surface 153 of the plastic sealing plate 15 cooperates with the contact surface of the connecting vessel 21 of the three-way valve 2. In addition, since the glass fiber content ratio of the plastic used in the inner layer plate 151 is lower than the glass fiber content ratio of the plastic used in the outer layer plate 152, the contact surface 153 of the plastic sealing plate 15 as the contact surface will not have plane bumps due to the shrinkage of the plastic after molding, thereby effectively improving the flatness and overcoming the technical defect of the shrinkage of the contact surface between the manifold and the valve in the manifold module of the prior art.

[0050] Embodiment 2

[0051] See also Figure 7 to Figure 9 As shown, this embodiment further discloses a secondary injection molding method for a manifold module, see Figure 6 As shown, the method comprises the following steps:

[0052] S1: Prepare a support seat 11 and a three-way valve 2, and set a first flow channel 12, a second flow channel 13, and a third flow channel 14 on the support seat 11, and respectively connect the first flow channel 12, the second flow channel 13, and the third flow channel 14 with the three valve ports of the three-way valve 2.

[0053] Specifically in this embodiment, step S1 includes the following steps:

[0054] S11: preparing a support seat 11 , a first flow channel 12 , a second flow channel 13 , and a third flow channel 14 . The first flow channel 12 is provided with a first inlet 121 , the second flow channel 13 is provided with a second inlet 131 and a fourth inlet 132 , and the third flow channel 14 is provided with a third inlet 141 .

[0055] S12: Adding mounting positions on the support seat 11 to fix the first flow channel 12, the second flow channel 13 and the third flow channel 14 respectively.

[0056] S13 : A through hole tightly fitting with the second flow channel 13 is vertically penetrated from the upper surface to the lower surface of the support seat 11 , and the second flow channel 13 passes through the through hole and the fourth inlet 132 is located at the bottom of the support seat 11 .

[0057] S14: Prepare a three-way valve 2 whose pipe opening distribution of the communicating vessel 21 is compatible with the distribution of the first inlet 121, the second inlet 131, and the third inlet 141, and connect the first inlet 121, the second inlet 131, the third inlet 141 to the three valve ports of the communicating vessel 21 of the three-way valve 2 in a one-to-one manner.

[0058] S2: Using plastic with a glass fiber content of 18%-19% as raw material, an injection molding machine and an injection mold are used to extend from the contact surface of the three-way valve 2 along the first flow channel 12, the second flow channel 13 and the third flow channel 14 on the support seat 11 to form an outer plate 152 with a preset thickness and a cavity therein, and a plurality of injection ports 4 for secondary injection molding are formed through the outer plate 152, and the plurality of injection ports 4 are all connected to the cavity.

[0059] S3: Using plastic with a glass fiber content ratio of 20%-24% as raw material, an injection molding machine is used to perform injection molding from a plurality of injection ports 4 to fill the cavity, thereby forming an inner layer plate 151, and then obtaining a plastic sealing plate 15, thereby obtaining a manifold module.

[0060] As a specific example, plastics with glass fiber content ratios of 18%, 18.5% and 19% are used as raw materials to obtain the outer plate 152. The outer plate 152 is reserved with a cavity for secondary injection molding and 10 injection ports 4. The 10 injection ports 4 are distributed in the upper row and the lower row, with 5 ports each. The molding with a glass fiber content ratio of 18% is as follows: Figure 8 As shown. Subsequently, plastics with glass fiber content ratios of 20%, 22% and 24% are used as raw materials, and injection molding is performed through a plurality of injection ports 4 by an injection molding machine to fill the cavity. The glass fiber content ratio is 20% and the final product is as shown. Fig. 9 shown.

[0061] The secondary injection molding method of the manifold module disclosed in this embodiment forms a plastic sealing plate 15 by secondary injection molding. In this process, a cavity for secondary injection molding and a plurality of injection ports 4 are provided on the first injection molding panel, thereby achieving the purpose of changing the injection molding process to improve the flatness and contour of the plastic sealing plate, and ultimately improving the air tightness of the manifold module assembly. Compared with other flatness improvement methods, the beneficial effect of this method is that the amount of modification is small, the final shape of the manifold module is not changed, the mold repair cost is saved, and the final improvement effect is better.

[0062] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that in the description of the present application, terms such as "inside" and "outside" indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings. This is only for the convenience of description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or component must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0063] In the description of the present application, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "in the present embodiment", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, mechanisms, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, mechanisms, materials or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0064] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A manifold module, comprising a manifold assembly (1) and a three-way valve (2); The manifold assembly (1) comprises a support seat (11) and a first flow channel (12), a second flow channel (13), a third flow channel (14) and a plastic sealing plate (15) arranged on the support seat (11); the first flow channel (12) is provided with a first inlet (121), the second flow channel (13) is provided with a second inlet (131), and the third flow channel (14) is provided with a third inlet (141); The first flow channel (12), the second flow channel (13) and the third flow channel (14) all pass through the plastic sealing plate (15), and the first inlet (121), the second inlet (131) and the third inlet (141) are respectively connected to a valve port of the three-way valve (2); It is characterized in that The plastic sealing plate (15) is an inner and outer structure composed of an inner plate (151) and an outer plate (152); the outer plate (152) is provided with a contact surface (153) that matches the contact surface of the three-way valve (2); the contact surface (153) is flush with the first inlet (121), the second inlet (131) and the third inlet (141); The inner plate (151) and the outer plate (152) are both made of plastic, wherein the glass fiber content ratio of the plastic used in the inner plate (151) is lower than the glass fiber content ratio of the plastic used in the outer plate (152).

2. The manifold module according to claim 1, characterized in that The second flow channel (13) is provided with a fourth inlet (132); the second flow channel (13) passes through the support seat (11); and the fourth inlet (132) is located at the bottom of the support seat (11).

3. The manifold module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first inlet (121), the second inlet (131) and the third inlet (141) are distributed on the contact surface (153) at intervals in the transverse direction.

4. The manifold module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The material of the outer layer plate (152) is a plastic whose glass fiber content ratio is 18%-19%, and the material of the inner layer plate (151) is a plastic whose glass fiber content ratio is 20%-24%.

5. The manifold module according to claim 4, characterized in that The outer plate (152) is provided with a plurality of insert openings (154), and the three-way valve (2) is provided with a plurality of inserts (211) tightly fitting with the insert openings (154).

6. The manifold module according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 5, characterized in that: The first flow channel (12), the second flow channel (13), the third flow channel (14) and the plastic sealing plate (15) are fixed by crisscrossing reinforcing ribs (3).

7. A secondary injection molding method for a manifold module, characterized in that: The manifold module according to any one of claims 1 to 6 comprises the following steps: S1: preparing a support seat (11) and a three-way valve (2), and arranging a first flow channel (12), a second flow channel (13), and a third flow channel (14) on the support seat (11), and respectively establishing connections between the first flow channel (12), the second flow channel (13), and the third flow channel (14) and the three valve ports of the three-way valve (2); S2: Using plastic with a glass fiber content ratio of 18%-19% as raw material, an injection molding machine and an injection mold are used to extend from the contact surface of the three-way valve (2) along the first flow channel (12), the second flow channel (13) and the third flow channel (14) on the support seat (11) to form an outer layer plate (152) with a preset thickness and a cavity, and a plurality of injection ports (4) for secondary injection molding are formed on the outer layer plate (152), and the plurality of injection ports (4) are connected to the cavity; S3: Using plastic with a glass fiber content of 20% to 24% as raw material, an injection molding machine is used to perform injection molding from a plurality of the injection molding ports (4) to fill the cavity to form an inner layer plate (151), thereby obtaining a plastic-sealed plate (15).

8. The method for secondary injection molding of a manifold module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The step S1 comprises the following steps: S11: preparing a support seat (11), a first flow channel (12), a second flow channel (13), and a third flow channel (14), wherein the first flow channel (12) is provided with a first inlet (121), the second flow channel (13) is provided with a second inlet (131) and a fourth inlet (132), and the third flow channel (14) is provided with a third inlet (141); S12: adding mounting positions on the support seat (11) to respectively fix the first flow channel (12), the second flow channel (13) and the third flow channel (14); S13: a through hole which is closely matched with the second flow channel (13) is vertically penetrated from the upper surface to the lower surface of the support seat (11), and the second flow channel (13) passes through the through hole and the fourth inlet (132) is located at the bottom of the support seat (11); S14: Prepare a three-way valve (2) in which the distribution of the pipe openings of the communicating vessel (21) is compatible with the distribution of the first inlet (121), the second inlet (131), and the third inlet (141), and respectively connect the first inlet (121), the second inlet (131), and the third inlet (141) to the three valve openings of the communicating vessel (21) of the three-way valve (2).

Images