Switching device

Abstract

The switching device is provided with a six-way valve. A six-way valve includes a lower body (first spool), an upper body (second spool), and a drive plate (third spool). The switching device switches the overlapping state in the Z direction (axial direction) of the respective openings (first openings) of the plurality of groove portions (first groove portions) of the lower main body, the groove portion (second groove portion) of the upper main body, and the through hole of the drive plate by rotating the upper main body and the drive plate relative to the lower main body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a switching device. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-154767 discloses a thermal management system provided with a switching valve for switching a flow path of a heat medium. Summary of the invention

[0003] In the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-154767, as described above, the flow path of the heat medium is switched by the switching valve. A switching device capable of efficiently switching the flow path of the heat medium (heat medium) is desired.

[0004] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a switching device capable of efficiently switching a flow path of a heat medium.

[0005] A switching device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a switching device provided in a heat management circuit in which a heat supply medium flows, and includes at least one valve core unit and a plurality of flow pipes connected to the at least one valve core unit.

[0006] The plurality of flow tubes include a plurality of first flow tubes and a plurality of second flow tubes.

[0007] The at least one valve core unit comprises:

[0008] A first valve core in the shape of a circular plate;

[0009] a second disc-shaped valve body, which is arranged to be relatively rotatable with respect to the first valve body about the rotation center line, and is arranged on one side of the first valve body in the axial direction along which the rotation center line extends; and

[0010] The disc-shaped third valve body is provided so as to be sandwiched between the first valve body and the second valve body in the axial direction, and is provided so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the first valve body around a rotation center line.

[0011] The first valve core comprises:

[0012] The peripheral wall extends in a ring shape with the rotation center line as the center;

[0013] an inner peripheral wall extending in an annular shape with the rotation center line as the center and formed at a position closer to the rotation center line than the outer peripheral wall; and

[0014] The plurality of partition walls are formed to connect the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall.

[0015] The first valve body is provided with a plurality of first grooves in a fan shape formed by a plurality of partition walls between the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall.

[0016] The plurality of first grooves each have a first opening opened on the second valve body side and a second opening formed in the outer peripheral wall.

[0017] The second openings of some of the first grooves allow the heat medium to flow into the first valve element through the first flow tubes, and the second openings of the remaining first grooves allow the heat medium to flow out of the first valve element through the second flow tubes.

[0018] The second valve body is provided with a plurality of fan-shaped second grooves, which are formed to extend circumferentially around the rotation center line and open toward the first valve body.

[0019] The third valve body is provided with a plurality of through holes which penetrate the third valve body in the axial direction and are arranged in a circumferential shape around the rotation center line.

[0020] The second valve body and the third valve body rotate relative to the first valve body, respectively, so that the overlapping states of the first openings of the plurality of first grooves, the plurality of second grooves, and the plurality of through holes in the axial direction are switched.

[0021] In the switching device of the first aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, the overlapping state of the first openings of the plurality of first grooves, the plurality of second grooves, and the plurality of through holes in the axial direction is switched. Thus, the flow path of the heat medium can be easily switched simply by switching the overlapping state. As a result, the flow path of the heat medium can be efficiently switched.

[0022] A switching device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is a switching device provided in a heat management circuit in which a heat supply medium flows, and includes at least one valve core unit and a plurality of flow pipes connected to the at least one valve core unit.

[0023] The plurality of flow tubes include a plurality of first flow tubes and a plurality of second flow tubes.

[0024] The at least one valve core unit comprises:

[0025] A cylindrical inner peripheral side unit is integrally formed by laminating a disc-shaped first portion and a disc-shaped second portion; and

[0026] The annular outer circumference unit is provided so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the inner circumference unit about a rotation center line, and is arranged so as to surround the inner circumference unit from the outer circumference side.

[0027] The inner peripheral unit includes:

[0028] A first outer peripheral wall extending in a ring shape with the rotation center line as the center; and

[0029] The inner peripheral wall extends in an annular shape with the rotation center line as the center, and is formed at a position closer to the rotation center line than the first outer peripheral wall.

[0030] The inner peripheral unit is formed with:

[0031] A plurality of first inner peripheral side grooves in a fan shape are respectively provided with first openings formed at positions corresponding to the first portion in the first outer peripheral wall; and

[0032] The plurality of second inner circumferential grooves are respectively provided with second openings formed at positions corresponding to the second portions in the first outer circumferential wall.

[0033] The peripheral side unit includes:

[0034] A second outer peripheral wall extending in a ring shape with the rotation center line as the center; and

[0035] The plurality of partition walls are provided between the second outer peripheral wall and the first outer peripheral wall so as to extend in the radial direction of the outer peripheral side unit.

[0036] A plurality of fan-shaped outer peripheral grooves are formed between the second outer peripheral wall and the first outer peripheral wall by a plurality of partition walls.

[0037] The plurality of outer peripheral grooves each have a third opening formed in the second outer peripheral wall.

[0038] The third openings of some of the plurality of outer circumferential grooves allow the heat medium to flow into the outer circumferential unit through the plurality of first flow tubes, and the third openings of the remaining portion of the plurality of outer circumferential grooves allow the heat medium to flow out of the outer circumferential unit through the plurality of second flow tubes.

[0039] By rotating the outer circumference side unit relative to the inner circumference side unit, the overlapping states of the plurality of outer circumference side grooves and the first opening and the second opening in the radial direction are switched.

[0040] In the switching device of the second aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, the overlapping states of the plurality of outer peripheral grooves and the first opening and the second opening in the radial direction are switched. Thus, the flow path of the heat medium can be easily switched simply by switching the overlapping states. As a result, the flow path of the heat medium can be efficiently switched.

[0041] In the switching device according to the first and second aspects, preferably, the at least one valve core unit is composed of two valve core units. According to such a configuration, the flow path of the heat medium can be switched more variously than when only one valve core unit is provided.

[0042] In the switching devices of the first and second aspects, the plurality of partition walls may preferably be composed of six partition walls. With such a configuration, the flow path of the heat medium can be easily and variously switched by switching the communication state between the six partition walls and the plurality of flow tubes.

[0043] According to the present disclosure, the flow path of the heat medium can be efficiently switched using the switching device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements, and in which:

[0045] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a thermal management system according to a first embodiment;

[0046] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the structure of a six-way valve according to a first embodiment;

[0047] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the valve phase of the six-way valve of the first embodiment;

[0048] Figure 4 is a diagram showing circuit modes A to F of the heat management circuit of the first embodiment;

[0049] Figure 5 is a diagram showing circuit modes G to M of the thermal management circuit of the first embodiment;

[0050] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the six-way valve corresponding to the position of the upper portion of the second embodiment;

[0051] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the six-way valve corresponding to the position of the lower portion of the second embodiment;

[0052] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the structure of an inner peripheral side unit of a six-way valve according to a second embodiment;

[0053] Fig. 9 The inner peripheral unit is Figure 6 The state of the image is rotated 30 degrees;

[0054] Fig.10 The inner peripheral unit is Figure 7 The state is rotated 30 degrees. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The thermal management system of the present invention is described below. The thermal management system is, for example, mounted on an electric vehicle (not shown). The electric vehicle equipped with the thermal management system is preferably a vehicle equipped with a battery for driving, such as a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), and a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). However, the use of the thermal management system of the present invention is not limited to vehicles.

[0056] First embodiment

[0057] Overall structure

[0058] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a thermal management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The thermal management system 1 includes a thermal management circuit 100 , an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 500 , and a Human Machine Interface (HMI) 600 .

[0059] The thermal management circuit 100 is configured to allow a heat medium to circulate. The thermal management circuit 100, for example, includes a high temperature circuit 110, a radiator 120, a unit circuit 130, a condenser 140, a refrigeration cycle 150, a cooler 160, a battery circuit 170, and a switching device 200. The switching device 200 includes a six-way valve 180 and a six-way valve 190. The switching device 200 includes a single housing 200a that accommodates the six-way valve 180 and the six-way valve 190. It should be noted that the six-way valve 180 and the six-way valve 190 may not be accommodated in a single housing, but may be provided independently of each other. The six-way valve 180 and the six-way valve 190 are each an example of a "valve core unit" disclosed in the present invention.

[0060] The high temperature circuit 110 includes, for example, a water pump (W / P) 111 , an electric heater 112 , a three-way valve 113 , a heater core 114 , and a reservoir tank (R / T) 115 .

[0061] The radiator 120 includes a high temperature (HT) radiator 121 and a low temperature (LT) radiator 122. In the low temperature radiator 122, a heat medium exchanges heat with external air.

[0062] The unit circuit 130 includes, for example, a water pump 131 , a Smart Power Unit (SPU) 132 , a Power Control Unit (PCU) 133 , an oil cooler (O / C) 134 , a buck-boost converter 135 , and a fluid storage tank 136 .

[0063] The condenser 140 is connected to both the high temperature circuit 110 and the refrigeration cycle 150. The refrigeration cycle 150 includes, for example, a compressor 151, an expansion valve 152, an evaporator 153, an evaporative pressure regulator (EPR) 154, and an expansion valve 155.

[0064] The cooler 160 is connected to both the refrigeration cycle 150 and the flow path 161a. In the cooler 160, the heat medium flowing in the flow path 161a exchanges heat with the medium circulating in the refrigeration cycle 150. In addition, the flow path 161a is a flow path that connects the later-described orifice P1 of the six-way valve 180 and the later-described orifice P13 of the six-way valve 190. A water pump (W / P) 161 is provided in the flow path 161a.

[0065] The battery circuit 170 includes, for example, an electric heater 171 and a battery 172. The electric heater 171 raises the temperature of the heat medium in the battery circuit 170.

[0066] The ECU 500 controls the thermal management loop 100 . The ECU 500 includes a processor 501 , a memory 502 , a storage device 503 , and an interface 504 .

[0067] ECU 500 generates control commands based on sensor values ​​obtained from various sensors included in thermal management circuit 100 and user operations received from HMI 600, and outputs the generated control commands to thermal management circuit 100. Thus, for example, the states of three-way valve 113, six-way valve 180, and six-way valve 190 are switched.

[0068] The HMI 600 is a display with a touch panel, an operation panel, a console, etc. The HMI 600 receives a user operation for controlling the thermal management system 1. The HMI 600 outputs a signal indicating the user operation to the ECU 500.

[0069] Six orifices P1 to P6 are provided in the six-way valve 180. Orifice P1 is an inlet orifice through which heat medium flows in from the cooler 160 (flow path 161a). Orifice P2 is an outlet orifice through which heat medium flows out toward the low-temperature radiator 122. Orifice P3 is an inlet orifice through which heat supply medium flows in from the low-temperature radiator 122. Orifice P4 is an outlet orifice through which heat medium flows out toward the unit circuit 130 (PCU 133, etc.). Orifice P5 is an inlet orifice through which heat medium flows in from the six-way valve 190 through flow path 6. Orifice P6 is an outlet orifice through which heat medium flows out toward the six-way valve 190 through flow path 5. In addition, flow paths 5 and 6 are flow paths formed in the housing 200a (by internal covers, grooves, etc.).

[0070] Six orifices P11 to P16 are provided in the six-way valve 190. Orifice P11 is an inlet orifice through which heat medium flows in from the unit circuit 130 (PCU133, etc.). Orifice P12 is an outlet orifice through which heat medium flows out toward the battery circuit 170. Orifice P13 is an inlet orifice through which heat medium flows in from the battery circuit 170. Orifice P14 is an outlet orifice through which heat medium flows out toward the cooler 160 (flow path 161a). Orifice P15 is an inlet orifice through which heat medium flows in from the six-way valve 180 through flow path 5. Orifice P16 is an outlet orifice through which heat medium flows out toward the six-way valve 180 through flow path 6.

[0071] ECU 500 controls the states of six-way valve 180 and six-way valve 190. As a result, the flow path of the heat medium in six-way valve 180 and six-way valve 190 is switched. As a result, the flow path of the heat medium in heat management circuit 100 is switched. In addition, the structures of six-way valve 180 and six-way valve 190 are the same as each other.

[0072] Figure 2 It is an exploded stereoscopic diagram showing the structures of the six-way valve 180 and the six-way valve 190. The six-way valve 180 includes a circular upper body 181, a circular drive plate 182, and a circular lower body 183. From the Z1 side, the upper body 181, the drive plate 182, and the lower body 183 are stacked in this order. That is, the drive plate 182 is clamped by the upper body 181 and the lower body 183 in the Z direction. In addition, the Z direction is the direction in which the rotation center line α (β) extends. The Z direction is an example of the “axial direction” of the present disclosure. In addition, the upper body 181 and the drive plate 182 are examples of the “second valve core” and the “third valve core” of the present disclosure, respectively. In addition, the lower body 183 is an example of the “first valve core” of the present disclosure.

[0073] The lower body 183 is fixed without rotating. The upper body 181 and the drive plate 182 rotate integrally on the Z1 side of the lower body 183 with the rotation center line α as the center. As a result, the relative positions (rotation angles in the circumferential direction) of the lower body 183, the upper body 181 and the drive plate 182 change. Alternatively, the upper body 181 and the drive plate 182 may be fixed to rotate the lower body 183.

[0074] The upper body 181 has a circular ring shape. The upper body 181 is provided with grooves 181a to 181e. The grooves 181a to 181e are respectively formed in a fan shape in a manner of extending circumferentially with the rotation center line α as the center. The grooves 181a to 181e are each open on the side (Z2 side) of the lower body 183. In addition, the grooves 181a to 181e are each an example of the "second groove" disclosed in the present invention.

[0075] The grooves 181a to 181c are arranged in the circumferential direction in the outer peripheral area of ​​the upper body 181. The circumferential length of the groove 181a is greater than the circumferential lengths of the grooves 181b and 181c. Specifically, the groove 181a has a fan-shaped shape with a central angle of about 120 degrees. The grooves 181b and 181c each have a fan-shaped shape with a central angle of about 90 degrees.

[0076] The groove portion 181d and the groove portion 181e are respectively arranged to face each other in the region closer to the inner circumference than the groove portions 181a to 181c in the upper body 181. The circumferential length of the groove portion 181d is greater than the circumferential length of the groove portion 181e. Specifically, the groove portion 181d has a fan-shaped shape with a central angle of about 210 degrees. The groove portion 181e has a fan-shaped shape with a central angle of about 90 degrees.

[0077] The drive plate 182 is provided with through holes 182a to 182j. The through holes 182a to 182j are formed so as to penetrate the drive plate 182 in the Z direction. The through holes 182a to 182j are formed in a fan shape so as to extend circumferentially with the rotation center line α as the center. The through holes 182a to 182j are arranged so as to be staggered in the circumferential direction so as not to overlap each other in the radial direction.

[0078] The through holes 182a to 182f are arranged circumferentially in the outer peripheral region of the driving plate 182. The circumferential lengths of the through holes 182a and 182b are greater than the circumferential lengths of the through holes 182c to 182j.

[0079] The through holes 182a and 182b are respectively provided at positions overlapping the groove 181a in the Z direction. The through holes 182c and 182d are respectively provided at positions overlapping the groove 181b in the Z direction. The through holes 182e and 182f are respectively provided at positions overlapping the groove 181c in the Z direction.

[0080] The through holes 182 g to 182 j are arranged in the circumferential direction in a region of the drive plate 182 that is on the inner circumferential side than the through holes 182 a to 182 f.

[0081] The through hole 182g and the through hole 182j are respectively provided at positions overlapping with the groove portion 181d in the Z direction. The through hole 182h and the through hole 182i are respectively provided at positions overlapping with the groove portion 181e in the Z direction.

[0082] The lower body 183 includes an outer peripheral wall 184, an inner peripheral wall 185, and six partition walls 186. The outer peripheral wall 184 is arranged to extend in an annular shape with the rotation center line α as the center. The inner peripheral wall 185 extends in an annular shape with the rotation center line α as the center and is formed at a position closer to the rotation center line α than the outer peripheral wall 184.

[0083] The six partition walls 186 are formed to connect the inner peripheral wall 185 and the outer peripheral wall 184 . The six partition walls 186 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation center line α.

[0084] In the lower body 183, six fan-shaped grooves 187 formed by six partition walls 186 are provided between the outer peripheral wall 184 and the inner peripheral wall 185. The grooves 187 are examples of "first grooves" in the present disclosure.

[0085] The six grooves 187 respectively have an opening 187a that opens on the upper body 181 side (Z1 side) and an opening 187b formed on the outer peripheral wall 184. The openings 187b of the six grooves 187 respectively correspond to the orifices P1 to P6 (are connected to the orifices P1 to P6). In addition, the opening 187a and the opening 187b are examples of the "first opening" and the "second opening" of the present disclosure, respectively. In addition, the flow tubes (flow path 161a and flow path 6, etc.) respectively connected to the orifices P1, P3 and P5 are examples of the "first flow tube" of the present disclosure. In addition, the flow tubes (flow path 5, etc.) respectively connected to the orifices P2, P4 and P6 are examples of the "second flow tube" of the present disclosure.

[0086] The six-way valve 190 has the same structure as the six-way valve 180. The six-way valve 190 includes an upper body 191, a drive plate 192, and a lower body 193 having the same structures as the upper body 181, the drive plate 182, and the lower body 183, respectively. The upper body 191 and the drive plate 192 rotate around the rotation center line β, respectively. In addition, the upper body 191 and the drive plate 192 are examples of the "second valve core" and the "third valve core" of the present disclosure, respectively. The lower body 193 is an example of the "first valve core" of the present disclosure.

[0087] The upper body 191 is provided with grooves 191a to 191e corresponding to the grooves 181a to 181e of the upper body 181. The drive plate 192 is provided with through holes 192a to 192j corresponding to the through holes 182a to 182j of the drive plate 182. The lower body 193 is provided with an outer peripheral wall 194, an inner peripheral wall 195, a partition wall 196, and a groove 197 corresponding to the outer peripheral wall 184, the inner peripheral wall 185, the partition wall 196, and the groove 187 of the lower body 183. In addition, the groove 197 is an example of the "first groove" of the present disclosure.

[0088] The six grooves 197 respectively have an opening 197a opened on the upper body 191 side (Z1 side) and an opening 197b formed on the outer peripheral wall 194. The openings 197b of the six grooves 197 respectively correspond to the orifices P11 to P16 (communicated with the orifices P11 to P16). In addition, the opening 197a and the opening 197b are examples of the "first opening" and the "second opening" of the present disclosure, respectively. In addition, the flow tube (flow path 5, etc.) respectively connected to the orifices P11, P13 and P15 is an example of the "first flow tube" of the present disclosure. In addition, the flow tube (flow path 161a and flow path 6, etc.) respectively connected to the orifices P12, P14 and P16 is an example of the "second flow tube" of the present disclosure.

[0089] Figure 3 1 is a diagram showing a plurality of possible states (phase states) of the six-way valve 180. In addition, the six-way valves 180 and 190 have the same structure, so Figure 3 Only the six-way valve 180 is described.

[0090] like Figure 3 As shown, in the first embodiment, the six-way valve 180 switches the overlapping state of the openings 187a of the six grooves 187 of the lower body 183, the grooves 181a to 181e of the upper body 181, and the through holes 182a to 182j of the driving plate 182 in the Z direction (the overlapping state when viewed along the Z direction) by rotating the driving plate 182 and the upper body 181 respectively.

[0091] In phase No. 1, the groove 181a of the upper body 181, the through holes 182a and 182b of the drive plate 182, and the groove 187 (P2) and the groove 187 (P1) of the lower body 183 overlap in the Z direction. Thus, the port P1 communicates with the port P2.

[0092] In phase No. 1, groove 181b of upper body 181, through holes 182c and 182d of drive plate 182, groove 187 (P5) and groove 187 (P6) of lower body 183 overlap in the Z direction. Thus, port P5 communicates with port P6.

[0093] In phase No. 1, the groove 181c of the upper body 181, the through holes 182e and 182f of the drive plate 182, and the grooves 187(P3) and 187(P4) of the lower body 183 overlap in the Z direction. Thus, the port P3 communicates with the port P4.

[0094] Phase No. 2 is a phase in which the drive plate 182 and the upper body 181 rotate about the center line α (refer to Figure 2 ) is rotated 30 degrees counterclockwise around the center.

[0095] In phase No. 2, the groove 181a of the upper body 181, the through holes 182a and 182b of the drive plate 182, and the groove 187 (P2) and the groove 187 (P1) of the lower body 183 overlap in the Z direction. Thus, the port P1 communicates with the port P2.

[0096] In phase No. 2, the groove 181d of the upper body 181, the through holes 182g and 182j of the drive plate 182, and the grooves 187 (P3) and 187 (P6) of the lower body 183 overlap in the Z direction. Thus, the port P3 communicates with the port P6.

[0097] In phase No. 2, the groove 181e of the upper body 181, the through holes 182h and 182i of the drive plate 182, and the grooves 187(P4) and 187(P5) of the lower body 183 overlap in the Z direction. Thus, the port P4 communicates with the port P5.

[0098] Phase No. 3 is a phase in which the drive plate 182 and the upper body 181 rotate about the center line α (refer to Figure 2 ) is rotated 30 degrees counterclockwise around the center.

[0099] In phase No. 3, the groove 181a of the upper body 181, the through holes 182a and 182b of the drive plate 182, and the grooves 187(P2) and 187(P3) of the lower body 183 overlap in the Z direction. Thus, the port P2 communicates with the port P3.

[0100] In phase No. 3, groove 181b of upper body 181, through holes 182c and 182d of drive plate 182, groove 187 (P1) and groove 187 (P6) of lower body 183 overlap in the Z direction. Thus, port P1 communicates with port P6.

[0101] In phase No. 3, the groove 181c of the upper body 181, the through holes 182e and 182f of the drive plate 182, and the grooves 187(P4) and 187(P5) of the lower body 183 overlap in the Z direction. Thus, the port P4 communicates with the port P5.

[0102] Phase No. 4 is a phase in which the drive plate 182 and the upper body 181 rotate about the center line α (refer to Figure 2 ) is rotated 30 degrees counterclockwise around the center.

[0103] In phase No. 4, the groove 181a of the upper body 181, the through holes 182a and 182b of the drive plate 182, and the grooves 187 (P2) and 187 (P3) of the lower body 183 overlap in the Z direction. Thus, the port P2 communicates with the port P3.

[0104] In phase No. 4, groove 181d of upper body 181, through holes 182g and 182j of drive plate 182, groove 187 (P1) and groove 187 (P4) of lower body 183 overlap in the Z direction. Thus, port P1 communicates with port P4.

[0105] In phase No. 4, the groove 181e of the upper body 181, the through holes 182h and 182i of the drive plate 182, and the grooves 187(P5) and 187(P6) of the lower body 183 overlap in the Z direction. Thus, the port P5 communicates with the port P6.

[0106] Phase No. 5 is a phase in which the drive plate 182 and the upper body 181 rotate about the center line α (refer to Figure 2 ) is rotated 60 degrees counterclockwise around the center.

[0107] In phase No. 5, the groove 181a of the upper body 181, the through holes 182a and 182b of the drive plate 182, and the grooves 187 (P3) and 187 (P4) of the lower body 183 overlap in the Z direction. Thus, the port P3 communicates with the port P4.

[0108] In phase No. 5, the groove 181d of the upper body 181, the through holes 182g and 182j of the drive plate 182, and the grooves 187(P2) and 187(P5) of the lower body 183 overlap in the Z direction. Thus, the port P2 communicates with the port P5.

[0109] In phase No. 5, the groove 181e of the upper body 181, the through holes 182h and 182i of the drive plate 182, and the grooves 187(P1) and 187(P6) of the lower body 183 overlap in the Z direction. Thus, the port P1 communicates with the port P6.

[0110] In addition, by adjusting the rotation angle of the driving plate 182 and the upper body 181, a phase pattern other than the above can be formed, but the connection state of the flow path formed by the phase pattern other than the above is the same as the connection state of the flow path in any of the above phase patterns (No. 1 to 5). Therefore, the description of the phase patterns other than the above phase No. 1 to 5 is omitted.

[0111] By setting the phase modes of the six-way valve 180 and the six-way valve 190 to Figure 3 Any of the phases No. 1 to 5 shown in FIG. 1 forms a circuit mode A to M in the thermal management circuit 100 (see FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 )

[0112] like Figure 4 As shown, loop mode A is a loop in which the six-way valves 180 and 190 are in the state of phase No. 1. A closed loop is formed in which the heat medium flows through the PCU 133, the battery 172, the cooler 160 and the low-temperature radiator 122. In loop mode A, the PCU 133 and the battery 172 can be cooled by the low-temperature radiator 122 and the cooler 160. In addition, heat from the PCU 133 and the battery 172 can be used for heat pump heating. It should be noted that loop mode A is formed even if the combination of the six-way valves 180 / 190 is No.1 / No.2, No.1 / No.5, No.2 / No.1 or No.5 / No.1.

[0113] Circuit mode B is a circuit when six-way valves 180 and 190 are in phase No. 5. In this case, a first closed circuit in which the heat medium flows through PCU 133 and low-temperature radiator 122 and a second closed circuit in which the heat medium flows through battery 172 and cooler 160 are formed. In circuit mode B, PCU 133 can be cooled by low-temperature radiator 122, and battery 172 can be cooled by cooler 160.

[0114] Circuit mode C is a circuit when the six-way valves 180 and 190 are in the state of phase No. 2. In this case, a first closed circuit in which the heat medium flows through the PCU 133 and the battery 172 and a second closed circuit in which the heat medium flows through the low-temperature radiator 122 and the cooler 160 are formed. In circuit mode C, the temperature of the battery 172 can be increased by using the heat of the PCU 133, and heat pump heating using external air can be performed.

[0115] Loop mode D is a loop when the six-way valves 180 and 190 are in phase No. 4 and phase No. 1, respectively. In this case, a first closed loop in which the heat medium flows through the PCU 133, the battery 172 and the cooler 160, and a second closed loop in which the low-temperature radiator 122 is independent (disconnected) are formed. In loop mode D, the battery 172 can be heated and heated by the heat of the PCU 133, and heat pump heating can be performed by the heat of the PCU 133 and the battery 172. In addition, heat dissipation in the low-temperature radiator 122 is suppressed. In addition, in addition to the above-mentioned phase mode combinations, the combination of the six-way valves 180 / 190 forms loop mode D even if it is No. 3 / No. 1, No. 4 / No. 2 or No. 4 / No. 5.

[0116] Loop mode E is a loop when the six-way valves 180 and 190 are in phase No. 1 and phase No. 4, respectively. In this case, a first closed loop in which the heat medium flows through the PCU 133, the cooler 160, and the low-temperature radiator 122 and a second closed loop in which the battery 172 is independent (separated) are formed. In loop mode E, heating can be performed by the heat of the PCU 133, and excess heat can be dissipated from the low-temperature radiator 122. In addition, the temperature drop of the battery 172 is suppressed. In addition, in addition to the above-mentioned phase mode combinations, the combination of the six-way valves 180 / 190 forms loop mode E even if it is No. 1 / No. 3, No. 2 / No. 4, or No. 5 / No. 4.

[0117] Loop mode F is a loop when the six-way valves 180 and 190 are respectively in the state of phase No. 4. In this case, a first closed loop in which the heat medium flows through the PCU 133 and the cooler 160, a second closed loop in which the battery 172 is independent (disconnected), and a third closed loop in which the low-temperature radiator 122 is independent (disconnected) are formed. In loop mode F, the PCU 133 can be cooled by the cooler 160, and heat pump heating using the heat of the PCU 133 can be performed. In addition, the temperature drop of the battery 172 and the heat dissipation from the low-temperature radiator 122 are suppressed. In addition, in addition to the above-mentioned combination of phase modes, loop mode F is formed even if the combination of the six-way valves 180 / 190 is No. 3 / No. 4 or No. 4 / No. 3.

[0118] Circuit mode G is a circuit in which the six-way valves 180 and 190 are in phase No. 5 and phase No. 2, respectively. In this case, a first closed circuit in which the heat medium flows through the PCU 133, the battery 172, and the low-temperature radiator 122 and a flow path 161a (see Figure 1 ) An independent second closed circuit. In circuit mode G, the PCU 133 can be cooled by the low-temperature radiator 122, and the temperature of the battery 172 can be increased using the heat of the PCU 133.

[0119] Circuit mode H is a circuit when the six-way valves 180 and 190 are in phase No. 2 and phase No. 5, respectively. In this case, a first closed circuit in which the heat medium flows through the battery 172, the low-temperature radiator 122, and the cooler 160 and a second closed circuit in which the unit circuit 130 including the PCU 133 and the like is independent are formed. In circuit mode H, heat storage in the unit circuit 130 (PCU 133) and cooling of the battery 172 by the low-temperature radiator 122 and the cooler 160 can be performed. In addition, heat pump heating using the heat of the battery 172 can be performed.

[0120] Circuit mode I is a circuit in which the six-way valves 180 and 190 are in phase No. 5 and phase No. 3, respectively. In this case, a first closed circuit is formed in which the heat medium flows through the low-temperature radiator 122 and the PCU 133, and the flow path 161a (see Figure 1 ) and a third closed circuit independent of the battery 172 (disconnected). In the circuit mode I, the low-temperature radiator 122 can be defrosted and the temperature drop of the battery 172 can be suppressed.

[0121] Circuit mode J is a circuit when the six-way valves 180 and 190 are in phase No. 3 and phase No. 5, respectively. In this case, a first closed circuit in which the heat medium flows through the battery 172 and the cooler 160, a second closed circuit in which the unit circuit 130 including the PCU 133 and the like is independent, and a third closed circuit in which the low-temperature radiator 122 is independent (disconnected) is formed. In circuit mode J, heat storage in the unit circuit 130 (PCU 133), cooling of the battery 172 by the cooler 160, and heat pump heating using the heat of the battery 172 are possible. In addition, heat dissipation in the low-temperature radiator 122 is suppressed.

[0122] Circuit mode K is a circuit when the six-way valves 180 and 190 are in phase No. 2 and phase No. 3, respectively. In this case, a first closed circuit is formed in which the unit circuit 130 including the PCU 133 and the like is independent, a second closed circuit in which the heat medium flows through the low-temperature radiator 122 and the cooler 160, and a third closed circuit is formed in which the battery 172 is independent (disconnected). In circuit mode K, heat storage in the unit circuit 130 (PCU 133) and heat pump heating using external air are possible. In addition, a temperature drop in the battery 172 is suppressed.

[0123] Circuit mode L is a circuit in which the six-way valves 180 and 190 are in phase No. 3 and phase No. 2, respectively. In this case, a first closed circuit is formed in which the heat medium flows through the PCU 133 and the battery 172, and the flow path 161a (see Figure 1 ) and a third closed circuit independent of the low-temperature radiator 122 (disconnected). In the circuit mode L, the temperature of the battery 172 can be increased using the heat generated in the PCU 133.

[0124] Circuit mode M is a circuit in which the six-way valves 180 and 190 are in phase No. 3. In this case, the unit circuit 130 including the PCU 133 and the like is formed into an independent first closed circuit, and the flow path 161a (see Figure 1 ) an independent second closed circuit, an independent (disconnected) third closed circuit for the low temperature radiator 122, and an independent (disconnected) fourth closed circuit for the battery 172. In the circuit mode M, heat storage in the unit circuit 130 (PCU 133) is possible.

[0125] As described above, in the first embodiment, the state of the heat management circuit 100 can be switched to any one of the circuit modes A to M by the six-way valves 180 and 190 .

[0126] Second embodiment

[0127] In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment which uses the six-way valve 180 (190), a six-way valve 280 is used. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0128] Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a six-way valve 280 provided in the switching device 300 in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, a six-way valve having the same structure as the six-way valve 280 is also provided, but for the sake of simplicity of description, only the six-way valve 280 will be described. In addition, the six-way valve 280 is an example of a "valve core unit" disclosed in the present invention.

[0129] The six-way valve 280 includes a columnar (cylindrical) inner circumference unit 210 and an annular outer circumference unit 220. The outer circumference unit 220 is provided so as to surround the inner circumference unit 210 from the outer circumference side. Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view extending in a direction perpendicular to the Z direction) of a disc-shaped upper portion 211 which is a portion on the Z1 side of the inner circumference side unit 210 . Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view extending in a direction orthogonal to the Z direction) of the disc-shaped lower portion 212, which is a portion on the Z2 side of the inner circumference side unit 210. The upper portion 211 is formed integrally with the lower portion 212. In addition, the upper portion 211 and the lower portion 212 are examples of the "first portion" and the "second portion" of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0130] The outer peripheral unit 220 is fixed without rotating. The inner peripheral unit 210 is rotated about the rotation center line γ (refer to Figure 8 ) as the center. As a result, the relative position (rotation angle in the circumferential direction) of the inner circumference side unit 210 and the outer circumference side unit 220 changes. In addition, the outer circumference side unit 220 may be rotated while the inner circumference side unit 210 is fixed.

[0131] The inner peripheral unit 210 includes an outer peripheral wall 213 and an inner peripheral wall 214. The outer peripheral wall 213 and the inner peripheral wall 214 are respectively formed to extend in a ring shape with the rotation center line γ as the center. The inner peripheral wall 214 is arranged at a position closer to the rotation center line γ than the outer peripheral wall 213. In addition, the outer peripheral wall 213 and the inner peripheral wall 214 extend in the Z direction in a manner spanning the upper part 211 and the lower part 212. In addition, the outer peripheral wall 213 is an example of the "first outer peripheral wall" disclosed in the present invention.

[0132] like Figure 6As shown, a plurality of fan-shaped grooves 215 are formed in the upper portion 211 of the inner circumferential side unit 210. The plurality of grooves 215 include grooves 215a, 215b, and 215c. Grooves 215a, 215b, and 215c include openings 215d, 215e, and 215f, respectively. Openings 215d to 215f are respectively formed in the areas corresponding to the upper portion 211 in the outer circumferential wall 213. In addition, grooves 215 (215a to 215c) are examples of the "first inner circumferential side grooves" disclosed in the present invention. In addition, openings 215d to 215f are respectively examples of the "first openings" disclosed in the present invention.

[0133] The groove portion 215a has a fan-shaped shape with a central angle of approximately 120 degrees, and the groove portion 215b and the groove portion 215c each have a fan-shaped shape with a central angle of approximately 90 degrees.

[0134] A plurality of partition walls 216 are provided between the grooves 215. The plurality of partition walls 216 include a partition wall 216a, a partition wall 216b, and a partition wall 216c. The partition wall 216a and the partition wall 216b each have a fan-shaped shape with a central angle of about 30 degrees. The partition wall 216c has a plate-like shape with a circumferential thickness smaller than that of the partition wall 216a and the partition wall 216b.

[0135] like Figure 7 As shown, a plurality of grooves 217 are formed in the lower portion 212 of the inner circumference unit 210. The plurality of grooves 217 include grooves 217a and grooves 217b. In addition, the grooves 217 (217a, 217b) are an example of the "second inner circumference groove" of the present disclosure.

[0136] The groove portion 217a has a fan-shaped shape. The groove portion 217a has an opening 217c formed in a region corresponding to the lower portion 212 in the outer peripheral wall 213. In addition, the opening 217c is an example of the "second opening" of the present disclosure.

[0137] like Figure 7 As shown, the groove 217b extends in a manner that crosses the inner peripheral side unit 210. Specifically, the groove 217b has a V-shape when viewed from the Z1 side. The groove 217b has an opening 217d and an opening 217e that are arranged on opposite sides relative to the rotation center line γ. The opening 217d and the opening 217e are respectively formed in the area corresponding to the lower side portion 212 in the outer peripheral wall 213. In addition, the opening 217d and the opening 217e are each an example of the "second opening" of the present disclosure.

[0138] like Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the outer peripheral unit 220 includes an outer peripheral wall 221. The outer peripheral wall 221 is formed to extend in a ring shape with the rotation center line γ as the center. In addition, the outer peripheral wall 221 is an example of the "second outer peripheral wall" of the present disclosure.

[0139] The outer unit 220 includes six partition walls 222 disposed between the outer wall 221 and the outer wall 213 of the inner unit 210 . The six partition walls 222 are arranged circumferentially and at equal intervals around the rotation center line γ. The six partition walls 222 are formed to extend in the radial direction of the outer unit 220 .

[0140] The outer peripheral unit 220 includes an inner peripheral wall 223. The inner peripheral wall 223 is formed to extend in a ring shape with the rotation center line γ as the center. The inner peripheral wall 223 is arranged at a position closer to the rotation center line γ side than the outer peripheral wall 221. Six partition walls 222 are respectively provided to connect the outer peripheral wall 221 and the inner peripheral wall 223. Six fan-shaped grooves 224 are formed between the outer peripheral wall 221 and the outer peripheral wall 213 (inner peripheral wall 222) by the six partition walls 222.

[0141] The inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall 223 is covered with a sealing member 225. The sealing member 225 is provided at a radial position in close contact with the outer peripheral wall 213 of the inner peripheral side unit 210. Thus, the sealing member 225 can prevent the movement (leakage) of the heat medium between the grooves 224 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction through the partition wall 222.

[0142] Six openings 221a are provided on the outer peripheral wall 221 of the outer peripheral side unit 220. The six grooves 224 each have an opening 221a (communicated with the opening 221a). In other words, the six openings 221a are communicated with mutually different grooves 224. In addition, six openings 223a are provided on the inner peripheral wall 223 of the outer peripheral side unit 220. The six grooves 224 each have an opening 223a (communicated with the opening 223a). In other words, the six openings 223a are communicated with mutually different grooves 224. In addition, the opening 221a is an example of the "third opening" disclosed in the present invention.

[0143] The six openings 221a of the outer peripheral unit 220 correspond to (communicate with) the ports P1 to P6, respectively. A six-way valve (not shown) having the same structure as the six-way valve 280 has six openings corresponding to the ports P11 to P16.

[0144] exist Figure 6 In the example shown, the orifice P1 and the orifice P2 are connected through the groove portion 215c and the groove portion 224. The orifice P3 is connected to the orifice P4 through the groove portion 215b and the groove portion 224. The orifice P5 is connected to the orifice P6 through the groove portion 215a and the groove portion 224. Figure 7 In the example shown, the orifices are not in communication with each other.

[0145] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 They are respectively Figure 6 and Figure 7 The state is a diagram showing the state in which the inner circumference side unit 210 is rotated 30 degrees counterclockwise around the rotation center line γ. Fig. 9 In the example shown, the port P5 and the port P6 are in communication through the groove portion 215 a and the groove portion 224 .

[0146] exist Fig.10 In the example shown, the orifice P2 and the orifice P3 are in communication through the groove portion 217a and the groove portion 224. Through the groove portion 217b and the groove portion 224, the orifice P1 is in communication with the orifice P4.

[0147] As described above, the combination of communicating orifices can be adjusted by changing the relative rotation angle between the outer circumference unit 220 and the inner circumference unit 210. The circuit mode that can be realized using the six-way valve 280 is the same as that of the first embodiment, so the description will not be repeated.

[0148] In addition, since other structures are the same as those of the above-mentioned first embodiment, the description will not be repeated.

[0149] In the above embodiment, an example in which the high temperature circuit 110 is provided in the heat management circuit is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The high temperature circuit 110 may not be provided in the heat management circuit.

[0150] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the embodiments described above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. A switching device, arranged in a heat management circuit in which a heating medium circulates, comprising: at least one valve core unit; and A plurality of flow pipes connected to the at least one valve core unit, The plurality of flow tubes include a plurality of first flow tubes and a plurality of second flow tubes, The at least one valve core unit comprises: A first valve core in the shape of a circular plate; A second disc-shaped valve core is arranged to be relatively rotatable with respect to the first valve core about a rotation center line, and is arranged on one side of the first valve core in the axial direction along which the rotation center line extends; as well as The disc-shaped third valve core is arranged to be sandwiched by the first valve core and the second valve core in the axial direction and is arranged to be relatively rotatable with respect to the first valve core around the rotation center line. The first valve core comprises: An outer peripheral wall extending in a ring shape with the rotation center line as the center; an inner peripheral wall extending in an annular shape with the rotation center line as a center and formed at a position closer to the rotation center line than the outer peripheral wall; and A plurality of partition walls are formed to connect the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall, The first valve element is provided with a plurality of first grooves in a fan shape formed by the plurality of partition walls between the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall. The plurality of first grooves respectively have a first opening opening on the second valve body side and a second opening formed on the outer peripheral wall. The second openings of a part of the plurality of first grooves allow the heat medium to flow into the first valve core through the plurality of first flow tubes, and the second openings of the remaining part of the plurality of first grooves allow the heat medium to flow out of the first valve core through the plurality of second flow tubes. The second valve body is provided with a plurality of second grooves in a fan shape, the plurality of second grooves are formed to extend circumferentially around the rotation center line and open toward the first valve body. The third valve core is provided with a plurality of through holes, the plurality of through holes penetrate the third valve core in the axial direction, and are arranged in a circumferential shape with the rotation center line as the center. The second valve body and the third valve body rotate relative to the first valve body, respectively, so that the overlapping states of the first openings of the first grooves, the second grooves, and the through holes in the axial direction are switched.

2. A switching device, arranged in a heat management circuit in which a heating medium circulates, comprising: at least one valve core unit; and A plurality of flow pipes connected to the at least one valve core unit, The plurality of flow tubes include a plurality of first flow tubes and a plurality of second flow tubes, The at least one valve core unit comprises: The cylindrical inner peripheral side unit is integrally formed by laminating a disc-shaped first part and a disc-shaped second part; as well as The annular outer peripheral unit is provided to be rotatable relative to the inner peripheral unit about the rotation center line and is arranged to surround the inner peripheral unit from the outer peripheral side. The inner peripheral side unit comprises: A first outer peripheral wall extending in a ring shape with the rotation center line as the center; and The inner peripheral wall extends in an annular shape with the rotation center line as the center and is formed at a position closer to the rotation center line than the first outer peripheral wall. The inner peripheral side unit is formed with: a plurality of first inner peripheral side grooves in a fan shape, each of which is provided with a first opening formed at a position corresponding to the first portion in the first outer peripheral wall; and A plurality of second inner peripheral grooves are respectively provided with second openings formed at positions corresponding to the second portion in the first outer peripheral wall. The peripheral side unit comprises: A second outer peripheral wall extending in a ring shape with the rotation center line as the center; and a plurality of partition walls provided between the second outer peripheral wall and the first outer peripheral wall so as to extend in the radial direction of the outer peripheral side unit; A plurality of fan-shaped outer peripheral side grooves are formed between the second outer peripheral wall and the first outer peripheral wall by the plurality of partition walls. The plurality of outer peripheral side grooves respectively have a third opening formed on the second outer peripheral wall. The third openings of a part of the plurality of outer circumferential grooves allow the heat medium to flow into the outer circumferential unit through the plurality of first flow tubes, and the third openings of the remaining part of the plurality of outer circumferential grooves allow the heat medium to flow out of the outer circumferential unit through the plurality of second flow tubes. The outer circumference unit rotates relative to the inner circumference unit, thereby switching the overlapping states of the plurality of outer circumference grooves and the first opening and the second opening in the radial direction.

3. The switching device according to claim 1 or 2, The at least one valve core unit is composed of two valve core units.

4. The switching device according to claim 1 or 2, The plurality of partition walls consists of six partition walls.

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