Gas-liquid separator, gas-liquid separation assembly and thermal management system

Abstract

The invention provides a gas-liquid separator, a gas-liquid separation assembly and a thermal management system. The gas-liquid separator comprises a shell, a containing cavity is defined in the shell, and a first inlet and a first outlet which are communicated with the containing cavity are formed in the shell. The gas-liquid separator further comprises partition plates which are arranged in the containing cavity and divide the containing cavity into a plurality of spaces. At least one top opening allowing gas to pass through is formed in the top of the partition plate, and the top opening is communicated with the two adjacent spaces; wherein the first inlet and the first outlet define a gas flow path through the at least one top opening. Through the arrangement, the staying time of a gaseous refrigerant in the containing cavity can be prolonged, a liquid refrigerant is fully separated from a mixed refrigerant under the action of the partition plate, and the gas-liquid separation effect is improved; the problem that the gas-liquid separation effect is poor due to the fact that the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant directly flows to the first outlet from the first inlet is solved, and meanwhile the structural stability of the shell can be improved through the partition plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle thermal management system, and more particularly to a gas-liquid separator and a gas-liquid separation assembly in the vehicle thermal management system. Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle thermal management system, a gas-liquid separator is usually arranged upstream of the suction port of a compressor, for separating gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, and conveying the separated gaseous refrigerant to the compressor, while the liquid refrigerant is stored in the gas-liquid separator. An internal heat exchanger is usually arranged at the high-pressure end on the outlet side of the compressor in the refrigerant circuit of the thermal management system, mainly for heat exchange between high-pressure refrigerant and low-pressure refrigerant, so that the high-pressure refrigerant is fully condensed and the low-pressure refrigerant is fully vaporized.

[0003] The separation effect of the gas-liquid separator in the existing thermal management system is poor, and the gas-liquid separator and the internal heat exchanger are two independent parts, with low integration degree and high cost.

[0004] Therefore, those skilled in the art are committed to developing a new type of gas-liquid separator and gas-liquid separation assembly to solve the above defects of the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a gas-liquid separator that can effectively improve the gas-liquid separation effect.

[0006] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a gas-liquid separation assembly that can fully vaporize the liquid refrigerant, improve the integration degree and reduce the cost.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a gas-liquid separator, including: a housing, the housing defines an accommodation cavity inside thereof, the housing is provided with a first inlet and a first outlet communicating with the accommodation cavity, wherein the gas-liquid separator further includes a partition, the partition is arranged in the accommodation cavity and divides the accommodation cavity into a plurality of spaces; at least one top opening allowing gas to pass through is arranged at the top of the partition, and the top opening communicates with two adjacent spaces; wherein, the first inlet and the first outlet define a gas flow path, and the gas flow path passes through at least one of the top openings.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, at least one bottom opening allowing liquid to pass through is arranged at the bottom of the partition; the bottom opening is used to communicate two adjacent spaces.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the top opening is a recess opening upward.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, where the first outlet is provided in the base of the housing, the gas-liquid separator further includes an outlet conduit that communicates with the first outlet to direct gas to the first outlet.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the outlet conduit is provided with an oil return hole on a side wall near the base.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the gas-liquid separator further includes a filter that is sleeved on a side wall of the outlet conduit near the base and covers the oil return hole.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, a counterbore communicating with the first outlet is provided in the base, and one end of the outlet conduit and the filter is inserted into the counterbore.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the upper surface of the base includes a concave surface, and a diversion groove is provided on the concave surface to divert the liquid at the lowest point of the concave surface into the counterbore.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, where the first inlet is provided in the base, the gas-liquid separator further includes an inlet conduit that communicates with the first inlet.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, where the first inlet is provided in the top cover of the housing, the gas-liquid separator further includes a deflector plate located directly below the first inlet.

[0017] The present disclosure also provides a gas-liquid separation assembly, including: the aforementioned gas-liquid separator, where a second inlet and a second outlet are further provided on the housing of the gas-liquid separator; and a heat exchange tube, with two ends of the heat exchange tube respectively connected to the second inlet and the second outlet.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the heat exchange tube includes a first section, a second section, and a third section. One end of the first section communicates with the second inlet, one end of the second section communicates with the second outlet, and the third section communicates with the other end of the first section and the other end of the second section; the third section passes through the top opening and / or the bottom opening of the partition of the gas-liquid separator.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, both the second inlet and the second outlet are provided in the base of the housing or the top cover of the housing.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the partition of the gas-liquid separator includes a first partition and a second partition that are cross - arranged, and divides the accommodation cavity of the gas-liquid separator into a first space, a second space, a third space, and a fourth space.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the first inlet and the first outlet of the gas-liquid separator are located on two sides of the first partition and on the first side of the second partition, wherein the first inlet communicates with the first space, the first outlet communicates with the fourth space, the first partition is provided with a first top opening on the second side of the second partition, and the second partition is provided with second top openings on both sides of the first partition.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the second inlet and the second outlet communicate with the second space and the third space respectively, and the third section passes through the second space, the first space, the fourth space and the third space.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the partition of the gas-liquid separator includes a first partition, a second partition and a third partition, wherein the second partition and the third partition cross the first partition respectively to divide the accommodation cavity of the gas-liquid separator into a first space, a second space, a third space, a fourth space, a fifth space and a sixth space.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the first inlet and the first outlet of the gas-liquid separator are located on two sides of the first partition and on two outer sides where the second partition and the third partition are away from each other, wherein the first inlet communicates with the first space, the first outlet communicates with the fourth space, three first top openings are provided on the first partition and are separated by the second partition and the third partition respectively, a second top opening located on one side of the first partition is provided on the second partition, and a third top opening located on the other side of the first partition is provided on the third partition.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the second inlet and the second outlet communicate with the second space and the fifth space respectively, and the third section passes through the second space, the third space, the sixth space and the fifth space.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the first inlet and the first outlet of the gas-liquid separator are located on both sides of the first partition and between the second partition and the third partition. The first inlet communicates with the third space, and the first outlet communicates with the sixth space. Two first top openings are provided on the first partition, respectively located on the two outer sides away from each other of the second partition and the third partition. Two second top openings are provided on the second partition, respectively located on both sides of the first partition. Two third top openings are provided on the third partition, respectively located on both sides of the first partition. A first path in the gas flow path defined by the first inlet and the first outlet passes through one of the first top openings and the second top opening, and a second path in the gas flow path passes through the other of the first top openings and the third top opening.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the second inlet and the second outlet communicate with the second space and the fourth space respectively, and the third section passes through the second space, the third space and the fourth space.

[0028] The present disclosure also provides a thermal management system, which includes: the aforementioned gas-liquid separator; or the aforementioned gas-liquid separation assembly.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the thermal management system further includes a flow channel plate, and the gas-liquid separator or the gas-liquid separation assembly is installed on the flow channel plate. Description of the Drawings

[0030] Figure 1 Is a perspective view of a gas-liquid separator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 2 Is a perspective view of the gas-liquid separator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure from another perspective;

[0032] Figure 3 Is a top view of the gas-liquid separator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with the top cover omitted;

[0033] Figure 4 Is a perspective view of the gas-liquid separator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with the top cover and side walls omitted, showing the gas flow path;

[0034] Figure 5 Is a perspective view of a gas-liquid separation assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 6 Is a perspective view of the gas-liquid separation assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure with the top cover and side walls omitted, showing the gas flow path;

[0036] Figure 7 A perspective view of the gas-liquid separation component according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure after omitting the top cover and side walls from another perspective;

[0037] Figure 8 A perspective view of the gas-liquid separation component according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 9 A perspective view of the gas-liquid separation component according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure from another perspective;

[0039] Figure 10 A perspective view of the gas-liquid separation component according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure after omitting the top cover and side walls, showing the gas flow path;

[0040] Figure 11 A perspective view of the base of the gas-liquid separation component according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 12 A perspective view of the gas-liquid separation component according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 13 A perspective view of the gas-liquid separation component according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure from another perspective;

[0043] Figure 14 A perspective view of the gas-liquid separation component according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure after omitting the side walls and top cover;

[0044] Figure 15 A perspective view of the gas-liquid separation component according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] Figure 16 A perspective view of the gas-liquid separation component according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure from another perspective;

[0046] Figure 17 A perspective view of the gas-liquid separation component according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure after omitting the side walls and top cover, showing the gas flow path;

[0047] Figure 18 A schematic cross-sectional view of the gas-liquid separation component according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0048] Figure 19 A perspective view of the gas-liquid separation component according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0049] Figure 20 A perspective view of the gas-liquid separation component according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure after omitting the top cover and side walls;

[0050] Figure 21 A perspective view of the thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation Modes

[0051] The following describes the implementation modes of the present disclosure through specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present disclosure from the content disclosed in this specification.

[0052] It should be noted that the structures, ratios, sizes, etc. shown in the attached drawings of this specification are only used to cooperate with the content disclosed in the specification for the understanding and reading of those skilled in the art, and are not used to limit the limiting conditions for the implementation of the present disclosure. Therefore, they do not have technical essential meanings. Any modification of the structure, change of the proportional relationship, or adjustment of the size, without affecting the effects that the present disclosure can produce and the purposes that can be achieved, should still fall within the scope covered by the technical content disclosed in the present disclosure. At the same time, terms such as "upper" and "one" cited in this specification are only for the convenience of clear narration and are not used to limit the scope for the implementation of the present disclosure. The change or adjustment of their relative relationships, without substantial change in the technical content, should also be regarded as the scope for the implementation of the present disclosure.

[0053] To understand the present disclosure more clearly, the following specifically describes each embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings.

[0054] The present disclosure provides a gas-liquid separator 1, as Figure 1-4As shown, the gas-liquid separator 1 includes a housing 10 and a partition 30. The housing 10 defines an accommodation chamber 100 inside thereof, and a first inlet 20 and a first outlet 22 communicating with the accommodation chamber 100 may be provided on the housing 10. The first inlet 20 is used to introduce the low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid mixed refrigerant into the accommodation chamber 100, and the first outlet 22 is used to discharge the gaseous refrigerant after gas-liquid separation from the accommodation chamber 100. The partition 30 of the gas-liquid separator 1 is arranged in the accommodation chamber 100 of the housing 10 and divides the accommodation chamber 100 into multiple spaces. The partition 30 is provided with at least one top opening 300 allowing gas to pass through at the top close to the top cover 12, and the top opening 300 communicates with two adjacent spaces. The first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22 of the housing 10 may define a gas flow path 5, and the gas flow path 5 passes through the above-mentioned at least one top opening 300. With such an arrangement, the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant will touch the partition 30 during the flowing process, causing the liquid molecules in the refrigerant fluid to adsorb on the partition 30, converge into a liquid film, and flow to the bottom of the gas-liquid separator 1 under the action of gravity and be stored in the gas-liquid separator 1, so that the liquid refrigerant can be fully separated from the mixed refrigerant, while the gaseous refrigerant will flow to the first outlet 22 through the top opening 300 and be discharged from the gas-liquid separator 1, making the gas-liquid separation effect better and avoiding the problem of poor gas-liquid separation effect caused by the direct flow of the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant from the first inlet 20 to the first outlet 22. It can be seen that the setting of the partition 30 can effectively improve the gas-liquid separation effect and extend the residence time of the gaseous refrigerant in the accommodation chamber 100. At the same time, the partition 30 can also support the housing 10 and enhance the structural stability of the housing 10.

[0055] Specifically, in one embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the housing 10 may be generally in the shape of a hollow cuboid and includes a base 11, a top cover 12, and side walls 13 connected between the base 11 and the top cover 12. The first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22 may be provided on the base 11 to facilitate the direct docking and connection of the gas-liquid separator 1 with external components (such as a flow channel plate). An opening 14 may be provided on the top cover 12 for replacing a drying package (not shown). In this way, the drying package can be put into the gas-liquid separator 1 or taken out from the gas-liquid separator 1 through the opening 14, and a sealing cover is detachably provided at the opening 14 to block the opening 14, so that the gaseous refrigerant in the gas-liquid separator 1 can be further dried.

[0056] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4, the partition 30 disposed in the accommodation chamber 100 may include a first partition 31 and a second partition 32 that are cross - arranged (for example, the cross - angle is 90 degrees, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto). The two partitions 31 and 32 divide the accommodation chamber 100 into a first space 91, a second space 92, a third space 93, and a fourth space 94 arranged in sequence. The first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22 of the gas - liquid separator 1 are respectively located on both sides of the first partition 31 and on the same side (for example, the first side) of the second partition 31. For example, the first inlet 20 communicates with the first space 91, and the first outlet 22 communicates with the fourth space 94. A first top opening 310 is provided on the first partition 31, which is located on the second side of the second partition 32. Two second top openings 320 are provided on the second partition 32, which are respectively located on both sides of the first partition 31. Each of the above - mentioned top openings 310 and 320 may be a recess that opens upward (the present disclosure is only described in this way, but is not limited thereto. For example, the top opening may also be other shapes as long as it can communicate with adjacent two spaces). With such an arrangement, the gaseous refrigerant in the gas - liquid mixed refrigerant entering from the first inlet 20 can flow from the first space 91, through the second top opening 320 and the first top opening 310, and sequentially flow through the second space 92, the third space 93, and the fourth space 94, as Figure 4 shown by the dotted gas flow path 5 in the figure, which extends the flow path and residence time of the gaseous refrigerant, enables the liquid molecules therein to be fully separated, and under the action of gravity, flow towards the base 11 of the housing 10 and be stored in the gas - liquid separator 1, while the separated gaseous refrigerant can be discharged from the first outlet 22, improving the gas - liquid separation effect.

[0057] At least one bottom opening 333 allowing fluid to pass through may be provided at the bottom of the partition 30 near the base 11 for communicating adjacent two spaces. In one embodiment, bottom openings 333 may be provided on both the first partition 31 and the second partition 32, enabling the first to fourth spaces 91, 92, 93, 94 to communicate with each other, and the liquid refrigerant can maintain the same height in each space.

[0058] Please continue to refer to Figure 4 , the gas - liquid separator may further include an inlet conduit 21 and an outlet conduit 23. The inlet conduit 21 is sealingly connected to the first inlet 20 and extends from the first inlet 20 to the upper middle part of the first space 91 to guide the gas - liquid mixed refrigerant entering from the first inlet 20 to the upper middle end of the first space 91, while avoiding leakage of the liquid refrigerant. The outlet conduit 23 is sealingly connected to the first outlet 22 and extends from the first outlet 22 to the upper part of the fourth space 94 to guide the gaseous refrigerant flowing into the upper end of the fourth space 94 to the first outlet 22 and discharge it, also avoiding leakage of the liquid refrigerant.

[0059] The gas-liquid mixed refrigerant flowing in from the first inlet 20 usually contains lubricating oil. In order to enable the lubricating oil to flow out from the first outlet 22 together with the gaseous refrigerant and return to the compressor for lubrication, an oil return hole 231 can be provided on the outlet conduit 23. The oil return hole 231 is located on the side wall of the outlet conduit 23 close to the base 11, so that the lubricating oil below the refrigerant or the mixture of refrigerant and lubricating oil can flow to the first outlet 22 through the oil return hole 231 and return to the compressor together with the gaseous refrigerant. Preferably, in order to prevent impurities from entering the compressor through the oil return hole 231 and causing damage to it, the gas-liquid separator 1 can further include a filter 24. The filter 24 can be sleeved on the side wall of the outlet conduit 23 close to the base 11 and cover the oil return hole 231, so as to effectively avoid impurities from blocking the oil return hole 231 and entering the compressor through the oil return hole 231, and extend the service life of the compressor.

[0060] It should be noted that since the filter 24 covers the oil return hole 231, the oil return hole 231 is not visible. Figure 4 The shown oil return hole 231 is only for explaining the height relationship between the oil return hole 231 and the filter 24.

[0061] Although the gas-liquid separator 1 of the above embodiment is described with the first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22 provided on the base 11, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22 can also be provided on the side wall or the top cover, as long as the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant can enter the accommodation cavity 100 and the gaseous refrigerant can flow out of the container 100.

[0062] The gas-liquid separator 1 of the present disclosure is provided with a partition 30 in the accommodation cavity 100 and a top opening 300 is provided at the top of the partition 30, so that the gaseous refrigerant flowing in from the first inlet 20 can pass through the top opening 300 and flow through different spaces of the accommodation cavity 100 and flow out of the gas-liquid separator 1 from the first outlet 22. Such a setting can make the gaseous refrigerant collide with the partition 30 and extend the residence time of the gaseous refrigerant in the accommodation cavity 100, effectively improving the gas-liquid separation effect.

[0063] The present disclosure also provides a gas-liquid separation assembly 2. The following mainly describes the embodiments of the gas-liquid separation assembly 2 with reference to the drawings. The gas-liquid separation assembly 2 includes the gas-liquid separator 1 described above. Therefore, for the sake of simplicity of description, the same parts of the gas-liquid separator 1 in the gas-liquid separation assembly 2 as those in the previous embodiment will not be repeated, and the following mainly focuses on the differences for detailed description. In addition, the same elements in the embodiments of the present disclosure are labeled with the same reference numerals for the convenience of comparison between the embodiments.

[0064] Figures 5 to 7Describes a first embodiment of the gas-liquid separation component 2 of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the gas-liquid separation component 2 includes the gas-liquid separator 1 and the heat exchange tube 41 described above. In addition to the first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22, the base 11 of the gas-liquid separator 1 is also provided with a second inlet 40 and a second outlet 42 for communicating with the heat exchange tube 41, so that the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant enters the accommodation chamber 100 through the heat exchange tube 41. Since the second inlet 40 and the second outlet 42 are used for circulating the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, while the first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22 are used for circulating the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant, the apertures of the second inlet 40 and the second outlet 42 can be smaller than those of the first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22, as Figure 5 shown, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The heat exchange tube 41 is located in the accommodation chamber 100 of the gas-liquid separator 1, and its two ends are respectively connected to the second inlet 40 and the second outlet 42 for delivering the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator 1. Such an arrangement can enable the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant in the heat exchange tube 2 to exchange heat with the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flowing in from the first inlet 20 (i.e., the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant flowing in from the first inlet 20) in the accommodation chamber 100, so that the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant can be fully vaporized; at the same time, the integration degree of the product can be improved and the cost can be reduced.

[0065] In an embodiment, the second inlet 40 can communicate with the second space 92, and the second outlet 42 can communicate with the third space 93. The heat exchange tube 41 can include a first section 411, a second section 412, and a third section 413 located between the first and second sections 411 and 412. One end of the first section 411 communicates with the second inlet 40, one end of the second section 412 communicates with the second outlet 42, the third section 413 communicates with the other end of the first section 411 and the other end of the second section 412, and the third section 413 can pass through the top opening 300 of the partition 30, so that the heat exchange tube 41, especially the third section 413, can sequentially pass through the second space 92, the first space 91, the fourth space 94, and the third space 93, increasing the contact area with the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant, making the heat exchange more sufficient and fully vaporizing the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant.

[0066] It should be noted that the first partition 31 in this embodiment includes two first top openings 310, which are respectively located on both sides of the second partition 32, and the second partition 32 includes two second top openings 320, which are respectively located on both sides of the first partition 31. The heat exchange tube 41 will pass through the two first top openings 310 and the second top opening 320 connecting the first space 91 and the fourth space 94 to increase the flow path of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. In addition, in order to increase the gas flow path 5 between the first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22 to improve the gas-liquid separation effect of the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant, the second top opening 320 connecting the first space 91 and the fourth space 94 can be set to a smaller size, for example, the size of the second top opening 320 can be roughly equal to the outer diameter of the heat exchange tube 41, so that it can pass through the second top opening 320, and avoid as much as possible the problem of poor gas-liquid separation effect caused by the short path caused by the passage of the gas flow path 5. The first top opening 310 and the other second top opening 320 can have a larger size so that the gas flow path 5 and / or the heat exchange tube 41 can pass through.

[0067] The arrangement of the partition 30 and the heat exchange tube 41 in the gas-liquid separation component 2 can not only improve the integration of the product and reduce the cost, but also effectively improve the gas-liquid separation effect, prolong the residence time of the gaseous refrigerant in the accommodating chamber 100, and fully gasify it.

[0068] In addition, the first inlet 20, the first outlet 22, the inlet conduit 21, the outlet conduit 23, the filter 24 and other components are the same as those in the previous embodiment, and thus will not be described in detail.

[0069] Figures 8 to 11A second embodiment of the gas-liquid separation component 2 of the present disclosure is described. As shown in the figure, the gas-liquid separation component 2 includes a gas-liquid separator 1 and a heat exchange tube 41 disposed in the gas-liquid separator 1 to improve the integration of the product. The housing 10 of the gas-liquid separator 1 includes a base 11, a top cover 12, and a side wall 13. The first inlet 20, the first outlet 22, the second inlet 40, and the second outlet 43 are all disposed on the base 11 to facilitate direct docking and connection with external components (such as a flow-through plate). In this embodiment, the first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22 may include joints protruding from the base 11, and annular grooves may be provided on the joints for installing sealing rings to achieve radial sealing. The second inlet 40 and the second outlet 42 may include flat interfaces, and sealing rings may also be installed at these interfaces to achieve end face sealing. Such an arrangement can achieve a sealed connection between the gas-liquid separation component 2 and the flow channel plate when the gas-liquid separation component 2 is inserted into the flow channel plate. Of course, the present disclosure is not limited to the above forms of the first and second inlets and the first and second outlets. For example, the first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22 may also be flat interfaces, the second inlet 40 and the second outlet 42 may be protruding joints, or any other combination, as long as a sealed connection between the gas-liquid separation component 2 and the flow channel plate can be achieved. Mounting holes 15 may also be provided on the base 11 for fixing the gas-liquid separation component 2 to an external component such as a flow channel plate through fastening elements (such as screws, etc.).

[0070] Please refer to Figure 10 , the partition 30 includes a first partition 31, a second partition 32, and a third partition 33, wherein the second partition 32 and the third partition 33 may be disposed substantially parallel to each other and intersect with the first partition 31 respectively (for example, the intersection angle may be 90 degrees) to divide the accommodation cavity 100 into a first space 91, a second space 92, a third space 93, a fourth space 94, a fifth space 95, and a sixth space 96 arranged in sequence.

[0071] To extend the flow path of the refrigerant within the accommodation chamber 100, the first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22 may be diagonally arranged, and the second inlet 40 and the second outlet 42 may also be diagonally arranged. Specifically, the first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22 are located on both sides of the first partition 31 and on the two outer sides where the second partition 32 and the third partition 33 are away from each other. For example, the first inlet 20 may communicate with the first space 91, and the first outlet 22 communicates with the fourth space 94. Three top openings 310 are provided on the first partition 31 and are separated by the second partition 32 and the third partition 33 respectively. A second top opening 320 is provided on the second partition 32 on one side of the first partition 31 (e.g., the side away from the first inlet 20), and a third top opening 330 is provided on the third partition 33 on the other side of the first partition 31 (e.g., the side close to the first inlet 20). In this way, the gaseous refrigerant flowing in from the first inlet 20 can sequentially pass through the first space 91, the second space 92, the third space 93, the sixth space 96, the fifth space 95, and the fourth space 94, enter the outlet conduit 23, and flow out from the first outlet 22. That is, the flow path 5 of the gaseous refrigerant (as shown by the dashed line in Figure 10 ) can be generally S-shaped, effectively extending the gas flow path 5, increasing the residence time of the gas-liquid refrigerant in the accommodation chamber 100, and improving the gas-liquid separation effect.

[0072] The second inlet 40 may communicate with the second space 92, and the second outlet 42 may communicate with the fifth space 95. The first section 411 of the heat exchange tube 41 communicates with the second inlet 40, the second section 412 communicates with the second outlet 42, and the third section 413 passes through the second top opening 320 and the third top opening 330 and communicates the first section 411 and the second section 412, enabling the third section 412 to sequentially pass through the second space 92, the third space 93, the sixth space 96, and the fifth space 95, increasing the contact area with the gaseous refrigerant, and fully vaporizing it through heat exchange.

[0073] Please refer to Figure 11, in a preferred embodiment, a counterbore 16 communicating with the first outlet 22 may further be provided on the upper surface of the base 11. One end of the outlet conduit 23 and the filter 24 may be inserted into the counterbore 16 to reduce the height of the oil return holes 231 on the side wall of the outlet conduit 23, so that the lubricating oil can more easily drain from the outlet conduit 23 through the oil return holes 231 and flow back to the compressor. Specifically, the lubricating oil sinks to the bottom of the housing 10 and is located below the refrigerant, and then flows back to the compressor, or the mixed state of the refrigerant and the lubricating oil returns to the compressor from the oil return holes. More preferably, the upper surface of the base 11 may further include a concave surface 17. For example, the concave surface 17 may be an inclined surface that gradually decreases from two opposite sides of the base 11 towards the center line, and a diversion groove 18 may be provided on the concave groove 17 for diverting the liquid at the lowest point of the concave surface 17 into the counterbore 16. Such a setting can still converge the liquid refrigerant to the counterbore 16 through structures such as the concave surface 17 and the diversion groove 18 even when the liquid refrigerant is less, facilitating the return of the lubricating oil to the compressor through the oil return holes 231, and at the same time storing the liquid refrigerant in the gas-liquid separation assembly 2. In an embodiment, a mounting groove 190 may further be provided on the base 11 to facilitate the installation and fixation of the partition 30.

[0074] Figures 12 to 14 The third embodiment of the gas-liquid separation assembly 2 of the present disclosure is described. The main difference between this third embodiment and the second embodiment lies in the opening directions of the first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22, and the installation positions of the second inlet 40 and the second outlet 42. Specifically, the first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22 are still provided on the base 11, but instead of opening downward as disclosed in the foregoing embodiments, the first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22 in this embodiment are respectively opened towards two opposite side walls of the base 11 and have a bent flow path in the base 11, so that the first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22 communicate with the first space 91 and the fourth space 94 respectively and connect the inlet conduit 21 and the outlet conduit 23 therein. The specific structures of the partition 30 and the inlet conduit 21 and the outlet conduit 23 in this embodiment are the same as those in the second embodiment, so they will not be described in detail here.

[0075] Please continue to refer to Figure 12, a second inlet 40 and a second outlet 42 are provided on the top cover 12 and are open towards a side wall of the top cover 12. For example, the opening directions of the second inlet 40 and the second outlet 42 may be the same as the opening direction of the first inlet 20, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The second inlet 40 and the second outlet 42 may have bent flow channels on the top cover 12 to respectively communicate with the fifth space 95 and the second space 92 and connect to the heat exchange tube 41 in the accommodation cavity 100. The heat exchange tube 41 includes a first section 411 communicating with the second inlet 40, a second section 412 communicating with the second outlet 42, and a third section 413 communicating the first section 411 and the second section 412. Different from this, the third section 413 passes through the bottom opening 333 of the partition 30, rather than the top opening 300. Specifically, the third section 413 passes through the bottom opening 333 of the partition 30 and sequentially passes through the second space 92, the third space 93, the sixth space 96, and the fifth space 95, so that the heat exchange tube 41 can be in direct contact with the liquid refrigerant, and the liquid refrigerant can be fully vaporized through heat exchange.

[0076] Figures 15 to 18 A fourth embodiment of the gas-liquid separation assembly 2 of the present disclosure is described. The main difference between this fourth embodiment and the second embodiment lies in the installation positions of the first inlet 20, the first outlet 22, the second inlet 40, and the second outlet 42, and the structure of the partition 30, etc.

[0077] Specifically, the first outlet 22 is provided on the base 11 of the gas-liquid separator 1 and is open towards the side wall of the base 11, and has a bent flow channel in the base 11 to communicate with the accommodation cavity 100. The first outlet 22 may include a flat interface, and a sealing ring may be installed at this interface for end face sealing. The first inlet 20, the second inlet 40, and the second outlet 42 are provided on the top cover 12 of the gas-liquid separator 1 and are open in a direction opposite to that of the first outlet 22, as Figure 16 shown. The first inlet 20, the second inlet 40, and the second outlet 42 have bent flow channels in the top cover 12 to communicate with the accommodation cavity 100, and at the side wall of the top cover 12, they include protruding connectors, and annular grooves may be provided on these connectors for installing sealing rings to achieve radial sealing. Such a setting can achieve a sealed connection with the flow channel plate when the gas-liquid separation assembly 2 is inserted between two flow channel plates. Of course, the present disclosure is not limited to the above forms of the first and second inlets and the first and second outlets. For example, the first inlet 20, the second inlet 40, and the second outlet 42 may also be flat interfaces, the first outlet 22 may be a protruding connector, or any other combination, as long as a sealed connection between the gas-liquid separation assembly 2 and the flow channel plate can be achieved.

[0078] Please refer to Figure 17, the partition 30 includes a first partition 31, a second partition 32, and a third partition 33, wherein the second partition 32 and the third partition 33 can be arranged substantially parallel to each other and are respectively arranged to intersect with the first partition 31 (for example, the intersection angle can be 90 degrees), so as to divide the accommodation cavity 100 into a first space 91, a second space 92, a third space 93, a fourth space 94, a fifth space 95, and a sixth space 96 arranged in sequence.

[0079] The first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22 are located on both sides of the first partition 31 and are located between the second partition 32 and the third partition 33. For example, the first inlet 20 can communicate with the third space 93, and the first outlet 22 communicates with the sixth space 96. Two top openings 310 are provided on the first partition 31, respectively located on the two outer sides where the second partition 32 and the third partition 33 are away from each other. Two second top openings 320 are provided on the second partition 32, respectively located on both sides of the first partition 31. Two third top openings 33 are provided on the third partition 33, respectively located on both sides of the first partition 31. Such an arrangement enables the first path 51 of the gas flow path 5 defined by the first inlet 20 and the first outlet 22 (such as Figure 17 the arrow marked on the left side in the figure) to pass through one of the first top openings 310 (such as Figure 17 the left first top opening 310 in the figure) and the second top opening 320, and sequentially pass through the third space 93, the second space 92, the first space 91, and the sixth space 96; and enables the second path 52 of the gas flow path 5 (such as Figure 17 the arrow marked on the right side in the figure) to pass through the other of the first top openings 310 (such as Figure 17 the right first top opening 310 in the figure) and the third top opening 330, and sequentially pass through the third space 93, the fourth space 94, the fifth space 95, and the sixth space 96. Bottom openings 333 are further provided at the bottoms of the first partition 31, the second partition 32, and the third partition 33, so that the first to sixth spaces 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96 can communicate with each other.

[0080] Please refer to Figure 17 and Figure 18 . Since the first inlet 20 is located on the top cover 12, the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant entering the accommodation cavity 100 will flow out from the top of the third space 93. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no need to provide an inlet duct 23 for guiding the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant to the upper part of the space. In order to directly guide the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant in the upper part of the third space 93 to the second space 92 and the fourth space 94 on both sides, the gas-liquid separator 1 can include a guide plate 19, and the guide plate 19 is located directly below the first inlet 20 (such as Figure 17 and Figure 18 shown), so that the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant in the upper part of the third space 93 can be directly guided to the spaces 92 and 94 on both sides.

[0081] Please continue to refer to Figure 17 wherein, the second inlet 40 and the second outlet 42 are respectively communicated with the second space 92 and the fourth space 94. The heat exchange tube 41 is located in the accommodation cavity 100, and includes a first section 411 communicated with the second inlet 40, a second section 412 communicated with the second outlet 42, and a third section 413 communicated with the first section 411 and the second section 412. Among them, the third section 413 passes through the bottom opening 333 of the partition plate 30, and successively passes through the second space 92, the third space 93 and the fourth space 94, so that the heat exchange tube 41 can be in direct contact with the liquid refrigerant, and the liquid refrigerant can be fully vaporized through heat exchange.

[0082] Figures 19 to 20 The fifth embodiment of the gas-liquid separation component 2 of the present disclosure is described. The difference between the fifth embodiment and the fourth embodiment lies in the position of the first inlet 20 and the form of the second inlet 40.

[0083] Specifically, in this embodiment, the first inlet 20 is located on the base 11 of the housing 10 and opens towards the side wall of the base 11. Specifically, the opening direction is the same as that of the second inlet 40 and the second outlet 42, and is opposite to the opening direction of the first outlet 22. The first inlet 20 may include a flat interface, and a sealing ring can be installed on the flat interface to achieve end face sealing when connecting with an external component (such as a flow channel plate). The first inlet 20 may have a bent flow channel in the base 11 to communicate with the third space 93 of the accommodation cavity 100. An inlet conduit 21 communicating with the first inlet 20 is further provided in the accommodation cavity 100 to guide the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant to the upper middle part of the third space 93, as Figure 20 shown.

[0084] Please continue to refer to Figure 19 wherein, the second inlet 40 and the second outlet 42 are located on the top cover 12 and open towards the side wall of the top cover 12. The second inlet 40 may include a flat interface, and a sealing ring can be installed on the flat interface to achieve end face sealing when connecting with an external component (such as a flow channel plate). The second outlet 42 may include a protruding joint, and an annular groove may be provided on the joint for installing a sealing ring to achieve radial sealing when connecting with an external component (such as a flow channel plate). Mounting holes 15 may also be provided on the top cover 12 and the base 11 for fixing the gas-liquid separation component 2 to an external component such as a flow channel plate through fastening elements (such as screws, etc.). The structures of other components in this embodiment are the same as those in the fourth embodiment, so they will not be described in detail here.

[0085] Although the partition plate 30 in the gas-liquid separation component 2 described in the present disclosure is described as including two or three partition plates, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the partition plate 30 may also include one, four or more partition plates, as long as the gas-liquid separation effect can be improved.

[0086] In addition, although the present disclosure only introduces the gas-liquid separator 1 with one embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, after removing the heat exchange tube 41 described in each embodiment, the gas-liquid separation component 2 can be used as an embodiment of the gas-liquid separator 1.

[0087] By integrating the heat exchange tube 41 into the gas-liquid separator 1, the gas-liquid separation component 2 of the present disclosure can not only improve the integration of the product, reduce the occupied area of the thermal management system, and effectively reduce the part cost of the thermal management system, but also enable the low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid mixed refrigerant in the gas-liquid separator 1 to fully exchange heat with the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant in the heat exchange tube 41, so that it can be fully vaporized.

[0088] The present disclosure also provides a thermal management system 3, as Figure 21 shown, the thermal management system 3 includes the aforementioned gas-liquid separator 1 or the aforementioned gas-liquid separation component 2, and a flow channel plate 4, wherein the gas-liquid separator 1 or the gas-liquid separation component 2 is fixedly installed on the flow channel plate 4.

[0089] The above has described the exemplary embodiments of the gas-liquid separator, gas-liquid separation component and thermal management system provided by the present disclosure with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art can understand that, without departing from the concept of the present disclosure, various modifications and variations can be made to the above specific embodiments, and various combinations of the technical features and structures proposed by the present disclosure can be made without exceeding the protection scope of the present disclosure. The protection scope of the present disclosure is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gas-liquid separator (1), comprising: a housing (10), the housing (10) defining an accommodation chamber (100) therein, and the housing (10) being provided with a first inlet (20) and a first outlet (22) communicating with the accommodation chamber (100); wherein the gas-liquid separator (1) further comprises a partition plate (30), the partition plate (30) being arranged in the accommodation chamber (100) and dividing the accommodation chamber (100) into a plurality of spaces; at least one top opening (300) allowing gas to pass through is provided at the top of the partition plate (30), and the top opening (300) communicates with two adjacent ones of the spaces; wherein the first inlet (20) and the first outlet (22) define a gas flow path (5), and the gas flow path (5) passes through at least one of the top openings (300).

2. The gas-liquid separator (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one bottom opening (333) allowing liquid to pass through is provided at the bottom of the partition plate (30); the bottom opening (333) is used to communicate two adjacent ones of the spaces.

3. The gas-liquid separator (1) according to claim 2, wherein the top opening is a recess opening upward.

4. The gas-liquid separator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first outlet (22) is provided in a base (11) of the housing (10), and the gas-liquid separator (1) further comprises an outlet conduit (23), the outlet conduit (23) communicating with the first outlet (22) to guide gas to the first outlet (22).

5. The gas-liquid separator (1) according to claim 4, wherein the outlet conduit (23) is provided with an oil return hole (231) on a side wall close to the base (11).

6. The gas-liquid separator (1) according to claim 5, wherein the gas-liquid separator (1) further comprises a filter (24), sleeved on a side wall of the outlet conduit (23) close to the base (11) and covering the oil return hole (231).

7. The gas-liquid separator (1) according to claim 6, wherein a counterbore (16) communicating with the first outlet (22) is provided on the base (11), and one end of the outlet conduit (23) and the filter (24) is inserted into the counterbore (16).

8. The gas-liquid separator (1) according to claim 7, wherein an upper surface of the base (11) comprises a concave surface (17), and a diversion groove (18) is provided on the concave surface (17) to divert liquid at the lowest point of the concave surface (17) into the counterbore (16).

9. The gas-liquid separator (1) according to claim 8, wherein the first inlet (20) is provided on the base (11), and the gas-liquid separator (1) further comprises an inlet conduit (21), the inlet conduit (21) communicating with the first inlet (20).

10. The gas-liquid separator (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first inlet (20) is provided on the top cover (12) of the housing (10), and the gas-liquid separator (1) further includes a deflector plate (19) located directly below the first inlet (20).

11. A gas-liquid separation assembly (2), comprising: The gas-liquid separator (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1-10, wherein a second inlet (40) and a second outlet (42) are further provided on the housing (10) of the gas-liquid separator (1); and A heat exchange tube (41), both ends of the heat exchange tube (41) are respectively connected to the second inlet (40) and the second outlet (42).

12. The gas-liquid separation assembly (2) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the heat exchange tube (41) includes a first section (411), a second section (412) and a third section (413), one end of the first section (411) communicates with the second inlet (40), one end of the second section (412) communicates with the second outlet (42), and the third section (413) communicates with the other end of the first section (411) and the other end of the second section (412); the third section (413) passes through the top opening (300) and / or the bottom opening (333) of the partition (30) of the gas-liquid separator (1).

13. The gas-liquid separation assembly (2) as claimed in claim 12, wherein both the second inlet (40) and the second outlet (42) are provided in the base (11) of the housing (10) or the top cover (12) of the housing (10).

14. The gas-liquid separation assembly (2) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the partition (30) of the gas-liquid separator (1) includes a first partition (31) and a second partition (32) arranged crosswise, and divides the accommodation cavity (100) of the gas-liquid separator (1) into a first space (91), a second space (92), a third space (93) and a fourth space (94).

15. The gas-liquid separation assembly (2) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first inlet (20) and the first outlet (22) of the gas-liquid separator (1) are located on both sides of the first partition (31) and on the first side of the second partition (32), wherein the first inlet (20) communicates with the first space (91), and the first outlet (22) communicates with the fourth space (94), The first partition (31) is provided with a first top opening (310) on the second side of the second partition (32), and the second partition (32) is provided with second top openings (320) on both sides of the first partition (31).

16. The gas-liquid separation assembly (2) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the second inlet (40) and the second outlet (42) communicate with the second space (92) and the third space (93) respectively, and the third section (413) passes through the second space (92), the first space (91), the fourth space (94) and the third space (93).

17. The gas-liquid separation assembly (2) according to claim 13, wherein the partition plate (30) of the gas-liquid separator (1) comprises a first partition plate (31), a second partition plate (32) and a third partition plate (33), and the second partition plate (32) and the third partition plate (33) intersect with the first partition plate (31) respectively to divide the accommodation cavity of the gas-liquid separator (1) into a first space (91), a second space (92), a third space (93), a fourth space (94), a fifth space (95) and a sixth space (96).

18. The gas-liquid separation assembly (2) according to claim 17, wherein the first inlet (20) and the first outlet (22) of the gas-liquid separator (1) are located on both sides of the first partition plate (31), and on two outer sides where the second partition plate (32) and the third partition plate (33) are away from each other, and the first inlet (20) communicates with the first space (91), and the first outlet (22) communicates with the fourth space (94). Three first top openings (310) are provided on the first partition plate (31), and are separated by the second partition plate (32) and the third partition plate (33) respectively. A second top opening (320) located on one side of the first partition plate (31) is provided on the second partition plate (32), and a third top opening (330) located on the other side of the first partition plate (31) is provided on the third partition plate (33).

19. The gas-liquid separation assembly (2) according to claim 18, wherein the second inlet (40) and the second outlet (42) communicate with the second space (92) and the fifth space (95) respectively, and the third section (413) passes through the second space (92), the third space (93), the sixth space (96) and the fifth space (95).

20. The gas-liquid separation assembly (2) according to claim 17, wherein the first inlet (20) and the first outlet (22) of the gas-liquid separator (1) are located on both sides of the first partition plate (31), and between the second partition plate (32) and the third partition plate (33), the first inlet (20) communicates with the third space (93), and the first outlet (22) communicates with the sixth space (96). Two first top openings (310) are provided on the first partition plate (31), and are located on two outer sides where the second partition plate (32) and the third partition plate (33) are away from each other respectively. Two second top openings (320) are provided on the second partition plate (32), and are located on both sides of the first partition plate (31) respectively. Two third top openings (330) are provided on the third partition plate (33), and are located on both sides of the first partition plate (31) respectively. The first path (51) in the gas flow path (5) defined by the first inlet (20) and the first outlet (22) passes through one of the first top openings (310) and the second top opening (320), and the second path (52) in the gas flow path (5) passes through the other of the first top openings (310) and the third top opening (330).

21. The gas-liquid separation assembly (2) according to claim 20, wherein the second inlet (40) and the second outlet (42) communicate with a second space (92) and a fourth space (94) respectively, and the third section (413) passes through the second space (92), the third space (93) and the fourth space (94).

22. A thermal management system (3), wherein the thermal management system (3) comprises: The gas-liquid separator (1) according to any one of claims 1-10; or the gas-liquid separation assembly (2) according to any one of claims 11-22.

23. The thermal management system (3) according to claim 22, wherein the thermal management system (3) further comprises a flow channel plate (4), and the gas-liquid separator (1) or the gas-liquid separation assembly (2) is mounted on the flow channel plate (4).

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