Multi-channel valve and thermal management system

Abstract

A multi-channel valve and a thermal management system, the multi-channel valve (1) comprises a valve casing (10) and a valve core (20) rotatably arranged in the valve casing (10), the valve casing (10) is provided with a plurality of valve ports (31), the valve core (20) is provided with a plurality of flow channels (32), and two ends of each flow channel (32) can be respectively communicated with two of the valve ports (31) of the valve casing (10). A plurality of buffering cavities (40) are formed between the inner surface of the valve shell (10) and the outer surface of the valve element (20), the buffering cavities (40) are separated from one another in a sealed mode, a plurality of balance holes (50) are formed in the valve element (20), each balance hole (50) corresponds to a corresponding flow channel (32), each buffering cavity (40) is communicated with the corresponding flow channel (32) through the corresponding balance hole (50), and according to the multi-channel valve (1), internal leakage can be reduced or avoided.

Description

Multi-channel valve and thermal management system Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of valve technology, and in particular to a multi-channel valve and a thermal management system. Background Art

[0002] Multichannel valves are commonly used to control fluid flow. For example, in the thermal management systems of new energy vehicles, multichannel valves are often required to control the flow of coolant through different circuits. However, existing multichannel valves suffer from internal leakage, especially under high hydraulic pressures. Therefore, a multichannel valve that can reduce or eliminate internal leakage is urgently needed.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention aims to provide a multi-channel valve and a thermal management system, wherein the multi-channel valve can reduce or avoid internal leakage.

[0005] To this end, on one hand, the present invention provides a multi-channel valve, including a valve housing and a valve core rotatably arranged in the valve housing, the valve housing is provided with multiple valve ports, the valve core is provided with multiple flow channels, and the two ends of each flow channel can be respectively connected to two of the valve ports of the valve housing, a plurality of buffer chambers are formed between the inner surface of the valve housing and the outer surface of the valve core, and the plurality of buffer chambers are sealed and separated from each other, a plurality of balancing holes are provided on the valve core, each balancing hole is arranged corresponding to a corresponding flow channel, and each buffer chamber is connected to the corresponding flow channel through the balancing hole.

[0006] On the other hand, the present invention provides a thermal management system, which includes the aforementioned multi-channel valve and multiple heat exchange branches, wherein the two ends of each heat exchange branch are connected to the corresponding two valve ports, thereby forming a closed fluid circuit through the corresponding flow channels.

[0007] Through the multi-channel valve of the present invention, even when the valve core has a high fluid pressure, part of the fluid in the valve core can be discharged to the corresponding buffer cavity through the balancing hole, and the fluid pressure in the buffer cavity and the fluid pressure in the valve core can be balanced through the balancing hole, thereby reducing the squeezing and impact of the high-pressure fluid on the valve core, and further reducing or avoiding the internal leakage caused thereby. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG1 is a perspective schematic diagram of a multi-channel valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] FIG2A is a cross-sectional view of the multi-channel valve shown in FIG1 ;

[0010] FIG2B is an enlarged view of A of the multi-channel valve shown in FIG2A ;

[0011] FIG3 is an exploded view of the multi-channel valve shown in FIG1 ;

[0012] FIG4 is an exploded view of the lower valve housing, the first sealing ring, and the sealing gasket of the multi-channel valve shown in FIG3 ;

[0013] FIG5 is an exploded view of the preload member, the sealing rings and the corrugated gasket of the multi-channel valve shown in FIG2A;

[0014] FIG6 is a top view of the valve core body and the cover plate of the multi-channel valve shown in FIG3 , wherein the valve core body is shown in dotted lines;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a simplified schematic diagram of a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments to make the technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present invention more clearly understood. It should be understood that the drawings are provided for reference and illustration only and are not intended to limit the present invention. The dimensions shown in the drawings are only for the purpose of clarification and do not limit the proportional relationship.

[0018] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "back," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "axial," "radial," "circumferential," and the like, indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended only to facilitate the description of the present invention and simplify the description. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the invention. In addition, "plurality" herein includes two, three, or more.

[0019] 1 , 2A and 3 , a multi-channel valve 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a valve housing 10 and a valve core 20 rotatably disposed in the valve housing 10. The valve housing 10 is provided with a plurality of valve ports 31. The valve core 20 is provided with a plurality of flow channels 32. The two ends of each flow channel 32 can be respectively connected to two of the valve ports 31 of the valve housing 10. A plurality of buffer chambers 40 are formed between the inner surface of the valve housing 10 and the outer surface of the valve core 20, and the plurality of buffer chambers 40 are sealed and separated from each other. The valve core 20 is provided with a plurality of balancing holes 50, each balancing hole 50 is correspondingly arranged to a corresponding flow channel 32, and each of the buffer chambers 40 is connected to the corresponding flow channel 32 through one or more corresponding balancing holes 50.

[0020] Therefore, even when the valve core 20 has a higher fluid pressure (such as the hydraulic pressure from the coolant), part of the fluid in the valve core 20 can be discharged to the corresponding buffer chamber 40 through the balancing hole 50, and the fluid pressure in the buffer chamber 40 and the fluid pressure in the valve core 20 can be balanced through the balancing hole 50, thereby reducing the squeezing and impact of the high-pressure fluid on the valve core 20, and further reducing or avoiding the internal leakage caused thereby.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2A to 3, in this embodiment, the valve ports 31 are disposed on a plane of the valve housing 10 perpendicular to its rotational axis. Fluid flows axially from one valve port 31 into the flow passage 32 and axially out of the flow passage 32 to the other valve port 31. Preferably, the balancing hole 50 also extends axially to more effectively reduce the axial pressure exerted by the high-pressure fluid on the valve core 20, thereby further minimizing or preventing internal leakage.

[0022] Specifically, referring to Figures 2A to 4 , the valve housing 10 includes a separate upper valve housing 11 and a lower valve housing 12, which are fixedly connected (e.g., by screws). Preferably, the upper valve housing 11 and the lower valve housing 12 are sealed together by a first sealing ring 13. In this embodiment, the valve port 31 is defined by the lower valve housing 12.

[0023] More specifically, the main body of the lower valve housing 12 is roughly cylindrical and includes a bottom wall 120, a peripheral wall 121, and a diaphragm 122 axially spaced from the bottom wall 120 and surrounded by the peripheral wall 121. The bottom wall 120 and the peripheral wall 121 together enclose a cavity, and the diaphragm 122 is approximately located in the axial middle position of the cavity to divide the cavity into an upper cavity and a lower cavity. The valve port 31 is provided on the diaphragm 122. As an example, in this embodiment, the diaphragm 122 is provided with a first valve port 311, a second valve port 312, a third valve port 313, a fourth valve port 314, a fifth valve port 315, a sixth valve port 316, a seventh valve port 317, an eighth valve port 318, and a ninth valve port 319, which are distributed in sequence along the circumferential direction. The valve ports 311-319 are isolated from each other and are not connected. It should also be understood that in other embodiments, the valve housing 10 may also include other numbers (eg, eight) and / or arrangements of valve ports 31 .

[0024] In this embodiment, the lower valve housing 12 is further provided with a plurality of radially distributed longitudinal baffles 123 between the transverse baffle 31c and the wall 120 (i.e., within the lower chamber), thereby forming a plurality of valve housing cavities 124 between the transverse baffle 31c and the bottom wall 120. Each of these valve housing cavities 124 communicates with the valve ports 31 in a one-to-one correspondence. Furthermore, a plurality of valve housing ports 125 are protruding from the outer side of the peripheral wall 121 of the lower valve housing 12, corresponding to the valve housing cavities 124. Each of these valve housing ports 125 communicates with the valve housing cavities 124 in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0025] In this embodiment, referring to both Figures 2A and 3 , a portion of the valve core 20 is housed within the upper cavity of the lower valve housing 12, while the remaining portion is housed within the upper valve housing 11. Specifically, the valve core 20 comprises a separate valve core body 21 and a cover plate 22. The cover plate 22 covers the axial top end of the valve core body 21 and is fixedly connected thereto (e.g., by snapping, bonding, welding, etc.). A rotating shaft 23 is integrally connected to the center of the cover plate 22. The upper end of the rotating shaft 23 is rotatably connected to the upper valve housing 11, while the lower end of the rotating shaft 23 passes through a connecting shaft 210 in the center of the valve core body 21 and is rotatably connected to the lower valve housing 12. It is understood that in other embodiments, the valve core 20 may also be integrally formed. In this embodiment, the balancing hole 50 is provided in the cover plate 22 and axially extends through the cover plate 22 (i.e., the first axial end 201 of the valve core 20). The flow channel 32 is defined by the valve core body 21.

[0026] Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, each flow channel 32 includes two separate valve core ports 32a and a valve core cavity 32b connecting the two valve core ports 32a. The valve core ports 32a are located at the bottom end of the valve core body 21 (i.e., the second axial end 202 of the valve core 20) and extend axially through the second axial end 202. The valve core ports 32a are configured to communicate with the corresponding valve port 31. The valve core cavity 32b is defined by a valve core partition 32c within the valve core body 21. Thus, fluid flows from one valve port 31 (fluid flows into the valve port 31 through the corresponding valve housing port 125 and valve housing cavity 124) axially into the valve core cavity 32b through one of the valve core ports 32a, and then flows axially out of the valve core cavity 32b through the other valve core port 32a to the other valve port 31 (fluid is discharged through the corresponding valve housing port 125 and valve housing cavity 124).

[0027] As an example, in this embodiment, the valve core 20 includes multiple flow channels 32 that are not connected to each other, namely a first flow channel 321, a second flow channel 322, a third flow channel 323, and a fourth flow channel 324. The first flow channel 321 radially spans the valve core 20, the second flow channel 322 is located on one radial side of the first flow channel 321, and the third flow channel 323 and the fourth flow channel 324 are located on the other radial side of the first flow channel 321. The second flow channel 322, the third flow channel 323, and the fourth flow channel 324 are spaced apart circumferentially around the valve core 20. It should also be understood that in other embodiments, the valve core 20 may include other numbers (e.g., three) and / or arrangements of flow channels 32.

[0028] The first flow channel 321 connects the first valve port 311 and the seventh valve port 317, the second flow channel 322 connects the eighth valve port 318 and the ninth valve port 319, the third flow channel 323 connects the second valve port 312 and the third valve port 313, the fourth flow channel 324 connects the fourth valve port 314 and the sixth valve port 316, and the fifth valve port 315 is blocked and does not connect to any flow channel 32. As mentioned above, the valve core 20 is also rotatable relative to the valve housing 10, so that each flow channel 32 can connect to a different valve port 31 in different states.

[0029] Preferably, to enhance the dynamic sealing effect between the valve core 20 and the valve housing 10, a sealing gasket 60 is disposed between the valve core 20 and the valve housing 10. As shown in Figures 2A and 4 , the sealing gasket 60 is disposed between the transverse diaphragm 122 and the bottom end of the valve core body 21 and includes an inner ring 61, an outer ring 62, and a plurality of ribs 63 connecting the inner ring 61 and the outer ring 62. The plurality of ribs 63 correspond to the plurality of longitudinal diaphragms 123, and an opening 64 is formed between adjacent ribs 63, with each opening 64 corresponding to a corresponding valve port 31.

[0030] Additionally or alternatively, the multi-channel valve 1 further includes a preload member 70 (see FIG. 2A ). The preload member 70 is disposed between the upper valve housing 11 and the cover plate 22 to provide pressure for dynamic sealing between the valve core 20 and the valve housing 10, thereby enhancing the dynamic sealing effect. Furthermore, the preload member 70 is sealingly connected to both the upper valve housing 11 and the cover plate 22 to provide the aforementioned multiple, sealed, and isolated buffer chambers 40.

[0031] Specifically, as shown in Figures 2B and 3 , the cover plate 22 includes a disc-shaped plate portion 220, and a first ring portion 221 and a second ring portion 222 perpendicularly fixed to the axially upper end surface of the plate portion 220 (also one of the axially outer end surfaces of the valve core 20). The first ring portion 221 is spaced a certain distance from the outer periphery of the plate portion 220. The second ring portion 222 is located inside the first ring portion 221 and spaced a certain distance from the first ring portion 221. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cover plate 22 also includes a plurality of engaging portions 223 spaced circumferentially between the first ring portion 221 and the second ring portion 222.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2B and 5 , the preload member 70 is generally disc-shaped, with a central through-hole 700 for the rotation shaft 23 to pass through. In this embodiment, the axially upper end surface of the preload member 70 is sealedly connected to the axially lower end surface of the upper valve housing 11 (also one of the axially inner end surfaces of the valve housing 11). The axially lower end surface of the preload member 70 includes a first protrusion 701 located radially outward and away from the rotation shaft 23, a second protrusion 702 located radially inward and closer to the rotation shaft 23, and a first recessed portion 703 and a second recessed portion 704 located between the first protrusion 701 and the second protrusion 702.

[0033] The first protrusion 701 is provided with a plurality of engaging grooves 705. The first protrusion 701 is received between the first ring portion 221 and the second ring portion 222 of the cover plate 22. Each engaging portion 223 (shown in FIG. 3 ) on the cover plate 22 engages with a corresponding engaging groove 705, thereby achieving a synchronous transmission connection between the preload member 70 and the cover plate 22. The second ring portion 222 is inserted into the first recessed portion 703. The second recessed portion 704 and the second protrusion 702 are located between the inner side of the second ring portion 222 and the rotating shaft 23. Preferably, an elastic corrugated gasket 704a may be disposed on the second recessed portion 704. The corrugated gasket 704a is elastically supported between the preload member 70 and the cover plate 22 to enhance the dynamic sealing effect between the cover plate 22 and the upper valve housing 11.

[0034] Furthermore, a first step 706 and a second step 707 are formed on the outer and inner circumferential walls of the first protrusion 701, respectively. A second sealing ring 706a is disposed on the first step 706, and a third sealing ring 707a is disposed on the second step 707. A third step 708 is also formed on the inner circumferential wall of the second protrusion 702, and a fourth sealing ring 708a is disposed on the third step 708.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2B , the second sealing ring 706a is sealingly connected between the first ring portion 221 and the first protrusion 701, thereby sealingly isolating the buffer cavity 40 corresponding to the area of ​​the plate portion 220 outside the first ring portion 221 (hereinafter referred to as the first buffer cavity 41) from other buffer cavities 40. Corresponding to the circumferential extension direction of the area of ​​the plate portion 220 outside the first ring portion 221, in this embodiment, the first buffer cavity 41 extends circumferentially in a circular annular shape, enclosed by the axial lower end surface of the upper valve housing 11, the axial upper end surface of the plate portion 220, the inner circumferential wall of the valve housing 10, and the outer circumferential wall of the valve core 20 (as shown in Figure 2A ).

[0036] As shown in FIG2B , the third sealing ring 707a is sealingly connected between the second ring portion 222 and the first protrusion 701. Thus, the second sealing ring 706a and the third sealing ring 707a seal and separate the buffer cavity 40 (hereinafter referred to as the second buffer cavity 42) corresponding to the region of the plate portion 220 located between the first ring portion 221 and the second ring portion 222 from other buffer cavities 40. In this embodiment, the second buffer cavity 42 also extends circumferentially in a circular annular shape, corresponding to the circumferential extension of the region of the plate portion 220 located between the first ring portion 221 and the second ring portion 222. It is formed between the axial lower end surface of the upper valve housing 11 and the axial upper end surface of the plate portion 220. However, in this embodiment, the second buffer cavity 42 is jointly enclosed by the first protrusion 701 and the region of the plate portion 220 located between the first ring portion 221 and the second ring portion 222, and is located radially inward of the first buffer cavity 41.

[0037] As shown in FIG2B , the fourth sealing ring 708a is sealingly connected between the second protrusion 702 and the rotating shaft 23. Thus, the third sealing ring 707a and the fourth sealing ring 708a seal and separate the buffer cavity 40 corresponding to the region of the plate portion 220 located within the second ring portion 222 (hereinafter referred to as the third buffer cavity 43) from other buffer cavities 40. In this embodiment, the third buffer cavity 43 also extends circumferentially in a circular annular shape, corresponding to the circumferential extension of the region of the plate portion 220 located within the second ring portion 222. It is formed between the axial lower end surface of the upper valve housing 11 and the axial upper end surface of the plate portion 220. However, in this embodiment, the third buffer cavity 43 is enclosed by the second recess 704, the second protrusion 702, and the region of the plate portion 220 located within the second ring portion 222, and is located radially inward of the second buffer cavity 42.

[0038] It will be appreciated that the aforementioned formation of the buffer chambers 41-43 is merely exemplary. In other embodiments, multiple buffer chambers 40, each sealed and isolated from each other, may be formed between the axially lower end surface of the upper valve housing 11 and the axially upper end surface of the plate portion 220 using other configurations / methods. The number of buffer chambers 40 is not limited to the three illustrated buffer chambers 41-43, but may be two, four, or more. Accordingly, the relative positions of the buffer chambers 40 are not limited to those illustrated.

[0039] 2B and 6 , in this embodiment, the plate portion 220 is provided with two balancing holes 50 (hereinafter referred to as first balancing holes 51) in an area outside the first ring portion 221 (which, as previously described, corresponds to the first buffer cavity 41). The first balancing holes 51 communicate with the first buffer cavity 41. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first balancing holes 51 correspond to and communicate with the fourth flow channel 324 of the valve core body 21.

[0040] The plate portion 220 has two balancing holes 50 (hereinafter referred to as second balancing holes 52) located in the region between the first ring portion 221 and the second ring portion 222 (as previously described, corresponding to the second buffer cavity 42). The second balancing holes 52 communicate with the second buffer cavity 42. To accommodate the radially inward positioning of the second buffer cavity 42 relative to the first buffer cavity 41, in this embodiment, the second balancing holes 52 are radially offset inward relative to the first balancing holes 51. Specifically, in this embodiment, the second balancing holes 52 communicate with the third flow passage 323 of the valve core body 21.

[0041] The plate portion 220 has two balancing holes 50 (hereinafter referred to as third balancing holes 53) located within the second annular portion 222 (as previously described, corresponding to the third buffer cavity 43). The third balancing holes 53 communicate with the third buffer cavity 43. To accommodate the radially inward positioning of the third buffer cavity 43 relative to the second buffer cavity 42, in this embodiment, the third balancing holes 53 are radially offset inward relative to the second balancing holes 52. Specifically, the third balancing holes 53 communicate with the second flow channel 322 of the valve core body 21.

[0042] As can be seen from Figure 6, in this embodiment, the first flow channel 321 of the valve core body 21 is not provided with the corresponding balancing hole 50. Therefore, in this embodiment, the total number of flow channels 32 of the valve core body 21 is greater than the number of flow channels 32 correspondingly provided with the balancing hole 50. Specifically, in this embodiment, the total number of flow channels 32 of the valve core body 21 is 4, while the number of flow channels 32 correspondingly provided with the balancing hole 50 is 3.

[0043] In other words, in this embodiment, the total number of flow channels 32 of the valve core body 21 is greater than the number of buffer chambers 40. Specifically, in this embodiment, the total number of flow channels 32 of the valve core body 21 is 4, and the number of buffer chambers 40 is 3 (as mentioned above, each buffer chamber 40 is connected to the corresponding flow channel 32 through the corresponding balancing hole 50, so the number of buffer chambers 40 is actually equivalent to the number of flow channels 32 correspondingly provided with the balancing hole 50).

[0044] It is understood that in other embodiments, it is not necessary that the first flow channel 321 is not provided with a corresponding balancing hole 50; other flow channels 32 may also be provided with no corresponding balancing holes 50. Alternatively, two or more flow channels 32 may not be provided with a corresponding balancing hole 50. Alternatively, each buffer cavity 40 is not limited to being connected to the corresponding flow channel 32 by the two balancing holes 50 shown in the figure; each buffer cavity 40 may be connected to the corresponding flow channel 32 via one balancing hole 50, three balancing holes 50, or more balancing holes 50.

[0045] With reference to FIG7 , an embodiment of the present invention further provides a thermal management system, comprising the aforementioned multi-channel valve 1 (illustrated briefly in FIG7 ), a plurality of heat exchange branches L, and a plurality of pumps P disposed on the branches L. The two ends of each heat exchange branch L are respectively connected to the two corresponding valve housing ports 125 (as shown in FIG3 ) of the aforementioned multi-channel valve 1 , thereby communicating with the corresponding flow passages 32 of the multi-channel valve 1 through the corresponding valve housing cavities 124 and valve ports 31 , thereby forming a closed fluid circuit.

[0046] As an example, in this embodiment, the thermal management system includes four heat exchange branches L (a first heat exchange branch L1, a second heat exchange branch L2, a third heat exchange branch L3, and a fourth heat exchange branch L4) and three pumps P (a first pump P1, a second pump P2, and a third pump P3), wherein the first pump P1 is arranged on the first heat exchange branch L1, the second pump P2 is arranged on the third heat exchange branch L3, and the third pump P3 is arranged on the fourth heat exchange branch L4, while no pump P is arranged on the second heat exchange branch L2.

[0047] In this embodiment, the two ends of the first heat exchange branch L1 are connected to the first valve port 311 and the second valve port 312 respectively via the corresponding valve shell port 125, the two ends of the second heat exchange branch L2 are connected to the fourth valve port 314 and the seventh valve port 317 respectively via the corresponding valve shell port 125, the two ends of the third heat exchange branch L3 are connected to the fifth valve port 315 and the sixth valve port 316 respectively via the corresponding valve shell port 125, and the fourth heat exchange branch L4 is connected to the eighth valve port 318 and the ninth valve port 319 respectively via the corresponding valve shell port 125.

[0048] In Figure 7, the first flow channel 321 connects the first valve port 311 and the seventh valve port 317, the second flow channel 322 connects the eighth valve port 318 and the ninth valve port 319, the third flow channel 323 connects the second valve port 312 and the fourth valve port 314, the fourth flow channel 324 connects the fifth valve port 315 and the sixth valve port 316, and the third valve port 313 is blocked and not connected to any of the flow channels 321-324.

[0049] Thus, as shown in FIG7 , the first heat exchange branch L1, the third flow channel 323, the second heat exchange branch L2, and the first flow channel 321 are connected in series to form a fluid circuit. The second flow channel 322 is connected to the fourth heat exchange branch L4 to form a fluid circuit. The fourth flow channel 324 is connected to the third heat exchange branch L3 to form a fluid circuit.

[0050] 6 and 7 , as previously described, the fourth flow channel 324 is provided with the first balancing hole 51, and the third heat exchange branch L3 is provided with a second pump P2. Thus, the fourth flow channel 324 and the third heat exchange branch L3 form a closed fluid circuit, and a portion of the fluid flowing through the fourth flow channel 324 can be introduced into the corresponding first buffer chamber 41 through the first balancing hole 51, thereby balancing the fluid pressure in the fourth flow channel 324 using the first buffer chamber 41. The second flow channel 322 is provided with the third balancing hole 53, and the fourth heat exchange branch L4 is provided with a third pump P3. Thus, the second flow channel 322 and the fourth heat exchange branch L4 form a closed fluid circuit, and a portion of the fluid flowing through the second flow channel 322 can be introduced into the corresponding third buffer chamber 41 through the third balancing hole 53, thereby balancing the fluid pressure in the second flow channel 322 using the third buffer chamber 43. The third flow channel 323 is provided with the second balancing hole 52, but the first flow channel 321 is not provided with the corresponding balancing hole 50. The second heat exchange branch L2 is not provided with a pump P, but the first heat exchange branch L1 is provided with a first pump P1. As previously described, the first flow channel 321 and the third flow channel 323 are connected in series through the first heat exchange branch L1 and the second heat exchange branch L2, forming a closed fluid circuit. Because the third flow channel 323 is provided with the second balancing hole 52 and the second buffer chamber 42, the second buffer chamber 42 can simultaneously balance the fluid pressures in the first flow channel 321 and the third flow channel 323.

[0051] 6 and 7 , although not all flow channels 321-324 are provided with corresponding balancing holes 50 and corresponding buffer chambers 40, all flow channels 321-324 are in communication with the balancing holes 50 and corresponding buffer chambers 40, and each fluid circuit is in communication with the balancing holes 50 and corresponding buffer chambers 40. Therefore, the thermal management system of this embodiment can effectively reduce or prevent leakage between the various fluid circuits within the multi-channel valve 1, even under high hydraulic pressure conditions.

[0052] Preferably, the fluid pressure experienced by the third flow channel 323 is greater than the fluid pressure experienced by the first flow channel 321. Specifically, the fluid pressure experienced by the third flow channel 323 corresponding to the second balancing hole 52 is greater than the fluid pressure experienced by the first flow channel 321, which does not have a corresponding balancing hole 50. This effectively reduces or prevents internal leakage in the multi-channel valve 1. Specifically, in this embodiment, a first pump P1 is provided on the first heat exchange branch L1. After being pumped out of the first heat exchange branch L1 by the first pump P1, the fluid first flows into the third flow channel 323, then sequentially flows through the second heat exchange branch L2 and the first flow channel 321, which does not have a corresponding balancing hole. It can be understood that in the fluid circuit, the third flow channel 323 is closer to the downstream of the first pump P1, so the fluid pressure within the third flow channel 323 is higher. Correspondingly, the first flow channel 321 is farther downstream from the first pump P1, resulting in a lower fluid pressure within the first flow channel 321. It will be understood that the above is only shown as an example. In other embodiments, the thermal management system may also include other numbers of heat exchange branches L and pumps P. The connection method between each heat exchange branch L and the multi-channel valve 1 may also change, and the arrangement of the pump P may also be adjusted according to actual needs.

[0053] The above description is only a preferred specific embodiment of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments listed above. Any simple changes or equivalent replacements of the technical solutions that can be obviously obtained by any technician familiar with this technical field within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-channel valve, comprising a valve housing and a valve core rotatably disposed in the valve housing, wherein the valve housing is provided with a plurality of valve ports, and the valve core is provided with a plurality of flow channels, and the two ends of each flow channel can be respectively connected to two of the valve ports of the valve housing, characterized in that: A plurality of buffer chambers are formed between the inner surface of the valve housing and the outer surface of the valve core, and the plurality of buffer chambers are sealed and separated from each other. A plurality of balancing holes are provided on the valve core, each balancing hole is arranged corresponding to a corresponding flow channel, and each of the buffer chambers is connected to the corresponding flow channel through the balancing hole.

2. The multi-channel valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve housing is provided with the plurality of valve ports in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis, and the fluid is suitable for flowing axially into the flow channel from one of the valve ports and / or flowing axially out of the flow channel to another valve port.

3. The multi-channel valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The valve core includes a first axial end and a second axial end opposite to each other, the balancing hole is arranged at the first axial end of the valve core and axially penetrates the first axial end, each of the flow channels includes two valve core ports which are arranged at the second axial end of the valve core and axially penetrate the second axial end, and the valve core ports are used to communicate with corresponding valve ports.

4. The multi-channel valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The buffer cavity is formed at least between an axial outer end surface of the valve core and an axial inner end surface of the valve housing, each of the buffer cavities extends in the circumferential direction, and the multiple buffer cavities are radially spaced relative to each other so that the balancing holes corresponding to the multiple buffer cavities are also radially offset relative to each other.

5. The multi-channel valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each buffer cavity is in a circular ring shape.

6. The multi-channel valve according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that: A preload component is also included. The preload component is sealed and connected between the valve housing and the valve core, and at least a portion of the buffer cavity is formed between the preload component and the valve core.

7. The multi-channel valve according to claim 6, characterized in that: The valve core includes a valve core body and a cover plate covering an axial end of the valve core body, the cover plate includes a plate portion and a first ring portion and a second ring portion vertically arranged on an axial end surface of the plate portion, the multiple buffer chambers include a first buffer chamber formed on the radial outside of the first ring portion, a second buffer chamber formed between the first ring portion and the second ring portion, and a third buffer chamber formed on the radial inside of the second ring portion, and the first buffer chamber, the second buffer chamber, and the third buffer chamber are sealed and separated from each other.

8. The multi-channel valve according to claim 7, characterized in that: A rotating shaft is provided at the center of the cover plate; the preloader includes a first convex portion radially away from the rotating shaft and a second convex portion radially close to the rotating shaft; the first convex portion is accommodated between the first ring portion and the second ring portion, and the second buffer cavity is formed therebetween; the second convex portion is accommodated between the second ring portion and the rotating shaft, and the third buffer cavity is formed therebetween.

9. The multi-channel valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the flow channels is greater than the number of the flow channels correspondingly provided with the balancing holes.

10. The multi-channel valve according to claim 1 or 9, characterized in that: The plurality of flow channels include flow channels corresponding to the balancing holes and flow channels not corresponding to the balancing holes. The flow channels corresponding to the balancing holes can be connected in series with the flow channels not corresponding to the balancing holes through external branches.

11. The multi-channel valve according to claim 10, characterized in that: The fluid pressure borne by the flow channel correspondingly provided with the balancing hole is greater than the fluid pressure borne by the flow channel not correspondingly provided with the balancing hole.

12. A thermal management system, characterized in that: The thermal management system comprises a multi-channel valve according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a plurality of heat exchange branches, wherein both ends of each heat exchange branch are connected to two corresponding valve ports, thereby forming a closed fluid circuit through corresponding flow channels.

13. The thermal management system according to claim 12, characterized in that: The number of the flow channels is greater than the number of the flow channels correspondingly provided with the balancing holes.

14. The thermal management system according to claim 13, characterized in that: The multiple flow channels include flow channels corresponding to the balancing holes and flow channels not corresponding to the balancing holes. The multiple heat exchange branches include a first heat exchange branch and a second heat exchange branch. The first heat exchange branch, the flow channels corresponding to the balancing holes, the flow channels not corresponding to the balancing holes, and the second heat exchange branch are connected in series in sequence to form a fluid circuit, wherein the fluid pressure in the flow channels corresponding to the balancing holes is greater than the fluid pressure in the flow channels not corresponding to the balancing holes.

15. The thermal management system according to claim 14, characterized in that: A pump is provided on the first heat exchange branch, and no pump is provided on the second heat exchange branch. After the fluid flows out from the first branch, it first flows into the flow channel corresponding to the balancing hole, and then flows through the second heat exchange branch and the flow channel not corresponding to the balancing hole in sequence.

16. The thermal management system according to claim 13, characterized in that: Each of the fluid circuits is connected to a buffer chamber through one or more corresponding balancing holes.

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