Thermal management device and thermal management system

Abstract

A thermal management device and a thermal management system. A heat management device comprises a flow channel part, a first valve, a second valve, a third valve and a fourth valve, and the flow channel part is provided with a first flow path, a first branch, a second branch, a first sub-branch, a second sub-branch, a first opening part, a second opening part and a third opening part; the first port part is connected with the second branch, the first branch and the first flow path, the first sub-branch and the first branch are connected with the second port part, the second sub-branch and the first sub-branch are connected with the third port part, the first valve is connected with the first branch, the second valve is connected with the first sub-branch, and the third valve is connected with the second sub-branch. And the fourth valve is connected with the second branch. The first valve is connected with the first branch, the second valve is connected with the first sub-branch, the third valve is connected with the second sub-branch, the fourth valve is connected with the second branch, and the multiple valves are connected with different flow paths in the flow path part, so that the risk that the multi-way valve is damaged due to the too large pressure difference and flow is reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of thermal management, in particular to a thermal management device and a thermal management system. BACKGROUND

[0002] The thermal management device in the related art includes multiple multi-way valves. By controlling the refrigerant flow path through the multiple multi-way valves, multiple modes of the multi-split air conditioner are realized.

[0003] Due to the restrictive requirements of the reversing function of the multi-way valve on the pressure difference and the flow, the thermal management device may be damaged due to the excessive pressure difference and flow during use of the multi-split air conditioner. SUMMARY

[0004] Therefore, the present application provides a thermal management device, which includes a flow passage, a first valve, a second valve, a third valve, and a fourth valve. The flow passage has a first flow path, a first branch, a second branch, a first sub-branch, a second sub-branch, a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port is connected to the second branch, the first branch, and the first flow path. The first sub-branch and the first branch are connected to the second port. The second sub-branch and the first sub-branch are connected to the third port. The first valve is connected to the first branch. The second valve is connected to the first sub-branch. The third valve is connected to the second sub-branch. The fourth valve is connected to the second branch.

[0005] In the present application, the first valve is connected to the first branch, the second valve is connected to the first sub-branch, the third valve is connected to the second sub-branch, and the fourth valve is connected to the second branch. Multiple valves are connected to the flow passage. By connecting multiple valves to different flow paths in the flow passage, the risk of damage to the multi-way valve caused by excessive pressure difference and flow is reduced.

[0006] The present application provides a thermal management system, which includes a compressor, a first valve, a second valve, a third valve, and a fourth valve. The thermal management system includes a first flow path, a second flow path, a first branch, a second branch, a first sub-branch, and a second sub-branch. The first flow path is connected to the compressor. The second flow path is connected to the compressor. The first flow path is connected to the first branch. The first branch includes the first valve. The first branch is connected to the first sub-branch. The first sub-branch includes the second valve. The first sub-branch is connected to the second sub-branch. The second sub-branch includes the third valve. The second branch is connected to the first flow path. The second branch includes the fourth valve.

[0007] The thermal management system in this application includes a first branch including the first valve, a first sub-branch including the second valve, a second sub-branch including the third valve, and multiple valves connected to the flow channel section. By connecting multiple valves to different flow paths within the flow channel section, the risk of failure of the thermal management system is reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 A perspective view of a thermal management device is provided for one embodiment of this application;

[0009] Figure 2 A perspective view of a thermal management device is provided for another embodiment of this application;

[0010] Figure 3 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a thermal management device is provided for one embodiment of this application;

[0011] Figure 5 This application provides a cross-sectional view of a thermal management device from another angle, representing one embodiment of the present application.

[0012] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the thermal management device from another angle is provided for another embodiment of this application;

[0013] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the thermal management device from another angle is provided for another embodiment of this application;

[0014] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the thermal management device from another angle is provided for another embodiment of this application;

[0015] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the thermal management device from another angle is provided for another embodiment of this application;

[0016] Figure 8 for Figure 2 Enlarged diagram of part A in the middle. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To facilitate understanding of this application, a more complete description will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Preferred embodiments of this application are shown in the drawings. However, this application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a thorough and complete understanding of the disclosure of this application.

[0018] It should be understood that the use of the terms "first" and "second" in this application may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of those features. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more. In the description of this application, "above" or "below" the second feature may include direct contact between the first and second features, or it may include contact between the first and second features not in direct contact but through another feature between them.

[0019] Related thermal management devices typically include a four-way valve and a three-way valve. In multi-split air conditioning systems, the refrigerant flow is controlled through these valves to achieve various air conditioning modes. However, the reversing function of the four-way and three-way valves has limiting requirements on pressure differential and flow rate. During the use of multi-split air conditioning systems, excessive pressure differential and flow rate may damage the multi-way valve. The thermal management device in this application, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the thermal management device includes a flow channel section 2, a first valve 21, a second valve 22, a third valve 23, and a fourth valve 24. The flow channel section 2 has a first flow path 1, a first branch 11, a second branch 12, a first sub-branch 111, a second sub-branch 121, a first inlet 31, a second inlet 32, and a third inlet 33. The first inlet 31 is connected to the second branch 12, the first branch 11, and the first flow path 1. The first sub-branch 111 and the first branch 11 are both connected to the second inlet 32. The second sub-branch 121 and the first sub-branch 111 are both connected to the third inlet 33. The first valve 21 is connected to the first branch 11. The second valve 22 is connected to the first sub-branch 111. The third valve 23 is connected to the second sub-branch 121. The fourth valve 24 is connected to the second branch 12. In the thermal management device, different operating modes are achieved by controlling the flow direction of the fluid in the flow channel section 21 through the first valve 21, the second valve 22, the third valve 23 and the fourth valve 24; furthermore, in the field of multi-split air conditioning, the fluid includes refrigerant.

[0020] In one implementation, such as Figure 5 As shown, the flow channel 2 has a third sub-branch 131, a fourth port 34, and a fifth port 35. The thermal management device includes a fifth valve 25, which is connected to the third sub-branch 131. The third sub-branch 131 and the second sub-branch 121 are both connected to the fourth port 34, and the third sub-branch 131 and the second sub-branch 121 are both connected to the fifth port 35. A third valve 23 is connected between the third port 33 and the fourth port 34, and a fourth valve 24 is connected between the fifth port 35 and the first port 31. The addition of the fifth valve 25 and the third sub-branch 131 increases the usage modes of the thermal management device in multi-split air conditioners, such as dehumidification.

[0021] In order to automate the thermal management device, in one embodiment, the first valve 21, the second valve 22, the third valve 23, the fourth valve 24, and the fifth valve 25 are all automatic valves.

[0022] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the first valve 21, the second valve 22, the third valve 23, the fourth valve 24, and the fifth valve 25 are all electrically operated valves, for example... Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the first valve 21 has a first inlet 211 and a first outlet 212, the first inlet 211 being connected to the first port 31 and the first outlet 212 being connected to the second port 32; the second valve 22 has a second inlet 221 and a second outlet 222, the second inlet 221 being connected to the second port 32 and the second outlet 222 being connected to the third port 33; the third valve 23 has a third inlet 231 and a third outlet 232, the third inlet 231 being connected to the third port 33 and the third outlet 232 being connected to the fourth port 34; the fourth valve 24 has a fourth inlet 241 and a fourth outlet 242, the fourth inlet 241 being connected to the first port 31 and the fourth outlet 242 being connected to the fifth port 35; the fifth valve 25 has a fifth inlet 251 and a fifth outlet 252, the fifth inlet 251 being connected to the fifth port 35 and the fifth outlet 252 being connected to the fourth port 34. In this way, the first valve 21, the second valve 22, the third valve 23, the fourth valve 24, and the fifth valve 25 are all unidirectional electric valves. Compared with bidirectional electric valves, the cost of the valves is reduced, thereby reducing the cost of the thermal management device.

[0023] To make the thermal management device compact, in one embodiment, for example... Figure 1 As shown, the first valve 21, the second valve 22, the third valve 23, the fourth valve 24, and the fifth valve 25 are all located on the same side of the flow channel section 2; in another embodiment, the valve seats of the first valve 21, the second valve 22, the third valve 23, the fourth valve 24, and the fifth valve 25 are all integrally formed with the flow channel section 2. This integral form reduces the number of weld points connecting the valves to the flow channel section 2, thus lowering the risk of leakage from the thermal management device.

[0024] Furthermore, in one embodiment, for example Figure 8As shown, the thermal management device includes a first mounting body 4, which is fixedly connected to a first valve 21. The first mounting body 4 includes a first snap-fit ​​tab 41 extending in the direction of the flow channel portion 2. The valve seat 5 includes a first groove 51 perpendicular to the height direction H of the thermal management device, and the first groove 51 is recessed towards the first valve 21. The first snap-fit ​​tab 41 is at least partially located in the first groove 51. The arrangement of the first groove 51 and the first snap-fit ​​tab 41 serves to limit the installation of the first valve 21 and the valve seat 5. In one embodiment, the first snap-fit ​​tab 41 abuts against the first groove 51 for limiting the installation.

[0025] Specifically, in one embodiment, for example Figure 7 As shown, the thermal management device includes a second mounting body 42, which is fixedly connected to the second valve 22. The second mounting body 42 includes a second snap-fit ​​tab 421 extending in the direction of the flow channel portion 2. The valve seat 5 includes a second groove 52 perpendicular to the height direction H of the thermal management device, and the second groove 52 is recessed towards the second valve 22. The second snap-fit ​​tab 421 is at least partially located in the second groove 52. In another embodiment, for example... Figure 7 As shown, the thermal management device includes a third mounting body 43, which is fixedly connected to the third valve 23. The third mounting body 43 includes a third snap-fit ​​piece 431, which extends in the direction of the flow channel portion 2. The valve seat 5 includes a third groove 53, which is perpendicular to the height direction H of the thermal management device and is recessed towards the third valve 23. The third snap-fit ​​piece 431 is at least partially located in the third groove 53. In another embodiment, the fourth valve 24 and the fifth valve 25 are fixedly connected to the valve seat 5 in the same way as the first valve 21 is limited to the valve seat 5.

[0026] In one implementation, such as Figure 7 As shown, the flow channel section 2 includes a wall section 26, to which the first valve 21, second valve 22, third valve 23, fourth valve 24, and fifth valve 25 are all connected. The wall section 26 includes a first part 261 and a second part 262. Along the height direction H of the thermal management device, the second part 262 is higher than the first part 261. At least one of the first valve 21, second valve 22, fifth valve 25, and fourth valve 24 is located in the second part 262. Specifically, the first valve 21 and the fourth valve 24 are both located in the second part 262, while the second valve 22, fifth valve 25, and third valve 23 are located in the first part 261. The first valve 21 is connected to the first branch 11, and the fourth valve 24...

[0027] The second branch 262 is connected to the second branch 12, the second valve 22 is connected to the first sub-branch 111, and the fifth valve 25 is connected to the third sub-branch 131. When the second part 262 is higher than the first part 261, the fluid flows from the first branch 11 to the first sub-branch 111 and from the second branch 12 to the third sub-branch 131. The fluid flows from high to low, making the fluid flow more continuous and less prone to blockage. In another embodiment, the first valve 21, the second valve 22, the fifth valve 25, and the fourth valve 24 are all located in the second part 262.

[0028] Furthermore, in one embodiment, for example Figure 7 As shown, the wall portion 26 includes a third portion 263, which is higher than the second portion 262 along the height direction H of the thermal management device; at least one of the first valve 21 and the fourth valve 24 is located in the third portion 263. A first branch 11 communicates with the first valve 21, and a second branch 12 communicates with the fourth valve 24. Further, at least one of the first branch 11 or the second branch 12 is located in the third portion 263. Specifically, a first groove 51 is located in the third portion 263, a second groove 52 is located in the second portion 262, and a third groove 53 is located in the first portion 261.

[0029] Specifically, for example Figure 7 As shown, when the first valve 21 and the fourth valve 24 are both located in the third part 263, the second valve 22 and the fifth valve 25 are both located in the second part 262, and the third valve 23 is located in the first part 261; the flow channel 2 has a third branch 13, a fourth branch 122, and a fifth branch 1111. The third branch 13 is connected to the first outlet 312, the fourth branch 122 is connected to the fourth outlet 242, and the fifth branch 1111 is connected to the third outlet 232; the third branch 13 and the second branch 12 are located in the third part 263, the third sub-branch 131 is located in the second part 262, and the second sub-branch 121 is located in the first part 261. When the thermal management device is working, the refrigerant flows from the third branch 13 into the first sub-branch 111 and from the second sub-branch 121 into the fourth branch 122, which is equivalent to flowing from high to low. Due to gravity, the risk of discontinuous flow of refrigerant is reduced. Similarly, the fifth branch 1111 is located in the second part 262, and the refrigerant flows from the second sub-branch 121 of the fifth branch 1111, reducing the risk of discontinuous flow when the refrigerant flows.

[0030] Thermal management devices need to reduce noise during fluid flow during operation. In one embodiment, for example... Figure 7 As shown, the thermal management device includes a silencer 6. The first flow path 1 is connected to the silencer 6, so the fluid first passes through the silencer 6 for noise reduction before entering the first flow path 1 to begin flow. To improve the continuity of fluid flow, in one embodiment, as... Figure 7 As shown, the muffler 6 and the first valve 21 are located on opposite sides of the flow channel.

[0031] A thermal management system includes a compressor, a first valve 21, a second valve 22, a third valve 23, and a fourth valve 24. The thermal management system also includes a first flow path 1, a second flow path 2, a first branch 11, a second branch 12, a first sub-branch 111, and a second sub-branch 121. The first flow path 1 is connected to the compressor, and the second flow path 2 is also connected to the compressor; that is, the compressor, the first flow path 1, and the second flow path 2 can form a loop. The first flow path 1 is connected to the first branch 11, and the first branch 11 includes the first valve 21. The first branch 11 is connected to the first sub-branch 111, and the first sub-branch 111 includes the second valve 22. The first sub-branch 111 is connected to the second sub-branch 121, and the second sub-branch 121 includes the third valve 23. The second branch 12 is connected to the first flow path 1, and the second branch 12 includes the fourth valve 24.

[0032] In one embodiment, the thermal management system includes a fifth valve 25 and a third sub-branch 131, which is connected to the second branch 12 and the second sub-branch 121. The third sub-branch 131 includes the fifth valve 25.

[0033] In one embodiment, the thermal management device further includes a one-way valve 7, which is connected to the compressor outlet and to the first port 31. The one-way valve 7 is located in the first flow path 1. To make the thermal management device compact, such as Figure 4 As shown, the one-way valve 7 is integrated with the flow channel 2. Furthermore, the one-way valve 7 and the flow channel 2 are a single piece, that is, the one-way valve 7 and the flow channel 2 are manufactured as a single unit, which reduces the number of integrated solder joints and lowers the risk of leakage of the thermal management device.

[0034] The multi-split air conditioning unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger, a gas-liquid separator, and an indoor air conditioning unit. The second port 32 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger, the fourth port 34 is connected to the indoor air conditioning unit, and the fifth port 35 is connected to the indoor air conditioning unit.

[0035] When the multi-split air conditioner is fully cooling, the compressor is turned on, the second valve 22 and the fourth valve 24 are in the closed mode, and the first valve 21, the third valve 23 and the fifth valve 25 are all in the fully open state. The refrigerant flows in the direction of flow, and the compressor outlet, muffler 6, first valve 21, outdoor heat exchanger, indoor air conditioner, fifth valve 25, third valve 23, gas-liquid separator and compressor inlet are connected in sequence.

[0036] When the multi-split air conditioner is in full heating mode, the compressor is turned on, the first valve 21 and the third valve 23 are in the closed mode, and the second valve 22, the fourth valve 24 and the fifth valve 25 are all in the fully open state. The refrigerant flows in the direction of flow, and the compressor outlet, muffler 6, fourth valve 24, fifth valve 25, indoor air conditioner, outdoor heat exchanger, second valve 22, gas-liquid separator and compressor inlet are connected in sequence.

[0037] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate this application and are not intended to limit the technical solutions described in this application. The understanding of this application should be based on those skilled in the art. Although this specification has described this application in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still make modifications or equivalent substitutions to this application. All technical solutions and improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this application should be covered within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A thermal management device, characterized in that: The thermal management device includes a flow channel section (2), a first valve (21), a second valve (22), a third valve (23) and a fourth valve (24). The flow channel section (2) has a first flow path (1), a first branch (11), a second branch (12), a first sub-branch (111), a second sub-branch (121), a first inlet (31), a second inlet (32) and a third inlet (33). The first opening (31) is connected to the second branch (12), the first branch (11) and the first flow path (1), the first sub-branch (111) and the first branch (11) are connected to the second opening (32), and the second sub-branch (121) and the first sub-branch (111) are connected to the third opening (33). The first valve (21) is connected to the first branch (11), the second valve (22) is connected to the first sub-branch (111), the third valve (23) is connected to the second sub-branch (121), and the fourth valve (24) is connected to the second branch (12).

2. The thermal management device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow channel section (2) has a third sub-branch (131), a fourth port (34) and a fifth port (35). The thermal management device includes a fifth valve (25), which is connected to the third sub-branch (131). The third sub-branch (131) and the second sub-branch (121) are both connected to the fourth port (34). The third sub-branch (131) and the second sub-branch (121) are both connected to the fifth port (35). The third valve (23) is connected between the third port (33) and the fourth port (34), and the fourth valve (24) is connected between the fifth port (35) and the first port (31).

3. The thermal management device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first valve (21), the second valve (22), the third valve (23), the fourth valve (24), and the fifth valve (25) are all automatic valves; The first valve (21) has a first inlet (211) and a first outlet (212), the first inlet (211) being connected to the first port (31) and the first outlet (212) being connected to the second port (32); The second valve (22) has a second inlet (221) and a second outlet (222), the second inlet (221) being connected to the second port (32), and the second outlet (222) being connected to the third port (33); The third valve (23) has a third inlet (231) and a third outlet (232), the third inlet (231) being connected to the third port (33), and the third outlet (232) being connected to the fourth port (34); The fourth valve (24) has a fourth inlet (241) and a fourth outlet (242), the fourth inlet (241) being connected to the first port (31), and the fourth outlet (242) being connected to the fifth port (35); The fifth valve (25) has a fifth inlet (251) and a fifth outlet (252), the fifth inlet (251) being connected to the fifth port (35) and the fifth outlet (252) being connected to the fourth port (34).

4. The thermal management device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first valve (21), the second valve (22), the third valve (23), the fourth valve (24) and the fifth valve (25) are all located on the same side of the flow channel (2); The valve seats (5) of the first valve (21), the second valve (22), the third valve (23), the fourth valve (24) and the fifth valve (25) are all integral with the flow channel (2).

5. The thermal management device according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that: The flow channel (2) includes a wall (26), and the first valve (21), the second valve (22), the third valve (23), the fourth valve (24) and the fifth valve (25) are all connected to the wall (26); the wall (26) includes a first part (261) and a second part (262), and along the height direction of the thermal management device, the second part (262) is higher than the first part (261); At least one of the first valve (21), the second valve (22), the fifth valve (25) and the fourth valve (24) is located in the second part (262).

6. The thermal management device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The wall portion (26) includes a third portion (263), which is higher than the second portion (262) along the height direction of the thermal management device; At least one of the first valve (21) and the fourth valve (24) is located in the third part (263).

7. The thermal management device according to claim 6, characterized in that: At least one of the first branch (11) or the second branch (12) is located in the third part (263).

8. The thermal management device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The thermal management device includes a first mounting body (4) which is fixedly connected to the first valve (21). The first mounting body (4) includes a snap-fit ​​piece (41) which extends toward the flow channel (2). The valve seat (5) includes a first groove (51) which is perpendicular to the height direction of the thermal management device. The first groove (51) is recessed toward the first valve (21). The snap-fit ​​piece (41) is at least partially located in the first groove (51).

9. The thermal management device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The thermal management device includes a silencer (6), the first flow path (1) is connected to the silencer (6), and the silencer (6) and the first valve (21) are located on opposite sides of the flow channel.

10. A thermal management system, characterized in that: The thermal management system includes a compressor, a first valve (21), a second valve (22), a third valve (23) and a fourth valve (24). The thermal management system includes a first flow path (1), a second flow path (2), a first branch (11), a second branch (12), a first sub-branch (111) and a second sub-branch (121). The first flow path (1) is connected to the compressor, and the second flow path (2) is connected to the compressor. The first flow path (1) is connected to the first branch (11), and the first branch (11) includes the first valve (21); The first branch (11) is connected to the first sub-branch (111), and the first sub-branch (111) includes the second valve (22); The first sub-branch (111) is connected to the second sub-branch (121), and the second sub-branch (121) includes the third valve (23); The second branch (12) is connected to the first flow path (1), and the second branch (12) includes the fourth valve (24).

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