A multi-way valve and automotive thermal management system

Abstract

This invention provides a multi-way valve and an automotive thermal management system, including a drive assembly and a valve body assembly. The valve body assembly includes an upper base, a valve core, a valve ring, and a lower base. The valve ring has a flow port for the flow of a medium. The valve core includes a first flow channel and a second flow channel. The first flow channel is a slotted structure along the side wall of the valve core, and the second flow channel is located inside the valve core. The drive assembly drives the valve core to rotate until the first and second flow channels are connected to the flow port, allowing the fluid medium to flow in and out of the first and second flow channels, thus achieving fluid medium reversal. This multi-way valve of the present invention can achieve communication between the flow channels under size constraints, and can reduce the impact of heat transfer and balance the pressure between the valve port and the valve chamber while maintaining good sealing performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of new energy vehicles, and in particular to a multi-way valve and an automotive thermal management system. Background Technology

[0002] In new energy vehicles, multi-way valves, as core components of the vehicle's thermal management system, are often used to regulate the refrigerant flow path, enabling the fluid medium to switch between inlets and different outlets, or between outlets and different inlets. However, traditional refrigerant-side multi-way valves have limitations in design, only allowing the inlet to selectively connect to multiple outlets or the outlet to selectively alternate with different inlets. Unselected outlets are completely shut off, resulting in inefficient utilization of either the outlet or the inlet. To meet different system configurations or operating modes, additional adaptable multi-way valves or other valve components are needed.

[0003] The main reason for the limited application scenarios of refrigerant-side multi-port valves lies in the limitations imposed by the material, size, and structure of the valve core. For water-side multi-port valves, the medium typically operates at normal pressure, with high flow rates and relatively mild temperatures, so the valve core is usually a large and complex injection-molded part. Unlike water-side multi-port valves, refrigerant-side multi-port valves have even higher requirements for material, size, and structure. This is because the refrigerant flowing through the multi-port valve typically has low flow rates and large pressure and temperature variations, and the refrigerant possesses strong permeability and chemical reactivity. In design and application, the valve core of refrigerant-side multi-port valves is usually made of smaller stainless steel, and the machining of stainless steel also limits the valve core's structure to a relatively simple design. Therefore, while ensuring dimensional constraints, the design must comprehensively consider factors such as reducing heat transfer and improving stability to optimize the valve core structure, thereby broadening the performance and application scenarios of refrigerant-side multi-port valves.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a multi-way valve and an automotive thermal management system to overcome the aforementioned deficiencies. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a multi-way valve that can achieve interconnection between flow channels under size constraints, switch flow channels according to different usage conditions, adapt to more applicable scenarios, achieve high integration of the thermal management system agent side, and reduce the impact of heat leakage and balance the pressure of valve port and valve chamber while having good sealing performance.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a multi-way valve is provided, comprising a drive assembly and a valve body assembly, the valve body assembly being positioned below the drive assembly; the valve body assembly includes an upper base, a valve core, a valve ring, and a lower base, the upper base being fixed below the drive assembly, the valve core being positioned below the upper base and connected to the drive assembly, the valve ring being positioned circumferentially around the valve core and its upper end being fixed to the upper base, the valve ring having a flow port for flowing medium, and the lower base being fixed to the lower end of the valve ring; the valve core includes a first flow channel and a second flow channel, the first flow channel being a slotted structure provided along the side wall of the valve core, the second flow channel being disposed inside the valve core, the second flow channel including a first sub-flow channel arranged radially along the valve core and a second sub-flow channel arranged axially along the valve core, the first sub-flow channel communicating with the second sub-flow channel; the drive assembly drives the valve core to rotate until the first flow channel, the second flow channel and the flow port are connected, so that the fluid medium flows into the first flow channel and the second flow channel and flows out of the first flow channel and the second flow channel, thereby realizing the reversal of the fluid medium.

[0007] The above solutions help multi-way valves adapt to more applicable scenarios, achieve a high degree of integration of the thermal management system, and enable the connection between various flow channels even when the valve core structure is limited in size. This allows for full utilization of the connected inlet and outlet, while reducing the impact of heat transfer and balancing the pressure of the valve port and valve chamber with good sealing performance. It also helps to ensure the sealing performance of the valve core during rotation and stable use.

[0008] Preferably, the valve core further includes ribs, which are placed inside the first flow channel and arranged radially along the valve core. This design increases the strength of the valve core, allowing refrigerant to fill the entire valve cavity during valve operation, balancing the pressure between the flow port and the valve cavity, and dispersing the high pressure at the inlet by filling the valve cavity with refrigerant.

[0009] Preferably, the valve body assembly further includes a sliding washer positioned between the valve core and the valve disc ring. The sliding washer is fixed to the edge of the flow port and at least partially contacts the rib. This design ensures the sealing performance of the multi-way valve, while the sliding washer and rib provide support, further enhancing the sealing performance of the valve core during rotation and stable use.

[0010] Preferably, the first flow channel is provided with a pressure balancing section to balance the pressure between the flow port and the valve core. This design allows the refrigerant to fill the entire valve cavity during the use of the multi-way valve, balancing the pressure between the flow port and the valve cavity. During use, when the first flow channel is on the high-pressure side, this design disperses the high pressure at the inlet by filling the valve cavity with refrigerant.

[0011] Preferably, the first flow channel is a direct flow channel, which helps to reduce the heat transfer effect within the valve body assembly.

[0012] Preferably, the valve ring includes a first valve ring, a second valve ring, a third valve ring, and a fourth valve ring arranged radially and spaced apart from the valve core. The first flow channel is used to connect the flow ports of two adjacent valve rings among the first valve ring, the second valve ring, the third valve ring, and the fourth valve ring. The pressure balance part is placed in the first flow channel and located between the two adjacent valve rings connected by the first flow channel.

[0013] Preferably, the flow port includes a first flow port, a second flow port, a third flow port, and a fourth flow port sequentially placed on the first valve ring, the second valve ring, the third valve ring, and the fourth valve ring. The valve core also includes a first valve port for the fluid medium to enter the first sub-flow channel and a second valve port for the fluid medium to flow out of the second sub-flow channel. In the first working mode: the first flow port is connected to the second flow port through the first flow channel, and the fluid medium (e.g., refrigerant) enters the valve core through the first flow port, flows through the first flow channel, and then flows out from the second flow port; the first valve port corresponds to the third flow channel port, and the second valve port is connected to the third flow port through the second flow channel. The fluid medium (e.g., refrigerant) enters the valve core through the first valve port through the third flow port, flows through the second flow channel, and sequentially passes through the first sub-flow channel and the second sub-flow channel to reach the second valve port and then flows out.

[0014] Preferably, the flow port includes a first flow port, a second flow port, a third flow port, and a fourth flow port, which are sequentially placed on the first valve ring, the second valve ring, the third valve ring, and the fourth valve ring. In the second operating mode: the first flow port is connected to the second valve port through the second flow channel, and the fluid medium (e.g., refrigerant) enters the second flow channel through the first flow port and the first valve port, and flows out after passing through the first sub-flow channel and the second sub-flow channel; the third flow port is connected to the fourth flow port through the first flow channel, and the fluid medium (e.g., refrigerant) enters the valve core through the third flow port, flows through the first flow channel, and then flows out from the second flow port.

[0015] Preferably, the ribs include two spaced apart along the axial direction of the valve core, and the sliding gasket abuts against the ribs. This design helps to further enhance the fit between the sliding gasket and the ribs, improving sealing performance.

[0016] Preferably, the valve body assembly further includes a first seal and a second seal, the first seal being placed between the sliding gasket and the valve ring and fixed to the valve ring, and the second seal being fixed to the side of the valve ring away from the valve core.

[0017] Preferably, the valve body assembly further includes a valve body plate disposed on and fitted to the upper base.

[0018] Preferably, the valve ring includes a first groove surrounding the flow port and facing the valve core side, a second groove surrounding the flow port and facing away from the valve core side, a first seal being placed in the first groove, a sliding gasket being at least partially embedded in the first groove, and a second seal being placed in the second groove.

[0019] Preferably, the drive assembly can be a combination of coil components and acceleration / deceleration mechanisms, in which the rotor is controlled by the coil to rotate the valve core 180° via the deceleration mechanism to achieve the switching from the first mode to the second mode. Alternatively, it can be other drive assemblies that drive the valve core to rotate.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, an automotive thermal management system is provided, comprising a multi-way valve as described above.

[0021] The present invention provides a multi-way valve, including a drive assembly and a valve body assembly. The valve body assembly is provided with a first flow channel with a slotted structure along the side wall of the valve core and a second flow channel with two sections in different directions. Through the design of the valve body assembly, it is possible to achieve communication between the flow channels under the constraint of size, switch the flow channels according to different usage conditions, adapt to more applicable scenarios, and achieve a high degree of integration of the thermal management system agent side. At the same time, it can reduce the impact of heat leakage and balance the pressure of the valve port and valve cavity while having good sealing performance. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0023] Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a multi-way valve;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a top view of a multi-way valve;

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view along the aa direction;

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of a portion of position A in the middle;

[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A magnified view of a portion of position B in the middle;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the valve body assembly;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a side view of the valve body assembly;

[0030] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A sectional view at position bb;

[0031] Figure 9 This is a partial schematic diagram of the valve body assembly;

[0032] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the valve core.

[0033] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0034] 10. Drive assembly; 20. Valve body assembly; 201. Valve body plate; 202. Upper base; 203. Second seal; 204. First seal; 205. Sliding gasket; 206. Valve ring; 206a. First valve ring; 206b. Second valve ring; 206c. Third valve ring; 206d. Fourth valve ring; 2061. Flow port; 2061a. First flow port; 2061b. Second flow port; 2061c. Three-way flow port; 2061d, fourth flow port; 2062, second groove; 2063, first groove; 207, lower base; 208, valve core; 2081, first valve port; 2082, first sub-flow channel; 2083, second sub-flow channel; 2084, second valve port; 2085, rib; 2086, pressure balance section; A1, first flow channel; A2, second flow channel; S1, first surface; S2, second surface; S3, third surface. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0036] To keep the drawings concise, only the parts relevant to the invention are shown schematically in each figure, and they do not represent the actual structure of the product. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, in some figures, only one of components with the same structure or function is shown schematically, or only one is labeled. In this document, "one" can mean not only "only one" but also "more than one".

[0037] It should also be further understood that the term “and / or” as used in this application specification and the appended claims means any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0038] In this document, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0039] Furthermore, in the description of this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0040] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the specific implementation methods of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings and other implementation methods can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0041] See Figures 1 to 10 As shown, this embodiment provides a multi-way valve, including a drive assembly 10 and a valve body assembly 20, with the valve body assembly 20 positioned below the drive assembly 10. The valve body assembly 20 includes an upper base 202, a valve core 208, a valve ring 206, a lower base 207, a sliding gasket 205, a first seal 204, and a second seal 203. The upper base 202 is fixed below the drive assembly 10, the valve core 208 is positioned below the upper base 202 and connected to the drive assembly 10, and the valve ring 206 is positioned circumferentially around the valve core 208 with its upper end fixed to the upper base 202. The valve ring 206 has a flow port 2061 for the flow of medium. The lower base 207 is fixed to the lower end of the valve ring 206. The sliding gasket 205 is placed between the valve core 208 and the valve ring 206 and is fixed to the edge of the flow port 2061. The first seal 204 is placed between the sliding gasket 205 and the valve ring 206 and is fixed to the valve ring 206. The second seal 203 is fixed to the side of the valve ring 206 away from the valve core 208. The valve body assembly 20 also includes a valve body plate 201 placed on the upper base 202 and in contact with the upper base 202.

[0042] See Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the valve core 208 includes a first flow channel A1 and a second flow channel A2. The first flow channel A1 is a slotted structure provided along the side wall of the valve core 208. The second flow channel A2 is provided inside the valve core 208. The second flow channel A2 includes a first sub-flow channel 2082 provided radially along the valve core 208 and a second sub-flow channel 2083 provided axially along the valve core 208. The first sub-flow channel 2082 is connected to the second sub-flow channel 2083. The drive assembly 10 drives the valve core 208 to rotate until the first flow channel A1 and the second flow channel A2 are connected to the flow port 2061, so that the fluid medium flows into the first flow channel A1 and the second flow channel A2 and flows out of the first flow channel A1 and the second flow channel A2, thereby realizing the reversal of the fluid medium.

[0043] See Figures 3 to 5As shown, the valve ring 206 includes a first groove 2063 located around the flow port 2061 and facing the valve core 208 side, a second groove 2062 located around the flow port 2061 and facing away from the valve core 208 side, a first seal 204 located in the first groove 2063, a sliding gasket 205 at least partially embedded in the first groove 2063, and a second seal 203 located in the second groove 2062.

[0044] See Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the valve ring 206 includes a first valve ring 206a, a second valve ring 206b, a third valve ring 206c, and a fourth valve ring 206d arranged radially around the valve core 208. The flow port 2061 includes a first flow port 2061a, a second flow port 2061b, a third flow port 2061c, and a fourth flow port 2061d arranged sequentially among the first valve ring 206a, the second valve ring 206b, the third valve ring 206c, and the fourth valve ring 206d. The first flow channel A1 is used to connect the flow ports 2061 of two adjacent valve rings among the first valve ring 206a, the second valve ring 206b, the third valve ring 206c, and the fourth valve ring 206d. The pressure balancing part 2086 is placed in the first flow channel A1 and is located between the two adjacent valve rings 206 connected by the first flow channel A1.

[0045] The first flow channel A1 is a direct flow channel. Compared with the existing double arc-shaped channel, the wall thickness between the two flow channels is too small under the same size. The first flow channel A1 combined with the second flow channel A2 in this solution increases the wall thickness between the two flow channels and reduces the heat transfer effect in the valve core 208. The first flow channel A1 is provided with a pressure balancing part 2086 to balance the pressure between the flow port 2061 and the valve core 208. During the use of the multi-way valve, the refrigerant will flow into the valve cavity from the pressure balancing part 2086 of the first flow channel A1 and fill the entire valve cavity, balancing the pressure between the flow port 2061 and the valve cavity. During use, when the first flow channel A1 is used as the high-pressure side, the high pressure at the inlet can be dispersed by filling the valve cavity with refrigerant through the above solution. At the same time, the second flow channel A2 is separated from the valve cavity by sealing structures such as the sliding gasket 205, the first seal 204, and the second seal 203, and does not interfere with the refrigerant in the valve cavity.

[0046] See Figure 4 , Figure 9 and Figure 10As shown, the valve core 208 also includes a rib 2085, which is placed inside the first flow channel A1 and arranged radially along the valve core 208. Specifically, the first flow channel A1 includes a first surface S1, a second surface S2 parallel to the first surface S1, and a third surface S3 connecting the first surface and the second surface S2. The first surface S1 is arranged radially along the valve core 208, and the third surface S3 is arranged axially along the valve core. The rib 2085 extends radially from the third surface S3 towards the circumferential surface of the valve core 208, increasing the valve core's strength. The strength of 208 is such that the sliding gasket 205 is fixed to the edge of the flow port 2061 and at least partially contacts the rib 2085. The rib 2085 includes two spaced apart along the axial direction of the valve core 208. The sliding gasket 205 abuts against the rib 2085, which helps to further enhance the fit between the sliding gasket 205 and the rib 2085 and improve the sealing performance. The valve core 208 also includes a first valve port 2081 for the fluid medium to enter the first sub-flow channel 2082 and a second valve port 2084 for the fluid medium to flow out of the second sub-flow channel 2083.

[0047] First operating mode: The first flow port 2061a is connected to the second flow port 2061b through the first flow channel A1. The fluid medium (e.g., refrigerant) enters the valve core 208 through the first flow port 2061a, flows through the first flow channel A1, and then flows out from the second flow port 2061b. The first valve port 2081 corresponds to the third flow port 2061c. The second valve port 2084 is connected to the third flow port 2061c through the second flow channel A2. The fluid medium (e.g., refrigerant) enters the valve core 208 through the first valve port 2081 through the third flow port 2061c, flows through the second flow channel A2, and then flows out from the second valve port 2084 via the first sub-flow channel 2082 and the second sub-flow channel 2083.

[0048] Second operating mode: The first flow port 2061a is connected to the second valve port 2084 through the second flow channel A2. The fluid medium (e.g., refrigerant) enters the second flow channel A2 through the first flow port 2061a and the first valve port 2081, and flows out through the second valve port 2084 after passing through the first sub-flow channel 2082 and the second sub-flow channel 2083. The third flow port 2061c is connected to the fourth flow port 2061d through the first flow channel A1. The fluid medium (e.g., refrigerant) enters the valve core 208 through the third flow port 2061c, flows through the first flow channel A1, and then flows out through the second flow port 2061b.

[0049] This embodiment also provides an automotive thermal management system, including the multi-way valve of the above solution. Further, the multi-way valve of this embodiment has a column valve structure, and the main structure of the valve core 208 is a cylinder.

[0050] The present invention provides a multi-way valve, including a drive assembly 10 and a valve body assembly 20. The valve body assembly is provided with a first flow channel A1 with a slotted structure along the side wall of the valve core and a second flow channel A2 with two sections in different directions. Through the design of the valve body assembly, it is possible to achieve communication between the flow channels under the constraint of size, switch the flow channels according to different usage conditions, adapt to more applicable scenarios, and achieve a high degree of integration of the thermal management system agent side. It can also reduce the impact of heat leakage and balance the pressure of the valve port and valve cavity while having good sealing performance.

[0051] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the direction from the drive assembly of the multi-way valve to the valve body assembly is defined as from top to bottom. This is used as a reference for describing the structural positional relationship and does not represent the actual setting state of the multi-way valve in actual working conditions.

[0052] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the exemplary embodiments described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that this invention cover modifications and variations falling within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A multi-way valve, characterized in that, include: Driver components; A valve body assembly, the valve body assembly being positioned below the drive assembly; The valve body assembly includes: An upper base, which is fixed below the drive assembly; A valve core, which is located below the upper base and connected to the drive assembly; A valve ring is positioned circumferentially to the valve core and its upper end is fixed to the upper base. The valve ring has a flow port for the flow of a medium. The lower base is fixed to the lower end of the valve plate ring; The valve core includes: The first flow channel is a slotted structure provided along the side wall of the valve core; The second flow channel is disposed inside the valve core. The second flow channel includes a first sub-flow channel disposed radially along the valve core and a second sub-flow channel disposed axially along the valve core. The first sub-flow channel is connected to the second sub-flow channel. The drive component drives the valve core to rotate to connect the first flow channel, the second flow channel and the flow port, so that the fluid medium flows in and out of the first flow channel and the second flow channel, thereby realizing the reversal of the fluid medium; The valve core also includes a rib, which is placed inside the first flow channel and arranged radially along the valve core; The ribs include two spaced apart along the axial direction of the valve core; The valve body assembly further includes a sliding washer disposed between the valve core and the valve plate ring, the sliding washer being fixed to the edge of the flow port and at least partially in contact with the rib, the sliding washer abutting against the rib.

2. The multi-way valve as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The first flow channel is provided with a pressure balancing section to balance the pressure between the flow port and the valve core.

3. The multi-way valve as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The valve ring includes a first valve ring, a second valve ring, a third valve ring, and a fourth valve ring arranged radially spaced around the valve core. The first flow channel is used to connect the flow ports of two adjacent valve rings among the first valve ring, the second valve ring, the third valve ring, and the fourth valve ring. The pressure balancing part is placed in the first flow channel and is located between two adjacent valve rings connected by the first flow channel.

4. The multi-way valve as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The flow port includes a first flow port, a second flow port, a third flow port, and a fourth flow port sequentially placed on the first valve ring, the second valve ring, the third valve ring, and the fourth valve ring. The valve core also includes a first valve port for the fluid medium to enter the first sub-flow channel and a second valve port for the fluid medium to flow out of the second sub-flow channel. The first flow port is connected to the second flow port through the first flow channel. The first valve port corresponds to the third flow port, and the second valve port is connected to the third flow port through the second flow channel.

5. The multi-way valve as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The flow ports include a first flow port, a second flow port, a third flow port, and a fourth flow port, which are sequentially placed on the first valve ring, the second valve ring, the third valve ring, and the fourth valve ring. The first flow port is connected to the second valve port through the second flow channel; the third flow port is connected to the fourth flow port through the first flow channel.

6. The multi-way valve as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The valve body assembly further includes a first seal and a second seal. The first seal is placed between the sliding gasket and the valve plate ring and is fixed to the valve plate ring. The second seal is fixed to the valve plate ring on the side away from the valve core.

7. The multi-way valve as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The valve ring includes a first groove surrounding the flow port and facing the valve core side, and a second groove surrounding the flow port and facing away from the valve core side. The first seal is placed in the first groove, the sliding gasket is at least partially embedded in the first groove, and the second seal is placed in the second groove.

8. A vehicle thermal management system, characterized in that, Includes the multi-way valve as described in claim 1 or claim 7.

Images