A thermal management device

Abstract

This application provides a thermal management device applied to electronic equipment. The thermal management device includes a valve assembly, a drive assembly, and a heat exchange assembly. The drive assembly includes a first drive unit and a second drive unit; the heat exchange assembly includes at least a first heat exchange unit, and the first heat exchange unit and the first and second drive units are respectively connected to the valve assembly via pipelines. When the first drive unit or the second drive unit is in the open state, the open drive unit releases refrigerant through the pipeline. The refrigerant flows into the first heat exchange unit through the valve assembly, where it exchanges heat with the electronic equipment; the heat exchange is either heating or cooling. After the heat exchange is completed, the refrigerant flows out of the first heat exchange unit and is then returned to the open drive unit via the valve assembly. The pipeline for releasing the refrigerant is different from the pipeline for returning the refrigerant. The above-described thermal management device can solve the technical problem that multiple drive units cannot operate independently.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of thermal management technology, and in particular to a thermal management device. Background Technology

[0002] To address the heat dissipation requirements of high heat flux density devices such as power battery packs, energy storage cells, and server chips, existing thermal management devices often employ a series drive between a compressor and a refrigerant pump. This results in the compressor and refrigerant pump being unable to operate independently, leading to a high failure rate. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a thermal management device to solve the technical problem in the related art that multiple drive units cannot operate independently.

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a thermal management device for use in electronic devices. The thermal management device includes a valve assembly, a drive assembly, and a heat exchange assembly.

[0005] The drive assembly includes a first drive unit and a second drive unit; the heat exchange assembly includes at least a first heat exchange unit, and the first drive unit, the second drive unit and the first heat exchange unit are respectively connected to the valve assembly through pipelines; In this configuration, when the first drive unit or the second drive unit is in the open state, the open drive unit releases refrigerant through the pipeline, and the refrigerant flows into the first heat exchange unit through the valve assembly, so that the first heat exchange unit can exchange heat with the electronic equipment; wherein, the heat exchange is heating or heat dissipation. After the refrigerant completes the heat exchange, it flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is recovered to the opened drive unit via the valve assembly; the pipeline for releasing the refrigerant is different from the pipeline for recovering the refrigerant.

[0006] In some embodiments, the valve assembly includes: a first four-way valve, a first end of which is connected to the output end of a first drive unit via a pipeline, a second end of which is connected to a first heat exchange unit via a pipeline, and a third and fourth end of which are respectively connected to the input end of the first drive unit via pipelines; When the first drive unit is in the open state and the first end and the second end of the first four-way valve are in the connected state, the refrigerant released by the first drive unit flows into the first heat exchange unit through the first four-way valve so that the first heat exchange unit can exchange heat with the electronic equipment by the first drive unit. When the first drive unit is in the open state and the second and fourth ends of the first four-way valve are in the connected state, the refrigerant that has completed heat exchange flows out of the first heat exchange unit and is then recovered to the first drive unit via the first four-way valve.

[0007] In some embodiments, the thermal management device further includes: a liquid storage element, the first end of which is connected to the input end of the first drive unit via a pipeline, the liquid storage element being used to store recovered refrigerant or to supply refrigerant to the first drive unit; The valve assembly also includes: a first bypass valve, the second end of which is connected to the input end of the first drive unit via a pipeline; The first end of the first bypass valve is connected to the third end of the first four-way valve through a pipeline. When the first drive unit is in the open state and the first bypass valve is in the closed state, the liquid storage device provides refrigerant to the first drive unit. The refrigerant released by the first drive unit flows into the first heat exchange unit through the first four-way valve so that the first heat exchange unit can exchange heat with the electronic equipment. Alternatively, the first end of the first bypass valve is connected to the fourth end of the first four-way valve through a pipeline. When the first drive unit is in the open state, the second and fourth ends of the first four-way valve are in the connected state, and the first bypass valve is in the open state, the refrigerant that has completed heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is then recovered to the first drive unit via the first four-way valve and the first bypass valve.

[0008] In some embodiments, the valve assembly further includes: a second bypass valve, the first end of which is connected to the first end of the liquid storage device via a pipeline, and the second end of which is connected to the input end of the first drive unit via a pipeline; Specifically, when the first drive unit is in the open state, the first bypass valve is in the closed state, and the second bypass valve is in the open state, the liquid receiver supplies refrigerant to the first drive unit. When the first end of the first bypass valve is connected to the fourth end of the first four-way valve, the second end of the first bypass valve is connected to the coupling point between the second end of the second bypass valve and the input end of the first drive unit, and the first drive unit is in the open state, the second and fourth ends of the first four-way valve are in the connected state, the first bypass valve is in the open state, and the second bypass valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant that has completed heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is recovered to the first drive unit through the first four-way valve and the first bypass valve; Alternatively, when the first end of the first bypass valve is connected to the third end of the first four-way valve, the second end of the first bypass valve is connected to the coupling point between the first end of the liquid storage device and the first end of the second bypass valve, and the first drive unit is in the open state, the first end and the third end of the first four-way valve are in the connected state, the first bypass valve is in the open state and the second bypass valve is in the closed state, the liquid storage device stores the refrigerant released by the first drive unit.

[0009] In some embodiments, the thermal management device further includes: a heating component, a first end of which is connected to the second end of a first four-way valve via a pipeline, and a second end of which is connected to a first heat exchange unit via a pipeline; Specifically, when the first drive unit is in the open state, the first end and the second end of the first four-way valve are in the connected state, and the heating component is in the working state, the refrigerant released by the first drive unit flows into the heating component through the first four-way valve. The heating component is used to heat the refrigerant flowing through it. The refrigerant heated by the first heat exchange unit flows through and heats the electronic equipment.

[0010] In some embodiments, the valve assembly includes: a second four-way valve, a first end of which is connected to the output end of a second drive unit via a pipeline, a second end of which is connected to the input end of the second drive unit via a pipeline, a third end of which is connected to a first heat exchange unit via a pipeline, and a fourth end of which is connected to the first drive unit via a pipeline. When the second drive unit is in the open state and the first and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the refrigerant released by the second drive unit flows into the first heat exchange unit through the second four-way valve so that the first heat exchange unit heats the electronic equipment. When the second drive unit is in the open state and the second and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, after heat dissipation is completed, the refrigerant flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is recovered to the second drive unit via the second four-way valve.

[0011] In some embodiments, the heat exchange assembly further includes: a second heat exchange unit, the first end of which is connected to the fourth end of the second four-way valve via a pipeline, and the second end of which is connected to the input end of the first drive unit via a pipeline, the second heat exchange unit being used to dissipate heat from the refrigerant flowing through it.

[0012] In some embodiments, the valve assembly further includes: a first three-way valve, a first end of which is connected to a second end of a second heat exchange unit via a pipeline, a second end of which is connected to a first heat exchange unit via a pipeline, and a third end of which is connected to a first drive unit via a pipeline; When the first drive unit is in the open state, the first and fourth ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the second and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the first and third ends of the first three-way valve are in the connected state and the second end of the first three-way valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant that has completed heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is recovered to the first drive unit via the second four-way valve, the second heat exchange unit and the first three-way valve. When the first drive unit is in the open state, the first and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the second and fourth ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the first and third ends of the first three-way valve are in the connected state and the second end of the first three-way valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant released by the first drive unit flows into the first heat exchange unit through the first three-way valve, the second heat exchange unit and the second four-way valve, so that the first heat exchange unit can exchange heat with the electronic equipment. When the second drive unit is in the open state, the first and fourth ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the second and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the first and second ends of the first three-way valve are in the connected state and the third end of the first three-way valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant released by the second drive unit flows into the first heat exchange unit through the second four-way valve, the second heat exchange unit and the first three-way valve, so that the first heat exchange unit can dissipate heat for the electronic equipment. After the refrigerant completes the heat dissipation, it flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is recovered to the second drive unit through the second four-way valve. When the second drive unit is in the open state, the first and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the second and fourth ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the first and second ends of the first three-way valve are in the connected state, and the third end of the first three-way valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant released by the second drive unit flows into the first heat exchange unit through the second four-way valve, so that the first heat exchange unit heats the electronic equipment. After the refrigerant has been heated, it flows out of the first heat exchange unit and is recovered to the second drive unit through the first three-way valve, the second heat exchange unit, and the second four-way valve.

[0013] In some embodiments, the valve assembly further includes: a second three-way valve, the first end of which is connected to the input end of the second drive unit via a pipeline, the second end of which is connected to the second end of the second four-way valve via a pipeline, and the third end of which is connected to the first end of the second four-way valve via a pipeline; Specifically, when the first drive unit is in the open state, the first and fourth ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the second and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the second and third ends of the second three-way valve are in the connected state, and the first end of the second three-way valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant that has completed heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is recovered to the first drive unit via the second four-way valve, the second three-way valve, the second heat exchange unit, and the first three-way valve; When the first drive unit is in the open state, the second and fourth ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the first and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the first and second ends of the first three-way valve are in the connected state, the second end of the first three-way valve is in the closed state, and the second and third ends of the second three-way valve are in the connected state and the first end of the second three-way valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant released by the first drive unit flows into the first heat exchange unit through the first three-way valve, the second heat exchange unit, the second four-way valve, and the second three-way valve, so that the first heat exchange unit can exchange heat with the electronic equipment; When the second drive unit is in the open state, the second and fourth ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the first and second ends of the second three-way valve are in the connected state and the third end of the second three-way valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant that has completed heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is recovered to the second drive unit via the first three-way valve, the second heat exchange unit, the second four-way valve and the second three-way valve. When the second drive unit is in the open state, the second and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the first and second ends of the second three-way valve are in the connected state, and the third end of the second three-way valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant that has completed heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is recovered to the second drive unit via the second four-way valve and the second three-way valve.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first drive unit includes: a refrigerant pump, the input end of which serves as the input end of the first drive unit, and the output end of which serves as the output end of the first drive unit. The refrigerant pump is used to release refrigerant or recover refrigerant after heat exchange.

[0015] In some embodiments, the second drive unit includes a compressor, the output end of which serves as the output end of the second drive unit, and the input end of which serves as the input end of the second drive unit. The compressor is used to release or recover refrigerant.

[0016] In some embodiments, the thermal management device further includes: An oil separator has its first end connected to the compressor's output end via a pipeline, and its second end connected to the first target object via a pipeline. The oil separator is used to separate oil from the refrigerant output by the compressor. The gas-liquid separator has its first end connected to the input end of the compressor via a pipeline, and its second end connected to a second target object via a pipeline. The gas-liquid separator is used to vaporize the refrigerant input to the compressor.

[0017] In some embodiments, the thermal management device further includes a control component configured to: When switching from heat exchange between the first drive unit and the first heat exchange unit to heat exchange between the second drive unit and the first heat exchange unit, it is determined whether the thermal management device meets the first switching condition. If the conditions are not met, the first drive unit is controlled to recover the refrigerant.

[0018] In some embodiments, the control component is configured as follows: When switching from heat exchange between the second drive unit and the first heat exchange unit to heat exchange between the first drive unit and the first heat exchange unit, it is determined whether the thermal management device meets the second switching condition. If the conditions are not met, the first drive unit is controlled to release refrigerant.

[0019] Unlike existing technologies, the advantages of this application are as follows: During operation of the thermal management device, one of the first and second drive units is selectively activated. One drive unit operates, while the branch containing the other drive unit can be isolated via a valve assembly, preventing mutual interference or the other branch becoming a resistance source, thus reducing the failure rate. The refrigerant released after the first or second drive unit is activated can exchange heat with the first heat exchange unit in the heat exchange assembly, thereby achieving heat exchange between the first heat exchange unit and the electronic equipment, achieving the effect of heating or cooling the electronic equipment. Furthermore, after the heat exchange is completed, the operating drive unit recovers the refrigerant, realizing refrigerant circulation.

[0020] In addition, refrigerant recovery can dynamically adjust the refrigerant charge in the thermal management device to meet the different refrigerant charge requirements of different operating modes, ensuring that the refrigerant is in the optimal charge state in each mode and that the thermal management device always operates at its best. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. Wherein: Figure 1 These are schematic diagrams of the electronic devices provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 10This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 16 These are schematic diagrams of the liquid storage device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 17 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the liquid storage device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 18 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the liquid storage device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 19 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the liquid storage device provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 20 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control components provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 21 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control components provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0022] Figure label: 10. Thermal management device; 11. Valve assembly; 12. Drive assembly; 13. Heat exchange assembly; 121. First drive unit; 122. Second drive unit; 131. First heat exchange unit; 111. First four-way valve; 112. First bypass valve; 14. Liquid storage unit; 113. Second bypass valve; 114. Second four-way valve; 132. Second heat exchange unit; 115. First three-way valve; 116. Second three-way valve; 117. First check valve; 118. Second check valve; 119. Third check valve; 15. Heating assembly; 120. Third three-way valve; 16. Oil separator; 17. Gas-liquid separator; 20. Tank body; 21. Pipe assembly; 22. Receiving cavity; 23. First opening; 24. Second opening; 25. First pipe; 26. Second pipe; 27. Third pipe; 28. Third opening; X1. First direction; 100. Electronic devices. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0024] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this application involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0025] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this application involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the technical solutions of various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. If the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0026] To address the heat dissipation requirements of high heat flux density devices such as power battery packs, energy storage cells, and server chips, existing thermal management devices mostly employ a series architecture of compressor and refrigerant pump. This results in the compressor and refrigerant pump not being able to operate independently; when one component is working, the internal flow channel of the other remains in a loop, causing additional resistance and a high failure rate. Furthermore, the required charge amount of the fluid used for thermal regulation (such as refrigerant) varies significantly between different modes (e.g., compressor cooling mode and refrigerant pump cooling mode). Existing thermal management devices lack a regulation mechanism, and cannot effectively recover the refrigerant during mode switching or shutdown. This causes refrigerant to remain on the evaporator side (as shown in the first heat exchange unit 131 below) or the condenser side (as shown in the second heat exchange unit 132 below), making liquid slugging likely upon restart and hindering maintenance.

[0027] In view of any of the above-mentioned technical problems, this application provides a thermal management device.

[0028] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figures 1-21The thermal management device 10 is applied to the electronic device 100. The thermal management device 10 can dynamically adjust the heat of the electronic device 100 or the heat of the components in the electronic device 100, so as to dissipate heat when it is overheated, heat it when it is undercooled, and keep the temperature as uniform as possible, so that the electronic device 100 always works within the target temperature range and extends the service life of the electronic device 100.

[0029] The electronic device 100 of this application includes, but is not limited to, one of the following: an energy storage power station, a data center, a new energy vehicle, and an air conditioner. In some embodiments, the electronic device 100 includes an energy storage unit, which generates a large amount of heat when operating, and a thermal management device 10 is used to dynamically regulate the heat of the energy storage unit. In some embodiments, the electronic device 100 is an energy storage power station, and the energy storage unit of the energy storage power station refers to a component capable of storing electrical energy and releasing it when needed, such as a battery pack or battery cell.

[0030] The thermal management device 10 of this application includes a valve assembly 11, a drive assembly 12, and a heat exchange assembly 13. The drive assembly 12 includes a first drive unit 121 and a second drive unit 122, which are respectively connected to the valve assembly 11 via pipelines. The heat exchange assembly 13 includes at least a first heat exchange unit 131, which is connected to the valve assembly 11 via a pipeline. The pipelines connecting the first drive unit 121 and the second drive unit 122 to the valve assembly 11 are different; "different" here means completely different or partially overlapping. The overlapping allows for pipeline reuse and saves on pipeline length.

[0031] In the thermal management device 10, the valve assembly 11 functions as an on / off switch and regulator, controlling the flow direction, flow rate, and on / off state of the fluid to determine the destination and amount of heat. Specifically, the valve assembly 11 can switch paths to determine the flow direction of the fluid; it can also open wider or narrower as needed to control the amount of heat removed; and it can also shut off and isolate, i.e., switching a circuit when maintenance is required, or isolating a module or component from the main circuit when it overheats. In some embodiments, the valve assembly 11 includes a valve, which can be a shut-off valve, a check valve, a multi-way valve (such as a three-way valve or a four-way valve), or a regulating valve, depending on the specific circumstances.

[0032] The first drive unit 121 and the second drive unit 122 may be the same or different. In addition to acting as a driver, the first drive unit 121 and the second drive unit 122 can also release and recover fluid, that is, act as a storage device.

[0033] The fluid can be solid, gaseous, or a two-phase mixture of gas and liquid. The fluid includes, but is not limited to, water, refrigerant, and coolant (such as a mixture of ethylene glycol and water). This application uses a refrigerant as an example. The refrigerant can exchange heat with the heat exchange unit in the heat exchange assembly 13. Heat exchange refers to the process of heat transfer between a high-temperature fluid and a low-temperature fluid, or between a fluid and air, or between a fluid and a solid, through a heat-conducting wall surface (usually a metal wall surface), causing hot to cool and cold to heat. It can be understood that as long as a temperature difference exists, heat will spontaneously flow from the high-temperature to the low-temperature, achieving heat exchange.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first heat exchange unit 131 includes a cooling component, which includes at least one cold plate. The number of cold plates can be one, three, five, or eight, depending on the actual situation. The cold plate is a metal heat exchanger with internal channels for refrigerant flow. The cold plate is usually in close contact with the surface of the heating element (such as an energy storage unit), and the heat is carried away by the internally flowing refrigerant to achieve localized cooling.

[0035] In some embodiments, when the first drive unit 121 or the second drive unit 122 is in the on state, the on drive unit releases refrigerant through a pipeline, and the refrigerant flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 via the valve assembly 11, so that the first heat exchange unit 131 exchanges heat with the electronic device 100; wherein, the heat exchange is heating or heat dissipation. It can be understood that either the first drive unit 121 or the second drive unit 122 is turned on; heating and heat dissipation are performed selectively.

[0036] Specifically: When the first drive unit 121 is in the open state, the refrigerant released by the first drive unit 121 through the pipeline flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 via the valve assembly 11. The refrigerant contacts the wall surface (e.g., a metal wall surface) of the first heat exchange unit 131, and the wall surface of the first heat exchange unit 131 contacts the electronic device 100 (specifically, the energy storage unit of the electronic device 100). The refrigerant does not directly contact the electronic device 100. When the refrigerant temperature is higher than that of the electronic device 100, the heat of the refrigerant is transferred to the electronic device 100 through the first heat exchange unit 131, and the electronic device 100 absorbs heat and rises in temperature, thus heating the electronic device 100. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the first heating mode. When the refrigerant temperature is lower than that of the electronic device 100, the heat of the electronic device 100 is transferred to the refrigerant through the first heat exchange unit 131, and the refrigerant absorbs heat and rises in temperature, thus dissipating heat from the electronic device 100. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the first cooling mode.

[0037] When the second drive unit 122 is in the open state, the refrigerant released by the second drive unit 122 through the pipeline flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 via the valve assembly 11. The refrigerant contacts the wall surface (such as a metal wall surface) of the first heat exchange unit 131, which in turn contacts the electronic device 100 (specifically, the energy storage unit of the electronic device 100). The refrigerant does not directly contact the electronic device 100. When the refrigerant temperature is higher than that of the electronic device 100, the heat from the refrigerant is transferred to the electronic device 100 through the first heat exchange unit 131, causing the electronic device 100 to absorb heat and rise in temperature, thus heating the electronic device 100. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the second heating mode. When the refrigerant temperature is lower than that of the electronic device 100, the heat from the electronic device 100 is transferred to the refrigerant through the first heat exchange unit 131, causing the refrigerant to absorb heat and rise in temperature, thus dissipating heat from the electronic device 100. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the second cooling mode.

[0038] In some embodiments, the temperature of the refrigerant and the temperature of the electronic device 100 can be measured using temperature sensors such as thermocouples and thermistors, and the heat transfer path can be determined based on the relationship between the temperature of the refrigerant and the temperature of the electronic device 100.

[0039] In some embodiments, after the refrigerant that has completed heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131, it is recovered to the opened drive unit via the valve assembly 11; wherein, the pipeline corresponding to the release of refrigerant is different from the pipeline corresponding to the recovery of refrigerant. Here, "different" means that they are completely different or have some overlap. When they overlap, the purpose of pipeline reuse and pipeline saving can be achieved.

[0040] Specifically: When the first drive unit 121 is in the on state, the high-temperature refrigerant becomes a low-temperature refrigerant after heating the electronic device 100. The low-temperature refrigerant flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131 and is recovered to the first drive unit 121 via the valve assembly 11, realizing refrigerant circulation. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the first recovery mode. Alternatively, the low-temperature refrigerant becomes a high-temperature refrigerant after dissipating heat from the electronic device 100. The high-temperature refrigerant flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131 and is recovered to the first drive unit 121 via the valve assembly 11, realizing refrigerant circulation. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the second recovery mode.

[0041] When the second drive unit 122 is in the on state, the high-temperature refrigerant, after heating the electronic device 100, becomes a low-temperature refrigerant. The low-temperature refrigerant flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131 and is recovered to the second drive unit 122 via the valve assembly 11, realizing refrigerant circulation. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the third recovery mode. Alternatively, the low-temperature refrigerant, after dissipating heat from the electronic device 100, becomes a high-temperature refrigerant. The high-temperature refrigerant flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131 and is recovered to the second drive unit 122 via the valve assembly 11, realizing refrigerant circulation. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the fourth recovery mode.

[0042] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figures 4-15 The valve assembly 11 includes a first four-way valve 111. The first end of the first four-way valve 111 (indicated by "1" in the figure) is connected to the output end of the first drive unit 121 through a pipeline. The second end of the first four-way valve 111 (indicated by "2" in the figure) is connected to the first heat exchange unit 131 through a pipeline, specifically to the first end of the first heat exchange unit 131 (indicated by a solid line in the figure). The third end (indicated by "3" in the figure) and the fourth end (indicated by "4" in the figure) of the first four-way valve 111 are respectively connected to the input end of the first drive unit 121 through pipelines.

[0043] The first four-way valve 111 of this application is an electric valve, solenoid valve, or manual valve with four ports, which can change the flow direction of the refrigerant, enabling the thermal management device 10 to switch between different modes. When the first four-way valve 111 is in operation, its internal ports are connected in pairs, that is, two of the four ports are connected and the other two are also connected. In practical applications, the four ports of the first four-way valve 111 can also be connected to only two ports, while the other two ports are not connected.

[0044] In some embodiments, when the first drive unit 121 is in the open state and the first and second ends of the first four-way valve 111 are in the connected state, the refrigerant released by the first drive unit 121 flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 through the first four-way valve 111, so that the first heat exchange unit 131 is circulated by refrigerant and exchanges heat with the electronic device 100. The third and fourth ends of the first four-way valve 111 may be connected or disconnected. When the third and fourth ends of the first four-way valve 111 are connected, since the third and fourth ends of the first four-way valve 111 are respectively connected to the input end of the first drive unit 121, the refrigerant that should flow into the first drive unit 121 may be diverted. That is, the refrigerant may be diverted to the pipeline between the input end of the first drive unit 121 and the third end of the first four-way valve 111, the pipeline between the third and fourth ends of the first four-way valve 111, and / or the pipeline between the fourth end of the first four-way valve 111 and the input end of the first drive unit 121. To avoid flow diversion, a valve (such as the first bypass valve 112 described below) can be provided between the third end of the first four-way valve 111 and the input end of the first drive unit 121 and / or between the fourth end of the first four-way valve 111 and the input end of the first drive unit 121.

[0045] Specifically: when the first drive unit 121 is in the open state and the first end and the second end of the first four-way valve 111 are in the connected state, the high-temperature refrigerant released by the first drive unit 121 flows into the first end of the first four-way valve 111 through the pipeline. The high-temperature refrigerant flows from the first end of the first four-way valve 111 to the second end of the first four-way valve 111 and flows out from the second end. The outflowing high-temperature refrigerant flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 through the pipeline, specifically into the first end of the first heat exchange unit 131, thereby heating the electronic device 100. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the first sub-heating mode of the first heating mode. Alternatively, the cryogenic refrigerant released by the first drive unit 121 flows into the first end of the first four-way valve 111 through a pipeline. The cryogenic refrigerant flows from the first end of the first four-way valve 111 to the second end of the first four-way valve 111 and flows out from the second end. The outflowing cryogenic refrigerant flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 through a pipeline, specifically into the first end of the first heat exchange unit 131, thereby dissipating heat from the electronic device 100. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the first sub-cooling mode of the first cooling mode.

[0046] In some embodiments, when the first drive unit 121 is in the open state and the second and fourth ends of the first four-way valve 111 are in the connected state, the refrigerant that has completed heat exchange flows out of the first heat exchange unit 131 and is then recovered to the first drive unit 121 via the first four-way valve 111. The first and third ends of the first four-way valve 111 may be connected or disconnected. When the first and third ends of the first four-way valve 111 are connected, since the third end of the first four-way valve 111 is connected to the input end of the first drive unit 121 via a pipeline, the refrigerant can flow from the output end of the first drive unit 121 back to the input end of the first drive unit 121 via the pipeline. To avoid ineffective refrigerant circulation, a valve (such as the first bypass valve 112 described below) can be provided between the third end of the first four-way valve 111 and the input end of the first drive unit 121.

[0047] Specifically: when the first drive unit 121 is in the open state and the second and fourth ends of the first four-way valve 111 are in the connected state, the high-temperature refrigerant becomes a low-temperature refrigerant after heating the electronic device 100. The low-temperature refrigerant flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131, specifically from the first end of the first heat exchange unit 131. The low-temperature refrigerant flows into the second end of the first four-way valve 111 through the pipeline. The low-temperature refrigerant flows from the second end of the first four-way valve 111 to the fourth end of the first four-way valve 111 and flows out from the fourth end. Then it flows into the input end of the first drive unit 121 through the pipeline to recover the low-temperature refrigerant to the first drive unit 121. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the first sub-recovery mode of the first recovery mode. Alternatively, after the low-temperature refrigerant completes the heat dissipation of the electronic device 100, it becomes a high-temperature refrigerant. The high-temperature refrigerant flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131, specifically from the first end of the first heat exchange unit 131. The high-temperature refrigerant flows into the second end of the first four-way valve 111 through the pipeline. The high-temperature refrigerant flows from the second end of the first four-way valve 111 to the fourth end of the first four-way valve 111 and flows out from the fourth end. Then, it flows into the input end of the first drive unit 121 through the pipeline to recover the high-temperature refrigerant to the first drive unit 121. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the third sub-recovery mode in the second recovery mode.

[0048] In some embodiments, after the refrigerant that has completed heat exchange flows out of the first heat exchange unit 131 and before flowing into the input end of the first drive unit 121, in addition to flowing through the first four-way valve 111, it also needs to flow through other valves (i.e., non-first four-way valve 111) or components in the valve assembly 11 before being recycled to the first drive unit 121.

[0049] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figures 5-9 , Figure 15The thermal management device 10 also includes a liquid storage unit 14, the first end of which is connected to the input end of the first drive unit 121 via a pipeline. The liquid storage unit 14 is used to store the recovered refrigerant or to supply refrigerant to the first drive unit 121. The valve assembly 11 also includes a first bypass valve 112, the second end of which is connected to the input end of the first drive unit 121.

[0050] The first bypass valve 112 of this application is an electric valve, solenoid valve or manual valve with two ports, which can change the flow direction of the refrigerant so that it bypasses a component in the thermal management device 10 (such as the first drive unit 121) and allows the thermal management device 10 to switch between different modes.

[0051] The liquid storage component 14 of this application includes a tank body 20 and a pipe assembly 21, for details please refer to Figures 16-19 The tank 20 and the pipe assembly 21 are either integrally formed or detachably connected. For the integrally formed connection, the tank 20 and pipe assembly 21 are integrally formed to ensure a stable and tight connection, preventing refrigerant leakage from the connection point. For the detachable connection, the tank 20 and / or pipe assembly 21 can be replaced when damaged or worn, or when the application scenario or operating condition changes. Furthermore, when cleaning the liquid receiver 14 is required, the detachable connection allows for disassembly before cleaning, improving cleanliness and reducing stain residue and refrigerant deposition. In some embodiments, the detachable connection between the tank 20 and pipe assembly 21 includes, but is not limited to, one of the following: flange connection, threaded connection, clamp connection, ferrule connection, and connector connection.

[0052] The tank 20 of this application is a device capable of storing, mixing, and separating refrigerants. The tank 20 can be one of a storage tank, mixing tank, reaction tank, or separation tank. The tank 20 has a accommodating cavity 22, which refers to the hollow area inside the tank 20 surrounded by walls (i.e., bottom wall, top wall, and side walls) and used for holding, storing, or processing refrigerant. When the liquid storage component 14 is in operation, the accommodating cavity 22 can be in one of the following states: fully filled with liquid or pure liquid phase (e.g., a liquid storage tank), partially filled with liquid (e.g., a top-in, bottom-out reaction tank), gas-liquid coexistence, or pure gas phase (e.g., a gas storage tank). In one application scenario, the shape and size of the accommodating cavity 22 can be determined according to actual conditions. For example, the cross-section of the accommodating cavity 22 can be square, circular, near-circular, trapezoidal, or other shapes; no limitation is made here. In one application scenario, to achieve the largest possible volume utilization rate, the tank 20 is typically cylindrical, with a flat or conical bottom. In one application scenario, to prevent refrigerant from remaining or depositing inside the tank 20, the inner wall of the tank 20 must be smooth and without wrinkles.

[0053] The pipe assembly 21 of this application has a conduit supporting the flow or passage of refrigerant, and the pipe assembly 21 includes at least one conduit. In some embodiments, the pipe assembly 21 has at least a first opening 23 and a second opening 24. The shape and size of the first opening 23 and the second opening 24 can be determined according to actual conditions. For example, the cross-sections of the first opening 23 and the second opening 24 are both circular or near-circular. The first opening 23 and the second opening 24 are respectively connected to the receiving cavity 22. There is a height difference between the first opening 23 and the second opening 24 along a first direction X1, and the setting height of the first opening 23 is higher than the setting height of the second opening 24.

[0054] In some embodiments, the first direction X1 refers to the extension direction of the tank 20. When the tank 20 is a columnar or cylindrical structure, the extension direction of the tank 20 is parallel to the central axis direction of the tank 20. In some embodiments, in the installation or use state of the tank 20, the tank 20 extends along the vertical direction (or the direction of gravity), and at this time the first direction X1 is parallel to the vertical direction (or the direction of gravity).

[0055] Since the first opening 23 and the second opening 24 are respectively connected to the receiving cavity 22, the pipe assembly 21 has two pipes, and the tank 20 has a first connecting hole and a second connecting hole corresponding to these two pipes. The first connecting hole and the second connecting hole are respectively adapted to the corresponding pipes, so that the pipe assembly 21 is connected to the receiving cavity 22. When the tank 20 and the pipe assembly 21 are detachably connected, the connection method between the pipe and the tank 20 includes, but is not limited to, threaded connection, flange connection, and compression fitting connection. It can be understood that the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole penetrate the wall of the tank 20.

[0056] In some embodiments, the installation height of the first opening 23 is ensured to be higher than the installation height of the second opening 24 by adjusting the installation positions of the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole on the tank body 20. For example, both the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole are located on the bottom wall of the tank body 20; or, both the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole are located on the side wall of the tank body 20; or, one of the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole is located on the bottom wall of the tank body 20, and the other of the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole is located on the side wall of the tank body 20.

[0057] In some embodiments, the length of the pipe in the pipe assembly 21 is adjusted to ensure that the setting height of the first opening 23 is higher than that of the second opening 24. For example, both the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole are located on the bottom wall of the tank 20. When the first end of the pipe corresponding to the first connecting hole and the first end of the pipe corresponding to the second connecting hole are on the same horizontal plane (the horizontal plane is perpendicular to the first direction X1), the length of the pipe corresponding to the first connecting hole is greater than the length of the pipe corresponding to the second connecting hole, so that the second end of the pipe corresponding to the first connecting hole and the second end of the pipe corresponding to the second connecting hole are on different horizontal planes. In other words, the first ends of the two pipes are on the same horizontal plane, while the second ends of the two pipes are on different horizontal planes.

[0058] The tube assembly 21 of this application is used to transport refrigerant from other equipment (such as the first heat exchange unit 131 and the first drive unit 121) to the accommodating cavity 22 of the tank 20, or to transport the refrigerant stored in the accommodating cavity 22 to other equipment (such as the first heat exchange unit 131 and the first drive unit 121), or to change the flow direction of the refrigerant to achieve guidance, or to divide a stream of refrigerant into multiple streams to achieve diversion, or to merge multiple streams of refrigerant into one stream to achieve convergence, or other purposes.

[0059] In some embodiments, the pipe assembly 21 is used to guide refrigerant from the first opening 23 into the accommodating cavity 22 and discharge the liquid after gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant in the accommodating cavity 22 from the second opening 24; or, to guide refrigerant from the second opening 24 into the accommodating cavity 22, where it accumulates and discharges from the first opening 23 after reaching a preset liquid level, the preset liquid level being determined based on the height of the first opening 23 and the accommodating cavity 22. It can be understood that when the refrigerant is a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, it must flow in from the first opening 23 for the pipe assembly 21 to function as a separator and perform its separation function. Among these methods, gas-liquid separation is achieved under the influence of gravity. Due to the density difference between the gas and the liquid, the liquid naturally settles under gravity, while the gas rises. Alternatively, gas-liquid separation is achieved through centrifugal force separation. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is rotated at high speed, generating centrifugal force. The liquid in the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is thrown against the wall (such as the side wall) of the tank 20, while the gas rises naturally after being separated by the cyclone. Alternatively, gas-liquid separation is achieved through inertial collision. By changing the direction of the airflow, the denser liquid cannot follow the direction of the airflow due to inertia and is drawn off by impacting the wall of the tank 20, while the gas rises.

[0060] Taking the example that both the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole are located on the bottom wall of the tank 20, the second opening 24 and the corresponding second connecting hole are on the same horizontal plane, that is, the second opening 24 is parallel to the bottom wall of the tank 20. Since there is a height difference between the first opening 23 and the second opening 24 along the first direction X1, and the setting height of the first opening 23 is higher than the setting height of the second opening 24, at least part of the pipe corresponding to the first opening 23 is located in the accommodating cavity 22. That is, there is a height difference between the first opening 23 and the bottom wall of the tank 20. When the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows out from the first opening 23, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant undergoes gas-liquid separation under the action of gravity. After gas-liquid separation, the liquid settles under the action of gravity, and the gas rises. At this time, the upper layer (or upper half) of the accommodating cavity 22 stores gaseous refrigerant, and the lower layer (or lower half) of the accommodating cavity 22 stores liquid refrigerant. In other application scenarios, the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole are both located on the side wall of the tank 20, and one of the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole is located on the bottom wall of the tank 20 and the other is located on the side wall of the tank 20, please refer to the above description.

[0061] In some embodiments, when there is a height difference between the second opening 24 and the bottom wall of the tank 20, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out from the second opening 24 can also be separated. This separation can be gas-liquid separation or other methods, as detailed above.

[0062] In some embodiments, when gas-liquid separation is achieved under gravity, the opening directions of the first opening 23 and the second opening 24 are parallel to or intersect with the first direction X1. In one application scenario, the opening directions of the first opening 23 / second opening 24 are upward; or, the opening directions of the first opening 23 / second opening 24 intersect with the vertical direction, and the angle of intersection is a right angle or an acute angle, that is, the openings of the first opening 23 / second opening 24 are inclined upward, inclined downward, or parallel to the vertical direction. Specifically, for the first opening 23, the second opening 24, and the third opening 25 (hereinafter referred to as the third opening), when the pipe body corresponding to the opening is a straight pipe, the opening is an axial opening, and the opening direction is parallel to the axis of the straight pipe, with fluid entering and exiting along the pipe body axis; when the pipe body corresponding to the opening is a curved pipe, the opening direction is the normal direction of the opening cross-section.

[0063] In this context, the axis of a straight pipe is a virtual straight line connecting the geometric centers of its cross-section; the axis of a curved pipe is a virtual curve swept along the bending path by the center of its cross-section. It is not a straight line, but an arc with curvature (e.g., the axis of a 90° bend is a quarter-circle arc). The tangent direction at each point on the axis is the instantaneous flow direction of the fluid at that point.

[0064] In some embodiments, when gas-liquid separation is achieved by centrifugal force separation or inertial collision, the opening directions of the first opening 23 and the second opening 24 intersect with the first direction X1, and the angle between the intersections is a right angle or an acute angle. When the angle is a right angle, the gas-liquid separation effect is optimal.

[0065] It is understandable that when the refrigerant flowing out of the first opening 23 is a liquid or gaseous refrigerant, the refrigerant flowing out of the first opening 23 will not separate, and the same applies to the second opening 24. In practical applications, the flow direction of the refrigerant into the receiving cavity 22 is determined based on its state. Specifically, when the flowing refrigerant is a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and the second opening 24 is at the same level as the bottom wall of the tank 20, if liquid needs to flow out of the pipe assembly 21, the first opening 23 is used as the inlet and the second opening 24 as the outlet. When the flowing refrigerant is a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and there is a height difference between the second opening 24 and the bottom wall of the tank 20, if liquid or a solid-liquid mixture needs to flow out of the pipe assembly 21, the first opening 23 is used as the inlet and the second opening 24 as the outlet, or the second opening 24 is used as the inlet and the first opening 23 as the outlet. When the refrigerant flowing in is liquid or gaseous, the first opening 23 can be used as the inlet and the second opening 24 as the outlet, or the second opening 24 can be used as the inlet and the first opening 23 as the outlet.

[0066] According to some embodiments of this application, the pipe assembly 21 includes a first pipe 25 and a second pipe 26, both of which have conduits. The first pipe 25 and the second pipe 26 may have the same or different shapes and dimensions; the conduits corresponding to the first pipe 25 and the conduits corresponding to the second pipe 26 may be the same or different.

[0067] In some embodiments, a first end of the first tube 25 is disposed within the accommodating cavity 22, and a second end of the first tube 25 is disposed outside the accommodating cavity 22. The first end of the first tube 25 has a first opening 23, the opening direction of which intersects with or is parallel to a first direction X1. When the opening direction is parallel to the first direction X1 and the first direction X1 is parallel to the vertical direction, the opening direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and the first opening 23 extends vertically. When the opening direction intersects with the first direction X1, the first opening 23 extends in a direction inclined relative to the vertical direction. In one application scenario, the first tube 25 is a straight tube, and the first opening 23 is located on the end face of the first tube 25. In this case, the opening direction of the first opening 23 is the same as the extension direction of the first tube 25. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out from the first opening 23 of the first tube 25 can separate under gravity to remove the gas. In one application scenario, the first tube 25 is a curved tube (such as an L-shaped tube), and the first opening 23 is located on the end face of the first tube 25. At this time, the first tube 25 has two extending directions, and the included angle between these two extending directions is an acute angle, an obtuse angle, and a right angle. The opening direction of the first opening 23 is the same as one of the extending directions. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out from the first opening 23 of the first tube 25 can be separated by centrifugal force or inertia to extract the gas.

[0068] In one application scenario, the first tube 25 passes through the first connecting hole, so that the two ends of the first tube 25 are respectively located inside and outside the receiving cavity 22. At this time, the two ends of the tank 20 are respectively spaced apart from the wall surface of the tank 20. Specifically, the first end of the first tube 25 is spaced apart from the inner wall surface of the tank 20 (such as the top wall opposite to the bottom wall), and the second end of the first tube 25 is spaced apart from the outer wall surface of the tank 20 (such as the bottom wall).

[0069] In some embodiments, the first end of the second tube 26 is connected to the wall (e.g., bottom wall) of the tank 20 to communicate with the receiving cavity 22. The second end of the second tube 26 is located outside the receiving cavity 22. The first end of the second tube 26 has a second opening 24, the opening direction of which is parallel to or intersects with the first direction X1. When the opening direction is parallel to the first direction X1 and the first direction X1 is parallel to the vertical direction, the opening direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and the second opening 24 extends vertically. When the opening direction intersects with the first direction X1, the second opening 24 extends in a direction inclined relative to the vertical direction. In one application scenario, the second tube 26 is a straight tube, and the opening direction of the second opening 24 is the same as the extension direction of the second tube 26. In another application scenario, the second tube 26 is a curved tube (e.g., an L-shaped tube), and the second tube 26 has two extension directions, the included angle of which is an acute angle, an obtuse angle, and a right angle, and the opening direction of the second opening 24 is the same as one of the extension directions.

[0070] In one application scenario, the first end of the second tube 26 is located inside the second connecting hole to communicate with the receiving cavity 22, and the second end of the second tube 26 is located outside the receiving cavity 22. In this case, the first end of the second tube 26 is parallel to the inner wall surface (e.g., the bottom wall) of the tank 20, and the second end of the second tube 26 is spaced apart from the outer wall surface (e.g., the bottom wall) of the tank 20. In another application scenario, the second end of the second tube 26 and the second end of the first tube 25 are on the same horizontal plane, and this horizontal plane is perpendicular to the first direction X1.

[0071] It is understandable that since the opening direction of the first opening 23 is parallel to or intersects with the first direction X1, and the opening direction of the second opening 24 is parallel to or intersects with the first direction X1, the second tube 26 is parallel to or intersects with the first tube 25. The intersection here does not refer to direct physical interference, but rather the intersection of the extension directions of the two tubes.

[0072] In some embodiments, both the first tube 25 and the second tube 26 are straight tubes, with the length of the first tube 25 being greater than the length of the second tube 26, i.e., the first tube 25 is a long tube and the second tube 26 is a short tube. In one application scenario, the first tube 25 is a curved tube, having a first part and a second part. The first part passes through the tank 20, with one end of the first part located outside the receiving cavity 22 and the other end located inside the receiving cavity 22 and connected to the second part. The second part is located inside the receiving cavity 22, and the connection between the first part and the second part is bent. The second tube 26 is a straight tube, with the length of the first part of the first tube 25 being greater than the length of the second tube 26, and the length of the second part of the first tube 25 being less than the length of the second tube 26. The length of the first part of the first tube 25 is greater than the length of the second part.

[0073] According to some embodiments of this application, at least one through hole is provided on the wall of the first end of the first pipe body 25. The shape of the through hole includes, but is not limited to, a circular hole, an elliptical hole, and a rectangular hole, to adapt to different fluid flow rates or injection angle requirements. It is understood that the through hole penetrates the wall of the first pipe body 25. When multiple through holes are present, they are evenly distributed along the circumference of the first pipe body 25, or arranged spirally along the axial direction of the first pipe body 25, or concentrated on one side of the pipe wall. For example, when four through holes are provided, they can be arranged on the same circumference at 90° intervals; when six through holes are provided, they can be staggered into two rows of three.

[0074] In one application scenario, the first tube 25 is a straight tube, and the axial direction of the through hole is perpendicular or parallel to the radial direction of the first tube 25. When parallel, the through hole is located on the side wall of the first tube 25, allowing the refrigerant to flow radially outward when it flows out of the through hole. When perpendicular, the through hole is located on the end wall of the first tube 25, allowing the refrigerant to flow axially outward when it flows out of the through hole. In another application scenario, the first tube 25 is a curved tube (such as an L-shaped tube), and the through hole is located in the second part of the first tube 25, with the axial direction of the through hole perpendicular or parallel to the radial direction of the second part. It can be understood that, in order to ensure that the first opening 23 can normally discharge refrigerant and to reduce the impact on the refrigerant during discharge, the first opening 23 is spaced apart from the inner wall surface (such as the top wall or side wall) of the tank 20, and the first end of the first tube 25 is spaced apart from the inner wall surface (such as the top wall or side wall) of the tank 20.

[0075] In some embodiments, the tube assembly 21 further includes at least one third tube 27 disposed within the receiving cavity 22. The first end of the third tube 27 communicates with a through hole, and the second end of the third tube 27 has a third opening 28. The opening direction of the third opening 28 intersects with the first direction X1. The third tube 27 guides the refrigerant in the first tube 25 to flow out from the third opening 28 and rotate circumferentially along the tank 20, achieving gas-liquid separation. The second end of the third tube 27 is spaced apart from the inner wall surface (e.g., top wall, side wall) of the tank 20, and the third opening 28 is also spaced apart from the inner wall surface (e.g., top wall, side wall) of the tank 20 to ensure that the refrigerant can flow out normally from the third opening 28 and to reduce the impact on the refrigerant during outflow.

[0076] It is understood that the number of third tubes 27 is less than or equal to the number of through holes. The third opening 28 and the first opening 23 have a height difference in the first direction X1 to prevent the refrigerants flowing from these two openings from interfering with each other. Specifically, the opening direction of the third opening 28 intersects the first direction X1, and the angle between the intersections is a right angle, an acute angle, or an obtuse angle.

[0077] In one application scenario, the third tube 27 is a straight tube with a through hole located on the side wall of the first tube 25. The axis of the through hole is parallel to the axis of the third tube 27. The axis of the third opening 28 is also parallel to the axis of the third tube 27. The axis or extension direction of the third tube 27 intersects the first direction X1. In another application scenario, the third tube 27 is a curved tube (such as an L-shaped tube). The through hole is located on the end wall of the first tube 25. The axis of the through hole is parallel to a portion of the axis of the third tube 27 and intersects with another portion of the axis of the third tube 27. The axis of the third opening 28 is parallel to a portion of the axis of the third tube 27 and intersects with another portion of the axis of the third tube 27.

[0078] In some embodiments, the third opening 28 is a tangential opening, extending tangentially to the side wall of the tank 20, such that the opening direction of the third opening 28 is tangential to the side wall of the tank 20. The refrigerant entering the receiving cavity 22 through the third opening 28 rotates at high speed tangentially to the inner wall of the tank 20, generating centrifugal force. This centrifugal force can throw the denser liquid in the refrigerant towards the tank wall, while the less dense gas gathers towards the center for extraction. Furthermore, the tangential feeding method avoids direct impact of the refrigerant on the liquid surface inside the tank, reducing splashing and foam generation. It also helps to prevent the settled bottom sediment from being disturbed by the feed flow, improving the sedimentation separation effect. Additionally, by tangentially positioning the opening direction of the third opening 28 to the side wall of the tank 20, good separation can be achieved without adding guide vanes or cyclones inside the tank 20, simplifying the internal structure of the tank 20 and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0079] In some embodiments, the third opening 28 is a tangential inlet, and the angle between the axis of the corresponding third tube 27 and the tangential direction of the side wall of the tank 20 at the third opening 28 does not exceed 10 degrees, preferably 0 degrees, i.e., they are completely tangent. In this case, the opening direction of the third opening 28 is perpendicular to the first direction X1. When the refrigerant flows out from the third opening 28, almost all of the flow momentum is converted into tangential rotational momentum. Almost no radial component impacts the wall of the tank 20 (i.e., the tank wall) to cause energy loss, and no component pointing towards the axis disturbs the central flow field. All the kinetic energy is used to drive the refrigerant to rotate along the tank wall.

[0080] It is understandable that, under the same inlet flow rate, the centrifugal force generated by complete tangency is the greatest, the rotation speed is the fastest, and the separation efficiency is the highest.

[0081] In some embodiments, the third tube 27 is integrally formed with the first tube 25 or is detachably connected. The detachable connection methods include, but are not limited to, threaded connections, welding, flange connections, and connector connections. For the integrally formed connection, the integral forming of the third tube 27 and the first tube 25 ensures a stable and tight connection, preventing refrigerant leakage from the connection point. For the detachable connection, targeted replacement can be performed when the third tube 27 and / or the first tube 25 are damaged or worn, or when the application scenario or operating conditions change. Furthermore, the detachable connection allows for disassembly and subsequent cleaning of the liquid receiver 14 when cleaning is required, improving cleanliness and reducing refrigerant deposits or residues.

[0082] In some embodiments, the number of third tubes 27 is greater than or equal to 2. When there are multiple third tubes 27, the refrigerant flows from the first tube 25 to at least two third tubes 27 to achieve diversion, which can reduce the impact force of the refrigerant on the third tubes 27 and thus reduce impact wear.

[0083] In some embodiments, the tube assembly 21 includes two third tubes 27, the third openings 28 of which are symmetrically arranged about the central axis of the tank 20. In the installed or used state, the central axis of the tank 20 is parallel to a first direction X1, which is parallel to the vertical direction. In one application scenario, the third tubes 27 are straight tubes, and when the third openings 28 of the two third tubes 27 are symmetrically arranged about the central axis of the tank 20, the angle between the axes of the two straight tubes is 180°. In another application scenario, the third tubes 27 are curved tubes (such as L-shaped tubes).

[0084] In some embodiments, the third openings 28 of the two third tubes 27 are located at the same horizontal height, and when the fluid flowing out of the third openings 28 of the two third tubes 27 enters the tank 20, the tangential direction of the openings is the same as that of the inner circumference of the tank 20. At this time, the axes of the third openings 28 of the two third tubes 27 are parallel to each other and point in the same direction, that is, the opening directions are the same. From a top-down view (i.e., from above), one third opening 28 is used to guide the refrigerant to rotate clockwise, and the other third opening 28 is used to guide the refrigerant to rotate counterclockwise. The two swirling flows from the two third openings 28 collide with each other in the receiving cavity 22, generating strong turbulence, which is suitable for applications that require rapid mixing and do not want to generate vortices.

[0085] In some embodiments, the third openings 28 of the two third tubes 27 are located at the same horizontal level, and when the fluid flowing out of the third openings 28 of the two third tubes 27 enters the tank 20, the tangential directions of the openings and the inner circumference of the tank 20 are opposite. At this time, the axes of the third openings 28 of the two third tubes 27 are parallel to each other but point in opposite directions, that is, the opening directions are opposite. From a top view, the two openings guide the refrigerant to rotate in the same direction, either clockwise or counterclockwise. The two swirling flows out of the two third openings 28 superimpose to form a strong and uniform swirling field within the accommodating cavity 22, which is suitable for applications requiring strong centrifugal force. It can be understood that when the refrigerant is a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, regardless of whether the opening directions of the third openings 28 of the two third tubes 27 are the same or opposite, the refrigerant flowing out of the third openings 28 can be separated (e.g., gas-liquid separation).

[0086] In some embodiments, see Figure 5The first end of the first bypass valve 112 is connected to the third end of the first four-way valve 111 via a pipeline. The second end of the first bypass valve 112 is connected to the input end of the first drive unit 121. When the first drive unit 121 is in the open state and the first bypass valve 112 is in the closed state, the liquid storage device 14 provides refrigerant to the first drive unit 121. The refrigerant released by the first drive unit 121 flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 through the first four-way valve 111, so that the first heat exchange unit 131 is circulated by refrigerant and exchanges heat with the electronic device 100. The third and fourth ends of the first four-way valve 111 are connected or not connected. The open / closed state of the first bypass valve 112 determines whether the pipeline between the input end and the output end of the first drive unit 121 is connected, that is, whether the refrigerant can flow through the pipeline between the input end and the output end of the first drive unit 121. It is understood that the first bypass valve 112 can reduce the flow rate of refrigerant when it flows from the first end of the liquid receiver 14 to the input end of the first drive unit 121, and prevent the refrigerant from circulating between the output end and the input end of the first drive unit 121.

[0087] Specifically: when the first drive unit 121 is in the open state, the first end and the second end of the first four-way valve 111 are in the connected state, and the first bypass valve 112 is in the closed state, the refrigerant released by the liquid storage device 14 flows to the input end of the first drive unit 121, and the output end of the first drive unit 121 releases the refrigerant from the liquid storage device 14 or releases the refrigerant stored by recycling. The released refrigerant flows through the first end and the second end of the first four-way valve 111 in sequence, and then flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 through the pipeline to heat the electronic device 100. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the first sub-heating mode of the first heating mode, or it heats the electronic device 100. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the first sub-cooling mode of the first cooling mode.

[0088] It is understood that when the refrigerant stored in the first drive unit 121 is insufficient, the liquid receiver 14 will supply refrigerant to the first drive unit 121 to avoid insufficient refrigerant release from the first drive unit 121, which would affect the heat exchange effect between the first heat exchange unit 131 and the electronic device 100. Additionally, closing the first bypass valve 112 can reduce the refrigerant diversion flow, allowing the refrigerant released from the liquid receiver 14 to flow into the first drive unit 121 as much as possible. In some embodiments, the dosage of refrigerant stored in the first drive unit 121 can be determined by a pressure sensor, infrared sensor, etc., to determine whether to drive the liquid receiver 14 to supply refrigerant to the first drive unit 121.

[0089] In some embodiments, see Figure 6The first end of the first bypass valve 112 is connected to the fourth end of the first four-way valve 111 through a pipeline, and the second end of the first bypass valve 112 is connected to the input end of the first drive unit 121. When the first drive unit 121 is in the open state, the second and fourth ends of the first four-way valve 111 are in the connected state, and the first bypass valve 112 is in the open state, the refrigerant that has completed heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131 and is recovered to the first drive unit 121 through the first four-way valve 111 and the first bypass valve 112.

[0090] Specifically: when the first drive unit 121 is in the open state, the second and fourth ends of the first four-way valve 111 are in the connected state, and the first bypass valve 112 is in the open state, after the electronic device 100 is heated, the low-temperature refrigerant flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131 (specifically from the first end of the first heat exchange unit 131), flows into the second end of the first four-way valve 111 through the pipeline, flows from the second end of the first four-way valve 111 to the fourth end of the first four-way valve 111 and flows out from the fourth end, the outflowing low-temperature refrigerant flows into the first end of the first bypass valve 112 through the pipeline, and flows out from the second end of the first bypass valve 112. After the low-temperature refrigerant flows out, it flows into the first drive unit 121 through the pipeline, realizing refrigerant recovery. The thermal management device 10 is in the first sub-recovery mode of the first recovery mode. Alternatively, after the electronic device 100 has completed its heat dissipation, the high-temperature refrigerant flows out of the first heat exchange unit 131 (specifically, from the first end of the first heat exchange unit 131), flows into the second end of the first four-way valve 111 through a pipeline, flows from the second end of the first four-way valve 111 to the fourth end of the first four-way valve 111 and flows out from the fourth end, flows into the first end of the first bypass valve 112 through a pipeline, and flows out from the second end of the first bypass valve 112. After the high-temperature refrigerant flows out, it flows into the first drive unit 121 through a pipeline, thereby realizing refrigerant recovery. The thermal management device 10 is in the third sub-recovery mode of the second recovery mode.

[0091] In some embodiments, the valve assembly 11 includes two first bypass valves 112, one of which has its first end connected to the third end of the first four-way valve 111, and the other has its first end connected to the fourth end of the first four-way valve 111. The timing and conditions under which the two first bypass valves 112 open are determined according to the actual situation. The two first bypass valves 112 may open simultaneously, close simultaneously, or one may open while the other closes.

[0092] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figures 7-9 , Figure 15The valve assembly 11 also includes a second bypass valve 113. The first end of the second bypass valve 113 is connected to the first end of the liquid storage device 14 via a pipeline, and the second end of the second bypass valve 113 is connected to the input end of the first drive unit 121 via a pipeline.

[0093] The second bypass valve 113 of this application is the same as or similar to the first bypass valve 112. For details, please refer to the description of the first bypass valve 112 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0094] In some embodiments, when the first drive unit 121 is in the open state, the first bypass valve 112 is in the closed state, and the second bypass valve 113 is in the open state, the liquid receiver 14 supplies refrigerant to the first drive unit 121. It is understood that having the first bypass valve 112 in the closed state ensures that as much refrigerant as possible released from the liquid receiver 14 flows into the first drive unit 121.

[0095] In some embodiments, see Figure 7 When the first end of the first bypass valve 112 is connected to the fourth end of the first four-way valve 111, the second end of the first bypass valve 112 is connected to the second end of the second bypass valve 113, and the input end of the first drive unit 121, and the first drive unit 121 is in the open state, the second and fourth ends of the first four-way valve 111 are in the connected state, the first bypass valve 112 is in the open state, and the second bypass valve 113 is in the closed state, the refrigerant that has completed heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131 and is recovered to the first drive unit 121 via the first four-way valve 111 and the first bypass valve 112.

[0096] Specifically: After the refrigerant that has completed heat exchange flows out of the first heat exchange unit 131 (specifically from the first end of the first heat exchange unit 131), it flows into the second end of the first four-way valve 111 through a pipeline. The refrigerant flows from the second end of the first four-way valve 111 to the fourth end of the first four-way valve 111 and flows out from the fourth end. After the refrigerant flows out, it flows into the first end of the first bypass valve 112 through a pipeline and flows out from the second end of the first bypass valve 112. Since the second bypass valve 113 is in the closed state, the refrigerant flows out from the second end of the first bypass valve 112 and then flows into the first drive unit 121 through a pipeline, realizing refrigerant recovery, and will not flow into the liquid storage device 14. The output of the first drive unit 121 releases refrigerant. Since the second bypass valve 113 is closed, the released refrigerant flows into the first end of the first four-way valve 111 through the pipeline and flows out from the third end of the first four-way valve 111. The outflowing refrigerant flows through the pipeline to the first end of the liquid storage device 14 and flows into the liquid storage device 14, but does not flow into the input of the first drive unit 121. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the second sub-heating mode in the first heating mode or the second sub-cooling mode in the first cooling mode.

[0097] In some embodiments, see Figure 8 When the first end of the first bypass valve 112 is connected to the third end of the first four-way valve 111, the second end of the first bypass valve 112 is connected to the coupling point between the first end of the liquid storage device 14 and the first end of the second bypass valve 113, and the first drive unit 121 is in the open state, the first end and the third end of the first four-way valve 111 are in the connected state, the first bypass valve 112 is in the open state and the second bypass valve 113 is in the closed state, the liquid storage device 14 stores the refrigerant released by the first drive unit 121.

[0098] Specifically: the refrigerant released from the output end of the first drive unit 121 flows into the first end of the first bypass valve 112 through the pipeline and flows out from the second end of the first bypass valve 112. Since the second bypass valve 113 is in the closed state, the refrigerant flowing out from the second end of the first bypass valve 112 flows into the first end of the liquid storage device 14 through the pipeline to be (temporarily) stored in the liquid storage device 14. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the second sub-heating mode in the first heating mode or the second sub-cooling mode in the first cooling mode.

[0099] In some embodiments, see Figure 9 When the first end of the first bypass valve 112 is connected to the third end of the first four-way valve 111, the second end of the first bypass valve 112 is connected to the second end of the second bypass valve 113, and the input end of the first drive unit 121, and the first drive unit 121 is in the open state, the first end and the third end of the first four-way valve 111 are in the connected state, the first bypass valve 112 is in the open state, and the second bypass valve 113 is in the open state, the liquid storage unit 14 stores the refrigerant released by the first drive unit 121.

[0100] Specifically: the refrigerant released from the output end of the first drive unit 121 flows into the first end of the first bypass valve 112 through the pipeline and flows out from the second end of the first bypass valve 112. After flowing out, the refrigerant has three paths. The first path of refrigerant flows into the first end of the second bypass valve 113 and flows out from the second end of the second bypass valve 113. Then it flows into the first end of the liquid storage container 14 through the pipeline to be (temporarily) stored in the liquid storage container 14. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the second sub-heating mode of the first heating mode or the second sub-cooling mode of the first cooling mode. The second path of refrigerant flows into the input end of the first drive unit 121. The third path of refrigerant flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 through the first four-way valve 111.

[0101] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figures 10-15The valve assembly 11 includes a second four-way valve 114. The first end of the second four-way valve 114 (indicated by "1" in the figure) is connected to the output end of the second drive unit 122 through a pipeline. The second end of the second four-way valve 114 (indicated by "2" in the figure) is connected to the input end of the second drive unit 122 through a pipeline. The third end of the second four-way valve 114 (indicated by "3" in the figure) is connected to the first heat exchange unit 131 through a pipeline, specifically to the second end of the first heat exchange unit 131 (indicated by a dashed line in the figure). The fourth end of the second four-way valve 114 (indicated by "4" in the figure) is connected to the first drive unit 121 through a pipeline.

[0102] The second four-way valve 114 of this application is similar to or the same as the first four-way valve 111. For details, please refer to the description of the first four-way valve 111 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0103] In some embodiments, when the second drive unit 122 is in the open state and the first and third ends of the second four-way valve 114 are in the connected state, the refrigerant released by the second drive unit 122 flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 through the second four-way valve 114 so that the first heat exchange unit 131 heats the electronic device 100.

[0104] Specifically: when the second drive unit 122 is in the open state and the first and third ends of the second four-way valve 114 are in the connected state, the high-temperature refrigerant released by the second drive unit 122 flows into the first end of the second four-way valve 114 through the pipeline. The high-temperature refrigerant flows from the first end of the second four-way valve 114 to the third end of the second four-way valve 114 and flows out from the third end. After the high-temperature refrigerant flows out, it flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 through the pipeline, so that the first heat exchange unit 131 heats the electronic device 100, and the thermal management device 10 is in the second heating mode.

[0105] In some embodiments, when the second drive unit 122 is in the open state and the second end and the third end of the second four-way valve 114 are in the connected state, after heat dissipation is completed, the refrigerant flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131 and is recovered to the second drive unit 122 via the second four-way valve 114.

[0106] Specifically: when the second drive unit 122 is in the open state and the second and third ends of the second four-way valve 114 are in the connected state, after heat dissipation is completed, the high-temperature refrigerant flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131 (specifically from the second end of the first heat exchange unit 131), the high-temperature refrigerant flows into the third end of the second four-way valve 114 through the pipeline, and then flows out from the second end of the second four-way valve 114. After the high-temperature refrigerant flows out, it flows into the input end of the second drive unit 122 through the pipeline, realizing refrigerant recovery, and the thermal management device 10 is in the third recovery mode.

[0107] In some embodiments, the second end of the liquid storage device 14 is connected to the fourth end of the second four-way valve 114. After the refrigerant flows out from the fourth end of the second four-way valve 114, it flows into the second end of the liquid storage device 14 through a pipeline to be stored in the liquid storage device 14. Alternatively, after the refrigerant flows out from the output end of the first drive unit 121, it flows into the first end of the liquid storage device 14 through a pipeline. The refrigerant flowing out from the second end of the liquid storage device 14 flows into the fourth end of the second four-way valve 114 through a pipeline.

[0108] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figures 11-15 The heat exchange assembly 13 also includes a second heat exchange unit 132. The first end of the second heat exchange unit 132 is connected to the fourth end of the second four-way valve 114 through a pipeline, and the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132 is connected to the input end of the first drive unit 121 through a pipeline. The second heat exchange unit 132 is used to dissipate heat from the refrigerant flowing through it.

[0109] In some embodiments, the second heat exchange unit 132 includes a condenser. As a heat-dissipating device, the condenser can cool the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant to a normal-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant. When the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant is in a gaseous state, the condenser can also liquefy it into a normal-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant. Simultaneously, the condenser can also release the absorbed heat to the external environment.

[0110] In some embodiments, the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132 is connected to the second end of the liquid storage device 14 through a pipeline. The low-temperature refrigerant flows out from the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132 and then flows into the liquid storage device 14. Alternatively, the refrigerant flowing out from the second end of the liquid storage device 14 flows into the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132 through a pipeline.

[0111] In some embodiments, when the second drive unit 122 is in the open state and the second end and the fourth end of the second four-way valve 114 are in the connected state, the refrigerant that has completed heating flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131 and is recovered to the second drive unit 122 via the second heat exchange unit 132 and the second four-way valve 114.

[0112] Specifically: When the second drive unit 122 is in the open state and the second and fourth ends of the second four-way valve 114 are connected, after heating is completed, the low-temperature refrigerant flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131 (specifically from the first end of the first heat exchange unit 131). The low-temperature refrigerant flows into the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132 through a pipeline. The second heat exchange unit 132 exchanges heat with the air, cools the low-temperature refrigerant, and outputs an even lower-temperature refrigerant. The even lower-temperature refrigerant flows out from the first end of the second heat exchange unit 132 and then flows into the fourth end of the second four-way valve 114 through a pipeline, and then flows out from the second end of the second four-way valve 114. After the even lower-temperature refrigerant flows out, it flows into the input end of the second drive unit 122 through a pipeline, realizing refrigerant recovery. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the fourth recovery mode. It can be understood that since the first heat exchange unit 131 outputs low-temperature refrigerant, the second heat exchange unit 132 may not exist at this time, or the second heat exchange unit 132 may exist but not work in this recovery mode.

[0113] In some embodiments, when the second drive unit 122 is in the open state and the first and fourth ends of the second four-way valve 114 are in the connected state, the refrigerant released by the second drive unit 122 flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 through the second four-way valve 114 and the second heat exchange unit 132, so that the first heat exchange unit 131 dissipates heat to the electronic device 100.

[0114] Specifically: When the second drive unit 122 is in the open state and the first and fourth ends of the second four-way valve 114 are in the connected state, the high-temperature refrigerant released by the second drive unit 122 flows into the first end of the second four-way valve 114 through the pipeline. The high-temperature refrigerant flows from the first end of the second four-way valve 114 to the fourth end of the second four-way valve 114 and flows out from the fourth end. After the high-temperature refrigerant flows out, it flows into the first end of the second heat exchange unit 132 through the pipeline. The second heat exchange unit 132 exchanges heat with the air, cooling the high-temperature refrigerant to a low-temperature refrigerant. After the low-temperature refrigerant flows out from the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132, it flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 through the pipeline, so that the first heat exchange unit 131 dissipates heat to the electronic device 100, and the thermal management device 10 is in the second cooling mode.

[0115] It is understandable that, in order to ensure that as much refrigerant as possible flows from the first heat exchange unit 131 into the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132, or to ensure that as much refrigerant as possible flows from the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132 into the first heat exchange unit 131, valves (such as the first bypass valve 112 and the second bypass valve 113 mentioned above) can be installed to prevent diversion.

[0116] Since the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132 is connected not only to the input end of the first drive unit 121 (connected to the second end of the liquid storage unit 14 when the liquid storage unit 14 is present), but also to the first heat exchange unit 131, a three-way valve can be set to achieve reusability of the second heat exchange unit 132, so as to control the refrigerant flow direction through the three-way valve.

[0117] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figures 12-15 The valve assembly 11 also includes a first three-way valve 115. The first end of the first three-way valve 115 (indicated by "1" in the figure) is connected to the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132 through a pipeline. The second end of the first three-way valve 115 (indicated by "2" in the figure) is connected to the first heat exchange unit 131 through a pipeline, specifically connected to the first end of the first heat exchange unit 131. The third end of the first three-way valve 115 (indicated by "3" in the figure) is connected to the first drive unit 121 through a pipeline, specifically connected to the input end of the first drive unit 121.

[0118] The first three-way valve 115 is an electric valve, solenoid valve, or manual valve with three ports. It can split the inflowing refrigerant into two outflows (i.e., one port in and the other two ports out) to achieve flow diversion, or merge the two inflowing refrigerant into one outflow (i.e., two ports in and one port out) to achieve flow merging, and adjust the flow rate of the two lines according to a preset ratio, or make the inflowing refrigerant flow out from one line (i.e., one port in and one port out).

[0119] In some embodiments, when a liquid storage unit 14 is included, the second end of the liquid storage unit 14 is connected to the third end of the first three-way valve 115. Refrigerant flows out from the third end of the first three-way valve 115 and then flows into the second end of the liquid storage unit 14 through a pipeline. The liquid storage unit 14 stores the recovered refrigerant. Alternatively, after the refrigerant is released by the first drive unit 121, it flows into the first end of the liquid storage unit 14 through a pipeline. The refrigerant is stored in the liquid storage unit 14, and the refrigerant in the liquid storage unit 14 can flow out from the second end of the liquid storage unit 14 and flow into the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132 via the first three-way valve 115.

[0120] In some embodiments, when the second drive unit 122 is in the open state, the first and fourth ends of the second four-way valve 114 are in a connected state, the second and third ends of the second four-way valve 114 are in a connected state, the first and second ends of the first three-way valve 115 are in a connected state, and the third end of the first three-way valve 115 is in a closed state, the refrigerant released by the second drive unit 122 flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 through the second four-way valve 114, the second heat exchange unit 132, and the first three-way valve 115, so that the first heat exchange unit 131 is circulated with refrigerant and dissipates heat from the electronic device 100. After the refrigerant has completed dissipation, it flows out of the first heat exchange unit 131 and is recovered to the second drive unit 122 through the second four-way valve 114.

[0121] Specifically: the high-temperature refrigerant released from the output end of the second drive unit 122 flows into the first end of the second four-way valve 114 through a pipeline and flows out from the fourth end of the second four-way valve 114. After the high-temperature refrigerant flows out, it flows into the first end of the second heat exchange unit 132 through a pipeline. The second heat exchange unit 132 exchanges heat with the air, cools the high-temperature refrigerant, and outputs low-temperature refrigerant. The low-temperature refrigerant flows out from the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132 and flows into the first end of the first three-way valve 115 through a pipeline. The low-temperature refrigerant flows from the first end of the first three-way valve 115 to the second end of the first three-way valve 115 and flows out from the second end of the first three-way valve 115. After the low-temperature refrigerant flows out, it flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 through a pipeline (specifically into the first end of the first heat exchange unit 131), so that the first heat exchange unit 131 is circulated with low-temperature refrigerant and dissipates heat to the electronic device 100. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the second cooling mode. After heat dissipation is completed, the high-temperature refrigerant flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131 (specifically from the second end of the first heat exchange unit 131), and flows into the third end of the second four-way valve 114 through the pipeline, and then flows out from the second end of the second four-way valve 114. After the high-temperature refrigerant flows out, it flows through the pipeline to the input end of the second drive unit 122 to realize refrigerant recovery. The thermal management device 10 is in the third recovery mode.

[0122] In some embodiments, when the second drive unit 122 is in the open state, the first and third ends of the second four-way valve 114 are in a connected state, the second and fourth ends of the second four-way valve 114 are in a connected state, the first and second ends of the first three-way valve 115 are in a connected state, and the third end of the first three-way valve 115 is in a closed state, the refrigerant released by the second drive unit 122 flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 through the second four-way valve 114, so that the first heat exchange unit 131 is circulated with refrigerant and heats the electronic device 100. After the refrigerant has finished heating, it flows out of the first heat exchange unit 131 and is recovered to the second drive unit 122 through the first three-way valve 115, the second heat exchange unit 132, and the second four-way valve 114.

[0123] Specifically: the high-temperature refrigerant released from the output end of the second drive unit 122 flows into the first end of the second four-way valve 114 through the pipeline and flows out from the third end of the second four-way valve 114. After the high-temperature refrigerant flows out, it flows through the pipeline to the first heat exchange unit 131 (specifically into the second end of the first heat exchange unit 131), so that the first heat exchange unit 131 is circulated by the high-temperature refrigerant and heats the electronic device 100, and the thermal management device 10 is in the second heating mode. After heating is complete, the low-temperature refrigerant flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131 (specifically, from the first end of the first heat exchange unit 131). The low-temperature refrigerant flows through a pipeline into the second end of the first three-way valve 115 and out from the first end of the first three-way valve 115. After exiting the first three-way valve 115, the low-temperature refrigerant flows through a pipeline into the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132. The second heat exchange unit 132 exchanges heat with the air, cooling the low-temperature refrigerant and outputting an even lower-temperature refrigerant. The even lower-temperature refrigerant flows out from the first end of the second heat exchange unit 132 and then through a pipeline into the fourth end of the second four-way valve 114 and out from the second end of the second four-way valve 114. After exiting the second four-way valve 114, the even lower-temperature refrigerant flows through a pipeline into the second drive unit 122, thus achieving refrigerant recovery. The thermal management device 10 is in the fourth recovery mode. It can be understood that since the first heat exchange unit 131 outputs low-temperature refrigerant, the second heat exchange unit 132 may not exist at this time, or the second heat exchange unit 132 may exist but not operate in this recovery mode.

[0124] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figures 13-15 The valve assembly 11 also includes a second three-way valve 116. The first end of the second three-way valve 116 (indicated by "1" in the figure) is connected to the input end of the second drive unit 122 through a pipeline. The second end of the second three-way valve 116 (indicated by "2" in the figure) is connected to the second end of the second four-way valve 114 through a pipeline. The third end of the second three-way valve 116 (indicated by "3" in the figure) is connected to the first end of the second four-way valve 114 through a pipeline.

[0125] The second three-way valve 116 of this application is the same as or similar to the first three-way valve 115. For details, please refer to the description of the first three-way valve 115 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0126] In some embodiments, when the first drive unit 121 is in the open state, the second and third ends of the second four-way valve 114 are in a connected state, the first and fourth ends of the second four-way valve 114 are in a connected state, the second and third ends of the second three-way valve 116 are in a connected state, and the first end of the second three-way valve 116 is in a closed state, the refrigerant that has completed heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131 and is recovered to the first drive unit 121 via the second four-way valve 114, the second three-way valve 116, the second heat exchange unit 132, and the first three-way valve 115. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the second sub-recovery mode of the first recovery mode or the fourth sub-recovery mode of the second recovery mode. In some embodiments, the recovery mode corresponding to the first sub-heating mode is the first sub-recovery mode, the recovery mode corresponding to the first sub-cooling mode is the third sub-recovery mode, the recovery mode corresponding to the second sub-heating mode is the second sub-recovery mode, and the recovery mode corresponding to the second sub-cooling mode is the fourth sub-recovery mode.

[0127] In some embodiments, when the first drive unit 121 is in the open state, the second and fourth ends of the second four-way valve 114 are in the connected state, the first and third ends of the second four-way valve 114 are in the connected state, the first and second ends of the first three-way valve 115 are in the connected state, the second end of the first three-way valve 115 is in the closed state, the second and third ends of the second three-way valve 116 are in the connected state and the first end of the second three-way valve 116 is in the closed state, the refrigerant released by the first drive unit 121 or the refrigerant released by the liquid storage device 14 flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 through the first three-way valve 115, the second heat exchange unit 132, the second four-way valve 114 and the second three-way valve 116. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the second sub-heating mode in the first heating mode or the second sub-cooling mode in the first cooling mode. In some embodiments, when the second drive unit 122 is in the open state, the second and third ends of the second four-way valve 114 are in the connected state, the first and second ends of the second three-way valve 116 are in the connected state and the third end of the second three-way valve 116 is in the closed state, after heat dissipation is completed, the refrigerant flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131 and is recovered to the second drive unit 122 via the second four-way valve 114 and the second three-way valve 116. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the third recovery mode.

[0128] In some embodiments, when the second drive unit 122 is in the open state, the second and fourth ends of the second four-way valve 114 are in the connected state, the first and second ends of the second three-way valve 116 are in the connected state and the third end of the second three-way valve 116 is in the closed state, the refrigerant that has completed heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit 131 and is recovered to the second drive unit 122 via the first three-way valve 115, the second heat exchange unit 132, the second four-way valve 114 and the second three-way valve 116. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in the fourth recovery mode.

[0129] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 15 The valve assembly 11 also includes a first check valve 117. The input end of the first check valve 117 is connected to the output end of the first drive unit 121 through a pipeline, and the output end of the first check valve 117 is connected to the first end of the first four-way valve 111 through a pipeline.

[0130] The first one-way valve 117 is a one-way valve that only allows refrigerant to flow in one direction. That is, the first one-way valve 117 only allows refrigerant to flow in from the inlet and out from the outlet; refrigerant cannot flow in from the outlet or out from the inlet. The first one-way valve 117 prevents refrigerant from flowing back from the first end of the first four-way valve 111 to the input end of the first drive unit 121.

[0131] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 15 The valve assembly 11 also includes a second check valve 118. The input end of the second check valve 118 is connected to the second end of the second four-way valve 114 via a pipeline, and the output end of the second check valve 118 is connected to the first end of the second four-way valve 114 via a pipeline. The second check valve 118 is provided to prevent refrigerant from flowing back from the first end of the second four-way valve 114 to the second end of the second four-way valve 114.

[0132] The second check valve 118 has the same or similar structure as the first check valve 117. For the function of the second check valve 118, please refer to the description of the first check valve 117 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0133] In some embodiments, valve assembly 11 includes a second three-way valve 116, the second end of which is connected to the second end of a second four-way valve 114 via a pipeline, the third end of which is connected to the input end of a second one-way valve 118 via a pipeline, and the output end of the second one-way valve 118 is connected to the first end of the second four-way valve 114 via a pipeline. The second one-way valve 118 prevents refrigerant from flowing back from the first end of the second four-way valve 114 to the third end of the second three-way valve 116 and the second end of the second four-way valve 114. The second one-way valve 118 also prevents refrigerant from flowing out of the second drive unit 122 and being diverted to the pipeline at the second end of the second four-way valve 114, and further prevents refrigerant flowing out from the second end of the second four-way valve 114 from flowing back to the second end of the second four-way valve 114.

[0134] In some embodiments, valve assembly 11 includes a second three-way valve 116. To save piping, the second end of the second three-way valve 116 is connected to the second end of the second four-way valve 114 via a pipe, and the third end of the second three-way valve 116 is connected to the input end of a second one-way valve 118 via a pipe. The output end of the second one-way valve 118 is connected to the output end of a second drive unit 122 via a pipe, and the output end of the second drive unit 122 is connected to the first end of the second four-way valve 114 via a pipe. The second one-way valve 118 prevents refrigerant from flowing out of the second drive unit 122 from being diverted to the pipe at the third end of the second three-way valve 116, and also prevents refrigerant flowing out of the third end of the second three-way valve 116 from flowing back to the third end of the second four-way valve 114 from the first end of the second three-way valve 116.

[0135] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 15 The valve assembly 11 also includes a third check valve 119. The input end of the third check valve 119 is connected to the output end of the second drive unit 122, and the output end of the third check valve 119 is connected to the first end of the second four-way valve 114. The third check valve 119 not only prevents the refrigerant output from the second drive unit 122 from flowing back to the second drive unit 122, but also prevents the refrigerant output from the first end of the second four-way valve 114 from flowing back to the first end of the second four-way valve 114.

[0136] The third check valve 119 has the same or similar structure as the first check valve 117 and the second check valve 118. For the function of the third check valve 119, please refer to the description of the first check valve 117 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0137] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figures 10-15 The thermal management device 10 also includes a heating component 15, the first end of which is connected to the second end of the first four-way valve 111 via a pipeline, and the second end of the heating component 15 is connected to the first heat exchange unit 131 via a pipeline.

[0138] In some embodiments, when the first drive unit 121 is in the open state, the first end and the second end of the first four-way valve 111 are in the connected state, and the heating component 15 is in the working state, the refrigerant released by the first drive unit 121 flows into the heating component 15 through the first four-way valve 111. The heating component 15 is used to heat the flowing refrigerant. The refrigerant heated by the first heat exchange unit 131 flows through and heats the electronic device 100.

[0139] Specifically: the cryogenic refrigerant released by the first drive unit 121 flows into the first end of the first four-way valve 111 through a pipeline. The cryogenic refrigerant flows from the first end of the first four-way valve 111 to the second end and then flows out from the second end. After flowing out, the cryogenic refrigerant flows into the first end of the heating assembly 15 through a pipeline. The heating assembly 15 heats the cryogenic refrigerant and outputs high-temperature refrigerant. The high-temperature refrigerant flows out from the second end of the heating assembly 15 and then flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 through a pipeline (specifically into the first end of the first heat exchange unit 131), so that the first heat exchange unit 131 is traversed by the high-temperature refrigerant and heats the electronic device 100. The heating assembly 15 operates when the thermal management device 10 is in the first sub-heating mode. The first sub-heating mode and the first sub-cooling mode have the same piping or path. Taking the refrigerant released by the first drive unit 121 as a low-temperature refrigerant as an example, the difference between the first sub-heating mode and the first sub-cooling mode is whether the heating component 15 is turned on. When the heating component 15 is turned on, the thermal management device 10 is in the first sub-heating mode. When the heating component 15 is not turned on, the thermal management device 10 is in the first sub-cooling mode.

[0140] Since the second end of the first three-way valve 115 is connected to the first end of the first heat exchange unit 131, and the second end of the first four-way valve 111 is connected to the first end of the first heat exchange unit 131, when the heating component 15 is present, the second end of the heating component 15 is connected to the first end of the first heat exchange unit 131. In order to realize pipeline reuse and save pipelines, a three-way valve can be set to control the refrigerant flow direction through the three-way valve.

[0141] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 15The valve assembly 11 also includes a third three-way valve 120. The first end of the third three-way valve 120 (indicated by "1" in the figure) is connected to the second end of the first three-way valve 115. The second end of the third three-way valve 120 (indicated by "2" in the figure) is connected to the second end of the first four-way valve 111. The third end of the third three-way valve 120 (indicated by "3" in the figure) is connected to the first heat exchange unit 131. Specifically, the third end of the third three-way valve 120 is connected to the first end of the first heat exchange unit 131. In one application scenario, when the thermal management device 10 includes a heating assembly 15, the second end of the third three-way valve 120 is connected to the second end of the heating assembly 15, and the first end of the heating assembly 15 is connected to the second end of the first four-way valve 111.

[0142] In some embodiments, when the thermal management device 10 is in the first sub-heating mode, the first sub-cooling mode, the first sub-recovery mode, or the third sub-recovery mode, the second and third ends of the third three-way valve 120 are in a connected state, and the first end of the third three-way valve 120 is in a closed state.

[0143] When the thermal management device 10 is in the second cooling mode or the fourth recovery mode, the first and third ends of the third three-way valve 120 are in a connected state, and the second end of the third three-way valve 120 is in a closed state.

[0144] According to some embodiments of this application, the first drive unit 121 includes a refrigerant pump, the input end of the refrigerant pump serves as the input end of the first drive unit 121, and the output end of the refrigerant pump serves as the output end of the first drive unit 121. The refrigerant pump is used to release refrigerant or recover refrigerant after heat exchange.

[0145] It is worth noting that when the refrigerant pump releases refrigerant into the liquid receiver 14, the liquid receiver 14 functions as a storage container to hold the refrigerant released by the refrigerant pump, or it functions as a separator to separate the refrigerant released by the refrigerant pump into gas and liquid states. It is also worth noting that the refrigerant flowing into the first end of the liquid receiver 14 may have the same or different state and type as the refrigerant flowing out of the second end of the liquid receiver 14. In some embodiments, the first drive unit 121 is used to drive liquid refrigerant, and the second drive unit 122 is used to drive gaseous refrigerant. The refrigerant flowing into the first drive unit 121 and the refrigerant released by the first drive unit 121 are both liquid refrigerant, while the refrigerant flowing into the second drive unit 122 and the refrigerant released by the second drive unit 122 are both gaseous refrigerant.

[0146] According to some embodiments of this application, the second drive unit 122 includes a compressor, the output end of the compressor serves as the output end of the second drive unit 122, the input end of the compressor serves as the input end of the second drive unit 122, and the compressor is used to release or recover refrigerant.

[0147] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 15 The thermal management device 10 also includes an oil separator 16 and a gas-liquid separator 17.

[0148] The first end of the oil separator 16 is connected to the output end of the compressor via a pipeline, and the second end of the oil separator 16 is connected to the first target object via a pipeline. The oil separator 16 is used to separate oil from the refrigerant output by the compressor. The first target object is the first end of the second four-way valve 114, the output end of the second one-way valve 118, or the input end of the third one-way valve 119.

[0149] The first end of the gas-liquid separator 17 is connected to the input end of the compressor via a pipeline, and the second end of the gas-liquid separator 17 is connected to the second target object via a pipeline. The gas-liquid separator 17 is used to vaporize the refrigerant input to the compressor. The second target object is the first end of the second four-way valve 114, the second end of the second four-way valve 114, or the first end of the second three-way valve 116.

[0150] According to some embodiments of this application, the amount of refrigerant driven by the first driving unit 121 during normal operation is greater than the amount of refrigerant driven by the second driving unit 122 during normal operation.

[0151] The thermal management device 10 needs to switch to the first sub-heating mode or the first sub-cooling mode first, so as to use the first drive unit 121 to release refrigerant, increase the amount of refrigerant in the pipeline, and ensure that the heat exchange between the first drive unit 121 and the first heat exchange unit 131 can proceed normally.

[0152] Before switching from being driven by the first drive unit 121 to being driven by the second drive unit 122, or before switching from heat exchange between the first drive unit 121 and the first heat exchange unit 131 to heat exchange between the second drive unit 122 and the first heat exchange unit 131, the thermal management device 10 needs to switch to the first sub-recovery mode or the third sub-recovery mode to reduce the amount of refrigerant in the pipeline and avoid waste.

[0153] According to some embodiments of this application, when the liquid storage device 14 recovers and releases refrigerant, it can be determined whether the refrigerant flows into the first opening 23 or the second opening 24 of the pipe assembly 21 based on the form of the refrigerant in the pipeline under different modes.

[0154] In one application scenario, when the thermal management device 10 is in the first sub-heating mode, the pure liquid refrigerant is released by the output end of the first drive unit 121 and flows to the heating component 15. The heating component 15 heats the pure liquid refrigerant, causing it to become a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the first heat exchange unit 131, condenses and releases heat (the gaseous state condenses into the liquid state), and then flows out of the first heat exchange unit 131. The refrigerant that flows out may be a pure liquid refrigerant or a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. When the thermal management device 10 is in the first sub-recovery mode, pure liquid refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows through the second heat exchange unit 132 and finally into the first opening 23 of the pipe assembly 21. If the refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchange unit 132 is a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, the input end of the first drive unit 121 is required to be connected to the second opening 24 of the pipe assembly 21 in the liquid storage device 14, and the first opening 23 of the pipe assembly 21 is connected to the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132. When the first three-way valve 115 is present, the first opening 23 of the pipe assembly 21 is connected to the third end of the first three-way valve 115 to allow the gas-liquid refrigerant to flow smoothly. After the two-phase refrigerant flows into the accommodating cavity 22 of the tank 20 from the first opening 23, gas-liquid separation occurs, causing the liquid refrigerant to sink to the bottom of the accommodating cavity 22 in the tank 20, while the gaseous refrigerant floats to the top of the accommodating cavity 22 in the tank 20. The refrigerant flowing into the first driving unit 121 from the second opening 24 is pure liquid refrigerant. If the refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchange unit 132 is pure liquid refrigerant, gas-liquid separation will not occur after the pure liquid refrigerant flows into the accommodating cavity 22 of the tank 20 from the first opening 23, and the refrigerant flowing into the first driving unit 121 from the second opening 24 is pure liquid refrigerant.

[0155] In one application scenario, when the thermal management device 10 is in the first sub-cooling mode, since the heating component 15 is not working, the pure liquid refrigerant flowing out from the output end of the first drive unit 121 will not be vaporized. The pure liquid refrigerant flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 to absorb heat and evaporate (the liquid evaporates into the gaseous state) and then flows out of the first heat exchange unit 131. The refrigerant flowing out is a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. When the thermal management device 10 is in the third sub-recovery mode, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant passes through the second heat exchange unit 132. If the second heat exchange unit 132 is not working, the refrigerant flowing into the pipe assembly 21 is a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. In order to ensure that the refrigerant supplied by the liquid storage unit 14 to the first drive unit 121 is a pure liquid refrigerant, the input end of the first drive unit 121 is required to be connected to the second opening 24 of the pipe assembly 21 in the liquid storage unit 14, and the first opening 23 of the pipe assembly 21 is connected to the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132. When the first three-way valve 115 is present, the first opening 23 of the pipe assembly 21 is connected to the third end of the first three-way valve 115, so that the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchange unit 132 flows into the accommodating cavity 22 of the tank 20 from the first opening 23 and undergoes gas-liquid separation. The refrigerant flowing into the first drive unit 121 from the second opening 24 is a pure liquid refrigerant. If the second heat exchange unit 132 is working, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant releases heat and condenses. If it becomes a pure liquid refrigerant, the opening of the container cavity 22 of the tank 20 into the pure liquid refrigerant can be either the first opening 23 or the second opening 24. If it remains a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant after condensation, the opening of the container cavity 22 into the tank 20 into the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant must be the first opening 23.

[0156] In one application scenario, when the thermal management device 10 is in the second sub-heating mode, the first drive unit 121 releases pure liquid refrigerant. The pure liquid refrigerant flows through the liquid storage unit 14 and the second heat exchange unit 132 to the first heat exchange unit 131. Since the second heat exchange unit 132 exchanges heat with the air during operation, thus lowering the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through it, to achieve heating, it is required that the second heat exchange unit 132 not operate in the second sub-heating mode. The refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchange unit 132 remains pure liquid refrigerant. The pure liquid refrigerant flows into the first heat exchange unit 131, condenses and releases heat (gas condenses into liquid), and then flows out of the first heat exchange unit 131. The outflowing refrigerant is pure liquid refrigerant. When the thermal management device 10 is in the second sub-recovery mode, the pure liquid refrigerant flows into the input terminal of the first drive unit 121. Based on this, the input end of the first drive unit 121 is connected to the second opening 24 of the tube assembly 21 in the liquid storage container 14, the first opening 23 of the tube assembly 21 is connected to the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132, and when the first three-way valve 115 is present, the second opening 24 of the tube assembly 21 is connected to the third end of the first three-way valve 115; or, the input end of the first drive unit 121 is connected to the first opening 23 of the tube assembly 21 in the liquid storage container 14, the second opening 24 of the tube assembly 21 is connected to the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132, and when the first three-way valve 115 is present, the second opening 24 of the tube assembly 21 is connected to the third end of the first three-way valve 115.

[0157] In one application scenario, when the thermal management device 10 is in the second sub-cooling mode, the first drive unit 121 releases pure liquid refrigerant. The pure liquid refrigerant flows to the first heat exchange unit 131 after passing through the liquid storage device 14 and the second heat exchange unit 132. The second heat exchange unit 132 works and exchanges heat with the air to reduce the temperature of the outflowing pure liquid refrigerant. The cooled pure liquid refrigerant flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 to evaporate and absorb heat (the liquid evaporates into the gaseous state) and then flows out of the first heat exchange unit 131. The outflowing refrigerant is a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. When the thermal management device 10 is in the fourth sub-recovery mode, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the input end of the first drive unit 121. In order to ensure that the refrigerant supplied by the liquid storage device 14 to the first drive unit 121 is pure liquid refrigerant, the input end of the first drive unit 121 is required to be connected to the second opening 24 of the tube assembly 21 in the liquid storage device 14. The first opening 23 of the tube assembly 21 is connected to the second end of the second heat exchange unit 132. When the first three-way valve 115 is present, the first opening 23 of the tube assembly 21 is connected to the third end of the first three-way valve 115 so that the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is separated into gas and liquid after flowing out from the first opening 23, and pure liquid refrigerant flows out from the second opening 24.

[0158] In one application scenario, when the thermal management device 10 is in the second heating mode, the second drive unit 122 releases pure gaseous refrigerant. This pure gaseous refrigerant bypasses the second heat exchange unit 132 and the liquid storage unit 14. Instead, it flows to the first heat exchange unit 131, condenses and releases heat (from gaseous to liquid), and then flows out of the first heat exchange unit 131. The outflowing refrigerant is either a two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant or a pure liquid refrigerant. When the thermal management device 10 is in the fourth recovery mode, the two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant flows into the input of the second drive unit 122 via the second heat exchange unit 132. If the second heat exchange unit 132 is operating, the two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant releases heat and condenses into a pure liquid refrigerant, or remains a two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. Since the second drive unit 122 drives the gaseous refrigerant, to prevent liquid refrigerant from flowing into the second drive unit 122, the second heat exchange unit 132 is required to remain inactive. Furthermore, a gas-liquid separator 17 is provided at the input end of the second drive unit 122, which can be used to vaporize pure liquid refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to become gaseous refrigerant.

[0159] In one application scenario, when the thermal management device 10 is in the second cooling mode, the second drive unit 122 releases pure gaseous refrigerant. This pure gaseous refrigerant flows into the first heat exchange unit 131 via the second heat exchange unit 132. The second heat exchange unit 132 operates, exchanging heat with the air. The pure gaseous refrigerant releases heat and condenses, becoming a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. This gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the first heat exchange unit 131, evaporating and absorbing heat (from liquid to gas), before flowing out of the first heat exchange unit 131. The outflowing refrigerant is either a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant or a gaseous refrigerant. When the thermal management device 10 is in the third recovery mode, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant or the gaseous refrigerant flows into the input terminal of the second drive unit 122. Since the second drive unit 122 drives the gaseous refrigerant, in order to prevent the liquid refrigerant from flowing into the second drive unit 122, a gas-liquid separator 17 is provided at the input end of the second drive unit 122. The gas-liquid separator 17 can be used to vaporize the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to turn it into a gaseous refrigerant.

[0160] In some embodiments, when the ambient temperature is greater than or equal to a first temperature value, the thermal management device 10 switches to a second cooling mode or a third recovery mode.

[0161] When the ambient temperature is lower than the second temperature value and the temperature of the electronic device 100 is lower than 0°C, the thermal management device 10 switches to either the second heating mode or the fourth recovery mode. The second temperature value is lower than the first temperature value.

[0162] When the ambient temperature is lower than the third temperature value, the thermal management device 10 switches to the first heating mode, specifically to the first sub-heating mode or the first sub-recovery mode. The third temperature value is lower than the second temperature value.

[0163] When the ambient temperature is lower than the first temperature value, the thermal management device 10 switches to the first cooling mode, specifically to the first sub-cooling mode or the third sub-recovery mode.

[0164] In one application scenario, the first temperature value is 10℃, the second temperature value is -15℃, and the third temperature value is -25℃.

[0165] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 20 The thermal management device 10 also includes a control component (not shown), which is configured to: Step 11: When switching from heat exchange between the first drive unit and the first heat exchange unit to heat exchange between the second drive unit and the first heat exchange unit, determine whether the thermal management device meets the first switching condition.

[0166] In some embodiments, the instruction corresponding to switching the heat exchange from the first drive unit 121 and the first heat exchange unit 131 to the second drive unit 122 and the first heat exchange unit 131 can be sent by the user through the display interface, or automatically sent by the thermal management device 10 at a preset time, or other methods, depending on the actual situation.

[0167] In some embodiments, the first switching condition is related to the refrigerant dosage. Determining whether the thermal management device 10 meets the first switching condition specifically refers to determining whether the dosage of refrigerant flowing through the thermal management device 10 is less than a first preset value and greater than or equal to a second preset value. The range of the first and second preset values ​​is determined based on actual conditions and is not limited here.

[0168] Step 12: If the condition is not met, control the first drive unit to recover the refrigerant.

[0169] In some embodiments, when the amount of refrigerant is less than a first preset value and greater than or equal to a second preset value, the first switching condition is met, and at this time the thermal management device 10 is in a second cooling mode or a second heating mode to perform heat exchange.

[0170] In some embodiments, when the refrigerant dose is less than a second preset value or the refrigerant dose is greater than a first preset value, the first switching condition is not met, and the first drive unit 121 is controlled to recover the refrigerant. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in a first sub-recovery mode, a second sub-recovery mode, a third sub-recovery mode, or a fourth sub-recovery mode to recover the refrigerant.

[0171] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 21 The thermal management device 10 also includes a control component, which is configured to: Step 21: When switching from heat exchange between the second drive unit and the first heat exchange unit to heat exchange between the first drive unit and the first heat exchange unit, determine whether the thermal management device meets the second switching condition.

[0172] In some embodiments, the instruction corresponding to switching the heat exchange between the second drive unit 122 and the first heat exchange unit 131 to the first drive unit 121 and the first heat exchange unit 131 can be sent by the user through the display interface, or automatically sent by the thermal management device 10 at a preset time, or other methods, depending on the actual situation.

[0173] In some embodiments, the second switching condition is related to the dosage of refrigerant. Determining whether the thermal management device 10 meets the second switching condition specifically refers to determining whether the dosage of refrigerant flowing in the thermal management device 10 is greater than or equal to a first preset value.

[0174] Step 22: If the condition is not met, control the first drive unit to release refrigerant.

[0175] In some embodiments, when the refrigerant dosage is greater than a first preset value, a second switching condition is met. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in a first sub-heating mode, a first sub-cooling mode, a second sub-heating mode, or a second sub-cooling mode to perform heat exchange.

[0176] In some embodiments, when the amount of refrigerant is less than or equal to a first preset value, the switching condition is not met, and the first drive unit 121 is controlled to release the refrigerant. At this time, the thermal management device 10 is in a first sub-heating mode, a first sub-cooling mode, a second sub-heating mode, or a second sub-cooling mode to release the refrigerant.

[0177] It is worth noting that although the thermal management device 10 is in the same mode whether the second switching condition is met or not, the functions performed in the same mode are different. When the second switching condition is met, the thermal management device 10 aims to perform heat exchange. At this time, whether the heating component 15 in the thermal management device 10 works or not is related to the mode it is in. For example, the heating component 15 is required to work in the first sub-heating mode, but not in the second sub-cooling mode. When the second switching condition is not met, the thermal management device 10 aims to release refrigerant. At this time, the heating component 15 is not required to work in a specific mode. For example, the heating component 15 can be in standby or stopped in the first sub-heating mode.

[0178] According to some embodiments of this application, for further distinction, the thermal management device 10 is configured to operate in modes including a first mode to a fifth mode. The first mode is a refrigerant pump heating mode, which includes a first sub-heating mode and a first sub-recovery mode; the second mode is a refrigerant pump cooling mode, which includes a first sub-cooling mode and a third sub-recovery mode; the third mode is a refrigerant pump release mode, which includes a first sub-heating mode and a first sub-recovery mode, or includes a first sub-cooling mode and a third sub-recovery mode. That is, the third mode is the same as the first mode or the third mode, but with a different focus. The third mode aims to release refrigerant, and the start and stop of the third mode can be determined based on the dosage of refrigerant in the pipeline, combined with temperature data. The first mode and the second mode aim to exchange heat with the first heat exchange unit 131, and the start and stop of the mode can be determined based on the heat exchange results, combined with temperature data; the fourth mode is a refrigerant pump recovery mode, which includes a second sub-heating mode and a fourth sub-recovery mode, or includes a second sub-cooling mode and a second sub-recovery mode; the fifth mode is a compressor heating mode, which includes a second heating mode and a fourth recovery mode; and the sixth mode is a compressor cooling mode, which includes a second cooling mode and a third recovery mode.

[0179] In one application scenario, when switching from the first mode to the fifth or sixth mode, or from the second mode to the fifth or sixth mode, the thermal management device 10 needs to switch to the fourth mode first, so as to recover the refrigerant using the fourth sub-recovery mode or the second sub-recovery mode in the fourth mode.

[0180] When switching from the fifth mode to the first or second mode, or from the sixth mode to the first or second mode, the thermal management device 10 needs to switch to the third mode first in order to release the refrigerant using the first sub-heating mode or the first sub-cooling mode in the third mode.

[0181] In one application scenario, when the heat exchange is switched from the first drive unit 121 and the first heat exchange unit 131 to the second drive unit 122 and the first heat exchange unit 131, if the thermal management device 10 meets the first switching condition, the thermal management device 10 switches to the fifth mode or the sixth mode to achieve heat exchange using the second heating mode in the fifth mode or the second cooling mode in the sixth mode. If the thermal management device 10 does not meet the first switching condition, the thermal management device 10 switches to the fourth mode to recover refrigerant using the fourth sub-recovery mode or the second sub-recovery mode in the fourth mode.

[0182] In one application scenario, when switching from heat exchange between the second drive unit 122 and the first heat exchange unit 131 to heat exchange between the first drive unit 121 and the first heat exchange unit 131, if the thermal management device 10 meets the second switching condition, the thermal management device 10 switches to the first mode or the second mode to achieve heat exchange using the first sub-heating mode in the first mode or the first sub-cooling mode in the second mode. If the thermal management device 10 does not meet the second switching condition, the thermal management device 10 switches to the third mode to release refrigerant using the first sub-cooling mode or the first sub-cooling mode in the third mode.

[0183] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and does not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A thermal management device, characterized in that, The thermal management device, applied to electronic devices, includes: The driving component includes a first driving unit and a second driving unit; The heat exchange assembly includes at least a first heat exchange unit; The valve assembly is connected to the first drive unit, the second drive unit, and the first heat exchange unit via pipelines. When either the first drive unit or the second drive unit is in the open state, the open drive unit releases refrigerant through a pipeline, and the refrigerant flows into the first heat exchange unit through the valve assembly, so that the first heat exchange unit exchanges heat with the electronic device; wherein the heat exchange is heating or heat dissipation. After the refrigerant completes the heat exchange, it flows out of the first heat exchange unit and is recovered to the opened drive unit via the valve assembly; wherein the pipeline for releasing the refrigerant is different from the pipeline for recovering the refrigerant.

2. The thermal management device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve assembly includes: The first four-way valve has its first end connected to the output end of the first drive unit via a pipeline, its second end connected to the first heat exchange unit via a pipeline, and its third and fourth ends connected to the input end of the first drive unit via pipelines. When the first drive unit is in the open state and the first end and the second end of the first four-way valve are in the connected state, the refrigerant released by the first drive unit flows into the first heat exchange unit through the first four-way valve so that the first heat exchange unit can exchange heat with the electronic device. When the first drive unit is in the open state and the second and fourth ends of the first four-way valve are in the connected state, the refrigerant that has completed the heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is then recovered to the first drive unit via the first four-way valve.

3. The thermal management device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The thermal management device further includes: A liquid storage device, the first end of which is connected to the input end of the first drive unit via a pipeline, the liquid storage device being used to store recovered refrigerant or to supply the refrigerant to the first drive unit; The valve assembly further includes: a first bypass valve, the second end of which is connected to the input end of the first drive unit via a pipeline; Wherein, the first end of the first bypass valve is connected to the third end of the first four-way valve through a pipeline. When the first drive unit is in the open state and the first bypass valve is in the closed state, the liquid storage device provides the refrigerant to the first drive unit. The refrigerant released by the first drive unit flows into the first heat exchange unit through the first four-way valve so that the first heat exchange unit can exchange heat with the electronic device. Alternatively, the first end of the first bypass valve is connected to the fourth end of the first four-way valve via a pipeline. When the first drive unit is in the open state, the second and fourth ends of the first four-way valve are in the connected state, and the first bypass valve is in the open state, the refrigerant that has completed the heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is then recovered to the first drive unit via the first four-way valve and the first bypass valve.

4. The thermal management device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The valve assembly also includes: The second bypass valve has its first end connected to the first end of the liquid storage device via a pipeline, and its second end connected to the input end of the first drive unit via a pipeline. Specifically, when the first drive unit is in the open state, the first bypass valve is in the closed state, and the second bypass valve is in the open state, the liquid storage device provides the refrigerant to the first drive unit; When the first end of the first bypass valve is connected to the fourth end of the first four-way valve, the second end of the first bypass valve is connected to the coupling point between the second end of the second bypass valve and the input end of the first drive unit, and the first drive unit is in the open state, the second and fourth ends of the first four-way valve are in the connected state, the first bypass valve is in the open state, and the second bypass valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant that has completed the heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is recovered to the first drive unit via the first four-way valve and the first bypass valve; Alternatively, when the first end of the first bypass valve is connected to the third end of the first four-way valve, the second end of the first bypass valve is connected to the coupling point between the first end of the liquid storage device and the first end of the second bypass valve, and the first drive unit is in the open state, the first and third ends of the first four-way valve are in the connected state, the first bypass valve is in the open state, and the second bypass valve is in the closed state, the liquid storage device stores the refrigerant released by the first drive unit.

5. The thermal management device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The thermal management device further includes: A heating assembly, wherein the first end of the heating assembly is connected to the second end of the first four-way valve via a pipeline, and the second end of the heating assembly is connected to the first heat exchange unit via a pipeline; Specifically, when the first drive unit is in the open state, the first end and the second end of the first four-way valve are in the connected state, and the heating component is in the working state, the refrigerant released by the first drive unit flows into the heating component through the first four-way valve. The heating component is used to heat the flowing refrigerant, and the refrigerant heated by the first heat exchange unit flows through and heats the electronic device.

6. The thermal management device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve assembly includes: The second four-way valve has its first end connected to the output end of the second drive unit via a pipeline, its second end connected to the input end of the second drive unit via a pipeline, its third end connected to the first heat exchange unit via a pipeline, and its fourth end connected to the first drive unit via a pipeline. When the second drive unit is in the open state and the first and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the refrigerant released by the second drive unit flows into the first heat exchange unit through the second four-way valve so that the first heat exchange unit heats the electronic device. When the second drive unit is in the open state and the second and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, after heat dissipation is completed, the refrigerant flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is recovered to the second drive unit via the second four-way valve.

7. The thermal management device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The heat exchange assembly also includes: The second heat exchange unit has its first end connected to the fourth end of the second four-way valve via a pipeline, and its second end connected to the input end of the first drive unit via a pipeline. The second heat exchange unit is used to dissipate heat from the refrigerant flowing through it.

8. The thermal management device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The valve assembly also includes: The first three-way valve has its first end connected to the second end of the second heat exchange unit via a pipeline, its second end connected to the first heat exchange unit via a pipeline, and its third end connected to the first drive unit via a pipeline. When the first drive unit is in the open state, the first and fourth ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the second and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the first and third ends of the first three-way valve are in the connected state and the second end of the first three-way valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant that has completed the heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is recovered to the first drive unit via the second four-way valve, the second heat exchange unit and the first three-way valve. When the first drive unit is in the open state, the first and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the second and fourth ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the first and third ends of the first three-way valve are in the connected state and the second end of the first three-way valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant released by the first drive unit flows into the first heat exchange unit through the first three-way valve, the second heat exchange unit and the second four-way valve, so that the first heat exchange unit exchanges heat with the electronic device; When the second drive unit is in the open state, the first and fourth ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the second and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the first and second ends of the first three-way valve are in the connected state and the third end of the first three-way valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant released by the second drive unit flows into the first heat exchange unit through the second four-way valve, the second heat exchange unit and the first three-way valve, so that the first heat exchange unit dissipates heat from the electronic device. After the refrigerant completes the heat dissipation, it flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is recovered to the second drive unit through the second four-way valve. When the second drive unit is in the open state, the first and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the second and fourth ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the first and second ends of the first three-way valve are in the connected state, and the third end of the first three-way valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant released by the second drive unit flows into the first heat exchange unit through the second four-way valve, so that the first heat exchange unit heats the electronic device. After the refrigerant completes the heating, it flows out of the first heat exchange unit and is recovered to the second drive unit through the first three-way valve, the second heat exchange unit, and the second four-way valve.

9. The thermal management device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The valve assembly also includes: The second three-way valve has its first end connected to the input end of the second drive unit via a pipeline, its second end connected to the second end of the second four-way valve via a pipeline, and its third end connected to the first end of the second four-way valve via a pipeline. Specifically, when the first drive unit is in the open state, the first and fourth ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the second and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the second and third ends of the second three-way valve are in the connected state, and the first end of the second three-way valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant that has completed the heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is then recovered to the first drive unit via the second four-way valve, the second three-way valve, the second heat exchange unit, and the first three-way valve. When the first drive unit is in the open state, the second and fourth ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the first and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the first and second ends of the first three-way valve are in the connected state, the second end of the first three-way valve is in the closed state, the second and third ends of the second three-way valve are in the connected state and the first end of the second three-way valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant released by the first drive unit flows into the first heat exchange unit through the first three-way valve, the second heat exchange unit, the second four-way valve and the second three-way valve, so that the first heat exchange unit exchanges heat with the electronic device; When the second drive unit is in the open state, the second and fourth ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the first and second ends of the second three-way valve are in the connected state and the third end of the second three-way valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant that has completed the heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is recovered to the second drive unit via the first three-way valve, the second heat exchange unit, the second four-way valve and the second three-way valve. When the second drive unit is in the open state, the second and third ends of the second four-way valve are in the connected state, the first and second ends of the second three-way valve are in the connected state, and the third end of the second three-way valve is in the closed state, the refrigerant that has completed the heat exchange flows out from the first heat exchange unit and is recovered to the second drive unit via the second four-way valve and the second three-way valve.

10. The thermal management device according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The first driving unit includes: A refrigerant pump, wherein the input end of the refrigerant pump serves as the input end of the first drive unit, and the output end of the refrigerant pump serves as the output end of the first drive unit, and the refrigerant pump is used to release the refrigerant or recover the refrigerant after the heat exchange is completed.

11. The thermal management device according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The second drive unit includes: The compressor has its output end serving as the output end of the second drive unit and its input end serving as the input end of the second drive unit. The compressor is used to release or recover the refrigerant.

12. The thermal management device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The thermal management device further includes: An oil separator, wherein the first end of the oil separator is connected to the output end of the compressor via a pipeline, and the second end of the oil separator is connected to a first target object via a pipeline, the oil separator being used to separate oil from the refrigerant output by the compressor; A gas-liquid separator, wherein the first end of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the input end of the compressor via a pipeline, and the second end of the gas-liquid separator is connected to a second target object via a pipeline, and the gas-liquid separator is used to vaporize the refrigerant input to the compressor.

13. The thermal management device according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The thermal management device further includes a control component, which is configured to: When switching from heat exchange between the first drive unit and the first heat exchange unit to heat exchange between the second drive unit and the first heat exchange unit, it is determined whether the thermal management device meets the first switching condition; If the conditions are not met, the first drive unit is controlled to recover the refrigerant.

14. The thermal management device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The control component is configured as follows: When switching from heat exchange between the second drive unit and the first heat exchange unit to heat exchange between the first drive unit and the first heat exchange unit, it is determined whether the thermal management device meets the second switching condition; If the condition is not met, the first drive unit is controlled to release the refrigerant.

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