Multi-way rotary slide valve and cooling system with a multi-way rotary slide valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-way rotary slide valve (10) for distributing coolant in a cooling system (100), having a valve housing (12) with at least two first ports (22, 24) and at least one second port (26, 28, 30), a disc-shaped valve body (16), which is mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation (R) within the valve housing (12) and has at least two openings (161, 162) via which the first ports (22, 24), which are arranged on a first axial side (A) of the valve body (16), are connectable to the at least one second port (26, 28, 30), which is arranged on a second axial side of the valve body (16), and having an actuator (18), the output element (17) of which is connected non-rotationally to the valve body (16), as a result of which the valve body (16) is movable into different valve positions, wherein two chambers (121, 122) which are arranged concentrically with respect to each other and are each fluidically connected to one of the first ports (22, 24) arranged there are formed in the valve housing (12) on the first axial side (A) of the valve body (16) and at least one of the two openings (161, 162) is assigned to each of the chambers, and therefore the first ports (22, 24) are fluidically connectable, depending on the valve position, via the respectively assigned chamber (121, 122) to the at least one second port (26, 28, 30) on the second axial side (E) of the valve body (16). The invention further relates to a cooling system (100) for a battery-electric vehicle (200) having a multi-way rotary slide valve (10) according to the invention.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Multi-way rotary slide valve and cooling system with a multi-way rotary slide valve

[0003] The invention relates to a multi-way rotary slide valve for distributing coolant in a cooling system, comprising a valve housing with at least two first connections and at least one second connection, a disc-shaped valve body which is mounted within the valve housing so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation and has at least two openings via which the first connections, which are arranged on a first axial side of the valve body, can be connected to the at least one second connection, which is arranged on a second axial side of the valve body, and an actuator whose output element is connected to the valve body in a rotationally fixed manner, whereby the valve body can be moved into different valve positions.

[0004] Such a multi-way rotary slide valve can be used, for example, in a cooling system of a vehicle, particularly an electrically powered vehicle. Typically, a vehicle's cooling system comprises several separate cooling or heating circuits. A first cooling circuit is often used to cool a traction motor, whereas a second cooling circuit is used, for example, to cool an auxiliary power unit. Furthermore, the heat transferred to the coolant can be used in an additional heating circuit, for example, to heat the vehicle interior.

[0005] In order to direct the coolant to the respective cooling circuits as needed, valves are used to control the volume flows of the individual cooling circuits as required. Rotary slide valves are typically used for this purpose. These valves have one or more inlet ports and one or more outlet ports, between which a disc-like valve body with at least one opening is arranged. By rotating the valve body and the resulting positioning of the valve body's openings in relation to the inlet and outlet ports, different inlet and outlet ports can be fluidically connected depending on the valve position. This allows the volume flows in the individual cooling and heating circuits to be controlled. Such valves are disclosed, for example, in the documents DE 10 2006 053 311 A1, US 5,950,576, or DE 11 2019 001 551 T5.

[0006] However, the disclosed valves only allow a distribution of coolant from an overall circuit to several branches or a merging of several branches of an overall circuit.

[0007] In a battery-powered motor vehicle with an electric traction motor, such a rotary slide valve must be able to supply several circuits independently, i.e. fluidically separated from each other, but still allow a fluidic connection of the circuits.

[0008] The present invention is therefore based on the object of creating a rotary slide valve which supplies several cooling circuits independently, ie fluidically separated from one another, with coolant, but nevertheless enables a fluidic connection of the cooling circuits to form an overall cooling circuit.

[0009] This object is achieved by a multi-way rotary slide valve according to the invention having the features of main claim 1. The multi-way rotary slide valve according to the invention comprises a valve housing with at least two first connections and at least one second connection, wherein preferably a plurality of second connections are provided on the valve housing. The first connections can, for example, be outlet connections through which the coolant flows from the valve housing into the subsequent cooling circuit, whereas the second connections are, for example, inlet connections through which the coolant flows from a connected cooling circuit into the valve housing. Alternatively, the outlet connections can, for example, also be formed by the second connections, so that the first connections form the inlet connections. In principle, each connection can therefore be either an inlet connection or an outlet connection.

[0010] The multi-way rotary slide valve according to the invention further comprises a disc-shaped valve body that is mounted within the valve housing for rotation about a rotational axis. The valve body is arranged, with respect to the axial direction defined by the rotational axis, between the first ports on a first axial side of the valve body and the second ports on a second axial side opposite the first axial side.

[0011] On the first axial side of the valve body, on which the two first connections are arranged, two chambers are formed which are arranged concentrically to one another and are fluidically separated from one another by partition walls in the valve housing. Each chamber is assigned to one of the two first connections and is permanently fluidically connected to this. Each chamber is also assigned one of the two openings in the valve body, wherein each opening overlaps with the chamber assigned to it in at least one valve position. On the second axial side of the valve body, the at least one second connection overlaps with at least one of the openings in the valve body in at least one valve position, wherein the second connection on the second axial side and the chambers on the first axial side are arranged in such a way that at least one first connection ora chamber can be fluidically connected to the at least one second connection, wherein the coolant flows through the valve body essentially in the axial direction through the respective opening. If one of the chambers or the at least one second connection is not aligned with one of the openings, no fluidic connection is established between one of the first and the second connection, whereby the respective connection is blocked by the valve body.

[0012] The multi-way rotary slide valve further comprises an actuator whose output element, for example a drive shaft connected to a rotor of the actuator, is connected to the valve body so that the valve body can be moved into various valve positions. The actuator is preferably a stepper motor whose rotor can be rotated through a relatively small angle even without additional gearing, allowing the valve body to be moved relatively quickly and precisely into the valve positions required to control the volume flows. In principle, other alternative types of actuators are suitable for operating the valve body. For example, a conventional electric motor with an intermediate transmission gear could also move the valve body.

[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve housing comprises a plurality of second connections on the second axial side of the valve body. On the second axial side of the valve body, one of the second connections overlaps with at least one of the openings in the valve body in at least one valve position, wherein the second connections on the second axial side and the chambers on the first axial side are arranged relative to one another in such a way that at least one first connection or a chamber can be fluidically connected to at least one second connection via each of the two openings, wherein the coolant flows through the valve body essentially in the axial direction through the respective opening.Consequently, with two openings in the valve body, a first port can be fluidically connected to a second port at the same time, while another first port can be fluidically connected to another second port. In this way, depending on the valve position, for example, two separate cooling circuits can be supplied independently of one another or connected in series and thus fluidically connected to form a large overall cooling circuit. If one of the chambers or one of the second ports is not aligned with one of the openings, no fluidic connection is established between one of the first and one of the second ports, whereby the respective port is blocked by the valve body.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first connections extend radially outwards from the valve housing, whereby the two concentrically arranged chambers can be arranged in a relatively space-saving manner, resulting in a particularly compact valve housing.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first connections are arranged diametrically opposite one another on a common transverse plane which is arranged perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the valve body, whereby the axial extent of both chambers is equal, so that the valve housing has a relatively simple geometry.

[0016] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the second ports extend axially outward from the valve housing, i.e., the second ports are preferably arranged parallel to the rotational axis and also parallel to one another, so that the valve body receives direct flow from an axial direction. This, in turn, results in a relatively compact valve housing that is also particularly easy to install.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the concentric chambers are outlet chambers, i.e., the ports fluidically connected to the outlet chambers form the outlet ports, thereby defining an outlet side on the first axial side of the valve body. Each of the outlet ports arranged on the outlet side is fluidically connected to one of the adjacent cooling circuits, whereby two fluidically separated cooling circuits are supplied with coolant independently of one another.

[0018] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, inlet chambers are arranged on a second side of the valve body axially opposite the outlet side. Each inlet chamber is assigned to an inlet port and sealed from the adjacent chambers. The inlet chambers are permanently fluidically connected to the inlet ports arranged on this axial second side and formed by the second ports. Consequently, the coolant flows from the cooling circuits fluidly connected to the multi-way rotary slide valve through the inlet ports into the respectively assigned inlet chamber of the valve housing.The inlet chambers on the inlet side adjoin the valve body at their axial end facing the valve body. Depending on the position of the valve body, provided that at least one opening of the valve body overlaps both with at least one inlet chamber and with an outlet chamber arranged on the opposite axial first side of the valve body, the inlet chamber is fluidly connected to the outlet chamber, so that a coolant flow flows from the inlet side to the outlet side. This determines the flow direction of the coolant through the valve.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the valve housing has three inlet ports and three inlet chambers. Each inlet chamber is fluidically connected to only a single inlet port. A first inlet port can, for example, be connected to a first cooling circuit, while a second inlet port is connected to a second cooling circuit. A third inlet port can then, for example, be connected to a bypass line that is fluidically parallel to a main line of one of the two cooling circuits, so that the valve can switch between the main line and the bypass line by rotating the valve body, while the other cooling circuit is open or closed. This allows two separate cooling circuits to be supplied independently of one another, whereby a second fluidically parallel branch can be used within a cooling circuit by means of the third inlet port.

[0020] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the inlet chambers are pie-shaped with a base area formed as a circular sector, wherein the circular sectors are evenly distributed over the circumference of the valve housing. The end-face base areas are of equal size, their size essentially depending on the number of inlet chambers. With three chambers, the angular extension of an inlet chamber would be approximately 120°, for example. The advantage of such inlet chambers is that simple connections with a circular cross-section can be used, which enables the valve to be connected to the individual cooling circuits using conventional connecting elements. Nevertheless, the overlap area of ​​the inlet chambers with the openings of the valve body is relatively large with an appropriately corresponding shape of the openings, resulting in relatively good control options for the coolant flows.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valve housing is constructed in two parts. The valve housing is preferably divided in the axial direction, i.e., the outlet connections are formed by a valve housing outlet section arranged substantially on the outlet side of the valve body, whereas the inlet connections are formed by a valve housing inlet section arranged substantially on the inlet side of the valve body and, together with the valve housing outlet section, forms a closed valve housing. This allows complex valve housing geometries to be manufactured relatively easily and cost-effectively, and the necessary seals to be installed in the region of the valve body.

[0022] In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two concentrically arranged chambers comprise an inner chamber which is cylindrical and an outer annular chamber which encloses the cylindrical inner chamber, wherein the outer chamber preferably does not completely enclose the inner chamber and thus does not form a closed ring, whereby a connection can be arranged in the non-enclosed area along the circumference of the inner chamber. The extent of the annular chamber in the circumferential direction is defined by an annular chamber angle which is preferably between 240° and 320°, which results in a relatively large number of overlap possibilities between the openings in the valve body and the adjacent second connections, which enable a relatively large number of valve positions while still having relatively large opening cross-sections.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, an inner opening of the valve body corresponds to the inner chamber and an outer opening of the valve body corresponds to the outer annular chamber. For this purpose, the inner opening of the valve body is arranged radially within a radius which corresponds to the outer radius of the inner chamber, such that the inner opening is permanently fluidically connected to the inner chamber. The outer opening is arranged radially between two radii, wherein a first radius corresponds to the inner radius of the annular chamber and a second radius corresponds to the outer radius of the annular chamber, whereby the outer opening of the valve body is fluidically connected to the annular chamber over a relatively large angle of rotation. Consequently, each opening is assigned exclusively to one chamber or connection and can only be fluidically connected to this.

[0024] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, both openings in the valve body each extend circumferentially over an angle of between 30° and 90°. Furthermore, the distance between the openings in the circumferential direction is between 150° and 210°, which allows for appropriate control of the coolant flows with respect to the arrangement of the connections.

[0025] The object of the present invention is further achieved with a cooling system for a battery-electric vehicle having the features of claim 17. A cooling system for a battery-electric vehicle comprises a traction battery cooling circuit with a traction battery and a traction motor cooling circuit with a traction motor, wherein the traction battery stores electrical energy consumed or generated by the traction motor. The traction motor cooling circuit has a heat exchanger that can transfer heat between the coolant flowing in the traction motor cooling circuit and another medium. This can be, for example, ambient air or a coolant or refrigerant in another cooling circuit. Furthermore, the traction motor cooling circuit has a bypass line that runs fluidically parallel to the heat exchanger or the heat exchanger line.The bypass line allows the coolant to bypass the heat exchanger, so that the coolant does not flow through the heat exchanger when the bypass line is used, thus preventing heat transfer with another medium. The cooling system further comprises a multi-way rotary slide valve according to the invention, wherein one of the first ports defines a first outlet port and one of the second ports defines a first inlet port, wherein the first inlet port and the first outlet port are fluidly connected to the traction battery cooling circuit. Consequently, a coolant flow in the traction battery cooling circuit flows through the multi-way rotary slide valve and can be controlled as needed by the multi-way rotary slide valve.Another first connection, which defines a second outlet connection, and another second connection, which defines a second inlet connection, are fluidically connected to the traction motor cooling circuit. The coolant flow flowing into the traction motor cooling circuit is thus guided through the multi-way rotary slide valve, so that the coolant flow in the traction motor cooling circuit can also be controlled as needed using the rotary slide valve. Another second connection also defines a third inlet connection and is fluidically connected to the bypass line of the traction motor cooling circuit, so that by switching between the two inlet connections connected to the traction motor cooling circuit, the coolant flow flows either through the heat exchanger or alternatively through the bypass line, whereby the temperature of the coolant flow in the traction motor cooling circuit can be controlled.

[0026] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the multi-way rotary slide valve used in the cooling system can assume four valve positions, wherein different ports of the multi-way rotary slide valve are connected to one another in each valve position. In a first valve position, the first inlet port is fluidically connected to the first outlet port. In this first valve position, the valve body is aligned such that the first of the two openings in the valve body overlaps both the first chamber fluidically connected to the first outlet port and the first inlet port, and thus the coolant within the multi-way rotary slide valve can flow from the first inlet port through the opening in the valve body to the first outlet port.Additionally, the second opening is aligned such that it overlaps the chamber connected to the second outlet port as well as the second inlet port, such that the second inlet port is fluidically connected to the second outlet port through the second opening in the valve body. In this valve position, neither of the two openings of the valve body overlaps the third inlet port, such that the third inlet port is blocked by the valve body and thus is not fluidically connected to either of the two outlet ports. Consequently, the traction battery cooling circuit is closed via the multi-way rotary slide valve, such that the coolant can flow unhindered through the multi-way rotary slide valve.The traction motor cooling circuit is also self-contained via the multi-way rotary valve, with the coolant flowing through the second inlet port into the multi-way rotary valve and thus flowing through the heat exchanger in the traction motor cooling circuit. The bypass line is inactive due to the blocked third inlet port.

[0027] In a second valve position, corresponding to the first valve position, the first inlet port is fluidically connected to the first outlet port. However, in this second valve position, the second opening of the valve body overlaps both the third inlet port and the chamber fluidically connected to the second outlet port, such that the third inlet port is fluidically connected to the second outlet port. Furthermore, in this valve position, neither of the two openings of the valve body overlaps the second inlet port, such that the second inlet port is blocked by the valve body and the second inlet port is therefore not fluidically connected to either of the two outlet ports. Consequently, the coolant flow of the traction motor cooling circuit does not flow over the heat exchanger, but through the bypass line, such that the heat exchanger line is not active in this valve position.

[0028] In a third valve position, the first inlet port is fluidically connected to the second outlet port, wherein the second inlet port is fluidically connected to the first outlet port. For this purpose, the first opening in the valve body overlaps both the first inlet port and the chamber connected to the second outlet port. The second opening in the valve body overlaps the second inlet port and the chamber connected to the second outlet port. The third inlet port is blocked by the valve body. In this valve position, the traction motor cooling circuit and the traction battery cooling circuit are fluidically connected.The coolant flows from the traction battery cooling circuit through the multi-way rotary valve into the traction motor cooling circuit, flows along the traction motor and through the heat exchanger, and from there back through the multi-way rotary valve into the traction battery cooling circuit to the traction battery. The fluidic connection between the two cooling circuits allows the temperature level prevailing in the traction battery cooling circuit to be used, for example, in the traction motor cooling circuit to cool or heat the traction motor. Furthermore, the coolant flow from the traction battery cooling circuit can be routed through the heat exchanger of the traction motor cooling circuit.

[0029] Conversely, the temperature level prevailing in the traction motor cooling circuit can also be used in the traction battery cooling circuit. In the long term, the fluidic connection of the two cooling circuits results in an overall cooling circuit with a substantially uniform temperature level.

[0030] In a fourth valve position, analogous to the third valve position, the first inlet port is fluidically connected to the second outlet port, whereas the second opening of the valve body is now aligned with the third inlet port and with the chamber connected to the second outlet port, whereby the third inlet port is fluidically connected to the first outlet port. The second inlet port is blocked by the valve body and is therefore not fluidically connected to either outlet port. In this valve position, analogous to the third valve position, the traction motor cooling circuit and the traction battery cooling circuit are fluidically connected to one another, whereby, in contrast to the third valve position, the coolant flow in the traction motor cooling circuit does not flow via the heat exchanger but through the bypass line, so that, analogous to the second valve position, the heat exchanger line is not active.

[0031] Thus, the multi-way rotary slide valve according to the invention makes it possible to connect several fluidically separated cooling circuits to one another as required, wherein an unequal number of first and second connections can be used, for example, to switch between several fluidically parallel lines in at least one of the two cooling circuits as required.

[0032] An embodiment of a multi-way rotary slide valve according to the invention and an embodiment of a cooling system according to the invention are shown in the figures and are described below.

[0033] They show:

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic overall view of the multi-way rotary slide valve according to the invention,

[0035] Figure 2 is a schematic longitudinal section of the multi-way rotary slide valve of Figure 1, taken along section line II-II in Figure 3,

[0036] Figure 3 is a schematic transverse sectional view of the multi-way rotary slide valve of Figure 1 on the first axial side of the valve body in a first valve position, taken along the section line III-III in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a schematic transverse sectional view taken along the section line IV-IV in

[0037] Figure 1 is a sectional view of the multi-way rotary slide valve of Figure 1 on the second axial side of the valve body,

[0038] Figure 5 is a schematic transverse sectional view of the multi-way rotary slide valve of Figure 1 along the section line VV in Figure 1 on the first axial side of the valve body in a second valve position,

[0039] Figure 6 is a schematic transverse sectional view of the multi-way rotary slide valve of Figure 1 on the first axial side of the valve body in a third valve position, along the section line VI-VI in Figure 1,

[0040] Figure 7 is a schematic transverse sectional view of the multi-way rotary slide valve of Figure 1 taken along section line VII-VII in Figure 1 on the first axial side of the valve body in a fourth valve position, and

[0041] Figure 8 is a schematic flow diagram of the cooling system according to the invention with a multi-way rotary slide valve of Figure 1.

[0042] Fig. 1 shows a multi-way rotary slide valve 10 according to the invention for distributing coolant in a cooling system 100, which is shown in Fig. 8. The multi-way rotary slide valve 10 of Fig. 1 comprises a two-part valve housing 12 with a valve housing outlet section 11 and a valve housing inlet section 13, wherein the two valve housing sections 11, 13 are arranged axially adjacent to one another. The valve housing outlet section 11 has two first connections 22, 24, wherein a first connection 22 of the two first connections 22, 24 defines a first outlet connection A1 and a second connection 24 of the two first connections 22, 24 defines a second outlet connection A2.The two outlet ports A1, A2 are arranged on a common transverse plane T and extend radially outwards from the valve housing 12 with respect to a rotational axis R of the multi-way rotary slide valve 10, wherein the two outlet ports A1, A2 are diametrically opposite one another and are thus offset from one another by 180° along the circumference of the valve housing 12. The valve housing inlet section 13 has three second ports 26, 28, 30 arranged parallel to one another, wherein a first port 26 of the second ports 26, 28, 30 defines a first inlet port E1, a second port 28 of the second ports 26, 28, 30 defines a second inlet port E2, and a third port 30 of the second ports 26, 28, 30 defines a third inlet port E3, which extend from the valve housing 12 parallel to the rotational axis R in the axial direction.

[0043] Fig. 2 shows the interior of the multi-way rotary slide valve 10 of Fig. 1. The multi-way rotary slide valve 10 further comprises a circular, disc-shaped valve body 16, which is arranged within the valve housing 12 and is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to an output element 17 of an actuator 18. The actuator 18 is fastened to the distal axial end of the valve housing outlet section 11 and is configured to rotate the valve body 16 into various valve positions via the output element 17. The valve housing outlet section 11 with the outlet connections A1, A2 is arranged on a first axial side A of the valve body 16, defining an outlet side, whereas the valve housing inlet section 13 with the inlet connections E1, E2, E3 is arranged on a second axial side E of the valve body 16, defining an inlet side.The valve body 16 is thus arranged between the outlet ports A1, A2 and the inlet ports E1, E2, E3. The valve body 16 has a first inner opening 161 extending axially through the valve body 16, which is shown in Fig. 3.

[0044] Fig. 3 further shows a second outer opening 162 extending axially through the valve body 16 and offset by 180° in the circumferential direction from the first inner opening 161. The shape of both openings 161, 162 corresponds to a circular ring segment. The multi-way rotary slide valve 10 has two concentrically arranged chambers 121, 122 formed by the valve housing outlet section 11 on the outlet side A. A first cylindrical inner chamber 121 is permanently fluidically connected to the first outlet port A2. A second outer annular chamber 122 circumferentially enclosing the first chamber 121 is permanently fluidically connected to the second outlet port A2, wherein the first inner chamber 121 and the outer annular chamber 122 are fluidically separated from one another by a substantially partially annular partition wall 1211.The annular chamber 122 does not completely enclose the inner chamber 121 in the circumferential direction, but extends over an annular chamber angle a of approximately 295° symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry S, which runs through the two outlet ports A1, A2. Due to the relatively large annular chamber angle a, the outer opening 162 moves over a relatively large angle of rotation of the valve body 16 within the outer annular chamber 122, allowing the valve body 16 to assume four different valve positions.

[0045] At the axial end facing away from the valve body 16, the two chambers 121, 122 are separated by an axial wall 111 of the

[0046] Valve housing outlet section 11 is closed. On the axially opposite side, the two chambers 121, 122 are closed by the valve body 16, with a circumferential annular seal 41 running between the two chambers 121, 122, which seals against the valve body 16 and thus effects the fluidic separation between the inner chamber 121 and the outer annular chamber 122 in the radial direction. The inner opening 161 of the valve body 16 is arranged, with respect to the radial direction, within the partition wall 1211 radially delimiting the inner chamber 121, i.e. the radial extent of the first, inner opening 161 is not greater than the radius of the inner chamber 121, with the inner opening 161 extending in the circumferential direction over an angle of approximately 60°. The inner opening 161 is thus exclusively assigned to the inner chamber 121 and is fluidically connected to it.The second, outer opening 162 of the valve body 16 is arranged, with respect to the radial direction, between the partition wall 1211 defining the inner chamber 121 and the outer wall 1212 defining the outer annular chamber. Consequently, the outer opening 162 extends radially between the inner radius of the annular chamber 122 and the outer radius of the annular chamber 122 and is thus exclusively assigned to the outer annular chamber 122 and fluidly connected thereto across the entire annular chamber angle a. In the circumferential direction, the outer opening 162 extends over an angle of approximately 60°.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 4, on the inlet side E there are three inlet chambers 123, 124, 125 which are evenly distributed over the circumference and offset by 120° to each other, wherein the inlet chambers

[0048] 123, 124, 125 are essentially formed by the valve housing inlet section 13. The inlet ports E1, E2, E3 are also arranged offset from one another by 120° in the circumferential direction, with each inlet port E1, E2, E3 being assigned an inlet chamber 123, 124, 125. Each inlet port E1, E2, E3 ends in an inlet chamber 123,

[0049] 124, 125 and is therefore fluidically connected to a single inlet chamber 123, 124, 125, each inlet port E1, E2, E3 being arranged centrally with respect to the circumferential direction of its associated inlet chamber 123, 124, 125.

[0050] At the axial end facing the inlet connections E1, E2, E3, the inlet chambers 123, 124, 125 are closed by an axial wall 131 of the valve housing inlet section 13, as shown in Fig. 2. On the axially opposite side, the inlet chambers 123, 124, 125 are delimited by the valve body 16, with a sealing element 42 being arranged between the inlet chambers 123, 124, 125 and the valve body 16, which seals the inlet chambers 123, 124, 125 from one another and in the axial direction from the concentric chambers 121, 122 arranged on the outlet side A. Furthermore, the sealing element 42 seals the openings 161, 162 in the valve body 16 from one another on the inlet side.

[0051] Depending on the position of the valve body 16, different outlet ports A1, A2 are fluidically connected to different inlet ports E1, E2, E3 via the openings 161, 162 in the valve body 16. In the first valve position shown in Fig. 3, the valve body 16 is oriented such that the inner opening 161 of the valve body 16 is positioned in the upper left quadrant with respect to the view of the multi-way rotary slide valve 10 shown in Fig. 3 and is completely overlapped with the first inlet chamber 123 assigned to the first inlet port E1, so that the first inlet chamber 123 and thus the first inlet port E1 is fluidically connected to the inner cylindrical chamber 121 and consequently to the first outlet port A1.The outer opening 162 of the valve body 16 is positioned in the lower right quadrant and completely overlaps the second inlet chamber 124 connected to the second inlet port E2, whereby the second inlet chamber 124 and thus the second inlet port E2 are fluidically connected to the outer annular chamber 122 and consequently to the second outlet port A2. Consequently, coolant flowing through the first inlet port E1 into the first inlet chamber 123 can flow through the inner opening 161 in the valve body 16 into the inner chamber 121 and from there out of the multi-way rotary slide valve 10 through the first outlet port A1. The coolant flowing through the second inlet port E2 into the second inlet chamber 124 flows through the outer opening 162 into the outer annular chamber 122 and from there to the second outlet port A2 connected to the outer annular chamber 122.

[0052] Fig. 5 shows the multi-way rotary slide valve 10 in a second valve position. Relative to the first valve position shown in Fig. 3, the valve body 16 is rotated 60° clockwise in the valve position shown in Fig. 5. Consequently, the inner opening 161 is now positioned in the upper right quadrant and thereby completely overlaps with the third inlet chamber 125 associated with the third inlet port E3, so that the third inlet port E3 is fluidically connected to the inner chamber 121 via the third inlet chamber 125 and the opening 161 in the valve body 16, and via the latter to the first outlet port A1.The outer opening 162 is positioned in the lower left quadrant and thus completely overlaps the second inlet chamber 124 associated with the second inlet port E2, whereby the second inlet port E2 is fluidically connected via the second inlet chamber 124 and via the outer opening 162 in the valve body 16 to the outer annular chamber 122 and via the latter to the second outlet port A2. The first inlet port E1, or the first inlet chamber 123, does not overlap with either of the two openings 161, 162 of the valve body 16, so that the inlet port E1 is not fluidically connected to either of the two outlet ports A1, A2. Thus, in this valve position, coolant flows from the third inlet port E3 to the first outlet port A1. Furthermore, coolant flows from the second inlet port E2 to the second outlet port A2. The first inlet port E1 is blocked by the valve body 16.

[0053] Fig. 6 shows a third valve position. In this valve position, the valve body 16 is rotated 120° clockwise relative to the valve position shown in Fig. 5. Accordingly, the inner opening 161 of the valve body 16 is positioned in the lower right quadrant, so that the inner opening 161 completely overlaps the second inlet chamber 124 associated with the second inlet port E2. As a result, the second inlet port E2 is fluidly connected via the second inlet chamber 124 and the inner opening 161 to the outlet-side inner chamber 121, and via the latter to the first outlet port A1.The outer opening 162 of the valve body 16 is positioned in the upper left quadrant and thus completely overlaps the first inlet chamber 123, which is fluidically connected to the first inlet port E1, whereby the first inlet port E1 is fluidically connected via the first inlet chamber 123 and via the outer opening 162 to the outlet-side outer annular chamber 122 and via the latter to the second outlet port A2. Neither of the two openings 161, 162 of the valve body 16 overlaps the third inlet chamber 125 assigned to the third inlet port E3. Consequently, in this valve position, coolant flows from the first inlet port E1 to the second outlet port A2. A further coolant flow flows from the second inlet port E2 to the first outlet port A1. The third inlet port E3 is blocked by the valve body 16. Fig.Fig. 7 shows a fourth valve position in which the valve body 16 is rotated 60° clockwise with respect to the valve position shown in Fig. 6. The inner opening 161 of the valve body 16 is thus positioned in the lower left quadrant and consequently completely overlaps with the second inlet chamber 124 associated with the second inlet port E2, whereby the second inlet port E2 is fluidically connected via the second inlet chamber 124 and the inner opening 161 in the valve body 16 to the outlet-side inner chamber 121 and via this to the first outlet port A1.The outer opening 162 of the valve body 16 is now positioned in the upper right quadrant and is thereby completely overlapped with the third inlet chamber 125 assigned to the third inlet port E3, so that the third inlet port E3 is fluidly connected via the third inlet chamber 125 and the outer opening 162 in the valve body 16 to the outlet-side outer annular chamber 122 and via this to the second outlet port A2. The first inlet chamber 123 assigned to the first inlet port E1 is not overlapped with either of the two openings 161, 162 in the valve body 16. In this valve position, the coolant thus flows from the second inlet port E2 to the first outlet port A1. Furthermore, coolant flows from the third inlet port E3 to the second outlet port A2. The first inlet port E1 is blocked by the valve body 16.

[0054] Fig. 8 shows a cooling system for a battery-electric vehicle 200 with a traction battery cooling circuit 102 for cooling a traction battery 202 and a traction motor cooling circuit 103 for cooling a traction motor 203. The traction motor cooling circuit 103 further comprises an air-water heat exchanger 206, which is arranged downstream of the traction motor 203 and is fluidically connected in series with it. The traction motor cooling circuit 103 additionally comprises a bypass line 105, which branches off between the traction motor 203 and the heat exchanger 206 from a main line 106 leading to the heat exchanger 206 and is fluidically connected in parallel with a heat exchanger line 107 leading through the heat exchanger 206. Both cooling circuits 102, 103 can include additional units such as heating elements, cooling elements or the like, as required.The cooling system 100 further comprises the multi-way rotary slide valve 10 described in Figures 1-7, wherein the first outlet port A1 is fluidically connected to the traction motor cooling circuit 103. The heat exchanger line 107 of the traction motor cooling circuit 103 is fluidically connected to the first inlet port E1, whereas the bypass line 105 of the traction motor cooling circuit 103 is fluidically connected to the third inlet port E3. Thus, coolant flows via the first outlet port A1 into the traction motor cooling circuit 103 and initially flows through the traction motor 23, thereby cooling the traction motor 203. After the coolant has flowed through the traction motor 203, depending on the valve position, it flows either through the heat exchanger line 107 to the first inlet port E1 or through the bypass line 105 to the third inlet port E3.The second outlet port A2 and the second inlet port E2 are fluidically connected to the traction battery cooling circuit 102. Coolant flows into the traction battery cooling circuit 102 via the second outlet port A2 and flows through the traction battery 202 to cool it. The coolant then flows through the traction battery cooling circuit 102 to the second inlet port E2 of the multi-way rotary slide valve 10. The valve positions shown in Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 7 result in different connection options for the two cooling circuits 102, 103 of the cooling system 100. In the first valve position shown in Fig. 3, the first inlet port E1, which is fluidically connected to the heat exchanger line 107, is fluidically connected to the first outlet port A1 leading to the traction motor 203, i.e., to the first outlet port A1 leading into the traction motor cooling circuit 103.In addition, the second inlet port E2 connected to the traction battery cooling circuit 102 is fluidly connected to the second outlet port A2 leading into the traction battery cooling circuit 102. The third inlet port 103 connected to the bypass line 105 is blocked by the valve body 16. As a result, the coolant flows from the multi-way rotary slide valve 10, first through the traction motor 203, dissipates the heat generated in the traction motor 203, then flows through the heat exchanger 206 to transfer the heat to the air flowing around the heat exchanger 206, and from there flows back into the multi-way rotary slide valve 10. Furthermore, coolant flows from the multi-way rotary slide valve 10 through the traction battery 202 and from there back to the multi-way rotary slide valve, wherein the traction battery cooling circuit 102 is fluidically separated from the traction motor cooling circuit 103.

[0055] In the second valve position shown in Fig. 5, the third inlet port E3, which is fluidly connected to the bypass line 105, is fluidly connected to the first outlet port A1 leading into the traction motor cooling circuit 103, so that the coolant flows from the multi-way rotary slide valve 10 through the traction motor 203 and from there through the bypass line 105 back to the multi-way rotary slide valve 10. In this valve circuit, the coolant therefore does not flow through the heat exchanger 206, which is advantageous, for example, shortly after the start of the vehicle 200 during a warm-up phase of the traction motor 203, in which the coolant temperature is relatively low. This allows the traction motor 203 to be brought up to operating temperature more quickly. The wiring of the ports 24, 28 connected to the traction battery cooling circuit 102 is identical to that of the first valve position.

[0056] In the third valve position shown in Fig. 6, the first inlet port E1, which is fluidly connected to the heat exchanger line 107, is fluidly connected to the second outlet port A2 leading into the traction battery cooling circuit 102. Furthermore, the second inlet port E2, which is fluidly connected to the traction battery cooling circuit 102, is fluidly connected to the first outlet port A1 leading into the traction motor cooling circuit 103. The third inlet port E3, which is fluidly connected to the bypass line 105, is blocked. In this valve position, both cooling circuits 102, 103 are thus fluidly connected to one another, with the coolant flowing from the multi-way rotary slide valve 10 through the second outlet port A2 into the traction battery cooling circuit 102 and through the traction battery 202.From there, the coolant flows back to the multi-way rotary slide valve 10, with the multi-way rotary slide valve 10 directing the coolant coming from the traction battery cooling circuit 102 into the traction motor cooling circuit 103, so that the coolant flows through the traction motor 203 and then through the heat exchanger 206 and the heat exchanger line 207 back to the multi-way rotary slide valve 10. This forms a single large overall cooling circuit.

[0057] In the fourth valve position shown in Fig. 7, in contrast to the third valve position, the third inlet port E3 fluidically connected to the bypass line 105 is connected to the second outlet port A2 leading into the traction battery cooling circuit 102, so that in this valve position too, a single large overall cooling circuit is formed, but the coolant does not flow through the heat exchanger 206 of the traction motor cooling circuit 103, but after flowing through the traction motor 203 through the bypass line 105 back to the multi-way rotary slide valve 10.The multi-way rotary slide valve 10 therefore not only enables switching between two fluidically parallel lines 105, 107 of a cooling circuit 103, while the coolant flow in a second separate cooling circuit 102 is maintained unchanged, but also allows a merging of both cooling circuits 102, 103, whereby switching between two fluidically parallel lines 105, 107 is still possible in this configuration.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Multi-way rotary slide valve (10) for distributing coolant in a cooling system (100), comprising: - a valve housing (12) with at least two first connections (22, 24) and at least one second connection (26, 28, 30), - a disc-shaped valve body (16) which is mounted within the valve housing (12) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (R.) and has at least two openings (161, 162) via which the first connections (22, 24) arranged on a first axial side (A) of the valve body (16) can be connected to the at least one second connection (26, 28, 30) arranged on a second axial side of the valve body (16), and - an actuator (18), the output element (17) of which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the valve body (16), whereby the valve body (16) can be moved into different valve positions, characterized in that on the first axial side (A) of the valve body (16) in the valve housing (12) two chambers (121, 122) are formed which are arranged concentrically to one another and are each fluidically connected to one of the first connections (22, 24) arranged there, to each of which at least one of the two openings (161, 162) is assigned, so that the first connections (22, 24) can be fluidically connected to the at least one second connection (26, 28, 30) on the second axial side (E) of the valve body (16) via the respectively assigned chamber (121, 122, depending on the valve position.

2. Multi-way rotary slide valve (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve housing (12) comprises a plurality of second connections (26, 28, 30) on the second axial side (E) of the valve body (16).

3. Multi-way rotary slide valve (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first connections (22, 24) extend radially outwards from the valve housing (12).

4. Multi-way rotary slide valve (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first connections (22, 24) are arranged diametrically opposite one another and on a common transverse plane (T).

5. Multi-way rotary slide valve (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second connections (26, 28, 30) extend axially outwards from the valve housing (12).

6. Multi-way rotary slide valve (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the concentric chambers (121, 122) are outlet chambers (121, 122) which are fluidically connected to the first ports (22, 24) forming the outlet ports (A1, A2), thereby defining an outlet side (A).

7. Multi-way rotary slide valve (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that on the second side of the valve body (16) axially opposite the outlet side (A), inlet chambers (123, 124, 125) are arranged, which are fluidically connected to the second connections (26, 28, 30) forming the inlet connections (El, E2, E3), wherein in each case one inlet connection (El, E2, E3) is fluidically connected to an inlet chamber (123, 124, 125).

8. Multi-way rotary slide valve (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the valve housing (12) has three inlet connections (E1, E2, E3) and three inlet chambers (123, 124, 125).

9. Multi-way rotary slide valve (10) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the inlet chambers (123, 124, 125) are formed in the manner of a pie slice with a base area formed as a circular sector, wherein the circular sectors are evenly distributed over the circumference of the valve housing (12).

10. Multi-way rotary slide valve (10) according to one of claims 6-9, characterized in that the valve housing (12) is formed in two parts, wherein the outlet connections (A1, A2) are formed on a valve housing outlet section (11) and the inlet connections (E1, E2, E3) are formed on a valve housing inlet section (13).

11. Multi-way rotary slide valve (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the concentrically arranged outlet chambers (121, 122) are formed on the valve housing outlet section (11). Multi-way rotary slide valve (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inner chamber (121) of the two concentrically arranged chambers (121, 122) is cylindrical, and the outer chamber (122) surrounding the inner chamber (121) forms an annular chamber (122). Multi-way rotary slide valve (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the annular chamber (122) extends over an annular chamber angle (α) that lies between 240° and 320°. Multi-way rotary slide valve (10) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that an inner opening (161) of the valve body (16) corresponds to the inner chamber (121), and an outer opening (162) of the valve body (16) corresponds to the outer annular chamber (122). Multi-way rotary slide valve (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that both openings (161, 162) in the valve body (16) each extend in the circumferential direction over an angle between 30° and 90°.Multi-way rotary slide valve (10) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the openings (161, 162) are arranged offset from one another in the circumferential direction by an angle between 150° and 210°. Cooling system (100) for a battery electric vehicle (200) comprising: - a traction battery cooling circuit (102) with a Traction battery (202), - a traction motor cooling circuit (103), with a Traction motor (204) and a heat exchanger (206), wherein the traction motor cooling circuit (103) comprises a bypass line (105) which runs fluidically parallel to the heat exchanger (206), and - a multi-way rotary slide valve (10) according to one of claims 1-13, wherein a first port (22) is fluidically connected to the traction battery cooling circuit (102) as a first outlet port (A1) and a second port (26) is fluidically connected to the traction motor cooling circuit (103) as a first inlet port (E2), a further first port (24) is fluidically connected to the traction motor cooling circuit (103) as a second outlet port (A2) and a further second port (28) is fluidically connected to the bypass line (105) as a third inlet port (E3). Cooling system (100) according to claim 17, characterized in that the multi-way rotary slide valve (10) can assume four valve positions, wherein - in a first valve position, the first inlet port (El) is fluidically connected to the first outlet port (Al), the second inlet port (E2) is fluidically connected to the second outlet port (A2) and the third inlet port (E3) is not fluidically connected to either of the two outlet ports (Al, A2), - in a second valve position, the first inlet port (El) is fluidically connected to the first outlet port (Al), the third inlet port (E3) is fluidically connected to the second outlet port (A2) and the second inlet port (E2) is not fluidically connected to either of the two outlet ports (Al, A2), - in a third valve position, the first inlet port (El) is fluidically connected to the second outlet port (A2), the second inlet port (E2) is fluidically connected to the first outlet port (Al) and the third inlet port (E3) is not fluidically connected to either of the two outlet ports (Al, A2), and - in a fourth valve position, the first inlet port (El) is fluidically connected to the second outlet port (A2), the third inlet port (E3) is fluidically connected to the first outlet port (Al) and the second inlet port (E2) is not fluidically connected to either of the two outlet ports (Al, A2).