Fluid control unit and thermal management system

Abstract

A fluid control unit (100) and a thermal management system (200) are disclosed, wherein the fluid control unit (100) includes a communication passage and a heat exchange passage, the heat exchange passage includes a first passage (406) and a second passage (408), the communication passage communicates with a flow path of a fluid management element, the flow path of the fluid management element communicates with the first passage (406), at least a portion of the first passage (406) and at least a portion of the second passage (408) are arranged in close proximity, and the working fluid within the adjacent portions of the first passage (406) and the second passage (408) is capable of heat exchange.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to a Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on November 17, 2021, bearing application number 202111363369.5 and titled "Fluid control unit and thermal management system", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to the technical field of fluid control, and more particularly to fluid control units and thermal management systems. [Background technology]

[0003] The fluid control unit is applicable to a thermal management system, which includes an intermediate heat exchanger, and in the related art, the fluid control unit and the intermediate heat exchanger are connected by a pipe, and such an arrangement is disadvantageous in terms of spatial arrangement and miniaturization of the thermal management system. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid control unit and a thermal management system that contribute to miniaturization of the thermal management system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, The present invention provides a fluid control unit comprising a fluid management element and a passage element, the fluid management element including at least one of a condenser and a liquid storage element and connected to the passage element, the passage element having a passage, the passage including a communicating passage and a heat exchange passage, the heat exchange passage including a first passage and a second passage, the communicating passage communicating with a flow path of the fluid management element, the flow path of the fluid management element communicating with the first passage, at least a portion of the first passage and at least a portion of the second passage being arranged in close proximity, and working fluid within the portions of the first passage and the second passage that are close to each other is capable of heat exchange.

[0006] The present invention also provides a thermal management system including a fluid control unit, the fluid control unit being the fluid control unit described above, the thermal management system including a condenser, an evaporator, and an expansion element, the first passage being located behind the condenser and before the expansion element, and the second passage being located behind the evaporator. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The present invention provides a fluid control unit and a thermal management system, the fluid control unit including a communication passage and a heat exchange passage, the heat exchange passage including a first passage and a second passage, the communication passage communicating with a flow path of a fluid management element, the flow path of the fluid management element communicating with the first passage, at least a portion of the first passage and at least a portion of the second passage being arranged in close proximity, and working fluid in the portions of the first passage and the second passage that are close to each other can exchange heat, the passage element of the fluid control unit having a communication passage and further having the heat exchange passage, which contributes to miniaturization of the fluid control unit and contributes to spatial arrangement and miniaturization of the thermal management system compared to a configuration in which an intermediate heat exchanger is externally attached or integrated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of the fluid control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view of the passage element of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the flow plate and the first cover plate of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional view of the flow path plate of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the valve mount of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view of the fluid control unit of FIG. 1 with the first cover plate hidden; [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view of the fluid control unit of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional view of the tow block of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the liquid storage element mounting base of FIG. 2. [Figure 10] 3 is a three-dimensional view of a main body portion of a liquid storage element. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the multi-way valve element of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a three-dimensional view of the multi-way valve of FIG. [Figure 13] 2 is a system configuration diagram of a first operation mode of an embodiment in which the fluid control unit of FIG. 1 is applied to a thermal management system. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a system configuration diagram of the thermal management system of FIG. 13 in a second operation mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following figures and examples, in order to clarify the objects and advantages of the present invention. As used herein, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are merely intended to distinguish between components having the same name and do not necessarily require or imply that any such actual relationship or ordering exists between those components.

[0010] The fluid control unit 100 shown in FIG. 1 is applicable to a thermal management system, which may be a vehicle thermal management system, specifically, a new energy vehicle thermal management system. First, the fluid control unit 100 includes a fluid management element and a passage element 4 , and the fluid management element includes at least one of a valve element 1 , a heat exchange element 2 , and a liquid storage element 3 . The fluid management elements in this embodiment include a valve element 1 , a heat exchange element 2 and a liquid storage element 3 . Here, the number of valve elements 1 may be multiple, the valve elements 1 are connected to the passage elements 4, the passage elements 4 have passages, and the number of the passages may be multiple. Furthermore, the valve element 1 can realize communication or non-communication of two or more of the passages, and if communication, can realize direct communication and / or throttle communication between the passages, and the heat exchange element 2 is connected to the passage element 4. In this embodiment, the heat exchange element 2 includes several stacked plate sheets and has a first flow path and a second flow path that are not connected to each other, a working fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) in the first flow path and a working fluid (e.g., a cooling liquid) in the second flow path exchange heat within the heat exchange element 2, the first flow path of the heat exchange element 2 is connected to two of the passages, and the liquid storage element 3 is connected to the passage element 4 and has at least a part of a liquid storage chamber. The reason for this is that the liquid storage chamber may be further formed jointly with the liquid storage element 3 and other parts, the liquid storage chamber is connected to two or more of the passages, and the liquid storage element 3 mainly performs gas-liquid two-phase separation of the working fluid to prevent the gas phase fluid in the working fluid (e.g., refrigerant) from flowing into the subsequent passage circuit. A connection is defined to include such types as a fixed connection, or a position-limited connection, or a removable connection, or a sealed connection, and a direct connection is defined to be one that does not change or essentially does not change (e.g., pressure loss range <1%) the pressure before and after the working fluid flows through the valve element. Throttling communication is defined as the pressure of the working fluid before it flows through the valve element 1 being greater than the pressure after it flows through the valve element 1 .

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, in order to realize a reduction in weight of the fluid control unit, the passage element 4 includes a flow path plate 41 and a first cover plate . The flow path plate 41 in this embodiment has cavities and holes that form the passages. The number of cavities and holes may be multiple, and the holes are formed as communication hole paths between different single communication passages, and the holes are provided to penetrate the flow path plate 41. Furthermore, the cavities forming the passages do not penetrate through the flow plate 41, and the cavities and holes forming the passages are integrally formed, specifically by a cold extrusion process. The flow path plate 41 is provided so as to be attached to the first cover plate 42 and is connected to the first cover plate 42 . In this embodiment, the flow path plate 41 and the first cover plate 42 are sealed and fixed by welding, and the flow path plate 41 and the first cover plate 42 engage with each other to form a passage of the passage element 4. In this way, compared to forming a passage by processing using a valve block integrated device, this contributes to reducing the weight of the elements in the passage portion. Specifically, the flow path plate 41 includes a first wall 411, and along a direction perpendicular to the first wall 411, cavities and holes are formed in the flow path plate 41 away from the first wall 411 inwardly, and correspondingly, the first cover plate 42 includes a second wall 421. In this embodiment, the second wall 421 is flat, and when the flow path plate 41 and the first covering plate 42 are engaged, the first wall 411 and the second wall 421 are bonded together and are sealed and fixed by welding, thereby forming a passage of the passage element 4. Of course, the holes may also be formed in the first cover plate 42 , ie along a direction perpendicular to the second wall 421 , the holes being provided so as to penetrate through the first cover plate 42 . In this case, the flow path plate 41 has only a cavity forming a passage, the first wall 411 and the second wall 421 are bonded together and sealed and fixed by welding, and the flow path plate 41 and the first cover plate 42 engage with each other to form a passage of the passage element 4.

[0012] Or, in another embodiment, the flow path plate 41 and the first cover plate 42 each have a cavity forming a passage, and specifically, along a direction perpendicular to the first wall 411 of the flow path plate 41, the cavity forming the passage located in the flow path plate 41 is formed so as to be recessed inward from the first wall 411 and away from the first wall 411, and along a direction perpendicular to the second wall 421, the cavity forming the passage located in the first cover plate 42 is formed so as to be recessed inward from the second wall 421 and away from the second wall 421, the first wall 411 and the second wall 421 are provided so as to be bonded together and are sealed and fixed by welding, and the flow path plate 41 and the first cover plate 42 are engaged to form a passage of the passage element 4. The holes in this embodiment are formed in the same way on the flow path plate 41 or on the first cover plate 42, i.e. along a direction perpendicular to the first wall 411, the holes are provided so as to penetrate through the flow path plate 41, or along a direction perpendicular to the second wall 421, the holes are provided so as to penetrate through the first cover plate 42.

[0013] Here, the above embodiments all form a single-layer or single-sided passage, however, based on the complexity of the thermal management system to which the fluid control unit 100 is applied or the complexity of the passage arrangement, the passage element 4 may further be arranged as a double-layer or double-sided passage. In this case, the passage element 4 further comprises a second cover plate, and the first cover plate 42 and the second cover plate are defined as being collectively called cover plates. Along a direction perpendicular to the first wall 411, some of the cavities forming the passages ("some" refers to a portion in the sense of the number of cavities) are formed so as to be recessed inward from the first wall 411 and away from the first wall 411, and some of the cavities forming the passages are formed so as to be recessed inward from the third wall of the flow path plate 41 and away from the third wall, the third wall and the first wall being opposing walls of the flow path plate, the flow path plate 41 being located between the first covering plate 42 and the second covering plate, the first covering plate 42 and the first wall being bonded together and fixed hermetically by welding, and the second covering plate and the third wall being bonded together and fixed hermetically by welding, whereby these three are engaged to form a passage of the passage element 4.

[0014] 2 and 5, the passage element 4 further includes a valve mount 44 for mounting the valve element 1. The number of the valve mounts 44 is the same as the number of the valve elements 1, and the valve mounts 44 are connected to the flow path plate 41, the first cover plate 42, or the second cover plate. In this embodiment, the valve mounting base 44 and the flow path plate 41 are bonded together and then sealed and fixed by welding; of course, in other embodiments, the valve mounting base 44 and the flow path plate 41 may be further molded as a single unit if conditions permit. The valve mount 44 includes a first end port 441 , a second end port 442 and a mounting cavity 443 . The first end port 441 serves as an inlet and the second end port 442 serves as an outlet. For the single component called the valve mounting base 44, the mounting cavity 443 connects the first end port 441 and the second end port 442 and is used for mounting a valve element, and the first end port 441 and the second end port 442 each communicate with holes that form a communicating hole path. In this manner, communication or non-communication between two or more of the passageways can be achieved by the valve element.

[0015] The passages in this embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 include a sixth passage 401, a seventh passage 402, a third passage 403, a fourth passage 404, a fifth passage 405, a first passage 406, an eighth passage 407, and a second passage 408. The valve mount 44 includes a first valve mount 44a, a second valve mount 44b, a third valve mount 44c, a fourth valve mount 44d, and a fifth valve mount 44e. The valve element 1 includes a first valve element 11 , a second valve element 12 , a third valve element 13 , a fourth valve element 14 , and a fifth valve element 15 . A portion of the first valve element 11 is located in a mounting cavity of the first valve mount 44a, and the first valve element 11 is connected to the first valve mount 44a. For example, the first valve element 11 in this embodiment is inserted and fixed to the first valve mount 44a, and the first valve mount 44a allows or prevents the sixth passage 401 and the seventh passage 402 from communicating with each other. When the sixth passage 401 and the seventh passage 402 are communicated with each other, the sixth passage 401 and the seventh passage 402 are directly communicated with each other. Specifically, the holes include a first hole 451 and a second hole 452, the first hole 451 communicates with the sixth passage 401, the second hole 452 communicates with the seventh passage 402, and the first valve mount 44a allows or prevents the sixth passage 401 and the seventh passage 402 from communicating with each other. When the mounting base 44a is connected to the flow path plate 41, its first end port communicates with the first hole 451, i.e., the first end port communicates with the sixth passage 401, and the second end port of the first valve mounting base 44a communicates with the second hole 452, i.e., the second end port communicates with the seventh passage 402. In this way, by controlling the first valve element 11, the sixth passage 401 realizes communication or non-communication with the seventh passage 402 by the first hole 451, the second hole 452 and the first valve mounting base 44a. In this manner, a portion of the second valve element 12 is positioned in the mounting cavity of the second valve mount 44b, and the second valve element 12 is connected to the second valve mount 44b, and the hole and the second valve mount 44b enable or disable communication between the sixth passage 401 and the third passage 403, and when communication is established, directly connects the sixth passage 401 and the third passage 403. A portion of the fourth valve element 14 is located in a mounting cavity of the fourth valve mounting base 44d, and the fourth valve element 14 is connected to the fourth valve mounting base 44d. The hole and the fourth valve mounting base 44d enable or disable communication between the fourth passage 404 and the first passage 406, and when communication is established, the fourth passage 404 and the first passage 406 are restricted to communicate with each other. A portion of the fifth valve element 15 is located in a mounting cavity of the fifth valve mounting base 44e, and the fifth valve element 15 is connected to the fifth valve mounting base 44e. The fifth valve element 15 enables or disables communication between the first passage 406 and the eighth passage 407 via the fifth valve mounting base 44e, and when communication is established, it restricts communication between the first passage 406 and the eighth passage 407. Regarding the layout of the passages, when an intersecting passage inevitably exists, this is realized by a traction flow path in order to prevent the escape of the fluid between the intersecting passages. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the passage element 4 further includes a traction block 46. As shown in FIG. The traction block 46 is hermetically fixed to the first cover plate 42 by welding, and includes a traction channel 461, the hole further includes a third hole 453 and a fourth hole 454, the third hole 453 communicates with the third passage 403; correspondingly, the first cover plate 42 is further provided with a through hole, which is provided to penetrate the first cover plate 42 along a direction perpendicular to the second wall 421, the through hole includes a first through hole 422 and a second through hole 423, the first through hole 422 communicates with the fourth hole 454, and the second through hole 423 communicates with the second passage 408; the traction channel 461 communicates the first through hole 422 and the second through hole 423, and further communicates the second passage 408 and the fourth hole 454. Also, the first end of the third valve mounting base 44c communicates with the third hole 453, and the second end of the third valve mounting base 44c communicates with the fourth hole 454. A part of the third valve element 13 is located in the mounting cavity of the third valve mounting base 44, and the third valve element 13 is connected to the third valve mounting base 44c. The traction flow path 461 allows or prevents communication between the third passage 403 and the second passage 408, and when communication is established, directly connects the third passage 403 and the second passage 408.

[0016] The liquid storage element 3 in this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 comprises a stand 31 by which the liquid storage element 3 is connected to the passage element 4 . Specifically, the stand 31 is positioned on the outer periphery of the tank of the liquid storage element 3, is connected and fixed to the flow path plate 41 by bolts, and is tightened to the outer periphery of the tank, thereby achieving a connection between the liquid storage element 3 and the passage element 4. The passage element 4 in this embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 9 further comprises a liquid storage element mount 47. This liquid storage element mounting base 47 is sealed and fixed to the flow path plate 41 by welding, and has a first connecting flow path 471, a second connecting flow path 472, and a third connecting flow path 473, with the first connecting flow path 471 communicating with the fourth passage 404 via a hole, the second connecting flow path 472 communicating with the fifth passage 405 via a hole, and the third connecting flow path 473 communicating with the first passage 406 via a hole. Referring to Figure 10, the main body of the liquid storage element 3 includes a first inlet tube, a second inlet tube and an outlet tube, the first inlet tube has a first inlet flow path 32, the second inlet tube has a second inlet flow path 33, and the outlet tube has an outlet flow path 34, and when the main body of the liquid storage element 3 and the liquid storage element mounting base 47 are engaged, at least a portion of the first inlet tube is located in the first connecting flow path 471, and the first inlet flow path 32 connects the first connecting flow path 471 to the liquid storage chamber, at least a portion of the second inlet tube is located in the second connecting flow path 472, and the second inlet flow path 33 connects the second connecting flow path 472 to the liquid storage chamber, and at least a portion of the outlet tube is located in the third connecting flow path 473, and the outlet flow path 34 connects the third connecting flow path 473 to the liquid storage chamber. Furthermore, the liquid storage element 3 in this embodiment is further connected and fixed to the liquid storage element mounting base 47 by bolts, thereby strengthening the fixation of the liquid storage element 3. In this way, the fourth passage 404 is connected to the liquid storage chamber via the first connection flow path 471 and the first inlet flow path 33, the fifth passage 405 is connected to the liquid storage chamber via the second connection flow path 472 and the second inlet flow path 33, and the liquid storage chamber is connected to the first passage 406 via the outlet flow path 34 and the third connection port flow path 473. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the liquid storage element 3 further includes a check valve built therein, which has a function of one-way conduction and reverse blocking, and includes a first check valve and a second check valve. The first check valve provides unidirectional flow from the first inlet flow path 32 to the liquid storage chamber, and further provides unidirectional flow from the fourth passage 404 to the liquid storage chamber, and the second check valve provides unidirectional flow from the second inlet flow path 33 to the liquid storage chamber, and further provides unidirectional flow from the fifth passage 405 to the liquid storage chamber. By arranging the first and second check valves, when the liquid storage element 3 has two or more inlets, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the working fluid enters the liquid storage chamber from one inlet flow path (e.g., the first inlet flow path 32) and then escapes back to another inlet flow path (e.g., the second inlet flow path 33), and by integrating the check valves in the liquid storage element 3, it contributes to a more compact structure.

[0017] The heat exchange element 2 in this embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 6 is connected and fixed to the passage element 4 by bolts. Specifically, the heat exchange element 2 includes a bottom plate 21, and the bottom plate 21 is provided with a through hole to be bolted to the passage element 4, and the heat exchange element 2 is bolted and fixed to the passage element 4 by the bottom plate 21. The first flow path of the heat exchange element 2 communicates the eighth passage 407 with the second passage 408 . Specifically, the holes further include a fifth hole 455 and a sixth hole 456 . The fifth hole 455 communicates with the eighth passage 407 , the sixth hole 456 communicates with the second passage 408 , and the first flow path of the heat exchange element 2 communicates between the fifth hole 455 and the sixth hole 456 . 1, 11 and 12, the fluid control unit 100 further includes a multi-way valve element 5, which includes a multi-way valve 51 and a connecting piece 52. In this embodiment, the multi-way valve 51 is a three-way switching valve, and the multi-way valve 51 has an inlet 511, a first outlet 512, and a second outlet 513. By rotating the valve body of the multi-way valve 51, communication between the inlet 511 and the first outlet 512, or communication between the inlet 511 and the second outlet 513 can be achieved. The orientations of the inlet 511, the first outlet 512, and the second outlet 513 in this embodiment are similar, and the inlet 511 is located between the first outlet 512 and the second outlet 513, thus facilitating assembly of the multi-way valve 51 and the connecting part 52. The connection part 52 also includes an inlet joint 521 and an outlet joint 522, which are mated with other components of the thermal management system, such as a battery cooling module, to cool and lower the temperature of the battery unit. The inlet joint 521 has an inlet joint flow path 5211, the outlet joint 522 has an outlet joint flow path 5221, and the connecting part 52 further has a third flow path 523 and a fourth flow path 524 communicating with the second flow path of the heat exchange element 2, and the third flow path 523 communicates with the outlet joint flow path 5221. The multi-way valve 51 is connected to the connecting part 52. Specifically, in this embodiment, the multi-way valve 51 is fixed and connected to the connecting part 52 by bolts. After the multi-way valve 51 is assembled and connected to the connecting part 52, the inlet joint flow path 5211 communicates with the inlet 511, the outlet joint flow path 5221 communicates with the first outlet 512, and the fourth flow path 524 communicates with the second outlet 513. In this manner, by switching the valve element of the multi-way valve 51, the inlet joint channel 5211 can be communicated with the outlet joint channel 5221 or the fourth channel 524. The multi-way valve element 5 is connected to the heat exchange element 2 . In this embodiment, the connecting part 52 of the multi-way valve element 5 is connected and fixed to the bottom plate 21 of the heat exchange element 2 by bolts, and the second flow path of the heat exchange element 2 connects the third flow path 523 and the fourth flow path 524.

[0018] Referring to Figures 1, 6, 9 and 11, when the fluid control unit 100 is applied to a thermal management system, it is necessary to improve the control accuracy of the fluid control unit 100, especially the control accuracy of the valve element, in order to ensure safe and stable operation of the thermal management system. Therefore, the fluid control unit 100 in this embodiment further includes a sensor, the number of which may be multiple, with its sensing head located in the passage or in a mounting hole communicating with the passage, and the sensor mainly detects the temperature and / or pressure of the working fluid in the passage. For example, in this embodiment, the sensors include a first sensor 61, a second sensor 62, a third sensor 63, a fourth sensor 64, a fifth sensor 65, and a sixth sensor 66. The first sensor 61 to the fourth sensor 65 are connected to a sensor mounting base provided on the flow path plate 41, the fifth sensor 65 is connected to the liquid storage element mounting base 47, and the sixth sensor 66 is connected to the connection part 52. Specifically, the first sensor 61 detects the temperature and / or pressure of the working fluid in the third passage 403, the second sensor 62 detects the temperature and / or pressure of the working fluid in the fourth passage 404, the third sensor 63 detects the temperature and / or pressure of the working fluid in the fifth passage 405, the fourth sensor 64 detects the temperature and / or pressure of the working fluid in the second passage 408, the fifth sensor 65 detects the temperature and / or pressure of the working fluid in the third connecting passage 473 of the liquid storage element mounting base 47, or detects the temperature and / or pressure of the working fluid at the outlet of the liquid storage element 3, and the sixth sensor 66 detects the temperature and / or pressure of the working fluid in the third passage 523 of the connecting part.

[0019] 1, 2 and 6, the passage element 4 further includes a connection port block. The connection port base has a connection port, and the fluid control unit 100 realizes abutment and communication between its passage and other elements in the thermal management system through the connection port of the connection port base. The connection port base and the flow path plate 41 are connected or integrally molded, and in this embodiment, the connection port base and the flow path plate 41 are pasted together and then sealed and fixed by welding, and the orientation of the connection ports is the same, thus facilitating butt-fitting and connection of the fluid control unit 100 to other elements. Specifically, the connection port base includes a first connection port base 71, a second connection port base 72, a third connection port base 73, a fourth connection port base 74 and a fifth connection port base 75. The first connection port base 71 has a first connection port 711, which communicates with the sixth passage 401. The second connection port base 72 has a second connection port 721 and a third connection port 722, which communicates with the seventh passage 402 and the third connection port 722 communicates with the fifth passage 405. In this manner, by controlling the valve element, the first valve element 11 makes the first connection port 711 and the second connection port 721 communicable or incommunicable with each other. The third connection port base 73 has a fourth connection port 731 and a fifth connection port 732, which communicates with the third passage 403 and the fifth connection port 732 communicates with the fourth passage 404. The third valve element 12 enables communication between the first connection port 711 and the fourth connection port 731, the fourth connection port base 74 has a sixth connection port 741 and a seventh connection port 742, the sixth connection port 741 is connected to the first passage 406 and the seventh connection port 742 is connected to the second passage 408, the fourth valve element 14 enables or disables communication between the fifth connection port 732 and the sixth connection port 741, the fifth connection port base 75 has an eighth connection port 751, the eighth connection port 751 is connected to the second passage 408, and the third valve element 13 enables or disables communication between the fourth connection port 731 and the eighth connection port 751, and the eighth connection port 751 is connected to the seventh connection port 742.

[0020] The fluid control unit 100 is applicable to a thermal management system, and FIGS. 1, 6 and 13 are examples in which the fluid control unit 100 is applied to a thermal management system. The thermal management system 200 of this embodiment further includes a compressor 201 , a first heat exchanger 202 , a second heat exchanger 203 , an evaporator 204 , an expansion element 205 and a third check valve 206 . The first heat exchanger 202 may function as a condenser or as an evaporator. The second heat exchanger 203 functions as a condenser, and the outlet of the compressor 201 is connected to the first connection port 711 by abutting it, and its inlet is connected to the eighth connection port 751 by abutting it, one end connection port of the first heat exchanger 202 is connected to the fourth connection port 731 by abutting it, and the other end connection port is connected to the fifth connection port 732 by abutting it, the inlet of the second heat exchanger 203 is connected to the second connection port 721 by abutting it, and its outlet is connected to the third connection port 722 by abutting it, and the inlet of the evaporator 204 is connected to the sixth connection port 741 by the expansion element 205, and its outlet is connected in one direction to the seventh connection port 742 by the third check valve 206. In other embodiments, the third check valve 206 may not be included, i.e., the outlet of the evaporator 204 is in abutting communication with the seventh connection port 742 .

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1, 6, 13 and 14, the application of the fluid control unit 100 in the thermal management system includes, but is not limited to, two operation modes: First operating mode (FIG. 13): the first valve element 11, the third valve element 13, the fourth valve element 14 and the fifth valve element 15 are open, the second valve element 12 is closed and the multi-way valve 51 is switched to communicate between the inlet joint flow path 5211 and the fourth flow path 524.

[0022] The high-temperature and high-pressure gas-phase working fluid (e.g., refrigerant) at the outlet side of the compressor 201 flows into the sixth passage 401 from the first connection port 711, flows directly into the seventh passage 402 through the first valve element 11, flows into the second heat exchanger 203 from the second connection port 721, and is condensed by the second heat exchanger 203 (condenser) to dissipate heat, becomes a high-temperature gas-liquid two-phase working fluid, flows into the fifth passage 405 through the third connection port 722, and enters the liquid storage chamber of the liquid storage element 3 through one-way conduction by the second check valve. The liquid storage element 3 separates the gas-phase working fluid, and then flows the high-temperature liquid-phase working fluid into the first passage 406. A part of the high-temperature liquid-phase working fluid in the first passage 406 is throttled and expanded by the fourth valve element 14, and becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase working fluid, flows into the fourth passage 404, and is discharged from the fifth connection port 732. The high-temperature liquid-phase working fluid in the first passage 406 is throttled and expanded by the fifth valve element 15, and then becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase working fluid. The high-temperature liquid-phase working fluid in the first passage 406 flows into the first heat exchanger 202 (an evaporator in this case) through the fourth connection port 731, and then flows directly into the second passage 408 through the third valve element 13. Another part of the high-temperature liquid-phase working fluid in the first passage 406 is throttled and expanded by the fifth valve element 15, and then becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase working fluid. The other part flows into the eighth passage 407, and then flows into the first passage of the heat exchange element 2, and absorbs heat by exchanging heat with the working fluid (e.g., a coolant) in the second passage of the heat exchange element 2, and then becomes a low-temperature gas-phase working fluid. The other part flows into the second passage 408, and then joins with the gas-phase working fluid in the second passage 408, and then returns to the compressor 201 through the eighth connection port 751 and circulates thereafter. Here, in the first mode of operation, the expansion element 205 is closed and the third check valve 206 is in a reverse blocking state.

[0023] Second operating mode (FIG. 14): the second valve element 12, the fifth valve element 15 are open, the first valve element 11, the third valve element 13 and the fourth valve element 14 are closed, and the multi-way valve 51 is switched to communicate between the inlet joint flow path 5211 and the fourth flow path 524.

[0024] The high-temperature and high-pressure gas-phase working fluid (e.g., refrigerant) at the outlet side of the compressor 201 enters the sixth passage 401 from the first connection port 711, flows directly to the third passage 403 through the second valve element 12, flows into the first heat exchanger 202 (in this case, the condenser) from the fourth connection port 731, is condensed by the first heat exchanger 202 and dissipates heat, becomes a high-temperature gas-liquid two-phase working fluid, flows into the fourth passage 404 through the fifth connection port 732, and enters the liquid storage chamber of the liquid storage element 3 through one-way conduction by the first check valve. The liquid storage element 3 separates the gas-phase working fluid, and then flows the high-temperature liquid-phase working fluid into the first passage 406. A part of the high-temperature liquid-phase working fluid in the first passage 406 is throttled by the fifth valve element 15 to expand. After that, it becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase working fluid and flows into the eighth passage 407, flows into the first passage of the heat exchange element 2, exchanges heat with the working fluid (e.g., a coolant) in the second passage of the heat exchange element 2 to absorb heat, and then becomes a low-temperature gas-phase working fluid and flows into the second passage 408. Another part of the high-temperature liquid-phase working fluid in the first passage 406 is throttled and expanded by the expansion element 205, becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase working fluid, flows into the evaporator 204, is evaporated by the evaporator 204 to absorb heat, becomes a low-temperature gas-phase working fluid, flows into the second passage 408 through the third check valve 206, and after merging with the gas-phase working fluid in the second passage 408, returns to the compressor 201 through the eighth connection port 751 and circulates.

[0025] 4 and 6, it can be seen by combining the operation mode of the thermal management system 200 that the working fluid in the sixth passage 401, the seventh passage 402 and the third passage 403 is generally a high-temperature and high-pressure gas phase working fluid flowing in from the compressor 201, and the working fluid in the fourth passage 404 and the fifth passage 405 is generally a heat-dissipated working fluid condensed by the first heat exchanger 202 (referred to as a condenser) or the second heat exchanger 203 (referred to as a condenser). In this embodiment, in order to avoid harmful heat exchange between the high-temperature working fluid in the sixth passage 401, the seventh passage 402, and the third passage 403 and the working fluid after condensation heat dissipation in the fourth passage 404 and the fifth passage 405, the passage element 4 further includes a first insulating groove 412 and a second insulating groove 413. In this embodiment, the first insulation groove 412 is formed to be recessed inward and away from the first wall 411 along a direction perpendicular to the first wall 411 of the flow path plate 41, and at least a portion of the seventh passage 402 and at least a portion of the fifth passage 405 are distributed along the circumferential side of the first insulation groove 412, and similarly, the second insulation groove 413 is formed to be recessed inward and away from the first wall 411 along a direction perpendicular to the first wall 44, and at least a portion of the third passage 403 and at least a portion of the fourth passage 404 are distributed along the circumferential side of the second insulation groove 413. During the formation of the passage cavities and holes, the insulating grooves are formed in the passage plate 41 together by cold extrusion. In another embodiment, the first insulating groove 412 and the second insulating groove 413 are further provided to penetrate the passage element 4, to avoid harmful heat transfer between the passages and to contribute to hollowing out. Here, in order to avoid harmful heat exchange between the passages, apart from the above-mentioned first and second insulating grooves 412 and 413, the passage element 4 may have other insulating grooves.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 6, the second operating mode of the thermal management system 200 is combined, and the liquid phase working fluid flowing from the liquid storage element 3 to the first passage 406 is throttled and expanded by the expansion element 205, evaporated by the evaporator 204 to absorb heat, and then becomes a gas phase working fluid, which flows into the second passage 408 and returns to the compressor 201. In order to ensure that the working fluid located in the second passage 408 and returned to the compressor 201 is a gas phase working fluid, after being condensed and heat exchanged by the first heat exchanger 202 (referred to as a condenser) and after being separated into gas phase by the liquid storage element 3, the liquid phase working fluid in the first passage 406 must be supercooled, and after being throttled and expanded by the expansion element 205, evaporated by the evaporator 204 to absorb heat, the gas phase working fluid in the second passage 408 must be superheated. Considering the energy saving and improvement of the heat exchange efficiency of the thermal management system, in this embodiment, at least a part of the first passage 406 and at least a part of the second passage 408 are arranged in close proximity, and the close arrangement is defined as the distance between the two being as small as possible while ensuring strength, thereby performing heat exchange between the working fluid (high temperature) of the part of the first passage 406 close to the second passage 408 and a part of the working fluid (low temperature) of the second passage 408, and further condensing the working fluid in the first passage 406 to release heat, ensuring the supercooling of the working fluid, and at the same time evaporating the working fluid in the second passage 408 to absorb heat, ensuring its superheating. Specifically, the first passageway 406 in this embodiment includes a first passageway segment 4061 , and correspondingly, the second passageway 408 includes a second passageway segment 4081 . The first passage segment 4061 is provided adjacent to the second passage segment 4081, and further, the first passage segment 4061 is arranged in a U-shape, and the second passage segment 4081 is similarly arranged in a U-shape, with the first passage segment 4061 formed to surround the second passage segment 4081 and positioned outside the second passage segment 4081. By arranging the first passage segment 4061 and the second passage segment 4081 in a U-shape, the heat exchange area between them is increased while contributing to a compact passage structure; of course, in other embodiments, the first passage segment 4061 and the second passage segment 4081 may have other shapes. In another embodiment, the working fluid in the passage that has been condensed and dissipated heat by the first heat exchanger (assumed to be a condenser) or the second heat exchanger (assumed to be a condenser) may not be separated into gas and liquid by the liquid storage element 3, but may flow directly through the expansion element, be throttled and expanded, and may be evaporated by the evaporator, absorb heat, and then flow back to the compressor through the passage. Therefore, in considering the possibility of another embodiment, at least a part of the passage (e.g., the first passage) located behind the condenser and before the expansion element and at least a part of the passage (e.g., the second passage) located behind the evaporator are arranged in close proximity, and the front and rear described here refer to the outlet of the compressor as the starting point and the inlet of the compressor as the end point, and along the flow direction of the refrigerant, the outlet close to the compressor is referred to as the front, and the outlet away from the compressor is referred to as the rear. Here, when the first heat exchanger is a condenser and the second heat exchanger is a condenser, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are collectively referred to as a condenser, and the expansion element may be other elements having a throttling and expansion effect known to those skilled in the art, such as a thermostatic expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve, a capillary tube, etc. The subcooling and superheating of the working fluid is improved by heat exchange between the passages, and an intermediate heat exchanger is added to the system to fully utilize the thermal energy between the passages to achieve the subcooling and superheating of the working fluid, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the system and improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0027] In addition, based on different uses of the passages of the fluid control unit, the passages are divided into communication passages and heat exchange passages, and the communication passages are mainly defined to realize the flow of the working fluid, and the heat exchange passages are defined to flow the working fluid and to perform heat exchange of the working fluid between the passages. For example, in this embodiment, as can be seen based on the operation mode, the third passage to the eighth passage are communication passages, and the first passage and the second passage are heat exchange passages. Here, as an extended embodiment, at least one of the condenser, the evaporator, and the expansion element may be further integrated into the fluid control unit. In a specific embodiment, the fluid control unit includes a fluid management element and a passage element, the fluid management element including at least one of a condenser and a liquid storage element, and is connected to the passage element, the connections described herein including direct connections and indirect connections, the indirect connections being connections by conduits between the fluid management element and the passage element. The heat exchange passage includes a first passage and a second passage, the flow path of the fluid management element communicates with the communication passage, the flow path of the fluid management element communicates with the first passage, at least a portion of the first passage and at least a portion of the second passage are arranged in close proximity, and working fluid within the adjacent portions of the first passage and the second passage are capable of heat exchange. In actual application, the high temperature and high pressure working fluid passes through the fluid management element from the communicating passage and enters the first passage, and the working fluid of the thermal management system evaporates and absorbs heat before entering the second passage. The working fluids in the first and second passages exchange heat where they are close to each other, improving the efficiency of the thermal management system. In addition, the fluid control unit has a communicating passage and a heat exchange passage, which reduces the connection through the intermediate heat exchanger and makes the fluid control unit structure compact, thereby contributing to the arrangement and miniaturization of the thermal management system.

[0028] In another specific embodiment, the fluid control unit further includes at least one of an evaporator and an expansion element, and an example is given in which the fluid control unit includes both an evaporator and an expansion element, and the evaporator and the expansion element may be connected to the passage element respectively, or may be integrated and then connected to the passage element, and the first passage is connected to the second passage via the flow path of the expansion element and the flow path of the second heat exchanger (not limited to this). Here, what is not limited to includes, but is not limited to, connecting tubes or other functional parts, such as switching valves, etc. Furthermore, the communicating passage includes a first connection port, the first passage includes a second connection port, and the first connection port and the second connection port are located on the same side of the passage element, which facilitates connection and integration of the passage element with the liquid storage element and the condenser, contributing to a compact fluid control unit structure. The first passage includes a third connection port, and the second passage includes a fourth connection port, the third connection port and the fourth connection port being located on the same side of the passage element. This facilitates connection and integration of the passage element, the expansion element and the evaporator, contributing to a more compact structure of the fluid control unit. The connection ports described herein include the openings of the holes that communicate with the liquid storage elements described above, and connection ports that communicate with the condenser, evaporator, and expansion elements.

[0029] Here, the above examples are not intended to limit the present invention, but are merely intended to illustrate the present invention. Although the present specification has already described the present invention in detail with reference to the above examples, amendments or equivalent substitutions may be made to the present invention, and all improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. a fluid control unit including a fluid management element and a passage element; the fluid management element includes at least one of a condenser and a liquid storage element connected to the passage element; the passage element has a passage; the passages include a communication passage and a heat exchange passage; the heat exchange passage includes a first passage and a second passage; the communication passage communicates with a flow path of the fluid management element; a flow path of the fluid management element communicating with the first passage, and at least a portion of the first passage and at least a portion of the second passage being disposed adjacent to each other; A fluid control unit, characterized in that the working fluid in the adjacent portions of the first passage and the second passage is capable of exchanging heat.

2. The fluid management element further includes an evaporator and an expansion element; 2. The fluid control unit according to claim 1, wherein the first passage communicates with the second passage via a passage of the expansion element and a passage of the evaporator.

3. the communication passage includes a first connection port; the first passage includes a second connection port; the first connection port and the second connection port are located on the same side of the passage element; the first passage further includes a third connection port; the second passage includes a fourth connection port; the third connection port and the fourth connection port are located on the same side of the passage element; The fluid control unit according to claim 2, wherein the first connection port, the second connection port, the third connection port, and the fourth connection port are used to communicate with the condenser, the liquid storage element, the evaporator, and the expansion element.

4. the first passageway includes a first passageway segment; the second passage includes a second passage segment; The fluid control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first passage segment surrounds the second passage segment, and the first passage segment and the second passage segment are arranged in close proximity to each other.

5. The first path segments are arranged in a U-shape; The second path segments are arranged in a U-shape; 5. The fluid control unit according to claim 4, wherein the first passage segment is formed outside the second passage segment so as to surround it.

6. the passage element includes a flow path plate and a cover plate; A fluid control unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the flow path plate and / or the cover plate have a cavity that forms the passage, and the flow path plate and the cover plate form the passage so that they engage with each other.

7. the passage element includes a flow path plate and a cover plate; 6. The fluid control unit according to claim 5, wherein the flow path plate and / or the cover plate have cavities that form the passages, and the flow path plate and the cover plate are engaged to form the passages.

8. the flow path plate has a cavity that forms the passage; the flow path plate includes a first surface; The fluid control unit according to claim 6, wherein the cavity is formed to be recessed inward from the first surface along a direction perpendicular to the first surface, and the flow path plate and the cover plate are engaged to form the passage.

9. the communication passages further include a third passage, a fourth passage, a fifth passage, a sixth passage, a seventh passage, and an eighth passage; the fluid management elements further include a first valve element, a second valve element, a third valve element, a fourth valve element, and a fifth valve element; the first valve element allows direct communication between the sixth passage and the seventh passage, the second valve element allows direct communication between the sixth passage and the third passage, the third valve element allows direct communication between the third passage and the second passage, the fourth valve element allows the first passage and the fourth passage to communicate with each other in a throttled manner; the fifth valve element allows the first passage and the eighth passage to communicate with each other in a throttled manner; 4. The fluid control unit according to claim 1, wherein the condenser connects the seventh passage and the fifth passage.

10. the passage element includes a flow path plate and a cover plate; the flow path plate and / or the cover plate have cavities that form the passages, and the flow path plate and the cover plate are engaged to form the passages; The flow path plate includes a first surface and further includes a first insulating groove and a second insulating groove; The first heat insulating groove and the second heat insulating groove are formed so as to be recessed inward from the first surface along a direction perpendicular to the first surface, or are provided so as to penetrate the flow path plate, at least a portion of the seventh passage and at least a portion of the fifth passage are distributed along a circumferential side of the first heat insulating groove; The fluid control unit according to claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the third passage and at least a portion of the fourth passage are distributed along a circumferential side of the second heat insulating groove.

11. A thermal management system including a fluid control unit; The fluid control unit is a fluid control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the thermal management system includes a first condenser, a first evaporator, and a first expansion element; the first passage is located downstream of the first condenser and upstream of the first expansion element; The thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein the second passage is located downstream of the first evaporator.

12. The fluid control unit has a plurality of connection ports, the first passage is in butt communication with the inlet of the first expansion element through one of the plurality of connection ports; The outlet of the first expansion element is in butt communication with the inlet of the first evaporator; The thermal management system according to claim 11 , wherein the second passage is directly or indirectly connected to the outlet of the first evaporator through another of the plurality of connection ports.

13. A thermal management system including a fluid control unit; The fluid control unit is a fluid control unit according to claim 5, the thermal management system includes a first condenser, a first evaporator, and a first expansion element; the first passage is located downstream of the first condenser and upstream of the first expansion element; The thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein the second passage is located downstream of the first evaporator.

14. The fluid control unit has a plurality of connection ports, the first passage is in butt communication with the inlet of the first expansion element through one of the plurality of connection ports; The outlet of the first expansion element is in abutting communication with the inlet of the first evaporator; The thermal management system according to claim 13 , wherein the second passage is directly or indirectly connected to the outlet of the first evaporator through another of the plurality of connection ports.

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