Fluid control unit and thermal management system

Abstract

A fluid control unit and a thermal management system, the fluid control unit including a valve member (2), a connection block (3) and a flow path plate (4), a part of the valve member (2) is located in an attachment chamber (31-35) of the connection block (3), the valve member (2) is connected to the connection block (3), the connection block (3) is connected to the flow path plate (4), the flow path plate (4) includes a first plate (41) and a second plate (42), the first plate (41) and / or the second plate (42) form grooves or holes for passages of the flow path plate (4), and the first plate (41) and the second plate (42) are combined with each other to form a flow path plate (4). The valve member (2) forms at least a part of the passage of the flow path plate (4), and the valve member (2) enables communication / blocking of one, two or more of the passages of the flow path plate (4), and the fluid control unit has a connection port through which the fluid control unit is butt-connected to other elements in the thermal management system, and by arranging the first plate (41) and / or the second plate (42), grooves or holes are formed in the passage of the flow path plate (4), and the first plate (41) and the second plate (42) are combined to form at least a part of the passage of the flow path plate (4), thereby simplifying the processing process and reducing weight.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to a Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on October 13, 2021, bearing application number 202111191252.3 and entitled "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 in particular to fluid control units and thermal management systems. [Background technology]

[0003] Generally, the connection block of a fluid control unit includes a portion for mounting a valve element and a passage portion for fluid flow, both of which are integrally formed within the connection block by machining. Due to the large number of passages, the machining process becomes complicated and the weight of the connection block becomes heavy, resulting in a heavy weight for the fluid control unit. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid control unit and a thermal management system that can be manufactured with simplified manufacturing processes and reduced in weight. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides: A fluid control unit comprising a valve member and a connection block, the connection block having an attachment chamber, a portion of the valve member located in the attachment chamber, the valve member connected to the connection block, the fluid control unit further comprising a flow path plate, the connection block being connected to the flow path plate, the flow path plate comprising a first plate and a second plate, the first plate and / or the second plate having grooves or holes that form passages in the flow path plate, the first plate and the second plate combining to form at least a portion of the passages in the flow path plate, the valve member being capable of connecting or blocking one, two, or more of the passages in the flow path plate.

[0006] A thermal management system including a compressor, a liquid reservoir, an outdoor heat exchanger, a condenser, an evaporator, an expansion valve, and a heat exchange element, the thermal management system further including a fluid control unit, the fluid control unit having a connection port, the fluid control unit being connected to the compressor, the liquid reservoir, the condenser, the evaporator, the expansion valve, and the heat exchange element, respectively, through the connection port, and the fluid control unit being the above-mentioned fluid control unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present invention provides a fluid control unit and a thermal management system, wherein the fluid control unit includes a valve member, a connection block, and a flow path plate, a portion of the valve member being located in an attachment chamber of the connection block, the valve member being connected to the connection block, the connection block being connected to the flow path plate, the flow path plate including a first plate and a second plate, the first plate and / or the second plate forming grooves or holes for the passages of the flow path plate, the first plate and the second plate combining to form at least a portion of the passages of the flow path plate, the valve member enabling communication between or blocking one, two, or more of the passages of the flow path plate, the fluid control unit having connection ports, the fluid control unit being butt-connected to other elements in the thermal management system by the connection ports, the first plate and / or the second plate being positioned to form grooves or holes for the passages of the flow path plate, the first plate and the second plate combining to form at least a portion of the passages of the flow path plate. This simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces weight compared to related art in which passages are integrally formed in a connection block by machining. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a fluid control unit. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid control unit of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connection block of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional view of the drive mechanism of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the drive mechanism of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional view of the outer housing of FIG. 2. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the drive member of FIG. 2. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the flow path plate of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a three-dimensional view of the flow path plate of FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is a system structural 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. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a system structural diagram of the thermal management system of FIG. 12 in a second operating mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the following figures and examples.

[0010] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the fluid control unit is applicable to a thermal management system, and the thermal management system may be a vehicle thermal management system, for example, a new energy vehicle thermal management system. The fluid control unit 100 includes a drive member 1 , a valve member 2 , a connection block 3 and a flow path plate 4 . The valve member 2 is connected to a connection block 3 , a driving member 1 that can be driven to operate the valve member 2 is connected to the connection block 3 , and a flow path plate 4 is connected to the connection block 3 . The fluid control unit 100 has passages, the number of which may be multiple, and under the action of the drive member 1, the valve member 2 controls two or more of the passages to be connected or blocked, and further, when controlling two or more of the passages to be connected, the valve member 2 directly connects two or more of the passages or connects them in a throttled manner. Direct communication is defined as one in which the pressure of the working fluid does not change or changes very little before and after it flows through the valve member (e.g., pressure loss range <1%), and restrictive communication is defined as one in which the pressure of the working fluid before it flows through the valve member is greater than the pressure after it flows through the valve member, and connection is defined to include a fixed connection or a position-restricted connection, or a removable connection, or a sealed connection, or an injection-molded connection.

[0011] 2 and 3, the number of valve members 2 may be plural. In this embodiment, the valve members 2 are arranged in order along a line, and include a first valve member 21, a second valve member 22, a third valve member 23, a fourth valve member 24, and a fifth valve member 25. Correspondingly, the connection block 3 has mounting chambers, the number of which is the same as the number of valve members, and in this embodiment, the mounting chambers are arranged in sequence along the same linear line and include a first mounting chamber 31, a second mounting chamber 32, a third mounting chamber 33, a fourth mounting chamber 34 and a fifth mounting chamber 35. A portion of the valve member is located in the mounting chamber, and the valve member is connected to the connection block 3. Specifically, in this embodiment, a portion of the first valve member 21 is located in the first mounting chamber 31, a portion of the second valve member 22 is located in the second mounting chamber 32, a portion of the third valve member 23 is located in the third mounting chamber 33, a portion of the fourth valve member 24 is located in the fourth mounting chamber 34, and a portion of the fifth valve member 25 is located in the fifth mounting chamber 35. The driving member 1 includes a driving mechanism, and the number of driving mechanisms may be multiple. In this embodiment, the driving mechanisms include a first driving mechanism 11, a second driving mechanism 12, a third driving mechanism 13, a fourth driving mechanism 14, and a fifth driving mechanism 15. The drive member 1 further includes an outer housing 16 and a circuit board 17 . The external housing 16 forms the storage chamber 160 or at least a part of the storage chamber 160, the drive mechanism and the circuit board 17 are located in the storage chamber 160, and the circuit board 17 is connected to the external housing 16, and in this embodiment, the circuit board 17 and the external housing 16 are removably connected by screws. Another part of the valve member is located in the accommodating chamber 160, and the drive mechanism is located on the outer periphery of the part of the valve member located in the accommodating chamber 160 and is electrically and / or signal-connected to the circuit board 17. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first drive mechanism 11 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the portion of the first valve member 21 located in the storage chamber 160 and is electrically and / or signal-connected to the circuit board 17, the second drive mechanism 12 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the portion of the second valve member 22 located in the storage chamber 160 and is electrically and / or signal-connected to the circuit board 17, the third drive mechanism 13 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the portion of the third valve member 23 located in the storage chamber 160 and is electrically and / or signal-connected to the circuit board 17, the fourth drive mechanism 14 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the portion of the fourth valve member 24 located in the storage chamber 160 and is electrically and / or signal-connected to the circuit board 17, and the fifth drive mechanism 15 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the portion of the fifth valve member 25 located in the storage chamber 160 and is electrically and / or signal-connected to the circuit board 17.

[0012] 2, 4 and 5, there is no obvious difference in the structure of the drive mechanism, and for the sake of simplicity, the first drive mechanism 11 will be taken as an example for description, and the first drive mechanism 11 includes a coil unit 111, a plastic-coated housing 112 and a connecting pin 113. Then, the coil unit 111, the connection pins 113, etc. are integrally injection molded as injection molding inserts to form a plastic-coated housing 112, which covers at least a portion of the coil unit 111. One end of the connection pins 113 is located inside the plastic-coated housing 112 and is electrically and / or signal-connected to the coil unit 111, and the other end is located outside the plastic-coated housing 112 and is electrically and / or signal-connected to the circuit board 17. This allows electrical and / or signal connection between the first drive mechanism 11 and the circuit board 17. In other embodiments, the number of valve members and driving mechanisms may be different, and may be specifically determined according to the actual application needs.

[0013] Referring to Figures 2 to 5, in the above structure, the drive mechanisms of the drive members 1 are electrically and / or signal-connected to the same circuit board 17, and the valve members 2 are connected to the same connection block 3. When there are multiple drive mechanisms and valve members, arranging them in this manner makes the structure of the fluid control unit 100 compact and saves material costs. However, with this arrangement, the lengthwise size of the external housing 16 and the lengthwise size of the connection block 3 become longer. The lengthwise direction is defined as the direction of linear distribution of the valve member 2. The external housing 16 is made of plastic material and the connection block 3 is made of metal material. Since the linear expansion coefficients of the two are different, when the temperature changes as the fluid control unit 100 operates in the thermal management system, the amount of expansion and contraction of the two along the lengthwise direction differs. In this way, when the sizes are cumulative, the amount of expansion and contraction of the external housing 16 along the lengthwise direction is greater than the amount of expansion and contraction of the connection block 3 along the lengthwise direction, and the circuit board 17 is connected to the external housing 16 (for example, in this embodiment, it is removably connected by screws). That is, the circuit board 17 moves according to the expansion and contraction amount of the outer housing 16, the drive mechanism is fitted onto the outer periphery of the valve member 2, and the valve member 2 moves according to the expansion and contraction amount of the connection block 3; in this way, the drive mechanism is limited in position by the valve member 2, that is, the connection pins of the drive mechanism that are electrically and / or signal-connected to the circuit board 17 are limited in position by the valve member 2, ensuring that the valve member 2 can better sense the excitation magnetic field generated by the drive mechanism. For this reason, the inner peripheral wall of the drive mechanism and the outer peripheral wall of the valve member 2 are bonded together or arranged with a slight gap therebetween, so that during the driven process, the circuit board 17 forms a displacement deviation with respect to the connecting pin, which leads to stress concentration at the connection point between the connecting pin and the circuit board 17 (for example, in this embodiment, fixed and connected by welding), making the connection at the connection point less solid and affecting the stability and reliability of the electrical and / or signal connection between the drive mechanism and the circuit board 17. Here, the definition of the length direction is merely a definition of a direction for ease of understanding, and since the size of the outer housing 16 in other directions is short and the cumulative deviation due to linear expansion is small, it is not particularly taken into consideration here.

[0014] To solve the above problem, referring to FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6, taking the first driving mechanism 11 as an example, the first driving mechanism 11 further includes a support block 114. As shown in FIG. The support block 114 is connected to the connection pin 113, and in this embodiment, the support block 114 is formed by integrally injection molding the connection pin 113 as an injection molding insert. The connection pin 113 is arranged to pass through the support block 114, and the support block 114 is arranged along the axial direction of the valve member 2 so as to be closer to the drive mechanism than the circuit board 17. In this embodiment, the support block 114 is close to one end of the connection pin 113 that is electrically and / or signal connected to the circuit board 17 . The support block 114 is connected to the outer housing 16. Specifically, taking the support block 114 of the first drive mechanism 11 as an example, the outer housing 16 further includes a convex rib 161. Along the width direction of this external housing 16, the convex rib 161 is formed so as to protrude from the inner wall surface 162 of the external housing 16 in a direction away from the inner wall surface 162, and the width direction is defined as being located on the same horizontal plane as the length direction and being perpendicular to the length direction, the convex ribs 161 are arranged symmetrically, and position limiting grooves 1611 are formed, and along the height direction of the external housing 16, the position limiting grooves 1611 are formed so as to be recessed inward from the upper end surface of the convex rib 161, and the height direction is defined as being perpendicular to the horizontal plane in which the length direction and width direction exist, and the end surface of the convex rib 161 that comes closest to the circuit board 17 along the height direction is defined as the upper end surface. A portion of the support block 114 is located in a groove chamber formed by the position limiting groove 1611 , and the position of the support block 114 is limited by the position limiting groove 1611 along the length direction of the outer housing 16 . By positioning the support block and connecting the support block 114 to the external housing 16 (for example, in this embodiment, a position-limiting connection using the position-limiting groove 1611), the support block can move according to the amount of expansion and contraction of the external housing 16, and the connection point between the support block and the connection pin along the axial direction of the valve member 2 is located closer to the drive mechanism than the connection point between the connection pin and the circuit board 17. This transfers the stress at the connection point between the connection pin and the circuit board 17, or a portion of it, to the injection-molded connection point between the support block 114 and the connection pin 113, thereby reducing the stress concentration at the connection point between the connection pin and the circuit board 17 and improving the stability and reliability of the electrical and / or signal connection between the connection pin 113 and the circuit board 17. In addition, in this embodiment, the support block 114 is further abutted against the circuit board 17 to support the circuit board 17, reducing stress concentration at the connection points between the connection pins and the circuit board while increasing the strength of the circuit board 117.

[0015] Referring to Figures 4, 6 to 8, the drive mechanism is connected to the outer housing 16, specifically, taking the first drive mechanism 11 as an example connected to the outer housing 16, in this embodiment, the plastic-coated housing 112 of the first drive mechanism further includes a step portion 1121. The step 1121 is a non-rotating body. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the cross section of the plastic-coated housing 112 along the width direction is rectangular, and the cross section of the step 1121 along the width direction is also rectangular. After being attached, the step 1121 cannot rotate relative to the inner chamber of the plastic-coated housing 112. Accordingly, the outer housing 16 further includes an inner buckle 165. Similarly, this inner buckle 165 is formed so as to protrude from the inner wall surface 162 of the outer housing 16 in a direction away from the inner wall surface 162 along the width direction of the outer housing 16, and the inner buckle 165 is arranged symmetrically. Along the height direction of the external housing 16, the step portion 1121 is located between the buckle portion of the inner buckle 165 and the bottom wall 163 of the external housing 16, the buckle portion of the inner buckle 165 abuts against the step portion 1121, and the step portion 1121 abuts against the bottom wall 163 of the external housing 16, and the first drive mechanism 11 engages with the buckle portion of the inner buckle 165 by the step portion 1121 to realize a position-restricted connection with the external housing 16. By arranging the step portion 1121 as a non-rotating body and connecting it to the external housing 16, assembly and positioning of the drive mechanism is facilitated, while the drive mechanism moves longitudinally along with the external housing 16 within the clearance range with the valve member 2, which reduces stress concentration at the connection point between the connection pin and the circuit board 17 to some extent and improves the stability and reliability of the electrical and / or signal connection between the connection pin and the circuit board 17.

[0016] 1 and 9, the driving member 1 is further connected to the connection block 3 by an outer housing 16 , and specifically, in this embodiment, the outer housing 16 further includes an outer buckle 164 . Along the height direction of the outer housing 16, the outer buckles 164 are formed to protrude from the outer wall surface of the bottom wall 163 in a direction away from the outer wall surface, and the number of the outer buckles 164 is plural and arranged symmetrically. Correspondingly, the connecting block 3 further includes a buckle groove 36. The buckle groove 36 is formed along the width direction of the external housing 16 so as to recess inward from the side wall surface of the connection block 3. When the drive member 1 is connected to the connection block 3, the bottom wall 163 of the external housing 16 abuts against the connection block 3, the buckle portion of the external buckle 164 abuts against the buckle groove 36, and at least a portion of the buckle portion of the external buckle 164 is located in the groove chamber formed by the buckle groove 36. The driving member 1 is buckled to the connection block 3, thereby reducing the connection space and making the structure compact and small, while the outer housing 16 is driven longitudinally by the buckle groove 36 when it linearly expands and contracts. The outer housing 16 and the connection block 3 are fixedly connected by screws or other methods, which reduces the stress concentration on the outer housing 16 due to linear expansion, thereby extending the service life of the outer housing 16.

[0017] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the connection block 3 further includes a protrusion 37, and in this embodiment, the protrusion 37 is formed to protrude away from the bottom wall of the connection block 3 along the axial direction of the mounting chamber, and the wall of the connection block 3 that is closest to the flow path plate 4 along the axial direction of the mounting chamber is defined as the bottom wall. The number of the protrusions 37 may be plural. In this embodiment, the protrusions 37 include a first protrusion 371, a second protrusion 372, a third protrusion 373, a fourth protrusion 374, a fifth protrusion 375, a sixth protrusion 376, and a seventh protrusion 377. The protrusions 37 are arranged in order along a line and have a communication port. The connection block 3 further includes a first passage 38 and a second passage 39. The first passage 38 includes a first connection port 381. For a single component, the connection block 3, the first mounting chamber 31 is connected to the first passage 38. The second mounting chamber 32 connects the first connection port 381 with the communication port of the second protrusion 372 through the first passage 38, the third mounting chamber 33 connects the communication port of the third protrusion 373 with the communication port of the fourth protrusion 374, the fourth mounting chamber 34 connects the communication port of the fifth protrusion 375 with the communication port of the sixth protrusion 376 through the second passage 39, and the fifth mounting chamber 35 connects the communication port of the sixth protrusion 376 with the communication port of the seventh protrusion 377 through the second passage 39.

[0018] 2, 3, 10 and 11, the flow path plate 4 has passages and includes a first plate 41 and a second plate . The first plate 41 and / or the second plate 42 have grooves or holes for the passages of the flow path plate 4 formed therein, and the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 combine to form the complete passage of the flow path plate 4. In this embodiment, the first plate 41 and / or the second plate 42 are formed by pressing a plate material, and the first plate 41 includes a first wall 411, and by pressing, a part of the passage of the flow path plate 4 away from the first wall 411 is formed in the first plate 41 along a direction perpendicular to the first wall 411. Specifically, by pressing, half of the passage of the flow path plate 4 from the first wall 411 to the first wall 411 is formed in the first plate 41, and the second plate 42 includes the second wall 421, and along a direction perpendicular to the second wall 421, another part of the passage of the flow path plate 4 from the second wall 421 to the second wall 421 is formed in the second plate 42, specifically, by pressing, another half of the passage of the flow path plate 4 from the second wall 421 to the second wall 421 is formed in the second plate 42, and the first wall 411 and the second wall 421 are bonded together and connected, for example, in this embodiment, the first wall 411 and the second wall 421 are fixed and connected by welding. The flow path plate 4 has a storage chamber 43, which is formed from some of the passages in the flow path plate 4, at least a portion of the protrusion 37 of the connection block 3 is located in the storage chamber 43, the communication port of the protrusion 37 is connected to the passage that forms the storage chamber 43, and the protrusion 37 is connected to the flow path plate 4 to realize the connection between the connection block 3 and the flow path plate 4; for example, in this embodiment, the protrusion 37 is fixed and connected to the flow path plate 4 by being welded. The central axis of the valve member 2 is parallel or substantially parallel to the first wall and / or the second wall, and the flow path plate 4 and the connection block 3 are arranged to abut against each other or to have a gap therebetween. The number of storage chambers 43 is the same as the number of protrusions 37, and specifically, in this embodiment, the storage chambers 43 include a first storage chamber 431, a second storage chamber 432, a third storage chamber 433, a fourth storage chamber 434, a fifth storage chamber 435, a sixth storage chamber 436, and a seventh storage chamber 437. At least a portion of the first protrusion 371 is located in the first storage chamber 431, at least a portion of the second protrusion 372 is located in the second storage chamber 432, at least a portion of the third protrusion 373 is located in the third storage chamber 433, at least a portion of the fourth protrusion 374 is located in the fourth storage chamber 434, at least a portion of the fifth protrusion 375 is located in the fifth storage chamber 435, at least a portion of the sixth protrusion 376 is located in the sixth storage chamber 436, and at least a portion of the seventh protrusion 377 is located in the seventh storage chamber 437. The first plate 41 and / or the second plate 42 are formed by pressing the plate material, and the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 are combined to form the passages of the flow path plate 4. In contrast to the related art where passages are integrally formed in the connection block by machining, the machining process for the passages is simplified, contributing to a reduction in the weight of the fluid control unit 100. Of course, in other embodiments, the flow path plate may further include a third plate, but is not limited to this. For example, the second plate is located between the first plate and the third plate, and the first plate and the second plate combine to form a part of the passage of the flow path plate, and the second plate and the third plate combine to form another part of the passage of the flow path plate. As another embodiment, which can be easily conceived, the protrusion is further formed on the flow path plate, and its communication port is formed as part of one of the passages in the flow path plate, and the connection block has a storage chamber, which is formed so as to be recessed inward from the bottom wall of the connection block along the axial direction of the mounting chamber, and the storage chamber for the single component, the connection block, is connected to the mounting chamber. At least a portion of the protrusion is located in the storage chamber, the flow path plate is connected to the connection block by the protrusion, and the storage chamber communicates with the passage that forms the communication port through the communication port.

[0019] 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the channels of the channel plate 4 include a third channel 400, a fourth channel 401, a fifth channel 402, a sixth channel 403, a seventh channel 404, and an eighth channel 405. The third passage 400 forms a first storage chamber 431 , and the communication port of the first protrusion 371 communicates with the third passage 400 . As a result, the first valve member 21 can connect or block the first passage 38 and the third passage 400, and when the first passage 38 and the third passage 400 are connected, the first passage 38 and the third passage 400 can be connected by restricting the communication therebetween or by directly communicating therebetween. Similarly, a second storage chamber 432 is formed in the fourth passage 401, and the communication port of the second protrusion 372 communicates with the fourth passage 401. The second valve member 22 can connect or block the communication between the first passage 38 and the fourth passage 400. 401 can be made to communicate or block communication with each other, and when communication is established, the first passage 38 and the fourth passage 401 can be made to communicate by restricting communication between them or can be made to communicate directly, a third storage chamber 433 is further formed in the fourth passage 401, and the communication port of the third protrusion 373 communicates with the fourth passage 401, and a fourth storage chamber 434 is formed in the fifth passage 402, and the communication port of the fourth protrusion 374 communicates with the fifth passage 402. As a result, the third valve member 23 can connect or block the fourth passage 401 and the fifth passage 402, and when connected, the fourth passage 401 and the fifth passage 402 can be connected through a throttle or directly. A fifth storage chamber 435 is formed in the sixth passage 403, and the communication port of the fifth protrusion 375 communicates with the sixth passage 403. A sixth storage chamber 436 is formed in the seventh passage 404, and the communication port of the sixth protrusion 376 communicates with the seventh passage 404. The fourth valve member 24 The second passage 39 allows the sixth passage 403 and the seventh passage 404 to be connected or disconnected, and when connected, it throttles the connection between the sixth passage 403 and the seventh passage 404. A seventh storage chamber 437 is formed in the eighth passage 405, and the communication port of the seventh protrusion 377 communicates with the eighth passage 405. The fifth valve member 25 allows the seventh passage 404 and the eighth passage 405 to be connected or disconnected by the second passage 39, and when connected, it throttles the connection between the seventh passage 404 and the eighth passage 405.

[0020] 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the channels of the channel plate 4 further include a ninth channel 406, a tenth channel 407, an eleventh channel 408, a twelfth channel 409 and a thirteenth channel 410. In this single component, the flow path plate 4, the ninth passage 406 and the fifth passage 402 are connected, the tenth passage 407 and the ninth passage 406 are connected, the eleventh passage 408 and the seventh passage 404 are connected, the twelfth passage 409 and the eighth passage 405 are connected, and the thirteenth passage 410 and the twelfth passage 409 are connected. The fluid control unit 100 further includes a check valve 6 . The check valve 6 has the function of conducting in the forward direction and blocking in the reverse direction due to the differential pressure of the fluid. For example, in this embodiment, the check valve 6 includes a first check valve 61, a second check valve 62, and a third check valve 63. The first check valve 61 is located in the ninth passage 406. Along the axial direction of the first check valve 61, the valve port of the first check valve 61 is arranged farther from the machined opening 4061 of the ninth passage 406 than the connecting port between the ninth passage 406 and the tenth passage 407. The machined opening 4061 is sealed and closed by the sealing plug 5. By arranging the machined opening 4061, the first check valve 4061 can be easily attached, and the first check valve 61 allows the tenth passage 407 to the ninth passage 406 to communicate in the forward direction. Similarly, the second check valve 62 is located in the twelfth passage 409. Along the axial direction of the second check valve 62, the valve port of the second check valve 62 is The third check valve 63 is located in a 13th passage 410, and the valve port of the third check valve 62 is located closer to the machined opening of the 13th passage 410 in the axial direction of the third check valve 63 than the connection port between the 13th passage 410 and the 12th passage 409. The machined opening of the 12th passage 409 is similarly sealed and closed by a sealing plug 5, and the third check valve 63 allows the 13th passage 410 to be connected in the forward direction.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, in this embodiment, at least a portion of the tenth passage 407 is provided so as to be close to the eleventh passage 408 . Specifically, the tenth passage 407 includes a first passage segment 4071, and correspondingly, the eleventh passage 408 includes a second passage segment 4081 formed to surround the first passage segment 4071, the first passage segment 4071 being arranged in close proximity to the second passage segment 4081, and the working fluid in the first passage segment 4071 can exchange heat with the working fluid in the second passage segment 4081. In this embodiment, the first passage segment 4071 is approximately U-shaped, and correspondingly, the second passage segment 4081 formed to surround the first passage segment 4071 is also U-shaped. By arranging the first passage segment 4071 and the second passage segment 4081 in a U-shape, the heat exchange area can be increased and the passage structure can be made compact. Of course, in other embodiments, the first passage segment 4071 and the second passage segment 4081 may have other shapes. The proximity of the first passage segment 4071 to the second passage segment 4081 increases the beneficial heat exchange between the passages, thus contributing to energy savings when the fluid control unit 100 is applied to a system. In order to avoid harmful heat exchange between some passages, thermal insulation measures are taken between some passages, for example, in this embodiment, the flow path plate 4 further includes first grooves 44. The first groove 44 is provided to penetrate the flow path plate 4, and along the axial direction of the valve member 2, the third passage 400 and the fourth passage 401 are located on one side of the first groove 44, and at least a part of the fifth passage 402 and at least a part of the ninth passage 406 are located on the other opposite side of the first groove 44. Referring to FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the flow plate 4 further includes a second groove 45 . The second grooves 45 are also provided so as to penetrate the flow path plate 4 in the same manner, and by arranging the second grooves 45, the weight of the flow path plate 4 is reduced.

[0022] 1 and 2, the fluid control unit 100 includes connection ports that allow the fluid control unit 100 to interface and communicate with other elements in a thermal management system. In this embodiment, in addition to the above-mentioned first connection port 381, the connection ports further include a second connection port 462, a third connection port 463, a fourth connection port 464, a fifth connection port 465, a sixth connection port 466, a seventh connection port 467, an eighth connection port 468, a ninth connection port 469, a tenth connection port 470, an eleventh connection port 471, and a twelfth connection port 472. The second connection port 462 is connected to the third passage 400, the third connection port 463 is connected to the fourth passage 401, the fourth connection port 464 is connected to the fifth passage 402, the fifth connection port 465 is connected to the ninth passage 406, the sixth connection port 466 is connected to the sixth passage 403, the seventh connection port 467 is connected to the eighth passage 405, the eighth connection port 468 is connected to the tenth passage 407, the ninth connection port 469 is connected to the eleventh passage 408, the tenth connection port 470 is connected to the thirteenth passage 410, the eleventh connection port 471 is connected to the twelfth passage 409, and the twelfth connection port 472 is connected to the seventh passage 404. In this way, the first valve member 21 allows the first connection port 381 and the second connection port 462 to communicate with each other or to be cut off, and when the first connection port 381 and the second connection port 462 are connected, the first connection port 381 and the second connection port 462 are connected directly or through a throttle. The second valve member 22 allows the first connection port 381 and the third connection port 463 to communicate with each other or to be cut off, and when the first connection port 381 and the third connection port 463 are connected directly or through a throttle. The third valve member 23 allows the third connection port 463 and the fourth connection port 464 to communicate with each other or to be cut off, and when the fourth connection port 464 and the fifth connection port 465 are connected, the fourth valve member 23 allows the third connection port 463 and the fourth connection port 464 to communicate with each other or through a throttle. The fifth valve member 25 enables the 12th connection port 472 and the 7th connection port 467 to communicate with each other and, when communicated, throttles the 12th connection port 472 and the 7th connection port 467 to communicate with each other. The first check valve 61 allows the 8th connection port 468 to the 5th connection port 465 to communicate in the forward direction, the 9th connection port 469 and the 12th connection port 472 to communicate with each other. The second check valve 62 allows the 7th connection port 467 to the 11th connection port 471 to communicate in the forward direction, and the third check valve 63 allows the 10th connection port 470 to the 11th connection port 471 to communicate in the forward direction. In this embodiment, the second connection port 462 to the twelfth connection port 472 are all located on the same side of the flow path plate 4, and the first connection port 381 is located on one side of the connection block 3, which makes it easy to match the connection ports with other elements in the thermal management system. Of course, in other embodiments, the connection ports may be located on different sides of the flow path plate 4.

[0023] Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 12, this is an embodiment in which the fluid control unit 100 is applied to a thermal management system. In this embodiment, the thermal management system includes a compressor 201, a liquid reservoir 202, an outdoor heat exchanger 203, a condenser 204, an evaporator 205, and an expansion valve 206. The outlet of the compressor 201 is connected to the first connection port 381, and its inlet is connected to the fifth connection port 465. The inlet of the liquid storage tank 202 is connected to the eleventh connection port 471, and its outlet is connected to the twelfth connection port 472. One end of the outdoor heat exchanger 203 is connected to the third connection port 463, and its other end is connected to the seventh connection port 467. The inlet of the condenser 204 is connected to the second connection port 462, and its outlet is connected to the tenth connection port 470. The outlet of the evaporator 205 is connected to the eighth connection port 468, and its inlet is connected to the ninth connection port 469 by the expansion valve 206, which can throttle the flowing working fluid. In this embodiment, the thermal management system further includes a heat exchange element 207 . The heat exchange element 207 has a first flow path and a second flow path that are not indirectly connected to each other, and is involved in heat exchange between a working fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) in the first flow path and a working fluid (e.g., a coolant) in the second flow path. The inlet of the first flow path of the heat exchange element 207 and the sixth connection port 466 are connected by facing each other, and the outlet of the first flow path and the fourth connection port 464 are connected by facing each other.

[0024] In this embodiment, the fluid control unit 100 is applied to a thermal management system, which includes, but is not limited to, two operation modes.

[0025] 1, 2 and 12, the solid lines in FIG. 12 indicate a first operating mode, in which the first valve member 21, the third valve member 23 and the fifth valve member 25 are closed, and the second valve member 22 and the fourth valve member 24 are open, with the second valve member 22 directly connecting the first connection port 381 and the third connection port 463, and the fourth valve member 24 throttlingly connecting the twelfth connection port 472 and the sixth connection port 466, and in this case the expansion valve 206 is open.

[0026] The specific operation flow is as follows: a high-temperature, high-pressure gas-phase working fluid (e.g., refrigerant) at the outlet side of the compressor 201 enters the first passage 38 of the fluid control unit from the first connection port 381, flows through the second valve member 22 to the third connection port 463 to the outdoor heat exchanger 203, is condensed by the outdoor heat exchanger 203 and dissipates heat, becomes a gas-liquid two-phase working fluid, flows into the eighth passage 405 of the fluid control unit from the seventh connection port 467, and flows into the liquid reservoir 202 through the eleventh connection port 371 due to the forward conduction of the second check valve 62, and after gas-liquid separation by the liquid reservoir 202, The liquid working fluid flows from the twelfth connection port 472 into the seventh passage 404 of the fluid control unit, and a portion of it flows through the eleventh passage 408 and from the ninth connection port 469 to the expansion valve 206. After being throttled and expanded by the expansion valve 206, it becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase working fluid, flows to the evaporator 205, and is evaporated and absorbs heat by the evaporator 205, becoming a gas-saturated working fluid. It then flows from the eighth connection port 468 into the tenth passage 407 of the fluid control unit, and the low-temperature working fluid in the tenth passage 407 and the high-temperature working fluid in the eleventh passage 408 can perform beneficial heat exchange. Specifically, the working fluid in the first passage segment 4071 of the tenth passage 407 and the working fluid in the second passage segment 4081 of the eleventh passage 408 exchange heat beneficially, ensuring that the working fluid in the tenth passage 407 is a saturated gas working fluid. Due to the forward conduction of the first check valve 61, the saturated gas working fluid in the tenth passage 407 flows to the ninth passage 406, and then flows to the inlet of the compressor 201 through the fifth connection port 465 for recirculation, and is then passed to the seventh passage 406. Another portion of the liquid working fluid in passage 404 is throttled by the fourth valve member 24, becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase working fluid, flows into the sixth passage 403, and flows from the sixth connection port 466 to the first flow path of the heat exchange element 207, exchanges heat with the working fluid in the second flow path, absorbs heat, and becomes a gas-saturated working fluid, flows from the fourth connection port 464 to the fifth passage 402 of the fluid control unit, and similarly flows through the fifth connection port 465 to the inlet of the compressor 201 for recirculation.

[0027] 1, 2 and 13, the solid lines in FIG. 13 indicate a second operating mode, in which the first valve member 21, the third valve member 23, the fourth valve member 24 and the fifth valve member 25 are open, the second valve member 22 is closed, the first valve member 21 directly connects the first connection port 381 to the second connection port 462, the third valve member 23 directly connects the third connection port 463 to the fifth connection port 465, the fourth valve member 24 throttles the connection port 472 to the sixth connection port 466, and the fifth valve member 25 throttles the connection port 472 to the seventh connection port 467, and in this case the expansion valve 206 is closed.

[0028] The specific operating flow is as follows: the high-temperature, high-pressure gas-phase working fluid at the outlet side of the compressor 201 enters the first passage 38 of the fluid control unit through the first connection port 381, flows through the first valve member 21 to the condenser 204 through the second connection port 462, is condensed by the condenser 204 and dissipates heat, becomes a gas-liquid two-phase working fluid, flows through the tenth connection port 470 to the thirteenth passage 410 of the fluid control unit, and, due to the forward conduction of the third check valve 62, flows into the twelfth passage 409 and flows into the liquid reservoir 202 through the eleventh connection port 471. In this case, the second check valve 62 is in a reverse blocking state, and after gas-liquid separation is performed by the liquid reservoir 202, the liquid working fluid flows from the twelfth connection port 472 into the seventh passage 404 of the fluid control unit. Since the expansion valve 206 is closed, part of the liquid working fluid in the seventh passage 404 is throttled by the fifth valve member 25 and becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase working fluid. This flows from the seventh connection port 467 to the outdoor heat exchanger 203, where it is evaporated and absorbs heat, becoming a gas-saturated working fluid. This flows from the third connection port 463 to the fourth passage 401 of the fluid control unit, and the third valve Another portion of the liquid working fluid in the seventh passage 404 is throttled by the fourth valve member 24, becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase working fluid, flows into the sixth passage 403, and flows through the sixth connection port 466 to the first flow path of the heat exchange element 207, exchanges heat with the working fluid in the second flow path, absorbs heat, and becomes a gas-saturated working fluid, flows through the fourth connection port 464 to the fifth passage 402 of the fluid control unit, and similarly flows through the fifth connection port 465 to the inlet of the compressor 201, becoming a recirculation.

[0029] Here, the above examples do not limit the invention described in this application but are intended to illustrate the invention, and reference may be made to the definitions of directions such as "front," "back," "left," "right," "up," and "down." Although the present invention has been described in this specification with reference to the above examples, those skilled in the art will understand that they may make amendments or equivalent substitutions to the invention, and any improvements that do not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention should fall within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A fluid control unit including a valve member and a connection block, the connection block includes a mounting chamber; a portion of the valve member located in the mounting chamber; the valve member is connected to the connection block; The fluid control unit further includes a flow path plate; the connection block is connected to the flow path plate; The flow path plate includes a first plate and a second plate, The first plate and / or the second plate have grooves or holes that form passages in the flow path plate, The first plate and the second plate combine to form at least a portion of the passage of the flow path plate, The valve member can connect or disconnect one, two, or a plurality of the passages in the flow path plate, A fluid control unit, characterized in that the connection block is provided closer to the flow path plate than the valve member along the direction of the central axis of the valve member.

2. the first plate includes a first wall; a part of the passage of the flow path plate is formed in the first plate along a direction perpendicular to the first wall, the part being spaced apart from the first wall; the second plate includes a second wall; Another part of the passage of the flow path plate is formed in the second plate along a direction perpendicular to the second wall, the other part being spaced apart from the second wall, the first wall and the second wall are bonded together and connected to each other, The fluid control unit according to claim 1 , wherein the first plate and the second plate are combined to form the passage of the flow path plate.

3. a central axis of the valve member is parallel or substantially parallel to the first wall and / or the second wall; 3. The fluid control unit according to claim 2, wherein the flow path plate and the connection block are provided in contact with each other or with a gap therebetween.

4. the connecting block includes a protrusion; the protrusion is formed to protrude from the bottom wall of the connection block in a direction away from the bottom wall along the axial direction of the mounting chamber, The flow path plate includes a storage chamber, the accommodation chamber is a part of one of the passages of the flow path plate, At least a portion of the protrusion is located in the storage chamber, the protrusion is connected to the flow path plate and has a communication port; 4. The fluid control unit according to claim 3, wherein the communication port communicates with a passage that forms the storage chamber.

5. the connection block includes a chamber; The receiving chamber is formed to be recessed inward from the bottom wall of the connection block along the axial direction of the mounting chamber, the flow path plate includes a protrusion, the protrusion having a communication port; the communication port is formed as part of one of the passages in the flow path plate, At least a portion of the protrusion is located in the storage chamber, the protrusion is connected to a connection block; 4. The fluid control unit according to claim 3, wherein the accommodating chamber communicates with the passage that forms the communication port through the communication port.

6. the connecting block includes a first passage and a second passage; the passages of the flow path plate include a third passage, a fourth passage, a fifth passage, a sixth passage, a seventh passage, and an eighth passage; the valve members include a first valve member, a second valve member, a third valve member, a fourth valve member, and a fifth valve member; the first valve member is capable of connecting and blocking communication between the first passage and the third passage, the second valve member is capable of connecting and blocking communication between the first passage and the fourth passage, the third valve member is capable of connecting and blocking communication between the fourth passage and the fifth passage, the seventh passage and the second passage are in communication with each other, the fourth valve member allows the seventh passage and the sixth passage to communicate with each other or to be blocked by the second passage, 5. The fluid control unit according to claim 4, wherein the fifth valve member allows the seventh passage and the eighth passage to communicate with each other or to be blocked by the second passage.

7. the first valve member allows the first passage and the third passage to communicate with each other through a throttle or directly; the second valve member allows the first passage and the fourth passage to communicate with each other through a throttle or directly; The third valve member allows the fourth passage and the fifth passage to communicate with each other either through a throttle or directly, the fourth valve member allows the seventh passage and the sixth passage to communicate with each other through a throttle; 7. The fluid control unit according to claim 6, wherein the fifth valve member allows the seventh passage and the eighth passage to communicate with each other in a throttled manner.

8. the passages of the flow plate further include a ninth passage, a tenth passage, an eleventh passage, a twelfth passage, and a thirteenth passage; the ninth passage and the fifth passage are in communication with each other, the eleventh passage and the seventh passage are in communication with each other, the fluid control unit further includes a first check valve, a second check valve, and a third check valve; the first check valve is located in the ninth passage, and allows the tenth passage to the ninth passage to communicate in a forward direction; the second check valve is located in the twelfth passage, and allows the eighth passage to the twelfth passage to communicate in a forward direction; 8. The fluid control unit according to claim 7, wherein the third check valve is located in the thirteenth passage and allows forward communication between the thirteenth passage and the twelfth passage.

9. the tenth passageway includes a first passageway segment; the eleventh passageway includes a second passageway segment; the second passage segment is formed to surround the first passage segment; the shape of the first passage segment is the same as or substantially the same as the shape of the second passage segment; the first path segment is disposed adjacent to the second path segment; 9. The fluid control unit of claim 8, wherein the working fluid in the first passage segment exchanges heat with the working fluid in the second passage segment.

10. The flow path plate further includes a first groove; the first groove is provided to penetrate the flow path plate, the third passage and the fourth passage are located on one side of the first groove, 10. The fluid control unit according to claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the fifth passage and at least a portion of the ninth passage are located on opposite sides of the first groove.

11. The fluid control unit includes a connection port, The fluid control unit is connected to other elements in a thermal management system through the connection port; the connection ports include a first connection port, a second connection port, a third connection port, a fourth connection port, a fifth connection port, a sixth connection port, a seventh connection port, an eighth connection port, a ninth connection port, a tenth connection port, an eleventh connection port, and a twelfth connection port; the first connection port is formed as a part of the first passage, the second connection port communicates with the third passage, the third connection port communicates with the fourth passage, the fourth connection port communicates with the fifth passage, the fifth connection port communicates with the ninth passage, the sixth connection port communicates with the sixth passage, the seventh connection port communicates with the eighth passage, the eighth connection port communicates with the tenth passage, the ninth connection port communicates with the eleventh passage, the tenth connection port communicates with the thirteenth passage, the eleventh connection port communicates with the twelfth passage, 11. The fluid control unit according to claim 8, wherein the twelfth connection port communicates with the seventh passage.

12. the first valve member allows throttle communication or direct communication between the first connection port and the second connection port, the second valve member allows throttle communication or direct communication between the first connection port and the third connection port, the third valve member allows throttle communication or direct communication between the third connection port and the fourth connection port, The fourth connection port and the fifth connection port are in communication with each other, the fourth valve member allows throttling communication between the twelfth connection port and the sixth connection port, the fifth valve member allows the twelfth connection port and the sixth connection port to be in throttle communication with each other, The fluid control unit described in claim 11, characterized in that the first check valve allows the 8th connection port to the 5th connection port to be electrically connected in the forward direction, the second check valve allows the 7th connection port to the 11th connection port to be electrically connected in the forward direction, and the third check valve allows the 10th connection port to the 11th connection port to be electrically connected in the forward direction.

13. The fluid control unit includes, but is not limited to, a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation; In the first operating mode, the first valve member, the third valve member, and the fifth valve member are closed, and the second valve member and the fourth valve member are open, such that the second valve member directly communicates the first connection port with the third connection port, and the fourth valve member throttles and communicates the twelfth connection port with the sixth connection port, 13. The fluid control unit according to claim 12, wherein in the second operating mode, the first valve member, the third valve member, the fourth valve member, and the fifth valve member are open and the second valve member is closed, such that the first valve member directly communicates the first connection port with the second connection port, the third valve member directly communicates the third connection port with the fifth connection port, the fourth valve member provides throttled communication between the twelfth connection port and the sixth connection port, and the fifth valve member provides throttled communication between the twelfth connection port and the seventh connection port.

14. A thermal management system including a compressor, a liquid reservoir, an outdoor heat exchanger, a condenser, an evaporator, an expansion valve, and a heat exchange element, the thermal management system further includes a fluid control unit; The fluid control unit includes a connection port, the fluid control unit is connected to the compressor, the liquid reservoir, the condenser, the evaporator, the expansion valve, and the heat exchange element through the connection ports; A thermal management system, wherein the fluid control unit is the fluid control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

15. the connection ports include a first connection port, a second connection port, a third connection port, a fourth connection port, a fifth connection port, a sixth connection port, a seventh connection port, an eighth connection port, a ninth connection port, a tenth connection port, an eleventh connection port, and a twelfth connection port; the compressor has an outlet that is abutted and communicates with the first connection port, and an inlet that is abutted and communicates with the fifth connection port, the liquid reservoir has an inlet that is abutted and communicates with the eleventh connection port, and an outlet that abuts and communicates with the twelfth connection port; One end port of the outdoor heat exchanger is abutted against and communicates with the third connection port, and the other end port is abutted against and communicates with the seventh connection port, the condenser has an inlet that is connected to the second connecting port and an outlet that is connected to the tenth connecting port, the evaporator has an outlet that is in communication with the eighth connection port and an inlet that is in communication with the ninth connection port through the expansion valve; The thermal management system according to claim 14 , wherein the first flow path of the heat exchange element has an inlet that abuts and communicates with the sixth connection port and an outlet that abuts and communicates with the fourth connection port.

Images