Fluid valve

Abstract

A fluid valve (1), comprising: a valve body (10), wherein the valve body is provided with a valve cavity (11) and a first valve port (12), the valve cavity (11) being provided with a bottom face (13); and a valve plate (20) rotatably arranged in the valve cavity (11) about a rotation axis (X), wherein the valve plate (20) is provided with a first face (21) and a second face (22) arranged opposite to each other. A flow channel structure (14) in fluid communication with the first valve port (12) is provided on the bottom face (13) of the valve cavity (11), and the flow channel structure (14) is provided with a narrow portion (15). The valve plate (20) is provided with a communication structure (23) running from the first face (21) to the second face (22). The communication structure (23) is provided with an elongated portion (24). The valve plate (20) is configured to be rotatable within a first angular range, such that the elongated portion (24) intersects with the narrow portion (15) and defines an intersection region (A1), and the intersection region (A1) allows a fluid to pass through.

Description

A fluid valve Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fluid valve, in particular, the fluid valve controls the flow of fluid by controlling the intersection area between a flow channel structure and a communication structure respectively located on two valve body components. Background Art

[0002] In the fluid circuits of vehicle thermal management systems, fluid valves are typically used to control fluid flow to heat or cool the vehicle's cabin, battery, and other components. Adjusting the operating mode of the vehicle thermal management system typically requires precise control of the fluid flow using a fluid valve. However, existing fluid valves typically control fluid flow by ensuring proper alignment between the valve port and the flow channel. This control accuracy is limited and difficult to improve, making it unable to meet the increasing demands for refined vehicle thermal management systems. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a fluid valve that adopts a novel flow control method, which is suitable for improving the control accuracy of fluid flow and meeting the refined requirements of the vehicle thermal management system.

[0004] The objective is achieved by a fluid valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which comprises: a valve body having a valve cavity and a first valve port, the valve cavity having a bottom surface; a valve plate rotatably arranged in the valve cavity around a rotation axis, the valve plate having a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to each other. A flow channel structure connected to the fluid of the first valve port is provided on the bottom surface of the valve cavity; the flow channel structure has a narrow portion. A connecting structure extending from the first surface to the second surface is provided on the valve plate, the connecting structure having a slender portion. The valve plate is configured to be rotatable within a first angular range so that the slender portion intersects with the narrow portion and defines an intersection area; the intersection area allows fluid to pass through.

[0005] One of the purposes of the present disclosure is to provide a fluid valve having a novel flow control method, which is suitable for improving the control accuracy of fluid flow and meeting the refined requirements of the vehicle thermal management system. The fluid valve according to the present disclosure includes a flow channel structure provided on the valve body and a connecting structure provided on the valve plate. The slender portion of the flow channel structure and the narrow portion of the connecting structure can intersect through the rotation of the valve plate, allowing the fluid to flow to the first valve port connected to the fluid of the flow channel structure. Thus, the fluid valve according to the present disclosure adopts a novel flow control method, which can control the flow of the fluid by controlling the intersection area between the flow channel structure and the connecting structure. This flow control method of the fluid valve through the intersection area makes it possible to improve the control accuracy of the fluid flow.

[0006] The fluid valve according to the present disclosure may also have one or more of the following features, alone or in combination.

[0007] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the intersection region moves along the narrow portion as the valve plate rotates, moving closer to or further away from the rotation axis. In other words, as the valve plate rotates, the narrow portion intersects the communication structure at different portions, causing the distance between the intersection region and the rotation axis to change.

[0008] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the intersection area increases or decreases as the valve plate rotates. Thus, the fluid valve can control the size of the intersection area by rotating the valve plate, thereby controlling the flow of the fluid. In particular, the precise control of the size of the intersection area enables the fluid valve to throttle the fluid with high precision.

[0009] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the elongated portion is spiral-shaped. Such a spiral-shaped elongated portion can increase the length of the flow channel structure without increasing the size of the valve plate, thereby improving the adjustment accuracy of the fluid valve on the size of the intersection area.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the narrow portion extends in a radial direction, so that the intersection area moves in a radial direction as the valve plate rotates.

[0011] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the width of the narrow portion increases or decreases in its extending direction. According to this technical feature, the size of the intersection area moving along the narrow portion will increase or decrease in the extending direction of the narrow portion following the width of the narrow portion.

[0012] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the valve plate is configured to be rotatable within a second angular range, wherein the valve plate blocks the flow channel structure. Accordingly, within the second angular range, the fluid valve is in a fully closed state that completely blocks fluid flow.

[0013] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the flow channel structure further has a wide portion; the wide portion is located at one end of the narrow portion; and the wide portion is used to communicate with the first valve port fluid.

[0014] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication structure further comprises an expansion portion located at one end of the elongated portion; the valve plate is capable of rotating to a fully open position such that the expansion portion is aligned with the wide portion. Thus, fluid can flow unimpeded through the fluid valve via the expansion portion and the wide portion.

[0015] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the valve plate rotates sequentially through the second angular range, the first angular range and the fully open position, or the valve plate rotates sequentially through the fully open position, the first angular range and the second angular range.

[0016] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the valve plate is configured to be able to rotate within an intermediate angle range; wherein, the intermediate angle range is between the first angle range and the fully open position; within the intermediate angle range, the slender portion and the wide portion have an overlapping area; the overlapping area allows fluid to pass through.

[0017] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the fluid valve further includes a sealing member disposed between the first surface and the bottom surface; the sealing member surrounds the flow channel structure or surrounds the communication structure.

[0018] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the flow channel structure extends in a radial direction on the bottom surface of the valve cavity, and the width of the narrow portion of the flow channel structure decreases linearly toward the rotation axis.

[0019] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the wide portion is coaxial with the expansion portion.

[0020] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the valve body further includes a second valve port, and the second valve port is in fluid communication with a side where the second surface of the valve plate is located.

[0021] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the fluid valve further includes a valve cover mounted on the top of the valve body and an actuator mounted on the valve cover, wherein the actuator is transmission-connected to the valve plate for driving the valve plate to rotate in the valve cavity.

[0022] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the actuator is transmission-connected to the valve plate via a transmission shaft.

[0023] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, a spring is sleeved on the transmission shaft, one end of the spring presses against the valve cover, and the other end presses against the valve plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent through the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. The following drawings are not drawn to scale with actual size, but are intended to illustrate the main points of the present disclosure. In the drawings:

[0025] 1A-1C illustrate a fluid valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B illustrate the fluid valve in an assembled state from different perspectives, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the fluid valve.

[0026] 2 and 3 respectively show the valve body and valve plate of the fluid valve.

[0027] Figures 4A-4C show the fluid valve when the valve plate is at a first angle, which first angle belongs to a first angle range, wherein Figure 4A shows the valve plate and valve body observed along the rotation axis X, Figure 4B shows the intersection area of ​​the slender portion and the narrow portion in detail, and Figure 4C shows the positional relationship between the flow channel structure and the connecting structure in a sectional view.

[0028] Figures 5A-5C show the fluid valve when the valve plate is at a second angle, which is different from the first angle but still belongs to the first angle range, wherein Figure 5A shows the valve plate and valve body observed along the rotation axis X, Figure 5B shows the intersection area of ​​the slender portion and the narrow portion in detail, and Figure 5C shows the positional relationship between the flow channel structure and the connecting structure in a sectional view.

[0029] Figures 6A-6C show the fluid valve when the valve plate is at a third angle, which is different from the first angle and the second angle, but still belongs to the first angle range, wherein Figure 6A shows the valve plate and valve body observed along the rotation axis X, Figure 6B shows the intersection area of ​​the slender portion and the narrow portion in detail, and Figure 6C shows the positional relationship between the flow channel structure and the connecting structure in a sectional view.

[0030] Figures 7A-7C show the fluid valve when the valve plate is at a fourth angle, which belongs to the intermediate angle range, wherein Figure 7A shows the valve plate and valve body observed along the rotation axis X, Figure 7B shows in detail the overlapping area of ​​the slender part and the wide part, and Figure 7C shows the positional relationship between the flow channel structure and the connecting structure in a sectional view.

[0031] 8A-8B illustrate the fluid valve when the valve plate is in a fully open position, wherein FIG8A shows the valve plate and the valve body viewed along the rotation axis X, and FIG8B shows the positional relationship between the flow channel structure and the communication structure in a cross-sectional view.

[0032] Figures 9A and 9B show the fluid valve when the valve plate is at a fifth angle, which belongs to the second angle range, wherein Figure 9A shows the valve plate and valve body observed along the rotation axis X, and Figure 9B shows the positional relationship between the flow channel structure of the valve body and the connecting structure of the valve plate in a sectional view.

[0033] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar components are indicated by the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure more clear, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of the embodiments.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meanings understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. Terms such as "a," "an," or "the" and similar expressions used in the specification and claims of this disclosure do not denote a limitation on quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one. Terms such as "include" or "comprising" mean that the element or object preceding the term encompasses the elements or objects listed after the term, and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "first," "second," and similar expressions used in the specification and claims of this disclosure do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish between different components. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used only to denote relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly. Terms such as "axial" and "axial direction" refer to the direction extending along the axis of rotation X. Terms such as "radial" and "radial direction" refer to directions perpendicular to the axis of rotation X. Terms such as "circumferential" and "circumferential direction" refer to directions circumferentially around the axis of rotation X.

[0036] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, it should be noted that in the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to components having substantially the same or similar structures and functions, and repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0037] 1A-1C , a fluid valve 1 includes a valve body 10, a valve plate 20, a valve cover 30, and an actuator 40. The valve body 10 defines a valve chamber 11, and a valve core 20 is mounted within the valve chamber 11 and is rotatable relative to the valve body 10 about a rotation axis X. The valve cover 30 is removably mounted on top of the valve body 10 to seal the valve chamber 11. The rotation of the valve plate 20 is actuated by an actuator 40 mounted on the valve cover 30. The actuator 40 is, for example, a stepper motor.

[0038] The valve body 10 includes a first valve port 12 and a second valve port 18 disposed thereon. The valve plate 20 has a first surface 21 and a second surface 22 disposed opposite each other. The first valve port 12 of the valve body 10 is disposed on the bottom surface 13 of the valve cavity 11 and is in fluid communication with the side of the valve plate 20 on which the first surface 21 is located. The second valve port 18 of the valve body 10 is in fluid communication with the side of the valve plate 20 on which the second surface 22 is located. In other words, the fluid communication between the first valve port 12 and the second valve port 18 of the fluid valve 1 requires crossing both the side of the valve plate 20 on which the first surface 21 is located and the side of the valve plate 20 on which the second surface 22 is located. For ease of description, the first valve port 12 of the fluid valve 1 is referred to as the outlet of the fluid valve 1, and the second valve port 18 of the fluid valve 1 is referred to as the inlet of the fluid valve 1. That is, fluid flows into the valve cavity 11 of the fluid valve 1 from the second valve port 18 and flows out from the first valve port 12. It should be understood that this convention is merely illustrative and not restrictive, and the ports through which fluid flows into or out of the fluid valve 1 may be different.

[0039] To this end, as shown in FIG1C , the valve plate 20 is provided with a communication structure 23 extending from the first surface 21 to the second surface 22. The bottom surface 13 of the valve chamber 11 is also provided with a flow channel structure 14 that is in fluid communication with the first valve port 12. The first valve port 12 and the second valve port 18 are in fluid communication via the communication structure 23 and the flow channel structure 14.

[0040] Referring to Figure 2, the flow channel structure 14 has a narrow portion 15 extending generally radially and a wide portion 16 located at one end of the narrow portion 15. Exemplarily, the wide portion 16 is located at the radially outer end of the narrow portion 15. The narrow portion 15 has a width that varies along its direction of extension. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, as the narrow portion 15 extends radially outward, its width gradually increases. That is, the width of the narrow portion 15 is smallest at the radially inner end, while the width is largest at the radially outer end. Optionally, the width of the narrow portion 15 decreases linearly toward the rotation axis X, with its radially inner end forming a pointed tip. It is understood that the width of the narrow portion 15 may also gradually decrease as it extends radially outward. In addition, Figure 2 shows the narrow portion 15 having a generally constant depth. It is understood that the narrow portion 15 may also have a depth that varies along its direction of extension. The width of the narrow portion 15 may range from 0 to 3 mm.

[0041] The flow channel structure 14 is in fluid communication with the first valve port 12 via the wide portion 16. For example, referring to the cross-sectional view shown in FIG4C , the wide portion 16 is arranged approximately coaxially with the first valve port 12 so that the two are directly connected. It is understandable that the extension direction of the flow channel structure 14 and the manner of communication with the first valve port 12 are merely exemplary and not restrictive. The extension direction of the flow channel structure 14 may deviate to a certain extent from the radial direction, and the flow channel structure 14 may also be connected to the first valve port 12 via other structures. It is conceivable that the flow channel structure 14 may also be composed of only the narrow portion 15 without including the wide portion. In this embodiment, the narrow portion 15 may be directly connected to the first valve port 12.

[0042] As shown in FIG3 , the connecting structure 23 of the valve plate 20 includes a spiral-shaped elongated portion 24 and an expanded portion 25 located at one end of the elongated portion 24. The width of the elongated portion 24 is substantially constant, while its spiral shape causes its distance from the center of the valve plate 20 to vary with angle. For example, the spiral shape of the elongated portion 24 may be an involute spiral, an Archimedean spiral, or the like. Exemplarily, the radially inner end of the elongated portion 24 is located near the actuating portion located at the center of the valve plate 20, while the expanded portion 25 is located at the radially outer end of the elongated portion 24. Preferably, the expanded portion 25 corresponds to the wide portion 16 of the flow channel structure 14, i.e., the expanded portion 25 is located at the radially outer end of the elongated portion 24 and the radially outer end of the narrow portion 15, respectively, or the expanded portion 25 is located at the radially inner end of the elongated portion 24 and the radially inner end of the narrow portion 15, respectively. The width of the elongated portion 24 may be 2 mm.

[0043] When the valve plate 20 is actuated by the actuator 40 and rotates to different circumferential angles, the communication structure 23 rotates accordingly, causing its relative positional relationship with the flow channel structure 14 to change, thereby adjusting the conduction state of the fluid valve 1. The structure of the fluid valve 1 and the flow control state of the fluid when the valve plate 20 is at different circumferential angles will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 4A to 9B.

[0044] Figures 4A-4C illustrate the fluid valve 1 with the valve plate 20 at a first angle, which falls within a first angular range. Within this first angular range, the elongated portion 24 of the connecting structure 23 intersects the narrowed portion 15 of the flow channel structure 14. Figure 4A shows the valve plate 20 and valve body 10 along the rotation axis X, while Figure 4B is an enlarged view of the area framed S in Figure 4A. As shown in Figures 4A-4B, the elongated portion 24 of the connecting structure 23 intersects the narrowed portion 15 of the flow channel structure 14, defining an intersection region A1 near the center of the valve plate 20. This intersection region A1 is the area where the elongated portion 24 overlaps with the narrowed portion 15 when projected axially onto the bottom surface 13. Figure 4C illustrates this intersection region A1 in a cross-sectional view. As shown in Figure 4C, in the axial direction, the elongated portion 24 and the narrowed portion 15 overlap near the radially inner end of the narrowed portion 15, forming the intersection region A1. As indicated by the dotted arrow line, the fluid within the valve chamber 11 can flow from the side of the second surface 22 of the valve plate 20 through the elongated portion 24 of the connecting structure 23 to the side of the first surface 21, and then flow through the intersection area A1 to the narrow portion 15 of the flow channel structure 14, and then flow out of the first valve port 12 through the wide portion 16. Referring to Figure 4B, because the narrow portion 15 has the smallest width at the radially inner end, the intersection area A1 has a relatively small size. The flow of fluid from the elongated portion 24 to the narrow portion 15 is strongly constrained by the intersection area A1. Therefore, the fluid valve 1 shown in Figures 4A-4C acts as a throttling device, with a small opening and a strong degree of throttling.

[0045] Figures 5A-5C illustrate the fluid valve 1 with the valve plate 20 at a second angle, which is different from the first angle but also falls within the first angular range. Figure 5A shows the valve plate 20 and valve body 10 viewed along the rotation axis X, while Figure 5B is an enlarged view of the area boxed S in Figure 5A. As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the elongated portion 24 of the connecting structure 23 intersects with the narrow portion 15 of the flow channel structure 14, defining an intersection region A1. Compared to Figure 4A, the intersection region A1 in Figure 5A is relatively farther from the center of the valve plate 20. That is, the position of the intersection region A1 has shifted radially outward, away from the rotation axis X, along the extension direction of the narrow portion 15. Figure 5C shows this intersection region A1 in a cross-sectional view. As shown in Figure 5C, in the axial direction, the elongated portion 24 and the narrow portion 15 overlap at a position approximately 25% of the radial outward extension of the narrow portion 15, forming the intersection region A1. As indicated by the dotted arrow line, the fluid within the valve chamber 11 can flow from the side of the second surface 22 of the valve plate 20 through the slender portion 24 of the connecting structure 23 to the side of the first surface 21, and then flow through the intersection area A1 to the narrow portion 15 of the flow channel structure 14, and then flow out of the first valve port 12 through the wide portion 16. Referring to Figure 5B, as the width of the narrow portion 15 increases as it extends radially outward, the size of the intersection area A1 also increases. The flow of fluid from the slender portion 24 to the narrow portion 15 is also constrained by the intersection area A1, but the degree of constraint is reduced. Therefore, the fluid valve 1 shown in Figures 5A-5C also has a throttling effect, but compared with Figures 4A-4C, the opening is increased and the degree of throttling is reduced.

[0046] Figures 6A-6C illustrate the fluid valve 1 when the valve plate 20 is at a third angle, which is different from the first and second angles but also falls within the first angular range. Figure 6A shows the valve plate 20 and valve body 10 viewed along the rotation axis X, while Figure 6B is an enlarged view of the area framed S in Figure 6A. As shown in Figure 6A, the elongated portion 24 of the connecting structure 23 intersects with the narrow portion 15 of the flow channel structure 14, defining an intersection region A1. Compared to Figure 5A, the intersection region A1 in Figure 6A is further away from the center of the valve plate 20, meaning that the position of the intersection region A1 has moved further radially outward along the extension direction of the narrow portion 15. Figure 6C illustrates the aforementioned intersection region A1 in a cross-sectional view. As shown in Figure 6C, in the axial direction, the elongated portion 24 and the narrow portion 15 overlap near the radially outer end of the narrow portion 15, forming the intersection region A1. As indicated by the dotted arrow line, the fluid within the valve chamber 11 can flow from the side of the second surface 22 of the valve plate 20 through the slender portion 24 of the connecting structure 23 to the side of the first surface 21, and then flow through the intersection area A1 to the narrow portion 15 of the flow channel structure 14, and then flow out of the first valve port 12 through the wide portion 16. Referring to Figure 6B, as the width of the narrow portion 15 increases as it extends radially outward, the size of the intersection area A1 also increases. The flow of fluid from the slender portion 24 to the narrow portion 15 is also constrained by the intersection area A1, but the degree of constraint is further reduced. Therefore, the fluid valve 1 shown in Figures 6A-6C also has a throttling effect, but compared with Figures 5A-5C, the opening is further increased and the degree of throttling is further reduced.

[0047] The above describes a fluid valve with the valve plate 20 positioned within a first angular range. As described above, when the valve plate 20 rotates within the first angular range, the elongated portion 24 intersects the narrow portion 15 and defines an intersection region A1. This intersection region A1 restricts fluid flow, placing the fluid valve 1 in a throttling state. As the valve plate 20 rotates, the intersection region A1 moves along the narrow portion 15, moving closer to or further away from the rotation axis X. The width of the narrow portion 15 increases or decreases along its extension direction, allowing the intersection region A1 to increase or decrease as the valve plate 20 rotates, thereby adjusting the degree of restriction on fluid flow. Thus, when the valve plate 20 rotates within the first angular range, the fluid valve 1 is in a throttling state, and the degree of throttling can be precisely adjusted based on the rotation angle of the valve plate 20. The spiral shape of the elongated portion 24 of the flow channel structure 14 reduces the movement of the intersection region A1 along the narrow portion 15 per unit angle of rotation of the valve plate 20, extending the rotational travel of the valve plate 20 within the first angular range, thereby further increasing the precision of throttling adjustment of the fluid valve 1.

[0048] Figures 7A-7C illustrate the fluid valve 1 with the valve plate 20 at a fourth angle, which no longer falls within the first angular range but rather falls within an intermediate angular range. Within this intermediate angular range, the elongated portion 24 of the connecting structure 23 no longer intersects the narrow portion 15 of the flow channel structure 14, but instead axially overlaps with the wide portion 16. Figure 7A shows the valve plate 20 and valve body 10 along the rotational axis X, while Figure 7B is an enlarged view of the area framed S in Figure 7A. As shown in Figures 7A-7B, the elongated portion 24 of the connecting structure 23 axially overlaps with the wide portion 16 of the flow channel structure 14, defining an overlapping region A2. Compared to the intersection region A1 shown in Figure 5A, the overlapping region A2 in Figure 6A is further away from the center of the valve plate 20, extending beyond the narrow portion 15 to the position of the wide portion 16. Figure 7C illustrates this overlapping region A2 in a cross-sectional view. As shown in Figure 7C, the elongated portion 24 axially overlaps with the wide portion 15, forming an overlapping region A2. As indicated by the dotted arrows, the fluid within the valve chamber 11 can flow from the side of the second surface 22 of the valve plate 20 through the elongated portion 24 of the connecting structure 23 to the side of the first surface 21, and then flow through the overlapping area A2 to the wide portion 16 of the flow channel structure 14, and then flow out of the first valve port 12. Because the width of the wide portion 16 is significantly greater than the width of the narrow portion 15, the size of the overlapping area A2 shown in Figures 7A-7C is larger than the size of the intersection area A1. However, the flow of fluid through the overlapping area A2 is still constrained by the overlapping area A2, but the degree of constraint is further reduced. Therefore, the fluid valve 1 shown in Figures 7A-7C also acts as a throttling device, but compared with Figures 6A-6C, the opening is further increased and the degree of throttling is further reduced.

[0049] Figures 8A-8B illustrate the fluid valve 1 with the valve plate 20 in the fully open position. In this fully open position, the connecting structure 23 no longer connects to the flow channel structure 14 via the elongated portion 24, but instead connects to the flow channel structure 14 via the expanded portion 25 aligned with the wide portion 16 of the flow channel structure 14. Figure 8A shows the valve plate 20 and valve body 10 viewed along the rotation axis X, while Figure 8B shows the aligned wide portion 16 and expanded portion 25 in a cross-sectional view. As shown, the expanded portion 25 of the connecting structure 23 and the wide portion 16 of the flow channel structure 14 axially overlap and are substantially coaxial. As indicated by the dotted arrow, fluid within the valve chamber 11 can flow from the second side 22 of the valve plate 20 through the expanded portion 25 of the connecting structure 23 to the first side 21, directly into the wide portion 16 of the flow channel structure 14, and then out through the first valve port 12. Fluid can flow freely through the wide portion 16 and expanded portion 25. Therefore, the fluid valve 1 shown in FIG. 8A-FIG . 8B is in a fully open state.

[0050] Figures 9A-9B show the fluid valve 1 when the valve plate 20 is at a fifth angle, which belongs to the second angle range. In this second angle range, the valve plate 20 blocks the flow channel structure 14, and its connecting structure 23 is no longer connected to the flow channel structure 14. Figure 9A shows the valve plate 20 and the valve body 10 observed along the rotation axis X, and Figure 9B shows the flow channel structure 14 blocked by the valve plate 20 in a cross-sectional view. As shown in the figure, the narrow part 15 and the wide part 16 of the flow channel structure 14 are both blocked by the valve plate 20. The fluid in the valve cavity 11 cannot flow out of the first valve port 12 through the connecting structure 23 and the flow channel structure 14. Therefore, the fluid valve 1 shown in Figures 9A-9B is in a closed state.

[0051] The valve plate 20's first angular range, intermediate angular range, fully open position, and second angular range are described above. When driven by the actuator 40, the valve plate 20 can rotate sequentially through the second angular range, the first angular range, the intermediate angular range, and the fully open position, transitioning the fluid valve 1 from a closed state to a throttled state and then to a fully open state. Alternatively, the valve plate 20 can rotate sequentially through the fully open position, the intermediate angular range, the first angular range, and the second angular range, transitioning the fluid valve 1 from a fully open state to a throttled state and then to a closed state. In particular, the intermediate angular range, between the first angular range and the fully open position, corresponds to the intermediate state that the fluid valve 1 passes through when transitioning between the fully open state and the throttled state.

[0052] The fluid valve 1 also includes a seal 17 disposed between the first surface 21 and the bottom surface 13. As shown in FIG2 , the seal 17 surrounds the flow channel structure 14. A spring 42 is sleeved on a transmission shaft 41 for connecting the actuator 40 and the valve plate 20, one end of which presses against the valve cover 30 and the other end against the valve plate 20. As a result, the seal 17 is tightly pressed against the first surface 21 and the bottom surface 13, preventing the fluid between them from flowing into the flow channel structure 14, ensuring that the fluid can flow from the valve cavity 11 to the first valve port 12 only through the intersection area A1, the overlapping area A2, or the aligned wide portion 16 and expansion portion 25. In an optional embodiment not shown in the drawings, the seal 17 can also be configured to surround the communication structure 23.

[0053] The fluid valve 1 can be used as a throttle valve in a vehicle thermal management system. The vehicle thermal management system needs to throttle the refrigerant fluid in its fluid circuit. Existing throttle valves mostly improve the throttling accuracy of the refrigerant fluid by adding a deceleration mechanism, extending the length of the throttle groove, etc. However, due to constraints such as volume, the above measures have limited effect on improving the throttling accuracy of the fluid valve and cannot meet the increasingly higher requirements for the refinement of the vehicle thermal management system. The fluid valve 1 disclosed in the present invention can improve the throttling accuracy of the refrigerant fluid in the vehicle thermal management system without increasing its own volume, thereby meeting the refinement requirements of the vehicle thermal management system.

[0054] Certain features, structures or characteristics in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be appropriately combined.

[0055] The above is an illustration of the present disclosure and should not be considered as a limitation thereof. Although several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. It should be understood that the above is an illustration of the present disclosure and that the present disclosure should not be considered as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A fluid valve (1), characterized in that, The fluid valve (1) includes: a valve body (10) having a valve chamber (11) and a first valve port (12), and the valve chamber (11) has a bottom surface (13); a valve plate (20) rotatably arranged in the valve chamber (11) about a rotation axis (X), and the valve plate (20) has a first surface (21) and a second surface (22) arranged opposite to each other; wherein, a flow channel structure (14) fluidly communicating with the first valve port (12) is arranged on the bottom surface (13) of the valve chamber (11); the flow channel structure (14) has a narrow portion (15); wherein, a communication structure (23) penetrating from the first surface (21) to the second surface (22) is arranged on the valve plate (20); the communication structure (23) has an elongated portion (24); wherein, the valve plate (20) is arranged to be rotatable within a first angular range such that the elongated portion (24) intersects the narrow portion (15) and defines an intersection area (A1); the intersection area (A1) allows fluid to pass through.

2. The fluid valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The intersection area (A1) moves along the narrow portion (15) as the valve plate (20) rotates, so as to approach or move away from the rotation axis (X).

3. The fluid valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The intersection area (A1) becomes larger or smaller as the valve plate (20) rotates.

4. The fluid valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The elongated portion (24) is spiral.

5. The fluid valve (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The narrow portion (15) extends radially, so that the intersection area (A1) moves in the radial direction as the valve plate (20) rotates.

6. The fluid valve (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The width of the narrow portion (15) increases or decreases in its extending direction.

7. The fluid valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve plate (20) is arranged to be rotatable within a second angular range, within which the valve plate (20) blocks the flow channel structure (14).

8. The fluid valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flow channel structure (14) further has a wide portion (16); the wide portion (16) is located at one end of the narrow portion (15); the wide portion (16) is used for fluidly communicating with the first valve port (12).

9. The fluid valve (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the communication structure (23) further has an expansion portion (25); the expansion portion (25) is located at one end of the elongated portion (24); the valve plate (20) can be rotated to a fully open position such that the expansion portion (25) is aligned with the wide portion (16).

10. The fluid valve (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the valve plate (20) sequentially rotates through the second angular range, the first angular range and the fully open position, or the valve plate (20) sequentially rotates through the fully open position, the first angular range and the second angular range.

11. The fluid valve (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The valve plate (20) is arranged to be rotatable within an intermediate angle range; wherein, the intermediate angle range is between the first angle range and the fully open position; within the intermediate angle range, the elongated portion (24) and the wide portion (16) have an overlapping region (A2); the overlapping region (A2) allows fluid to pass through.

12. The fluid valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The fluid valve (1) further includes a seal (17) provided between the first surface (21) and the bottom surface (13); the seal (17) surrounds the flow channel structure (14) or surrounds the communication structure (23).

13. The fluid valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The flow channel structure (14) extends in a radial direction on the bottom surface (13) of the valve cavity (11), and the width of the narrow portion (15) of the flow channel structure (14) linearly decreases towards the rotation axis (X).

14. The fluid valve (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that The wide portion (16) is coaxial with the expansion portion (25).

15. The fluid valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The valve body (10) further includes a second valve port (18), and the second valve port (18) is in fluid communication with the side where the second surface (22) of the valve plate (20) is located.

16. The fluid valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The fluid valve (1) further includes a valve cover (30) mounted on the top of the valve body (10) and an actuator (40) mounted on the valve cover (30), and the actuator (40) is in transmission connection with the valve plate (20) for driving the valve plate (20) to rotate within the valve cavity (11).

17. The fluid valve (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that The actuator (40) is in transmission connection with the valve plate (20) through a transmission shaft (41).

18. The fluid valve (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that A spring (42) is sleeved on the transmission shaft (41), one end of the spring (42) abuts against the valve cover (30), and the other end abuts against the valve plate (20).

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