Valve assembly and thermal management system

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a valve assembly. The valve assembly comprises: a valve block, provided with a first receiving chamber capable of being communicated with first to third ports formed on the valve block, and a second receiving chamber capable of being communicated with fourth to sixth ports formed on the valve block; a first valve member, mounted in the first receiving chamber and operable to communicate at least one of the second and third ports with the first port; and a second valve member, mounted in the second receiving chamber and operable to communicate at least one of the fifth and sixth ports with the fourth port, wherein the first to third ports are located on the bottom wall of the first receiving chamber, and / or the fourth to sixth ports are located on the bottom wall of the second receiving chamber. According to the described arrangement of the present disclosure, the first valve member and / or the second valve member matched with the described ports can be configured as a butterfly valve, and compared with a ball valve, the height of the valve assembly can be effectively reduced, the integration level is improved, and the occupied space is reduced. The present disclosure further provides a thermal management system comprising the valve assembly.

Description

Valve assemblies and thermal management systems Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a valve assembly and a thermal management system including the valve assembly, and in particular to a highly integrated valve assembly. Background Art

[0002] Vehicle thermal management systems typically include a refrigerant circuit and a coolant circuit. The refrigerant circuit primarily consists of components such as a compressor, heat exchanger, and throttling device connected by piping. To switch between different operating modes (e.g., cooling mode, heat pump mode, etc.) within the vehicle thermal management system, multiple shutoff valves and / or three-way valves are typically required in the refrigerant circuit. Existing thermal management systems typically employ multiple valve components dispersed throughout the system piping, resulting in low integration, large footprint, difficulty in control, and high cost.

[0003] Therefore, those skilled in the art are committed to developing a valve assembly that can solve the above-mentioned defects of the prior art.

[0004] Utility Model Content

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a valve assembly that integrates a plurality of valve elements through a valve block, thereby improving the integration level of the valve assembly of a thermal management system.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a valve assembly, which includes: a valve block, the valve block having: a first receiving chamber, which is capable of communicating with a first port, a second port, and a third port provided on the valve block; and a second receiving chamber, which is capable of communicating with a fourth port, a fifth port, and a sixth port provided on the valve block; a first valve member, which is installed in the first receiving chamber and is operable to communicate at least one of the second port and the third port with the first port; a second valve member, which is installed in the second receiving chamber and is operable to communicate at least one of the fifth port and the sixth port with the fourth port, the first port, the second port, and the third port are located on a bottom wall of the first receiving chamber; and / or the fourth port, the fifth port, and the sixth port are located on a bottom wall of the second receiving chamber.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the first valve component and the second valve component are butterfly valves.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the first chamber and the second chamber are disposed on the same side of the valve block.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the valve block also includes a first flow channel and a second flow channel; and the valve assembly also includes: a first one-way valve, which is arranged in the first flow channel, the second port and the fifth port are connected to the first flow channel and are located on both sides of the first one-way valve, and the first one-way valve allows one-way flow from the second port to the fifth port; and a second one-way valve, which is arranged in the second flow channel, the third port and the sixth port are connected to the second flow channel and are located on both sides of the second one-way valve, and the second one-way valve allows one-way flow from the third port to the sixth port.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the valve block also includes a first communicating port, a second communicating port, a third communicating port, a fourth communicating port, a fifth communicating port and a sixth communicating port, wherein the first communicating port and the fourth communicating port are respectively located at two ends of the first flow channel, and the connection point of the second port and the first flow channel is located between the first communicating port and the first one-way valve, and the connection point of the fifth port and the first flow channel is located between the first one-way valve and the fourth communicating port; the second communicating port is communicated with the first port, and the fifth communicating port is communicated with the fourth port; the third communicating port and the sixth communicating port are respectively located at two ends of the second flow channel, and the connection point of the third port and the second flow channel is located between the third communicating port and the second one-way valve, and the connection point of the sixth port and the second flow channel is located between the second one-way valve and the sixth communicating port.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the first communication port, the second communication port and the third communication port are located on the first end surface of the valve block, and the fourth communication port, the fifth communication port and the sixth communication port are located on the second end surface of the valve block, wherein the first end surface is arranged opposite to the second end surface.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the first one-way valve, the first communication port, and the fourth communication port are coaxially arranged, and the second one-way valve, the third communication port, and the sixth communication port are coaxially arranged.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the valve assembly further includes an expansion valve, and the expansion valve is detachably plugged into the sixth communication port.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the valve assembly further includes a first sensor disposed in a flow passage between the second communication port and the first port.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the valve assembly further includes a second sensor disposed in the flow passage between the fifth communication port and the fourth port.

[0016] The present disclosure also provides a thermal management system, which includes the aforementioned valve assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG1 is a perspective view of a valve assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG2 is a top view of a valve assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG3 is a perspective view of a valve block according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG4 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG5 is a perspective view of a first valve member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG6 is a cross-sectional view of a first valve member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG7 is a perspective view of a valve body of a first valve member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG8 is a perspective view of a valve core of a first valve member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] 9 is a perspective view of a valve core installed in a valve body of a first valve member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a first valve port, a second valve port, and a third valve port of the first valve member are connected;

[0026] FIG10 is a perspective view of an expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG11 is a cross-sectional view of an expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following describes the embodiments of the present disclosure through specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present disclosure from the contents disclosed in this specification.

[0029] It should be noted that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc. illustrated in the drawings attached to this specification are only used to match the contents disclosed in the specification for the understanding and reading of those skilled in the art, and are not used to limit the limiting conditions for the implementation of the present disclosure. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modification of the structure, change in the proportional relationship, or adjustment of the size should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in the present disclosure without affecting the efficacy and purpose that can be achieved by the present disclosure. At the same time, the terms such as "on" and "a" quoted in this specification are only for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the implementation of the present disclosure. Changes or adjustments in their relative relationships should also be regarded as the scope of the implementation of the present disclosure without substantially changing the technical content.

[0030] In order to more clearly understand the present disclosure, various embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] The present disclosure provides a valve assembly 1. Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3, the valve assembly 1 includes a valve block 300, a first valve component 100, and a second valve component 200. The valve block 300 is provided with a first receiving chamber 310 and a second receiving chamber 320 for receiving the first valve component 100 and the second valve component 200, respectively. The valve block 300 is also provided with a first port 301, a second port 302, and a third port 303 communicating with the first receiving chamber 310, as well as a fourth port 304, a fifth port 305, and a sixth port 306 communicating with the second receiving chamber 320. The first valve component 100 is at least partially mounted within the first receiving chamber 310 and is operable to connect at least one of the second port 302 and the third port 303 to the first port 301 (to be described later). The second valve member 200 is at least partially installed in the second receiving chamber 320 and can operatively connect at least one of the fifth port 305 and the sixth port 306 to the fourth port 304 (to be described later) to switch the working mode of the valve assembly 1 .

[0032] Specifically, as shown in FIG3 , the valve block 1 can be generally plate-shaped and a one-piece component, which has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture. This improves the integration of the valve assembly 1 and facilitates installation of the valve assembly 1. In one embodiment, the first receiving chamber 310 and the second receiving chamber 320 can be disposed on the same side of the valve block 300 (the upper side as shown in FIG3 ), although the present disclosure is not limited to this. The first port 301, the second port 302, and the third port 303 can be located on the bottom wall 319 of the first receiving chamber 310, and / or the fourth port 304, the fifth port 305, and the sixth port 306 can be located on the bottom wall 329 of the second receiving chamber 320. This arrangement allows the first valve component 100 and / or the second valve component 200, which are coupled with these ports, to be configured as butterfly valves. Compared to ball valves, this effectively reduces the height of the valve assembly 1, further improving integration and reducing space requirements.

[0033] Referring to FIG4 , the valve block 300 further includes a first flow channel 330 and a second flow channel 340, as well as a first communication port 311, a second communication port 312, a third communication port 313, a fourth communication port 314, a fifth communication port 315, and a sixth communication port 316 that can communicate with external components (e.g., a flow channel plate). The first flow channel 330 and the second flow channel 340 can be arranged substantially parallel to each other and located on either side of the first to sixth ports 301-306. The second port 302 and the fifth port 305 can communicate with the first flow channel 330, and the third port 303 and the sixth port 306 can communicate with the second flow channel 340, forming a generally U-shaped passage within the valve block 300. The first receiving chamber 310 and the second receiving chamber 320, particularly the first to third ports 301-303 and the fourth to sixth ports 304-306, can be located at opposite corners of the U-shaped passage, as shown in FIG3 and FIG4 .

[0034] Continuing with Figure 4 , the first communication port 311 and the fourth communication port 314 of the valve block 300 are located at opposite ends of the first flow channel 330, with the connection points of the second port 302 and the fifth port 305 being located between the first and fourth communication ports 311 and 314. The third communication port 313 and the sixth communication port 316 are located at opposite ends of the second flow channel 340, with the connection points of the third port 303 and the sixth port 306 being located between the third and sixth communication ports 313 and 316. The second communication port 312 is in communication with the first port 301, and the fifth communication port 315 is in communication with the fourth port 304.

[0035] Preferably, the first communication port 311, the second communication port 312 and the third communication port 313 can be located on the first end face of the valve block 300 (the left end face as shown in Figure 4), and the fourth communication port 314, the fifth communication port 315 and the sixth communication port 316 are located on the second end face of the valve block 300 (the right end face as shown in Figure 4) which is arranged opposite to the above-mentioned first end face. Such an arrangement can make the structure of the valve assembly 1 more compact and easy to install on an external component (such as a flow channel plate).

[0036] Continuing with FIG4 , the valve assembly 1 may further include a first one-way valve 10 and a second one-way valve 20. The first one-way valve 10 is disposed in the first flow channel 330 and is located between the connection point between the second port 302 and the first flow channel 330 and the connection point between the fifth port 305 and the first flow channel 330 (i.e., the first port 302 and the fifth port 305 are located on opposite sides of the first one-way valve 10). The first one-way valve 10 allows one-way flow from the second port 302 to the fifth port 305, or in other words, allows one-way flow from the first communication port 311 to the fourth communication port 314. The second one-way valve 20 is disposed in the second flow channel 340 and is located between the connection point between the third port 303 and the second flow channel 340 and the connection point between the sixth port 306 and the second flow channel 340 (i.e., the third port 303 and the sixth port 306 are located on opposite sides of the second one-way valve 20). The second one-way valve 20 allows one-way flow from the third port 303 to the sixth port 306 , or in other words, allows one-way flow from the third communication port 313 to the sixth communication port 316 .

[0037] To facilitate installation of the first and second one-way valves 10 and 20, the first and second flow passages 330 and 340 have at least a first section with a larger inner diameter and a second section with a smaller inner diameter. The outer diameter of the first one-way valve 10 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first section of the first flow passage 330 and larger than the inner diameter of the second section. The first section can extend through one end of the valve body 10, for example, to the fourth communication port 314. Thus, the first one-way valve 10 can be placed in the first flow passage 330 through the fourth communication port 314, positioned by the second section, and installed in the first flow passage 330. Similarly, the outer diameter of the second one-way valve 20 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first section of the second flow passage 340 and larger than the inner diameter of the second section. The first section can extend through one end of the valve body, for example, to the sixth communication port 316. Thus, the second one-way valve 20 can be placed in the second flow passage 330 through the sixth communication port 316, positioned by the second section, and installed in the second flow passage 340.

[0038] Preferably, the first one-way valve 10, the first connecting port 311 and the fourth connecting port 314 can be roughly coaxially arranged (that is, the first flow channel 330 can be roughly a straight flow channel), wherein the first one-way valve 10 is located in the first flow channel 330; and the second one-way valve 20, the third connecting port 313 and the sixth connecting port 316 can be roughly coaxially arranged (that is, the second flow channel 340 can be roughly a straight flow channel), wherein the second one-way valve 20 is located in the second flow channel 340. Such an arrangement can further improve the compactness of the valve assembly 1 and reduce the flow resistance compared to the one-way valve being located at the corner of the flow channel.

[0039] Referring to Figures 5 and 6 , the first valve component 100 can be a three-way butterfly valve that can be removably inserted into the first receiving chamber 310 for easy installation. The first valve component 100 includes three valve ports (V1, V2, and V3), which respectively communicate with the first port 301, second port 302, and third port 303 of the valve block 300. By varying the communication states of the three valve ports of the first valve component 100, the first port 301 can be selectively connected to the second port 302 and / or the third port 303, thereby switching the flow path's communication state and, in turn, achieving switching between different operating modes of the thermal management system.

[0040] 5 to 9 , the first valve member 100 includes a valve body 110, a valve core 120 located within the valve body 110, and an actuator 130 located outside the valve body 110 and capable of rotating the valve core 120. The valve body 110 may be generally hollow cylindrical and may be provided with a first valve port V1, a second valve port V2, and a third valve port V3 extending through its bottom, which are respectively adapted to connect to the first port 301, the second port 302, and the third port 303 of the valve block 100.

[0041] The valve core 120 can be generally in the shape of a circular plate and is provided with a first through-hole 121, a second through-hole 122, and a third through-hole 123. These through-holes 121, 122, and 123 can communicate with different valve ports when the valve core 120 is in different operating positions, thereby enabling switching between different operating modes of the first valve component 100. In one embodiment, the shapes and sizes of the first through-hole 121, the second through-hole 122, and the third through-hole 123 of the valve core 120 can be generally the same as the first valve port V1, the second valve port V2, and the third valve port V3 of the valve body 110, as shown in FIG. 9 .

[0042] When the valve core 120 is located within the valve body 110 and in the first working position (as shown in FIG9 ), the first through-hole 121, the second through-hole 122, and the third through-hole 123 are aligned with the first valve port V1, the second valve port V2, and the third valve port V3 of the valve body 110, respectively. This allows the three valve ports V1-V3 of the first valve component 100 to communicate with each other through the valve cavity within the valve body 110. Furthermore, because the first valve port V1, the second valve port V2, and the third valve port V3 of the first valve component 100 are connected to the first port 301, the second port 302, and the third port 303 of the valve block 300, respectively, when the valve core 120 is in the first working position, the first valve component 100 can connect the first port 301 of the valve block 300 with the second port 302 and the third port 303.

[0043] When the valve core 120 is driven by the actuator 130 and rotated counterclockwise, for example, as shown in FIG9 , to a second operating position (not shown), the first through-hole 121 and the second through-hole 122 can be aligned with the third valve port V3 and the first valve port V1 of the valve body 110, respectively, and the second valve port V2 is blocked by the valve core 120. This allows the first valve port V1 and the third valve port V3 of the first valve member 100 to communicate through the valve cavity within the valve body 110, while the second valve port V2 is closed. Furthermore, because the first valve port V1, the second valve port V2, and the third valve port V3 of the first valve member 100 are respectively connected to the first port 301, the second port 302, and the third port 303 of the valve block 300, when the valve core 120 is in the second operating position, the first valve member 100 can connect the first port 301 of the valve block 300 to the third port 303.

[0044] When the valve core 120 is driven by the actuator 130 and continues to rotate counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 9 to a third working position (not shown), the third through-hole 123 and the first through-hole 121 can be aligned with the first valve port V1 and the second valve port V2 of the valve body 110, respectively, and the third valve port V3 is blocked by the valve core 120. This allows the first valve port V1 and the second valve port V2 of the first valve member 100 to communicate through the valve cavity within the valve body 110, while the third valve port V3 is closed. Furthermore, because the first valve port V1, the second valve port V2, and the third valve port V3 of the first valve member 100 are connected to the first port 301, the second port 302, and the third port 303 of the valve block 300, respectively, when the valve core 120 is in the third working position, the first valve member 100 can connect the first port 301 of the valve block 300 to the second port 302.

[0045] It can be seen that the first valve component 100 can operatively connect the first port 301 of the valve block 300 to at least one of the second port 302 and the third port 303 .

[0046] Specifically, please refer back to Figure 6. The valve body 110 may include a valve seat 1101 and a valve cover 1102. The valve seat 1101 and the valve cover 1102 define a valve cavity for accommodating the valve core 120, wherein at least a portion of the valve seat 1101 can be directly inserted into the first receiving chamber 310 to facilitate the installation of the first valve component 100.

[0047] Preferably, the first valve component 100 may include a sealing member (not shown), which is provided at least at the outer edges of the second valve port V2 and the third valve port V3 and abuts the valve core 120, thereby achieving a sealed connection between the valve core 120 and the valve port to prevent fluid leakage. Preferably, the first valve component 100 may also include an elastic member 140 (such as a spring) provided between the valve cover 1102 and the valve core 120, which is used to press the sealing member against the valve core 120 to improve the sealing performance. Specifically, the actuator 130 can drive the valve core 120 via a drive shaft, and the elastic member 140 can be sleeved on the drive shaft, with its two ends elastically abutting the valve cover 1102 and the valve core 120 respectively. Preferably, the first valve component 100 may also include a thrust bearing provided between the elastic member 140 and the valve cover 1102 to reduce the rotational resistance of the valve core 120.

[0048] In addition, to limit the rotation angle of the valve core 120, the first valve member 100 may be further provided with a limiting mechanism. The limiting mechanism may include a limiting groove and a matching limiting block, wherein one of the limiting groove and the limiting block is provided on the valve cover 1102, and the other is provided on the drive shaft. This can limit the rotation angle of the valve core 120 and improve its movement accuracy.

[0049] The second valve component 200 can also be a three-way butterfly valve that can be removably inserted into the second receiving chamber 320 for easy installation. The second valve component 200 also includes three valve ports, which respectively communicate with the fourth port 304, the fifth port 305, and the sixth port 306 of the valve block 300. By adjusting the different communication states of the three valve ports of the second valve component 200, the fourth port 304 can be selectively connected to the fifth port 305 and / or the sixth port 306, thereby switching the communication state of the flow path and achieving switching between different operating modes of the thermal management system.

[0050] The specific structure of the second valve member 200 may be referred to FIG. 5 to FIG. 9 . The second valve member 200 is similar in structure to the first valve member 100 described above, and therefore will not be described in detail for the sake of brevity.

[0051] 1 and 2 , the valve assembly 1 may further include an expansion valve 400 . The expansion valve 400 may be detachably plugged into the sixth communication port 316 of the valve block 300 to facilitate installation of the valve assembly 1 .

[0052] Please refer to Figures 10 and 11. The expansion valve 400 can be a ball valve with three states: fully open, throttling and fully closed. In the fully open state, the fluid can flow through the expansion valve 400 without throttling; in the throttling state, the fluid can flow through the expansion valve 400 with throttling; and in the fully closed state, the fluid cannot flow through the expansion valve 400.

[0053] Specifically, the expansion valve 400 may include a valve body 410, a valve core 420 located within the valve body 410, and an actuator 430 located outside the valve body 410 and configured to actuate the valve core 420. The valve body 410 may be provided with a protruding connector 411 for direct insertion into the sixth communication port 316 of the valve block 300, facilitating installation and providing a stable connection. The valve port of the expansion valve 400 passes through the connector 411 and is in fluid communication with the valve block 300. The valve core 420 may be a spherical core. When the flow channel opening in the valve core 420 is aligned with the valve port of the valve body 410 (as shown in FIG. 11 ), the expansion valve 400 is in a fully open state. When the actuator 430 rotates the valve core 420 until its flow channel opening partially communicates with the valve port, the expansion valve 400 is in a throttling state. When the actuator 430 rotates the valve core 420 until its flow channel opening is no longer in communication with the valve port, the expansion valve 400 is in a fully closed state.

[0054] Referring back to Figures 1 and 2 , the valve assembly 1 may further include a first sensor 30 and a second sensor 40. The first sensor 30 may be, for example, a pressure and temperature sensor. The first sensor 30 may be disposed in the flow passage between the second communication port 312 and the first port 301 of the valve block 300 to sense the pressure and temperature of the fluid in the flow passage. The second sensor 40 may be, for example, a temperature sensor. The second sensor 40 may be disposed in the flow passage between the fifth communication port 315 and the fourth port 304 of the valve block 300 to sense the temperature of the fluid in the flow passage.

[0055] The following will describe different working modes of the valve assembly 1 in conjunction with Figure 4. In different working modes, the flow passage of the valve assembly 1 has different connection states.

[0056] The first communication port 311, the third communication port 313, and the fifth communication port 315 of the valve assembly 1 can serve as fluid inlets, and the second communication port 312, the fourth communication port 314, and the sixth communication port 316 can serve as fluid outlets. For example, the first communication port 311 of the valve assembly 1 can be connected to an external heat exchanger in a thermal management system, the third communication port 313 can be connected to an internal heat exchanger in the thermal management system, and the fifth communication port 315 can be connected to a condenser in the thermal management system. The second communication port 312, the fourth communication port 314, and the sixth communication port 316, which serve as fluid outlets, can be connected to other components in the thermal management system.

[0057] When the first valve component 100 is connected to the first port 301 and the third port 303, and the second valve component 200 is connected to the fourth port 304 and the sixth port 306, the valve assembly 1 is in the first working mode. At this time, the fluid flowing out of the external heat exchanger can flow into the valve assembly 1 through the first connecting port 311, and flow out of the valve assembly 1 through the first one-way valve 10 and the fourth connecting port 314 in sequence; the high-temperature and high-pressure fluid flowing out of the condenser can flow into the valve assembly 1 through the fifth connecting port 315, and flow out of the valve assembly 1 through the fourth port 304, the sixth port 306, the sixth connecting port 316 and the expansion valve 400 in sequence; the low-temperature and low-pressure fluid flowing out of the internal heat exchanger can flow into the valve assembly 1 through the third connecting port 313, and flow out of the valve assembly 1 through the third port 303, the first port 301 and the second connecting port 312 in sequence. It should be noted that since the fluids on both sides of the second one-way valve 20 are in a high-temperature and high-pressure state and a low-temperature and low-pressure state respectively, this pressure difference makes the fluid flowing in from the third connecting port 313 not flow through the second one-way valve 20 to the sixth connecting port 316.

[0058] When the first valve component 100 is connected to the first port 301, the second port 302 and the third port 303, and the second valve component 200 is connected to the fourth port 304 and the fifth port 305, the valve assembly 1 is in the second working mode. At this time, the low-temperature and low-pressure fluid flowing out of the external heat exchanger can flow into the valve assembly 1 through the first communication port 311, and then flow out of the valve assembly 1 through the second port 302, the first port 301 and the second communication port 312 in sequence; the higher-temperature and high-pressure fluid flowing out of the condenser can flow into the valve assembly 1 through the fifth communication port 315, and then flow out of the valve assembly 1 through the fourth port 304, the fifth port 305 and the fourth communication port 314 in sequence; the low-temperature and low-pressure fluid flowing out of the internal heat exchanger can flow into the valve assembly 1 through the third communication port 313, and can flow out of the valve assembly 1 through two branches, the first branch passing through the second one-way valve 20, the sixth communication port 316 and the expansion valve 400 in sequence, and the second branch passing through the third port 303, the first port 301 and the second communication port 312 in sequence. It should be noted that, in this working mode, there is a pressure difference between the fluids on both sides of the first one-way valve 10 , so that the fluid flowing in from the first communication port 311 will not flow through the first one-way valve 10 to the fourth communication port 314 .

[0059] When the first valve member 100 is connected to the first port 301, the second port 302 and the third port 303, and the second valve member 200 is connected to the fourth port 304, the fifth port 305 and the sixth port 306, the valve assembly 1 is in the third working mode. At this time, the low-temperature and low-pressure fluid flowing out of the external heat exchanger can flow into the valve assembly 1 through the first communication port 311, and flow out of the valve assembly 1 through the second port 302, the first port 301 and the second communication port 312 in sequence; the higher-temperature and high-pressure fluid flowing out of the condenser can flow out of the condenser through the first communication port 313. The fifth connecting port 315 flows into the valve assembly 1 and flows out of the valve assembly 1 through two branches, the first branch sequentially passing through the fourth port 304, the fifth port 305, and the fourth connecting port 314, and the second branch sequentially passing through the fourth port 304, the sixth port 306, the sixth connecting port 316, and the expansion valve 400. The low-temperature, low-pressure fluid flowing out of the internal heat exchanger can flow into the valve assembly 1 through the third connecting port 313, and sequentially pass through the third port 303, the first port 301, and the second connecting port 312 and flow out of the valve assembly 1. It should be noted that in this operating mode, there is a pressure difference between the fluids on both sides of the first and second one-way valves 10 and 20, so that the fluid flowing in from the first connecting port 311 will not flow through the first one-way valve 10 to the fourth connecting port 314, and the fluid flowing in from the third connecting port 313 will not flow through the second one-way valve 20 to the sixth connecting port 316.

[0060] When the first valve component 100 is connected to the first port 301 and the second port 302, and the second valve component 200 is connected to the fourth port 304 and the fifth port 305, the valve assembly 1 is in the fourth working mode. At this time, the low-temperature and low-pressure fluid flowing out of the external heat exchanger can flow into the valve assembly 1 through the first connecting port 311, and flow out of the valve assembly 1 through the second port 302, the first port 301 and the second connecting port 312 in sequence; the higher-temperature and high-pressure fluid flowing out of the condenser can flow into the valve assembly 1 through the fifth connecting port 315, and flow out of the valve assembly 1 through the fourth port 304, the fifth port 305 and the fourth connecting port 314 in sequence; the low-temperature and low-pressure fluid flowing out of the internal heat exchanger can flow into the valve assembly 1 through the third connecting port 313, and flow out of the valve assembly 1 through the second one-way valve 20, the sixth connecting port 316 and the expansion valve 400 in sequence. It should be noted that, in this working mode, there is a pressure difference between the fluids on both sides of the first one-way valve 10 , so that the fluid flowing in from the first communication port 311 will not flow through the first one-way valve 10 to the fourth communication port 314 .

[0061] It can be seen that the present disclosure can realize switching between working modes of the valve assembly 1 by adjusting the communication states of different valve ports of the first valve component 100 and the second valve component 200.

[0062] The valve assembly disclosed herein integrates multiple valve components through a valve block, thereby improving the compactness and integration of the valve assembly. Furthermore, by arranging the first port, the second port, and the third port on the bottom wall of the first receiving chamber, and / or the fourth port, the fifth port, and the sixth port on the bottom wall of the second receiving chamber, the valve block can configure the first valve member and / or the second valve member that cooperates with the above-mentioned ports as a butterfly valve. Compared with a ball valve, this can effectively reduce the height of the valve assembly, further improve the integration, and reduce the occupied space. Furthermore, the valve block can be configured as an integrated structure, which can further improve the integration, and has a simple structure and is easy to install.

[0063] The present disclosure also provides a thermal management system, which includes the aforementioned valve assembly.

[0064] The above describes exemplary implementations of the valve assembly and thermal management system provided by the present disclosure with reference to preferred embodiments. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that, without departing from the concept of the present disclosure, various variations and modifications may be made to the above-mentioned specific embodiments, and various technical features and structures proposed in the present disclosure may be combined in various ways without exceeding the scope of protection of the present disclosure, which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A valve assembly (1), characterized in that, The valve assembly (1) includes: A valve block (300), the valve block (300) having: A first receiving chamber (310) that can communicate with a first port (301), a second port (302), and a third port (303) provided on the valve block (300); and A second receiving chamber (320) that can communicate with a fourth port (304), a fifth port (305), and a sixth port (306) provided on the valve block (300); A first valve member (100), the first valve member (100) being installed in the first receiving chamber (310) and operable to connect at least one of the second port (302) and the third port (303) to the first port (301); A second valve member (200), the second valve member (200) being installed in the second receiving chamber (320) and operable to connect at least one of the fifth port (305) and the sixth port (306) to the fourth port (304), The first port (301), the second port (302), and the third port (303) are located on the bottom wall (319) of the first receiving chamber (310); and / or The fourth port (304), the fifth port (305), and the sixth port (306) are located on the bottom wall (329) of the second receiving chamber (320).

2. The valve assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first valve member (100) and the second valve member (200) are butterfly valves.

3. The valve assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first receiving chamber (310) and the second receiving chamber (320) are provided on the same side of the valve block (300).

4. The valve assembly (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The valve block (300) further includes a first flow channel (330) and a second flow channel (340); and The valve assembly (1) further includes: A first check valve (10), provided in the first flow channel (330), the second port (302) and the fifth port (305) communicate with the first flow channel (330) and are located on both sides of the first check valve (10), the first check valve (10) allowing unidirectional flow from the second port (302) to the fifth port (305); and A second check valve (20), provided in the second flow channel (340), the third port (303) and the sixth port (306) communicate with the second flow channel (340) and are located on both sides of the second check valve (20), the second check valve (20) allowing unidirectional flow from the third port (303) to the sixth port (306).

5. The valve assembly (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The valve block (300) further includes a first communication port (311), a second communication port (312), a third communication port (313), a fourth communication port (314), a fifth communication port (315), and a sixth communication port (316), where The first communication port (311) and the fourth communication port (314) are respectively located at two ends of the first flow channel (330), and the connection point of the second port (302) and the first flow channel (330) is located between the first communication port (311) and the first one-way valve (10), and the connection point of the fifth port (305) and the first flow channel (330) is located between the first one-way valve (10) and the fourth communication port (314); The second communication port (312) communicates with the first port (301), and the fifth communication port (315) communicates with the fourth port (304); The third communication port (313) and the sixth communication port (316) are respectively located at two ends of the second flow channel (340), and the connection point of the third port (303) and the second flow channel (340) is located between the third communication port (313) and the second one-way valve (20), and the connection point of the sixth port (306) and the second flow channel (340) is located between the second one-way valve (20) and the sixth communication port (316).

6. The valve assembly (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first communication port (311), the second communication port (312) and the third communication port (313) are located on the first end face of the valve block (300), and the fourth communication port (314), the fifth communication port (315) and the sixth communication port (316) are located on the second end face of the valve block (300), wherein the first end face and the second end face are oppositely arranged.

7. The valve assembly (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first one-way valve (10), the first communication port (311) and the fourth communication port (314) are coaxially arranged, and the second one-way valve (20), the third communication port (313) and the sixth communication port (316) are coaxially arranged.

8. The valve assembly (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The valve assembly (1) further includes an expansion valve (400), and the expansion valve (400) is detachably inserted into the sixth communication port (316).

9. The valve assembly (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The valve assembly (1) further includes a first sensor (30), and the first sensor (30) is arranged in the flow channel between the second communication port (312) and the first port (301).

10. The valve assembly (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The valve assembly (1) further includes a second sensor (40), and the second sensor (40) is arranged in the flow channel between the fifth communication port (315) and the fourth port (304).

11. A thermal management system, characterized in that, The thermal management system includes the valve assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1-10.

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