Multiport valve and thermal management system

Abstract

A multiport valve (1) and a thermal management system. The multiport valve comprises a valve housing (10) and a valve core (20) rotatably accommodated in the valve housing. The valve housing comprises a plurality of valve housing ports (100), wherein the plurality of valve housing ports comprise two input ports (100a) allowing an external fluid to flow into the multiport valve and at least one output port (100b) allowing the fluid to flow out of the multiport valve; the valve core comprises a plurality of flow channels (200), which are not in communication with one another; on the basis of the valve core rotating to different positions relative to the valve housing, the multiport valve has a plurality of operating modes; and when different operating modes are selected, the output ports can be in communication with only one of the two input ports, or a first output port is in communication with both the two input ports. The thermal management system comprises the multiport valve. The thermal management system can operate in various operating modes by means of the multiport valve, thereby effectively simplifying the structure of the thermal management system, and reducing costs of the thermal management system.

Description

Multi-port valve and thermal management system Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of valve technology, and in particular to a multi-port valve and a thermal management system. Background Art

[0002] Valves are control components in fluid delivery systems, used to control the flow, flow direction, and other aspects of fluid flow. For example, in the thermal management systems of new energy vehicles, valves are often required to control the flow of coolant. As we all know, automotive thermal management systems typically have many thermally managed objects, such as the battery and passenger compartment. Existing automotive thermal management systems often use multiple valves to cool each thermally managed object on demand. This results in complex structures and high costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention aims to provide a multi-port valve and a thermal management system, so that a multi-port valve of the present invention can operate in four working modes between two input ports and two output ports, effectively simplifying the structure of the thermal management system and reducing the cost of the thermal management system.

[0004] To this end, on one hand, the present invention provides a multi-port valve, comprising a valve housing and a valve core rotatably accommodated in the valve housing, the valve housing comprising a plurality of valve housing ports, the plurality of valve housing ports comprising a first valve housing port, a second valve housing port and a third valve housing port, wherein the second valve housing port and the third valve housing port respectively serve as a first input port and a second input port for external fluid to flow into the multi-port valve, and the first valve housing port serves as a first output port for fluid to flow out of the multi-port valve, the valve core comprising a plurality of flow channels, and the plurality of flow channels are not connected to each other in the valve core; according to the different positions to which the valve core rotates relative to the valve housing, the multi-port valve has a plurality of working modes, and when different working modes are selected, the first output port can be connected to only one of the first input port and the second input port, or the first output port can be connected to the first input port and the second input port at the same time.

[0005] In another aspect, the present invention provides a thermal management system, comprising the aforementioned multi-port valve.

[0006] The multi-port valve of the present invention can be used to operate in multiple working modes, thereby simplifying the structure of the thermal management system and reducing the cost of the thermal management system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG1 is a perspective schematic diagram of a multi-port valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] FIG2 is an exploded view of the multi-port valve shown in FIG1 ;

[0009] FIG3 is a perspective schematic diagram of the upper valve housing of the multi-port valve shown in FIG2 ;

[0010] FIG4 is a rear view of the upper valve housing shown in FIG3 ;

[0011] FIG5 is an exploded view of the valve core of the multi-port valve shown in FIG2 ;

[0012] FIG6 is another exploded view of the valve core of the multi-port valve shown in FIG2 ;

[0013] FIG7 is a top view of the valve core of the multi-port valve shown in FIG2;

[0014] FIG8A is an exploded view of the multi-port valve shown in FIG1 in a first operating mode;

[0015] FIG8B is a top view of the multi-port valve shown in FIG1 in the first operating mode;

[0016] FIG9A is an exploded view of the multi-port valve shown in FIG1 in a second operating mode;

[0017] FIG9B is a top view of the multi-port valve shown in FIG1 in a second operating mode;

[0018] FIG10A is an exploded view of the multi-port valve shown in FIG1 in a third operating mode;

[0019] FIG10B is a top view of the multi-port valve shown in FIG1 in a third operating mode;

[0020] FIG11A is an exploded view of the multi-port valve shown in FIG1 in a fourth operating mode;

[0021] FIG11B is a top view of the multi-port valve shown in FIG1 in a fourth operating mode;

[0022] FIG. 12 is a simplified schematic diagram of a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments to make the technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present invention more clearly understood. It should be understood that the drawings are provided for reference and illustration only and are not intended to limit the present invention. The dimensions shown in the drawings are only for the purpose of clarification and do not limit the proportional relationship.

[0024] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "back," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "axial," "radial," "circumferential," and the like, indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended only to facilitate the description of the present invention and simplify the description. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the invention. In addition, "plurality" herein includes two, three, or more.

[0025] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a multi-port valve 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a valve housing 10 and a valve core 20 rotatably received within the valve housing 10. The valve housing 10 includes a plurality of valve housing ports 100, including two input ports 100a for external fluid to flow into the multi-port valve 1 and at least one output port 100b for fluid to flow out of the multi-port valve 1. The valve core 20 includes a plurality of flow channels 200. Each flow channel 200 extends through the outer surface of the valve core 20 to form a respective valve core port. These flow channels 200 are not interconnected within the valve core 20. Depending on the position of the valve core 20 rotated relative to the valve housing 10, the multi-port valve 1 has multiple operating modes. When a different operating mode is selected, the output port 100b can be connected to only one of the two input ports 100a, or the output port 100b can be connected to both input ports 100a.

[0026] Preferably, at least two valve housing ports 100 serve as input ports 100a, and at least two valve housing ports 100 serve as output ports 100b. In each operating mode, each input port 100a communicates with a corresponding output port 100b via a corresponding flow channel 200. Thus, a single multi-port valve 1 can achieve four operating modes between two input ports 100a (e.g., connecting to two heat exchangers) and two output ports 100b (e.g., connecting to two thermal management objects), thereby simplifying the structure of the thermal management system applicable to the multi-port valve 1 and reducing the cost of the thermal management system. Furthermore, in each operating mode, each input port 100a communicates with a corresponding output port 100b via a corresponding flow channel 200, meaning that the input port 100a operates in each operating mode, effectively improving the utilization of the heat exchanger and the cooling / heating efficiency of the thermal management object.

[0027] By way of example only, in this embodiment, the valve housing 10 comprises a split upper valve housing 11 and a lower valve housing 12. The valve housing port 100 is formed in the upper valve housing 11, and the upper and lower valve housings 11, 12 are fixedly connected (e.g., by screws). The upper and lower valve housings 11, 12 together enclose a cavity for accommodating the valve core 20. Preferably, a sealing gasket 13 is disposed between the upper valve housing 11 and the valve core 20 to enhance the dynamic sealing effect between the valve core 20 and the upper valve housing 11.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3 and 4 , in this embodiment, eight valve housing ports 100 are formed on an axial end surface of the upper valve housing 11, spaced apart in a circumferential direction: a first valve housing port 101 (serving as one of the output ports 100b described above), a second valve housing port 102 (serving as one of the input ports 100a described above), a third valve housing port 103 (serving as another input port 100a described above), a fourth valve housing port 104 (serving as another output port 100b described above), a fifth valve housing port 105, a sixth valve housing port 106, a seventh valve housing port 107, and an eighth valve housing port 108. Each valve housing port 100 axially extends through the upper valve housing 11 and is separated by a plurality of valve housing partition plates 110. In this embodiment, each valve housing port 100 is generally annular in shape.

[0029] Furthermore, the upper valve housing 11 is provided with a first shielding area 111 and a second shielding area 112 formed of a solid material. The first shielding area 111 is located between the first valve housing port 101 and the eighth valve housing port 108, and the second shielding area 112 is located between the fourth valve housing port 104 and the fifth valve housing port 105. The first to fourth valve housing ports 101-104 are distributed on one side of the first shielding area 111 and the second shielding area 112, and the fifth to eighth valve housing ports 105-108 are distributed on the other side of the first shielding area 111 and the second shielding area 112. However, the first shielding area 111 and the second shielding area 112 do not extend on the same straight line. As shown in the figure, the second shielding area 112 is offset relative to the first shielding area 111 toward the side where the first to fourth valve housing ports 101-104 are located.

[0030] Preferably, the central angle α1 corresponding to the first valve housing port 101 is equal to the central angle α4 corresponding to the fourth valve housing port 104 (thus, the central angles corresponding to the two output ports 100b in this embodiment are equal), and the central angle α2 corresponding to the second valve housing port 102 is equal to the central angle α3 corresponding to the third valve housing port 103 (thus, the central angles corresponding to the two input ports 100a in this embodiment are equal). Furthermore, preferably, the central angle α1 corresponding to the first valve housing port 101 is twice the central angle α2 corresponding to the second valve housing port 102 (thus, the central angle corresponding to the output port 100b is twice the central angle corresponding to the input port 100a). It is worth noting that the central angle of each valve housing port 100 in this embodiment refers to the angle formed between the centerlines of the two valve housing partition plates 110 corresponding to the valve housing port 100.

[0031] Optionally, the central angle corresponding to the fifth valve housing port 105 is equal to the central angle corresponding to the first valve housing port 101. The central angle corresponding to the sixth valve housing port 106 and the central angle corresponding to the seventh valve housing port 107 are both equal to the central angle corresponding to the second valve housing port 102. The central angle corresponding to the eighth valve housing port 108 is equal to three times the central angle corresponding to the second valve housing port 102. The central angle corresponding to the first shielding area 111 and the central angle corresponding to the second shielding area 112 are both equal to the central angle corresponding to the second valve housing port 102. Similarly, the central angle corresponding to the first shielding area 11 refers to the angle formed between the center lines of the two valve housing partition plates 110 corresponding to the first shielding area 11. The central angle corresponding to the second shielding area 12 is the same and will not be repeated.

[0032] It is understandable that in other embodiments, the upper valve housing 11 may also include other numbers of valve housing ports 100 , and the central angles corresponding to the valve housing ports 100 may also vary.

[0033] Referring simultaneously to Figures 2, 5, and 6, in this embodiment, the valve core 20 includes a valve core body 21, and a top plate 22 and a bottom plate 23 respectively covering the axial ends of the valve core body 21. A rotating shaft 24 is integrally formed at the center of the bottom plate 23. One end of the rotating shaft 24 passes through the valve core body 21 and the top plate 22 to be rotatably connected to the upper valve housing 11, and the other end is rotatably connected to the lower valve housing 12. The flow channel 200 includes at least one valve core port 210 formed on the top plate 22 and at least one valve core cavity 230 formed in the valve core body 21. The valve core port 210 can be aligned and connected to a corresponding valve housing port 100, and the valve housing port 100 aligned and connected to the valve core port 210 changes with the switching of the operating mode. The valve core cavity 230 is connected to one or more corresponding valve core ports 210. The valve core port 210 can communicate with the valve housing port 100, and thus the flow channel 200 can communicate with the valve housing port 100. It is understood that in other embodiments, the valve core 20 can also be integrally formed, that is, the valve core port 210 and the valve core cavity 230 of the flow channel 200 can also be provided by a single piece.

[0034] In this embodiment, ten valve core ports 210 are formed on the top plate 22, spaced apart in a circumferential direction: a first valve core port 211, a second valve core port 212, a third valve core port 213, a fourth valve core port 214, a fifth valve core port 215, a sixth valve core port 216, a seventh valve core port 217, an eighth valve core port 218, a ninth valve core port 219, and a tenth valve core port 220. Each valve core port 210 axially extends through the top plate 22 and is separated by a plurality of ribs 222. Two circumferentially adjacent valve core ports 210 belong to two different flow channels 200. In this embodiment, each valve core port 210 is generally annular in shape.

[0035] Furthermore, the top plate 22 is provided with a third shielding area 223 and a fourth shielding area 224 formed of a solid material. The third shielding area 223 is located between the first valve core port 211 and the tenth valve core port 220, and the fourth shielding area 224 is located between the fifth valve core port 215 and the sixth valve core port 216. The first to fifth valve core ports 211-215 are distributed on one side of the third shielding area 223 and the fourth shielding area 224, and the sixth to tenth valve core ports 216-220 are distributed on the other side of the third shielding area 223 and the fourth shielding area 224. However, as shown in FIG7 , the third shielding area 223 and the fourth shielding area 224 do not extend on the same straight line. Instead, the fourth shielding area 224 is offset relative to the third shielding area 223 toward the side where the first to fifth valve core ports 211-215 are located.

[0036] Preferably, the central angle βi corresponding to the valve core port 210 is an integer multiple of the central angle α2 corresponding to the second valve housing port 102 (since the second valve housing port 102 serves as the input port 100a, the central angle βi corresponding to the valve core port 210 can also be said to be an integer multiple of the central angle corresponding to the input port 100a), where i = 1, 2, 3, ... 10. It is worth noting that the central angle of each valve core port 210 in this embodiment refers to the angle formed between the centerlines of the two ribs 222 corresponding to the valve core port 210.

[0037] Further preferably, the central angle β1 corresponding to the first valve core port 211, the central angle β6 corresponding to the sixth valve core port 216, and the central angle β10 corresponding to the tenth valve core port 220 are equal and are all equal to twice the central angle α2 corresponding to the second valve housing port 102 or the central angle α3 corresponding to the third valve housing port 103 (i.e., twice the central angle corresponding to the input port 100a). In at least one operating mode, the first valve core port 211 can simultaneously align with and connect to two different valve housing ports 100. The sixth valve core port 216 and the tenth valve core port 220 are similarly configured and will not be further described.

[0038] It is also preferred that the central angle β2 corresponding to the second valve core port 212, the central angle β3 corresponding to the third valve core port 213, the central angle β4 corresponding to the fourth valve core port 214, the central angle β5 corresponding to the fifth valve core port 215, the central angle β7 corresponding to the seventh valve core port 217, the central angle β8 corresponding to the eighth valve core port 218, and the central angle β9 corresponding to the ninth valve core port 219 are equal, and are all equal to the central angle α2 corresponding to the second valve housing port 102 or the central angle α3 corresponding to the third valve housing port 103 (that is, equal to the central angle corresponding to the input port 100a).

[0039] Optionally, the central angle corresponding to the third shielding area 223 and the central angle corresponding to the fourth shielding area 224 are both equal to the central angle α2 corresponding to the second valve housing port 102 or the central angle α3 corresponding to the third valve housing port 103. Similarly, the central angle corresponding to the third shielding area 223 refers to the angle formed between the center lines of the two ribs 222 corresponding to the third shielding area 223. The same applies to the central angle corresponding to the fourth shielding area 224, which will not be further described.

[0040] It is understandable that in other embodiments, the top plate 22 may also include other numbers of valve core ports 210 , and the central angles corresponding to the valve core ports 210 may also vary.

[0041] Referring again to Figures 5 and 6 , preferably, the valve core cavity 230 of at least one flow channel 200 of the valve core body 21 axially overlaps with the valve core cavity 230 of one or more other flow channels 200. In this embodiment, the valve core cavity 230 of the valve core body 21 includes a top-side valve core cavity 230 near the axial top side of the valve core body 21, and a bottom-side valve core cavity 230 near the axial bottom side of the valve core body 21. The bottom-side valve core cavity 230 axially overlaps with one or more of the top-side valve core cavities 230. As an example, the axial top side of the valve core body 21 of this embodiment is provided with a first top side valve core chamber 231, a second top side valve core chamber 232, a third top side valve core chamber 233 and a fourth top side valve core chamber 234 arranged in sequence in the circumferential direction, and the axial bottom side of the valve core body 21 is provided with a first bottom side valve core chamber 235 and a second bottom side valve core chamber 236 which are radially opposite to each other, wherein each top side valve core chamber 231-234 is surrounded by a bottom wall 237 and a plurality of valve core partition plates 238, each bottom side valve core chamber 235-236 passes through the valve core body 21 axially, and each valve core chamber 230 is not connected to each other.

[0042] Furthermore, the axial top side of the valve core body 21 is further provided with a first partition chamber 239 and a second partition chamber 240 facing each other, wherein the first partition chamber 239 is located between the first top side valve core chamber 231 and the fourth top side valve core chamber 234, and the second partition chamber 240 is located between the second top side valve core chamber 232 and the third top side valve core chamber 233. The first top side valve core chamber 231, the second top side valve core chamber 232, and the first bottom side valve core chamber 235 are located on one side of the first partition chamber 239 and the second partition chamber 240, while the third top side valve core chamber 233, the fourth top side valve core chamber 234, and the second bottom side valve core chamber 236 are located on the other side of the first partition chamber 239 and the second partition chamber 240. The first partition chamber 239 and the second partition chamber 240 may or may not axially penetrate the valve core body 21.

[0043] Specifically, in this embodiment, the first top-side valve core cavity 231 communicates with the first valve core port 211, and its corresponding valve core partition plate 238 engages with the corresponding rib 222 of the first valve core port 211. Similar to the first valve core port 211, the first top-side valve core cavity 231 is also generally sector-shaped in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the valve core body 21.

[0044] The second top-side valve core cavity 232 is in communication with the third valve core port 213 and the fifth valve core port 215, and its corresponding valve core partition plate 238 cooperates with the corresponding ribs 222 of the third valve core port 213 and the fifth valve core port 215. As an example, in this embodiment, on a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the valve core body 21, the second top-side valve core cavity 232 is generally V-shaped, including two arms and a bottom connecting the two arms.

[0045] The third top-side valve core cavity 233 is in communication with the sixth valve core port 216, and its corresponding valve core partition plate 238 engages with the corresponding rib 222 of the sixth valve core port 216. Similar to the sixth valve core port 216, the third top-side valve core cavity 233 is also generally annular in shape on a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the valve core body 21.

[0046] The fourth top side valve core cavity 234 is in communication with the eighth valve core port 218 and the tenth valve core port 220, and the corresponding valve core partition plate 238 cooperates with the corresponding ribs 222 of the eighth valve core port 218 and the tenth valve core port 220. As an example, in this embodiment, on a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the valve core body 21, the fourth top side valve core cavity 234 is generally V-shaped.

[0047] The first bottom valve core cavity 235 is in communication with the second valve core port 212 and the fourth valve core port 214. Along a direction parallel to the central axis of the valve core body 21, the first bottom valve core cavity 235 is substantially U-shaped, spanning one arm of the second top valve core cavity 232 and adjacent to the first top valve core cavity 231.

[0048] The second bottom valve core cavity 236 is in communication with the seventh valve core port 217 and the ninth valve core port 219. Along a direction parallel to the central axis of the valve core body 21, the second bottom valve core cavity 236 is substantially U-shaped, spanning one arm of the fourth top valve core cavity 234 and adjacent to the third top valve core cavity 233.

[0049] The first partition chamber 239 corresponds to the third shielding area 223, and the corresponding valve core partition plate 238 cooperates with the rib 222 corresponding to the third shielding area 223. The second partition chamber 240 corresponds to the fourth shielding area 224, and the corresponding valve core partition plate 238 cooperates with the rib 222 corresponding to the fourth shielding area 224.

[0050] It is understandable that in other embodiments, the valve core body 21 may also include other numbers of valve core cavities 230 , and the shape, arrangement, etc. of each valve core cavity 230 may also be changed according to needs.

[0051] The following describes the four operating modes of the multi-port valve 1 of this embodiment with reference to Figures 8A-11B , where arrows are used to indicate fluid flow. As shown in Figures 8A-8B , in the first operating mode, the second valve housing port 102 (which can function as the first input port 102a) and the third valve housing port 103 (which can function as the second input port 103a) are both in communication with the first valve housing port 101 (which can function as the first output port 101b).

[0052] Specifically, in the first operating mode, the first valve housing port 101 communicates with the second valve core port 212 and the third valve core port 213. The second valve housing port 102 communicates with the fourth valve core port 214, and because the fourth valve core port 214 communicates with the second valve core port 212 via the first bottom valve core cavity 235, the second valve housing port 102 communicates with the first valve housing port 101. The third valve housing port 103 communicates with the fifth valve core port 215, and because the fifth valve core port 215 communicates with the third valve core port 213 via the second top valve core cavity 232, the third valve housing port 103 communicates with the first valve housing port 101.

[0053] The fourth valve housing port 104 is connected to the sixth valve core port 216 and corresponds to the fourth blocking area 224, and the second blocking area 112 corresponds to the sixth valve core port 216, and the sixth valve core port 216 is connected to the third top side valve core cavity 233. Therefore, the fluid cannot flow and the fourth valve housing port 104 is blocked.

[0054] The fifth valve housing port 105 communicates with the seventh valve core port 217 and the eighth valve core port 218. The sixth valve housing port 106 communicates with the ninth valve core port 219. Since the ninth valve core port 219 communicates with the seventh valve core port 217 via the second bottom valve core cavity 236, the sixth valve housing port 106 communicates with the fifth valve housing port 105. The seventh valve housing port 107 communicates with the tenth valve core port 220. Since the tenth valve core port 220 communicates with the eighth valve core port 218 via the fourth top valve core cavity 234, the seventh valve housing port 107 communicates with the fifth valve housing port 105.

[0055] The eighth valve housing port 108 is in communication with the tenth valve core port 220 and the first valve core port 211 and corresponds to the third blocking area 223, and the first blocking area 111 corresponds to the first valve core port 211. Because the tenth valve core port 220 is in communication with the eighth valve core port 218 via the fourth top-side valve core cavity 234, the eighth valve housing port 108 is in communication with the fifth valve housing port 105.

[0056] As shown in Figures 9A-9B, when the valve core 20 rotates counterclockwise relative to the valve housing 10 by a certain angle from the position shown in Figures 8A-B, the multi-port valve 1 enters the second operating mode, wherein the second valve housing port 102 is connected to the fourth valve housing port 104 (which can serve as the second output port 104b) and the third valve housing port 103 is connected to the first valve housing port 101.

[0057] Specifically, in the second operating mode, the first valve housing port 101 is in communication with the first valve core port 211 and the second valve core port 212, and the first blocking area 111 corresponds to the first valve core port 211. The second valve housing port 102 is in communication with the third valve core port 213. The third valve housing port 103 is in communication with the fourth valve core port 214. Since the fourth valve core port 214 is in communication with the second valve core port 212 via the first bottom-side valve core cavity 235, the third valve housing port 103 is in communication with the first valve housing port 101.

[0058] The fourth valve housing port 104 is connected to the fifth valve core port 215 and corresponds to the fourth blocking area 224 , and since the fifth valve core port 215 is connected to the third valve core port 213 through the second top side valve core cavity 232 , the fourth valve housing port 104 is connected to the second valve housing port 102 .

[0059] The second blocking area 112 corresponds to the sixth valve core port 216. The fifth valve housing port 105 is in communication with the sixth valve core port 216 and the seventh valve core port 217. The sixth valve housing port 106 is in communication with the eighth valve core port 218. The seventh valve housing port 107 is in communication with the ninth valve core port 219. Since the ninth valve core port 219 is in communication with the seventh valve core port 217 via the second bottom valve core cavity 236, the seventh valve housing port 107 is in communication with the fifth valve housing port 105.

[0060] The eighth valve housing port 108 is connected to the tenth valve core port 220 and corresponds to the third blocking area 223. Since the tenth valve core port 220 is connected to the eighth valve core port 218 through the fourth top side valve core cavity 234, the eighth valve housing port 108 is connected to the sixth valve housing port 106.

[0061] As shown in Figures 10A-10B, when the valve core 20 is further rotated counterclockwise by a certain angle relative to the valve housing 10 from the position shown in Figures 9A-B, the multi-port valve 1 enters the third operating mode, wherein the second valve housing port 102 and the third valve housing port 103 are both connected to the fourth valve housing port 104.

[0062] Specifically, in the third working mode, the first valve housing port 101 is communicated with the first valve core port 211 , and the first valve core port 211 is communicated with the first top side valve core cavity 231 , thereby preventing fluid from flowing and blocking the first valve housing port 101 .

[0063] The second valve housing port 102 is in communication with the second valve core port 212. The third valve housing port 103 is in communication with the third valve core port 213. The fourth valve housing port 104 is in communication with the fourth valve core port 214 and the fifth valve core port 215. Because the fourth valve core port 214 is in communication with the second valve core port 212 via the first bottom valve core cavity 235, the fourth valve housing port 104 is in communication with the second valve housing port 102. Simultaneously, because the fifth valve core port 215 is in communication with the third valve core port 213 via the second top valve core cavity 232, the fourth valve housing port 104 is also in communication with the third valve housing port 103.

[0064] The fifth valve housing port 105 is in communication with the sixth valve core port 216 , and the sixth valve core port 216 is in communication with the third top side valve core cavity 233 , thereby preventing fluid from flowing and blocking the fifth valve housing port 105 .

[0065] The sixth valve housing port 106 is in communication with the seventh valve core port 217. The seventh valve housing port 107 is in communication with the eighth valve core port 218. The eighth valve housing port 108 is in communication with the ninth valve core port 219 and the tenth valve core port 220. Since the ninth valve core port 219 is in communication with the seventh valve core port 217 via the second bottom valve core cavity 236, the eighth valve housing port 108 is in communication with the sixth valve housing port 106. Simultaneously, since the tenth valve core port 220 is in communication with the eighth valve core port 218 via the fourth top valve core cavity 234, the eighth valve housing port 108 is also in communication with the seventh valve housing port 107.

[0066] In the third working mode, the first shielding area 111 corresponds to the third shielding area 223 , and the second shielding area 112 corresponds to the fourth shielding area 224 .

[0067] As shown in Figures 11A-11B, when the valve core 20 is further rotated counterclockwise by a certain angle relative to the valve housing 10 from the position shown in Figures 10A-B, the multi-port valve 1 enters the fourth operating mode, wherein the second valve housing port 102 is connected to the first valve housing port 101 and the third valve housing port 103 is connected to the fourth valve housing port 104.

[0068] Specifically, in the fourth working mode, the first valve housing port 101 is connected to the first valve core port 211 and corresponds to the third blocking area 223, and the second valve housing port 102 is also connected to the first valve core port 211. Therefore, the second valve housing port 102 is connected to the first valve housing port 101.

[0069] The third valve housing port 103 is in communication with the second valve core port 212. The fourth valve housing port 104 is in communication with the third valve core port 213 and the fourth valve core port 214. Since the fourth valve core port 214 is in communication with the second valve core port 212 via the first bottom valve core cavity 235, the fourth valve housing port 104 is in communication with the third valve housing port 103. The second blocking area 112 blocks the fifth valve core port 215.

[0070] The fifth valve housing port 105 corresponds to the fourth blocking area 224 and communicates with the sixth valve core port 216 . The sixth valve housing port 106 also communicates with the sixth valve core port 216 . Therefore, the sixth valve housing port 106 communicates with the fifth valve housing port 105 .

[0071] The seventh valve housing port 107 is in communication with the seventh valve core port 217. The eighth valve housing port 108 is in communication with the eighth valve core port 218, the ninth valve core port 219, and the tenth valve core port 220. Since the ninth valve core port 219 is in communication with the seventh valve core port 217 via the second bottom valve core cavity 236, the eighth valve housing port 108 is in communication with the seventh valve housing port 107. The first blocking area 111 corresponds to the tenth valve core port 220.

[0072] Referring to Figure 12, a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, particularly an automotive thermal management system, includes the aforementioned multi-port valve 1, two heat exchangers 2a and 2b, and two thermal management objects 3a and 3b. The two heat exchangers 2a and 2b are connected to the aforementioned first input port 102a and second input port 103a, respectively, and the two thermal management objects 3a and 3b are connected to the aforementioned first output port 101b and second output port 104b, respectively. Optionally, the two heat exchangers 2a and 2b are coolers, and the two thermal management objects 3a and 3b are the battery and the passenger compartment, respectively.

[0073] The multi-port valve 1 of the embodiment of the present invention can simultaneously cool / heat the thermal management object 3a (battery) via the two heat exchangers 2a and 2b in the first operating mode, cool / heat the thermal management object 3b (passenger compartment) via heat exchanger 2a and cool / heat the thermal management object 3a (battery) via heat exchanger 2b in the second operating mode, cool / heat the thermal management object 3b (passenger compartment) via both heat exchangers 2a and 2b in the third operating mode, and cool / heat the thermal management object 3b (passenger compartment) via both heat exchangers 2a and 2b in the fourth operating mode. This results in a simpler thermal management system structure and lower costs.

[0074] The above description is only a preferred specific embodiment of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments listed above. Any simple changes or equivalent replacements of the technical solutions that can be obviously obtained by any technician familiar with this technical field within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-port valve, comprising a valve housing and a valve core rotatably received within the valve housing, characterized in that, The valve housing includes a plurality of valve housing ports, the plurality of valve housing ports including a first valve housing port, a second valve housing port, and a third valve housing port. Wherein the second valve housing port and the third valve housing port serve as a first input port and a second input port for external fluid to flow into the multi-port valve respectively, and the first valve housing port serves as a first output port for fluid to flow out of the multi-port valve. The valve core includes a plurality of flow channels, and the plurality of flow channels are not connected to each other within the valve core. According to the valve core rotating to different positions relative to the valve housing, the multi-port valve has a plurality of working modes. When different working modes are selected, the first output port can be respectively connected to only one of the first input port and the second input port, or the first output port is simultaneously connected to the first input port and the second input port.

2. The multi-port valve according to claim 1, wherein, The valve housing further includes a fourth valve housing port, and the fourth valve housing port serves as a second output port for fluid to flow out of the multi-port valve. The plurality of working modes include a first, a second, a third, and a fourth working mode. In the first working mode, the first input port and the second input port are respectively connected to the first output port through corresponding flow channels, and no fluid flows through the second output port. In the second working mode, the first input port is connected to the second output port through a corresponding flow channel and the second input port is connected to the first output port through a corresponding flow channel. In the third working mode, the first input port and the second input port are respectively connected to the second output port through corresponding flow channels, and no fluid flows through the first output port. In the fourth working mode, the first input port is connected to the first output port through a corresponding flow channel and the second input port is connected to the second output port through a corresponding flow channel.

3. The multi-port valve according to claim 2, wherein, The valve housing further includes a fifth valve housing port, a sixth valve housing port, a seventh valve housing port, and an eighth valve housing port. In the first working mode, the fifth valve housing port is connected to the sixth valve housing port, the seventh valve housing port, and the eighth valve housing port respectively through corresponding flow channels. In the second working mode, the fifth valve housing port is connected to the seventh valve housing port through a corresponding flow channel, and the sixth valve housing port is connected to the eighth valve housing port through a corresponding flow channel. In the third working mode, no fluid flows through the fifth valve housing port, and the sixth valve housing port and the seventh valve housing port are respectively connected to the eighth valve housing port through corresponding flow channels. In the fourth working mode, the fifth valve housing port is connected to the sixth valve housing port through a corresponding flow channel, and the seventh valve housing port is connected to the eighth valve housing port through a corresponding flow channel.

4. The multi-port valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The plurality of valve housing ports are provided on an axial end face of the valve housing and are circumferentially spaced apart. These valve housing ports are respectively in a fan-shaped ring shape, wherein the central angles corresponding to the second valve housing port, the third valve housing port, the sixth valve housing port, and the seventh valve housing port are equal, and the central angles corresponding to the first valve housing port, the fourth valve housing port, the fifth valve housing port, and the eighth valve housing port are all integer multiples of the central angle corresponding to the second valve housing port.

5. The multi-port valve according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The flow passage includes a spool port and a spool cavity communicating with the spool port. The spool port is provided on an axial end face of the spool and is circumferentially spaced apart. These spool ports are respectively fan-shaped rings. The spool port can be aligned with and communicate with the corresponding valve housing port. The valve housing port aligned with and communicating with the spool port of the flow passage changes with the switching of the working mode, and the central angle corresponding to the spool port is an integer multiple of the central angle corresponding to the second valve housing port.

6. The multi-port valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, Two adjacent spool ports in the circumferential direction belong to two different flow passages. In at least one working mode, the spool port with a central angle greater than that of the second valve housing port can be simultaneously aligned with and communicate with two different valve housing ports.

7. The multi-port valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, The spool cavity of at least one flow passage overlaps axially with the spool cavities of one or more other flow passages.

8. The multi-port valve according to claim 7, wherein The spool includes a spool body, a top plate and a bottom plate respectively covering the axial two ends of the spool body. The spool port is formed on the top plate. The spool cavity of the flow passage is formed in the spool body. And the spool body includes a top-side spool cavity near the axial top side of the spool body and a bottom-side spool cavity near the axial bottom side of the spool body. The bottom-side spool cavity overlaps axially with one or more of the top-side spool cavities.

9. A thermal management system, characterized in that, The thermal management system includes the multi-port valve according to any one of claims 2 to 8.

10. The thermal management system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The thermal management system further includes two heat exchangers and two thermal management objects. The two heat exchangers are respectively communicated with the first input port and the second input port. The two thermal management objects are respectively communicated with the first output port and the second output port.

11. The thermal management system according to claim 10, wherein The two thermal management objects include a battery and a passenger compartment.

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