Thermal management system and thermal management device

Abstract

A thermal management system and a thermal management device. The thermal management system comprises a first valve port (V1), a second valve port (V2), a third valve port (V3), a fourth valve port (V4) and a fifth valve port (V5), and further comprises: a fluid management element (14), a first refrigerant circuit (L1) having both ends respectively connected to an outlet of a compressor (1) and the first valve port (V1), a second refrigerant circuit (L2) having both ends respectively connected to the fifth valve port (V5) and an inlet of the compressor (1), a third refrigerant circuit (L3) having both ends respectively connected to the second valve port (V2) and the third valve port (V3), and a fourth refrigerant circuit (L4) having a first end (L41) and a second end (L42), the first end (L41) being connected to the fourth valve port (V4), and the second end (L42) being connected to the second refrigerant circuit (L2), wherein the fluid management element (14) is arranged in the fourth refrigerant circuit (L4) and is located between the first end (L41) and the second end (L42), and when the thermal management system operates in a first operating mode, the fluid management element (14) is used for preventing a refrigerant from flowing from the second refrigerant circuit (L2) to the fourth valve port (V4).

Description

Thermal management system and thermal management device Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a thermal management system and a thermal management device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the application of new energy vehicles is becoming increasingly widespread to protect the environment. In electric vehicles, which are considered new energy vehicles, the electric drive mechanism generates a large amount of heat when supplying power, leading to increased resistance. This reduces discharge and charging efficiency, thus shortening battery life. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause batteries to explode. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to low temperatures results in unnecessary energy loss. Therefore, electric vehicles require additional consideration of battery and motor cooling, making their thermal management systems more complex and involving more piping than those of traditional gasoline vehicles. However, the limited space in a vehicle's overall layout presents challenges to the placement of thermal management systems in new energy vehicles. Typically, integrated thermal management modules are used to address these issues, integrating various thermal management components and valves onto a manifold. However, existing integrated thermal management modules still suffer from low integration levels, complex assembly processes, and high costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of this disclosure is to provide a thermal management system and thermal management device having a combination of a multi-way valve and a one-way valve, thus having improved thermal management performance, high integration, simple assembly process, and low cost.

[0004] The above objectives are achieved through the thermal management system described below.

[0005] This disclosure provides a thermal management system, comprising: a compressor; a first heat exchanger; a main throttling element along the direction of refrigerant flow, wherein the first heat exchanger is located between the outlet of the compressor and the main throttling element; a main heat exchanger along the direction of refrigerant flow, wherein the main heat exchanger is located between the main throttling element and the inlet of the compressor; and a third heat exchanger. The thermal management system further comprises: a first valve port, a second valve port, a third valve port, a fourth valve port, and a fifth valve port; in a first operating mode of the thermal management system, the first valve port is connected to the fifth valve port, the second valve port is connected to the fourth valve port, and the third valve port is closed. The thermal management system further includes: a fluid management element; a first refrigerant circuit, with its two ends connected to the outlet of the compressor and the first valve port respectively, and a first heat exchanger disposed in the first refrigerant circuit; a second refrigerant circuit, with its two ends connected to the fifth valve port and the inlet of the compressor respectively, and a main throttling element and the main heat exchanger disposed in the second refrigerant circuit; a third refrigerant circuit, with its two ends connected to the second valve port and the third valve port respectively, and a third heat exchanger disposed in the third refrigerant circuit and located between the second valve port and the third valve port; and a fourth refrigerant circuit having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the fourth valve port, the second end connected to the second refrigerant circuit along the direction of refrigerant flow, and the second end connected between the main throttling element and the inlet of the compressor; wherein, the fluid management element is disposed in the fourth refrigerant circuit and located between the first end and the second end; when the thermal management system is in the first operating mode, the fluid management element is used to prevent refrigerant from flowing from the second refrigerant circuit to the fourth valve port.

[0006] The thermal management system according to this disclosure may also have one or more of the following features, individually or in combination.

[0007] In one embodiment, the second end is located between the main heat exchanger and the compressor inlet, along the direction of refrigerant flow.

[0008] In one embodiment, the second refrigerant circuit includes a first junction, a second junction, a first branch, and a second branch; the first branch and the second branch are connected in parallel between the first junction and the second junction; the main throttling element includes a first throttling element and a second throttling element; the main heat exchanger includes a first main heat exchanger and a second main heat exchanger; the first throttling element and the first main heat exchanger are disposed in the first branch, and the second throttling element and the second main heat exchanger are disposed in the second branch; the first branch has a branch junction; the branch junction is located between the first main heat exchanger and the inlet of the compressor; the second end is connected to the branch junction.

[0009] In one embodiment, the second refrigerant circuit is provided with a third connection point, and the third refrigerant circuit is provided with a fourth connection point, the third connection point being located between the fifth valve port and the first connection point; the thermal management system further includes a fifth refrigerant circuit, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the third connection point and the fourth connection point; the thermal management system further includes a secondary throttling element, the secondary throttling element being disposed in the fifth refrigerant circuit.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first heat exchanger is a built-in condenser; and / or the third heat exchanger is an evaporative condenser; and / or the first main heat exchanger has a first heat exchange channel and a second heat exchange channel; and / or the second main heat exchanger is an evaporator.

[0011] In one embodiment, the thermal management system further includes an internal heat exchanger, wherein a first heat exchange section of the internal heat exchanger is located between the fifth valve port and the first junction; and a second junction is located within a second heat exchange section of the internal heat exchanger.

[0012] In one embodiment, the thermal management system further has a second operating mode.

[0013] In the second operating mode, the first valve port is connected to the second valve port, the third valve port is connected to the fifth valve port, and the fourth valve port is closed.

[0014] In one embodiment, the fluid management element includes a one-way valve; the one-way valve is oriented in a direction from the first end to the second end.

[0015] The above objectives are achieved by the thermal management device described below.

[0016] This disclosure provides a thermal management device, comprising: a manifold having a first valve port, a second valve port, a third valve port, a fourth valve port, and a fifth valve port, and having a first channel, a second channel, a third channel, a fourth channel, and a fifth channel, wherein the first channel is connected to the first valve port, the second channel is connected to the second valve port, the third channel is connected to the third valve port, the fourth channel is connected to the fourth valve port, and the fifth channel is connected to the fifth valve port; a multi-way valve installed in the manifold and sealed to the manifold, the multi-way valve being used to change the communication mode between the first valve port, the second valve port, the third valve port, the fourth valve port, and the fifth valve port; and a fluid management element installed in the fourth channel; the fluid management element being configured to prevent refrigerant from flowing through the fourth channel to the fourth valve port.

[0017] The thermal management device according to this disclosure may also have one or more of the following features, individually or in combination.

[0018] In one embodiment, the manifold is a plate-shaped flow channel plate.

[0019] In one embodiment, the manifold is a block-shaped valve block.

[0020] In one embodiment, the thermal management device further includes a mounting plate; the valve block is mated to and communicates with the mounting plate.

[0021] In one embodiment, the fluid management element includes a one-way valve; the one-way valve in the fourth channel prevents refrigerant from flowing to the fourth valve port.

[0022] In one embodiment, the valve block has a valve interface surface, on which multiple valve interfaces are provided, and the valve interfaces are in communication with the flow channels provided on the mounting plate.

[0023] In one embodiment, the valve interface surface is parallel to and docks with the valve mounting surface of the mounting plate.

[0024] The above objectives are achieved by the thermal management device described below.

[0025] This disclosure provides a thermal management device suitable for a thermal management system. The thermal management device includes: a manifold; and a multi-way valve installed in the manifold and sealed to the manifold. The multi-way valve includes a valve core; the valve core has a first position and a second position; wherein, when the valve core is in the first position, the thermal management system is in a first operating mode; and when the valve core is in the second position, the thermal management system is in a second operating mode.

[0026] This disclosure also provides a thermal management device suitable for a thermal management system, the thermal management system including a third heat exchanger having a heat exchange channel; the thermal management device includes: a manifold having a first valve port, a second valve port, a third valve port, a fourth valve port, and a fifth valve port, wherein the second valve port and the third valve port are respectively fluidly connected to both ends of the heat exchange channel; a multi-way valve installed on the manifold and sealed to the manifold, the multi-way valve including a valve core having a first position, wherein when the valve core is in the first position, the first valve port is connected to the fifth valve port, the second valve port is connected to the fourth valve port, and the third valve port is closed; and a fluid management element fluidly connected to the fourth valve port of the multi-way valve, wherein when the valve core is in the first position, the fluid management element is used to prevent fluid from flowing from the fourth valve port to the second valve port.

[0027] The advantages of the technical solution disclosed herein are as follows: by using a combination of a multi-way valve and a one-way valve, the performance in a heat pump mode is improved; by integrating the multi-way valve and the one-way valve together or integrating them on a flow channel plate, the structure is compact, the integration is higher, the processing is simple, the assembly is easy, and the cost is low. Furthermore, the embodiments of this disclosure also have advantages such as simple flow paths and simple connections. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of this disclosure will be briefly described below. The drawings are merely illustrative of some embodiments of this disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of all embodiments of this disclosure. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 shows a connection diagram of a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the connection of a thermal management system under one mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 3 shows a schematic height view of at least a portion of a thermal management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a thermal management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 5 shows a rear view of the mounting plate of a thermal management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the mounting plate and valve block of a thermal management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 7 shows a front view of the mounting plate of a thermal management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of a multi-way valve assembly of a thermal management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in one direction;

[0037] Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of a multi-way valve assembly of a thermal management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure from another direction;

[0038] Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of the first valve chamber of a multi-way valve assembly of a thermal management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 11 shows a first cross-sectional schematic diagram of a multi-way valve assembly of a thermal management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 12 shows a second cross-sectional schematic diagram of a multi-way valve assembly of a thermal management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 13 shows a third cross-sectional schematic diagram of a multi-way valve assembly of a thermal management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram of a thermal management device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 15 shows a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of one end of a thermal management device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 16 shows an enlarged cross-sectional schematic diagram of one end of a thermal management device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] Figure 17 shows a partial schematic diagram of a multi-way valve of a thermal management device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] Figure 18 shows a schematic diagram of the flow channel plate of a thermal management device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] Figure 19 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the flow channel plate of a thermal management device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0048] Figure 20 shows a schematic diagram of the back side of the flow channel plate of a thermal management device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0049] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same components. It should be noted that the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0050] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The terms “first,” “second,” and similar terms used in this patent application specification and claims do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Similarly, the terms “an” or “a” and similar terms do not necessarily indicate a quantity limitation. The terms “comprising,” “including,” or “having,” and similar terms mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the element or object listed following the word and its equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. The terms “connected” or “connected,” and similar terms are not limited to the physical or mechanical connection or connection shown in the drawings, but may include equivalent connections or connections, whether direct or indirect. The terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” and “right,” etc., are used only to indicate relative positional relationships, which may change accordingly when the absolute position of the described object changes.

[0051] The following describes in detail, with reference to Figures 1 to 20, various embodiments of a thermal management system 100, a multi-way valve assembly 300, and a thermal management device 200 for a vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The multi-way valve assembly 300 and thermal management device 200 included in the thermal management system 100 according to the present disclosure, as shown by the dashed boxes in Figures 1 and 2, can be used to distribute a heat transfer fluid, which may be, for example, a refrigerant as described below. The thermal management device 200 of the present disclosure may include the multi-way valve assembly 300, and the thermal management system 100 may include the thermal management device 200. Furthermore, the thermal management system 100 of the present disclosure may also include a coolant circuit and fluid elements associated with the coolant circuit. The thermal management device 200 or the thermal management system 100 can be mounted on the vehicle body of a vehicle. For example, the vehicle body includes a frame, and the thermal management device 200 or the thermal management system 100 can be mounted on the frame. The thermal management system, multi-way valve assembly, and thermal management device according to the present disclosure can be used in new energy vehicles, such as electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, etc. Typically, the thermal management system includes a refrigerant circuit for refrigerant flow and a coolant circuit for coolant flow. The refrigerant is, for example, Freon or propane, and the coolant is, for example, a mixture of water and ethylene glycol.

[0052] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate schematic connection relationships of a thermal management system 100 according to the present disclosure, which includes a thermal management device 200. Figure 3 schematically illustrates a multi-way valve assembly 200 as part of the thermal management device 200. For example, the thermal management device 200 may include refrigerant-related thermal management elements and valves, etc.

[0053] The thermal management system includes a compressor 1, a first heat exchanger 2, main throttling elements 5 and 16, main heat exchangers 6 and 8, and a third heat exchanger 11. Along the refrigerant flow direction, the first heat exchanger 2 is located between the outlet of the compressor 1 and the main throttling elements 5 and 16. Along the refrigerant flow direction, the main heat exchangers 6 and 8 are located between the main throttling elements 5 and 16 and the inlet of the compressor 1.

[0054] For example, the first heat exchanger 2 is a built-in condenser. For example, the third heat exchanger 11 is an evaporative condenser. For example, the main throttling elements 5 and 16 include a first throttling element 5 and a second throttling element 16, which are respectively an electronic expansion valve and a thermostatic expansion valve with shut-off function (SOTXV). For example, the main heat exchangers 6 and 8 include a first main heat exchanger 6 and a second main heat exchanger 8, where the first main heat exchanger 6 is a chiller and the second main heat exchanger 8 is an evaporator.

[0055] Furthermore, the thermal management system includes a first valve port V1, a second valve port V2, a third valve port V3, a fourth valve port V4, and a fifth valve port V5, and also includes a fluid management element 14. The first valve port V1, the second valve port V2, the third valve port V3, the fourth valve port V4, and the fifth valve port V5 mentioned above can be, for example, five openings on a manifold as described in detail below.

[0056] A thermal management system can have multiple operating modes. For example, in the first operating mode of the thermal management system, the first valve port V1 is connected to the fifth valve port V5, the second valve port V2 is connected to the fourth valve port V4, and the third valve port V3 is closed. Here, "the first valve port V1 is connected to the fifth valve port V5" means that refrigerant can flow from the first valve port V1 to the fifth valve port V5, or vice versa, depending on the specific thermal management mode. In this context, "the third valve port V3 is closed" means that the third valve port V3 is not connected to any other valve port.

[0057] In addition, the thermal management system also has a second operating mode. In this mode, the first valve port V1 is connected to the second valve port V2, the third valve port V3 is connected to the fifth valve port V5, and the fourth valve port V4 is closed. The phrase "the third valve port V3 is connected to the fifth valve port V5" means that refrigerant can flow from the third valve port V3 to the fifth valve port V5, or vice versa, depending on the specific thermal management mode. The phrase "the fourth valve port V4 is closed" means that the fourth valve port V4 is not connected to any other valve port. Different operating modes can achieve different thermal management modes, such as AC mode and heat pump mode.

[0058] Furthermore, the thermal management system may also include multiple refrigerant circuits. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the multiple refrigerant circuits may include a first refrigerant circuit L1, a second refrigerant circuit L2, a third refrigerant circuit L3, and a fourth refrigerant circuit L4. Additionally, the multiple refrigerant circuits may also include a fifth refrigerant circuit L5. It should be noted that Figures 1 and 2 only schematically illustrate the connections of the thermal management system, and modifications and variations based on these are possible.

[0059] The first refrigerant circuit L1 is connected to the outlet of compressor 1 and the first valve port V1 at its two ends, respectively. For example, the first refrigerant circuit L1 is equipped with a first heat exchanger 2. The dashed line in the figure indicates the position of the first heat exchanger 2 in the connection diagram, which is actually located in the vehicle's air conditioning system 9.

[0060] The two ends of the second refrigerant circuit L2 are connected to the fifth valve port V5 and the inlet of the compressor 1, respectively; the main throttling elements 5 and 16 and the main heat exchangers 6 and 8 are disposed in the second refrigerant circuit L2. For example, the second refrigerant circuit L2 is also provided with an internal heat exchanger 4. For example, the internal heat exchanger 4 has a first heat exchange section 41 and a second heat exchange section 42, as well as a high-pressure inlet, a high-pressure outlet, two low-pressure inlets and a low-pressure outlet. For example, the first throttling element 5 is disposed between the first heat exchange section 41 of the internal heat exchanger 4 and the first main heat exchanger 6, and the second throttling element 16 is disposed between the first heat exchange section 41 of the internal heat exchanger 4 and the second main heat exchanger 8, wherein the first throttling element 5 is an electronic expansion valve and the second throttling element 16 is a thermostatic expansion valve.

[0061] The third refrigerant circuit L3 is connected to the second valve port V2 and the third valve port V3 at its two ends, respectively. A third heat exchanger 11 is disposed in the third refrigerant circuit L3 and located between the second valve port V2 and the third valve port V3. For example, the third heat exchanger 11 is an evaporative condenser. The evaporative condenser functions as an evaporator in some modes and as a condenser in others. Furthermore, in the direction of airflow, the evaporative condenser is positioned upstream of the low-temperature radiator 12 of the thermal management system.

[0062] The fourth refrigerant circuit L4 has a first end L41 and a second end L42; the first end L41 is connected to the fourth valve port V4, and the second end L42 is connected to the second refrigerant circuit L2; along the direction of refrigerant flow, the second end L42 is located between the main throttling elements 5 and 16 and the inlet of the compressor 1.

[0063] Fluid management element 14 is disposed in the fourth refrigerant circuit L4 and located between the first end L41 and the second end L42. When the thermal management system is in the first operating mode, fluid management element 14 is used to prevent refrigerant from flowing from the second refrigerant circuit L2 to the fourth valve port V4. In other words, fluid management element 14 can prevent refrigerant from flowing from the fourth valve port V4 through the second valve port V2 to the third heat exchanger 11. In this way, when the thermal management system is in a thermal management mode where the third heat exchanger 11 does not participate in heat exchange, the refrigerant circulating to the second refrigerant circuit L2 will not flow to the third heat exchanger 11, thus preventing refrigerant from flowing to circuits or thermal management elements that do not participate in heat exchange, thereby improving the performance of the thermal management system.

[0064] For example, in some known thermal management systems, the evaporative condenser does not participate in heat exchange in the circulation loop under water source heat pump mode. When the ambient temperature is low (e.g., -5°C), the refrigerant circulating to the low-pressure side of the built-in condenser will flow further into the evaporative condenser, condense into a liquid state, and be stored. This results in less refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation loop under this mode, which seriously affects the system performance.

[0065] Specifically, this avoids storing too much refrigerant in the heat exchange channel of the third heat exchanger 11 in the thermal management system, thereby preventing, to some extent, the performance degradation of the thermal management system under the current thermal management mode due to insufficient refrigerant available in the system.

[0066] For example, along the direction of refrigerant flow, the second end L42 of the fourth refrigerant circuit L4 is connected between the main heat exchangers 6 and 8 and the inlet of the compressor 1.

[0067] In some other examples not shown, the second end L42 of the fourth refrigerant loop L4 is connected between the main throttling element and the second main heat exchanger 8. When the thermal management system is in a thermal management mode where the third heat exchanger 11 does not participate in heat exchange, this prevents refrigerant from flowing to the third heat exchanger 11, further improving the performance of the thermal management system.

[0068] For example, the second refrigerant circuit L2 includes a first junction J1, a second junction J2, a first branch B1, and a second branch B2, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The first branch B1 and the second branch B2 are connected in parallel between the first junction J1 and the second junction J2. A first throttling element 5 and a first main heat exchanger 6 are disposed in the first branch B1, and a second throttling element 16 and a second main heat exchanger 8 are disposed in the second branch B2. The first branch B1 has a branch junction C, which is located between the first main heat exchanger 6 and the inlet of the compressor 1. The second end L42 of the second refrigerant circuit L2 is connected to the branch junction C.

[0069] For example, the first heat exchange section 41 of the internal heat exchanger 4 is located between the fifth valve port V5 and the first junction J1; the second junction J2 is located within the second heat exchange section 42 of the internal heat exchanger 4. For example, the second junction J2 may be located between the second low-pressure inlet and the low-pressure outlet of the internal heat exchanger 4. The heat exchange flow path between the second junction J2 and the low-pressure outlet is part of the second heat exchange section 42 of the internal heat exchanger 4.

[0070] For example, the first branch B1 is provided with a first throttling element 5 and a first heat exchange channel 61 of the second main heat exchanger 6. For example, the second main heat exchanger 6 has a first heat exchange channel 61 located in the refrigerant circuit and a second heat exchange channel 62 located in the coolant circuit, and the second heat exchange channel 62 may be connected in series with, for example, a battery assembly (including a battery temperature regulating device) and / or a motor. For example, in the refrigerant flow direction, the first throttling element 5 is located upstream of the first heat exchange channel 61 of the second main heat exchanger 6; the position of the first throttling element 5 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is only schematic and does not represent the actual position. The refrigerant flowing through the first branch B1 then flows through a portion, not all, of the second heat exchange section 42 of the internal heat exchanger 4. The refrigerant flowing through the second branch B2 then flows through the entire second heat exchange section 42 of the internal heat exchanger 4.

[0071] For example, the second refrigerant circuit L2 is provided with a third connection point J3, and the third refrigerant circuit L3 is provided with a fourth connection point J4. The third connection point J3 is located between the fifth valve port V5 and the first connection point J1. The two ends of the fifth refrigerant circuit L5 are connected to the third connection point J3 and the fourth connection point J4, respectively. The thermal management system also includes a secondary throttling element 15, which is provided in the fifth refrigerant circuit L5. For example, the secondary throttling element 15 is an electronic expansion valve.

[0072] For example, fluid management element 14 includes a one-way valve, the one-way valve being open from the first end L41 of the fourth refrigerant circuit L4 to the second end L42. When fluid management element 14 is open, refrigerant can flow from the fourth valve port V4 to the branch junction C, and then to the second refrigerant circuit L2, but refrigerant cannot flow from the second refrigerant circuit L2 to the fourth valve port V4. In other examples, fluid management element 14 may also be a shut-off valve, which can be closed when the thermal management system is in a first operating mode.

[0073] For example, the first valve port V1 to the fifth valve port V5 can be implemented using the valve ports of a multi-way valve 13, which is a five-way valve, while the fluid management element 14 is a single check valve. The five-way valve and check valve use conventional structures and will not be described further here. When the third heat exchanger 11, which is an evaporative condenser in some modes, is not in operation, the fluid management element 14 can be closed, preventing refrigerant from flowing through it to the fourth valve port V4 and then to the third heat exchanger 11 where it is stored. Therefore, a relatively larger amount of refrigerant participates in heat transfer in the loop, improving thermal management performance.

[0074] For example, the second refrigerant circuit L2 is also equipped with a dryer bottle 3. For example, the second main heat exchanger 8, which is an evaporator, the first heat exchanger 2, which is a built-in condenser, and the heat core 10 can be installed in the vehicle's air conditioning system 9, as shown at the right end of Figures 1 and 2.

[0075] Figures 1 and 2 also show a temperature and / or pressure sensor, indicated by “PT”, which is located on the second refrigerant circuit L2 to measure the temperature and / or pressure of the refrigerant flowing through it.

[0076] As shown in Figure 2, when the thermal management system is in a heat pump mode, such as a water source heat pump mode, the thermal management system or the first to fifth valve ports are still in the first operating mode, and the fluid management element 14 can be closed. The refrigerant flow direction is shown by the arrow in the figure. In this case, the refrigerant from the compressor 1 can flow sequentially through the first heat exchanger 2, the first valve port V1, the fifth valve port V5, the dryer flask 3, the first heat exchange section 41 of the internal heat exchanger 4, the first junction J1, the first throttling element 5, the first heat exchange channel 61 of the first main heat exchanger 6, the branch junction C, the second junction J2, and a part of the second heat exchange section 42 of the internal heat exchanger 4, and then return to the compressor 1. At the branch junction C, due to the fluid management element 14, the refrigerant circulating to the branch junction C will not flow to the third heat exchanger 11. In this way, the performance of the thermal management system can be improved.

[0077] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic embodiment of a multi-port valve assembly 300 as part of a thermal management device 200. The multi-port valve assembly 300 includes a manifold, a multi-port valve 13, and a fluid management element 14. The manifold has a first valve port V1, a second valve port V2, a third valve port V3, a fourth valve port V4, and a fifth valve port V5, and has a first channel 71, a second channel 72, a third channel 73, a fourth channel 74, and a fifth channel 75. The first channel 71 is connected to the first valve port V1, the second channel 72 is connected to the second valve port V2, the third channel 73 is connected to the third valve port V3, the fourth channel 74 is connected to the fourth valve port V4, and the fifth channel 75 is connected to the fifth valve port V5. The multi-port valve 13 is mounted on the manifold and is sealed to it. The multi-port valve 13 is used to change the connection mode between the first valve port V1, the second valve port V2, the third valve port V3, the fourth valve port V4, and the fifth valve port V5. The fluid management element 14 is installed in the fourth channel 74 and is configured to prevent refrigerant from flowing through the fourth channel 74 to the fourth valve port V4.

[0078] For example, corresponding to the first and second operating modes of the thermal management system, the multi-way valve 13 can have a first operating condition and a second operating condition. In the first operating condition, the multi-way valve 13 connects the first valve port V1 and the fifth valve port V5, connects the second valve port V2 and the fourth valve port V4, and closes the third valve port V3. In the second operating condition, the multi-way valve 13 connects the first valve port V1 and the second valve port V2, connects the third valve port V3 and the fifth valve port V5, and closes the fourth valve port V4.

[0079] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first channel 71 described above forms at least a part of the first refrigerant circuit L1, the second channel 72 forms at least a part of the third refrigerant circuit L3, the third channel 73 forms at least a part of the third refrigerant circuit L3, the fourth channel 74 forms at least a part of the fourth refrigerant circuit L4, and the fifth channel 75 forms at least a part of the second refrigerant circuit L2.

[0080] For example, in the embodiments shown in Figures 14 to 20, the manifold is a plate-shaped flow channel plate 101, as shown in Figures 14 and 18. For example, in the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 13, the manifold is a block-shaped valve block 36.

[0081] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the thermal management device 200 also includes a mounting plate 101', on which multiple flow channels form at least a portion of corresponding circuits in the first to fifth refrigerant circuits. The mounting plate is used to connect with a valve block-shaped manifold. See below for details. This approach improves system integration, simplifies assembly processes, and reduces costs.

[0082] As shown in Figures 1 to 18, the multi-way valve 13, manifold, and fluid management element 14 can be integrated to form a multi-way valve assembly 300. Referring to Figures 4 to 20, the multi-way valve assembly 300 has a first valve chamber 30 and multiple valve ports, namely a first valve port V1, a second valve port V2, a third valve port V3, a fourth valve port V4, and a fifth valve port V5 formed on the manifold; the first valve chamber 30 is defined by the multi-way valve 13 and the manifold, wherein the multi-way valve 13 is sealed to the manifold. In other examples, the multi-way valve assembly 300 may have more valve ports, and this disclosure is not limiting in this regard. The multi-way valve assembly 300 has a second valve chamber 40 formed on the manifold, which communicates with the first valve chamber 30 through one of the multiple valve ports described above, namely the fourth valve port V4, as shown in Figure 12. At least a portion of the fluid management element 14 is located in the second valve chamber 40 to prevent refrigerant from flowing from the second valve chamber 40 to the valve port and then to the first valve chamber 30 of the multi-way valve 13. As shown in FIG12, the fourth passage 74 of the manifold includes the second valve chamber 40.

[0083] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, various thermal management elements of the thermal management device are also installed on the mounting plate 101' of the thermal management device 200, such as the dryer bottle 3, the internal heat exchanger 4, the first main heat exchanger 6, the first throttling element 5, and the secondary throttling element 15, etc., which are installed, for example, on the first side or front side of the mounting plate 101'. The inlets and outlets of these thermal management elements can engage with various openings on the mounting plate 101' to achieve fluid communication with the flow channels on the mounting plate 101'. Another flow channel plate for the coolant circuit can be installed on the second side or back side opposite to the first side of the mounting plate 101', on which thermal management elements and valves used in the coolant circuit are mounted. This arrangement improves the integration of the thermal management device, making the structure more compact and easy to assemble.

[0084] In the embodiments shown in Figures 14 to 20, at least a portion of the first valve chamber 30 and the second valve chamber 40 are integrated on the flow channel plate 101 of the thermal management device 200. Of course, it is also possible for one of the first valve chamber 30 and the second valve chamber 40 to be integrated on the flow channel plate 101 of the thermal management device 200. For example, the first valve chamber 30 can communicate with the second valve chamber 40 through a corresponding channel, i.e., a fourth channel 74, provided on the flow channel plate 101. The fluid management element 14 is at least partially installed in the fourth channel 74, for example, as shown in Figure 15. For example, the fluid management element 14 can be inserted into the fourth channel 74, which is in fluid communication with the first valve chamber 30; that is, the second valve chamber 40 can be formed in the fourth channel 74. The first channel 71, second channel 72, third channel 74, fourth channel 74, and fifth channel 75 described above can be formed by grooves and cover plates formed on the plate body of the flow channel plate 101, the grooves being open on a second side or back side of the flow channel plate 101, and the cover plates sealing the grooves. The above setup can eliminate at least part of the valve body structure, while reducing assembly steps, thereby improving integration and reducing material and assembly costs.

[0085] As shown in Figure 6, in some embodiments, the multi-way valve assembly 300 includes a valve block 36 having multiple channels, which abuts and communicates with the mounting plate 101'. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the first valve chamber 30 of the multi-way valve 13 and the second valve chamber 40 of the fluid management element 14 are integrated on the valve block 36. Of course, it is also possible that one of the first valve chamber 30 of the multi-way valve 13 and the second valve chamber 40 of the fluid management element 14 is integrated on the valve block 36. As shown in Figure 11, the valve cover assembly of the multi-way valve 13 closes the first valve chamber 30.

[0086] For example, as shown in Figure 8, the valve block 36 also has a valve interface surface 31, on which multiple valve interfaces 32, 33, 34, and 35 are provided. These valve interfaces communicate with flow channels provided on the mounting plate 101'. For example, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the valve interface surface 31 is parallel to and abuts against the valve mounting surface 102 of the mounting plate 101'. For example, multiple plate interfaces 121, 122, 123, and 124 are provided on the valve mounting surface 102. Valve interface 32 abuts against plate interface 121, valve interface 33 abuts against plate interface 122, valve interface 34 abuts against plate interface 123, and valve interface 35 abuts against plate interface 124.

[0087] In addition, as shown in Figure 9, the valve block 36 also has additional interfaces 37 and 38, which are disposed on the side opposite to the valve interface surface 31.

[0088] As shown in Figures 11 to 13, the first valve chamber 30 of the multi-way valve 13 is connected to the second valve chamber 40 via one of a plurality of channels on the valve block 36. For example, the fluid management element 14 may be at least partially installed in said channel. The plurality of channels on the valve block 36 may correspond to the first to fifth channels described above.

[0089] Furthermore, the multiple ports of the multi-way valve 13 are connected to the valve interface and additional interfaces respectively through corresponding channels. Figures 11 to 13 show the first channel 71, the second channel 72, the third channel 73, the fourth channel 74, and the fifth channel 75. The first port V1 of the multi-way valve 13 is connected to the valve interface 33 through the first channel 71; the second port V2 of the multi-way valve 13 is connected to the additional interface 38 through the second channel 72; the third port V3 of the multi-way valve 13 is connected to the valve interface 35 and the additional interface 37 respectively through the third channel 73; the fourth port V4 of the multi-way valve 13 is connected to the valve interface 34 through the fourth channel 74; and the fifth port V5 of the multi-way valve 13 is connected to the valve interface 32 through the fifth channel 75.

[0090] As shown in Figure 12, the fluid management element 14 is installed in the fourth channel 74 to prevent refrigerant from flowing from the valve port 34 to the fourth valve port V4. For example, the fluid management element 14 includes a check valve, and the direction of the check valve is within the fourth channel 74 and away from the direction of the fourth valve port V4, that is, to prevent refrigerant from flowing to the fourth valve port V4.

[0091] For example, as shown in Figure 5, a groove is provided on the second side or back side of the mounting plate 101', which forms a flow channel with the cover plate that mates with it. Flow channels 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, and 118 are shown in Figure 5.

[0092] One end of flow channel 112 communicates with plate interface 121 and thus with the fifth valve port V5, and the other end communicates with the inlet of the dryer bottle 3. One end of flow channel 111 communicates with the outlet of the dryer bottle 3 and the other end communicates with the high-pressure inlet of the internal heat exchanger 4. One end of flow channel 116 is junction J1, and the other end is an opening communicating with the second main heat exchanger 8. Flow channel 118 is located between junction J1 and junction J3, connecting flow channels 114, 115, and 116. The right end of flow channel 117, as shown in the figure, communicates with the first low-pressure inlet of the internal heat exchanger 4, and the right end shown in the figure communicates with the second main heat exchanger 8. Flow channels 111, 112, 116, 117, and 118 form part of the second refrigerant circuit L2. Flow channels 116 and 117 form the second branch B2.

[0093] A first throttling element 5 is provided at one end (left end) of the flow channel 115, and the other end (right end) is connected to the inlet of the first heat exchange flow channel 61 of the first main heat exchanger 6. The flow channel 115 forms part of the first branch B1.

[0094] One end of the flow channel 114 is equipped with a secondary throttling element 15, and the other end is connected to the high-pressure outlet of the internal heat exchanger 4. The flow channel 114 forms part of the fifth refrigerant circuit L5.

[0095] The flow channel 110 is connected at its central portion to the outlet of the first heat exchange flow channel 61 of the first main heat exchanger 6, and at its left end, as shown in the figure, to the second low-pressure inlet of the internal heat exchanger 4. At its right end, as shown in the figure, is the plate interface 123 and therefore can communicate with the fourth valve port V4. Thus, the left portion of the flow channel 110 forms part of the first branch B1, and the right portion forms the fourth refrigerant circuit L4.

[0096] One end of the flow channel 113 is provided with a secondary throttling element 15, and the other end is a plate interface 124, which can therefore communicate with the third valve port V3. A portion of the flow channel 113 forms part of the third refrigerant circuit L3, and another portion forms part of the fifth refrigerant circuit L5.

[0097] In the embodiments shown in Figures 14 to 20, the first channel 71, the second channel 72, the third channel 73, the fourth channel 74, and the fifth channel 75 described above are integrated on the flow channel plate 101, and the first valve chamber 30 and the second valve chamber 40 are also integrated on the flow channel plate 101. In this way, the thermal management device can be more compact and have a higher degree of integration.

[0098] In other examples, the thermal management device of this disclosure may include a manifold and a multi-way valve 13. The multi-way valve 13 is mounted on and sealed to the manifold to form a first valve cavity 30. For example, the manifold is a flow channel plate 101. As shown in FIG16, the multi-way valve 13 includes a valve core 131 and a valve cover assembly 132. The valve cover assembly 132 is mounted on and sealed to the flow channel plate to form the first valve cavity 30. The valve core 131 is disposed in the first valve cavity 30 and connected to the valve cover assembly 132, which drives the valve core 131 to rotate. The valve core 131 has a valve core channel 133 located within the first valve cavity 30, and the valve core channel 133 is for fluid communication with two valve ports, respectively. As shown in FIG17, the valve core channel 133 includes a first valve core channel 1331 and a second valve core channel 1332.

[0099] For example, valve core 131 can have a first position and a second position. When valve core 131 is in the first position, the thermal management system is in a first operating mode; when valve core 131 is in the second position, the thermal management system is in a second operating mode. In the first position, the first valve core channel 1331 is fluidly connected to the first valve port V1 and the fifth valve port V5, the second valve core channel 1332 is fluidly connected to the second valve port V2 and the fourth valve port V4, and valve core 131 blocks the third valve port V3. In the second position, the first valve core channel 1331 is fluidly connected to the first valve port V1 and the second valve port V2, the second valve core channel 1332 is fluidly connected to the third valve port V3 and the fifth valve port V5, and valve core 131 blocks the fourth valve port V4.

[0100] In other examples, the thermal management device of this disclosure may include a third heat exchanger 11 having a heat exchange passage, a manifold, a multi-way valve 13, and a fluid management element 14. For example, the heat exchange passage is a refrigerant passage, and the third heat exchanger is an evaporative condenser. The manifold has a first valve port V1, a second valve port V2, a third valve port V3, a fourth valve port V4, and a fifth valve port V5. The second valve port V2 and the third valve port V3 are in fluid communication with the two ends of the heat exchange passage of the third heat exchanger 11, respectively. The multi-way valve 13 is mounted on the manifold and is sealed to the manifold. The multi-way valve 13 includes a valve core 131 having a first position. When the valve core 131 is in the first position, the valve core passage 133 connects the first valve port V1 to the fifth valve port V5, the second valve port V2 to the fourth valve port V4, and the third valve port V3 is closed. Of course, the valve core 131 may also have a second position. When valve core 131 is in the second position, valve core passage 133 connects the first valve port V1 to the second valve port V2, the third valve port V3 to the fifth valve port V5, and the fourth valve port V4 is closed. Fluid management element 14 is in fluid communication with the fourth valve port V4 of multi-way valve 13. When valve core 131 is in the first position, fluid management element 14 prevents fluids such as refrigerant from flowing from the fourth valve port V4 to the second valve port V2.

[0101] As described above, the thermal management system and thermal management device of this disclosure use a combination of multi-way valves and one-way valves to improve performance in a heat pump mode; by integrating the multi-way valve and one-way valve together or integrating both on a flow channel plate, the structure is compact, the integration is higher, the processing is simple, the assembly is easy, and the cost is low. In addition, the embodiments of this disclosure also have advantages such as simple flow path and simple connection.

[0102] The technical features disclosed above are not limited to the combinations of the disclosed features with other features. Those skilled in the art may also make other combinations of the technical features according to the purpose of the disclosure in order to achieve the purpose of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A thermal management system, comprising: Compressor (1); First heat exchanger (2); Main throttling element (5, 16); along the direction of refrigerant flow, the first heat exchanger (2) is located between the outlet of the compressor (1) and the main throttling element (5, 16); Main heat exchangers (6, 8); along the direction of refrigerant flow, the main heat exchangers (6, 8) are located between the main throttling element (5, 16) and the inlet of the compressor (1); Third heat exchanger (11); The thermal management system is characterized in that it further includes: First valve port (V1), second valve port (V2), third valve port (V3), fourth valve port (V4), and fifth valve port (V5); in the first operating mode of the thermal management system, the first valve port (V1) is connected to the fifth valve port (V5), the second valve port (V2) is connected to the fourth valve port (V4), and the third valve port (V3) is closed; Fluid management element (14); The first refrigerant circuit (L1) is connected at both ends to the outlet of the compressor (1) and the first valve port (V1), respectively; the first heat exchanger (2) is disposed in the first refrigerant circuit (L1); The second refrigerant circuit (L2) is connected at both ends to the fifth valve port (V5) and the inlet of the compressor (1), respectively; the main throttling element (5, 16) and the main heat exchanger (6, 8) are disposed in the second refrigerant circuit (L2); The third refrigerant circuit (L3) is connected to the second valve port (V2) and the third valve port (V3) at its two ends respectively; the third heat exchanger (11) is disposed in the third refrigerant circuit (L3) and is located between the second valve port (V2) and the third valve port (V3); The fourth refrigerant circuit (L4) has a first end (L41) and a second end (L42); the first end (L41) is connected to the fourth valve port (V4), and the second end (L42) is connected to the second refrigerant circuit (L2); along the direction of refrigerant flow, the second end (L42) is connected between the main throttling element (5, 16) and the inlet of the compressor (1); The fluid management element (14) is disposed in the fourth refrigerant circuit (L4) and located between the first end (L41) and the second end (L42); when the thermal management system is in the first working mode, the fluid management element (14) is used to prevent refrigerant from flowing from the second refrigerant circuit (L2) to the fourth valve port (V4).

2. The thermal management system of claim 1, wherein, Along the direction of refrigerant flow, the second end (L42) is located between the main heat exchanger (6, 8) and the inlet of the compressor (1).

3. The thermal management system of claim 1, wherein, The second refrigerant circuit (L2) includes a first junction (J1), a second junction (J2), a first branch (B1), and a second branch (B2); the first branch (B1) and the second branch (B2) are connected in parallel between the first junction (J1) and the second junction (J2); The main throttling elements (5, 16) include a first throttling element (5) and a second throttling element (16); the main heat exchangers (6, 8) include a first main heat exchanger (6) and a second main heat exchanger (8); The first throttling element (5) and the first main heat exchanger (6) are disposed in the first branch (B1), and the second throttling element (16) and the second main heat exchanger (8) are disposed in the second branch (B2); The first branch (B1) has a branch junction (C); the branch junction (C) is located between the first main heat exchanger (6) and the inlet of the compressor (1); The second end (L42) is connected to the branch junction (C).

4. The thermal management system of claim 3, wherein, The second refrigerant circuit (L2) is provided with a third connection point (J3), and the third refrigerant circuit (L3) is provided with a fourth connection point (J4). The third connection point (J3) is located between the fifth valve port (V5) and the first connection point (J1). The thermal management system further includes a fifth refrigerant circuit (L5), the two ends of which are connected to the third junction (J3) and the fourth junction (J4), respectively. The thermal management system further includes a secondary throttling element (15), which is disposed in the fifth refrigerant circuit (L5).

5. The thermal management system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first heat exchanger (2) is a built-in condenser; and / or The third heat exchanger (11) is an evaporative condenser; and / or The first main heat exchanger (6) has a first heat exchange channel (61) and a second heat exchange channel (62); and / or The second main heat exchanger (8) is an evaporator.

6. The thermal management system of claim 3, wherein, The thermal management system further includes an internal heat exchanger (4), wherein the first heat exchange section (41) of the internal heat exchanger (4) is located between the fifth valve port (V5) and the first junction point (J1); and the second junction point (J2) is located within the second heat exchange section (42) of the internal heat exchanger (4).

7. The thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thermal management system also has a second operating mode. In the second operating mode, the first valve port (V1) is connected to the second valve port (V2), the third valve port (V3) is connected to the fifth valve port (V5), and the fourth valve port (V4) is closed.

8. The thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fluid management element (14) includes a check valve; the direction of conduction of the check valve is from the first end (L41) to the second end (L42).

9. A thermal management device, characterized in that, The thermal management device includes: The manifold has a first valve port (V1), a second valve port (V2), a third valve port (V3), a fourth valve port (V4), and a fifth valve port (V5); and has a first channel (71), a second channel (72), a third channel (73), a fourth channel (74), and a fifth channel (75); wherein the first channel (71) is connected to the first valve port (V1), the second channel (72) is connected to the second valve port (V2), the third channel (73) is connected to the third valve port (V3), the fourth channel (74) is connected to the fourth valve port (V4), and the fifth channel (75) is connected to the fifth valve port (V5); A multi-way valve (13) is installed in the manifold and is sealed to the manifold; the multi-way valve (13) is used to change the connection mode between the first valve port (V1), the second valve port (V2), the third valve port (V3), the fourth valve port (V4) and the fifth valve port (V5); A fluid management element (14) is installed in the fourth channel (74); the fluid management element (14) is configured to prevent refrigerant from flowing through the fourth channel (74) to the fourth valve port (V4).

10. The thermal management device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The manifold is a plate-shaped flow channel plate (101).

11. The thermal management device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The manifold is a block-shaped valve block (36).

12. The thermal management device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The thermal management device also includes a mounting plate (101'); the valve block (36) is connected to and connected to the mounting plate (101').

13. The thermal management device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The fluid management element (14) includes a check valve; the check valve in the fourth channel (74) prevents refrigerant from flowing to the fourth valve port (V4).

14. The thermal management device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The valve block (36) has a valve interface surface (31), on which multiple valve interfaces (32, 33, 34, 35) are provided, and the valve interfaces are connected to the flow channels provided on the mounting plate (101').

15. The thermal management device according to claim 14, characterized in that, The valve interface surface (31) is parallel to and docks with the valve mounting surface (102) of the mounting plate (101').

16. A thermal management device, suitable for a thermal management system, characterized in that, The thermal management device includes: manifold; A multi-way valve (13) is installed in the manifold and is sealed to the manifold; the multi-way valve (13) includes a valve core (131); the valve core (131) has a first position and a second position; When the valve core (131) is in the first position, the thermal management system is in the first working mode; when the valve core (131) is in the second position, the thermal management system is in the second working mode.

17. A thermal management device suitable for a thermal management system, the thermal management system including a third heat exchanger (11) having a heat exchange passage; Its features are, The thermal management device includes: The manifold has a first valve port (V1), a second valve port (V2), a third valve port (V3), a fourth valve port (V4), and a fifth valve port (V5); wherein the second valve port (V2) and the third valve port (V3) are used to fluidly communicate with the two ends of the heat exchange channel, respectively. A multi-way valve (13) is installed in the manifold and is sealed to the manifold; the multi-way valve (13) includes a valve core (131); the valve core (131) has a first position; When the valve core (131) is in the first position, the first valve port (V1) is connected to the fifth valve port (V5), the second valve port (V2) is connected to the fourth valve port (V4), and the third valve port (V3) is closed; and A fluid management element (14) is in fluid communication with the fourth valve port (V4) of the multi-way valve; when the valve core (131) is in the first position, the fluid management element (14) is used to prevent fluid from flowing from the fourth valve port (V4) to the second valve port (V2).

Images