Manifold plate assembly and thermal management system

Abstract

A manifold plate assembly, comprising an isolating part, and a first plate and a second plate that are stacked together, the first plate having a first surface and a first recess, the first recess being depressed from the first surface in a direction away from the second plate, and the second plate having a second surface and a second recess, the second recess being depressed from the second surface in a direction away from the first plate, wherein the first surface is configured to connect to the second surface, such that the first recess and the second recess intersect to define an intersection region; the isolating part is formed in the intersection region, to separate fluid in the first recess from fluid in the second recess.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Manifold plate assembly and thermal management system

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to a manifold plate assembly and a thermal management system, and more specifically relates to a dual-layer intersecting flow plate assembly and a corresponding thermal management system.

[0005] Background Art

[0006] A channel for the circulation of a cooling liquid is provided in a flow plate assembly in a vehicle thermal management system. With the diversification of vehicle thermal management system functions, the arrangement of flow channels in a manifold plate assembly is increasingly complicated, and dual-layer intersecting flow channels are needed in many cases. The manifold plate assembly provided with dual-layer intersecting flow channels in the prior art is generally formed by stacking three layers of plate-shaped structures, and the structure and processing process thereof are complicated.

[0007] Therefore, a manifold plate assembly which mitigates the defects in the prior art above is a welcome proposal.

[0008] Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a manifold plate assembly is proposed, comprising an isolating part, and a first plate and a second plate that are stacked together, the first plate having a first surface and a first recess, the first recess being depressed from the first surface in a direction away from the second plate, and the second plate having a second surface and a second recess, the second recess being depressed from the second surface in a direction away from the first plate, wherein the first surface is configured to connect to the second surface, such that the first recess and the second recess intersect to define an intersection region; the isolating part is formed in the intersection region, to separate fluid in the first i recess from fluid in the second recess.

[0010] According to this solution, compared with dual-layer intersecting flow channels realized by means of a three-layer plate-shaped structure in the prior art, the solution proposed by the present disclosure can realize dual-layer intersecting flow channels by means of a two-layer plate-shaped structure, simplifying the structure and processing process.

[0011] In some solutions, the first plate may be integrally formed with the isolating part.

[0012] In some solutions, a surface of the isolating part that faces the second plate may be flush with the first surface.

[0013] In some solutions, a surface of the isolating part that is remote from the second plate may be separated from a bottom wall of the first recess.

[0014] In some solutions, the isolating part can extend from an edge of the intersection region toward the centre of the intersection region.

[0015] In some solutions, the shape of the intersection region may be rectangular.

[0016] In some solutions, at least one first port may be provided on the first plate, the first port communicating with the first recess, and / or at least one second port is provided on the first plate, the second port communicating with the second recess.

[0017] In some solutions, the first port and / or the second port may extend from the first surface in a direction away from the second plate.

[0018] In some solutions, one of the first ports may be flush with the isolating part in a direction perpendicular to the first surface.

[0019] In some solutions, the first recess may extend in a first direction, and the second recess may extend in a second direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the second direction, and the first direction and the second direction both being parallel to the first surface.

[0020] In some solutions, two sides of the first plate in the first direction may be respectively provided with two first ports, and two sides of the first plate in the second direction may be respectively provided with two second ports, the first recess extending between the two first ports, and the second recess extending between the two second ports. In some solutions, a first port that is located between the two first ports may be further provided on the first plate.

[0021] In some solutions, the first recess may extend in a curved path.

[0022] In some solutions, a single first port and two second ports may be provided on the first plate, the first recess extending from the single first port, and the second recess extending between the two second ports.

[0023] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a thermal management system is proposed, comprising: a multi-way valve, which has multiple valve ports; and the manifold plate assembly according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the multiple valve ports communicating with the first recess or the second recess.

[0024] In some solutions, the multi-way valve may be an eight-way valve.

[0025] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] Fig. 1A shows a schematic drawing of a manifold plate assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Fig. IB shows a schematic drawing of injection moulding of the manifold plate assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Fig. 1C shows a schematic drawing of Fig. IB from another angle;

[0029] Fig. 2 shows a sectional drawing of the manifold plate assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Fig. 3 shows a schematic drawing of a first plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Fig. 4 shows a schematic drawing of the first plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention from another angle;

[0032] Fig. 5 shows a schematic drawing of a second plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Fig. 6A shows a schematic drawing of a thermal management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Fig. 6B shows a schematic drawing of injection moulding of a manifold plate assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6C shows a schematic drawing of Fig. 6B from another angle;

[0035] Fig. 7 shows a sectional drawing of the manifold plate assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Fig. 8 shows a sectional drawing of the manifold plate assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention from another angle;

[0037] Fig. 9 shows a schematic drawing of a first plate according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Fig. 10 shows a schematic drawing of a second plate according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Key to the drawings:

[0040] 1 thermal management system

[0041] 10 manifold plate assembly

[0042] 100 first plate

[0043] 110 first surface

[0044] 120 first recess

[0045] 122 bottom wall

[0046] 124 remaining portion

[0047] 140 isolating part

[0048] 142 first isolating mould core

[0049] 144 second isolating mould core

[0050] 152, 154, 156 first port

[0051] 162, 164 second port

[0052] 170 port mould core

[0053] 200 second plate

[0054] 210 second surface

[0055] 220 second recess

[0056] 224 remaining portion

[0057] 20 manifold plate assembly

[0058] 300 first plate

[0059] 310 first surface 320 first recess

[0060] 340 isolating part

[0061] 342 first isolating mould core

[0062] 344 second isolating mould core

[0063] 350 first port

[0064] 362, 364 second port

[0065] 400 second plate

[0066] 410 second surface

[0067] 420 second recess

[0068] C intersection region

[0069] Detailed Description of Embodiments

[0070] In order to clarify the objective, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention, the technical solutions of embodiments of the present invention are described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings accompanying particular embodiments of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the terms used herein have common meanings in the art. In the drawings, identical reference numerals denote identical components.

[0071] Fig. 1 shows a schematic drawing of a manifold plate assembly 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the manifold plate assembly 10 comprising a first plate 100 and a second plate 200, the first plate 100 and the second plate 200 being stacked together to form a flow channel. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the first plate 100 has a first surface 110 and a first recess 120, the first recess 120 being depressed from the first surface 110 in a direction away from the second plate 200, enabling the first surface 110 to surround the first recess 120. As shown in Fig. 5, the second plate 200 has a second surface 210 and a second recess 220, the second recess 220 being depressed from the second surface 210 in a direction away from the first plate 100, enabling the second surface 210 to surround the second recess 220. The first surface 110 is configured to connect to the second surface 210, for example portions of the first surface 110 and the second surface 210 that are arranged opposite each other being fitted together, and then welded into an integral whole, wherein the first recess 120 and the second recess 220 intersect to define an intersection region C, and a remaining portion 124 of the first recess 120 outside the intersection region C is configured to cooperate with the second surface 210 to form a flow channel, and a remaining portion 224 of the second recess 220 outside the intersection region C is configured to cooperate with the first surface 110 to form a flow channel. It should be understood that the term “intersect” mentioned above refers to a projection of the first recess 120 intersecting with a projection of the second recess 220, rather than the first recess 120 intersecting with the second recess 220 in space. The material of the first plate 100 and the second plate 200 may be a plastic or metal material, and the material of the first plate 100 and the second plate 200 may be chosen according to the type of fluid in the manifold plate assembly 10.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 2, so that fluids flowing in the first recess 120 and the second recess 220 do not affect each other, the manifold plate assembly 10 further comprises an isolating part 140, the isolating part 140 being formed in the intersection region C, to separate the fluid in the first recess 120 from the fluid in the second recess 220. Thus, dual-layer intersecting flow channels can be formed merely with two plates, so that the structure of the manifold plate assembly 10 is simpler and also easier to process. The dual-layer intersecting flow channels improve the utilization of space of flow channels, and therefore are especially suitable for a vehicle thermal management system of a narrower space.

[0073] Preferably, the isolating part 140 may be integrally formed with the first plate 100. Alternatively, the isolating part 140 may also be integrally formed with the second plate 200. Integrally forming the isolating part 140 with the first plate 100 and / or the second plate 200 reduces the processing difficulty of the manifold plate assembly 10, and results in the isolating part 140 more reliably isolating fluids of the first recess 120 and the second recess 220. More preferably, the isolating part 140 is integrally injection moulded with the second plate 200. Injection moulding places higher structural demands on the injection moulded member, and therefore the isolating part 140 and a first port 154 are flush in a direction perpendicular to the first plate 100, which is beneficial for integrally injection moulding the isolating part 140 with the second plate 200. In addition, the use of injection moulding enables the manifold plate assembly 10 to be mass-produced more quickly.

[0074] Specifically, as shown in Figs. IB and 1C, during injection moulding, a first isolating mould core 142 and a second isolating mould core 144 are extracted to form the isolating part 140, and a port mould core 170 is extracted to form a corresponding port. By extracting the first isolating mould core 142 and the second isolating mould core 144, the manifold plate assembly 10 constructed by injection moulding is caused to have the isolating part 140 formed in the intersection region C mentioned above. Specifically, the first isolating mould core 142 and the second isolating mould core 144 are extracted in opposite directions, and, before extraction, the first isolating mould core 342 and the second isolating mould core 344 at least partially overlap in the extraction direction. When the isolating part 140 is integrally formed with the first plate 100, the first isolating mould core 142 and the second isolating mould core 144 are respectively located on two sides of the first plate 100; when the isolating part 140 is integrally formed with the second plate 200, the first isolating mould core 142 and the second isolating mould core 144 are respectively located on two sides of the second plate 200. The number of the second isolating mould cores 144 may be two, which are staggered with the isolating part 140 and clamp the isolating part 140 therebetween, and the first isolating mould core 142 is flush with the isolating part 140 in the extraction direction. Specifically, the extraction direction is a direction that is perpendicular to the manifold plate assembly 10.

[0075] Preferably, a surface of the isolating part 140 that faces the second plate 200 may be flush with the first surface 110. A surface of the isolating part 140 that faces the second plate 200 may act as a sidewall of the first recess 120 or the second recess 220, and this surface being flush with the first surface 110 causes fluid in the first recess 120 or the second recess 220 to flow more smoothly. In addition, a surface of the isolating part 140 that is remote from the second plate 200 may be separated from a bottom wall 122 of the first recess 120, which can thus prevent the isolating part 140 from obstructing the flow of fluid in the first recess 120. Preferably, the isolating part 140 can extend from an edge of the intersection region C toward the centre of the intersection region C, and the shape of the intersection C may be rectangular for example. Preferably, two opposite edges of the first recess 120 and two opposite edges of the second recess 220 may jointly form the intersection region C. Specifically, two opposite straight edges of the first recess 120 and two opposite straight edges of the second recess 220 may jointly form the rectangular intersection region C. It should be understood that the present disclosure does not intend to limit the specific shape of the intersection region C, and the intersection region C may also be round, elliptical or any other suitable shape; for example, an arc edge of the first recess 120 and an arc edge of the second recess 220 may jointly form an intersection region C of a round or elliptical shape, etc.

[0076] Preferably, three first ports 152, 154 and 156 may be provided on the first plate 100, the three first ports 152, 154 and 156 respectively communicating with the first recess 120, and / or two second ports 162 and 164 may be provided on the first plate 100, the two second ports 162 and 164 respectively communicating with the second recess 220. In addition, the first ports 152, 154 and 156 and / or the second ports 162 and 164 may extend from the first surface 110 in a direction away from the second plate 200. Alternatively, the first ports 152, 154 and 156 and / or the second ports 162 and 164 may also extend from the second surface 210 in a direction away from the first plate 100.

[0077] Optionally, one first port 154 of the first ports 152, 154 and 156 may be flush with the isolating part 140 in a direction perpendicular to the first surface 110. In addition, the first recess 120 may extend in a first direction, and the second recess 220 may extend in a second direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the second direction, and the first direction and the second direction both being parallel to the first surface 110. According to the above arrangement, the first recess 120 and the second recess 220 form intersecting flow channels of a cross shape. It should be understood that the shape of the above flow channels are exemplary, and the present invention does not intend to limit the specific shape of the intersecting flow channels. For example, the first recess 120 and the second recess 220 also may not be perpendicular, but rather form a certain angle (such as 30°, 45°, etc.). The extension directions of the first recess 120 and the second recess 220 may also not be in the same plane, but rather form three-dimensional intersecting flow channels.

[0078] Preferably, two sides of the first plate 100 in the first direction may be respectively provided with two first ports 152 and 156, and two sides of the first plate 100 in the second direction are respectively provided with two second ports 162 and 164, the first recess 120 extending between the two first ports 152 and 156, and the second recess 220 extending between the two second ports 162 and 164. In addition, a first port 154 that is located between the two first ports 152 and 156 may be further provided on the first plate 100.

[0079] According to the above arrangement, a first fluid may flow into / out of the first recess 120 from the first ports 152, 154 and 156, and a second fluid may flow into / out of the second recess 220 from the second ports 162 and 164, and the first fluid and the second fluid do not affect each other. It should be understood that the numbers and specific positions of the first ports and the second ports are only exemplary; the present disclosure does not intend to limit the numbers and specific positions of the first ports and the second ports, and the numbers and specific positions of the first ports and the second ports may be set according to specific thermal management requirements.

[0080] Fig. 6 shows a schematic drawing of a thermal management system 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the thermal management system 1 comprising a manifold plate assembly 20, and the manifold plate assembly 20 being used for conveying fluid (such as a cooling liquid) required in a thermal management process. The manifold plate assembly 20 comprises a first plate 300 and a second plate 400, the first plate 300 and the second plate 400 being stacked together to form a flow channel. As shown in Fig. 9, the first plate 300 has a first surface 310 and a first recess 320, the first recess 320 being depressed from the first surface 310 in a direction away from the second plate 400. As shown in Fig. 10, the second plate 400 has a second surface 410 and a second recess 420, the second recess 420 being depressed from the second surface 410 in a direction away from the first plate 300. The first recess 320 and the second recess 420 intersect to define an intersection region C; it should be understood that the term “intersect” mentioned above refers to a projection of the first recess 320 intersecting with a projection of the second recess 420, rather than the first recess 320 intersecting with the second recess 420 in space.

[0081] As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, so that fluids flowing in the first recess 320 and the second recess 420 do not affect each other, the manifold plate assembly 20 further comprises an isolating part 340, the isolating part 340 being formed in the intersection region C, to separate the fluid in the first recess 320 from the fluid in the second recess 420. Thus, dual-layer intersecting flow channels can be formed merely with two plates, so that the structure of the manifold plate assembly 20 is simpler and also easier to process. The dual-layer intersecting flow channels improve the utilization of space of flow channels, and therefore are especially suitable for a vehicle thermal management system of a narrower space.

[0082] Preferably, the isolating part 340 may be integrally formed with the first plate 300. Alternatively, the isolating part 340 may also be integrally formed with the second plate 400. Integrally forming the isolating part 340 with the first plate 300 and / or the second plate 400 reduces the processing difficulty of the manifold plate assembly 20, and results in the isolating part 340 more reliably isolating fluids of the first recess 320 and the second recess 420. More preferably, the isolating part 340 is integrally injection moulded with the second plate 400. Injection moulding places higher structural demands on the injection moulded member, and therefore the isolating part 340 and a first port 350 are flush in a direction perpendicular to the first plate 300, which is beneficial for integrally injection moulding the isolating part 340 with the second plate 400. In addition, the use of injection moulding enables the manifold plate assembly 20 to be mass-produced more quickly.

[0083] As shown in Figs. 6B and 6C, during injection moulding, a first isolating mould core 342 and a second isolating mould core 344 are extracted to form the isolating part 340. By extracting the first isolating mould core 342 and the second isolating mould core 344, the manifold plate assembly 20 constructed by injection moulding is caused to have the isolating part 340 formed in the intersection region C mentioned above. Specifically, the first isolating mould core 342 and the second isolating mould core 344 are extracted in opposite directions, and, before extraction, the first isolating mould core 342 and the second isolating mould core 344 at least partially overlap in the extraction direction. When the isolating part 340 is integrally formed with the first plate 300, the first isolating mould core 342 and the second isolating mould core 344 are respectively located on two sides of the first plate 300; when the isolating part 340 is integrally formed with the second plate 400, the first isolating mould core 342 and the second isolating mould core 344 are respectively located on two sides of the second plate 400; the first isolating mould core 342 is flush with the isolating part 340 in the extraction direction. Specifically, the extraction direction is a direction that is perpendicular to the manifold plate assembly 20.

[0084] Preferably, the isolating part 140 can extend from an edge of the intersection region C toward the centre of the intersection region C, and the shape of the intersection C may be rectangular for example. Preferably, two opposite edges of the first recess 320 and two opposite edges of the second recess 420 may jointly form the intersection region C. Specifically, two opposite straight edges of the first recess 320 and two opposite straight edges of the second recess 420 may jointly form the rectangular intersection region C. It should be understood that the present disclosure does not intend to limit the specific shape of the intersection region C, and the intersection region C may also be round, elliptical or any other suitable shape; for example, an arc edge of the first recess 320 and an arc edge of the second recess 420 may jointly form an intersection region C of a round or elliptical shape, etc.

[0085] Optionally, the first recess 320 may extend in a curved path. In addition, a single first port 350 and two second ports 362 and 364 may be provided on the first plate 300, the first recess 320 extending from the single first port 350, and the second recess 420 extending between the two second ports 362 and 364. According to the above arrangement, a first fluid may flow into / out of the first recess 320 from the first port 350, and a second fluid may flow into / out of the second recess 420 from the second ports 362 and 364, and the first fluid and the second fluid do not affect each other, preventing the first fluid and the second fluid from exchanging components and reducing the amount of heat exchanged between the first fluid and the second fluid. The thermal management system 1 may have a multi-way valve (such as an eight- way valve), and the multi-way valve has multiple valve ports; the valve ports may communicate with the first recess 320 and / or the second recess 420 via the corresponding port, thereby realizing a corresponding thermal management function. Multiple exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, without departing from the concept of the present invention, various alterations and modifications may be made to the specific embodiments described above, and that combinations of the various technical features and structures proposed by the present invention may be made without exceeding the scope of protection of the present invention; the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the attached claims.

Claims

Claims1. Manifold plate assembly (10; 20), comprising an isolating part (140; 340), and a first plate (100; 300) and a second plate (200; 400) that are stacked together, the first plate (100; 300) having a first surface (110; 310) and a first recess (120; 320), the first recess (120; 320) being depressed from the first surface (110; 310) in a direction away from the second plate (200; 400), and the second plate (200; 400) having a second surface (210; 410) and a second recess (220; 420), the second recess (220; 420) being depressed from the second surface (210; 410) in a direction away from the first plate (100; 300), wherein the first surface (110; 310) is configured to connect to the second surface (210; 410), such that the first recess (120; 320) and the second recess (220; 420) intersect to define an intersection region (C); the isolating part (140; 340) is formed in the intersection region (C), to separate fluid in the first recess (120; 320) from fluid in the second recess (220; 420).

2. Manifold plate assembly (10; 20) according to Claim 1, wherein the first plate (100; 300) is integrally formed with the isolating part (140; 340).

3. Manifold plate assembly (10; 20) according to Claim 1, wherein a surface of the isolating part (140; 340) that faces the second plate (200; 400) is flush with the first surface (110; 310).

4. Manifold plate assembly (10) according to Claim 3, wherein a surface of the isolating part (140) that is remote from the second plate (200) is separated from a bottom wall (122) of the first recess (120).

5. Manifold plate assembly (10; 20) according to Claim 4, wherein the isolating part (140; 340) extends from an edge of the intersection region (C) toward the centre of the intersection region (C).

6. Manifold plate assembly (10; 20) according to Claim 1, wherein the shape of the intersection region (C) is rectangular.

7. Manifold plate assembly (10; 20) according to Claim 2, wherein at least one first port (152, 154, 156; 350) is provided on the first plate (100; 300), the first iport (152, 154, 156; 350) communicating with the first recess (120; 320), and / or at least one second port (162, 164; 362, 364) is provided on the first plate (100; 300), the second port (162, 164; 362, 364) communicating with the second recess (220; 420).

8. Manifold plate assembly (10) according to Claim 7, wherein the first port (152, 154, 156; 350) and / or the second port (162, 164; 362, 364) extend from the first surface (110; 310) in a direction away from the second plate (200; 400).

9. Manifold plate assembly (10; 20) according to Claim 8, wherein one of the first port (152, 154, 156; 350) is flush with the isolating part (140; 340) in a direction perpendicular to the first surface (110; 310).

10. Manifold plate assembly (10) according to Claim 8, wherein the first recess (120) extends in a first direction, and the second recess (220) extends in a second direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the second direction, and the first direction and the second direction both being parallel to the first surface (110).

11. Manifold plate assembly (10) according to Claim 10, wherein two sides of the first plate (100) in the first direction are respectively provided with two first ports (152, 156), and two sides of the first plate (100) in the second direction are respectively provided with two second ports (162, 164), the first recess (120) extending between the two first ports (152, 156), and the second recess (220) extending between the two second ports (162, 164).

12. Manifold plate assembly (10) according to Claim 11, wherein a first port (154) that is located between the two first ports (152, 156) is further provided on the first plate (100).

13. Manifold plate assembly (20) according to Claim 9, wherein the first recess (320) extends in a curved path.

14. Manifold plate assembly (20) according to Claim 13, wherein a single first port (350) and two second ports (362, 364) are provided on the first plate (300), the first recess (320) extending from the single first port (350), and the second recess (420) extending between the two second ports (362, 364).

15. Thermal management system (1), comprising:a multi-way valve, which has multiple valve ports; and the manifold plate assembly (20) according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, at least a portion of the multiple valve ports respectively communicating with the first recess (320) or the second recess (420).

Images