An automotive coolant multiway valve device

Abstract

The invention refers to an automotive coolant multiway valve device (100) for fluidically switching exactly six or exactly eight device liquid coolant ports wherein a static valve housing (20) is provided which defines a rotationally symmetric valve cavity (30) and which defines six or eight housing ports (31-36) being fluidically connected to the six or eight device coolant ports (21-26), wherein all housing ports (31-36) are arranged in two axial housing port groups (310, 340) of three or four housing ports (31-33, 34-36) each, wherein every housing port (31-36) has a substantially identical housing port opening angle (a) of at least 10°, wherein the two axial housing port groups (310, 340) are provided exactly opposite to each other, wherein the housing ports (31-33) of one group (310) respectively lie in the same cross planes (xz) as the housing ports (34-36) of the other housing port group (340), and wherein a rotatable valve body (40) is provided which is arranged within the rotationally symmetric valve cavity (30) and which valve body (40) defines at least twelve valve body ports (401-412) corresponding to the housing ports (31-36) in at least two different rotational connecting valve body positions.

Description

[0001] - 1 - PP.P.23002. WO 07.11.2024

[0002] An automotive coolant multiway valve device

[0003] The invention refers to an automotive liquid coolant multiway valve device for fluid ically switching at least six device coolant ports with at least two different connection patterns by means of a single rotatable valve body.

[0004] US 2022 0 178 453 Al discloses a typical six-way valve device with a single rotatable valve body. The valve housing defines six external device ports and internal housing ports which are arranged in a first axial column of a housing port group of four and a second axial column of a housing port group of two ports. The valve body has a complex fluidic design to define different connection patterns between the six housing ports. If it is assumed that the fluidic pressures of the liquid coolant is identical or is very similar at every housing port, the valve body is radially pushed in one radial direction resulting from the addition of the six pressure force vectors directed to the valve body. As a result, the total friction force between the valve body and the valve housing or a separate sealing arranged between the housing and the valve body is relatively high.

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a simple and reliable automotive liquid coolant multiway valve device.

[0006] This object is solved with an automotive liquid coolant multiway valve device with the features of main claim 1.

[0007] The automotive liquid coolant multiway valve device allows to fluidically switch six or eight different device coolant ports with different connection patterns. The multiway valve device is provided with a static valve housing which defines a rotationally symmetric valve cavity which cavity preferably - 2 - PP.P.23002. WO 07.11.2024 is conical. The static valve housing defines six or eight housing ports, each housing port being fluidically connected to exactly one corresponding device coolant port. The housing ports open to the valve cavity, and all housing ports have a substantially identical opening angle in a cross plane of at least 10° to provide a flow cross-section with a low flow resistance. All housing ports are arranged in exactly two axial columns of housing port groups with an equal number of housing ports in each group, i.e. three or four housing ports in each group. Preferably, the opening angle in the cross planes of the housing ports is at least 25°, and more preferably is at least 30°.

[0008] The multiway valve device is provided with a rotatable valve body which is arranged within the rotationally symmetric valve cavity and which is rotatable around an axial rotation axis, preferably rotatable within a limited total rotation sector of less than 360°. Preferably, the valve body is rotatable in both rotational directions and is driven by an electric valve actuator. The valve body defines at least twelve or sixteen valve body ports corresponding to the housing ports in at least two different rotational connecting valve body positions. Some or all valve body ports are fluidically connected to each other to define different connection pattern. However, one or even more of the valve body ports can simply have a blocking function and is not connected to any other valve body port. The valve body has at least two different functional rotational positions to define at least two different connection patterns between the housing ports. Preferably, the valve body has four different functional rotational positions to define four different connection patterns between the housing ports.

[0009] The two axial housing port groups are arranged exactly opposite to each other. Additionally, the housing ports of one group respectively lie in the same three or four cross planes as the housing ports of the other housing port group. The arrangement of the two axial housing port groups perfectly - 3 - PP.P.23002. WO 07.11.2024 opposite to each other causes that the valve body is not loaded with a substantial radial force because the pressure forces of the liquid coolant in the housing ports of the two port groups substantially neutralize each other. As a result, the friction forces between the valve body and the static valve housing are relatively low and are constant. This results in a reduced mechanical wear of the valve body and the valve housing or a separate static elastic sealing body arranged radially between the valve body and the valve housing.

[0010] The symmetric and radially aligned arrangement of the housing ports also results in generally relatively few and small direction changes of the liquid coolant flow if a housing port of one group is fluid ically connected by the valve body with a housing port of the other group so that the overall flow resistance of many connection patterns is relatively low.

[0011] Preferably, the valve body defines a first pair of two adjacent axial groups of valve body ports and a second pair of adjacent axial groups of valve body ports, whereas each open valve body port has an opening angle which is substantially equal to the housing port opening angle.

[0012] Preferably, the automotive coolant multiway valve device is provided with rotational stops so that the two rotational end positions of the valve body are mechanically defined. Preferably, no separate sensors are provided to detect and control the absolute rotational position of the valve body.

[0013] Preferably, the limited total rotation sector of the valve body is less than 300°, and is more preferably less than 270°. A rotational angle of 270° or even less is geometrically sufficient to define four different functional positions of the valve body and an additional intermediate position which is adjacent to one of the four functional valve positions. - 4 - PP.P.23002. WO 07.11.2024

[0014] Preferably, two separate and identical elastic sealing bodies are provided radially between the valve body and the static valve housing. Each elastic sealing body defines a half-shell, and every half-shell defines the three or four housing ports of one of the axial housing port groups. The two identical sealing bodies facilitate the application of the sealing arrangement within the valve cavity of the static valve housing whereas the production cost for two identical half-shell sealing bodies is reasonable compared to one single complete 360°-sealing body. Preferably, the half-shell sealing bodies are not in direct contact with each other but are separated from each other in a circumferential direction by two axial separation ribs defined by the static valve housing.

[0015] Preferably, the elastic sealing bodies are provided at their outside surface with a rib structure. More preferably, the rib structure is defined by numerous axial ribs and numerous circumferential ribs defining a net-like outside structure with small depressions of rectangular or of square shape.

[0016] The rib structure on the sealing bodies improves the tightness even during valve movement. This also allows proportional behavior between different openings during valve movement.

[0017] Preferably, the valve body defines at least one separate axial deaeration channel axially extending over the functional valve height of the valve body. The deaeration channel is fluid ically separated from all valve body ports by a lateral channel wall of the valve body. The axial deaeration channel defined by the lateral channel wall is only fluid ically connectable to the valve body ports indirectly via an opening of a housing port.

[0018] An intermediate valve position of the valve body is the deaeration position of the valve body, in which deaeration position all housing ports are fluidically connected to each other via the internal connection pattern of - 5 - PP.P.23002. WO 07.11.2024 the valve body, via the openings of the housing ports and via the axial deaeration channel. In the intermediate deaeration position of the valve body the deaeration channel as well as one adjacent axial valve body port group both are fluidically connected to the corresponding housing port group.

[0019] Preferably the valve body is provided with at least two axial deaeration channels so that, in the deaeration position of the valve body, the first deaeration channel is fluidically connected to the first housing port group and the second deaeration channel is fluidically connected to the second housing port group.

[0020] Preferably, the valve body is provided with at least one transversal fluid connection connecting at least one port of the first pair of adjacent valve body port groups with another valve body port of the second pair of two adjacent valve body port groups. This transversal fluid connection opening within the valve body is necessary if in the intermediate deaeration position of the valve body a transversal fluid connection between the two axial housing port groups cannot be provided by the axial deaeration channel of the valve body due to geometric reasons.

[0021] Generally, the lateral deaeration channel wall can have any suitable spatial form. Preferably, the lateral deaeration channel wall is flat and, seen in axial direction, chord-like which means that in a horizontal cross-section of the valve body the deaeration channel wall defines a chord of a circle.

[0022] Preferably, an edge portion of the deaeration channel wall also defines an edge portion of a valve body port.

[0023] One embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein - 6 - PP.P.23002. WO 07.11.2024 figure 1 shows an axial cross-section of an automotive coolant multiway valve device,

[0024] Figure 2 shows a horizontal cross-section II-II of the multiway valve device of figure 1,

[0025] Figure 3 shows another horizontal cross-section III-III of the multiway valve device of figure 1, figure 4 shows a perspective view of a valve body of the multiway valve device of figure 1,

[0026] Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the automotive coolant multiway valve device of the previous figures, and

[0027] Figure 6 shows an elastic sealing body of the automotive coolant multiway valve device of the previous figures.

[0028] The figures show an automotive liquid coolant multiway valve device 100 for flu id ically switching six device coolant ports 21-26 which are defined by a static valve housing 20 made of a plastic housing body 20'. The valve housing 20 has a top wall 29 and a bottom wall 28, the top wall 29 and the bottom wall 28 both substantially being designed as a circular disk.

[0029] The multiway valve device 100 is part of an automotive liquid coolant circuit for cooling and heating several automotive devices, the coolant circuit comprising devices such as a heat exchanger, a traction battery, an electric traction engine, an interior heating etc. In place of using several switchable valves, the multiway valve device 100 allows to define four - 7 - PP.P.23002. WO 07.11.2024 different connection patterns between the six device coolant ports 21-26 with only one single valve device.

[0030] The plastic valve housing 20 defines together with two corresponding elastic sealing bodies 80, 80' which are a rotationally symmetric as well, a valve cavity 30 which is generally rotationally symmetric referring to an axial rotation axis A40 and is, in the present embodiment, slightly conical in shape with a conus angle K40 of a few degrees. The radial outside surface of the sealing bodies 80, 80' is provided with a rib-structure defined by numerous axial ribs 182 and circumferential ribs 184 so that the ribs 182, 184 define a net-like structure of rectangular and square depressions at the outside surface of the sealing bodies 80, 80'.

[0031] The sealing bodies 80, 80' are held in their circumferential position and are circumferentially separated from each other by two axial separation ribs extending radially to the inside from the static valve housing. The two elastic sealing bodies 80, 80' are made of an elastic material 180.

[0032] The valve cavity 30 is defined by cavity inner walls 63 of the elastic sealing bodies 80, 80'. The valve housing 20 including the sealing bodies 80, 80' defines six proximal housing ports 31-36 which are arranged in two axial housing port groups 310, 340, whereas each housing port group 310, 340 has three housing ports 31-33, 34-36. Each housing port group 310, 340 is arranged in an axial column, both columns lying in one single axial radial plane, as shown in figure 3. The two axial housing port groups 310, 340 are provided exactly opposite to each other in 180°. Every housing port 31-36 has an identical housing port opening angle a in a cross plane xz of about 35° as shown in figure 2.

[0033] A rotatable plastic valve body 40 is provided and arranged within the rotationally symmetric valve cavity 30. The valve body 40 is provided with - 8 - PP.P.23002. WO 07.11.2024 a valve body shaft 49 and is rotatable about the axial rotation axis A40 in both rotational directions and is driven by an electric actuator 110 which is controlled by an electronic valve controller 120. The rotation of the valve body 40 is mechanically limited by corresponding axial stop elements 90, 92 provided at the inside of the housing bottom wall 28 and at the valve body bottom wall. The limited total rotation sector S is about 220° in the present embodiment.

[0034] The valve body 40 defines a first and a second pair of respectively two adjacent axial groups 41, 42, 43, 44 of in total twelve valve body ports 401-412, wherein every axial valve body port group 41-44 has three valve body ports 401-403, 404-406, 407-409, 410- 412, whereas each valve port group is arranged in a axial column. Every valve body port 401-412 has an opening angle a' in a horizontal plane, which valve body port opening angle a' is substantially equal to the housing port angle a, and is, in the present embodiment, about 35°. However, not every valve body port 107 is flu id ica lly connected to another valve body port.

[0035] The interior of the valve body 40 defines a fluidic connection pattern structure for flu id ica I ly connecting the housing ports 31-36 in four different connection patterns depending on the four different rotational operational positions of the valve body 40, in which operational positions the two housing port groups 310, 340 are perfectly aligned with two groups 41, 43 or 42, 44 of the valve body ports 401-412. The valve body 40 is therefore provided with at least one transversal fluid connection opening 68 fluidically connecting valve body ports of the first pair of adjacent valve body port groups 41, 42 with one another valve body port of the second pair of two valve body port groups 43, 44. At least one valve body port 407 is not fluidically connected to any other valve body port but is simply blocking the corresponding housing port 31, 34, if the blocking valve body port 407 is perfectly aligned with the corresponding housing port 31, 34. - 9 - PP.P.23002. WO 07.11.2024

[0036] Two axial deaeration channels 60 are provided at the valve body 40, whereas every axial deaeration channel 60 extends over the functional valve height H which is the height of the axial groups 31-34 of valve body ports 401-412. The axial deaeration channel 60 is substantially defined by a lateral deaeration channel wall 62 of the valve body 60, which deaeration channel wall 62 is, in the present embodiment, provided flat and chordlike.

[0037] The two axial deaeration channels 60 are arranged exactly opposite to each other in 180°, and are arranged circumferentially between the two pairs of adjacent axial valve body port groups 31, 32 and 33, 34. Each axial deaeration channel 60 has, seen in the cross plane xz, a deaeration channel opening angle a60 of about 70°, as shown in figure 2.

[0038] In an intermediate valve deaeration position of the valve body 40, as shown in figures 2 and 3, one housing port group 310, 340 respectively is fluidically connected to one axial valve body port group 41, 43 as well as to the adjacent axial deaeration channel 60 so that all housing ports 31- 36 are fluidically connected with each other in the intermediate valve deaeration position of the valve body 40. The edge portions 70 of the deaeration channel walls 62 define edge portions of the adjacent twelve valve body ports 401-412.

[0039] In the intermediate valve deaeration position of the valve body 40 shown in figures 2 and three, the multiway valve device 100 can easily be filled with the liquid coolant so that no air remains in the multiway valve device 100.

Claims

- 10 - PP.P.23002. WO 07.11.2024CLAIMS1. An automotive coolant multiway valve device (100) for fluidically switching exactly six or exactly eight device liquid coolant ports (21- 26), wherein a static valve housing (20) is provided which defines a rotationally symmetric valve cavity (30) and which defines six or eight housing ports (31-36) being fluidically connected to the six or eight device coolant ports (21-26), wherein all housing ports (31-36) are arranged in two axial housing port groups (310, 340) of three or four housing ports (31-33, 34-36) each, wherein every housing port (31-36) has a substantially identical housing port opening angle (a) of at least 10°, wherein the two axial housing port groups (310, 340) are provided exactly opposite to each other, wherein the housing ports (31-33) of one group (310) respectively lie in the same cross planes (xz) as the housing ports (34-36) of the other housing port group (340), and wherein a rotatable valve body (40) is provided which is arranged within the rotationally symmetric valve cavity (30) and which valve body (40) defines at least twelve valve body ports (401-412) corresponding to the housing ports (31-36) in at least two different rotational connecting valve body positions.

2. The automotive coolant multiway valve device (100) of claim 1, wherein every housing port (31-36) has a port opening angle (a) of at least 25°, preferably of at least 30°.- 11 - PP.P.23002. WO 07.11.20243. The automotive coolant multiway valve device (100) of one of the preceding claims, wherein each valve body port (401-412) has an opening angle (a') which is substantially equal to the housing port opening angle (a).

4. The automotive coolant multiway valve device (100) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve body (40) defines a first pair of two adjacent axial groups (41, 42) of valve body ports (401-406) and a second pair of two adjacent axial groups (43, 44) of valve body ports (407-412).

5. The automotive coolant multiway valve device (100) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve body (40) is provided with at least one transversal fluid connection opening (68) connecting at least one valve body port (401) of the first pair of adjacent valve body port groups (41, 42) with another valve body port (410) of the second pair of adjacent valve body port groups (43, 44).

6. The automotive coolant multiway valve device (100) of one of the preceding claims, wherein two separate and identical elastic sealing bodies (80, 80') are provided radially between the valve body (40) and the static valve housing (20), each elastic sealing body (80, 80') being a half-shell defining the three or four housing ports (31- 33; 34-36) of one of the axial housing port groups (310, 340).

7. The automotive coolant multiway valve device (100) of the preceding claim, wherein the elastic sealing bodies (80, 80') are- 12 - PP.P.23002. WO 07.11.2024 provided at their outside with a rib-structure, preferably with a rib structure of axial ribs (182) and circumferential ribs (184).

8. The automotive coolant multiway valve device (100) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve body (40) is rotatable around a rotation axis (A40) within a limited total rotation sector (S) of less than 360°, preferably of less than 270°.

9. The automotive coolant multiway valve device (100) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve body (40) additionally defines at least one separate axial deaeration channel (60) axially extending over the functional valve height (H) and flu id ically separated from all valve body ports (401-412) by a lateral deaeration channel wall (62) of the valve body (40), so that in an intermediate valve deaeration position of the valve body (40) all housing ports (31-36) are fluidically connected with each other.

10. The automotive coolant multiway valve device (100) of the preceding claim, wherein the valve body (40) is provided with at least two separate axial deaeration channels (60).

11. The automotive coolant multiway valve device (100) of one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the two separate axial deaeration channels (60) are provided exactly opposite to each other.

12. The automotive coolant multiway valve device (100) of one of the preceding claims 9 to 11, wherein the lateral deaeration channel wall (62) is provided flat and chord-like.- 13 - PP.P.23002.WO 07.11.202413. The automotive coolant multiway valve device (100) of claim 12, wherein an edge portion (70) of the deaeration channel wall (62) also defines an edge portion of a valve body port (401-412).

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