Multi-Port Valve Structure for Compact Battery Thermal Control
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management systems in vehicles and energy storage systems face complexities due to the use of multiple three-port valves, leading to complex control, high costs, and large space occupation, along with increased leakage risks.
Innovation Solution
A multi-port valve with a simplified structure, featuring a valve body and core that includes vias, separation cavities, and a block-shaped additional portion, allowing for efficient communication between liquid pipelines, reducing volume and leakage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple three-port valves are used to control temperature at different positions, then temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple three-port valves into a single multi-port valve that can perform the same temperature control functions. The valve body integrates multiple valve ports and internal flow paths that replace the functionality of several separate valves, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining temperature control capability at multiple positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-port valve is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple flow control tasks simultaneously. A single valve core with multiple positioning states can direct coolant flow to different circuits (battery cooling, motor cooling, cabin heating), making one valve perform the work of multiple specialized valves.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple three-port valves are used to control temperature at different positions, then temperature control capability is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple valves into one integrated multi-port valve, the number of installation points, connections, and sealing interfaces is reduced. The single valve unit requires fewer mounting locations and simpler piping connections compared to multiple separate valves, thereby reducing installation complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple three-port valves are used to control temperature at different positions, then temperature control capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple valve functions into a single multi-port valve unit, reducing the total component count. This consolidation lowers material costs, manufacturing costs, and assembly costs associated with producing and installing multiple separate three-port valves while achieving the same temperature control capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple three-port valves are used to control temperature at different positions, then temperature control capability is improved, but space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-port valve integrates the functions of multiple three-port valves into a single compact unit. By sharing a common valve body and actuation mechanism, the total volume occupied by the valve system is reduced compared to installing multiple separate valves, each requiring their own space and mounting location.
5Adaptability or versatility
If multiple three-port valves are used in a liquid cooling pipeline, then temperature control capability is improved, but leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the number of valve components from multiple three-port valves to a single multi-port valve. This reduction decreases the total number of potential leakage points, including valve seals, gaskets, and connection interfaces. Fewer components mean fewer opportunities for leaks, thereby improving system reliability while maintaining temperature control capability.
Data Source
Figure 1(a)
Figure 1(b)
Figure 2~3
AI summary
This application provides a temperature control system, a vehicle, an energy storage system, and a multi-port valve. The temperature control system includes a plurality of liquid pipelines and a multi-port valve. The multi-port valve includes a valve body and a valve core. The valve body has a mounting cavity, and the valve core is mounted in the mounting cavity. The valve body includes a body and a block-shaped additional portion, the mounting cavity is located on the body, and the block-shaped additional portion is attached to at least a part of a side wall of the body. The valve body includes a plurality of vias, and each via penetrates the block-shaped additional portion and a corresponding side wall of the body. Each liquid pipeline is configured to communicate with one via, there is a battery pack on at least one liquid pipeline, and the temperature control system is configured to control a temperature of the battery pack. A peripheral side of the valve core includes a plurality of separation cavities, at least two separation cavities are arranged in an axial direction of the valve core, and each separation cavity is configured to communicate with one or more vias. This solution helps simplify a structure of the multi-port valve and reduce a volume of the multi-port valve. A simple structure of the multi-port valve also helps reduce a leakage risk of the temperature control system.