Multi-Port Valve Layout for Compact Battery Thermal Control

Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and high cost of using multiple three-port valves in thermal management systems for applications like new energy vehicles and energy storage systems lead to complex control, large space occupation, and increased leakage risks.

Innovation Solution

A simplified multi-port valve design with a valve body and core that includes a mounting cavity, block-shaped additional portion, and vias, along with separation cavities and ports, to reduce volume and leakage risk, while adapting to liquid pipeline distributions and facilitating communication with liquid pipelines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering 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 and space occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control capabilityVSAvoidvalve system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple three-port valves into a single multi-port valve that integrates multiple valve functions. The valve body includes multiple ports and internal flow paths that can simultaneously control multiple temperature zones, eliminating the need for separate valves and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining temperature control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-port valve is designed to perform multiple functions within a single device. It can simultaneously control different flow paths for battery cooling, motor cooling, and other thermal management functions, making the valve system universal and adaptable to various temperature control requirements without needing specialized valves for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability 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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control capabilityVSAvoidvalve system volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple three-port valves into a single multi-port valve that integrates multiple valve functions. The valve body includes multiple ports and internal flow paths that can simultaneously control multiple temperature zones, eliminating the need for separate valves and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining temperature control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple three-port valves are used in the liquid cooling pipeline, then temperature control capability is improved, but leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control capabilityVSAvoidsystem leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple three-port valves into a single multi-port valve that integrates multiple valve functions. The valve body includes multiple ports and internal flow paths that can simultaneously control multiple temperature zones, eliminating the need for separate valves and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining temperature control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution simplifies the structure of the multi-port valve, reduces its volume, and decreases leakage risks, enabling efficient temperature control in thermal management systems with improved space efficiency and reduced complexity.

Implementation Method 1

there is the heat exchanger on at least one liquid pipeline, and the heat exchanger is further located on a heat exchange loop including a compressor. In this solution, a temperature of liquid in the liquid pipeline is controlled by using the heat exchanger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS20240200669A1Temperature control system, vehicle, energy storage system, and multi-port valve

Publication Date: 2024.06.20 HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A temperature control system. 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.