Multiway Valve Layout for EV Thermal Circuits Without Flow Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multiway valves require multiple units to manage complex fluid systems in electric vehicles, leading to increased installation effort, costs, and space requirements, as they struggle to efficiently control and connect multiple fluid circuits without reducing cross-sectional flow.
Innovation Solution
A multiway valve design with adjustable housing and seal openings, and connection channels that can be fluidically paired without cross-sectional reduction, allowing for flexible configuration and reduced number of valves needed, enabling efficient control of multiple fluid circuits in electric vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conventional multiway valves are used to control complex fluid systems, then the fluid circuits can be controlled, but the installation effort, costs, and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple multiway valves into a single integrated valve unit. The valve body contains multiple valve elements that can independently control different fluid circuits, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate valves. This merging reduces the total number of valve units needed, simplifying installation and reducing space requirements while maintaining full control capability over complex fluid systems
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated multiway valve is designed with universal functionality to control multiple fluid circuits simultaneously. Each valve element within the single valve body can be independently actuated to control different flow paths, making the single valve unit capable of performing the functions of multiple separate valves. This multi-functionality allows one valve to replace several conventional valves in electric vehicle thermal management systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional multiway valves are used, then fluid circuits can be controlled, but the installation effort and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple valve functions into a single integrated unit with a common valve body and coordinated valve elements, the patent reduces the number of separate components that need to be installed. This consolidation simplifies the installation process, reduces mounting effort, and lowers associated costs while maintaining the ability to control complex fluid circuits
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional multiway valves are used, then fluid circuits can be controlled, but the installation space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of multiple valve elements into a single compact valve body significantly reduces the space required for installation. Instead of mounting multiple separate valve units that would occupy considerable space, the consolidated design fits into a smaller footprint while providing equivalent or superior control functionality for multiple fluid circuits
4Reliability
If housing openings and seal openings extend over first and second planes, then fluidic connection without cross section reduction is achieved, but valve design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends housing openings and corresponding seal openings from a single plane into three-dimensional space by distributing them across first and second planes. This dimensional transition allows fluid passages to connect through multiple levels, maintaining full cross-sectional flow area without reduction. The multi-planar arrangement enables complex fluidic connections while preserving flow efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A multiway valve for an electric vehicle, having a housing with at least six housing openings and a valve body. A seal with seal openings, corresponding to the housing openings, is arranged between the housing and the valve body. The valve body has a first plane, which comprises at least two first connection channels, and a second plane, which is parallel to the first plane and which comprises at least two second connection channels. The connection channels can be fluidically connected to at least two of the housing openings of the housing by rotating the valve body into a respective previously determined rotational position. At least one pair of housing openings and the corresponding seal openings extend over the first and second planes such that the aforementioned pair is fluidically paired with the first plane including the first connection channels and with the second plane including the second connection channels.