Rotary Multi-Way Coolant Valve for Unified Heat Pump Flow Paths
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of the cooling system in electric and hybrid vehicles, with separate closed circuits for heat pump systems, cooling devices, and battery cooling, leads to increased size, weight, and manufacturing costs due to the need for multiple valves and complicated pipe layouts.
Innovation Solution
A multi-way coolant valve that simplifies the system layout by forming multiple coolant flow paths through a single valve using an internal housing with rotating stages and penetration holes, allowing for various operational modes to connect different coolant lines, reducing the number of valves and promoting system unification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate closed circuits are used for heat pump system, cooling device, and battery cooling system, then each system can operate independently and reliably, but the overall system complexity, size, and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges three separate coolant circulation systems (heat pump system, cooling device, and battery cooling system) into a single integrated system. A multi-way valve selectively connects different components to a common coolant circulation path, allowing the same coolant to serve multiple functions: cooling the battery, condensing refrigerant in the heat pump system, and cooling electronic components. This consolidation reduces the number of independent circuits while maintaining system reliability through selective connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant circulation system is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple roles simultaneously. The same coolant flow path is used for battery cooling, refrigerant condensation, and electronic component cooling. The multi-way valve enables this universal system to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements, allowing one system to replace three separate systems and reduce overall complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves are used to connect separate coolant lines for different systems, then each system can be controlled independently, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple valve functions into a single multi-way valve unit. Instead of using separate valves for the heat pump system, cooling device, and battery cooling system, one integrated multi-way valve selectively connects different components to the common coolant circulation path. This reduces the number of valve units required and simplifies the overall system architecture, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining full adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-way valve is designed with multi-functionality to perform the roles of multiple separate valves. It can selectively connect the coolant circulation path to the battery cooling system, heat pump system, or electronic component cooling system based on operational requirements. This single versatile valve replaces multiple specialized valves, reducing component count and manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If complicated pipe layouts are used to supply coolant to multiple systems, then each system receives adequate cooling, but the layout complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple pipe routes into a single common coolant circulation path. Instead of having separate pipes running to and from each system component, the design uses one main coolant loop with a multi-way valve that selectively branches connections. This merging of pipe layouts reduces the total length and complexity of piping while ensuring adequate cooling delivery to all required components through selective connectivity.
4Reliability
If multiple independent cooling systems are implemented, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges three independent cooling systems into one integrated system, eliminating redundant components such as multiple pumps, valves, and pipe networks. The multi-way valve enables the single coolant circulation system to serve the battery, heat pump system, and electronic components, reducing overall system weight while maintaining component performance through selective and optimized coolant distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-way coolant valve and a heat pump system having the same include an external housing in which first, second and third external inlets and first, second and third external outlets are formed; and an internal housing provided rotatably inside the external housing to selectively fluidically-connect the first, second and third external inlets, and the first, second and third external outlets, and divided into two stages through which a coolant flows respectively, wherein as the internal housing rotates at a predetermined interval in a selected mode of the vehicle, the first external inlet selectively fluidically-communicates with the first external outlet, the second external outlet, or the third external outlet, the second external inlet selectively fluidically-communicates with the first external outlet or the second external outlet, and the third external inlet selectively fluidically-communicates with the first external outlet, the second external outlet, or the third external outlet.