Rotary Multi-Way Valve Core for Compact EV Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management systems in electric vehicles require multiple proportional valves to achieve various heating and cooling modes, leading to increased space occupancy, complex control, and higher costs.
Innovation Solution
A multi-way valve with a single valve core that rotates to different positions, allowing multiple valve port groups to form different communication states, simplifying control and reducing the need for multiple valve cores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple proportional valves are used to achieve various heating and cooling modes, then the thermal management functions are improved, but the space occupancy, device complexity, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single multi-way valve core that can perform the functions of multiple proportional valves (two-way, three-way, and four-way valves) by rotating to different positions. The valve core includes multiple valve port groups (first, second, third, and fourth valve port groups) that can be selectively connected through rotation, enabling one valve to replace multiple valves and achieve various heating and cooling modes for thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple valve functions into a single integrated valve body. The multi-way valve core combines the functionalities of separate two-way, three-way, and four-way proportional valves into one component, reducing the number of separate valves needed and simplifying the overall system structure while maintaining all required thermal management capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple proportional valves are used to achieve various heating and cooling modes, then the thermal management functions are improved, but the space occupancy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single multi-way valve core provides universal functionality to replace multiple separate proportional valves, significantly reducing the space required for valve installation. By integrating multiple valve port groups and communication paths into one compact valve body, the system achieves various heating and cooling modes without requiring the space occupied by multiple discrete valves.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple valve functions are merged into a single compact valve assembly, reducing the overall space occupancy. The integrated design allows all thermal management functions to be achieved within a smaller footprint compared to using separate two-way, three-way, and four-way valves.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valve cores are used to control two-way, three-way, and four-way proportional valves, then the thermal management modes are achieved, but the control complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single multi-way valve core serves as a universal control element that can achieve all required thermal management modes (heating battery by coolant electric heater, dissipating heat by cooler, heating battery by waste heat) through rotational position changes. This eliminates the need for multiple separate valve cores and their associated control systems, greatly simplifying the control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control functions of multiple valve cores are merged into a single valve core with multiple valve port groups. By controlling one valve core's rotation position, the system can switch between different thermal management modes, replacing the need for coordinated control of multiple independent valves and reducing overall control complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-way valve (100) includes a valve seat (20) and a valve core (10). The valve core (10) is rotatably disposed in the valve seat (20), the valve seat (20) is provided with a plurality of valve port groups, each valve port group includes a plurality of valve ports, the valve core (10) is provided with communication structure groups corresponding to the valve port groups, respectively, and each of the communication structure groups further includes a plurality of communication structures arranged along a circumferential direction of the valve core (10). When the valve core (10) is rotated to different rotation positions, valve ports in different valve port groups form different communication states. Only one valve core (10) is required to make a two-way proportional valves, three-way proportional valve, and a four-way proportional valve achieve different communication states, with simple control, compact structure and low cost.