Stacked Multiway Valve Layout for Compact EV Thermal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-way valves for electric vehicles require multiple valves to control complex fluid systems, leading to increased assembly effort, costs, and space requirements, while existing designs do not efficiently utilize installation space.
Innovation Solution
A multi-way valve with housing openings and sealing openings arranged in pairs, allowing fluidic association with connecting channels, and a third connecting channel for flexible flow control, optimizing space usage and reducing the need for multiple valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conventional multi-way valves are used to control complex fluid systems, then the control capability is sufficient, but the assembly effort, costs, and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple multi-way valves into a single integrated valve body with multiple levels (first level, second level, third level) and multiple connecting channels. This merging approach maintains the control capability for complex fluid systems while reducing the total number of separate valve components from multiple valves to just one integrated valve, thereby reducing assembly effort, costs, and installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated multi-way valve is designed with universal functionality to perform the roles of multiple separate valves. The valve body contains multiple connecting channels (first connecting channels, second connecting channels, third connecting channels) and multiple housing openings that can control various fluid circuits simultaneously, making a single valve component replace multiple specialized valves.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conventional multi-way valves are used, then the control function is adequate, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple valve functions into a single integrated valve body with stacked levels, the patent significantly reduces the installation space footprint. Instead of mounting multiple separate valves that would require multiple mounting locations and interconnected piping, the integrated design consolidates all control functions into one compact unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a multi-level vertical arrangement (first level, second level, third level) within the valve body, transitioning from a two-dimensional planar layout to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. This dimensional change allows multiple connecting channels and housing openings to be arranged vertically, maximizing space utilization and reducing the horizontal installation footprint.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conventional multi-way valves are used, then the fluid control paths are established, but the assembly effort and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple valve assemblies into a single integrated component with a unified valve body containing all necessary connecting channels and housing openings. This consolidation eliminates the need to assemble and connect multiple separate valves, significantly reducing assembly effort and associated costs while maintaining comprehensive fluid control capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conventional multi-way valves are used, then the fluid circuits are controlled, but the space utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a three-dimensional multi-level architecture within the valve body, arranging connecting channels and housing openings across different vertical levels. This spatial arrangement maximizes the utilization of available valve internal space, allowing complex fluid circuit control to be achieved within a compact footprint, thereby improving space utilization efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b~2c
AI summary
The invention relates to a multiway valve (34) for an electric vehicle, comprising a housing (36) with at least six housing openings (A to G) and a valve body (40) for connecting at least two of the housing openings (A to G), wherein a seal (42) with seal openings corresponding to the housing openings (A to G) is arranged between the housing (36) and the valve body (40), and the valve body (40) has a first plane (44) which comprises at least two first connection channels (46, 48) and a second plane (50) which is parallel to the first plane (44) and which comprises at least two second connection channels (52, 54; 52, 54, 55). The connection channels (46, 48, 52, 54; 46, 48, 52, 54, 55) can be fluidically connected to at least two of the housing openings (A to G) of the housing (36) by rotating the valve body (40) into a respective previously determined rotational position. The invention is characterized in that at least one pair of housing openings (A to G) and the corresponding seal openings extends over the first and second plane (44, 50) such that the aforementioned pair (A, B, C, F, G) is fluidically paired with the first plane (44) comprising the first connection channels (46, 48) and the second plane (50) comprising the second connection channels (52, 54; 52, 54, 55). The invention additionally relates to a thermal management system (2) and to a method for operating same.