CN116428391A - Multi-channel valve - Google Patents

Abstract

The application provides a multi-channel valve comprising a housing, a valve core, and a seal. The shell is provided with a communication part; the spool is rotatably provided in the housing around an axis, an outer side of the spool has at least two regions arranged along a rotation direction of the spool, each of the regions extending along an axial direction of the spool and having a plurality of connection passages; the sealing element extends a distance around the valve core and keeps contact with the outer surface of the valve core, and a plurality of openings are formed in the sealing element and are communicated with the outside; wherein one of the at least two regions can be covered by the seal by rotating the spool to form a working region, each of a plurality of connecting channels in the working region being capable of communicating at least two of the plurality of openings.

Description

Multi-channel valve

Technical Field

The present application relates to a multi-channel valve, and more particularly to a multi-channel valve for use in a thermal management system for a vehicle interior.

Background

The temperature of components (e.g., battery, motor, etc.) in a vehicle needs to be controlled within a preset range so that the components have good operation performance, and thus a thermal management system for adjusting the temperature of the components is required. Also, in a system capable of performing multiple functions, fluid in a pipeline is required to flow along different paths in different modes, so that a multi-channel valve is required to be capable of switching the paths of the fluid in the pipeline.

The multi-channel valve generally comprises a shell and a valve core arranged in the shell, wherein a shell opening is formed in the shell, and a connecting channel is formed in the valve core. When the valve core rotates to a certain position, the opening on the shell is aligned with the connecting channel on the valve core, so that corresponding pipelines can be communicated.

Disclosure of Invention

The present application provides a multi-channel valve comprising: the valve comprises a shell, a valve core and a sealing piece, wherein the shell defines a shell containing cavity, a communication part is arranged on the shell, and the communication part is used for communicating the shell containing cavity with the outside; the valve core is rotatably arranged in the housing accommodating cavity around an axis, the outer side of the valve core is provided with at least two areas, the at least two areas are arranged along the rotation direction of the valve core, and each area extends along the axial direction of the valve core and is provided with a plurality of connecting channels; the sealing element is arranged at the communicating part of the shell, extends around the valve core for a certain distance and keeps contact with the outer surface of the valve core, and is provided with a plurality of openings which are communicated with the outside through the communicating part; wherein one of the at least two regions can be covered by the seal by rotating the spool to form a working region, each of a plurality of connecting channels in the working region being capable of communicating at least two of the plurality of openings.

A multi-channel valve as described above having at least two modes of operation, wherein the different modes of operation can be switched between by selecting different ones of the at least two regions of the spool as the operating regions.

The multi-channel valve as described above, the housing is provided with a housing opening, and the housing opening forms the flow-through portion.

The multi-channel valve as described above, the seal is disposed in the housing opening and is held in place by the edges of the housing opening.

The outer contour of the valve core of the multi-channel valve is cylindrical, the at least two areas are arranged along the circumferential direction, and each area is uniformly distributed along the circumferential direction.

In the multi-channel valve as described above, the seal member extends in the circumferential direction of the spool by a distance not exceeding the extending distance of two adjacent regions; the seal is generally elongated and has a pair of length sides disposed along an axial direction of the spool.

The multi-channel valve as described above, the seal member has a first axial seal portion and a second axial seal portion, and a partition portion is provided between adjacent ones of the at least two regions of the valve element, the partition portion being capable of being fitted to the first axial seal portion and the second axial seal portion.

As described above, each of the plurality of connection channels of the spool is formed by a recess or a hollowed-out portion.

As described above, the multi-channel valve of the present invention is characterized in that each of the plurality of connection channels of the valve cartridge is applied to only one operation mode, and each of the plurality of connection channels is provided separately from the other connection channels.

A multi-channel valve as described above for use in a thermal management system of a vehicle.

The sealing piece of the multi-channel valve is only in contact with a part of the valve core in the circumferential direction, so that friction force of the valve core in the rotating process can be reduced.

The conception, specific structure, and technical effects of the present application will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings to fully understand the objects, features, and effects of the present application.

Drawings

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a multi-channel valve according to one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the multi-channel valve of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the valve cartridge of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 2B is another angled perspective view of the valve cartridge of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2C is a bottom view of the valve cartridge of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2C;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the housing body of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3B is another perspective view of the housing body of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a housing cover;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the seal of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 5B is another angled perspective view of the seal of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the valve cartridge of FIG. 2B, as deployed along line B-B;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the multi-channel valve of FIG. 1A with external piping connected thereto;

FIG. 8A is a schematic illustration of the connection of the multi-channel valve of FIG. 1A in a first mode of operation;

FIG. 8B is a schematic illustration of the connection of the multi-channel valve of FIG. 1A in a second mode of operation

FIG. 8C is a schematic illustration of the connection of the multi-channel valve of FIG. 1A in a third mode of operation;

FIG. 8D is a schematic illustration of the connection of the multi-channel valve shown in FIG. 1A in a fourth mode of operation;

fig. 8E is a schematic diagram of the connection of the multi-channel valve shown in fig. 1A in a fifth mode of operation.

Detailed Description

Various embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. It is to be understood that, although directional terms, such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", etc., may be used in this application to describe various example structural portions and orientations of the elements of the present application, these terms are used herein for convenience of description only and are determined based on the example orientations shown in the drawings. Because the embodiments disclosed herein may be arranged in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. Wherever possible, the same or similar reference numbers are used throughout this application to refer to the same parts.

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a multi-channel valve according to one embodiment of the present application, and fig. 1B is a perspective view of the multi-channel valve of fig. 1A. As shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the valve 100 includes a housing 102, a spool 108, and a seal 106. The housing 102 includes a housing body 131 and a housing cover 132. The housing 102 has a housing cavity 116 and a housing opening 105, the housing opening 105 communicating with the housing cavity 116. The valve cartridge 108 is positioned in the housing pocket 116 with the seal 106 overlying the housing opening 105. The seal 106 is provided with a plurality of openings 120, the plurality of openings 120 communicating corresponding conduits in the thermal management system. The valve spool 108 is rotatable within the housing 102 to adjust the communication between the plurality of openings 120 for thermal regulation.

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the valve cartridge of fig. 1B, fig. 2B is another angular perspective view of the valve cartridge of fig. 1A, fig. 2C is a bottom view of the valve cartridge of fig. 2A, fig. 2D is a sectional view of the valve cartridge of fig. 2C taken along line A-A, and fig. 2A-2D show the structure of the valve cartridge. As shown in fig. 2A and 2B, the outer profile of the spool 108 is generally cylindrical. The valve spool 108 includes a generally channel portion 201, a shaft portion 203, and a connecting portion 209. The channel portion 201 is substantially hollow cylindrical and has a certain thickness. The channel portion 201 has a channel portion inner wall 211 and a channel portion outer wall 212. The outer wall of the channel portion 201 is provided with a plurality of channel openings 240. The channel portion 201 is provided with a plurality of grooves 230, and the grooves 230 can communicate with corresponding channel openings 240, thereby forming a connection channel. The connecting channel can communicate with two or more of the plurality of openings 120 of the seal 106.

The groove 230 includes a bar-shaped groove 231 and a U-shaped groove 232. Wherein the bar-shaped groove 231 is formed from a recess portion formed by recessing the passage opening 240 of the surface of the outer wall 212 of the passage portion 201 therein. Each of the grooves 231 corresponds to a passage opening, and the passage opening 240 corresponding to the groove 231 is an opening extending continuously in the outer wall 212 of the passage portion. That is, in the axial direction of the spool 108, the extension length of the strip groove 231 is substantially equal to the extension length of the passage opening of the surface of the outer wall 212. The bar-shaped groove 231 is adapted to connect adjacent openings. In the present application, the strip-shaped grooves refer to grooves each corresponding to one passage port, that is, grooves formed by the concave portions, and the shape thereof is not limited to the strip shape. In one embodiment of the present application, a U-shaped slot is used to connect two openings. The U-shaped groove 232 is formed by a hollowed-out portion including a first portion 236 and a second portion 237 recessed inward from two passage openings of the surface of the passage portion outer wall 212, and a communication portion 238 located between the inner wall 211 and the outer wall 212 of the passage portion 201, the communication portion 238 being capable of communicating the first portion 236 and the second portion 237. In other embodiments, the U-shaped channel includes more than two spaced apart access openings to connect more than two openings. The U-shaped slot is adapted to connect two or more spaced apart openings.

The shaft 203 is located inside the channel 201 and is connected to the channel inner wall 211 via the connection 209. One end of the shaft portion 203 extends beyond the channel portion 201 to form a boss 250, the boss 250 being connectable to a power device (e.g., an actuator) such that the power device is capable of driving the valve core 108 in rotation. The other end of the shaft 203 has an inwardly recessed positioning engagement portion 260 for engagement with the cover 132.

In another embodiment of the present application, the inner wall of the channel portion 201 is connected to the outer wall of the shaft portion 203, and is of a unitary structure, and no connection portion is provided.

Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the housing body of fig. 1B, and fig. 3B is another angular perspective view of the housing body of fig. 1A. As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the housing main body 131 has a communication portion 390, and the communication portion 390 is for connection with the outside. The housing body 131 includes a bottom 311, a pair of side walls 312 and 313, a top 314, and a pair of end walls 315 and 316. A pair of side walls 312 extend upward from both side edges in the length direction of the bottom 311, and both ends of the top 314 are connected to the pair of side walls 312. A pair of end walls 315 and 316 extend upward from both side edges in the width direction of the bottom 311, respectively, and are connected to the pair of side walls 312 and 313 and the top 314. So that the housing 102 encloses a housing receptacle 116.

The bottom 311 is provided with a housing opening 105, and the seal 106 can be mounted in the housing opening 105, the seal 106 abutting against an edge of the housing opening 105, so that the seal 106 can be held in the housing opening 105. The housing opening 105 forms a communication portion 390. The end wall 315 is provided with a spool mounting port 328 from which spool 108 can be inserted into housing cavity 116. The end wall 316 is provided with a shaft mounting hole 340 through which the boss 250 of the valve core 108 can pass to be located outside the housing 102. The end wall 316 is also provided with a power plant connection 342, the power plant being connected to the boss 250 and to the power plant connection 342.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the housing cover. As shown in fig. 4, the housing cover 132 includes a positioning portion 403 formed by protruding from one side surface of the housing cover 132. The positioning portion 403 can enter the positioning mating portion 260 of the spool 108 to facilitate smooth rotation of the spool 108. The case cover 132 has a connection portion 408, and the connection portion 408 is provided with a connection hole, and the cover 132 can be connected to the case body 131 by a connection member such as a screw.

Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the seal of fig. 1B, showing the inner surface of the seal, and fig. 5B is another angled perspective view of the seal of fig. 5A, showing the outer surface of the seal. As shown in fig. 5A and 5B, the seal 106 is substantially elongated and has a length direction and a width direction, and a pair of longitudinal sides 561 and 562 extend in the length direction and are arranged in the axial direction of the spool 108. The seal 106 includes an inner surface 501 disposed toward the spool 108 and an outer surface 502 disposed opposite the spool 108.

The inner surface 501 of the seal 106 is a generally arcuate surface to mate with the shape of the outer surface of the spool 108, and the outer surface 502 of the seal 106 is a generally planar surface to mate with the mounting location of the multi-channel valve 100. In one embodiment of the present application, the multi-channel valve 100 is mounted on the housing of an integrated management device.

The seal 106 has a plurality of openings 120 through the seal inner 501 and outer 502 surfaces. In one embodiment of the present application, the number of openings is 9, which are the first opening 511, the second opening 512, the third opening 513, the fourth opening 514, the fifth opening 515, the sixth opening 516, the seventh opening 517, the eighth opening 518, and the ninth opening 519, respectively. Wherein each opening is generally square and arranged in two rows, each arranged along the length of the seal 106. The first column includes five openings, a second opening 512, a third opening 513, a fifth opening 515, a sixth opening 516, and a fourth opening 514, respectively. The second column includes four openings, eighth opening 518, seventh opening 517, ninth opening 519, and first opening 511, respectively. Wherein the first opening 511 and the fourth opening 514 are arranged side by side, the ninth opening 519 and the sixth opening 516 are arranged side by side, the seventh opening 517 and the fifth opening 515 are arranged side by side, the eighth opening 518 and the third opening 513 are arranged side by side, and the second opening 512 is arranged on one side of the third opening 513.

The seal has a first radial seal 551 and a second radial seal 552 on both sides in the longitudinal direction, with a third radial seal 553 between the two rows of openings.

The seal 106 is made of an elastomeric material, and an inner surface 501 of the seal 106 is capable of forming a seal with the valve spool 108, and an outer surface 502 of the seal 106 is capable of forming a seal with the installed position of the multi-channel valve 100. In the present application, the seal 106 circumferentially surrounds only a portion of the spool 108. This arrangement allows less friction between the spool 108 and the seal 106 as it rotates.

In one embodiment of the present application, the arc length of the seal 106 in the circumferential direction of the spool 108 does not exceed the total arc length of two adjacent regions, i.e., the seal 106 extends no further than the extension of two adjacent regions in the circumferential direction of the spool 108.

In one embodiment of the present application, the arc length of the inner surface 501 of the seal 106 in the circumferential direction is no more than 1/4 of the circumference in which it is located.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the valve cartridge of FIG. 2B, as expanded along line B-B. As shown in fig. 6B, the spool 108 is divided into five regions in the circumferential direction, which are a first region 601, a second region 602, a third region 603, a fourth region 604, and a fifth region 605, respectively. Each region has a connecting channel formed by a corresponding recess therein to communicate with a different opening. Between adjacent regions there is a partition 650 extending in the radial direction of the spool 108. The partition 650 extends continuously in the radial direction, and the partition 650 prevents the connection passages between the adjacent regions from communicating with each other. The partition 650 is capable of contacting the first and second radial seals 551, 552 to form a seal with the first and second radial seals 551, 552 such that when the spool 108 is aligned with a respective region, fluid within the respective region cannot enter other regions. When a respective one of the five regions of the spool 108 is aligned with the seal 106, that region becomes the working region and the other regions do not participate in the work. The multi-channel valve 100 is aligned with the seal 106 through the working area to achieve a particular communication relationship such that the thermal management system in communication with the multi-channel valve 100 enters a corresponding mode of operation.

As shown in fig. 6, a first connection channel 611, a second connection channel 612, a third connection channel 613 and a fourth connection channel 614 are provided in the first region 601. The first connection channel 611, the second connection channel 612, the third connection channel 613 and the fourth connection channel 614 are each formed by a bar-shaped groove. The first connection channel 611 can communicate with the second opening 512 and the third opening 513, the second connection channel 612 can communicate with the seventh opening 517 and the eighth opening 518, the third connection channel 613 can communicate with the sixth opening 516 and the ninth opening 519, and the fourth connection channel 614 can communicate with the first opening 511 and the fourth opening 514.

A fifth connecting passage 621, a sixth connecting passage 622, a seventh connecting passage 623, and an eighth connecting passage 624 are provided in the second region 602. The fifth connecting passage 621, the sixth connecting passage 622, the seventh connecting passage 623, and the eighth connecting passage 624 are each formed by a bar-shaped groove. The fifth connecting passage 621 can communicate the second opening 512 and the eighth opening 518. The sixth connecting passage 622 can communicate with the third opening 513 and the seventh opening 517, the seventh connecting passage 623 can communicate with the first opening 511 and the ninth opening 519, and the eighth connecting passage 624 can communicate with the fifth opening 515 and the sixth opening 516.

The ninth connection channel 631, the tenth connection channel 632, the eleventh connection channel 633 and the twelfth connection channel 634 are provided in the third region 603. The ninth connection channel 631, the tenth connection channel 632, the eleventh connection channel 633 and the twelfth connection channel 634 are each formed by a strip groove. The ninth connecting passage 631 can communicate the second opening 512 and the eighth opening 518. The tenth connection passage 632 can communicate with the third opening 513 and the seventh opening 517, the eleventh connection passage 633 can communicate with the first opening 511 and the ninth opening 519, and the twelfth connection passage 634 can communicate with the fourth opening 514 and the sixth opening 516.

A thirteenth connection channel 641 and a fourteenth connection channel 642 are provided in the fourth region 604, wherein the thirteenth connection channel 641 is formed by a bar-shaped groove and the fourteenth connection channel 642 is formed by a U-shaped groove. The thirteenth connection channel 641 is capable of communicating the seventh opening 517 and the ninth opening 519. The fourteenth connecting passage 642 is capable of communicating the fifth opening 515 and the second opening 512.

A fifteenth connection channel 651 and a sixteenth connection channel 652 are provided in the fifth region 605, wherein the fifteenth connection channel 651 is formed by a bar-shaped groove and the sixteenth connection channel 652 is formed by a U-shaped groove. The fifteenth connection channel 651 is capable of communicating the seventh opening 517 and the ninth opening 519. The sixteenth connection channel 652 is capable of communicating the fourth opening 514 and the second opening 512.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the multi-channel valve of fig. 1A with external piping connected thereto. As shown in fig. 7, both ends of the first working path 701 communicate with the first opening 511 and the eighth opening 518, both ends of the second working path 702 communicate with the ninth opening 519 and the second opening 512, both ends of the third working path 703 communicate with the sixth opening 516 and the third opening 513, both ends of the fourth working path 704 communicate with the fourth opening 514 and the fifth opening 515, respectively, and one end of the fifth working path 705 communicates with the seventh opening 517 and the other end communicates with the fourth working path 704. The first, second, third, fourth and fifth working paths 701, 702, 703, 704, 705 communicate with external devices 771, 772, 773, 774, 775, which are power devices, battery devices, heat dissipation devices, refrigeration devices, heat exchangers, etc., respectively. Rotation of the spool 108 within the housing 102 can adjust the communication between the openings and thus the working paths to achieve thermal management.

Fig. 8A is a schematic illustration of the connection of the multi-channel valve of fig. 1A in a first mode of operation. When the spool 108 is rotated into alignment with the first region 601, the multi-channel valve is in the first mode of operation. As shown in fig. 8B, in the first operation mode, the seventh opening 517 communicates with the eighth opening 518, the first opening 511 communicates with the fourth opening 514, the ninth opening 519 communicates with the sixth opening 516, and the second opening 513 communicates with the third opening 513. Thus, the first working path 701, the fourth working path 704, and the fifth working path 705 are connected in series, and the coolant can circulate in the directions of the first working path 701, the fourth working path 704, and the fifth working path 705. The second working path 702 and the third working path 703 are connected in series, and the coolant can circulate in the directions of the second working path 702 and the third working path 703.

Fig. 8B is a schematic illustration of the connection of the multi-channel valve of fig. 1A in a second mode of operation. When the spool 108 is rotated into alignment with the second region 602, the multi-channel valve is in the third mode of operation. As shown in fig. 8B, in the second operation mode, the second opening 512 and the eighth opening 518 communicate, the third opening 513 and the seventh opening 517 communicate, the sixth opening 516 and the fifth opening 515 communicate, and the first opening 511 and the ninth opening 519 communicate. The first working path 701 and the second working path 702 are thus connected in series, and the coolant can circulate in the directions of the first working path 701 and the second working path 702. The third working path 703 and the fifth working path 705 are connected in series, and the coolant can circulate in the directions of the third working path 703 and the fifth working path 705.

Fig. 8C is a schematic illustration of the connection of the multi-channel valve of fig. 1A in a third mode of operation. When the spool 108 is rotated into alignment with the third region 603, the multi-channel valve is in the third mode of operation. As shown in fig. 8C, in the third operation mode, the second opening 512 and the eighth opening 518 communicate, the third opening 513 and the seventh opening 517 communicate, the sixth opening 516 and the fourth opening 514 communicate, and the first opening 511 and the ninth opening 519 communicate. The first working path 701 and the second working path 702 are thus connected in series, and the coolant can circulate in the directions of the first working path 701 and the second working path 702. The third working path 703, the fourth working path 704, and the fifth working path 705 are connected in series, and the coolant can circulate in the directions of the third working path 703, the fourth working path 704, and the fifth working path 705.

Fig. 8D is a schematic illustration of the connection of the multi-channel valve shown in fig. 1A in a fourth mode of operation. When the spool 108 rotates into alignment with the fourth region 604, the multi-channel valve is in a fourth mode of operation. As shown in fig. 8D, in the fourth operation mode, the second opening 512 and the fifth opening 515 communicate, and the seventh opening 517 and the ninth opening 519 communicate. So that the second working path 702 and the fifth working path 705 are connected in series, the coolant can circulate in the directions of the second working path 702 and the fifth working path 705.

Fig. 8E is a schematic diagram of the connection of the multi-channel valve shown in fig. 1A in a fifth mode of operation. When the spool 108 rotates into alignment with the fifth zone 605, the multi-channel valve is in the fifth mode of operation. In the fifth mode of operation, as shown in fig. 8E, the second opening 512 and the fourth opening 514 communicate, and the seventh opening 517 and the ninth opening 519 communicate. So that the second working path 702, the fourth working path 704, and the fifth working path 705 are connected in series, the coolant can circulate upward on the second working path 702, the fourth working path 704, and the fifth working path 705.

When the multi-channel valve reaches the position required by each working mode, the sealing element is required to press the outer wall of the valve core, and a pressing force is applied to the valve core so as to ensure the tightness of each channel. However, the sealing element is in pressing contact with the outer wall of the valve core to cause frictional resistance, and the valve core needs to be rotated to overcome the frictional resistance caused by the sealing element. The smaller the contact area of the valve core and the sealing element is, the more favorable the friction resistance is reduced.

In this application, the seal member is in contact with only a part of the spool in the circumferential direction, and the contact area of the seal member with the spool is small, so that the rotational resistance of the spool is small.

The arrangement of the connecting channels of the multi-channel valve in the application enables each connecting channel to correspond to only one working mode, and when the modes are switched, the situation that one part of the connecting channel is aligned with the sealing element and the other part of the connecting channel is staggered with the sealing element does not occur. Thus, when the multi-channel valve is rotated into the corresponding operating position, the fluid in the connecting channel of the valve element is sealed by the sealing element, and cannot flow out of the connecting channel in the area uncovered by the sealing element. Therefore, the sealing element in the application only needs to cover the corresponding area of the corresponding working mode in the circumferential direction of the valve element, and other areas do not need to be covered, so that the contact area between the sealing element and the valve element is smaller.

While the present disclosure has been described in conjunction with the examples of embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently or later be envisioned, may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, the technical effects and/or technical problems described in the present specification are exemplary rather than limiting; the disclosure in this specification may be used to solve other technical problems and to have other technical effects and/or may solve other technical problems. Accordingly, the examples of embodiments of the disclosure as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to embrace all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents.

Claims (10)

1. A multi-channel valve, comprising:

the shell (102), the shell (102) limits a shell containing cavity (116), a communicating part (390) is arranged on the shell (102), and the communicating part (390) communicates the shell containing cavity (116) with the outside;

-a spool (108), the spool (108) being rotatably arranged in the housing volume (116) about an axis, the spool (108) having at least two areas on the outside, the at least two areas being arranged along the direction of rotation of the spool (108), each of the areas extending along the axial direction of the spool (108) and having a plurality of connecting channels;

a seal member (106), the seal member (106) being disposed at a communication portion (390) of the housing (102), the seal member (106) extending a distance around the spool (108) and being held in contact with an outer surface of the spool (108), the seal member (106) being provided with a plurality of openings (120), the plurality of openings (120) being in communication with the outside through the communication portion (390);

wherein one of the at least two regions can be covered by the seal (106) by rotating the spool (108) to form a working region, each of a plurality of connecting channels in the working region capable of communicating at least two of the plurality of openings (120).

2. The multi-channel valve of claim 1, wherein:

the multi-channel valve has at least two modes of operation, wherein switching between the different modes of operation is enabled by selecting different ones of the at least two regions of the spool (108) as the operating regions.

3. The multi-channel valve of claim 2, wherein:

the housing (102) is provided with a housing opening (105), and the housing opening (105) forms the communication part (390).

4. A multi-channel valve as defined in claim 3, wherein:

the seal (106) is arranged in the housing opening (105) and is held in place by the edges of the housing opening (105).

5. The multi-channel valve of claim 1, wherein:

the outer contour of the valve core (108) is cylindrical, the at least two areas are arranged along the circumferential direction, and each area is uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction.

6. The multi-channel valve of claim 1, wherein:

the seal (106) extends no farther than the two adjacent regions in the circumferential direction of the spool (108); the seal (106) is generally elongated and has a pair of length sides (561, 562), the pair of length sides (561, 562) being arranged along an axial direction of the spool (108).

7. The multi-channel valve of claim 1, wherein:

the seal (106) has a first axial seal (551) and a second axial seal (552), and a partition (650) is provided between adjacent ones of at least two regions of the spool (108), and the partition (650) is capable of being bonded to the first axial seal (551) and the second axial seal (552).

8. The multi-channel valve of claim 1, wherein:

each of the plurality of connection channels of the spool (108) is formed by a recess or hollowed-out portion.

9. The multi-channel valve of claim 2, wherein:

each of the plurality of connecting passages of the spool (108) is applicable to only one mode of operation, each of the plurality of connecting passages being disposed separately from the other connecting passages.

10. The multi-channel valve of claim 1, wherein:

the multi-channel valve is used in a thermal management system of a vehicle.

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