WO2024105157A1

WO2024105157A1 - Valve assembly and thermal management assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2024105157A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/082042
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kun Zeng; Hao Liu; Subing QIN
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
Priority date: 2022-11-16
Filing date: 2023-11-16
Publication date: 2024-05-23
Also published as: CN118088734A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a valve assembly and a thermal management assembly. A first opening of the valve block of the valve assembly may be in communication with a second opening through a first valve chamber, or in communication with a second opening through a second valve chamber, so that the valve assembly has a plurality of channels in communication with the first and second openings respectively, which makes the valve assembly structurally compact. In addition, by arranging a first valve core assembly in the first valve chamber and a second valve core assembly in the second valve chamber, the plurality of channels of the valve assembly that are in communication with the first and second openings, respectively, are selectively openable, which improves the functionality of the valve assembly.

Description

Title: VALVE ASSEMBLY AND THERMAL MANAGEMENT ASSEMBLY

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a valve assembly and a thermal management assembly.

Background Art

A conventional air-conditioning system consists of four major components: a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser, and a valve assembly, which form a refrigerant circulation loop. The valve assembly allows a refrigerant to flow therewithin. The valve assembly performs the function of guiding a fluid to flow, thereby enabling refrigerant circulation within the air-conditioning system.

With the development of vehicular air-conditioning systems, they need to operate in increasingly diverse modes, so the refrigerant circulation loops inside air- conditioning systems have also become increasingly complex. In the prior art, due to the increased complexity of refrigerant circulation loops, the valve assemblies of air- conditioning systems have also become complex, which causes the valve assemblies of conventional air-conditioning systems to have the shortcoming of being not sufficiently compact in structure.

Summary of the Invention

An objective of the present invention is to provide a valve assembly with the advantage of being structurally compact.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a thermal management assembly, which comprises a valve assembly as described above.

To achieve the above objectives, a valve assembly for guiding a fluid comprises: a valve block with a first opening, a second opening, and a first valve chamber, the first valve chamber being in communication with the first opening and the second opening respectively; a first valve core assembly mounted in the first valve chamber; the valve assembly further comprises a second valve core assembly; the valve block further has a second valve chamber; the second valve chamber is in communication with the first opening and the second opening respectively; the second valve core assembly is mounted in the second valve chamber.

In a specific embodiment, the second valve chamber is in communication with the first valve chamber.

In a specific embodiment, the valve block further has a bypass channel; the bypass channel is in communication with the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber.

In a specific embodiment, the valve block further has a first connecting channel and a second connecting channel; the first connecting channel is in communication with the first opening and the first valve chamber; the second connecting channel is in communication with the second opening and the first valve chamber; wherein the second connecting channel has a communicating port formed on the inner wall of the first valve chamber; the bypass channel has a first bypass port formed on the inner wall of the first valve chamber and a second bypass port formed on the inner wall of the second valve chamber.

In a specific embodiment, the inner wall of the first valve chamber comprises a side wall and a bottom wall; the side wall of the first valve chamber defines an opening of the first valve chamber; the opening of the first valve chamber allows the first valve core assembly to enter the first valve chamber; the communicating port and the first bypass port are both located on the bottom wall of the first valve chamber.

In a specific embodiment, the second connecting channel has a first channel portion and a second channel portion; the first channel portion has the communicating port, and the second channel portion has the second opening; the first channel portion is parallel to the bypass channel.

In a specific embodiment, the second valve chamber has a side wall and a bottom wall; the side wall of the second valve chamber defines an opening of the second valve chamber; the opening of the second valve chamber allows the second valve core assembly to enter the second valve chamber; the second bypass port is formed on the side wall of the second valve chamber.

In a specific embodiment, the centreline of the first valve chamber is perpendicular to the centreline of the second valve chamber.

In a specific embodiment, the valve assembly further comprises a third valve core assembly; the valve block further has a third valve chamber; the third valve core assembly is mounted in the third valve chamber; the second valve chamber is in communication with the third valve chamber, and the third valve chamber is in communication with the second opening.

In a specific embodiment, the valve block further has a third connecting channel; the third connecting channel has a valve port formed on the bottom wall of the second valve chamber and a first channel port formed on the inner wall of the third valve chamber; the second valve core assembly comprises a valve core; the valve core is configured to control the opening of the valve port; in the flow direction of the fluid, the second bypass port is located upstream of the valve port, and the first channel port is located downstream of the valve port.

In a specific embodiment, the third connecting channel has a third channel portion and a fourth channel portion; the third channel portion has the valve port, and the fourth channel portion has the first channel port.

In a specific embodiment, the valve block further has a fourth connecting channel; the fourth connecting channel is in communication with the third valve chamber and the second connecting channel.

In a specific embodiment, the valve block further has a third opening and a fourth opening; a through channel is formed between the third and fourth openings.

In a specific embodiment, the valve block further has a fifth opening; the first connecting channel is in communication with the fifth opening.

A thermal management assembly for achieving the objectives comprises a valve assembly as described above.

A beneficial effect of the present invention is that the first opening of the valve block may be in communication with the second opening through the first valve chamber, or in communication with the second opening through the second valve chamber, so that the valve assembly has a plurality of channels in communication with the first opening and the second opening respectively, which makes the valve assembly structurally compact. In addition, by arranging a first valve core assembly in the first valve chamber and a second valve core assembly in the second valve chamber, the plurality of channels of the valve assembly that are in communication with the first and second openings, respectively, are selectively openable, which improves the functionality of the valve assembly.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other features, properties and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious through the description below which refers to the drawings and embodiments, wherein:

Fig. 1 A is a schematic diagram of the valve assembly, showing the fourth and fifth openings;

Fig. 1 B is a schematic diagram of the valve body, showing the fourth and fifth openings;

Fig. 1 C is a schematic diagram of the valve assembly, showing the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening;

Fig. 1 D is a schematic diagram of the valve body, showing the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the valve assembly in Fig. 1 C along the A-A direction;

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the valve body in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the valve assembly in Fig. 1 C along the B-B direction;

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the valve body in Fig. 4.

Specific Embodiments

Various embodiments or examples of the technical solution of the subject matter implemented are disclosed below. To simplify the disclosed content, specific instances of elements and arrangements are described below, but of course, these are merely examples, and do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. For example, the distribution of a first feature at a second feature as disclosed below may include an embodiment in which the first and second features are distributed by direct connection, but may also include an embodiment in which an additional feature is formed between the first and second features, such that there may be no direct connection between the first and second features. In addition, in this content, reference labels and/or letters might by repeated in different examples. This repetition is for purposes of brevity and clarity, rather than representing any relationships between various embodiments and/or structures to be discussed. Furthermore, when a first element is described as being connected or joined to a second element, this description includes an embodiment in which the first and second elements are directly connected or joined together, and also includes the addition of one or more other intervening elements such that the first and second elements are indirectly connected or joined together.

It must be noted that Figs. 1 -5 are merely examples and are not drawn to the same scale, and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection actually claimed for the present invention.

Fig. 1 A and Fig. 1 C show a valve assembly 900 in one embodiment of the present invention, comprising a valve block 1 , wherein the valve body 1 is shown in Fig. 1 B and Fig. 1 D. The valve assembly 900 is arranged in a fluid loop for an air-conditioning system. The fluid loop may be a refrigerant fluid loop or a coolant fluid loop.

Referring to Figs. 1 A, 1 B, 1 C, 1 D, 2, and 3, the valve assembly 900 comprises a valve block 1 , a first valve core assembly 2, and a second valve core assembly 3. The valve block 1 has a first opening 1 1 , a second opening 12, a first valve chamber 1 a, and a second valve chamber 1 b; the first valve chamber 1 a is in communication with the first opening 1 1 and the second opening 12 respectively, and the first valve core assembly 2 is mounted in the first valve chamber 1 a; the second valve chamber 1 b is in communication with the first opening 1 1 and the second opening 12, respectively; the second valve core assembly 3 is mounted in the second valve chamber 1 b.

In this technical solution, the first opening 1 1 of the valve block 1 may be in communication with the second opening 12 through the first valve chamber 1 a, or in communication with the second opening 12 through the second valve chamber 1 b, so that the valve assembly 900 has a plurality of channels in communication with the first opening 1 1 and the second opening 12, respectively, which makes the valve assembly 900 structurally compact. In addition, by arranging a first valve core assembly 2 in the first valve chamber 1 a and a second valve core assembly 3 in the second valve chamber 1 b, the plurality of channels of the valve assembly 900 that are in communication with the first opening 1 1 and the second opening 12, respectively, are selectively openable. Referring to Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5, it is clear that in a specific embodiment, the second valve chamber 1 b is in communication with the first valve chamber 1 a. The first opening 1 1 may be in communication with the second opening 12 through the first valve chamber 1 a and the second valve chamber 1 b. Specifically, a fluid F enters the valve block 1 from the first opening 1 1 and enters the first valve chamber 1 a. In the first valve chamber 1 a, under the action of the first valve core assembly 2, the fluid F can selectively become a first fluid flow F1 or a second fluid flow F2; the first fluid flow F1 , bypassing the second valve chamber 1 b, flows to the second opening 12, while the second fluid flow F2 flows to the second opening 12 through the second valve chamber 1 b.

As shown in Fig. 2, the first valve core assembly 2 has a fluid inlet 2a and a fluid outlet (not shown in the figure), and the first fluid flow F1 enters the first valve core assembly 2 through the fluid inlet 2a and leaves the first valve core assembly 2 through the fluid outlet (not shown in the figure). In a specific embodiment, the first valve core assembly 2 is the valve core assembly of an electromagnetically driven shut-off valve.

Continuing to refer to Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5, the valve block 1 further has a bypass channel 100; the bypass channel 100 is in communication with the first valve chamber 1 a and the second valve chamber 1 b. The second fluid flow F2 enters the second valve chamber 1 b through the bypass channel 100 and flows to the second opening 12 through the second valve chamber 1 b. In an embodiment not shown in the figure, the second valve chamber 1 b is in direct communication with the first valve chamber 1 a.

As shown in Figs. 1 c and 3, the valve block 1 further has a first connecting channel 101 and a second connecting channel 102; the first connecting channel 101 is in communication with the first opening 1 1 and the first valve chamber 1 a; the second connecting channel 102 is in communication with the second opening 12 and the first valve chamber 1 a; the second connecting channel 102 has a communicating port 102a formed on the inner wall of the first valve chamber 1 a; the bypass channel 100 has a first bypass port 100a formed on the inner wall of the first valve chamber 1 a and a second bypass port 100b formed on the inner wall of the second valve chamber 1 b. The bypass channel 100 is in communication with the first valve chamber 1 a through the first bypass port 100a, and in communication with the second valve chamber 1 b through the second bypass port 100b. The bypass channel 100 may be more than one in number. A plurality of bypass channels 100 may be parallel to each other. The first opening 1 1 may be in communication with the bypass channel 100 through the first valve chamber 1 a or in communication with the first connecting channel 101 , thereby making the valve block 1 more structurally compact.

Continuing to refer to Fig. 3, the inner wall of the first valve chamber 1 a comprises a side wall 1 a-1 and a bottom wall 1 a-2; the side wall 1 a-1 of the first valve chamber 1 a defines an opening 1 a-3 of the first valve chamber 1 a; the opening 1 a-3 of the first valve chamber 1 a allows the first valve core assembly 2 to enter the first valve chamber 1 a; the communicating port 102a and the first bypass port 100a are both located on the bottom wall 1 a-2 of the first valve chamber 1 a, which makes the valve body 1 structurally compact. More specifically, the first valve core assembly 2 covers a portion of the first bypass port 100a and allows the second fluid flow F2 to enter the bypass channel 100 from another portion of the first bypass port 100a.

As shown in Fig.s 3 and 4, the second connecting channel 102 has a first channel portion 1021 and a second channel portion 1022; the first channel portion 1021 has the communicating port 102a, and the second channel portion 1022 has the second opening 12; the first channel portion 1021 is parallel to the bypass channel 100. This design makes the valve block 1 structurally compact.

In a specific embodiment, the second valve chamber 1 b has a side wall 1 b-1 and a bottom wall 1 b-2; the side wall 1 b-1 of the second valve chamber 1 b defines the opening 1 b-3 of the second valve chamber 1 b; the opening 1 b-3 of the second valve chamber 1 b allows the second valve core assembly 3 to enter the second valve chamber 1 b; the second bypass port 100b is formed on the side wall 1 b-1 of the second valve chamber 1 b.

The centreline X-X of the first valve chamber 1 a is perpendicular to the centreline Y-Y of the second valve chamber 1 b. The opening 1 a-3 of the first valve chamber 1 a and the opening 1 b-3 of the second valve chamber 1 b are located on different sides of the valve body 1 , respectively. This design makes the valve block 1 structurally compact and easy to assemble.

Referring to Figs. 1 A, 1 B, 4, and 5, the valve assembly 900 further comprises a third valve core assembly 4; the valve block 1 further has a third valve chamber 1 c; the third valve core assembly 4 is mounted in the third valve chamber 1 c; the second valve chamber 1 b is in communication with the third valve chamber 1 c, and the third valve chamber 1 c is in communication with the second opening 12. Due to the presence of the third valve core assembly 4, communication may be established or cut off between the second valve chamber 1 b and the second opening 12. In a specific embodiment, the third valve core assembly 4 is the valve core assembly of an electromagnetically driven shut-off valve. The orientation of the opening of the third valve chamber 1 c is different from the orientation of the opening 1 a-3 of the first valve chamber 1 a, and also from the orientation of the opening 1 b-3 of the second valve chamber 1 b. The first valve chamber 1 a, the second valve chamber 1 b, and the third valve chamber 1 c are located on three adjacent and different faces of the valve block 1 , respectively.

As shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5, the valve block 1 further has a third connecting channel 103; the third connecting channel 103 is in communication with the second valve chamber 1 b and the third valve chamber 1 c. The third connecting channel 103 has a valve port 103a formed on the bottom wall 1 b-2 of the second valve chamber 1 b and a first channel port 103b formed on the inner wall of the third valve chamber 1 c; the second valve core assembly 3 comprises a valve core 31 ; the valve core 31 is configured to control the opening of the valve port 103a; in the flow direction of the fluid, the second bypass port 100b is located upstream of the valve port 103a, and the first channel port 103b is located downstream of the valve port 103a. In a specific embodiment, the second valve core assembly 3 is the valve core assembly of a thermostatic expansion valve. The valve core 31 is spherical. The centreline Z-Z of the third valve chamber 1 c is perpendicular to the centreline X-X of the first valve chamber 1 a and the centreline Y-Y of the second valve chamber 1 b.

The second valve core assembly 3, as the valve core assembly of a thermostatic expansion valve, further comprises a power head 30, an ejector pin 33, a spring 34, a regulating cap 35, and a temperature-sensing pack (not shown in the figure), the power head 30 being internally equipped with a diaphragm 300 and filled with a temperature-sensing medium. The force applied by the spring 34 acts on the valve core 31 , causing the valve core 31 to move in the direction approaching the valve port 103a, that is, in the direction of decreasing the opening of the valve port 103a. The temperature-sensing pack, attached to a fluid pipeline, transfers the temperature of the fluid pipeline to the temperature-sensing medium inside the power head 30, causing a change in the temperature of the temperature-sensing medium, which in turn causes the diaphragm 300 to be subjected to the force, and the force is transmitted to the ejector pin 33 and, through the ejector pin 33, to the valve core 31 , allowing the valve core 31 to move away from the valve port 103a, that is, in the direction of increasing the opening of the valve port 103a. When the opening of the valve port 103a is within a certain range, the fluid passing through the valve port 103a is throttled. The opening of the valve port 103a is manually regulatable by the regulating cap 35. The ejector pin 33 runs through the third channel portion 1031 of the third connecting channel 103.

Continuing to refer to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the third connecting channel 103 has a third channel portion 1031 and a fourth channel portion 1032; the third channel portion 1031 has the valve port 103a, and the fourth channel portion 1032 has the first channel port 103b. The fourth channel portion 1032 may be more than one in number. A plurality of the fourth channel portions 1032 are arranged in parallel with each other.

In a specific embodiment, the third channel portion 1031 is perpendicular to the fourth channel portion 1032. The valve block 1 further has a fourth connecting channel 104; the fourth connecting channel 104 is in communication with the third valve chamber 1 c and the second connecting channel 102. The valve block 1 further has a third opening 13 and a fourth opening 14; a through channel 105 is formed between the third opening 13 and the fourth opening 14. The third connecting channel 103 has a second channel port 103c formed on the inner wall of the through channel 105; the second valve core assembly 3 further comprises a sealing component 32, wherein the sealing component 32 is configured to seal the second channel port 103c. As shown in Figs. 1 A, 1 B, 1 C, and 1 D, the valve block 1 further has a fifth opening 15; the first connecting channel 101 is in communication with the fifth opening 15.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5, the fluid F enters the valve block 1 from the first opening 1 1 and enters the first valve chamber 1 a through the first connecting channel 101 ; under the action of the first valve core assembly 2, the fluid F can selectively become the first fluid flow F1 or the second fluid flow F2.

Specifically, when the first valve core assembly 2 is in an open state and the valve core 31 has closed the valve port 103a, the fluid F cannot pass through the second valve core assembly 3 and can only pass through the first valve core assembly 2, in which case the fluid F is the first fluid flow F1. The first fluid flow F1 having passed through the first valve core assembly 2 enters the first channel portion 1021 of the second connecting channel 102, and then flows to the second opening 12 through the first channel portion 1022 of the second connecting channel 102.

When the first valve core assembly 2 is in a closed state and the valve core 31 has opened the valve port 103a, the fluid F cannot pass through the first valve core assembly 2 and can only enter the second valve chamber 1 b through the bypass channel 100, in which case the fluid F is the second fluid flow F2. Specifically, the second fluid flow F2 in the first valve chamber 1 a enters the bypass channel 100 from the first bypass port 100a, then enters the second valve chamber 1 b from the second bypass port 100b, then enters the third channel portion 1031 of the third connecting channel 103 through the valve port 103a, and then enters the third valve chamber 1 c through the fourth channel portion 1032 of the third connecting channel 103. When the third valve core assembly 4 is in an open state, the second fluid flow F2 in the third valve chamber 1 c can flow into the first channel portion 1021 through the fourth connecting channel 104, and then flow to the second opening 12 through the first channel portion 1022 of the second connecting channel 102.

When the first valve core assembly 2 is in a closed state and the valve core 31 has closed the valve port 103a and/or the third valve core assembly 4 is in a closed state, the fluid F entering the first connecting channel 101 from the first opening 1 1 cannot flow to the second opening 12 through the first valve core assembly 2 and the second valve core assembly 3, but is guided to the fifth opening 15.

While the present invention has been particularly disclosed above as a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art may make possible alterations and modifications thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Any revisions, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiment on the basis of the technical essence of the present invention, without deviating from the technical solution of the present invention, fall within the scope of protection defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1 . Valve assembly for guiding a fluid, comprising: a valve block (1 ) having a first opening (11 ), a second opening (12), and a first valve chamber (1 a); the first valve chamber (1 a) being in communication with the first opening (11 ) and the second opening (12), respectively; a first valve core assembly (2) mounted in the first valve chamber (1 a); characterised in that the valve assembly (900) further comprises a second valve core assembly (3); the valve block (1 ) further has a second valve chamber (1 b); the second valve chamber (1 b) is in communication with the first opening (11 ) and the second opening (12) respectively; the second valve core assembly (3) is mounted in the second valve chamber (1 b).

2. Valve assembly according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the second valve chamber (1 b) is in communication with the first valve chamber (1 a).

3. Valve assembly according to Claim 2, characterised in that the valve block (1 ) further has a bypass channel (100); the bypass channel (100) is in communication with the first valve chamber (1 a) and the second valve chamber (1 b).

4. Valve assembly according to Claim 3, characterised in that the valve block (1 ) further has a first connecting channel (101 ) and a second connecting channel (102); the first connecting channel (101 ) is in communication with the first opening (1 1 ) and the first valve chamber (1 a); the second connecting channel (102) is in communication with the second opening (12) and the first valve chamber (1 a); wherein the second connecting channel (102) has a communicating port (102a) formed on the inner wall of the first valve chamber (1 a); the bypass channel (100) has a first bypass port (100a) formed on the inner wall of the first valve chamber (1 a) and a second bypass port (100b) formed on the inner wall of the second valve chamber (1 b).

5. Valve assembly according to Claim 4, characterised in that the inner wall of the first valve chamber (1 a) comprises a side wall (1 a-1 ) and a bottom wall (1 a-2); the side wall (1 a-1 ) of the first valve chamber (1 a) defines an opening (1 a-3) of the first valve chamber (1 a); the opening (1 a-3) of the first valve chamber (1a) allows the first valve core assembly (2) to enter the first valve chamber (1 a); the communicating port (102a) and the first bypass port (100a) are both located on the bottom wall (1 a-2) of the first valve chamber (1 a).

6. Valve assembly according to Claim 5, characterised in that the second connecting channel (102) has a first channel portion (1021 ) and a second channel portion (1022); the first channel portion (1021 ) has the communicating port (102a), and the second channel portion (1022) has the second opening (12); the first channel portion (1021 ) is parallel to the bypass channel (100).

7. Valve assembly according to Claim 4, characterised in that the second valve chamber (1 b) has a side wall (1 b-1 ) and a bottom wall (1 b-2); the side wall (1 b-1 ) of the second valve chamber (1 b) defines the opening (1 b-3) of the second valve chamber (1 b); the opening (1 b-3) of the second valve chamber (1 b) allows the second valve core assembly (3) to enter the second valve chamber (1 b); the second bypass port (100b) is formed on the side wall (1 b-1 ) of the second valve chamber (1 b).

8. Valve assembly according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the centreline (X-X) of the first valve chamber (1 a) is perpendicular to the centreline (Y-Y) of the second valve chamber (1 b).

9. Valve assembly according to Claim 4, characterised in that the valve assembly (900) further comprises a third valve core assembly (4); the valve block (1 ) further has a third valve chamber (1c); the third valve core assembly (4) is mounted in the third valve chamber (1 c); the second valve chamber (1 b) is in communication with the third valve chamber (1 c), and the third valve chamber (1 c) is in communication with the second opening (12).

10. Valve assembly according to Claim 9, characterised in that the valve block (1 ) further has a third connecting channel (103); the third connecting channel (103) has a valve port (103a) formed on the bottom wall (1 b-2) of the second valve chamber (1 b) and a first channel port (103b) formed on the inner wall of the third valve chamber (1 c); the second valve core assembly (3) comprises a valve core (31 ); the valve core (31 ) is configured to control the opening of the valve port (103a); in the flow direction of the fluid, the second bypass port (100b) is located upstream of the valve port (103a), and the first channel port (103b) is located downstream of the valve port (103a).

11 . Valve assembly according to Claim 10, characterised in that the third connecting channel (103) has a third channel portion (1031 ) and a fourth channel portion (1032); the third channel portion (1031 ) has the valve port (103a), and the fourth channel portion (1032) has the first channel port (103b).

12. Valve assembly according to Claim 10, characterised in that the valve block (1 ) further has a fourth connecting channel (104); the fourth connecting channel (104) is in communication with the third valve chamber (1 c) and the second connecting channel (102).

13. Valve assembly according to Claim 12, characterised in that the valve block (1 ) further has a third opening (13) and a fourth opening (14); a through channel (105) is formed between the third opening (13) and the fourth opening (14).

14. Valve assembly according to Claim 12, characterised in that the valve block (1 ) further has a fifth opening (15); the first connecting channel (101 ) is in communication with the fifth opening (15).

15. Thermal management assembly, characterised in that the thermal management assembly (900) further comprises a valve assembly (900) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.