Patent Application
20250198647
The present invention relates to a manifold for a fluid, e.g. refrigerant, serving as or supporting a distribution device of a thermal management system.
The development of electric vehicles has brought new issues to the automotive field, in particular in view of the limited autonomy of the electric battery as well as the limited space that can be dedicated to the thermal management system. For these reasons, compact thermal management systems become increasingly desired. Another driving factor is limitation of costs of virtually every subcomponent of a vehicle.
A thermal management system, i.e. heat exchange loop, can comprise a heat ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) condenser, an evaporator-condenser, an HVAC evaporator, a chiller, an accumulator/IHX (Internal Heat Exchanger), and a compressor.
A discrete connection module can serve as attachment point for several elements of the heat exchange loop. The connection module can be used to convey a liquid, for example a cooling liquid, e.g. including water, a refrigerant, or both in a separated arrangement. The liquid/fluid can be conveyed by inner channels of the connection module. The inner channels can be bores within the body of the connection module, and contained between external planar surfaces of the connection module.
An object of the invention is a connection module for a fluid, comprising: a body with a first opening and a second opening connected to each other by a channel so that the fluid can flow between the first opening and the second opening through the channel; a first valve placed inside the channel to control the flow of the fluid, the first opening being configured to receive the first valve; wherein the connection module further comprises a fixing element at the first opening configured to be introduced through the first opening and immobilize the first valve, wherein the fixing element is configured to enable flow of the fluid there through.
In one example, the channel includes a first section with a first diameter and a second section with a second diameter, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter, the channel including a step in-between the first section and the second section arranged so that the first valve rests at an end of the first section adjacent to the step and an end of the second section.
In one example, the fixing element is brazed to the body.
In one example, the first valve is a check valve.
In one example, the fixing element is a connection block configured to receive an air conditioning line.
In one example, the connection block includes a block collar inserted through the first opening into the channel so that the block collar immobilizes the first valve.
In one example, the fixing element is a tube attached at the first opening so that the fluid can flow between the tube and the second opening.
In one example, the tube includes a tube collar adjacent to the body.
In one example, the channel has a first arm and a second arm arranged at an angle to the first arm.
In one example, the angle is between 15 and 165 degrees.
In one example, the angle is 90 degrees.
The present invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:
The connection module 1 is intended for handling a fluid. The fluid can be for example a refrigerant (e.g. R744, 1234f, R134a) or a coolant (e.g. a water-glycol mixture). The connection module 1 includes a body 2.
In general, the connection module 1 can be made of metal, plastic or a combination of both. The connection module 1 can be a machined metal block. The connection module 1 can be made of several parts connected together, e.g. brazed, welded, glued and/or screwed, with adequate sealing.
The connection module 1 can have a plurality of external planar surfaces.
Preferably, there are at least three, main external planar surfaces perpendicular to each other. The external planar surfaces can serve as surfaces to which elements can connect directly.
The external planar surfaces can serve as surfaces to which at least one of the following elements connects directly, or substantially directly: a valve, a pump, a compressor, a fluid handling component, another manifold, a connector, a sensor, an accumulator, a receiver drier, a liquid reservoir, a heat exchanger, a plate heat exchanger, a, air-liquid heat exchanger, a chiller, a condenser, a radiator, a liquid-cooled condenser, an internal heat exchanger, a heater, an electric heater, another manifold, a motor, a socket, a bracket.
The connection module 1 can have fluid openings, e.g. inlets and outlets connecting the inner channels.
Inlets, outlets and inner channels can be formed on different levels. The inner channels can transition between the levels. By levels, it can be meant a substantially constant distance measured in relation to a selected external planar surface.
The connection module 1 can have mounting openings, e.g. screw holes or positioning holes.
In addition to elements that communicate with each other fluidically through inner channels of the connection module 1, other elements that do not operate directly with the fluid/fluids can also be attached to the manifold.
The elements can be attached to the connection module 1, for example, by means of: a screw connection, a welding connection, a brazing connection, adhesive.
The body 2 includes a first opening 3 and a second opening 4. The first opening 3 and the second opening 4 are connected to each other by a channel 5. The channel 5 is arranged so that the fluid can flow between the first opening 3 and the second opening 4 through the channel 5.
The body 2 further includes a first valve 6. The first valve 6 is placed inside the channel 5 in order to control the flow of the fluid. The first valve 6 can be a check valve. The first valve 6 can also be a shut-off valve, pressure-regulating valve or expansion valve. The first valve 6 is placed in the channel 5 so that the fluid can pass through the first valve 6.
The first opening 3 is configured to receive the first valve 6 so that it can be placed within the channel 5. In other words, the first opening 3 is adapted to receive the first valve 6 with an access to the channel 5, so that the first valve 6 can cooperate with the channel 5, and in particular with the fluid passing through the channel 5. For example, the first valve 6 can be occupying the whole section of the channel 5 to be able to fully control the behavior of the fluid.
The connection module 1 further includes a fixing element 10. The fixing element 10 is configured to be introduced through the first opening 3 towards the first valve 6 and subsequently immobilize the first valve 6. This means that the first valve 6 can be immobilized by an element that is easy to remove after assembly. Such configuration is advantageous for example, if servicing of the connection module 1 or of the first valve 6 is needed. For example, the first valve 6 can need maintenance or replacement.
In one example, the channel 5 includes a first section 22. The first section 22 has a first diameter D1. The channel 5 also includes a second section 23 with a second diameter D2. The second diameter D2 is adapted to allow the first valve 6 reception. For example, the second diameter D2 can correspond to dimensions of the first valve 6. For example, the first valve 6 can have a cylindrical shape defined by a diameter, with the second diameter D2 corresponding to diameter of the first valve 6. The first section 22 is adjacent to the second section 23. The first diameter DI can be smaller than the second diameter D2. Further, the channel 5 can include a step 24 in-between the first section 22 and the second section 23. The step 24 can be produced by a difference between adjacent first diameter D1 and second diameter D2. In one example, there is no transition between the first diameter D1 and the diameter D2, in particular no gradual transition. Thus, step 24 can be provided. The step 24 can be arranged so that the first valve 6 rests at an end of the first section 22 adjacent to the step 24 and an end of the second section 23. In other words, the channel 5 is shaped so that at a defined point the first valve 6 is unable to be introduced further thereinto and its position can be fixed.
As shown in the figures, the fixing element 10 is configured to enable flow of the fluid there through. In other words, even though the fixing element 10 immobilizes the first valve 6, it still enables the fluid to flow through the channel 5 that it occupies.
The fixing element 10 can include a first aperture 26, a second aperture 27 and an inner channel 25 connecting the first aperture 26 and the second aperture 27 so that the fluid can flow therebetween. The second aperture 27 can be facing the first valve 6. The first aperture 26 can be facing away from the connection module 1 and serve as a connection point for any external fluid sources or receivers.
In one example, the fixing element 10 can be brazed to the body 2. In one example, not shown here, the fixing element 10 can be attached mechanically to the body 2, for example using a screw connection. It can also be connected using an adhesive.
In one example, the fixing element 10 can be a connection block 17 configured to receive an air conditioning line 18. The connection block 17 can include a block collar 21 inserted through the first opening 3 into the channel 5 so that the block collar 21 immobilizes the first valve 6. The block collar 21 can be a hallow member, through which the fluid can flow. The block collar 21 can be a tubular element. The block collar 21 can also be a frame element. The function of the block collar 21 is to provide a physical blocking action between components, in this case the first valve 6 and the fixing element 10, while still enabling the fluid to travel.
In one example, the fixing element 10 can be a tube 19 attached at the first opening 3 so that the fluid can flow between the tube 19 and the second opening 4.
The channel 5 can have a first arm 8 and a second arm 9. The second arm 9 is arranged at an angle to the first arm 8. In other words, the second arm 9 is arranged in a non-parallel relationship with respect to the first arm 8.
As mentioned above, the second arm 9 is arranged at an angle to the first arm 8. In one example, the angle can be between 15 and 165 degrees. In a further, more specific example, the angle can be 90 degrees. In other words, the second arm 9 can be arranged perpendicularly with respect to the first arm 8. The tube 19 can include a tube collar 20 adjacent to the body 2.
In one example, the fixing element 10 can be a second valve (not shown). For example, the second valve can be introduced, for instance partly, into the first opening 3 and fixed with respect to the connection module 1 so that the second valve 11 immobilize the first valve 6.
Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to the advantage.
