Introduction to Key Components in the Thermal Management Industry

Component Names: Eight-way valve, thermal management integrated module (Figure 1), multi-way water valve

Primary Function: Controls the flow direction of refrigerants or coolants through complex valves and integrated modules, enabling the system to switch between various operating modes.

Application Area: New Energy Vehicle Thermal Management Systems

                                             Figure 1: Thermal Management Integrated Module

Component Names: Heat exchanger (Figure 2), plate heat exchanger, liquid cooling plate

Primary Function: Facilitates heat exchange between different media (e.g., refrigerant-coolant, coolant-air).

Application Areas: New Energy Vehicles, Traction Batteries

                                                           Figure 2: Heat Exchanger

Component Names: Electric water pump (Figure 3), compressor, liquid circulation pump

Primary Function: Provides the driving force for the circulation of refrigerants or coolants; serves as the "heart" of the thermal management system.

Application Areas: New Energy Vehicles, Traction Batteries

                                                                Figure 3: Electric Water Pump

Component Names: Electronic expansion valve (Figure 4), electronically controlled actuator, semiconductor heating/cooling element

Primary Function: Precisely controls flow rate and pressure by adjusting valve opening, or directly provides heating/cooling through the thermoelectric effect.

Application Areas: New Energy Vehicles, Traction Batteries, Precision Instruments

                                                                  Figure 4: Electronic Expansion Valve

Component Names: Pyrolytic graphite sheet (Figure 5), thermal gap filler, phase change material, heat pipe

Primary Function: Fills the space between heat-generating components and heat sinks to establish an efficient heat conduction path and reduce thermal interface resistance.

Application Areas: Consumer Electronics, Communication Equipment, Traction Batteries

                                                                    Figure 5: Pyrolytic Graphite Sheet

Component Names: Radiator, liquid cold plate (Figure 6), fan, vacuum insulation panel

Primary Function: Dissipates heat into the surrounding environment or prevents heat transfer to areas that should not be heated.

Application Areas: Various Electronic Devices, New Energy Vehicles

                                                                          Figure 6: Liquid Cold Plate

Component Names: Coolant resin tube, quick connector (Figure 7), harness assembly

Primary Function: Forms the channels for the cooling circuit and enables connection between various components.

Application Area: New Energy Vehicle Liquid Cooling Systems

                                                                           Figure 7: Quick Connector

The trend involves consolidating multiple components (such as pumps, valves, and sensors) into a compact thermal management integrated module. This approach reduces piping connections, saves space, and enhances system responsiveness. It represents a clear direction for the new energy vehicle sector.

Through core components like the eight-way valve, systems can flexibly switch between over 15 operating modes. This allows for intelligent utilization of waste heat from the battery and electric motor for cabin heating, or cooling the battery when required, significantly improving energy efficiency and extending vehicle range.

To address the heat dissipation challenges arising from increasing equipment power density, new thermal interface materials are continuously being developed.

Technologies originally developed for other fields are being adopted in thermal management. For instance, semiconductor cooling modules (thermoelectric modules), owing to their lack of moving parts and precise temperature control capabilities (achieving tolerances as fine as ±0.05°C), are finding applications in high-end areas such as in-vehicle LiDAR and battery temperature control. Furthermore, technologies like ultra-thin heat pipes and loop heat pipes are being utilized to solve heat dissipation issues for devices ranging from mobile phones to high-power lasers, spanning various sizes.