A liquid-cooled motor and a flow control method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a liquid-cooled motor, comprising: an outer housing which is a first cylindrical body with a hollow interior, and a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet are formed on the cylindrical wall of the first cylindrical body; a cooling housing which is a second cylindrical body with a hollow interior, the second cylindrical body is located inside the first cylindrical body, and a cooling water channel is formed on the outer wall of the second cylindrical body, the cooling water channel extends from a position corresponding to the liquid inlet of the second cylindrical body to a position corresponding to the liquid outlet of the second cylindrical body, and a motor stator is arranged inside the second cylindrical body; a flow rate regulating assembly, including a regulating valve, a temperature sensor and a controller, the regulating valve is used to regulate the flow rate of the coolant entering the motor, and the temperature sensor is used to detect the temperature of the motor stator; the controller controls the flow rate of the coolant entering the motor by regulating the opening degree of the regulating valve according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. The liquid-cooled motor of the present invention can realize self-regulation of the coolant flow rate of the motor, make the temperature rise of the motor uniform, improve the stability, and has a simple structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of liquid-cooled motors, and particularly relates to a method for calculating and controlling the flow rate of a liquid-cooled motor. Background Art

[0002] As the requirements for the application scenarios of motors become more and more stringent, the power density of motors has also been continuously improved, resulting in serious motor heating problems. More motors adopt external cooling methods. For existing liquid-cooled motors, the cooling structure is fixed and its cooling flow rate is fixed. For motors applied in high-precision scenarios such as machine tools, it is required that the motor temperature rise is stable. However, with the fixed existing coolant flow rate, the temperature rise of the motor is relatively low under low load and relatively high under high load, and the resulting thermal deformation seriously affects the performance such as the operating accuracy of the motor.

[0003] Although the solution mentioned in the existing patent CN106374681A can achieve the adjustment of the coolant flow rate of the motor, it requires adding an external electric pump and the linkage control of the motor controller and the electric pump. For most current application scenarios such as machine tools, it is required that the structures of all parts are compact and the external components are reduced as much as possible. This implementation method has obvious disadvantages.

[0004] In view of this, the present invention is specifically proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a liquid-cooled motor and a flow control method that can realize the self-adjustment of the coolant flow rate of the motor, make the motor temperature rise uniform, improve the stability, and have a simple structure.

[0006] To solve the above technical problem, the present invention provides a liquid-cooled motor, including:

[0007] A housing, the housing is a first cylindrical body with a hollow interior, and a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet are provided on the cylindrical wall of the first cylindrical body;

[0008] A cooling housing, the cooling housing is a second cylindrical body with a hollow interior, the second cylindrical body is located inside the first cylindrical body, a cooling water channel is provided on the outer wall of the second cylindrical body, the cooling water channel extends from a position corresponding to the liquid inlet of the second cylindrical body to a position corresponding to the liquid outlet of the second cylindrical body, and a motor stator is provided inside the second cylindrical body;

[0009] A flow rate adjustment component, including a regulating valve, a temperature sensor and a controller. The regulating valve is used to adjust the flow rate of the coolant entering the motor, and the temperature sensor is used to detect the temperature of the motor stator; the controller controls the flow rate of the coolant entering the motor by adjusting the opening of the regulating valve according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

[0010] Further optionally, an installation groove is provided on the outer end surface of the cooling housing close to the liquid inlet of the cooling water channel. The controller is embedded in the installation groove. The regulating valve is arranged at the liquid inlet, and the temperature sensor is located inside the motor stator. One end of the controller close to the outer housing is connected to the regulating valve, and one end close to the motor stator is connected to the temperature sensor.

[0011] Further optionally, the regulating valve includes a valve body and a connecting member connected to the valve body. The valve body is arranged at the liquid inlet through the connecting member.

[0012] A fluid inlet is provided on the valve body. A fluid channel communicating with the fluid inlet is provided in the connecting member. The fluid channel connects the fluid inlet and the liquid inlet of the cooling water channel. A switching member is further provided in the valve body. The controller adjusts the cross-sectional area of the fluid inlet opened by the switching member to regulate the flow rate of the coolant entering the motor.

[0013] Further optionally, an installation through groove is formed on the side wall of the valve body. The installation through groove communicates the fluid inlet with the outside. The switching member is arranged in the installation through groove.

[0014] The switching member includes an electromagnetic coil and a movable magnetic slider arranged in sequence from outside to inside. The electromagnetic coil and the magnetic slider are connected by an elastic member. The electromagnetic coil is connected to the controller. The controller adjusts the magnetic attraction force between the electromagnetic coil and the magnetic slider by controlling the magnitude of the current flowing through the electromagnetic coil. The magnetic slider moves in the direction of approaching / leaving the electromagnetic coil according to the change of the magnetic attraction force to adjust the cross-sectional area of the fluid inlet.

[0015] Further optionally, the connecting member is a connecting screw, and the liquid inlet is provided with a thread matching the connecting screw.

[0016] Further optionally, the flow rate regulating assembly further includes a generator. The generator generates electricity by the kinetic energy provided by the coolant and provides electrical energy for the regulating valve.

[0017] Further optionally, a connection hole is provided at the installation groove and the entrance of the cooling water channel.

[0018] The generator includes a generator body and an impeller. The generator body is located in the installation groove and is integrally arranged with the controller. The impeller is located at a position opposite to the liquid inlet at the entrance of the cooling water channel. A rotating shaft is connected to the impeller. The rotating shaft passes through the connection hole and is connected to the generator main body.

[0019] Further optionally, the cooling water channel extends spirally from a position corresponding to the liquid inlet of the second cylinder to a position corresponding to the liquid outlet of the second cylinder.

[0020] Further optionally, the motor stator includes a stator winding, and the temperature sensor is located within the stator winding.

[0021] The present invention also proposes a flow control method for a liquid-cooled motor, which adjusts the opening degree of the flow valve according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

[0022] Further optionally, when the temperature of the motor stator is greater than a preset temperature, increase the opening degree of the flow valve to increase the flow rate of the coolant until the temperature of the motor stator drops to the preset temperature, and then stop the flow regulation;

[0023] When the temperature of the motor stator is less than the preset temperature, decrease the opening degree of the flow valve to reduce the flow rate of the coolant until the temperature of the motor stator rises to the preset temperature, and then stop the flow regulation.

[0024] Further optionally, when the temperature of the motor stator is greater than a preset temperature, increase the current value flowing through the electromagnetic coil to move the magnetic slider towards the electromagnetic coil until the temperature of the motor stator drops to the preset temperature, and then maintain the current value;

[0025] When the temperature of the motor stator is less than the preset temperature, decrease the current value flowing through the electromagnetic coil to move the magnetic slider away from the electromagnetic coil until the temperature of the motor stator drops to the preset temperature, and then maintain the current value.

[0026] After adopting the above technical solutions, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0027] 1. The liquid-cooled motor of the present invention realizes self-regulation of the coolant flow rate of the motor;

[0028] 2. The liquid-cooled motor of the present invention has uniform temperature rise and improved operation stability;

[0029] 3. The liquid-cooled motor of the present invention improves the operation accuracy of the motor and is applicable to more high-precision application scenarios;

[0030] 4. The liquid-cooled motor of the present invention has a simple structure and does not require an external power source.

[0031] The following further describes in detail the specific embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Description of the Drawings

[0032] The accompanying drawings, as part of the present invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The schematic embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention, but do not unduly limit the present invention. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some embodiments, and those of ordinary skill in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts. In the drawings:

[0033] Figure 1 : is a schematic structural diagram of the liquid-cooled motor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 : is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of;

[0035] Figure 3 : is a schematic structural diagram of the flow rate regulating assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 : is a schematic structural diagram of the regulating valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 5 : is a schematic structural diagram of the cooling housing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 6 : is a schematic structural diagram of the outer housing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 7 : is a control flow chart according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Wherein: 1. Outer housing; 11. Liquid inlet; 12. Liquid outlet; 2. Cooling housing; 21. Cooling water channel; 22. Installation groove; 3. Motor stator; 31. Stator winding; 4. Flow rate regulating assembly; 41. Regulating valve; 42. Power supply box; 43. Temperature sensor; 44. Impeller; 45. Fixing screw; 46. Rotating shaft; 411. Valve body; 412. Connecting piece; 4111. Fluid inlet; 4112. Electromagnetic coil; 4113. Spring; 4114. Magnetic slider; 4115. Installation through groove; 4121. Fluid channel;

[0041] It should be noted that these drawings and text descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept of the present invention in any way, but to illustrate the concept of the present invention to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. Detailed Embodiments

[0042] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0043] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "inner" and "outer" is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0044] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "contacted", "communicated" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0045] This embodiment provides a liquid-cooled motor, as Figures 1-6 shown, which includes a housing 1, a cooling housing 2, a motor stator 3, and a flow rate regulating assembly 4. As Figure 6 shown, the housing 1 is a first cylindrical body with a hollow interior. A liquid inlet 11 and a liquid outlet 12 are provided on the cylindrical wall of the first cylindrical body; as Figure 5 shown, the cooling housing 2 is a second cylindrical body with a hollow interior. The second cylindrical body is located inside the first cylindrical body. A cooling water channel 21 is provided on the outer wall of the second cylindrical body. The cooling water channel 21 extends from the position corresponding to the liquid inlet 11 of the second cylindrical body to the position corresponding to the liquid outlet 12 of the second cylindrical body. A motor stator 3 is provided inside the second cylindrical body; preferably, the cooling water channel 21 extends from the position corresponding to the liquid inlet 11 of the second cylindrical body to the position corresponding to the liquid outlet 12 of the second cylindrical body in a spiral shape. Such a setting can increase the area where the coolant flows through the cooling housing 2, thereby obtaining a better cooling effect. The coolant flows into the water inlet of the cooling water channel 21 through the liquid inlet 11 on the housing 1. The coolant flows along the direction of the cooling water channel 21 on the cooling housing 2 to the water outlet of the channel, and finally flows out of the motor through the liquid outlet 12 of the housing 1. During the process of the coolant flowing in the cooling housing 2, the heat dissipated by the motor stator 3 is carried away, thus playing a role in cooling.

[0046] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the flow rate regulating assembly 4 includes a regulating valve 41, a temperature sensor 43, and a controller. The regulating valve 41 is used to regulate the flow rate of the coolant entering the motor, and the temperature sensor 43 is used to detect the temperature of the motor stator 3; the controller adjusts the opening degree of the regulating valve 41 according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 43 to control the flow rate of the coolant entering the motor. Preferably, the motor stator 3 includes a stator winding 31, and the temperature sensor 43 is located inside the stator winding 31, and the temperature sensor 43 detects the temperature of the stator winding 31.

[0047] Specifically, as Figure 2 shown, an installation groove 22 is provided on the outer end surface of the cooling housing 2 near the liquid inlet of the cooling water channel 21. The controller is embedded in the installation groove 22. The regulating valve 41 is arranged at the liquid inlet 11, and the temperature sensor 43 is located inside the motor stator 3. One end of the controller close to the outer housing 1 is connected to the regulating valve 41, and one end close to the motor stator 3 is connected to the temperature sensor 43. The controller changes the valve size of the regulating valve 41 according to the motor temperature, thereby controlling the flow rate of the motor cooling water until the motor temperature reaches the preset temperature.

[0048] As Figure 3 shown, the regulating valve 41 includes a valve body 411 and a connecting member 412 connected to the valve body 411. The valve body 411 is arranged at the liquid inlet 11 through the connecting member 412. A fluid inlet 4111 is provided on the valve body 411. A fluid channel 4121 communicating with the fluid inlet 4111 is provided in the connecting member 412. The fluid channel 4121 connects the fluid inlet 4111 and the liquid inlet of the cooling water channel 21. A switching member is also provided in the valve body 411. The controller adjusts the flow rate of the coolant entering the motor by controlling the cross-sectional area of the fluid inlet 4111 opened by the switching member. As Figure 4 shown, an installation through groove 4115 is formed on the side wall of the valve body 411. The installation through groove 4115 communicates the fluid inlet 4111 with the outside. The switching member is arranged in the installation through groove 4115. The switching member includes an electromagnetic coil 4112 and a movable magnetic slider 4114 arranged in sequence from outside to inside. The electromagnetic coil 4112 and the magnetic slider 4114 are connected by an elastic member, preferably connected by a spring 4113. The electromagnetic coil 4112 is connected to the controller. The controller adjusts the magnetic attraction force between the electromagnetic coil 4112 and the magnetic slider 4114 by controlling the magnitude of the current flowing through the electromagnetic coil 4112. The magnetic slider 4114 moves in the direction of approaching / leaving the electromagnetic coil 4112 according to the change of the magnetic attraction force to adjust the cross-sectional area of the fluid inlet 4111. The connecting member 412 is a connecting screw. The liquid inlet 11 is provided with a thread matching the connecting screw. The regulating valve 41 is connected to the housing through the thread. After receiving the signal generated by the controller, the regulating valve 41 changes the flow rate of the coolant entering the motor by changing the size of the inlet cross-section.

[0049] After the motor starts running, external coolant enters the motor cooling housing 2 to start cooling the motor. When the motor load is low, the heat generated by the motor is small, while the coolant flow rate is large and its temperature is lower than the preset temperature of the controller. At this time, after receiving the temperature signal, the controller controls the regulating valve 41 to reduce the inlet area, the water flow rate into the motor decreases, and the motor temperature rise increases until it reaches the preset temperature of the controller, and the regulating valve 41 stops flow regulation. On the contrary, when the motor working load suddenly increases and the motor temperature rise increases, the controller controls the regulating valve 41 to increase the flow rate until the motor temperature drops to the preset temperature. This system can achieve self-regulation of the motor temperature without adding external equipment, keep the motor temperature rise constant, so that the motor maintains a stable working state, and the operation accuracy is greatly improved, which has great application value for current high-end application scenarios such as machine tools and aerospace.

[0050] Further optionally, the flow rate regulating assembly 4 further includes a generator, which generates electricity through the kinetic energy provided by the coolant and supplies electrical energy to the regulating valve 41.

[0051] Specifically, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, a connection hole is provided at the inlet of the installation groove 22 and the cooling water channel 21; the generator includes a generator body and an impeller 44. The generator body is located in the installation groove 22 and is integrally arranged with the controller. The impeller 44 is located at a position where the inlet of the cooling water channel 21 faces the liquid inlet 11. A rotating shaft 46 is connected to the impeller 44, and the rotating shaft 46 passes through the connection hole and is connected to the generator main body. As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the controller and the generator body are integrally formed into a power supply box 42. The power supply box 42 is located in the installation groove 22. The power supply box 42 is fixed to the cooling housing 2 by fixing screws 45. The generator rotating shaft 46 is inserted into the cooling water channel 21 through the connection hole, and the generator impeller 44 is installed on the rotating shaft 46 and placed at the inlet of the cooling water channel 21.

[0052] The motor coolant flows into the cooling housing 2 after passing through the flow valve. The kinetic energy and potential energy of the coolant drive the impeller 44 below the inlet of the cooling water channel 21 to rotate, driving the generator to generate electricity, thereby providing a power source for the flow regulating valve 41 and realizing the flow regulation of the motor coolant.

[0053] The present invention also proposes a flow control method for a liquid-cooled motor, which adjusts the opening degree of the flow valve according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 43.

[0054] As Figure 7It is the control flow chart of this embodiment. The temperature sensor 43 detects the temperature of the motor stator 3. The temperature of the motor stator 3 reflects the temperature of the motor. The temperature sensor 43 feeds back the detected motor temperature to the controller. When the temperature of the motor stator 3 is greater than the preset temperature, the opening of the flow valve is increased to increase the flow rate of the coolant until the temperature of the motor stator 3 is reduced to the preset temperature, and the flow regulation is stopped; when the temperature of the motor stator 3 is less than the preset temperature, the opening of the flow valve is reduced to reduce the flow rate of the coolant until the temperature of the motor stator 3 rises to the preset temperature, and the flow regulation is stopped. The generator provides electrical energy for the flow regulation process of the flow valve.

[0055] Further optionally, when the temperature of the motor stator 3 is greater than the preset temperature, the current value flowing through the electromagnetic coil 4112 is increased to make the magnetic slider 4114 move towards the electromagnetic coil 4112 until the temperature of the motor stator 3 is reduced to the preset temperature, and the current value is maintained; when the temperature of the motor stator 3 is less than the preset temperature, the current value flowing through the electromagnetic coil 4112 is reduced to make the magnetic slider 4114 move away from the electromagnetic coil 4112 until the temperature of the motor stator 3 is reduced to the preset temperature, and the current value is maintained.

[0056] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not impose any form of limitation on the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with the preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art of this patent can make some changes or modifications to equivalent embodiments by using the technical content prompted above within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, as long as it does not depart from the content of the technical solution of the present invention, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquid-cooled motor, characterized in that, it includes: A housing body, the housing body is a first cylindrical body with a hollow interior, and a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet are provided on the cylindrical wall of the first cylindrical body; A cooling housing, the cooling housing is a second cylindrical body with a hollow interior, the second cylindrical body is located inside the first cylindrical body, a cooling water channel is provided on the outer wall of the second cylindrical body, and the cooling water channel extends from a position corresponding to the liquid inlet of the second cylindrical body to a position corresponding to the liquid outlet of the second cylindrical body, and a motor stator is provided inside the second cylindrical body; A flow rate adjustment component, including a regulating valve, a temperature sensor and a controller, the regulating valve is used to adjust the flow rate of the coolant entering the motor, and the temperature sensor is used to detect the temperature of the motor stator; the controller adjusts the opening degree of the regulating valve according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor to control the flow rate of the coolant entering the motor; The flow rate adjustment component further includes a generator, the generator generates electricity through the kinetic energy provided by the coolant and provides electrical energy for the regulating valve; An installation groove is provided on the outer end surface of the cooling housing close to the liquid inlet of the cooling water channel, and a connection hole is provided between the installation groove and the inlet of the cooling water channel; the generator includes a generator body and an impeller, the generator body is located in the installation groove and is integrally arranged with the controller, the impeller is located at a position where the inlet of the cooling water channel faces the liquid inlet, a rotating shaft is connected to the impeller, and the rotating shaft passes through the connection hole and is connected to the generator main body.

2. A liquid-cooled motor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is embedded in the installation groove, the regulating valve is arranged at the liquid inlet, and the temperature sensor is located inside the motor stator; one end of the controller close to the housing body is connected to the regulating valve, and one end close to the motor stator is connected to the temperature sensor.

3. A liquid-cooled motor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The regulating valve includes a valve body and a connecting piece connected to the valve body, and the valve body is arranged at the liquid inlet through the connecting piece; A fluid inlet is provided on the valve body, a fluid channel communicating with the fluid inlet is provided in the connecting piece, and the fluid channel communicates the fluid inlet and the liquid inlet of the cooling water channel; a switching member is further provided in the valve body, and the controller adjusts the flow rate of the coolant entering the motor by controlling the size of the cross-sectional area of the fluid inlet opened by the switching member.

4. A liquid-cooled motor according to claim 3, characterized in that, An installation through groove is provided on the side wall of the valve body, the installation through groove communicates the fluid inlet with the outside, and the switching member is arranged in the installation through groove; The switch component includes an electromagnetic coil and a movable magnetic slider arranged in sequence from outside to inside. The electromagnetic coil and the magnetic slider are connected by an elastic member. The electromagnetic coil is connected to the controller, and the controller adjusts the magnetic attraction force between the electromagnetic coil and the magnetic slider by controlling the magnitude of the current flowing through the electromagnetic coil. The magnetic slider moves in the direction of approaching / away from the electromagnetic coil according to the change of the magnetic attraction force to adjust the cross-sectional area of the fluid inlet.

5. A liquid-cooled motor according to claim 3, wherein, the connecting member is a connecting screw, and the liquid inlet is provided with a thread matching the connecting screw.

6. A liquid-cooled motor according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, the cooling water channel extends spirally from the position corresponding to the second cylinder body and the liquid inlet to the position corresponding to the second cylinder body and the liquid outlet.

7. A liquid-cooled motor according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, the motor stator includes a stator winding, and the temperature sensor is located inside the stator winding.

8. A flow control method for a liquid-cooled motor according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, the opening degree of the regulating valve is adjusted according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

9. A flow control method for a liquid-cooled motor according to claim 8, wherein, when the temperature of the motor stator is greater than the preset temperature, the opening degree of the regulating valve is increased to increase the flow rate of the coolant until the temperature of the motor stator is reduced to the preset temperature, and the flow rate adjustment is stopped; when the temperature of the motor stator is less than the preset temperature, the opening degree of the regulating valve is reduced to reduce the flow rate of the coolant until the temperature of the motor stator rises to the preset temperature, and the flow rate adjustment is stopped.

10. A flow control method applied to the liquid-cooled motor according to claim 4, wherein, when the temperature of the motor stator is greater than the preset temperature, the current value flowing through the electromagnetic coil is increased to make the magnetic slider move in the direction of approaching the electromagnetic coil until the temperature of the motor stator is reduced to the preset temperature, and the current value is maintained; when the temperature of the motor stator is less than the preset temperature, the current value flowing through the electromagnetic coil is reduced to make the magnetic slider move in the direction of away from the electromagnetic coil until the temperature of the motor stator rises to the preset temperature, and the current value is maintained.

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