A water pump, thermal management system, and vehicle

Abstract

This application relates to a water pump, a thermal management system, and a vehicle. The water pump includes a housing, a stator, a rotor, and a magnetic conductor. The stator is disposed within and connected to the housing. The rotor is disposed within the housing and is positioned on one side of the stator along its axial direction. The magnetic conductor is positioned on the other side of the stator along its axial direction, and the magnetic conductor and housing are integrally formed. In this application, the housing and magnetic conductor are integrally formed, eliminating the need for separate assembly of the magnetic conductor during assembly, thus simplifying the water pump assembly process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of water pump technology, and in particular to a water pump, a thermal management system, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Current water pumps use axial flux motors. In axial flux motors, the air gap is planar, and the direction of the air gap magnetic field is parallel to the axis. The core technological advantage of axial flux motors lies in the fact that the rotor is located on the side of the stator, rather than inside the stator.

[0003] For water pumps using a single-rotor axial flux motor, a separate magnetic conductor needs to be installed on the stator side facing away from the rotor to form a closed magnetic flux loop. This separate installation of the magnetic conductor increases the complexity of the assembly process. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a water pump, a thermal management system, and a vehicle, simplifying the assembly process.

[0005] On one hand, this application provides a water pump, which includes a housing, a stator, a rotor, and a magnetic conductor. The stator is disposed within the housing and connected to the housing. The rotor is disposed within the housing and is positioned on one side of the stator along its axial direction. The magnetic conductor is positioned on the other side of the stator along its axial direction, and the magnetic conductor and the housing are integrally formed.

[0006] In one embodiment of this application, the magnetic permeability of the housing is less than that of the magnetic conductor, and the magnetic conductor is at least partially embedded in the housing.

[0007] In one embodiment of this application, the water pump further includes a stator, with a magnetic conductor disposed on the inner side of the end of the housing, and the magnetic conductor abutting against the stator in the axial direction.

[0008] In one embodiment of this application, the magnetic conductor includes a main body and a limiting part. The limiting part is connected to the first radial outer edge of the main body and is embedded in the housing. The surface of the main body facing the stator is flush with the inner wall surface of the housing.

[0009] In one embodiment of this application, the limiting part includes a first sub-part and a second sub-part. The first sub-part is disposed on the radially outer side of the main body and on the side of the main body that is axially opposite to the stator. The second sub-part is connected to the first sub-part and the main body, respectively.

[0010] In one embodiment of this application, the first radial outer edge of the magnetic conductor protrudes beyond the second radial outer edge of the rotor in the radial direction, or the first radial outer edge of the magnetic conductor is flush with the second radial outer edge of the rotor.

[0011] In one embodiment of this application, the water pump further includes a rotating component disposed within the housing, the rotating component rotatably connecting the rotor and the housing, one end of the rotating component abutting against a magnetic conductor in the axial direction, and the other end connected to the rotor.

[0012] In one embodiment of this application, the housing includes a casing and a volute, the casing and the volute are connected to form a cavity, and a groove is provided at the connection point. The groove communicates with the cavity, and one end of the stator extends into the groove in the radial direction.

[0013] On the other hand, this application also provides a thermal management system, which includes the water pump described above.

[0014] Furthermore, this application also provides a vehicle that includes the aforementioned thermal management system.

[0015] The technical solution described in this application has the following advantages over the prior art:

[0016] In this application, the rotor is disposed on one side of the stator along the axial direction of the stator, and the magnetic conductor is disposed on the other side of the stator along the axial direction of the stator. The magnetic conductor and the rotor cooperate to form a closed magnetic flux circuit. The housing and the magnetic conductor are an integral structure, so the magnetic conductor does not need to be assembled separately during assembly, which simplifies the assembly steps of the water pump. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a water pump according to an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The exploded 3D view of the water pump shown.

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the water pump shown.

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the casing of the water pump shown.

[0022] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional sectional view of a portion of the casing of the water pump shown;

[0023] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of the magnetic conductor in the water pump shown.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the accompanying drawings: 110-Housing; 111-Casing; 112-Vortex; 113-End; 114-Blocking part; 120-Magnetic conductor; 121-Main body; 122-Limiting part; 123-First sub-part; 124-Second sub-part; 125-First radial outer edge; 130-Blocking member; 140-Cavity; 150-Groove; 160-Pumping chamber; 161-Liquid inlet; 20-Stator; 30-Rotor; 310-Magnetic conductor; 320-Magnet; 330-Second radial outer edge; 40-Rotating member; 50-Fixed shaft; 60-Impeller; 710-First seal; 720-Second seal; 80-Gasket; 90-Terminal; D1-Axial; D2-Radial; L-Rotation axis. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] In related technologies, a PCB stator water pump includes a casing, an impeller, a rotor, and a PCB stator. Rotors are arranged on both sides of the PCB stator in the axial direction. Each rotor includes a magnetic conductor and a magnet. In each rotor, the magnet is positioned axially towards the stator side of the magnetic conductor. The magnetic conductors in the two rotors guide the magnetic field to form a closed magnetic flux loop.

[0027] In some applications, it is necessary to remove the rotor from one side of the PCB stator, changing the single-stator dual-rotor structure to a single-stator single-rotor structure. To ensure the formation of a closed magnetic flux loop, the magnetic conductor in the removed rotor must be retained. During assembly, this magnetic conductor needs to be assembled separately.

[0028] In the following embodiments of this application, a water pump is provided, which adopts a single stator and single rotor structure, simplifying the assembly steps while ensuring that a closed magnetic flux loop can be formed.

[0029] Please see Figures 1 to 4 . Figure 1 and Figure 2 These are a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram and a three-dimensional exploded view of a water pump according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a water pump. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the housing 110.

[0030] The water pump includes a housing 110, a stator 20, a rotor 30, and a magnetic conductor 120. The stator 20 is disposed within and connected to the housing 110. The rotor 30 is disposed within the housing 110 and is positioned on one side of the stator 20 along the axial direction D1. The magnetic conductor 120 is positioned on the other side of the stator 20 along the axial direction D1, and the magnetic conductor 120 and the housing 110 are integrally formed.

[0031] Specifically, the stator 20 is fixedly disposed relative to the housing 110. In some embodiments, the stator 20 is a PCB stator. A PCB stator is a motor component with specific electromagnetic properties formed by printing the windings of the motor stator onto an insulating substrate using a printed circuit board manufacturing process, and assembling it together with other related components to realize the conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy. The stator 20 is not limited to a PCB stator; other stators suitable for water pumps may be used.

[0032] Specifically, the rotor 30 is rotatably disposed relative to the housing 110 about the rotation axis L. In some embodiments, the rotor 30 includes a magnetic conductor 310 and a magnet 320. The magnetic conductor 310 is annular. The magnet 320 is fixedly disposed on the magnetic conductor 310. In some embodiments, the magnet 320 is bonded to the magnetic conductor 310.

[0033] Specifically, along the axial direction D1 of the rotor 30, the magnetic conductor 120 and the rotor 30 are located on opposite sides of the stator 20. The magnetic conductor 120 guides the magnetic field on the side of the stator 20 away from the rotor 30, thereby forming a closed magnetic flux loop. In the embodiments of this application, the rotor 30 and the stator 20 are coaxially arranged, and their axial and radial directions are the same.

[0034] Specifically, "integrated structure" and "split structure" are two contrasting concepts. An "integrated structure" refers to an object that is a continuous, indivisible whole, without obvious assembly interfaces or detachable parts. Its components are tightly connected, forming a unified structure. A "split structure," on the other hand, refers to an object composed of multiple independent parts, assembled together using specific connection methods (such as bolts, nuts, tenons, etc.) to form a complete object. Each component can be an independent entity before assembly, possessing a relatively independent shape and function.

[0035] Specifically, the housing 110 and the magnetic conductor 12 can be manufactured using a one-piece molding process, which means that the various parts of the product are manufactured into one piece through a single process. See below for details.

[0036] Before assembling the water pump, the magnetic conductor 120 and the housing 110 are already an integral structure. Therefore, when assembling the water pump, there is no need to separately assemble the magnetic conductor 120, simplifying the assembly process. Furthermore, the integral structure of the housing 110 and the magnetic conductor 120 reduces the impact of installation gaps on magnetic properties, ensuring the overall stability of the water pump's performance.

[0037] In some embodiments, the magnetic permeability of the housing 110 is less than that of the magnetic conductor 120, and the magnetic conductor 120 is at least partially embedded in the housing 110. In some embodiments, the housing 110 and the magnetic conductor 120 are integrally molded using an insert molding method. Insert molding: Utilizing a special mold design, the insert is accurately positioned in the mold cavity, and then molten plastic or other molding material is injected. After the material cools and solidifies in the mold, it firmly bonds with the insert to form a complete product. In one application scenario, the housing 110 may not be magnetic. For example, the housing 110 may be made of plastic, and the magnetic conductor 120 may be made of silicon steel. During manufacturing, the housing 110 and the magnetic conductor 120 are integrally molded. During the insert molding process, the molten resin fully contacts and fuses with the insert surface. After cooling and solidification, the resin tightly wraps around the insert, forming a strong bond between them. This bond is not a simple physical splicing, but rather a tight connection achieved through intermolecular forces, making the product appear as a whole in appearance and structure, without obvious gaps or separation interfaces.

[0038] This design allows the housing 110 and the magnetic conductor 120 to be made of different materials. Compared to the housing 110 being made of a magnetic material with the same permeability as the magnetic conductor 120, this design can reduce costs.

[0039] The integral molding is not limited to the insert molding described above, but can also be other molding methods. For example, in some embodiments, the housing 110 and the magnetic conductor 120 are made of the same magnetic material and are formed by casting or machining. In this embodiment, the housing 110 and the magnetic conductor 120 do not have a clear outline boundary, and the magnetic conductor 120 can be regarded as part of the housing 110. In other embodiments, the housing 110 and the magnetic conductor 120 are welded together. Welding is a processing method that uses heating, pressure, or both to achieve atomic bonding of the welded parts. After welding, the two components form a strong metallurgical bond at the weld joint, with atoms diffusing and fusing with each other. The connection is very tight, and from a macroscopic perspective, they become a continuous whole without obvious gaps or separation interfaces, possessing the characteristics of an integral structure.

[0040] Please continue reading. Figure 3 In some embodiments, the magnetic conductor 120 is disposed on the inner side of the end 113 of the housing 110, and the magnetic conductor 120 abuts against the stator 20 in the axial direction D1.

[0041] Specifically, the surface of the magnetic conductor 120 facing the stator 20 in the axial direction D1 is exposed outside the housing 110, and the remaining portion of the magnetic conductor 120 is embedded in the housing 110. The surface of the magnetic conductor 120 exposed outside the housing 110 abuts against the stator 20 in the axial direction D1. Specifically, the surface of the magnetic conductor 120 exposed outside the housing 110 lies in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction D1.

[0042] The magnetic conductor 120 and the stator 20 abut against each other in the axial direction D1, which can effectively reduce the gap between them in the axial direction D1 and make the magnetic field distribution more concentrated.

[0043] Please see Figures 4 to 6 . Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the housing 110 of the water pump. Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional sectional view of a portion of the casing 110 in the water pump shown. Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the magnetic conductor 120 in the water pump shown.

[0044] In some embodiments, the magnetic conductor 120 includes a main body 121 and a limiting portion 122. The surface of the main body 121 facing the stator 20 is flush with the inner wall surface of the housing 110. The limiting portion 122 is connected to the first radial outer edge 125 of the main body 121 and is located on the side of the main body 121 opposite to the stator 20 in the axial direction D1. The limiting portion 122 is embedded in the housing 110.

[0045] The main body 121 abuts against the stator 20 in the axial direction D1. The main body 121 guides the magnetic field, thereby forming a closed magnetic flux loop. The limiting part 122 is embedded in the housing 110, which enables the magnetic conductor 120 to maintain sufficient connection strength with the housing 110.

[0046] In some embodiments, the limiting portion 122 includes a first sub-portion 123 and a second sub-portion 124. The first sub-portion 123 is disposed radially outward of the main body portion 121 and located on the side of the main body portion 121 opposite to the stator 20 in the axial direction D1. The second sub-portion 124 is connected to both the first sub-portion 123 and the main body portion 121.

[0047] Specifically, the second sub-part 124 is connected to the first radially outer edge 125 of the main body 121 and extends away from the main body 121 along the axial direction D1. The first sub-part 123 is connected to the extended end of the second sub-part 124 and extends outward along the radial direction D2. Further, both the first sub-part 123 and the second sub-part 124 are annular. In a manufacturing scenario, the magnetic conductor 120 is formed by stamping sheet metal.

[0048] Since the limiting part 122 is embedded in the housing 110, the portion of the housing 110 corresponding to the first sub-part 123 is named the blocking part 114. The blocking part 114 is located on the side of the first sub-part 123 facing the stator 20 in the axial direction D1. In this embodiment, the blocking part 114 can prevent the first sub-part 123 from detaching from the housing 110 in the axial direction D1.

[0049] Please see Figure 3 In some embodiments, on the radial direction D2 of the rotor 30, the first radial outer edge 125 of the magnetic conductor 120 protrudes beyond the second radial outer edge 330 of the rotor 30, or the first radial outer edge 125 of the magnetic conductor 120 is flush with the second radial outer edge 330 of the rotor 30.

[0050] With axial direction D1 as the projection direction, the projection of the second radial outer edge 330 of the rotor 30 lies within the projection of the first radial outer edge 125 of the magnetic conductor 120, or the projection of the second radial outer edge 330 of the rotor 30 coincides with the projection of the first radial outer edge 125 of the magnetic conductor 120. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the magnetic conductor 120 is generally annular, and the rotor 30 is generally annular. In the radial direction D2, the radial outer edge of the magnetic conductor 310 is flush with the radial outer edge of the magnet 320. The second radial outer edge 330 can be either the radial outer edge of the magnetic conductor 310 or the radial outer edge of the magnet 320.

[0051] This configuration minimizes magnetic leakage on the side of the stator 20 away from the rotor 30.

[0052] Please see Figure 3 In some embodiments, the water pump further includes a rotating member 40 disposed within the housing 110. The rotating member 40 rotatably connects the rotor 30 and the housing 110, with one end of the rotating member 40 abutting against the magnetic conductor 120 in the axial direction D1, and the other end connected to the rotor 30.

[0053] Specifically, the rotating member 40 has a first end and a second end in the axial direction D1. The first end abuts against the magnetic conductor 120 in the axial direction D1, and the second end abuts against the washer 80 in the axial direction D1. The washer 80 is sleeved outside the fixed shaft 50 and is sandwiched between the rotating member 40 and the housing 110 in the axial direction D1.

[0054] Specifically, the rotating element 40 is configured such that the rotor 30 can rotate relative to the housing 110 about the rotation axis L. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotating element 40 is a graphite bearing, which is sleeved on the fixed shaft 50. In some embodiments, the graphite bearing and the impeller 60 are an integral structure. The graphite bearing can rotate about the fixed shaft 50, thereby allowing the impeller 60 and the rotor 30 to rotate relative to the housing 110. In other embodiments, the rotating element 40 may also be in other forms such as a thrust bearing.

[0055] This configuration allows the rotor 30 to use the magnetic conductor 120 as the positioning reference for the axial direction D1. With the stator 20 using the magnetic conductor 120 as the positioning reference for the axial direction D1, it is beneficial to maintain the stability of the gap between the rotor 30 and the stator 20 in the axial direction D1.

[0056] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the housing 110 includes a housing 111 and a volute 112. The housing 111 and the volute 112 are connected to form a cavity 140, and a groove 150 is provided at the connection point. The groove 150 communicates with the cavity 140, and one radial end of the stator 20 extends into the groove 150. A magnetic conductor 120 is disposed on the housing 111.

[0057] Specifically, housing 111 and volute 112 together define cavity 140. At the connection between housing 111 and volute 112, a first seal 710 is sandwiched between housing 111 and volute 112.

[0058] Specifically, the housing 111 and the volute 112 together define the groove 150. The portion of the stator 20 located within the groove 150 is sandwiched between the housing 111 and the volute 112.

[0059] The water pump also includes a conductive terminal 90. The terminal 90 is integrally formed into the housing 111. The terminal 90 is electrically connected to a portion of the stator 20 located within the recess 150. To seal the electrical connection, the water pump also includes a second seal 720. One second seal 720 surrounds the terminal 90 and is sandwiched between the housing 111 and the stator 20. Another second seal 720 surrounds the terminal 90 and is sandwiched between the volute 112 and the stator 20.

[0060] In this embodiment, during the process of assembling the housing 111 and the volute 112 to form the housing 110, the stator 20 is simultaneously assembled to the housing 110, which can save the step of assembling the stator 20 separately.

[0061] Please see Figures 1 to 4 In some embodiments, the water pump further includes a baffle 130, a fixed shaft 50, and an impeller 60.

[0062] A baffle 130 is housed within a cavity 140 and connected to a housing 110. The baffle 130 is generally annular, defining one end of the cavity 140 along the axial direction D1 as a pumping chamber 160. The housing 110 also has an inlet 161 and an outlet (not shown in the figure) communicating with the pumping chamber 160. Specifically, the baffle 130 is fixedly connected to a volute 112. The pumping chamber 160 is formed between the baffle 130 and the volute 112. The inlet 161 and the outlet are respectively located on the volute 112.

[0063] The fixed shaft 50 extends axially along D1. Both ends of the fixed shaft 50 are fixed to the housing 110, with the remainder located in the cavity 140. Specifically, one end of the fixed shaft 50 is integrally formed with the housing 111, and the other end is inserted into the volute housing 112. The stator 20 is sleeved around the fixed shaft 50.

[0064] The impeller 60 is rotatably disposed within the cavity 140 around the rotation axis L. Specifically, the impeller 60 is sleeved outside the fixed shaft 50. The baffle 130 is sleeved outside the impeller 60. A portion of the impeller 60 is housed in the pumping chamber 160. When the impeller 60 rotates, it drives the fluid to flow from the inlet 161 to the outlet.

[0065] A rotor 30 is mounted on an impeller 60, which is connected to a rotating member 40. The rotating member 40 is configured such that the rotor 30 and the impeller 60 can rotate relative to the housing 110. In some embodiments, a magnetic conductor 310 in the rotor 30 is annularly disposed on the impeller 60 and integrally formed with the impeller 60. When the rotor 30 rotates, it drives the impeller 60 to rotate.

[0066] Please see Figure 3 In one application scenario, the water pump includes a housing 110, a fixed shaft 50, an impeller 60, a gasket 80, a rotating component 40, a stator 20, and a rotor 30. The housing 110 includes a casing 111, a volute 112, and a magnetic conductor 120. The casing 111, the magnetic conductor 120, and the fixed shaft 50 are integrally formed. The rotor 30 includes a magnetic conductor 310 and a magnet 320. The magnetic conductor 310, the impeller 60, and the rotating component 40 are integrally formed. The magnet 320 is bonded to the magnetic conductor 310.

[0067] The assembly process is as follows: a first component is provided, which includes a housing 111, a magnetic conductor 120, and a fixed shaft 50 that are integrally formed; a second component is provided, which includes a rotor 30, an impeller 60, and a rotating component 40 that are integrally formed; a shim 80 and a stator 20 are provided; the stator 20 is fitted onto the fixed shaft 50; the second component is fitted onto the fixed shaft 50; the shim 80 is fitted onto the fixed shaft 50; and the volute 112 is connected to the housing 111.

[0068] On the other hand, this application also provides a thermal management system, which includes multiple cooling branches, such as a battery cooling circuit and an electric drive system cooling circuit, as well as a water pump as described in the foregoing embodiment. Each cooling circuit of the thermal management system is connected to the water pump. In use, the heat exchange medium is circulated in these cooling branches by the water pump. Since the thermal management system includes all the technical features of the aforementioned water pump, it also has all the technical effects of the water pump, which will not be elaborated here.

[0069] Furthermore, this application also provides a vehicle that includes the aforementioned thermal management system.

[0070] Note that the above are merely preferred embodiments and the technical principles employed in this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, although this application has been described in detail through the above embodiments, this application is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of this application, the scope of which is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A water pump, characterized in that, The water pump includes: Shell (110); Stator (20), the stator (20) is disposed inside the housing (110) and connected to the housing (110); Rotor (30), the rotor (30) is disposed inside the housing (110), the rotor (30) is disposed on one side of the stator (20) along the axial direction (D1) of the stator (20); A magnetic conductor (120) is disposed on the other side of the stator (20) along the axial direction (D1) of the stator (20), and the magnetic conductor (120) and the housing (110) are an integral structure.

2. The water pump according to claim 1, characterized in that, The permeability of the housing (110) is less than that of the magnetic conductor (120), and the magnetic conductor (120) is at least partially embedded in the housing (110).

3. The water pump according to claim 1, characterized in that, The magnetic conductor (120) is disposed on the inner side of the end (113) of the housing (110), and the magnetic conductor (120) abuts against the stator (20) in the axial direction (D1).

4. The water pump according to claim 3, characterized in that, The magnetic conductor (120) includes a main body (121) and a limiting part (122). The limiting part (122) is connected to the first radial outer edge (125) of the main body (121). The limiting part (122) is embedded in the housing (110). The surface of the main body (121) facing the stator (20) is flush with the inner wall surface of the housing (110).

5. The water pump according to claim 4, characterized in that, The limiting part (122) includes a first sub-part (123) and a second sub-part (124). The first sub-part (123) is disposed on the radially outer side of the main body part (121) and on the side of the main body part (121) facing away from the stator (20) in the axial direction (D1). The second sub-part (124) is connected to the first sub-part (123) and the main body part (121) respectively.

6. The water pump according to claim 1, characterized in that, On the radial (D2) side of the rotor (30), the first radial outer edge (125) of the magnetic conductor (120) protrudes beyond the second radial outer edge (330) of the rotor (30), or the first radial outer edge (125) of the magnetic conductor (120) is flush with the second radial outer edge (330) of the rotor (30).

7. The water pump according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water pump also includes a rotating component (40) disposed in the housing (110). The rotating component (40) is rotatably connected to the rotor (30) and the housing (110). One end of the rotating component (40) abuts against the magnetic conductor (120) in the axial direction (D1), and the other end is connected to the rotor (30).

8. The water pump according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (110) includes a housing (111) and a volute (112). The housing (111) and the volute (112) are connected to form a cavity (140), and a groove (150) is provided at the connection. The groove (150) communicates with the cavity (140), and one end of the stator (20) extends into the groove (150) in the radial direction.

9. A thermal management system, characterized in that, include: The water pump according to any one of claims 1-8.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, include: The thermal management system as described in claim 9.

Images