Junction box for motor and motor

Abstract

Provided is a junction box for a motor. The junction box (1) is provided with a vent hole (1h) that allows the interior and exterior of the junction box (1) to communicate with each other, and comprises a box body (11) and a box cover (12). The box body (11) is fixed to a housing (2) of a motor and provided with an opening open towards the outside, and the box body (11) is provided with a collection groove (1c) for collecting condensed water. The box cover (12) is mounted at the box body (11) and closes the opening of the box body (11), the box cover (12) is provided with a guide flow path, the guide flow path is obliquely arranged relative to the horizontal direction, and the bottom end of the guide flow path is aligned with the opening of the collection groove (1c) in the vertical direction, so that the condensed water condensed on the box cover (12) can be guided by the guide flow path and flows into the collection groove (1c). Therefore, the possibility of electrical failures due to the condensed water condensed on the junction box dripping onto a cable can be greatly reduced or even avoided. Also provided is a motor comprising the junction box.

Description

Motor junction box and motor Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the structure of a junction box of a motor, and in particular to a junction box for a motor and a motor including the junction box. Background Art

[0002] In pure electric vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles, an electric motor is generally used as a power source to drive the vehicle. In the electric motor, the stator winding can be connected to an external power source via a cable, so that the external power source can supply power to the stator winding via the cable.

[0003] Typically, a junction box is located outside the motor housing. Cables pass through the housing, into the junction box, and then out of the junction box to connect to an external power source. The interior of the motor's junction box communicates with the interior of the housing. To balance the air pressure between the motor's interior and the external environment, the junction box is formed with vents. These vents allow air to pass through but prevent the passage of liquids or solids. This balances the air pressure between the motor's interior and external environments while also preventing the entry of foreign matter.

[0004] However, because air contains a certain amount of steam, there is always steam inside the motor and the junction box. During motor operation, the stator generates a large amount of heat, which will concentrate inside the junction box and condense on the junction box (especially the box cover away from the motor housing). The condensed water may drip onto the cables, causing electrical faults such as short circuits.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application is made in light of the state of the prior art described above. One object of this application is to provide a junction box for a motor that significantly reduces or even prevents the possibility of condensed water on the junction box dripping onto cables and causing electrical failures. Another object of this application is to provide a motor including the aforementioned junction box.

[0007] In order to achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solutions.

[0008] The present application provides a motor junction box having a vent hole for communicating with the inside and outside of the junction box, and the junction box includes:

[0009] a box body, which is used to be fixed to the housing of the motor and has an opening open to the outside, and the box body is formed with a collecting groove for collecting condensed water; and

[0010] A box cover is mounted on the box body and closes the opening of the box body. The box cover is formed with a guide flow path, which is arranged obliquely relative to the horizontal direction, and the bottom end of the guide flow path is aligned with the opening of the collection tank in the vertical direction, so that the condensed water condensed on the box cover can be guided by the guide flow path and flow into the collection tank.

[0011] In an optional solution, the box cover has a plurality of ribs, which are located inside the junction box, and each of the ribs defines a corresponding guide flow path, so that the condensed water condensed on the surface of each rib can be guided by the rib and flow into the collection tank.

[0012] In another optional solution, each of the ribs extends linearly and the multiple ribs are parallel to each other, and the acute angle formed by the ribs and the horizontal direction is α, which satisfies α≥10°.

[0013] In another optional solution, a coating layer containing a hydrophilic material is formed on the surface of each of the ribs.

[0014] In another optional scheme, the box body has a bottom, a first side wall portion and a partition wall portion, the first side wall portion rises from the bottom and together with the bottom defines a first space, the partition wall portion rises from the bottom and divides the first space into the collection trough and the cable space for storing cables.

[0015] In another optional solution, the box cover has a top and a second side wall portion, the second side wall portion rises from the top and together with the top defines a second space, the vent hole is located at the top and passes through the top, and the box cover is installed on the box body in a manner that the second side wall portion is aligned with the first side wall portion.

[0016] In another optional solution, the opening of the vent hole that opens toward the second space is aligned with the opening of the collecting tank, so that steam generated after evaporation of condensed water in the collecting tank can be at least partially discharged through the vent hole.

[0017] The present application also provides a motor as follows, which includes the motor junction box described in any one of the above technical solutions.

[0018] In an optional solution, the motor includes a shell, and the motor junction box is in the shape of a cuboid or a cube, and is obliquely arranged on the upper side of the shell of the motor. In the circumference of the motor, the collection tank is located at the lower end of the junction box.

[0019] In another optional solution, the device further includes a stator, a rotor, and a cable. The terminal box is fixed to the housing. The cable is connected to the stator winding and passes through the housing and extends into the terminal box. The portion of the cable extending into the terminal box is separated from the collecting tank.

[0020] The shell serves as the bottom of the box body. A cooling channel for a cooling fluid for cooling the stator is formed inside the shell. The cooling channel and the collecting groove are staggered in the radial direction of the motor.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the present application provides a new type of junction box for a motor and a motor including the junction box. The junction box is formed with a vent hole that allows the inside and outside of the junction box to communicate and includes a box body and a box cover assembled together. The box body is used to be fixed to the housing of the motor and has an opening open to the outside, and the box body is also formed with a collection tank for collecting condensed water. Furthermore, the box cover is installed on the box body and closes the opening of the box body. The box cover is formed with a guide flow path, which is arranged at an angle relative to the horizontal direction, and the bottom end of the guide flow path is aligned with the opening of the collection tank in the vertical direction, so that the condensed water condensed on the box cover can be guided by the guide flow path under the action of gravity and flow into the collection tank.

[0022] In this way, because the guide flow path is provided on the box cover, where condensation is most likely to form, and is inclined relative to the horizontal, gravity can direct most, or even all, of the condensation through the guide flow path into the collection tank. This significantly reduces or even prevents the possibility of condensation on the junction box dripping onto the cables and causing electrical failures. Furthermore, the junction box of this application achieves the aforementioned functions with a relatively simple structural modification without significantly altering the existing structure, thus facilitating large-scale industrial production. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG1 is a perspective schematic diagram showing a motor according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the motor is in a state of not being installed in place.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a partial structure of the motor in FIG. 1 , wherein the motor is in a state of not being installed in place.

[0025] FIG3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a partial structure of the motor in FIG1 , wherein the motor is in a state of being installed in place and the dot-dashed line in the figure is a horizontally extending straight line.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic diagram showing a box cover of a junction box of the motor in FIG. 1 .

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals 1 junction box; 1h vent hole; 1c collecting trough; 11 box body; 111 bottom; 112 first side wall; 113 partition wall; 12 box cover; 121 top; 122 second side wall; 123 rib; 13 ventilation valve; 2 housing; 2c cooling channel; 21 housing body; 22 housing cover; 3 stator; 31 winding; 4 rotor; 5 cable; 6 insulating plate; S1 first space; S2 second space; A axial direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The specific embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these specific descriptions are only used to teach those skilled in the art how to implement the present application, and are not intended to exhaust all possible methods of the present application, nor to limit the scope of the present application.

[0029] In this application, the stator of the motor is generally cylindrical. Unless otherwise specified, "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" refer to the axial, radial, and circumferential directions of the motor (stator), respectively. "Radially outer" refers to the side radially away from the central axis of the motor, and "radially inner" refers to the side radially closer to the central axis of the motor.

[0030] The following describes a motor and a junction box included in the motor according to an embodiment of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a motor according to an embodiment of the present application includes a motor terminal box 1 according to the present application, a housing 2, a stator 3, a rotor 4, a cable 5, and an insulating plate 6. The stator 3 and rotor 4 are located inside the housing 2, the terminal box 1 is fixed to the housing 2 and located outside the housing 2, the cable 5 is connected to the winding 31 of the stator 3 and passes through the housing 2 to extend into the terminal box 1. The insulating plate 6 is used to separate the portion of the cable 5 extending into the terminal box 1 from the housing 2 to achieve insulation.

[0032] Specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the motor junction box 1 includes a box body 11, a box cover 12, and a vent valve 13 that are assembled together. The box body 11 is mounted together with the housing 2. For example, the box cover 12 can be fixed to the box body 11 by screws, and the vent valve 13 is inserted into a vent hole 1h (see Figure 4) installed in the box cover 12.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the box body 11 is fixed to the motor housing 2 and has an opening that opens to the outside. The box body 11 is formed with a collection trough 1c for collecting condensed water. Specifically, the box body 11 has a bottom 111, a first side wall 112, and a partition wall 113, which are formed integrally. The box body 11 uses the housing body 21 of the housing 2 as the bottom 111. The first side wall 112 rises from the bottom 111 and includes four side walls that are connected end to end perpendicularly to each other, forming a concave shape with the bottom 111 and together defining a first space S1. Furthermore, a partition wall 113 also rises from the bottom 111. The partition wall 113 is located within the first space S1 and is parallel to one side wall of the first side wall 112 and connected at both ends to the other two opposing side walls. Thus, the partition wall 113 divides the first space S1 into the collection trough 1c and a cable space for storing the cable 5. In this embodiment, the partition wall portion 113 does not completely isolate the collecting tank 1c and the cable space. In fact, the two are still connected. The partition wall portion 113 is used to prevent the condensed water collected in the collecting tank 1c from entering the cable space. That is to say, the partition wall portion 113 actually separates the part of the cable 5 extending into the junction box 1 from the condensed water in the collecting tank 1c.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the box cover 12 is mounted on the box body 11 and closes the opening of the box body 11, and the top 121 of the box cover 12 is formed with a vent 1h for connecting the inside and outside of the junction box 1. Specifically, the box cover 12 has a top 121, a second side wall portion 122 and a plurality of ribs 123. The top 121 has a flat plate shape. As shown in Figure 4, the second side wall portion 122 rises from the top 121, and the second side wall portion 122 includes four side walls that are connected end to end in a manner perpendicular to each other, so that the second side wall portion 122 and the top 121 form a concave shape and together define a second space S2. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the box cover 12 is mounted on the box body 11 in a manner that the second side wall portion 122 is aligned with the first side wall portion 112, so that the box cover 12 and the box body 11 surround and form the internal space of the junction box 1.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in FIG4 , a plurality of ribs 123 are located inside the junction box 1 and within the second space S2. The plurality of ribs 123 extend linearly and parallel to each other, and adjacent ribs 123 are spaced apart from each other. The surface of each rib 123 is formed with a coating comprising a hydrophilic material (such as polyurethane, etc.), which facilitates the steam concentrated inside the junction box 1 to adhere to the surface of the rib 123 and condense. By adopting the above-mentioned structure, each rib 123 defines a guide flow path for guiding condensed water, so that the condensed water condensed on the surface of each rib 123 can be guided by the rib 123 roughly along the extension direction of the rib 123 and flow into the collection tank 1c. In order to allow the condensed water to be smoothly guided by the guide flow path into the collection tank 1c under the action of gravity, after the entire motor is installed in place, as shown in Figure 3, each rib 123 is arranged at an angle relative to the horizontal direction (that is, the guide flow path is arranged at an angle relative to the horizontal direction), and each rib 123 has a bottom end portion located at the bottom in the vertical direction (including the end portion of the lowest end of the rib 123), and the bottom ends of these ribs 123 are aligned with the opening of the collection tank 1c in the vertical direction, so that the condensed water condensed on the box cover 12 can be guided by the guide flow path and flow into the collection tank 1c. Further, as shown in Figure 3, the acute angle formed by the rib 123 and the horizontal direction is α. In this embodiment, α=30°. Further, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the vent 1h is located at a corner of the top 121 and passes through the top 121, and the multiple ribs 123 are constructed to avoid the area where the vent 1h is located. After the entire motor is installed in place, the opening of the vent 1h toward the second space S2 is aligned with the opening of the collection tank 1c, so that the steam generated after the condensed water in the collection tank 1c evaporates can be at least partially discharged through the vent 1h, thereby reducing the humidity inside the motor.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a vent valve 13 is installed in the vent hole 1h of the cover 12 to allow air to pass freely but prevent the passage of liquids or solids. In this way, the vent hole 1h and the vent valve 13 can balance the air pressure between the internal and external environments of the motor and prevent other foreign objects from entering.

[0037] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the housing 2 includes a housing body 21 and a housing cover 22 that are assembled together. The housing body 21 has a cylindrical shape, and the housing cover 22 is mounted on one axial end of the housing body 21 and closes the axial opening of the housing body 21. Thus, the housing body 21 and the housing cover 22 enclose an interior space of the housing 2, and most of the components of both the stator 3 and the rotor 4 are accommodated in the interior space of the housing 2.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the housing body 21 is formed with cooling channels 2c for the flow of a cooling fluid (e.g., water) for cooling the stator 3. However, in the radial direction of the motor, the cooling channels 2c are staggered with the collection tank 1c. In other words, the portion of the housing body 21 radially inward of the collection tank 1c is not provided with a cooling channel 2c. This allows the heat generated by the stator 3 to be easily transferred through the housing body 21 to the condensed water in the collection tank 1c when the motor is in operation, facilitating the evaporation of the condensed water to produce steam for discharge.

[0039] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the stator 3 includes an iron core and a winding 31. The iron core may be formed by stacking silicon steel sheets, and the conductor of the winding 31 (e.g., a flat wire) is inserted into the iron core and extends from both ends of the iron core in the axial direction A.

[0040] 1 to 3 , the rotor 4 is located radially inward of the stator 3 with a certain air gap between the rotor 4 and the stator 3. The rotor 4 can rotate relative to the stator 3, thereby generating torque.

[0041] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, for example, three cables 5 can all be copper wires. One end of these cables 5 is connected to the portion of the winding 31 extending from the iron core to achieve electrical connection, and the other end is connected to an external three-phase (UVW) power supply to achieve electrical connection. These three cables 5 pass through the through hole formed by the shell body 21 to enter the junction box 1. The through hole of the shell body 21 also connects the interior of the junction box 1 with the interior of the shell 2. After being bent at right angles twice in the junction box 1, the three cables 5 pass through the first side wall portion 112 of the box body 11 to extend from the junction box 1. It can be understood that the three cables 5 can be bent at any angle and any number of times as needed without being bent.

[0042] It can be understood that the interior of the junction box 1 can also accommodate one or more of a circuit board, an inverter, a controller, etc., so as to control the power input of the motor.

[0043] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the insulating plate 6 is made of insulating material and is located between the portion of the cable 5 located in the junction box 1 and the housing body 21 , which can improve the electrical insulation properties of the cable 5 .

[0044] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, the steam in the junction box 1 will condense into liquid condensed water on the box cover 12 with a relatively lower temperature, or more precisely, condense into liquid condensed water on the surface of the rib 123 of the box cover 12. As mentioned above, the surface of the rib 123 is formed with a hydrophilic coating comprising a hydrophilic material (such as polyurethane, etc.). The hydrophilic coating changes the chemical properties of the solid surface to make it hydrophilic, thereby achieving good adhesion and wetting of the liquid. The hydrophilic coating is based on the effect of surface tension (surface tension is the force of mutual attraction between liquid molecules), so that the liquid will have a certain contact angle when it contacts the solid surface. Therefore, when the contact angle between the liquid and the solid surface is less than 90 degrees, the liquid will tend to completely adhere to and wet the solid surface. In this way, the condensed water is not easy to form large droplets on the surface of the rib 123, and it is not easy to fall under the action of gravity. It is more inclined to be adsorbed on the surface of the hydrophilic coating and flow. Thus, condensed water is guided along the guide path defined by the surface of ribs 123 into collection groove 1c, thereby significantly reducing or even preventing the possibility of condensed water condensing on junction box 1 dripping onto cables 5 and causing electrical failure. Furthermore, the junction box 1 of the present application achieves the aforementioned functions with a relatively simple structural modification without significantly changing the structure of existing junction boxes 1, thus facilitating large-scale industrial production.

[0045] It should be understood that the above embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the present application. Those skilled in the art may, based on the teachings of this application, make various modifications and alterations to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of this application. Further, the following supplementary explanations are provided.

[0046] i. In the above embodiment, the box body 11 of the junction box 1 and the housing body 21 of the housing 2 can be formed as a single body, but the present application is not limited thereto. The junction box 1 can be manufactured independently of the housing 2, and the independently manufactured junction box 1 can be fixed to the housing 2 by welding, soldering, or other connection methods.

[0047] It can be understood that the junction box 1 can be in the shape of a cuboid or a cube, and is tilted above the side of the motor housing 2. The collection groove 1c is located at the lower end of the junction box 1 in the circumferential direction of the motor, which is conducive to the collection groove 1c collecting condensed water.

[0048] ii. In the above embodiment, the vent 1h is formed in the top 121 of the box cover 12, but the present application is not limited thereto. The vent 1h may be formed in the second sidewall 122 of the box cover 12, or even in the box body 11. It will be appreciated that in order to allow the steam evaporated from the condensed water in the collection tank 1c to be at least partially discharged to the outside through the vent 1h, the vent 1h may be positioned as close as possible to the opening of the collection tank 1c.

[0049] iii. In the above embodiment, multiple ribs 123 are provided to define a flow path for guiding condensed water. However, the present application is not limited thereto. As long as the condensed water can be smoothly directed into the collection tank 1c, other configurations may be employed to implement the flow path. Furthermore, the flow path need not be linear; it may be curved, for example, in an arc shape.

[0050] Further, it can be understood that when the guide flow path extends in a straight line, in order to enable the condensed water to be smoothly guided into the collection tank 1c by the guide flow path under the action of gravity, in an optional scheme, the acute angle α formed by the guide flow path and the horizontal direction satisfies α≥10°.

Claims

1. A junction box for a motor, wherein a vent hole (1h) is formed so that the inside and outside of the junction box (1) are connected, and the junction box (1) comprises: A box body (11) is used to be fixed to a housing (2) of a motor and has an opening open to the outside, wherein the box body (11) is formed with a collecting groove (1c) for collecting condensed water; as well as A box cover (12) is mounted on the box body (11) and closes the opening of the box body (11), the box cover (12) is formed with a guide flow path, the guide flow path is arranged obliquely relative to the horizontal direction, and the bottom end of the guide flow path is aligned with the opening of the collection tank (1c) in the vertical direction, so that condensed water condensed on the box cover (12) can be guided by the guide flow path and flow into the collection tank (1c).

2. The motor junction box according to claim 1, characterized in that: The box cover (12) has a plurality of ribs (123), the plurality of ribs (123) are located inside the junction box (1), and each of the ribs (123) defines a corresponding guide flow path, so that condensed water condensed on the surface of each of the ribs (123) can be guided by the ribs (123) and flow into the collection tank (1c).

3. The junction box for a motor according to claim 2, characterized in that: Each of the ribs (123) extends in a straight line and the multiple ribs (123) are parallel to each other. The acute angle formed by the ribs (123) and the horizontal direction is α, and α≥10° is satisfied.

4. The motor junction box according to claim 2, characterized in that: A coating layer containing a hydrophilic material is formed on the surface of each of the ribs (123).

5. The junction box for a motor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The box body (11) comprises a bottom (111), a first side wall portion (112) and a partition wall portion (113), wherein the first side wall portion (112) stands up from the bottom (111) and defines a first space (S1) together with the bottom (111), and the partition wall portion (113) stands up from the bottom (111) and divides the first space (S1) into the collecting trough (1c) and a cable space for storing cables (5).

6. The junction box for a motor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The box cover (12) has a top (121) and a second side wall (122), the second side wall (122) rises from the top (121) and defines a second space (S2) together with the top (121), the vent (1h) is located at the top (121) and passes through the top (121), and the box cover (12) is installed on the box body (11) in a manner that the second side wall (122) is aligned with the first side wall (112).

7. The junction box for a motor according to claim 6, characterized in that: The opening of the vent hole (1h) that opens toward the second space (S2) is aligned with the opening of the collecting tank (1c), so that steam generated after condensed water in the collecting tank (1c) evaporates can be at least partially discharged through the vent hole (1h).

8. An electric motor, comprising the terminal box (1) for the electric motor according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The motor according to claim 8, characterized in that The motor comprises a housing (2); the motor terminal box (1) is in the shape of a cuboid or a cube and is arranged obliquely on the upper side of the housing (2) of the motor; in the circumferential direction of the motor, the collecting trough (1c) is located at the lower end of the terminal box (1).

10. The motor according to claim 9, characterized in that It also comprises a stator (3), a rotor (4) and a cable (5), wherein the junction box (1) is fixed to the housing (2), the cable (5) is connected to the winding (31) of the stator (3) and passes through the housing (2) and extends into the junction box (1), and the portion of the cable (5) extending into the junction box (1) is separated from the collecting tank (1c). The shell (2) serves as the bottom (111) of the box body (11), and a cooling channel (2c) for the flow of a cooling fluid for cooling the stator (3) is formed inside the shell (2), and the cooling channel (2c) and the collecting groove (1c) are staggered in the radial direction of the motor.

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