Adapter Cooling Device for Electric Drive Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial transmissions face challenges in maximizing drive power per volume while efficiently dissipating heat generated by rapidly rotating shafts, particularly in electric drive systems where heat dissipation is hindered by the existing designs.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an adapter with a built-in cooling device, featuring a surface-enlarging structure, radially extending fans or ribs, and a fan wheel connected to the shaft, which enhances heat dissipation directly to a heat sink area, improving cooling efficiency and power output per volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the adapter is designed with a built-in cooling device and surface-enlarging structure, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is integrated directly into the adapter structure, merging the coupling function with the cooling function in a single component. The adapter housing combines mechanical coupling elements with built-in cooling fins and heat dissipation surfaces, eliminating the need for separate cooling devices and reducing overall system complexity despite adding cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical coupling between motor and transmission, structural support, and active cooling. The same adapter housing that provides mechanical connection also serves as the heat dissipation structure with integrated cooling fins and airflow channels, making the component universal and multi-functional.
2Reliability
If the adapter housing is placed on a bearing cover with force-fitting connection, then torque transmission reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing cover is pre-formed with an integrated adapter recess and centering protrusions during the casting or machining process. The adapter housing includes corresponding centering elements and mounting features that are prepared in advance, ensuring proper alignment and force distribution before final assembly. This preliminary preparation of fitting surfaces and geometric relationships reduces the need for high-precision post-assembly adjustments.
3Temperature
If radially extending fans or ribs are added to the cooling device, then cooling capacity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device utilizes the radial dimension by extending fans or ribs outward from the adapter housing in the radial direction. This radial extension creates additional heat dissipation surface area and improves airflow patterns without significantly increasing the axial or longitudinal dimensions of the adapter. The radial fins or blades exploit the rotational airflow field to enhance cooling capacity while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively dissipates heat generated by the input shaft, reducing heat production and increasing the power that can be transmitted per overall volume of the transmission, enhancing the efficiency of the electric motor-driven system.
Implementation Method 1
the heat flows from the gearbox housing via the contact surface to a corresponding contact surface on the adapter and from there to the heat sink area
Implementation Method 2
a fan arranged in the adapter absorbs heat from cooling fins of a motor of the drive and heat from cooling fins of a gear of the drive
Implementation Method 3
the heat that is generated in the bearing on an input shaft is dissipated as directly as possible to a heat sink area of the adapter
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
The invention relates to an adapter for a drive, comprising an electric engine and a transmission, wherein the adapter housing is connected at a first side to the housing of the electric motor and at another side to the housing of the transmission. A cooling device is provided on the adapter housing, particularly for dissipating the heat generated by the bearing of the transmission on the input side and by an optionally associated rotary shaft seal into the medium surrounding the drive, particularly air.