Annular Liquid Coolant Channel for Rotary Electric Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary machines face increased size issues due to the need for larger radiators and blowers to manage heat generated by electric power converting apparatuses as output increases, leading to inefficient cooling solutions.
Innovation Solution
An automotive rotary electric machine with an annular internal liquid coolant flow channel and an external liquid coolant passage portion, where internal liquid coolant circulates around the machine body and exchanges heat with external liquid coolant at a vertically lower position, eliminating the need for large radiators and blowers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional cooling apparatus with radiator and blower is used, then heat radiation is effective, but the overall apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling apparatus with the rotary electric machine by integrating the internal liquid coolant flow channel directly into the stator structure. The cooler is positioned to cover the outer circumference of the stator, creating a unified structure that eliminates the need for separate external radiators and blowers, thereby reducing overall apparatus size while maintaining effective heat radiation
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is nested within the rotary electric machine structure. The annular liquid coolant flow channel is formed inside the stator, and the cooler is positioned around the outer circumference of the stator. This nested arrangement allows the cooling apparatus to be contained within the existing machine boundaries, avoiding additional external components and reducing overall size
2Temperature
If larger radiators and blowers are used to handle increased heat from higher output, then cooling effectiveness improves, but apparatus size increases further
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the cooler to cover the outer circumference of the stator where heat generation is concentrated. The internal liquid coolant flow channel is specifically configured to receive heat from the stator windings and rotor. This localized cooling approach efficiently handles heat from high-output operations without requiring oversized cooling components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses liquid coolant circulation through the internal flow channel and cooler to transfer heat away from the rotary electric machine. The liquid coolant system provides efficient heat removal capability that scales with output requirements without proportionally increasing apparatus size, replacing the need for larger pneumatic cooling components like radiators and blowers
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 configuration enables efficient heat radiation and effective cooling of the electric motor and power converting apparatus without increasing the overall size of the machine, even as heat generation increases with output.
Implementation Method 1
an annular internal liquid coolant flow channel which is mounted to the rotary electric machine main body, and in which an internal liquid coolant circulates around an outer circumference of the rotary electric machine main body
Implementation Method 2
an external liquid coolant passage portion through which an external liquid coolant passes; the external liquid coolant passage portion is connected to the internal liquid coolant flow channel by a connecting portion
Implementation Method 3
the internal liquid coolant that has received heat from the electric motor main body and the electric power converting apparatus exchanges heat with the external liquid coolant at the connecting portion between the external liquid coolant passage portion and the liquid coolant flow channel
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling apparatus includes: an annular internal liquid coolant flow channel that is mounted to a rotary electric machine main body, and in which an internal liquid coolant circulates around an outer circumference of the rotary electric machine main body, and an external liquid coolant passage portion through which an external liquid coolant passes, the external liquid coolant passage portion is connected to the internal liquid coolant flow channel by a connecting portion that is positioned vertically higher than the rotary electric machine main body, and the electric power converting apparatus includes a heat radiating surface that releases heat that is generated in the electric power converting apparatus, the electric power converting apparatus being mounted to the cooling apparatus such that the heat radiating surface and the internal liquid coolant can exchange heat at a position that is vertically lower than the connecting portion.