Axial Electric Fluid Pump Cooling Motor Electronics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric automotive fluid pumps face challenges in achieving high pumping performance while effectively cooling the motor electronics, often requiring sophisticated cooling technologies and complex constructions.

Innovation Solution

The electric automotive fluid pump design positions the pumping unit axially between the motor electronics and the mechanical part of the motor, utilizing at least two axially oriented permanent magnet poles that cooperate with a stationary hall sensor to improve cooling and simplify construction, with the motor electronics being kept remote from the motor coils and the hall sensor integrated within the motor electronics for enhanced signal quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the motor electronics is arranged close to the motor coils to reduce device complexity, then the construction is simpler, but the motor electronics is heated up by the motor coils

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidmotor electronics heating
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the contradiction by changing the spatial arrangement from a radial/planar layout to an axial layout. The pumping unit is positioned axially between the motor electronics and the motor, creating a new dimensional arrangement that allows the motor electronics to be close to the motor for simple construction while the pumping unit acts as a thermal barrier to prevent heating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If the motor electronics is spaced apart from the motor to avoid heating, then the motor electronics cooling is improved, but the construction becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor electronics coolingVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pumping unit is given multiple functions: it performs the primary pumping function and simultaneously serves as a thermal barrier/cooling element for the motor electronics. This multi-functionality allows the motor electronics to be spaced apart for better cooling without adding separate cooling components, thus avoiding increased construction complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If sophisticated cooling technology is added to cool the motor electronics, then the cooling performance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor electronics cooling performanceVSAvoidcooling technology complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pumping unit, which is already part of the motor assembly, serves the additional function of cooling the motor electronics by acting as a thermal barrier. This self-service approach allows the system to achieve improved cooling performance without adding separate cooling technologies, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Device complexity

If the hall sensor is positioned far from the motor electronics, then the construction is simpler, but the signal quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidhall sensor signal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the hall sensor axially opposite to the magnet pole on the pump rotor, utilizing the axial dimension for optimal signal detection. This axial positioning in the magnetic field path ensures good signal quality while keeping the sensor integrated with the motor electronics, achieving both signal quality and construction simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enhances cooling efficiency of the motor electronics, reduces manufacturing costs, and improves the accuracy of motor rotor commutation while maintaining a compact and efficient design, capable of handling high viscosity fluids like oil with low noise and high hydraulic efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The pump rotor body (78') comprises at least one permanent magnet pole (N, S), which cooperates with at least one stationary hall sensor (70)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

The hall sensor (70) is arranged axially opposite to the magnet pole (N, S) and detects the magnetic field generated by the magnet pole

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Implementation Method 3

the motor electronics is provided close to the pumping unit so that the fluid in the pumping unit actively cools the motor electronics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3542453B1Electric automotive fluid pump
Publication Date: 2022.11.02 PIERBURG PUMP TECH
  • EP3542453B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3542453B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electric automotive fluid pump (10) comprising an electronically commutated motor (42) with a motor rotor (46) being permanently magnetized and stator coils (50), and a motor electronics (58) for electronically commutating and driving the stator coils (50) of the motor (42). The electric automotive fluid pump (10) further comprises a pumping unit (82) which is arranged axially between the motor electronics (58) and the motor (42), a rotor shaft (54) mechanically connecting a pump rotor (78) of the pumping unit (82) with the motor rotor (46), wherein the pump rotor (78) comprises a pump rotor body (78') and at least one permanent magnet pole (N, S), which cooperates with at least one stationary hall sensor (70).