Coolant-Driven Oil Pump Cooling for Integrated Drive Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
The provision of an electric oil pump for cooling increases the cost and dimensions of the drive device, necessitating a solution that supplies oil to the rotary electric machine at an appropriate timing while minimizing these increases.
Innovation Solution
A drive device configuration where a turbine is rotated by coolant flow to drive an oil pump, eliminating the need for a separate drive source and power transmission mechanism, allowing simultaneous cooling of the inverter and rotary electric machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an electric oil pump is separately provided for cooling the rotary electric machine, then the cooling performance is improved, but the cost and dimensions of the drive device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling functions for both the inverter and rotary electric machine into a single integrated system. The coolant channel cools the inverter, while the oil pump (driven by the same coolant flow through a turbine) supplies cooling oil to the rotary electric machine. This merging eliminates the need for separate electric oil pump motors and their associated control systems, thereby reducing cost and dimensions while maintaining effective cooling performance for both components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the coolant flow itself to drive the turbine, which in turn drives the oil pump. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external power sources (electric motors) to operate the oil pump. The coolant's own kinetic energy is converted into mechanical work to pump cooling oil, reducing system complexity and cost while ensuring the oil pump operates automatically when cooling is needed.
2Reliability
If the oil pump is driven by the rotary electric machine, then the oil supply is ensured, but a power transmission mechanism is required which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulic principles by employing a turbine driven by coolant flow to mechanically drive the oil pump. This hydraulic-driven approach replaces complex mechanical power transmission mechanisms (gears, belts, couplings) that would be needed to connect the rotary electric machine to the oil pump. The coolant flow's hydraulic energy directly drives the turbine-pump system, simplifying the overall power transmission path while ensuring reliable oil supply.
3Temperature
If cooling is provided only to the inverter, then the inverter temperature is controlled, but the rotary electric machine cannot be cooled simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional cooling system where the coolant channel serves dual purposes: directly cooling the inverter and simultaneously driving the turbine-oil pump mechanism to cool the rotary electric machine. This universal cooling approach allows both components to be cooled through a single integrated system, enhancing adaptability without requiring separate cooling circuits or control systems.
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
The configuration enables efficient and timely oil supply to the rotary electric machine, reducing costs and dimensions while effectively cooling both the inverter and rotary electric machine.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine configured to rotate by a flow of the coolant passing through the turbine disposition portion
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchange portion where heat is exchanged between the inverter and the coolant
Data Source
AI summary
A case (1) that houses a rotary electric machine (2) and an inverter device (INV) has an inlet (11) through which coolant flows, and a channel (4) along which the coolant flows. The channel (4) includes a first heat exchange portion (41) where heat is exchanged between the inverter device (INV) and the coolant, and a turbine disposition portion (43) where a turbine (7) is disposed. The turbine (7) is rotated by a flow of the coolant passing through the turbine disposition portion (43), and a pump rotor (88) of an oil pump (8) that discharges oil to be supplied to the rotary electric machine (2) is drivingly connected to the turbine (7).