Electric Coolant Pump with Integrated Control Circuit Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric coolant pumps have a separate control circuit chamber that limits the cooling effect of the coolant, resulting in inefficient heat discharge and reduced power density, reliability, and service life.
Innovation Solution
An electric coolant pump design where the coolant flows directly around the stator, rotor, and control circuit within the pump housing, enhancing heat discharge and cooling efficiency, with features like a filter for coolant purification and a polymer housing for cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control circuit is disposed in a separate receiving chamber separated from the pump housing, then the electronic components are protected from direct coolant contact, but the cooling effect of the coolant on the control circuit is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control circuit chamber with the pump housing, eliminating the separate receiving chamber. The control circuit is now disposed directly in the pump housing where coolant flows, enabling direct thermal contact while maintaining electrical isolation through the housing structure. This resolves the contradiction by combining the protective enclosure function with the cooling function in a single integrated structure.
2Temperature
If the coolant flows directly around the control circuit, then the cooling efficiency and heat discharge are improved, but the risk of water damage to electronic components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump housing acts as an intermediary barrier between the coolant and the control circuit electronic components. The housing structure allows thermal energy transfer through its walls while preventing direct contact between the liquid coolant and the electronic components, thus mediating between the cooling requirement and the protection requirement.
3Volume of moving object
If the pump housing accommodates all components including control circuit and electric motor, then the construction size is reduced, but the heat discharge capability must be sufficient for all components
Solution Approach 1:
The pump housing is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as: (1) the structural enclosure for all components, (2) the coolant flow channel, and (3) the heat dissipation system. The housing walls are configured to provide thermal pathways from all heat-generating components (motor, control circuit) to the flowing coolant, enabling a single structure to fulfill multiple functions and reduce overall system size.
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 design improves heat discharge efficiency, increases power density, enhances reliability, and extends service life by ensuring direct coolant contact with all components, including the control circuit, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective construction.
Implementation Method 1
The waste heat generated in the rotor and stator during operation of the electric motor can in this way be transferred to the coolant and the coolant pump can be cooled accordingly
Implementation Method 2
the coolant to be conveyed thereby flows around the stator, the rotor and the control circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An electric coolant pump (1) conveys cooling fluid in order to cool a combustion engine of a vehicle. The electric coolant pump (1) has a pump impeller (2) for accelerating the coolant to be conveyed, a rotor shaft (3) on which the pump impeller (2) is fixed, an electric motor (6), having a stator (8) and a rotor (7), for driving the rotor shaft (3). A control circuit (13) controls the electric motor (6). A pump housing (10) accommodates at least the control circuit (13) and the electric motor (6). The coolant to be conveyed is able to flow through the pump housing (10). The coolant to be conveyed thereby flows around the stator (8), the rotor (6) and the control circuit (13).