Drive Axle Motor Mounting Plate Layout for Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive axle systems with electric motors face challenges in heat conduction and cooling efficiency, leading to reduced performance and increased maintenance complexity due to integrated components.
Innovation Solution
A drive axle system design featuring a support structure with a cradle and arms, a mounting plate, an electric motor module, and a transmission module, where the electric motor module is spaced apart from the cradle and arms, allowing for improved cooling through a coolant jacket and reduced heat conduction, with the transmission module on the opposite side of the mounting plate, enhancing operational efficiency and simplifying maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the electric motor module is integrated with the support structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heat conduction increases and cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor module is segmented from the support structure and mounted on the mounting plate, which is itself mounted to the support structure via arms. This segmentation creates thermal isolation between the motor and support structure, reducing heat conduction while maintaining structural support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate and arms serve as intermediary components between the electric motor module and the support structure. These intermediaries provide mechanical support while thermally isolating the motor from the support structure, thereby reducing heat conduction pathways.
2Device complexity
If the electric motor module is integrated with the support structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the motor module from the support structure and mounting it on a separate plate, the design creates dedicated cooling pathways through the coolant jacket that are not compromised by structural integration, thereby improving cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor module is extracted from direct integration with the support structure and positioned on the mounting plate. This extraction allows for optimized cooling system design with the coolant jacket encircling the stator, improving heat dissipation performance.
3Temperature
If the electric motor module is spaced apart from the support structure, then the heat conduction is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate combines multiple functions: it supports the electric motor module, provides mounting surfaces for the transmission module, and serves as a structural interface with the support structure. This merging reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate and arms serve multiple purposes: structural support, thermal isolation, and component mounting. This multi-functionality allows the spaced-apart configuration to achieve heat reduction without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same components fulfill multiple roles.
4Device complexity
If the electric motor module is integrated with the support structure, then the maintenance complexity is reduced, but the ease of repair worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor module is segmented as a separate assembly mounted on the mounting plate, which can be detached from the support structure. This segmentation enables the motor module to be easily removed and replaced for maintenance without affecting the support structure or other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is designed with dynamic accessibility in mind, allowing the mounting plate to be detached from the support structure arms. This dynamic configuration enables easy access to the electric motor module for repairs while maintaining a compact integrated appearance during operation.
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 design improves cooling efficiency, reduces heat conduction, and simplifies maintenance by allowing the electric motor module to be easily assembled and detached, thereby enhancing performance and reducing maintenance complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The coolant jacket may further comprise a set of channels
Implementation Method 2
The coolant jacket may encircle the stator
Data Source
AI summary
A drive axle system comprising a support structure, a mounting plate, an electric motor module, a transmission module, and a wheel end assembly. The electric motor module extends from a first side of the mounting plate. The transmission module extends from the second side of the mounting plate. The wheel end assembly extends from the transmission module.