Vehicle Drive Unit Cooling Pipe Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the output of drive units in vehicles increases, so does the heat generation, leading to a deterioration in performance due to high temperatures, necessitating improved cooling performance to maintain efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The drive unit is connected to a cooling liquid introduction pipe and discharge pipe, with connecting portions positioned above the lower end to extend in the vehicle width direction, increasing the area exposed to traveling wind for cooling and enhancing heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the output of drive units is increased, then the power and performance are improved, but the heat generation increases and cooling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the cooling liquid introduction pipe and discharge pipe at the lower end of the drive unit in the vertical dimension, allowing them to extend in the vehicle width direction. This spatial arrangement enables the pipes to be exposed to traveling wind for passive cooling while maintaining the high-power output capability of the drive unit.
2Temperature
If the cooling liquid pipes are positioned to extend in the vehicle width direction, then the wind exposure area increases and cooling performance improves, but the layout complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling liquid pipes are positioned to naturally extend in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the drive unit, utilizing the vehicle's traveling wind for passive cooling. This self-service approach improves cooling performance without requiring additional active cooling mechanisms or complex layout arrangements.
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 improves the cooling performance of the drive unit by increasing the area exposed to wind, effectively cooling the circulating liquid and maintaining performance despite increased output.
Implementation Method 1
an area, which the traveling wind hits when the vehicle travels, of the cooling liquid introduction pipe and the cooling liquid discharge pipe becomes larger, and thus the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid introduction pipe and the cooling liquid discharge pipe can be cooled
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a drive unit. The driving unit includes an electric rotary machine and a power conversion device. The drive unit is connected to a cooling liquid introduction pipe for introducing a cooling liquid to the drive unit, and the drive unit is connected to a cooling liquid discharge pipe for discharging the cooling liquid from the drive unit. The cooling liquid introduction pipe is connected to a cooling liquid introduction pipe connecting portion. The cooling liquid discharge pipe is connected to a cooling liquid discharge pipe connecting portion. The cooling liquid introduction pipe connecting portion and the cooling liquid discharge pipe connecting portion are provided above a lower end portion of the drive unit to connect the cooling liquid introduction pipe and the cooling liquid discharge pipe from the vehicle width direction of the drive unit.