Hybrid Vehicle Drive Unit Layout for Exhaust Heat Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid vehicles, the heat from the exhaust pipe transfers to the motor, reducing its efficiency, and existing solutions like insulators and blowers increase costs and assembly time.
Innovation Solution
The exhaust pipe is positioned adjacent to the transmission, which has a coolant flow channel opposite it, and the transmission is interposed between the drive motor and the exhaust pipe, using the coolant to dissipate heat without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If insulators and blowers are installed to cool the motor, then motor temperature is reduced, but parts cost and assembly man-hours increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission serves dual functions: it transmits power from the motor while simultaneously acting as a heat shield and cooling element for the motor. The transmission's natural position between the motor and exhaust pipe, combined with its thermal mass and internal coolant flow channels, allows it to self-regulate motor temperature without requiring additional active cooling components.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission is designed to perform multiple functions: power transmission, heat shielding for the motor, and active cooling through integrated coolant flow channels. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate insulators and blowers, reducing parts count and assembly complexity while maintaining effective motor temperature control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the exhaust pipe is positioned adjacent to the motor, then vehicle layout flexibility is improved, but heat transfer to the motor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission is positioned as an intermediary component between the exhaust pipe and the motor. Its physical presence and thermal properties block direct heat transfer from the hot exhaust pipe to the motor, while still allowing the exhaust pipe to be positioned close to the motor for compact vehicle layout.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission's coolant flow channels, originally designed solely for lubricating oil cooling, are utilized to also cool the motor by positioning them opposite the exhaust pipe. The coolant absorbs heat from the transmission housing that is heated by the exhaust pipe, converting the harmful heat into a beneficial cooling effect for the motor.
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 suppresses heat transfer to the drive motor, maintaining efficiency without additional parts, and enhances coolant flow efficiency in the gearbox, especially on uphill roads.
Implementation Method 1
the heat of the high-temperature exhaust pipe is transferred to the motor
Implementation Method 2
coolant for cooling lubricating oil that lubricates the speed change mechanism in the transmission
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vehicle-mounted structure in which a drive unit is mounted on a vehicle equipped with an engine. The drive unit includes a drive motor and a transmission. The drive motor and the transmission are connected in series in a width direction of the vehicle. An exhaust pipe of the engine is extended to pass adjacent the transmission in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The transmission includes a coolant flow channel through which flows coolant for cooling lubricating oil that lubricates a speed change mechanism inside the transmission. The coolant flow channel is positioned to face the exhaust pipe.