Electric Compressor Motor Layout With Inboard Drive Circuit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric compressors face challenges in reducing size due to the placement of the drive circuit unit at the outer side of the electric motor unit, which limits compactness.
Innovation Solution
The drive circuit unit is positioned at the inner side of the stator within the electric motor, overlapping with the stator in the direction of the rotational axis, and the rotatable shaft portion is supported only at one end, eliminating the need for a bearing structure at the other end, allowing for a more compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the drive circuit unit is placed at the outer side of the axial end part of the electric motor unit, then the drive circuit unit is easily accessible and installed, but the size of the electric compressor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive circuit unit is nested inside the stator of the electric motor unit, utilizing the internal space of the motor structure. This nesting approach allows the drive circuit unit to be positioned within the existing motor boundaries, thereby reducing the overall compressor size while maintaining accessibility for installation and maintenance through the open end of the motor unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive circuit unit is positioned in the radial direction inside the stator rather than extending in the axial direction at the outer side. This dimensional repositioning from axial-outer to radial-internal placement optimizes space utilization and reduces the axial length of the compressor while keeping the drive circuit unit accessible.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the rotatable shaft portion is supported at both end sides, then the rotational stability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
One of the two bearing structures is extracted/eliminated from the system. The rotatable shaft portion is supported only at the end side where the compressor unit is engaged, removing the unnecessary bearing structure from the opposite end. This reduction in components simplifies the device while maintaining sufficient rotational stability for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of supporting the shaft at both ends symmetrically, the support is inverted to be concentrated at only one end. This asymmetric support configuration, where the shaft is fixed at the compressor engagement end and left unsupported at the other end, reduces complexity while providing adequate stability for the rotor's operational requirements.
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 reduces the size of the electric compressor in the direction of the rotational axis and allows for efficient use of space, enabling a smaller and more compact compressor design.
Implementation Method 1
The electric motor includes a stator, which generates a rotating magnetic field, and a rotor, which is rotated about a rotational axis by the rotating magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
A motor unit, which drives a compressor unit, includes a stator, which generates a rotating magnetic field, and a rotor, which is rotated about a rotational axis by the rotating magnetic field at an inner side of the stator. A drive circuit unit is placed at the inner side of the stator such that a position of the drive circuit unit in a direction of the rotational axis overlaps with the stator.