Integrated Electric Drivetrain Transmission With Fluid-Cooled Busbar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powertrains for work vehicles face challenges in efficiently integrating electric machines and electronic components within a transmission system, particularly in managing heat dissipation and fluid flow for effective cooling and lubrication.
Innovation Solution
A transmission design incorporating a busbar system that connects electric machines to electronic components within a sealed conduit, utilizing hydraulic fluid for cooling and lubrication, and a sealed passageway for electrical connections, enhancing thermal management and fluid circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electric machines are integrated within the transmission housing, then the powertrain becomes more compact and efficient, but heat dissipation and fluid management become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electric machine, electronic component, and transmission housing into a single integrated assembly. The electric machine is positioned within the transmission housing, and the electronic component is submerged in transmission fluid within the same housing, creating a unified powertrain system that improves compactness and efficiency while managing thermal effects through the integrated fluid cooling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes transmission fluid as a cooling medium that circulates through the system. The electronic component is positioned within the reservoir to be cooled by the transmission fluid, and the busbar design allows fluid to flow over it, providing hydraulic cooling to manage heat dissipation in the integrated powertrain system.
2Temperature
If electronic components are positioned within the transmission fluid reservoir, then cooling efficiency is improved, but electrical connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sealed conduit as an intermediary element that allows the busbar to pass through the transmission fluid reservoir while maintaining electrical isolation. The conduit with its radial and axial seals creates a barrier that prevents fluid ingress to the electrical connections while still allowing thermal energy to be managed, thus protecting electrical reliability while maintaining cooling efficiency.
3Reliability
If a sealed conduit is used for electrical connections, then fluid leakage is prevented, but the complexity of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the busbar is positioned within the sealed conduit, which is itself integrated into the transmission housing assembly. The conduit contains the electrical connection while being nested within the broader transmission system, allowing complex sealing requirements to be met through a hierarchical integration approach that manages complexity through structured nesting of components.
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 solution provides efficient cooling and lubrication of electric machines and electronic components, improving the performance and reliability of the transmission system by managing heat and fluid flow effectively.
Implementation Method 1
transmission fluid from the first electric machine flows down the first busbar to the electronic component and into the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
The conduit includes a radial seal between the conduit and the transmission housing and an axial seal between the conduit and the electronic component
Implementation Method 3
utilizing hydraulic fluid for cooling and lubrication
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission for a work vehicle includes a transmission housing forming an enclosure for one or more transmission components, a reservoir in a lower portion of the transmission housing, the reservoir including transmission fluid, a first electric machine positioned within an upper portion of the transmission housing, an electronic component positioned at least partially within the reservoir, and a first busbar connected between the first electric machine and the electronic component. The first busbar includes a vertical portion extending from a location near the first electric machine to a location near the electronic component.