Electric Power Unit Cooling Fan Airflow Path Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric power units, efficient cooling of both the motor and battery is challenging when they are housed adjacent to each other, leading to potential overheating during continuous operation.
Innovation Solution
A motor case structure that includes a battery case positioned in the extension direction of the motor's output shaft, spaced apart from the motor case, with a cooling fan placed between them. The battery case features a discharge port facing the cooling fan and suction ports positioned apart from the discharge port, allowing for efficient air circulation to cool both the battery and motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the motor and battery are housed adjacent to each other in a single unit, then the device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but the cooling efficiency deteriorates due to heat generation from both components
Solution Approach 1:
The battery case is divided into multiple cooling chambers (first cooling chamber and second cooling chamber) separated by partition walls. Each chamber has dedicated air inlets and outlets, allowing independent cooling paths for different battery regions. This segmentation enables efficient heat dissipation while maintaining the integrated unit structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the battery case are provided with different cooling configurations. The first cooling chamber has air inlets at the upper end, while the second cooling chamber has air inlets at the lower end. Heat dissipation fins are strategically placed in specific locations to optimize cooling where heat generation is highest.
2Device complexity
If a single cooling fan is used to cool both motor and battery, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cooling coverage and efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The battery case acts as an intermediary cooling structure that receives air from the motor cooling process and redirects it to cool the battery. The air outlet of the motor cooling chamber is positioned to face the air inlet of the battery cooling chamber, creating a cascading cooling effect where one cooling system serves both components.
Solution Approach 2:
The single cooling fan serves multiple functions: it cools the motor directly, and through the configured air flow paths and partition walls, it also cools both cooling chambers of the battery. This multi-functionality reduces the number of cooling components while maintaining adequate cooling coverage.
3Volume of moving object
If the battery case and motor case are positioned close together to reduce overall size, then the volume is reduced, but the cooling air flow paths become restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling air flow paths are arranged in different spatial dimensions and directions. Air flows through the motor cooling chamber in one direction, then through partition walls and into battery cooling chambers from different orientations (upper end for first chamber, lower end for second chamber). This multi-dimensional arrangement maximizes space utilization while maintaining adequate air flow paths.
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 enables continuous operation by effectively cooling both the battery and motor using a single cooling fan, simplifying the unit's structure, reducing costs, and minimizing thickness, while ensuring efficient heat dissipation.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling fan provided between the battery case and the motor case. The battery case includes a discharge port formed at a position facing the cooling fan, and a suction port provided at a position spaced apart from the discharge port. By driving the cooling fan, the air in the battery case is discharged from the discharge port of the battery case. Further, by discharging the air in the battery case, the external air is guided from the suction port of the battery case into the battery case.
Implementation Method 2
By cooling the battery and the motor in this manner, it is possible to operate the electric power unit continuously.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric power unit having a heat emitting component includes a battery case provided in an extension direction of an output shaft of the motor, and spaced apart from the motor case, and a cooling fan provided between the battery case and the motor case. The battery case includes a discharge port formed at a position facing the cooling fan, and a suction port provided at a position spaced apart from the discharge port.