Electronic Assembly Cooling for Rotary Electric Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cooling systems for rotating electrical machines in motor vehicles, such as alternator-starters, are not optimized for the specific heat dissipation requirements of power and control components, leading to inefficient cooling.
Innovation Solution
The electronic assembly is designed with separate blocks for power, filter, and control components, each with targeted cooling air flows and thermal decoupling, using multiple heatsinks and a protective cover with strategically positioned openings to optimize cooling for different operating temperatures and heat dissipation needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single cooling system is used for all electronic components, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cooling efficiency for components with different heat dissipation requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic assembly is divided into separate blocks (power block, filter block, control block) with different thermal characteristics. The cooling system is segmented accordingly with dedicated cooling air flows for each block, allowing optimized thermal management for components with different heat dissipation requirements without excessive overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the electronic assembly receive different cooling strategies. The power block receives cooling air from lateral openings, the control block from top openings, and the filter block from bottom openings. Each region's cooling characteristics are tailored to its specific heat generation and thermal management needs
2Volume of moving object
If power and control components are placed close together, then the device size is reduced, but the thermal interference between components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is segmented into distinct functional blocks (power, filter, control) that are positioned to minimize thermal interference. Each block has its own cooling air flow path, creating thermal zones that prevent heat from high-power components from adversely affecting sensitive control components while maintaining compact overall dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The filter block serves as a thermal intermediary positioned between the power block and control block. Its cooling air flow from the bottom helps create a thermal buffer zone, and the capacitor array provides thermal mass that can absorb heat fluctuations, protecting sensitive control components from direct thermal exposure to power 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
This design achieves better cooling efficiency by creating specific air flows for each block, minimizing heat exchange between components, and preventing overheating, thus enhancing the overall thermal management of the electronic assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device for cooling said blocks, said cooling device comprising: a protective cover adapted to cover the power, filtering and control blocks, said protective cover comprising openings adapted to generate different cooling air flows for the heat dissipation needs of each of the power, control and filter blocks; and cooling elements coupled to said protective cover
Implementation Method 2
a heatsink on which the power and control components are mounted
Implementation Method 3
air is sucked laterally into the alternator-starter and flows towards the radial outlet vents of the bearing while licking the fins of the dissipator
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electronic assembly (10) for a rotary electric machine (1) for a motor vehicle. Said electronic assembly is characterised by comprising: blocks (100, 200, 300) of electronic components, the blocks having different heat dissipation needs, the blocks being: a power block (100), a filter block (200), a control block (300), and a device (10') for cooling said blocks (100, 200, 300); said cooling device (10') comprising: a protective cover (400) suitable for covering the power, filter and control blocks (100, 200, 300), said protective cover comprising openings (401, 402, 403, 404) suitable for generating cooling air flows which differ according to the heat dissipation needs of each of the power (100), control (200) and filter (300) blocks; and cooling elements (101, 201) coupled with said protective cover (400).