Electronic Module Partition Wall for Electric Motor Voltage Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic modules for electric motors, particularly those used in pump units, face challenges in achieving compact designs while ensuring operational safety, thermal insulation, and ease of assembly, due to the complexity of housing structures and voltage level separation.

Innovation Solution

The electronic module features a partition wall that acts as a separate component, providing electrical and thermal insulation between circuit boards, with the first board carrying high voltages and the second board carrying low voltages, and allowing for axial assembly and easy access to components, reducing the risk of electric shock and mechanical damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the electronics are divided into two housing parts with radial arrangement of power components, then thermal management is improved, but the assembly process becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into a first housing part for control electronics and a second housing part for power electronics, with the partition wall providing both structural separation and thermal management. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each section while simplifying assembly through modular construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall combines multiple functions: it separates the two housing parts, provides thermal insulation between control and power electronics, and serves as a mounting structure for the first printed circuit board. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the housing is designed with separate parts for different voltage levels, then operational safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidhousing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into distinct areas for high-voltage and low-voltage electronics through the partition wall, providing electrical isolation and improving operational safety. This segmentation is achieved through a relatively simple structural division rather than multiple complex isolated housings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical isolation between voltage levels, thermal insulation, structural support, and mounting surfaces for electronic components. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate structures for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the first printed circuit board with high-voltage components is separated from the second printed circuit board with low-voltage components, then protection against electric shocks is improved, but the structural size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric shock protectionVSAvoidhousing volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall acts as an intermediary structure between the high-voltage and low-voltage areas, providing electrical isolation and protection against electric shocks. This intermediary structure is integrated into the housing design, allowing compact arrangement without significantly increasing overall housing volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall utilizes the axial dimension to separate high-voltage and low-voltage components, arranging the first and second printed circuit boards at different axial positions. This dimensional separation provides electrical protection while maintaining a compact radial footprint and minimizing overall housing volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 results in a compact, easy-to-assemble module with enhanced operational safety and thermal insulation, protecting high-voltage components and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining effective thermal management.

Implementation Method 1

The partition provides electrical and thermal insulation between the circuit boards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

The partition provides electrical and thermal insulation between the circuit boards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP3370489B1Electronic module for an electric motor, in particular a pump unit
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 WILO SE
  • EP3370489B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3370489B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3370489B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electronic module (1) for an electric motor (40) with electronics (10, 20) for controlling and/or regulating the electric motor (40), which are housed in a casing (2, 3) comprising a lower part (2) and an upper part (3), in which a first and a second compartment (5, 6) are provided, which are separated from each other by a partition (50). In the first compartment (5) is a first circuit board (10a) of a motor control unit (10) for supplying power to the electric motor (40), which carries operating voltages of a first voltage level. In the second compartment (6) is a second circuit board (20a) of a system control unit (20), which carries operating voltages of a second, lower voltage level.The partition (50) forms a separate component, wherein the first room area (5) together with the first circuit board (10a), the partition (50) and the second room area (6) together with the second circuit board (20a) are arranged axially one above the other.