Integral Electric Power Steering Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional integral-type electric power steering devices face issues with insufficient heat radiation from heating elements, increased weight due to additional heat sinks and fans, and weakened solder strengths, which compromise reliability and assembly complexity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a thermal-conductive component between the heating elements and mechanism components to effectively radiate heat, using a flexible and adhesive thermal-conductive component that also acts as a cushion to prevent displacement during vibrations, thereby enhancing heat radiation and reducing stress on solder joints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heating elements are directly mounted on a board and fixed to mechanism components, then heat radiation capability is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal-conductive component is introduced as an intermediary between the heating elements and the mechanism component. This component has high thermal conductivity to efficiently transfer heat while simplifying the overall structure by integrating multiple functions into a single element, thereby improving heat radiation capability without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal-conductive component combines multiple functions: it serves as both a heat transfer medium and a structural element that fixes the control board to the mechanism component. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate heat sinks and mounting brackets, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective heat radiation
2Temperature
If a special heat sink and fan are mounted on the board and heating elements, then heat radiation capability is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism component itself is utilized as the heat dissipation structure, eliminating the need for separate heat sinks. The thermal-conductive component enables the mechanism component to serve its dual purpose of mechanical function and thermal management, thereby improving heat radiation capability without increasing device weight
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism component is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides mechanical support, structural integrity, and heat dissipation. By making the mechanism component universal for both mechanical and thermal functions, the patent eliminates the need for additional weight-bearing heat sinks and fans while maintaining effective heat radiation
3Ease of manufacture
If heating elements are fixed to mechanism components without sufficient thermal contact, then assembly is simplified, but heat radiation capability and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal-conductive component acts as a mediator that ensures reliable thermal contact between the heating elements and the mechanism component. It compensates for surface irregularities and maintains consistent thermal coupling, thereby improving both heat radiation capability and system reliability while keeping assembly simple
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal-conductive component is designed with optimized thermal conductivity parameters and geometric characteristics to ensure efficient heat transfer. By carefully selecting and controlling these parameters, the patent achieves reliable heat radiation and durable thermal contact without complex assembly procedures
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 improves heat radiation efficiency, increases the reliability and endurance of the electric power steering device by effectively transferring heat from heating elements to mechanism components, reducing weight, and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
at least a part of the heat, which is generated by the heating elements, is conducted to the mechanism component via a thermal-conductive component
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An integral-type electric power steering device is configured in such a way that a motor component (40), a reduction mechanism (20), and a control device (50) are integrally fixed, and the control device (50) includes at least heating elements (531) having the control-circuit elements, which are operated so as to generate heat, a control board (53) on which the heating elements (531) are mounted, and a mechanism components (500) for fixing the control board (50); and at least a part of the heat, which is generated by the heating elements (531), is conducted to the mechanism components (500) via a thermal-conductive component (57).