EV Drive Unit Layout for Cooling and Installation Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of a mechanical-electrical integrated unit with a laminated structure in vehicles can be limited by space constraints and component arrangements, potentially reducing cooling performance due to heat exposure from main power sources like engines or electric motors.
Innovation Solution
The electric vehicle design incorporates a mechanical-electrical integrated unit where the drive casing, first electrical casing, and second electrical casing are integrally arranged, with the electrical casings disposed on opposite sides and above the drive casing to minimize heat exposure, thereby enhancing installation flexibility and cooling performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the electrical casings are disposed on the upper side and opposite sides of the drive casing to increase installation flexibility, then the degree of freedom in installing the mechanical-electrical integrated unit is improved, but the cooling performance may be reduced due to heat exposure from the engine or electric motor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional arrangement by disposing electrical casings on multiple different surfaces of the drive casing (upper side, opposite sides, front/rear sides) rather than stacking them in a single vertical column. This spatial distribution across multiple dimensions allows flexible installation while maintaining adequate distance from heat-generating components, thus resolving the contradiction between installation flexibility and cooling performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different electrical casings to different locations on the drive casing based on their specific cooling requirements and heat sensitivity. Electrical equipment that is more sensitive to heat is positioned on surfaces farther from the engine or motor, while less sensitive components can be positioned closer, optimizing both installation flexibility and thermal management
2Device complexity
If the mechanical-electrical integrated unit is arranged in a laminated structure with drive casing, first electrical casing, and second electrical casing, then the integration is simplified, but the installation flexibility is reduced due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the electrical equipment into separate casings (first electrical casing and second electrical casing) that can be independently positioned on different surfaces of the drive casing. This segmentation transforms the rigid laminated structure into a flexible modular arrangement, allowing each electrical casing to be optimally positioned according to available space while maintaining integration benefits
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle includes: an electric motor; an engine; a power transmission device; a drive casing that houses a drive apparatus including the electric motor and the power transmission device; a first electrical casing; and a second electrical casing. The drive casing, the first electrical casing and the second electrical casing cooperate to constitute a mechanical-electrical integrated unit. The drive casing has a first wall surface, a second wall surface, a third wall surface, a fourth wall surface, a fifth wall surface and a sixth wall surface. The engine is disposed on the first wall surface, and is connected to an input shaft of the power transmission device on a side of the first wall surface. The first electrical casing and the second electrical casing are separately disposed on respective two of the second wall surface, third wall surface, fourth wall surface, fifth wall surface and sixth wall surface.