EV Drivetrain Partition-Wall Oil Cooling Without Pumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive train designs for electric vehicles face challenges in efficiently cooling transmission oil due to complex fluidic connections, high energy consumption from pumps, and suboptimal heat transfer designs.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a partition wall with cooling channels, a collection container with an overflow, and ribs to form a transmission oil cooling area where the oil is guided by gravity, eliminating the need for an oil pump and enhancing convective heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling channels are provided in the housing with ribs protruding into the cooling channel, then heat transfer is enhanced, but the design and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmission oil cooling function with the housing structure by integrating cooling channels directly into the partition wall. The housing serves dual purposes: structural support and thermal management. This eliminates the need for separate cooling components while maintaining effective heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission oil flows through the cooling channels by gravity and pressure differential without requiring external pumps. The system uses its own operational characteristics (oil circulation during transmission operation) to achieve cooling, eliminating the need for additional control systems and energy input.
2Temperature
If two pumps (oil pump and coolant pump) are provided for heat management, then heat transfer is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system utilizes the natural circulation of transmission oil during transmission operation. The oil flow is driven by pressure differentials created during normal transmission function, eliminating the need for dedicated pumps and reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission oil serves multiple functions: lubrication, cooling, and heat transfer medium. By using the same fluid for multiple purposes and leveraging its natural circulation, the system avoids additional energy-consuming pump systems while maintaining effective thermal management.
3Temperature
If fluidic connections between pumps and heat exchanger are established, then cooling capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are integrated directly into the housing structure, eliminating the need for separate heat exchanger components and complex fluidic connections. The housing itself becomes the heat transfer pathway, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cooling function from separate components and embeds it directly into the housing structure. This integration eliminates the need for additional connections, seals, and mounting hardware, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity.
4Device complexity
If transmission oil is cooled solely via heat conduction in the oil sump, then device complexity is reduced, but heat transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the benefits of simple design with enhanced heat transfer by integrating cooling channels into the housing structure. The transmission oil flows through these channels, increasing contact surface area and heat transfer efficiency without adding complex external cooling systems.
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 solution simplifies the cooling process, reduces energy consumption, and improves heat transfer efficiency, allowing for effective cooling of transmission oil and associated components with minimal technical complexity.
Implementation Method 1
Heat transfer between a transmission oil circulating in the oil circuit and a cooling fluid circulating in the cooling circuit is made possible by means of the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
A meandering flow of the cooling fluid through the cooling channel is made possible by ribs that protrude into the cooling channel
Implementation Method 3
The transmission oil being guidable through the transmission oil cooling area with the aid of the force of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A drive train for an electric vehicle, including at least one transmission, with at least one power electronics system and a housing. A transmission compartment and a power electronics system compartment are provided in the housing in particular adjacently situated horizontally. The transmission and/or at least two gearwheels for forming at least one gear stage of the transmission is situated in the transmission compartment and the power electronics system is situated in the power electronics system compartment. The transmission compartment and the power electronics system compartment are separated from one another by a partition wall. The transmission includes an oil sump, which in particular is formed by the housing, and a collection container, so that during operation of the transmission, transmission oil present in the oil sump may be spun upwardly by at least one of the gearwheels and thus be supplied to the collection container.