Fluid Pump Heat-Conducting Insert for Cast Electronics Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fluid pumps, particularly those in motor vehicles, face challenges in reliably dissipating waste heat from electronic power components under aggressive environmental conditions such as high temperatures and vibrations, which can lead to overheating and reduced reliability.

Innovation Solution

A fluid pump design featuring a heat-conducting element with a plate-like base body embedded in a casting compound, distributing waste heat over a large surface area for efficient dissipation, and optionally using support tabs and spacers for enhanced heat transfer and structural integrity, while also providing electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a casting compound is used to embed the control unit and stator, then reliability is improved and production is simplified, but waste heat dissipation becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidwaste heat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining a heat-conducting element (such as metal) with a casting compound (such as epoxy resin). The heat-conducting element is embedded within the casting compound to form a composite material system that leverages the high thermal conductivity of the metal component while maintaining the protective and structural benefits of the casting compound, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The heat-conducting element acts as an intermediary between the heat-generating electronic components and the casting compound. It mediates the thermal transfer process by conducting heat away from the control unit and stator, then distributing it through the casting compound to the housing, thus solving the heat dissipation insufficiency while preserving the reliability benefits of the casting compound embedding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If the base body has a large surface area, then heat dissipation is improved, but production complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heat-conducting element with the housing structure by integrating the base body into the housing design. The base body is configured to bear against the housing, creating a unified structure that eliminates the need for separate mounting components. This merging approach allows the base body to achieve a large surface area for heat dissipation while avoiding additional production complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a large surface area for heat dissipation, acts as a structural support element, and creates thermal contact with the housing. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies production, as the base body replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate components for heat dissipation, support, and thermal coupling.

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

3Temperature

If support tabs are added to bear against the housing, then heat dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support tabs are designed with elastic bearing capability, allowing them to dynamically adapt to manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion. This dynamic characteristic enables the tabs to maintain optimal thermal contact with the housing under varying operating conditions, improving heat dissipation effectiveness without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Effectively dissipates waste heat without hot spots forming, ensuring reliable operation under adverse conditions and improving EMI compatibility through efficient thermal and electrical conductivity.

Implementation Method 1

the heat-conducting element with a plate-like base body, wherein the stator, the control unit and the plate-like base body are embedded in a casting compound... the whole of the plate-like base body is embedded inside the casting compound such that the front side of the cast body formed by the casting compound is designed as closed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the thermal conductivity of the casting compound is sufficient to dissipate quickly the waste heat which occurs such that the electronic power components cannot heat up to undesirably high temperatures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

the heat-conducting element and the housing are electrically conductive. As a result, the emission of electromagnetic radiation to the outside is reduced. Moreover, the effect of EMC radiation externally is reduced and the interference resistance improved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20240200615A1Fluid pump
Publication Date: 2024.06.20 VALEO POWERTRAIN GMBH
  • US20240200615A1 patent drawing
  • US20240200615A1 patent drawing
  • US20240200615A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An electromagnetic actuating device for a torque transmission system includes a shell arranged around an axis X, the shell being fixed relative to the axis X. The shell includes walls defining an annular cavity which houses a coil and at least partially a plunger which is able to move axially along the axis X to actuate a coupling device.