Hybrid Vehicle Cooling Apparatus Asymmetric Power Unit Offset
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid vehicles, the arrangement of radiators for the engine and motor apparatus in the vehicle width direction leads to heat propagation from the generator and drive motor to the inverter, deteriorating cooling performance due to air stream penetration issues.
Innovation Solution
The cooling apparatus is designed with the power unit offset towards the engine-side side member, widening the gap between the generator and the side member, creating a passage for cooling air to improve airflow under the inverter and prevent heat propagation, thus enhancing cooling performance by positioning the radiators to optimize airflow and reduce direct heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inverter is arranged above the generator and drive motor to facilitate wiring, then wiring ease is improved, but heat propagation from the generator and drive motor to the inverter occurs, deteriorating cooling performance
Solution Approach 1:
The power unit is arranged asymmetrically offset towards the engine-side side member, creating an asymmetric layout where the generator is positioned closer to the engine-side member. This asymmetric arrangement reduces the vertical overlap area between the generator/drive motor and the inverter, thereby reducing heat propagation while still allowing the inverter to lie above these components for wiring convenience.
2Area of stationary object
If the radiators are arranged in the vehicle width direction at the front portion, then space utilization is improved, but air stream penetration deteriorates, leading to reduced cooling performance
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric offset arrangement of the power unit creates an asymmetric gap distribution, with a larger gap between the generator and the generator-side side member. This asymmetric gap configuration forms a dedicated passage for cooling air stream ejection below the inverter, improving air stream penetration through the radiator arrangement while maintaining efficient space utilization in the front portion of the engine compartment.
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 configuration increases the amount of cooling air passing through the radiators, improves heat radiating performance, and enhances overall cooling efficiency for the hybrid vehicle by preventing heat propagation from the generator and drive motor to the inverter.
Implementation Method 1
a first radiator provided for an engine cooling circuit for cooling said engine and a second radiator provided for a motor apparatus cooling circuit for cooling motor apparatus
Implementation Method 2
improves heat radiating performance of the first and second radiator
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle including a power unit which is arranged at a position between a pair of right and left-hand members so as to be offset towards an engine-side side member of the pair of right and left-hand members. A gap formed between the generator and a generator-side side member of the pair of right and left-hand members is larger than a gap formed between the engine and the engine-side side member, thereby avoiding propagation of heat from the generator and the drive motor to the inverter and improving the heat radiating performance of the first radiator.