Hybrid Drive Unit Cooling Path Switching for Motor Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid vehicles face challenges in improving vehicle motion performance due to limited mounting space for the drive unit containing an engine and motor, necessitating downsizing while also requiring effective cooling solutions to manage motor heat, which affects magnetic force and overall performance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle design with a drive unit that includes adjacent engine and motor configurations, featuring multiple cooling paths with switchable refrigerant flow to maintain optimal motor temperature, integrated switch units within the housing, and an ebullient cooler system to enhance cooling capacity without increasing size, thereby improving motion performance and reducing vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the drive unit is downsized to improve vehicle motion performance, then the mounting space requirement is reduced, but the cooling performance may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The motor cooling path is segmented into multiple paths (first motor cooling path and second motor cooling path) with different cooling performances. This allows the system to provide adequate cooling capacity within a downsized drive unit by selecting appropriate cooling paths based on operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch unit dynamically switches between different motor cooling paths based on motor temperature and operating conditions. This dynamic adaptation ensures sufficient cooling performance while maintaining a compact drive unit size across varying operational scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cooling paths with different cooling performances are provided, then the motor can be maintained at optimal temperature under various use statuses, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switch unit integrates multiple cooling path control functions into a single component. By combining path selection and flow regulation in one unit, the system achieves high cooling adaptability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch unit serves multiple functions: it selects between different cooling paths, regulates refrigerant flow distribution, and adapts to various motor operating conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for each cooling path.
3Ease of operation
If the switch unit is attached to the drive unit longitudinally, then the cooling control is improved, but the vertical displacement during driving increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switch unit is attached to the drive unit in the vertical direction rather than longitudinally. This dimensional change in attachment orientation reduces vertical displacement during driving while maintaining effective cooling control through the refrigerant circulation system.
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 allows for high vehicle motion performance by downsizing the drive unit, maintaining optimal motor temperature through adaptive cooling, and minimizing size and vibration, thus improving overall vehicle efficiency and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a motor cooling path that is connected to the motor and is a path of a refrigerant for cooling the motor
Implementation Method 2
an ebullient cooler system to enhance cooling capacity
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a vehicle, vehicle motion performance of which can be made high by downsizing a drive unit having an engine and a motor. A drive unit for vehicle travel has the engine and the motor. The motor is arranged adjacent to a rear side of the engine. In a housing of the motor, parts of oil control valves and motor cooling oil paths, through each of which motor cooling oil flows, are provided. The motor cooling oil flowing through first motor cooling oil paths exchanges heat with engine oil in a first heat exchanger. The motor cooling oil flowing through second motor cooling oil paths exchanges heat with an engine cooling coolant in a second heat exchanger.