In-Vehicle Drive Device Segmented Cooling and Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional rotating electric machine system requires additional steps to prevent contamination and static electricity during manufacturing, which complicates the process due to the handling of electronic components.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle drive device with an electric motor and a power conversion unit integrated with a supporting member that includes a cooling channel connected to the electric motor's cooling channel, allowing for separate mounting of electronic components in a controlled environment and flexible connection of cooling channels, reducing the need for stringent contamination and static electricity measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are directly fixed to the electric motor housing, then integration is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to contamination and static electricity control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the system into two independent parts: the electric motor and the power conversion unit mounted on a separate supporting member. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, avoiding the need for strict contamination and static electricity control during motor manufacturing while still achieving functional integration through the shared cooling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting member with cooling channels acts as an intermediary between the electric motor and the power conversion unit. It provides a platform for mounting electronic components and establishes thermal connection without requiring direct physical contact between the motor housing and electronic components, thereby eliminating manufacturing process complications.
2Ease of manufacture
If electronic components are mounted in the electric motor manufacturing room, then assembly is simplified, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to contamination and static electricity control
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the mounting location of electronic components from the electric motor manufacturing process, the invention allows assembly to occur in different environments. The supporting member with cooling channels is manufactured independently and then integrated with the motor, enabling electronic component assembly in standard clean rooms rather than requiring specialized controlled environments.
3Temperature
If cooling channels are rigidly connected, then thermal efficiency is improved, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces flexibility into the cooling channel connection through the supporting member structure. The cooling channels in the supporting member can be configured to connect with the motor's cooling channels in various arrangements, allowing the system to adapt to different design requirements while maintaining effective thermal connection. This dynamic configuration capability enables both rigid thermal paths and flexible structural arrangements.
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 manufacturing process by allowing electronic component mounting in a controlled environment other than the electric motor's manufacturing room, reduces design burdens due to adaptable cooling channel connections, and enhances versatility and heat dissipation performance.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling channel 21 which allows a coolant to flow
Implementation Method 2
coolant passage that circulates outside a stator is provided between an outer wall and an inner wall of a motor case
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
An in-vehicle drive device of the present invention includes: an electric motor including a cooling channel; a power conversion unit that converts electric power from a power supply and outputs electric power to be supplied to the electric motor; and a supporting member fixed to the electric motor with the power conversion unit mounted on the supporting member. The supporting member includes a cooling channel connected to the cooling channel of the electric motor.