Vehicle Drive Inverter-Cooler Layout for Compact Case Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle drive devices face challenges in achieving both good workability and mountability due to the need for multiple opening portions and increased size, which complicates the assembly and integration of inverter units and cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle drive device configuration where a cylindrical rotary electric machine, an inverter with integrated units, and a case are designed such that the inverter units and cooler are fixed to each other and housed in an integrated state within the case, reducing the need for multiple opening portions and minimizing the case size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple opening portions are provided for housing inverter units and cooling systems separately, then the workability of assembling and removing inverter components is improved, but the size of the case increases and mountability onto the vehicle decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate opening portions into a single integrated opening portion that houses both the inverter unit and the cooling system. The inverter unit and cooler are positioned to share a common access opening, eliminating the need for separate openings and reducing the overall case size while maintaining assembly and disassembly workability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges the inverter unit and cooler in a spatial configuration where they can both be accessed through a single opening by utilizing different spatial dimensions and angles within the case. This dimensional arrangement allows components to be assembled and removed through one opening without requiring separate dedicated openings for each component.
2Volume of moving object
If the number of opening portions is reduced to decrease the size of the vehicle drive device, then the mountability onto the vehicle is improved, but the workability of assembling and removing inverter components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the access openings for the inverter unit and cooling system into a single integrated opening. This consolidation reduces the case size and improves mountability while the internal arrangement of components ensures that assembly and disassembly operations remain accessible and practical through this unified opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The single opening portion serves multiple functions: it provides access for assembling the inverter unit, accessing the cooling system, and disassembling components. This multi-functional opening design eliminates the need for separate specialized openings for each component while maintaining full workability for all maintenance and assembly operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle drive device includes a rotary electric machine, an inverter, and a case. The case includes a main body portion and a cover portion. The main body portion houses the rotary electric machine and at least a part of the inverter. The cover portion is joined to the main body portion so as to cover an opening portion of the main body portion. The inverter includes a cooler, a first unit that is fixed to the cooler so as to be along a first reference plane, and a second unit that is fixed to the cooler so as to be along a second reference plane. The cooler is fixed to the main body portion.