Inverter Case Cooling Port Relocation for Sealing Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle drive device structures with rotary electric machines and inverters have complex sealing requirements due to refrigerant flow paths passing through the casing, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle drive device design relocates the refrigerant supply and discharge ports to the outer wall of the inverter case, reducing the number of sealing locations and simplifying the structure by containing the inverter housing within the inverter case and its cover, allowing easier maintenance and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the refrigerant flow path is connected to the inverter through the casing wall with multiple sealed locations, then the inverter can be cooled, but the structure becomes complicated and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the refrigerant flow path directly with the inverter housing structure. The supply port and discharge port are integrated into the inverter case itself, eliminating the need for separate sealed connections through the casing wall. This consolidation reduces the number of sealing locations from multiple joints to just the necessary ports on the inverter case, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining effective cooling.
2Temperature
If the refrigerant flow path passes through the casing platform to enter the housing space, then cooling is achieved, but the number of sealed locations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the refrigerant ports from the complex casing structure and relocates them directly to the inverter case. By taking out the supply and discharge ports from the casing platform configuration and integrating them into the inverter housing, the design eliminates unnecessary sealed connections. This extraction reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while preserving the cooling function.
3Temperature
If multiple sealed locations are required for the refrigerant path, then the inverter can be cooled, but maintenance accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the inverter assembly from the main casing by providing dedicated supply and discharge ports on the inverter case itself. This segmentation allows the inverter to be accessed and maintained independently without requiring disassembly of multiple sealed connections through the casing. The modular port configuration on the inverter case enables easier removal and installation during maintenance while maintaining effective cooling.
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 reduces the number of sealing locations, enhances maintenance accessibility, and lowers manufacturing costs by simplifying the sealing process and improving the workability of the inverter replacement.
Implementation Method 1
supply port and discharge port for liquid refrigerant for cooling the inverter device
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle drive device that includes a body case that accommodates at least the rotary electric machine; an inverter case joined to the body case; and an inverter case cover joined to the inverter case; wherein an inverter housing that accommodates the inverter device is formed in a space enclosed by at least the inverter case; wherein a connection terminal electrically connecting the rotary electric machine and the inverter device is disposed in the inverter housing; wherein the case outer wall is formed by a first outer wall, a second outer wall, and the inverter case cover, the first outer wall being an outer wall of the body case, the second outer wall being an outer wall of the inverter case; and wherein a supply port and a discharge port for liquid refrigerant for cooling the inverter device are formed on the second outer wall.