Electric Motor Brake Cooling Duct Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric motors with braking mechanisms are not designed to be compact due to the need for separate cooling and electrical connection access, leading to increased radial expansion and complexity.

Innovation Solution

An electric motor with an electromagnetically actuable brake featuring cooling ducts that open into a distributor duct within the motor housing, where a pipeline is guided through a bore in the coil body, allowing coolant and electrical connections to be supplied from the non-drive end, reducing radial expansion and enabling a compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate cooling and electrical connection access are provided, then cooling and electrical connections can be supplied independently, but radial expansion increases and compactness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent cooling and electrical connection supplyVSAvoidradial expansion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cooling duct and electrical connection access into a single integrated structure at the non-drive end. The pipeline for coolant supply is routed through the coil body bore, which also serves as the access point for electrical connections. This merging of functions into one access point eliminates the need for separate openings, thereby reducing radial expansion while maintaining independent supply capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The non-drive end structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both the coolant supply access and electrical connection access through the same structural elements. The coil body bore serves dual purposes as both a coolant passage and an electrical connection conduit, making the structure universal and multi-functional, thus avoiding additional radial expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If coolant is supplied from the non-drive end through the coil body, then radial expansion is minimized, but the pipeline installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradial expansionVSAvoidpipeline installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pipeline is nested within the existing coil body bore structure. Instead of requiring a separate external mounting, the coolant pipeline is inserted through the bore that already exists in the coil body for electrical connections. This nesting approach allows the pipeline to be housed within the existing structural envelope, minimizing radial expansion while the modular insertion design simplifies installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The pipeline installation is segmented into modular components that can be assembled and inserted as a unit through the coil body bore. The pipeline system is divided into sections that can be independently installed and connected, reducing the overall installation complexity despite the integrated routing through the coil body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the pipeline is mounted at two axially spaced points, then pipeline stability improves, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipeline stabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coil body bore is pre-formed during manufacturing to accommodate the pipeline insertion. This preliminary preparation of the bore structure eliminates the need for additional complex mounting features, as the bore itself serves as the guiding and stabilizing structure. The pipeline is then simply inserted and secured at the two axial points, achieving stability without adding structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 a compact motor design with efficient coolant supply and electrical access from one axial side, minimizing additional structural volume and maintaining a small radial expansion, while ensuring effective cooling and operation of the brake mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

the brake having a coil body, i.e. magnet body, in which an electrically energized coil is recorded

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a pipeline opens into the distribution channel, which is guided through a bore in the coil body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through conduits:

Implementation Method 3

the motor has cooling ducts which open into a distributor duct which is arranged in a housing part of the motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

The distribution channel is arranged on the side facing the stator winding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3235109B1Electric motor comprising an electromagnetically actuated brake
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3235109B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3235109B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Disclosed is an electric motor which comprises an electromagnetically actuated brake and cooling ducts that extend into a distribution duct located in a housing part of the motor; the brake includes a coil member, in particular a magnet member, especially in which an energizable coil is accommodated; a pipe which runs through a bore in the coil member extends into the distribution duct.