Integrated Motor Control Housing With Liquid-Guided Heat Sink Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated motor and control systems face challenges in protecting the motor control from liquid exposure while ensuring effective cooling, as openings for heat sinks can allow liquids to enter and interfere with airflow, potentially damaging heat-sensitive components.
Innovation Solution
An integrated motor and control system with a housing that includes a liquid guide to direct liquids away from the control, allowing the heat sink to extend outside for cooling without using a drip shield, which maintains airflow and prevents liquid contact with the control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an opening is provided in the housing to allow heat sink fins to extend outside for cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but liquid can enter through the opening and contact the control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid guide as an intermediary component that mediates between the liquid environment and the control. The liquid guide redirects liquid flow away from the control while allowing the heat sink fins to extend through the opening for effective cooling, thus resolving the contradiction between cooling efficiency and liquid protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is segmented into functional zones: a protected zone containing the control, and an exposed zone with the heat sink fins extending through the opening. The liquid guide creates a flow path that segments liquid direction, guiding it away from the control zone while maintaining cooling airflow over the fins.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a drip shield is positioned to extend over the opening to divert liquid away, then liquid protection is improved, but cooling air flow over the fins is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid guide serves as a specialized intermediary that differs from a traditional drip shield. Instead of blocking the opening, it acts as a flow director that channels liquid away from the control while leaving the opening clear for cooling airflow, thus avoiding the trade-off between liquid protection and cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid guide provides localized liquid redirection at specific areas where liquid contact would be harmful to the control, while maintaining open airflow paths in other areas where cooling is needed. This selective protection approach allows different regions of the housing opening to have different functional qualities.
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 system effectively prevents liquid contact with the control while allowing for efficient cooling of the motor control, enhancing the protection of heat-sensitive components and maintaining natural convective airflow over the heat sink, thus preventing overheating and damage.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink is adjacent the control for cooling the control
Implementation Method 2
maintaining natural convective airflow over the heat sink
Implementation Method 3
a liquid guide for guiding liquid toward one or more positions in the opening selected so liquid guided by the liquid guide into the opening is shed away from the opening
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated motor and control system has an electric motor. A control controls operation of the motor. A housing substantially covers at least two sides of the control. The housing has an opening and a liquid guide for guiding liquid toward a predetermined position in the opening to prevent liquid from contacting the control. The control is mounted on at least one of the electric motor and the housing. A heat sink can be extended through the opening in the housing to cool the control. The liquid guide can facilitate natural convection over the portion of the heat sink exterior of the housing. The integrated motor and control system can suitably be used in a washing machine or other appliance where liquid may be encountered.