Motor Power Converter Cooling Layout to Prevent Top Heat Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling configurations for rotary electric machines and power converters may reduce cooling effectiveness due to heat accumulation and inefficient coolant distribution, particularly at the top portion of the device housing.
Innovation Solution
The rotary electric machine unit is designed with a device cooling passage that extends along the outer surface of the power converter, where the device inlet and outlet are arranged in the axial direction, and the device housing is inclined relative to the vertical direction to prevent heat accumulation and ensure effective coolant flow for both electrical components and the upper space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional cooling device is provided to cool the power converter and rotary electric machine with coolant flowing inside, then the cooling function is provided, but heat accumulation occurs and cooling effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is configured to cool the power converter from the outside rather than from inside passages, representing a dimensional change in the cooling approach. The device housing is inclined relative to the vertical direction, creating a non-conventional orientation that prevents heat accumulation by altering the thermal flow path and improving coolant distribution across the electrical components.
2Ease of manufacture
If the device housing is positioned vertically, then the structure is simple, but heat accumulates at the top portion and coolant distribution becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device housing is designed with an inclined orientation relative to the vertical direction, breaking the symmetric vertical arrangement. This asymmetric positioning prevents heat accumulation at the top portion by altering the natural convection patterns and ensuring more uniform coolant distribution across all electrical components housed within.
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 enhances the cooling effect by preventing heat accumulation and ensuring continuous coolant flow, thereby maintaining efficient cooling of both electrical components and the upper space within the device housing.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device is provided to a power converter and a rotary electric machine to cool the power converter and the rotary electric machine with coolant flowing inside the cooling device
Data Source
AI summary
In a motor unit, a power converter is provided to an outer circumferential surface of a motor case at a position distant from an outer top portion in a circumferential direction. In a power converter, a power module and a control board are accommodated in an internal space of a device case. A power converter is provided with a device cooler. A device cooling portion has a device cooling passage extending along a power module. A first end, which is an upper end of the device cooling passage, is provide to an upper space inside the device housing. In the device cooling passage, a device inlet, into which coolant flows, and a device outlet, from which coolant flows out, are provided side by side in an axial direction.