Motor Coolant Flow Path for Inverter Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor technologies fail to efficiently cool voltage boosting circuits, which are larger in size and hinder effective cooling due to their integration with other components.
Innovation Solution
A motor design that incorporates a coolant flow path overlapping with the inverter and voltage boosting circuit in the diameter direction within the housing, allowing for efficient cooling and size reduction by optimizing the placement of components such as IGBTs and reactors relative to the coolant flow path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a voltage boosting circuit with a reactor is used in the motor, then the power source voltage can be boosted to enable high-speed rotation, but the reactor has a relatively larger size that prevents efficient cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the coolant flow path to overlap with the inverter and voltage boosting circuit in the diameter direction of the motor, utilizing the radial dimension for cooling. This dimensional approach allows the coolant to effectively reach heat-generating components without increasing the axial length, resolving the space-constraint issue that previously prevented efficient cooling of the reactor.
2Device complexity
If the inverter and voltage boosting circuit are integrated in the housing, then the motor structure is compact, but the cooling of these components becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function with the structural housing by forming the coolant flow path within the housing itself. The housing serves dual purposes: structural containment and thermal management. This integration allows efficient cooling of the inverter and voltage boosting circuit while maintaining the compact integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant flow path is positioned to overlap with heat-generating components in the diameter direction, utilizing the radial dimension for heat removal. This dimensional arrangement enables effective cooling without compromising the integrated compact structure, as the coolant can flow radially through or near the components.
3Power
If the reactor is made larger to handle voltage boosting, then the voltage boosting function is improved, but the overall motor size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the diameter direction for positioning the coolant flow path relative to the reactor, allowing efficient cooling without increasing the axial length. This enables the reactor to be sized appropriately for voltage boosting while keeping the overall motor compact through optimized spatial arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies localized cooling by positioning the coolant flow path specifically where it overlaps with the inverter and voltage boosting circuit in the diameter direction. This targeted approach provides intensive cooling exactly where heat is generated, allowing the reactor to maintain its necessary size for voltage boosting without requiring excessive cooling infrastructure that would increase overall motor volume.
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 design enhances cooling efficiency for both the inverter and voltage boosting circuit, contributing to a reduced motor size and improved performance by prioritizing heat management through strategic component placement and coolant flow.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant flow path that is provided at a position at which the coolant flow path overlaps with the inverter and the voltage boosting circuit in the housing in a diameter direction
Data Source
AI summary
A motor includes: a housing that accommodates a stator that has a field coil and a rotor; an inverter that is provided in the housing; a voltage boosting circuit that has a reactor provided in the housing; and a coolant flow path that is provided at a position at which the coolant flow path overlaps with the inverter and the voltage boosting circuit in the housing in a diameter direction, and the inverter has a control board that controls a drive current or a drive voltage and a drive element that is provided on the side of the housing with respect to the control board and supplies power to the field coil in accordance with control from the control board.