Motor Cooling Flow Path Structure for Uniform Axial Coolant Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling structures for motors fail to effectively equalize the flow rate and/or flow velocity of coolant in the axial direction, leading to uneven cooling and potential local overheating.
Innovation Solution
A coolant flow path design featuring an expansion portion with increasing axial width in the circumferential direction, branching into multiple branch flow paths, and incorporating projections to temporarily stagnate coolant, thereby equalizing flow resistance and velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If coolant flows directly from supply port to branch portion without expansion portion, then flow path is simple and short, but flow rate and velocity are uneven in axial direction
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion portion extends in the circumferential direction (perpendicular to axial direction) while increasing axial width, creating a two-dimensional expansion that allows coolant to equalize flow in axial direction before entering branch portion, thus improving flow uniformity without significantly increasing path length
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion portion with projections creates preliminary flow resistance equalization before coolant reaches the branch portion, ensuring that flow rate and velocity are already equalized in axial direction before distribution to multiple branches
2Manufacturing precision
If first projection blocks part of coolant flow, then flow resistance equalization improves, but local flow stagnation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The first projection is positioned at a specific location within the expansion portion to create localized flow resistance that equalizes axial flow distribution without completely blocking flow, allowing differential flow control at different axial positions
Solution Approach 2:
The projection extends in the axial direction to narrow radial width, creating flow resistance in radial direction that indirectly equalizes axial flow distribution by forcing coolant to redistribute across axial positions
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 design ensures uniform coolant distribution, preventing local overheating and enhancing overall cooling efficiency by equalizing flow rate and velocity across the axial direction.
Implementation Method 1
a part of the coolant supplied from the supply port into the expansion portion is blocked by the first projection and thus temporarily stays within the expansion portion. This temporal stay of the coolant within the expansion portion equalizes flow resistance of the coolant in the axial direction
Implementation Method 2
a width of the expansion portion in an axial direction increases along the circumferential direction... equalizes the flow rate and/or flow velocity of the coolant in the axial direction which is going to flow downstream beyond the first projection
Data Source
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AI summary
A cooling structure for a motor extending in an axial direction may include a coolant flow path configured to allow coolant to flow in a circumferential direction of the motor and a supply port (21S) through which the coolant is supplied to the coolant flow path. The coolant flow path may include an expansion portion (31S) extending from the supply port in the circumferential direction, wherein a width of the expansion portion in the axial direction increases along the circumferential direction; and a branch portion (33S) extending from the expansion portion in the circumferential direction and branching into a plurality of branch flow paths. The expansion portion may include a first projection (35aS) extending in the axial direction and narrowing a width of the coolant flow path in a radial direction of the motor.