Motor Cooling via Segmented Air Guide and Rotating Fan

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Solution Overview

Problem

The cooling of motors with integrated electronics is hindered by the fastening method to a mounting wall, which restricts airflow and leads to increased component temperatures, limiting their performance and service life.

Innovation Solution

The motor incorporates an air volume flow generated by an air conveying element, guided through a flow gap to target cooling of temperature-critical components, such as the stator bushing and electronics housing, enhancing cooling beyond conventional convection and improving performance and lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the motor is fastened to a mounting wall by means of the stator bushing, then the motor is securely mounted, but the mounting wall prevents flow around the motor and electronics housing in the axial direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidcomponent temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The air guide element is divided into multiple functional sections: a first air guide section that directs air to the electronics housing, and a second air guide section that directs air to the stator bushing. This segmentation allows targeted cooling of different thermal zones while maintaining the secure mounting connection to the wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air guide element acts as an intermediary component between the air conveying element and the motor components requiring cooling. It channels and distributes the air volume flow to specific areas (electronics housing and stator bushing) that would otherwise be blocked from direct airflow by the mounting wall configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If the air conveying element generates air volume flow for cooling, then the cooling effect is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent temperatureVSAvoidcooling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air conveying element serves multiple functions: it generates the air volume flow for cooling and simultaneously drives the fan blades to perform the primary fan function. The air guide element also serves dual purposes by both guiding cooling air and structurally connecting components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cooling components.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The air guide element is positioned within the existing motor structure, nesting the cooling functionality within the established motor housing and mounting configuration. The first and second air guide sections are arranged concentrically, with the second section surrounding the first, efficiently utilizing the available space without adding external cooling structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Active cooling of critical components results in increased motor performance and extended service life without requiring significant modifications to existing motor designs, as the air duct can be integrated with minimal changes to the mounting setup.

Implementation Method 1

active cooling of temperature-critical components of the motor, in particular the motor electronics and the ball bearing of the stator, by means of an air volume flow generated by the air conveying element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

The air volume flow is guided in a targeted manner using the air guide element and the flow gap of the flow space to the motor components that require special cooling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2880746B1Active cooling of a motor
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 EBM PAPST MULFINGEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2880746B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2880746B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2880746B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor, comprising an electronics housing (1), a stator having a stator bushing (3), and a rotor (5). The motor can be fastened to a fastening wall (11) by means of the stator bushing (3). The motor according to the invention has an air conducting element and an air conveying element (14). The air conveying element is connected to the rotor (5) in a rotationally fixed manner. The air conducting element (22a) surrounds the stator bushing (3) and forms a flow space (35) between the air conducting element (22a) and an outer circumference of the stator bushing (3). The flow space (35) is open on the side of the electronics housing (1) in the direction of the fastening wall (11) through at least one flow gap (27). The air conducting element (14) opens with an intake opening (16) via a sealing gap in a rotor-side throughflow opening (26) of the air conducting element.