Electric Motor Cooling Jacket with Segmented Columns
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicle motors face challenges in increasing structural rigidity to suppress high-frequency vibrations and vibration noise without enlarging the motor's external shape, as existing cooling water jacket designs lack sufficient rigidity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The electric motor design features an inner housing connected to an outer housing via multiple columns, with axial and circumferential ribs on the outer housing surface, creating a flow path for cooling water and enhancing rigidity by preventing membrane vibrations and promoting turbulent flows for improved heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the cooling water jacket is completely hollowed to ensure cooling capability, then cooling efficiency is improved, but structural rigidity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow cooling water jacket is segmented by inserting multiple columns (first, second, and third columns) into the hollow portion. These columns divide the continuous hollow space into multiple sections, allowing the jacket to maintain cooling functionality while gaining structural reinforcement. The columns act as internal supports that prevent the thin-walled jacket from deforming under high-frequency vibratory forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The columns are strategically positioned at specific locations within the hollow portion where structural reinforcement is most needed. The first column is positioned to reinforce the stator-holding region, while the second and third columns are positioned to reinforce the housing connection regions. This localized reinforcement approach maintains cooling efficiency in non-critical areas while strengthening the structure where vibrations occur.
2Strength
If radiation fins are made thick to connect inner and outer housing, then structural rigidity is improved, but radiating effect deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using thick continuous radiation fins, the connection between inner and outer housing is achieved through multiple thin columns positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows each column to remain thin (maintaining radiating effect) while the collective arrangement of multiple columns provides the necessary structural rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural reinforcement is achieved by adding elements in the radial dimension (columns extending from inner to outer housing) rather than increasing the thickness of existing fins. This dimensional approach allows thin columns to provide structural support without compromising the radiating surface area.
3Ease of manufacture
If the motor external shape is enlarged to increase the hollow portion, then core sand discharge is improved, but device size deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow portion is segmented by columns into multiple channels, which facilitates core sand discharge through the created pathways. The columns act as formers that define flow channels, allowing sand to be discharged efficiently without needing to enlarge the overall motor housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The columns serve as intermediary structures that simultaneously fulfill multiple functions: they reinforce structural rigidity, create discharge pathways for core sand, and maintain the compact external shape of the motor.
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 significantly increases the motor's structural rigidity, effectively dampens high-frequency vibrations, and enhances cooling efficiency by promoting turbulent flows, without increasing the motor's size or weight, thereby reducing vibration noise and improving heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
an outer housing which defines a space through which cooling water is caused to flow between the inner housing and itself
Implementation Method 2
cooling water is caused to flow between the inner housing and itself
Implementation Method 3
enhances cooling efficiency by promoting turbulent flows
Data Source
AI summary
An electric motor for use in an electric vehicle, the electric motor includes: an inner housing which holds a stator; and an outer housing which defines a space through which cooling water is caused to flow between the inner housing and itself. The inner housing and the outer housing are connected by a plurality of columns disposed in the space.