Electric Motor Cooling Control for Adaptive Pump Energy Use
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling the temperature of electric motors in vehicle drive trains are not adaptive enough and consume excessive energy, leading to inefficient operation and potential thermal stress.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts the motor operating temperature of electric motors in vehicle drive trains by calculating optimal temperatures based on motor speed and torque using lookup tables, and regulates fluid flow to minimize electrical and mechanical power losses, while ensuring safe operating conditions by switching between different operating states based on safety characteristic values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a fluid pump provides fluid flow for cooling the electric motor, then the motor temperature is controlled, but excessive energy is consumed and the control is not adaptive enough
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid pump's operating state is dynamically adjusted based on real-time motor operating conditions (speed, torque, temperature). The control system continuously monitors these parameters and adapts the fluid flow rate accordingly, transitioning from static to dynamic control to minimize energy consumption while maintaining optimal motor temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fluid flow rate parameter based on motor speed and torque parameters. By establishing correlation relationships between these parameters, the control system optimizes the cooling fluid flow to match actual heat generation, reducing unnecessary energy consumption during low-load conditions while ensuring adequate cooling during high-load operation.
2Reliability
If the fluid flow is increased to cool the electric motor, then the temperature control reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring motor temperature, speed, and torque, then adjusting the fluid pump output accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures reliable temperature management while optimizing energy usage, as the system only increases energy consumption when actually needed to maintain temperature within specified limits.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuously providing maximum fluid flow, the system applies partial cooling action only when necessary based on actual operating conditions. The fluid pump operates at reduced capacity during low-load conditions and increases output only when motor temperature approaches critical levels, eliminating excessive energy loss while maintaining temperature control reliability.
3Productivity
If the motor operating temperature is adjusted adaptively based on speed and torque, then the efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves multiple functions: it monitors motor temperature, measures speed and torque, calculates optimal operating points, and controls the fluid pump. By integrating these functions into a single multi-functional control unit, the system achieves adaptive temperature control for efficiency improvement without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical temperature control mechanisms with electronic sensing and computational control. Instead of mechanical thermostats or complex valve systems, the invention uses electronic sensors to monitor parameters and computational algorithms to determine optimal operating points, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic control that achieves the same or better performance.
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 approach allows for more efficient and energy-saving temperature control of electric motors, reducing power losses and ensuring safe operation by optimizing fluid flow based on real-time operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid pump (16) conveys a fluid flow (Vs) through a fluid circuit (14) for supplying the electric motor (12) with the fluid (14), wherein the motor operating temperature Tm of the electric motor (12) is regulated via the fluid flow (Vs)
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a temperature of an electric motor in a vehicle drive train via a fluid supply device having a closed fluid circuit with a fluid pump for conveying a fluid flow, which is to be supplied to the electric motor and which in the process alters its operating temperature. The method comprising comparing one actual value of a safety characteristic value of the electric motor to a predetermined limit value of the safety characteristic value. The method further comprising controlling the fluid flow by switching the fluid supply device between a first operating state and a second operating state at least according to the comparison. In the first operating state, the fluid flow is adjusted according to a predetermined operating characteristic value of the electric motor. In the second operating state, the fluid flow is adjusted so as to be higher than in the first operating state.