Motor Cooling via Segmented Housing and Integrated Refrigerant Path

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motor cooling systems using a pipe inserting type method are complex, occupy limited space, and have low cooling efficiency due to the structure's complexity and inefficiency in heat removal.

Innovation Solution

A motor design featuring a dual housing configuration with refrigerant passing through, utilizing multiple sealing rings to prevent leakage and simplify assembly, while maintaining coaxiality and improving cooling efficiency through a diaphragm unit that divides the space between housings for enhanced heat exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pipe inserting type method is used for cooling, then refrigerant can pass through the motor, but the structure becomes very complicated and space is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into an upper housing and a lower housing that are coupled together, with the refrigerant passage formed through this segmented structure. This segmentation allows the cooling function to be integrated into the housing itself rather than requiring separate pipe components, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining effective refrigerant flow for cooling the motor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The refrigerant passage is merged directly into the housing structure, eliminating the need for separate pipe components. The housing serves dual purposes: structural enclosure and heat dissipation conduit. This merging of functions reduces structural complexity while ensuring reliable cooling efficiency through direct refrigerant contact with the motor housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Temperature

If pipes are inserted for refrigerant flow, then cooling can be achieved, but the space inside the motor is very limited by the pipes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat removal efficiencyVSAvoidavailable space
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The housing structure is merged with the refrigerant passage function, eliminating the need for separate internal pipes. The housing walls themselves serve as the heat dissipation conduits, maximizing the available internal space for motor components while maintaining effective cooling through the integrated housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of energy

If a conventional water jacket is used, then heat can be removed, but the structure is very complicated and cooling efficiency is very low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into upper and lower portions that can be separately manufactured and then coupled together. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing complexity while the integrated refrigerant passage design ensures efficient heat dissipation. The segmented housing allows for easier assembly and maintenance while maintaining effective cooling performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling function is merged into the housing structure itself, eliminating the need for separate water jacket components. The housing serves both structural and thermal management functions, reducing overall structural complexity while improving cooling efficiency through direct refrigerant flow paths integrated into the housing walls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If the housing is dually-formed to allow refrigerant passage, then structure is simplified, but refrigerant may leak

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidsealing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into upper and lower portions that are coupled together with sealing elements at the interface. This segmentation maintains structural simplicity while the sealing structure at the coupling interface prevents refrigerant leakage. The separated housing portions can be manufactured with integrated refrigerant passages, and the coupling joint includes sealing features to maintain reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

5Ease of manufacture

If the housing assembly structure is improved, then mutual coupling is enabled, but assembly precision and coaxiality need to be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidcoaxiality precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into upper and lower portions with coupling structures that include alignment features. This segmentation enables easier manufacturing of each portion separately with integrated refrigerant passages, while the coupling interface includes positioning elements that ensure precise coaxial alignment during assembly, thus achieving both ease of manufacture and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 motor achieves efficient cooling of high-heat motor units with a simplified structure, preventing refrigerant leakage and ensuring accurate assembly, thereby improving cooling efficiency and reducing space requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a motor configured to be cooled by cooling water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

efficient heat removal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2677637B1Eletric motor cooling
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 LG INNOTEK CO LTD
  • EP2677637B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2677637B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2677637B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a motor (500), the motor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure including a motor unit (100) including a stator (110), a rotor (120) and a rotation shaft (130) receiving a rotary power from the rotor (120), a first housing (240) accommodating the motor unit (100) and including a hitching rim (210) protruded thereinto at a distal end of an upper surface, a second housing (280) interposed between the first housing (240) and the motor unit (100) and including a first flange unit (250) protruded to an upper outer surface for a space distanced from the first housing (240) and a second flange (260) protruded to a bottom outer surface, a first cover (340) coupled to an upper surface of the first housing (240) and the second housing (280), and a second cover (380) coupled to a bottom surface of the first housing (240) and the second housing (280).