Integrated Motor-Inverter Cooling Layout With a Common Flow Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inverter-integrated motors with separate cooling flow paths for the motor and inverter result in increased motor case size and compromised cooling performance due to incomplete stator coverage.
Innovation Solution
A common cooling flow path is formed between an inner case and a heat sink, utilizing cooling ribs on the inner case and fins on the heat sink to conduct heat from the motor and inverter into cooling water, reducing the motor case size while enhancing cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separate cooling flow paths are formed for motor and inverter in overlapped cases, then cooling function is provided for both components, but motor case size is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor cooling flow path and inverter cooling flow path into a single common cooling flow path. The cooling water flows through the inner case surrounding the motor and then through the heat sink for inverter cooling, eliminating the need for separate flow paths and reducing overall case size while maintaining cooling effectiveness for both components.
2Temperature
If first cooling flow path surrounds stator in lower case, then motor cooling is provided, but cooling performance deteriorates due to incomplete surrounding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar cooling arrangement to a three-dimensional radial cooling arrangement. The cooling flow path is configured to surround the stator in multiple directions within the radial space of the inner case, providing complete 360-degree cooling coverage and significantly improving motor cooling 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
The common flow path design brings the motor and inverter closer together, improving cooling performance by effectively dissipating heat through the ribs and fins, thereby reducing the motor case size and enhancing overall cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
heat of the motor is conducted to the inner case and is dissipated into the cooling water through the plurality of cooling ribs, and heat of the inverter is conducted to the heat sink and dissipated into the cooling water through the plurality of cooling fins
Implementation Method 2
cooling water flows through the common flow path, so that heat of the motor is conducted to the inner case and is dissipated into the cooling water through the plurality of cooling ribs, and heat of the inverter is conducted to the heat sink and dissipated into the cooling water through the plurality of cooling fins
Data Source
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AI summary
An inverter-integrated motor (1) is provided with a motor case (10) in which an inner case (21) is accommodated inside an outer case (11), a motor (31) installed inside the inner case and having a motor shaft protruding outside the case, an inverter (39) installed inside the outer case and configured to control rotation of the motor, and a heat sink (41) installed inside the outer case and configured to cool the inverter. A plurality of cooling ribs (22) are provided on an outer circumferential surface of the inner case, and a plurality of cooling fins (42) are provided on a lower surface of the heat sink, and the lower surface of the heat sink faces the outer circumferential surface of the inner case, and a common flow path (52) is formed by the plurality of cooling ribs and the plurality of cooling fins.