Motor-Pump Assembly With Shared Cooling and Nested Rotor Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in integrating an electric motor, hydraulic pump, and electronic drive device while efficiently sharing components, maintaining lubrication, and effectively cooling components to enhance reliability and reduce space and cost.
Innovation Solution
An integrated assembly that includes a main housing with an electric motor, hydraulic pump, and electronic drive device, featuring a cooling configuration with external cooling fluid channels to cool both the electric motor and electronic drive device, and a spline connection for enhanced support and lubrication of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electric motor, hydraulic pump, and electronic drive device are integrated into a single assembly, then component sharing and space utilization are improved, but thermal management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling of the electric motor and electronic drive device into a single integrated cooling system. The cooling fluid flows through channels in the motor housing and then through the electronic drive device housing, merging two cooling functions into one continuous fluid path. This reduces the number of separate cooling systems needed while effectively managing heat from both components.
2Device complexity
If multiple controllers are integrated into a single controller, then system complexity and cable requirements are reduced, but control functionality requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic drive device is designed to perform multiple control functions. It controls both the electric motor and the hydraulic pump, and also receives and processes actuator sensor information. This multi-functional controller consolidates what would traditionally require separate controllers, reducing system complexity while maintaining comprehensive control capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the hydraulic pump is positioned within the motor rotor, then mechanical component sharing is improved, but manufacturing and assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic pump is positioned within the motor rotor assembly, with the pump shaft concentric with the motor rotor. The pump housing is nested within the rotor structure, allowing both components to share the same central axis and supporting structures. This nesting arrangement enables mechanical component sharing while organizing the complex assembly in a systematic manner.
4Temperature
If cooling fluid channels are added to both the motor and electronic drive device, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fluid channels in the motor housing and electronic drive device housing are designed to connect, creating a continuous cooling pathway. The motor housing includes inlet and outlet ports that connect to the electronic drive device cooling channels, merging the manufacturing of two cooling systems into one integrated fluid circuit. This reduces the number of separate manifolds and connections needed.
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 assembly achieves a compact, cost-effective, and reliable integration of components with improved lubrication and cooling, reducing mechanical misalignments and extending component life while maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
one or more motor cooling fluid channels configured to receive cooling fluid from an external source of cooling fluid and allow cooling fluid to flow about the electric motor to cool the electric motor
Implementation Method 2
one or more inverter cooling fluid channels configured to allow cooling fluid from the external source to cool the inverter board
Data Source
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AI summary
An example assembly includes: a main housing (108) having an internal chamber (110) therein; an electric motor (102) disposed in the internal chamber of the main housing and comprising a motor rotor (114); a cooling inner ring (700) disposed in the internal chamber of the main housing about the electric motor, wherein the cooling inner ring comprises one or more motor cooling fluid channels configured to receive cooling fluid from an external source of cooling fluid and allow cooling fluid to flow about the electric motor to cool the electric motor; a hydraulic pump (104) positioned in the main housing, at least partially within the motor rotor of the electric motor; and an enclosure (173) coupled to the main housing and comprising (i) an inverter board (202) disposed therein, and (ii) one or more inverter cooling fluid channels configured to allow cooling fluid from the external source to cool the inverter board.