Electric Motor Support with Integrated Cooling Duct
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Solution Overview
Problem
The arrangement of hybrid powertrains in vehicle engine compartments is compromised by the need to accommodate both heat engines and electric motors, leading to compactness issues and challenges in cooling circuit arrangement, particularly due to the lateral placement of electric motors relative to internal combustion engines.
Innovation Solution
An electric motor support with integrated fluid circulation ducts that connects the heat engine's cooling circuit to the powertrain's cooling circuit, allowing the electric motor to be placed closer to the heat engine, forming a rigid loop that reduces movement and deflections, and enabling a more compact and efficient cooling system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the electric motor is placed laterally with respect to the internal combustion engine, then the powertrain can be configured with separate cooling circuits, but the arrangement becomes complex and compactness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed to integrate multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the electric motor, serves as a mounting interface for the internal combustion engine, and incorporates an integrated cooling duct that fluidically connects both powertrain components. This merging of structural and cooling functions into a single component reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall powertrain layout while maintaining cooling circuit flexibility
2Ease of operation
If the electric motor is placed laterally with respect to the internal combustion engine, then separate motor mounting is possible, but the cooling circuit arrangement becomes tricky and compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as a mounting interface for the electric motor, a mounting surface for the internal combustion engine, and an integrated cooling duct. This universal design allows the same component to fulfill multiple roles, enabling easy motor mounting while maintaining compact powertrain packaging by eliminating the need for separate cooling pipes and mounting brackets
3Reliability
If a separate cooling pipe is used to connect the electric motor to the cooling circuit, then cooling coverage is complete, but the cooling pipe experiences movement and deflections
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling duct is integrated directly into the rigid support structure, forming a single-piece construction where the cooling passage is molded as part of the support itself. This eliminates separate flexible cooling pipes that would be subject to movement and deflection, while maintaining complete cooling circuit connectivity between the internal combustion engine and electric motor through the rigid integrated duct
4Adaptability or versatility
If the cooling circuit is arranged with flexible pipes to accommodate motor placement, then installation flexibility is improved, but pipe deflections increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure serves as a universal component that provides both mechanical mounting functions and integrated cooling duct functionality. The cooling passage is formed as an integral part of the rigid support structure through molding, eliminating the need for separate flexible pipes while maintaining installation flexibility through the multi-functional design of the support itself
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a mount (10) for an electric motor comprising at least three distinct portions: • - a portion to be mounted (11) on a heat engine, • - a portion for securing (12) an electric motor, • - a portion forming an integrated duct (13) for fluid circulation. The invention also relates to a hybrid power train comprising such a mount and a drive system comprising such a power train.