Electric Drive Motor Terminal Box Axial Volume Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric drive motor terminal boxes lack sufficient space for electronic components and inadequate cooling, leading to inefficient design and heat dissipation issues.

Innovation Solution

A terminal box design comprising multiple geometric sections that form a larger interior space with a trapezoidal connecting section and a radially extended second section, providing increased space and improved cooling through a free space between the motor and the terminal box for enhanced air circulation and heat dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If the terminal box is arranged on the radial side or axial side of the drive motor, then the electronic components can be housed, but the terminal box does not have sufficient space for the electronic components and does not provide adequate cooling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal box volumeVSAvoidcooling performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal box is arranged in the axial direction rather than the radial direction, extending along the axial length of the drive motor. This dimensional change provides sufficient internal volume for electronic components while maintaining an compact radial footprint, and enables effective cooling through the extended axial structure that allows air circulation paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of stationary object

If the terminal box is arranged on the axial side of the drive motor, then the space for electronic components is improved, but the overall design becomes relatively large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal box volumeVSAvoidoverall motor unit volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal box is merged with the drive motor housing structure, forming an integrated assembly. The terminal box utilizes the axial extension of the motor housing itself, eliminating the need for separate external mounting structures. This integration provides sufficient volume for electronic components while maintaining a compact overall motor unit design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of stationary object

If the terminal box has a second section arranged radially to the axial section, then the space for electronic components is increased, but the radial extent becomes larger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal box volumeVSAvoidradial extent
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of extending the terminal box in the radial direction with a second section, the design utilizes the axial direction for volume expansion. The terminal box extends axially along the motor housing, providing sufficient internal volume for electronic components while maintaining a compact radial footprint that does not increase the overall radial extent of the motor unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design offers sufficient space for electronic components and improves cooling by maximizing interior volume and air circulation, resulting in a more efficient and compact electric drive motor.

Implementation Method 1

There can be a free space between the outer circumference of the drive motor and the third section of the terminal box, in which space cooling elements, for example cooling fins, arranged on the drive motor or on the terminal box are located.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2608364B1Electrical drive motor
Publication Date: 2018.05.09 GRUNDFOS HLDG
  • EP2608364B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2608364B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2608364B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The drive motor has a terminal box (8) having a primary section (10) and a secondary section (14). The secondary section arranged at radial distance from primary section has a width (b) in tangential direction that is greater than diameter (d) of primary section. The secondary section is connected to primary section by connecting section (16), which has two side walls that face away from each other and extend from the secondary section to primary section. The side walls extend at angle to each other in such a way that the side walls approach each other toward the primary section.