Neutral Point Terminal Cooling in Rotating Electric Machines

The patent introduces a coolant passage as an intermediary element between the neutral point terminal and the coil end portion. This passage allows liquid coolant to flow and carry heat away from the neutral point terminal, preventing direct heat transmission while maintaining the electrical connection function. The coolant acts as a thermal mediator that separates the heat source (coil end portion) from the sensitive component (neutral point terminal).

The patent extracts the thermal management function from the neutral point terminal structure by creating a separate coolant passage system. This allows the neutral point terminal to focus on its primary electrical function while the coolant passage handles heat removal, effectively separating the thermal management responsibility from the electrical connection component.

The patent segments the neutral point fixing structure into distinct functional components: the neutral point terminal, the insulating member, and the coolant passage. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - electrical connection, insulation, and thermal management - while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The insulating member with integrated coolant passage creates a modular assembly that is easier to manufacture and maintain.

The patent applies local quality by providing cooling only at the critical location of the neutral point terminal rather than throughout the entire coil assembly. The coolant passage is strategically positioned to remove heat where it is most needed - at the neutral point terminal - while leaving other areas of the coil structure unchanged, thus maintaining simplicity where not required.