Thickness Planer Motor Cooling via Integrated Air Flow Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thickness planners lack an efficient cooling mechanism for their motors and controllers, which can lead to reduced performance and reliability due to overheating, especially during prolonged use.
Innovation Solution
The thickness planer incorporates an air flow passage system within its housing, where air is drawn in through an intake port and directed through the motor and controller, utilizing a fan to circulate air and enhance cooling, with the controller's control board being strategically positioned on the air flow passage to maximize cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no cooling mechanism is provided for the motor and controller, then the device structure remains simple, but the motor and controller overheat during prolonged use, reducing performance and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow passage integrates multiple cooling functions into a single structured pathway. The passage simultaneously cools the motor, controller, and control board by providing a unified air flow route that passes through all these components, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The fan serves multiple functions: it draws air through the intake port, forces air through the air flow passage to cool the motor and controller, and maintains proper airflow direction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate cooling components for each heat-generating element
2Temperature
If the controller is positioned away from the air flow passage, then the control board is protected from potential moisture or debris, but the controller and control board overheat, reducing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow passage is designed to direct cooled air specifically to the motor, controller, and control board regions. By positioning the control board within the air flow passage, the patent ensures that this specific area receives adequate cooling airflow, creating a localized cooling zone that addresses the thermal needs of heat-generating components without compromising their protection
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow passage acts as an intermediary structure that allows the controller and control board to be positioned in a location that provides both cooling benefits and protection. The passage structure itself serves as a protective enclosure while simultaneously channeling cooling airflow to the components
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
This cooling system effectively reduces the temperature of the motor and controller, improving their performance and reliability by preventing overheating and maintaining efficiency during extended operation.
Implementation Method 1
a fan configured to generate flow of air from the at least one intake port to the at least one outlet port through the air flow passage
Implementation Method 2
an air flow passage provided within the housing and configured such that air taken in from the at least one intake port flows therethrough toward the at least one outlet port via the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A thickness planer has a housing, a motor housed in the housing, a controller having a control board configured to control driving of the motor, at least one intake port provided in the housing, at least one outlet port provided in the housing, an air flow passage that is provided within the housing and configured such that air taken in from the at least one intake port flows therethrough toward the at least one outlet port via the motor, and a fan that is configured to generate flow of air from the at least one intake port to the at least one outlet port through the air flow passage. A particular region of the controller is arranged on the air flow passage.