Planetary Gear Housing Coolant Path for Heat Exchange and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing units face challenges in improving heat exchange efficiency, particularly in the integration of a planetary gear mechanism and a housing with a flow path for coolant.
Innovation Solution
A unit design that incorporates a housing with a flow path for coolant, where the planetary gear mechanism includes a stepped pinion gear with a small and large pinion, and the flow path overlaps the large pinion when viewed radially, enhancing heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the flow path is positioned to overlap the large pinion in the radial direction, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the risk of oil leakage from the flow path increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a dedicated sealing structure (sealing protrusion and sealing groove) specifically at the location where the flow path overlaps with the large pinion. This localized sealing solution addresses the oil leakage risk only where it occurs, without compromising the overall heat exchange efficiency that requires the flow path to overlap the large pinion for effective cooling.
2Area of stationary object
If the flow path overlaps the large pinion when viewed radially, then contact area between coolant and housing is increased, but device complexity increases due to additional sealing structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function with the existing housing structure by forming the sealing protrusion and sealing groove as integral parts of the housing. This integration approach increases the contact area between coolant and housing for better heat exchange while adding minimal complexity, as the sealing structures are incorporated into the housing design rather than being separate 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
The proposed design improves heat exchange efficiency by increasing the contact area between the coolant and the housing, effectively cooling the motor and oil while reducing the unit's dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
the housing includes a flow path through which a coolant flows... the flow path has a portion that overlaps the large pinion when viewed in a radial direction... the heat exchange efficiency can be improved
Implementation Method 2
a flow path through which a coolant flows
Data Source
AI summary
A unit includes a housing configured to accommodate a planetary gear mechanism, wherein the housing includes a flow path through which a coolant flows, the planetary gear mechanism includes a stepped pinion gear, the stepped pinion gear includes a small pinion and a large pinion, and the flow path has a portion that overlaps the large pinion when viewed in a radial direction.