Electric Machine Pole Housing Protective Wall

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing arrangement of mechanical and electronic components in a common housing interior in electrical machines can lead to electrical short circuits due to dirt particles or condensation water connecting soldering points or pins, causing malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

A separately manufactured protective wall is used to shield the circuit board from mechanical components within the pole housing, preventing loose small parts from reaching the circuit board while allowing for quick connection of the circuit board to the stator coils, and the protective wall is adapted to fit the shape of the components for optimal sealing and space savings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If mechanical and electronic components are arranged in a common housing interior, then space utilization is improved, but electrical short circuits occur due to dirt particles or condensation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidelectrical short circuit risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing interior is segmented into a mechanical component region and an electronic component region by the protective wall. The protective wall is arranged between the circuit board and the mechanical components, dividing the common housing space into functionally separated zones that prevent contamination while maintaining compact overall dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective wall acts as an intermediary barrier between the mechanical components (shaft, rotor, stator, bearings) and the electronic circuit board. It physically blocks dirt particles, metal fragments, and condensation from reaching the circuit board, while still allowing the system to maintain a compact common housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a protective wall is added to separate circuit board from mechanical components, then electrical short circuit risk is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical short circuit preventionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective wall is implemented as a thin-walled structure that provides effective separation between mechanical and electronic components. This thin-film approach achieves the required protection function while minimizing the added structural complexity and space occupation within the housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protective wall serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a physical barrier against contaminants, provides structural support within the housing, and helps define the spatial arrangement of components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate protective elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If circuit board is arranged on flange side for shortest connection path, then connection efficiency is improved, but exposure to loose small parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection efficiencyVSAvoidexposure to conductive fragments
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective wall is positioned to prevent loose small parts and conductive fragments from reaching the circuit board before they can cause short circuits. This preliminary protective action allows the circuit board to be optimally positioned on the flange side for short connection paths without compromising electrical safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP3111538B1Electric machine comprising a pole housing
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3111538B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Disclosed is an electric machine (10) comprising a pole housing (12) and a printed circuit board (14) for controlling the electric machine (10). The circuit board (14) is arranged on a flanged side (16) of the pole housing (12), and a protective wall (18) which protects the circuit board (14) from loose small parts is arranged between the circuit board (14) and the pole housing (12).