Electric Power Unit Airflow Layout for Cooling Control Unit Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric power units face challenges in effectively cooling protrusions of electrical units, particularly due to the directional flow of cooling air generated by the fan, which makes it difficult to supply cooling air to the -Z direction side of the control unit.
Innovation Solution
The electric power unit incorporates a cooling unit with a cooling fan and an air guide unit that includes cooling air flow paths with varying introduction and discharge ports. The air flow paths are designed such that the closer to the protrusion of the electrical unit, the larger the opening area of the introduction port, and the discharge direction of the cooling air is oriented to approach the protrusion, ensuring effective cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling fan is used to generate cooling air, then cooling capability is improved, but the directional flow of cooling air makes it difficult to supply cooling air to the -Z direction side of the control unit
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide unit is divided into multiple air flow paths (first air flow path, second air flow path, third air flow path) that segment the cooling air flow to reach different areas of the control unit, including the protrusion area that was previously difficult to cool
Solution Approach 2:
The air guide unit acts as an intermediary component between the cooling fan and the control unit, guiding and directing the cooling air through specifically designed flow paths to ensure proper distribution to all areas including the protrusion
2Temperature
If the introduction port opening area is increased closer to the protrusion, then cooling air supply to the protrusion is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The introduction ports are designed with different opening areas according to their specific locations - the first introduction port has a larger opening area to supply more cooling air to the protrusion area, while other ports have smaller opening areas, creating local quality variations to optimize cooling distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow paths are arranged in different directions and planes - the first air flow path extends in the -Z direction, the second in the -Y direction, and the third in the +Y direction, utilizing multiple spatial dimensions to reach the protrusion from different angles
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 configuration allows for efficient cooling of the protrusion by supplying a larger amount of cooling air, effectively addressing the challenge of cooling the -Z direction side of the control unit.
Implementation Method 1
The fan is rotatably supported by a shaft member of the motor and rotates to blow, in a centrifugal direction, gas taken in from an axial direction of the shaft member
Implementation Method 2
The air guide unit includes cooling air flow paths provided between the cooling fan and the electrical unit when viewed from the axial direction. The cooling air flow paths include introduction ports opened toward the cooling fan and discharge ports opened toward the electrical unit
Data Source
AI summary
An electric power unit includes: a rotary electric machine unit an electrical unit disposed above the rotary electric machine unit; and a cooling unit. The electrical unit includes a protrusion protruding outward from a left end portion of the rotary electric machine housing portion of the rotary electric machine in a left-right direction. The cooling unit includes: a cooling fan configured to generate cooling air by rotating integrally with a rotary shaft of the rotary electric machine; and an air guide unit configured to guide the cooling air. The air guide unit includes cooling air flow paths provided between the cooling fan and the electrical unit. The closer to the protrusion of the electrical unit a cooling air flow path is disposed, the larger opening area of the introduction port the cooling air flow path has.