Pump Power Unit Heat Dissipation via Radial Electronics Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pump units face challenges in efficiently dissipating waste heat from electronic components, particularly due to limitations in the arrangement of heat-generating components and the need for direct heat dissipation without obstructing airflow or risking additional heating from the stator housing.

Innovation Solution

A pump unit design featuring an electronics housing with a heat distributor or heat sink positioned to allow heat dissipation through an opening in the outer wall that does not face the stator housing, enabling direct thermal conductivity to electronic components and improved airflow for cooling, while maintaining a safe and aesthetically pleasing configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the heat spreader is arranged inside the electronics housing with direct thermal contact to electronic components, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but the outer wall obstructs heat dissipation to the outside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidheat obstruction by outer wall

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heat spreader is segmented into two functional zones: an inner heat absorption area that contacts electronic components and an outer heat dissipation area that extends to the opening in the outer wall. This segmentation allows the heat spreader to simultaneously absorb heat from components and dissipate heat to the external environment through the opening, resolving the contradiction between internal heat absorption and external heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heat spreader extends in the radial direction from the inner housing wall to the outer opening, creating a three-dimensional heat transfer path. This dimensional extension allows heat to travel from the heat-generating components through the heat spreader to the external environment, bypassing the obstructive outer wall while maintaining direct thermal contact with components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If the opening is located in the area facing the stator housing, then heat dissipation path is shorter, but additional heating from stator housing waste heat occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation path lengthVSAvoidadditional heating from stator housing

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention strategically positions the opening in the outer wall at a location that avoids direct exposure to stator housing waste heat, converting the potential harm of heat accumulation into a benefit by creating a dedicated cooling zone. The opening is placed in an area where ambient air can effectively cool the heat spreader without being contaminated by additional heat from the stator, thus transforming the housing structure into a heat management solution rather than a heat source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Temperature

If the heat spreader extends outside the electronics housing for better cooling, then heat dissipation is improved, but risk of operator burns and aesthetic issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidoperator burn risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heat spreader is nested within the electronics housing structure, with only its heat dissipation surface extending to the opening in the outer wall. The majority of the heat spreader remains contained within the housing, nested among the electronic components it cools. This nesting arrangement allows effective heat dissipation through the opening while keeping the hot surfaces protected inside the housing, eliminating the burn risk to operators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 design enhances heat dissipation efficiency by allowing direct heat transfer to ambient air, reducing the risk of operator burns, and improving the visual appeal by keeping heat spreaders invisible and avoiding protrusions that could be accidentally touched.

Implementation Method 1

direct heat transfer to ambient air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

improved airflow for cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2750265B1Pump power unit

Publication Date: 2017.11.29 GRUNDFOS HLDG

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AI summary

The pump unit has an electric drive motor that is arranged in a stator housing. An electronics housing (18) is provided on the outside of the stator housing. The opening portions of the electronics housing are formed in portion of an outer wall (24) to face away from the stator housing. A heat dissipater is placed in the inside of the electronics housing. A projecting portion (32) is formed in the radial direction over the external periphery of the stator housing. The heat dissipater is formed as casting component or mold component of metal sheet.