Self-Cooled Reactor Protective Member Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicular reactors face damage from foreign objects due to mesh holes in the protective cover, and deformation issues when placed on the floor, compromising coil protection while maintaining cooling performance.

Innovation Solution

A protective member is integrated into the self-cooled reactor apparatus that blocks the space between through-holes and the coil, allowing airflow for cooling while preventing foreign object entry and cover deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a protective cover with mesh holes is used to cool the coil by air convection, then cooling performance is maintained, but the coil is vulnerable to damage from foreign objects smaller than the mesh holes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoil temperatureVSAvoidcoil protection
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover is divided into multiple functional layers: an outer cover with mesh holes for air intake, and an inner protective member with through-holes that provides both protection and cooling. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the outer cover provides initial protection while the inner member provides fine protection and maintains cooling airflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective member acts as an intermediary between the foreign objects and the coil. It blocks foreign objects from reaching the coil while its through-holes allow cooling air to pass through to the coil, thus mediating between protection and cooling requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the protective cover is made solid to prevent foreign object damage, then coil protection is improved, but cooling performance deteriorates due to blocked airflow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoil protectionVSAvoidcoil cooling
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The protective member is designed with through-holes forming a porous structure that allows air to pass through while providing physical protection. This porous design enables the protective member to simultaneously fulfill both protection and cooling functions by allowing airflow through its structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The protective system combines the outer cover with mesh holes and the inner protective member with through-holes into a composite structure. This composite design integrates both protection and cooling capabilities in a single system, where each component contributes its strengths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If the protective cover is made thin to reduce weight and maintain cooling, then cooling performance is maintained, but the cover deforms when contacting foreign objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidcover deformation resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The protective member is positioned beforehand between the outer cover and the coil to absorb and distribute the impact force of foreign objects. This prior cushioning prevents the outer cover from deforming when contacted by foreign objects, protecting both the cover and the coil.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective member can be designed as a thin-walled structure that flexes to absorb impact forces without breaking or deforming permanently. This flexible design allows the cover to maintain its cooling function while resisting deformation from foreign object contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution effectively protects the coil from damage and maintains cooling performance by blocking foreign objects and preventing cover deformation, ensuring efficient airflow for cooling.

Implementation Method 1

The coil is cooled by air convection in the case of the self-cooled reactor apparatus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3360750B1Self-cooled reactor apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3360750B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3360750B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3360750B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A self-cooled reactor apparatus (1) includes: a pair of frames (12) attached to a vehicular mount (2), a coil (11) disposed between the pair of frames (12) and fixed to the frames (12), a cover(13) disposed between the pair of frames (12), and a protective member (15). The coil (11) is covered by the cover (13) having at least a portion thereof in which through-holes (14) are formed. The protective member (15), while retaining a flow passage for air from the through-holes (14) to the coil (11), blocks a space between the through-hole (14) and the coil (11) in a penetration direction of the through-holes (14).