Integrated Reducer Water Cooling With S-Shaped Flow Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air-cooled reducer assemblies for new energy vehicles experience poor heat dissipation, leading to high operating temperatures and premature failure of components due to inadequate cooling, which does not meet the design requirements for high-speed applications.
Innovation Solution
A water cooling structure integrated with the reducer housing, featuring an S-shaped water path with interdigitating partition plates and baffles, and projecting heat dissipation columns and wavy ribs to enhance heat exchange and contact area, facilitating efficient cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air cooling is used for the reducer assembly, then the structure is simple, but the cooling effect is poor and heat cannot be dissipated in time
Solution Approach 1:
The water cooling structure is integrated with the reducer housing into one part, merging the cooling function with the structural component. This eliminates the need for separate cooling devices while achieving effective heat dissipation through the water path formed within the housing itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a water cooling system with water inlet and outlet ports that flow through an S-shaped water path within the reducer housing. This hydraulic cooling method replaces inadequate air cooling, using water's superior heat capacity and flow characteristics to efficiently remove heat from the reducer assembly.
2Productivity
If high speed operation is adopted, then the power and speed range are improved, but heat generation increases and components are liable to early failure
Solution Approach 1:
The water cooling structure acts as an intermediary heat transfer medium between the heat-generating components (gears, bearings) and the external environment. Water absorbs heat from the reducer housing through the integrated water path, preventing excessive temperature rise that would compromise component reliability during high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cooling parameter from air to water, which has significantly higher specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity. This parameter change enables effective heat removal at high operating speeds where air cooling proves insufficient, maintaining component temperatures within safe operational limits.
3Device complexity
If water cooling structure is integrated with reducer housing, then the number of parts is reduced and structure is simplified, but manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The water cooling structure is merged with the reducer housing as an integrated component rather than a separate assembly. This reduces the total part count and simplifies the overall structure, eliminating the need for additional mounting brackets, separate cooling chambers, and associated fasteners.
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 water cooling structure effectively reduces the operating temperature of the reducer assembly, improving its reliability and longevity by enhancing heat dissipation efficiency, thus meeting the demands of high-speed vehicle operations.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling fluid flows in from the water inlet, passes through the multi-stage heat dissipation columns and baffles, and fully exchanges heat through the surface of the heat dissipation columns
Implementation Method 2
the heat generated by the motor during operation is transferred to the reducer assembly through the housing
Implementation Method 3
the wavy heat dissipation ribs increase the heat dissipation contact area, further improve the cooling efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A water cooling structure of a reducer and a reducer assembly are disclosed. The water cooling structure comprises a chamber formed by a reducer housing and a cover plate, and the cover plate is fixedly connected to the chamber. The chamber is provided with a water inlet and a water outlet respectively. The chamber is also provided with one or several partition plates on two opposite side walls. The partition plates are arranged in an interdigitating manner and each of the partition plates is connected with only one side wall of the chamber, and there is a gap between the partition plates and the opposite other side wall of the chamber, so as to form an S-shaped water path. The water inlet and water outlet are respectively disposed at both ends of the water path. A plurality of baffles are further vertically provided on the partition plates and side walls of the chamber that are parallel to the partition plates, and the baffles are arranged in an interdigitating manner. The water cooling structure disclosed in the present disclosure is integrated with the reducer housing into one part, and thus has a simple structure, saves space and is convenient to arrange on the vehicle. Moreover, the cooling efficiency is further improved by the above special structure.