Integrated Rotary Machine Cooling Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanically-electrically integrated electrical rotating apparatuses face challenges in managing high temperatures of electric power conversion devices due to heat generated by electrical rotating devices, leading to potential temperature increases and detection errors in electric current sensors.

Innovation Solution

A mechanically-electrically integrated electrical rotating apparatus with an electrically conductive attachment member and a cooling portion that cools electronic components, where the cooling portion is attached to the side of the electrical rotating device, using a serpentine water channel forming member and electrical insulation sheets to efficiently dissipate heat and prevent temperature increases in the electric power conversion device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the electric power conversion device is attached directly to the housing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature of the electric power conversion device increases highly due to heat transfer from the motor coil

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidtemperature of electric power conversion device
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

An attachment member is introduced as an intermediary component between the housing and the electric power conversion device. This attachment member includes a cooling portion that can be attached to the motor housing to cool the electric power conversion device, thereby mediating the thermal interaction while maintaining the integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment member is designed as a separate, detachable component that can be independently attached to the housing. This segmentation allows the cooling function to be added without redesigning the entire housing structure, reducing overall device complexity while addressing the temperature issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If the cooling portion is integrated with the attachment member, then the temperature control is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature of electric power conversion deviceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling portion is merged with the attachment member to form an integrated cooling attachment assembly. This combination allows the cooling function to be activated simply by attaching the assembly to the housing, improving temperature control without requiring separate cooling system installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment member serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical attachment for the electric power conversion device and simultaneously provides thermal management through its cooling portion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated cooling components.

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

3Temperature

If the electric power conversion device is cooled by cryogenic energy from the housing, then the temperature is reduced, but the reliability decreases due to heat transfer from the motor coil

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature of electric power conversion deviceVSAvoidoperational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling portion is extracted as a separate functional element that can be selectively attached to the housing. This extraction allows the cooling function to be independently optimized and positioned to effectively counteract heat transfer from the motor coil, improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment member with cooling portion is designed to specifically counteract the harmful heat transfer from the motor coil by providing a localized cooling path. The cooling medium flows through the cooling portion to absorb heat, converting the thermal challenge into a controlled cooling process that enhances operational reliability.

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

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 restricts high temperatures in the electric power conversion device, improving detection accuracy of electric currents and enhancing reliability by efficiently cooling the bus bars and electronic components, thereby preventing temperature increases and ensuring stable operation.

Implementation Method 1

a first cooling flow path is arranged in a portion of the casing between the stator and the electric power conversion apparatus, via which cooling medium is caused to flow so as to cool the stator and the electric power conversion apparatus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation through convection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

The electric power conversion apparatus comprises a power module configured to include a power semiconductor element therein. The power module comprises a heat radiation fin.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3306790B1Mechatronically integrated rotary electric machine
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3306790B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3306790B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3306790B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

It includes an electrical rotating device (8), an electric power conversion device (9) connected with the electrical rotating device (8), a housing (1) that integrally houses the electrical rotating device (8) and the electric power conversion device (9), and an attachment member (15) that is attached to the housing (1), the electric power conversion device (9) being attached thereto on an opposite side to the electrical rotating device (8). An electrically conductive connecting member (19) connected with an electronic component (13) that configures the electric power conversion device (9) is attached to the attachment member (15) in an electrically insulated state from the attachment member (15) on an opposite side of the attachment member (15) to the electrical rotating device (8). A cooling portion (33) that cools the electronic component (13) and the electrically conductive connecting member (19) is provided on the attachment member (15) on a side of the electrical rotating device (8).