Sealed BLDC Motor Internal Cooling for Airtight Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric lawn mowers face challenges in providing a robust and efficient mechanism to control and mount motors, ensuring compactness, and maximizing runtime and cutting area, while effectively managing power distribution to drive and deck motors.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a frame with an upper body, side plates, and a lower support body, featuring drive motors, deck motors, a battery system, and a motor control panel with thermally-conductive materials and regenerative energy control modules to manage power distribution and voltage regulation, ensuring efficient operation and compactness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a motor control panel with multiple control modules is added to manage power distribution, then power management capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower management capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple control modules are integrated into a single motor control panel assembly, combining power distribution control, voltage regulation, and motor control functions into one unified structure. This merging approach improves power management capability while containing complexity within a modular unit rather than dispersing it throughout the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor control panel is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs power distribution control, voltage regulation, and motor operation control. This universal design allows a single device to handle multiple aspects of power management, improving overall system adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

2Temperature

If thermally-conductive materials are used in control modules, then heat dissipation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Thermally-conductive materials are applied specifically in regions where heat generation occurs, such as near power switches and voltage regulation components in the control modules. This localized application targets heat dissipation needs without requiring thermal management throughout the entire device, balancing thermal performance with manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If the motor control panel is positioned below the footrest platform, then space utilization is improved, but accessibility for maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidaccessibility for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The motor control panel is nested within the frame structure below the footrest platform, utilizing otherwise wasted space. The control panel is integrated into the frame's internal volume, allowing compact arrangement of electronic components without increasing the overall external dimensions of the lawn apparatus.

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 configuration enhances motor control and power management, enabling extended runtime and improved cutting performance while maintaining a compact and robust design.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the plurality of control modules comprises a mounting frame made of thermally-conductive material fastened to the plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4329156A1Sealed motor with internal cooling features
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 BLACK & DECKER CORP
  • EP4329156A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4329156A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4329156A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

An electric power apparatus includes a main planar body having a circular opening that supports a brushless direct-current (BLDC) motor. The motor includes a stator, a rotor, a motor spindle extending through the circular opening, a first end cap formed on a first side of the stator and mounted on the main planar body; and a second end cap formed on a second side of the stator and secured to the first end cap to form a substantially airtight sealed compartment around the stator and the rotor. The rotor includes a series of openings in a radial wall that generates an airflow circulating through the sealed compartment to transfer heat from the stator to the first end cap and the second end cap.