Shared Coolant Passage Layout for Drive Unit Motor and Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive units with integrated rotating electric machines and transmissions lack a simplified cooling structure that effectively cools both components without complexity.
Innovation Solution
A cooling structure with a first cooling passage for the rotating electric machine and a second cooling passage for the transmission, where both passages communicate and share a common coolant, simplifying the cooling system and enhancing efficiency by arranging the first passage upstream of the second and using a spiral passage with a discharge that penetrates the ceiling of the rotating electric machine casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separate cooling structures are provided for the rotating electric machine and transmission, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate cooling structures for the rotating electric machine and transmission into a single integrated cooling structure. The first cooling passage cools the rotating electric machine while the second cooling passage cools the transmission, and both passages are connected to form a unified cooling system that simplifies the overall structure while maintaining effective cooling for both components.
2Device complexity
If a common coolant system is used for both rotating electric machine and transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling effectiveness may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling structure is segmented into distinct first and second cooling passages, where the first cooling passage is dedicated to cooling the rotating electric machine and the second cooling passage is dedicated to cooling the transmission. This segmentation allows each component to be cooled independently through its own passage while still using a common coolant system, thereby maintaining cooling effectiveness while reducing overall system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the discharge passage penetrates the ceiling portion in axial direction, then air discharge performance is improved in vertical orientation, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing a separate air discharge structure, the patent utilizes the cooling passage's discharge passage to serve dual functions: cooling the rotating electric machine and discharging air when the machine is in vertical orientation. By making the discharge passage penetrate the ceiling portion in the axial direction, the same structural element performs both cooling and air discharge functions, eliminating the need for additional dedicated air discharge structures.
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 simplifies the cooling structure, effectively cools both the rotating electric machine and transmission, and allows for efficient air discharge when the machine is in a vertical orientation, improving overall cooling performance and reducing structural complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a common coolant flows through the first cooling passage and the second cooling passage
Implementation Method 2
a spiral passage extending spirally, with an axis of the rotating electric machine as a center, in a circumferential wall portion of the rotating electric machine casing
Data Source
AI summary
A drive unit is equipped with a rotating electric machine, a transmission, and a cooling structure. The cooling structure includes a first cooling passage configured to cool the rotating electric machine and a second cooling passage configured to cool the transmission. A first cooling passage and a second cooling passage communicate with each other, and a common coolant flows through the first cooling passage and the second cooling passage.