Stator Cooling Grooves Shorten Heat Path in Electric Motors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electric motors in electric vehicles face limitations in cooling performance due to a lengthened heat transmission path from the stator coil to the cooling unit, leading to increased temperatures and reduced output efficiency, which can accelerate degradation and shorten the lifespan of components.
Innovation Solution
The electric motor incorporates a cooling unit with grooves on the stator core that allows for direct contact and a shortened heat transmission path, featuring a cooling unit formed by bending a pipe with extended lengths, which is easily coupled and fabricated, and includes both stator core and coil end cooling units to manage temperature effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cooling unit is provided at the outer case, then the cooling unit can be easily installed, but the heat transmission path from the stator coil to the cooling unit is lengthened
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling unit is inserted into grooves that are directly formed on the stator core, nesting the cooling function within the stator structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate mounting at the outer case and directly shortens the heat transmission path from the stator coil to the cooling unit while maintaining ease of installation through the groove insertion design
2Temperature
If the heat transmission path is lengthened, then the cooling unit can be positioned at the outer case, but the temperature of the stator increases
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the cooling unit directly into grooves on the stator core, the patent creates a compact integrated structure that minimizes the distance heat must travel from the stator coil to the cooling unit, thereby reducing stator temperature
3Length of stationary object
If the cooling unit is integrated directly with the stator core, then the heat transmission path is shortened, but the fabrication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling unit is designed as a separate component that is inserted into pre-formed grooves on the stator core, segmenting the cooling function from the main stator structure. This allows the stator core to be manufactured independently with simple groove features, while the cooling unit can be manufactured separately and then assembled, reducing overall fabrication complexity despite the integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves are pre-formed on the stator core during stator manufacturing, preparing the mounting locations in advance. The cooling unit is then simply inserted into these pre-prepared grooves, eliminating the need for complex post-assembly operations and reducing fabrication complexity
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 cooling performance by shortening the heat transmission path, suppressing internal temperature rises, and facilitating the fabrication and coupling of the cooling unit, thereby improving the electric motor's efficiency and extending its lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling unit configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow therein and disposed to be in contact with the stator to cool the stator
Implementation Method 2
a cooling unit configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow therein and disposed to be in contact with the stator to cool the stator
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an electric motor and an electric vehicle having the same. The electric motor includes a stator including a stator core and a stator coil wound around the stator core, a rotor disposed to be rotatable with respect to the stator, and a cooling unit configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow therein and disposed to be in contact with the stator to cool the stator, wherein an outer surface of the stator core includes grooves in which the cooling unit is inserted. Cooling performance can be enhanced by shortening a heat transmission path, and the cooling unit can be easily fabricated and coupled.