Electric Supercharger Gap Structure for Motor Heat Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric turbochargers face issues with heat transfer from the compressor to the motor unit, leading to increased motor temperature and reduced performance, as well as increased load on the cooling system.

Innovation Solution

An electric turbocharger design featuring a gap region between the compressor and motor case, where they face each other in the rotation axis direction with a gap, utilizing a diffuser plate made of low thermal conductivity material like stainless steel, and a cooling air flow path to minimize heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the compressor and motor case are joined directly in the rotation axis direction, then structural compactness is improved, but heat transfer from compressor to motor unit increases causing motor temperature rise and performance reduction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidmotor temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The joint portion between compressor and motor case is segmented into multiple regions: a heat suppression region with reduced contact area to block heat transfer path, and a non heat suppression region maintaining normal contact. This segmentation allows the structure to remain compact while preventing excessive heat transfer to the motor unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the compressor and motor case are joined directly, then structural integrity is improved, but heat transfer increases causing increased load on cooling system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcooling system load
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The joint portion is designed with non-uniform contact characteristics: the heat suppression region has reduced contact area to minimize heat transfer, while the non heat suppression region maintains sufficient contact for structural integrity. This local differentiation allows the structure to remain strong while reducing the thermal load on the cooling system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design effectively suppresses heat transfer from the compressor to the motor unit, maintaining motor performance and reducing the cooling system load, thereby enhancing the electric turbocharger's operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

heat is conducted from the compressor to the motor side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4722511A1Electric supercharger
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 IHI CORP
  • EP4722511A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4722511A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4722511A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electric turbocharger includes a compressor, and a motor unit including a motor case joined to the compressor in an axial direction and applying a torque to an impeller of the compressor, in which at a joint portion between the compressor and the motor case, a gap region, in which the compressor and the motor case face each other in the axial direction with a gap therebetween, is provided.