Electric Vehicle Swing Arm Inverter Cooling via Arc-Shaped Fins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric vehicles face challenges in effectively cooling the inverter while incorporating it into the swing arm, leading to increased weight and cost due to exposed cooling fins, and decreased strength of the swing arm due to the need for a window section.
Innovation Solution
A hollow swing arm with arc-shaped heat radiation fins on its surface, concentric with the driving wheel, and a wind guiding rib to direct airflow, enhancing cooling efficiency and structural strength without the need for an external window section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling fins are exposed through a window section in the unit case, then cooling efficiency is improved, but weight and cost increase due to the two-fold case structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the unit case and the cooling fin structure into a single integrated component. The heat radiation fins are directly formed as part of the unit case structure, eliminating the need for a separate cooling fin assembly and window section. This integration reduces the number of parts, decreases weight, and lowers manufacturing cost while maintaining effective heat dissipation functionality.
2Temperature
If a window section is provided in the unit case for exposing cooling fins, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the strength of the swing arm decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The unit case is designed with integrated heat radiation fins that are concentric with the driving wheel, eliminating the need for a window section. The fins are formed as protrusions from the inner wall of the unit case, allowing heat dissipation without compromising the structural integrity of the swing arm.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat radiation fins are designed with a curved shape that is concentric with the driving wheel. This curved configuration allows the fins to effectively intercept and utilize the airflow generated by wheel rotation, improving cooling efficiency without requiring any opening in the unit case structure.
3Temperature
If the opening area of the window section is increased to ensure sufficient cooling fin area, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the strength of the swing arm further decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The unit case integrates heat radiation fins directly into its structure, eliminating the need for any window section or opening. This integration allows the full surface area of the unit case to remain structural while still providing adequate cooling surface area through the fins.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing the opening area in two dimensions, the patent adds a third dimension by creating protruding fins that extend from the inner wall. This increases the effective cooling surface area without requiring any opening in the unit case, thereby maintaining structural strength.
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 cools the inverter while improving the strength and rigidity of the swing arm, eliminating the need for additional weight and cost from external cooling components and maintaining waterproof and dustproof integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling fin is curved in an arc shape from upward to rearward such that travelling wind and air flow caused by the rotation of the rear wheel can pass through
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of arc-shaped heat radiation fins which are provided in a wall surface facing a side face of the driving wheel and are concentric with the driving wheel
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle that is able to effectively cool the inverter while incorporating the inverter in the swing arm, and enhance the strength of the swing arm. The electric vehicle includes a driving wheel, a hollow swing arm main body for supporting the driving wheel, and an inverter accommodated in the swing arm main body. The swing arm main body includes a plurality of arc-shaped heat radiation fins provided in a wall surface facing a side face of the driving wheel, the heat radiation fins being concentric with the driving wheel. The inverter is in contact with the back face of the wall surface.