Tangential-Flow Cooling Module With Dual Air Paths for EV Motor Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The cooling of electric motors in electric motor vehicles is sub-optimal due to their mounting position, leading to a risk of overheating and inefficient cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
A cooling module design that incorporates a tangential-flow turbomachine with a housing featuring a second intake opening fluidly connected to the electric motor's air outlet, allowing a second air stream to pass through the motor and join the first air stream inside the housing, enhancing cooling efficiency and reducing consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electric motor is positioned on the outer wall of the housing for compactness, then the footprint and weight of the cooling module are reduced, but the cooling performance becomes sub-optimal due to mounting position
Solution Approach 1:
The air cooling system is segmented into two separate air streams: a first air stream passing through the heat exchanger and a second air stream passing through the electric motor. This segmentation allows each air stream to be optimized independently, with the second air stream specifically dedicated to motor cooling, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact positioning and adequate cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed to accommodate multiple functions: it houses both the heat exchanger and the electric motor, and manages two separate air streams within the same structure. The housing acts as a multi-functional component that integrates thermal management for both the heat exchanger and the motor, allowing compact design without compromising cooling effectiveness.
2Productivity
If a tangential-flow turbomachine is used instead of an axial-flow turbomachine, then cooling efficiency is significantly improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow pattern parameter of the turbomachine from axial-flow to tangential-flow. This parameter change fundamentally alters the airflow characteristics, creating a rotational flow pattern that enhances heat transfer coefficients and cooling efficiency, while the complexity increase is managed through integrated housing design.
3Temperature
If the electric motor is positioned outside the cooling module, then the motor can be cooled, but the mounting position results in sub-optimal cooling and risk of overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor is merged with the cooling module by positioning it on the outer wall of the housing and integrating it into the thermal management system. The motor becomes part of the cooled system through the dedicated second air stream, combining the motor function with the cooling function in a unified assembly, thereby eliminating overheating risks while maintaining compact design.
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 design increases cooling performance of the motor while minimizing energy consumption and provides greater architectural freedom, allowing for a lighter and more compact heat exchange module with improved efficiency compared to axial-flow turbomachines.
Implementation Method 1
at least one tangential-flow turbomachine capable of creating a first air stream passing through the at least one heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
the air outlet of the at least one motor being fluidly connected to said second intake opening so as to allow the flow of a second air stream passing in succession through the air inlet of the motor
Implementation Method 3
at least one heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling module for a motor vehicle, including at least one heat exchanger, at least one tangential turbomachine, a housing having a first suction opening and an exhaust opening between which flows a first air stream passing through the at least one heat exchanger and at least one electric motor for controlling the rotation of the at least one tangential-flow turbomachine, the electric motor being arranged on the outer wall of the housing, the electric motor including at least one air inlet and one air outlet. The housing includes a second suction opening, the air outlet of the motor being in fluid connection with the second suction opening so as to allow a second air stream to flow.