Tangential-Flow Cooling Module With Motor Recirculation Air Path

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Solution Overview

Problem

The cooling of electric motors in electric motor vehicles, particularly those equipped with tangential turbomachines, is inefficient due to their mounting position, leading to potential overheating issues.

Innovation Solution

A cooling module design that includes a housing with a second suction opening fluidly connected to the electric motor's air outlet, allowing a second air flow to circulate through the motor and enhance cooling performance while reducing the bulk and weight of the heat exchange module, utilizing a tangential turbomachine to create efficient air flows through heat exchangers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional ventilation device is used to generate air flow through the heat exchanger, then the cooling module can function when the vehicle is stationary, but the cooling performance is insufficient and may lead to overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling function when vehicle is stationaryVSAvoidcooling performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The tangential turbomachine is configured to generate its own cooling air flow through the heat exchanger without requiring an external ventilation device. The turbomachine's rotation creates a self-sufficient cooling system that draws air through the heat exchanger and provides adequate cooling performance, eliminating the need for additional ventilation equipment while ensuring reliable cooling function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Temperature

If the electric motor consumes more power to provide sufficient cooling air flow, then the cooling performance of the electric motor is improved, but the overall energy efficiency of the cooling module deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performance of electric motorVSAvoidpower consumption of electric motor
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The housing serves multiple functions: it houses the heat exchanger, provides structural support, and acts as an air guide to direct the second air flow through the electric motor. By making the housing multi-functional, the system avoids the need for additional dedicated cooling components that would consume extra energy, thus improving motor cooling efficiency without increasing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The second air flow acts as an intermediary cooling medium that is drawn through the electric motor and then recirculated back into the housing through the second suction opening. This intermediary air flow path provides effective cooling to the electric motor without requiring the motor to consume additional power, as the cooling air is supplied by the natural circulation created by the housing configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 improves the cooling performance of the tangential turbomachine, reduces the risk of overheating, and provides greater architectural freedom by ensuring a sufficient flow of fresh air to the electric motor, making the cooling module more efficient and lightweight.

Implementation Method 1

at least one tangential turbomachine capable of creating a first air flow passing through the at least one heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTangential flow:

Implementation Method 2

at least one electric motor for controlling the rotation of said at least one tangential turbomachine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

at least one heat exchanger, at least one tangential turbomachine capable of creating a first air flow passing through the at least one heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP4204669B1Cooling module for an electric motor vehicle, comprising a tangential-flow turbomachine
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 VALEO SYST THERMIQUES SAS
  • EP4204669B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4204669B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4204669B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a cooling module (22) for a motor vehicle (10), comprising at least one heat exchanger (30a-30c), at least one tangential turbomachine (28), a housing (24) comprising a first suction opening (24a) and an exhaust opening (24b) between which flows a first air stream (F1) passing through the at least one heat exchanger (30a-30c) and at least one electric motor (36) for controlling the rotation of the at least one tangential-flow turbomachine (28), the electric motor (36) being arranged on the outer wall of the housing (24), the electric motor (36) comprising at least one air inlet (38) and one air outlet (39), the module (22) being characterised in that the housing (24) comprises a second suction opening (24c), the air outlet of the motor (36) being in fluid connection with the second suction opening (24c) so as to allow a second air stream (F2) to flow.