Underfloor Radiator for Electric Motor Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with electric or hybrid powertrains, ensuring effective cooling of the electric motor and battery is challenging due to the long oil passage required when the ATF cooler radiator is positioned at the forefront of the engine compartment, which affects cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The radiator is strategically placed in the gap between the motor and the battery, below the floor surface, allowing for efficient use of dead space and enhanced cooling performance by exposing it to traveling wind, with a configuration that includes an undercover with an opening portion to direct wind flow and an inclined surface for improved heat exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the radiator is disposed at the forefront portion of the engine compartment to ensure good cooling efficiency, then the cooling performance is improved, but the oil passage becomes long which reduces cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator is relocated from the traditional forefront position in the engine compartment to the dead space below the floor panel. This spatial repositioning in a different dimension (underfloor space) allows the radiator to be closer to the motor while still maintaining effective cooling, thereby shortening the oil passage length without compromising cooling performance.
2Temperature
If the radiator is disposed at the forefront portion of the engine compartment, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to long oil passage routing
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the radiator in the underfloor dead space near the motor, the oil passage routing is simplified as it connects components in close proximity. This eliminates the need for complex long-distance passage routing through the vehicle, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining cooling efficiency.
3Temperature
If the radiator is disposed below the floor surface to utilize dead space, then the cooling performance is enhanced, but the space availability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator is nested within the dead space below the floor panel, effectively utilizing otherwise wasted space. This nesting approach allows the radiator to be accommodated in the gap between the motor and battery without encroaching on functional spaces, thereby enhancing cooling performance while maintaining space efficiency.
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 the cooling performance of the radiator and motor by utilizing dead space effectively, shortening refrigerant flow paths, and improving heat exchange efficiency while ensuring safety and protection from debris.
Implementation Method 1
a radiator (5) configured to exchange heat between a coolant for cooling the motor (3) and outside air (A)
Implementation Method 2
exchange heat between a coolant for cooling the motor (3) and outside air (A)
Implementation Method 3
Heat from at least one of the motor or the battery is transferred to the radiator by circulation of a coolant
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A vehicle (1) includes a motor (3) configured to drive a vehicle wheel (2), a battery (4) configured to supply electric power to the motor (3), and a radiator (5) configured to exchange heat between a coolant for cooling the motor (3) and outside air (A). The radiator (5) is disposed below a floor surface (13) of the vehicle (1) and in a gap (G) between the motor (3) and the battery (4) in a front-rear direction of the vehicle (1).