Undermount Drive Cooling with Separate Motor Controller Radiator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle systems face challenges in separately cooling motors and motor controllers using a single radiator, as they often require different temperature management ranges, leading to inadequate cooling for both components.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle design featuring a first cooling device located in the front room for the motor controller and a second cooling device positioned below the floor panel for the drive device unit, allowing for separate and efficient cooling of the motor and motor controller, with refrigerant pipes connecting them and strategically placing components to optimize cooling performance and protect against impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single radiator is used to cool both the motor and motor controller, then the cooling system structure is simplified, but the temperature management for both components cannot be properly controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into two independent circuits: a first cooling circuit with a first radiator for cooling the motor controller, and a second cooling circuit with a second radiator for cooling the motor. This segmentation allows each component to be cooled according to its specific temperature management requirements, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and effective temperature control.
2Quantity of substance
If the motor and motor controller are cooled together with one radiator, then the number of cooling components is reduced, but the cooling efficiency for each component deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into two independent circuits: a first cooling circuit with a first radiator for cooling the motor controller, and a second cooling circuit with a second radiator for cooling the motor. This segmentation allows each component to be cooled according to its specific temperature management requirements, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and effective temperature control.
3Volume of moving object
If the drive device unit is positioned below the floor panel, then the compartment space is optimized, but access for maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The drive device unit is nested within the space below the floor panel, utilizing otherwise unused volume. The refrigerant pipes are routed through the floor panel to connect components in this lower compartment to the cooling radiators, allowing maintenance access while maintaining compact overall vehicle architecture.
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 enables effective separate cooling of the motor and motor controller, suppressing heat transfer between them, ensuring proper temperature management and enhancing cooling efficiency while protecting critical components from impacts and improving wind exposure for heat exchange.
Implementation Method 1
a first cooling device located in the front room and cooling the motor controller
Implementation Method 2
a second cooling device located below the floor panel and cooling the drive device
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a compartment, a front room located in front of the compartment, and a drive device unit provided behind the compartment and below a floor panel. The drive device unit includes a drive device accommodating a motor, and a motor controller which controls the motor. The vehicle includes a first cooling device located in the front room and cooling the motor controller, and a second cooling device located below the floor panel and cooling the drive device.