The Finer Points of Cooling
High power and compact size are dual trends in electric power tools and many other electrical devices that mandate highly efficient cooling. This presents a challenge to fluid mechanics technology, and scientists are now working hard to ensure that cooling air or liquid is effectively transported to wherever it's needed.
The search for better ways of cooling electrical devices is becoming increasingly important. Although new devices are getting smaller and smaller, they are still expected to be at least as powerful as older models.
As a result, greater heat losses are occurring in smaller spaces. Moreover, this heat must be removed, otherwise the materials used in the devices may fatigue and fracture. And this applies equally to highly integrated processors in a PC, power tools, or the generator of a car.
That's why, when developing new electric power drills, Bosch engineers focus on the prevention of local overheating even during the early design stages.
One of the methods they use involves the computer simulation of air currents. Here, airflow in the device is observed in every possible detail. The models of the Bosch scientists reveal clearly how well heat is removed by convection from the motor windings, plastic parts or bearings. It then becomes easy to undertake design modifications using the CAD tools, on which the process is based.
However, no simulation can take the place of testing the actual component. Consequently, the researchers check their models by taking measurements - for instance, of temperatures - on test stands.
Externally, the user of a power drill can only see the cooling slots. But their number and arrangement is much more than just a question of design and aesthetics. Instead, it is the result of sophisticated engineering processes that use a combination of computer simulations and prototype experiments.
As a result, greater heat losses are occurring in smaller spaces. Moreover, this heat must be removed, otherwise the materials used in the devices may fatigue and fracture. And this applies equally to highly integrated processors in a PC, power tools, or the generator of a car.
That's why, when developing new electric power drills, Bosch engineers focus on the prevention of local overheating even during the early design stages.
One of the methods they use involves the computer simulation of air currents. Here, airflow in the device is observed in every possible detail. The models of the Bosch scientists reveal clearly how well heat is removed by convection from the motor windings, plastic parts or bearings. It then becomes easy to undertake design modifications using the CAD tools, on which the process is based.
However, no simulation can take the place of testing the actual component. Consequently, the researchers check their models by taking measurements - for instance, of temperatures - on test stands.
Externally, the user of a power drill can only see the cooling slots. But their number and arrangement is much more than just a question of design and aesthetics. Instead, it is the result of sophisticated engineering processes that use a combination of computer simulations and prototype experiments.
