Anti-condensation device of energy storage cabinet and control method thereof
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TAICANG ZHONGTUO METAL PRODUCTS CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
Smart Images
Figure CN122437206A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of energy storage cabinet technology, and in particular to an anti-condensation device for an energy storage cabinet and its control method. Background Technology
[0002] With the rapid development of new energy and power electronics technologies, energy storage cabinets, as core equipment, are increasingly widely used in high-humidity areas such as coastal regions. These areas experience consistently high air humidity and strong salt spray corrosion, posing a severe challenge to the operational safety of the electrical components inside the cabinet. Energy storage cabinets generate a large amount of heat during operation. To ensure normal operation, forced air cooling is typically employed, which involves installing an air inlet duct at the bottom and an outlet duct at the top to create a cooling airflow path.
[0003] However, when high-humidity outside air enters the cabinet directly from the bottom air inlet, the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the cabinet means that the incoming air temperature may be lower than the dew point temperature at certain local locations inside the cabinet. This causes water vapor to condense into condensation at sensitive electrical components, wiring connections, and other areas. Condensation significantly reduces electrical insulation performance and can easily lead to serious safety accidents such as short circuits, corrosion, and even fires.
[0004] Currently, common anti-condensation measures mostly focus on installing heaters or dehumidifiers inside the cabinet to increase local temperature or reduce overall humidity. However, these methods have significant drawbacks: First, they have a delayed response, typically only activating after the sensor detects excessive humidity, by which time condensation may have already occurred. Second, in the compact space of an energy storage cabinet, adding independent equipment occupies valuable space and may also interfere with the smoothness of the original heat dissipation duct, leading to uneven heat dissipation. Third, abrupt heating or dehumidification can easily cause drastic fluctuations in local temperature and humidity inside the cabinet, which may in turn induce new condensation risks due to increased temperature differences.
[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an anti-condensation device and control method for energy storage cabinets, which can work in conjunction with dehumidification and heat dissipation systems to actively prevent condensation and provide precise and uniform regulation, so as to ensure the safe and stable operation of energy storage cabinets in high-humidity and compact environments. Summary of the Invention
[0006] In order to improve the problems of slow response, interference with heat dissipation, and uneven regulation of existing anti-condensation technologies, this application provides an anti-condensation device and control method for energy storage cabinets.
[0007] This application provides an anti-condensation device and control method for an energy storage cabinet, adopting the following technical solution: An anti-condensation device for an energy storage cabinet includes a cabinet body, an air inlet duct at the bottom of the cabinet body, and an air outlet duct at the top of the cabinet body. The device further includes a pretreatment chamber, a temperature and humidity control module, a first temperature and humidity sensor, a second temperature and humidity sensor, and a controller. The pretreatment chamber is located at the entrance of the air inlet duct, the temperature and humidity control module is integrated within the pretreatment chamber, the first temperature and humidity sensor is located within the pretreatment chamber, the second temperature and humidity sensor is located inside the cabinet body, and the air inlet duct downstream of the pretreatment chamber is provided with a turbulence-inducing structure. The controller is electrically connected to the temperature and humidity control module, the first temperature and humidity sensor, and the second temperature and humidity sensor. Based on the detection data of the first and second temperature and humidity sensors, the controller controls the temperature and humidity control module to adjust the air flowing through the pretreatment chamber so that the dew point temperature of the incoming air after pretreatment in the pretreatment chamber is lower than the lowest temperature in the key area inside the cabinet.
[0008] Preferably, the temperature and humidity control module includes a thermoelectric cooler, a heat sink assembly, and a flow guide fan; the cold end of the thermoelectric cooler faces the air intake direction, and the hot end of the thermoelectric cooler is connected to the heat sink assembly; the flow guide fan is located downstream of the heat sink assembly.
[0009] Preferably, the turbulence structure is one or more combinations of a perforated plate, a grid, or a flow guide plate.
[0010] Preferably, an auxiliary electric heater is provided in the pretreatment chamber, and the auxiliary electric heater is electrically connected to the controller.
[0011] Preferably, a collection groove is provided in front of the cold end of the semiconductor cooling chip, and the collection groove is connected to a drain pipe extending to the outside of the cabinet.
[0012] A method for controlling an anti-condensation device includes the following steps: Step S1: Monitor the current temperature T1 and current humidity H1 of the air entering the pretreatment chamber in real time using the first temperature and humidity sensor, and calculate its current dew point temperature TD1. Step S2: Monitor the current temperature T2 of the key area inside the cabinet in real time using the second temperature and humidity sensor; Step S3: The controller compares the current dew point temperature TD1 with the current temperature T2 inside the cabinet in real time; Step S4: If TD1≥(T2-ΔT) (where ΔT is the preset safety margin temperature threshold), the controller determines that there is a risk of condensation and immediately starts the temperature and humidity control module to cool, dehumidify and heat the air entering the cabinet until TD1<(T2-ΔT).
[0013] Preferably, in step S4, when it is determined that there is a risk of condensation, the controller adjusts the operating power of the temperature and humidity control module in stages according to the magnitude of the difference Δ = TD1 - (T2 - ΔT).
[0014] Preferably, after the semiconductor cooling chip is activated for cooling and dehumidification, if the adjusted air temperature is lower than the minimum air intake temperature required for normal operation inside the cabinet, the controller will synchronously or subsequently activate the auxiliary electric heater to precisely heat the dehumidified air and ensure that its temperature rises steadily to the set range.
[0015] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial effects: 1. This application integrates a temperature and humidity control module into the pretreatment chamber at the air inlet, and combines real-time monitoring and comparison of the inlet dew point temperature and the temperature of key areas inside the cabinet. It can pre-cool and dehumidify or precisely adjust the temperature of the high-humidity air outside before it enters the cabinet and comes into contact with the low-temperature components, ensuring that its dew point temperature is always lower than the lowest temperature inside the cabinet. This proactively eliminates condensation conditions from the source. Compared with the existing technology that responds only after condensation is detected, this application significantly improves the response speed, realizes the "front-line" prevention of condensation and proactive prevention, and effectively avoids the initial formation of condensation. 2. In addition, this device serves as the inlet pretreatment stage of the existing heat dissipation airflow path (bottom air intake, top air exhaust), without occupying valuable equipment installation space inside the cabinet. It also avoids the interference or obstruction that adding equipment inside the cabinet might cause to the original airflow path. The pretreated air enters the cabinet through downstream turbulence structures (such as perforated plates, grilles, etc.), which can promote the uniform mixing of air with the cabinet environment, reduce local eddies and temperature dead zones, and prevent the generation of new low-temperature condensation points due to uneven heat dissipation. At the same time, through the controller's precise and coordinated control of the temperature and humidity regulation module (especially in combination with semiconductor refrigeration dehumidification and auxiliary electric heating), drastic fluctuations in temperature and humidity inside the cabinet can be avoided, achieving stable and uniform temperature and humidity environment regulation. While effectively preventing condensation, it ensures the stable and efficient operation of the overall heat dissipation system of the energy storage cabinet. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cabinet structure in Embodiment 1 of this application; Figure 2 This is a control flowchart of the anti-condensation device in Embodiment 1 of this application; Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the control method of Embodiment 2 of this application.
[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Cabinet; 2. Pre-treatment cavity; 3. Baffle structure; 4. Exhaust fan. Detailed Implementation
[0018] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.
[0019] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate for the embodiments of this application described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.
[0020] In this application, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "middle," "vertical," "horizontal," "lateral," and "longitudinal" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily for the purpose of better describing this application and its embodiments, and are not intended to limit the indicated device, element, or component to having a specific orientation, or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation.
[0021] Furthermore, in addition to indicating location or positional relationship, some of the aforementioned terms may also have other meanings. For example, the term "above" may also be used in some cases to indicate a certain dependency or connection relationship. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.
[0022] In addition, the term "multiple" should mean two or more.
[0023] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. This application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Example
[0024] This application discloses an anti-condensation device for an energy storage cabinet, comprising a cabinet body 1, a pretreatment chamber 2, a temperature and humidity control module, a first temperature and humidity sensor, a second temperature and humidity sensor, a controller, and a turbulence-disrupting structure 3.
[0025] The cabinet 1 is the main body of the energy storage device. It has an air inlet duct at the bottom and an air outlet duct at the top, forming a forced cooling airflow from bottom to top. An exhaust fan 4 is installed at the top of the cabinet 1. The pretreatment chamber 2 is fixedly connected to the outside of the bottom of the cabinet 1 and directly connected to the entrance of the air inlet duct, forming the first treatment gate for external air entering the cabinet. All air entering the cabinet 1 must first flow through this pretreatment chamber 2.
[0026] Furthermore, the pretreatment chamber 2 is an independent, sealed cavity, with its inlet connected to the external environment and its outlet directly connected to the air inlet duct of cabinet 1. The temperature and humidity control module is integrated and installed within the internal space of the pretreatment chamber 2. The temperature and humidity control module includes a thermoelectric cooler, a heat sink assembly, and a fan. The cold end of the thermoelectric cooler faces the air inlet direction. When powered on, the cold end rapidly cools down, causing the temperature of the air flowing over its surface to drop below the dew point, thereby condensing water vapor in the air.
[0027] In addition, the heat sink fins are tightly fitted to the hot end of the thermoelectric cooler to efficiently dissipate the heat generated during operation. To enhance heat dissipation, the heat sink fins are typically made of aluminum alloy. A guide fan is installed on the downstream side of the heat sink fins to guide airflow orderly through the cold end of the thermoelectric cooler and the heat sink fins. It also serves as auxiliary power to ensure that pre-treated air can smoothly enter the air duct inside the cabinet.
[0028] Furthermore, an inclined collection trough is installed directly below the cold end of the thermoelectric cooler to collect condensed water droplets. The collection trough is connected to a drain pipe to lead the condensate to the outside of cabinet 1 for discharge, preventing water accumulation.
[0029] The first temperature and humidity sensor is located inside the pretreatment chamber 2 to monitor the external air conditions before it enters the conditioning module in real time. The second temperature and humidity sensor is located inside the cabinet 1, preferably in a critical area where electrical components are densely packed, the temperature may be lowest, or the area is most sensitive to condensation (such as the middle of the battery cluster, electrical terminal blocks, etc.). The controller is usually installed in the electrical control unit of the cabinet 1 and is electrically connected to the temperature and humidity conditioning module, the first temperature and humidity sensor, and the second temperature and humidity sensor via cables.
[0030] To further improve the control accuracy, in another preferred embodiment, an auxiliary electric heater (such as a PTC heater) can also be installed in the pretreatment chamber 2, which is also connected to the controller. When the air temperature after cooling and dehumidification is too low, the heater can be activated to precisely raise the temperature.
[0031] Furthermore, inside the air inlet duct, downstream of the pretreatment chamber 2 and upstream of the internal space of the cabinet 1, a turbulence structure 3 is provided. This turbulence structure 3 is used to disperse and homogenize the pretreated airflow, allowing it to mix more smoothly and evenly with the thermal environment inside the cabinet. The turbulence structure 3 can be a perforated plate with uniformly distributed small holes, a grid composed of crisscrossing slats, or an array of guide vanes at a certain angle. In this embodiment, inclined and staggered guide vanes are used, whose core function is to transform the airflow from a concentrated jet into a dispersed turbulent flow with a smaller velocity gradient, promoting subsequent uniform mixing.
[0032] The controller is a microprocessor unit (such as a PLC or a dedicated control board) with logic operation and control signal output capabilities. The first and second temperature and humidity sensors are both digital sensors capable of simultaneously measuring temperature and relative humidity, and their data are transmitted to the controller in real time via wired or wireless means. Example
[0033] The control method of the anti-condensation device of this application includes the following steps: Step S1: Air Intake Parameter Monitoring and Calculation. The controller continuously reads the current temperature T1 and current relative humidity H1 of the air entering the pretreatment chamber 2 through the first temperature and humidity sensor. The controller's built-in algorithm calculates the current dew point temperature TD1 of the air in real time based on T1 and H1. The dew point temperature calculation can use mature algorithms such as the Magnus formula.
[0034] Step S2: Temperature monitoring of key areas inside the cabinet. The controller continuously reads the current temperature T2 of the preset key areas inside cabinet 1 through the second temperature and humidity sensor. This temperature T2 represents the "cold spot" temperature inside the cabinet where condensation is most likely to occur.
[0035] Step S3: Real-time condensation risk assessment. The controller compares the calculated TD1 with the monitored T2 in real time. The assessment condition is: TD1 ≥ (T2 - ΔT). Here, ΔT is a preset safety margin temperature threshold, a positive number (e.g., 2℃ or 3℃) set based on engineering experience to increase the reliability of condensation prevention. If this condition is met, a condensation risk is assessed.
[0036] Step S4: Tiered regulation and risk elimination.
[0037] Tiered start-up: When a risk of condensation is detected, the controller adjusts the operating power of the temperature and humidity control module (such as the operating current of the thermoelectric cooler and the speed of the air-guiding fan) in tiers (e.g., low, medium, and high) based on the risk difference Δ = TD1 - (T2 - ΔT). The larger the difference Δ, the higher the operating power and the stronger the response.
[0038] Cooling and dehumidification: The controller first activates the semiconductor cooling chip and the airflow fan. The cold end lowers the air temperature, causing the water in the air to condense and dehumidify, thereby effectively reducing the dew point temperature TD1 of the incoming air.
[0039] Precise heating: During or after cooling and dehumidification, if the controller detects that the adjusted air temperature is lower than the minimum inlet air temperature allowed for normal operation of the equipment in the cabinet (e.g., 15°C), the auxiliary electric heater will be started synchronously or after a delay to precisely and gently heat the dry cold air, so that its temperature rises back to a safe set range (e.g., 18-25°C).
[0040] Objective achieved: The above adjustment process continues, with the controller constantly verifying new TD1 and T2. This continues until the condition TD1 < (T2 - ΔT) is met, indicating that the intake air humidity has decreased to a safe level and the risk of condensation has been eliminated. At this point, the controller can reduce the power of the adjustment module to the maintenance setting or standby mode, achieving energy-saving operation.
[0041] In summary, this device achieves "pre-judgment and post-treatment" of incoming humid air by integrating a pre-treatment unit at the air inlet of the heat dissipation airflow path. Specifically, it uses real-time data comparison for risk warning and adopts a coordinated control strategy of "primarily cooling and dehumidifying, supplemented by precise heating," fundamentally eliminating the possibility of condensation caused by high-humidity air contacting low-temperature components. Finally, in conjunction with the downstream turbulence structure 3, it ensures uniform distribution of the treated air, perfectly resolving the condensation risk while maintaining the stability and efficiency of the original heat dissipation system of the energy storage cabinet, making it particularly suitable for harsh environments with high humidity and high salt spray, such as coastal areas.
[0042] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.
Claims
1. An anti-condensation device for an energy storage cabinet, comprising a cabinet body (1), wherein an air inlet duct is provided at the bottom of the cabinet body (1), and an air outlet duct is provided at the top of the cabinet body (1), characterized in that, It also includes a pretreatment chamber (2), a temperature and humidity control module, a first temperature and humidity sensor, a second temperature and humidity sensor and a controller. The pretreatment chamber (2) is located at the entrance of the air inlet duct. The temperature and humidity control module is integrated into the pretreatment chamber (2). The first temperature and humidity sensor is located in the pretreatment chamber (2). The second temperature and humidity sensor is located inside the cabinet (1). The air inlet duct is located downstream of the pretreatment chamber (2) and is provided with a turbulence structure (3). The controller is electrically connected to the temperature and humidity adjustment module, the first temperature and humidity sensor and the second temperature and humidity sensor respectively. Based on the detection data of the first temperature and humidity sensor and the second temperature and humidity sensor, the controller controls the temperature and humidity adjustment module to adjust the air flowing through the pretreatment chamber (2) so that the dew point temperature of the air intake after pretreatment in the pretreatment chamber (2) is lower than the lowest temperature of the key area inside the cabinet (1).
2. The anti-condensation device for an energy storage cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature and humidity control module includes a thermoelectric cooler, a heat sink fin assembly, and a flow guide fan; the cold end of the thermoelectric cooler faces the air intake direction, and the hot end of the thermoelectric cooler is connected to the heat sink fin assembly; the flow guide fan is located downstream of the heat sink fin assembly.
3. The anti-condensation device for an energy storage cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The turbulence structure (3) is one or more of a perforated plate, a grid, or a flow guide plate.
4. The anti-condensation device for an energy storage cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that: An auxiliary electric heater is provided in the pretreatment chamber (2), and the auxiliary electric heater is electrically connected to the controller.
5. The anti-condensation device for an energy storage cabinet according to claim 2, characterized in that: A collection trough is provided in front of the cold end of the semiconductor cooling chip, and the collection trough is connected to a drain pipe extending to the outside of the cabinet (1).
6. A control method for an anti-condensation device of an energy storage cabinet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step S1: Monitor the current temperature T1 and current humidity H1 of the air entering the pretreatment chamber (2) in real time using the first temperature and humidity sensor, and calculate its current dew point temperature TD1; Step S2: Monitor the current temperature T2 of the key area inside the cabinet in real time using the second temperature and humidity sensor; Step S3: The controller compares the current dew point temperature TD1 with the current temperature T2 inside the cabinet (1) in real time; Step S4: If TD1≥(T2-ΔT) (where ΔT is the preset safety margin temperature threshold), the controller determines that there is a risk of condensation and immediately starts the temperature and humidity adjustment module to cool, dehumidify and heat the air entering the cabinet (1) until TD1<(T2-ΔT).
7. The control method for the anti-condensation device according to claim 6, characterized in that: In step S4, when it is determined that there is a risk of condensation, the controller adjusts the operating power of the temperature and humidity control module in stages according to the magnitude of the difference Δ = TD1 - (T2-ΔT).
8. The control method for the anti-condensation device according to claim 6, characterized in that: After the semiconductor cooling chip is activated for cooling and dehumidification, if the adjusted air temperature is lower than the minimum air intake temperature required for normal operation inside the cabinet, the controller will synchronously or subsequently activate the auxiliary electric heater to precisely heat the dehumidified air and ensure that its temperature rises steadily to the set range.