Modular Capacitor Module with Integrated Cooling Ducts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and space consumption of electromechanical power transmission chains in mobile working machines due to numerous components, cabling, and cooling arrangements, particularly with capacitive energy-storage systems, pose challenges in implementation, cabling, and cooling.
Innovation Solution
A modular capacitive energy-storage system featuring encapsulated capacitor modules with integrated cooling ducts and inductor coils, along with a controller for data measurement and control, allowing for efficient cooling and reduced component complexity by integrating inductor coils and cooling systems within the modules, and connecting them via a piping system for external coolant circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a modular capacitor module design with integrated cooling ducts and inductor coils is implemented, then device complexity and space consumption are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the capacitor element, cooling duct system, and inductor coils into a single integrated capacitor module housed within one housing. This combination reduces the number of separate components and their interconnections, directly addressing the problem of high device complexity and space consumption while maintaining functional performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent places the cooling duct system and inductor coils inside the housing that encapsulates the capacitor element, creating a nested structure where smaller components are positioned within the space of larger components. This nesting approach optimizes space utilization and reduces overall device volume while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components with individual cooling arrangements are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity and space consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal housing structure that simultaneously serves as the enclosure for the capacitor element, the framework for the cooling duct system, and the mounting structure for the inductor coils. This multi-functional design simplifies manufacturing by using a common structural platform rather than separate components requiring individual assembly and alignment
3Device complexity
If inductor coils are integrated inside the housing with capacitor modules, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling requirements for both components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling requirements of the capacitor element and inductor coils into a single integrated cooling duct system. The cooling ducts are positioned to simultaneously cool both components within the housing, eliminating the need for separate cooling arrangements and reducing thermal management complexity despite the increased heat load from multiple components
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 modular design simplifies the integration and cooling of capacitive energy-storage systems, reduces component complexity, and enables efficient cooling of both the capacitor modules and inductor coils, enhancing the overall efficiency and compactness of the electromechanical power transmission chain in mobile working machines.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling duct system (104) for conducting coolant so as to cool the capacitor element (101)
Implementation Method 2
a cooling duct system (104) for conducting coolant so as to cool the capacitor element (101)
Implementation Method 3
one or more inductor coils inside the housing and for smoothing current of the capacitor module
Data Source
AI summary
A capacitor module includes a capacitor element, a first voltage terminal connected to a first pole of the capacitor element, and a second voltage terminal connected to a second pole of the capacitor element. The capacitor module further includes a cooling duct system for cooling the capacitor element, and a housing encapsulating the capacitor element and the cooling duct system. The housing comprises wiring lead-throughs for the first and second voltage terminals and piping lead-throughs for the cooling duct system. As the capacitive module is encapsulated and includes the cooling ducts and the wiring and piping lead-throughs, modular capacitive energy-storages of different sizes can be built by interconnecting capacitor modules of the kind described above, and there is no need to build separately an encapsulation provided with cooling ducts.