Charging Station Air Duct Layout for Compact Cooling and Water Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing electrical capacity of electric vehicle batteries requires higher charging power, leading to increased heat dissipation needs in charging stations, which complicates air conditioning system design due to limited space, noise, and water ingress concerns with larger air intakes and outlets.

Innovation Solution

A compact air ducting device with a box-shaped design featuring detachable connections and fluid deflection elements to prevent water ingress and noise, allowing for efficient air flow while maintaining a compact footprint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the air inlet and outlet openings are enlarged to increase outside air flow rate for cooling, then the cooling capacity is improved, but water ingress risk increases and noise emissions are promoted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidwater ingress risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a compact air guiding device with optimized duct geometry that efficiently directs outside air to the air conditioning unit without requiring large opening areas. The duct design creates effective airflow guidance that maintains cooling performance while using smaller, more controlled access points that can be better protected against water ingress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Productivity

If the air inlet and outlet openings are enlarged to increase outside air flow rate, then the cooling capacity is improved, but noise emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidnoise emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The compact air guiding device with optimized duct geometry reduces turbulence and airflow resistance, enabling efficient air delivery through smaller openings. This design minimizes the noise-generating effects of large, exposed openings while maintaining the required cooling airflow rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If the installation space for the air conditioning unit is increased to provide higher cooling capacity, then the cooling performance is improved, but the space utilization in the charging station deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidspace utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The air guiding device is integrated into the existing charging station structure, with the duct system nested within the available spatial envelope. The device utilizes vertical and lateral spaces efficiently, routing air ducts through existing structural cavities and along walls, thereby providing enhanced cooling capacity without occupying additional floor space or expanding the overall station footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs three-dimensional duct routing that充分利用s available vertical and lateral spaces within the charging station. By transitioning from a two-dimensional plan view to three-dimensional spatial utilization, the design accommodates the air guiding device and ductwork within the existing structural volume, maintaining compact footprint while delivering improved cooling performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Productivity

If the air duct size is enlarged to supply sufficient outside air, then the air flow rate is improved, but the installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow rateVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The air guiding device employs optimized duct geometry with smooth transitions and appropriate cross-sectional dimensions that minimize airflow resistance. This allows the system to achieve the required air flow rates through compact duct sizing, avoiding the need for large-volume ductwork that would consume excessive installation space within the charging station.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

The solution effectively manages heat dissipation without increasing the air conditioning system's size, reduces noise, and prevents water ingress, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency in limited spaces.

Implementation Method 1

An air region separating element is arranged in the air guiding chamber and divides the air guiding chamber into an air inlet chamber and an air outlet chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical separation:

Implementation Method 2

The heat generated in the charging station is usually dissipated by the charging station's air conditioning system. Outside air is supplied to the air conditioning system, particularly for cooling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Convection

Implementation Method 3

The air inlet opening and the air outlet opening are advantageously arranged on opposite sides, such that exhaust air exiting from the air outlet opening, in particular heated by the air conditioning device, is not sucked in again

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow direction control:

Data Source

PatentEP4375124A1Air guiding device, air conditioning device and charging station comprising such an air guiding device and such an air conditioning device
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 ADS TEC ENERGY GMBH
  • EP4375124A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4375124A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4375124A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an air guide device (3) for an air conditioning device (5) of a charging station (1) for electric vehicles, wherein the air guide device (3) has a first base surface (21.1), a second base surface (21.2) opposite the first base surface (21.1), and a lateral surface (22) connecting the first base surface (21.1) and the second base surface (21.2), wherein the first base surface (21.1), the second base surface (21.2), and the lateral surface (22) enclose an air guide chamber (41), wherein an air space divider element (43) is arranged in the air guide chamber (41), which divides the air guide chamber (41) into an air inlet chamber (41.1) and an air outlet chamber (41.2), and wherein the lateral surface (22) has an air inlet opening on a first side (45.1) associated with the air inlet chamber (41.1). (47) and a second side (45) associated with the air outlet space (41.2).2) has an air outlet opening (49), wherein the first base surface (21.1) has an air outlet connection (11) in the air inlet chamber (41.1) and an air inlet connection (15) in the air outlet chamber (41.2), such that the air inlet opening (47) is fluidically connected to the air outlet connection (11) via the air inlet chamber (41.1) and the air outlet opening (49) is fluidically connected to the air inlet connection (15) via the air outlet chamber (41.2). The invention also relates to an air conditioning device (5) for connecting to such an air guide device (3) and a charging station (1) with such an air guide device (3) and with such an air conditioning device (5).