Combined Cable and Air Duct for Control Cabinet Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In control cabinets, the vertical arrangement of air inlets and outlets creates a temperature gradient, leading to inefficient cooling of components, especially those at the top, and results in suboptimal space utilization and excessive cabling that obstructs airflow.
Innovation Solution
A combined cable and air duct system with an air duct and an adjoining cable duct, featuring openings with predetermined breaking points for adjustable airflow and improved cable management, allowing for flexible component placement and unhindered cooling air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If components are arranged in the lower area to receive coolest air, then cooling efficiency is improved, but space utilization and cabling complexity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct is divided into multiple sections with individually controllable openings, allowing different regions of the cabinet to receive customized cooling. This enables components to be arranged flexibly throughout the cabinet space rather than being constrained to the lower area, while still providing effective cooling where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The openings in the air duct are designed to be adjustable or removable, enabling dynamic control over airflow distribution. This allows the cooling system to adapt to different component arrangements and thermal loads, optimizing both cooling efficiency and space utilization based on specific application requirements.
2Temperature
If components are arranged in the lower area for optimal cooling, then temperature distribution is improved, but cable management and airflow obstruction worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct extends horizontally across the cabinet at an optimal height, delivering cooling air to components in the horizontal dimension rather than requiring all components to be in the lower vertical area. This dimensional shift allows better cable routing and reduces obstruction while maintaining effective cooling.
3Device complexity
If vertical airflow from bottom to top is used, then simple air flow path is achieved, but cooling uniformity across components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the air duct have different opening configurations tailored to the specific cooling requirements of components in different horizontal positions. This local customization of airflow delivery ensures uniform cooling across all components while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure.
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 solution enhances cooling uniformity within the cabinet, reduces cabling needs, and optimizes space usage by enabling more flexible component arrangement while ensuring efficient airflow and cable management.
Implementation Method 1
The combined cable and air duct (1, 2) has an air duct (1) and an adjoining cable duct (2)... at least one opening (4) is formed on a first longitudinal side (3) of the air duct (1)... cooled air is guided out of the cooling air space (50) through at least one passage (9) and an air inlet opening (10) of the combined cable and air duct (1, 2) into the combined cable and air duct (1, 2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a combination cable and air channel for air conditioning an electrical enclosure, comprising an air channel (1) and a cable channel (2) which adjoins the air channel (1) and which is led parallel to the air channel (1). A first longitudinal face (3) of the air channel (1) has at least one opening (4), and a longitudinal face (5) of the cable channel (2) is a closure face (6) which is locked in a removable manner. The invention further relates to a corresponding electrical enclosure.