Compact Electrical Consumption Device with Passive Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical consumption management devices are unsuitable for managing electrical installations of limited size due to size and regulatory constraints, particularly in balancing electricity production and consumption, as they are too large and cannot measure or suspend current for multiple lines effectively, and active cooling is not allowed to prevent fire risks.
Innovation Solution
The device features a compact design with a specific printed circuit arrangement creating an air circulation corridor, using shunts and control elements like relays, TRIAC-DIACs, and thyristors to measure and interrupt current, and a power supply and driver circuit to manage up to 23kW of power, allowing for efficient passive cooling and managing multiple electric lines within a small volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If devices are placed in electrical installations of limited size, then the device size is reduced, but the ability to dissipate heat passively is worsened due to high power dissipation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the third dimension (vertical air flow) by creating a through-opening that extends from the front face to the rear face of the housing, enabling air to circulate vertically through the device. This dimensional approach allows sufficient heat dissipation volume within a compact footprint by exploiting the depth dimension of the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling structure consisting of a through-opening and air circulation path that mediates between the heat-generating components and the external environment. This intermediary air flow system enables passive cooling by conducting heat away from the measurement and control circuits without requiring active cooling components.
2Temperature
If active cooling means are used, then heat dissipation is improved, but safety risks increase due to fire hazards and regulatory constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of heat generation into a beneficial passive cooling system. By designing through-openings that allow natural air convection, the device uses the heat itself to drive the cooling air flow, eliminating the need for active cooling components that would pose fire risks while effectively dissipating the generated heat.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs its own cooling function through passive air circulation enabled by the through-opening design. The natural convection currents created by heat rising through the opening provide self-service cooling without requiring external active cooling systems, making the device safe for installation in locked electrical panels where users cannot access or maintain active cooling components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If measurement and control circuits are added to manage multiple lines, then functionality is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control architecture where a single control circuit can manage multiple electrical lines through standardized switching elements. The measurement circuit and control elements are designed to handle multiple lines simultaneously, allowing the device to adapt to different multi-line configurations without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each line, thus improving versatility while controlling complexity.
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 device effectively manages electrical power in a compact form, enabling efficient measurement and control of multiple electric lines while preventing overheating through passive cooling, thus addressing the constraints of size and safety in electrical installations.
Implementation Method 1
a measurement circuit (6) forming a processing circuit
Implementation Method 2
the control circuit comprises a plurality of elements chosen from the group comprising relays, TRIAC-DIACs and thyristors
Implementation Method 3
The design of this device and the particular arrangement of the printed circuit of the processing circuit make it possible to define an air circulation corridor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Device for managing electrical consumption. The device for managing electrical consumption comprises: - a plurality of connectors (28) capable of each receiving a link to an electrical current line, and able to form input connectors and output connectors, - a processing circuit (6, 8) for managing the electrical consumption on the electrical current lines to which it is connected, linked to at least one of the input connectors (28) and to at least one of the output connectors (28), and comprising a printed circuit which receives electronic components (38), - a housing (4) able to be installed in a low-voltage electrical installation board, exhibiting two opposite ends (15, 17) and at least one opening (14, 16) along each end (15, 17), and accommodating on the one hand the plurality of connectors (28) along said opposite ends (15, 17) of the housing (4), and on the other hand the processing circuit (6, 8) between said opposite ends (15, 17), at least some of said openings (14, 16) remaining partially free when the connectors (28) receive an electrical line. The printed circuit of the processing circuit (6, 8) is disposed in the housing in such a way as to define a first space and a second space which are separate, the electronic components (38) capable of conducting currents of at least 5A being received on the printed circuit so that they are housed in the first space with the plurality of connectors (28), in proximity to one of said opposite ends of the housing (4).