Cooling Channel Between Electrical Compartments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical devices with stacked compartments face challenges in achieving high IP-class protection and compact design due to heat management issues, as high-temperature components can harm temperature-sensitive components and limit cooling efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The device features separate compartments spaced apart with a cooling channel in between, allowing for independent cooling of each compartment and using a conduit to maintain a sealed structure for high IP-class protection, with the conduit housing electrical wires and enhancing mechanical protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If compartments are stacked vertically in a compact arrangement, then device compactness is improved, but temperature control deteriorates as heat from high-temperature components affects temperature-sensitive components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidtemperature control

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides components into separate compartments based on their thermal characteristics. High-temperature components (semiconductor switches, chokes) are isolated from temperature-sensitive components (control electronics) into distinct compartments, allowing independent thermal management for each segment while maintaining overall device compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A cooling channel is introduced as an intermediary structure between compartments. This cooling channel facilitates heat removal from high-temperature components through forced convection using a blower, preventing heat transfer to adjacent compartments and enabling compact vertical stacking while maintaining temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If a blower is used to cool high-temperature components, then cooling efficiency is improved, but achieving high IP-class protection becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidIP-class protection

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the internal structure into sealed compartments, each with controlled access points. The cooling channel is integrated as a sealed pathway that allows air flow for cooling while maintaining IP-protection through proper sealing at compartment boundaries and conduit connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Conduits serve as intermediary structures that provide sealed pathways for electrical wires between compartments. These conduits maintain the IP-protection seal while allowing necessary electrical connections, and the cooling channel acts as a controlled intermediary that permits forced convection cooling without compromising the sealed structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If compartments are placed close together for compact design, then device outer diameter is reduced, but heat isolation between compartments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice outer diameterVSAvoidheat isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling channel acts as a thermal intermediary barrier between compartments. Even though compartments are positioned close together for compact design, the cooling channel with forced convection airflow prevents direct heat transfer between compartments, effectively isolating heat-generating components from temperature-sensitive components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Forced convection using a blower creates controlled airflow through the cooling channel. This pneumatic system actively removes heat from high-temperature components and prevents heat accumulation, enabling compact compartment arrangement while maintaining effective heat isolation through the cooling airflow pathway.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 design achieves high IP-class protection, enabling outdoor operation and reducing the device's outer diameter by allowing high-temperature components to be dimensioned without affecting temperature-sensitive components, while effectively managing heat through the cooling channel and conduit-based wiring.

Implementation Method 1

the compartment with the higher temperature components is typically air cooled with a blower or similar device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

The conduit forms together with the separate compartments a substantially closed structure such that high IP-class protection is obtained

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS10165711B2Electrical device with a cooling channel between compartments

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 ABB OY

AI summary

An electrical device comprising electrical components, the electrical components of the electrical device being arranged in at least two separate compartments (1, 2) having walls, wherein the at least two compartments are substantially closed and arranged at a distance from each other and the walls of the at least two compartments are arranged to form walls of a cooling channel (7) between the compartments (1, 2).