Cooling system for electrical enclosure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling systems for electrical cabinets face difficulties in adapting to different positioning configurations without requiring modifications, as they are typically designed for specific attachment locations, which limits their versatility.

Innovation Solution

A cooling system comprising a support with a ventilation module and a condenser module, where the condenser module features a second casing inclined within the first casing to facilitate water evacuation regardless of position, and an integrated exhaust duct and refrigerant inlet duct, allowing for flexible attachment to various locations on the electrical cabinet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the cooling system is designed for a specific attachment location, then the structural design is simplified, but the adaptability to different positioning configurations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural design simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to different positioning configurations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is designed with a universal support structure that can be attached to different locations on the electrical cabinet (side walls, top wall, bottom wall) without requiring structural modifications. The inclined second casing and water evacuation system are configured to function effectively in any orientation, enabling the same cooling system to serve multiple positioning configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If the cooling system uses a horizontal water evacuation design, then the structure is simple, but the system cannot function properly when mounted in different orientations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidfunctionality in different orientations
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a horizontal water evacuation design to an inclined design where the second casing is positioned at an angle relative to the first casing. This angular arrangement creates a gravity-driven water evacuation path that functions effectively regardless of the system's mounting orientation on the electrical cabinet, whether vertical, horizontal, or at any intermediate angle.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes gravitational force as a parameter to drive water evacuation. By configuring the second casing at an incline, the design leverages gravity to ensure water flows toward the evacuation outlet in any orientation, eliminating the need for complex pumps or orientation-specific designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the cooling system is modified for each positioning configuration, then the cooling performance is optimized for each location, but the device complexity and modification requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performance optimizationVSAvoidmodification requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system employs a universal design with an inclined second casing and strategically positioned air inlets and outlets that maintain effective cooling performance across all mounting orientations. The support structure includes integrated mounting features that accommodate different locations on the electrical cabinet without requiring structural modifications to the cooling components themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables effective air cooling and water evacuation across different installation orientations, ensuring efficient heat management without the need for structural modifications, thereby maintaining device performance and preventing overheating.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling module (325)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

said second casing (324) is arranged in an inclined manner inside the first casing (323) so as to allow a flow of water generated during the passage of air over the cooling module (325)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3002521B1Cooling system for electrical enclosure
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP3002521B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3002521B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3002521B1 patent drawingFigure 3C~3D

AI summary

The invention relates to a cooling system (3) for an electrical cabinet (1) in which one or more electrical devices are placed, comprising: - a support (30), - a ventilation module (31), - a condenser module ( 32) comprising a first housing (323) fixed to the support (30), a second housing (324) housed inside the first housing (323) and a cooling module (325) housed in the second housing, said second casing (324) being arranged in an inclined manner inside the first casing (323) so as to allow flow of the water generated during the passage of air over the cooling module (325) whatever the position of the system on the electrical cabinet (1).