Dual-Flap Wind Pressure Shutter for Outdoor Switchboard Waterproofing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind pressure type shutters for outdoor switchboards face challenges in providing adequate waterproofness and dustproofness, especially during strong outside winds, and require a simple structure without sensors or control devices to minimize cost and failure risk.
Innovation Solution
A dual-structure wind pressure type shutter is designed with an outer flap (first flap) and an inner flap (second flap), where the inner flap locks the outer flap when the switchboard is not operating, preventing dust and water entry even under strong winds. The shutter includes a first rotation shaft for the outer flap and a second rotation shaft for the inner flap, with the inner flap's center of gravity positioned closer to the outer flap to enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a wind pressure type shutter with a single intake-side blade is used, then the structure is simple and cost is low, but the blade opens under strong outside wind causing water and dust entry
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is divided into two independent flaps: an intake-side flap and a discharge-side flap. Each flap operates independently based on pressure differences, allowing the system to maintain simplicity while improving reliability. The intake-side flap prevents water entry by closing under positive pressure, while the discharge-side flap maintains dustproofness by closing under negative pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge-side flap is positioned downstream of the intake-side flap, creating a nested arrangement where both flaps work together in sequence. The discharge-side flap acts as a backup mechanism that ensures dustproofness even when the intake-side flap is subjected to strong winds, effectively nesting the protection functions.
2Reliability
If a control device and sensor are added to determine abnormal weather and control shutter closure, then waterproofness and dustproofness are improved, but cost and failure risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter system is designed to automatically respond to weather conditions without external control. The flaps self-adjust their positions based on pressure differences caused by wind and fan operation, eliminating the need for sensors, control devices, or power sources while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic control systems (sensors and actuators) with a purely mechanical passive system. The flaps utilize natural pressure differentials to drive their motion, substituting complex electronic mechanisms with simple mechanical elements that are more reliable and cost-effective.
3Productivity
If the intake-side blade opens inward due to negative pressure during cooling fan operation, then ventilation is improved, but the blade may open under strong outside wind causing water and dust entry
Solution Approach 1:
The two flaps are designed with different functional characteristics suited to their respective locations. The intake-side flap is optimized to respond to positive pressure from outside wind, while the discharge-side flap responds to negative pressure from fan operation. This local differentiation allows each flap to address specific ventilation and protection needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge-side flap is positioned to prevent dust entry as a preliminary measure, while the intake-side flap is designed to close under positive pressure to prevent water entry. Both flaps are pre-configured to counteract potential harmful effects before they can compromise the device.
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 dual-structure wind pressure type shutter achieves excellent waterproofness and dustproofness during storms while maintaining low manufacturing and maintenance costs and minimizing failure risk, making it suitable for outdoor power conversion devices like solar power generation systems.
Implementation Method 1
When a negative pressure is generated downstream of the second flap, the second flap rotates to open the flow path
Implementation Method 2
The outdoor switchboard has a fan that generates a negative pressure downstream of the second flap
Data Source
AI summary
A wind pressure type shutter includes first and second rotation shafts, and first and second flaps. The first flap rotatably hung on the first rotation shaft closes a flow path in a vertical position and opens the flow path in a position rotated from the vertical position. The second flap rotatably attached to the second rotation shaft closes the flow path and prevents the rotation of the first flap by an upstream-side end portion of the second flap in a horizontal position, and opens the flow path in a position rotated from the horizontal position. When a negative pressure is generated downstream of the second flap, the second flap rotates to open the flow path and the upstream-side end portion is disengaged from the first flap, so that the first flap rotates toward a downstream side to open the flow path.