Modular Electric Panel Layout for Cooling and Driver Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric panels used in powered systems are often larger than necessary due to the addition of driver boards and heat dissipation components, leading to inefficient space usage and complexity in maintenance and replacement.
Innovation Solution
A modular electric panel system with a core body, housing, gate drivers, and connectors that allows for easy swapping and thermal management, featuring internal conduits for fluid flow to regulate temperatures and reduce unnecessary space consumption, along with busbars for impedance matching and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If driver boards and heat dissipation components are added to electric panels, then the panels can handle high voltages and dissipate heat effectively, but the size of the panels increases beyond what is desirable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the driver board and heat dissipation components into an integrated assembly that mounts directly to the panel. This merging of functions allows the driver board to utilize the heat dissipation structure as part of its mounting and cooling system, thereby reducing the overall panel size while maintaining effective heat dissipation capability for high voltage handling.
2Power
If more driver boards are added to handle high voltages, then the voltage control capability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated driver board assembly is designed to handle multiple voltage levels and control functions through a unified structure. The driver board incorporates circuitry that can manage high voltage switching while the integrated heat dissipation structure serves both as a thermal management system and a mechanical mounting platform, thereby reducing the number of separate components needed.
3Reliability
If traditional panel designs with separate driver boards are used, then the panels can handle high voltages, but the maintenance and replacement of driver boards becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a modular integrated assembly where the driver board and heat dissipation components form a single replaceable unit. This segmentation of the overall panel system into discrete functional modules allows the driver board assembly to be removed and replaced as a complete unit, significantly simplifying maintenance procedures while maintaining the reliability needed for high voltage operation.
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 system optimizes space usage, facilitates easy assembly and maintenance, and ensures efficient thermal management, while maintaining high voltage control and safety through modular design and thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
The core body may include internal conduits for flow of a fluid used to thermally manage the switching devices
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A panel system (100) may include a core body (230) having opposite sides (336, 338) and switching devices (234) mounted to at least one of the opposite sides (336, 338) of the core body (230), a housing (102) in which the core body (230) and the switching devices (234) are disposed, gate drivers (120, 122) coupled to a first side of the housing (102) and to the switching devices (234), and connectors (116, 118) coupled to one or more other sides (336, 338) of the housing (102) and to the switching devices (234). The connectors (116, 118) may receive and conduct a voltage to collector terminals (246) of the switching devices (234). The gate drivers (120, 122) may conduct a gate voltage to gate terminals (246) of the switching devices (234). The switching devices (234) may control conduction of the voltage out of the housing (102) via the connectors (116, 118) as an alternating current.