Electrical equipment housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power converters in outdoor environments, such as photovoltaic power generation systems, face operational challenges in low external air temperatures due to refrigerant floodback phenomena and reduced durability from exposure to corrosive elements, leading to decreased efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
An electrical equipment housing design that includes a first storage room for the power converter, a second storage room for the outdoor air conditioner units, a temperature sensor, and a heater, where the heater is activated when the temperature drops below a certain limit to maintain operational conditions for the air conditioner units, preventing refrigerant floodback and protecting the equipment from corrosive elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air conditioner is used to control the temperature inside the housing, then the durability of the power converter is improved by protecting it from external air, but the power converter cannot be operated when the external air temperature becomes low because the air conditioner must be stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two separate storage rooms: a first storage room containing the power converter and an air conditioner, and a second storage room containing the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. This segmentation allows the outdoor unit to be protected from low external temperatures while the power converter remains in a temperature-controlled environment, resolving the contradiction between durability protection and operability in cold conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
A heater is introduced as an intermediary device in the second storage room to prevent refrigerant floodback when external temperatures are low. The heater maintains the temperature around the outdoor unit above the dew point, allowing the air conditioner to continue operating and protecting the power converter while enabling operation in cold environments.
2Volume of stationary object
If the power converter is exposed to external air for cooling, then the housing size can be reduced, but the durability decreases due to dust, salt, and corrosive gas entering the power converter
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into a sealed first storage room for the power converter and a second storage room for the outdoor unit. This allows the power converter to be protected from corrosive external elements while maintaining a compact overall housing structure, as the air conditioner provides controlled cooling without requiring large exposure areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The first storage room creates a protected environment for the power converter, isolating it from dust, salt, and corrosive gases in the external air. This sealed environment acts as an inert atmosphere that prevents degradation of the power converter while the air conditioner maintains appropriate operating conditions.
3Device complexity
If the air conditioner outdoor unit is exposed to low external temperatures, then the housing structure is simplified, but refrigerant floodback occurs and the air conditioner cannot operate
Solution Approach 1:
A heater is installed in the second storage room to preemptively prevent refrigerant floodback by maintaining the temperature around the outdoor unit above the dew point. This preliminary heating action ensures the air conditioner can operate reliably in cold external conditions without complex structural modifications.
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 continuous operation of power converters in low external air temperatures while maintaining equipment durability by controlling the temperature and preventing refrigerant floodback, thus enhancing power generation efficiency and extending equipment lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
The heater heats inside the second storage room when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is a lower limit or less
Implementation Method 2
the heat generation of the devices in the interior in the power conversion is suppressed by cooling the devices by using a fan, etc.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an electrical equipment housing includes a first storage room, an air conditioner, a second storage room, a temperature sensor, and a heater. The first storage room contains a power converter converting electrical power. The air conditioner adjusts a temperature inside the first storage room. The air conditioner includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit is provided inside the first storage room. The outdoor unit is provided outside the first storage room. The second storage room contains the outdoor unit. The temperature sensor senses a temperature inside the second storage room. The heater heats inside the second storage room when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is a lower limit or less.