Temperature Management System for Electrical Enclosures

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional temperature management systems for electrical enclosures are not energy efficient and require specific components, failing to effectively handle significant temperature variations and prevent condensation.

Innovation Solution

A temperature management system with multiple operating modes, utilizing air transfer means and a control unit to regulate air flow between volumes, determining activation periods based on temperature differences and meteorological data, and employing a rotating plate to control air flow, allowing for storage and release of heat or cold air.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If ventilation system or air conditioning is used to regulate temperature, then temperature control capability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the thermal energy already present inside the enclosure (heat generated by electronic devices) to pre-condition the air before it enters the enclosure. The air is heated by passing through the device housing, which then circulates this pre-heated air back into the enclosure, reducing the energy needed for active heating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The air is pre-heated or pre-cooled by passing through the device housing before being introduced into the enclosure. This preliminary thermal treatment of the air reduces the workload on active heating or cooling systems, thereby lowering overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Temperature

If air circulation system is used to manage temperature, then temperature regulation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature regulationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The same air circulation system serves multiple functions: it provides thermal management by regulating temperature, prevents condensation through controlled air movement, and utilizes the device housing itself as a heat exchange surface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines the housing structure with the heat exchange function, and integrates the air circulation system to perform both cooling and condensation prevention. By merging these functions into a unified system, component count and overall complexity are reduced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If active heating or cooling system is used, then temperature control precision is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the waste heat generated by electronic devices, which would otherwise be discarded, into a useful resource for pre-heating the air that circulates into the enclosure. This transforms a harmful thermal byproduct into a beneficial element that improves energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding the heat generated by electronic devices, the system recovers this thermal energy by routing air through the device housing to absorb the heat, then circulating this warmed air back into the enclosure to reduce heating energy requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 efficiently manages temperature variations, conserves energy, and prevents condensation without requiring specific components, making it reliable and economical for electrical enclosures.

Implementation Method 1

a first air transfer means arranged between the first air inlet/outlet and the second air inlet/outlet and intended to transfer air from the first volume to the second volume and from the second volume to the first volume; and a second air transfer means arranged between the third air inlet/outlet and the second air inlet/outlet and intended to transfer air from the third volume to the second volume and from the second volume to the third volume

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir transfer:

Implementation Method 2

it has been found advantageous to store hot air in said second volume during hot periods in order to restore it during colder periods and to store cold air during cold periods in order to restore it during warmer periods

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy storage: Thermal Energy Storage

Implementation Method 3

The invention also relates to a method for managing the temperature implemented using said system... which does not require the use of specific components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation prevention:

Data Source

PatentEP3664588B1System for managing the temperature in an electric envelope
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP3664588B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3664588B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3664588B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The invention relates to a temperature management system, adaptable to an electrical enclosure, said electrical enclosure delimiting a first volume (V1), said system comprising: - A first enclosure (20) delimiting a second closed volume (V2) and a reservoir (21) housed in said first enclosure (20) and delimiting a third closed volume (V3) inside said first enclosure, - First air transfer means (MT1) arranged between a first air inlet/outlet (I1) connected to the second volume (V2) and a second air inlet/outlet (I2) intended to be connected to the first volume (V1), - Second air transfer means (MT2) arranged between a third air inlet/outlet (I3) connected to the third volume (V3) and a fourth air inlet/outlet (I4) intended to be connected to the first volume (V1), - A control and processing unit (UC) intended to apply an operating mode of said system.