Filter Device Reactor Cooling Airflow Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

In power converters, the second AC reactor blocks the flow of cooling air, leading to inadequate cooling of the first AC reactor, which degrades its performance due to insufficient contact with cooling air.

Innovation Solution

A filter device configuration where the first AC reactor is positioned upwind of the second AC reactor within a shared housing, ensuring effective cooling air flow and reducing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the second AC reactor is arranged on the upwind side to reduce wiring complexity and save installation space, then the housing structure is simplified and installation is easier, but the cooling air flow is blocked and the first AC reactor cannot be sufficiently cooled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing structure complexityVSAvoidfirst AC reactor cooling performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the first AC reactor on the upwind side and the second AC reactor on the downwind side, opposite to the traditional configuration. This inversion ensures that cooling air first contacts the first AC reactor for effective cooling, then flows to the second AC reactor, resolving the contradiction between simplified housing structure and adequate cooling performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If the second AC reactor is placed on the upwind side, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but cooling air flow is obstructed leading to degraded performance of the first AC reactor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidfirst AC reactor performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the inversion principle by reversing the positional relationship between the two AC reactors. Instead of placing the second AC reactor on the upwind side (conventional arrangement), the first AC reactor is positioned on the upwind side. This inversion maintains manufacturing cost efficiency while ensuring that the first AC reactor receives adequate cooling air flow, thereby preserving its performance and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Volume of stationary object

If the first AC reactor is positioned downwind of the second AC reactor, then space utilization in the housing is optimized, but the cooling air does not sufficiently contact the first AC reactor causing performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing space utilizationVSAvoidfirst AC reactor cooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional downwind positioning of the first AC reactor by placing it on the upwind side instead. This inversion ensures that cooling air enters the housing and directly contacts the first AC reactor first, providing sufficient cooling. The second AC reactor is then positioned on the downwind side, allowing both reactors to be effectively cooled while maintaining optimized space utilization within the housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

This arrangement enhances cooling performance while minimizing cost, ensuring both reactors are efficiently cooled and maintaining the power converter's efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a housing (15) having a cooling air inlet (16) and a cooling air outlet (17) and containing the first AC reactor (3) and the second AC reactor (4)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11056266B2Filter device and power converter

Publication Date: 2021.07.06 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

Provided is a filter device to be connected between an AC power source (1) and a PWM converter (2), which includes a first AC reactor (3), a second AC reactor (4) that is connected between the PWM converter (2) and the first AC reactor (3), a filter capacitor (5) whose one end is connected to a connecting portion (9) between the first AC reactor (3) and the second AC reactor (4), and a housing (15) having a cooling air inlet (16) and a cooling air outlet (17) and containing the first AC reactor (3) and the second AC reactor (4), wherein the first AC reactor (3) is disposed upwind of the second AC reactor (4).