Flywheel Cooling in Industrial Robot Control Cabinets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial robot control cabinets face inefficiencies in energy consumption due to the use of fans for cooling, which consume electrical energy and require larger installation spaces.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an electromechanical energy storage device with a flywheel that rotates to generate airflow for cooling, allowing the elimination of traditional fans and reducing energy consumption by converting excess electrical energy into rotational energy for motor operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a fan is used for forced convection cooling in the control cabinet, then cooling efficiency is improved, but electrical energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromechanical energy storage device is designed to perform multiple functions: it stores electrical energy during braking events and simultaneously provides forced convection cooling during robot operation. The flywheel component generates airflow through its rotation while the motor operates, eliminating the need for a separate fan while maintaining effective cooling of power electronics and control components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational characteristics to provide cooling - the motor driving the flywheel during robot operation naturally generates airflow that cools the control cabinet components. The energy storage device serves itself by utilizing the motor's operation during braking to both charge the flywheel and provide cooling airflow, without requiring additional energy-consuming cooling devices.
2Temperature
If a traditional fan cooling system is installed in the control cabinet, then heat dissipation is improved, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electromechanical energy storage device combines energy storage and cooling functions in a single integrated component. The flywheel's rotation generates the necessary airflow for heat dissipation while the motor operates, eliminating the need for separate fan assemblies and reducing the overall installation space required in the control cabinet.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cooling function with the energy storage device. The motor-driven flywheel serves dual purposes: storing kinetic energy and generating cooling airflow. This combination consolidates multiple functions into one component, reducing the total volume occupied by cooling systems in the control cabinet.
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 solution reduces electrical energy consumption and allows for compact design by utilizing the flywheel for both energy storage and cooling, enhancing airflow and heat dissipation within the control cabinet.
Implementation Method 1
the flywheel being set up to generate an air flow for cooling the at least one electric and/or electronic component
Implementation Method 2
to drive the electric motor with the electrical energy generated thereby so that it rotates the flywheel
Implementation Method 3
to operate the electric motor of the energy store in a generator mode in order to convert energy stored in the rotating flywheel into electric energy
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a control cabinet (10), in particular for an industrial robot (1). The control cabinet (10) has a housing (11), at least one electrical and/or electronic component (12, 13, 23) arranged inside the housing (11), and an electromechanical energy storage device comprising an electric motor (21) and a rotatably mounted flywheel (19), which can be set in rotation by means of the electric motor (21) and is configured to generate an airflow (23) for cooling the at least one electrical and/or electronic component (12, 13, 23).