Ground Pad Module Cooling Channel Water Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ground pad modules for charging power-driven vehicles face challenges in maintaining moisture tightness while providing effective cooling for electronic components, as existing designs with forced-ventilation systems compromise on water ingress protection.
Innovation Solution
A ground pad module design featuring a fan unit with an air flow inlet channel that includes a step and diaphragm to prevent water ingress, combined with a symmetrical outlet channel to divert air flow, ensuring both active cooling and water protection by creating a multi-step barrier against splash and flood water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a forced-ventilation cooling system with open air exchange is used, then cooling capacity is improved, but water tightness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet channel is segmented into multiple sections with different functions: a first section with a downward slope for water drainage, a second section with an upward slope forming a water barrier, and a third section leading to the fan unit. This segmentation allows the channel to handle both air flow and water protection functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet channel is designed with excessive height (at least 40% of the module's total height) to create a sufficient water barrier. This excessive dimension ensures that even under flood conditions, water cannot reach the fan unit, providing a safety margin beyond the minimum required protection.
2Device complexity
If electronic assemblies are integrated into the ground pad module, then device complexity is reduced, but water protection becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet channel serves multiple functions: it guides cooling air to the fan unit, drains water through the downward slope, and creates a water barrier through the upward slope. By merging these functions into a single structural element, the design protects integrated electronic assemblies without adding separate protection components.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet channel acts as an intermediary structure between the external environment and the internal electronic assemblies. It mediates the conflict between air flow requirements and water protection needs by providing a controlled pathway that allows air passage while blocking water ingress.
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 design effectively integrates cooling and water protection, preventing water ingress while maintaining efficient air flow for electronic assemblies, eliminating the need for separate charging units and ensuring reliable operation in wet conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a fan unit (14) arranged within the ground pad module and configured to cool at least one electrical and/or electronic assembly (15) arranged within the ground pad module by means of an air flow
Implementation Method 2
water penetrating through an inlet opening of the inlet channel must at least overcome one step in a component of a flow direction of the water before it reaches the fan unit and/or the assembly, with the component facing a direction opposite to the force of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A ground pad module for charging a power-driven vehicle is designed to be arranged on an underground accessible to the vehicle. The ground pad module includes a fan unit arranged within the ground pad module and configured to cool at least one electrical and/or electronic assembly arranged within the ground pad module by an air flow that can be supplied to the ground pad module from an exterior area. An inlet channel of the air flow is designed such that if the ground pad module is arranged as intended, water penetrating through an inlet opening of the inlet channel must overcome at least one step in a component of a flow direction of the water before it reaches the fan unit and/or the assembly with the component facing a direction opposite to the force of gravity.