Inverter Thermal Layout With External Magnetic Element Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inverter designs suffer from poor heat radiation effects due to heat accumulation and obstructed airflow, which can damage electronic devices and reduce the efficiency of magnetic elements.

Innovation Solution

The inverter design separates the electronic device and heat radiator within enclosed boxes, while placing the magnetic element outside both boxes to enhance airflow and reduce heat interference, with cooling fans and vents strategically positioned to improve heat dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the magnetic element and heat radiator are disposed in parallel with the electronic device inside a box, then the structure is compact, but the magnetic element blocks the cold air blast and reduces the radiation effect of the heat radiator

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidheat radiation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The inverter is divided into two separate boxes: a first box for the electronic device and a second box for the magnetic element and heat radiator. This segmentation isolates the heat-generating magnetic element from the electronic device, preventing heat accumulation while maintaining structural integration through shared mounting plates and coordinated ventilation design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic element is extracted from the first box and placed in a separate second box. This extraction removes the heat source from proximity to the electronic device, eliminating the blocking effect on cold air blast and allowing the heat radiator to function independently without interference from the magnetic element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Temperature

If the heat radiator is disposed outside the box, then heat radiation is improved, but most heat generated by the magnetic element is accumulated inside the box and damages the electronic device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat radiation effectVSAvoidheat accumulation damage
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inverter structure is segmented into two boxes with distinct thermal zones. The first box houses the electronic device in a thermally controlled environment, while the second box contains the magnetic element and heat radiator for external heat dissipation. This segmentation prevents heat accumulation in the electronic device compartment while maintaining effective heat radiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting plate acts as an intermediary thermal barrier between the heat-generating magnetic element and the electronic device. It provides mechanical support while thermally isolating the two components, preventing heat transfer to the electronic device while allowing the heat radiator to dissipate heat effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If the cooling fan blows both the magnetic element and heat radiator, then heat dissipation is enhanced, but the magnetic element blocks the airflow and reduces radiation effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidairflow obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is segmented into separate airflow zones for the electronic device and the magnetic element/heat radiator. The cooling fan in the second box generates cold air that flows through the heat radiator first, then passes over the magnetic element, creating an unobstructed airflow path that enhances heat dissipation without blocking effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The airflow path is optimized by positioning the heat radiator and magnetic element at different spatial locations within the second box. The cold air flows horizontally through the heat radiator fins, then continues to the magnetic element, utilizing three-dimensional space to create an unobstructed flow path that maximizes heat dissipation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration enhances the cooling effect on electronic and heat radiators, reduces magnetic element temperature, and improves heat radiation efficiency by creating an unobstructed air duct, thus addressing the limitations of conventional inverter designs.

Implementation Method 1

the magnetic element and the heat radiator are disposed in parallel... the radiation effect of the heat radiator is reduced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a fan is provided to blow the magnetic element and the heat radiator for heat radiation, the cold air blast firstly flows through the heat radiator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

a fan is provided to blow the magnetic element and the heat radiator for heat radiation, the cold air blast firstly flows through the heat radiator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 4

the electronic device and the magnetic element are disposed in a box, and the heat radiator is disposed outside the box

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4007149B1inverter
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 SUNGROW POWER SUPPLY CO LTD
  • EP4007149B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4007149B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An inverter is provided according to the disclosure. In the inverter, an electronic device is disposed inside a first box; a heat radiator and a cooling fan are disposed inside a second box; and a magnetic element is disposed outside the first box and the second box. In this way, the cooling effect on the electronic device inside the first box and the heat radiator inside the second box may be less affected by the heat generated by the magnetic element. The magnetic element being disposed outside the first box and the second box is also beneficial to heat radiation of the magnetic element. The cooling fan only blows the heat radiator for heat radiation, there is not a case that the magnetic element blocks the cold air blast flowed through the heat radiator as in the conventional technology, therefore a more unobstructed air duct is formed, and the radiation effect is improved.