Machine Tool Electronics Cooling Outside the Fluid Flow Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronics devices in machine tools face contamination and heat dissipation challenges due to fluid cooling systems, leading to potential short circuits and reduced service life, especially in heavily contaminated environments.
Innovation Solution
The electronics unit is positioned outside the fluid flow path of the cooling unit, with a heat diffusion element made from high thermal conductivity materials, and a fluid cooling element that directs the fluid flow to dissipate heat effectively, while a sealing unit ensures airtight protection against contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the electronics unit is placed inside the fluid flow path for direct cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid cooling element is introduced as an intermediary component between the electronics unit and the fluid flow path. The fluid cooling element absorbs heat from the electronics unit through thermal conduction and transfers it to the fluid, enabling indirect cooling that prevents contamination while maintaining cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The electronics unit is extracted from the fluid flow path and positioned outside it, eliminating direct contact between the electronics and the fluid. This separation removes the contamination risk while the fluid cooling element mediates the heat transfer function
2Reliability
If the electronics unit is positioned outside the fluid flow path to prevent contamination, then reliability is improved, but cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid cooling element serves as a thermal intermediary that maintains efficient heat transfer between the electronics unit and the fluid flow path without requiring direct contact. This mediator enables the electronics to be positioned outside the fluid path while preserving cooling performance
Solution Approach 2:
Direct mechanical contact cooling is replaced with thermal conduction through the fluid cooling element. This substitution allows heat transfer to occur through the element's material properties rather than requiring the electronics to be physically immersed in the fluid
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealing unit is added to protect against contaminants, then protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the fluid cooling element by forming an integrated sealing unit that combines the cooling element and sealing components into a single unified structure. This integration provides contamination protection without adding separate complex sealing mechanisms
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 prevents contamination and ensures effective cooling, extending the service life and ensuring error-free operation of machine tools in harsh conditions by effectively dissipating heat and protecting against foreign bodies.
Implementation Method 1
a heat diffusion element made from high thermal conductivity materials
Implementation Method 2
at least one fluid cooling unit for cooling the electronic unit by means of a fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic apparatus for a machine tool, having at least one electronic unit (18a; 18c; 18d; 18e; 18f; 18g) and having at least one fluid cooling unit (30a; 30c; 30d; 30e; 30f; 30g) for cooling the electronic unit (18a; 18c; 18d; 18e; 18f; 18g) by means of a fluid. According to the invention, the electronic unit (18a; 18c; 18d; 18e; 18f; 18g) is arranged at least primarily, in particular completely, outside of a fluid flow path (32a; 32c; 32d; 32e; 32f; 32g) of the fluid cooling unit (30a; 30c; 30d; 30e; 30f; 30g).