Programmable Logic Controller Adjustable Unit Spacing Heat Dissipation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional programmable logic controllers face issues with heat dissipation, leading to potential malfunctions due to overheating, and existing solutions either reduce the number of control units, increase the installation space, or compromise processing performance.
Innovation Solution
The programmable logic controller features control units with intervals between adjacent side surfaces, allowing for adjustable spacing to enhance natural air cooling and prevent heat transfer between units, thereby maintaining performance without reducing the number of units or increasing the installation area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If control units are placed at every other slot to enhance heat dissipation, then heat dissipation property is improved, but the number of control units that can be mounted is decreased by half
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by allowing control units to protrude from the base unit in the vertical direction. This enables heat dissipation enhancement through increased surface area exposure without reducing the horizontal density of control units, thus resolving the contradiction between heat dissipation and mounting capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The control units are pre-configured with protruding portions that extend beyond the base unit before installation. This preliminary structural design ensures that heat dissipation surfaces are already exposed and functional, eliminating the need for post-installation spacing adjustments while maintaining both heat dissipation performance and mounting density
2Temperature
If a unit for applying forced cooling such as a fan is added, then heat dissipation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The control units utilize their own protruding structural portions to create natural air flow paths and increase surface area for passive heat dissipation. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external forced cooling devices, maintaining reliability while achieving effective heat dissipation through the inherent geometric design of the control units themselves
3Temperature
If a heat dissipation device is added, then heat dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat dissipation function directly into the control unit structure by making the control units themselves protrude from the base unit. This integration eliminates the need for separate heat dissipation devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective thermal management through the combined structural-thermal design
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 effectively raises the ambient temperature and altitude limits while ensuring sufficient heat dissipation and preventing overheating, maintaining the original processing performance of standard control units.
Implementation Method 1
enables suppression of heat transfer between the control units. An installation interval between each of the control units is appropriately set to attain a sufficient heat dissipation property by natural air cooling
Data Source
AI summary
A programmable logic controller includes control units. In the programmable logic controller, the control units are installed in such a manner that side surfaces of adjacent ones of the control units have an interval therebetween. In the programmable logic controller, the control units are configured in such a manner that the interval between the side surfaces of adjacent ones of the control units can be set according to an installation environment of the programmable logic controller.