Power Supply Device Dynamic Cooling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply devices waste energy by cooling all components, even those that do not need cooling, leading to inefficient power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A power supply device with multiple converters and cooling units, where a controller dynamically adjusts the operational state of cooling fans based on the device's operational status, ensuring only necessary components are cooled, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption and extending fan motor lifetime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If all cooling units operate continuously to cool the entire power supply device, then the temperature within the case is maintained, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply device is divided into multiple independent chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber), each housing specific converters and equipped with dedicated cooling fans. This segmentation allows selective cooling of only the chambers containing operational converters, rather than cooling the entire device uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The operational state of cooling fans is dynamically adjusted based on the operational status of converters. The controller activates or deactivates specific cooling fans according to which converters are currently operating, enabling adaptive cooling that matches actual heat generation requirements.
2Temperature
If cooling fans operate at high speed to provide stronger cooling effects, then cooling efficiency improves, but power consumption and fan motor wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically adjusts the rotational speed of cooling fans based on real-time operational status of converters. When converters are operating and generating heat, cooling fans are activated at appropriate speeds; when converters are stopped, cooling fans are deactivated or reduced to low speed, thereby extending motor lifetime while maintaining adequate cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cooling intensities are applied to different chambers based on local heat generation requirements. Each chamber receives cooling appropriate to its specific operational state rather than uniform high-speed cooling across all chambers.
3Temperature
If multiple cooling fans are deployed to cool multiple converters, then cooling coverage is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple chambers with dedicated cooling fans for each chamber containing converters. This modular approach provides targeted cooling coverage while allowing independent control of each cooling unit, balancing cooling effectiveness with manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cooling fan serves multiple functions: it cools the specific chamber it is assigned to, and its operation is controlled based on the operational status of converters in that chamber. The chamber structure itself provides both mechanical support and thermal management boundaries.
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 approach reduces power consumption and prolongs fan motor life by ensuring only operational converters are cooled, while preventing unnecessary cooling and wind flow between chambers.
Implementation Method 1
The first chamber, the second chamber and the third chamber may be respectively provided with a first cooling fan, a second cooling fan and a third cooling fan. The first cooling fan, the second cooling fan and the third cooling fan may serve as the plurality of cooling units and respectively cool the first converter, the second converter and the third converter.
Implementation Method 2
The first chamber, the second chamber and the third chamber may be respectively provided with fins to dissipate heat generated by the semiconductor elements.
Data Source
AI summary
In power supply devices, it is prevented to cool the components that actually do not need to be cooled.A power supply device includes a first converter configured to convert AC power from an AC power source into DC power, a second converter configured to convert a voltage to charge a backup electrical storage unit with the DC power from the first converter and to cause the electrical storage unit to discharge DC power, a plurality of cooling units configured to individually cool the first converter and the second converter, and a controller configured to change an operational state of the plurality of cooling units depending on an operational status of the power supply device.