Switch Unit Temperature Comparison for Power Control Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power control apparatuses fail to accurately determine temperature anomalies in power switching elements, leading to potential thermal issues.
Innovation Solution
A power control apparatus with a cooling unit, measuring unit, comparison unit, and determination unit that monitors and compares the temperatures of multiple switch units, determining if a temperature difference exceeds a threshold to identify anomalies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If temperature measurement is performed on all switch units, then temperature anomaly detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the temperature monitoring system into two segments: a measuring unit that measures temperatures of multiple switch units, and a determination unit that analyzes the temperature differences. This segmentation allows the measurement function to be comprehensive while the analysis function focuses only on detecting anomalies through comparison, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a determination unit as an intermediary between the measuring unit and the control system. This intermediary processes the raw temperature data by comparing differences between switch units and determining whether anomalies exist, filtering out unnecessary data processing steps and simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Temperature
If cooling medium flows parallel to aligned switch units, then cooling efficiency is improved, but temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric cooling by having the cooling medium flow perpendicular to the aligned direction of switch units rather than parallel to them. This asymmetric flow pattern creates more uniform temperature distribution across all switch units by preventing localized hot spots that would occur with parallel flow, while still maintaining effective cooling through the perpendicular flow path.
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
Enables precise detection of temperature abnormalities in power switching elements, preventing thermal issues by identifying and addressing discrepancies between switch units.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling unit which supports a plurality of switch units and cools each of the plurality of switch units with a cooling medium which is supplied to flow in an internal space
Data Source
AI summary
A power control apparatus has a plurality of switch units, a cooling unit, and an electronic control circuit. The electronic control circuit is configured to perform: measuring temperatures of each of the plurality of switch units; comparing the temperatures of each of the plurality of switch units measured in the measuring step; and determining whether a temperature difference between any two of the plurality of switch units is greater than or equal to a threshold value based on information from the comparing step.