Thermopile Array Sensor for Control Cabinet Heat Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switch cabinet arrangements require multiple thermal sensors to monitor heat emission from numerous components, leading to inefficiencies and potential hot spots due to the need for individual sensor units for each component, which is impractical and prone to measurement errors.
Innovation Solution
A thermopile array sensor with a spatially resolved imaging capability and a regulation and control unit that allows for the monitoring of multiple heat-emitting components using a single sensor unit, with features like overlapping measuring fields, reflection-reducing surfaces, and adaptive cooling control to manage heat emission and temperature deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple individual sensor units are provided for monitoring each heat-emitting component, then measurement precision for each component is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring task into spatial segments by using an array of thermal sensors that capture temperature data from different regions of the control cabinet simultaneously. Each sensor in the array monitors a specific zone, enabling comprehensive coverage without requiring individual dedicated sensors for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal imaging system serves multiple functions: it monitors heat emission from numerous components simultaneously, identifies hot spots, tracks temperature changes over time, and provides spatial mapping of thermal patterns. This single system replaces what would otherwise require multiple individual sensor units.
2Device complexity
If a single sensor unit monitors multiple components, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability decrease due to shadowing and overlapping fields
Solution Approach 1:
The control cabinet interior is divided into multiple measurement zones, each monitored by specific sensors in the array. This spatial segmentation ensures that each component falls within the optimal measurement field of at least one sensor, eliminating shadowing effects and maintaining high measurement precision across all zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple thermal sensors are combined into an integrated array system that processes data collectively. The system merges measurements from multiple sensors to create a comprehensive thermal map, allowing redundant monitoring of components and eliminating measurement gaps that would occur with a single sensor.
3Measurement precision
If thermal sensors are directed at specific components, then measurement precision for those components is improved, but the ability to monitor all components simultaneously is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from one-dimensional point-by-point monitoring to two-dimensional spatial mapping by using an array of thermal sensors. This enables simultaneous measurement across the entire control cabinet interior, capturing temperature distributions and identifying hot spots without requiring sequential scanning or multiple directed sensors.
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 comprehensive monitoring of heat-emitting components within a switch cabinet using fewer sensor units, reducing measurement errors and allowing for early detection of hot spots while optimizing cooling capacity based on real-time heat emission data.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor unit (5) has a heat-sensitive sensor (9), in particular a thermopile array sensor, which is directed towards the mounting plate (7), in particular towards the heat-emitting components (3) mounted on it
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a control cabinet arrangement (1) for monitoring the heat emission of components (3) housed in a control cabinet (2), wherein the control cabinet arrangement (1) comprises a control cabinet (2) in the interior (4) of which a plurality of heat-emitting components (3) arranged horizontally next to each other and vertically one below the other are housed, and wherein at least one sensor unit (5) is arranged in the control cabinet to monitor the heat emission of the heat-emitting components (3), characterized in that the at least one sensor unit (5) is arranged stationary in the control cabinet (2) and detects the heat emission of several or all heat-emitting components (3).