Transformer Bobbin Cooling Channel for Magnetic Core Heat Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

High power density in electrical devices like transformers, especially in high power medium frequency transformers, leads to overheating issues due to surrounding heat sources, necessitating costly and resource-intensive solutions such as high-powered fans and highly thermally conductive materials to maintain operational performance.

Innovation Solution

An electrical device with a thermally conductive dielectric bobbin that directly contacts the magnetic core using a rib-shaped contact element, creating a cooling channel for efficient heat transfer and evacuation, potentially using a cooling medium like air or liquid, thereby optimizing thermal performance without additional external cooling means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If high powered fans and highly thermally conductive casting materials are used to prevent overheating, then thermal performance is improved, but production costs and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bobbin structure merges multiple functions: it provides electrical insulation, structural support, and thermal management. The thermally conductive dielectric material combines insulation properties with heat conduction, eliminating the need for separate cooling components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining improved thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bobbin is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as an insulator, structural element, and heat dissipation pathway. This universal design approach replaces multiple specialized components (insulators, supports, and cooling systems) with a single integrated structure, reducing complexity while achieving thermal management goals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If high powered fans and highly thermally conductive casting materials are used to prevent overheating, then thermal performance is improved, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal performanceVSAvoidproduction costs
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bobbin structure merges multiple functions: it provides electrical insulation, structural support, and thermal management. The thermally conductive dielectric material combines insulation properties with heat conduction, eliminating the need for separate cooling components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining improved thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bobbin is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as an insulator, structural element, and heat dissipation pathway. This universal design approach replaces multiple specialized components (insulators, supports, and cooling systems) with a single integrated structure, reducing complexity while achieving thermal management goals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If additional external cooling means are added to evacuate heat, then thermal performance is improved, but device dimensions and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal performanceVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The bobbin structure merges multiple functions: it provides electrical insulation, structural support, and thermal management. The thermally conductive dielectric material combines insulation properties with heat conduction, eliminating the need for separate cooling components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining improved thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bobbin's thermally conductive dielectric material enables the device to self-manage heat dissipation through its inherent material properties. The structure automatically conducts heat away from critical areas without requiring external active cooling systems, reducing weight while maintaining thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Temperature

If additional external cooling means are added to evacuate heat, then thermal performance is improved, but device dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal performanceVSAvoiddevice dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The bobbin structure merges multiple functions: it provides electrical insulation, structural support, and thermal management. The thermally conductive dielectric material combines insulation properties with heat conduction, eliminating the need for separate cooling components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining improved thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bobbin's thermally conductive dielectric material enables the device to self-manage heat dissipation through its inherent material properties. The structure automatically conducts heat away from critical areas without requiring external active cooling systems, reducing weight while maintaining thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution reduces operating temperatures, enhances reliability, and extends the device's lifespan, allowing for smaller, denser designs with adaptable thermal performance to varying application requirements, and reduces the need for extensive cooling systems.

Implementation Method 1

the bobbin is made of a thermally conductive dielectric material... the first contact element is configured as a conducting element that conducts or transfers away heat produced by the magnetic core

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the transferred heat can be easily evacuated by means of using a suitable cooling technique using a cooling medium, such as an air, a gas or a liquid, that is provided or arranged within said space or cooling channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4290536A1Electrical device
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4290536A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4290536A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4290536A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrical device. The electrical device (1) comprises: - a magnetic core (2); - a bobbin (10) extending about and partially covering the magnetic core (2), - wherein the bobbin (10) is made of a thermally conductive dielectric material, - wherein the bobbin (10) further comprises - an outer body (11) connectable to an inner body (12), - wherein the inner body (12) comprises at least a first contact element (14) being formed as a rib that is configured to directly contact a surface (3) of the magnetic core (2).