Angled Filter Fan for Water-Resistant Electronics Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional enclosure cooling systems often fail to effectively protect heat-generating electronics from harsh environmental elements like water and dust, especially when ambient air is near room temperature and not contaminated with rain or splashing liquids, as they typically only treat enclosed air and lack adequate protection mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a filtered fan system with an air permeable filter angled at approximately 45 degrees and secured within a filter holder, which is designed to prevent water intrusion and enhance airflow, allowing for easy cleaning and replacement, and includes a blower assembly for efficient cooling and protection against environmental contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a horizontal filter is used in conventional filtered fan systems, then water protection is provided, but airflow efficiency is reduced and the system cannot effectively handle direct water spray conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by angling the filter at 45 degrees rather than using a flat horizontal configuration. This angular orientation allows water to slide off more effectively while maintaining airflow paths that are not blocked by the filter structure, thereby resolving the contradiction between water protection and airflow efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the angular parameter of the filter from 0 degrees (horizontal) to 45 degrees. This parameter modification enables the filter to simultaneously achieve effective water shedding and optimized airflow characteristics, addressing both water protection and airflow efficiency requirements
2Ease of repair
If filters are made removable for cleaning and replacement, then maintenance ease is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filter from the housing by providing a removable filter holder that can be detached independently. This segmentation allows the filter to be accessed, removed, cleaned, or replaced without disassembling the entire housing structure, thereby improving maintenance ease while minimizing structural complexity through a modular design approach
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 maintains a clean airflow environment, preventing water and dust intrusion while ensuring efficient cooling of heat-generating electronics, even under conditions of direct water spray or splashing, by utilizing a MERV 6 or higher filter material for enhanced protection and increased airflow.
Implementation Method 1
an air permeable filter disposed in the housing; wherein the air permeable filter is angled such that it does not sit in a horizontal plane across the housing
Implementation Method 2
the air permeable filter is angled such that it does not sit in a horizontal plane across the housing... preventing water intrusion
Implementation Method 3
includes a blower assembly for efficient cooling and protection against environmental contaminants
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment an apparatus, including: a housing that permits airflow there-through; an air permeable filter disposed in the housing; where the air permeable filter is angled such that it does not sit in a horizontal plane across the housing; and an attachment mechanism for securing the housing to an enclosure that houses heat generating electronics. Other embodiments are described and claimed.