Arc-Shaped Fan Blade Structure to Prevent Case Collision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fan designs with metal blades face limitations in heat dissipation efficiency due to the restricted arc length of the blades perpendicular to the rotation axis, which can hit the case and violate thin design requirements.

Innovation Solution

The fan structure features arc-shaped blades with a decreasing end portion width and oblique extensions to prevent collision with the case, allowing for increased arc length and incorporating recesses to reduce noise and pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the length of the metal fan blade in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis is increased to maintain flow rate, then the heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but the end portion of the blade hits the case due to deviation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidblade collision with case
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The end portion of the fan blade is designed with oblique extensions in the axial direction (parallel to rotation axis), transitioning from a purely radial configuration to a three-dimensional structure. This dimensional change allows the blade to achieve greater effective length for improved heat dissipation while the oblique orientation prevents radial deviation from causing collision with the case.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The width of the end portion is gradually decreased in the direction away from the main portion, changing the geometric parameters along the blade length. This parameter variation allows the blade to maintain structural integrity and aerodynamic performance while reducing the risk of collision at the extended end portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of stationary object

If the width of the metal blade in the direction parallel to the rotation axis is reduced to meet thin design requirements, then the device thickness is decreased, but the arc length of the blade must be increased to maintain flow rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoidarc length of blade
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By introducing oblique extensions in the axial direction at the end portion, the effective blade length is increased without requiring an increase in radial dimensions. This allows the blade to maintain adequate arc length for flow rate while the overall device thickness remains controlled by the thin design requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the arc length of the fan blade in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis is increased to improve heat dissipation, then the heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but the size of the case needs to be increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidcase size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The oblique extensions utilize the axial dimension (parallel to rotation axis) to increase the effective blade length for heat dissipation. This allows the fan blade to achieve greater arc length without increasing the radial dimensions that would require a larger case, thereby improving heat dissipation while maintaining a compact case size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3663588B1Fan structure
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 ACER INC
  • EP3663588B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3663588B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3663588B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fan blade (150, 150a) includes an arc-shaped body (151) and a connecting portion (152). The arc-shaped body (151) has a main portion (151a) and an end portion (151b) connected to the main portion (151a), wherein a width of the end portion (151b) is gradually decreased in a direction away from the main portion (151a). The connecting portion (152) is connected to the main portion (151a), and the end portion (151b) and the connecting portion (152) are respectively located at two opposite sides of the main portion (151a). A fan structure (100, 100a) is also provided.