Axial Fan Cooling Arrangement with Noise-Reducing Separating Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-power electronic apparatuses, such as frequency converters, face challenges in achieving effective cooling while maintaining a compact size and acceptable noise levels, as traditional axial fans used for cooling are both powerful and noisy.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a power electronic apparatus with at least two adjacent axial fans connected to a housing, where a separating wall is used to reduce noise by extending outside the housing between the fans, and the fans are angled relative to each other to optimize airflow and noise reduction, allowing for efficient cooling without increasing the apparatus' size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If axial fans are used for cooling high-power electronic apparatuses, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling function into multiple independent axial fans instead of using a single large fan. Each fan operates at a lower noise level while collectively providing the required cooling capacity. The separating wall further segments the airflow paths between adjacent fans, preventing noise interference and allowing each fan to operate more quietly.
Solution Approach 2:
A separating wall is introduced as an intermediary element between adjacent axial fans. This wall blocks the propagation of noise from one fan to another while allowing each fan to independently perform its cooling function. The separating wall acts as a mediator that resolves the conflict between multiple fans operating simultaneously.
2Temperature
If multiple axial fans are used to increase cooling capacity, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple axial fans are merged into a compact arrangement within a single apparatus housing. The fans are positioned adjacent to each other and mounted on a common face of the housing, combining their cooling capacities while minimizing the overall volume occupied. This merging approach allows high cooling capacity without proportionally increasing apparatus size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional space efficiently by mounting fans on the common face of the housing and positioning them in adjacent planes. The separating wall extends in the direction opposite to airflow, creating vertical separation between fan airflows. This dimensional arrangement allows multiple fans to occupy less horizontal space while maintaining adequate cooling capacity.
3Volume of moving object
If fans are positioned closely to reduce apparatus size, then compactness is improved, but noise interference between fans increases
Solution Approach 1:
A separating wall is positioned between adjacent fans as an intermediary element that prevents noise interference. This wall is mounted on the common face of the housing and extends in the direction opposite to the airflow from the fans. The separating wall allows the fans to be positioned closely for compactness while blocking the propagation of noise between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating wall is strategically positioned only where noise interference occurs between adjacent fans, rather than enclosing the entire apparatus. This localized approach to noise reduction allows compact fan positioning while providing noise separation only where needed, optimizing both compactness and noise control.
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 reduces noise levels while maintaining high airflow efficiency, even when using multiple fans, thereby addressing the need for compact and quiet cooling solutions for high-power applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least two adjacent axial fans connected to the housing for inducing airflow from outside into the housing in order to cool the power electronic components
Data Source
AI summary
A power electronic device with cooling arrangement includes a housing that accommodates power electronic components. At least two adjacent axial fans are connected to the housing for inducing an airflow from outside into the housing in order to cool the power electronic components. Furthermore, the device can include a separating wall that extends outside the housing from between the at least two adjacent axial fans in order to reduce noise caused by the fans. Such a cooling arrangement can provide a power electronic device with effective cooling in compact size and also having an acceptable level of noise.