Blower Module Airflow Guide for Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional cooling systems for information handling systems, such as fans and blowers, generate undesirable acoustical noise due to high rotational speeds required to effectively cool components, leading to increased sound power levels and tone amplitudes.

Innovation Solution

A blower module assembly comprising a housing, a blower mechanically coupled to the housing, and an airflow guide with a solid and plenum region defined by a portion of an arcuate cylinder, which reduces noise by directing airflow more efficiently and minimizing recirculation and air leaks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If high rotational speed and torque are used in fans or blowers to deliver required airflow, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but acoustical noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent temperatureVSAvoidacoustical noise

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow guide incorporates curved surfaces and arcuate geometries to smoothly direct airflow from the blower to the heat generating components. The curved airflow guide surfaces reduce turbulence and vortex formation, allowing effective cooling at lower blower speeds, thereby reducing acoustical noise while maintaining cooling effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The airflow guide acts as an intermediary element between the blower and the heat generating components. It optimizes the airflow path and distribution, ensuring efficient heat removal while allowing the blower to operate at reduced speeds and torques, thus minimizing noise generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If high rotational speed is used to overcome airflow impedance, then cooling performance is improved, but sound power level increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidsound power level

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Curved airflow guide surfaces reduce flow separation and turbulence, decreasing the airflow impedance that the blower must overcome. This allows the system to achieve required cooling performance with lower blower speeds, thereby reducing sound power levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The airflow guide modifies airflow parameters such as velocity distribution and flow direction to optimize cooling efficiency. By improving airflow utilization, the system achieves effective cooling at reduced blower speeds, lowering sound power emission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If high torque is applied to deliver required airflow, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but acoustical noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent temperatureVSAvoidtone amplitude

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The arcuate airflow guide surfaces create smooth flow transitions that reduce turbulence and vortex shedding. This decreases the torque requirement for the blower while maintaining effective cooling, thereby reducing tonal noise components associated with high-torque operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The airflow guide mediates between the blower output and component cooling requirements, optimizing airflow distribution. This allows reduced blower torque to achieve the same cooling effect, minimizing tone amplitudes generated by the cooling system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution effectively reduces noise levels and enhances airflow directionality, thereby improving cooling efficiency while minimizing acoustical noise and mechanical vibrations.

Implementation Method 1

cooling fans and blowers have often been used in information handling systems to cool information handling systems and their components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

an airflow guide mechanically coupled between the housing and the blower... effectively direct airflow to a blower, reduce recirculation of exhausted air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid Flow:

Data Source

PatentUS10035224B2Systems and methods for cooling an information handling system and components thereof

Publication Date: 2018.07.31 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a blower module assembly may include a housing, a blower mechanically coupled to the housing, and an airflow guide mechanically coupled between the housing and the blower. The blower may be mechanically coupled to the housing, may have an intake and an exhaust, and may be configured to move air from the intake to the exhaust. The airflow guide may be mechanically coupled between the housing and the blower, may have a solid region and a plenum region such that the border between the solid region and the plenum region is defined by a portion of an arcuate cylinder. The housing, the blower, and the airflow guide may be arranged such that a plenum is defined by surfaces of the housing, the blower, and the portion of the arcuate cylinder, the plenum adjacent to the intake.