Blower PCB Heat Sink Layout for Integrated Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Blowers generate significant heat due to the operation of control electronics, which can lead to thermal management challenges and potential overheating issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a thermally conductive heat sink within the blower design that transfers heat generated by electrical components to the airflow path, combined with a configuration that facilitates convective heat dissipation through airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If control electronics are mounted on printed circuit boards within the blower housing, then the blower can be compact and integrated, but heat generated by the electronics causes thermal management challenges and potential overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat dissipation function from the general housing structure by introducing a dedicated heat sink component. The heat sink is separately positioned to receive and dissipate heat from the printed circuit board assembly, allowing the electronics to remain integrated within the compact housing while addressing the thermal management issue through a specialized heat dissipation pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sink acts as an intermediary thermal management component between the heat-generating printed circuit board assembly and the surrounding environment. It provides a dedicated heat transfer pathway that mediates the thermal interaction, allowing the electronics to operate within the compact housing while the heat sink handles the thermal load through conduction and convection mechanisms.
2Temperature
If a heat sink is added to dissipate heat from electrical components, then thermal management improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink is merged with the existing housing structure and motor assembly components. The heat sink forms part of the motor housing portion and integrates with the airflow path, combining multiple functions (structural support, heat dissipation, and airflow guidance) into a unified design that minimizes additional complexity while effectively managing thermal loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sink serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the motor assembly, creates a thermal management pathway for heat dissipation, and guides airflow over the heat-generating components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving effective thermal management.
3Volume of moving object
If electrical components are positioned within the handle portion, then space utilization improves, but heat dissipation becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink extends the airflow path in a dimensional direction that utilizes the available space within the handle portion effectively. By configuring the heat sink to direct airflow along a specific path through the handle, the design maximizes heat dissipation efficiency while maintaining compact space utilization, transforming the spatial constraint into an advantage for thermal management.
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
Effectively dissipates heat generated by control electronics, preventing overheating and improving the operational reliability and efficiency of the blower.
Implementation Method 1
the heat generated by the heat generating electrical components is transferred via conduction from the connection portion to the heat dissipation portion
Implementation Method 2
the heat is transferred via convection from the heat dissipation portion to the airflow
Implementation Method 3
an impeller coupled to the motor and configured to generate airflow passing along an airflow path from the inlet to the outlet on activation of the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A blower includes a housing defining an inlet and an outlet. The housing extends along a longitudinal axis. The blower also includes a motor within the housing, a printed circuit board assembly having a printed circuit board and a plurality of heat generating electrical components mounted on the printed circuit board, and an impeller coupled to the motor and configured to generate airflow passing along an airflow path from the inlet to the outlet on activation of the motor. The longitudinal axis intersects the motor, the printed circuit board assembly, and the impeller.