Circumferential-Wall Cooling Fan for Circuit Board Dust Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ingredients and dust contained in air introduced through the air suction port of electronic devices can deposit on components on the circuit board, including switching elements and control integrated circuits, leading to potential damage or malfunction.

Innovation Solution

A cooling fan design featuring a base plate with a circumferential wall section surrounding the circuit board, positioned to block the deposition of ingredients and dust on critical components, while maintaining efficient air flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If air is introduced through the air suction port for cooling heat generating components, then cooling efficiency is improved, but ingredients and dust in the air deposit on circuit board components causing potential damage or malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoiddeposition of ingredients and dust on components
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate is divided into an outer circumferential base section and a center base section, creating a segmented structure that allows for the introduction of a circumferential wall section to protect the circuit board while maintaining cooling airflow through the impeller

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The circumferential wall section acts as an intermediary structure between the air suction port and the circuit board components, blocking harmful particles from reaching the components while allowing the cooling system to function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a circumferential wall section is added to surround the circuit board, then protection from dust and ingredients deposition is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from dust and ingredients depositionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The circumferential wall section is merged with the base plate structure, integrating the protective function into the existing base plate design rather than adding a completely separate component, thus reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base plate is designed to serve multiple functions: structural support, mounting surface for the impeller, and housing for the circumferential wall section that protects the circuit board, eliminating the need for separate protective structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 circumferential wall section effectively reduces the deposition of ingredients and dust on circuit board components, enhancing the reliability and performance of the cooling fan and electronic device.

Implementation Method 1

an impeller that is positioned radially outside the electric motor and rotates when the electric motor is driven

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpeller rotation: Impeller

Implementation Method 2

a circumferential wall section that surrounds an outer circumferential edge of the circuit board

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4617506A1Cooling fan and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP4617506A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4617506A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4617506A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The amount of ingredients and dust contained in air to be deposited on a component on a circuit board included in a cooling fan is reduced. A cooling fan (10) has a base plate (40) having an annular outer circumferential base section (41) and a center base section (42) that is positioned inside the outer circumferential base section (41). The cooling fan (10) has an electric motor (60) that is positioned below the center base section (42), a circuit board (70) that is positioned between the electric motor (60) and the center base section (42) and is for driving the electric motor (60), and a circumferential wall section (55) that surrounds an outer circumferential edge of the circuit board (70).