Cooling fan

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tower cooling fans with cross-flow air duct technology have low air speed and short blowing distance due to high air resistance, resulting in a thin wet curtain and poor cooling effect.

Innovation Solution

A cooling fan design incorporating a centrifugal fan assembly with a thicker wet curtain (D ≥ 35mm) and an auxiliary wet curtain, along with a dual centrifugal fan assembly and air guiding grille, to increase air speed and blowing distance while reducing air resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If cross-flow air duct technology is used to achieve vertical large air outlet structure, then the blowing air can cover most of the human body from head to toe, but the air speed is low and the blowing distance is not far enough due to weak ability to overcome air resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical discharge areaVSAvoidair speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of fan type from cross-flow to centrifugal, which fundamentally alters the air resistance characteristics and enables high air speed while maintaining large discharge area through the semi-closed loop air inlet design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of moving object

If the wet curtain thickness is increased to improve cooling effect, then the cooling performance improves, but the air resistance increases which reduces air speed and blowing distance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewet curtain thicknessVSAvoidair resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fan type parameter from cross-flow to centrifugal, which fundamentally alters the air resistance characteristics. This enables the wet curtain thickness to be increased to D≥35mm while maintaining high air speed and blowing distance, as the centrifugal fan has superior ability to overcome air resistance compared to cross-flow fans

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of moving object

If the wet curtain thickness is increased to improve cooling effect, then the cooling performance improves, but the blowing distance becomes short due to high air resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewet curtain thicknessVSAvoidblowing distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fan type parameter from cross-flow to centrifugal, which fundamentally alters the air resistance characteristics. This enables the wet curtain thickness to be increased to D≥35mm while simultaneously achieving long blowing distance, as the centrifugal fan configuration overcomes the trade-off between wet curtain thickness and blowing distance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 centrifugal fan assembly allows for a thicker wet curtain, enhancing the cooling effect by increasing air speed and blowing distance while maintaining manageable air resistance, thus improving overall cooling performance.

Implementation Method 1

a centrifugal fan assembly provided in the casing, an air inlet end of the centrifugal fan assembly being in communication with the air inlet, and an air outlet end of the centrifugal fan assembly being in communication with the air outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

a wet curtain provided between the air inlet and the centrifugal fan assembly; a thickness of the wet curtain is D, and D is greater than or equal to 35mm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporative cooling: Evaporative Cooler

Data Source

PatentEP3771831B1Cooling fan
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 GD MIDEA ENVIRONMENT APPLIANCES MFG
  • EP3771831B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3771831B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3771831B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a cooling fan, including: a casing including an air inlet (11) and an air outlet (12) ; a centrifugal fan assembly (2) provided in the casing, an air inlet end of the centrifugal fan assembly being in communication with the air inlet, and an air outlet end of the centrifugal fan assembly being in communication with the air outlet; and a wet curtain (3) provided between the air inlet and the centrifugal fan assembly. A thickness of the wet curtain is D, and D is greater than or equal to 35mm. A centrifugal fan assembly is provided to replace the existing cross-flow fan. Compared with the cross-flow fan, the centrifugal fan assembly has a higher air speed and a longer blowing distance.