Electronic Device Cooling Structure with Transverse Port for Dirt Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling structures for electronic devices fail to effectively prevent dirt particles from reaching sensitive components, leading to fouling and frequent filter replacements, which are costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A cooling structure that divides the airflow into two branches, where the main flow carries larger dirt particles past a transversely oriented port, while the secondary flow enters an intermediate space with a smaller surface area, allowing only cleaner air to reach the components, and dirt particles are retained for later removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a filter is used to remove dirt particles from the cooling flow, then the cleanliness of the flow reaching electronic components is improved, but the filter becomes fouled and requires frequent replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt particles reaching electronic componentsVSAvoidfilter replacement frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flow channel is segmented into multiple branches with different functions: a first flow channel for main cooling flow that tolerates dirt particles, and a second flow channel for clean flow to sensitive components. This segmentation allows the system to protect critical components without requiring complete filtration of the entire cooling flow, thereby reducing filter fouling and replacement frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediate space is introduced as a mediator between the inlet and the component space in the second flow channel. This intermediate space with its smaller cross-sectional area acts as a flow control zone that allows cleaner air to pass through to components while trapping dirt particles, eliminating the need for traditional filters that require frequent replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the port surface area is made smaller to reduce flow into the second channel, then dirt particle retention is improved, but the flow rate to components decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt particle retention in intermediate spaceVSAvoidcooling flow rate to components
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the flow system are given different qualities: the first flow channel maintains high flow rate for overall cooling, while the second flow channel through the intermediate space provides controlled, cleaner flow to sensitive components. The port and opening sizes are locally optimized to achieve the desired balance between particle retention and adequate cooling flow delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Significantly reduces the amount of dirt particles reaching electronic components, extending the interval between filter replacements and maintaining component cleanliness.

Implementation Method 1

the flow is divided into at least two branches... The main flow is allowed to proceed in a first flow direction into a first flow channel, where dirt particles, if any, contained in the flow are not able to cause significant harm. From the main flow a flow that is secondary to the main flow is separated into a second flow channel by a port that is oriented transversely to the first flow direction or away from the first flow direction. Thanks to said arrangement the largest and heaviest dirt particles continue to proceed in the first flow direction past the port.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertial separation: Inertia

Implementation Method 2

the flow is divided into at least two branches... From the main flow a flow that is secondary to the main flow is separated into a second flow channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow separation: Flow Separation

Data Source

PatentEP2347643B1Cooling structure for electronic device, and a method
Publication Date: 2013.03.20 ABB OY
  • EP2347643B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2347643B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2347643B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

This invention relates to a cooling structure for an electronic device including an inlet (1) for conveying a flow in a first flow direction (2) towards a first com- ponent (3) and an outlet (4) for conveying the flow further. In order to prevent dirt particles from proceeding to electronic components the cooling structure includes: a second flow channel (5), which starts from the port (7) oriented transversely to the first flow direction (2) or away therefrom and receiving part of the flow from the inlet (1) and which conveys said part of the flow to an elec- tronic component (8) locating in the second flow channel (5).