Crossflow Blower Motor for Thin Enclosure Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional blower designs in portable computing systems are thermally limited by size constraints, requiring inlet and outlet gaps that hinder the development of thinner notebook enclosures with improved cooling capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a crossflow blower system that creates a side-in, side-out airflow pattern, allowing for taller fans and increased cooling performance without the need for additional space above or below the fan housing, utilizing motors with stator assemblies and impeller blades to optimize airflow and acoustics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional axial fans with central motors are used, then the motor can be accommodated in the center of the impeller, but inlet and outlet gaps above and below the fan housing are required, increasing the overall height and limiting cooling capacity in thin enclosures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional axial flow (airflow parallel to motor axis) to crossflow configuration (airflow perpendicular to motor axis). The motor remains in the center but the airflow direction changes from vertical to horizontal, eliminating the need for inlet/outlet gaps above and below the fan housing. This dimensional change in airflow pattern allows the fan to be integrated into thinner enclosures while maintaining or increasing cooling capacity through taller axial heights.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional axial fans are used, then the design is simple and well-established, but the fan requires additional space above and below the housing for inlet and outlet gaps, limiting form factor reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the airflow from axial (parallel to motor axis) to crossflow (perpendicular to motor axis). This dimensional change allows the fan to adapt to thinner enclosures by eliminating vertical inlet/outlet gaps, achieving better form factor adaptability despite the increased configuration complexity of crossflow design.
3Length of stationary object
If the enclosure thickness is reduced, then portability is improved, but less space is available for cooling components and inlet/outlet gaps
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the airflow direction from axial to crossflow, the patent eliminates the need for vertical inlet/outlet gaps, freeing up space in the vertical dimension. This allows the enclosure to be made thinner while preserving cooling component space, as the airflow enters and exits through the sides rather than through top and bottom gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The crossflow fan design is selected in advance to inherently eliminate the need for inlet/outlet gaps above and below the housing. This preliminary design choice prevents the space conflict from arising, allowing thin enclosures to accommodate adequate cooling components without requiring gap space.
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
This solution enhances cooling capacity, increases system performance, and improves acoustics in mobile computing devices by eliminating the need for inlet and outlet gaps, enabling thinner enclosures with taller fans and more efficient heat dissipation.
Implementation Method 1
motors with stator assemblies and impeller blades to optimize airflow
Implementation Method 2
crossflow blower that creates a side-in, side-out flow of air through the blower in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the blower
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of an apparatus and system are described for a crossflow blower motor. An apparatus may comprise one or more motors operative to control a crossflow blower. The one or more motors may comprise one or more stator assemblies having a stator coil and a bent stator. The one or more motors may be configured to control a crossflow blower arranged to generate a flow of air in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the crossflow blower. Other embodiments are described.