Exhaust Device with Shape-Memory Vane Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices face challenges in efficiently directing hot air exhaust, often requiring manual adjustment of air outlets, which can be inconvenient and lead to discomfort due to fixed exhaust directions.
Innovation Solution
An exhaust device with rotatable vanes and shape-memory deformable elements that automatically change the exhaust direction based on temperature variations, allowing the vanes to swing between two positions without the need for manual control or additional electrical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If fixed fins are disposed at the air outlet to prevent foreign substances from entering, then the protection against foreign substances is improved, but the exhaust direction becomes fixed and cannot be adjusted, causing discomfort to users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the fins rotatable rather than fixed. Each fin can rotate around its axis to change the exhaust direction dynamically. The fins are connected through a linkage mechanism that allows coordinated rotation, enabling the exhaust direction to be adjusted while maintaining protection against foreign substances. This resolves the contradiction by providing both protection and adjustability.
2Ease of operation
If adjustable fins are used to change exhaust direction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional electrical devices or rotating shafts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by using the hot air flow itself as the actuating force. The hot air rises and pushes the fins to rotate automatically, eliminating the need for external motors, sensors, or control systems. The linkage mechanism between fins allows them to coordinate their rotation seamlessly. This resolves the contradiction by achieving exhaust direction adjustment through the natural thermal convection current, avoiding additional electrical components.
3Device complexity
If the air outlet is designed with fixed exhaust direction, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heat dissipation efficiency decreases when the exhaust direction blows directly to the user's hand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the fins to rotate and change the exhaust direction dynamically. When the exhaust direction would blow directly to the user's hand, the fins can rotate to redirect the hot air flow to a safer direction. This maintains simple device structure while improving heat dissipation efficiency by preventing direct exposure of exhaust heat to the user.
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 exhaust device efficiently directs hot air automatically, enhancing both heat dissipation and power-saving functions by alternately heating and shielding the deformable elements to rotate the vanes, thus adjusting the exhaust direction according to the electronic device's operational temperature.
Implementation Method 1
a first memory deformable element connected to the right vane, and a second memory deformable element connected to the left vane... the first memory deformable element and the second memory deformable element are alternately switched between a stretched/deformed state and a shrunk/restored state, so as to pull the vanes to rotate and swing back and forth
Implementation Method 2
when the vanes are located on the left outlet position, the right vane shields the first memory deformable element, such that the first memory deformable element is not heated by the hot air flow... such that the first memory deformable element and the second memory deformable element are alternately heated by the hot air flow
Data Source
AI summary
An exhaust device applied to an electronic device is described. Memory deformable elements of the exhaust device are heated to shrink, and meanwhile, guide vanes located on an air outlet are driven to rotate and swing back and forth between a left outlet position and a right outlet position, such that the exhaust device reciprocatively changes an outlet position without requiring any external power.