Cooling Fan Reverse Air Flow Blocking Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling fan modules fail to effectively block reverse flow of hot air when a fan unit malfunctions, leading to reduced heat dissipation efficiency and increased wind resistance.
Innovation Solution
A cooling fan module with an air flow blocking unit comprising left-side and right-side plates, support poles, and air flow blocking plates that pivot to block reverse air flow without auxiliary mechanisms, ensuring easy rotation and low wind resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cooling fan modules are used without additional blocking mechanisms, then the structure remains simple, but hot air reverse flow cannot be blocked when a fan unit malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking plate is designed to be rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position based on air flow conditions. When a fan malfunctions and reverse flow occurs, the blocking plate rotates to block the flow path. When fans operate normally, the plate returns to its original position, maintaining system simplicity during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking plate utilizes the force of reverse air flow itself to activate the blocking mechanism. The pressure differential caused by malfunctioning fans automatically drives the blocking plate into the blocking position without requiring external sensors, motors, or control systems, achieving self-activated protection.
2Reliability
If auxiliary mechanisms are added to block reverse air flow, then reverse flow blocking capability is improved, but the device complexity and wind resistance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking plate is designed as a thin, lightweight component that can flexibly rotate into position only when necessary. This thin-film approach provides effective blocking capability while minimizing wind resistance during normal operation, as the plate occupies minimal space in the air flow path when not blocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking plate transitions from a static auxiliary mechanism to a dynamic component that is only deployed when reverse flow occurs. This dynamic deployment eliminates continuous wind resistance associated with fixed blocking structures, maintaining low air resistance during normal fan operation while providing protection when needed.
3Ease of operation
If blocking plates are designed to rotate freely without control, then ease of rotation is improved, but uncontrolled rotation may occur during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The stop member is pre-positioned to limit the rotation range of the blocking plate. This preliminary constraint prevents the plate from rotating beyond the necessary blocking position, ensuring stable and predictable behavior during both normal operation and reverse flow blocking, while still allowing free rotation within the required range.
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 solution effectively blocks reverse air flow, maintaining heat dissipation efficiency and simplicity, suitable for various computer systems by adjusting plate angles based on fan operation states.
Implementation Method 1
an air flow blocking unit disposed near to a wind-inletting side of the fan unit (11). The air flow blocking unit comprises a left-side plate (1LP), a left-side support pole (1LR), a left-side air flow blocking plate (1LB), a right-side plate (1RP), a right-side support pole (1RR), a right-side air flow blocking plate (1RB), and a stop member (13)
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling fan module includes a fan unit and an air flow blocking unit. The air flow blocking unit includes a left-side plate, a left-side support pole, a left-side air flow blocking plate, a right-side plate, a right-side support pole, a right-side air flow blocking plate, and a stop member. The left-side air flow blocking plate and the right-side air flow blocking plate are blown by an air flow flowing from outside environment into a case through the fan unit that is in a malfunction state, thereby rotating by respectively taking the left-side support pole and the left-side support pole as a rotary center thereof. Consequently, the left-side air flow blocking plate and the right-side air flow blocking plate are stopped rotating by the stop member, such that the air flow is blocked, by the two air flow blocking plates, from being entering the case.