Fan Device Air Stream Control Panels for Storage Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling structures for storage apparatuses face inefficiencies in cooling air distribution due to varying heat generating member locations and high-density mounting, leading to inadequate cooling of all heat sources and increased pressure loss in fans, as well as hindrances in wiring and connector placement.
Innovation Solution
A storage apparatus design featuring a fan device that introduces and disperses outside air evenly across heat generating members on a logical substrate, with adjustable fan units and additional fans to ensure comprehensive cooling without affecting the chassis layout, allowing for improved air flow and maintenance accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If fans are mounted to generate a single flow channel for cooling air, then the cooling efficiency for concentrated heat areas is improved, but heat generating members located apart from the flow channel are not cooled sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into multiple independent flow channels, each directed toward specific heat generating members. The air stream control panels segment the single cooling air flow into multiple directed streams, ensuring each heat generating member receives adequate cooling airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cooling system are provided with customized airflow control. Air stream control panels are selectively positioned and angled to direct cooling air precisely to specific heat generating members based on their locations and heat generation characteristics, providing localized cooling optimization.
2Productivity
If the flow rate of the fan is increased to improve cooling performance, then the cooling capability is enhanced, but the cooling air flows disproportionally and areas apart from the flow channel are not cooled sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
Air stream control panels serve as intermediary elements between the high-flow fans and the heat generating members. These panels actively redirect and distribute the high-velocity cooling air, transforming the disproportionate single-stream flow into evenly distributed multi-directional flows that reach all heat generating members.
3Ease of operation
If the circuit board is used as an air stream control panel to guide cooling air, then the cooling air can be directed to specific areas, but pressure loss of the fans increases and fan performance is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The air stream control function is extracted from the circuit board and implemented by dedicated air stream control panels. This separation allows the circuit board to focus on electrical functions while the specialized panels optimize airflow control with minimal resistance, reducing pressure loss and preserving fan performance.
4Productivity
If a vent hole is formed in the motherboard to resolve air accumulation, then air circulation is improved, but wiring on the motherboard is hindered and connectors cannot be mounted
Solution Approach 1:
The air circulation function is extracted from the motherboard structure and implemented by dedicated air stream control panels. This eliminates the need for vent holes in the motherboard, preserving the motherboard's structural integrity and allowing uninterrupted wiring and connector placement while still achieving effective air circulation.
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 ensures even cooling of all heat areas on the logical substrate, reduces pressure loss in fans, and facilitates easier maintenance by allowing for the adjustment and replacement of fan units, thereby enhancing the overall cooling efficiency and reliability of the storage apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a fan device that introduces outside air to heat areas generated from heat generating members arranged on a logical substrate which constitutes the controller unit section, cools the heat areas by stirring the cooling air therein or by causing the cooling air to blow evenly thereon, and discharges the outside air passed through the heat areas to the outside
Data Source
AI summary
The invention proposes a cooling structure of a storage apparatus in which cooling air in a chassis is stirred or evened out without affecting the layout in the chassis. The storage apparatus includes fan devices that introduce outside air to heat areas generated from heat generating members arranged on a logical substrate which constitutes a controller unit section for inputting and outputting a data to and from a hard disk drive in response to a data I/O request from a host system, cool the heat areas by stirring the cooling air therein or by causing the cooling air to blow evenly thereon, and discharge the outside air passed through the heat areas to the outside.