Fan With Lateral Airflow Paths for Radial Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fans, particularly of the axial-flow type, are limited in radial heat dissipation and cause air turbulence due to the hub's location, while blower-type fans are not suitable for equipment requiring radial airflow, leading to inefficiencies and fabrication challenges.
Innovation Solution
A fan design with a housing featuring lateral air inlets and outlets, a motor with a stator and impeller, and blades extending radially to minimize hub interference, allowing smooth airflow and reduced axial height requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If axial-flow type fan is used, then axial heat dissipation is achieved, but radial heat dissipation is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The fan is divided into two functional parts: the impeller handles axial airflow for axial heat dissipation, while the housing provides radial airflow paths for radial heat dissipation. This segmentation allows the fan to achieve both axial and radial heat dissipation capabilities simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan structure is designed to perform multiple functions: the impeller provides axial airflow, while the housing with its inlet and outlet openings provides radial airflow. This multi-functionality enables the fan to dissipate heat in both axial and radial directions, making it adaptable to various heat dissipation requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If blower type fan is used, then radial airflow is achieved, but axial heat dissipation is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The fan is divided into two functional parts: the impeller handles axial airflow for axial heat dissipation, while the housing provides radial airflow paths for radial heat dissipation. This segmentation allows the fan to achieve both axial and radial heat dissipation capabilities simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan structure is designed to perform multiple functions: the impeller provides axial airflow, while the housing with its inlet and outlet openings provides radial airflow. This multi-functionality enables the fan to dissipate heat in both axial and radial directions, making it adaptable to various heat dissipation requirements.
3Device complexity
If hub is positioned at center, then impeller structure is simplified, but air turbulence is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The hub is extracted from the airflow path by positioning it at the center of the impeller where it does not interfere with the radial airflow. The housing provides the necessary structural support and airflow guidance, separating the hub's rotational function from the airflow conduction function.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary structure that guides the radial airflow from the inlet to the outlet, mediating between the impeller's rotational motion and the airflow's radial movement. This intermediary structure prevents the hub from directly disturbing the airflow while maintaining structural integrity.
4Ease of manufacture
If rotor seat and impeller are separately assembled, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor seat and impeller are merged into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining the functional separation of the rotor seat's structural support and the impeller's airflow generation.
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 design enhances cooling efficiency by preventing air disturbances and allowing radial airflow, making it suitable for various electronic devices without the need for axial mounting, thus improving miniaturization and cooling performance.
Implementation Method 1
The difference in air pressure between the air inlet and the air outlet, generated by the rotating impeller, can facilitate the heat-dissipation by driving air currents flowing from the air inlet through the horizontal air-passageway to the air outlet
Implementation Method 2
a fan that can conduct air currents to flow in and to flow out radially through a radial direction of an impeller
Data Source
AI summary
A fan includes a housing having a compartment formed inside, and at least one lateral air inlet and at least one lateral air outlet both penetrating through the inner and outer surfaces of the housing and communicating with the compartment. A motor is mounted inside the compartment of the housing and has a stator and an impeller, with the impeller rotatably coupled to the stator and further containing a hub and a plurality of blades mounted to a top of the hub. Each blade has a first end and a second end in the radial direction of the impeller opposite to each other, with the first end of each blade facing outward, and with the second ends of the plural blades defining an airflow-area.