Flow-Controlled Fan Nozzle for Focused or Diffuse Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fan assemblies without caged blades struggle to efficiently direct and control air flow, limiting the flexibility in air distribution and cooling effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle design with an air inlet, air outlet, interior passage, annular inner and outer walls, and flow control ports/chambers that allow selective inhibition of air flow through control ports, altering the pressure gradient and guiding the air flow using guide surfaces to change its direction and profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional fan assemblies without caged blades are used, then the fan structure is simplified and safety is improved, but the ability to efficiently direct and control air flow is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle incorporates a flow control port that can be selectively opened or closed to dynamically change the air flow characteristics. This allows the system to adapt between different operating modes (diffuse cooling vs. focused cooling) without changing the physical structure of the fan assembly, thus maintaining simplicity while improving control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the flow state of air through the flow control port (from open to closed), the pressure gradient across the air flow is altered, which changes the direction and profile of the emitted air flow. This parameter change enables flexible air flow control without adding complex mechanical structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flow control port is open, then diffuse cooling throughout the room is achieved, but focused cooling for a specific user is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two cooling modes by controlling the flow control port. When open, it provides diffuse cooling for general room comfort; when closed, it concentrates air flow for focused cooling. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different usage scenarios and maximize cooling effectiveness for the intended application.
3Productivity
If the flow control port is closed, then focused cooling for a user is achieved, but diffuse cooling distribution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control port acts as a dynamic switch between focused and diffuse cooling modes. By closing the port, the system concentrates air flow velocity for targeted cooling; by opening it, the system distributes air flow for general room cooling. This single dynamic element provides versatile cooling options without requiring multiple separate systems.
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
Enables precise control over air flow direction and distribution, increasing the flow rate or velocity depending on the nozzle configuration, making it suitable for either diffuse cooling in a room or focused cooling for a user.
Implementation Method 1
The flow control port is arranged to direct air over the guide surface to deflect an air flow emitted from the air outlet
Implementation Method 2
The inhibition of the flow of air through the flow control port can have the effect of changing a pressure gradient across the air flow emitted from the nozzle. The change in the pressure gradient can result in the generation of a force that acts on the emitted air flow
Data Source
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AI summary
A nozzle for a fan assembly includes an air inlet, an air outlet, an interior passage for conveying air from the air inlet to the air outlet, an annular inner wall, and an outer wall extending about the inner wall. The interior passage is located between the inner wall and the outer wall. The inner wall at least partially defines a bore through which air from outside the nozzle is drawn by air emitted from the air outlet. A flow control port is located downstream from the air outlet. A flow control chamber is provided for conveying air to the flow control port. A control mechanism selectively inhibits a flow of air through the flow control port to deflect an air flow emitted from the air outlet.