Electric Fan Cooling Electronic Components via Pressure Differential

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric fans face challenges in cooling electronic components due to limited temperature tolerance, leading to reduced lifespan and requiring complex, costly cooling structures.

Innovation Solution

The electric fan generates a pressure differential between an upper and lower pressure zone, utilizing aeration ducts to create a cooling air flow that circulates along the casing, effectively cooling electronic components without modifying the casing structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If multiple openings and radiators are added to cool the electronic device, then the cooling effect is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic device temperatureVSAvoidcooling structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the fan's own operational air flow to cool the electronic device. The air inlet and air outlet are integrated into the existing fan housing structure, allowing the device to cool itself using its operational air movement without requiring external cooling systems or additional active components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the fan, creates the air flow path for cooling, and houses the electronic device. The air inlet and outlet are part of the existing housing design, making the housing serve both structural and thermal management functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If multiple openings and radiators are added to cool the electronic device, then the cooling effect is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic device temperatureVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the fan's own operational air flow to cool the electronic device. The air inlet and air outlet are integrated into the existing fan housing structure, allowing the device to cool itself using its operational air movement without requiring external cooling systems or additional active components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling structure is merged with the existing fan housing. The air inlet and outlet are integrated into the housing design rather than being separate components, eliminating the need for additional radiators or complex cooling assemblies and reducing manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If multiple openings and radiators are added to cool the electronic device, then the cooling effect is improved, but manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic device temperatureVSAvoidmanufacturing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the fan's own operational air flow to cool the electronic device. The air inlet and air outlet are integrated into the existing fan housing structure, allowing the device to cool itself using its operational air movement without requiring external cooling systems or additional active components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling structure is merged with the existing fan housing. The air inlet and outlet are integrated into the housing design rather than being separate components, eliminating the need for additional radiators or complex cooling assemblies and reducing manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution maintains electronic component temperatures below the maximum permissible level, ensuring reliable operation while simplifying and reducing the cost of cooling mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

capable of generating, during its operation, a pressure differential between a first zone, named upper pressure zone, and a second zone, named lower pressure zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

When the fan is turned on, the fan generates an air flow, named ventilated air flow, by sucking in air at an inlet of the fan. The ventilated air is then diffused at an outlet of the fan towards the outside of the fan.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow generation: Convection

Implementation Method 3

allow an air flow, named cooling air flow, to be generated along an outer face of the wall of the casing, then through each aeration duct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Implementation Method 4

The pressure difference between said upper pressure zone and said lower pressure zone generates a cooling air flow from said upper pressure zone that passes through each aeration duct towards said lower pressure zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3587824B1Electric fan
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 HIDRIA D O O
  • EP3587824B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3587824B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3587824B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric fan capable of generating a pressure differential between a first zone, named upper pressure zone (44), and a second zone, named lower pressure zone (43), the pressure of said upper pressure zone (44) being greater than the pressure of said lower pressure zone (43), said fan comprising: - a casing (29) having a wall delimiting an internal space of the casing (29), said casing (29) being disposed in said upper pressure zone (44); - an electronic device, said electronic device being disposed in said internal space of the casing (29), characterised in that it comprises at least one duct, named aeration duct (35), outside said casing (29) and comprising a first opening disposed in said upper pressure zone (44) in the vicinity of an outer face of the wall of said casing (29) and a second opening disposed in said lower pressure zone (43).