Fan Blade Ribs and Housing Embosses for Airflow Recirculation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fan designs in information handling systems face issues with fan blades contacting the housing due to wobble, mechanical tolerance, and deformation, leading to air recirculation and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A fan apparatus with ribs positioned within embosses in the fan housing to create air dams that minimize air recirculation by providing multiple inflection points for airflow, reducing contact risks and enhancing airflow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an air gap is maintained between fan blades and fan housing to prevent contact due to wobble and mechanical tolerance, then reliability is improved, but air recirculation occurs causing loss of energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air gap space into multiple segments using ribs on the fan blades and corresponding embosses in the housing. These segments create multiple inflection points that break up recirculating airflow patterns, allowing the air gap to be maintained for reliability while reducing energy loss from air recirculation
Solution Approach 2:
The ribs and embosses act as intermediary structures that modify the airflow behavior in the air gap. They create controlled inflection points that prevent direct recirculation paths while maintaining the necessary clearance between fan blades and housing, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of reliability and energy efficiency
2Productivity
If fan blades are positioned close to the housing to maximize airflow efficiency, then productivity is improved, but contact occurs due to wobble and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates ribs on the fan blades and embosses in the housing as preliminary structural features that create air dams before the blades can contact the housing. This preliminary action of creating controlled airflow inflection points prevents contact while maintaining close positioning for high airflow efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the two-dimensional proximity problem by adding a third dimensional element - the ribs extending from the blades into the air gap and the corresponding embosses in the housing. This creates vertical inflection points that prevent contact while maintaining horizontal proximity for efficient airflow
Data Source
AI summary
A fan apparatus for an information handling system, including a fan having a first side and a second side, the second side positioned opposite to the first side, the fan including: a shaft; a plurality of blades coupled to the shaft; and a rib coupled to one or more of the plurality of blades at the first side of the fan; a fan housing, including: an opening; and an emboss surrounding the opening; wherein the fan is coupled to the fan housing with the first side of the fan in superimposition with the opening of the fan housing such that the rib of the fan is positioned within the emboss of the fan housing.