Tunable Mass Damper for Fan Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for damping fan vibrations in electronic products, such as computers, are inadequate as they primarily focus on isolating vibrations rather than controlling the fan's vibration generation, leading to residual energy transformation into noise and vibration that affects other components.

Innovation Solution

A vibration damping device and method that includes a tunable mass and resilient attachment members with varying spring characteristics, allowing for adjustment to match the fan's resonance frequency by adding or removing weight elements and replacing attachment members, thereby effectively damping fan vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If soft mounting structures are used to isolate fan vibration, then vibration isolation is improved, but energy absorbance remains limited and residual vibration transforms into noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration isolationVSAvoidenergy absorbance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical vibration principles by using a tuning mass that resonates at the fan's operating frequency. The mass is attached to the fan housing via resilient elements, creating a tuned mass damper system that absorbs vibrational energy through controlled resonance, converting it into minimal motion of the tuning mass rather than transmitting it to the housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters by allowing adjustment of the tuning mass value and resilient element stiffness. This enables tuning of the damping device to match specific fan operating frequencies, optimizing the energy absorption capability across different operating conditions and fan types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If existing isolation methods are used, then some vibration is reduced, but residual energy transforms into noise and vibration affecting other components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration reductionVSAvoidnoise generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful vibrational energy into beneficial controlled motion of the tuning mass. By resonating at the same frequency as the fan, the tuning mass absorbs the vibrational energy that would otherwise be transmitted to the housing and converted into noise, effectively transforming a harmful factor into a beneficial energy absorption mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If a fixed mass damping device is used, then damping is provided at a specific frequency, but adaptability to different fan frequencies is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamping effectivenessVSAvoidfrequency adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics by making the damping device adjustable rather than fixed. The tuning mass can be modified by adding or removing weights, and resilient elements can be replaced to change stiffness, allowing the system to adapt to different fan operating frequencies and maintain effective damping across various operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables parameter changes by allowing modification of the tuning mass value and resilient element stiffness. This tunability permits optimization of the damping device for specific fan frequencies, improving both the reliability of damping effectiveness and the adaptability to different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 significantly reduces fan vibrations and noise by matching the resonance frequency of the damping device with the fan, effectively absorbing energy and minimizing adverse effects on other components.

Implementation Method 1

at least one resilient attachment member having a first spring characteristic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

vibration damping device for damp the vibration of the fan

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

tunable to match the resonance frequency of the fan

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 4

vibration damping device is tunable to damp the vibration of the fan by varying the mass mT

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTuned mass damper: Tuned Mass Damper

Data Source

PatentUS11255347B2Fan vibration damping devices, systems and/or methods

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 FORTINET INC

AI summary

Vibration damping devices and methods utilizing the same for damping vibrations in a fan. A vibration damping device for a fan, the fan having an inlet side of a frame and an exhaust side of the frame and the frame retains a fan mechanism. The vibration damping device includes a mass mT which may include either: a block with a total mass mT; or a finger guard and at least one resilient attachment member having a first spring characteristic, wherein resilient attachment member is configured to be connected to and retain the mass mT. The vibration damping device may be tunable to damp the vibration of fan by (a) varying the total mass mT of the block, or replacing the finger guard, and/or (b) replacing the at least one resilient attachment member with a second resilient attachment member having a second spring characteristic.