Flow Path Structure for Uniform Airflow in Bent Electronic Ducts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow path structures in electronic apparatuses, such as those in liquid crystal projectors, face challenges in maintaining uniform fluid flow velocity through bent portions, leading to increased fan power requirements and noise due to flow velocity distributions, which existing solutions like porous plates, honeycomb structures, and flow control filters either increase resistance or fail to uniformize flow velocities effectively.
Innovation Solution
A flow path structure with alternating flow velocity control members of different sizes, arranged to reduce flow velocity differences across intersecting directions, is introduced between the inlet and outlet, using an axial fan to ensure uniform airflow to the fan, thereby reducing airflow separation and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If porous plates and honeycomb plates are provided at the inlet and outlet of the duct to rectify air flow, then the flow velocity distribution is improved, but the flow path resistance significantly increases and fan power must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is divided into multiple segments with flow velocity control members (blades) arranged at different positions. Each blade segment independently controls the flow velocity at its location, allowing localized adjustment without requiring high-resistance rectifying plates across the entire cross-section
Solution Approach 2:
Flow velocity control members are provided only at specific locations where flow velocity adjustment is needed, rather than covering the entire cross-section. The blades are selectively positioned to address local flow velocity differences, reducing overall flow path resistance while maintaining effectiveness
2Manufacturing precision
If a flow control filter covering the entire cross section is provided in the duct, then the flow velocity difference is reduced, but the flow path resistance significantly increases and fan noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single filter covering the entire cross-section, the invention uses multiple discrete flow velocity control members (blades) positioned at specific locations. This segmented approach provides flow velocity control without the resistance of a full-cross-section filter
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential function of flow velocity control from the filter structure. By removing the filtering function and keeping only the flow velocity adjustment function through blades, the system achieves flow uniformity without the high resistance associated with full-cross-section filters
3Manufacturing precision
If guide blades are provided at the bent portion to maintain uniform flow velocity, then the flow velocity uniformity is improved downstream, but the structure cannot uniformize flow if the inlet flow is already non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
Flow velocity control members are provided upstream of the bent portion to pre-uniformize the flow before it enters the bend. This preliminary action ensures that even non-uniform inlet flow is corrected before reaching the bent section, allowing the guide blades to effectively maintain uniformity downstream
Solution Approach 2:
The flow velocity control members act as an intermediary element between the non-uniform inlet flow and the bent portion. They mediate the flow conditions by adjusting velocity distribution upstream, enabling the bent portion to handle both uniform and non-uniform inlet conditions effectively
Data Source
AI summary
The flow path structure includes a flow path introducing fluid from an inlet to an outlet, and a flow velocity control structure provided in a portion between the inlet and the outlet in the flow path to reduce difference in flow velocity that the fluid flowing into the flow path has in a direction intersecting with a flow direction of the fluid. The flow velocity control structure includes, in the direction intersecting with the flow direction, plural flow velocity control members provided alternately with spaces through which the fluid passes. The flow velocity control members have different sizes from each other, the sizes increasing as the flow velocity of the fluid at areas, in the direction intersecting with the flow direction, where the respective flow velocity control members are provided increases.