Flow Rectifying Projection for Cooling Fan Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling apparatuses for electronic devices, such as laptop computers, produce excessive audible noise due to turbulent airflow, which is not adequately addressed and requires additional components increasing space, weight, or cost.
Innovation Solution
A cooling apparatus with an impeller unit featuring a projection that constrains fluid flow as it enters, reducing turbulence and allowing for higher power operation or reduced noise levels by minimizing pressure loss, thereby enhancing cooling capacity while maintaining or reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional cooling apparatus uses impeller unit to move cooling fluid, then cooling function is achieved, but excessive audible noise is generated due to turbulent airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The projection is positioned at the inlet opening of the impeller unit to preliminarily guide and rectify the fluid flow before it enters the impeller. This preliminary action reduces turbulence at the source, allowing the impeller to operate more efficiently with less noise generation while maintaining cooling capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The projection acts as an intermediary element between the fluid source and the impeller unit. It modifies the flow characteristics by reducing turbulence, thereby mediating the interaction between the cooling fluid and the impeller to achieve quieter operation without sacrificing cooling performance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional components are added to reduce noise, then audible noise is reduced, but space and weight requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The projection is merged with the impeller unit structure, combining the noise reduction function with the existing cooling component. This integration eliminates the need for separate noise reduction components, thereby avoiding additional weight while still achieving the desired noise reduction effect
Solution Approach 2:
The projection serves multiple functions: it rectifies fluid flow to reduce turbulence, reduces audible noise, and maintains cooling capacity. This multi-functionality allows a single structural element to address multiple problems without requiring additional components that would increase weight
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional components are added to reduce noise, then audible noise is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projection is integrated into the impeller unit as a single piece or closely coupled component, simplifying the manufacturing process. By combining functions into one component rather than assembling multiple separate parts, manufacturing complexity and cost are reduced while achieving noise reduction
4Productivity
If impeller speed is increased to improve cooling capacity, then cooling performance improves, but turbulent airflow and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The projection preliminarily rectifies the fluid flow before it reaches the impeller, creating a more uniform flow pattern. This allows the impeller to operate at higher speeds to improve cooling capacity while the pre-rectified flow minimizes turbulence and noise generation during high-speed operation
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 effectively reduces turbulence, enabling higher impeller speeds or lower noise levels for a given cooling capacity, as demonstrated by increased CPU temperature reductions and noise level management.
Implementation Method 1
a projection that impedes the fluid as it enters the impeller unit through the second inlet opening such that a turbulence of the fluid is reduced as the fluid flows towards the second exhaust opening
Implementation Method 2
an impeller unit may be used to create a fluid pressure gradient to move a cooling fluid, such as air, across a portion of the electronic devices
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling apparatus comprising an impeller, a housing that encloses the impeller, an inlet opening formed between the hosing and impeller and a projection formed on the housing that extends from the housing towards the impeller.