Multi-layer Vent with Angled Walls for Airflow and EMI Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems face challenges in balancing airflow impedance and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding as components generate more heat and electromagnetic energy, requiring increased airflow and EMI shielding capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A vent design featuring multiple plates with structures that include base openings, contact areas, and angled walls with holes to maximize open percentage for reduced airflow impedance and enhanced EMI shielding, where the shape, number, and size of holes and walls are optimized to deflect electromagnetic energy and facilitate airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a vent with larger openings is used to increase airflow, then airflow impedance decreases, but EMI shielding capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vent is segmented into multiple plates stacked together, each plate containing structures with openings. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high airflow (through multiple stacked openings) and good EMI shielding (through the multi-layer configuration that blocks electromagnetic waves)
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-plane vent to a three-dimensional multi-plate structure. By stacking plates in the vertical dimension, the design achieves increased open percentage for airflow while maintaining EMI shielding through the layered configuration that disrupts electromagnetic wave propagation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a vent with more EMI shielding is used, then electromagnetic interference protection increases, but airflow impedance increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the vent structure have different properties: the plates provide EMI shielding while the structures with openings provide airflow paths. The local quality of each structure (combining both shielding and airflow functions) resolves the contradiction between overall shielding and overall airflow
3Power
If components increase in performance capabilities, then system performance improves, but heat generation and EMI increase requiring more airflow and shielding
Solution Approach 1:
The vent structures serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide airflow paths for cooling, EMI shielding for electromagnetic protection, and structural support. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle increased heat and EMI from high-performance components through a single integrated solution
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 vent design effectively decreases airflow impedance while increasing EMI shielding, allowing for improved cooling and reduced electromagnetic interference, even with increased performance capabilities of system components.
Implementation Method 1
The shape of each structure may be configured to maximize EMI shielding of the vent... each structure is formed with a single curved or arcuate wall, forming a conical, frustoconical shape or spherical shape... each structure is formed with three or four flat walls, forming a pyramidal shape
Implementation Method 2
A common approach for cooling information handling systems is to generate an airflow in the chassis to facilitate convective heat transfer from the components. The airflow flows through the chassis and is heated by the components, and the heated airflow exits the chassis to the ambient environment through a vent
Data Source
AI summary
A vent for reduced airflow impedance and increased electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding for an information handling system. The vent comprises two plates, wherein each plate comprises a plurality of structures. Each structure has a base opening with a first set of dimensions, a contact area with a second set of dimensions smaller than the first set of dimensions, and a wall extending at an angle from the base opening to the contact area. Each wall has a plurality of holes to increase the open percentage of the vent for decreased airflow impedance, which allows more airflow through the vent. The reduced size of each hole, the angled walls and continuous surface areas between adjacent structures reduce the amount of electromagnetic energy that can pass through the vent.