Electronic Appliance Panel Segmentation for Cooling Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing heat generation due to improved performance of central processing units (CPUs) and graphical processing units (GPUs) in electronic appliances necessitates enhanced cooling performance.

Innovation Solution

The electronic appliance incorporates a cooling fan with a first exterior panel that covers the outer surface, featuring a space between two portion panels that function as air suction ports, and an auxiliary air flow path to balance air suction performance, enhancing cooling efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the CPU and GPU performance is improved, then the processing capability is enhanced, but the heat generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The exterior panel is divided into multiple portion panels (first portion panel, second portion panel, third portion panel, fourth portion panel) that are arranged separately with spaces between them. This segmentation creates multiple air suction ports distributed across the panel surface, enabling improved heat dissipation while maintaining the overall panel structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If the cooling performance is improved by adding more air suction ports, then the heat dissipation is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The exterior panel serves multiple functions: it maintains the aesthetic appearance of the appliance while simultaneously functioning as an air intake structure. The spaces between the portion panels automatically serve as air suction ports, eliminating the need for separate air intake components and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The air suction function is merged into the exterior panel structure itself. The panel portions are arranged such that the gaps between them directly serve as air suction ports, combining the structural and cooling functions into a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Shape

If the exterior panel is made as a single piece, then the appearance is maintained, but the air suction capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveappearanceVSAvoidair suction area
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The exterior panel is divided into multiple portion panels (first, second, third, and fourth portion panels) arranged in a specific pattern. This segmentation creates multiple air suction ports between the panels while maintaining the overall aesthetic appearance of the appliance front surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This configuration improves cooling performance by ensuring balanced air suction and distribution, preventing foreign object entry, and maintaining appliance appearance.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling fan 40, an appliance main body 20 that accommodates the cooling fan 40

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4671919A1Electronic appliance
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP4671919A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4671919A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4671919A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic appliance (10) includes a cooling fan (40), an appliance main body (20) that accommodates the cooling fan (40) and that has an upper main body air suction port (22e) formed in an upper surface (22a), and an upper exterior panel (51) that covers the upper surface (22a). The upper exterior panel (51) has a right portion panel (51R) that covers a right portion of the upper surface (22a) and a second portion panel (51L) that covers a left portion of the upper surface (22a). A space that functions as an air suction port (Se) is ensured between the right portion panel (51R) and the left portion panel (51L). With this configuration, the cooling performance in the electronic appliance can be further improved.