Compact PCB Wind Tunnel with Flow-Stabilizing Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind tunnel equipment is inadequate for testing small PCBs due to poor accuracy at low air volumes, large size, and high cost, making it unsuitable for heat dissipation tests at different ambient temperatures and difficult to place in a thermostat.
Innovation Solution
A compact PCB wind tunnel test equipment with a flow-stabilizing structure, including a box with layered mesh plates and a wind source, capable of adjusting air volume from 1-20 CFM, and designed for easy transportation and placement in a thermostat, featuring a low manufacturing cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional wind tunnel equipment is used, then it can test system impedance and fan air volume, but it cannot accurately test low air volume (1-15 CFM) required for small PCBs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter of air volume measurement range by designing a specialized flow-stabilizing structure optimized for low air volume (1-15 CFM) testing, enabling accurate measurement for small PCBs that conventional equipment cannot handle
2Ease of operation
If conventional wind tunnel equipment is used, then it can perform testing, but it is too large to be placed in a thermostat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wind tunnel equipment into compact modular components including a box body, flow-stabilizing plates, wind source, and test device, reducing overall equipment volume to enable placement in thermostats for ambient temperature testing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a layered arrangement of flow-stabilizing plates within a compact box structure, utilizing vertical space efficiently to achieve flow stabilization functionality in a minimized footprint suitable for thermostat placement
3Measurement precision
If wind tunnel equipment suitable for PCB tests is purchased, then accurate testing can be performed, but the cost is high (about 50,000 US dollars) and installation time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive conventional wind tunnel equipment with a cost-effective alternative using readily available components (box, mesh plates, fan, sensors) that can be manufactured locally for less than RMB 500, eliminating the need for costly imports and long installation periods
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
Enables accurate testing of small PCBs at various air volumes and temperatures, is cost-effective, and can be easily transported and installed in a thermostat, providing a flexible and affordable solution for PCB testing.
Implementation Method 1
the state of the air flow is adjusted by flow stabilization, so that the test device can test the air passing through the flow-stabilizing structure
Data Source
AI summary
The PCB wind tunnel test device includes: a flow-stabilizing structure, which includes: a box used to provide flow channels for air entering the flow-stabilizing structure; flow-stabilizing plates, which are inserted into the cavities of the box in a layered manner; a wind source, arranged at an air inlet of the flow-stabilizing structure; a test device, arranged at the outlet of the flow-stabilizing structure. When the flow-stabilizing structure receives the wind energy provided by the wind source, the state of the air flow is adjusted by flow stabilization, so that the test device tests the air passing through the flow-stabilizing structure. The present invention solves the problem that conventional wind tunnels cannot test at low air volumes and enables PCB testing at different ambient temperatures.