Piezoelectric Fan Heat Dissipation in Thin Portable Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electrical devices with thinner profiles and higher performance face challenges in heat dissipation due to limited housing volume, where conventional fans are not suitable for thin housings and additional holes for heat dissipation compromise the device's appearance.

Innovation Solution

A portable electrical device utilizing a piezoelectric fan and a vibrating membrane of the loudspeaker to generate airflow through existing holes, such as the earphone and acoustic holes, for efficient heat dissipation without the need for additional holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional axial fans or centrifugal fans are used for heat dissipation, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but the housing thickness increases and cannot be disposed in a very thin housing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidhousing thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical fans (axial fans or centrifugal fans) with a piezoelectric fan that uses piezoelectric elements to generate airflow. This substitution enables the fan to operate within a very thin housing while maintaining heat dissipation capability, as the piezoelectric mechanism can generate sufficient airflow in a compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters and physical principles of the fan from conventional mechanical rotation to piezoelectric-driven airflow generation. The piezoelectric fan uses voltage applied to piezoelectric elements to create mechanical deformation and airflow, allowing it to function in a much thinner configuration while maintaining thermal management performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If additional holes are formed in the housing for heat dissipation, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but the appearance of the portable electrical device worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidappearance

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the earphone hole serve dual functions: it acts as both the earphone opening and a heat dissipation airflow passage. The piezoelectric fan directs airflow through the earphone hole, allowing the same structural feature to fulfill both audio output and thermal management roles, thereby eliminating the need for additional heat dissipation holes that would compromise appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Shape

If a piezoelectric fan is used to generate airflow through existing holes, then the appearance is maintained and heat dissipation is achieved, but the fan size must be very small

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveappearanceVSAvoidfan size

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a piezoelectric fan that utilizes piezoelectric elements to generate airflow directly through electrical actuation rather than traditional mechanical rotation. This enables the fan to achieve sufficient airflow for heat dissipation through existing holes (such as the earphone hole) while maintaining a very compact form factor that does not compromise the device appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution effectively dissipates heat using existing holes, maintaining the device's appearance and efficiency, as the piezoelectric fan and vibrating membrane create airflow when necessary, addressing the limitations of conventional fans in thin housings.

Implementation Method 1

The first fan may be a piezoelectric Fan disposed in the housing, adjacent to the earphone hole. When a heat dissipation condition is satisfied and an earphone terminal is not inserted in the earphone receptacle, the first fan is enabled to generate a first airflow passing through the earphone hole.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The vibrating membrane is disposed in the acoustic casing, and faces the acoustic hole. When the heat dissipation condition is satisfied and a central area of the vibrating membrane is moved toward the acoustic hole, the inlet aperture is opened, the exhaust aperture is closed, and an airflow flows into the chamber via the acoustic hole and the inlet aperture.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS9092204B2Portable electrical device with heat dissipation mechanism

Publication Date: 2015.07.28 WISTRON CORP

AI summary

A portable electrical device with heat dissipation mechanism includes a housing with an acoustic hole, an earphone receptacle with a earphone hole, and two fans. The earphone receptacle and the fans are disposed in the housing. The fans are respectively located adjacent to the acoustic hole and the earphone hole, and generate airflow passing through the acoustic hole and the earphone hole. Thus, the portable electrical device dissipating heat utilizes the holes existing on the housing, without additional heat-dissipation holes.