Piezoelectric Planar Body Oscillator for Compact Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems for electronic devices face limitations in efficiently dissipating heat without increasing size and weight, and active cooling systems have short lifetimes and poor reliability, especially when dealing with vertically arranged heat loads where airflow directionality is critical.
Innovation Solution
A piezofan device with a piezoelectric element attached to a planar body oscillating between walls, forming a partially closed cavity with angled airflow exit, allowing air to flow out at an angle from the plane of oscillation, enhancing heat transfer efficiency and reducing heat sink volume and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used to dissipate heat, then heat dissipation is achieved, but the size and weight of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a piezoelectric element that converts electrical energy into mechanical vibrations, causing the planar body to oscillate at high frequency. This vibration-based air movement replaces conventional heavy cooling fans and heat sinks, achieving effective heat dissipation through vibrational airflow generation while significantly reducing system weight and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes the conventional mechanical fan system with a piezoelectric-driven oscillating planar body system. The piezoelectric element directly converts electrical signals into mechanical oscillations of the planar body, eliminating the need for traditional motors, bearings, and large heat sinks, thereby reducing weight while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
2Temperature
If active cooling systems are used, then heat dissipation is improved, but reliability decreases due to short lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric oscillating system generates high-frequency vibrations that create effective airflow for cooling without the mechanical wear associated with conventional rotating fans. The solid-state piezoelectric actuation and oscillating planar body design eliminate bearings, motors, and other moving parts that typically fail, thereby significantly improving reliability and extending system lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional active cooling mechanical system (motors, fans, bearings) with a piezoelectric-based system that uses direct electro-mechanical conversion. This substitution eliminates the primary failure points in traditional active cooling systems, resulting in enhanced reliability and longer operational life.
3Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used for vertically arranged heat loads, then cooling is provided, but airflow directionality is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The planar body is designed to oscillate dynamically between two walls, creating a controllable airflow pattern that can be directed vertically. The oscillating motion generates a jet of air that exits through the opening in the base plate, providing directional airflow capability that can be optimized for vertically arranged heat loads, thereby improving adaptability to different cooling configurations.
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 piezofan device achieves increased heat transfer rates with reduced heat sink volume and weight, improved reliability, and lower power consumption, while avoiding friction and dust accumulation issues, and can be easily integrated into existing systems or retrofitted for improved thermal performance.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element which is physically attached, e.g. bonded, to an end of a planar, typically thin, body... When an alternating electric current is applied to the piezoelectric element, the latter exhibits an oscillating movement
Implementation Method 2
the latter exhibits an oscillating movement, causing the opposite end of the planar body to move. If the frequency of the alternating current is equal to the resonant frequency of the planar body, the latter produces an amplified oscillating movement at the free end thereof. The oscillation of the free end of the planar body produces an airflow
Implementation Method 3
a base plate such that the first wall, the second wall and the base plate form a partially closed cavity surrounding the movable end of the planar body, said base plate further comprising an opening located proximate to said movable end of the planar body and configured for allowing an airflow from said partially closed cavity out of the device
Data Source
AI summary
A device for moving air comprising a piezoelectric element attached to a planar body. The planar body is configured to oscillate at a movable end generating an airflow in response to applying alternating electric current to said piezoelectric element. The device further comprises a partial cavity defined by a base plate, a first wall and a second wall which surrounds the movable end of the planar body. The base plate further comprises an opening located proximate to said movable end of the planar body. In operation the air flow generated by the planar body is forced out of the device through the opening.