Rounded Hexagonal Perforations for Airflow and Stiffness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional perforated patterns in objects, such as air vent covers and filters, face limitations in achieving a balance between flow efficiency, structural strength, and electromagnetic interference reduction due to constraints like web thickness and increasing electromagnetic compatibility requirements, which affect the free-area coefficient and impedance.

Innovation Solution

A modified hexagonal perforated pattern with rounded corners is introduced, where the size and shape of the perforations are optimized to achieve a higher openness and stiffness, using techniques like blend radius or circle overlaying, to enhance airflow capacity and structural integrity while reducing electromagnetic interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the aperture size of perforations is reduced to meet EMC requirements for higher clock speeds, then electromagnetic interference reduction is improved, but the free-area coefficient decreases and flow impedance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic interference reductionVSAvoidairflow capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by rounding the corners of hexagonal perforations. This modification changes the geometry from sharp corners to curved edges, which reduces the effective aperture size for electromagnetic interference purposes while maintaining larger open area for airflow. The curved geometry provides a compromise between EMI shielding effectiveness and flow capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If the free-area coefficient is increased to reduce flow impedance and energy consumption, then airflow capacity is improved, but the web thickness decreases below minimum allowable limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow capacityVSAvoidweb thickness constraint

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By rounding the corners of the hexagonal perforations, the patent increases the open area within the same bounding box, effectively increasing the free-area coefficient without reducing web thickness. The curved geometry allows more open space while maintaining adequate material between perforations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Productivity

If conventional hexagonal perforated patterns are used to maximize opening to web area ratio, then airflow capacity is improved, but shear and tensile stiffness decrease compared to circular patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow capacityVSAvoidshear and tensile stiffness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a modified hexagonal pattern with rounded corners that creates an asymmetric geometry between the ideal hexagon and circle. This asymmetric design allows the structure to achieve intermediate properties between hexagonal (higher airflow) and circular (higher stiffness) patterns, balancing both airflow capacity and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS7909902B2Modified hexagonal perforated pattern

Publication Date: 2011.03.22 LENOVO GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

Described herein are various embodiments of a modified hexagonal perforated pattern and objects within which the pattern is formed. For example, according to one representative embodiment, an apparatus includes an object and a perforated pattern formed in the object. The perforated pattern includes a plurality of perforations through which matter is flowable. Each of the perforations includes a modified hexagonal shape including a hexagon having six rounded corners.