Sealed Multi-Fan Boost Dock for Compact System Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems face a trade-off between performance and size, as increased performance requires larger size due to increased heat dissipation and the need for more cooling, which is typically achieved by adding larger fans, making it difficult to maintain both high performance and small size.
Innovation Solution
A boost dock that seals fan interfaces to improve airflow and cooling, allowing larger blowers to be located outside the information handling system, enabling smaller fans within the system while maintaining or reducing its size and enhancing performance when coupled with the dock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If larger fans or more fans are included within the information handling system to increase cooling and airflow, then performance is improved, but the size of the information handling system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two parts: a compact cooling system within the information handling system for portability, and a larger boost dock cooling system for enhanced performance. The boost dock contains larger fans and more comprehensive cooling components that external to the portable system, allowing the handheld device to remain small while still providing high-performance cooling when docked.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the larger cooling components from the three-dimensional space of the portable system to the boost dock structure. By utilizing the vertical and horizontal space of the dock (another dimension), the system can accommodate larger fans and more extensive cooling infrastructure without increasing the footprint of the portable information handling system itself.
2Productivity
If the boost dock seals fan interfaces to improve airflow pressure, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism is merged with the existing fan interface structure. The fan interface serves dual purposes: as a connection point for the fan and as a location for the seal. By combining these functions into a single integrated component, the design adds sealing capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A seal acts as an intermediary element between the fan housing and the boost dock structure. This intermediary component creates the necessary pressure differential for improved airflow without requiring complex mechanical systems. The seal is a relatively simple component that enables the pressure-based airflow enhancement while adding minimal complexity to the overall 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 allows for improved performance and reduced size of information handling systems by utilizing the boost dock to enhance cooling and airflow, enabling scalable power consumption and reconfiguration of components for higher performance without increasing the system's size.
Implementation Method 1
a first blower configured to receive ambient air as cool intake air and to blow the cool intake air into the information handling system through the first interface sealed by the first port
Implementation Method 2
a second blower configured to receive warm exhaust air from the information handling system through the first interface sealed by the first port and to blow the warm exhaust air out of the apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
Performance of a system may be boosted with a boost dock that seals fan interfaces to improve airflow through an information handling system. An apparatus may include a first port configured to seal a first interface between the apparatus and an information handling system. The apparatus may also include a first blower configured to receive ambient air as cool intake air and to blow the cool intake air into the information handling system through the first interface sealed by the first port. The apparatus may further include a second blower configured to receive warm exhaust air from the information handling system through the first interface sealed by the first port and to blow the warm exhaust air out of the apparatus. A method may include steps of sealing a first interface, receiving ambient air, blowing cool intake air, receiving warm exhaust air, and blowing warm exhaust air.