Self-Cleaning Fan System With Rotating Brushes

Solution Overview

Problem

Current external computer case fans become clogged with dust and debris, reducing their efficiency and requiring tedious cleaning or replacement, which leads to downtime and potential system failure.

Innovation Solution

A self-cleaning fan system with rotating brushes and bristles that engage to dislodge debris, utilizing a mechanism to move the brushes into position and rotate the air conduit to ensure effective cleaning without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual cleaning or replacement of fan blades is performed, then dust and debris are removed from the fan, but significant downtime is required and the cleaning process is tedious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefan efficiencyVSAvoiddowntime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fan system performs self-cleaning through an automated brush mechanism that rotates alongside the fan blades. The brush continuously contacts the fan blades during operation, automatically removing dust and debris without requiring manual intervention or system shutdown, thus maintaining fan efficiency while eliminating downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning brush is positioned and configured to engage with the fan blades before significant dust accumulation occurs. The brush continuously pre-cleans the blades during normal fan operation, preventing dust saturation that would otherwise require manual cleaning or replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual cleaning of fan blades is performed, then dust and debris are removed from the fan, but the cleaning process is tedious and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefan efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fan system performs self-cleaning through an automated brush mechanism that rotates alongside the fan blades. The brush continuously contacts the fan blades during operation, automatically removing dust and debris without requiring manual intervention or system shutdown, thus maintaining fan efficiency while eliminating downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If dust and debris accumulate on fan blades, then the fan structure remains intact, but cooling efficiency significantly decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefan structure integrityVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The fan system performs self-cleaning through an automated brush mechanism that rotates alongside the fan blades. The brush continuously contacts the fan blades during operation, automatically removing dust and debris without requiring manual intervention or system shutdown, thus maintaining fan efficiency while eliminating downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning brush operates continuously during fan operation, maintaining constant contact with the fan blades to continuously remove dust and debris. This continuous cleaning action ensures cooling efficiency is maintained throughout operation rather than degrading over time until manual cleaning is performed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 system maintains fan efficiency by automatically removing dust and debris, reducing downtime and preventing overheating of computer components, thus extending the lifespan of the fan and ensuring continuous operation.

Implementation Method 1

one or more brushes configured to rotate about the axis and to be moved to a position to engage the bristles for cleaning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

one or more brushes configured to rotate about the axis and to be moved to a position to engage the bristles for cleaning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

a second mechanism configured to rotate the air conduit about the axis such that the bristles move across the brushes for dislodging debris from the bristles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational Motion:

Data Source

PatentUS10655645B2Fan systems including brushes and bristles for self-cleaning

Publication Date: 2020.05.19 LENOVO GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

A fan system for improved external case fan design with self-cleaning bristles, the fan system includes a housing a housing defining an opening and an interior space that extends along an axis, a plurality of fan blades positioned within the interior space and configured to rotate about the axis, and bristles positioned proximate to the opening of the housing. The fan system also includes one or more brushes configured to rotate about the axis and to be moved to a position to engage the bristles for cleaning and a mechanism configured to move the brushes to the position for engaging the bristles.