Shield Case Partitioning for HDD Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reduction in space for image forming apparatuses leads to increased heat generation from CPU and other components, posing a risk of malfunction for storage mediums like hard disk drives, which have a lower temperature limit compared to other elements.
Innovation Solution
An electro conductive shield case design with a partitioning portion separating the circuit board and storage medium, a communication hole connecting them, and vent holes for airflow, along with a fan to actively blow external air for cooling, effectively managing temperature and preventing overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the control device is reduced in size to save space, then the compactness is improved, but the heat generation from CPU increases and storage medium temperature rises
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is divided into two separate storage portions: a first storage portion for the circuit board and a second storage portion for the storage medium. This segmentation physically separates the heat-generating CPU from the temperature-sensitive storage medium, allowing independent thermal management for each component while maintaining overall device compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
A partitioning portion is introduced as an intermediary structure between the circuit board and storage medium. This partition serves as a thermal barrier that blocks direct heat transfer from the CPU to the storage medium, while still allowing the device to maintain a compact form factor through efficient space utilization.
2Device complexity
If the circuit board and storage medium are accommodated together in the same space, then the device complexity is reduced, but the storage medium is exposed to harmful thermal effects from the CPU
Solution Approach 1:
The internal space is segmented into distinct first and second storage portions, with the circuit board in one portion and the storage medium in another. This segmentation creates physical separation that protects the storage medium from thermal harm while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the control device are given different thermal characteristics. The first storage portion containing the CPU allows higher temperatures, while the second storage portion containing the storage medium is designed to maintain lower temperatures through the partitioning portion, creating localized thermal zones tailored to each component's requirements.
3Temperature
If a partitioning portion is added to separate the circuit board and storage medium, then the temperature control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partitioning portion divides the control device into two functional storage portions, enabling independent temperature management for the circuit board and storage medium. This segmentation achieves effective temperature control while keeping the structural design relatively simple and straightforward.
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 configuration suppresses the temperature rise of storage mediums, ensuring they operate within safe limits while reducing the overall size of the control device and maintaining effective cooling through natural convection and active air circulation.
Implementation Method 1
a fan that blows external air into the box portion through the second vent hole and the first vent hole
Implementation Method 2
The second storage portion forms a path that guides the external air that has flowed in through the second vent hole to the communication hole
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including a case that includes an electro conductive housing that accommodates a circuit board on which an electronic component is mounted and that includes a first opening for accommodating the circuit board, an electro conductive top plate that is disposed so as to cover the first opening and that includes a second opening, a HDD that is separated from the circuit board with the top plate and is connected to the circuit board, and a signal wire that connects the circuit board and the HDD to each other thorough the second opening. The apparatus includes an electro conductive cover to cover the HDD and the signal wire, and a duct portion formed between the electro conductive cover and the top plate and passes external air from below the HDD to the housing though the second opening.