Side Thermal Intake Ducting for Portable Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Portable information handling systems with higher performance requirements face challenges in air intake, leading to weakened chassis structures, susceptibility to hot air recirculation, and increased costs due to taller thermal feet and additional ribs, which also affect appearance and skin temperature management.

Innovation Solution

A thermal venting solution that enables side thermal intake without relying on bottom venting, thermal feet, or air blocking ribs, using an internal enclosure with thermally conductive ducts to manage air intake and heat spreading, allowing for a lower table to palmrest height and improved skin temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If bottom venting and thermal feet are used for air intake, then cooling performance is improved, but chassis structure is weakened and device height increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidchassis structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from bottom venting (vertical dimension) to side thermal intake (lateral dimension). The internal air intake ducting system redirects airflow from the side of the device through thermal channeling components to the fan, eliminating the need for bottom vents and thermal feet, thereby maintaining chassis integrity while achieving effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the air intake function from the bottom chassis structure by implementing side thermal intake. The internal ducting system separates the air intake pathway from the bottom cover, allowing the bottom chassis to remain structurally complete without vents or protruding thermal feet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Temperature

If additional ribs and thermal feet are added for air intake, then cooling performance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the internal air intake ducting system. The ducting integrates air intake, air guidance, and thermal channeling into a single unified structure that works with the existing fan and housing, eliminating the need for separate ribs, thermal feet, and bottom vents, thereby reducing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The internal air intake ducting system serves multiple functions: it provides side air intake, guides airflow to the fan, and works with the thermal channeling component to manage heat. This multi-functional design replaces multiple separate components (vents, ribs, thermal feet) with a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If bottom venting is used for air intake, then cooling performance is improved, but susceptibility to hot air recirculation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidhot air recirculation

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional air intake approach by moving from bottom venting (where hot air can easily recirculate) to side thermal intake. The internal ducting system with thermal channeling components creates a controlled airflow path that prevents hot air from re-entering the intake, eliminating recirculation issues while maintaining cooling effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 reduces the need for additional heat-spreaders, maintains CPU/GPU performance, and improves overall skin temperatures even when the device is on soft surfaces, while minimizing costs and maintaining industrial design aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal channeling component thermally coupled to the fan, the thermal channeling component extending from an interior of a side of the bottom cover portion to the fan

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11675401B2Thermal venting in a portable information handling system

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A main housing portion of a portable information handing system. The main housing portion includes: a top cover portion; a bottom cover portion; and, an internal air intake ducting system, the internal air intake ducting system comprising a fan and a thermal channeling component thermally coupled to the fan, the thermal channeling component extending from an interior of a side of the bottom cover portion to the fan, the thermal channeling component and the bottom cover portion defining an air channel between the side of the bottom cover portion and the fan.