Step-Shaped Air Mover Cover for Dual-Zone Notebook Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional notebook computers face challenges in efficiently cooling components like CPUs and GPUs due to low intake airflow impedance, leading to indirect influence on skin temperature and the need for overcooling, which can result in overheating and component damage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a housing design with multiple air movers, one proximate to local intake vents and another further away, combined with a step-down feature in the air mover housing to maximize space and airflow, enhances cooling efficiency by minimizing skin temperature and regulating component temperatures effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single air mover is placed proximate to intake vents, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the air mover cannot effectively manage both component temperatures and skin temperature simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling function into two separate air movers: a first air mover proximate to intake vents for cooling components (CPU/GPU), and a second air mover located further away for managing skin temperature. This segmentation allows each air mover to be optimized for its specific thermal management task, resolving the contradiction between cooling efficiency and effective temperature control coverage.
2Productivity
If air intake vents are located close to the air mover, then intake airflow impedance is reduced, but skin temperature cannot be effectively regulated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the functions of component cooling and skin temperature management by placing the first air mover close to intake vents for high airflow to components, while positioning the second air mover further away from vents to effectively cool the housing skin. This resolves the contradiction by allowing optimal positioning for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a thermal management system that uses two air movers as intermediaries between the intake vents and the different thermal zones (component area and skin area). This allows independent control of airflow to different regions, enabling both high intake airflow and effective skin temperature regulation.
3Temperature
If components are overcooled to maintain suitable skin temperature, then skin temperature is controlled, but component temperatures drop below optimal operating range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates separate thermal management zones by positioning the first air mover to target components directly and the second air mover to target the housing skin. This allows independent temperature control for each zone, preventing the need to overcool components to protect skin temperature, thus resolving the contradiction between skin temperature control and component operating temperature.
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 design improves cooling efficiency by directly managing component temperatures and reducing skin temperature, while maintaining airflow rates, thus preventing overheating and extending component lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
an impeller housed substantially within the air mover housing and rotationally coupled to the air mover housing about an axis
Implementation Method 2
a series of one or more step-down features formed between the inlet and a surface of the air mover housing in which the depth of successive step-down features from the surface increases from the surface to the inlet
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system may include a housing, an information handling resource housed within the housing, a first air intake vent formed in the housing, a second air intake vent formed in the housing, a first air mover located proximate to the first air intake vent and configured to draw air into the housing via the first air intake vent, and a second air mover located substantially further away from the first air intake vent than the first air mover, located substantially further away from the second air intake vent than the first air mover is located from the first air intake vent, and configured to draw air into the housing via the second air intake vent.