Stocker Duct Airflow Segmentation to Reduce Fan Count and Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stocker designs face challenges in maintaining cleanliness and controlling airflow, leading to increased equipment costs and temperature issues due to the need for multiple fans to ensure consistent airflow across the storage area.
Innovation Solution
A stocker design featuring a duct with an upper inlet for ceiling fan-introduced air and blowout openings with varying opening ratios, combined with fans on the lower side to draw and blow out air, allowing for regulated airflow and reduced fan installation, thereby maintaining cleanliness and controlling temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple fans are arranged in the vertical direction of the duct to ensure constant airflow over the entire storage area, then the airflow uniformity is improved, but the equipment cost increases due to the increased number of fans
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is divided into multiple vertical sections with blowout openings at different heights, allowing airflow to be distributed segmentally throughout the storage area. This segmentation enables uniform airflow coverage without requiring multiple fans, as each section contributes to the overall airflow distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the duct are equipped with blowout openings at strategically determined positions and orientations. The lower sections have openings directed toward the front wall while upper sections have openings directed toward the rear wall, creating localized airflow patterns that collectively achieve uniform distribution throughout the storage area.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple fans are arranged in the vertical direction of the duct to ensure constant airflow over the entire storage area, then the airflow uniformity is improved, but the power consumption increases for driving the fans
Solution Approach 1:
The single fan's airflow is segmented and distributed through multiple blowout openings at different vertical positions. This allows the airflow to be delivered uniformly throughout the storage area without requiring multiple fans, thereby maintaining constant airflow while reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The blowout openings are positioned and oriented to create localized airflow patterns in different vertical zones. Lower openings direct air toward the front wall while upper openings direct air toward the rear wall, ensuring uniform airflow distribution without the need for multiple high-power fans.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple fans are arranged in the vertical direction of the duct to ensure constant airflow over the entire storage area, then the airflow uniformity is improved, but the temperature in the stocker increases due to increased heat generation from the fans
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the airflow delivery through multiple blowout openings, the system achieves uniform airflow distribution using a single fan. This eliminates the need for multiple fans, thereby reducing the total heat generation while maintaining the required airflow uniformity for temperature control.
4Quantity of substance
If air is fed into the duct by the blower motor and blown out to the storage area again, then the amount of air blown out from the lower side of the duct is ensured, but the cleanliness in the storage area may not be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts fresh air from the outside environment and introduces it directly into the duct system. This extracted air is then distributed through blowout openings to the storage area, ensuring that clean air is supplied without recirculating potentially contaminated air from the storage area back through the duct.
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 ensures uniform airflow across the storage area, reduces equipment costs, and minimizes temperature increases by optimizing airflow and fan placement, ensuring efficient cleanliness maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a fan which is provided on a lower side of the flow regulator of the duct, and which draws in outside air and introduces the outside air into the duct
Implementation Method 2
an inlet which is provided at an upper end of the duct and introduces air flowing downward into the duct
Implementation Method 3
a flow regulator which regulates an airflow between an upper side and a lower side of the duct
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
[Problem] To efficiently form an airflow in a storage area to thereby ensure cleanliness in the storage area. [Means to Solve Problem] A stocker 100 comprises: a wall 11 that separates inside and outside of the stocker; a storage area 12 which is arranged on an inner side of the wall 11 and in which articles M are stored; a duct 13 which is arranged on a wall 11 side of the storage area 12 and extends in a vertical direction; an inlet 13a which is provided at an upper end of the duct 13 and introduces air flowing downward into the duct 13; a flow regulator 13b which regulates an airflow between an upper side and a lower side of the duct 13; blowout openings which are provided on a storage area 12 side of the duct 13 and blow out air to the storage area 12; and a fan 14 which is provided on a lower side of the flow regulator 13b of the duct 13, and which draws in outside air and introduces the outside air into the duct 13.