Cooling Unit Suction Port Layout for Lower Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling devices for image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently transferring heat from the cooling target to air and discharging it, leading to suboptimal cooling performance due to limitations in air flow path design and pressure loss during the cooling process.
Innovation Solution
The cooling device incorporates a cooling unit with an air suction port and an exhaust port, along with a flow path member that allows air to flow from an opening directed downwardly, and is covered by first and second covering members to enhance air flow and reduce pressure loss, improving heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air suction ports are disposed at the front surface and exhaust ports at the rear surface, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but pressure loss increases due to suboptimal air flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The air suction port is divided into multiple segments: a front surface suction port and side surface suction ports. This segmentation allows air to be drawn from multiple locations, optimizing the flow path and reducing pressure loss while maintaining effective heat transfer from the cooling target to the air.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-plane air suction approach to a multi-dimensional approach by adding side surface suction ports. This dimensional expansion creates more efficient three-dimensional air flow paths, reducing pressure loss while improving heat transfer efficiency through better air circulation.
2Temperature
If covering members are used to direct air flow downward, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The covering member integrates multiple functions: it covers the air suction port, directs air flow downward, and structurally connects to the flow path member. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate components, improving cooling efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering member serves as a multi-functional component that simultaneously acts as a cover, a flow director, and a structural element. This universality allows it to improve cooling efficiency through optimized air direction while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
3Productivity
If flow path members are added to enhance airflow, then cooling performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path member is designed to nest within or integrate with the housing structure of the cooling device. This nesting approach allows the flow path member to enhance cooling performance through optimized airflow channels while minimizing manufacturing complexity by utilizing existing structural spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path member introduces localized airflow optimization at specific critical areas rather than requiring comprehensive redesign of the entire cooling system. This local quality approach improves cooling performance in key regions while keeping manufacturing complexity manageable through targeted modifications.
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 enhances the cooling efficiency by increasing air flow to the suction port and reducing pressure loss, resulting in improved heat transfer and cooling performance for the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
the cooling unit transfers heat from a cooling target to air sucked from the air suction port to cool the cooling target
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device having a cooling unit including an air suction port that is disposed at a front surface side of a main body of the cooling device to suck air, and an air exhaust port that is disposed at a rear surface side of the main body of the cooling device to exhaust air, in which the cooling unit transfers heat from a cooling target to air sucked from the air suction port to cool the cooling target, and discharges the heat-transferred air from the air exhaust port.