Tapered Cooling Vent Bernoulli Pump Effect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices face challenges in managing thermal load due to increased power consumption, leading to overheating issues caused by recirculation of heated air, especially in restricted spaces where cooling system vents are partially blocked, reducing cooling efficiency and increasing internal temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A cooling mechanism with tapered fluid-flow ports that create a Bernoulli pump effect, reducing recirculation of heated air by increasing velocity and lowering pressure at the output, and incorporating a heat exchanger with a forced-fluid driver, such as a fan, and a heat pipe for passive heat diffusion from integrated circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If cooling vents are made smaller to fit restricted spaces, then device size is reduced, but cooling efficiency deteriorates due to partial blockages and increased backpressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by tapering the fluid-flow ports with specific angle ranges (15-45 degrees) to modify the flow dynamics. This geometric parameter change creates a pressure differential that actively pushes heated air outward, compensating for the reduced vent size and maintaining cooling efficiency in restricted spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by making the fluid-flow ports asymmetric with different cross-sectional areas at the inlet versus outlet. The tapered geometry creates localized pressure differentials at specific locations within the port, directing flow preferentially outward to prevent recirculation while accommodating space constraints.
2Reliability
If forced-fluid drivers are used to pump heat out, then cooling efficiency is improved, but recirculation of heated air occurs when vents are blocked, causing bottom surface overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the pressure parameters within the enclosed area by tapering the fluid-flow ports. This creates a pressure differential that actively directs heated air outward through the ports, preventing the air from reaching the bottom surface and causing overheating, while maintaining effective heat pumping.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to prevent blockages directly, the patent inverts the approach by using the tapered port geometry to create a pressure-driven flow pattern that actively pushes heated air away from the bottom surface and input vents, reversing the natural recirculation tendency.
3Reliability
If fluid-flow ports are tapered to create Bernoulli pump effect, then heat pumping is augmented and recirculation is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by defining specific taper angle ranges (15-45 degrees) for the fluid-flow ports. This quantitative specification transforms a complex geometric design into a manufacturable solution with clear parameters, achieving the Bernoulli pump effect while maintaining ease of manufacturing through standardized angle specifications.
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
The solution effectively reduces recirculation of heated air, lowering internal temperatures and the temperature of the bottom surface, enhancing cooling efficiency and user comfort by augmenting heat pumping and directing fluid flow to avoid blockages.
Implementation Method 1
the tapering of the given fluid-flow port increases the velocity and lowers the pressure of the associated fluid flow at the edge of the given fluid-flow port that is proximate to the outside of the enclosed area. In particular, the tapering of the first fluid-flow port and/or the second fluid-flow port may create a Bernoulli pump.
Implementation Method 2
The first heat exchanger includes a forced-fluid driver and is configured to pump heat from inside an enclosed area to outside of the enclosed area.
Implementation Method 3
This heat pipe may be configured to passively diffuse heat from the integrated circuit to the first heat exchanger.
Implementation Method 4
the first heat exchanger includes a heat coupling-mechanism, such as convective-cooling fins, coupled to the forced-fluid driver.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling mechanism includes a first heat exchanger, a first fluid-flow port, and a second fluid-flow port. The first heat exchanger includes a forced-fluid driver and is configured to pump heat from inside an enclosed area to outside of the enclosed area. Furthermore, the first fluid-flow port is configured to accommodate a first fluid flow into the enclosed area and the second fluid-flow port is configured to accommodate a second fluid flow from the enclosed area. Note that the first fluid-flow port and the second fluid-flow port are approximately coplanar. In addition, a given fluid-flow port, which may be either or both of the fluid-flow ports, is tapered to have an associated cross-sectional area which is smaller at an edge of the given fluid-flow port that is proximate to the outside of the enclosed area than at an edge of the given fluid-flow port that is proximate to the inside of the enclosed area.