Variable Height Fan Hub Sliding Mechanism for Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information handling systems face challenges in providing an efficient cooling mechanism that can adjust to varying forces and maintain airflow efficiency while minimizing interference from external deformations, such as those caused by a D-cover or C-cover, which can damage fan impellers due to structural weaknesses.
Innovation Solution
A variable height fan design featuring a first and second fan impeller with hubs that slide relative to each other, allowing the fan to transition between expanded and collapsed positions, with interior edges of the first hub in physical communication with exterior edges of the second hub, enabling continuous rotation and increased impeller height for enhanced airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixed height fan design is used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the airflow efficiency cannot be optimized under varying operational conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The fan impeller is designed with variable height capability, allowing the distance between the first and second fan impellers to be adjusted dynamically. The hubs can slide relative to each other along the rotation axis, enabling the fan to transition between expanded and collapsed positions to optimize airflow efficiency under different operational conditions.
2Productivity
If the impeller height is increased to enhance airflow, then the cooling performance improves, but the fan becomes more susceptible to damage from external forces such as D-cover or C-cover deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The variable height fan allows the impeller to dynamically adjust its height in response to external forces. When deformation forces are detected, the hubs slide to reduce the impeller height, preventing damage while maintaining cooling capability under normal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the fan impeller is changed by allowing the hubs to slide relative to each other, transforming the fixed parameter design into a variable parameter design. This enables the impeller height to be adjusted based on operational conditions, optimizing both performance and reliability.
3Strength
If the fan structure is made rigid to prevent deformation, then the structural strength increases, but the ability to adapt to varying operational conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fan structure incorporates movable hubs that can slide along the rotation axis while maintaining overall structural integrity. This dynamic capability allows the fan to adapt to varying operational conditions including different airflow requirements and external deformation forces, while the housing and blade structures maintain sufficient rigidity.
Data Source
AI summary
A variable height fan of an information handling system includes a first fan having a first hub and a first plurality of fan blades. A second fan impeller includes a second hub and a second plurality of fan blades. The first hub slides along the second hub as the variable height fan transitions between an expanded position and a collapsed position. Interior edges of the first hub are in physical communication with exterior edges of the second hub, and the second fan impeller drives the first fan impeller through the physical communication between the interior edges of the first hub and the exterior edges of the second hub.