Zone Airflow Control via Movable Flaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation systems in devices that generate heat face challenges in optimizing air flow configurations, as larger or more ventilation holes can lead to safety and dust issues, while smaller holes may not adequately cool the device, potentially causing overheating and reducing device lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A system that partitions a device into zones with temperature sensors and moving components to form air channels, allowing heated air to bypass zones with elevated temperatures, thereby distributing heat efficiently without the need for large refrigerant or fan structures and minimizing ventilation holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the size or number of ventilation holes is increased to improve heat dissipation, then cooling efficiency is improved, but safety and dust problems worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidsafety and dust problems
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs movable components (flaps or doors) that can dynamically adjust the air flow paths based on temperature conditions. When temperature exceeds thresholds, the system opens specific passages to redirect heated air away from sensitive zones, providing adaptive control without requiring permanently large ventilation openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device interior is divided into multiple temperature zones with independent control. By segmenting the air flow management into zone-specific passages and movable components, the system can selectively open only the necessary pathways for heat dissipation while keeping other areas sealed, thus maintaining safety and preventing dust ingress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the size or number of ventilation holes is decreased to improve safety and reduce dust issues, then safety and dust protection are improved, but heat dissipation capability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety and dust protectionVSAvoidheat dissipation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses temperature-sensitive control to dynamically adjust air flow passages. When heating components generate excessive heat, the controller activates movable components to open dedicated heat dissipation paths, temporarily increasing ventilation capacity only when and where needed, thus maintaining safety during normal operation while ensuring adequate cooling under thermal stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different zones within the device have different ventilation requirements. The patent implements zone-specific air flow control with dedicated passages for each temperature zone, allowing localized heat management. This enables the system to provide targeted cooling to hot spots while maintaining sealed environments in other areas, balancing safety and heat dissipation needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Temperature

If large refrigerant or fan structures are used to improve heat dissipation, then cooling performance is improved, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidstructure size
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes the natural convection property of heated air, which rises automatically due to buoyancy forces. By designing vertical air flow passages that leverage this natural movement, the patent eliminates the need for energy-consuming fans or complex refrigerant systems. The heated air from components naturally rises through designated pathways and is discharged, providing passive cooling that reduces device complexity and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent exploits pneumatic principles by designing air flow channels that utilize pressure differentials created by heated air expansion and natural convection currents. The vertical passages are configured to allow heated air to rise and escape automatically, using gas dynamics rather than mechanical forcing, thereby avoiding complex cooling infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

Effectively manages heated air distribution within the device, preventing critical temperature buildup and reducing design and safety issues associated with excessive ventilation, while maintaining optimal component performance and safety.

Implementation Method 1

one or more temperature sensors configured to measure air temperature of each of the two or more zones

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

The air in high temperature heated by the one or more components of the device rises upwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 3

The air in high temperature heated by the one or more components of the device rises upwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3496520B1Control of heated air in devices
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 VESTEL ELEKTRONIK SANAYI & TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI
  • EP3496520B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3496520B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a system (100) for controlling heated air in a device (110) that is partitioned into two or more zones (111, 112, 113, 114). The system comprises one or more temperature sensors (121, 122, 123, 124) configured to measure air temperature of each of the two or more zones (111, 112, 113, 114), one or more moving components (131, 132, 133) configured to form one or more air channels to transfer the heated air, and a controller (140) configured to receive the measured air temperature of each of the two or more zones (111, 112, 113, 114) from the one or more sensors (121, 122, 123, 124), determine whether the measured air temperature of each of the two or more zones (111, 112, 113, 114) is above a threshold value corresponding to each of the two or more zones (111, 112, 113, 114), and manipulate at least one of the one or more moving components (131, 132, 133) for the heated air to bypass a zone among the two or more zones (111, 112, 113, 114), when the measured air temperature of the zone is above its threshold value.