Apple Thinking of Internal Fans For iPhone and iPad

[Maura]

AppleInsider writes today that it has discovered a patent filing from Apple that shows that the company has been thinking about the possibility of putting mechanical fans in iOS devices such as the iPhone and iPad, with a view to cooling down the heat from the ever more powerful processors inside the devices. The fan that Apple has devised, according to the patent, is titled “Cooling system for mobile electronic devices,” and reveals a motor being used to power a fan and an alert device. The diagrams show, among other things, how the motor is used to drive a fan to dispel the heat inside the device by “exchanging air between an inner cavity of the mobile computing device and an outer environment.” The alert device inside the phone or iPad is in turn driven by a clutch and drum mechanic, which enables the same motor to drive the device. No clue as to whether or not Apple intends to actually manufacture this, but for now it makes interesting reading.


Source: Future Apple iPhones, iPads may have internal fans

 

[ardchoille]

The first thing that comes to mind is "how would this survive a drop test?" Nice idea, though.

 

[Skull One]

Been doing HVAC for the last 20 years. While it looks good on paper, I would love to see the real world data that shows its actual effectiveness. Because I can already see a major issue.

Someone has headphones plugged in. D'OH!

Also the fan system itself generates heat, so the fan has to overcome that additional heat load as well. To do proper venting you have to have laminar airflow thru most of the device save for the heat sink on the CPU/GPU. Which means they would need to design air channels for the fresh air. And that adds depth to the device. What about the battery? There is a new drain which adds new heat. On an iPhone, I doubt we will ever see it. iPad maybe.

 

[ardchoille]

Been doing HVAC for the last 20 years. While it looks good on paper, I would love to see the real world data that shows its actual effectiveness. Because I can already see a major issue.

Someone has headphones plugged in. D'OH!

Also the fan system itself generates heat, so the fan has to overcome that additional heat load as well. To do proper venting you have to have laminar airflow thru most of the device save for the heat sink on the CPU/GPU. Which means they would need to design air channels for the fresh air. And that adds depth to the device. What about the battery? There is a new drain which adds new heat. On an iPhone, I doubt we will ever see it. iPad maybe.

Excellent points! If they add air channels I would be concerned about dust accumulation.

 

[Skull One]

Excellent points! If they add air channels I would be concerned about dust accumulation.

I almost made that point. Especially since the air could be drafted thru the bottom mic, speaker and charging port.

 

[Maura]

Been doing HVAC for the last 20 years. While it looks good on paper, I would love to see the real world data that shows its actual effectiveness. Because I can already see a major issue.

Someone has headphones plugged in. D'OH!

Also the fan system itself generates heat, so the fan has to overcome that additional heat load as well. To do proper venting you have to have laminar airflow thru most of the device save for the heat sink on the CPU/GPU. Which means they would need to design air channels for the fresh air. And that adds depth to the device. What about the battery? There is a new drain which adds new heat. On an iPhone, I doubt we will ever see it. iPad maybe.

Thank you for you always brilliant contributions, I always learn loads from your answers and it really helps to give extra details to the storys!

 

[Skull One]

Thank you for you always brilliant contributions, I always learn loads from your answers and it really helps to give extra details to the storys!

I am grateful that you post these stories! Half the stuff you post I didn't even know existed. Which is why every time you post, I have read every word for the last 18 months.

 

[ardchoille]

I am grateful that you post these stories! Half the stuff you post I didn't even know existed. Which is why every time you post, I have read every word for the last 18 months.

I'll second that.. I learn so much from Maura's news posts.