Company Z, which manufactures and sells various amusement machines such as video games, interactive games, and prize machines, has recently been working on developing a new commercial game machine.
The new game console needed to have an unprecedented impact in order to attract a wide range of users, from hardcore game fans to families.
So we came up with a game content that incorporates a "4D" effect, where the player can feel the wind, making the game even more realistic. To achieve this effect, we needed to install a fan inside the game console and have a mechanism to blow wind on the player. However, this turned out to be an unexpected pitfall in the development process.
We wanted to send out as much wind as possible to create a sense of realism, but because the size of the game console's case is fixed, the space in which to install the fan was limited. It was difficult to find a fan that could be installed in that space and produce a satisfactory amount of air. Mr. A of the design team in the development department of Company Z said the following.
"We received fan proposals from several manufacturers, but none of them had enough airflow. Also, to create a more realistic sense of presence, we needed to fine-tune the airflow. Given these conditions, we had no choice but to compromise on the fan specifications, and for a time there was a feeling of resignation within the development department, as it seemed impossible to achieve the desired effect..." (Mr. A)
Searching for a solution, Mr. A received a proposal from SANYO DENKI CO., LTD. for DC Cooling Fan measuring 120 mm square and 38 mm thick.
"When we received the proposal, SANYO DENKI CO., LTD. 's fans looked no different from those of other companies. This is because we were only comparing maximum airflow listed in the catalog. However, after a sales representative pointed this out, we compared them in the actual usage range and found that their air volume was greater than that of other companies' fans."
Mr. A was very interested and immediately conducted an evaluation test to verify its actual performance.
"When we tested it, we immediately found that it provided a sufficient amount of airflow. In addition, in terms of adjusting the airflow to create a sense of realism, the proposed fan came standard with PWM control function, which made it easy to fine-tune the airflow and expand the range of adjustment, allowing us to create the sense of realism we wanted. At first, we were thinking of controlling it with voltage, but that didn't work out, so we felt like we had found exactly the fan we were looking for. Furthermore, they were flexible in accommodating our requests for customization, such as changing the lead length and attaching connectors, which led to high praise within the company." (Mr. A)
Thus, Company Z decided to adopt SANYO DENKI CO., LTD. fans.
After that, Company Z succeeded in developing a new "4D" experience game. The impactful effects were well received by the media and users. Mr. A said:
"This was the first time we used fans for purposes other than cooling. Based on this success, we are considering using fans in other game machines, for example in mechanisms that suck up and shoot balls. We would like to continue consulting with SANYO DENKI CO., LTD. on various issues."
For more information about axial fans, please see "What is an axial fan? Its features, structure and usage."
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