Fan module and electronic device

Abstract

A fan module and an electronic device. The electronic device includes a housing and a plurality of fan modules. The housing has a plurality of sliding rails, and the fan modules are disposed in the housing. Each fan module includes a fan, a baffle, an electromagnet, a conductor slider, and a first connecting member. The fan has an air inlet. The baffle is disposed at the air inlet of the fan and is adapted to expose or shield the air inlet. The electromagnet is electrically connected to the fan. The conductor slider is disposed on the corresponding sliding rail and between the electromagnet and the fan, and is capable of moving along the sliding rail between the electromagnet and the fan. The first connecting member is connected between the conductor slider and the baffle, so that the conductor slider moves the baffle. When the fan is running, the electromagnet attracts the conductor slider to drive the baffle to move to an open position to expose the air inlet; when the fan is powered off, the electromagnet does not attract the conductor slider, and the first connecting member drives the conductor slider away from the electromagnet, and the baffle moves to a shielding position to shield the air inlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a module and apparatus, and more particularly to a fan module and electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] In electronic products that require heat dissipation to maintain performance, such as servers and video game consoles, fan failure may occur. Therefore, when designing the fan airflow for these electronic products, the impact of airflow passing through the failed fan must be considered separately. Consequently, the selected fans or related components such as air ducts must also take all these situations into account.

[0003] Under the above conditions, the cost of fan components (such as fans, air ducts, etc.) required to solve the above problems will be high. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a fan module that can block airflow from continuously entering the fan when the fan stops operating.

[0005] This invention provides an electronic device with good heat dissipation capabilities.

[0006] A fan module of the present invention includes a fan, a baffle, an electromagnet, a conductor slider, and a first connector. The fan has an air inlet. The baffle is disposed at the air inlet of the fan and is adapted to expose or cover the air inlet. The electromagnet is electrically connected to the fan. The conductor slider is disposed between the electromagnet and the fan and is movable between the electromagnet and the fan. The first connector is connected between the conductor slider and the baffle, so that the conductor slider moves in conjunction with the baffle. When the fan is running, the electromagnet attracts the conductor slider, causing the baffle to move to an open position to expose the air inlet; when the fan is de-energized, the electromagnet does not attract the conductor slider, and the first connector causes the conductor slider to move away from the electromagnet, while the baffle moves to a covered position to cover the air inlet.

[0007] An electronic device according to the present invention includes a housing and a plurality of fan modules. The housing has a plurality of slide rails, and the fan modules are disposed within the housing. Each fan module includes a fan, a baffle, an electromagnet, a conductor slider, and a first connector. The fan has an air inlet. The baffle is disposed at the air inlet of the fan and is adapted to expose or cover the air inlet. The electromagnet is electrically connected to the fan. The conductor slider is disposed on a corresponding slide rail and located between the electromagnet and the fan, and is movable along the slide rail between the electromagnet and the fan. The first connector is connected between the conductor slider and the baffle, so that the conductor slider moves in conjunction with the baffle. When the fan is running, the electromagnet attracts the conductor slider, causing the baffle to move to an open position to expose the air inlet; when the fan is de-energized, the electromagnet does not attract the conductor slider, and the first connector causes the conductor slider to move away from the electromagnet, while the baffle moves to a covered position to cover the air inlet.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the baffle is pivotally connected to the fan.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting member is a spring.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the fan is powered off, the electromagnet also loses its magnetic attraction as the fan is powered off.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the conductor slider is a permanent magnet.

[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, a second connector is further included, connected between the baffle and the fan. The second connector is adapted to move the baffle to a shielded position to shield the air inlet.

[0013] Based on the above, in the fan module of the present invention, a baffle is used to block the air inlet when the fan is powered off, preventing airflow from entering the malfunctioning fan. Therefore, by applying this fan module in electronic devices, airflow can be prevented from entering a single malfunctioning fan and affecting the overall heat dissipation effect of the airflow field, thus enabling the electronic device to have good heat dissipation capabilities to maintain performance. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the fan module baffle exposing the fan's air inlet in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of how a baffle blocks the air inlet of a malfunctioning fan when the fan of one of the fan modules in an electronic device fails, according to the present invention.

[0016] The reference numerals in the attached figures are explained as follows: 1: Electronic devices 2: Casing 3: Fan module 21: Slide rail 31: Fan 32: baffle 33: Electromagnet 34: Conductor slider 35 First Connector 36: Second connector 312: Air Inlet A, B: End X, Y: Direction Detailed Implementation

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the fan module baffle exposing the fan's air inlet in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of how a baffle blocks the air inlet of a malfunctioning fan when the fan of one of the fan modules in an electronic device fails, according to the present invention.

[0018] Please also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The electronic device 1 in this embodiment is, for example, a server or switch, a device requiring heat dissipation. The electronic device 1 includes a housing 2 and multiple fan modules 3. The housing 2 has multiple slide rails 21, and the fan modules 3 are arranged side-by-side within the housing 2. Here, "side-by-side" means that the fan arrangement direction X is perpendicular to the length direction Y of the slide rails 21. In this embodiment, three fan modules 3 are arranged within the housing 2 of the electronic device 1.

[0019] As described above, each fan module 3 includes a fan 31, a baffle 32, an electromagnet 33, a conductor slider 34, a first connector 35, and a second connector 36. The fan 31 has an air inlet 312. The baffle 32 is disposed at the air inlet 312 of the fan 31, suitable for exposing or covering the air inlet 312. The electromagnet 33 is electrically connected to the fan 31. The conductor slider 34 is disposed on a corresponding slide rail 21 and located between the electromagnet 33 and the fan 31, and is capable of moving along the slide rail 21 between the electromagnet 33 and the fan 31. The first connector 35 connects the conductor slider 34 and the baffle 32, so that the conductor slider 34 moves in conjunction with the baffle 32. The second connector 36 is connected between the baffle 32 and the fan 31, wherein the bottom end (not shown) of the baffle 32 is pivotally connected to the bottom end (not shown) of the fan 31, and the second connector 36 is connected between the top end (not shown) of the baffle 32 and the top end (not shown) of the fan 31.

[0020] In this embodiment, both the first connector 35 and the second connector 36 are springs, but this is not a limitation. Specifically, the bottom end of the baffle 32 is pivotally connected to the bottom of the fan 31, so the top end of the baffle 32 can rotate around the bottom end of the baffle 32 and open and close relative to the air inlet 312 of the fan 31 by means of the elastic force of the second connector 36. One end of the first connector 35 is connected to the conductor slider 34, and the other end of the first connector 35 is connected to the upper edge of the baffle 32. Other suitable elements, such as rods, can be used for the first connector 35 and the second connector 36 to provide the same effect, and the arrangement and position of other related components may be changed accordingly.

[0021] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 1 and Figure 2 When the fan 31 operates, the electromagnet 33 is energized and attracts the conductor slider 34, causing the baffle 32 to move to an open position to expose the air inlet 312. Specifically, the bottom end of the baffle 32 is pivotally connected to the bottom of the fan 31, while the first connector 35 is connected to the top end of the baffle 32. Therefore, when the electromagnet 33 is energized, it generates a magnetic force, attracting the conductor slider 34 towards and being attracted by the electromagnet 33. The movement of the conductor slider 34 causes the first connector 35 to pull the top end of the baffle 32, causing the baffle 32 to move (rotate) to the open position with its bottom end, which is pivotally connected to the bottom of the fan 31, as the axis of rotation. At this time, the baffle 32 tilts under the pulling force of the first connector 35 to expose the air inlet 312 of the fan 31, and the second connector 36 stretches and stores an elastic restoring force. The fan 31 operates and draws in the surrounding air to form a flow field.

[0022] Incidentally, the tilting baffle 32 can also guide airflow, thus serving as a wind deflector, and depending on the situation, the selection of an additional wind deflector can be omitted. The tilting angle of the baffle 32 can be designed according to requirements.

[0023] It should be noted that when one of the fans 31 fails (in this embodiment, the middle fan 31 fails), the failed fan 31 is de-energized, the electromagnet 33 no longer attracts the conductor slider 34, and the elastic restoring force of the first connector 35 drives the conductor slider 34 to leave the electromagnet 33. At this time, the elastic restoring force stored in the second connector 36 drives the baffle 32 to move to a shielding position to shield the air inlet 312.

[0024] Specifically, in this embodiment, the electrical connection between the fan 31 and the electromagnet 33 is such that when the fan 31 is de-energized, the electromagnet 33 also loses its magnetism. Therefore, when the electromagnet 33 loses its magnetism due to de-energization, it no longer attracts the conductor slider 34. At this time, the first connector 35 uses its elastic restoring force to move the conductor slider 34 away from the electromagnet 33, and simultaneously, with the elastic restoring force of the second connector 36, the tilting baffle 32 moves (rotates) to the shielding position with its bottom end, which is pivotally connected to the bottom of the fan 31, as the axis of rotation, to shield the air inlet 312.

[0025] In this way, no air will enter or exit the malfunctioning fan 31 in the middle, so the middle fan 31 will not generate airflow that affects the airflow of the two fans 31 on the outside, thus maintaining the integrity of the flow field of the two fans 31 on the outside.

[0026] In summary, the fan module of the present invention uses a baffle to block the fan's air inlet when the fan is powered off, preventing airflow from entering or exiting the malfunctioning fan and thus affecting the airflow field of surrounding still-operating fans. Therefore, the integrity of the airflow field of other individual fan modules located around the malfunctioning fan module and still operating can be maintained. Furthermore, electronic devices using such fan modules, because each individual fan module has a complete airflow field, do not have their overall cooling effect affected by the malfunctioning individual fan module, thus providing excellent heat dissipation capabilities to maintain performance.

Claims

1. A fan module, characterized in that, include: A fan with one air inlet; A baffle is provided at the air inlet of the fan, which is suitable for exposing or covering the air inlet; An electromagnet is electrically connected to the fan; A conductor slider is disposed between the electromagnet and the fan, and is movable between the electromagnet and the fan; and A first connector is connected between the conductor slider and the baffle, so that the conductor slider moves in conjunction with the baffle. When the fan is running, the electromagnet attracts the conductor slider, causing the baffle to move to an open position to expose the air inlet. When the fan is powered off, the electromagnet does not attract the conductor slider, and the first connector causes the conductor slider to move away from the electromagnet, while the baffle moves to a shielded position to shield the air inlet.

2. The fan module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The baffle is pivotally connected to the fan.

3. The fan module as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first connecting element is a spring.

4. The fan module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the fan is powered off, the electromagnet also loses its magnetic attraction.

5. The fan module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The conductor slider is a permanent magnet.

6. The fan module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a second connector connected between the baffle and the fan, and the second connector is adapted to move the baffle to a shielded position to shield the air inlet.

7. An electronic device, characterized in that, include: A single housing with multiple slide rails; Multiple fan modules are disposed within the housing, wherein each of the fan modules includes: A fan with one air inlet; A baffle is provided at the air inlet of the fan, which is suitable for exposing or covering the air inlet; An electromagnet is electrically connected to the fan; A conductor slider is disposed on the corresponding slide rail and located between the electromagnet and the fan, and is capable of moving along the slide rail between the electromagnet and the fan; and A first connector is connected between the conductor slider and the baffle, so that the conductor slider moves in conjunction with the baffle. When the fan is running, the electromagnet attracts the conductor slider, causing the baffle to move to an open position to expose the air inlet. When the fan is powered off, the electromagnet does not attract the conductor slider, and the first connector drives the conductor slider away from the electromagnet, while the baffle moves to a shielding position to block the air inlet.

8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The baffle is pivotally connected to the fan.

9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The first connecting element is a spring.

10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, When the fan is powered off, the electromagnet also loses its magnetic attraction.

11. The electronic device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The conductor slider is a permanent magnet.

12. The electronic device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a second connector connected between the baffle and the fan, and the second connector is adapted to move the baffle to a shielded position to shield the air inlet.

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