Fan brake mechanism

Abstract

The invention provides a fan brake mechanism which comprises a fan unit and a brake unit. The fan unit comprises a frame body and a fan blade, a shaft barrel is vertically arranged on the frame body, and the fan blade is provided with an axis with a pivoting part so as to be axially arranged in the shaft barrel. The brake unit comprises a brake base and a brake module, and the brake base is provided with a brake claw. The brake module comprises a body, at least one movable piece contained in the body and a limiting pin arranged corresponding to the movable piece. The body is provided with a through groove which is correspondingly jointed with the pivoting part so as to pivot the brake module on the axis. One end of the movable part is provided with a claw part, the other end of the movable part is provided with a wind resistance device, and a limiting groove opposite to the limiting pin is formed in the position, between the claw part and the wind resistance device, of the movable part. The movable part is movably located in the body. When the fan fails and cannot operate normally, the fan blades rotate reversely due to backflow of air flow, the fan brake mechanism is driven to generate a brake function, power supply driving is not needed, and a fan circuit board does not need to be additionally provided with a brake control function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a fan brake mechanism, in particular to a fan brake mechanism with a wind resistance device and a hook claw portion. Background Art

[0002] As technology advances at a rapid pace, the computing performance of electronic devices has increased significantly, while also generating a large amount of heat. In order to ensure that electronic devices are not damaged by high temperatures, a heat dissipation device must be installed. For example, a fan is a common heat dissipation device. When one of the multiple fans in the heat dissipation device is damaged and stops working, the fluid pressure there will be lower than the fluid pressure inside the device. According to the principles of fluid mechanics, the fluid at the high pressure will flow to the low pressure, causing the airflow inside the device to flow out to the breach at the damaged fan, thereby causing the stopped fan to rotate in the opposite direction and take away the internal airflow, causing a sharp drop in heat dissipation efficiency. To prevent the above situation from happening, a brake system can be installed on the fan.

[0003] The existing fan brakes mainly include the following methods:

[0004] 1. When braking, the MOS is normally open when the power is turned on by software control, and the magnetic field generated by the fan blades and the magnetic field of the tape resist each other and generate resistance.

[0005] 2. When the power is off, the fan blades run by inertia and generate electromotive force to the hardware brake circuit to drive the MOS to be normally open. The magnetic field generated by the fan blades and the magnetic field of the tape resist each other and generate resistance.

[0006] 3. Use a solenoid valve to control the brake mechanism. The fan power supply directly supplies power to the solenoid valve. During normal operation, the solenoid valve is normally open to separate the connection between the shaft and the brake mechanism. When the fan is powered off, the solenoid valve loses its function and the spring drives the brake mechanism to engage with the shaft to generate resistance.

[0007] However, no matter which of the above-mentioned fan brake structures is used, the brake structures of such fans must be designed to add additional brake circuits or install a microprocessor with a brake mode function on the existing circuit board in order to have a braking effect. For the design of the fan brake module, the inherent fan structure as a whole needs to be significantly redesigned and modified, and various circuits are densely arranged on the fan circuit board. As a result, when a brake circuit or a drive logic circuit is to be installed later, it cannot be directly arranged on the originally designed circuit board. The industry also has to redesign the circuit board, causing troubles for the industry in manufacturing and use.

[0008] In view of this, how to solve the above problems and shortcomings is an urgent research direction. Summary of the invention

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a fan brake mechanism. When the fan is operating normally, the fan blades rotate forward. Since the thrust generated by the wind resistance overcomes the centrifugal force, the movable part retracts and the fan brake function will not be activated. When the fan fails, the fan blades rotate in the opposite direction. Due to the action of the centrifugal force, the claw of the movable part is thrown out, so that it engages with the hook of the brake claw to drive the fan brake mechanism to produce a braking function, so that the failed fan will not continue to rotate in the opposite direction and take away the airflow inside the device. When the fan resumes normal operation, the thrown claw will detach from the hook and push back along the inclined surface of the brake claw to return, thereby canceling the braking function. Therefore, the repeated actuation of the braking function can be achieved without the need to power the fan brake mechanism and the fan circuit board does not need to be equipped with a brake control function. In addition, the fan brake mechanism adopts a modular design with good commonality, and the original fan assembly method does not need to be changed.

[0010] The present invention provides a fan brake mechanism, including a fan unit and a brake unit. The fan unit includes a frame and a fan blade, a shaft cylinder is vertically arranged on the frame, an axis is vertically arranged on the fan blade, the fan blade is pivotally arranged at one end of the axis, and the other end of the axis is axially arranged in the shaft cylinder and has a pivot portion. The brake unit is arranged at the bottom of the frame. The brake unit includes a brake base and a brake module. The brake base is provided with a brake claw. The brake module includes a body, at least one movable part accommodated in the body, and a limit pin corresponding to the movable part. The body is provided with a through groove, and the through groove is correspondingly engaged with the pivot portion to pivot the brake module on the axis. One end of the movable part has a claw portion, and the other end of the movable part is provided with a wind resistor, and the movable part is provided with a limit groove corresponding to the limit pin between the claw portion and the wind resistor, and the movable part can be movably limited in the body.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the brake base includes a base and a flange, the brake claw is arranged on the inner surface of the flange, and the brake module is arranged in the brake base.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wind resistance device includes a wind resistance piece, the wind resistance piece is provided with a plug-in portion, and the wind resistance piece is connected to the movable part through the plug-in portion.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the braking claws are arranged in pairs.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the brake base further includes an engaging portion, which is disposed on the outer side of the base and is used to engage with the bottom of the shaft tube.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wind baffle includes a first plane facing one side of the claw portion. When the fan blade rotates forward, the axis drives the brake module to rotate forward, and the first plane is thrust by an airflow to cause the claw portion to retract inward until the side of the limit groove close to the claw portion abuts against the limit pin without contacting the brake claw.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wind baffle includes a second plane facing away from the claw portion. When the fan blade rotates in the opposite direction, the axis drives the brake module to rotate in the opposite direction. The second plane is subjected to an airflow thrust, and due to the action of centrifugal force, the claw portion is pushed outward until the side of the limiting groove away from the claw portion abuts against the limiting pin and engages with the brake claw.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, each braking claw includes a slope and a hook, and the slope is inclined toward the axis in the forward direction. When the fan blade rotates in the reverse direction and then in the forward direction, the claw will separate from the hook and be pushed back by the slope.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a bent section is further provided between the claw portion and the wind resistance device, and the bent section enables the end provided with the wind resistance device and the end with the claw portion to form an L-shaped structure.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fan unit further includes an upper bearing and a lower bearing, wherein the upper bearing and the lower bearing are disposed in the shaft tube for supporting the axis.

[0020] According to the fan brake mechanism disclosed in the above embodiment, when the fan is operating normally, the fan blade rotates forward, and the axis will drive the brake module to rotate forward, so that the first plane of the wind baffle facing the claw part is subjected to an airflow thrust, so that the claw part is retracted until the side of the limit groove close to the claw part abuts against the limit pin, and does not contact the brake claw. When the fan fails and cannot operate normally, due to the continued operation of other fans, the air reflux causes the fan blade to rotate in the opposite direction, and the axis will drive the brake module to rotate in the opposite direction, so that the second plane of the wind baffle facing the claw part is subjected to airflow thrust, and due to the effect of centrifugal force, the claw part is pushed outward until the side of the limit groove away from the claw part abuts against the limit pin, and engages with the hook part, thereby activating the brake function. Therefore, the failed fan will not continue to rotate in the opposite direction and take away the airflow inside the device to avoid causing a sudden drop in heat dissipation efficiency. In addition, when the fan resumes normal operation, the fan blade returns from reverse rotation to forward rotation, and the claw part will separate from the hook part and be pushed back by the inclined surface of the brake claw of the brake base.

[0021] The present invention can achieve the repeated actuation brake function by means of the above technical solution, and the fan brake mechanism does not need to be powered and driven during the process, and the fan circuit board does not need to be equipped with a brake control function. In addition, the fan brake mechanism of the present invention adopts a modular design, so it can be installed in the fan at the end, with good compatibility and commonality, and the original fan assembly method does not need to be changed.

[0022] The above description of the content of the present invention and the following description of the implementation modes are used to demonstrate and explain the principles of the present invention, and to provide a further explanation of the patent scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1AFIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a fan brake mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 1B for Figure 1A Exploded view of the fan brake mechanism.

[0025] Figure 2 for Figure 1A A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a brake base and a brake module.

[0026] Figure 3 The figure is a bottom view schematically showing a brake base installed on a fan frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the operation of a claw of a movable member in a brake module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5A To observe from the bottom of the fan frame Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the claw of the brake module being retracted.

[0029] Figure 5B To observe from the bottom of the fan frame Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the claw of the brake module being thrown out.

[0030] Fig. 6A It is a schematic diagram of the first time when the claw portion is separated from the braking claw of the brake base according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 6B FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a second time at which a claw portion is disengaged from a brake claw of a brake base according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Explanation of the reference numerals in the accompanying drawings: 1. fan brake mechanism; 10. fan unit; 100. frame; 110. shaft cylinder; 101. fan blade; 102. axis; 1021. pivot portion; 103. upper bearing; 104. lower bearing; 105. buckle; 106. stator assembly; 20. brake unit; 210. brake base; 211. base; 212. flange; 213. brake claw; 214. fitting portion; 2131. inclined surface; 2132. hook portion; 220. brake module; 221. body; 222. movable part; 223. limiting pin; 2210. through groove; 2220. claw portion; 2221. wind resistance device; 2221a. plug-in portion; 2221b. wind resistance sheet; 22211. first plane; 22212. second plane; 2223. limiting groove; 2224. curved section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] See also Figure 1A and Figure 1B shown. Figure 1A is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a fan brake mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1B for Figure 1A Exploded view of the fan brake mechanism. Figure 1A As shown, the present invention provides a fan brake mechanism 1, comprising a fan unit 10 and a brake unit 20. The fan unit 10 comprises a frame 100 and a fan blade 101, wherein the frame 100 can be a frame made of metal or plastic material, and a shaft cylinder 110 is vertically arranged on the bottom base of the frame 100, and the shaft cylinder 110 has an upper bearing 103 and a lower bearing 104 for supporting the axis 102.

[0034] The fan blade 101 is vertically mounted on the axis 102, and the fan blade 101 is pivotally mounted on one end of the axis 102. The other end of the axis 102 is axially mounted in the shaft tube 110 and has a pivot portion 1021. The pivot portion 1021 can be a flat key-type pivot portion or a flat pivot portion extending from the lower bearing 104, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 1B As shown, the fan unit 10 includes a rotor (not shown) and a stator assembly 106 in addition to the aforementioned frame 100, fan blades 101, shaft 102, upper bearing 103, lower bearing 104 and shaft cylinder 110. In addition, a retaining ring 105 may be provided between the brake module 220 and the shaft 102 for positioning.

[0036] See also Figure 2 shown. Figure 2 for Figure 1A The brake unit 20 includes a brake base 210 and a brake module 220. Figure 2 Below, the brake base 210 of this embodiment includes a base 211. The base 211 can be, for example, an annular base. The outer side of the base 211 is provided with a fitting portion 214, and the fitting portion 214 can, for example, include a plurality of components protruding outward. The inner edge of the base 211 extends axially to form a hollow cylindrical flange 212. A pair of brake claws 213 are provided on the inner surface of the flange 212 (the brake claws on the other side are not shown in the figure). Each brake claw 213 can include a slope 2131 and a hook portion 2132. Please refer to Figure 2 The brake module 220 of this embodiment includes a body 221, a pair of movable parts 222, and a pair of stop pins 223 arranged opposite to the pair of movable parts 222. The body 221 can be made of metal. A through slot 2210 is provided at the center of the body 221. The through slot 2210 can be a polygonal slot structure. The through slot 2210 is used to Figure 1AThe pivoting portion 1021 in the body 221 is correspondingly engaged to pivotally mount the brake module 220 on the axis 102. Since the pivoting portion 1021 is correspondingly engaged with the through slot 2210 of the body 221, the torque generated by the rotation of the fan blade 101 can drive the brake module 220 to rotate. The stop pin 223 is disposed at the outer periphery of the body 221.

[0037] The movable member 222 can be, for example, accommodated in a through hole located at the side of the body 221. The movable member 222 has a claw portion 2220 at one end and a wind resistance 2221 at the other end. The wind resistance 2221 includes a plug-in portion 2221a and a wind resistance sheet 2221b, and the wind resistance sheet 2221b is connected to the movable member 222 via the plug-in portion 2221a. A curved section 2224 is further provided between the claw portion 2220 and the wind resistance 2221. The curved section 2224 forms an L-shaped structure between the end of the movable member 222 provided with the wind resistance 2221 and the end with the claw portion 2220. A limiting groove 2223 is further provided between the claw portion 2220 and the curved section 2224. The limiting groove 2223 and the limiting pin 223 are arranged opposite to each other. The movable member 222 can be movably limited in the main body 221 by the limiting groove 2223 of the movable member 222 and the limiting pin 223 penetrating the main body 221 .

[0038] See also Figure 3 shown. Figure 3 This is a bottom view schematic diagram of a brake base installed on a fan frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 As shown, the engaging portion 214 of the brake base 210 of this embodiment includes a plurality of components protruding outward from the base 211. The brake base 210 is fixedly disposed at the bottom of the frame 100 by engaging the engaging portion 214 with the bottom of the frame 100. The structure and number of the engaging portion 214 can be changed according to the shape of the opening at the bottom of the frame, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0039] See also Figure 4 , Figure 5A and Figure 5B shown. Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the operation of a claw of a movable member in a brake module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5A To observe from the bottom of the fan frame Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the claw of the brake module being retracted. Figure 5B To observe from the bottom of the fan frame Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the claw of the brake module being thrown out.

[0040] Please read first Figure 4 and Figure 5AAs shown, when the fan is operating normally, the fan blade 101 rotates forwardly. Since the brake module 220 is pivoted on the axis 102, the axis 102 also drives the brake module 220 to rotate forwardly, so that the first plane 22211 of the wind resistance sheet 2221b facing the claw 2220 is subjected to an airflow thrust. The airflow thrust is greater than the centrifugal force that throws the movable part 222 out when the brake module 220 rotates, so that the claw 2220 of the movable part 222 is retracted inwardly in the direction of the limit pin 223. It can be clearly seen from Figure 5A that since the claw 2220 is retracted inwardly, it will not engage with the hook 2132 of the brake claw 213 on the brake base 210. The above mechanism ensures that when the fan is operating normally, the brake function will not be triggered.

[0041] Please continue reading Figure 4 and Figure 5B As shown, in another embodiment, the fan fails. Since the fluid pressure at the point where the fan fails is lower than the fluid pressure inside the device (other fans are operating normally, not shown in the figure), according to the principle of fluid mechanics, the fluid at the high pressure point will flow to the low pressure point, causing the airflow at the failed fan to flow out in the opposite direction (not shown in the figure), causing the fan blades 101 to rotate in the opposite direction, so the axis 102 will drive the brake module 220 to rotate in the opposite direction. At this time, because the second plane 22212 of the wind resistance sheet 2221b facing away from the claw 2220 is subjected to an airflow thrust, and through the action of centrifugal force, the claw 2220 of the brake module 220 is thrown out toward the outside of the body 221 ( Figure 4 The dotted line portion of the claw portion) until the side of the limiting groove 2223 away from the claw portion 2220 abuts against the limiting pin 223 (please refer to Figure 2 The brake module 220 above). Figure 5B It can be clearly seen that since the claw portion 2220 of the movable part 222 of the brake module 220 is thrown outward, it will engage with the hook portion 2132 of the brake claw 213 on the brake base 210, thereby exerting the braking effect. It should be particularly noted that in the embodiment of the present invention, forward rotation (or forward direction) refers to clockwise rotation for an observer observing the brake unit 20 from the bottom of the frame 100. On the contrary, reverse rotation refers to counterclockwise rotation for the observer. Of course, the so-called forward rotation and reverse rotation directions can be changed depending on the actual design and requirements of the fan unit 10, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0042] See also Fig. 6A and Figure 6B shown. Fig. 6A It is a schematic diagram of the first time when the claw portion is separated from the braking claw of the brake base according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6B FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a second time when a claw portion is separated from a brake claw of a brake base according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5B , Fig. 6A and Figure 6B In this embodiment, after the fan fails, it is repaired and resumes normal operation. The fan blade 101 will return from the reverse rotation state to the forward rotation state, and drive the brake module 220 to rotate forward again. Since the brake claw 213 on the brake base 210 of the embodiment of the present invention is designed with the inclined surface 2131 tilted in the forward direction (clockwise) toward the axis direction, the claw 2220 of the movable part 222 will be moved from Figure 5B The state of being engaged with the hook portion 2132 is changed to Fig. 6A The claw portion 2220 is shown as being separated from the hook portion 2132 at the first time, and is pushed back by the inclined surface 2131, and then transformed into the state of Figure 6B The claw portion 2220 of the second time is shown to be in a retracted state, and will not contact the hook portion 2132 of the brake claw 213. Thereby, when the fan resumes normal operation, the brake function will be cancelled.

[0043] According to the technical scheme, when the fan is operating normally, the wind resistance converts the airflow thrust of the fan's forward rotation into a reverse resistance to resist the centrifugal force of the claw, so as to prevent the claw from being thrown out of the body and triggering the brake function. When the fan fails, the fan blades rotate in the reverse direction, causing the axis to drive the brake module to rotate in the reverse direction. At this time, the wind resistance will lose the reverse resistance to resist the centrifugal force of the claw, and convert the airflow thrust of the fan's reverse rotation into the force to push the claw out, and due to the centrifugal force, the claw is thrown out until it is engaged with the brake claw of the brake base to exert the brake effect. When the fan is repaired and resumes normal operation, the fan blades return to forward rotation, the claw of the brake module will be separated from the hook and pushed back by the inclined surface of the brake claw of the brake base, so that the brake function is cancelled. Therefore, the brake function can be repeatedly actuated, and the fan brake mechanism does not need to be powered and driven during the process, and the fan circuit board does not need to be equipped with a brake control function. In addition, the fan brake mechanism is modularized in the present invention, and can be installed in the final process of fan assembly, with good compatibility and commonality, and the original fan assembly method does not need to be changed.

[0044] The above is a detailed description of the present invention, and the above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which should not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, all equivalent changes and modifications made according to the present invention should still fall within the scope of the patent of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fan brake mechanism, characterized in that: include: A fan unit comprises a frame and a fan blade, wherein a shaft cylinder is vertically arranged on the frame, and an axis is vertically arranged on the fan blade, one end of the axis is pivotally arranged on the fan blade, and the other end is arranged in the shaft cylinder and has a pivoting portion; and A brake unit is arranged at the bottom of the frame, the brake unit includes a brake base and a brake module, the brake base is provided with a brake claw, the brake module includes a body, at least one movable part accommodated in the body and a limit pin corresponding to the movable part, the body is provided with a through groove, the through groove is correspondingly engaged with the pivoting portion, so that the brake module is pivoted to the axis; One end of the movable part has a claw, the other end of the movable part is provided with a wind resistor, and a limiting groove opposite to the limiting pin is provided between the claw and the wind resistor, and the movable part can be movably located in the main body.

2. The fan brake mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The brake base includes a base and a flange, the brake claw is arranged on the inner surface of the flange, and the brake module is arranged in the brake base.

3. The fan brake mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wind resistance device comprises a plug-in portion and a wind resistance sheet, and the wind resistance sheet is connected with the movable part through the plug-in portion.

4. The fan brake mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The brake claws are arranged in pairs.

5. The fan brake mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The brake base also includes an engaging portion, which is arranged on the outside of the base and is used to engage with the bottom of the shaft tube.

6. The fan brake mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The wind baffle includes a first plane facing one side of the claw. When the fan blade rotates forward, the axis drives the brake module to rotate forward. The first plane is thrust by an airflow to retract the claw until the limiting groove is close to one side of the claw and abuts against the limiting pin without contacting the brake claw.

7. The fan brake mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The wind baffle includes a second plane facing away from the claw. When the fan blade rotates in the opposite direction, the axis drives the brake module to rotate in the opposite direction. The second plane is subjected to an airflow thrust, and due to the action of centrifugal force, the claw is pushed outward until the side of the limit groove away from the claw abuts against the limit pin and engages with the brake claw.

8. The fan brake mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: Each braking claw includes an inclined surface and a hook portion, the inclined surface is inclined toward the axis direction in the forward direction, when the fan blade rotates in the reverse direction and then rotates in the forward direction, the claw portion is separated from the hook portion and is pushed back by the inclined surface.

9. The fan brake mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: A curved section is also provided between the claw and the wind resistance device, and the end provided with the wind resistance device and the end provided with the claw form an L-shaped structure through the curved section.

10. The fan brake mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The fan unit also includes an upper bearing and a lower bearing. The upper bearing and the lower bearing are arranged in the shaft tube and are used to support the axis.

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