Fan cover and electronic unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a fan cover and an electronic unit. The fan cover includes a cover plate having a plurality of openings, where the openings include a circular opening around the center and at least one further lenticular opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a fan cover for an electronic unit that is actively cooled by a fan. Background Technology

[0002] For example, in the automotive industry, active control electronic units require efficient cooling, and cooling by means of fans may require fan covers to prevent accidental contact with the fan's rotating rotor. However, fan covers, due to their restrictive geometry, create pressure drops in the airflow.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to provide a fan cover that optimizes the volumetric flow through the cover and prevents accidental contact with the fan rotor. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides a fan cover comprising a cover plate having a plurality of openings, wherein the openings include a central circular opening and at least one additional lenticular opening. Interestingly, it has been found that, compared to prior art designs, the central circular opening and one or more lenticular openings allow for increased volumetric flow through the openings. The openings designed in this manner significantly reduce the air pressure drop generated by the fan cover, which in turn means that the cooling potential in actively cooled electronic units is maximized.

[0005] Examples are given in the dependent claims, the specification and the drawings.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the outer contour of the at least one additional opening is defined by two circular arcs that connect to each other at their endpoints. The endpoints may also include rounded edges to minimize airflow losses due to turbulence and / or friction.

[0007] According to another embodiment, the two arcs may include: an outer arc having a first radius originating from the center; and an inner arc having a second radius originating at a distance from the center exceeding the first radius. To optimize the shape and cross-section of the opening, the first radius may be larger than the diameter of the circular opening and / or the two arcs may have different radii. Furthermore, it has been shown to be advantageous if the second radius is larger than the first radius and / or if the origin of each second radius lies on a circle surrounding the center.

[0008] The fan cover, which has already shown good results, has more than two but fewer than four additional openings, which are particularly evenly distributed around the center. The diameter of the circular openings, between approximately 4 mm and 8 mm, further demonstrates the good results.

[0009] The aforementioned fan cover can be formed as an integral part of the housing or can be a separate part, for example, in a rectangular shape.

[0010] According to another embodiment, the cover plate includes a central portion having the circular opening, wherein three arms extend radially from the central portion. The arms may extend from the outer circumference of the central opening, and the width of the arms may gradually decrease or may remain constant.

[0011] Fan covers can be manufactured using methods such as die casting, injection molding, and stamping.

[0012] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an electronic unit is provided, which is cooled by a fan and includes a fan cover as disclosed above, wherein the fan cover covers the fan and the maximum rotor diameter of the fan is specifically about 40 mm to 50 mm. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Exemplary embodiments and functions of this disclosure are described herein with reference to the following accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0014] Figure 1 A schematic plan view of the fan cover is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Figure 1 A fan cover 10 is shown, which includes a cover plate 12 having a plurality of openings. In the disclosed embodiment, the openings include a circular opening 14 around a center C and three additional openings 16, 18, and 20. The additional openings 16, 18, and 20 are lenticular and are evenly distributed around the center C at 120° angles, respectively.

[0016] The outer contour of the lens-shaped opening is defined by two circular arcs 22 and 24, which are connected to each other at their endpoints E, wherein endpoint E may include a circular edge.

[0017] Each of the additional openings 16 to 20 comprises two arcs: an outer arc 22 having a first radius R1 originating from the center C; and an inner arc 24 having a second radius R2 originating from a distance from the center C exceeding the first radius R1.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, the origin of each second radius R2 lies on a circle 26 surrounding the center C. It should be understood that circle 26 is merely an auxiliary geometric line.

[0019] The embodiment may have a first radius R1 that is greater than the diameter D of the central circular opening 14. Furthermore, the two arcs 22 and 24 may have different radii R1 and R2, wherein the second radius R2 may be greater than the first radius R1.

[0020] The diameter D of the circular opening 14 can be in the range of approximately 4 mm to 8 mm.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the cover plate 12 is designed such that three arms 28, 30, 32 extend from the outer circumference of the central opening 14 at the central portion 33, wherein the width of each arm gradually decreases as the distance from the center C increases.

[0022] The cover plate size can be selected as shown below:

[0023] First radius R1: 15mm to 20mm

[0024] Second radius R2: 25mm to 30mm

[0025] The radius of the circular edge E: approximately 1mm to 5mm

[0026] The diameter D of the center opening 14 is 4mm to 8mm.

[0027] The radius R3 of circle 26 is approximately 30mm to 35mm.

[0028] The aforementioned cover plate 12 is designed as a rectangular panel with rounded outer corners, particularly a square panel. However, the shape and design of the panel can, of course, be chosen according to the circumstances. Furthermore, the cover plate can also be integrated into a housing that houses the electronic units and a fan for cooling the electronic units. In such an embodiment, a fan cover is used to cover the fan, particularly the fan's rotating rotor, which can have a maximum diameter of approximately 40 mm to 50 mm.

Claims

1. A fan cover comprising a cover plate (12) having a plurality of openings, wherein, The opening includes a circular opening (14) around the center (C) and at least one additional opening (16-20), wherein the additional opening (16-20) is lenticular.

2. The fan cover according to claim 1, wherein, The outer contour of the additional opening (16-20) is defined by two circular arcs (22, 24) that connect to each other at their endpoints (E).

3. The fan cover according to claim 2, wherein, The endpoint (E) includes a rounded edge.

4. The fan cover according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The two arcs include: an outer arc (22) having a first radius (R1) originating from the center (C); and an inner arc (24) having a second radius (R2) originating from a distance from the center (C) exceeding the first radius (R1).

5. The fan cover according to claim 4, wherein, The first radius (R1) is larger than the diameter (D) of the circular opening (14).

6. The fan cover according to claim 4, wherein, The two arcs (22, 24) have different radii (R1, R2).

7. The fan cover according to claim 4, wherein, The second radius (R2) is greater than the first radius (R1).

8. The fan cover according to claim 4, wherein, The origin of each second radius (R2) lies on a circle (26) surrounding the center (C).

9. The fan cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, Provide more than two but fewer than four additional openings (16-20).

10. The fan cover according to claim 9, wherein, The additional openings (16-20) are evenly distributed around the center (C).

11. The fan cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The diameter (D) of the circular opening (14) is between 4 mm and 8 mm.

12. The fan cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The cover plate is an integral part of the housing.

13. The fan cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The cover plate (12) is a rectangular panel.

14. The fan cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The cover plate includes a central portion (33) having the circular opening (14), wherein three arms (28-32) extend radially from the central portion.

15. An electronic unit cooled by a fan and comprising a fan cover according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the fan cover covering the fan.

16. The electronic unit according to claim 15, wherein, The maximum rotor diameter of the fan is 40mm to 50mm.

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