Fan assembly

Abstract

A fan assembly comprises a fan frame, a shielding pad, a fan unit and a wire. The fan frame comprises a long frame body, an adapter plate and a wire arrangement groove. The adapter plate and the wire arrangement groove are respectively arranged on the long frame body. The fan unit is fixed in the long frame body. The wire is located in the wire arrangement groove and electrically connected with the adapter plate and the fan unit. The shielding pad is fixed on the wire arrangement groove and limits the wire in the wire arrangement groove. The shielding pad is arranged between the long frame body and the fan unit and is separated from the fan unit. By means of the structure, the electric wires of the fan unit can be properly limited in the fan frame, and therefore the risks of noise generation and reliability fading are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fan assembly, and more particularly to a fan assembly that prevents wires from being exposed in the cable management channel. Background Technology

[0002] As the processing speed of chips (i.e., heat sources) within server equipment continues to increase, the industry generally uses fan arrays to reduce the operating temperature of these heat sources and maintain performance and product lifespan. More specifically, the fan units of the fan array are arranged sequentially within a fan frame, and the wires of these fan units are typically routed between the fan frame and the fan units.

[0003] However, the wires of each fan unit often become exposed between the fan unit and the fan frame due to vibration, which can lead to noise and reliability risks.

[0004] It is evident that the aforementioned technology still has inconveniences and shortcomings, requiring further improvement. Therefore, effectively addressing these inconveniences and shortcomings is a crucial research and development issue and a pressing goal for improvement in related fields. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a fan assembly to address the problems of prior art.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a fan assembly includes a fan frame, at least one first fan unit, a first wire, and at least one first shielding pad. The fan frame includes an elongated frame, an adapter plate, and a first cable management groove. The adapter plate and the first cable management groove are respectively located on the elongated frame. The first fan unit is fixed to the elongated frame. The first wire is located within the first cable management groove and electrically connects the adapter plate and the first fan unit. The first shielding pad is fixed to the first cable management groove, confining the first wire within the first cable management groove, situated between the elongated frame and the first fan unit, and separated from the first fan unit.

[0007] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, in the above-described fan assembly, the fan frame further includes a plurality of slots, which are linearly arranged on the long frame along its long axis. The long axis of the first cable management slot is parallel to the long axis of the long frame, and the first fan unit overlaps the first shielding pad and one of these slots.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, in the above-described fan assembly, the fan frame further includes a second cable management groove, the long axis of the second cable management groove being parallel to the long axis of the long frame, and these grooves being located between the first cable management groove and the second cable management groove.

[0009] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the fan assembly further includes a second wire, a second shielding pad, and at least one second fan unit. The second fan unit is fixed within a long frame. The second wire is accommodated within a second cable management groove and electrically connects the adapter plate to the second fan unit. The second shielding pad is fixed to the second cable management groove and confines the second wire within the groove. The second fan unit overlaps the first shielding pad, the second shielding pad, and another slot.

[0010] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, in the above-described fan assembly, the adapter plate includes a base, a first connecting unit, and a second connecting unit. The base is connected to one end of a long frame. The first connecting unit is located on the side of the base opposite to the first fan unit and is electrically connected to a first wire. The second connecting unit is located on this side of the base and is electrically connected to a second wire.

[0011] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, in the above-described fan assembly, the elongated frame includes a bottom cover and a front cover. The bottom cover is connected to an adapter plate. The front cover is disposed opposite to the bottom cover and is connected to the adapter plate. A first cable management groove and these grooves are formed on the bottom cover, and the adapter plate, the bottom cover, and the front cover together define an accommodating space that connects to these grooves, the accommodating space accommodating the first fan unit.

[0012] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the fan assembly further includes a handle. The handle is pivotally mounted on one end of the bottom cover opposite the adapter plate.

[0013] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the fan assembly further includes at least one first shock-absorbing pin and at least one second shock-absorbing pin. The first shock-absorbing pin fixes the first fan unit to the bottom cover. The second shock-absorbing pin fixes the first fan unit to the front cover. The first shock-absorbing pins are inserted into the bottom cover, the first shielding pad, and the first fan unit, allowing the first shielding pad to be separated from the first fan unit.

[0014] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, in the above-described fan assembly, the first shielding pad includes an elastic pad, at least one through hole, at least one guide rib, and at least one hook rib. The elastic pad covers the first cable management groove. The through hole is located on the elastic pad and is inserted into by a first shock-absorbing pin. The guide rib connects the elastic pad and the through hole to guide the first shock-absorbing pin into the through hole. The hook rib connects the elastic pad and the through hole and is opposite to the guide rib to limit the first shock-absorbing pin within the through hole.

[0015] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, in the above-described fan assembly, the first shock-absorbing pin includes a pin body, a first positioning ring, and a second positioning ring. The pin body includes a needle tip and a tail end opposite to each other, the needle tip being inserted into the first fan unit. The first positioning ring is located at the tail end and surrounds the pin body, for positioning on the bottom cover and the hook rib. The second positioning ring surrounds the pin body and is located between the needle tip and the first positioning ring, for abutting against the first fan unit and separating a gap between the first fan unit and the first shielding pad.

[0016] Thus, through the above architecture, the fan assembly of the present invention can properly confine the wires of the fan unit within the fan frame, thereby reducing the risk of noise generation and reliability degradation.

[0017] The above description is only used to illustrate the problem to be solved by the present invention, the technical means to solve the problem, and the effects produced, etc. The specific details of the present invention will be described in detail in the following embodiments and related drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To make the above and other objects, features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the accompanying drawings are described below:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a fan assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial exploded view of the fan assembly;

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Exploded view of the fan frame;

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along line segment AA;

[0023] Figure 5 for Figure 2 Front view of the bottom cover and adapter plate;

[0024] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A sectional view along line segment BB and its enlarged partial view;

[0025] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the use of the first shielding pad and the first shock-absorbing pin.

[0026] [Symbol Explanation]

[0027] 10: Fan assembly

[0028] 100: Fan frame

[0029] 110: Long frame

[0030] 111: Bottom Cover

[0031] 112: Front Cover

[0032] 113: Ventilation Grid

[0033] 114: Handle

[0034] 120: Adapter board

[0035] 121: Base

[0036] 121A: Face

[0037] 122: First connecting unit

[0038] 123: Second connecting unit

[0039] 130: Storage space

[0040] 140: Grooving

[0041] 150: First cable management channel

[0042] 160: Second cable management channel

[0043] 170: First Fan Unit

[0044] 171: First conductor

[0045] 180: Second fan unit

[0046] 181: Second conductor

[0047] 200: First Shielding Pad

[0048] 300: Second shielding pad

[0049] 410: Elastic Pad

[0050] 411: Positioning Rib

[0051] 420: Through hole

[0052] 430: Guide Rib

[0053] 440: Hook ribs

[0054] 500, 500A, 500B, 500C: First shock-absorbing pin

[0055] 600: Second shock absorber pin

[0056] 710: Pin body

[0057] 711: Needle tip

[0058] 712: Tail end

[0059] 713: Outer Peripheral Surface

[0060] 720: First positioning ring

[0061] 730: Second positioning ring

[0062] 731: Top surface

[0063] AA, BB: line segments

[0064] G: Gap

[0065] L1, L2: Length

[0066] M: Local

[0067] X, Y, Z: Axes Detailed Implementation

[0068] The following describes several embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. For clarity, many practical details will be described in the following description. However, those skilled in the art will understand that these practical details are not essential in some embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be construed as limiting the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, some conventional structures and elements are shown in the drawings in a simplified schematic manner. Additionally, for ease of viewing, the dimensions of the elements in the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0069] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a fan assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial exploded view of the fan assembly 10. Figure 3 for Figure 1 Exploded view of fan frame 100. Figure 4 for Figure 1 A sectional view along line segment AA, with line segment AA parallel to the X-axis.

[0070] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, in this embodiment, the fan assembly 10 includes a fan frame 100, multiple fan units (such as a first fan unit 170 and a second fan unit 180), and multiple first shielding pads 200. The fan frame 100 includes a long frame 110, a connecting plate 120, a first cable management channel 150, and multiple slots 140. These slots 140 and the first cable management channel 150 are respectively recessed in the long frame 110, and the connecting plate 120 is located at one end of the long frame 110. These fan units are respectively fixed to the fan frame 100. Each fan unit simultaneously covers one slot 140 and a portion of the first cable management channel 150 to draw airflow toward the corresponding slot 140. A portion of the fan units (e.g., three) (hereinafter referred to as the first fan unit 170) are each connected to a first wire 171, which is accommodated in the first cable management channel 150 and electrically connected to the connecting plate 120. These first shielding pads 200 are respectively located on the first cable management groove 150, and each first shielding pad 200 is fixed to the first cable management groove 150, so that the first wires 171 are confined within the first cable management groove 150. Figure 2 and Figure 4 More specifically, each first shielding pad 200 directly covers a portion of the elongated frame 110 and a portion of the first cable management channel 150, thereby preventing the first wires 171 from leaving the first cable management channel 150.

[0071] In addition, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, each first fan unit 170 overlaps with a corresponding first shielding pad 200 and slot 140 along a vertical direction (e.g., the Z-axis). Each first shielding pad 200 is located between the elongated frame 110 and the corresponding first fan unit 170, and is separated from the first fan unit 170 from each other. Figure 4 ).

[0072] In this embodiment, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, for example, these slots 140 are linearly arranged along the long axis (e.g., the Y-axis) of the long frame 110, these fan units (e.g., the first fan unit 170 and the second fan unit 180) are linearly arranged along the long axis (e.g., the Y-axis) of the long frame 110, the first cable management groove 150 is regularly meandering to match the contours of these fan units (e.g., the first fan unit 170 and the second fan unit 180), and the long axis of the first cable management groove 150 is parallel to the long axis (e.g., the Y-axis) of the long frame 110, and these first shielding pads 200 are linearly arranged on the first cable management groove 150 along the long axis (e.g., the Y-axis) of the long frame 110.

[0073] More specifically, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the fan frame 100 also includes a second cable management groove 160. The second cable management groove 160 is regularly meandering to match the contours of these fan units, and the long axis of the second cable management groove 160 is parallel to the long axis of the long frame 110 (e.g., the Y-axis). These slots 140 are located between the first cable management groove 150 and the second cable management groove 160. A portion of the fan units (e.g., one) (hereinafter referred to as the second fan unit 180) is connected to a second wire 181, which is accommodated within the second cable management groove 160 and electrically connected to the aforementioned adapter plate 120. The second fan unit 180 is fixed to the fan frame 100, covering the corresponding slot 140 and the first shielding pad 200 and the second shielding pad 300 on both sides.

[0074] The fan assembly 10 also includes at least one second shielding pad 300. The second shielding pad 300 directly covers a portion of the elongated frame 110 and a portion of the second cable management channel 160, such that the second wire 181 is confined within the second cable management channel 160. Figure 2 and Figure 5 Furthermore, the second fan unit 180 overlaps the first shielding pad 200, the second shielding pad 300, and another slot 140 along a vertical direction (e.g., the Z-axis). The second shielding pad 300 is located between the long frame 110 and the second fan unit 180, and is separate from the second fan unit 180. The first shielding pad 200 is located between the long frame 110 and the second fan unit 180, and is separate from the second fan unit 180.

[0075] Figure 5 for Figure 2 The front view of the bottom cover 111 and the adapter plate 120. More specifically, as shown... Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the adapter plate 120 includes a base 121, a plurality of first connecting units 122, and second connecting units 123. The base 121 is connected to one end of the elongated frame 110. The first connecting units 122 are located on the side 121A of the base 121 facing away from the second fan unit 180 and are electrically connected to the first wire 171. The second connecting units 123 are located on this side 121A of the base 121 and are electrically connected to the second wire 181.

[0076] like Figure 3 and Figure 5As shown, the elongated frame 110 includes a bottom cover 111 and a front cover 112. Both the bottom cover 111 and the front cover 112 have ventilation mesh 113. The bottom cover 111 is L-shaped, and one end of the bottom cover 111 is connected to the base 121 of the adapter plate 120. The first cable management groove 150, the slots 140, and the second cable management groove 160 are formed on one side of the bottom cover 111, and the length L1 of the first cable management groove 150 is greater than the length L2 of the second cable management groove 160. The front cover 112 is disposed opposite the bottom cover 111, and one end of the front cover 112 is connected to the base 121 of the adapter plate 120. The adapter plate 120, bottom cover 111 and front cover 112 together define an accommodating space 130, which accommodates the first fan unit 170 and the second fan unit 180, and connects to the ventilation mesh 113 of the slots 140, bottom cover 111 and front cover 112.

[0077] In addition, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the fan assembly 10 also includes a handle 114. The handle 114 is pivotally mounted on one end of the bottom cover 111 opposite the adapter plate 120, allowing the user to pull the fan frame 100 out of a server housing (not shown) via the handle 114.

[0078] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the fan assembly 10 further includes a plurality of first shock-absorbing pins 500 and a plurality of second shock-absorbing pins 600. These first shock-absorbing pins 500 respectively fix the first fan unit 170 and the second fan unit 180 to the bottom cover 111. These second shock-absorbing pins 600 respectively fix the first fan unit 170 and the second fan unit 180 to the front cover 112. In this embodiment, the first shock-absorbing pins 500 and the second shock-absorbing pins 600 comprise shock-absorbing materials such as rubber or plastic; however, the invention is not limited thereto.

[0079] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A sectional view along line segment BB and an enlarged view of its local area M. (See attached image.) Figure 2 and Figure 6As shown, the first shock-absorbing pin 500 includes first shock-absorbing pins 500A, 500B, and 500C. One first shock-absorbing pin 500A is inserted into the bottom cover 111, the first shielding pad 200, and the first fan unit 170, separating the first shielding pad 200 from the first fan unit 170. Another first shock-absorbing pin 500B is inserted into the bottom cover 111, the first shielding pad 200, and the second fan unit 180, separating the first shielding pad 200 from the second fan unit 180. Yet another first shock-absorbing pin 500C is inserted into the bottom cover 111, the second shielding pad 300, and the second fan unit 180, separating the second shielding pad 300 from the second fan unit 180. The second shock-absorbing pin 600 fixes the first fan unit 170 (or the second fan unit 180) to the front cover 112, and separates the front cover 112 from the first fan unit 170 (or the second fan unit 180).

[0080] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating the use of the first shielding pad 200 and the first shock-absorbing pin 500. (See diagram below.) Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the first shielding pad 200 includes an elastic pad 410, two through holes 420, two guide ribs 430, and two hook ribs 440. The elastic pad 410 directly covers a portion of the elongated frame 110 and a portion of the first cable management groove 150. The through holes 420 are located opposite each other on the elastic pad 410 and are inserted by several first shock-absorbing pins 500. The guide ribs 430 connect the elastic pad 410 and the through holes 420 to guide the first shock-absorbing pins 500 into the through holes 420. The hook ribs 440 connect the elastic pad 410 and the through holes 420 and are opposite the guide ribs 430 to limit the first shock-absorbing pins 500 within the through holes 420. Since the structure of the second shielding pad 300 is the same as the structure of the shock-absorbing pins of the first shielding pad 200, it will not be described in detail.

[0081] In addition, such as Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the first shielding pad 200 includes a plurality of (2) positioning ribs 411. These positioning ribs 411 protrude from the side of the elastic pad 410 facing the first cable management groove 150. Figure 4 And extends along the long axis (such as the Y axis) of the first shielding pad 200 to abut against the inner wall of the first cable management groove 150, thereby positioning the first shielding pad 200 at the opening of the first cable management groove 150.

[0082] Each first shock-absorbing pin 500 includes a pin body 710, a first positioning ring 720, and a second positioning ring 730. The pin body 710 includes a pin tip 711 and a tail end 712 facing each other, the pin tip 711 being inserted into the first fan unit 170. The first positioning ring 720 is located at the tail end 712 and surrounds the outer peripheral surface 713 of the pin body 710, for positioning on the bottom cover 111 and the hook rib 440. The second positioning ring 730 surrounds the outer peripheral surface 713 of the pin body 710 and is located between the pin tip 711 and the first positioning ring 720, and the second positioning ring 730 extends into a through hole 420 and partially protrudes from the through hole 420. The upper top surface 731 of the second positioning ring 730 abuts against the first fan unit 170, creating a gap G between the first fan unit 170 and the first shielding pad 200. Figure 4 Since the structure of the second shock-absorbing pin 600 is the same as that of the first shock-absorbing pin 500, it will not be described in detail again.

[0083] Thus, through the above architecture, the fan assembly of the present invention can properly confine the wires of the fan unit within the fan frame, thereby reducing the risk of noise generation and reliability degradation.

[0084] Finally, the embodiments disclosed above are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications and refinements made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention are protected under this invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fan assembly, characterized in that, Include: A fan frame includes a long frame, an adapter plate, and a first cable management channel, wherein the adapter plate and the first cable management channel are respectively located on the long frame; At least one first fan unit is fixed within the long frame; A first conductor, located within the first cable tray, and electrically connecting the adapter plate and the first fan unit; and At least one first shielding pad is fixed to the first cable management groove, confining the first wire within the first cable management groove, between the long frame and the first fan unit, and separate from the first fan unit.

2. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The fan frame also includes multiple slots, which are linearly arranged on the long frame along one of its major axes. The long axis of the first cable management groove is parallel to the long axis of the long frame, and the first fan unit overlaps the first shielding pad and one of the multiple slots.

3. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The fan frame also includes a second cable management groove, the long axis of which is parallel to the long axis of the long frame, and the plurality of slots are located between the first cable management groove and the second cable management groove.

4. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: At least one second fan unit is fixed within the long frame; A second conductor, located within the second cable tray, and electrically connected to the adapter plate and the second fan unit; and A second shielding pad is fixed to the second cable management groove, and confines the second conductor within the second cable management groove. The second fan unit overlaps the first shielding pad, the second shielding pad, and another slot among the plurality of slots.

5. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The adapter board includes: A base, connecting one end of the long frame; A first connection unit is located on the side of the base opposite to the second fan unit and is electrically connected to the first wire; and A second connection unit is located on the surface of the base and is electrically connected to the second wire.

6. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The elongated frame contains: A bottom cover, connecting the adapter plate; and A front cover is positioned opposite the bottom cover and is connected to the adapter plate. The first cable management groove and the plurality of slots are formed on the bottom cover, and the adapter plate, the bottom cover and the front cover together define an accommodating space that connects the plurality of slots, the accommodating space being used to accommodate the first fan unit.

7. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: The handle is pivotally located at one end of the bottom cover opposite the adapter plate.

8. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: At least one first shock-absorbing pin secures the first fan unit to the bottom cover; and At least one second shock-absorbing pin secures the first fan unit to the front cover. The first shock-absorbing pin is inserted into the bottom cover, the first shielding pad, and the first fan unit, and the first shielding pad is separated from the first fan unit.

9. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, The first shielding pad includes: An elastic pad covers the first cable management channel; At least one through hole is located on the elastic pad and is inserted by the first shock-absorbing pin; At least one guide rib connects the elastic pad and the through hole to guide the first shock-absorbing pin into the through hole; as well as At least one hook rib connects the elastic pad and the through hole, and is positioned relative to the guide rib to limit the first shock-absorbing pin within the through hole.

10. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, The first shock-absorbing pin includes: A pin body includes a needle tip and a tail end that are opposite to each other, the needle tip being inserted into the first fan unit; A first positioning ring, located at the tail end and surrounding the pin, is used to position the bottom cover and the hook rib; and A second positioning ring surrounds the pin and is located between the pin tip and the first positioning ring, for abutting against the first fan unit and separating a gap between the first fan unit and the first shielding pad.

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