Fan assembly for automated assembly

Abstract

The present application provides a fan assembly for automation assembly, comprising a housing, a bracket seat, a flexible board structure and a fan set. The bracket seat is combined in the housing, comprising a bracket body and a pair of elastic arms, and the elastic arms and the bracket body are formed with a slot. The flexible board structure comprises a flexible circuit board, a connector and a fixed backing plate. The flexible board structure is moved to the bracket seat by a robot arm. The fixed backing plate is clamped by the elastic arms, so that the connector is positioned in the slot. The fan set is arranged in the housing and located on one side of the bracket seat, comprising a fan and a fan socket set. The fan socket set is driven by the robot arm and inserted on the connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to fan assembly, and more particularly to a fan assembly for automated assembly. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, cooling fans are typically installed inside a casing manually using screws, clips, or other fasteners. Because precise fan placement is required, manual installation often encounters problems such as inaccurate positioning, difficulty in securing the fan, or inconvenience in applying force due to limited installation space. This makes it difficult to install the fan easily and accurately inside the casing, increasing the time and difficulty of manual operation and reducing production efficiency.

[0003] Furthermore, since the cooling fan is located at the rear of the chassis, its wiring typically needs to be manually organized and secured to prevent collisions with the fan blades. However, due to the limited space inside the chassis, the wiring is prone to tangling, becoming too long or too short, leading to inconvenient cable management. The lack of effective automated cable management methods increases the overall assembly complexity and may affect the fan's cooling efficiency and system stability. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One objective of this invention is to provide a fan assembly for automated assembly, which assembles fan groups through an automated assembly method, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0005] One objective of this invention is to provide a fan assembly for automated assembly, so as to achieve electrical connection between the fan assembly and the flexible circuit board structure, and at the same time complete the cable management process.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a fan assembly for automated assembly, comprising a housing, a bracket, a flexible circuit board structure, and a fan assembly. The bracket is integrated within the housing and includes a frame and a pair of elastic arms connecting the frame, with the elastic arms and frame forming a slot. The flexible circuit board structure includes a flexible circuit board, a connector connecting the flexible circuit board, and a retaining plate disposed on the connector. The flexible circuit board structure is moved to the bracket by a robotic arm, and the retaining plate is clamped by the elastic arms, thereby positioning the connector in the slot. The fan assembly is disposed within the housing and located on one side of the bracket, including a fan and a fan socket assembly coupled to one side of the fan. The fan socket assembly is moved by the robotic arm and plugged into the connector.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the frame includes a frame plate and connecting feet protruding outward from the frame plate, the elastic arm is located on the opposite side of the frame plate, and the frame is attached to the housing by fasteners passing through each connecting foot.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the flexible circuit board structure further includes double-sided adhesive, and the flexible circuit board is attached to the housing by means of the double-sided adhesive.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vent hole includes a plurality of fan-shaped holes, which are arranged at intervals and surround the connecting hole.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the flexible circuit board includes a plug section provided with a connector, the plug section being Y-shaped.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fan assembly further includes a fan base and a fan bracket, wherein the fan base houses the fan, and the fan bracket is attached to one side of the fan base.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fan assembly further includes a plurality of shock-absorbing rubbers, which pass through the fan bracket and are attached to the fan base.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fan socket assembly includes multiple wires, a socket and a winding plate. One end of the wire is connected to the fan and the other end is connected to the socket. The winding plate is attached to the outer surface of the fan base, and the winding plate is wound with wires and connected to the socket.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fan socket assembly further includes a pressure plate, one side of which latches the winding plate and the other side is locked to the fan bracket to press the wire.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fan socket assembly includes a plurality of wires, a socket and a winding plate. One end of the wire is connected to the fan and the other end is connected to the socket. One side of the winding plate is connected to the fan bracket and the other side protrudes from the outer surface of the fan base. The winding plate is wound with wires and connected to the socket.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, a socket groove is provided on the outer surface of the fan holder, and the fan socket assembly includes multiple wires, a socket and a winding board. One end of the wire is connected to the fan and the other end is connected to the socket, and the socket is disposed in the socket groove.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the housing of the present invention has a support base on one side of the fan assembly, and also provides a flexible circuit board structure and a fan assembly. The flexible circuit board structure has a fixed backing plate on one side of the connector. When the flexible circuit board structure is moved to the support base by the robotic arm assembly, the fixed backing plate of the flexible circuit board structure will open the elastic arm of the support base and be clamped by the elastic arm, so that the connector falls into the slot of the support base and is positioned. In addition, the fan socket assembly has wires wound on the winding plate and is connected to the socket, which facilitates the insertion of the socket of the fan socket assembly into the connector on the support base when the robotic arm drives the fan assembly, thereby achieving an electrical connection between the fan assembly and the flexible circuit board structure, and completing the cable management process, thereby realizing an automated assembly method and convenience. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view of the fan assembly for automated assembly according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the fan assembly of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the fan socket assembly and the flexible circuit board structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the support base and flexible plate structure of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of the fan assembly and fan socket assembly of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 and Figure 7 This is another embodiment of the fan assembly of the present invention for automated assembly;

[0024] Figure 8 and Figure 9 This is another embodiment of the fan assembly for automated assembly according to the present invention; wherein,

[0025] Figure label:

[0026] 1, 1a, 1b: Fan assemblies used for automated assembly

[0027] 10, 10a, 10b: Chassis

[0028] 20, 20a, 20b: Bracket base

[0029] 200: Slot

[0030] 21: Frame

[0031] 211: Frame Plate

[0032] 212: Foot Connection

[0033] 213: Locking hardware

[0034] 22: Flexible Arm

[0035] 30, 30a, 30b: Flexible sheet structure

[0036] 31: Flexible Circuit Board

[0037] 311: Connector Section

[0038] 32: Connector

[0039] 33: Fixed Lining Plate

[0040] 34: Double-sided tape

[0041] 40, 40a, 40b: Fan assembly

[0042] 41, 41a, 41b: Fans

[0043] 42, 42a, 42b: Fan socket assembly

[0044] 421, 421a, 421b: Conductors

[0045] 422, 422a, 422b: Sockets

[0046] 423, 423a: Winding board

[0047] 424, 424a: Pressure plate

[0048] 43, 43a, 43b: Fan base

[0049] 431b: Socket slot

[0050] 44, 44a, 44b: Fan bracket. Detailed Implementation

[0051] The detailed description and technical content of this invention are illustrated below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the accompanying drawings are provided for reference and illustration only and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0052] Please refer to Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the fan assembly for automated assembly according to the present invention. The present invention is a fan assembly 1 for automated assembly, comprising a housing 10, a bracket 20, a flexible circuit board structure 30, and a fan assembly 40. The bracket 20 is riveted into the housing 10. The flexible circuit board structure 30 is inserted into the bracket 20 and fitted into the housing 10 by means of a robotic arm. Furthermore, the fan assembly 40 is also connected to the bracket 20 by means of a robotic arm through automated assembly and is locked into the housing 10. The structure of the fan assembly 1 is described in more detail below.

[0053] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the fan assembly and the connection between the fan socket assembly and the flexible circuit board structure of the present invention. The bracket 20 of the present invention is connected to the flexible circuit board structure 30 and integrated within the housing 10. The fan assembly 40 is disposed within the housing 10 and located on one side of the bracket 20. The fan assembly 40 includes a fan 41 and a fan socket assembly 42 integrated into one side of the fan 41. The fan socket assembly 42 is driven by a robotic arm and is inserted into the flexible circuit board structure 30 on the bracket 20.

[0054] In this embodiment, the fan assembly 40 further includes a fan holder 43 and a fan bracket 44. The fan holder 43 houses the fan 41. The fan bracket 44 is attached to one side of the fan holder 43. The fan socket assembly 42 is disposed on one side of the fan bracket 44 and mounted on the outer surface of the fan holder 43.

[0055] Please refer to another source. Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the support base and flexible board structure of the present invention. The support base 20 of the present invention includes a frame 21 and a pair of elastic arms 22 connecting the frame 21, and the pair of elastic arms 22 and the frame 21 form a slot 200. Specifically, the frame 21 includes a frame plate 211 and a pair of feet 212 protruding outward from the frame plate 211. Furthermore, the pair of elastic arms 22 are located on opposite sides of the frame plate 211. The frame 21 is attached to the housing 10 by means of a locking fastener 213 passing through each foot 212. In this embodiment, the locking fastener 213 is a rivet. The frame 21 is fixed to the housing 10 by riveting.

[0056] Furthermore, the flexible circuit board structure 30 includes a flexible circuit board 31, a connector 32 connecting the flexible circuit board 31, and a stiffener 33 disposed on the connector 32. The stiffener 33 is made of a relatively rigid plate and is attached to one side of the flexible circuit board 31 to increase the strength of the flexible circuit board 31. Accordingly, when the flexible circuit board structure 30 is moved to the support base 20 and inserted by a robotic arm, the stiffener 33 will expand the pair of elastic arms 22 and be clamped by the pair of elastic arms 22, thereby causing the connector 32 to fall into the slot 200 and be positioned.

[0057] It should be noted that the flexible circuit board 31 includes a plug-in section 311 on which the connector 32 is disposed; furthermore, the plug-in section 311 is Y-shaped to attach to and support the connector 32. In addition, the flexible circuit board structure 30 of the present invention further includes a double-sided adhesive 34. The flexible circuit board 31 is attached to the inner bottom surface of the housing 10 by the double-sided adhesive 34. In actual implementation, the present invention provides multiple suction nozzles within the assembly fixture for picking up the flexible circuit board 31, thereby utilizing an automated assembly method to move the flexible circuit board structure 30 to the positioning location.

[0058] Please refer to again Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of the fan assembly and fan socket assembly of the present invention. In this embodiment, in addition to the fan 41, fan socket assembly 42, fan base 43, and fan bracket 44, the fan assembly also includes a plurality of shock-absorbing rubbers 45. These shock-absorbing rubbers 45 pass through the fan bracket 44 and are attached to the fan base 43 to connect the fan bracket 44 and absorb the vibration generated by the fan 41 during operation.

[0059] Specifically, the fan socket assembly 42 includes multiple wires 421, a socket 422, and a winding plate 423. One end of each wire 421 is connected to the fan 41, and the other end is connected to the socket 422. Furthermore, the winding plate 423 is placed on the outer surface of the fan base 43, and the winding plate 423 is wound with the wires 421 and connected to the socket 422 (see Figure 423). Figure 2 It is worth noting that the fan socket assembly 42 further includes a pressure plate 424, one side of which engages with the winding plate 423, and the other side is locked to the fan bracket 44 to press down the wires 421 (see also). Figure 3 ).

[0060] Please refer to another source. Figure 6 and Figure 7 This is another embodiment of the fan assembly for automated assembly according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the fan assembly 1a includes a housing 10a, a bracket 20a, a flexible circuit board structure 30a, and a fan assembly 40a. The bracket 20a and the flexible circuit board structure 30a are assembled into the housing 10a in an automated manner. The fan assembly 40a includes a fan 41a, a fan socket assembly 42a, a fan holder 43a, and a fan bracket 44a. The fan assembly 40a is also disposed on one side of the bracket 20a in an automated manner, and the fan socket assembly 42a is inserted into the flexible circuit board structure 30a through the bracket 20a. The difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment lies in the implementation of the fan assembly 40a.

[0061] The fan socket assembly 42a includes multiple wires 421a, a socket 422a, a winding plate 423a, and a pressure plate 424a. In this embodiment, one side of the winding plate 423a is connected to the fan bracket, and the other side protrudes from the outer surface of the fan base 43a.

[0062] Please refer to again Figure 8 and Figure 9 This is another embodiment of the fan assembly for automated assembly according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the fan assembly 1b includes a housing 10b, a bracket 20b, a flexible circuit board structure 30b, and a fan assembly 40b. The bracket 20b and the flexible circuit board structure 30b are assembled into the housing 10b in an automated manner. The fan assembly 40b includes a fan 41b, a fan socket assembly 42b, a fan holder 43b, and a fan bracket 44b. The fan assembly 40b is also disposed on one side of the bracket 20b in an automated manner, and the fan socket assembly 42b is inserted into the flexible circuit board structure 30b through the bracket 20b. The difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment lies in the implementation of the fan assembly 40b.

[0063] The fan socket assembly 42b includes multiple wires 421b and a socket 422b. In this embodiment, a socket groove 431b is provided on the outer surface of the fan base 43b. The socket 422b of the fan socket assembly 42b is disposed in the socket groove 431b for inserting the flexible circuit board structure 30b.

[0064] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to define the scope of the present invention. Other equivalent variations that utilize the spirit of the present invention should all fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fan assembly for automated assembly, characterized in that: include: A casing; A support base, incorporated within the housing, includes a frame and a pair of resilient arms connected to the frame, wherein the pair of resilient arms and the frame form a slot; A flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) structure includes a flexible circuit board, a connector connected to the flexible circuit board, and a retaining plate disposed on the connector. The FPCB structure is moved to a support base by a robotic arm, and the retaining plate is clamped by a pair of elastic arms, thereby positioning the connector in a slot. A fan assembly, disposed within the housing and located on one side of the bracket, includes a fan and a fan socket assembly attached to one side of the fan, the fan socket assembly being driven by the robotic arm and plugged into the connector.

2. The fan assembly for automated assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The frame includes a frame plate and a pair of feet protruding outward from the frame plate. The pair of elastic arms are located on opposite sides of the frame plate. The frame is attached to the housing by a locking fastener passing through each foot.

3. The fan assembly for automated assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible circuit board structure further includes a double-sided adhesive, which is used to attach the flexible circuit board to the housing.

4. The fan assembly for automated assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible circuit board includes a plug section with the connector, the plug section being Y-shaped.

5. The fan assembly for automated assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The fan assembly further includes a fan base and a fan bracket. The fan is housed inside the fan base, and the fan bracket is attached to one side of the fan base.

6. The fan assembly for automated assembly as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The fan assembly further includes multiple shock-absorbing rubbers, which are inserted through the fan bracket and attached to the fan base.

7. The fan assembly for automated assembly as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The fan socket assembly includes multiple wires, a socket, and a winding board. One end of the wires is connected to the fan, and the other end is connected to the socket. The winding board is attached to the outer surface of the fan base, and the wires are wound around the winding board and connected to the socket.

8. The fan assembly for automated assembly as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The fan socket assembly further includes a pressure plate, one side of which latches onto the winding plate and the other side is locked onto the fan bracket to press down the wires.

9. The fan assembly for automated assembly as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The fan socket assembly includes multiple wires, a socket, and a winding plate. One end of the wires is connected to the fan, and the other end is connected to the socket. One side of the winding plate is connected to the fan bracket, and the other side protrudes from the outer surface of the fan base. The winding plate is wound with the wires and connected to the socket.

10. The fan assembly for automated assembly as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The outer surface of the fan holder is provided with a socket groove. The fan socket assembly includes multiple wires and a socket. One end of each wire is connected to the fan and the other end is connected to the socket. The socket is located in the socket groove.

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