Fan module

Abstract

This utility model provides a fan module, including a first plate, a second plate, a side frame, a fan, and multiple reinforcing ribs. The first plate includes an outer surface, wherein an air inlet is formed on the first plate. The second plate corresponds to the first plate. The side frame connects the first plate and the second plate, wherein the first plate, the second plate, and the side frame together define an accommodating space and an air outlet. The fan is disposed in the accommodating space, wherein the fan drives an airflow, the airflow enters the accommodating space from the air inlet, and is delivered out through the air outlet. A first end of each reinforcing rib is connected to the side frame, and a second end of each reinforcing rib extends toward the air inlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fan module, and more particularly to a fan module with reinforcing ribs. Background Technology

[0002] In known technologies, when designing computer fan modules, it is common to use reinforcing structures such as reinforcing ribs to improve the overall strength of the fan module. However, these reinforcing structures often focus only on improving mechanical strength during the design process, with less consideration given to their impact on airflow dynamics. If the reinforcing structure is poorly designed, it can easily obstruct the air intake path, leading to airflow turbulence, reduced air intake efficiency, and consequently affecting the overall airflow and heat dissipation performance of the fan module. This is especially true in applications with limited internal space, such as laptops, where airflow channels are already limited, and the obstruction caused by the reinforcing structure is even more pronounced, potentially severely impacting the system's heat dissipation performance, which is particularly detrimental to high-performance or thin and light devices. Utility Model Content

[0003] The present invention provides a fan module to address the problems of known technologies, comprising a first plate, a second plate, a side frame, a fan, and multiple reinforcing ribs. The first plate includes an outer surface, with an air inlet formed thereon. A second plate corresponds to the first plate. The side frame connects the first plate and the second plate, wherein the first plate, the second plate, and the side frame together define an accommodating space and an air outlet. The fan is disposed within the accommodating space, driving an airflow that enters the accommodating space through the air inlet and exits through the air outlet. A first end of each reinforcing rib is connected to the side frame, and a second end of each reinforcing rib extends toward the air inlet.

[0004] In one embodiment, the second end of each reinforcing rib extends to the air inlet.

[0005] In one embodiment, the plurality of reinforcing ribs are integrally formed with the side frame.

[0006] In one embodiment, the fan includes a hub and a plurality of blades arranged around the hub, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of reinforcing ribs extend in a manner corresponding to a portion of the plurality of blades.

[0007] In one embodiment, each blade includes a front section and a rear section, the front section being connected to the hub and the rear section being connected to the front section. On a projection plane, the front section is exposed in the air inlet and the rear section is covered by the first plate.

[0008] In one embodiment, at least one reinforcing rib extends in the same manner as the corresponding front section of the fan blade.

[0009] In one embodiment, each front segment is connected to the hub at a first connection point, the front segment is connected to the rear segment at a second connection point, a baseline passes through the center of the hub and the first connection point, an extension line passes through the first connection point and the second connection point, the extension line forms an angle with the baseline, and the extension mode of at least one reinforcing rib is the same as the extension mode of the corresponding fan blade.

[0010] In one embodiment, each reinforcing rib includes an extension and a reinforcing section, the extension being connected to the reinforcing section and the reinforcing section being connected to the side frame, the thickness of the reinforcing section being greater than the thickness of the extension.

[0011] In one embodiment, the extension is located between the annular intervals defined by the plurality of tail segments.

[0012] In one embodiment, the plurality of reinforcing ribs are arc-shaped and bend in a bending direction that is in the same direction as the rotation direction of the fan.

[0013] The applicant noted that in known fan modules, the initial airflow into the inlet is typically drawn in from all sides. However, this direction of introduction does not conform to the rotational tangent of the fan blades, making turbulence more likely and causing high-frequency noise. If the gas undergoes preliminary guidance before being drawn into the flow channel, the fluid pressure becomes more continuous, preventing instantaneous high-intensity turbulence and thus avoiding high-frequency noise. Therefore, in the fan module of this embodiment, a guiding design is incorporated into the reinforcing ribs to allow preliminary airflow before being drawn into the flow channel, preventing high-frequency noise. Furthermore, the increased coverage area of ​​the reinforcing ribs on the first plate in this embodiment effectively strengthens the structure. In applications with limited internal space, such as laptops, the reinforcing ribs do not obstruct the airflow channel but instead improve the system's heat dissipation performance. In one embodiment, the airflow rate of the fan module can be increased by up to 6%. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the fan module of an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0016] Figure 2 This is an exploded view showing the fan module of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a top view showing the fan module of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 This shows the detailed structure of the fan module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure label:

[0020] F: Fan module

[0021] 1: First plate body

[0022] 11: Outer surface

[0023] 2: Second plate body

[0024] 3: Side frame

[0025] 4: Fan

[0026] 41: Wheel hub

[0027] 42: Fan blade

[0028] 421: Front Section

[0029] 422: Tail section

[0030] 423: First connection point

[0031] 424: Second connection point

[0032] 5: Reinforcing ribs

[0033] 51: First end

[0034] 52: Second end

[0035] 53: Enhanced segment

[0036] 54: Extension Section

[0037] I: Air Inlet

[0038] S: Storage space

[0039] O: Air vent

[0040] A: Airflow

[0041] α: Bending direction

[0042] L1: Baseline

[0043] L2: Extension line

[0044] θ: included angle Detailed Implementation

[0045] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the fan module of an embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 2This is an exploded view showing the fan module of an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the fan module F of this embodiment includes a first plate 1, a second plate 2, a side frame 3, a fan 4, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 5. The first plate 1 includes an outer surface 11, wherein an air inlet I is formed on the first plate 1. The second plate 2 corresponds to the first plate 1. The side frame 3 connects the first plate 1 and the second plate 2, wherein the first plate 1, the second plate 2, and the side frame 3 together define an accommodating space S and an air outlet O. The fan 4 is disposed in the accommodating space S, wherein the fan 4 drives an airflow A, which enters the accommodating space S from the air inlet I and is discharged through the air outlet O. A first end 51 of each reinforcing rib 5 is connected to the side frame 3, and a second end 52 of each reinforcing rib 5 extends toward the air inlet I.

[0046] In one embodiment, the first end 51 of each reinforcing rib 5 can be directly or indirectly connected to the side frame 3. In this way, when the reinforcing rib 5 is subjected to external pressure, the external pressure will be transmitted to the side frame 3 to prevent the first plate 1 from being excessively deformed.

[0047] Figure 3 This is a top view showing the fan module according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 3 In one embodiment, the second end 52 of each reinforcing rib 5 extends to the air inlet I. In this embodiment, the extension of the second end 52 to the air inlet I can simultaneously provide a more complete structural reinforcement effect and a better airflow guiding effect.

[0048] Reference Figure 1 In one embodiment, the plurality of reinforcing ribs 5 are integrally formed with the side frame 3. In this embodiment, the first plate 1 is integrally formed with the side frame 3. The above disclosure does not limit the present invention. For example, in another embodiment, the first plate 1 and the side frame 3 can be separate components. The materials of the first plate 1, the second plate 2, the side frame 3, and the plurality of reinforcing ribs 5 can be metal, plastic, or other materials.

[0049] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, in one embodiment, the fan 4 includes a hub 41 and a plurality of fan blades 42 arranged around the hub 41, and at least some of the plurality of reinforcing ribs 5 extend in a manner corresponding to the extension of some of the plurality of fan blades 42.

[0050] Reference Figure 3In one embodiment, each blade 42 includes a front section 421 and a rear section 422. The front section 421 is connected to the hub 41, and the rear section 422 is connected to the front section 421. On a projection plane, the front section 421 is exposed in the air inlet I, and the rear section 422 is covered by the first plate 1.

[0051] Referring to Figures 1 and 3, in one embodiment, each reinforcing rib 5 includes an extension 54 and a reinforcing section 53. The extension 54 connects to the reinforcing section 53, and the reinforcing section 53 connects to the side frame 3. The thickness of the reinforcing section 53 is greater than the thickness of the extension 54. In one embodiment, the thickness of the extension 54 gradually decreases towards the air inlet I.

[0052] Reference Figure 3 In one embodiment, on the projection plane, the extension 54 is located between the annular intervals defined by the plurality of tail segments 422.

[0053] Reference Figure 3 In one embodiment, the plurality of reinforcing ribs 5 are arc-shaped and bend in a bending direction α, which is in the same direction as the rotation direction α of the fan. The above disclosure does not limit the present invention; in one embodiment, the plurality of reinforcing ribs 5 may also be straight, or partially straight.

[0054] Reference Figure 3 In one embodiment, at least one reinforcing rib 5 extends in the same manner as the corresponding front section 421 of the fan blade 42. This provides a good drainage effect.

[0055] Figure 4 This shows a detailed structure of the fan module according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 4 In one embodiment, each front segment 421 is connected to the hub 41 at a first connection point 423, and the front segment 421 is connected to the rear segment 422 at a second connection point 424. A baseline L1 passes through the center of the hub 41 (not shown) and the first connection point 423, and an extension line L2 passes through the first connection point 423 and the second connection point 424, forming an angle θ between the extension line L2 and the baseline L1. The angle θ is greater than zero degrees. In one embodiment, the extension pattern of at least one reinforcing rib 5 is the same as the extension pattern (e.g., tilt angle) of the corresponding fan blade's extension line L2. This provides a good airflow management effect.

[0056] The applicant noted that in known fan modules, the initial airflow into the inlet is typically drawn in from all sides. However, this direction of introduction does not conform to the rotational tangent of the fan blades, making turbulence more likely and causing high-frequency noise. If the gas undergoes preliminary guidance before being drawn into the flow channel, the fluid pressure becomes more continuous, preventing instantaneous high-intensity turbulence and thus avoiding high-frequency noise. Therefore, in the fan module of this embodiment, a guiding design is incorporated into the reinforcing ribs to allow preliminary airflow before being drawn into the flow channel, preventing high-frequency noise. Furthermore, the increased coverage area of ​​the reinforcing ribs on the first plate in this embodiment effectively strengthens the structure. In applications with limited internal space, such as laptops, the reinforcing ribs do not obstruct the airflow channel but instead improve the system's heat dissipation performance. In one embodiment, the airflow rate of the fan module can be increased by up to 6%.

[0057] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A fan module, characterized by include: A first plate includes an outer surface, wherein an air inlet is formed on the first plate; The second plate corresponds to the first plate. A side frame connects the first plate and the second plate, wherein the first plate, the second plate, and the side frame together define an accommodating space and an air outlet; A fan is disposed within the accommodating space, wherein the fan drives an airflow that enters the accommodating space through the air inlet and exits through the air outlet; and Multiple reinforcing ribs, each with a first end connected to the side frame and a second end extending toward the air inlet.

2. The fan module of claim 1, wherein, The second end of each reinforcing rib extends to the air inlet.

3. The fan module of claim 1, wherein, The multiple reinforcing ribs are integrally formed with the side frame.

4. The fan module of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The fan includes a hub and a plurality of blades arranged around the hub, with at least a portion of the plurality of reinforcing ribs extending in a manner corresponding to a portion of the plurality of blades.

5. The fan module as described in claim 4, characterized in that, Each blade includes a front section and a rear section. The front section is connected to the hub, and the rear section is connected to the front section. On a projection plane, the front section is exposed in the air inlet, and the rear section is covered by the first plate.

6. The fan module as described in claim 5, characterized in that, At least one reinforcing rib extends in the same manner as the corresponding front section of the fan blade.

7. The fan module as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Each front section is connected to the hub at a first connection point, and the front section is connected to the rear section at a second connection point. A baseline passes through the center of the hub and the first connection point, and an extension line passes through the first connection point and the second connection point. The extension line forms an angle with the baseline, and the extension of at least one reinforcing rib is in the same manner as the extension line of the corresponding fan blade.

8. The fan module as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Each reinforcing rib includes an extension and a reinforcing section, the extension being connected to the reinforcing section and the reinforcing section being connected to the side frame, the thickness of the reinforcing section being greater than the thickness of the extension.

9. The fan module as described in claim 8, characterized in that, On a projection plane, the extension lies between the annular intervals defined by the plurality of tail segments.

10. The fan module as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The multiple reinforcing ribs are arc-shaped and bend in a direction that is the same as the rotation direction of the fan.

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