A fan module and a heat sink

Abstract

The application relates to the field of radiators, in particular to a fan module for being installed on the upper part of a heat dissipation channel of a radiator; the heat dissipation channel comprises two first side walls on opposite sides in a first direction, the first side walls are provided with first step surfaces and second step surfaces located on the lower sides of the first step surfaces; the fan module comprises at least two fans arranged in sequence in a second direction, connecting members are arranged between the two adjacent fans, and the two adjacent fans are detachably connected together through the connecting members; the connecting member comprises two protruding parts and two clamping feet, the two protruding parts are oppositely arranged along the first direction and are used for being respectively hung on the two first step surfaces; and the two clamping feet are oppositely arranged along the second direction and are used for being respectively clamped on the two second step surfaces; the application does not need to additionally arrange a grille on the connecting member; thus, the material use of the connecting member can be reduced, so that the production cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of heat sinks, and more particularly to a fan module and a heat sink. Background Technology

[0002] A radiator, also known as a heating element or heater, mainly consists of two opposing water channel plates with a heat dissipation channel formed between them. Heat dissipation fins are installed within the heat dissipation channel. Water channels are provided within the water channel plates. When a heat medium (such as hot water) flows through the water channels of the water channel plates, the heat it carries is dissipated through the water channel plates and heat dissipation fins, and then through the heat dissipation channel to achieve heating.

[0003] In related technologies, some heat sinks typically have a fan module installed at the bottom to further improve heat dissipation. The fan module blows air into the heat dissipation channel to improve the efficiency of heat dissipation within the channel.

[0004] For fan modules used in heat sinks, the relevant technologies generally involve connecting multiple fans together in sequence using connectors to form a fan module, and then installing the entire fan module onto the bottom of the heat sink. To prevent foreign objects from being drawn into the fans, grilles (essentially fan guards) are usually installed on the connectors at the fan vent positions to block foreign objects from being drawn into the fans. However, the addition of grilles increases the amount of material used in the connectors, thereby increasing production costs, and therefore requires further improvement. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to solve at least one of the technical problems mentioned in the background art, the purpose of this application is to provide a fan module and a heat sink.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution.

[0007] On one hand, this application provides a fan module for installation on the upper part of a heat dissipation channel of a radiator; the heat dissipation channel includes two first sidewalls on opposite sides in a first direction, the first sidewalls having a first stepped surface and a second stepped surface located below the first stepped surface; the fan module includes at least two fans arranged sequentially along a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, and the air outlets of the fans are open; a connecting member is provided between adjacent fans, and adjacent fans are detachably connected together by the connecting member; the connecting member includes two protrusions and two locking feet, the two protrusions being arranged opposite each other in the first direction for respectively mounting on the two first stepped surfaces to restrict the fan module from moving downward within the heat dissipation channel; the two locking feet being arranged opposite each other in the second direction for respectively locking onto the two second stepped surfaces to restrict the fan module from moving upward within the heat dissipation channel.

[0008] As an optional implementation of this application, the two clips are elastic. When the fan module is installed in the heat sink, the clips, under their own elasticity, extend and press against the two second step surfaces in the first direction.

[0009] As an optional embodiment of this application, the locking foot protrudes outward at least partially to form a locking portion, and the locking foot locks against the second step surface through the locking portion.

[0010] As an optional embodiment of this application, the connecting member includes a main body, and the protrusion and the locking foot are respectively provided on the upper and lower sides of the main body; two adjacent fans are respectively connected to the two sides of the main body.

[0011] As an optional embodiment of this application, the fan includes a housing, and the main body is provided with a positioning groove for the upper end of the housing to be inserted to position the housing.

[0012] As an optional embodiment of this application, at least one of the two fans located at both ends is also provided with the connecting member on its outer side.

[0013] On the other hand, this application also provides a heat sink, including a heat dissipation channel and a fan module. The upper port of the heat dissipation channel is covered with a grille plate. The fan module adopts the above-mentioned fan module. The fan module is located in the upper inner part of the heat dissipation channel and is located below the grille plate and is covered by the grille plate.

[0014] As an optional embodiment of this application, the radiator includes two water channel plates arranged opposite each other along a first direction, with the two water channel plates forming the heat dissipation channel, and the inner sidewalls of the two water channel plates forming a first sidewall; the first step surface and the second step surface are formed on the inner sidewalls of the water channel plates.

[0015] As an optional embodiment of this application, the two first step surfaces located on opposite sides in the first direction are configured such that the distance between the two first step surfaces in the first direction gradually narrows from top to bottom; and / or the two second step surfaces located on opposite sides in the first direction are configured such that the distance between the two second step surfaces in the first direction gradually widens from top to bottom.

[0016] As an optional embodiment of this application, the water channel plate is further provided with two third step surfaces spaced apart in the second direction at the corresponding position of the locking foot. In the assembled state, the locking foot is located between the two third step surfaces, so that the locking foot is limited between the two third step surfaces in the second direction.

[0017] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this solution are:

[0018] The fan module provided in this application is installed on the upper part of the heat dissipation channel of the radiator, so there is no need to set additional grilles / mesh plates or other components on the connecting components to cover the fan outlet. This is because the heat dissipation channel port of the radiator is generally equipped with a grille plate, so the grille plate 2 that comes with the radiator can play the role of blocking foreign objects, so there is no need to set additional grilles on the connecting components. This reduces the material used in the connecting components, thereby reducing production costs.

[0019] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this application, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this application. Other features of this application will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of exemplary embodiments of this application will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Several embodiments of this application are illustrated in the drawings by way of example and not limitation, in which:

[0021] In the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the heat sink provided in this application is shown;

[0023] Figure 2 This invention provides a schematic diagram of the radiator with the grille removed.

[0024] Figure 3 An exploded view of the radiator provided in this application is shown;

[0025] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the inner partial structure of one of the water channel plates of the radiator provided in this application is shown;

[0026] Figure 5 This paper shows a schematic diagram of the fan module provided in the present application in its assembled state;

[0027] Figure 6 This paper shows a structural schematic diagram of the fan module of this application in its disassembled state with the connecting components separated.

[0028] Figure 7 This paper shows a structural schematic diagram of the fan module in the present application with the fan and connecting components connected in the same state.

[0029] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Exploded view;

[0030] Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the heat sink provided in this application is shown.

[0031] Explanation of the labels in the diagram:

[0032] L1, first direction; L2, second direction;

[0033] 1. Water channel plate; 10. Heat dissipation channel; 11. First step surface; 12. Second step surface; 13. Third step surface; 14. Protrusion; 15. Main water channel;

[0034] 2. Grating;

[0035] 3. Fan module; 31. Fan; 311. Housing; 3111. Second connecting hole; 32. Connecting component; 321. Main body; 3211. Positioning groove; 322. Protrusion; 323. Clamping foot; 3231. Clamping part; 324. First connecting hole. Detailed Implementation

[0036] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0037] This embodiment provides a fan module, mainly used in heat sinks. To better understand this module, this embodiment first provides a brief description of the main structure of the heat sink.

[0038] Radiators, also known as heating elements, are primarily used as heating devices. In some radiators, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the radiator mainly includes two oppositely arranged water channel plates 1, with water channels for the flow of heating medium (such as hot water or steam) inside the water channel plates 1; the two water channel plates 1 are spaced apart and enclosed to form a heat dissipation channel 10, with heat dissipation fins inside the heat dissipation channel 10. Generally, the heat dissipation fins are fixed on the inner sidewall of the water channel plate 1, which can be understood as the sidewall of the two water channel plates 1 on opposite sides; when installing the radiator, the radiator is generally placed vertically, that is, the heat dissipation channel 10 extends vertically.

[0039] To prevent foreign objects from entering the heat dissipation channel 10 from the top, a grille plate 2 is usually installed on the top of the heat dissipation channel 10 to cover the upper port of the heat dissipation channel 10.

[0040] like Figure 2As shown, the fan module 3 provided in this embodiment is mainly used to be installed on the upper part of the heat dissipation channel 10. The upper part can also be understood as the area between the upper end of the heat dissipation fins and the grille in the heat dissipation channel 10.

[0041] For ease of understanding, in this embodiment, as... Figure 3 As shown, the relative direction between the two waterway plates 1 is denoted as the first direction, i.e. Figure 3 As shown in L1, the first direction can also be understood as the width direction of the heat dissipation channel 10. Correspondingly, the direction perpendicular to the first direction is denoted as the second direction, which can also be understood as the length direction of the heat dissipation channel 10. Figure 3 The direction shown in L2.

[0042] Thus, the heat dissipation channel 10 includes two first sidewalls located on opposite sides in a first direction. These first sidewalls can also be understood as the inner sidewalls of the two water channel plates 1 located on opposite sides.

[0043] Combination Figure 4 As shown, the first sidewall is provided with a first stepped surface 11 and a second stepped surface 12 located below the first stepped surface 11. Here, the first stepped surface 11 and the second stepped surface 12 can be features of the water channel plate 1 itself. Generally, in a radiator, such as... Figure 4 and Figure 9 As shown, the upper part of the waterway plate 1 will protrude to both sides to form protrusions 14, so as to form a main waterway 15 extending in the second direction between the two protrusions 14.

[0044] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the first step surface 11 and the second step surface 12 can be formed by the protrusion 14 on the inner side of the water channel plate 1, that is, the upper end wall of the protrusion 14 constitutes the first step surface 11, and the lower end surface of the protrusion 14 constitutes the second step surface 12.

[0045] The fan module 3 provided in this embodiment is mainly mounted on two stepped surfaces, so there is no need to design additional features in the heat sink for the installation of the fan module 3.

[0046] Combination Figure 3 As shown, the fan module 3 provided in this embodiment includes at least two fans 31 arranged sequentially along the second direction. For example, this embodiment shows a case where four fans 31 are used. Adjacent fans 31 are connected by a connecting member 32, that is, adjacent fans 31 are respectively connected to the two sides of the connecting member 32 in the second direction.

[0047] like Figure 6As shown, the fan 31 mainly includes a housing 311, fan blades installed inside the housing 311, and a motor that drives the fan blades to rotate. In some embodiments, the housing 311 is basically rectangular in shape. Vertically, one end of the housing 311 serves as the air inlet side and the other end serves as the air outlet side. When this module is installed on the upper part of the heat sink, the air outlet side of the housing 311 is above the air inlet side, so that the airflow in the heat dissipation channel 10 is blown out from the air inlet side to the air outlet side from bottom to top.

[0048] In related technologies, the air inlet and air outlet sides of the housing 311 of the fan 31 used in the heat sink are both open, that is, both ends of the fan 31 are exposed. Therefore, in the existing fan module 3 installed at the bottom of the heat sink, the connecting parts that assemble and connect each fan 31 are usually provided with grilles or mesh plates to cover the air inlet of the fan 31 and prevent foreign objects from entering the fan 31.

[0049] In this embodiment, as Figure 2 As shown, by installing the fan module 3 on the upper part of the heat dissipation channel 10, there is no need to set additional mesh plates or other components to cover the air outlet of the fan 31 on the connecting member 32. This is because the heat dissipation channel 10 port of the radiator is generally equipped with a grille plate 2, so the grille plate 2 of the radiator can play the role of blocking foreign objects. Therefore, there is no need to set a grille on the connecting member. This reduces the material used in the connecting member and thus reduces the production cost.

[0050] The fan 31 is preferably detachably connected to the connecting member 32, so that the number of fans 31 in the fan module 3 can be increased according to actual needs.

[0051] Among them, such as Figure 6 As shown, the connecting member 32 includes two protrusions 322 and two locking feet 323:

[0052] Two protrusions 322 are arranged opposite each other along the first direction for mounting on the two first step surfaces 11 respectively. That is, the two protrusions 322 are respectively mounted on the two first step surfaces 11 of the two water channel plates 1. In this way, the two protrusions 322 are supported by the two first step surfaces 11. With the cooperation of the first step surfaces 11 and the protrusions 322, the fan module 3 can be restricted from moving downward in the heat dissipation channel 10, thus supporting the entire fan module 3 and preventing the fan module 3 from falling out of the heat dissipation channel 10.

[0053] In addition, the two locking feet 323 are also arranged opposite each other along the second direction. The two second locking feet 323 respectively abut against the two second step surfaces 12. In this way, with the cooperation of the second locking feet 323 and the second step surface 12, the second step surface 12 can restrict the second locking feet 323 from moving upward, thereby restricting the entire fan module 3 from moving upward in the heat dissipation channel.

[0054] Thus, as Figure 9 As shown, the fan module 3 is vertically confined between the first step surface 11 and the second step surface 12. That is, the cooperation between the first step surface 11 and the protrusion 322 restricts the fan module 3 from falling downwards, and the cooperation between the second step surface 12 and the locking foot 323 restricts the fan module 3 from moving upwards.

[0055] In some embodiments, to reduce the wobbling of the fan module 3, the retaining pins 323 are designed with a certain degree of elasticity. When the fan module 3 is installed in the heatsink, such as... Figure 9 As shown, under its own elasticity, the clip 323 extends and presses against the two second step surfaces 12 in the first direction. After the fan module 3 is installed in the heat dissipation channel 10 of the heat sink, the two clips 323 tend to move away from each other in the first direction under their own elasticity, so that the clips 323 press against the two second step surfaces 12. With the clips 323 pressing against the heat sink, the shaking of the fan module 3 in the heat sink can be reduced.

[0056] In order to enable the locking foot 323 to engage with the second step surface 12, in some embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, the locking foot 323 protrudes outward at least partially to form a locking part 3231, and the locking foot 323 engages with the second step surface 12 through the locking part 3231, wherein the locking part 3231 is generally an outwardly convex arc-shaped structure.

[0057] In addition, such as Figure 6 As shown, in order to connect the fan 31 and the connecting member 32, the connecting member 32 located between two adjacent fans 31 also includes a main body 321. In some embodiments, the main body 321 is generally plate-shaped, and the middle of the main body 321 is hollowed out to reduce the use of material in the main body 321; the protrusion 322 and the locking foot 323 are respectively provided on the upper and lower sides of the main body 321.

[0058] In this embodiment, each fan 31 is assembled by means of connecting member 32, so the number of fans 31 in the fan module 3 can be increased or decreased according to actual needs.

[0059] Two adjacent fans 31 are respectively connected to both sides of the main body 321. The connection between the fan 31 and the main body 321 can be a bolt and nut assembly (not shown in the figure), for example, Figure 6As shown, first connecting holes 324 are provided on both sides of the main body. For example, in this embodiment, two first connecting holes 324 are provided on each side of the main body. Correspondingly, a second connecting hole 3111 is provided at the upper end of the housing 311 (i.e., the air outlet side of the fan 31) at the position corresponding to the first connecting holes 324 for mating with the first connecting holes 324. After the first connecting holes 324 and the second connecting holes 3111 are aligned, they are locked together by a bolt assembly. That is, the bolt passes through the first connecting holes 324 and the second connecting holes 3111 and is threadedly connected to the nut, and the connection between the main body 321 and the fan 31 is achieved by the bolt and the nut.

[0060] To facilitate the alignment of the main body 321 and the fan 31 during connection, i.e., aligning the first connecting hole 324 and the second connecting hole 3111, in some embodiments, such as Figure 8 As shown, the main body 321 is provided with a positioning groove 3211 for the upper end of the housing 311 to be inserted into for positioning the housing 311. For example, the positioning groove 3211 is mainly used to position the corner of the housing. Specifically, in some embodiments, the corner of the housing is basically a right angle; the corresponding positioning groove 3211 has a groove corner for the support leg to be engaged with the corner. When the corner of the housing 311 is just inserted into the groove corner of the positioning groove 3211, such as Figure 7 As shown, the first connecting hole 324 and the second connecting hole 3111 are axially aligned to achieve positioning.

[0061] To improve the stability of the fan module 3 installed in the heat sink, in some embodiments, in addition to the connecting member 32 between two adjacent fans 31, a connecting member 32 (hereinafter referred to as the end-side connecting member 32) is also provided on the outer side of the two fans 31 at both ends of the fan module 3. Figure 6 As shown in the diagram, a1 represents the end-side connecting member, and a2 represents the connecting member between two adjacent fans.

[0062] The connecting member 32 installed on the outer side of the end fan 31 is basically the same in structure as the connecting member 32 installed between two adjacent fans 31, with the slight difference being that... Figure 6 As shown, the connecting member 32 (i.e., the connecting member 32 shown in a1) installed on the outer side of the end fan 31 only needs to be connected to one fan 31. Therefore, the main body 321 of the end connecting member 32 can be only half of the connecting member 32 between two adjacent fans 31, thus reducing the use of materials.

[0063] Of course, in some other alternative embodiments, the end-side connecting member 32 may also adopt the same structure as the connecting member 32 between two adjacent fans 31.

[0064] Example 2

[0065] Reference Figures 1-9 As shown, this embodiment further provides a heat sink based on embodiment 1, including a heat dissipation channel 10 and a fan module 3 provided in embodiment 1.

[0066] like Figure 3 As shown, the radiator includes two water channel plates 1 arranged opposite each other along a first direction, and the two water channel plates 1 together form the heat dissipation channel 10. The specific structure of this radiator is described in more detail in Embodiment 1, so it will not be described in detail here. Please refer to the description of Embodiment 1.

[0067] The upper port of the heat dissipation channel 10 is covered with a grille plate 2. The fan module 3 is located in the upper part of the heat dissipation channel 10 and is located on the lower side of the grille plate 2 and is blocked by the grille plate 2. Thus, the fan 31 and the heat dissipation channel 10 share a grille plate 2.

[0068] like Figure 4 As shown, the upper part of the water channel plate 1 protrudes to both sides to form protrusions 14, thereby forming a main water channel 15 extending in the second direction between the two protrusions 14; the upper end wall of the protrusion 14 forms a first stepped surface 11, and the lower end surface of the protrusion 14 forms a second stepped surface 12.

[0069] Among them, such as Figure 9 As shown, the two first step surfaces 11 located on opposite sides in the first direction are configured such that the distance between the two first step surfaces 11 in the first direction gradually narrows from top to bottom. For example, the first step surfaces 11 are inclined surfaces and / or arc-shaped surfaces that gradually slope inward from top to bottom.

[0070] The second step surfaces 12 located on opposite sides in the first direction are configured such that the distance between the two second step surfaces 12 in the first direction gradually widens from top to bottom. For example, the second step surfaces 12 are inclined surfaces and / or curved surfaces that gradually slope outward from top to bottom.

[0071] Furthermore, to further ensure the stability of the fan module 3 when mounted on the heatsink, in some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the water channel plate 1 is also provided with two third step surfaces 13 spaced apart in the second direction at the position corresponding to the locking foot 323. In the assembled state, the locking foot 323 is located between the two third step surfaces 13, so that the locking foot 323 is limited between the two third step surfaces 13 in the second direction, thereby preventing the locking foot 323 from moving significantly upward in the second direction.

[0072] The specific structure of the third step surface 13 is as follows: a vertically extending recessed area (referred to as groove) is provided on the water channel plate 1, the upper end surface of the groove forms the second step surface 12, and the side surfaces on both sides of the groove form the third step surface 13.

[0073] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used to rearrange, add, or delete steps. For example, the steps described in this application can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution disclosed in this application can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.

[0074] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0075] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A fan module, characterized in that, The fan module is used to install on the upper part of the heat dissipation channel of the radiator; the heat dissipation channel includes two first sidewalls on opposite sides in a first direction, the first sidewalls having a first stepped surface and a second stepped surface located below the first stepped surface; the fan module includes at least two fans arranged sequentially along a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, and a connecting member is provided between adjacent fans, the adjacent fans being detachably connected together by the connecting member; the connecting member includes two protrusions and two locking feet, the two protrusions being arranged opposite each other in the first direction for respectively mounting on the two first stepped surfaces to restrict the fan module from moving downward in the heat dissipation channel; the two locking feet being arranged opposite each other in the second direction for respectively locking onto the two second stepped surfaces to restrict the fan module from moving upward in the heat dissipation channel.

2. A fan module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two locking feet are elastic. When the fan module is installed in the heat sink, the locking feet, under their own elasticity, extend and press against the two second step surfaces in the first direction.

3. A fan module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The locking foot protrudes outward at least partially to form a locking portion, and the locking foot locks against the second step surface through the locking portion.

4. A fan module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting component includes a main body, with the protrusion and the locking foot respectively located on the upper and lower sides of the main body; two adjacent fans are respectively connected to the two sides of the main body.

5. A fan module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The fan includes a housing, and the main body is provided with a positioning groove for the upper end of the housing to be inserted for positioning the housing.

6. A fan module according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The connecting member is also provided on the outer side of at least one of the two fans located at both ends.

7. A heat sink, comprising a heat dissipation channel and a fan module, wherein the upper port of the heat dissipation channel is covered with a grille plate, characterized in that, The fan module is the fan module as described in any one of claims 1-6, wherein the fan module is located in the upper inner part of the heat dissipation channel and is located on the lower side of the grille and is covered by the grille.

8. The radiator according to claim 7, characterized in that, The radiator includes two water channel plates arranged opposite each other along a first direction, with the two water channel plates forming the heat dissipation channel, and the inner sidewalls of the two water channel plates forming a first sidewall; the first step surface and the second step surface are formed on the inner sidewalls of the water channel plates.

9. The radiator according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, Two first step surfaces on opposite sides in a first direction are configured such that the distance between the two first step surfaces in the first direction gradually narrows from top to bottom; and / or two second step surfaces on opposite sides in the first direction are configured such that the distance between the two second step surfaces in the first direction gradually widens from top to bottom.

10. The radiator according to claim 8, characterized in that, The waterway plate is also provided with two third step surfaces spaced apart in the second direction at the corresponding foot position. In the assembled state, the foot is located between the two third step surfaces, so that the foot is limited between the two third step surfaces in the second direction.

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