A fan assembly for a heat sink

Abstract

This invention provides a fan assembly for a radiator, comprising: a fan, the rotating part of which is driven by a motor to rotate, thereby causing airflow around the radiator; a fan bracket, which is arranged parallel to the radiator for accommodating, mounting, and positioning the fan such that the fan faces the radiator and is arranged parallel to the radiator; and a limiting device, which is fixedly mounted to the fan bracket on the side of the fan bracket facing the radiator, such that the inner edge of the limiting device is axially spaced from and radially overlaps with the outer periphery of the rotating part of the fan, for limiting the displacement of the rotating part toward the radiator along the outer periphery of the rotating part. The fan assembly provided by this invention can prevent scratching between the rotating part and the radiator by limiting the displacement of the rotating part through the limiting device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a device for heat dissipation, and more specifically, to a fan assembly for a heat sink. Background Technology

[0002] Many devices generate heat during operation, such as vehicle engines, computer CPUs, and projector light sources. If this heat is not dissipated in a timely manner, it can affect the performance of the equipment, shorten its lifespan, and in severe cases, even cause malfunctions. Therefore, these devices are usually equipped with heat dissipation devices.

[0003] As an example, a car engine's cooling system typically includes a radiator and a fan. The radiator cools the engine by circulating coolant, while the fan cools the engine under certain conditions or assists the radiator by accelerating airflow.

[0004] However, in some cases, the internal space of the equipment is limited. Limited space leads to a smaller distance between the fan and the radiator, especially the axial distance between them, which can become very narrow. When the vehicle turns, the fan may deflect, and if the fan is too close to the ground, the edge of the rotating fan may scrape against the surface of the radiator, damaging or even destroying it.

[0005] The inventor of this utility model has proposed the technical solution for this utility model. Utility Model Content

[0006] The technical problem this invention aims to solve is to protect the radiator from being scratched by the fan.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a fan assembly for a radiator, comprising: a fan, the rotating part of which is driven to rotate by a motor to cause airflow around the radiator; a fan bracket, which is arranged parallel to the radiator for accommodating, installing and positioning the fan such that the fan faces the radiator and is arranged parallel to the radiator; and a limiting device, which is fixedly installed on the side of the fan bracket facing the radiator, such that the inner edge of the limiting device is axially spaced from and radially overlaps with the outer periphery of the rotating part of the fan, for limiting the displacement of the rotating part toward the radiator along the outer periphery of the rotating part.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the limiting device is a rigid ring concentrically mounted with the rotating component.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner diameter of the rigid ring is smaller than the outer diameter of the rotating component of the fan.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rigid ring is provided with holes.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of protrusions are provided on the side of the rigid ring facing the heat sink, and the plurality of protrusions extend axially to abut against the heat sink.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rotating component includes a plurality of blades and a fan blade belt fixed to the outer periphery of the plurality of blades. The limiting device is a plurality of rigid baffles, which are installed on the fan bracket radially inward from the fan bracket, such that the inner edges of the plurality of rigid baffles cover at least a portion of the fan blade belt.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a boss that restricts the installation direction of the fan is formed on the inner periphery of the fan receiving cavity of the fan bracket, so that the fan blades of the assembled fan are restricted between the boss and the limiting device.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of rigid baffles are evenly distributed along the outer periphery of the fan blade belt.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the limiting device is fixed to the fan bracket by a snap-fit ​​structure.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the limiting device is made of polycarbonate, ABS plastic or polyoxymethylene.

[0017] This invention limits the displacement of the fan's rotating parts by setting a limiting device on the fan bracket, thereby preventing the fan's rotating parts from scratching the heat sink. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To enable those skilled in the art to more fully understand this utility model, the specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic front view of one embodiment of the fan assembly for a radiator according to the present invention; and

[0020] Figure 2 For along Figure 1 A schematic partial cross-sectional view of the BB section of the fan assembly shown. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the present invention clearer, a specific embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0022] It should be noted that the directional terms used in this article, such as "up" and "down", "front" and "back", "left" and "right", are only for the purpose of describing the structure of the product with reference to the accompanying drawings. The directions indicated are only the approximate directions shown in the accompanying drawings and do not represent the actual direction of use of the product.

[0023] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the fan assembly of this utility model can be installed on the heat sink 10, and the fan assembly includes a fan 20, a fan bracket 30, and a limiting device 40.

[0024] The radiator 10 has internal coolant channels through which coolant flows to absorb and release heat, ensuring stable operation of high-heat equipment (such as engines). The radiator is made of a material with high thermal conductivity. The radiator is typically a flat, rectangular structure. The fan 20 is also typically flat, configured parallel to the radiator, and directs airflow towards the radiator. "Parallel configuration" should be understood herein as the flat surfaces of the radiator and fan being parallel to each other; in other words, the fan's axis of rotation is perpendicular to the flat surface (large surface area) of the radiator, allowing the fan to provide airflow to the large heat dissipation surface of the radiator. The fan is typically an axial-flow fan that directs airflow towards the radiator.

[0025] The fan 20 has a power source, such as an electric motor, which drives a rotating component to rotate. The rotation of the rotating component causes airflow around it, quickly removing heat dissipated by the radiator. The rotating component typically consists of multiple blades arranged around a rotation axis. Optionally, the rotating component may include multiple blades and a fan blade belt fixed around and rotating with the blades. This invention does not limit the specific construction of the fan's rotating component.

[0026] The fan bracket 30 is used to receive, mount, and position the fan 20. The fan 20 is typically mounted to the fan bracket 30 from one side. A boss 31 on the fan bracket restricts the mounting direction of the fan to the fan bracket. The boss is formed in the fan receiving cavity of the fan bracket 30, surrounding the outer periphery of the rotating parts of the fan. This boss may, for example, be a step extending from the fan bracket 30, formed radially inward and axially toward the heat sink from the interior of the fan bracket 30. Figure 2As shown. After installation, the fan blades are confined between the boss 31 and the limiting device 40. The boss 31 also serves as a reminder to prevent operator errors during installation. The fan bracket 30 provides stable support for the fan 20, ensuring that the rotating parts of the fan 20 maintain a fixed position during rotation. The fan 20 maintains an ideal distance and parallelism with the heatsink 10 through the fan bracket 30. The fan bracket 30 can withstand the vibrations and torques generated during fan operation and has sufficient strength and stability.

[0027] It is understood that the axial spacing between the radiator 10 and the fan 20 should be set to ensure smooth airflow without affecting the heat dissipation effect. "Axial spacing" should be understood herein as the distance between the fan and the radiator along the fan's axis of rotation. It should also be noted that the terms "radial" and "axial" are defined based on the axis of rotation of the fan's rotating components. "Radial" refers to the direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and "axial" refers to the direction parallel to the axis of rotation. This definition applies throughout this application. Furthermore, the spacing between the fan 20 and the radiator 10 should also ensure that, under conditions of vehicle turning or significant vibration, a displaced fan will not affect the radiator. However, the space occupied by the radiator is often limited, which can result in a very small axial spacing between the fan assembly and the radiator. In such cases, fan displacement becomes very sensitive; if the fan's rotating components scrape against the radiator, it may lead to radiator wear or even leakage.

[0028] To address this issue, the inventors of this utility model have proposed a fan assembly for a heat sink. This fan assembly is configured parallel to the heat sink, and a limiting device 40 is added to the side of the fan assembly facing the heat sink. This limiting device 40 is fixed to the fan bracket 30 and axially separated from the rotating parts of the fan (e.g., ...). Figure 2 As shown, the limiting device 40 (spaced vertically) and radially overlaps with the outer periphery of the fan's rotating component to restrict any circumferential displacement of the fan within the limiting device 40, thereby preventing excessive fan offset due to factors such as vehicle turning. This protects the radiator from physical damage and maintains its effective operation. In other words, the inner edge of the limiting device 40 covers the outer periphery of the rotating component. "Inner" should be understood herein as the side closest to the fan's axis of rotation. "Radially overlaps" should be understood herein as the limiting device and the rotating component having equal radii, or the inner edge of the limiting device covering the outer periphery of the fan when viewed from the radiator side. Figure 2 As shown in the partial cross-sectional view, the inner edge of the limiting device 40 covers the outer periphery of the fan 20 when viewed axially from above the radiator. This fan assembly of the present invention provides a reliable heat dissipation solution for space-constrained radiators.

[0029] When installing the fan assembly, the rotating part must first be installed onto the fan bracket, and then the limiting device must be installed onto the fan bracket that already houses the rotating part, so that the limiting device can cover the outer periphery of the fan's rotating part.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the limiting device 40 is fixed to the fan bracket 30 by a snap-fit ​​structure. Alternatively, the limiting device 40 can also be fixed to the fan bracket 30 by bolts, or the limiting device 40 can be glued to the fan bracket 30 by adhesive. This invention does not limit the method of fixing the limiting device to the fan bracket. Any known means of mechanically fixing two components together can be used in this invention.

[0031] The structure of the limiting device 40 is not limited, as long as it can restrict the rotation of the fan's rotating component towards the heat sink. Preferably, the inner circumferential contour of the limiting device 40 is configured to conform to or correspond to the outer circumferential contour of the fan's rotating component. According to a preferred embodiment, the limiting device 40 is a rigid ring, which is concentrically mounted on the fan bracket around the outer circumference of the fan's rotating component. The inner diameter of the rigid ring is smaller than the outer diameter of the fan's rotating component; the specific value range is not limited, as long as it can prevent the rotating component from shifting towards the heat sink. Considering that it is beneficial for smooth and efficient airflow, the inner diameter of the rigid ring can be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the fan's rotating component. The inner diameter of the rigid ring is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the fan's rotating component, so that the rigid ring covers a portion of the outer diameter of the rotating component, thereby restricting the fan's shift towards the heat sink. In other words, the fan's rotating component is blocked by the rigid ring and cannot shift beyond the rigid ring, thereby preventing the rotating component from scraping adjacent components, such as the heat sink.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, holes can be provided in the rigid ring to reduce the weight of the component itself, thereby reducing the weight of the fan assembly. The design of the holes also facilitates fluid flow, thus improving heat dissipation of the fan assembly.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, a plurality of protrusions may be provided on the surface of the rigid ring facing the heat sink, these protrusions projecting axially toward the heat sink. The protrusions extend to touch and abut against the heat sink. The protrusions may be evenly distributed on the rigid ring. These protrusions allow the rigid ring to be securely abutted between the heat sink and the fan bracket. Simultaneously, the space between the protrusions maintains smooth airflow without affecting heat dissipation. Optionally, the protrusions may be multiple elongated ribs.

[0034] Optionally, the rotating components of the fan may include multiple blades and a blade strip fixed to the outer periphery of the blades, i.e., the blade strip rotates together with the blades as a whole. In this case, the blade strip is typically a loop, so the limiting device can be configured as a plurality of discrete blocking structures. It is conceivable that the limiting device 40 is a plurality of rigid baffles. These rigid baffles can be mounted radially inward from the fan bracket to the fan bracket such that the inner edges of the multiple rigid baffles cover the outer periphery of the blade strip. According to a preferred embodiment, the multiple rigid baffles are evenly distributed along the outer periphery of the blade strip, thereby limiting the axial displacement of the blade strip within the rigid baffles and preventing excessive axial displacement.

[0035] Preferably, the limiting device is made of high-strength material to adapt to complex working environments and ensure the stability of the fan assembly and the safety of the heat sink. For example, the materials used to manufacture the limiting device include, but are not limited to, polycarbonate, ABS plastic, or polyoxymethylene. Optionally, the limiting device can be made of high-strength metal to withstand high temperatures and vibrations, which is beneficial for the long-term service life of the heat sink and fan assembly.

[0036] This novel fan assembly can be applied to automotive engine radiators, especially in vehicles with limited internal space, such as desert vehicles. The high temperatures of desert environments necessitate that components like the engine of desert vehicles possess excellent high-temperature resistance to ensure proper operation. Therefore, desert vehicles require enhanced cooling systems. Furthermore, the rugged terrain and frequent sharp turns in the desert can easily cause fan axial misalignment. In such situations, this novel fan assembly effectively provides cooling while preventing damage to the adjacent radiator.

[0037] Of course, the fan assembly of this utility model can be used in any device with limited internal space that needs heat dissipation, such as electronic devices like computers and mobile phones, as well as household appliances like projectors and televisions.

[0038] According to the technical solution of this utility model, a limiting device is added to the side of the fan assembly facing the heat sink, that is, the limiting device is located between the rotating part of the fan and the heat sink. When the rotating part of the fan deviates to a certain extent, the limiting device can limit the deviation of the rotating part of the fan to a certain range, thereby avoiding scratching between the rotating part of the fan and the heat sink, and protecting the long-term stable operation of the heat sink.

[0039] The specific embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the inventive concept of this utility model, and all equivalent technical solutions fall within the protection scope of this utility model. The protection scope of this utility model is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fan assembly for a heat sink, comprising: include: A fan (20) whose rotating parts are driven to rotate by a motor to cause airflow around the radiator; A fan bracket (30), configured parallel to the heat sink, is used to accommodate, install, and position the fan such that the fan faces the heat sink and is configured parallel to the heat sink; and A limiting device (40) is fixedly mounted on the fan bracket (30) on the side of the fan bracket (30) facing the heat sink, such that the inner edge of the limiting device (40) is axially spaced from and radially overlaps with the outer periphery of the rotating component of the fan (20), for limiting the offset of the rotating component toward the heat sink along the outer periphery of the rotating component.

2. The fan assembly for a heat sink of claim 1, wherein, The limiting device (40) is a rigid ring concentrically mounted with the rotating component.

3. The fan assembly for a heat sink according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the rigid ring is smaller than the outer diameter of the rotating component of the fan (20).

4. The fan assembly for a heat sink of claim 2, wherein, The rigid ring has holes.

5. The fan assembly for a heat sink of claim 2, wherein, A plurality of protrusions are provided on the side of the rigid ring facing the heat sink, and the plurality of protrusions extend axially to abut against the heat sink.

6. The fan assembly for a heat sink of claim 1, wherein, The rotating component includes multiple blades and a fan blade belt fixed to the outer periphery of the multiple blades. The limiting device (40) consists of multiple rigid baffles that are radially protruding from the fan bracket and mounted on the fan bracket, such that the inner edges of the multiple rigid baffles cover at least a portion of the fan blade belt.

7. The fan assembly for a heat sink of claim 6, wherein, A boss (31) restricting the installation direction of the fan (20) is formed on the inner periphery of the fan receiving cavity of the fan bracket (30) so that the fan blades of the assembled fan are restricted between the boss (31) and the limiting device (40).

8. The fan assembly for a heat sink of claim 6, wherein, The plurality of rigid baffles are evenly distributed along the outer periphery of the fan blade belt.

9. The fan assembly for a heat sink of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The limiting device (40) is fixed to the fan bracket (30) by a snap-fit ​​structure.

10. The fan assembly for a heat sink of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The limiting device (40) is made of polycarbonate, ABS plastic or polyoxymethylene.

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