Heat dissipation fan with expansion option

Abstract

Heat dissipation fan (20) with expansion option, which includes: a frame (21); comprising a drive unit (22) provided on the frame (21), a printed circuit board (221) provided on the frame (21), a control circuit (222) provided on the printed circuit board (221), and a motor (223) connected to the control circuit (222), wherein the control circuit (222) is electrically connected to the multiplex management unit (45), and wherein the drive unit (22) contains a device address; a fan blade (23) which is driven by the drive unit (22) to rotate relative to the frame (21); a plurality of universal serial buses (24) exposed on several sides of the frame (21); and a multiplex management unit (25) provided on the frame (21) and electrically connected to the plurality of universal serial buses (24) and the control circuit (222) of the drive unit (22), wherein the multiplex management unit (25) enables each of the plurality of universal serial buses (24) to simultaneously perform a first role and a second role, wherein the first role is either a power input or a power output and the second role is either a signal input or a signal output, and wherein the multiplex management unit (25) is a USB hub module; wherein each of the plurality of universal serial buses (24) is suitable for connection to an expansion device (40), wherein the heat dissipation fan (20) can be in either a series configuration or a tree-like configuration, and wherein the heat dissipation fan (20) and at least one expansion device (40) are controlled independently.

Description

[0001] The invention provides a heat dissipation fan, and in particular a heat dissipation fan with expansion capability.

[0002] US 10,736,232 B1 discloses a fan that can be used as a relay node. The fan comprises a male connection interface, a female connection interface, a transmission line set connected to the male and female connection interfaces, a power input unit, and a signal processing unit. The male connection interface is connected to a control source to receive working power and a control signal. The female connection interface can optionally be connected to the male connection interface of another fan, thus electrically connecting the fan to the other fan. The power input unit is connected in parallel with the transmission line set to draw working power and supply it to a drive unit.The signal processing unit is connected to the transmission line set to receive the control signal. The signal processing unit outputs the control signal to the drive unit and acts as a relay node to output the control signal to the female connection interface, allowing the other fan connected to the first fan to be controlled.

[0003] If the blower described above is implemented with more than one, the fans cannot be controlled independently of each other and there is no possibility of using it as an expansion device relay.

[0004] DE 20 2022 106 809 U1 discloses an electrical terminal block comprising: a housing box extending from a first end to a second end, wherein the first end of the housing box defines a first recessed opening and the second end of the housing box defines a second recessed opening, the housing box further defining an outer surface with a first detent area near the first end and a second detent area near the second end, each of the first detent area and the second detent area being configured to mechanically engage a corresponding detent area of ​​another device;a first plurality of cantilevers arranged opposite a corresponding second plurality of cantilevers, wherein the first and the second plurality of cantilevers are positioned within the first recessed opening of the housing box, each of the cantilevers defining an electrical contact area in the first plurality of cantilevers and the second plurality of cantilevers; a third plurality of cantilevers arranged opposite a corresponding fourth plurality of cantilevers, the third and the fourth plurality of cantilevers being positioned within the second recessed opening of the housing box, each of the cantilevers defining an electrical contact area in the third plurality of cantilevers and the fourth plurality of cantilevers;wherein each of the cantilever arms in the first plurality of cantilever arms is electrically coupled to a corresponding cantilever arm in the third plurality of cantilever arms and each of the cantilever arms in the second plurality of cantilever arms is electrically coupled to a corresponding cantilever arm in the fourth plurality of cantilever arms.

[0005] US 2017 0 314 777 A1 depicts a multi-LED fan controller (a device equipped with various addressable RGB LEDs (red, green, and blue)). Each addressable RGB LED is equipped with an integrated circuit (IC) control chip that provides a one-wire bus control function and can be connected in series. The LED fans have only one input and one output port, allowing all addressable RGB LEDs to be controlled. Furthermore, each addressable RGB LED is individually controlled by a single controller to achieve different lighting effects by changing the output values. The lighting can be adjusted remotely via the controller or through dedicated software.

[0006] US 2024 O 077 919 A1 discloses a tandem modulation device fan and a method for controlling it. The tandem modulation device fan comprises a frame, fan blades arranged within the frame, and a light-emitting module arranged within the frame. Two corresponding sides of the frame are each equipped with a printed circuit board and a pin structure. The pins and printed circuit boards on the two sides can switch automatically and detect inputs and outputs regardless of polarity. The two printed circuit board-equipped sides of the frame are each provided with a magnet for magnetic connection to the frame of an adjacent fan. The printed circuit board is electrically connected to a master controller. The fans are connected end-to-end by attraction of the magnets, such that electrical conductivity is improved and service life is extended.

[0007] A main objective of the invention is to solve the problem that existing heat dissipation fans do not have the capability to be expanded.

[0008] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a heat dissipation fan according to claim 1. The dependent claims relate to further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0009] In one embodiment, the frame includes four side walls and at least two of the four side walls are each provided with at least one of the plurality of universal serial buses.

[0010] In one embodiment, the heat dissipation fan includes a visual display unit provided on the frame, and the visual display unit is connected to the drive unit.

[0011] In one embodiment, the drive unit includes a heat sensor that is connected to the control circuit.

[0012] In one embodiment, the drive unit has a device address.

[0013] By virtue of the foregoing embodiment of the invention, the invention has the following features in comparison to the prior art: each of the universal serial buses of the heat dissipation fan according to the invention can be connected to an expansion device, the heat dissipation fan can be in either a series configuration or a tree-like configuration, and the heat dissipation fan and the at least one expansion device are controlled independently. Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective structural view of an embodiment of a heat dissipation fan according to the invention. Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the heat dissipation fan according to the invention. Fig. Figure 3 is a first extended implementation scheme of an embodiment of the heat dissipation fan according to the invention. Fig. Figure 4 is a second extended implementation scheme of an embodiment of the heat dissipation fan according to the invention. Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective structural view of an extended implementation according to an embodiment of a heat dissipation fan set according to the invention. Fig. Figure 6 is a third extended implementation scheme of an embodiment of the heat dissipation fan according to the invention. Fig. Figure 7 is a fourth extended implementation scheme of an embodiment of the heat dissipation fan according to the invention. Fig. Figure 8 is a schematic representation of an implementation of an exemplary embodiment of the heat dissipation fan set according to the invention.

[0014] The detailed description and technical content of the invention are set out below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] It will be on Fig. 1 and Fig. Reference is made to Reference 2. The invention relates to a heat dissipation fan 20 with expansion capability. The heat dissipation fan 20 can be installed in a computer case or a power supply unit, or it can be assembled with a computer component provided in the computer case. The computer case and the power supply unit are designed to conform to the ATX specification or the extended ATX specification. The computer component can be a graphics card, a CPU cooler, or an expansion card designed according to the PCI-E specification. The heat dissipation fan 20 comprises a frame 21, a drive unit 22, a fan blade 23, a plurality of universal serial buses 24, and a multiplexing management unit 25. The drive unit 22 is arranged on the frame 21, and the fan blade 23 is driven by the drive unit 22 to rotate relative to the frame 21 in order to generate an airflow.The multiple universal serial buses 24 are exposed on several sides of the frame 21. The plurality of universal serial buses 24 can be provided on the frame 21. Furthermore, the frame 21 has four side walls 211, and each of the four side walls 211 serves as one of the sides of the frame 21. In one embodiment, at least two of the four side walls 211 are each provided with at least one of the plurality of universal serial buses 24.

[0016] On the other hand, the multiplex management unit 25 can be a USB hub module or a circuit capable of performing the same functions as the former. The multiplex management unit 25 is electrically connected to the plurality of universal serial buses 24 and the drive unit 22. The multiplex management unit 25 enables each of the plurality of universal serial buses 24 to function as at least one of the following: the multiplex management unit 25 enables each of the plurality of universal serial buses 24 to perform a first role and a second role simultaneously, the first role being either a power input or a power output, and the second role being either a signal input or a signal output.Each of the multitude of universal serial buses 24 can be connected to an expansion device 40 and the expansion device 40 can be another heat dissipation fan 20, a light-emitting component, a display component or a holographic display component.

[0017] It will be on Fig. 3. When one of the multiple universal serial buses 24 is connected to a connector of an external power supply, the multiplexing unit 25 activates one of the multiple universal serial buses 24 for use as a power supply for the heat dissipation fan 20, and the drive unit 22 receives the electrical power required for operation from the multiplexing unit 25. Simultaneously, the multiplexing unit 25 activates several of the remaining multiple universal serial buses 24 for use as power outputs to provide electrical power to those (e.g., the expansion device 40) that are connected to them. In one embodiment, one of the multiple universal serial buses 24 is connected to an external device 30.In addition to outputting electrical power, the external device 30 also provides at least one control signal 301, which is used to control the operation of the heat dissipation fan 20. At this point, one of the multiple serial buses 24 connected to the external device 30 is executed as the first role, which is the power supply, and the second role, which is the signal supply, according to the control of the multiplex management unit 25.The multiplex management unit 25 receives the at least one control signal 301 from one of the plurality of universal serial buses 24 connected to the external device 30 and makes the at least one control signal 301 available to the multiple remaining universal serial buses 24 and the drive unit 22, wherein the multiple remaining universal serial buses 24 operate in a mode of first role as the power output and second role as the signal output and output the at least one control signal 301 to the associated expansion device 40. After receiving the at least one control signal 301, the drive unit 22 decides, based on a target description of the at least one control signal 301, whether to terminate or continue control.

[0018] The heat dissipation fan 20 according to the invention can be configured either in a series or a tree-like configuration. In the Fig. 4 and Fig. In the five disclosed embodiments, the extension device 40 is the other heat dissipation fan 20, and the two heat dissipation fans 20 form a series configuration. In the embodiment shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the extension device 40 is a display. The extension device 40 is connected to one of the plurality of universal serial buses 24 of the heat dissipation fan 20 and receives electrical power and signals provided by the heat dissipation fan 20. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the extension device 40 is connected to one of the multiple universal serial buses 24 of the heat dissipation fan 20 and receives electrical power and signals provided by the heat dissipation fan 20. Fig. As shown in Figure 6, in addition to being connected in series with the other heat dissipation fan 20, the heat dissipation fan 2 is also connected to the other expansion device 40 via another of the plurality of universal serial buses 24. The latter of the previously described heat dissipation fans 20 in series can also be connected to the other expansion device 40 in such a way as to form a tree-like configuration. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the heat dissipation fan 2 is connected in series with the other expansion device 40 via a different expansion device 40. Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the heat dissipation fan 20 is connected to the extension device 40. If the extension device 40 is the heat dissipation fan 20 according to the invention, it will not only be the extension device 40, but also a connector for the other extension devices 40 to form a tree-like configuration.

[0019] According to the foregoing description, the invention enables the heat dissipation fan 20 to be used as a relay for the implementation an extension is used. The heat dissipation fan 20 is controlled independently of the extension device 40 by the multiplex management unit 25. In one embodiment, the drive unit 22 has a device address, and the device address is unique. This ensures that signals can be transmitted accurately or acquired for use.

[0020] It will be on Fig. Reference is made to Figure 8. In one embodiment, the drive unit 22 comprises a printed circuit board 221, a control circuit 222, and a motor 223. The printed circuit board 221 is attached to the frame 21, the control circuit 222 is arranged on the printed circuit board 221, and the control circuit 222 is electrically connected to the multiplex management unit 25. The motor 223 is connected to the control circuit 222, and the motor 223 operates based on a motor control signal 224 sent by the control circuit 222. Furthermore, the control circuit 222 provides the motor control signal 224 to the motor 223 based on at least one control signal 301 of a target address.

[0021] It will be on Fig. Reference is made to Section 8. In one embodiment, the heat dissipation fan 20 includes a visual display unit 26. The visual display unit 26 can be one of the following: a luminescent light strip, an LED display, and a holographic display component, but is not limited to the examples mentioned above; rather, anything that can produce visual effects can be considered the visual display unit 26 within the meaning of the invention. The visual display unit 26 is provided on the frame 21 and connected to the drive unit 22. The at least one control signal 301 received from the drive unit 22 can include at least one display control signal 302, and the at least one display control signal 302 forms a basis for the operation of the visual display unit 26.

[0022] It will be revisited Fig.Reference is made to Figure 8. In one embodiment, the drive unit 22 can send a status signal 225 back to the multiplex management unit 25 based on the description of the at least one control signal 301. The multiplex management unit 25 can then forward the status signal 225, based on its description, to one of the plurality of universal serial buses 24 connected to the external device 30, and the status signal 225 is made available to the external device 30. In another embodiment, the drive unit 22 can further include a thermal sensor 226, the thermal sensor 226 being connected to the control circuit 222. The thermal sensor 226 detects a temperature of the surrounding environment, which is made available to the control circuit 222 to control the motor 223 based on a detection result or to be added to a description of the status signal 225.

Claims

[1] Heat dissipation fan (20) with expansion option, which includes: a frame (21); comprising a drive unit (22) provided on the frame (21), a printed circuit board (221) provided on the frame (21), a control circuit (222) provided on the printed circuit board (221), and a motor (223) connected to the control circuit (222), wherein the control circuit (222) is electrically connected to the multiplex management unit (45), and wherein the drive unit (22) contains a device address; a fan blade (23) which is driven by the drive unit (22) to rotate relative to the frame (21); a plurality of universal serial buses (24) exposed on several sides of the frame (21); and a multiplex management unit (25) provided on the frame (21) and electrically connected to the plurality of universal serial buses (24) and the control circuit (222) of the drive unit (22), wherein the multiplex management unit (25) enables each of the plurality of universal serial buses (24) to simultaneously perform a first role and a second role, wherein the first role is either a power input or a power output and the second role is either a signal input or a signal output, and wherein the multiplex management unit (25) is a USB hub module; wherein each of the plurality of universal serial buses (24) is suitable for connection to an expansion device (40), wherein the heat dissipation fan (20) can be in either a series configuration or a tree-like configuration, and wherein the heat dissipation fan (20) and at least one expansion device (40) are controlled independently. [2] Heat dissipation fan (20) with expansion option according to claim 1, wherein the frame (21) comprises four side walls (211) and at least two of the four side walls (211) are each provided with at least one of the plurality of universal serial buses (24). [3] Heat dissipation fan (20) with expansion option according to claim 1, wherein the heat dissipation fan (20) comprises a visual display unit (26) provided on the frame (21) and the visual display unit (26) is connected to the drive unit (22). [4] Heat dissipation fan (20) with expansion option according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit (22) comprises a heat sensor (226) which is connected to the control circuit (222).

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