Fan assembly used for automated assembling process

Abstract

A fan assembly used for automated assembling process includes a housing, a bracket seat, a flexible circuit structure, and a fan unit. The bracket seat is disposed in the housing and includes a frame and a pair of elastic arms. A slot is defined by the elastic arms and frame. The flexible circuit structure includes a flexible circuit board, a connector, and a stiffener. The flexible circuit structure is moved to the bracket seat by a robotic arm. The stiffener is clamped by the elastic arms, thereby positioning the connector in the slot. The fan unit is disposed in the housing and on one side of the bracket seat. The fan unit includes a fan and a fan socket assembly. The fan socket assembly is moved by the robotic arm and is connected to the connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This case relates to fan assembly, and more particularly to a fan assembly used for automated assembly. Prior 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, wires are prone to tangling, becoming too long or too short during cable management, leading to inconvenience. The lack of effective automated cable management methods increases the overall assembly complexity and may affect the fan's cooling efficiency and system stability.

[0004] In view of this, the applicant has devoted himself to studying the aforementioned prior art and applying theoretical principles to try his best to solve the above-mentioned problems, which has become the target of the applicant's improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One objective of this invention is to provide a fan assembly for automated assembly, which improves production efficiency by assembling fan groups through automated assembly methods.

[0006] One objective of this invention is to provide a fan assembly for automated assembly, which achieves electrical connection between the fan assembly and the flexible circuit board structure, and simultaneously completes the wiring process.

[0007] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, this invention relates to 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 flexible arms connecting the frame, with the flexible 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 flexible 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 integrated on one side of the fan. The fan socket assembly is moved by the robotic arm and plugged into the connector.

[0008] In one embodiment of this invention, the frame includes a frame plate and outwardly protruding feet from the frame plate, with elastic arms located on opposite sides of the frame plate, and the frame is attached to the housing through fasteners passing through each of the feet.

[0009] In one embodiment of this invention, the flexible circuit board structure further includes double-sided adhesive, through which the flexible circuit board is attached to the housing.

[0010] In one embodiment of this invention, the vent hole includes a plurality of fan-shaped holes, which are spaced apart and surround the connecting hole.

[0011] In one embodiment of this invention, the flexible circuit board includes a plug section with a connector, the plug section being Y-shaped.

[0012] In one embodiment of this invention, the fan assembly further includes a fan base and a fan bracket, the fan base housing the fan, and the fan bracket being attached to one side of the fan base.

[0013] In one embodiment of this 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.

[0014] In one embodiment of this 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. 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.

[0015] In one embodiment of this 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.

[0016] In one embodiment of this 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.

[0017] In one embodiment of this invention, the outer surface of the fan holder is provided with a socket groove, and the fan socket assembly includes a plurality of 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. The socket is disposed in the socket groove.

[0018] Compared to conventional designs, the housing in this case features a support bracket on one side of the fan assembly, along with a flexible circuit board (PCB) structure and the fan assembly. The PCB structure has a retaining plate on one side of the connector. When the PCB structure is moved to the support bracket by a robotic arm, the retaining plate expands the elastic arm of the support bracket and is clamped by the elastic arm, allowing the connector to fall into the slot of the support bracket and be positioned. Furthermore, the fan socket assembly has wires wound around a winding plate and is connected to a socket, allowing the robotic arm to easily plug the socket of the fan socket assembly into the connector on the support bracket when moving the fan assembly. This achieves an electrical connection between the fan assembly and the PCB structure, while simultaneously completing the cable management process, thereby realizing an automated assembly method and convenience. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0019] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of the fan assembly used for automated assembly in this case.

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the fan assembly in this case.

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the connection between the fan socket assembly and the flexible circuit board structure in this case.

[0022] Figure 4 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the support base and flexible plate structure in this case.

[0023] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the fan assembly and fan socket assembly in this case.

[0024] Figures 6 and 7 show another embodiment of the fan assembly for automated assembly in this case.

[0025] Figures 8 and 9 show another embodiment of the fan assembly for automated assembly in this case. Implementation

[0026] The detailed description and technical content of this case are illustrated below with accompanying drawings. However, the accompanying drawings are provided for reference and illustration only and are not intended to limit this case.

[0027] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a perspective view of the fan assembly for automated assembly according to this invention. This invention relates to a fan assembly 1 for automated assembly, comprising a housing 10, a bracket 20, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) structure 30, and a fan assembly 40. The bracket 20 is riveted into the housing 10. The FPCB structure 30 is inserted into the bracket 20 and fitted into the housing 10 via a robotic arm assembly. Furthermore, the fan assembly 40 is also connected to the bracket 20 via an automated assembly using a robotic arm and is locked into the housing 10. The structure of the fan assembly 1 is described in more detail below.

[0028] Please refer to Figures 2 and 3, which are schematic diagrams of the fan assembly and the connection between the fan socket assembly and the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) structure in this invention. The bracket 20 is connected to the FPCB 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 the robotic arm and plugs into the FPCB structure 30 on the bracket 20.

[0029] 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.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 4, which is an exploded perspective view of the support base and flexible board structure of this invention. The support base 20 of this 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 through a fastener 213 passing through each foot 212. In this embodiment, the fastener 213 is a rivet. The frame 21 is fixed to the housing 10 by riveting.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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 this invention further includes a double-sided adhesive 34. The flexible circuit board 31 is attached to the inner bottom surface of the housing 10 through the double-sided adhesive 34. In actual implementation, this invention uses multiple suction nozzles within an assembly fixture to pick up the flexible circuit board 31, thereby utilizing an automated assembly method to move the flexible circuit board structure 30 to the positioning location.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 5 again, which is an exploded perspective view of the fan assembly and fan socket assembly of this 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.

[0034] Specifically, the fan socket assembly 42 includes a plurality of 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 2). Notably, 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 pressure the wires 421 (see Figure 3 as well).

[0035] Please refer to Figures 6 and 7 for another embodiment of the fan assembly for automated assembly in this 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.

[0036] The fan socket assembly 42a includes a plurality of 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.

[0037] Please refer to Figures 8 and 9 again, which illustrate another embodiment of the fan assembly for automated assembly in this case. 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 integrated into the housing 10b via automated assembly. 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 via automated assembly, 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.

[0038] The fan socket assembly 42b includes a plurality of 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.

[0039] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this case and is not intended to define the scope of the patent in this case. Other equivalent variations that utilize the spirit of the patent in this case should all fall within the scope of the patent in this case.

[0040] 1, 1a, 1b: Fan assemblies used for automated assembly 10, 10a, 10b: Chassis 20, 20a, 20b: Bracket base 200: Slot 21: Frame 211: Frame Plate 212: Foot Connection 213: Locking hardware 22: Flexible Arm 30, 30a, 30b: Flexible sheet structure 31: Flexible Circuit Board 311: Connector Section 32: Connector 33: Fixed Lining Plate 34: Double-sided tape 40, 40a, 40b: Fan assembly 41, 41a, 41b: Fans 42, 42a, 42b: Fan socket assembly 421, 421a, 421b: Conductors 422, 422a, 422b: Sockets 423, 423a: Winding board 424, 424a: Pressure plate 43, 43a, 43b: Fan base 431b: Socket slot 44, 44a, 44b: Fan bracket

Claims

1. A fan assembly for automated assembly, comprising: a housing; a bracket, incorporated within the housing, including a frame and a pair of resilient arms connecting the frame, wherein the pair of resilient arms and the frame form a slot; a flexible circuit board structure including a flexible circuit board, a connector connecting the flexible circuit board, and a retaining plate disposed on the connector, the flexible circuit board structure being moved to the bracket by a robotic arm, the retaining plate being clamped by the pair of resilient arms, thereby positioning the connector in the slot; and a fan assembly, disposed within the housing and located on one side of the bracket, including a fan and a fan socket assembly disposed on one side of the fan, the fan socket assembly being moved by the robotic arm and inserted into the connector.

2. The fan assembly for automated assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the frame includes a frame plate and a pair of outwardly projecting feet from the frame plate, the pair of resilient arms being located on opposite sides of the frame plate, and the frame being attached to the housing via fasteners passing through each of the feet.

3. The fan assembly for automated assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible circuit board structure further includes a double-sided adhesive through which the flexible circuit board is attached to the housing.

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

5. The fan assembly for automated assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the fan assembly further includes a fan mount and a fan bracket, the fan mount housing the fan, and the fan bracket being attached to one side of the fan mount.

6. The fan assembly for automated assembly as described in claim 5, wherein the fan assembly further includes a plurality of shock-absorbing rubbers passing through the fan bracket and attached to the fan mount.

7. The fan assembly for automated assembly as described in claim 5, wherein the fan socket assembly includes a plurality of wires, a socket and a winding plate, one end of the wires being connected to the fan and the other end to the socket, the winding plate being attached to the outer surface of the fan base, and the winding plate having the wires wound around it and being connected to the socket.

8. The fan assembly for automated assembly as described in claim 7, wherein the fan socket assembly further includes a pressure plate that snaps onto the winding plate on one side and locks onto the fan bracket on the other side to pressure the wires.

9. The fan assembly for automated assembly as described in claim 5, wherein the fan socket assembly includes a plurality of wires, a socket and a winding plate, one end of the wires being connected to the fan and the other end to the socket, one side of the winding plate being connected to the fan bracket and the other side protruding from the outer surface of the fan base, and the winding plate having the wires wound around it and being connected to the socket.

10. The fan assembly for automated assembly as described in claim 5, wherein the outer surface of the fan mount is provided with a socket slot, the fan socket assembly includes a plurality of wires and a socket, one end of the wires being connected to the fan and the other end being connected to the socket, the socket being disposed in the socket slot.

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