Adaptable Fan Guard With Repositionable Connector Holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fan guards in information processing systems limit the flexibility of fan installation due to fixed connector holders, requiring different designs for varying airflow directions and connector locations, increasing development, manufacturing, and logistical costs.
Innovation Solution
An adaptable fan guard system with separable connector holders that can be removably mounted to identical fan guards, allowing flexibility in fan orientation and installation, enabling the same design to be used in systems with different airflow directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed connector holders are used in fan guards, then the fan installation positions and orientations are limited, but the connector holder can be reliably positioned and oriented
Solution Approach 1:
The fan guard is divided into two separate components: the main fan guard body and the connector holder. The connector holder can be detached from the fan guard body and repositioned to different locations (first location or second location) depending on the installation requirements. This segmentation allows the same fan guard design to accommodate different airflow directions and connector positions without requiring multiple specialized designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector holder is designed to be movable and repositionable relative to the fan guard body. It can be attached at different positions and orientations based on the specific installation scenario, transforming a static design into a dynamic, adaptable configuration that responds to different system requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different fan guard designs are created for different airflow directions, then each system configuration has an optimized design, but development and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single fan guard design with a repositionable connector holder serves multiple functions: it can accommodate both front-to-rear airflow and rear-to-front airflow configurations, as well as different connector positions. This universal design eliminates the need to manufacture separate fan guard variants for different airflow directions, reducing development, tooling, and manufacturing costs while maintaining optimized performance for each configuration.
3Reliability
If multiple fan guard variants are maintained for different configurations, then each variant is optimized for its specific use, but logistical complexity and inventory costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connector holder as a separate, repositionable component, a single fan guard design can be used for multiple configurations. This reduces the number of unique part numbers and variants that need to be tracked, stored, and managed in the supply chain, simplifying inventory management while maintaining configuration-specific optimization through proper component positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing system includes a printed circuit board assembly supported by a chassis and comprising a plurality of fan connectors. A fan support may be further coupled with the chassis. A fan module may be attached to the fan support. The fan module may comprise a fan rotor, an electrical connector to couple with a fan connector, and a fan housing containing the fan rotor. A pair of fan guards, each including a bracket, may be coupled to the fan housing. A connector holder may hold the electrical connector and may be interchangeably and removably able to be coupled to each one of the pair of fan guards.