Power Connector With Replaceable Fan Mount and Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for integrating fans into electronic devices are either difficult to replace or appear as temporary solutions, limiting the lifespan and reliability of the devices due to compact but hard-to-replace internal fans and externally mounted fans that are prone to damage.
Innovation Solution
A plug connector system that allows for the compact and retrofittable integration of fans into electronic devices, where the fan is mounted with the power supply connector, enabling easy replacement and monitoring through a diagnostic circuit, and providing uninterrupted power supply with a fan connection that branches off from the device's voltage supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a fan is firmly integrated into the device housing structure, then the fan can be compactly housed within the device housing, but replacing or repairing the fan becomes very difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing is divided into separate functional components: the main connector body and a detachable fan mounting module. The fan is mounted on a mounting plate that can be independently removed from the connector housing, allowing the fan to be replaced without replacing the entire connector assembly. This segmentation enables compact integration while maintaining ease of repair.
2Ease of repair
If a fan is retrofitted to the housing of an electronic device, then the fan can be easily replaced, but the solution appears temporary and can be easily damaged by external components
Solution Approach 1:
The fan mounting function is merged with the connector housing structure. The fan mounting plate is integrated into the connector housing as a unified assembly, combining the electrical connection function with the mechanical mounting function. This merging provides a permanent, reliable integration that eliminates the temporary appearance of retrofit solutions while maintaining replaceability.
3Device complexity
If the power supply slot is used for both mechanical attachment and electrical connection, then no additional brackets are required, but the input and output accessibility may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The input and output connectors are positioned in different spatial dimensions relative to the power supply slot. The input connector is accessible from the front face while the output connector is positioned on the side face, allowing both to be accessed without interfering with each other or requiring disassembly of the mounting structure. This multi-dimensional arrangement maintains simplicity while ensuring accessibility.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical connector, comprising an electrical connector housing (16), which has an input (18) for connecting a supply voltage and an output (20) for forwarding the supply voltage to a load (6, 8, 10) of an electronic device (2), wherein the electrical connector housing (16) can be inserted into a voltage supply socket (12) of a device housing (4) of the electronic device (2) in order to provide a voltage supply connection point of the electronic device (2), and wherein the electrical connector housing (16) has a receiving means (22) for the insertion of a fan (24).