Desktop Workstation Fan Cage With Tool-Free PCI Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fan cages and fans in desktop workstations require tools for installation and removal, and are connected via cables to the motherboard, complicating the process.
Innovation Solution
A fan cage system with levers and release buttons that allow tool-free installation and removal, using electrical couplings for direct connection to the motherboard without cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fans and fan cages are attached via screws and fasteners, then secure fixation is achieved, but tool-free installation and removal cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The fan cage incorporates movable levers that can be actuated to transition between locked and unlocked states. These levers are connected to release mechanisms that disengage the fastening elements, enabling dynamic tool-free removal without requiring manual screw unscrewing or complex tool operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The release buttons and lever mechanisms are designed to be directly operable by the user without external tools. The system serves itself by providing integrated release mechanisms that用户可以 directly manipulate to remove the fan cage, eliminating the need for separate tool sets or complex disassembly procedures.
2Ease of operation
If cables are used to connect fans to the motherboard, then power and control signals are transmitted, but installation and removal complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fan cage assembly is merged with the electrical connection interface. The electrical couplings are integrated into the fan cage structure itself, allowing the entire assembly (fan cage + fans + electrical connections) to be installed or removed as a single unit. This eliminates the need to separately manage cables during installation and removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Electrical couplings serve as an intermediary mechanism between the fan cage and motherboard, replacing traditional cable connections. These couplings provide a direct, structured interface that transmits power and control signals while enabling tool-free connection and disconnection through the lever actuation mechanism.
3Productivity
If multiple separate components (fans, fan cage, cables) are used, then functional requirements are met, but the number of components and installation steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously separate components into a single integrated fan cage assembly. The fans are mounted within the fan cage structure, and the electrical couplings are built into the cage itself. This integration allows all components to be installed and removed together as one unit, significantly reducing installation time and the number of separate assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan cage assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the fans, contains the electrical connection interfaces, and incorporates the release mechanism for tool-free removal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components while maintaining all necessary operational capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A peripheral component interconnect (PCI) for a desktop workstation includes a housing, levers attached to the housing, compartments for one or more fans, a retainer for a PCI card, and electrical couplings for coupling to a printed circuit board (PCB) on the workstation.