Elastic Clamping Fan Retaining Structure for Rapid Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fan-retaining structures in electronic devices require time-consuming and labor-intensive screw-based fixation and removal processes, leading to increased assembly time and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A fan-retaining structure featuring a base with opposing side walls and elastic clamping units, where guiding slots and top-blocking portions allow for quick and secure installation and removal of fans by elastic curvature, restricting movement in axial and longitudinal directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screws are used to fix the fan, then the fan can be securely fixed, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional screw-based mechanical fastening system with an elastic clamping mechanism. The elastic clamping unit uses elastic deformation to generate clamping force that secures the fan without requiring screws, thereby maintaining fixation security while dramatically improving assembly speed and reducing labor intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in elastic parameters (deformation, stress, strain) of the elastic clamping unit to achieve fan fixation. By controlling the elastic properties and deformation amount, the system maintains reliable fan security while enabling quick installation and removal without threaded fasteners.
2Reliability
If screws are used to fix the fan, then the fan can be securely fixed, but the process requires much work and increases manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex screw-based mechanical assembly with a simplified elastic clamping system. The elastic clamping unit integrates multiple functions (fixation, positioning, and release) into a single component, reducing manufacturing steps, lowering labor requirements, and decreasing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining secure fan fixation.
3Reliability
If screws are used to fix the fan, then the fan can be securely fixed, but screws are easily lost during removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces small, easily lost screw fasteners with a large, integrated elastic clamping unit that remains attached to the housing during fan removal. This eliminates the risk of losing fastening components while maintaining secure fixation, and allows users to easily remove and reinstall fans by simply pulling the fan out and pushing it back in.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid and secure installation and removal of fans, reducing assembly time and manufacturing costs while preventing screw loss and simplifying the process for both users and production workers.
Implementation Method 1
the top-blocking portion is propped up by the fan, so that the elastic clamping unit is elastically curved outward
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a housing and a fan. The housing has a fan-retaining structure including a base, two side walls and at least one elastic clamping unit. The two side walls are disposed on the base and respectively have a guiding slot and an elastic clamping unit. The two guiding slots and the base corporately define a receiving space. The elastic clamping unit has a top-blocking portion formed on one end thereof. The fan is selectively mounted in the receiving space along a longitudinal direction. As the fan is disposing into the receiving space, the top-blocking portion is propped up by the fan, and the elastic clamping unit is elastically curved outward. After the fan is disposed in the receiving space, the top-blocking portions and the base corporately clamp the fan, and the movement of the fan is restricted in the longitudinal direction and in a radial direction.