Fan Cage Latch Mechanism Preventing Hook Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fan cages with integrally formed hooks for assembly are prone to damage during maintenance and disassembly, making it difficult to efficiently replace fans and perform maintenance tasks.
Innovation Solution
A fan cage design featuring a latch mechanism with slidably disposed latch components and a link component that selectively engages with engagement structures on the first cage part, allowing for efficient assembly and disassembly without damaging the hooks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If integrally formed hooks are used to assemble the secondary cage member to the main cage member, then the assembly structure is simple, but the hooks are easily broken during removal or installation leading to permanent damage
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement structure is divided into a hook portion and a separate engagement portion. The hook portion remains integrally formed with the cage member for simplicity, while the engagement portion is separately provided on the latch mechanism to prevent direct deformation of the hook during assembly and disassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement portion acts as an intermediary element between the hook portion and the latch. Instead of the latch directly engaging with and deforming the hook, the engagement portion mediates this interaction, allowing the latch to engage and disengage without causing harmful deformation to the hook structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If integrally formed hooks are used for assembly, then manufacturing is simple, but maintenance and fan replacement operations become difficult and risky
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement structure is divided into a hook portion and a separate engagement portion. The hook portion remains integrally formed with the cage member for simplicity, while the engagement portion is separately provided on the latch mechanism to prevent direct deformation of the hook during assembly and disassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage with the engagement portion when the cage member is properly positioned, and can be easily released by deforming the link component. This self-engaging and easy-release mechanism facilitates maintenance operations without requiring complex tools or procedures.
3Ease of operation
If hooks are deformed during removal or installation, then assembly and disassembly can be performed, but the hooks are easily broken leading to permanent damage
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portion acts as an intermediary element between the hook portion and the latch. Instead of the latch directly engaging with and deforming the hook, the engagement portion mediates this interaction, allowing the latch to engage and disengage without causing harmful deformation to the hook structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement portion is designed with specific geometric parameters (protrusion and recess configurations) that allow for controlled engagement and disengagement. The link component can be deformed to a specific extent to release the latch without exceeding the strength limits of the hook portion, maintaining structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A fan cage includes a first cage part comprising a cage body and a plurality of engagement structures respectively located at different sides of an opening portion of the cage body, a second cage part located at the opening portion of the first cage part, and a latch mechanism disposed on the second cage part. The latch mechanism includes a plurality of latch components slidably disposed on the second cage part and a link component connected to the plurality of latch components. The latch components are movably connected by each other via the link component and are selectively engaged with the engagement structures of the first cage part, respectively.