Fan Chassis Elastic Retention Eliminates Screws

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fan units require screws for fixation, increasing the number of components and assembly processing steps, which complicates the manufacturing process.

Innovation Solution

A fan chassis with a U-shaped cross-sectional upper and lower panel configuration that includes projections and through holes to securely hold the fan without the need for screws, allowing for elastic deformation to accommodate the fan's dimensions and eliminate the requirement for fastening components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If screws are used to fix the fan onto the chassis, then the fan is securely retained, but the number of components increases and assembly processing steps become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefan retention stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fan retention function is merged into the chassis structure itself. The upper and lower panels of the chassis are designed with elastic deformation capability, allowing them to directly retain the fan through dimensional interference and elastic recovery, eliminating the need for separate fastening components like screws.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The chassis structure serves its own fastening function. The upper and lower panels are designed to elastically deform during assembly and then recover to securely hold the fan, making the chassis self-sufficient for retention without requiring external fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If screws are used to fix the fan, then reliable fixation is achieved, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening function is combined with the chassis structure. The upper and lower panels are designed to elastically deform during assembly and then recover to securely hold the fan, making the chassis self-sufficient for retention without requiring external fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The chassis structure serves its own fastening function. The upper and lower panels are designed to elastically deform during assembly and then recover to securely hold the fan, making the chassis self-sufficient for retention without requiring external fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional sheet metal working is used to form the chassis, then manufacturing is simple, but fastening components are required which complicates the assembly method

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechassis manufacturing easeVSAvoidassembly method simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fan retention function is merged into the chassis structure itself. The upper and lower panels of the chassis are designed with elastic deformation capability, allowing them to directly retain the fan through dimensional interference and elastic recovery, eliminating the need for separate fastening components like screws.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The chassis structure serves its own fastening function. The upper and lower panels are designed to elastically deform during assembly and then recover to securely hold the fan, making the chassis self-sufficient for retention without requiring external fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This design reduces the number of components and assembly steps, simplifies the assembly method, and enables the fan unit to be manufactured without screws, thereby minimizing the complexity and cost of production.

Implementation Method 1

The upper panel and the lower panel deform elastically in a direction in which the upper panel and the lower panel move apart from each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9265175B2Fan chassis, fan unit, and communication device

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 NEC CORP

AI summary

A fan chassis includes: a wall panel; and an upper panel that is connected to an upper end of the wall panel, and a lower panel that is connected to a lower end of the wall panel. A cross sectional shape of the upper panel and the lower panel is substantially U-shape. The wall panel includes a plurality of projections to be inserted into mounting holes of a fan. At least either one of the upper panel and the lower panel includes a through hole into which an upper end part or a lower end part of the fan is to be fitted. An inner dimension between the upper panel and the lower panel is shorter than an outer dimension of the fan in a vertical direction. The upper panel and the lower panel deform elastically in a direction in which the upper panel and the lower panel move apart from each other.