Rotating-Lever Fan Guard Connector for Compact Server Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computer server systems, the compact design of server racks leads to confined spaces for fans, limiting airflow and increasing heat generation, necessitating improved fan performance and space efficiency in cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A fan guard connector with a lever structure and pivot element that secures the fan guard to the cooling system, allowing for a compact design with a combined thickness of less than 30 mm, enabling more efficient airflow and increased space for electronic components by reducing the fan guard's protrusion from the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of fans is increased to improve cooling performance, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the space requirement increases which is not feasible in confined server rack spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The fan guard connector integrates multiple components including the fan guard structure, lever structure, pivot element, and connector member into a nested compact assembly. The lever structure rotates within the fan guard structure, and the connector member secures the lever structure, creating a space-efficient nested configuration that reduces overall volume while maintaining cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector member includes a turning mechanism that operates in a rotational dimension, allowing the lever structure to rotate between engaged and disengaged positions. This dimensional change enables compact storage of the lever structure within the fan guard structure when not in use, reducing the space requirement while maintaining ease of operation.
2Volume of moving object
If the fan guard structure is made more compact to reduce space, then the volume is reduced, but the ease of installation and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lever structure is designed to rotate dynamically between an engaged position (securing the cooling system) and a disengaged position (releasing for removal). This dynamic mechanism allows the compact fan guard structure to be easily installed and removed by simply rotating the lever, maintaining ease of operation despite the reduced thickness and compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector member acts as an intermediary between the lever structure and the fan guard structure, providing a turning mechanism that mediates the engagement and disengagement actions. This intermediary mechanism enables the compact design to maintain ease of installation by translating simple lever rotation into secure engagement or release of the cooling system.
3Ease of operation
If the connector member is designed with a turning mechanism for easy engagement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The turning mechanism is merged directly into the connector member, which is itself integrated with the lever structure and fan guard structure. By combining these functions into a single integrated connector member rather than separate components, the design achieves ease of engagement through the turning mechanism while minimizing overall device complexity through consolidation.
Data Source
AI summary
A fan guard connector is provided. The fan guard connector includes a fan guard structure configured to be secured to a cooling system. The fan guard connector also includes a lever structure connected to the fan guard structure by a pivot element. The lever structure is configured to rotate between an engaged and a disengaged position. The fan guard connector also includes a connector member configured to secure the lever structure to the fan guard structure in the engaged position.