Metal Annular Fan Frame for Vibration Damping and Mold Simplicity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fan designs face challenges in maintaining mechanical stability and reducing noise and vibration due to draft angles in plastic molds, which complicate the mold structure and impact performance, and vibration from rotating blades that propagate noise to other electronic components.
Innovation Solution
A fan device incorporating a metal annular frame with interlocking engagement portions and microstructures that enhance mechanical stability and noise suppression, using insert molding to integrate the metal frame with the fan blade assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a draft angle is included in the mold structure to facilitate demolding, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the mold structure becomes more complex and fan performance is impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic draft angle feature from the mold structure by introducing a separate metal annular frame component. This frame is inserted into a coupling groove on the fan frame, providing the necessary structural support and enabling demolding without requiring draft angles on the main fan frame body. The coupling groove and metal frame together replace the traditional draft angle approach, simplifying the mold structure while maintaining ease of manufacture.
2Productivity
If the fan blades are made to rotate for cooling function, then the cooling performance is improved, but vibration and noise are generated that propagate to other electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The metal annular frame serves as an intermediary element between the fan frame and the fan blade assembly. It is positioned between these components and mechanically retained within the coupling groove, acting as a vibration isolation layer. This intermediary structure absorbs and dampens vibrations generated by rotating fan blades, preventing their propagation to the fan frame and other electronic components, thereby reducing noise while maintaining cooling efficiency.
3Device complexity
If the mold structure is streamlined to reduce complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of manufacture may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fan assembly into distinct modular components: the fan frame with coupling groove, the metal annular frame, and the fan blade assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using optimized processes. The fan frame can be molded without complex draft angles, the metal annular frame can be precisely formed and then inserted into the coupling groove, and the fan blade assembly can be manufactured separately. This modular segmentation simplifies the mold structure while maintaining or even improving ease of manufacture through specialized processes for each component.
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
The metal annular frame improves mechanical stability, reduces noise and vibration, and enhances airflow efficiency while maintaining structural integrity and aesthetic appeal, suitable for electronic cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
The fan frame includes a first annular engagement portion disposed in the coupling groove, and the metal annular frame includes a second annular engagement portion disposed on a side adjacent to the coupling groove. The metal annular frame surrounds the fan blade assembly and is mechanically retained within the coupling groove.
Implementation Method 2
as the fan blades rotate, the entire fan vibrates. The vibration generates noise and can potentially propagate to other electronic components... the metal annular frame improves mechanical stability, reduces noise and vibration
Data Source
AI summary
A fan device includes a fan frame having an inner annular surface and a coupling groove, the inner annular surface defining a receiving space, and the coupling groove being recessed inward from the inner annular surface. The fan device also includes a fan blade assembly rotatably disposed within the fan frame and located in the receiving space. The fan device further includes a metal annular frame coupled to the coupling groove and positioned between the fan frame and the fan blade assembly. The fan frame includes a first annular engagement portion disposed in the coupling groove, and the metal annular frame includes a second annular engagement portion disposed on a side adjacent to the coupling groove. The metal annular frame surrounds the fan blade assembly and is mechanically retained within the coupling groove.