Staggered Pin Fan Module Assembly Basepan
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of fan cages with electrical connectors in computing devices increases manufacturing costs and complexity due to the need for additional components and connections for fan mounting.
Innovation Solution
A fan module assembly that utilizes pins extending from a basepan to retain and position a fan module within a chassis, eliminating the need for electrical connectors by using a staggered pin configuration for alignment and variable spacing, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fan cages with electrical connectors are used to mount fans in a chassis, then reliable electrical connection and fan retention are achieved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the fan mounting system into separate functional components: the basepan with pins for mechanical retention, and the fan module with corresponding receptacles. This segmentation eliminates the need for integrated electrical connectors in the fan cage, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliable mechanical retention through the pin-receptacle interface
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the electrical connector function from the mechanical mounting structure (fan cage). By using pins extending from the basepan for mechanical retention and separate power cables for electrical connection, the design removes the complexity of integrating both functions into a single component, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If fan cages with electrical connectors are used for fan mounting, then secure fan retention is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive fan cages with electrical connectors with simpler, cheaper alternatives: pins extending from the basepan for mechanical retention and separate power cables for electrical connection. This substitution uses less expensive components while achieving the same functional goals of secure retention and electrical connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
By separating mechanical retention (pins in basepan) from electrical connection (power cables), the invention eliminates the need for costly integrated fan cages with built-in connectors. Each component can be manufactured independently using simpler, less expensive processes
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional fan mounting methods are used, then fan positioning is achieved, but adaptability for different fan module configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pin-receptacle interface design provides universal compatibility for mounting different fan module configurations. The pins extending from the basepan can accommodate various fan module types and positions, allowing the same basepan structure to support multiple fan arrangements while maintaining precise positioning through the standardized pin-receptacle connection
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables dynamic reconfiguration of fan modules by using standardized pins and receptacles that can be easily assembled and disassembled. This allows flexible placement and repositioning of fan modules according to different cooling requirements while maintaining precise positioning through the pin-receptacle interface
Data Source
AI summary
Example implementations relate to a fan module assembly. One example fan module assembly includes a basepan housed in a chassis of a computing device. The basepan includes a distal end. The fan module assembly also includes a plurality of pins extending from the basepan. The plurality of pins includes a first pin and a second pin. The first pin and the second pin are staggered with respect to a plane defined by the distal end. The fan module assembly further includes a fan module attached to the basepan via the first pin and the second pin.