Universal Fan Holder With Adjustable Sealing for Server Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for information handling systems face challenges in efficiently accommodating cooling fans of varying sizes, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for replacing fan brackets, which can result in gaps and recirculation of air, degrading cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable cooling fan holder with adjustable dimensions and sealing mechanisms, such as foldable sealing plates and adjustable position resiliency screws, allows for easy installation and customization of cooling fans of different sizes without compromising cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size fan bracket is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced and the structure is simplified, but the system cannot accommodate fans of varying sizes and the cooling performance degrades due to gaps and air recirculation
Solution Approach 1:
The fan bracket incorporates adjustable components including resiliency screws with threaded engagement and foldable sealing plates that can be reconfigured between multiple positions. This dynamic structure allows the same bracket to adapt to different fan sizes while maintaining secure mounting and proper sealing, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The fan bracket is designed as a universal mounting structure that can accommodate multiple fan sizes (e.g., 80mm, 92mm, 120mm, 140mm) using the same bracket body. The resiliency screws and foldable sealing plates provide multi-functional capability to adjust both mounting position and sealing configuration, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated brackets for different fan sizes
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fan bracket is made reconfigurable to accommodate different fan sizes, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fan bracket is divided into distinct functional segments: the main bracket body, adjustable resiliency screws, and foldable sealing plates. Each segment can be manufactured independently using standard machining processes, and then assembled together. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual components while achieving the complex adaptive function through their combination
Solution Approach 2:
The resiliency screws feature nested threaded engagement where the screw thread integrates with the bracket body structure. The foldable sealing plates are nested within the bracket framework, folding flat when not in use. This nesting approach minimizes the overall component count and reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the reconfigurable adaptability
3Manufacturing precision
If standard mounting screws are used without adjustment capability, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the mounting precision and cooling performance are compromised due to improper fit
Solution Approach 1:
The resiliency screws incorporate adjustable threaded engagement that allows precise positioning of the fan mounting points. By changing the engagement depth and position of the screws along the threaded path, the mounting precision can be optimized for different fan sizes and configurations, ensuring proper alignment and secure attachment without requiring complex custom-machined components
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system having a reconfigurable cooling fan holder including a plurality of cooling fans of a cooling system operatively coupled to the reconfigurable cooling fan holder, a reconfigurable frame having a plurality of slidingly adjustable walls including a pair of lengthwise slidingly adjustable walls and a widthwise slidingly adjustable wall where the pair of lengthwise slidingly adjustable walls may be expanded or reduced in length by sliding the at least two slide bars nested adjacent to one another forming each lengthwise slidingly adjustable wall to extend or contract each lengthwise slidingly adjustable wall, and the widthwise slidingly adjustable wall may be expanded or reduced in width by sliding the at least two slide bars nested adjacent to one another forming the widthwise slidingly adjustable wall to extend or contract the widthwise slidingly adjustable wall for adjusting the width and length of the reconfigurable cooling fan holder.