Universal Fan Mounting Bracket for Flexible Computer Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for computers require multiple types of fan walls with different mounting locations, leading to increased development, manufacturing, and logistical costs due to the need for customized fan walls for various computer systems.
Innovation Solution
A universal fan mounting system with a bracket that allows fans to be secured to the chassis at any position along its width dimension, using removable connectors and partitions to accommodate different fan arrangements, reducing the need for multiple fan walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of fan walls with different mounting locations are used to accommodate various computer systems, then adaptability to different computing systems is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fan wall is designed as a universal mounting structure that can accommodate fans at multiple positions along its length. The bracket includes a mounting surface with multiple mounting positions and removable connectors that can be positioned at different locations, allowing a single fan wall design to serve multiple computing system configurations without requiring separate customized fan walls for each system type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If customized fan walls are manufactured for various computer systems, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing costs and logistical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal fan wall design with multiple mounting positions and removable connectors replaces the need for multiple customized fan wall variants. This standardization allows manufacturers to produce one type of fan wall that can be configured for different computing systems, thereby reducing manufacturing costs, simplifying production processes, and decreasing logistical complexity associated with storing and shipping multiple specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan wall is segmented into modular components including a bracket with mounting surface, removable connectors, and fan mounting brackets. These segmented elements can be independently manufactured and assembled in different configurations to accommodate various computing system requirements, enabling customization without requiring complete redesign of the entire fan wall assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If a universal fan mounting system is used across multiple computing systems, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but ease of positioning fans at specific locations may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fan mounting system incorporates removable connectors that can be detached and repositioned along the mounting surface of the bracket. This dynamic reconfigurability allows the universal fan wall to be easily adapted to different fan positioning requirements of various computing systems. The connectors can be removed from one position and installed at another, enabling flexible positioning without requiring complex tools or difficult assembly procedures, thus maintaining ease of operation while achieving cost reduction through standardization.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing system includes a printed circuit board assembly and a chassis to receive and support the printed circuit board assembly. The printed circuit board assembly includes a plurality of fan connectors. A bracket is configured to be coupled with the chassis. The system further includes a fan module, which comprises a fan rotor contained within a fan housing, an electrical connector, and a bracket connector to removably couple the fan module to the bracket. The fan module further includes an electrical connector couplable to a fan connector of the printed circuit board assembly.