U.S. patent application number 11/214808 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-02 for fans and electronic devices utilizing the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.. Invention is credited to Yi-Fang Chou, Wen-Shi Huang, Yu-Chien Kao, Tsu-Liang Lin.
Application Number | 20060045777 11/214808 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35943414 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060045777 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kao; Yu-Chien ; et
al. |
March 2, 2006 |
Fans and electronic devices utilizing the same
Abstract
Electronic devices and fans thereof are provided. An electronic
device comprises a fan cavity and separately disposed heat sources.
A fan is disposed in the fan cavity with a frame shaped according
to the profile of the fan cavity. The frame also includes an
extended portion formed according to the relative position of the
fan cavity and separated heat sources, optimizing the heat
dissipation.
Inventors: |
Kao; Yu-Chien; (Taoyuan
Hsien, TW) ; Chou; Yi-Fang; (Taoyuan Hsien, TW)
; Lin; Tsu-Liang; (Taoyuan Hsien, TW) ; Huang;
Wen-Shi; (Taoyuan Hsien, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
|
Family ID: |
35943414 |
Appl. No.: |
11/214808 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/423.14 ;
417/423.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 29/547 20130101;
F04D 29/541 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/423.14 ;
417/423.1 |
International
Class: |
F04B 17/00 20060101
F04B017/00; F04B 35/04 20060101 F04B035/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 1, 2004 |
TW |
093126328 |
Claims
1. An electronic device, comprising: a housing; at least a heat
source disposed in the housing; and a fan disposed in the housing,
wherein the fan comprises a frame, the frame comprises an airflow
outlet, an airflow inlet, and a first extended portion, the first
extended portion is disposed at the airflow outlet or the airflow
inlet, and an inclined angle, an extending direction or a position
of the first extended portion is adjusted according to a position
of the heat source.
2. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shape
of the frame is appropriately modified according to the
housing.
3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame
further comprises a second extended portion, and the second
extended portion is disposed at the airflow outlet or the airflow
inlet where the first extended portion is not disposed.
4. The electronic device as claimed in claim 3, wherein an inclined
angle of the second extended portion is adjusted according to a
position of the housing for increasing airflow.
5. The electronic device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
inclined angles or the extended depths of the first and the second
extended portions are different.
6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second
extended portion comprises a plurality of segments, and the
distance between each segment and an end of a blade of the fan is
different.
7. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
sectional areas or the shape of the airflow inlet and the airflow
outlet are different, or the airflow inlet and the airflow outlet
are not parallel.
8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame
is circular, oval, equilateral polygonal, scalene polygonal,
trapezoidal, sectorial, or irregular shaped.
9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
extended portion comprises a plurality of segments, and the
distance between each segment and an end of a blade of the fan is
different.
10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame
comprises a plurality of segments with different inclined angles or
axial heights.
11. A fan for dissipating heat from at least a heat source,
comprising: a frame comprising an airflow outlet, an airflow inlet,
and a first extended portion, wherein the first extended portion is
disposed at the airflow outlet or the airflow inlet, and an
inclined angle, an extending direction or a position of the first
extended portion is adjusted according to a position of the heat
source; and a blade disposed in the frame.
12. The fan as claimed in claim 11, wherein the frame further
comprises a second extended portion, and the second extended
portion is disposed at one of the airflow outlet or the airflow
inlet where the first extended portion is not disposed.
13. The fan as claimed in claim 12, wherein the inclined angles or
the extended depths of the first and the second extended portions
are different.
14. The fan as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second extended
portion comprises a plurality of segments, and the distance between
each segment and an end of the blade is different.
15. The fan as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first extended
portion comprises a plurality of segments, and the distance between
each segment and an end of the blade is different.
16. The fan as claimed in claim 11, wherein the sectional areas or
the shape of the airflow inlet and the airflow outlet are
different, or the airflow inlet and the airflow outlet are not
parallel.
17. The fan as claimed in claim 11, wherein the frame comprises a
plurality of segments, and the axial heights or the inclined angles
of any two adjacent segments are different.
18. The fan as claimed in claim 11, wherein the frame is circular,
oval, equilateral polygonal, scalene polygonal, trapezoidal,
sectorial, or irregular shaped.
19. An electronic device comprising: a housing comprising a fan
cavity; and a fan disposed in the fan cavity, wherein the fan
comprises a frame, and the shape of the frame is adjusted according
to that of the fan cavity.
20. The electronic device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the frame
comprises a plurality of segments, and the axial heights or the
inclined angles of any two adjacent segments are different.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The invention relates to fans, and in particular, to fans
for electronic devices.
[0002] Typically, when designing an axial fan, airflow outlet/inlet
size thereof is increased to raise airflow. Generally, conventional
fans utilize a square frame, as shown in FIG. 1A. Due to
limitations of the frame 10, the extended ramp 11 design of the
airflow outlet/inlet cannot be optimized to maximize airflow.
[0003] Conventionally, the center of the fan is aligned with a heat
source to optimize heat dissipation. FIG. 1B is a sectional diagram
of the fan frame in FIG. 1A along line a-a. FIG. 1B shows an
airflow field generated by the fan in FIG. 1A. In FIG. 1B, the
notation `w` represents the airflow field, `13` represents the
center line of the fan, and `1a` represents a heat source. The fan
is disposed in system 1, and the heat source la is on the center
line 13.
[0004] The heat source 1a cannot always be directly on the center
line 13 of the fan because other components in the system occupy
the same space. In such cases, a new fan of a larger size or with a
higher rotational speed is required, raising production costs and
generating relatively more noise.
[0005] Accordingly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,843 discloses a fan capable
of dissipating heat from a plurality of heat sources. Referring to
FIG. 2, the fan 20 has a ramp 21 formed on the frame and an
extended portion 22 on its side, thereby improving heat dissipation
capability. The shape of the frame is basically square. Thus, the
square frame is not suitable when system space is limited.
SUMMARY
[0006] Fans and electronic devices utilizing the same are provided.
An exemplary embodiment of an electronic device comprises a
housing, a heat source, and a fan. The housing comprises a fan
cavity. The heat source is disposed in the housing. The fan is
disposed in the fan cavity. The fan comprises a frame. The frame
comprises an airflow outlet, an airflow inlet, and a first extended
portion. The first extended portion is disposed at the airflow
outlet or the airflow inlet. An inclined angle, an entending
direction or a position of the first extended portion is adjusted
according to a position or a shape of the fan cavity or the heat
source.
[0007] An exemplary embodiment of a fan, for dissipating heat from
a heat source, comprises a frame and a blade. The frame comprises
an airflow outlet, an airflow inlet, and a first extended portion.
The first extended portion is disposed at the airflow outlet or the
airflow inlet. An inclined angle, an entending direction or a
position of the first extended portion is adjusted according to the
position of the heat source. The blade is disposed on the
frame.
[0008] Some embodiments of an electronic device comprise a housing,
a heat source, and a fan. The heat source is disposed in the
housing. The fan is disposed in the housing. The fan comprises a
frame with an extended portion near the heat source.
[0009] Some embodiments of an electronic device comprise a housing,
a plurality of heat sources, and a fan. The heat sources are
disposed in the housing. The fan is disposed in the housing. The
fan comprises a frame with an extended portion near each heat
source. The extended portion is disposed at an airflow inlet or an
airflow outlet of the fan.
[0010] Some embodiments of an electronic device comprise a housing
and a fan, wherein the housing comprises a fan cavity with a fan
disposed therein. The fan comprises a frame, and the shape of the
frame is adjusted according to that of the fan cavity.
[0011] Some embodiments of a fan comprise a frame and a blade. The
frame comprises an airflow outlet, an airflow inlet, a first
extended portion, and a second extended portion. The first extended
portion is disposed at the airflow outlet. The second extended
portion is disposed at the airflow inlet. The blade is disposed on
the frame. Inclined angles of the first and the second extended
portions are different. Extended depths of the first and the second
extended portions are different.
[0012] Some embodiments of a fan, for dissipating heat from a heat
source, comprise a frame and a blade. The frame comprises an
airflow outlet, an airflow inlet, and a first extended portion. The
first extended portion is disposed at the airflow outlet. An
inclined angle or an entending direction of the first extended
portion is adjusted according to a position of the heat source. The
blade is disposed on the frame. Sectional areas of the airflow
inlet and the airflow outlet are different. Shapes of the airflow
inlet and the airflow outlet are different.
[0013] Some embodiments of a fan comprise a frame and a blade. The
frame comprises an airflow outlet, an airflow inlet, a first
extended portion, and a second extended portion. The first extended
portion is disposed at the airflow outlet. The second extended
portion is disposed at the airflow inlet. The blade is disposed on
the frame. The frame is circular, oval, equilateral polygonal,
scalene polygonal, trapezoidal, sectorial, or irregular shaped.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Fans and electronic devices can be more fully understood by
reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with
references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1A is a three-dimensional diagram of a conventional fan
frame.
[0016] FIG. 1B is a sectional diagram of the fan frame in FIG. 1A
along line a-a.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a top view of a fan disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,386,843.
[0018] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of airflow field related to
an embodiment of an electronic device.
[0019] FIG. 3B is a three-dimensional diagram of the fan frame in
FIG. 3A.
[0020] FIG. 3C is a sectional diagram of the fan frame in FIG. 3B
along line b-b.
[0021] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of airflow field related to
an embodiment of an electronic device.
[0022] FIG. 4B is a top view of the fan frame in FIG. 4A.
[0023] FIG. 4C is a sectional diagram of the fan frame in FIG. 4B
along line c-c.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a top view of an embodiment of a fan.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an embodiment of a fan frame.
[0026] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of airflow field related to
an embodiment of an electronic device.
[0027] FIG. 7B is a top view of the fan in FIG. 7A.
[0028] FIG. 7C is a sectional diagram of the fan frame in FIG. 7B
along line d-d.
[0029] FIG. 7D is a sectional diagram of the fan frame in FIG. 7B
along line e-e.
[0030] FIG. 7E is a diagram of an embodiment of a fan frame.
[0031] FIG. 7F is a sectional diagram of the fan frame in FIG. 7E
along line f-f.
[0032] FIG. 8A is a top view of an embodiment of a fan frame.
[0033] FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an
electronic device utilizing the fan in FIG. 8A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of airflow field related to
an embodiment of an electronic device. FIG. 3B is a
three-dimensional diagram of the fan frame in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is a
sectional diagram of the fan frame in FIG. 3B along line b-b. A
stator and a blade are not shown in FIGS. 3B.about.3C for
simplicity.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 3A, the electronic device 2 comprises a
housing 2a, a plurality of heat sources 2b and 2c, and a fan 30.
The heat sources 2b and 2c and the fan 30 are disposed in the
housing 2a. Due to space limitations, the heat sources 2b and 2c
are disposed separately. The housing 2a comprises a fan cavity 2d
for accommodating the fan 30. The scope of an airflow field w is
modified by adjusting the shape of a frame 31 of the fan for heat
dissipation in a limited space.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 3A=18 3C, the fan 30 is an axial fan with
a rectangular frame 31. The frame 31 comprises an airflow outlet
31b, an airflow inlet 31c, two extended portions 31d and 31e, and a
bushing 33. A stator coil 32 is wound at the bushing 33, and a
blade 35 is connected with the bushing 33 through a pivot 34. The
extended portion 31d is disposed at the airflow outlet 31b. The
inclined angle of the extended portion 31d is adjusted according to
the relative position of the fan cavity 2d and the heat sources 2b
and 2c. Suppose two heat sources spaced the same distance are
disposed in FIGS. 1B and 3A, the airflow field w in FIG. 3A is
larger due to the extended portion 31d.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3D, the extended portion 31e is
disposed at the airflow outlet 31c. The two extended portions 31d
and 31e are on the same side. The inclined angle of the extended
portion 31e is adjusted according to the position of the fan cavity
2d for increasing airflow to improve heat dissipation.
[0038] In FIG. 3B, four positioning holes are formed at the four
corners of the frame 31 respectively. The frame 31 can be
positioned in the electronic device 2 via the four positioning
holes. The locations of the four positioning holes can be adjusted
when necessary. In the following disclosed embodiments, the four
positioning holes are omitted for simplicity.
[0039] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of airflow field related to
an embodiment of an electronic device. FIG. 4B is a top view of the
fan frame in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C is a sectional diagram of the fan
frame in FIG. 4B along line c-c. A stator and a blade are not shown
in FIGS. 4B.about.4C for simplicity.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 4A, the electronic device 3 comprises a
housing 3a, a major heat source 3b, a minor heat source 3c, and a
fan 40. The heat sources 3b and 3c and the fan 40 are disposed in
the housing 3a. The fan faces the major heat source 3b. In
comparison of FIGS. 3A and 4A, the two heat sources 3b and 3c are
spaced farther (D>p), the fan 40 has an extended portions with
larger inclined angles, and thus the scope of the airflow field w
in FIG. 4A is larger.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 4B.about.4C, the frame 41 of the fan 40 is
similar to the previously described frame 31. The frame 41 is
rectangular. The frame 41 comprises an airflow outlet 41c, an
airflow inlet 41d, and two extended portions 41a and 41b. The
extended portions 41a and 41b are disposed at the airflow outlet
41c and the airflow inlet 41d respectively. The main difference
between this and previously described frames is that the extended
portions 41a and 41b have different inclined angles (.theta.1 and
.theta.2) and extended depths (d1 and d2). As shown in FIG. 4C, the
extended depths (.theta.1 and .theta.2) are distances from the
airflow outlet 41c or the airflow inlet 41d to the extended
portions 41a or 41b. The inclined angles (.theta.1 and .theta.2)
represent the included angle between the wall of the extended
portions and the connected vertical walls.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 4A, the extended portions 41a and 41b are
formed with different inclined angles (.theta.1 and .theta.2).
Thus, the airflow outlet 41c and the airflow inlet 41d have
different sectional areas and shapes, and the center of the blade
is not located at the center of the frame. The frame design can be
modified according to positions and sizes of heat sources and the
fan cavity, thus optimizing heat dissipation.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a top view of an embodiment of a fan. The fan 50
comprises a frame 51 and a blade 52, and the frame 51 comprises an
extended portion 51a. The main difference between this and
previously described frames is described in the following. The
frame 51 is trapezoidal. The extended portion 51a is formed along
the edges of the airflow outlet or the airflow inlet. The shapes of
the airflow outlet and the airflow inlet are basically sectorial
for dissipating heat from separated heat sources.
[0044] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an embodiment of a fan frame. The
frame 61 comprises an extended portion 61a on its two sides, thus
adjusting the scope of the airflow field to suit various kinds of
heat sources.
[0045] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of airflow field related to
an embodiment of an electronic device. FIG. 7B is a top view of the
fan in FIG. 7A. FIG. 7C is a sectional diagram of the fan frame in
FIG. 7B along line d-d. FIG. 7D is a sectional diagram of the fan
frame in FIG. 7B along line e-e.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 7A, the electronic device 4 comprises a
housing 4a and a plurality of heat sources 4b and 4c. The heat
sources 4b and 4c and the fan 70 are disposed in the housing 4a.
Due to space limitations, the heat sources 4b and 4c are disposed
separately. The housing 4a comprises a fan cavity 4d on its side
for accommodating the fan 70. The airflow inlet and the airflow
outlet are not parallel, so the airflow direction is changed. The
scope of an airflow field w is modified by adjusting the shape of a
frame 71 of the fan for heat dissipation in limited space.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 7A.about.7D, the frame 71 comprises an
extended portion 71a formed at the airflow outlet 71c and another
extended portion 71b formed at the airflow inlet 71d. The main
difference between this and previously described frames is
described in the following. The frame 71 is oval. The inclined
angles and depths of the extended portions are adjusted according
to the heat sources 4b and 4c and the fan cavity 4d in the housing
4a, thus changing the scope of the airflow field to suit various
kinds of heat sources.
[0048] FIG. 7E is a diagram of an embodiment of a fan frame. FIG.
7F is a sectional diagram of the fan frame in FIG. 7E along line
f-f. As shown in FIGS. 7E and 7F, the frame 71 of the fan 70
comprises a plurality of segments of different inclined angles.
Shapes of any two adjacent segments are different, and axial
heights of any two adjacent segments are different. The extended
portions 71a and 71b are disposed at the airflow outlet 71c.
According to heat dissipation requirements, the extended portions
71a and 71b can comprise a plurality of segments. The distance
between each segment and the end of the blade can be different, and
height of each segment can be different. Thus, the scope of the
airflow field can be adjusted to suit various kinds of heat
sources.
[0049] The shape of the frame can be optimized according to the fan
cavity in the system. FIG. 8A is a top view of an embodiment of a
fan frame. FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an
electronic device utilizing the fan in FIG. 8A.
[0050] In FIG. 8B, the electronic device 5 comprises a fan cavity
5a for accommodation of the fan 80 in FIG. 8A. The fan cavity 5a
has an irregular shape. By forming an extended portion 81a on the
frame 81, the shape of the frame 81 is changed to suit the fan
cavity 5a. The fan 8 dissipates heat generated by heat sources 5b,
5c, and 5d.
[0051] The fan cavity 5a in FIG. 8B can be circular, oval,
rectangular, trapezoidal, sectorial, equilateral polygonal, scalene
polygonal, or irregular shaped, and the shape of the frame 81 can
be changed accordingly.
[0052] While the invention has been described by way of example and
in terms of several embodiments, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended
to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would
be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of
the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation
so as to encompass all such modifications and similar
arrangements.
* * * * *