U.S. patent application number 11/272734 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-06 for flow direction control mechanism.
Invention is credited to Te-Tsai Chuang, Wen-Shi Huang, I-Hsuan Tsai, Chao-Wu Wen.
Application Number | 20060073783 11/272734 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29213318 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060073783 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tsai; I-Hsuan ; et
al. |
April 6, 2006 |
Flow direction control mechanism
Abstract
A flow direction control mechanism is provided, which includes
at least a rotatable means provided in a passage of an electronic
system or apparatus. The rotatable means moves to an open position
by means of a force generated from fluids flowing through the
passage and returns to a close position in the absence of the
force. Further, a restrictor is disposed adjacent to the rotatable
means for restricting movement of the rotatable means between the
open position and the close position.
Inventors: |
Tsai; I-Hsuan; (Kaohsiung,
TW) ; Wen; Chao-Wu; (Nei-Li, TW) ; Huang;
Wen-Shi; (Chung-Li, TW) ; Chuang; Te-Tsai;
(Miao-Li, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
29213318 |
Appl. No.: |
11/272734 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10370406 |
Feb 19, 2003 |
6991533 |
|
|
11272734 |
Nov 15, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
454/184 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 7/2019
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/184 |
International
Class: |
H05K 5/00 20060101
H05K005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 29, 2002 |
TW |
91111402 |
Claims
1-24. (canceled)
25. A flow direction control mechanism, comprising at least one
rotatable means provided in a passage of an electronic device in
which the rotatable means moves to an open position by means of a
force generated from airflow flowing through the passage in
operation of a heat dissipating device in the electronic device,
and the rotatable means returns to a close position to prevent
reverse flowing of the airflow into the passage with occurrence of
a breakdown of the heat dissipating device, wherein the rotatable
means is rotatably mounted in a pivotal, coaxial or engaging manner
or as a module in the passage of the electronic device.
26. A flow direction control mechanism, comprising: a rotatable
means mounted in a passage of an electronic device, wherein the
rotatable means moves to an open position by means of a force
generated from airflow flowing through the passage in operation of
a heat dissipating device in the electronic device, and the
rotatable means returns to a close position in the absence of the
force; and a restricting means mounted close to the rotatable means
for restricting movement of the rotatable means between the open
position and the close position.
27. The flow direction control mechanism of claim 26, wherein the
rotatable means is a thin plate pivotally mounted in the passage of
the electronic device.
28. The flow direction control mechanism of claim 26, further
comprising a bias means mounted close to the rotatable means,
allowing the rotatable means to return to the close position via
biasing effect from the bias means,
29. The flow direction control mechanism of claim 26, wherein the
flow direction control mechanism is formed in a module type and
capable of being detachably installed on at least one predetermined
position in the passage of the electronic device.
30. The flow direction control mechanism of claim 26, wherein the
flow direction control mechanism is mounted in the passage near an
air inlet or air outlet of the passage.
31. The flow direction control mechanism of claim 26, wherein the
flow direction control mechanism is mounted outside the heat
dissipating device near an air inlet or air outlet of the heat
dissipating device.
32. The flow direction control mechanism of claim 26, wherein the
rotatable means is made of alight material selected from the group
consisting of Mylar, polyester, acrylic plastic, fiber glass,
resin, metal, and polycarbonate.
33. The flow direction control mechanism of claim 26, wherein the
rotatable means is rotatably mounted in a pivotal, coaxial or
engaging manner or as a module in the passage of the electronic
device.
34. The flow direction control mechanism of claim 26, wherein the
restricting means is selected from the group consisting of a grid,
guide, gate, protrusion, frame, block, shaft, and bolt, to be
mounted an a side wall, bottom wall or top wall of the passage of
the electronic device.
35. A flow direction control mechanism, comprising: a rotatable
means mounted in a passage of an electronic device, wherein the
rotatable means moves to an open position by means of a force
generated from airflow flowing through the passage in operation of
a heat dissipating device in the electronic device, and the
rotatable means returns to a close position without the operation
of the heat dissipating device; and a restricting means mounted
close to the rotatable means for restricting movement of the
rotatable means between the open position and the close
position.
36. The flow direction control mechanism of claim 35, further
comprising a bias means mounted close to the rotatable means,
allowing the rotatable means to return to the close position via
biasing effect from the bias means.
37. The flow direction control mechanism of claim 35, wherein the
flow direction control mechanism is formed in a module type and
capable of being detachably installed on at least one predetermined
position in the passage of the electronic device.
38. The flow direction control mechanism of claim 35, wherein the
flow direction control mechanism is mounted in the passage near an
air inlet or air outlet of the passage.
39. The flow direction control mechanism of claim 35, wherein the
flow direction control mechanism is mounted outside the heat
dissipating device near an air inlet or air outlet of the heat
dissipating device.
40. The flow direction control mechanism of claim 35, wherein the
rotatable means is made of alight material selected from the group
consisting of Mylar, polyester, acrylic plastic, fiber glass,
resin, metal, and polycarbonate.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to flow direction control
mechanisms, and more particularly, to a flow direction control
mechanism installed in a passage of a system or a device for
controlling the airflow direction and eliminating the occurrence of
reverse flow or air turbulence.
BACKGROUND
[0002] OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Modern electronic devices such as computers and mobile
phones are developed with advancement of technology and have
central process units (CPUs) thereof to be more efficient in
arithmetic calculation, thereby producing more heat during
operation of the electronic devices and making heat dissipation or
temperature control more significantly concerned for the electronic
devices. For example, it is critical to prevent electromigration
effect that is induced by temperature rising above a threshold and
causes a malfunction or breakdown of the electronic devices.
Besides, heat dissipation plays an important role in system
stability of CPUs in computers or other electronic devices;
therefore, one main problem to be solved is to enhance heat
dissipating efficiency in order to improve system performance.
[0004] For solving ventilation, convection and heat dissipation
problems in computers, electrical and mechanical apparatuses, power
suppliers, air-conditioning devices and other industrial
appliances, it is general to install heat dissipating devices such
as axial fans, centrifugal fans and other fans to direct airflow
into a particular passage and to thereby dissipate the airflow
together with heat generated from the electronic devices to the
outside or atmosphere, so as to achieve heat dissipation and
ventilation purposes.
[0005] As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B that respectively illustrate a
side view of a conventional electronic device for heat dissipation
or air conditioning, a first fan 101 and a second fan 103 are
mounted in a passage of the electronic device and used to exhaust
air in the passage via air outlets 105, 107.
[0006] As shown in FIG. 7A, when the first fan 101 and the second
fan 103 both operate normally, they can direct air in the passage
to be exhausted via the air outlets l 05, 107.
[0007] However, in the case of a breakdown of any one of the two
fans, for example, the second fan 103 failing to operate properly
and only the first fan 101 functioning normally, air can freely
pass through the air outlet 107 that is connected to the second fan
103, which may cause reverse airflow as indicated by dotted arrows
in FIG. 7B. Besides the reverse airflow, it also seriously affects
exhaust of inner air in the passage or even affects operation of
the first fan 101, making heat dissipating efficiency of the
electronic device undesirably reduced; this problem would be more
sever in an electronic device with an advanced CPU that is in high
demand of heat dissipation.
[0008] In response to the above heat dissipation problem induced by
malfunctioning of a heat dissipating mechanism of the electronic
device, a solution is to install a compensation mechanism for
improving power of the heat dissipating mechanism; that is, if one
of the fans fails to function properly, the compensation mechanism
operates to elevate power of the other normally-functioning fans to
maintain heat dissipating efficiency of the heat dissipating
mechanism by means of forced convection for exhaust or convection
of inner air in the electronic device.
[0009] However, provision of the compensation mechanism would
increases fabrication costs and structural complexity; as it needs
to take a period of time for the compensation mechanism to detect
and react to malfunctioning of the fan, the electronic device may
be broken down due to high temperature before an action or response
is made by the compensation mechanism.
[0010] Moreover, as the fans are directly connected with air inlets
or air outlets, reverse airflow occurs in a breakdown of the
malfunctioning fan and also affects operation of other
normally-functioning fans by which efficiency of convection or heat
dissipation is significantly reduced, thus increasing load of the
compensation mechanism and making the compensation mechanism easily
damaged.
[0011] Therefore, the problem to be solved herein is to provide a
flow direction control mechanism that can solve the foregoing
drawbacks without significantly increasing fabrication costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a
flow direction control mechanism in a passage of an electronic
device for controlling a flow direction of airflow.
[0013] Another objective of the invention is to provide a flow
direction control mechanism for controlling and preventing reverse
airflow and for improving convection and heat dissipating
efficiency in a passage of an electronic device.
[0014] In order to achieve the foregoing and other objectives, the
present invention provides a flow direction control mechanism
including a rotatable means mounted in a passage of an electronic
device, wherein the rotatable means moves to an open position by
means of a force generated from airflow flowing through the passage
in operation of a heat dissipating device in the electronic device,
and the rotatable means returns to a close position without
requiring an external force. Further, a restricting means or
restrictor may be mounted close to the rotatable means for
restricting movement of the rotatable means between the open
position and the close position, so as to control a flowing
direction of airflow in the passage and prevent reverse airflow to
thereby improve convection and heat dissipating efficiency.
[0015] The above flow direction control mechanism may be optionally
and flexibly mounted at an air inlet or air outlet in the passage
of the electronic device, and/or at positions near an air inlet or
air outlet of a heat dissipation device in the electronic device.
And, a plurality of the flow direction control mechanisms may be
simultaneously mounted at suitable positions in the passage of the
electronic device, so as to achieve desirable controlling effect on
airflow in the passage.
[0016] The rotatable means may be made of a light material such as
Mylar, polyester, acrylic plastic, fiber glass, resin, metal, or
polycarbonate, which can be driven by the force generated from
airflow movement. Surfaces of the rotatable means may be declined
to allow the rotatable means to easily open or move to the open
position by means of the airflow-induced force and to close or
return to the close position due to gravity.
[0017] The rotatable means installed in the passage may be adapted
to move in a linear or rotational motion. And, a bias means may be
further provided for the rotatable means; in the absence of the
airflow-induced force, the bias means provides biasing effect to
allow the rotatable means to return to the close position.
[0018] Moreover, size, number and shape of the rotatable means and
restrictor may be flexibly designed according to the structure of
the passage. And, a plurality of the flow direction control
mechanisms may be integrated as a module type to be detachably
mounted at suitable positions in the passage of the electronic
device, so as to desirably achieve airflow control improvement
without significantly increasing fabrication costs of the flow
direction control mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The present invention can be more fully understood by
reading the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments, with reference made to the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1A is a side view of a flow direction control mechanism
according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 1B is a side view of the flow direction control
mechanism according to the first embodiment of the invention with a
breakdown of one heat dissipating device;
[0022] FIG. 2A is a side view of the flow direction control
mechanism according to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing the flow direction
control mechanism according to the second embodiment of the
invention with a breakdown of one heat dissipating device;
[0024] FIG. 2C is a magnified perspective view showing part of the
flow direction control mechanism according to the second embodiment
of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 2D is a side view showing part of the flow direction
control mechanism according to the second embodiment of the
invention;
[0026] FIG. 3A is a side view of the flow direction control
mechanism according to a third embodiment t of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram showing the flow direction
control mechanism according to the third embodiment of the
invention with a breakdown of one heat dissipating device;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing arrangement of
rotatable means according to a fourth embodiment of the
invention;
[0029] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the flow direction control
mechanism according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 5B is a schematic view showing part of the flow
direction control mechanism according to the fifth embodiment of
the invention;
[0031] FIG. 6A is a side view of the flow direction control
mechanism according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 6B is a schematic view of the flow direction control
mechanism according to the sixth embodiment of the invention with a
breakdown of one heat dissipating device;
[0033] FIG. 6C is a schematic view showing part of the flow
direction control mechanism according to the sixth embodiment of
the invention;
[0034] FIG. 7A (PRIOR ART) is a side view of a conventional
electronic device for heat dissipation and air conditioning;
and
[0035] FIG. 7B (PRIOR ART) is a schematic view of a conventional
electronic device for heat dissipation and air conditioning with a
breakdown of one fan.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] The preferred embodiments of a flow direction control
mechanism proposed in the present invention are described in detail
as follows with reference to FIGS. I to 6.
First Preferred Embodiment
[0037] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a flow direction control
mechanism according to a first embodiment of the invention. A pair
of these flow direction control mechanisms 1 having rotatable means
1a, 1b are disposed at air inlets 5, 6 of a passage of an
electronic device and at inner positions with respect to heat
dissipating devices 3, 4.
[0038] The rotatable means 1a, 1b can be rotatably mounted to a
top, side or bottom wall of the passage of the electronic device,
and spaced apart from the heat dissipating devices 3, 4 by a proper
distance to avoid undesirably interference.
[0039] The heat dissipating devices 3, 4 are each mounted in the
passage of the electronic device, and operate to produce airflow
for directing air in the passage through air inlets 5, 6 toward
outside for exhaust. The heat dissipating devices 3, 4 can be heat
dissipating fans such as axial flow fans or centrifugal fans.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 1A, when the heat dissipating devices 3, 4
operate properly and respectively direct airflow into the air
inlets 5, 6, movement of the airflow generates a pushing force or
pressure on the rotatable means 1a, 1b by which the rotatable means
1a, 1b open or move to an open position to thereby allow the
airflow to pass through the air inlets 5, 6. In other words, the
rotatable means are changed in position by virtue of force or
pressure differences so as to control or impede a flow direction of
the airflow.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 1B, when the heat dissipating device 4
fails to function properly, no airflow is induced and enters the
air inlet 6, and thus no force or pressure is applied to the
rotatable means 1b, thereby making the rotatable means 1b return to
a close position due to gravity.
[0042] Moreover, the flow direction control mechanism 1 may be
further provided with a positioner or a bias means to help securely
hold the rotatable means at the open position or the close position
and to eliminate noise generated from the rotatable means by
shaking or striking during movement thereof.
[0043] Furthermore, the rotatable means can be shaped as a thin
plate and pivotally installed in the passage of the electronic
device. The rotatable means is preferably made of a light and
flexible material such as Mylar, polyester, acrylic-plastic, fiber
glass, resin, metal, and polycarbonate, so as to allow airflow to
easily pass across the rotatable means.
Second Preferred Embodiment
[0044] FIGS. 2A to 2D illustrate a flow direction control mechanism
according to a second embodiment of the invention. A pair of these
flow direction control mechanisms 11 are disposed at air outlets
15, 16 of the passage of an electronic device and at outer
positions with respect to heat dissipating devices 13, 14. The flow
direction control mechanisms 11 are formed with rotatable means
11a, 11b and restrictors 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, wherein the
restrictors 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f are each a protrusion formed on an
inner side wall of the passage. The rotatable means 11a, 11b of the
second embodiment are structured and have the same functions as
those in the first embodiment; therefore, no further description
thereto is to be here repeated. The second embodiment only differs
from the first embodiment in that the rotatable means 11a, 11b are
located near the air outlets 15, 16 of the passage and the
restrictors 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f are provided.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 2A, when the heat dissipating devices 13,
14 operate properly, airflow in the electronic device is directed
through the air outlets 1.5, 16 toward outside of the passage, and
thus generates a pushing force to move the rotatable means 11a, 11b
to an open position illustrated in FIG. 2C in which the rotatable
means 11a moves from a close position 12a (indicated by dotted
lines) to an open position 12b (indicated by solid lines), with the
restrictors 11c, 11e being provided for restricting movement of the
rotatable means 11a between the close position 12a and the opening
position 12b.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 2B, when the heat dissipating device 13
fails to function properly, no airflow is induced and enters the
air outlet 15, and thus no force or pressure is applied to the
rotatable means 11a, thereby making the rotatable means 11a return
to a close position due to gravity; that is, as shown in FIG. 2D,
the rotatable means 11a moves from the open position 12b to the
close position 12a.
[0047] With the heat dissipating device 14 operating normally, the
rotatable means 11b opens toward the air outlet 16 or moves from a
close position to an open position by means of an outward pushing
force generated from outward movement of the airflow in the
passage, whereas the rotatable means 11a keeps at the close
position to prevent reverse airflow back to the passage. In this
case, even with a breakdown of the heat dissipating device 13, air
in the passage is still smoothly directed by the heat dissipating
device 14 through the air outlet 16 having the rotatable means 11b
open for exhaust, and also outside air is blocked by the closed
rotatable means 11a and fails to enter through the air outlet 15
into the passage, such that turbulence and reverse flow can be
eliminated. And, the restrictors 11d, 11f are provided for
restricting movement of the rotatable means 11b between the close
position and the opening position.
[0048] Moreover, the restrictors 11c-f may be in the form of
protrusions, frames, blocks, shafts, pins or other suitable
structures to achieve the positionally restricting function. And,
besides the inner side wall of the passage shown in FIGS. 2A-2D,
the restrictors 11c-f can also be mounted to a bottom wall or top
wall of the passage or to any other differently-shaped passage at
positions where they can operate to restrict movement of the
rotatable means 11a, 11b between the open position and close
position. Alternatively, in this embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2D,
top walls of the air outlets 15, 16 can serve as restrictors for
restricting the moving range of the rotatable means 11a, 11b.
Third Preferred Embodiment
[0049] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a flow direction control
mechanism according to a third embodiment of the invention. This
flow direction control mechanism 7 has the structure similar to
that of the first embodiment with the only difference in that the
flow direction control mechanisms 7 are installed at outside
position rather than inner positions (first embodiment) with
respect to heat dissipating devices 9, 10.
Fourth Preferred Embodiment
[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow direction control mechanism
according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. A pair of these
flow direction control mechanisms 17 are disposed at air outlets of
the passage of the electronic device, and formed with rotatable
means 17a. 17b and restrictors 17c, 17d, each restrictor 17c, 17d
being formed as a pair of shafts.
[0051] These rotatable means and restrictors have the same
functions as those in the foregoing embodiments, and thus no
further description thereto is to be here repeated only.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, the flow direction control mechanism 17
of the fourth embodiment differs from the above embodiments in that
the rotatable means 17a, 17b are coaxially connected and mounted in
the passage of the electronic device and spaced apart from a heat
dissipating device (not shown) provided in the passage by a proper
distance to avoid undesirable interference. The restrictors 17c,
17d, 17e, 17f are individually mounted on an inner side wall of the
passage for restricting movement of the rotatable means 17a, 17b
only between an open position and a close position.
[0053] In other words, when the rotatable means 17a, 17b each moves
to the open position, the restrictors 17c, 17d prevent the
rotatable means 17a, 17b from coming into contact or colliding with
each other; when the rotatable means 17a, 17b each moves to the
close position, the restrictors 17e, 17f installed on the side wall
of the passage prevent the rotatable means 17a, 17b from moving
beyond the close position, such that the rotatable means 17a, 17b
would not move toward or get into contact with the heat dissipating
device in the passage.
[0054] The restrictors 17c, 17d, 17e, 17f may be in the form of
railings, leads, gates or other suitable structures to provide the
positional restricting function.
[0055] Moreover, the rotatable means 17a, 17b may be integrally
shaped as a single rotatable means that is centrally bent by a
suitable angle and operates to move between an open position and an
close position, wherein a biasing means, positioner or other
equivalent elements may also be provided for positioning
purposes.
Fifth Preferred Embodiment
[0056] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a flow direction control
mechanism according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, As
shown in FIG. 5A, a pair of these flow direction control mechanisms
27 are installed in the passage of the electronic device, and
provided with rotatable means 27a, 27e, a plurality of restrictors
28a, 28e, 28c, 28d, 28b, 28f, 28g, 28h and a plurality of
predetermined positions 27b, 27c, 27d, 27f, 27g, 27h for disposing
the rotatable means 27a, 27e.
[0057] The flow direction control mechanism 27 of this embodiment
differs the foregoing embodiments in that this flow direction
control mechanism 27 is formed in a module type and can be
detachably mounted to one or more suitable positions in the passage
of the electronic device. As shown in the drawings, a plurality of
predetermined positions 27b, 27c, 27d, 27f, 27g, 27h are provided
for accommodating a plurality of rotatable means simultaneously and
for easily renewing or replacing damaged rotatable means.
[0058] Alternatively, the rotatable means may be integrally formed
in the passage of the electronic device and properly spaced apart
from the heat dissipating devices (not shown) to be mounted in the
passage, and the number of rotatable means and restrictors can vary
optionally to allow the rotatable means not to come into contact
with the heat dissipating devices during movement between an open
position and a close position.
[0059] Besides, in accordance with an amount of airflow,
arrangement of the heat dissipating devices or other practical
requirements, the rotatable means can be flexibly installed at any
one or more of the predetermined positions 27b, 27c, 27d, 27f, 27g,
27h. For examples, when the airflow amount is large or increases,
more rotatable means are preferably utilized, or the rotatable
means may be provided at positions relatively more distant to the
heat dissipating devices; when the airflow amount is small or
reduces, the number of rotatable means may be decreased, the
rotatable means can be installed at positions relatively closer to
the heat dissipating devices, or damaged rotatable means if any can
be renewed.
[0060] The rotatable means installed in the passage of the
electronic device may be adapted to move in a linear, rotational or
another type motion to the open position by means of a force
generated from airflow flowing through the passage and return to
the close position by means of a force or pressure difference. And,
the restrictors are provided to restrict movement of the rotatable
means only between the open position and the close position.
[0061] Moreover, besides detachable mounting shown in FIGS. 5A and
5B, the rotatable means may have elasticity and can be pivotally
mounted in the passage of the electronic device.
Sixth Preferred Embodiment
[0062] FIGS. 6A to 6C illustrate a flow direction control mechanism
according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. A pair of these
flow direction control mechanisms 37 are pivotally installed at air
outlets of the passage of the electronic device and formed with
rotatable means 37a, 37b. This embodiment differs from the above
second embodiment in that the flow direction control mechanisms 37
are situated at inner positions with respect to heat dissipating
devices 39, 41, and the rotatable means 37a, 37b are installed on
shafts, as shown in FIG. 6C.
[0063] As shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, a plurality of positioners 37e, 37f
may be further provided for firmly positioning the rotatable means
37a, 37b. The positioners 37e, 37f are used to securely hold the
rotatable means 37a, 37b respectively at an open position or a
close position, and to eliminate noise generated from the rotatable
means 37, 37b by shaking or striking during movement thereof.
[0064] The invention has been described using exemplary preferred
embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the scope of the
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the
contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar
arrangements. For examples, in the flow direction control mechanism
of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, the restrictors 11c,
11d, 11e, 11f may be mounted to an inner side wall of the passage
of the electronic device, or a bias means or positioner may be
provided on the inner side, bottom or top wall of the passage, so
as to firmly hold the rotatable means at the open position or the
close position, and to eliminate noise generated from the rotatable
means by shaking or striking during movement thereof. The bias
means provides biasing effect on the rotatable means for achieving
positioning puxposes; the bias means may be any a suitable elastic
element e.g. a leaf spring, coil spring or twist spring.
[0065] The rotatable means may be rotatably mounted to the top or
side wall of the passage of the electronic device or detachably
installed on at least one suitable predetermined position in the
passage.
[0066] Further, size, number, shape, arrangement and assembly of
the rotatable means and restrictors may all be designed and varied.
according to the structure of the passage without being limited to
the above mentioned embodiments.
[0067] The invention utilizes a difference in force or pressure to
move the rotatable means in position without requiring an external
or extra driving mechanism, so as to control a flowing direction of
airflow in the passage as not to affect exhaust of heat or hot air
out of the passage.
[0068] Moreover, the flow direction control mechanism according to
the invention may be optionally and flexibly mounted at an air
inlet or air outlet in the passage of the electronic device, and/or
at positions near an air inlet or air outlet of a heat dissipation
device in the electronic device. And, a plurality of the flow
direction control mechanisms may integrate as a module type to be
detachably mounted at suitable positions in the passage of the
electronic device, so as to achieve desirable controlling effect on
airflow in the passage.
[0069] Therefore, the scope of the claims should be accorded the
broadest interpretation so as to encompass all similar
modifications and similar arrangements under the spirits and
technologies of the invention.
* * * * *