U.S. patent application number 13/117706 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-29 for radiator fan module.
This patent application is currently assigned to FORCECON TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Jhong-Yan Chang, Sin-Wei He, Tzu-Hsin Huang, Ming-Cyuan SHIH.
Application Number | 20110315359 13/117706 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45351418 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110315359 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHIH; Ming-Cyuan ; et
al. |
December 29, 2011 |
RADIATOR FAN MODULE
Abstract
A radiator fan module has a fan assembly, cooling fin and heat
conductor. The fan assembly has a shell seat and fan blade, an air
outlet is set at one side of the shell seat, the cooling fin is set
correspondingly to the outlet, and the cooling end of the conductor
is mated with the fin. The outlet forms an inward extended wall, an
outward extended wall and an extended inner space set between the
outlet and fan blade. The outlet has a width-reducing pattern. A
notched space is formed externally between the inward extended wall
and shell seat. An inward extended heat conductor is formed by the
extension of the inner end of the cooling fin and is located within
the range of the extended inner space, and provided with a blade
corresponding side that is located correspondingly to a peripheral
position of the blade.
Inventors: |
SHIH; Ming-Cyuan; (Jhubei
City, TW) ; He; Sin-Wei; (Jhudong Township, TW)
; Chang; Jhong-Yan; (Hsinchu City, TW) ; Huang;
Tzu-Hsin; (Hsinchu City, TW) |
Assignee: |
FORCECON TECHNOLOGY CO.,
LTD.
Chu Pei City
TW
|
Family ID: |
45351418 |
Appl. No.: |
13/117706 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 1/20 20130101; H01L
2924/00 20130101; H01L 2924/0002 20130101; H01L 23/467 20130101;
F28D 15/0275 20130101; H01L 23/427 20130101; F28D 15/0233 20130101;
H01L 2924/0002 20130101; F28D 2021/0028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/121 |
International
Class: |
F28F 13/00 20060101
F28F013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 23, 2010 |
TW |
099211888 |
Claims
1. A radiator fan module, comprising: a fan assembly, a cooling fin
and a heat conductor; the fan assembly comprises of a shell seat
and fan blade pivoted into the shell seat; an air inlet is set onto
at least one surface of the shell seat, and an air outlet at one
side; the cooling fin is set correspondingly to the air outlet; the
cooling end of the heat conductor is mated with the cooling fin,
while the heated end of the heat conductor is extended outwards, of
which: the air outlet is protruded to form an inward extended wall,
an outward extended wall and an extended inner space set between
the air outlet and fan blade; the air outlet has a width-reducing
pattern, such that the inward extended wall is located nearby the
corresponding center of the fan blade; a notched space is formed
externally between the inward extended wall and shell seat; an
inward extended heat conductor is formed by the extension of the
inner end of the cooling fin; the inward extended heat conductor is
located within the range of the extended inner space, and provided
with a fan blade corresponding side that is located correspondingly
to a peripheral position of the fan blade.
2. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said cooling fin is
made of multiple heat-conducting fins arranged vertically or
horizontally.
3. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said heat conductor is
either a heat pipe or hot plate.
4. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein the cooling end of
said heat conductor can be mated with either side of the cooling
fin.
5. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein the fan blade
corresponding side of the inward extended heat conductor is
available with either of curved, stepped or corrugated surface.
6. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said heat conductor is
a flat heat pipe; an opening is set onto the outward extended wall
of the air outlet for exposing one side of the cooling fin; the
cooling end of the heat conductor with a pattern of flat heat pipe
is set into a vertical surface for abutting onto the exposing side
of the cooling fin, whilst the heated end of the heat conductor is
set into a horizontal surface by turning around 90.degree..
7. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein an inward bulging
margin is set at the mating point of the inward extended wall and
the shell seat.
8. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein one side of the
cooling fin includes a vertical wall flange; a notched portion is
set at one side of the air outlet for exposing of the vertical wall
flange of the cooling fin; and a heat-conducting block is set on
the external surface of the vertical wall flange; the
heat-conducting block contains a mating surface and an insertion
slot; the mating surface is incorporated onto external surface of
the vertical wall flange of the cooling fin, and the insertion slot
is used for inserting the cooling end of the heat conductor.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC
[0004] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] 1. Field of the Invention
[0006] The present invention relates generally to a radiator fan
module, and more particularly to an innovative one which is
designed to reduce the width and area of its air outlet with
outstanding heat dissipation efficacies.
[0007] 2. Description of Related Art Including Information
Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.
[0008] The radiator fan module is of great importance to computer
products since it directly affects a CPU's performance, stability
and service life. So, the radiator fan module is structurally
designed in tune with the design trend of computer products.
[0009] The present invention is intended to improve a radiator fan
module, which comprises a fan assembly, cooling fin and heat pipe.
Such a radiator fan module is now widely applied to laptops. Yet
some problems of the structural design still remain unresolved.
FIG. 1 illustrates a radiator fan module of the prior art, which
comprises a fan assembly 11, cooling fin 12 and heat pipe 13. A
side-blown air outlet 113 of the fan assembly 11 almost as wide as
the seat shell 112 is formed at one side of the seat shell 112, and
the cooling fin 12 is arranged correspondingly to the side-blown
air outlet 113. The cooling end 131 of the heat pipe 13 is abutted
between the cooling fin 12 and side-blown air outlet 113. However,
the following shortcomings of the conventional radiator fan module
are found during actual applications.
[0010] In addition to an interface of side-blown air outlet 113,
the laptop is also provided with optimal assembly position for
CD-ROM, network card, video extension terminal and USB drive.
However, when a compact laptop is designed, the available area of
its periphery is reduced significantly. When the assembly area of
aforementioned interfaces is minimized, the type design of the
radiator fan module is a key element. In other words, whether the
air outlet of the radiator fan module can be further reduced will
directly affect the degree of compactness of the laptop. Even so,
there is still a technical consideration as to whether the heat
dissipation effect of the radiator fan module is affected.
[0011] Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior
art, it would be an advancement if the art to provide an improved
structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.
[0012] Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention
of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on
years of experience in the production, development and design of
related products.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The enhanced efficacy of the present invention is as
follows:
[0014] Based on the unique construction of the present invention
wherein the "radiator fan module" allows its air outlet to be set
into protruding and width-reducing pattern, such that a notched
space is formed externally between the inward extended wall and
shell seat, and an inward extended heat conductor is formed by the
extension of the inner end of the cooling fin. Besides, the inward
extended heat conductor is extended from the inner end of the
cooling fin to the extended inner space, thus making up width
reduction of the cooling fin arising from area reduction of the air
outlet for better heat dissipation effect. The notched space can
provide a bigger space for accommodating the connectors within the
laptop. Thus, the radiator fan module of the present invention
allows to reduce greatly the width and area of its air outlet
without loss of heat dissipation effect, such that the radiator fan
module can be more flexibly applied to compact computer products
with improved applicability and industrial benefits.
[0015] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other
possible modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional radiator fan
module.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an assembled perspective view of another preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of another
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of another preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a schematic view 1 of the present invention
wherein the cooling fin is configured transversely.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a schematic view 2 of the present invention
wherein the cooling fin is configured transversely.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] FIGS. 2-4 depict preferred embodiments of a radiator fan
module of the present invention, which, however, are provided for
only explanatory objective for patent claims. Said radiator fan
module comprises: a fan assembly 20, a cooling fin 30 and a heat
conductor 40. The fan assembly 20 comprises of a shell seat 21 and
fan blade 22 pivoted into the shell seat 21. An air inlet 211 is
set onto at least one surface of the shell seat 21 (top surface in
the preferred embodiment), and an air outlet 212 at one side. The
cooling fin 30 is set correspondingly to the air outlet 212. The
cooling end 41 of the heat conductor 40 is mated with the cooling
fin 30, while the heated end 42 of the heat conductor 40 is
extended outwards, of which:
[0027] the air outlet 212 is protruded to form an inward extended
wall 213, an outward extended wall 214 and an extended inner space
215 set between the air outlet 212 and fan blade 22;
[0028] the air outlet 212 is designed into a width-reducing
pattern, such that the inward extended wall 213 is located nearby
the corresponding center of the fan blade 22;
[0029] a notched space 216, formed externally between the inward
extended wall 213 and shell seat 21;
[0030] an inward extended heat conductor 31, formed by the
extension of the inner end of the cooling fin 30; the inward
extended heat conductor 31 is located within the range of the
extended inner space 215, and provided with a fan blade
corresponding side 311 that is located correspondingly to a
peripheral position of the fan blade 22.
[0031] Of which, the cooling fin 30 is made of multiple
heat-conducting fins 32 arranged vertically or horizontally.
[0032] Of which, said heat conductor 40 is either a heat pipe
(including: round or flat heat pipe) or hot plate. FIGS. 2-4
illustrate the heat conductor 40 with a pattern of flat heat pipe,
while FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the heat conductor 40 with a pattern of
hot plate.
[0033] Of which, the cooling end 41 of the heat conductor 40 can be
mated with either side of the cooling fin 30 (including: upper,
lower, left and right sides).
[0034] Of which, the fan blade corresponding side 311 of the inward
extended heat conductor 31 is available with either of a curved,
stepped or corrugated surface. Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, said fan
blade corresponding side 311 is configured with a curved surface.
Referring also to FIGS. 6, 7, said fan blade corresponding side 311
is configured with a stepped surface.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, said heat conductor 40 is a flat
heat pipe. An opening 217 is set onto the outward extended wall 214
of the air outlet 212 for exposing one side of the cooling fin 30.
The cooling end 41 of the heat conductor 40 with a pattern of flat
heat pipe is set into a vertical surface for abutting onto the
exposing side of the cooling fin 30, whilst the heated end 42 of
the heat conductor 40 is set into a horizontal surface by turning
around 90.degree..
[0036] Based on the aforementioned structural configuration, the
core of said radiator fan module lies in that, the air outlet 212
is designed into a protruding and width-reducing pattern, such that
a notched space 216 is located externally between the inward
extended wall 213 and shell seat 21. Moreover, the inward extended
heat conductor 31 is extended from the inner end of the cooling fin
30. With the design of the radiator fan module, when a compact
laptop is designed and the available area of its periphery is
reduced significantly, the air outlet 212 can be designed into a
protruding and width-reducing pattern, such that the area of
radiator fan module's air outlet can be reduced greatly. Besides,
the inward extended heat conductor 31 is extended from the inner
end of the cooling fin 30 to the extended inner space 215, thus
making up substantial width reduction of the cooling fin arising
from area reduction of the air outlet 212 for better heat
dissipation effect. Also, a notched space 216 is located externally
between the inward extended wall 213 and shell seat 21. The notched
space 216 can provide a bigger space for accommodating the
connectors within the laptop.
[0037] Of which, an inward bulging margin 23 (shown in FIGS. 3, 4,
6, 7) is set at the mating point of the inward extended wall 213
and the shell seat 21. With the design of the margin 23, an air
pressure point close to the fan blade 22 is formed in the shell
seat 21, so that when internal air flow is driven by the fan blade
22 to pass through the margin 23, air diversion towards the air
outlet 212 can be generated laterally.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 8, one side of the cooling fin 30 includes
a vertical wall flange 31. A notched portion 24 is set at one side
of the air outlet 212 for exposing of the vertical wall flange 31
of the cooling fin 30. A heat-conducting block 50 (a copper block)
is set on the external surface of the vertical wall flange 31. The
heat-conducting block 50 contains a mating surface 51 and an
insertion slot 52 (available with through-hole, blind hole or
grooved patterns). The mating surface 51 is incorporated onto
external surface of the vertical wall flange 31 of the cooling fin
30, and the insertion slot 52 is used for inserting the cooling end
41 of the heat conductor 40. With the arrangement of the
heat-conducting block 50, the heat transfer contact area between
the cooling end 41 of the heat conductor 40 and the cooling fin 30
can be expanded for further improving heat radiation effect.
[0039] Moreover, when the cooling fin 30 is configured transversely
(when the radiator fan is located transversely), said cooling fin
30 and the vertical surface of the fan blade 22 of the fan assembly
20 are arranged in perpendicular to each other or in a staggered
state (note: this depends on the vertical angle of the fan blade
22). With the configuration design of the cooling fin, as shown in
FIG. 10, when the fan assembly 20 is operated, the fan blade 22 is
rotated (indicated by arrow L1) to push air stream W1 towards the
cooling fin 30 of the air outlet 212. Referring to FIG. 9, the air
stream W1 can pass through simultaneously the exhaust channels 32
of the cooling fin 30, whilst the powder W2 in the air stream W1 is
concentrated onto two sides within the air outlet 212 (shown in
FIG. 6), thus reducing the stacking area of the powder W2, and
maintaining the maximum exhaust area and volume of the air outlet
212 to keep the optimum heat radiation effect of the radiator
fan.
* * * * *