U.S. patent application number 12/858505 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-23 for fan housing module.
Invention is credited to Alex HORNG, Duo-Nian SHAN, Tso-Kuo YIN.
Application Number | 20120045325 12/858505 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45594222 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120045325 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HORNG; Alex ; et
al. |
February 23, 2012 |
Fan Housing Module
Abstract
A fan housing module includes a base unit and a cover unit
engageable with the base unit. The base unit includes a plurality
of bases integrally formed with each other to form a structure in
the same array arrangement. Alternatively, the cover unit includes
a plurality of covers integrally formed with each other to form a
structure in the same array arrangement. Thus, after the base unit
is engaged with the cover unit, each base and one of the covers
together form a fan housing for assembly of a motor fan such that
the motor fans form a fan array.
Inventors: |
HORNG; Alex; (Kaohsiung,
TW) ; YIN; Tso-Kuo; (Kaohsiung, TW) ; SHAN;
Duo-Nian; (Kaohsiung, TW) |
Family ID: |
45594222 |
Appl. No.: |
12/858505 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
415/220 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 25/0606 20130101;
F04D 25/0653 20130101; F04D 25/166 20130101; F04D 29/4226
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
415/220 |
International
Class: |
F04D 3/00 20060101
F04D003/00 |
Claims
1. A fan housing module comprising: a base unit including a
plurality of separate bases each having a shaft engaging portion
and a first engaging portion; and a cover unit including a
plurality of covers integrally formed with each other to form a
structure in a same array arrangement, with each of the plurality
of covers including a second engaging portion, wherein the first
engaging portions of the base unit are engaged with the second
engaging portions of the cover unit with each of the plurality of
bases and one of the plurality of covers together forming a fan
housing having an air inlet and an air outlet.
2. The fan housing module as claimed in claim 1, with the first
engaging portion of each of the plurality of bases including a
plurality of engaging blocks, with the second engaging portion of
each of the plurality of covers including a plurality of grooves
engaged with the plurality of engaging blocks.
3. The fan housing module as claimed in claim 2, with the plurality
of engaging blocks formed in corners of each of the plurality of
bases, with the plurality of grooves formed in corners of each of
the plurality of covers.
4. The fan housing module as claimed in claim 1, with each of the
fan housing including a sidewall between the base and the cover
that together form the fan housing.
5. The fan housing module as claimed in claim 4, with the sidewall
formed along a perimeter of the cover.
6. A fan housing module comprising: a base unit including a
plurality of bases integrally formed with each other to form a
structure in a same array arrangement, with each of the plurality
of bases including a shaft engaging portion and a first engaging
portion; and a cover unit including a plurality of covers each
having a second engaging portion, wherein the first engaging
portions of the base unit are engaged with the second engaging
portions of the cover unit with each of the plurality of bases and
one of the plurality of covers together forming a fan housing
having an air inlet and an air outlet.
7. The fan housing module as claimed in claim 6, with the plurality
of covers integrally formed with each other to form a structure in
a same array arrangement.
8. The fan housing module as claimed in claim 6, with the plurality
of covers separate from each other.
9. The fan housing module as claimed in claim 6, with the first
engaging portion of each of the plurality of bases including a
plurality of engaging blocks, with the second engaging portion of
each of the plurality of covers including a plurality of grooves
engaged with the plurality of engaging blocks.
10. The fan housing module as claimed in claim 9, with the
plurality of engaging blocks formed in corners of each of the
plurality of bases, with the plurality of grooves formed in corners
of each of the plurality of covers.
11. The fan housing module as claimed in claim 6, with each of the
fan housing including a sidewall between the base and the cover
that together form the fan housing.
12. The fan housing module as claimed in claim 11, with the
sidewall formed along a perimeter of the cover.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a fan housing module and,
more particularly, to a fan housing module allowing assembly of a
plurality of motor fans to form an array arrangement.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] FIG. 1 shows a cooling module disclosed in Taiwan Utility
Model No. M276263. This conventional cooling module 9 includes a
base 91 having a plurality of compartments 911 each receiving a
cooling fan 92. Each cooling fan 92 includes an air inlet 921 and
an air outlet 922. Air current is guided into each cooling fan 92
via the air inlet 921 and then exits the air outlet 922 to a
pre-determined location. When the cooling fans 92 are mounted to an
electronic product such as a computer main body, the cooling fans
92 dissipate heat from various electronic elements in the
electronic product to assure smooth operation of the electronic
product.
[0005] The cooling fans 92 can be collectively installed in the
conventional cooling module 9 by using the base 91, and the air
outlets 922 of the cooling module 9 are in different locations. By
such an arrangement, heat dissipation can be carried out for
different electronic elements located on different locations in the
electronic product.
[0006] However, problems are encountered during assembly of the
cooling module 9. Firstly, the assembly is inconvenient.
Specifically, the cooling fans 92 can not be mounted in the
compartments 911 of the base 91 in sequence until the cooling fans
92 are assembled (such as mounting stators and fan wheels in
housings), leading to inconvenience due to troublesome assembling
steps. Secondly, the manufacturing costs are high. The base 91 is
required in the cooling module 9 for receiving the cooling fans 92
in an array arrangement. Furthermore, each cooling fan 92 must be
produced and assembled separately (the components such as the
housings must be formed separately). Thus, it is difficult to cut
down the manufacturing costs of the cooling module 9, failing to
meet economic ends. Thirdly, miniature designs can not be carried
out due to component complexity of the cooling module 9. In
particular, the base 91 can not be omitted. Furthermore, the size
of the base 91 must be sufficiently large for receiving and
engaging the cooling fans 92. As a result, it is difficult to
reduce the volume of the cooling module 9 for miniaturization
purposes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An objective of the present invention is to provide a fan
housing module that is easier to assemble to avoid the
disadvantages of the conventional fan housing module.
[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
fan housing module whose manufacturing costs can be effectively
cut.
[0009] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a
fan housing module allowing miniature designs.
[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a fan
housing module includes a base unit and a cover unit. The base unit
includes a plurality of separate bases each having a shaft engaging
portion and a first engaging portion. The cover unit includes a
plurality of covers integrally formed with each other to form a
structure in the same array arrangement. Each of the plurality of
covers includes a second engaging portion. The first engaging
portions of the base unit are engaged with the second engaging
portions of the cover unit with each of the plurality of bases and
one of the plurality of covers together forming a fan housing
having an air inlet and an air outlet.
[0011] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a fan
housing module includes a base unit and a cover unit. The base unit
includes a plurality of bases integrally formed with each other to
form a structure in the same array arrangement. Each of the
plurality of bases includes a shaft engaging portion and a first
engaging portion. The cover unit includes a plurality of covers
each having a second engaging portion. The first engaging portions
of the base unit are engaged with the second engaging portions of
the cover unit with each of the plurality of bases and one of the
plurality of covers together forming a fan housing having an air
inlet and an air outlet.
[0012] The present invention will become clearer in light of the
following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this
invention described in connection with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The illustrative embodiments may best be described by
reference to the accompanying drawings where:
[0014] FIG. 1 shows an exploded, perspective view of a conventional
fan housing module.
[0015] FIG. 2 shows an exploded, perspective view of a fan housing
module of a first embodiment according to the preferred teachings
of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the fan housing
module of FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows an exploded, perspective view of a fan housing
module of a second embodiment according to the preferred teachings
of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the fan housing
module of FIG. 4.
[0019] All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic
teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the
figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and
dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiments will be
explained or will be within the skill of the art after the
following teachings of the present invention have been read and
understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional
proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and
similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art
after the following teachings of the present invention have been
read and understood.
[0020] Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same
numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the
terms "first", "second", "side", "portion", and similar terms are
used herein, it should be understood that these terms have
reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would
appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to
facilitate describing the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] A fan housing module of a first embodiment according to the
preferred teachings of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2
and 3. The fan housing module includes a base unit 1 and a cover
unit 2. A plurality of motor fans 8 can be mounted to the base unit
1. The cover unit 2 can be mounted to the base unit 1. Thus, the
motor fans 8 and the fan housing module can together form an array
arrangement.
[0022] The base unit 1 includes a plurality of bases 11. In this
embodiment, the bases 11 are separate from each other and each
includes a side having a shaft engaging portion 111 and a first
engaging portion 112. The shaft engaging portion 111 can be in the
form of a shaft tube, shaft seat, or other structure for engaging
with a shaft of a motor fan 8. The first engaging portion 112 can
be any structure for detachable engagement with the cover unit 2.
In this embodiment, the first engaging portion 112 includes a
plurality of engaging blocks surrounding the shaft engaging portion
111 and located in corners of the base 11.
[0023] The cover unit 2 includes a plurality of covers 21 with a
desired geometric shape. The covers 21 are integrally formed with
each other. As an example, the covers 21 are integrally formed as
the same array arrangement. In this embodiment, each cover 21 is
substantially square in cross section and has an edge integrally
formed with an adjoining edge of an adjacent cover 21 such that the
covers 21 together form a structure in the same array. Furthermore,
each cover 21 includes a side having a second engaging portion 211
detachably engaged with the first engaging portion 112 of one of
the bases 11. Further, the second engaging portions 211 are grooves
located in corners of each cover 21. The quantity, shapes, and
locations of the grooves correspond to those of the first engaging
portions 112 in the form of engaging blocks for engagement
purposes.
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, after the first engaging
portions 112 of the base unit 1 are engaged with the second
engaging portions 211 of the cover unit 2, each base 11 and one of
the covers 21 together form a fan housing A having an air inlet 22
and an air outlet 23. The air inlet 22 and the air outlet 23 can be
in predetermined locations of the base 11 or the cover 21. In this
embodiment, the air inlet 22 and the air outlet 23 are formed in
predetermined locations of the cover 21. The air inlet 22 is a
through-hole extending through the cover 21, and the air outlet 23
is in the form of a notch in a side of the cover 21. Furthermore, a
sidewall 24 is formed between the base 11 and the cover 21 of each
fan housing A for effectively separating the fan housings A. The
sidewall 24 can be formed along a perimeter of the base 11 or the
cover 21. In this embodiment, the sidewall 24 is formed along the
perimeter of the cover 21.
[0025] Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each fan housing A is
provided for assembly of a motor fan 8. Each motor fan 8 includes a
coil unit 81 and a fan wheel 82. The coil unit 81 is mounted to a
side of the base 11, and the fan wheel 82 is rotatably engaged with
the shaft engaging portion 111 of the base 11. When the fan housing
module according to the preferred teachings of the present
invention is mounted in an electronic product, the coil unit 81 of
each fan housing A can drive the fan wheel 82 of the fan housing A
to rotate, driving in air currents into the fan housing A via the
air inlet 22. Then, the air currents exit the air outlet 23 and
guided to a plurality of electronic elements in different locations
of the electronic product, assuring smooth operation of the
electronic product.
[0026] The primary feature of the fan housing module according to
the preferred teachings of the present invention is that the covers
21 of the cover unit 2 are integrally formed as the same array
arrangement, a plurality of fan housings A in the same array is
formed after the bases 11 of the base unit 1 respectively engage
with the covers 21. Thus, the fan housings A allow assembly of a
plurality of motor fans 8 for dissipating heat from heating
generating sources in different locations.
[0027] More specifically, in assembly of the fan housing module
according to the preferred teachings of the present invention,
after the motor fans 8 are mounted in the bases 11 of the base unit
1 in sequence, the assembling procedure can be accomplished by
simply engaging each base 11 with the cover unit 2 that is
integrally formed as an array arrangement. The assembling procedure
is simple and easy due to the design of the fan housing module
according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.
Furthermore, only the base unit 1 and the cover unit 2 are required
for assembling the motor fans 8 in the fan housings A to form a fan
array. No additional members are required for the assembly. Thus,
the fan housing module according to the preferred teachings of the
present invention has a fewer number of elements and low
manufacturing costs while allowing miniaturization of the
products.
[0028] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a fan housing module of a second
embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present
invention including a base unit 3 and a cover unit 4.
[0029] The base unit 3 includes a plurality of bases 31 that are
integrally formed. As an example, each base 31 has an edge
integrally formed with an adjoining edge of an adjacent base 31
such that the bases 31 together form a structure in the same array.
Furthermore, each base 31 includes a side having a shaft engaging
portion 311 and a first engaging portion 312. The shaft engaging
portion 311 and the first engaging portion 312 are substantially
the same as the shaft engaging portion 111 and the first engaging
portion 112 of the first embodiment and, therefore, not described
in detail to avoid redundancy.
[0030] The cover unit 4 includes a plurality of covers 41 that are
separate from or integrally formed with each other. In this
embodiment, the covers 41 are integrally formed with each other to
form a structure in the same array. This further simplifies the
assembly of the base unit 3 and the cover unit 4. Furthermore, each
cover 41 includes a side having a second engaging portion 411 that
is substantially the same as the second engaging portion 211 of the
first embodiment and, therefore, not described in detail to avoid
redundancy.
[0031] With reference to FIG. 5, after engagement of the first
engaging portions 312 of the base unit 3 with the second engaging
portions 411 of the cover unit 4, each base 31 and one of the
covers 41 form a fan housing A having an air inlet 42, an air
outlet 43, and a sidewall 44 that are substantially the same as the
air inlet 22, the air outlet 23, and the sidewall 24 of the first
embodiment and, therefore, not described in detail to avoid
redundancy.
[0032] The difference between the first and second embodiments is
that the covers 21 of the cover unit 2 in the first embodiment are
integrally formed as the same array arrangement whereas the bases
31 of the base unit 3 in the second embodiment are integrally
formed as the same array arrangement. Thus, in assembly, only
engagement of the cover unit 4 and the base unit 3 is required
after the motor fans 8 are mounted in the bases 31 of the base unit
3 in sequence, obtaining the same advantages of the first
embodiment.
[0033] The fan housing module according to the preferred teachings
of the present invention can be assembled easily by engaging the
base unit 1 or 3 with the cover unit 2 or 4 such that the motor
fans 8 engaged in the fan housings A are in the same array
arrangement, providing enhanced assembling convenience.
[0034] Furthermore, the covers 21 of the cover unit 2 or the bases
31 of the base units 3 are integrally formed as a structure in the
same array arrangement such that the fan housing module according
to the preferred teachings of the present invention allows the
motor fans 8 to be assembled as a fan array without using any other
member, reducing the manufacturing costs.
[0035] Furthermore, the overall structure of the fan housing module
according to the preferred teachings of the present invention has
fewer elements and is simple, effectively reducing the volume of
the fan housing module and allowing miniaturization of the
products.
[0036] Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in
other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general
characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated,
the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all
respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the
invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by
the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be
embraced therein.
* * * * *