U.S. patent application number 13/454170 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-24 for fan assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is LIAN-MING GUO, HAN-YU LI, YUN-QUAN TANG, ZHI-RONG WU. Invention is credited to LIAN-MING GUO, HAN-YU LI, YUN-QUAN TANG, ZHI-RONG WU.
Application Number | 20130023199 13/454170 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47535579 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130023199 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LI; HAN-YU ; et al. |
January 24, 2013 |
FAN ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A fan assembly includes a bracket, a fan and a cage. The bracket
includes a ventilation plate. The fan is received in the bracket
and secured to the ventilation plate. The cage is received in the
bracket and secured to the fan. The cage defines an opening and
includes a plurality of pieces rotatably received in the opening.
The plurality of pieces cover the opening. The cage further
includes a plurality of limiting pieces extending from an inner
surface of the opening. The pressure of moving air from the fan is
capable of rotating the plurality of pieces, but any over-rotation
of the plurality of pieces is prevented by the plurality of
limiting pieces.
Inventors: |
LI; HAN-YU; (Tu-Cheng,
TW) ; GUO; LIAN-MING; (Shenzhen City, CN) ;
WU; ZHI-RONG; (Shenzhen City, CN) ; TANG;
YUN-QUAN; (Shenzhen City, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LI; HAN-YU
GUO; LIAN-MING
WU; ZHI-RONG
TANG; YUN-QUAN |
Tu-Cheng
Shenzhen City
Shenzhen City
Shenzhen City |
|
TW
CN
CN
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO.,
LTD.
Tu-Cheng
TW
HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., INC.
Shenzhen City
CN
|
Family ID: |
47535579 |
Appl. No.: |
13/454170 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/355 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 7/20172 20130101;
H05K 7/20181 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/355 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/007 20060101
F24F007/007 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 18, 2011 |
CN |
201110200310.4 |
Claims
1. A fan assembly, comprising: a bracket comprising a ventilation
plate; a fan received in the bracket and secured to the ventilation
plate; and a cage received in the bracket and secured to the fan,
and the fan being located between the ventilation plate and the
cage; the cage defining an opening and comprising a plurality of
pieces rotatably received in the opening; wherein the plurality of
pieces cover the opening; the cage further comprises a plurality of
limiting pieces extending from an inner surface of the opening; the
plurality of pieces are configured to be rotated by the fan, and
the plurality of limiting pieces are configured to block the
plurality of pieces when the plurality of pieces are rotated.
2. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of
limiting pieces is substantially perpendicular to the ventilation
plate.
3. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of
pieces is substantially parallel to the ventilation plate.
4. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of limiting
pieces are further configured to block the plurality of pieces when
of the plurality of pieces are substantially perpendicular to the
ventilation plate.
5. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the cage comprises a front
wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and two sidewalls; the two
sidewalls are substantially parallel to each other, the front wall
is substantially perpendicular to the top wall, the bottom wall and
the two sidewalls, and the top wall is substantially parallel to
the bottom wall; the plurality of limiting pieces are located on
each of the two sidewalls; a plurality of shafts are rotatably
mounted between the two sidewalls, and each of the plurality of
pieces is secured to each of the plurality of shafts.
6. The fan assembly of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of
pieces comprises a mounting portion, and a free portion connected
to the mounting portion, and the mounting portion is secured to
each of the plurality of shafts; each of the mounting portion and
the free portion comprises a first side surface and a second side
surface opposite to the first side surface; the second side surface
of the free portion of one of the plurality of pieces abuts the
first side surface of the mounting portion of an adjacent one of
the plurality of pieces.
7. The fan assembly of claim 5, wherein the cage further comprises
two installation pieces and two blocking pieces, the top wall is
connected to each of the two sidewalls by each of the two
installation pieces and each of the two clocking pieces; each of
the two installation pieces is substantially perpendicularly
connected to the top wall, and each of the two blocking pieces is
substantially perpendicularly connected to each of the two
sidewalls and each of the two installation pieces; a piece is
rotatably mounted between the two installation pieces, the piece
being configured to be rotated by the fan and being blocked by one
of the plurality of the limiting pieces when rotated.
8. The fan assembly of claim 7, wherein a distance between the two
installation pieces is smaller than a distance between the two
sidewalls, and an area of the pieces is smaller than an area of
each of the plurality of pieces.
9. The fan assembly of claim 7, wherein cage comprises two securing
pieces, and each of the two securing pieces is located in a corner
defined by each of the two installation pieces and each of the two
blocking pieces; each of the two securing pieces defines an
installation hole, and installation hole is adapted to secure the
fan.
10. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the fan defines an air
outlet, and a size of the air outlet is equal to a size of the
opening.
11. A fan assembly, comprising: a bracket comprising a ventilation
plate; a fan received in the bracket and secured to the ventilation
plate; and a cage received in the bracket and secured to the fan,
and the fan being located between the ventilation plate and the
cage; the cage comprising a front wall, a top wall, and a bottom
wall; the top wall and the bottom wall are substantially
perpendicular to the front wall, and a restricting piece extends
from the front wall; the cage defining an opening and further
comprising a plurality of pieces rotatably received in the opening;
wherein the plurality of pieces cover the opening; the cage further
comprises a plurality of limiting pieces extending from an inner
surface of the opening; the plurality of pieces are configured to
be rotated by the fan, and the plurality of limiting pieces are
configured to block the plurality of pieces when the plurality of
pieces are rotated towards the top wall; and the plurality of
pieces are rotatable towards the bottom wall and blocked by the
restricting piece.
12. The fan assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of
limiting pieces is substantially perpendicular to the ventilation
plate.
13. The fan assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of
limiting pieces is substantially parallel to the restricting
piece.
14. The fan assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of limiting
pieces are further configured to block the plurality of pieces when
of the plurality of pieces is substantially perpendicular to the
ventilation plate, and the restricting is further configured to
block the plurality of pieces when the plurality of pieces are
substantially parallel to the ventilation plate.
15. The fan assembly of claim 11, wherein the cage further
comprises two sidewalls; the two sidewalls are substantially
parallel to each other, and the front wall and the bottom wall are
substantially perpendicular to the two sidewalls; the plurality of
limiting pieces are located on each of the two sidewalls; a
plurality of shafts are rotatably mounted between the two
sidewalls, and each of the plurality of pieces is secured to each
of the plurality of shafts.
16. The fan assembly of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of
pieces comprises a mounting portion, and a free portion connected
to the mounting portion, and the mounting portion is secured to
each of the plurality of shafts; each of the mounting portion and
the free portion comprises a first side surface and a second side
surface opposite to the first side surface; the second side surface
of the free portion of one of the plurality of pieces abuts the
first side surface of the mounting portion of an adjacent one of
the plurality of pieces.
17. The fan assembly of claim 15, wherein the cage further
comprises two installation pieces and two blocking pieces, the top
wall id connected to each of the two sidewalls by each of the two
installation pieces and each of the two clocking pieces; each of
the two installation pieces is substantially perpendicularly
connected to the top wall, and each of the two blocking pieces is
substantially perpendicularly connected to each of the two
sidewalls and each of the two installation pieces; a pieces is
rotatably mounted between the two installation pieces, the piece
being configured to be rotated by the fan and being blocked by one
of the plurality of the limiting pieces when rotated.
18. The fan assembly of claim 17, wherein a distance between the
two installation pieces is smaller than a distance between the two
sidewalls, and an area of the pieces is smaller than an area of
each of the plurality of pieces.
19. The fan assembly of claim 17, wherein the cage comprises two
securing pieces, and each of the two securing pieces is located in
a corner defined by each of the two installation pieces and each of
the two blocking pieces; each of the two securing pieces defines an
installation hole, and the installation hole is adapted to secure
the fan.
20. The fan assembly of claim 11, wherein the fan defines an air
outlet, and a size of the air outlet is equal to a size of the
opening.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to fan assemblies, and
particularly to a fan assembly with a fan shutter.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] A fan is used for cooling a piece of equipment, such as a
computer or a server. A fan shutter may cover an air outlet of the
fan. The fan shutter may include a plurality of pieces to cover the
air outlet, and to prevent dust entering the fan and the piece of
equipment through the air outlet. The plurality of pieces are
rotatable when the fan is operating, and a channel may be defined
between two adjacent pieces for air flowing through. However, the
pieces may be easily over-rotated and collide with each other due
to poor engineering. Therefore, an improved fan assembly with a fan
shutter may be desired within the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood
with reference to the drawings. The components in the drawings are
not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed
upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments.
Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate
corresponding parts throughout the several views.
[0006] FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of one embodiment of a
fan assembly.
[0007] FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but viewed from another
aspect.
[0008] FIG. 3 is an assembled, isometric view of the fan assembly
of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3, but viewed from another
aspect.
[0010] FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 3, but a plurality of pieces is in
another state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by
way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in
which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted
that references to "an" or "one" embodiment in this disclosure are
not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at
least one.
[0012] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, show a fan assembly in accordance with an
embodiment including a bracket 20, a fan 30 and a cage 40.
[0013] The bracket 20 includes a top plate 21, a bottom plate 23,
two side plates 25, and a ventilation plate 27. In one embodiment,
the top plate 21 is substantially parallel to the bottom plate 23
and perpendicular to the two side plates 25 and the ventilation
plate 27, the two side plates 25 are substantially parallel to each
other, and the two side plates 25 are substantially perpendicular
to the ventilation plate 27. A receiving space (not labeled), for
receiving the fan 30, is bounded by the top plate 21, the bottom
plate 23, the two side plates 25 and the ventilation plate 27. Each
of four corners of the ventilation plate 27 defines a first
mounting hole 271.
[0014] Each of four corners of the fan 30 defines a second mounting
hole 31 corresponding to the first mounting hole 271. The fan 30
defines an air outlet 33.
[0015] The cage 40 includes a front wall 41, a top wall 42, a
bottom wall 43, and two sidewalls 45. The top wall 42, the bottom
wall 43 and the two sidewalls 45 extend from four edges of the
front wall 41. In one embodiment, the top wall 42 is substantially
parallel to the bottom wall 43, and the top wall 42 and the two
sidewalls 45 are substantially perpendicular to the front wall 41.
The front wall 41 defines an opening 418. A rectangular first
cutout (not labeled) is defined in each corner between the top wall
42 and each of the two sidewalls 45, so as to form an installation
piece 401 and a blocking piece 403. In one embodiment, the
installation piece 401 is substantially perpendicularly connected
to the top wall 42 and the blocking piece 403, the blocking piece
403 is substantially parallel to the top wall 42 and
perpendicularly connected to each of the two side walls 45. The
opening 418 is round, and a size of the opening 418 is equal to the
air outlet 33. The installation piece 401 defines a first pivoting
hole 4011. A first securing piece 413 of the front wall 41 is
exposed out of the first cutout and defines a first installation
hole 4131. Each of the two sidewalls 45 defines a plurality of
second pivoting holes 451.
[0016] A second cutout (not labeled) is defined in each corner
between the bottom wall 43 and each of the two sidewalls 45, so as
to form a mounting piece 405. The mounting pieces 405 are slanted,
and an obtuse angle is defined between the mounting piece 405 and
the bottom wall 43. A second securing piece 415 of the front wall
41 is exposed out of the second cutout and defines a second
installation hole 4151. A plurality of limiting pieces 453 extends
from each of the two sidewalls 45 and the mounting piece 405. Two
restricting pieces 4051 extend towards each other from the mounting
piece 405. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of limiting
pieces 453 and each of the two restricting pieces 4051 are
substantially parallel to the top wall 42, and each of the
plurality of limiting pieces 453 is substantially perpendicular to
each of the two restricting pieces 4051.
[0017] A plurality of pieces 47 can be mounted in the cage 40 by a
plurality of shafts 46. Each pivot or each of the plurality of
shafts 46 is rotatably engaged in opposing two of the first
pivoting holes 4011 and opposing two of the plurality of second
pivoting holes 451. Each of the plurality of pieces 47 is secured
to each of the plurality of shafts 46. A first piece 472 (shown as
in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5) of the plurality of pieces 47 is located
between two of the installation pieces 401. Two second pieces 470
of the plurality of pieces 47 are located between two of the
mounting pieces 405. The remainder of the plurality of pieces 47
are located between the two sidewalls 45. Each of the plurality of
pieces 47 includes a mounting portion 471 and a free portion 473.
The mounting portion 471 is secured to the plurality of shafts 46.
The plurality of pieces 47 are all substantially rectangular except
the two second pieces 470, which are substantially trapezoidal.
Each of the plurality of pieces 47 includes a first side surface
475 and a second side surface 476 opposite to the first side
surface 475. The second side surface of the free portion 473 of one
of the plurality of pieces 47 abuts the first side surface 475 of
the mounting portion 471 of an adjacent one of the plurality of
pieces 47. The plurality of pieces 47 cover the opening 418. In one
embodiment, the plurality of pieces 47 all have the same height,
but the surface areas of the one piece 47 and the two pieces 47 are
smaller than that of the remainder of the plurality of pieces
47.
[0018] FIGS. 3-5 show that, in assembly, the fan 30 is received in
the bracket 20, and the second mounting hole 31 is aligned with the
first mounting hole 271. The cage 40 is moved towards the fan 30,
until the front wall 41 abuts the fan 30. The first installation
hole 4131 and the second installation hole 4151 are aligned with
the second mounting hole 31. A locking member (not shown), such as
a screw, is inserted into the first mounting hole 271 and the
second mounting hole 31, and the fan 30 is locked in the bracket
20. The cage 40 is secured to the fan 30 by another locking member
inserting through the first installation 4131 hole and the second
installation hole 4151. Each of the plurality of pieces 47 is
substantially parallel to the top wall 42 and the bottom wall 43.
One of the two second pieces 470, adjacent to the bottom wall 43,
abuts each of the two restricting pieces 4051.
[0019] In use, the fan 30 rotates to guide air to flow from the
ventilation plate 27 to the plurality of pieces 47 through the air
outlet 33. The plurality of pieces 47 are rotated by air pressure
towards the top wall 42 and are blocked by the plurality of
blocking pieces 453. An air channel 80 is defined between two
adjacent pieces 47 for air flowing out of the fan assembly. In this
position, each of the plurality of pieces 47 is substantially
parallel to the top wall 42 and the bottom wall 43. When the fan 30
is switched off, the plurality of pieces 47 rotate back through
gravity towards the bottom wall 43 to cover the channel 80. Thus,
the opening 418 is again covered by the plurality of pieces 47 and
the ingress of dust and other contaminants is prevented. Each of
the plurality of limiting pieces 453 blocks the over-rotation of
the plurality of pieces 47 when the plurality of pieces 47 are
rotated towards the top wall 42, and each of the two restricting
pieces 4051 blocks over-rotation when the plurality of pieces 47
are rotated towards the bottom wall 43. By these means, the
plurality of pieces 47 are always kept in order and cannot strike
or interfere with each other.
[0020] The individual weight of the first piece 472 and the two
second pieces 470 are less than the similar weight of each of the
others of the plurality of pieces 47. The first piece 472 and the
two second pieces 470 are capable of being rotated when a power
supply, connected to the fan 30, is lower than normal. Thus, some
air can flow out of the opening 418, to prevent a temperature of
the fan 30 from rising dangerously.
[0021] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the embodiments have been set
forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the
structure and function of the embodiments, the disclosure is
illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in
the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the
principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the
broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are
expressed.
* * * * *