CN210265180U - Fan unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides a fan unit. The fan unit includes: an axial flow fan; a fan holder holding the axial flow fan; and a guide clip mounted at a predetermined position of the axial flow fan. The fan holder includes a plurality of guide ribs that are disposed at positions where none of the plurality of guide ribs abuts the guide clip when the axial flow fan is assembled to the fan holder in the predetermined orientation and posture, and at least any one of the plurality of guide ribs abuts the guide clip when the axial flow fan is not assembled to the fan holder in the predetermined orientation and posture, the plurality of guide ribs sandwiching the flange of the axial flow fan.

Description

Fan unit

The present application claims priority based on japanese patent application No. 2018-103427, filed on 30/5/2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety.

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a fan unit who contains axial fan.

Background

Since the axial flow fan includes an intake surface for taking in air and an exhaust surface for discharging the taken-in air, when these surfaces are mounted on electronic equipment or the like in an orientation different from the design, a desired cooling performance cannot be obtained. A general method is to be able to visually confirm the orientation of the axial flow fan during and after assembly of the electronic device to which the axial flow fan is attached.

For example, when a label describing the manufacturer, model, or the like of the axial flow fan is attached to the motor or the like, the orientation of the axial flow fan can be confirmed by the position of the label. Alternatively, when an arrow indicating the air blowing direction is engraved on the frame of the axial flow fan, the direction of the axial flow fan can be confirmed by the arrow.

However, when the electronic device is assembled by a person, it is impossible to prevent an attachment error of the air intake surface and the air discharge surface of the axial flow fan in a direction different from the design only in the visual confirmation work. In an electronic apparatus in which an axial flow fan is mounted in a different orientation from the design, the temperature in the casing and the temperature of the components rise above the allowable temperature during operation, which causes problems such as a reduction in the performance of the electronic apparatus or a stop of the operation in a short time.

Further, many axial flow fans have an intake surface and an exhaust surface in a substantially square rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the intake surface and the exhaust surface can be attached to a predetermined attachment surface by rotating them by 90 degrees. This means that the axial flow fan can be attached to the casing or the like in different postures (rotation angles) for each device even for the same kind of electronic devices.

In general, the axial flow fan does not make a difference in performance due to the installation posture. However, if the axial flow fan is not mounted in a predetermined posture, for example, a cable of the axial flow fan may not reach a circuit board or the like for supplying necessary power to a motor of the axial flow fan. At this time, the axial flow fan needs to be detached and reattached, which results in wasted work time.

In addition, the axial flow fan is also used for air exchange between the inside and the outside of a casing of an electronic device, and is often attached to an opening portion provided in a surface of the casing. In this case, even though the electronic devices are of the same kind, when the axial flow fan is mounted in a different posture for each device, there is a problem that the non-uniform appearance thereof is visually confirmed by a user or the like.

That is, many axial fans can be attached to a casing or the like in an orientation or posture different from the design, and thus the various problems described above occur.

Therefore, it is conceivable to assemble an axial flow fan in a fan holder that can be attached to a casing or the like only in a predetermined orientation and posture, and attach the axial flow fan to the casing or the like as a fan unit. In this case, if the axial flow fan can be assembled to the fan holder so that the axial flow fan has a designed orientation and posture with respect to the casing or the like, it is possible to suppress an attachment error in which the axial flow fan is attached in an orientation and posture different from the designed orientation and posture.

Further, a structure for mounting a fan unit including an axial flow fan to a housing is disclosed in, for example, international publication No. 2017/022070 (hereinafter, patent document 1). Patent document 1 describes the following structure: elastic engaging portions are provided at mounting positions on the side of a fan holder holding the axial flow fan and the casing, and the fan unit is mounted to the casing by engaging the elastic engaging portions with each other.

The above-mentioned patent document 1 discloses a structure for preventing a mounting error in which the fan unit is mounted at a half-way waste position instead of an appropriate mounting position, and a drop-out of the fan unit caused by the mounting error.

However, patent document 1 is not against any structure for assembling the axial flow fan to the fan bracket in a prescribed orientation and posture.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fan unit capable of assembling an axial flow fan to a fan bracket in a predetermined orientation and posture.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fan unit comprising:

an axial flow fan;

a fan holder holding the axial flow fan; and

a guide clip mounted at a predetermined position of the axial flow fan,

the fan holder includes a plurality of guide ribs that are disposed at positions where none of the plurality of guide ribs abuts the guide clip when the axial flow fan is assembled to the fan holder in a predetermined orientation and posture, and at least one of the plurality of guide ribs abuts the guide clip when the axial flow fan is not assembled to the fan holder in the predetermined orientation and posture, and the plurality of guide ribs sandwich a flange of the axial flow fan.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a fan unit according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a case where the fan unit shown in fig. 1 is mounted to an electronic apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of the fan unit shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the 1 st fan mount and the 2 nd fan mount shown in fig. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5A is a perspective view showing a state where a main part of the axial flow fan shown in fig. 1 and 2 is enlarged.

Fig. 5B is a perspective view showing a case where a guide clip is attached to the axial flow fan shown in fig. 5A.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part showing an example of a positional relationship between the guide clip and the guide rib when the fan unit shown in fig. 1 is assembled as designed.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a main part showing an example of a positional relationship between the guide clip and the guide rib when the fan unit shown in fig. 1 is not assembled as designed.

Fig. 8 is a front view showing an example of a positional relationship between the 1 st fan bracket and the 2 nd fan bracket in the fan unit shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a front view showing an example of the shape of a guide rib provided in the fan unit according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a guide clip provided with the fan unit of embodiment 3.

Detailed Description

The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(embodiment 1)

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a fan unit according to embodiment 1, and fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a case where the fan unit shown in fig. 1 is mounted on an electronic apparatus. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of the fan unit shown in fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the 1 st fan mount and the 2 nd fan mount shown in fig. 1 and 2. Fig. 5A is a perspective view showing an enlarged state of a main portion of the axial flow fan shown in fig. 1 and 2, and fig. 5B is a perspective view showing a state in which a guide clip is mounted to the axial flow fan shown in fig. 5A.

As shown in fig. 1, the fan unit 1 of embodiment 1 includes an axial flow fan 10, a guide clip 20, and a fan bracket 30.

As shown in fig. 2, for example, the fan unit 1 shown in fig. 1 is mounted on a housing surface of an electronic apparatus 100 and is used for forcibly air-cooling a heat-generating component 110 provided in the housing or the housing. The fan unit 1 can be mounted only to the housing surface of the electronic apparatus 100 in a previously designed orientation and posture (rotation angle).

The axial flow fan 10 includes: a motor; a frame forming a cavity for air flow and supporting the motor within the cavity; and a propeller fan driven by the motor to rotate within the cavity. In fig. 1 to 3, 5A and 5B, and fig. 6, 8 and 10 described later, only the frame of the axial flow fan 10 is shown.

As shown in fig. 3, the frame of the axial flow fan 10 has a shape in which substantially square flanges are provided at both ends of the cavity, respectively. The motor is supported within the cavity by a plurality of arms disposed on the frame. A cable for supplying power required for the rotation of the propeller fan to the motor is drawn from the motor. In such an axial flow fan 10, a propeller fan is driven to rotate by a motor, so that air is drawn in from one end of a cavity and discharged from the other end. In this case, one end of the cavity serves as an intake surface, and the other end serves as an exhaust surface. The axial flow fan 10 shown in fig. 3 is an example in which the front side is an air intake surface and the rear side is an air discharge surface when viewed from the front.

As shown in fig. 1 and 3, the fan bracket 30 has, for example, a structure divided into a 1 st fan bracket 30₁And 2 nd fan supporter 30₂The structure of (1). The fan bracket 30 is a housing covering the entire side surface of the axial flow fan 10 perpendicular to the suction surface and the discharge surface. As shown in FIG. 3, axial fan 10 passes through No. 1 fan bracket 30₁And 2 nd fan supporter 30₂Is sandwiched and held from two opposite directions along the side surface thereof.

As shown in fig. 4, in the 1 st fan bracket 30₁And 2 nd fan supporter 30₂In the above, the positioning pin 33 is provided on one of the two surfaces that face and abut against each other, and the guide hole 34 is provided on the other. The positioning pin 33 is inserted into the guide hole 34 at the time of assembling the fan unit 1, thereby maintaining the 1 st fan bracket 30 with higher accuracy₁And the 2 nd fan bracket 30₂The positional relationship of each other.

FIG. 4 shows the second fan bracket 30 at position 2₂A positioning pin 33 is provided on the No. 1 fan support 30₁A configuration example in which the guide hole 34 is provided. The positioning pin 33 may be provided on the 1 st fan bracket 30₁. In this case, the guide hole 34 into which the positioning pin 33 is inserted may be provided in the 2 nd fan holder 30₂And (4) finishing.

In addition, as shown in fig. 4, in the 1 st fan bracket 30₁And 2 nd fan supporter 30₂A plurality of substantially triangular guide ribs 31 formed on both vertical surfaces are provided. The guide ribs 31 are disposed, for example, at positions sandwiching eight corners of two flanges of the axial flow fan 10 so that the axial flow fan 10 does not fall off from the assembled fan unit 1. Among the eight corners of the axial flow fan 10, the guide rib 31 is not provided at a position where a corner to which the guide clip 20 is attached, which will be described later, is sandwiched. Hereinafter, the position where the guide rib 31 is not provided is referred to as a "non-guide rib region".

The guide clip 20 is a member for guiding an operator when assembling the fan unit 1 so that the axial flow fan 10 is assembled to the fan bracket 30 in a predetermined orientation and posture. Before the fan unit 1 is assembled, the guide clip 20 is attached to a predetermined position (predetermined position) of the axial fan 10.

The non-guide rib region is provided at a position corresponding to the mounting position of the guide clip 20 in the assembled fan unit 1, among the surfaces of the fan bracket 30 that abut against the side surfaces of the axial flow fan 10.

That is, when the axial flow fan 10 is assembled to the fan bracket 30 in a predetermined orientation and posture, the plurality of guide ribs 31 are disposed at positions where none of them abuts against the guide clip 20. When the axial flow fan 10 is not assembled to the fan holder 30 in a predetermined orientation or posture, the plurality of guide ribs 31 are disposed at a position where at least any one of the guide ribs abuts against the guide clip 20.

As will be described later, in the fan unit 1 of the present embodiment, the orientation and posture of the axial fan 10 that can be assembled to the fan bracket 30 are determined by the mounting position of the guide clip 20 and the position of the above-described non-guide rib region. Therefore, when the mounting position of the guide clip 20 is different, the orientation and posture of the axial flow fan 10 that can be assembled to the fan bracket 30 are also different.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to reduce the mounting error of the guide clip 20, a position that can be easily recognized by an operator or the like is determined as the mounting position of the guide clip 20 in advance. The mounting position of the guide clip 20 may be determined by, for example, asymmetry (difference) between the suction surface side and the discharge surface side of the axial flow fan 10.

As shown in fig. 5A, for example, the following structure exists in the axial flow fan 10: at the opposite corners of the two flanges, cable grooves 11 for passing cables connected to the motor are provided. In general, since the motor and the cable are disposed on either the air intake surface side or the air exhaust surface side of the axial flow fan 10, in the configuration shown in fig. 5A, the cable passing groove 11 is also provided on either side. In the case of such a configuration, for example, the other cable groove 11 through which the cable does not pass may be determined as the mounting position of the guide clip 20 (see fig. 5B).

The mounting position of the guide clip 20 is not limited to the cable groove 11, and may be determined by using a mark that can be easily recognized, for example, a hole, a mark, or the like. The marks such as holes and embossings may be added by the manufacturer of the axial flow fan 10 at the manufacturing stage.

As shown in fig. 5B, the guide clip 20 is constituted by, for example, a thin plate spring processed in a clip shape, and is fixed to the flange end portion of the axial flow fan 10 in a manner detachable by its elastic force. The guide clip 20 includes an extension portion 21, and the extension portion 21 is bent at substantially 90 degrees at its tip end and inserted into the cable groove 11 in a state of being fixed to the flange end portion of the axial flow fan 10, and projects from the flange surface in the thickness direction of the flange.

The guide clip 20 of the present embodiment is formed of a metal material or the like having an elastic force that is less likely to fall off from the flange end of the axial flow fan 10 and a strength that is less likely to deform the extension portion 21.

The guide clip 20 of the present embodiment has a shape in which the extension portion 21 is bent, and thus the strength against deformation of the extension portion 21 can be improved. In addition, as shown in fig. 5B, the leading end of the extension portion 21 is inserted into the cable groove 11, so that it is possible to reduce an attachment error of attaching the guide clip 20 to an incorrect position.

The length of the extension 21 projecting from the flange surface is set as follows: when the axial flow fan 10 is not assembled to the fan holder 30 in a predetermined orientation or posture, the axial flow fan comes into contact with the adjacent guide ribs 31. For example, when the gap between the flange surface of the axial fan 10 and the guide rib 31 is about 1mm, the length of the portion of the extension portion 21 protruding from the flange surface may be about 3mm (see fig. 5B).

This is because, when the length of the portion of the extension portion 21 protruding from the flange surface is, for example, about 2mm, the extension portion 21 comes into contact with the guide rib 31 only in a small area when the axial flow fan 10 is erroneously assembled to the fan bracket 30. At this time, there are problems as follows: the worker who assembles the fan unit 1 deforms the extension portion 21 and forcibly assembles the axial flow fan 10 to the fan bracket 30.

In order to suppress such a forcible assembly operation by the operator, the portion of the extension portion 21 protruding from the flange surface may be set to a length that reliably abuts against the guide rib 31.

In addition, as shown in fig. 5B, the extension portions 21 provided at the guide clip 20 preferably protrude on both side surfaces of the flange of the axial flow fan 10, respectively. By projecting the extension portions 21 on both sides of the flange, the extension portions 21 can be brought into contact with the guide ribs 20 on both sides of the flange, respectively, when the axial flow fan 10 is erroneously assembled to the fan bracket 30. At this time, since a greater force is required to assemble the axial flow fan 10 to the fan bracket 30 by deforming the extension portion 21, the assembly work by the worker can be further suppressed.

The cable inserted into the cable groove 11 from the motor is inserted into the 1 st fan holder 30 from the side surface of the axial flow fan 10₁The cutout 32 (see fig. 4) is led out to the outside of the fan bracket 30.

Fig. 4 shows the following configuration example: in the No. 1 fan bracket 30₁Has a notch 32, and is provided in the No. 1 fan bracket 30₁Is provided at a position corresponding to the flange end portion where the guide clip 20 shown in fig. 5B is mounted, the above-described non-guide rib region is provided.

The fan bracket 30 provided with the cutout 32 is not limited to the 1 st fan bracket 30₁Or may be provided in the 2 nd fan bracket 30₂. However, in this case, the No. 2 fan mount 30 is required₂The non-guide rib region is provided.

In order to reduce vibration and noise generated during operation of the axial flow fan 10, an elastic member such as rubber or a cushion is preferably attached to a flange surface of the frame of the axial flow fan 10. In this case, the gap between the flange surface of the axial fan 10 and the guide rib 31 may be set in consideration of the thickness of the elastic member. For example, when an elastic member having a thickness of about 1mm to 2mm is attached to the flange surface of the axial fan 10, each guide rib 31 may be disposed so that a gap with the flange surface is about 1 mm.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part showing an example of a positional relationship between the guide clip and the guide rib when the fan unit shown in fig. 1 is assembled as designed. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a main part showing an example of a positional relationship between the guide clip and the guide rib when the fan unit shown in fig. 1 is not assembled as designed. Fig. 8 is a front view showing an example of a positional relationship between the 1 st fan bracket and the 2 nd fan bracket in the fan unit shown in fig. 7.

In the fan unit 1 of the present embodiment, when the axial flow fan 10 is assembled to the fan bracket 30 in a prescribed orientation and posture, the guide clip 20 is located in the above-described non-guide rib region as shown in fig. 6. At this time, the guide clip 20 (the extension portion 21) does not abut any of the guide ribs 31, so that the 1 st fan bracket 30 can be made as shown in fig. 1₁And the 2 nd fan bracket 30₂And are integrated.

On the other hand, when the axial flow fan 10 is not assembled to the fan bracket 30 in a prescribed orientation and posture, the guide ribs 31 exist at positions overlapping with the guide clips 20 as shown in fig. 7. At this time, the guide clip 20 (the extension portion 21) abuts on the adjacent guide rib 31, so that the 1 st fan bracket 30 cannot be made as shown in fig. 8₁And the 2 nd fan bracket 30₂And are integrated.

That is, in the fan unit 1 of the present embodiment, the axial flow fan 10 can be assembled to the fan bracket 30 only in the orientation and posture determined by the mounting position of the guide clip 20 and the non-guide rib region and the arrangement position of each guide rib 31.

Therefore, if the guide ribs 31 and the non-guide rib regions are appropriately arranged according to the mounting position of the guide clip 20 and the orientation and posture of the axial flow fan 10 assembled to the fan bracket 30, the axial flow fan 10 can be assembled to the fan bracket 30 in the designed orientation and posture.

Thus, according to the fan unit 1 of the present embodiment, the axial flow fan 10 can be assembled to the fan bracket 30 in a predetermined orientation and posture.

In addition, when the axial flow fan 10 is erroneously assembled to the fan bracket 30, the guide clip 20 preferably abuts against the guide rib 31 at a stage where the guide hole 34 does not contact the positioning pin 33. For example, when a pin having a diameter of about 3mm is used as the positioning pin 33The height of the positioning pin 30 is about 3mm in consideration of the required strength of the positioning pin 33. In this case, the shape or size of the guide rib 31 is set to be the same as that of the 1 st fan holder 30₁And the 2 nd fan bracket 30₂The guide clip 20 may be brought into contact with each other at a stage separated by 5mm or more.

In such a configuration, when the axial flow fan 10 is erroneously assembled to the fan holder 30, a large resistance is generated when the fan holder 30 is integrated from a stage where the positioning pin 33 and the guide hole 34 are not in contact (fig. 8). Therefore, the forced assembly work of the fan unit 1 by the operator when the axial fan 10 is erroneously assembled to the fan bracket 30 can be further reduced.

(embodiment 2)

In the above embodiment 1, the first fan bracket 30 is shown₁And 2 nd fan supporter 30₂An example is provided in which the guide rib 31 is substantially triangular. The fan unit 2 of embodiment 2 is an example in which the shape of the guide rib is different from that of embodiment 1.

Fig. 9 is a front view showing an example of the shape of a guide rib provided in the fan unit according to embodiment 2.

As shown in fig. 9, the fan unit 2 of embodiment 2 has guide ribs 41 of a substantially trapezoidal shape provided on the 1 st fan bracket 30, respectively₁And 2 nd fan supporter 30₂(not shown). Even in such a configuration, the same effects as those of the fan unit 1 of embodiment 1 can be obtained. Other structures are the same as those of embodiment 1, and therefore, description thereof is omitted.

The guide rib (1) of the fan unit of the present invention is disposed at a position where the flange end of the axial flow fan (10) is held, so that the axial flow fan (10) can be held by the fan holder (30). Further, the guide ribs (2) are shaped or sized so as not to cover a part of the air intake surface and the air discharge surface of the axial flow fan 10, and so as not to obstruct the flow of air generated by the axial flow fan 10. The guide rib (3) has a shape or size that comes into contact with the guide clip 20 attached to the axial flow fan 10 when the axial flow fan 10 is erroneously assembled to the fan bracket 30.

Fig. 9 shows an example of the shape and size of the guide rib 41 provided in the fan unit 2 according to embodiment 2, which satisfies the conditions (1) to (3).

The guide rib is not limited to the shape and size shown in embodiment 1 and embodiment 2, and may be any shape and size as long as the above-described conditions (1) to (3) are satisfied. For example, each guide rib may have a shape that sandwiches the entire outer circumference of the two flanges of the axial flow fan 10.

(embodiment 3)

In the above-described embodiments 1 and 2, the guide clip 20 is provided with the extension portion 21 protruding from the thickness direction of the flange of the axial fan 10. The fan unit of embodiment 3 is an example in which the structure of the guide clip 50 is different from that of embodiments 1 and 2.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a guide clip provided with the fan unit of embodiment 3.

As shown in fig. 10, the guide clip 50 of embodiment 3 is formed of a thin plate processed in a U shape, and has a structure fixed to a flange end of the axial flow fan 10 using a screw 51.

In embodiment 3, the head and the screw end of the screw 51 that fixes the guide clip 50 are used as the above-described extension that protrudes in the thickness direction of the flange of the axial flow fan 10. As in embodiment 1, the screw 51 may be selected such that its head and screw end protrude from the flange surface of the axial flow fan 10 by about 3mm, for example. Bolts and nuts may also be used to fix the guide clip 50 to the flange end of the axial flow fan 10. At this time, the bolt and the nut are used as extensions projecting in the thickness direction of the flange of the axial flow fan 10. Even in such a configuration, the same effects as those of the fan unit 1 of embodiment 1 can be obtained. Other structures are the same as those of embodiment 1, and therefore, description thereof is omitted.

The guide clip 20 shown in embodiment 1 needs to be made of a material and a shape that is not easily detached from the axial flow fan 10 and is not easily deformed. On the other hand, in embodiment 3, since the guide clip 50 is fixed to the axial flow fan 10 using the screw 51, the guide clip 50 can be easily manufactured.

In embodiment 3, the head and the screw end of the screw 51, or the bolt and the nut are used as extensions projecting in the thickness direction of the flange of the axial flow fan 10, and therefore the guide clip 50 itself, which is formed of a thin plate, can be eliminated. At this time, only the screws 51 or the bolts and nuts may be attached to the required corners of the flange of the axial flow fan 10.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. In the structure and details of the present invention, various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (9)

1. A fan unit is characterized by comprising:

an axial flow fan;

a fan holder holding the axial flow fan; and

a guide clip mounted at a predetermined position of the axial flow fan,

the fan holder includes a plurality of guide ribs that are disposed at positions where none of the plurality of guide ribs abuts the guide clip when the axial flow fan is assembled to the fan holder in a predetermined orientation and posture, and at least one of the plurality of guide ribs abuts the guide clip when the axial flow fan is not assembled to the fan holder in the predetermined orientation and posture, and the plurality of guide ribs sandwich a flange of the axial flow fan.

2. The fan unit of claim 1,

the guide clip includes an extension portion protruding from a surface of the flange in a thickness direction of the flange.

3. The fan unit of claim 2,

the extension portions protrude on both side surfaces of the flange, respectively.

4. The fan unit of claim 2,

a groove is provided at the end of the flange,

the front end of the extension is bent to be located in the groove.

5. The fan unit of claim 3,

the extension part is a screw.

6. The fan unit of claim 3,

the extension part is a bolt and a nut.

7. The fan unit of claim 1,

the flanges are of a generally square shape and,

the plurality of guide ribs are disposed at least at positions where corners of the flange are sandwiched.

8. The fan unit according to any of claims 1-7,

the fan holder includes a 1 st fan holder and a 2 nd fan holder which hold the axial flow fan by sandwiching the axial flow fan from two opposite directions, one of the 1 st fan holder and the 2 nd fan holder is provided with a positioning pin, and the other is provided with a guide hole into which the positioning pin is inserted,

the guide rib has the following shape or size: a shape or size of the guide rib abutting against the guide clip at a stage when the positioning pin does not contact the guide hole when the axial flow fan is not assembled to the fan bracket in the predetermined orientation and posture.

9. The fan unit of claim 1,

the predetermined position is a predetermined position.

Images