US20080175705A1

US20080175705A1 - Frame Structure For Anti-Vibration Fan

Info

Publication number: US20080175705A1
Application number: US11/624,810
Authority: US
Inventors: Chia-Wei Liu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Cooler Master Co Ltd
Priority date: 2007-01-19
Filing date: 2007-01-19
Publication date: 2008-07-24

Abstract

An anti-vibration fan includes a frame, a bottom chassis and an elastic frame. The elastic frame includes a plurality of curved plate-like suspending arms, each having a first suspending arm section. An end of the suspending arm section has a bent section with a curved shape at its middle section, and an end of the bent section has a second suspending arm section. The bottom chassis includes a disc body and a plurality of protruding ribs extended upward from the disc body and connected to the first suspending arm section. The second suspending arm section is connected to a frame body of the frame, and the plurality of suspending arms form the elastic frame. After vanes are pivotally connected to the bottom chassis, the elastic frame cancels out the vibration force produced by the rotating vanes, so as to reduce noises and enhance the life expectancy of vanes effectively.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fan, and more particular to a frame structure of an anti-vibration fan.
2. Description of Prior Art
As the computing speed of electronic components such as a microprocessor installed on a computer motherboard increases constantly, the temperature of the heat produced by the electronic components during operation becomes increasingly higher, and thus it is necessary to dissipate the heat produced by the electronic components by a heat dissipating device to assure a normal operation and a long life expectancy of the electronic components.
In a heat dissipating device, heat dissipating fan is one of the necessary components used for dissipating the heat of a heat source absorbed by heat dissipating fins and maintaining a good heat dissipating circulation. Since the heat dissipating fan is installed on a heat dissipating fin module or a casing for the heat dissipation purpose, the vibration force produced by the rotation of the fan will be transmitted to the heat dissipating fin module or casing, and thus the heat dissipating fin module or casing will cause a resonance, and the connecting structure of the components of the heat dissipating device will be loosened to produce collisions and noises.
To overcome the issue of the vibration force produced by the rotation of the fan, anti-vibration fans such as R.O.C. Pat. Publication No. 563849 and R.O.C. Pat. No. 1251138 are disclosed. The former installs a circular positioning slot on the casing of the fan, a vibration absorption pad installed on the circular positioning slot, and a clamp disposed on a substrate for connecting a fan casing module having the vibration absorption pad, and the vibration force produced by the rotating fan can be absorbed by the vibration absorption pad. The latter installs a damper and a damper seat between the fan and the heat dissipating fin module, such that when vanes of the fan are rotated, the damper and damper seat absorb the vibration force produced by the rotating vanes.
Although both anti-vibration fan structures of the aforementioned patents can effectively absorb the vibration force of a rotating fan vane, the installation of additional anti-vibration structure is required, and thus the structure will become more complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing shortcomings of the prior art, the inventor of the present invention based on years of experience in the related industry to conduct experiments and modifications, and finally invented a frame structure for an anti-vibration fan.
Therefore, the present invention is to provide an anti-vibration structure combined with a frame of a fan to form an elastic frame, and the overall structure is simple and easy and requires no additional design of the anti-vibration structure. The elastic frame structure can be swung back and forth with the rotation of the vanes to effectively cancel out the vibration produced by the rotation of the vanes, so as to achieve the effects of reducing the vibration forces and noises produced by the rotating vanes as well as improving the life expectancy of the fan.
To achieve the objectives, the present invention provides an anti-vibration fan, comprising:
a bottom chassis, having a disc body, and a plurality of protruding ribs extended from the disc body;
a frame, having a hollow frame body; and
an elastic frame, comprised of a plurality of curved plate-like suspending arms, and each suspending arm having a first suspending arm section, and the first suspending arm section having a curved bent section extended from the first suspending arm section to a middle section, and a second suspending arm section extended from the bent section;
wherein, an end of the first suspending arm section of the suspending arm is connected to the protruding rib, and the second suspending arm section is connected to the frame body of the frame, such that the plurality of suspending arms form an elastic frame for retaining a coil module and operating the fan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself however may be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, which describes certain exemplary embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a structure of a first type of anti-vibration fan of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an anti-vibration fan as depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an anti-vibration fan as depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a structure of a second type of anti-vibration fan of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a structure of a third type of anti-vibration fan of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a structure of a fourth type of anti-vibration fan of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an anti-vibration fan as depicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a structure of a fifth type of anti-vibration fan of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an anti-vibration fan as depicted in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The technical characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are provided for reference and illustration only, but not intended for limiting the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1 for a perspective view of a structure a first type of anti-vibration fan of the present invention, the anti-vibration fan structure comprises: a frame 1, a bottom chassis 2 and an elastic frame 3. The elastic frame 3 is formed by stamping a metal into a plurality of curved plate-like suspending arms 31, and the shaped suspending arms 31 includes a first suspending arm section 311, and the first suspending arm section 311 has a S-shaped bent section 312 extended from the first suspending arm section 311 to a middle section, and the bent section 312 has a second suspending arm section 313 extended from the bent section 312, wherein the width of the suspending arm 31 is tapered from the second suspending arm section 313 to the first suspending arm section 311.
After the suspending arms 31 are stamped and bent, the plurality of suspending arms 31 are put into a mold (not shown in the figure) and shaped by a plastic injection molding to produce the suspending arms 31 that are integrated with the frame 1 and the bottom chassis 2 of the fan.
After the plastic injection molding is completed, the bottom chassis 2 has a disc body 21 and a plurality of protruding ribs 22 extended outward from the disc body 21, and the molded protruding rib 22 is covered at an end of the first suspending arm section 311 a of the suspending arms 31, and the external wall surface of the frame body 11 of the molded frame 1 is connected to a second suspending arm section 313 of the suspending arm 31 (or the second suspending arm section 313 is embedded directly into the frame body 11), such that the plurality of suspending arms 31 form an elastic frame 3.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 for a bottom view and a side view of the anti-vibration fan as depicted in FIG. 1, the disc body 21 of the bottom chassis 2 installs a vane 4, and the vane 4 has a cap body 41, a plurality of vanes 42 extended from the cap body 41, and a magnetic component (not shown in the figure) and a coil module (not shown in the figure) installed between the interior of the cap body 41 and the disc body 21. After the coil module is electrically connected to rotate the vanes 4, the suspending arms 31 from the first suspending arm section 311 to the bent section 312 at the middle section is rotated with the vanes 4 to produce back and forth swings that can effectively cancel out the vibration produced by the rotation of the vanes 4, so as to reduce the vibration forces and noises of the vanes 4, and improve the life expectancy of the fan.
Referring to FIG. 4 for a perspective view of a structure of a second type of anti-vibration fan of the present invention, the fan structure comprises: a frame 1, a bottom chassis 2 and an elastic frame 3.
The aforesaid frame 1 has a hollow frame body 11, and an external wall of the frame body 11 or the interior of the frame body 11 has a plurality of embedding grooves 12.
The bottom chassis 2 has a disc body 21, a plurality of protruding ribs 22 extended outward from the disc body 21 and an insert slot 23 disposed in the protruding rib 22.
The aforesaid elastic frame 3 is comprised of a plurality of curved plate-like suspending arms 31, and each suspending arm 31 is inserted into the first suspending arm section 311 of the insert slot 23, and a S-shaped bent section 312 is extended from a middle section of the first suspending arm section 311, and a second suspending arm section 313 extended from the bent section 312 is embedded into the embedding groove 12, and the width is tapered from the second suspending arm section 313 to the first suspending arm section 311.
When the aforesaid frame 1, bottom chassis 2 and elastic frame 3 are installed, the first suspending arm section 311 of the plurality of suspending arms 31 is inserted into the insert slot 23 of the protruding rib 22, and then the second suspending arm section 313 of the suspending arms 31 is embedded into the embedding groove 12 of the frame 1, and the plurality of suspending arms 31 form an elastic frame 3 after the installation is completed.
The aforesaid disc body 21 of the bottom chassis 2 is connected to a vane 4, such that after the fan is powered on, the vane 4 will be rotated, such that the first suspending arm section 311 to the bent section 312 at the middle section can be rotated with the vanes 4 to produce back and forth swings and effectively cancel out the vibration produced by the rotation of the vane 4, so as to reduce the vibration forces and noises of the vanes 4 and improve the life expectancy of the fan.
Referring to FIG. 5 for a perspective view of a structure of a third type of anti-vibration fan of the present invention, the anti-vibration fan structure is substantially the same as those illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, and the difference resides on that the bent section 312 a at the middle section of the suspending arms 31 can be C-shaped or L-shaped, so that the first suspending arm section 311 of the plurality of curved plate-like suspending arms 31 can be connected with the plurality of protruding ribs 22 of the disc body 21. The second suspending arm section 313 of the suspending arms 31 is connected to the external wall of the frame body 11, such that the plurality of suspending arms 31 form an elastic frame 3. The bent section 312 a from the first suspending arm section 311 to the middle section can be rotated with the vanes 4 to produce back and forth swings, and effectively cancel out the vibration produced by the rotation of the vanes 4, so as to reduce the vibration forces and noises of the vane 4 and improve the life expectancy of the fan.
Referring to FIG. 6 for a perspective view of a structure of a fourth type of anti-vibration fan of the present invention, the anti-vibration fan structure comprises a frame 5, an elastic frame 6 and a bottom chassis 7.
The aforesaid frame 5 is made of a plastic material and has a frame body 51 and a plurality of connecting holes 52 disposed at the top of the frame body 51. In FIG. 6, the connecting hole 52 is a screw hole.
The elastic frame 6 is made of a metal material and has a ring body 61, a bottom disc 62 disposed at the center of the ring body 61, and a plurality of linear plate-like suspending arms 63 connected between the bottom disc 62 and the ring body 61. The suspending arms 63 has a first suspending arm section 631 connected to the ring body 61, and an end of the first suspending arm section 631 is connected to a substantially S-shaped, C-shaped or L-shaped bent section 632 at a middle section, and an end of the bent section 632 is connected to a second suspending arm section 633, and an end of the second suspending arm section 633 is connected to the bottom disc 62. Further, the ring body 61 has a plurality of through holes 611 for passing a locking element 612 and securing with the connecting holes 52, so that the elastic frame 6 can be fixed onto the frame 5. In FIG. 6, the locking element 612 is a screw.
The bottom chassis 7 is made of a plastic material and installed on the bottom disc 62 for installing a vane (not shown in the figure) and a coil module (not shown in the figure).
Referring to FIG. 7 for a schematic view of the anti-vibration fan as depicted in FIG. 6, the bottom disc 62 installs a vane 4 for the operation of the fan, and the vane 4 includes a cap body 41, and a plurality of vanes 42 are extended from the cap body 41, and a magnetic component (not shown in the figure) and a coil module (not shown in the figure) are installed between the interior of the cap body 41 and the bottom chassis 7.
After the coil module is electrically connected, the vane 4 will be rotated, and the bent section 632 from the first suspending arm section 631 to the middle section will be rotated with the vanes 4 to produce back and forth swings and effectively cancel out the vibration produced by the rotation of the vane 4, so as to reduce the vibration forces and noises of the vane 4 and improve the life expectancy of the fan.
Referring to FIG. 8 for a perspective view of a structure of a fifth type of anti-vibration fan and FIG. 9 for a schematic view of an application of the anti-vibration fan as depicted in FIG. 8 respectively, the fan structure comprises a frame 8, a bottom chassis 9 and an elastic frame 10.
The aforesaid frame 8 is made of a plastic material and has a hollow frame body 81, and the internal wall of the frame body 81 has a plurality of protruding ribs 82, and the protruding rib 82 has an insert slot 83.
The bottom chassis 9 is made of a plastic material and comprised of a disc body 91, a plurality of protruding ribs 92 extended outward from the disc body 91, and an insert slot 93 disposed in the protruding rib 92.
The elastic frame 10 is comprised of a plurality of plate-like suspending arms 101, and the suspending arms 101 has a first suspending arm section 1011 inserted into the insert slot 93, and the first suspending arm section 1011 has a S-shaped, C-shaped or L-shaped bent section 1012 extended from a middle section, and the bent section 1012 has a second suspending arm section 1013 inserted into the insert slot 83.
When the aforesaid frame 8, bottom chassis 9 and elastic frame 10 are installed, the first suspending arm section 1011 of the plurality of suspending arms 101 is inserted into the insert slot 93 of the protruding rib 92, and the second suspending arm section 1013 of the suspending arms 101 is inserted into the insert slot 83 of the frame 8. After the installation is completed, the plurality of suspending arms 101 forms an elastic frame 10.
The aforesaid disc body 91 of the bottom chassis 9 installs a vane 4, such that after the fan is powered on, the vane 4 will be rotated, and the bent section 1012 from the first suspending arm section 1011 to the middle section will be rotated with the vane 4 to produce back and forth swings, and effectively cancel out the vibration produced by the rotation of the vanes 4, so as to reduce the vibration forces and noises of the vanes 4 and improve the life expectancy of the fan.
The present invention is illustrated with reference to the preferred embodiment and not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. Various substitutions and modifications have suggested in the foregoing description, and other will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An anti-vibration fan, with a frame structure for retaining a coil module and operating a vane, comprising:

a bottom chassis, having a disc body thereon, a plurality of protruding ribs extended outward from the disc body;

a frame, having a hollow frame body; and

an elastic frame, including a plurality of suspending arms disposed at a middle section of the elastic frame, and an end of each suspending arm being coupled with a corresponding protruding rib and another end of the suspending arm being coupled with the frame body.

2. The anti-vibration fan of claim 1, wherein the suspending arm is substantially in a curved shape and includes a first suspending arm section with an end connected to a bent section, an end of the bent section is connected to a second suspending arm section, and the second suspending arm section is connected to the frame body.

3. The anti-vibration fan of claim 2, wherein the bent section is S-shaped.

4. The anti-vibration fan of claim 2, wherein the bent section is L-shaped.

5. The anti-vibration fan of claim 2, wherein the suspending arm comes with a width tapered from the second suspending arm section to the first suspending arm section.

6. A frame structure for anti-vibration fan, with a frame structure for retaining a coil module and operating a vane, comprising:

a frame, having a hollow frame body, and the frame body having a plurality of embedding grooves;

a bottom chassis, having a disc body, a plurality of protruding ribs extended upward from the disc body, and an insert slot disposed in each protruding rib; and

an elastic frame, including a plurality of suspending arms with a curved shape at a middle section of the each suspending arm, and an end of the each suspending arm being inserted into the insert slot and another end of the each suspending arm being connected to the embedding groove.

7. The frame structure for anti-vibration fan of claim 6, wherein the embedding groove is disposed on an external wall of the frame body.

8. The frame structure for anti-vibration fan of claim 6, wherein the embedding groove is disposed inside the frame body.

9. The frame structure for anti-vibration fan of claim 6, wherein the suspending arm is in a curved plate-like shape and has a first suspending arm section thereon, and an end of the first suspending arm section is connected to a bent section, and an end of the bent section is connected to a second suspending arm section, and an end of the second suspending arm section is connected to the frame body.

10. The frame structure for anti-vibration fan of claim 9, wherein the bent section is S-shaped.

11. The frame structure for anti-vibration fan of claim 9, wherein the bent section is L-shaped.

12. The frame structure for anti-vibration fan of claim 9, wherein the suspending arm comes with a width tapered from the second suspending arm section to the first suspending arm section.

13. An anti-vibration fan, with a frame structure for retaining a coil module and operating a vane, comprising:

a frame, having a hollow frame body thereon;

an elastic frame, installed on the frame body, and having a ring body thereon, a bottom disc disposed at the middle of the ring body, and a plurality of suspending arms having a curved shape at the middle section of the each suspending arm and connected between the bottom disc and the ring body; and

a bottom chassis, installed on the bottom disc.

14. The anti-vibration fan of claim 13, wherein the frame body has a plurality of connecting holes disposed at the top of the frame body, and the connecting hole is a screw hole.

15. The anti-vibration fan of claim 13, wherein the suspending arm is in a linear plate-like shape and has a first suspending arm section connected to the ring body, an end of the first suspending arm section is connected to a bent section with a curved shaped at a middle section of the bent section, and an end of the bent section is connected to a second suspending arm section, and an end of the second suspending arm section is connected to the bottom disc.

16. The anti-vibration fan of claim 15, wherein the bent section is S-shaped.

17. The anti-vibration fan of claim 15, wherein the bent section is L-shaped.

18. The anti-vibration fan of claim 13, wherein the ring body includes a plurality of through holes for passing the locking elements.

19. The anti-vibration fan of claim 13, wherein the locking element is a screw.

20. An anti-vibration fan, with a frame structure for retaining a coil module and operating a vane, comprising:

a frame, having a hollow frame body, a plurality of protruding ribs disposed on the frame body, and an insert slot disposed on the protruding rib;

a bottom chassis, having a disc body, a plurality of protruding ribs extended outward from the disc body, and an insert slot disposed in the protruding rib; and

an elastic frame, including a plurality of suspending arms having a curved shape at a middle section of the each suspending arm, and an end of the suspending arm being inserted into the insert slot of the frame, and another end of the suspending arm being connected with the insert slot of the disc body.

21. The anti-vibration fan of claim 20, wherein the suspending arm is in a plate-like shape and has a first suspending arm section, an end of the first suspending arm section is connected to a bent section, and an end of the bent section is connected to a second suspending arm section, and the second suspending arm section is connected to the frame body.

22. The anti-vibration fan of claim 21, wherein the bent section is S-shaped.

23. The anti-vibration fan of claim 21, wherein bent section is L-shaped.