US20120045325A1

US20120045325A1 - Fan Housing Module

Info

Publication number: US20120045325A1
Application number: US12/858,505
Authority: US
Inventors: Alex Horng; Tso-Kuo Yin; Duo-Nian Shan
Original assignee: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co Ltd
Priority date: 2010-08-18
Filing date: 2010-08-18
Publication date: 2012-02-23

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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
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.
2. Description of the Related Art
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.
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.
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

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.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a fan housing module whose manufacturing costs can be effectively cut.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a fan housing module allowing miniature designs.
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.
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.
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

The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded, perspective view of a conventional fan housing module.

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.

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the fan housing module of FIG. 2.

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.

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the fan housing module of FIG. 4.

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.
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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Claims

What is claimed is:

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,

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.