JPH08264990A - Structure for fixing cooling fan of electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a fixed structure which can protect a compact cooling fan from outer force on mounting and shock when carrying, for example, a portable computer and can be easily mounted and then can prevent the leakage of electromagnetic wave from the fan-mounting part. CONSTITUTION: A cooling fan 9 is housed in an enclosure-type fitment 13 via a frame-shaped elastic member 11 and the peripheral edge part of the enclosure- type fitment is fixed to the conductive enclosure frame of an electronic equipment, thus protecting the cooling fan and achieving an electromagnetic shielding. The peripheral edge part of the enclosure fitment is fixed by a pair of gear- locks consisting of a gear-lock recessed part and a hole 8, thus simplifying mounting operation. Further, a number of paired gear-locks 8 and 18 are arranged along a peripheral edge 15 of the enclosure fitment 13, electromagnetic shield is further improved and at the same time the occurrence of noise electric wave when static electricity is discharged via the enclosure frame is reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure for fixing a fan for cooling the inside of the device to a casing frame of an electronic device, and more particularly to a fixing structure suitable for small electronic equipment such as a portable computer. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electronic cooling device using a cooling fan is often used in an electronic device having a large amount of heat generation mounted therein or an electronic device having a high density of heating devices mounted therein in order to suppress a temperature rise of the device. There is. Usually, this type of cooling fan has mounting holes at the four corners of its frame.Use these mounting holes to fix it to the inside of the side surface of the housing frame, or use mounting brackets to fix it to the bottom surface of the housing frame. Has been done.

FIG. 5 shows an example of such a conventional cooling fan fixing structure. In the example of the drawing, two mounting seats 4 are provided on each of the side surface 40 and the bottom surface 41 of the housing frame.
2 and 42 are provided, and the fan 9 is fixed by using a metal plate mounting bracket 43. That is, the fan 9 is provided with mounting holes 44 at four corners of the frame, and two of these holes are used to mount the mounting bracket 43 and the fan frame 10 on the side surface of the housing frame with the fixing screws 45. The legs 46 formed on the mounting bracket are fixed to the mounting seat 42 provided on the bottom surface of the housing frame with screws 45.

A large number of small air holes 4 are provided in the fan mounting portion on the side surface of the housing frame, and a mounting bracket 43 is provided.
Is provided with a large opening 47 in a portion that becomes an air flow path of the fan. Such a structure is a structure that is often used in electronic devices as large as a desktop computer.

[0005]

With the recent trend toward higher density packaging and higher performance of portable computers, it has become necessary to provide a cooling fan in portable computers as well. Conventionally, there are many cases in which a conductive resin molded product is used as a casing frame of a portable computer, and in this case, the frame ground of the device is performed by an outer casing made of resin. For example, in the example of FIG. It was possible to give a shielding effect to the portion of the side surface 40 where the air holes 4 were provided.

However, there is a demand for refraining from using a conductive resin molded product because it is expensive and cannot be recycled, from the viewpoint of resource protection and environmental protection. When a conductive resin is not used for the housing frame, the housing needs to be formed by a resin outer housing and a sheet metal chassis, and the structure as shown in FIG. 5 is adopted as the cooling fan mounting structure. In this case, there arises a problem of electromagnetic wave leakage from the cooling fan mounting portion.

In a portable electronic device, an impact may be applied to the outer casing during carrying, and a fixing structure for protecting the cooling fan from such an impact is desirable. Further, in the portable computer, since the device needs to be made thin, the cooling fan becomes very small, and the fan must be installed in a narrow space, so that the fixing work is troublesome. Further, since a small-sized fan has a thin frame and blades and a thin rotating shaft, the fan is easily damaged, and the fan is often erroneously damaged during installation.

In view of the above problems, the present invention can protect a small cooling fan from an external force at the time of mounting it and an impact at the time of carrying the apparatus, and the mounting work is easy and the fan mounting portion can be used. The problem is to obtain a fixed structure that can prevent the leakage of electromagnetic waves.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the cooling fan 9 is provided with the casing-shaped metal fitting 13 via the frame-shaped elastic member 11.
By fixing the peripheral part of the metal housing to the conductive housing frame of the electronic device, the cooling fan is protected from the external force, the shock is protected, and the electromagnetic shield is realized. That is, in the cooling fan fixing structure according to claim 1, a cooling fan 9 having a rectangular fan frame 10 and a rectangular frame-shaped elastic member 1 fitted on the outside of the fan frame 10.
1 and a box-shaped metal fitting 13 having an inner size into which this elastic member is fitted and having a large number of ventilation holes 14 provided on the bottom surface, and the cooling fan 9 is box-shaped with the elastic member 11 interposed. The metal fitting 13 is fitted in the metal fitting 13, and the casing metal fitting 13 is fixed to the conductive member 2 on the side surface of the device at an edge portion thereof.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the cooling fan 9 is housed in the housing 13 and the peripheral edge of the housing 3 is fixed by the locking pair composed of the elastic claw 8 and the locking recess or hole 18. As a result, the protection of the cooling fan from the external force, the electromagnetic shield, and the simplification of the mounting work are realized. That is, the cooling fan fixing structure according to claim 2 has a cooling fan 9 having a rectangular fan frame 10 and a plurality of ventilation holes 14 on the bottom surface.
And a metal chassis 2 in which a fitting frame 7 is formed from the side wall toward the inside so as to be attached to the outside of the housing-shaped metal fitting. An engaging pair of elastic claws 18 and locking recesses or holes 8 is provided at the edge portion of 13, and the cooling fan 9 is housed in the casing-type metal fitting 13 and the casing-type metal fitting 13 is connected to the above-mentioned engaging portion. It is characterized in that the mating pairs 8 and 18 are fitted in the fitting frame 7 in a state of being engaged with each other.

In the structure of claim 2, a rectangular frame-shaped elastic member 11 fitted inside or outside the peripheral edge of the casing 13 is provided, and this elastic member is provided on the outer periphery of the cooling fan 9 and the casing 13. By interposing the space or between the outer periphery of the casing 13 and the fitting frame 7, it is possible to realize protection from the impact of the cooling fan.

Further, in the structure of claim 2, the engagement pair 8,
By arranging a large number of 18 along the peripheral edge 15 of the housing member 13, the electromagnetic shield becomes more reliable, and the generation of noise radio waves when static electricity is discharged through the housing frame can be further reduced.

[0013]

The metal housing 13 in the structure of the present invention is provided with the cooling fan 9 from the external force when the cooling fan is attached to the housing frame.
And the function of protecting the electromagnetic wave from leaking from the cooling fan mounting portion of the device. Further, in the invention of claims 2 to 4, the frame 7 and the fitting frame 7 provided on the metal chassis are provided. The cooling fan 9 is fixed to the housing frame with one touch by the engagement pairs 8 and 18 provided between the cooling fan 9 and the cooling fan 9.

A rectangular frame-shaped elastic member 11 interposed between the cooling fan 9 and the casing member 13 or between the casing member 13 and the frame member 7 of the metal chassis 2 connects the cooling fan 9 to the casing of the device. It protects the body frame from impacts. Further, when the elastic member 11 is interposed between the cooling fan 9 and the housing member 13, it is possible to stably hold the cooling fan 9 in the housing member 13 by the elastic member 11. It is possible to easily load the cooling fan 9 into the housing 13.

4. A plurality of elastic claws 18 and locking recesses or holes 8 for engaging with the elastic claws 18 are arranged on the peripheral edge of the metal casing 13.
In the structure (1), since the peripheral edge of the metal casing 13 is uniformly electrically connected to the metal chassis 2, the potential difference and the current density between the metal chassis 2 and the metal chassis 2 can be reduced, and the static electricity can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the generation of noise due to the discharge of.

[0016]

1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention. The housing frame of the device is a resin outer housing 1
And a chassis 2 made of a light metal plate such as aluminum and fitted inside thereof. The outer casing 1 is divided into a main body portion whose upper surface is open and a lid portion (keyboard panel in a portable computer) which is covered on the outer casing 1. The chassis 2 also covers the casing main body portion and the upper surface thereof. It is formed by the upper plate 3 (FIG. 2) to be worn.

A large number of air holes 4 are provided in the cooling fan mounting portion on the side wall of the outer casing 1. On the chassis 2, a standing piece 5 is formed by bending the side wall inward so as to surround the cooling fan mounting portion, and the standing piece 5 and the bottom plate 6 form a U-shaped fitting frame 7. There is. A large number of rectangular locking holes 8 are provided in the fitting frame 7.

The cooling fan 9 is a known one having a rotary blade and its drive motor built-in, and its frame (fan frame) 10 is square. A cover 11 formed by molding a rubber material into a rectangular frame is fitted around the outer periphery of the fan frame 10. Triangular flanges 12 that are hooked on the end faces of the fan frame 10 are integrally formed at the four corners of the cover 11 so that the fan frame 10 does not directly contact the outer casing 1 or a casing-shaped metal fitting 13 described later. ing.

A cooling fan 9 fitted with a rubber cover 11
Is fitted inside a housing 13 made of a metal plate having a spring property. A large number of ventilation holes 14 are formed on the bottom surface (the surface that faces the inside of the device when mounted) of the housing 13. Further, a large number of cuts 16 are provided on the edge portion 15 of the casing-shaped metal fitting over the entire circumference thereof, and a large number of tongues 17 are formed by these cuts, and the tips of the respective tongues 17 are bent outward in a V shape. A claw 18 is formed. The claws 18 are provided with a width that engages with the locking holes 8 provided in the fitting frame of the chassis described above and at equal intervals and numbers.

The inner size of the casing 13 is the cooling fan 9
The rubber cover 11 is fitted in the rubber cover 11 in such a manner that the rubber cover 11 is inserted in a slightly crushed state. The size is such that it is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the metal fitting and the inner side surface of the outer casing 1.

The above-mentioned top plate 3 of the chassis is provided with a locking hole 8 (FIG. 2) similar to that provided on the upright piece 5 and the bottom plate 6 of the chassis at a portion corresponding to the upper edge of the casing metal fitting 13. ing.

The cooling fan 9 is attached to the apparatus in the following procedure. First, the rubber cover 11 is fitted to the fan frame 10, and this is fitted into the housing 13.
Then, the box-shaped metal fitting 13 is fitted into the U-shaped fitting frame 7 formed by the standing piece 5 and the bottom plate 6 of the chassis, and the claws 18 on the three sides thereof are locked in the locking holes 8 of the standing piece 5 and the bottom plate 6. To do. The metal casing 13 is made of a metal plate having elasticity and has a claw 18
Is provided at the tip of the tongue piece 17 formed by the notch 16, so that when the casing-type metal fitting 13 is inserted into the fitting frame 7,
The elastic claw 18 bends inward, and when it matches the locking hole 8, it opens outward and is locked.

In the example shown in the figure, a guide rib 20 integrally formed on the inner bottom surface of the outer casing 1 on the front side bottom surface of the fitting frame 7 projects through the bottom plate 6 of the chassis and is fitted into the fitting frame 7. The lower edge of the bottom surface (the surface facing inward) of the formed casing 13 is locked by the guide rib 20. That is, in the example shown in the figure, the housing 13 is inserted into the fitting frame 7 and then pushed down slightly to be mounted in a fixed position.

After mounting various electric units and parts (not shown) in the chassis 2, the upper plate 3 of the chassis is mounted.
The device is completed by fixing and covering the locking holes 8 with the elastic claws 18 on the upper side of the casing fitting fitted thereto, and further fixing the lid plate of the outer casing thereon. Since the casing 13 is fixed from above by the top plate 3 of the chassis, it is prevented from rising and cannot be detached from the guide rib 20 that locks the bottom edge of the bottom.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the most preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, when it is not necessary to consider the frame ground very sensitively, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to adopt a structure in which four corners of 13 are fixed and attached to the chassis 2. In FIG. 3, the four corners of the housing 13 are fixed by the screws 25, but it is of course possible to make this portion a locking structure of the elastic claw and the locking hole.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the structure in which the casing metal 13 is fitted to the fitting frame 7 provided on the chassis side,
The rubber cover 11 can also be provided outside the housing 13. In this case, the rubber cover 11 is provided with an opening hole 30 through which the elastic claw 18 of the casing-shaped metal fitting penetrates so that electrical connection between the casing-shaped metal fitting 13 and the fitting frame 7 is achieved. The structure in which the rubber cover 11 is provided on the outside of the casing 13 is effective in reducing the mounting space of the cooling fan 9.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a small cooling fan is mounted on an electronic device, the cooling fan is prevented from being damaged during the mounting work, and the cooling fan is protected from a shock acting on the housing. The effect of being able to do is obtained. In addition, it is possible to easily install the cooling fan on the device, prevent electromagnetic waves from leaking from the cooling fan installation part, and reduce the generation of noise radio waves due to static electricity discharge and the like. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a casing-type metal fitting of the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional mounting structure for a cooling fan.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Outer Casing 2 Metal Chassis 7 Fitting Frame 8 Locking Hole 9 Cooling Fan 10 Fan Frame 11 Rubber Cover 13 Casing Metal Fitting 14 Vent Hole 15 Edge of Casing Metal Fitting 18 Elastic Claw

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A cooling fan (9) having a square fan frame (10), a rectangular frame-shaped elastic member (11) fitted on the outside of the fan frame (10), and this elastic member fitted. And a casing metal fitting (13) having a large number of ventilation holes (14) on the bottom surface, and the cooling fan (9) has a casing shape with the elastic member (11) interposed. The casing-shaped metal fitting (13) is fitted to the metal fitting (13), and the casing metal fitting (13) has a conductive member (2) on the side surface of the device at its edge
A cooling fan fixing structure for an electronic device, which is fixed to. 2. A cooling fan (9) having a rectangular fan frame (10), a casing metal fitting (13) having a large number of ventilation holes (14) on the bottom surface, and a cooling fan (9) attached to the outside of the casing metal fitting. Metal chassis with mating frame (7) formed inward from the side wall as installed
(2), and an engaging pair made up of an elastic claw (18) and a locking recess or hole (8) is provided at the edge of the fitting frame (7) and the casing metal fitting (13). The cooling fan (9) is housed in the metal casing (13), and the metal casing (13) is attached to the fitting frame (7) with the engaging pair (8, 18) engaged. Fixing structure for cooling fan of electronic equipment, characterized by being fitted together. 3. A rectangular frame-shaped elastic member (11) fitted inside or outside of the peripheral edge of the casing metal member (13), and this elastic member is provided on the outer periphery of the cooling fan (9) and the casing metal member (11). The cooling fan fixing structure according to claim 2, characterized in that it is interposed between the (13) or between the outer periphery of the casing-type metal fitting (13) and the fitting frame (7). 4. An engagement pair (8,18) according to claim 2, wherein
The cooling fan fixing structure according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a large number of the cooling fan fixing structures are arranged along a peripheral edge (15) of the (13).