JPWO2013038523A1 - Electronic device, fan unit, and housing of electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

  A fan unit (10) having a first connection portion and a second connection portion (16a, 16b) provided at different positions is incorporated in the electronic device (30, 40). The fan unit (10) is accommodated in the accommodating portions (34, 44). When the fan unit (10) is inserted into the accommodating portion, the connectors (36, 46) are connected to one of the first and second connection portions (16a, 16b). The other of the first and second connection parts (16a, 16b) is covered with a protection part (38, 48).

Description

  The present invention relates to a fan unit, an electronic device in which the fan unit is incorporated, and a casing of the electronic device that houses the fan unit.

  An electronic device such as an information processing apparatus often incorporates a fan unit to cool internal components. Normally, a fan unit is provided with a connector for receiving power from the power supply of the electronic device. By connecting the connector of the fan unit to the connector provided in the electronic device, power is supplied from the power supply unit of the electronic device. The fan unit is driven in response to the supply.

  The above fan unit can be inserted into and removed from the electronic device. That is, when the fan unit is incorporated (inserted) into the electronic device, the connector of the fan unit is simultaneously connected to the connector of the electronic device. In addition, when the fan unit is removed (unplugged) from the electronic device, the connector of the fan unit is simultaneously disconnected from the connector of the electronic device. Therefore, the insertion / extraction direction of the fan unit is the connection direction of the connector and is limited to one direction.

  On the other hand, due to the structure of the electronic device, there is a demand for inserting and removing the fan unit in a direction different from the connecting direction of the connector. To meet this demand, in the case of a fan unit in which the insertion / removal direction is limited to one direction, two types of fan units with different connector connection directions are prepared, and the connector connection direction is changed to the fan unit insertion / removal direction. It is necessary to match.

  Therefore, a fan unit having a structure that can be inserted and removed in two directions has been proposed. According to this fan unit, one card edge part is provided, and after inserting the fan unit in a certain direction, the connector can be connected by moving in a different direction.

  Depending on the structure of the electronic device, the position of the connector connected to the connector of the fan unit may be different.

JP 2001-339189 A JP-A-9-199881 Japanese Patent No. 4354462

  As described above, in a fan unit that can be inserted / removed only in one direction, if it is necessary to insert / remove in a different direction, it is necessary to prepare a fan unit having a different structure, which increases the cost of an electronic device in which the fan unit is incorporated. Become.

  Further, in the structure in which the fan unit is moved in two directions and the connector is connected, a space for moving in the second direction needs to be provided in the electronic device, and the electronic device is large in order to secure this space. End up.

  In one aspect, an object of the present invention is to provide a fan unit that can be inserted into and removed from two electronic devices having different connector connection locations, and an electronic device having such a fan unit.

  According to one embodiment, a fan unit having a first connection part and a second connection part provided at different positions, a storage part for storing the fan unit, and a fan unit provided in the storage part. An electronic device is provided that has a connector connected to one of the first and second connecting portions when the is inserted into the housing portion, and a protective portion that covers the other connecting portion. .

  According to another embodiment, a fan, a circuit board provided with an electric circuit for driving the fan, a first connection portion provided at a first position of the circuit board, and a first board of the circuit board A second connection portion provided at a position 2, wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portion have the same shape and the same electrical connection function, and either one of the connection portions Thus, a fan unit that can be inserted into and removed from the connection destination connector is provided.

  According to still another embodiment, when the fan unit having the first connection portion and the second connection portion is received, and provided in the storage portion, the fan unit is inserted into the storage portion. In addition, a housing of an electronic device having a connector connected to one connection portion of the first and second connection portions and a protection portion covering the other connection portion is provided.

  One fan unit can be inserted into and removed from two electronic devices at different positions where the connector is provided.

It is a perspective view of the fan unit by one Example. It is a perspective view of the fan unit by one Example. It is a perspective view of the fan unit by one Example. It is a perspective view of the fan unit by one Example. It is a front view of a unit frame. It is a side view of a unit frame. It is a side view of a unit frame. It is a figure for demonstrating the connection direction of two connector parts. It is a perspective view which shows the rear part of the electronic device with which a fan unit is integrated in a horizontal direction. It is a perspective view which shows the fan unit before being inserted in the accommodating part of an electronic device. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of the accommodating part of a fan unit and an electronic device. It is a perspective view of a fan unit mounting part. It is a rear view of the electronic device in which a fan unit is integrated in the vertical direction. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of the electronic device shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which expands and shows a part of fan unit mounting part. It is a perspective view of a fan unit mounting part.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, a fan unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 1 to 4 are perspective views of a fan unit 10 according to an embodiment.

  The fan unit 10 includes a fan 12, a unit frame 14 that supports the fan 12, and a printed circuit board 16 attached to the unit frame 14. The fan 12 with a built-in motor is accommodated and attached inside the substantially U-shaped unit frame 14. The printed circuit board 16 is a circuit board having a circuit for controlling a drive current supplied to the fan 12. The printed circuit board 16 includes a connector portion 16a as a first connection portion and a connector portion 16b as a second connection portion. The connector portion 16a and the connector portion 16b are fitted and connected to a connector of an electronic device as will be described later.

  FIG. 5A is a front view of the unit frame 14. 5B is a side view of the unit frame 14 as seen from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 5A. 5C is a side view of the unit frame 14 as seen from the direction of arrow C in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5B, the unit frame 14 has a U-shape when viewed from the side. The front plate 14b extends vertically from the front end of the base plate 14a, and the rear from the rear end of the base plate 14a. The face plate 14c extends vertically.

  The fan 12 is accommodated in a space formed by the base plate 14a, the front plate 14b, and the rear plate 14c. The fan 12 is fixed to the unit frame 14 by four fan fixing portions 14d attached to the front plate 14b and four fan fixing portions 14e attached to the rear plate 14c.

  The printed circuit board 16 is attached to the base plate 14 a of the unit frame 14. A connector portion 16a that is a first connection portion of the printed circuit board 16 extends below the rear surface plate 14c, and an end portion thereof faces rearward. On the other hand, the connector part 16b which is the 2nd connection part of the printed circuit board 16 is extended between the front board 14b and the rear board 14c, and the edge part has faced the side. Therefore, the connecting direction of the connector portion 16a is the longitudinal direction of the fan unit 14 (direction from the front plate 14b to the rear plate 14c), and the connecting direction of the connector portion 16b is the lateral direction of the fan unit 10 (direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction). ). The connector portion 16a and the connector portion 16b are connectors having the same shape and the same electrical function, and the fan unit 10 can be driven and controlled in the same manner regardless of which is connected to the connector of the electronic device.

  A front light-emitting portion 18a is provided on the front plate 14b of the unit frame 14 as a first light-emitting portion. Further, a side light emitting portion 18b is provided as a second light emitting portion on a side portion of the base plate 14a of the unit frame 14. That is, the front light emitting unit 18a is provided on the front side of the fan unit 10, and the side light emitting unit 18b is provided on the side surface orthogonal to the front side. As shown in FIG. 5C, the front light emitting unit 18a is one end surface of the light pipe 20a. The opposite end surface of the light pipe 20a faces the LED 22 mounted on the printed circuit board 16. Thereby, when the LED 22 is turned on, the light from the LED 22 propagates through the light pipe 20a and is guided to the front light emitting unit 18a, and the front light emitting unit 18a is illuminated. Similarly, the side light emission part 18b is one end surface of the light pipe 20b, as shown in FIG. 5C. The opposite end surface of the light pipe 20b faces the LED 22 mounted on the printed circuit board 16. Thus, when the LED 22 is turned on, the light from the LED 22 propagates through the light pipe 20b and is guided to the front light emitting unit 18b, and the front light emitting unit 18a is illuminated. As described above, when the LED 22 which is a single light source is turned on, both the front light emitting unit 18a and the side light emitting unit 18b are illuminated.

  Here, the connection of the connector part 16a and the connector part 16b of the fan unit 10 in a present Example is demonstrated. FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the connection direction of two connector portions. As described above, the connector portion 16 a that is the first connection portion of the printed circuit board 16 faces the rear side of the fan unit 10. Therefore, when the fan unit 10 (that is, the printed circuit board 16) is moved in the longitudinal direction and inserted into the electronic device, the moving direction of the fan unit 10 (that is, the moving direction of the printed circuit board) is the connection direction of the connector portion 16a. Match. Therefore, when the fan unit 10 (that is, the printed circuit board 16) is moved in the longitudinal direction and inserted into the electronic device, the connector portion 16a is connected to the connector of the electronic device as shown on the left side of FIG. Become.

  On the other hand, when the fan unit 10 (that is, the printed circuit board 16) is moved laterally and inserted into the electronic device, the moving direction of the fan unit 10 (that is, the moving direction of the printed circuit board) is the connection direction of the connector portion 16b. Match. Therefore, when the fan unit 10 (that is, the printed circuit board 16) is moved laterally and inserted into the electronic device, the connector portion 16b is connected to the connector of the electronic device as shown on the right side of FIG. Become.

  In the present embodiment, the connector portion 16a or 16b that is not used for connection is configured to be covered with components on the electronic device side so as not to be exposed. A configuration for covering the connector portion 16a or 16b will be described later.

  As described above, since the fan unit 10 has two connection portions (connector portion 16a and connector portion 16b) having the same function, even if the insertion direction to the electronic device is different, the connection portion that matches the insertion direction is provided. Can be used. For this reason, one fan unit 10 can be incorporated into both of two types of electronic devices having different insertion directions.

  Next, the structure of the electronic device in which the above-described fan unit 10 is incorporated and the operation of incorporating the fan unit 10 in the electronic device will be described.

  First, an electronic device in which the fan unit 10 is assembled in the horizontal direction will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a rear portion of the electronic device 30 in which the fan unit 10 is assembled in the horizontal direction. In FIG. 7, the housing upper cover of the electronic device 30 is removed, and internal electronic components and the like are omitted for the purpose of simplifying the drawing. A fan unit mounting portion 32 for attaching the plurality of fan units 10 is provided at the rear portion of the electronic device 30. The fan unit mounting portion 32 is a frame-like member, and a plurality of accommodating portions 34 for accommodating the fan unit 10 are provided in alignment. FIG. 7 shows a state before one fan unit 10 is mounted in the housing part 34 of the fan unit mounting part 32. The fan unit 10 is inserted into the accommodating portion 34 from the rear side (the rear plate 14c side of the unit frame 14).

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the fan unit 10 before being inserted into the housing portion 34 of the electronic device 30. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the inside of the housing unit 34 of the fan unit 10 and the electronic device 30. The fan unit 10 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 34 of the fan unit mounting portion 32 from the rear plate 14c side. Therefore, the insertion direction of the fan unit 10 into the housing portion 34 coincides with the connection direction of the connector portion 16a.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a connector 36 on the electronic device 30 side is disposed in the housing portion 34. The connector 36 is disposed at a position facing the connector portion 16 a of the fan unit 10. Accordingly, when the fan unit 10 is inserted into the housing portion 34 of the electronic device 30 in order to incorporate the fan unit 10 into the electronic device 30, the connector portion 16 a provided on the printed circuit board 16 of the fan unit 10 is connected to the electronic device 30 side. The connector 36 is fitted and connected. That is, when the fan unit 10 is inserted into the housing portion 34 of the electronic device 30, the connector portion 16 a is automatically connected to the connector 36. Therefore, electric power and control signals can be sent from the electronic device 30 to the printed circuit board 16 of the fan unit 10 via the connector 36 and the connector portion 16a.

  Here, the connector portion 16b of the fan unit 10 is not connected to the connector, and remains exposed in the accommodating portion 34. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connector protection part 38 is provided in the housing part 34 provided in the fan unit mounting part 32 of the electronic device 30. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the fan unit mounting portion 32. The connector protection part 38 has a groove 38a into which the connector part 16b is inserted. The groove 38a is sized to cover the entire terminal of the connector portion 16b, and the connector protection portion 38 plays a role of protecting the connector portion 16b.

  As described above, when the fan unit 10 is inserted into the housing portion 34, the connector 16b is inserted into the groove 38a of the connector protection portion 38, and the terminals of the connector 16b are covered with the connector protection portion 38. Therefore, something accidentally contacts the terminal of the connector 16b is prevented, and the connector 16b is protected.

  When the connector 16a of the fan unit 10 is connected to the connector 36 of the housing portion 34 of the electronic device 30, power is supplied from the electronic device 30 side to the printed circuit board 16, and the LED 22 mounted on the printed circuit board 16 is lit. The light from the LED 22 reaches the front light emitting unit 18a through the light pipe 20a, and the front light emitting unit 18a emits light. For example, if the LED 22 is a red LED, the front light emitting unit 18a glows red. The light emitted from the front light emitting portion 18a serves as a mark for the operator. That is, when the operator removes the fan unit 10 from the electronic device 30, the front plate 14b on which the front light emitting portion 18a that emits light is positioned can be pulled out.

  Here, when the LED 22 is turned on, the light from the LED 22 is guided to the side light emitting unit 18b through the light pipe 20b, and the side light emitting unit 18b also emits light. However, in a state where the fan unit 10 is inserted into the housing portion 34, the side light emitting portion 18b is in the housing portion 34 and is not visible to the operator. Therefore, the worker can see only the light emission of the front light emitting portion 18a, and the worker can easily confirm the direction in which the fan unit 10 is pulled out by visually recognizing the front light emitting portion 18a.

  Next, an electronic device in which the fan unit 10 is incorporated in the vertical direction will be described. FIG. 11 is a rear view of the electronic device 40 in which the fan unit 10 is incorporated in the vertical direction. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the inside of the electronic device 40. In FIG. 12, internal electronic components and the like are omitted for the purpose of simplifying the drawing. Inside the electronic device 40, a fan unit mounting portion 42 for attaching the plurality of fan units 10 is provided. The fan unit mounting portion 42 is a frame-like member whose upper side is open, and a plurality of storage portions 44 for storing the fan unit 10 are provided in an aligned manner. FIGS. 11 and 12 show a state before one fan unit 10 is mounted in the housing portion 44 of the fan unit mounting portion 42.

  The fan unit 10 is inserted into the accommodating portion 44 from the side surface side (side surface side of the unit frame 14). That is, the fan unit 10 is inserted into the housing portion 44 of the fan unit mounting portion 42 with the front plate 14b of the unit frame 14 facing rearward and the base plate 14a facing sideways.

  FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the fan unit mounting portion 42. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the fan unit mounting portion 42. The fan unit mounting portion 42 has a plurality of housing portions 44, and an electronic device-side connector 46 is disposed in each housing portion 44. The connector 46 is disposed at a position facing the connector portion 16 b of the fan unit 10. Thus, when the fan unit 10 is inserted into the housing portion 44 of the electronic device 40 in order to incorporate the fan unit 10 into the electronic device 40, the connector portion 16b provided on the printed circuit board 16 of the fan unit 10 is connected to the electronic device 40 side. The connector 46 is fitted and connected. That is, when the fan unit 10 is inserted into the housing portion 44 of the electronic device 40, the connector portion 16 b is automatically connected to the connector 46. Therefore, electric power and control signals can be sent from the electronic device 40 to the printed circuit board 16 of the fan unit 10 via the connector 46 and the connector portion 16b.

  Here, the connector portion 16 a of the fan unit 10 is not connected to the connector and is exposed in the housing portion 44. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connector protection part 48 is provided in the housing part 44 provided in the fan unit mounting part 42 of the electronic device 40. The connector protection part 48 has a groove 48a into which the connector part 16b is inserted. The groove 48a is sized to cover the entire terminal of the connector portion 16b, and the connector protection portion 48 plays a role of protecting the connector portion 16a.

  As described above, when the fan unit 10 is inserted into the housing portion 44, the connector 16a is inserted into the groove 48a of the connector protection portion 48, and the terminals of the connector 16a are covered with the connector protection portion 48. Therefore, something unexpectedly contacts the terminal of the connector 16b, and the connector 16a is protected.

  When the connector 16b of the fan unit 10 is connected to the connector 46 in the housing portion 44 of the electronic device 40, power is supplied from the electronic device 40 side to the printed circuit board 16, and the LED 22 mounted on the printed circuit board 16 is turned on. The light from the LED 22 reaches the side light emitting unit 18b through the light pipe 20b, and the side light emitting unit 18b emits light. For example, if the LED 22 is a red LED, the side light emitting portion 18b shines red. The light emitted from the side light emitting portion 18a serves as a mark for the operator. That is, when the worker removes the fan unit 10 from the electronic device 40, the direction of the side light emitting portion 18a that emits light can be pulled out.

  Here, when the LED 22 is turned on, the light from the LED 22 is guided to the front light emitting unit 18a through the light pipe 20a, and the front light emitting unit 18b also emits light. However, in a state where the fan unit 10 is inserted in the housing portion 44, the side light emitting portion 18 a is covered by the blocking portion 50 provided in the housing portion 44 and is not visible to the operator. Therefore, the operator can only see the light emitted from the side light emitting portion 18b, and the operator can easily confirm the direction in which the fan unit 10 is pulled out by viewing the side light emitting portion 18b. .

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which one fan unit can be inserted / removed with respect to two electronic devices having different connector connection directions has been described. For example, a connector is provided even if the connector connection direction is the same. The present invention can also be applied to two electronic devices having different positions. That is, a plurality of connector portions are provided on the printed circuit board 16 of the fan unit 10 in accordance with the positions of the connectors of a plurality of electronic devices at different positions where the connectors are provided. Then, on the electronic device side, by providing a protection portion at the position of the connector portion that is not used on the printed circuit board 16 of the fan unit 10, one fan unit can be incorporated into a plurality of electronic devices having different connector connection positions. .

  The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments described above, and various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Industrial application fields

  The present invention can be applied to an electronic device in which a fan unit is incorporated so that it can be inserted and removed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Fan unit 12 Fan 14 Unit frame 14a Base board 14b Front board 14c Rear board 14d, 14e Fan fixing part 16 Printed circuit board 16a, 16b Connector part 18a Front light emission part 18b Side light emission part 20a, 20b Light pipe 22 LED
30, 40 Electronic device 32, 42 Fan unit mounting part 34, 44 Housing part 36, 46 Connector 38, 48 Connector protection part 38a, 48a Groove

Claims (9)

A fan unit having a first connection part and a second connection part provided at different positions;
An accommodating portion for accommodating the fan unit;
A connector that is provided in the housing portion and is connected to one of the first and second connection portions when the fan unit is inserted into the housing portion, and a protection that covers the other connection portion. An electronic device having a part. The electronic device according to claim 1,
The fan unit includes an electronic device having a first light emitting unit on a first surface side and a second light emitting unit on a second surface side different from the first surface. The electronic device according to claim 2,
An electronic apparatus in which light from one light source is guided to the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit through a light pipe. The electronic device according to claim 4,
The electronic device includes an LED mounted on a circuit board provided in the fan unit. With fans,
A circuit board provided with an electric circuit for driving the fan;
A first connecting portion provided at a first position of the circuit board;
A second connecting portion provided at a second position of the circuit board,
The first connection part and the second connection part have the same shape and the same electrical connection function,
A fan unit that can be inserted into and removed from the connector at the connection destination through either connection. The fan unit according to claim 5, wherein
A fan unit having a first light emitting part on a first surface side opposite to the first connection part and a second light emitting part on a second surface side orthogonal to the first surface. The fan unit according to claim 6, wherein
One light source,
A first light pipe for guiding light from the one light source to the first light emitting unit;
And a second light pipe that guides light from the one light source to the second light emitting unit. The fan unit according to claim 7, wherein
The one light source is a fan unit that is an LED mounted on the circuit board. An accommodating portion for accommodating a fan unit having a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion;
A protective portion that is provided in the housing portion and covers the connector connected to one connection portion of the first and second connection portions and the other connection portion when the fan unit is inserted into the housing portion; A housing of an electronic device having

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