TW201315344A - Fan case - Google Patents

Abstract

A fan case suitable for a server rack including two fan units is provided. The fan case includes a case, a first circuit board and two second circuit boards. The case assembled on the server rack has two containing tanks. The fan units are detachably assembled to the containing tanks respectively. The first circuit board is disposed in the case and electrically connected to the server rack to communicate with the server rack and generate communicating signal. The second circuit boards are disposed in the case and electrically connected to the first circuit board to receive the communicating signal. Each fan unit is suitable for being detached from the case along a first direction independently, or being assembled to the case along a second direction opposite to the first direction independently such that each fan unit is connected to the corresponding second circuit board along the second direction independently.

Description

Fan frame

This invention relates to a fan frame and, more particularly, to a fan frame suitable for use in a server rack.

The server is the core computer that serves each computer in the network system. It can provide the functions of the disk and printing services required by the network users, and also allows each client to share resources in the network environment with each other. The basic structure of the server is roughly the same as that of a general personal computer. It consists of a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, and an input/output (I/O) device, and is connected by a bus. It is connected internally, connected to the central processing unit and memory through the north bridge chip, and connected to the input/output device through the south bridge chip. The server has undergone three evolutions in terms of chassis architecture: from early tower chassis to rack servers that emphasize centralized performance to high-density computing.

Taking the rack server as an example, the rack server is a server designed to have a uniform appearance and is used in conjunction with the cabinet. It can be said that the rack type is an optimized structure of the tower server, and its design purpose is mainly to minimize the occupation of the server space. Many professional network devices are rack-mounted, mostly flat, just like drawers. Such as switches, routers, hardware firewalls. The rack server has a width of 19 inches and a height in U (1U = 1.75 inches = 44.45 mm). There are usually 1U, 2U, 3U, 4U, 5U, 7U standard servers.

The dimensions of the cabinets are also based on common industry standards, usually ranging from 22U to 42U. The height of the U in the cabinet has a detachable sliding trailer. Users can flexibly adjust the height according to the elevation of their own servers to store network devices such as servers, hubs, and disk array cabinets. After the server is placed, all its I/O lines are taken out from the rear of the cabinet (all interfaces of the rack server are also at the rear), and are uniformly placed in the trunking of the cabinet, generally labeled with labels for easy management.

In general, the plurality of fans of the conventional rack server are not independently assembled to the rack, so that the fans are inconvenient to be quickly disassembled and repaired. In addition, the plurality of fans of the conventional rack server are not independently electrically connected to the rack, and cannot be independently hot swapped. Therefore, it is inconvenient to stop all the fans when performing maintenance on a single fan. .

The invention provides a fan frame, and the fan unit assembled therein is convenient for independent disassembly and maintenance.

The invention proposes a fan frame suitable for a server rack. The server rack includes two fan units. The fan frame includes a housing, a first circuit board, and two second circuit boards. The housing is assembled to the servo frame and has two receiving slots. The two receiving slots respectively carry two fan units, and the two fan units are respectively detachably assembled to the two receiving slots. The first circuit board is disposed in the housing and is adapted to be electrically connected to the server rack for communicating with the server rack and generating a communication signal. The two second circuit boards are disposed in the housing, respectively corresponding to the two receiving slots, and are electrically connected to the first circuit board for receiving the communication signals of the first circuit board. Each fan unit is adapted to be independently detached from the housing in a first direction or independently assembled to the housing in a second direction opposite the first direction, such that each fan unit is independently connected to the corresponding in a second direction The second circuit board.

In an embodiment of the present invention, one end of the housing has a plurality of lugs, and the other end of the housing has a plurality of fixing portions, each lug is inserted into the servo frame, and each fixing portion is fixed to the server. frame.

In an embodiment of the invention, the server rack has a plurality of limiting slots, and the lugs are respectively inserted into the limiting slots.

In an embodiment of the invention, each of the lugs is inserted into the servo frame in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction.

In an embodiment of the invention, each of the fixing portions is fixed to the servo rack in the second direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the fan frame further includes two first connectors respectively fixed to the two second circuit boards, each fan unit has a second connector, and each of the second connectors is adapted to be in the second direction. Electrically connected to the corresponding first connector.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first circuit board has a third connector, and the third connector is adapted to be electrically connected to the server rack.

In an embodiment of the invention, the housing has an opening, the opening exposing the third connector, and the third connector is adapted to be electrically connected to the servo rack through the opening.

In an embodiment of the invention, the housing includes a bottom case and an upper cover. The receiving groove is located in the bottom case. The upper cover is assembled to the bottom case. The opening is formed in the upper cover.

In an embodiment of the invention, the housing has two openings formed in the upper cover to respectively expose the two fan units.

In an embodiment of the invention, the bottom case has a plurality of slots, and the upper cover has a plurality of positioning posts, and the positioning posts are respectively engaged with the slots to fix the upper cover to the bottom case.

In an embodiment of the invention, each of the positioning posts is adapted to enter the slot in the second direction and reach the end of the slot in the fourth direction perpendicular to the second direction to prevent the upper cover from separating from the bottom in the first direction. shell.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the fan unit has a spring piece, and the structural interference between the spring piece and the fan frame limits the fan unit to the receiving slot, and the elastic piece is adapted to be deformed by force to release the between the elastic piece and the fan frame. Structural interference so that the fan unit is adapted to be detached from the fan frame.

In an embodiment of the invention, the elastic piece has a protrusion on the elastic groove, and the receiving groove has a card slot therein, and the protrusion is inserted into the card slot to form structural interference between the elastic piece and the fan frame.

In an embodiment of the invention, the fan frame further includes a plurality of sealing strips disposed on a periphery of the casing to seal a gap between the fan frame and the servo frame.

Based on the above, the fan unit of the present invention is detachably assembled to the housing of the fan tray. Each fan unit can be independently detached from the fan frame, and can be independently connected to the second circuit board in the housing to be electrically connected to the server rack independently through the second circuit board and the first circuit board, and is convenient Hot swap. When the fan unit is independently hot-swapped and disassembled, it is not necessary to stop the operation of other fan units, and the convenience of disassembly and maintenance can be improved.

The above described features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.

1 is a perspective view of a fan frame applied to a server rack according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the fan tray 100 of the present embodiment is applied to the server rack 50. The server rack 50 includes a plurality of fan units 54. The fan unit 54 is assembled to the fan frame 100 to provide a heat dissipation airflow to dissipate heat from the electronic components disposed inside the server rack 50.

2 is a perspective view of the fan unit and the fan frame of FIG. 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the fan frame of Figure 2. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the fan unit and the fan frame of FIG. 2 in another view. Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 , the fan tray 100 of the embodiment includes a housing 110 , a first circuit board 130 , and a plurality of second circuit boards 140 . The housing 110 is assembled to the server frame 50 shown in FIG. 1 and has a plurality of receiving slots 112. The first circuit board 130 is disposed in the housing 110 and is adapted to be electrically connected to the server rack 50 for communicating with the server rack 50 and generating a communication signal. The second circuit board 140 is disposed in the housing 110 and corresponds to the two receiving slots 112, and is electrically connected to the first circuit board 130 for receiving the communication signal of the first circuit board 130. The second circuit board 140 is electrically connected to the first circuit board 130 through a wire (not shown).

The accommodating slots 112 respectively carry the fan unit 54 . The fan unit 54 is detachably assembled to the accommodating slot 112 , and the air blowing direction of the fan unit 54 is the direction D1 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 . Each fan unit 54 is adapted to be detached from the housing 110 in the direction D1, or assembled to the housing 110 in a direction D1' opposite to the direction D1, such that each fan unit 54 is independently connected to the corresponding one in the direction D1' Two circuit boards 140.

Under the above configuration, when the fan unit 54 is assembled to the fan tray 100, it can be directly connected to the fan tray 100 to be electrically connected to the server rack 50 through the second circuit board 140 and the first circuit board 130. Thereby, the fan unit 54 is suitable for hot plugging and is more convenient for disassembly and maintenance.

The housing 110 of the present embodiment includes a bottom case 110a and an upper cover 110b. The receiving groove 112 is located in the bottom case 110a, the upper cover 110b is assembled to the bottom case 110a, the opening 114 is formed in the upper cover 110b, and the first circuit board 130 is assembled to the upper cover 110b. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the components of the fan frame of Figure 3. The bottom case 110a of the present embodiment has a plurality of slots 110c as shown in FIG. 5. The upper cover 110b has a plurality of positioning posts 110d as shown in FIG. 4. The positioning posts 110d are adapted to be respectively engaged with the slots 110c to fix the upper cover 110b. In the bottom case 110a. In detail, the slot 110c of the present embodiment has an L shape as shown in FIG. 5, so that each positioning post 110d is adapted to enter the slot 110c in the direction D1' and reach the slot 110c in the direction D2 of the vertical direction D1'. The end is to prevent the upper cover 110b from being separated from the bottom case 110a in the direction D1.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the fan unit of Figure 2; Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in the embodiment, the fan unit 54 has a spring piece 54a. The structural interference between the spring piece 54a and the fan frame 100 limits the fan unit 54 to the receiving groove 112. The elastic piece 54a is adapted to be deformed by force to release structural interference between the elastic piece 54a and the fan frame 100, so that the fan unit 54 is adapted to be detached from the fan frame 100. In detail, the receiving groove 112 has a card slot 112a as shown in FIG. 5, and the elastic piece 54a has a protrusion 54c. The protrusion 54c is engaged with the card groove 112a to form structural interference between the elastic piece 54a and the fan frame 100.

Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 , the fan tray 100 of the embodiment includes a plurality of first connectors 120 , and the first connectors 120 are respectively fixed on the second circuit board 140 . The first circuit board 130 has a third connector 132. The housing 110 has an opening 114. The opening 114 exposes the third connector 132 as shown in FIG. 2, so that the third connector 132 is adapted to be electrically connected to the server frame 50 shown in FIG. 1 through the opening 114 to receive signals and power. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a part of the fan unit and the fan frame of Figure 4; In order to make the drawings clearer, FIG. 7 does not show the first connector 120 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, each fan unit 54 is connected to the first connector 120 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 by its second connector 54b in the direction D1' shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. Electrically connected to the second circuit board 140. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the upper cover 110b has a plurality of openings 110e for respectively exposing the fan unit 54, so that the heat dissipation airflow provided by the fan unit 54 can flow through the opening 110e.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in the embodiment, the server frame 50 has a plurality of limiting slots 52a. One end of the fan frame 100 has a plurality of lugs 150, and the other end of the fan frame 100 has a plurality of fixing portions. 160, each lug 150 is inserted into the corresponding limiting slot 52a in the direction D3 of the vertical direction D1', and each fixing portion 160 is screwed to the servo frame 50 in the direction D1' to firmly fix the fan. The rack 100 is assembled to the server rack 50. In addition, in the embodiment, the fan module 100 further includes a plurality of sealing strips 170 disposed on the periphery of the housing 110 to seal the gap between the fan frame 100 and the server frame 50 to achieve dust prevention and Improve the efficiency of cooling airflow. The material of the sealing strip 170 is, for example, rubber or other suitable material having elasticity, which is not limited by the present invention.

In summary, the fan unit of the present invention is detachably assembled to the housing of the fan tray. Each fan unit can be independently detached from the fan frame, and can be independently connected to the second circuit board in the housing to be electrically connected to the server rack independently through the second circuit board and the first circuit board, and is convenient Hot swap. When the fan unit is independently hot-swapped and disassembled, it is not necessary to stop the operation of other fan units, and the convenience of disassembly and maintenance can be improved.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

50. . . Server rack

52a. . . Limit slot

54. . . Fan unit

54a. . . shrapnel

54b. . . Second connector

54c. . . Bump

100. . . Fan frame

110. . . case

110a. . . Bottom shell

110b. . . Upper cover

110c. . . Slotting

110d. . . Positioning column

110e. . . Opening

112. . . Holding slot

112a. . . Card slot

114. . . Opening

120. . . First connector

130. . . First board

132. . . Third connector

140. . . Second circuit board

150. . . Lug

160. . . Fixed part

170. . . sealing strip

D1, D1', D2, D3. . . direction

1 is a perspective view of a fan frame applied to a servo server rack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a perspective view of the fan unit and the fan frame of FIG. 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the fan frame of Figure 2.

4 is a perspective view of a portion of the fan unit and the fan frame of FIG. 2 in another view.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the components of the fan frame of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the fan unit of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a part of the fan unit and the fan frame of Figure 4;

50. . . Server rack

52a. . . Limit slot

54. . . Fan unit

100. . . Fan frame

110. . . case

150. . . Lug

160. . . Fixed part

D1, D1', D3. . . direction

Claims (10)

A fan rack is suitable for a server rack, the server rack includes two fan units, and the fan rack includes: a casing assembled to the server rack and having two receiving slots, the two receiving slots respectively carrying The two fan units are respectively detachably assembled to the two receiving slots; a first circuit board is disposed in the housing and is adapted to be electrically connected to the server rack for The server rack communicates and generates a communication signal; and two second circuit boards are disposed in the housing, respectively corresponding to the two receiving slots, and are electrically connected to the first circuit board for receiving the The communication signal of the first circuit board, wherein each of the fan units is adapted to be detached from the housing independently in a first direction or independently assembled to the housing in a second direction opposite to the first direction And each of the fan units is independently electrically connected to the corresponding second circuit board along the second direction. The fan frame of claim 1, wherein the housing has a plurality of lugs at one end, and the other end of the housing has a plurality of fixing portions, each of the lugs being inserted into the server frame, and each of the lugs The fixing portion is fixed to the server rack. The fan frame of claim 2, wherein the server frame has a plurality of limiting slots, and the lugs are respectively inserted into the limiting slots. The fan frame of claim 2, wherein each of the lugs is inserted into the servo frame in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction. The fan frame of claim 2, wherein each of the fixing portions is fixed to the server frame in the second direction. The fan frame of claim 1, further comprising two first connectors respectively fixed to the two second circuit boards, each fan unit having a second connector, each of the second connectors being adapted Electrically connected to the corresponding first connector along the second direction. The fan frame of claim 1, wherein the first circuit board has a third connector, the third connector is adapted to be electrically connected to the server frame, wherein the housing has an opening a hole that exposes the third connector, the third connector being adapted to be electrically connected to the server frame through the opening. The fan frame of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises: a bottom case, the receiving groove is located in the bottom case; and an upper cover assembled to the bottom case, the opening is formed in the upper cover; The housing has two openings formed in the upper cover to respectively expose the two fan units. The fan frame of claim 8, wherein the bottom case has a plurality of slots, the upper cover has a plurality of positioning posts, and the positioning posts respectively engage the slots to fix the upper cover to the a bottom case; wherein each of the positioning posts is adapted to enter the slot in the second direction and reach an end of the slot in a fourth direction perpendicular to the second direction to prevent the upper cover from being separated along the first direction In the bottom case. The fan tray of claim 1, wherein each of the fan units has a resilient piece, and structural interference between the elastic piece and the fan frame limits the fan unit to the receiving slot, and the elastic piece is adapted to receive The force is deformed to release the structural interference between the elastic piece and the fan frame, so that the fan unit is adapted to be detached from the fan frame; wherein the elastic piece has a convex block, and the receiving groove has a card slot therein, The bump is snapped into the slot to form structural interference between the spring and the fan frame.