Frame Structure Of A Cooling Fan, The Cooling Fan And Heat Generating Device Having The Fan

Abstract

A cooling fan, frame structure of the cooling fan, and a heat generating device comprising the fan are provided. The frame structure comprises a body with an air inlet and outlet. The body has at least one set of assembling holes which are spaced a certain distance apart from each other either along the inner peripheral of the outlet or along the two outer opposite edges. The frame structure further comprises at least one active anti-dust baffle with two pins that are disposed in the assembling holes. The active anti-dust baffle is adapted to automatically rotate into a closed position when the cooling fan shuts down to effectively prevent the undesired outside objects from getting into the heat generating device.

Description

This application claims priority to Taiwan Patent Application No. 095221793 filed on Dec. 11, 2006, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention relates to a frame structure for use in a cooling fan, the cooling fan and a heat generating device having the fan; specifically, it relates to a frame structure for use in a cooling fan to prevent outside objects from entrance, the cooling fan and a heat generating device having the fan.

2. Descriptions of the Related Art

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a cooling system often used in electrical and mechanical equipments. The cooling system mainly uses cooling fan assemblies that are independently configured in the wind tunnel inside the electrical and mechanical equipment for heat dissipation. Moreover, an outlet with honeycomb baffles is disposed in the housing of the electrical and mechanical equipment opposite to the cooling fan assembly. The heat generated by the electrical and mechanical equipment can be exhausted out (as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1) via the outlet by means of the cooling fan assembly. The honeycomb baffle of the outlet not only provides a fluidical connection of the electrical and mechanical equipment with the outside, but also prevents outside objects entering the equipment and damaging the cooling fan assembly and the components inside the equipment.

However, after the cooling fan assembly is shut down, small outside objects, such as dust, paper pieces, and leaves, can still get into the electrical and mechanical equipment via the gaps between the slots of the honeycomb baffles and the blades of the cooling fan assembly and cause damages. If the outside objects are larger and cannot get into the equipment, they can still easily attach onto the honeycomb baffles and degrade the cooling efficiency. Furthermore, in electrical and mechanical equipments with a plurality of cooling fan assemblies, the cooling fan assemblies are fluidically connected to each other. If one of the cooling fan assemblies breaks down and ceases operation, the exhausted heat can be sucked back into the equipment via the cooling fan assembly because the other cooling fan assemblies are still in operation. This occurrence is also known as the “heat reverse” effect. As a result of this effect, the overall cooling efficiency of the equipment degrades.

A common method for solving the abovementioned problems is to configure a sponge net as a filter in front of each outlet in the electrical and mechanical equipment to enhance the sealing of the outlet and to prevent smaller outside objects from entering therein. However, the sponge filtering net will increase the resistance of heated gas flow and decrease the overall cooling efficiency accordingly. Moreover, the sponge filtering net is not as effective at high temperatures. Hence, there is a need to redesign a cooling fan assembly suitable for electrical and mechanical equipments with high operation temperatures so that outside objects are prevented from entering the equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the subject invention is to provide a frame structure for use in a cooling fan that not only prevents dust from entering, but also does not generate a large resistance to the heated gas flow.

To achieve this first objective, the subject invention provides a frame structure for use in a cooling fan. The frame structure comprises a body which comprises an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the frame structure further comprises at least one active anti-dust baffle, adapted to rotate to a closed position to at least partially cover the air outlet when the cooling fan is shut down.

Another objective of the subject invention is to provide a cooling fan for use in a heat generating device, wherein the cooling fan comprises the aforementioned frame structure.

Yet another objective of the subject invention is to provide a heat generating device comprising a cooling fan, wherein the cooling fan comprises the aforementioned frame structure.

The anti-dust baffles of the frame structure disclosed by the subject invention can automatically close the air outlet to prevent dust or other foreign objects from getting inside the equipment when the cooling fan is shut down either by their weight or by external forces such as electrical forces and manpower. If several cooling fan are assembled together and one of them breaks down, the anti-dust baffle of the inoperable cooling fan automatically rotates into a closed position to partially cover the air outlet. Even though the other cooling fans are still operating normally; the heated gas flow generated and exhausted by the equipment won't flow back into the equipment via the inoperable cooling fan.

The detailed technology and preferred embodiments implemented for the subject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanying the appended figures for people skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a conventional electrical and mechanical equipment with a cooling fan;

FIG. 2A schematically illustrates the frame structure of a cooling fan in the preferred embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 2B schematically illustrates the side view of a cooling fan's frame structure in the preferred embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates active anti-dust baffles with different contours in the preferred embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 4A schematically illustrates the operation of a cooling fan with the frame structure in the preferred embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 4B schematically illustrates another view of FIG. 4A; and

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a heat generating device with a plurality of cooling fans in the preferred embodiment of the subject invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B schematically illustrate a frame structure 20 for use in a cooling fan 10 disclosed by the subject invention. The frame structure 20 comprises a body 22 and a containing space inside the body 22 for housing the cooling fan 10. The body 22 includes an air inlet 24 and an air outlet 26 configured on both sides of the cooling fan, respectively, for providing a pathway for heated gas flow exhaustion.

FIG. 3 shows that the frame structure 20 further comprises at least one active anti-dust baffle 28 configured adjacent to the air outlet 26. In the preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the body 22 comprises at least one set of assembling holes 30, disposed along the inner or outer peripheral of the air outlet 26. If the assembling holes 30 are disposed along the inner peripheral adjacent to the air outlet 26, the body 22 of the frame structure 20 has a wider peripheral structure adjacent to the air outlet 26 (as shown in the BB line of FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B) than the one adjacent to the air inlet 24 (as shown in the AA line of FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B). The peripheral location facilitates the installation of the assembling holes 30 and disposition of the active anti-dust baffle 28 in front of the air outlet 26.

The frame structure 20 comprises at least one active anti-dust baffle to conform to the contour of the air outlet 26. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the frame structure 20 comprises three baffles 28. Each of the active anti-dust baffles comprises two pin axes 32 disposed on the upper end of two sides thereof. The length of the pin axes 32 can be adjusted to fit the assembly hole 30 so that the active anti-dust baffle 28 can be individually fastened to the set of assembling holes 30 for anti-dust baffle rotation about the pin axes 32 in front of the air outlet 26.

It should be noted that the active anti-dust baffle 28 can be made of any appropriate material. Preferably, an active anti-dust baffle made of light and rigid materials with small friction coefficients would be most ideal. The actual shape of the active anti-dust baffle 28 can be adjusted so that the edges of the opposite ends thereof are configured to substantially conform to the contour of the air outlet 26 of the frame structure. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B schematically illustrates the active anti-dust baffles 28 after configuration to the frame structure 20. As the cooling fan 10 operates, the gas flow generated therein (as indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B) will push the active anti-dust baffles 28 to rotate outward and upward. The air outlet 26 is then opened so that the heated gas flow can be exhausted via the air outlet 26. The temperature inside the electrical and mechanical equipment can be maintained within a proper range for normal operation thereof. On the other hand, as the cooling fan 10 ceases operation, the active anti-dust baffles 28 are adapted to rotate into a closed position to at least partially or substantially completely cover the air outlet 26. This coverage prevents foreign objects from getting into the equipment.

In the preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the active anti-dust baffle 28 is adapted to be operated by its weight. That is, when the exhausted gas flow of the cooling fan 10 is no longer present, the force of gravity will pull down and shut the active anti-dust baffle 28 so that the baffle 28 is able to automatically move to the desired closed position.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a cooling fan assembly comprising a plurality of frame structures in a real embodiment of the subject invention. The cooling fan assembly can be equipped in projectors, data storage media, personal computers, servers or the like. If one or several cooling fans operate abnormally, the active anti-dust baffles 28 of the frame structure in the inoperable cooling fan will automatically close the outlet thereof, while the other cooling fans will maintain normal operation to exhaust heat out of the equipment (as shown by the arrow in FIG. 5). Because the baffles 28 close the inoperable cooling fan, the problem of the prior art in which exhausted heat pours back into the equipment can be resolved.

It is noted that there are other ways to close the active anti-dust baffles. For example, because the active anti-dust baffles are electrically connected to the cooling fan, an electric controlling device (not shown) can drive the active anti-dust baffles to automatically rotate into the closed position when the cooling fan shuts down. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the active anti-dust baffles can be manually closed when the cooling fan shuts down.

In addition, the frame structure of the subject invention can be applied to any equipment which needs to dissipate heat. The frame structure can be directly assembled into the cooling fan, which is then integrated into the equipment. As a result, the equipment can be controlled within a proper operation temperature range and prevent foreign objects from getting into the equipment. The life cycle thereof can be extended consequently.

The frame structure can also be integrated directly into the heat generating device with an internal heat source (such as lamps, hard disks with high revolution speed or CPU). That is, the frame structure need not be assembled into the cooling fan for integration into the heat generating device. More specifically, the frame structure can be configured in the heat generating device adjacent to a fan originally installed therein. The active anti-dust baffle of the frame structure can be opened using the wind power generated by the fan inside the heat generating device and can be closed after the fan shuts down. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the heat generating device comprises a housing 40 which includes a sidewall 41. Cooling fans are disposed inside the housing 40 and adjacent to the sidewall 41. The active anti-dust baffles 28 can be disposed on the housing to cool and block foreign objects.

The above examples are only intended to illustrate the principle and efficacy of the subject invention and not to limit the subject invention. Any people skilled in this field may proceed with modifications and changes to the above examples without departing from the technical principle and spirit of the subject invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the subject invention is covered in the following claims as appended.

Claims

1. A frame structure for use in a cooling fan, comprising:

a body, including an air inlet and an air outlet,

wherein the frame structure further comprises at least one active anti-dust baffle, adapted to rotate to a closed position in order to at least partially cover the air outlet when the cooling fan is shut down.

2. The frame structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one active anti-dust baffle electrically connects to the cooling fan, and the at least one active anti-dust baffle is adapted to automatically rotate to the closed position when the cooling fan shuts down.

3. The frame structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one active anti-dust baffle is adapted to be operated manually to the closed position when the cooling fan shuts down.

4. The frame structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one active anti-dust baffle is adapted to be operated by its weight, thereby the at least one active anti-dust baffle is adapted to automatically move to the closed position.

5. The frame structure of claim 4, wherein the at least one active anti-dust baffle is adapted to be operated by its weight to perform a rotating motion.

6. The frame structure of claim 5, wherein the body comprises at least one set of assembling holes, disposed along a peripheral of the air outlet, the at least one active anti-dust baffle comprises two pin axes, disposed on an upper end of two sides thereof, the at least one active anti-dust baffle is individually fastened to the at least one set of assembling holes so that each the at least one active anti-dust baffle can rotate about the pin axes in front of the air outlet.

7. The frame structure of claim 6, wherein the peripheral is an inner peripheral of the air outlet.

8. The frame structure of claim 6, wherein the peripheral is an outer peripheral of the air outlet.

9. The frame structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one active anti-dust baffle has two edges which are configured to conform to an inner peripheral of the air outlet.

10. The frame structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one active anti-dust baffle is made of light and rigid materials.

11. The frame structure of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of active anti-dust baffles, adapted to rotate to a closed position in order to substantially completely cover the air outlet when the cooling fan shuts down.

12. The frame structure of claim 11, wherein the plurality of active anti-dust baffles are arranged subsequently and each baffle has two edges which is configured to conform to an inner peripheral of the air outlet at a position it is located when the active anti-dust baffles are in the closed position.

13. A cooling fan used in a heat generating device, comprising a frame structure as claimed in claim 1.

14. A heat generating device, comprising a cooling fan which includes a frame structure as claimed in claim 1.

15. The heat generating device of claim 14, further comprising a housing, including a sidewall, wherein the cooling fan is disposed in the housing and is adjacent to the sidewall, and the at least one active anti-dust baffle is disposed on the housing.