IN-SERIES FAN FRAME ASSEMBLY

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/572,457, filed Apr. 1, 2024, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field of Invention

[0002]The present disclosure relates to an in-series fan frame assembly, especially relates to an in-series fan frame assembly for disposing an axial fan impeller.

Description of Related Art

[0003]Generally speaking, electronic devices and products are usually equipped with fans to directly or indirectly dissipate generated heat. High-speed fans are usually used to achieve better heat dissipation efficiency, but their vibration frequency is also higher. A fan generates vibration when rotating at high speed, and the vibration is transmitted to adjacent devices to make noise, damage adjacent devices, and reduce the lifespan of electronic devices and products.

[0004]An in-series fan connects two fans in series through the fan frames of the two fans, respectively, such that the in-series fan has higher static pressure and air volume. In the prior art, the structural design of the in-series fan assembly generally utilizes the fastening structures of two fan frames for connection by rotating. However, the fastening structures with rotating design have complex, and require manual assembly. In addition, the fastening structures with rotating design are also difficult to separate the two fans, which may easily cause damage to the fastening structures.

SUMMARY

[0005]According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, an in-series fan frame assembly includes a first frame and a second frame. The bottom portion of the first frame has at least one extending structure including a first clasp. The second frame is located below the first frame and connected to the first frame in series. The top portion of the second frame has at least one sidewall engaged with the extending structure of the first frame. The sidewall includes a groove and a second clasp axially aligned with the groove. When the first frame is assembled to the second frame, the first clasp of the extending structure is guided by the groove of the second frame and then coupled with the second clasp of the second frame.

[0006]In some embodiments, the second clasp and the groove have a same central axis.

[0007]In some embodiments, the first clasp is a protrusion, and the second clasp is a recess.

[0008]In some embodiments, a bottom end of the first clasp has a first chamfered surface configured to slide through the groove to the second clasp.

[0009]In some embodiments, the groove has a second chamfered surface configured to allow the first clasp to slide to the second clasp.

[0010]In some embodiments, the second chamfered surface is located adjacent to an end of the second clasp.

[0011]In some embodiments, the second clasp has two chamfered protruding ribs opposite to each other, and the first clasp is positioned between the two chamfered protruding ribs.

[0012]In some embodiments, there is a step difference between the groove and the second clasp.

[0013]In some embodiments, a distance between an upper edge of the first clasp and a lower edge of the first frame is the same as a distance between an upper edge of the groove and an upper edge of the second clasp.

[0014]In some embodiments, a diameter of the groove is greater than a diameter of the first clasp.

[0015]In some embodiments, the extending structure extends from a corner of the first frame to the second frame.

[0016]In some embodiments, the extending structure of the first frame has a first recess adjacent to the first clasp, the second frame has a second recess adjacent to the sidewall, and the second recess is axially aligned with the first recess.

[0017]In some embodiments, the bottom portion of the first frame has the four extending structures located on four corners of the first frame, respectively, and the top portion of the second frame has the four sidewalls located on four corners of the second frame, respectively.

[0018]In some embodiments, the in-series fan frame assembly further includes a first supporting ring and a second supporting ring. The first supporting ring is embedded in an inner sidewall of the first frame. The second supporting ring is embedded in an inner sidewall of the second frame, wherein the second supporting ring is separated from the first supporting ring.

[0019]In some embodiments, the first supporting ring and the second supporting ring are fixed to the first frame and the second frame by insert molding, respectively.

[0020]In some embodiments, a material of the first supporting ring is different from a material of the first frame, and a material of the second supporting ring is different from a material of the second frame.

[0021]In some embodiments, the material of the first supporting ring and the material of the second supporting ring are metal, and the material of the first frame and the material of the second frame are plastic.

[0022]According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, an in-series fan frame assembly includes a first frame, a second frame, a first supporting ring, and a second supporting ring. The bottom portion of the first frame has at least one extending structure including a first clasp. The second frame is located below the first frame and connected to the first frame in series. The top portion of the second frame has at least one sidewall engaged with the extending structure of the first frame. The first supporting ring is embedded in an inner sidewall of the first frame. The second supporting ring is embedded in an inner sidewall of the second frame, and the second supporting ring is separated from the first supporting ring.

[0023]In some embodiments, a material of the first supporting ring is different from a material of the first frame, and a material of the second supporting ring is different from a material of the second frame.

[0024]In some embodiments, the bottom portion of the first frame has the four extending structures located on four corners of the first frame, respectively, and the top portion of the second frame has the four sidewalls located on four corners of the second frame, respectively.

[0025]In the aforementioned embodiments of the present disclosure, since the second clasp of the sidewall of the second frame is axially aligned with the groove, when the first frame is assembled to the second frame, the first clasp of the extending structure of the first frame can be easily guided by the groove of the second frame and then coupled with the second clasp of the second frame, thereby improving assembly efficiency. Moreover, the in-series fan frame assembly having the first supporting ring and the second supporting ring can effectively reduce noise and vibration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

[0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an in-series fan frame assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the in-series fan frame assembly shown in FIG. 1.

[0029]FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a first frame shown in FIG. 2 from another view.

[0030]FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of a second frame shown in FIG. 2.

[0031]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the in-series fan frame assembly taken along line 5-5 shown in FIG. 1.

[0032]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the in-series fan frame assembly taken along line 6-6 shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033]The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

[0034]Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper”, “axial” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

[0035]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an in-series fan frame assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the in-series fan frame assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the in-series fan frame assembly 100 includes a first frame 110 and a second frame 120. The bottom portion of the first frame 110 has an extending structure 111. The extending structure 111 extends from the corner of the first frame 110 to the second frame 120 along an axial direction. In other words, the extending structure 111 extends in a direction D. An end of the extending structure 111 includes a first clasp 112. The first clasp 112 extends in a direction A that is perpendicular to the direction D. When the in-series fan frame assembly 100 is formed, the second frame 120 is located below the first frame 110. The top portion of the second frame 120 adjacent to the first frame 110 has a sidewall 121. The sidewall 121 is a concave structure and can be engaged with the extending structure 111 of the first frame 110. The sidewall 121 includes a groove 122 and a second clasp 124. The second clasp 124 is aligned with the groove 122 in the direction D.

[0036]In FIG. 2, each of the first frame 110 and the second frame 120 are used to further assemble a motor and an axial fan impeller. In this state, the rotating direction of the shaft of the motor and the axial fan impeller is the same as the direction D.

[0037]When assembling the in-series fan frame assembly 100, the first frame 110 can be moved to the second frame 120 in the direction D and pressed down, such that the first frame 110 is connected to the second frame 120 in series. Based on the foregoing design, when the first frame 110 is assembled to the second frame 120, the first clasp 112 of the extending structure 111 of the first frame 110 may be aligned with the sidewall 121 of the second frame 120. Thereafter, the first clasp 112 is guided by the groove 122 of the sidewall 121 to slide in the direction D, and then coupled with the second clasp 124 of the sidewall 121 of the second frame 120.

[0038]In some embodiments, the top-view shapes of the first frame 110 and the second frame 120 are substantially rectangular. The bottom portion of the first frame 110 has the four extending structures 111, and the top portion of the second frame 120 has the four sidewalls 121. In this embodiment, the four extending structures 111 of the first frame 110 are located on the four corners of the first frame 110 (i.e., diagonal endpoint positions), respectively, the four sidewalls 121 of the second frame 120 are located on the four corners of the second frame 120, respectively, and the positions of the four extending structures 111 correspond to the positions of the four sidewalls 121 (e.g., aligned in the axial direction), respectively, thereby improving the stability after the first frame 110 and the second frame 120 are connected in series.

[0039]In the following description, the extending structure 111 of the first frame 110 and the sidewall 121 of the second frame 120 will be explained in detail.

[0040]FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the first frame 110 shown in FIG. 2 from another view, and FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of the second frame 120 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, the first clasp 112 of the extending structure 111 of the first frame 110 may be a protrusion extending in the direction A, the first clasp 112 has a convex surface 115, and the bottom end of the first clasp 112 has a first chamfered surface 113. The second clasp 124 and the groove 122 of the sidewall 121 of the second frame 120 have the same central axis C. That is, the second clasp 124 and the groove 122 are aligned in a vertical direction. The second clasp 124 has a concave surface, and may be a recess. Furthermore, the groove 122 has a second chamfered surface 123. The second chamfered surface 123 is located on an end of the groove 122 adjacent to the second clasp 124, and the dimension thereof generally expands downwards in the direction D. Through the above configuration, when the first frame 110 is assembled to the second frame 120, the first chamfered surface 113 of the first clasp 112 may be guided by the groove 122 to abut against the second chamfered surface 123. Since the dimension of the second chamfered surface 123 generally expands downwards in the direction D, such that the first chamfered surface 113 is guided by the second chamfered surface 123 to allow the first clasp 112 to slide through the groove 122 and the second chamfered surface 123. After the first clasp 112 completely passes through a step difference 126 downwards, the first clasp 112 is positioned to and coupled with the second clasp 124. At this moment, the convex surface 115 of the first clasp 112 abuts against the concave surface of the second clasp 124.

[0041]In some embodiments, a distance H1 between the upper edge of the first clasp 112 and the lower edge of the first frame 110 is substantially the same as a distance H2 between the upper edge of the groove 122 and the upper edge of the second clasp 124, and the diameter of the groove 122 is greater than the diameter of the first clasp 112, and thus the first clasp 112 can be smoothly guided by the groove 122 and truly positioned by the second clasp 124. After the first clasp 112 shown in FIG. 3 is coupled with the second clasp 124 shown in FIG. 4, the structure shown in FIG. 5 can be obtained.

[0042]Moreover, in this embodiment, the second clasp 124 has two chamfered protruding ribs 125 opposite to each other, and the first clasp 112 is positioned between the two chamfered protruding ribs 125. The chamfered protruding rib 125 is a convex surface and extends along the axial direction, and is parallel to and adjacent to the first clasp 112. After the first frame 110 is assembled to the second frame 120, the chamfered protruding rib 125 can improve stability in a horizontal direction (i.e., a radial direction). In addition, when the first frame 110 is detached from the second frame 120, it is convenient for the first frame 110 to horizontally rotate and slide the first clasp 112 along the surface of the chamfered protruding rib 125 because the chamfered protruding rib 125 has a chamfer, such that the first frame 110 is smoothly separated from the second clasp 124.

[0043]In some embodiments, the extending structure 111 of the first frame 110 shown in FIG. 3 has a first recess 114 adjacent to the first clasp 112, the second frame 120 shown in FIG. 4 has a second recess 127 adjacent to the sidewall 121, and the second recess 127 is axially aligned with the first recess 114. Referring to FIG. 5, when the first frame 110 is assembled to the second frame 120 to form the in-series fan frame assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1, the first recess 114 and the second recess 127 can define a through hole (e.g., a screw hole) for accommodating a fixing element (e.g., a screw) of the frame to facilitate locking.

[0044]It is to be noted that the connection relationships, the materials, and the advantages of the elements described above will not be repeated in the following description. In the following description, other components which may be included by the in-series fan frame assembly will be explained.

[0045]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the in-series fan frame assembly 100 taken along line 6-6 shown in FIG. 1. The in-series fan frame assembly 100 may further include a first supporting ring 130 and a second supporting ring 140. The first supporting ring 130 is embedded in the inner sidewall of the first frame 110, the second supporting ring 140 is embedded in the inner sidewall of the second frame 120, and the second supporting ring 140 is separated from the first supporting ring 130. The first supporting ring 130 and the second supporting ring 140 may be fixed to the first frame 110 and the second frame 120, respectively, by insert molding. The material of the first supporting ring 130 is different from the material of the first frame 110, and the material of the second supporting ring 140 is different from the material of the second frame 120. For example, the material of the first supporting ring 130 and the material of the second supporting ring 140 are metal, and the material of the first frame 110 and the material of the second frame 120 are plastic. Through the configuration of the first supporting ring 130 and the second supporting ring 140, noise and vibration of the running in-series fan frame assembly 100 can be effectively reduced.

[0046]In summary, since the second clasp and the groove of the sidewall of the second frame of the in-series fan frame assembly are axially aligned with each other, when the first frame is assembled to the second frame, the first clasp of the extending structure of the first frame can be easily guided by the groove of the second frame and then coupled with the second clasp of the second frame, thereby improving assembly efficiency. Moreover, the in-series fan frame assembly having the first supporting ring and the second supporting ring can effectively reduce noise and vibration.

[0047]The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.