FAN DEVICE

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This US application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 2024229354997, filed on Nov. 28, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002]The present disclosure relates to fan devices, and more particularly to a fan device with a detachable frame assembly.

BACKGROUND

[0003]Conventional fan devices typically include a fan frame and a fan blade rotatably disposed within the fan frame. The fan frame is generally assembled using mechanical fasteners such as screws, bolts, or clips to secure various frame components together.

[0004]However, such conventional fastening methods show several constraints. First, assembly and disassembly of the fan frame using mechanical fasteners can be time-consuming and require specialized tools, rendering maintenance and cleaning cumbersome for users. Second, once assembly completed, the aesthetic appearance of the fan device is fixed, giving users few alternatives for customizing or changing the appearance of the fan frame based on their preferences or decor. Third, frequent assembly and disassembly using mechanical fasteners can lead to wear and loosening of fastening points over time, potentially compromising the structural integrity of the fan device. Therefore, there is a need for an improved fan device that addresses these constraints by providing easier and simpler assembly and disassembly while also allowing for aesthetic customization.

SUMMARY

[0005]Aspects of the disclosure provide a fan device. The fan device can include a fan frame including a base and a frame body, a fan blade rotatably disposed on the base; and at least one first mating structure and at least one second mating structure respectively disposed on the base and the frame body, the first mating structure being configured to attract the second mating structure so that the frame body is detachably secured to the base.

[0006]In an embodiment, the base can include a shell portion and at least one first assembly portion, the first assembly portion being connected to the shell portion and extending toward the frame body, the first mating structure being disposed on the first assembly portion, and the frame body includes a frame portion and at least one second assembly portion, the second assembly portion being connected to the frame portion and extending toward the base, the second mating structure being disposed on the second assembly portion.

[0007]In an embodiment, the first assembly portion can have a first assembly groove, the first mating structure is disposed in the first assembly groove and has a mating recess, the second assembly portion has a second assembly groove, the second mating structure includes a first protrusion portion, a second protrusion portion, and a disc portion, the disc portion being disposed between the first protrusion portion and the second protrusion portion, the first protrusion portion is disposed in the second assembly groove, the second protrusion portion is detachably disposed in the mating recess, and opposite sides of the disc portion respectively abut against the first mating structure and the second assembly portion.

[0008]In an embodiment, the first protrusion portion and the second protrusion portion have the same diameter. In an embodiment, the first protrusion portion and the second protrusion portion have different diameters.

[0009]In an embodiment, a height of the second protrusion portion measured away from the disc portion is greater than a height of the first protrusion portion measured away from the disc portion. In an embodiment, the first protrusion portion and the second protrusion portion have the same height measured away from the disc portion.

[0010]In an embodiment, the first assembly portion further has a first surface, the first assembly groove is recessed from the first surface in a direction away from the frame body, the first mating structure has a second surface, the mating recess is recessed from the second surface in a direction away from the frame body, and one side of the disc portion abuts against the second surface.

[0011]In an embodiment, the second surface and the first surface are flush with each other and face in the same direction. In an embodiment, the mating recess of the first mating structure opens toward the frame body. In an embodiment, the base is formed on the first mating structure by injection molding.

[0012]In an embodiment, the second assembly groove is sized to receive and retain the first protrusion portion of the second mating structure. In an embodiment, the frame body is formed on the at least one second mating structure by injection molding.

[0013]In an embodiment, a number of the at least one first mating structure, a number of the at least one second mating structure, a number of the at least one first assembly portion, and a number of the at least one second assembly portion are each plural, the first mating structures and the first assembly portions are respectively located at corners of the shell portion, and the second mating structures and the second assembly portions are respectively located at corners of the frame portion.

[0014]In an embodiment, the at least one first assembly portion has a hollow cylinder shape. In an embodiment, the shell portion includes a center rod and the fan blade is rotatably disposed on the center rod.

[0015]In an embodiment, the first mating structure is a magnet, and the second mating structure is a magnetically permeable material. In an embodiment, the magnetically permeable material comprises metal. In an embodiment, the at least one first mating structure and the at least one second mating structure are both magnets. In an embodiment, the base and the frame body are rectangular in shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016]Aspects of the present disclosure can be 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 increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

[0017]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a fan device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018]FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the fan device of FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fan device of FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fan device of FIG. 1 with the base and frame body separated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021]Detailed descriptions and technical contents of the present invention are illustrated below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the descriptions and the accompanying drawings disclosed herein are merely illustrative and exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0022]Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a fan device 10 according to aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the fan device 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fan device 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fan device 10 of FIG. 1.

[0023]The fan device 10 includes a fan frame 20, a fan blade 30, a plurality of first mating structures 40, and a plurality of second mating structures 50. The fan frame 20 includes a base 21 and a frame body 22. The frame body 22 is detachably mounted on the base 21. In one embodiment, the base 21 and the frame body 22 are, for example, rectangular in shape. The fan blade 30 is rotatably disposed on the center of the base 21.

[0024]The base 21 includes a shell portion 211 and a plurality of first assembly portions 212. The fan blade 30 is rotatably disposed on the shell portion 211. For example, the fan blade 30 can be disposed on a center rod 213 of the shell portion 211. The first assembly portions 212 are connected to the shell portion 211 and are disposed at corners of the shell portion 211. The first assembly portions 212 extend toward the frame body 22. The first assembly portions 212 can have a hollow cylinder shape. The first mating structures 40 are disposed on the base 21. In detail, each first assembly portion 212 has a first assembly groove 2121, and the first mating structures 40 are disposed in the first assembly grooves 2121. Each first mating structure 40 has a mating recess 41 that opens toward the frame body 22. The first mating structures 40 can be magnets.

[0025]The frame body 22 includes a frame portion 221 and a plurality of second assembly portions 222. The second assembly portions 222 are disposed at corners of the frame portion 221. The second assembly portions 222 extend toward the base 21. The second mating structures 50 are disposed on the frame body 22. In detail, each second assembly portion 222 has a second assembly groove 2221. The second mating structures 50 are disposed in the second assembly grooves 2221. Each second assembly groove 2221 is sized to receive and retain the first protrusion portion 51 of the second mating structure 50. The second mating structures 50 can be magnetically permeable members such as metal.

[0026]The second mating structure 50 includes a first protrusion portion 51, a second protrusion portion 52, and a disc portion 53. The disc portion 53 is respectively connected to opposite ends of the first protrusion portion 51 and the second protrusion portion 52 so that the disc portion 53 is in between the first protrusion portion 51 and the second protrusion portion 52. In one embodiment, the first protrusion portion 51 can have the same diameter as the second protrusion portion 52. In some embodiments, the first protrusion portion 51 and the second protrusion portion 52 can have different diameters. In one embodiment, a height (measured from the disc portion 53 to the far end of the protrusion portions 51/52) of the second protrusion portion 52 is greater than the height of the first protrusion portion 51. In some embodiments, the first protrusion portion 51 and the second protrusion portion 52 can have a same height. The first protrusion portion 51 is disposed in the second assembly groove 2221. The second protrusion portion 52 can be detachably disposed in the mating recess 41 so that the second protrusion portion 52 and the mating recess 41 are attracted to each other and provide positioning function. Opposite sides of the disc portion 53 respectively abut against the first mating structure 40 and the second assembly portion 222. By having each of the first mating structures 40 respectively attract to the second mating structures 50, the frame body 22 can be detachably secured to the base 21.

[0027]In the present embodiment, since the frame body 22 is detachably mounted on the base 21 through the attraction of the first mating structures 40 and the second mating structures 50, users can select styles of the frame body 22 or the base 21 according to their own preferences (for example, the frame body 22 or the base 21 can be made of plastic, metal, wood or other materials or different colors). Furthermore, the frame body 22 and the base 21 can be quickly disassembled and assembled through the combination method of attraction between the first mating structures 40 and the second mating structures 50, without the need for disassembly and assembly procedures through fasteners such as screws. In this way, in addition to increasing the richness of the appearance of the fan device 10 to improve the aesthetics of the fan device 10, the convenience of disassembly and assembly of the fan device 10 can also be improved.

[0028]In the present embodiment, each first assembly portion 212 further has a first surface 2122. The first assembly groove 2121 is recessed in a direction away from the first surface 2122. Each first mating structure 40 has a second surface 42. The mating recess 41 is recessed in a direction away from the second surface 42. One side of the disc portion 53 abuts against the second surface 42. In one embodiment, the second surface 42 and the first surface 2122 can be flush with each other and face in the same direction. In some embodiments, the second surface 42 and the first surface 2122 may not be flush.

[0029]In the present embodiment, the base 21 is formed on the first mating structures 40 by injection molding, so that the first mating structures 40 are respectively tightly fitted in the first assembly grooves 2121. Similarly, the frame body 22 is formed on the second mating structures 50 by injection molding, so that the second mating structures 50 are respectively tightly fitted in the second assembly grooves 2221. In some other embodiments, the base may also be assembled with the first mating structures using alternative methods such as press-fitting, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, heat staking, or overmolding. Similarly, the frame body may also be assembled with the second mating structures in the abovementioned alternative methods.

[0030]In the present embodiment, the number of first mating structures 40, the number of second mating structures 50, the number of first assembly portions 212, and the number of second assembly portions 222 are each plural, but not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the number of first mating structures, the number of second mating structures, the number of first assembly portions, and the number of second assembly portions may each be only one.

[0031]In the present embodiment, the first mating structures 40 and the first assembly portions 212 are respectively located at corners of the shell portion 211, and the second mating structures 50 and the second assembly portions 222 are respectively located at corners of the frame portion 221, but not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the first mating structures and the first assembly portions may also be respectively located at other positions of the shell portion, such as along the edges at midpoints between corners, at the center of one or more sides, distributed evenly around the perimeter at regular intervals, or on interior surfaces of the shell portion. Similarly, the second mating structures and the second assembly portions may also be respectively located at other positions of the frame portion in the abovementioned alternative positions.

[0032]In the present embodiment, the first mating structures 40 are magnets, and the second mating structures 50 are magnetically permeable members such as metal, but not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the first mating structures and the second mating structures may both be magnets.

[0033]According to the fan device of the above embodiments, since the frame body is detachably mounted on the base through the mutual attraction of the first mating structures and the second mating structures, users can select styles of the frame body or the base according to their own preferences. Furthermore, the frame body and the base can be quickly disassembled and assembled through the combination method of mutual attraction between the first mating structures and the second mating structures, without the need for disassembly and assembly procedures through fasteners such as screws. In this way, in addition to increasing the richness of the appearance of the fan device and to improve the aesthetics of the fan device, the convenience of disassembly and assembly of the fan device can also be improved.

[0034]Therefore, embodiments disclosed herein are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments disclosed may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The embodiments illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein and/or any optional element disclosed herein. While compositions and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some number. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the element that it introduces.