MODULAR COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This US application claims priority to Chinese Application No. 202520046191.9, filed on January 8, 2025, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure is related to the field of fan technology, in particular a modular cooling fan assembly that can be easily assembled.

BACKGROUND

[0003] As technology advances and consumer demands evolve, cooling fans are extensively utilized in many heat dissipation applications, especially in electrical devices that generate significant heat. Cooling fans are commonly utilized because of their compact structure, which saves substantial space while also being easy to install. Traditional cooling fans are monolithic, with their size being predetermined at the factory. In situations necessitating enhanced heat dissipation, it is frequently required to increase the number of fans based on particular requirements. However, because these traditional monolithic fans require independent power supply, multiple fans will be connected by multiple wires at the same time.

[0004] In practice, multiple test wires not only result in disorganized module wiring, distracting from overall aesthetics, and complicates wire management, reducing subsequent assembly efficiency. When multiple cooling fans are tightly coupled in the same cooling device, the built-in independent test wires may cause a variety of issues for users. For example, due to the presence of multiple test wires, the users may encounter additional challenges when arranging wires. In addition, the interlacement and entanglement of the test wires may detract from the neatness of the device’s interior and impede air flow, reducing heat dissipation efficiency.

SUMMARY

[0005] Aspects of the disclosure provide a modular cooling fan assembly. The modular cooling fan assembly includes at least two fan bodies each having an outer frame having a male connector component, and at least one connecting member having two sets of female connector components, wherein the male connector component includes a probe assembly and a ball catch

[0006]assembly, wherein the female connector component includes a conductive contact configured to engage with the probe assembly to establish an electrical connection, and a limiting block configured to movably connect with the ball catch assembly, and wherein the conductive contacts of the two sets of female connector components are electrically connected to each other.

[0007] In an embodiment, the ball catch assembly comprises a first spherical ball, a second spherical ball, an upper cylindrical tube, and a lower cylindrical tube, the upper cylindrical tube and the lower cylindrical tube are oppositely disposed on the outer frame, the first spherical ball is disposed in the upper cylindrical tube via a spring, wherein the second spherical ball is disposed in the lower cylindrical tube via a spring; wherein a locking notch is located between the upper cylindrical tube and the lower cylindrical tube, wherein the first spherical ball and the second spherical ball both face toward the locking notch under action of the springs, and wherein the limiting block of the female connector component includes a ball-matching groove configured to engage with the first spherical ball and the second spherical ball.

[0008] In an embodiment, the probe assembly includes a base and a plurality of probes, the base is disposed on the outer frame, and the plurality of probes are disposed on the base.

[0009] In an embodiment, a recessed hiding groove is disposed on a side wall of the outer frame, and the probe assembly is disposed on an inner wall of the hiding groove.

[0010]In an embodiment, each probe has a POGO spring-loaded pin structure comprising a pin shaft, a pin tube, and an elastic element disposed between the pin shaft and the pin tube, and the pin shaft contacts and presses against the conductive contact when the female connector component engages with the male connector component.

[0011] In an embodiment, the conductive contact is made of copper material, and surfaces of the conductive contact and the pin shaft are further plated with a gold layer.

[0012] In an embodiment, the two conductive contacts of the same connecting member are electrically connected through a flexible circuit board, and the flexible circuit board is coupled with the connecting member.

[0013] In an embodiment, the connecting member includes a hollow structure and is made of plastic material. In an embodiment, the connecting member includes a hollow structure and is made of rubber material.

[0014] In an embodiment, the fan body includes fan blades and a motor, the outer frame has a hollow cylinder body, an end face of the cylinder body has a fixing frame, the motor is mounted on the fixing frame, the fan blades are rotatably disposed in the cylinder body of the outer frame, and the fan blades are connected to an output shaft of the motor.

[0015]In an embodiment, a PCB board is coupled with the outer frame, and the PCB board is electrically connected to the motor and the probe assembly.

[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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a modular cooling fan assembly 10 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0018]FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the modular cooling fan assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an connecting member 200 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0020]FIG. 4 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the connecting member 200 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0021]FIG. 5 illustrates a partial perspective view of two adjacent fan bodies 100 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0022]FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a male connector component 120 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023]FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of a fan body 100 as shown in FIG. 2

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] 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.

[0025]Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a modular cooling fan assembly 10 according to aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the modular cooling fan assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 1. The modular cooling fan assembly 10 can include at least two fan bodies 100 and at least one connecting member 200. Adjacent two fan bodies 100 are coupled through the connecting member 200. Each fan body 100 includes an outer frame 110 having a male connector component 120. The connecting member 200 is used to connect two adjacent fan bodies 100 together. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, one connecting member 200 is used to connect two fan bodies 100. For another example, two connecting members 200 would be needed to connect three fan bodies 100.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a connecting member 200 according to aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the connecting member 200 as shown in FIG. 3. The connecting member 200 includes two sets of female connector components 210. Each female connector component 210 includes a set of conductive contacts 211 and a limiting block 212. The conductive contacts 211 of the two sets of female connector components 210 are electrically connected to each other. In this embodiment, the two sets of conductive contacts 211 are electrically connected through a flexible circuit board (commonly referred to as “flexible PCB” or “FPC”) coupled with the connecting member 200 (not shown in the figures). The connecting member 200 can be a hollow structure and be made of plastic material. Alternatively, the connecting member 200 can also be a hollow structure but be made of rubber material. In another embodiment, the connecting member 200 can be made of other materials, such as composite material. The materials used for the connecting member 200 can protect the internal flexible circuit board while also providing electrical insulation.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 illustrates a partial perspective view of two adjacent fan bodies 100 as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a male connector component 120 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The male connector component 120 includes a probe assembly 121 and a ball catch assembly 122. The female connector component 210 is configured to engage with the male connector component 120. Specifically, the conductive contact 211 is configured to engage with the probe assembly 121 to establish an electrical connection, and the limiting block 212 is configured to movably connect with the ball catch assembly 122.

[0028] The cooperation between the limiting block 212 and the ball catch assembly 122 primarily serves to provide physical connection. The ball catch assembly 122 includes a first spherical ball 1221, a second spherical ball 1222, an upper cylindrical tube 1223, and a lower cylindrical tube 1224. The upper cylindrical tube 1223 and the lower cylindrical tube 1224 are oppositely disposed on the outer frame 110. The first spherical ball 1221 is, at least partially, housed in the upper cylindrical tube 1223 via a spring 1225. The second spherical ball 1222 is, at least partially, housed in the lower cylindrical tube 1224 via a spring 1225. A locking notch 1226 is formed between the upper cylindrical tube 1223 and the lower cylindrical tube 1224. The first spherical ball 1221 and the second spherical ball 1222 both face toward the locking notch 1226 under the action of the springs 1225.

[0029]The limiting block 212 of the female connector component 210 includes a ball-matching groove 213 (as shown in FIG. 4) configured to engage with the first spherical ball 1221 and the second spherical ball 1222. When the male connector component 120 engages with the female connector component 210, the limiting block 212 recesses into the locking notch 1226, and the first spherical ball 1221 and the second spherical ball 1222 are both locked in the ball-matching groove 213. In other words, under the elastic force exerted by the springs 1225, the first spherical ball 1221 and the second spherical ball 1222 engage the limiting block 212, thereby facilitating a sliding lock or releasing mechanism. When in the locked position, the first spherical ball 1221 and the second spherical ball 1222 engage with the ball-matching groove 213 to enhance the stability of the connection between the male connector component 120 and the female connector component 210, thereby preventing the connecting member 200 from being arbitrarily detached from the outer frame 110.

[0030]The conductive contact 211 engages with the probe assembly 121 to establish an electrical connection. As shown in FIG. 6, the probe assembly 121 includes a base 1211 and a plurality of probes 1212. The base 1211 is mounted on the outer frame 110, and the plurality of probes 1212 are secured to the base 1211.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of a fan body 100 as shown in FIG. 2. The fan body 100 includes fan blades 130 and a motor (not shown in the figures). The outer frame 110 has a hollow cylinder body 111. One end face of the cylinder body 111 is coupled with a fixing frame 112. The motor is mounted on the fixing frame 112. The fan blades 130 are rotatably disposed in the cylinder body 111 of the outer frame 110, and the fan blades 130 are connected to an output shaft of the motor. A PCB board (not shown in the figures) can be coupled with the outer frame 110 and electrically connected to the motor and the probe assembly 121.

[0032] A recessed hiding groove 113 is formed on a side wall of the outer frame 110, and the male connector component 120 is disposed on an inner wall of the hiding groove 113. The inwardly recessed hiding groove 113 can improve waterproof protection by preventing water droplets from entering the male connector component 120 as they sliding down along the side wall of the outer frame 110 and contact the probe assembly 121, potentially causing short circuits.

[0033]In an embodiment, each probe 1212 has a POGO spring-loaded pin structure. The probe 1212 includes a pin shaft, a pin tube, and an elastic element disposed between the pin shaft and the pin tube (not shown in the figures). When the female connector component 210 engages with the male connector component 120, the pin shaft contacts and presses against the conductive contact 211. The elastic element ensures that the pin shaft is continuously pressed tightly against the conductive contact 211, leading to a good electrical contact.

[0034] The conductive contact 211 can be a copper material structure, and surfaces of the conductive contact 211 and the pin shaft can further be plated with a gold layer. The copper material structure allows for good electrical conductivity and heat dissipation, while the gold-plated surfaces improve corrosion and oxidation resistance, as well as mechanical and electrical performance.

[0035] During assembly, multiple fan bodies 100 can be placed next one another. Between every two adjacent fan bodies 100, referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the male connector component 120 of the first fan body 100 and the male connector component 120 of the second fan body 100 are brought close together. The connecting member 200 is then pressed against these two fan bodies 100. Specifically, the two female connector components 210 of the connecting member 200 respectively engage with the male connector component 120 of the first fan body 100 and the male connector component 120 of the second fan body 100. The conductive contact 211 contacts and engages with the probe assembly 121. The limiting block 212 is pushed into the locking notch 1226, and the first spherical ball 1221 and the second spherical ball 1222 are both locked within the ball-matching groove 213 (i.e., under the elastic force exerted by the springs 1225, the first spherical ball 1221 and the second spherical ball 1222 engage the limiting block 212). In this way, the outer frames 110 of these two fan bodies 100 establish a physical connection through the connecting member 200, and the probe assemblies 121 of the two fan bodies establish an electrical connection through the connecting member 200, completing the assembly.

[0036] During disassembly, force can be applied to pull the connecting member 200 outward, which overcomes the elastic force of the springs 1225 and causes the first spherical ball 1221 and the second spherical ball 1222 to yield, thereby allowing the limiting block 212 to disengage from the locking notch 1226. As a result, the connecting member 200 is detached, the adjacent two fan bodies 100 lose their connection foundation, becoming mutually independent once more.

[0037] The use of the connecting member 200 allows the modular cooling fan assembly 10 to minimize exposed individual wires and reduce the necessity for complex wire arrangement. The connecting member 200 can connect multiple fan bodies 100, rendering the modular cooling fan assembly 10 infinitely expandable for diverse applications. Furthermore, by reducing the number of exposed wires, the neatness of the modular cooling fan assembly 10 can be enhanced, and the influence of the wires on the airflow can be reduced, thereby increasing the heat dissipation efficiency of the modular cooling fan assembly 10.

[0038] The design of the male connector component 120 and the female connector component 210 provides significant advantages. Their collaboration alleviates wiring issues during the assembly of multiple fan bodies 100. The connecting member 200 simultaneously provides physical connection and electrical connections, eliminating the need for multiple additional wires, thereby improving overall neatness and simplifying wire management. This design facilitates rapid and convenient assembly, enhancing overall assembly efficiency.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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 elements that it introduces.