Fan assembly

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a fan assembly, and more particularly to a fan assembly within a server enclosure for dissipating heat from electronic devices

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] In the computer industry, a computer system, such as a server, is often configured to facilitate reliable and continuous operation. Computer systems typically have multiple power supplies and fans, and each device is usually screwed to a chassis of the server. If one of these components fails or malfunctions, the component may affect continuing operation of the system until a service technician can subsequently replace the failed component. Unfortunately, some systems do not provide hot-plug components, which enable a service technician to replace the failed component during operation of the system. Thus, replacing the failed component requires shutting down the system and removing screws from the component. As a result, the replacement of the failed component can create downtime.

[0005] Further, some fixtures are used for latching the fans, such as a fan rack as presented in US patent application 20040256334. A modularized fan rack is installed in a reserved space of electronic equipment for mounting several fans, which comprises a base board, having a hollow installing section with a plurality of fixtures disposed respectively on two corresponding sides. The distance between any two adjacent fixtures substantially equal to the length of the fan being mounted onto the base board. A ventilation board with a plurality of openings for ventilating air therethrough, is disposed on the surface of one end of the base board. Two side boards are respectively disposed on both ends of the ventilation board adjacent to the base board and on the side away from the base board. The same fan being coupled by any two adjacent fixtures and another fixture being disposed adjacent to the fixture for mounting a fan adjacent to the side boards. This fan rack has a lot of components for co-retaining the fans, and assembling the fans to the base board is time-consuming.

[0006] What is needed, therefore, is to provide a fan assembly, which has a simple structure, and is easy to maintain.

[0007] A fan assembly for dissipating heat from an electronic device includes a bracket and a fan module. The bracket has a retaining wall. The retaining wall defines an opening and two vertical slots at opposite sides of the opening. The fan module includes a fan and a pair of clamp members. The fan has a fan opening corresponding to the opening of the bracket. The clamp members are respectively attached to opposite sides of the fan. An engaging portion is formed on one end of each clamp member for engaging with the corresponding slot of the bracket. Each engaging portion has a wide portion configured for abutting against an outer surface of one retaining walls and a narrow portion for entering to the corresponding slot. Each engaging portion can be directed into the slot from up to down with the narrow portion received in the slot, and the wide portion abutting against an outer surface of the retaining wall thereby the fan module perpendicularly attached to the retaining wall.

[0008] Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, a fan assembly 20 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention can be placed within a chassis 10 for dissipating heat from an electronic device (not shown). The fan assembly 20 includes a fan bracket 30, and a plurality of fan modules 40.

[0013] The fan bracket 30 has a rectangular bottom wall 33, and a pair of retaining walls 31 perpendicularly extending up from opposite sides of the bottom wall 33. The fan bracket 30 is configured for a U-shaped corridor for receiving the fan modules 40. Each retaining wall 31 defines a plurality of pairs of aligned blow openings 311. Two slots 313 are respectively defined on opposite sides of each blow opening 311 in each retaining wall 31. The slots 313 are perpendicular to the bottom wall 33. A flange 310 extends out from a top edge of each retaining wall 31. An enlarged guiding portion 3135 is defined where a top end of each slot 313 meets the corresponding flange 310.

[0014] Referring also to FIG. 2, each fan module 40 includes a fan 50 and a pair of clamp members 60. The fan 50 is configured for a cubic shape. The fan 50 has two opposite rectangular side walls 51 each defining a fan opening corresponding to one of the blow opening 311 of the fan bracket 30. Each side wall 51 defines a locking hole 511 at each corner thereof. Each clamp member 60 has a rectangular base wall 61. An operating portion 63 extends horizontally from a top edge of the base wall 61. The operating portion 63 and the base wall 61 cooperatively define a finger opening 64 therein. Two pairs of elastic ears 65 are formed on the base wall 61. A post 651 is formed on each ear 65 corresponding to one of the locking holes 511. The base wall 61 has two opposite side edges. Two T-shaped engaging portions 62 extend out from each side edge of the base wall 61. Each engaging portion 62 has a narrow portion 622 and a wide portion 624. A width of the wide portion 624 is greater than a width of the slot 313 but smaller than that of the enlarged guiding portion 3135.

[0015] Referring also to FIG. 3, when assembling the fan assembly 20, the fan bracket 30 is positioned in the chassis 10. Then for each of a desired number of the fan modules 40 two clamp members 60 are attached to the fan 50 via the posts 651 being correspondingly inserted into the locking holes 511 of the fan 50. The desired number of the fan modules 40 is then be positioned in a vertical direction. The narrow portion 622 of each engaging portion 62 are respectively slid into the corresponding slot 313 of the retaining wall 31 with the wider portion 624 entering through the enlarged guiding portion 3135 to abut against the outer surface of the retaining wall 31 of the bracket 30, thus the fan module 40 is securely mounted to the fan bracket 30, and the steps are repeated for the remaining fan modules 40. When replacing one of the fan modules 40, the module 40 can be lifted up by dragging the operating portion 63 of each clamp member 60.

[0016] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.