BACKGROUND
[0001] The invention relates to a fan assembly, and in particular to a fan assembly and
fan frame thereof.
[0002] Electronic devices generally produce heat during operation, and thus a demand exists
for effective heat-dissipation devices. If a heat-dissipation device cannot effectively
dissipate excess heat generated by the electronic device, performance can suffer,
and more seriously, the electronic device may be burned out at high temperature. Moreover,
since the number of transistors per unit area in an electronic device increases to
improve performance, available internal space is reduced, and high temperature is
concentrated therein such that performance deteriorates. Thus, an effective heat-dissipation
device is an important component in micro-electronic devices such as integrated circuits
(ICs).
[0003] The most popular heat-dissipation system is fan assembly. A fan assembly comprises
a fan frame, hub, blades and motor. As shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, conventional fan
frames 11a and 11b are connected to motor bases 12a and 12b via a plurality of ribs
13a and 13b, respectively. The ribs 13a and 13b support the motor bases 12a and 12b.
The ribs 13a and 13b can be cylindrical, curved, or streamlined. For example, the
cross section of the rib 13a along line A-A of Fig.1A is triangular , as shown in
Fig. 1A-1; the cross section of the rib 13b along line B-B of FIG. 1B is circular,
as shown in Fig. 1B-1, or is rectangular, as shown in Fig. 1B-2. Regardless of the
shape of rib cross section, however, the ribs 13a and 13b have an identical linear
shape extending from the motor bases 12a and 12b toward the fan frame 11a and 11b,
respectively.
[0004] As shown in Fig. 1C, if the ribs 13 connected to the motor base 12 and the fan frame
11 are curved, the cross section thereof is not continuous. The side view of the rib
13, however, is fully shown in the figure for clear explanation of the fan frame 11a
or 11b. The blades 14 of the fan 10 are radially arranged on an outer periphery of
the hub 15 with a motor (not shown) disposed therein.
[0005] When the blades 14 rotate, since the ribs 13 with the same cross section extend linearly
along the motor base 12 toward the fan frame 11, the lower edge of the blades 14 are
parallel to the ribs 13. As the size of the fan assembly is reduced, noise is produced
due to airflow resistance between the lower edge of the blades 14 and the ribs 13.
Additionally, the noise level increases with the fan speed.
SUMMARY
[0006] Embodiments of the invention provide a fan assembly and fan frame thereof comprising
ribs with varied cross sections such that the noise level between the blades and fan
frame can be reduced.
[0007] Also provided is a fan frame comprising a housing, a motor base, and a plurality
of ribs. The housing comprises an opening. The motor base is disposed in the housing.
The ribs are disposed between the opening and the motor base for supporting the motor
base. The cross section of each rib is varied from the motor base to the housing.
The width and thickness of each rib also vary from the motor base to the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Embodiments of the invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent
detailed description in conjunction with the examples and references made to the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1A is a schematic plan view of a conventional fan frame;
Fig. 1A-1 is a cross section of the rib along line A-A of Fig. 1A;
Fig. 1B is a schematic plan view of another conventional fan frame;
Figs. 1B-1 and 1B-2 are cross sections of the rib along line B-B of Fig. 1B;
Fig. 1C is a cross section of a conventional fan assembly;
Fig. 2A is a schematic view of a fan frame according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2B is a schematic view of another fan frame according to another embodiment of
the invention; and
Figs. 3A-1, 3A-2, 3B-1, 3B-2, and 3C are cross sections of various fan assemblies
according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] Figs. 2A and 2B are schematic views of two fan frames according to embodiments of
the invention. The fan frame 21 comprises a housing 27, a motor base 22, and a plurality
of ribs 23. The housing 27 has an opening 26, and the motor base 22 is disposed in
the opening 26. The ribs 23, for supporting the motor base 22, are disposed in the
opening 26 and between the housing 27 and the motor base 22. The ribs 23 connecting
the housing 27 and the motor base 22 are arranged radially or axially, similar to
arrangement of axial blades. The ribs can be cylindrical, curved, or streamlined.
[0010] Each rib 23 has a width varying from the motor base 22 to the housing 27. For example,
as shown in Fig. 2A, the width of the rib 23a connecting to the motor base 22 is greater
than the width of the rib 23 connecting to the housing 27 of the fan frame 21A. That
is, the width of the rib 23a decreases from the motor base 22 to the housing 27. The
variation in width can be a linear or non-linear (quadratic) variation. Moreover,
as shown in Fig. 2B, another fan frame 21B has different ribs 23b from the ribs 23a.
The width of the rib 23b connecting to the housing 27 is greater than the width of
the rib 23b connecting to the motor base 22. That is, the width of the rib 23b increases
linearly or non-linearly from the motor base 22 to the housing 27.
[0011] Furthermore, Figs. 3A-1, 3A-2, 3B-1, 3B-2, and 3C are cross sections of various fan
assemblies. Note that, when the arrangement of the ribs 23 is non-linear between the
motor base 22 and the housing 27, the cross sectional view of the ribs 23 is not continuous
and cannot be entirely seen in these figures. However, for clarity purpose, the ribs
23 are completely depicted in the figures. Also, the blades 24 are also clearly depicted
but the actual cross section thereof cannot be entirely seen in the figures.
[0012] The fan assembly 20 comprises the fan frame 21, a hub 25, the blades 24 and a motor.
The opening 26 of the housing 27 forms an inlet 211 and an outlet 212 on both ends
of the fan frame 21. The motor base 22 is preferably located at a center of the opening
26 near the outlet 212.
[0013] The blades 24 of the fan 20 are radially connected to an outer periphery of the hub
25. The motor (not shown) is disposed in the hub 25. Each rib 23 has a varied thickness
from the motor base 22 to the housing 27. For example, a thickness of the rib 23 connecting
to the motor base 22 is greater than that of the rib 23 connecting to the housing
27. Or, the thickness of the rib 23 gradually decreases from the motor base 22 to
the housing 27, as shown in Figs. 3A-1 and 3A-2.
[0014] Alternatively, as shown in Figs. 3B-1 and 3B-2, the thickness of the ribs 23 connecting
to the motor base 22 is less than that of the ribs 23 connecting to the housing 27.
Or, the thickness of the ribs 23 gradually increases from the motor base 22 to the
housing 27.
[0015] In Figs. 3A-1 and 3A-2, the thickness of the ribs respectively increases linearly
or non-linearly; In Figs. 3B-1, and 3B-2, the thickness of ribs respectively decreases
linearly or non-linearly.
[0016] Furthermore, the thickness of ribs can be varied non-linearly. That is, each rib
23 has a maximum or minimum thickness at a portion of the rib 23 connecting to the
housing 27, a portion of the rib 23 connecting to the motor base 22, or a location
therebetween. For example, in Fig. 3C, each rib 23 with a concave cross section has
a maximum thickness near the housing 27 and the motor base 22.
[0017] During rotation of the blades 24, airflow speed increases outwardly from the blades
24. That is, the flow speed near the housing 27 is faster than the speed near the
motor base 22. Since each rib 23 has a varied width from the motor base 22 to the
housing 27 in the blade rotational direction, flow resistance at the rib 23 near the
housing 27 can be reduced, thereby reducing noise. Moreover, since each rib 23 has
a varied thickness, the distance between the ribs 23 and the lower edge of the blades
24 can be varied. This reduces interference between the ribs 23 and the blades 24
during rotation, reducing flow resistance and reducing noise level.
[0018] The width of each rib 23 is designed according to the rotational direction of the
blades 24. The thickness of the narrower portion of the rib 23 can be increased, ensuring
the strength of the ribs 23. For example, as shown in Fig. 2A, the width of each rib
23a connecting to the motor base 22 is greater than that of each rib 23a connecting
to the housing 27. Additionally, varied thickness design is applied to each rib 23a
so that the rib 23a connecting to the housing 27 is thicker than the rib 23a connecting
to the motor base 22, as shown in Fig. 3B-1 or Fig. 3B-2.
[0019] In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 2B, the width of each rib
23b connecting to the housing 27 is greater than that of each rib 23b connecting to
the motor base 22. Additionally, varied thickness design is applied to each rib 23b
so that the rib 23b connecting to the motor base 22 is thicker than the rib 23b connecting
to the housing 27, as shown in Fig. 3A-1 or Fig. 3A-2.
[0020] Variation in width and thickness of the ribs 23 can be linear or non-linear. Thus,
each rib 23 has a varied cross section from the motor base 22 to the housing 27, preventing
noise due to flow resistance between the lower edge of the blades and the ribs. The
housing 27 can be substantially rectangular, circular, elliptical, rhomboid, or similar.
[0021] A noise test, comparing a conventional fan with a fan assembly according to an embodiment
of the invention, was performed. The experiments revealed in a noise frequency range
produced by the blades of the invention, a relative prominent noise ratio can be lowered.
In one of the experimental results, in a noise frequency range of 200-2000Hz, the
relative prominent noise ratio of a conventional fan was 20dB, while the relative
prominent noise ratio of an embodiment of the invention can be reduced to 5 dB. Thus,
noise can be effectively lowered because of the varied cross section of the ribs,
further reducing the noise produced between the blades and the fan frame.
[0022] The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments or those skilled in the
art disclosed, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles
and features disclosed herein. Not only the cross section of the ribs 23 can be varied,
the inner surface of the housing 27 and the outer periphery of the blades 24 can also
be curved. That is, the housing 27 can be curved inward. The curved blades 24 increase
contact area by effectively blocking the gap between the blades 24 and the housing
27, providing improved heat dissipation and reduced noise level. The fan assembly
20 may also block light due to the curved shape of the blades.
[0023] While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred
embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the
contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as
would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended
claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such
modifications and similar arrangements.
1. A fan frame, comprising:
a housing comprising an opening;
a motor base, disposed in the housing; and
a plurality of ribs, disposed in the opening and between the housing and the motor
base for supporting the motor base, wherein each rib has a varied cross section from
the motor base to the housing.
2. The fan frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein a width of each rib is varied from the
motor base to the housing.
3. The fan frame as claimed in one or more of the claims 1 to 2, wherein thickness of
each rib is varied from the motor base to the housing.
4. The fan frame as claimed in one or more of the claims 1 to 3, wherein a width of each
rib connecting to the motor base is greater than that of each rib connecting to the
housing,and a thickness of each rib connecting to the motor base is less than that
of each rib connecting to the housing.
5. The fan frame as claimed in one or more of the claims 1 to 4, wherein a width of each
rib connecting to the motor base is less than that of each rib connecting to the housing,
and a thickness of each rib connecting to the motor base is greater than that of each
rib connecting to the housing.
6. A fan assembly, comprising:
a fan frame, comprising:
a housing comprising an opening;
a motor base, disposed in the housing; and
a plurality of ribs, disposed in the opening and between the housing and the motor
base, for supporting the motor base, wherein each rib has a varied cross section from
the motor base to the housing;
an impeller, disposed corresponding to the fan frame; and
a motor, disposed in the motor base.
7. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the opening forms an inlet and an
outlet at two ends of the housing, and the motor base and the ribs are located at
the outlet.
8. The fan assembly as claimed in one or more of the claims 6 to 7, wherein a width of
each rib is varied from the motor base to the housing.
9. The fan assembly as claimed in one or more of the claims 6 to 8, wherein a width of
each rib connecting to the motor base is greater than that of each rib connecting
to the housing, and a thickness of each rib connecting to the motor base is less than
that of each rib connecting to the housing.
10. The fan assembly as claimed in one or more of the claims 6 to 9, wherein a width of
each rib connecting to the motor base is less than that of each rib connecting to
the housing, and a thickness of each rib connecting to the motor base is greater than
that of each rib connecting to the housing.