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(11) | EP 4 357 623 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | DAMPING FRAME |
| (57) A damping frame includes outer frames (22) disposed around and connected to a seat
body (21). Each outer frames (22) is formed with a disposition slot (226). Damping
seats (3) engage respectively with the disposition slots (226) of the outer frames
(22). Each damping seat (3) includes an upright wall portion (31) located within the
disposition slot (226) of the respective outer frame (22), two end wall portions (32)
connected to the upright wall portion (31) and abutting respectively against opposite
sides of the outer frames (22), and two side wall portions (33) that extend from the
upright wall portion (31), that are disposed between the end wall portions (32), and
that abut against the respective one outer frame (22). Fastening seats (4) are respectively
disposed in the damping seats (3). Each fastening seat (4) has a fastening through
hole (42).
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[0001] The disclosure relates to a damping frame, and more particularly to a damping frame adapted for use in an axial-flow heat dissipation fan.
[0002] An axial-flow heat dissipating fan is generally included in various electronic devices. Through the relative rotation between a rotor and a stator of a motor inside the axial-flow heat dissipating fan, rotation of fan blades is driven to guide an airflow to carry heat generated by operation of an electronic device away, thereby achieving cooling and heat dissipation. However, during operation of the axial-flow heat dissipating fan, in addition to operation of the motor, which would transmit vibrations to a frame, air resistance against the rotation of the fan blades and a reaction force formed by the airflow would cause an interaction between the fan blades and components disposed on the frame, making the frame to vibrate. When this happens, not only would the fan blades vibrate along with the frame, which would cause the rotation of the fan blades to be unstable, but the frame is also likely to hit hard objects disposed near where the axial-flow heat dissipating fan is mounted. As a result, noises would be generated and fastening of the frame may likely to become loosened.
[0003] Referring to Figure 1, four corners of a frame 11 are respectively replaced by vibration-damping materials 12. The vibration-damping materials 12 are engaged with the frame 11 radially relative to a fan device 13. To engage the vibration-damping materials 12, four bolts (not shown) respectively fasten the vibration-damping materials 12 to the frame 11. However, because the four corners of the frame 11 are respectively replaced by the vibration-damping materials 12 that are disposed radially relative to the fan device 13, when the fan device 13 operates, the vibration-damping materials 12 may only absorb radial vibrations of the fan device 13 but not vibrations in other directions, thereby causing overall vibration reduction of the frame 11 being subpar. Furthermore, the vibration absorbing materials 12 are made of a material that is elastic and flexible so they may absorb the vibrations. Although a vibration-absorbing effect may be expected, the frame 11 may be lacking in terms of overall structural strength.
[0004] Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a damping frame that may effectively damp vibrations and has enough structural strength adapted for use in an axial-flow heat dissipation fan.
[0005] According to the disclosure, a damping frame adapted for use in an axial-flow heat dissipation fan includes a main seat, a plurality of damping seats, and a plurality of fastening seats.
[0006] The main seat includes a seat body and a plurality of outer frames. The seat body is formed with an accommodating groove that extends along a central axis and that is adapted for placement of the axial-flow heat dissipation fan. The outer frames are equiangularly spaced apart from each other and are disposed around and connected to the seat body. Each of the outer frames is formed with a disposition slot extending inwardly toward the central axis of the accommodating groove.
[0007] The damping seats are made of a vibration-damping material and engage respectively with the disposition slots of the outer frames. Each of the damping seats includes an upright wall portion, two end wall portions, and two side wall portions. The upright wall portion is located within the disposition slot of the respective one of the outer frames. The end wall portions are connected to the upright wall portion, are spaced apart in a direction of the central axis of the accommodating groove, and abut respectively against opposite sides of the respective one of the outer frames. The side wall portions extend respectively from opposite ends of the upright wall portion, are disposed between the end wall portions, and abut against the respective one of the outer frames.
[0008] The fastening seats are made of a rigid material and are respectively disposed in the damping seats. Each of the fastening seats has a fastening through hole that extends therethrough in the direction of the central axis of the accommodating groove.
[0009] Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiment(s) with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that various features may not be drawn to scale.
Figure 1 is a partly exploded perspective view illustrating an existing frame adapted for use in an axial-flow heat dissipation fan.
Figure 2 is a partly exploded perspective view illustrating a damping frame according to an embodiment of the disclosure adapted for use in an axial-flow heat dissipation fan.
Figure 3 is a top view of the embodiment.
Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment illustrating an outer frame of the damping frame.
Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary top sectional view of Figure 3.
Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment illustrating a damping seat assembled to the outer frame of the damping frame.
Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the embodiment illustrating a fastening seat of the damping frame.
Figure 8 is a top view of the embodiment illustrating measured positions of the damping frame in a first experimental example.
Figures 9 to 12 are line graphs illustrating results of the first experimental example.
Figure 13 is a top view of the embodiment illustrating measured positions of the damping frame placed on an iron casing in second and third experimental examples.
Figure 14 is a line graph illustrating results of the second experimental example.
Figure 15 is a line graph illustrating results of the third experimental example.
[0010] It should be noted herein that for clarity of description, spatially relative terms such as "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," "on," "above," "over," "downwardly," "upwardly" and the like may be used throughout the disclosure while making reference to the features as illustrated in the drawings. The features may be oriented differently (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.
[0011] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a damping frame according to an embodiment of the disclosure adapted for use in an axial-flow heat dissipation fan. The damping frame includes a main seat 2, four damping seats 3, and four fastening seats 4.
[0012] The main seat 2 is rectangular and includes a seat body 21 and four outer frames 22. The seat body 21 is formed with an accommodating groove 211 that extends along a central axis and that is adapted for placement of the axial-flow heat dissipation fan (not shown). To allow rotation of the axial-flow heat dissipation fan, the accommodating groove 211 is substantially circular in shape. The outer frames 22 are 90-degree equiangularly spaced apart from each other and are disposed around and connected to the seat body 21.
[0013] Referring to Figures 3 and 4 in combination with Figure 2, each of the outer frames 22 has two end surfaces 221, an inward-curved surface 222, two lateral peripheral surfaces 223, a positioning projection 224, and a plurality of engaging blocks 225. The end surfaces 221 are spaced apart from each other in a direction of the central axis of the accommodating groove 211. The inward-curved surface 222 is connected between the end surfaces 221 and defines a disposition slot 226 that extends inwardly toward the central axis of the accommodating groove 211. The disposition slot 226 axially penetrates through the end surfaces 221 relative to the direction of the central axis of the accommodating groove 211, and opens radially outwardly relative to the accommodating groove 211. The lateral peripheral surfaces 223 are connected between the end surfaces 221, respectively extend from two opposite ends of the inward-curved surface 222 away from each other, and are perpendicular to each to other. The positioning projection 224 extends outwardly from the inward-curved surface 222. The engaging blocks 225 extend outwardly from the inward-curved surface 222 and are respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the positioning projection 224. The positioning projection 224 and the engaging blocks 225 are disposed within the disposition slot 226.
[0014] Referring to Figures 5 and 6 in combination with Figure 2, the damping seats 3 are respectively disposed on four corners of the main seat 2. In this embodiment, the damping seats 3 are made of a vibration-damping material (e.g., rubber) and engage respectively with the disposition slots 226 of the outer frames 22. Each of the damping seats 3 includes an upright wall portion 31, two end wall portions 32, two side wall portions 33, and two engaging portions 34. The upright wall portion 31 is located within the disposition slot 226 of the respective one of the outer frames 22, abuts against the inward-curved surface 222 of the respective one of the outer frames 22, and is formed with a positioning groove 311 and two engaging grooves 312. The positioning groove 311 is engaged with the positioning projection 224 of the respective one of the outer frames 22. The engaging grooves 312 are respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the positioning groove 311 and are respectively engaged with the engaging blocks 225 of the respective one of the outer framed 22. The end wall portions 32 are connected to the upright wall portion 31, are spaced apart in the direction of the central axis of the accommodating groove 211, and respectively abut against the end surfaces 221 of the respective one of the outer frames 22. The side wall portions 33 extend respectively from opposite ends of the upright wall portion 31, are disposed between the end wall portions 32, and respectively abut against the lateral peripheral surfaces 223 of the respective one of the outer frames 22. The engaging portions 3 are spaced apart from each other and project outwardly from the upright wall portion 31. By virtue of the end wall portions 32 of the damping seats 3 abutting respectively against the end surfaces 221 of the outer frames 22 in the direction of the central axis of the accommodating groove 211, in addition to the side wall portions 33 of the damping seats 3 abutting against the lateral peripheral surfaces 223 of the outer frames 22, the damping seats 3 not only abut against two opposite sides of the main seat 2 and clamp the main seat 2 in the direction of the central axis of the accommodating groove 211, but also radially secure the main seat 2, thereby providing vibration-damping in multiple directions.
[0015] Referring to Figure 7 in combination with Figures 2 and 5, the fastening seats 4 are respectively disposed in the damping seats 3, and may be made of a material similar to that of the main seat 2 or a rigid material. Each of the fastening seats 4 has a fastening through hole 42 that extends therethrough in the direction of the central axis of the accommodating groove 211. In this embodiment, each of the fastening seats 4 further has two engaging holes 41 that are respectively engaged with the engaging portions 34 of the respective one of the damping seats 3. For each of the damping seats 3, the end wall portions 32 abut respectively against two ends of the respective one of the fastening seats 4 that are opposite to each other in the direction of the central axis of the accommodating groove 211 to clamp the respective one of the fastening seats 4 therebetween, and the side wall portions 33 abut against the respective one of the fastening seats 4, thereby restraining the respective one of the fastening seats 4 thereto.
[0016] The following three experimental examples are to demonstrate the vibration-damping effect of the disclosure. Regarding the three experimental examples, control groups without the damping frame of the disclosure are compared against experimental groups having the damping frame of the disclosure.
[0017] Figures 8 to 12 illustrate a first one of the three experimental examples. The experimental and the control groups were placed on a test jig to measure axial and radial vibrations at a rotational speed of 2000 rpm. Figures 9 and 10 illustrate respectively the test results of the experimental and the control groups when the radial vibrations were measured. Side positions 1 to 4 represented by squared symbols in Figures 9 and 10 respectively represent measured positions a1 to a4 in Figure 8. Corner positions 1 to 4 represented by triangular symbols in Figures 9 and 10 respectively represent measured positions b1 to b4 in Figure 8. Additionally, Figures 11 and 12 illustrate respectively the test results of the experimental and the control groups when the axial vibrations were measured. Positions 1 to 4 in Figures 11 and 12 respectively represent measured positions c1 to c4 in Figure 8. As the results shown in Figures 9 to 12, the experimental group using the damping frame of the disclosure, whether in the axial direction or the radial direction, had a lower degree of vibration than that of the control group.
[0018] Figures 13 to 14 illustrate a second one of the three experimental examples. The experimental and the control groups were placed on an iron casing 5 as shown in Figure 13 to measure the vibrations along an axial distance of 2 cm and 6 cm from the frame at a rotational speed of 2000 rpm. As the results illustrated in Figure 14, the degree of vibration of the experimental group of the damping frame of the disclosure was clearly smaller than that of the control group. Based on the first and second experimental examples, the damping frame of the disclosure may effectively reduce the multi-directional vibrations generated during rotation of the axial-flow heat dissipation fan, so that the vibrations may not easily reach where the damping frame is disposed, thereby reducing the impact on the damping frame's surrounding components during operation of the axial-flow heat dissipation fan while simultaneously reducing generation of abnormal noises.
[0019] Referring back to Figures 13 and 15, a configuration in a third one of the experimental examples is similar to that in the second one of the experimental examples. The difference resides in that the axial-flow heat dissipation fan need not rotate while a fan (not shown) rotating at 12000 rpm was added onto the iron casing 5 as an external vibration source to measure the vibrations at measured positions d1 to d3 and e1 and e2 in Figure 13. As the results illustrated in Figure 15, the damping frame of the disclosure may also reduce the vibrations transmitted through the iron casing 5 from the external vibration source, and may greatly reduce the external vibrations affecting the main seat 2 and the axial-flow heat dissipation fan disposed therein.
[0020] In summary, by virtue of the damping seats 3 made of a vibration-damping material respectively abutting against the outer frames 22 while respectively restraining the fastening seats 4 thereto, the damping frame of the disclosure may effectively reduce the vibrations in multiple directions. In addition, by virtue of being made of a rigid material and being respectively disposed in the damping seats 3, the fastening seats 4 may effectively enhance connection stability and optimize the overall structural strength of the damping frame of the disclosure.
[0021] In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment(s). It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects; such does not mean that every one of these features needs to be practiced with the presence of all the other features. In other words, in any described embodiment, when implementation of one or more features or specific details does not affect implementation of another one or more features or specific details, said one or more features may be singled out and practiced alone without said another one or more features or specific details. It should be further noted that one or more features or specific details from one embodiment may be practiced together with one or more features or specific details from another embodiment, where appropriate, in the practice of the disclosure.
a seat body (21) formed with an accommodating groove (211) that extends along a central axis and that is adapted for placement of the axial-flow heat dissipation fan, and
a plurality of outer frames (22) equiangularly spaced apart from each other and disposed around and connected to said seat body (21), each of said outer frames (22) being formed with a disposition slot (226) extending inwardly toward the central axis of said accommodating groove (211),
characterized in that said damping frame further includes:
a plurality of damping seats (3) that are made of a vibration-damping material and that engage respectively with said disposition slots (226) of said outer frames (22), each of said damping seats (3) including
an upright wall portion (31) that is located within said disposition slot (226) of a respective one of said outer frames (22),
two end wall portions (32) that are connected to said upright wall portion (31), that are spaced apart in a direction of the central axis of said accommodating groove (211), and that abut respectively against opposite sides of the respective one of said outer frames (22), and
two side wall portions (33) that extend respectively from opposite ends of said upright wall portion (31), that are disposed between said end wall portions (32), and that abut against the respective one of said outer frames (22); and
a plurality of fastening seats (4) that are made of a rigid material and that are respectively disposed in said damping seats (3), each of said fastening seats (4) having a fastening through hole (42) that extends therethrough in the direction of the central axis of said accommodating groove (211).
each of said outer frames (22) has
two end surfaces (221) that are spaced apart from each other in the direction of the central axis of said accommodating groove (211),
an inward-curved surface (222) that is connected between said end surfaces (221) and that defines said disposition slot (226), and
two lateral peripheral surfaces (223) that are connected between said end surfaces (221), that respectively extend from two opposite ends of said inward-curved surface (222) away from each other, and that are non-parallel to each other; and
for each of said damping seats (3), said upright wall portion (31) abuts against said inward-curved surface (222) of the respective one of said outer frames (22), said end wall portions (32) respectively abut against said end surfaces (221) of the respective one of said outer frames (22), and said side wall portions (33) respectively abut against said lateral peripheral surfaces (223) of the respective one of said outer frames (22).
each of said outer frames (22) further has at least one positioning projection (224) extending outwardly from said inward-curved surface (222); and
said upright wall portion (31) of each of said damping seats (3) is formed with at least one positioning groove (311) engaged with said at least one positioning projection (224) of the respective one of said outer frames (22).
each of said outer frames (22) further has a plurality of engaging blocks (225) extending outwardly from said inward-curved surface (222); and
said upright wall portion (31) of each of said damping seats (3) is formed with a plurality of engaging grooves (312) respectively engaged with said engaging blocks (225) of the respective one of said outer framed (22).
each of said damping seats (3) further includes a plurality of engaging portions (34) that project outwardly from said upright wall portion (31); and
each of said fastening seats (4) further has a plurality of engaging holes (41) that are respectively engaged with said engaging portions (34) of the respective one of said damping seats (3).
a number of each of said outer frames (22), said damping seats (3), and said fastening seats (4) is four; and
said lateral peripheral surfaces (223) of each of said outer frames (22) are perpendicular to each to other.