Patent Application
20230368763
Not applicable
Not applicable
Modern high-end electronics, in particular computer components, generate significant heat, which generally cannot be transferred away from the device through entirely passive methods. Thus, cooling fans are typically used in combination with heat sinks as an active airflow source. These fans intake cool air and exhaust warm air heated by the electronic components. The most common method for mounting a cooling fan is screwing the fan to the electronic enclosure. This mounting method creates the possibility for vibration transfer from the cooling fan's hub motor into the electronic enclosure. These transferred vibrations can fall within the audible frequency and result in an unpleasant noise heard by the device' user.
In the current competitive market, consumers desire both good airflow and low noise. Audible vibrations from a device can negatively impact the end user experience and discourage the consumer from buying a similar device in the future.
Several methods exist that attempt to mitigate or eliminate this vibration. Some cooling fans come with elastomeric pads that sit between the fan body and electronic enclosure. However, the metal mounting screw still contacts the fan body and electronic enclosure, creating a path for vibration transfer. Another method is to use an elastomeric gasket between the fan and chassis with elastomeric protrusions that enclose the screw thread. Similar to the first example, this method still allows for vibration transfer from the fan to the electronic enclosure via the mounting screw. Thus, there is a need for a device that can fully decouple a cooling fan from a electronic enclosure, with an elastomeric layer between any potentially contacting metal or plastic.
The problem identified above is addressed by a 2-part elastomeric device that fully decouples a cooling fan from the computer's electronic enclosure. Each part of the device has three key features: a flat surface with an orifice for the cooling fan, protrusions that prevent mounting screw contact with any point on the thermoplastic fan frame, a thin vertical border protrusion to prevent contact between adjacent cooling fans. The device also forms an airtight seal between the cooling fan and enclosure, preventing potential airflow leakage and its related noise effects. The elastomeric material used for the device, silicone, has high damping characteristics that act to isolate the vibrations caused by the cooling fan's hub motor. The 2-part device is placed on either side of the cooling fan, which separates the fan from any sheet metal or other undamped body. The device attaches to the fan with long mounting screws that extend the thickness of the fan's frame, and nylon or alloy threaded nuts. The device can be configured for multiple standardized fan arrays that are used by electronic enclosures or liquid-cooling radiators. Typically, these arrays are sized in some multiple of 80 mm, 92 mm, 120 mm or 140 mm cooling fans. When used in conjunction with a radiator, the device both dampens vibration transfer from the cooling fan to the electronic enclosure, but also from the cooling fan to the liquid-cooling radiator.
The following provides a detailed description of the proposed device and its application in consumer and enterprise areas. The detail provided aims to clearly and fully communicate the device's intent and function while not inhibiting future developments of this device from supporting new configurations.
The proposed device is intended for installation into consumer and enterprise focused electronic enclosures with standardized mounting patterns for cooling fans. Cooling fans are typically integrated into systems to facilitate the intake of colder air and exhaust of warmer air when passive cooling configurations are not sufficient. Cooling fans rely on a centrally mounted hub motor in order to rotate the fan blades; this motor creates vibrations that can transfer into an electronic enclosure (504) and, at certain frequencies, become audible to the end user. These audible vibrations are often unpleasant to listen to and negatively affect the user experience.
Typical cooling fans use four holes (101) to mount to an electronic enclosure. These holes are arranged in a standardized pattern in order to support as many individual enclosures as possible. The frame and blades of the fan (103, 102) are typically made of a hard thermoplastic such as ABS. In a typical installation, the thermoplastic fan frame (103) is placed in direct contact with the electronic enclosure. During operation, the thermoplastic fan frame directly transfers vibrations from the fan motor into the fan chassis (504). Electronic enclosures are usually made using thin gage SPCC or similar steel, which amplify vibrations from the fan. This auditory effect is particularly pronounced when the electronic enclosure has loose fitting parts that can rattle.
Some cooling fans have elastomeric pads that sit between the fan's thermoplastic frame (103) and the electronic enclosure (504). However, vibrations are still able to transfer through the mounting screws attaching to the fan's mounting points (101).
The proposed device in
