FAN ASSEMBLY AND HEAT DISSIPATION DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME

Abstract

A fan assembly is provided. The fan assembly includes a hub, a plurality of fan blades, and a fluid-guiding structure. The fan blades surround the hub. The fluid-guiding structure connects any two adjacent fan blades. Each of the fan blades includes a first end connected to the hub and a second end opposite to the first end. The distance between the fluid-guiding structure and the second end is less than the distance between the fluid-guiding structure and the first end. The fluid-guiding structure includes at least one streamlined surface.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of China Utility Model application No. 202322967261.8, filed on Nov. 2, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a heat dissipation device, and, in particular, to a heat dissipation device that includes a fan assembly.

Description of the Related Art

Currently, many electronic apparatus (such as computers, notebooks, tablet computers, smartphones, etc.) rely on electric energy to operate. Some parts or elements of electronic apparatus need high power input. They may generate heat and may be referred to as heat generation sources. Examples of heat generation sources include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), etc. Therefore, for heat dissipation, a heat dissipation device (in particular, a heat dissipation device including a fan assembly) may be used in an electronic apparatus to prevent the electronic apparatus or the heat generation source from overheating. Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fan assembly that is able to rotate in a more stable way, produce more air flow, and reduce noise levels.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fan assembly. The fan assembly includes a hub, a plurality of fan blades, and a fluid-guiding structure. The fan blades surround the hub. The fluid-guiding structure connects any two adjacent fan blades. Each of the fan blades includes a first end connected to the hub and a second end opposite to the first end. The distance between the fluid-guiding structure and the second end is less than the distance between the fluid-guiding structure and the first end. The fluid-guiding structure includes at least one streamlined surface.

In some embodiments, the fluid-guiding structure includes a first surface and a second surface intersecting each other at two intersecting lines. In some embodiments, one of the first surface and the second surface is a flat surface, and the other one of the first surface and the second surface is a streamlined surface. In some embodiments, a first mean curvature of the first surface is different from a second mean curvature of the second surface. In some embodiments, a fluid flows toward the fluid-guiding structure from the hub, a first pressure is generated when the fluid flows through the first surface, a second pressure is generated when the fluid flows through the second surface, and the first pressure is different from the second pressure.

In some embodiments, both the first surface and the second surface are streamlined surfaces. In some embodiments, a first mean curvature of the first surface is equal to a second mean curvature of the second surface. In some embodiments, the fan assembly further includes a shaft having an axial direction. When viewed along the axial direction, the fluid-guiding structure is ring-shaped. In some embodiments, when viewed along the axial direction, the fluid-guiding structure surrounds the hub. In some embodiments, the fan assembly further includes an abrasion-resistant element, and the shaft abuts the abrasion-resistant element.

In some embodiments, an inner axial size of an inner portion of the fan blades that is relatively close to the hub is different from an outer axial size of an outer portion of the fan blades. In some embodiments, the inner axial size of the inner portion of the fan blades that is relatively close to the hub is less than the outer axial size of the outer portion of the fan blades. In some embodiments, the fan blades and the fluid-guiding structure are formed integrally. In some embodiments, the fan blades are equally spaced apart from each other.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a heat dissipation device. The heat dissipation device includes a casing, a fan frame connected to the casing, and the aforementioned fan assembly. The fan assembly is disposed in the fan frame. In some embodiments, the casing includes a front casing and a rear casing, and the fan frame is disposed between the front casing and the rear casing. In some embodiments, the fluid-guiding structure is relatively close to the rear casing and relatively far away from the front casing. In some embodiments, the fluid-guiding structure includes a first surface and a second surface intersecting each other at two intersecting lines. In some embodiments, the first surface is a flat surface, and the second surface is a streamlined surface. In some embodiments, both the first surface and the second surface are streamlined surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure can be more fully understood by reading the detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that various features may be not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat dissipation device, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are exploded views of a heat dissipation device from different perspectives, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematic views of a fan assembly from different perspectives, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D are cross-sectional views of fan assemblies, showing fluid-guiding structures with different cross-sectional areas, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description provides different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the present disclosure. In addition, spatially relative terms may be used. Ordinal terms such as “first”, “second”, etc., used in the description and claims do not by themselves connote any priority, precedence, or order of one element over another, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one element from another element having the same name. Therefore, a first element in the description may be referred to as a second element in claims. In addition, the following description may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity, and the repetition does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

The present disclosure can be more fully understood by reading the detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings. The number and sizes of the illustrated elements may be illustrative, and are not limiting. In the following description, spatially relative terms, such as “front” and “rear”, may be used in the following description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in figures. If a device of the drawings is flipped upside down, an element that is “above” will become an element that is “below”.

In the following description, the terms “including”, “comprising”, “having”, and the like should be interpreted as meaning “including but not limited to . . . ”. Therefore, when the terms “including”, “comprising”, “having”, and the like are used, the presence of corresponding features, regions, steps, operations and/or elements is specified, and without excluding the presence of other features, regions, steps, operations and/or elements. In addition, there may be a deviation between any two comparing values or directions.

Please refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2B to understand a heat dissipation device 100. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the heat dissipation device 100, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are exploded views of the heat dissipation device 100 from different perspectives, in accordance with some embodiments. The heat dissipation device 100 may include a casing 200, a fan frame 300, a fan assembly 400, but the elements included in the heat dissipation device 100 are not limited thereto. For example, in some embodiments, the heat dissipation device 100 may further include an abrasion-resistant element (not shown), and the abrasion-resistant element may enhance the durability of the heat dissipation device 100. The heat dissipation device 100 may be disposed close to a heat generation source in an electronic apparatus. Due to rotation of the fan assembly 400, the heat generation source may be cooled down, and heat dissipation may be achieved.

The casing 200 may include a front casing 210 and a rear casing 220. The front casing 210 and the rear casing 220 may each include one or more openings 211, 221. The one or more openings 211, 221 may be used as air inlet and air outlet. In some embodiments, the front casing 210 and the rear casing 220 are made of plastic or metal, but the material of the front casing 210 and the rear casing 220 is not limited thereto. The fan frame 300 is connected to the casing 200. In some embodiments, the fan frame 300 is disposed between the front casing 210 and the rear casing 220. The fan assembly 400 is disposed in the fan frame 300. The fan frame 300 may protect the fan assembly 400 therein. In some embodiments, a plurality of affixing elements (not shown) such as screws or bolts may be used for affixing the front casing 210, the fan frame 300, and the rear casing 220 to each other.

Next, in addition to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, please also refer to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B to understand the fan assembly 400. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematic views of the fan assembly 400 from different perspectives, in accordance with some embodiments. The fan assembly 400 includes a shaft 410, a hub 420, a plurality of fan blades 430, and a fluid-guiding structure 440, but the elements included in the fan assembly 400 are not limited thereto.

The shaft 410 is the rotation axis around which the fan assembly 400 rotates. The shaft 410 is connected to the hub 420. The shaft 410 has an axial direction (e.g. the Z-axis in the drawings). The hub 420 is cylindrical. The fan blades 430 surround the hub 420. In some embodiments, the fan blades 430 are disposed around the periphery of the hub 420, and the fan blades 430 are equally spaced apart from each other. That is, the space between any two adjacent fan blades 430 is equal. The fan blades 430 and the hub 420 may be formed integrally. Alternatively, the fan blades 430 and the hub 420 may be manufactured in different processes and then be assembled.

In some embodiments, the axial size (i.e., the size measured in the direction is parallel with the axial direction) of different parts of each fan blade 430 changes as the distance between the parts of the fan blade 430 and the hub 420 varies. For example, the fan blades 430 may be substantially divided into an inner portion 431 that is relatively close to the hub 420 and an outer portion 432 that is relatively far away from the hub 420. In some embodiments, an inner axial size of the inner portion 431 of the fan blades 430 that is relatively close to the hub 420 is different from an outer axial size of the outer portion 432 of the fan blades 430 that is relatively far away from the hub 420.

In some embodiments, the inner axial size of the inner portion 431 of the fan blades 430 that is relatively close to the hub 420 is less than the outer axial size of the outer portion 432 of the fan blades 430 that is relatively far away from the hub 420. Since each fan blade 430 may have different inner axial size and outer axial size, the overall weight of the fan assembly 400 may be reduced, the area of flow paths of the fan assembly 400 and/or the shapes of flow paths of the fan assembly 400 may be changed, and the air flow (the volume of air that is produced by the fan assembly 400 measured by time) of the fan assembly 400 may be increased.

The fluid-guiding structure 440 connects any two adjacent fan blades 430 to each other. When viewed from the axial direction of the shaft 410, the fluid-guiding structure 440 is ring-shaped, and the fluid-guiding structure 440 surrounds the hub 420. In some embodiments, the fluid-guiding structure 440 is relatively close to the rear casing 220 and relatively far away from the front casing 210. The fluid-guiding structure 440 and the fan blades 430 may be formed integrally to reduce costs for assembling the fluid-guiding structure 440 and the fan blades 430. In some embodiments, the fluid-guiding structure 440 is formed on the outer portion 432 of the fan blades 430 that is relatively far away from the hub 420. In other words, each fan blade 430 includes a first end connected to the hub 420 and a second end opposite to the first end, and the distance between the fluid-guiding structure 440 and the second end is less than the fluid-guiding structure 440 and the first end.

Since the outer portion 432 of the fan blades 430 that is relatively far away from the hub 420 has larger moment of inertia than the inner portion 431 of the fan blades 430 that is relatively close to the hub 420, the outer portion 432 of the fan blades 430 that is relatively far away from the hub 420 is more likely to generate vibration. Since the fluid-guiding structure 440 is formed on the outer portion 432 of the fan blades 430 that is relatively far away from the hub 420, the overall strength of the fan blades 430 may be increased, the chances of the fan blades 430 breaking are reduced, the rotation of the fan assembly 400 may be more stable, and the durability of the fan assembly 400 may be improved.

In addition, in the present disclosure, the fluid-guiding structure 440 includes at least one streamlined surface. When a fluid, such as air, flows toward the fluid-guiding structure 440 from the hub 420, the fluid-guiding structure 440 is able to guide the fluid, making the fluid more uniform in the flow field. Furthermore, due to the streamlined surface of the fluid-guiding structure 440, when the fluid flows toward the fluid-guiding structure 440 from the hub 420, the contact area is not so large (for example, compared to fluid-guiding structure having a rectangular cross-section). Therefore, the possibility of the fluid directly colliding with the fluid-guiding structure 440 and generating a larger drag force is reduced, and thus noise levels are reduced and energy loss is decreased.

Next, please refer to FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D to understand the streamlined surfaces that may be included in the fluid-guiding structure 440. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D are cross-sectional views (taken along the cutting-plane line AA of FIG. 2B) of the fan assembly 400, showing fluid-guiding structures 440A, 440B, 440C, 440D with different cross-sectional areas, in accordance with some embodiments. For clear illustration, in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D, similar reference numerals are used to denote similar features of the fluid-guiding structure 440.

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 4A, the fluid-guiding structure 440A includes a first surface 443A and a second surface 444A intersecting each other at two intersecting lines (e.g., a first intersecting line 441A and a second intersecting line 442A). The first surface 443A and the second surface 444A are both streamlined surfaces. The first surface 443A may have a first mean curvature, and the second surface 444A may have a second mean curvature. In some embodiments, the first mean curvature of the first surface 443A is the same as the second mean curvature of the second surface 444A to achieve purposes such as simplifying manufacturing processes.

In some embodiments, the first mean curvature of the first surface 443A is different from the second mean curvature of the second surface 444A. A first pressure is generated when the fluid flows through the first surface 443A, and a second pressure is generated when the fluid flows through the second surface 444B. Since the first mean curvature of the first surface 443A is different from the second mean curvature of the second surface 444A, the first pressure is different from the second pressure. For example, the first pressure that is generated when the fluid flows through the first surface 443A may be greater than the second pressure that is generated when the fluid flows through the second surface 444B. Therefore, an axial force toward the rear casing 220 is generated, making the shaft 410 rotate in a more stable way (for example, the shaft 410 always abuts the abrasion-resistant element during its rotation). In addition, noise levels may be further reduced and energy loss may be further decreased. It should be noted that the first mean curvature of the first surface 443A and the second mean curvature of the second surface 444A may be changed so as to generate an axial force that is toward the front casing 210.

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 4B, the fluid-guiding structure 440B includes a first surface 443B and a second surface 444B intersecting each other at two intersecting lines (e.g., a first intersecting line 441B and a second intersecting line 442B). The first surface 443B is a flat surface, and the second surface 444B is a streamlined surface. Since the first surface 443B is a flat surface (i.e., its mean curvature equals zero) and the second surface 444B is a streamlined surface, the first pressure that is generated when the fluid flows through the first surface 443B may be greater than the second pressure that is generated when the fluid flows through the second surface 444B, thereby generating an axial force toward the rear casing 220.

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 4C, the fluid-guiding structure 440C includes a first surface 443C and a second surface 444C intersecting each other at two intersecting lines (e.g., a first intersecting line 441C and a second intersecting line 442C). The first surface 443C is a streamlined surface, and the second surface 444C is a flat surface. Since first surface 443C is a streamlined surface and the second surface 444C is a flat surface (i.e., its mean curvature equals zero), the first pressure that is generated when the fluid flows through the first surface 443C may be less than the second pressure that is generated when the fluid flows through the second surface 444C, thereby generating an axial force toward the front casing 210.

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 4D, the fluid-guiding structure 440D includes a single streamlined surface 443D and an edge 441D. The edge 441D may be relatively close to the hub 420 or relatively far away from the hub 420. Similarly, when the fluid flows toward the fluid-guiding structure 440D, the fluid-guiding structure 440D may be able to guide the fluid, reduce drag force, reduce energy loss, increase air flow, make the fluid more uniform in the flow field, and the like.

It should be noted that, compared to a fan assembly including a fluid-guiding structure without streamlined surface(s), under the circumstances where the fan assembly including the fluid-guiding structure without streamlined surface(s) and the fan assembly 400 of the present disclosure have the same noise levels, air flow may be increased approximately 5%. Therefore, the heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation device 100 may be improved.

As described above, a fan assembly including a fluid-guiding structure formed on a plurality of fan blades is provided. The fluid-guiding structure includes at least one streamlined surface. The fluid-guiding structure may increase the overall strength of the fan blades, reduce the chances of the fan blades breaking, make the rotation of the fan assembly more stable, and improve the durability of the fan assembly. The fluid-guiding structure is able to guide the fluid, making the fluid more uniform in the flow field. The fluid-guiding structure may reduce the chances of the fluid directly colliding with the fluid-guiding structure and generating a larger drag force. Therefore, noise levels are reduced and energy loss is decreased.

In addition, the fluid-guiding structure may include a first surface and a second surface having a different curvature so as to provide additional axial force, making the rotation of the fan assembly more stable, so noise levels may be further reduced and energy loss may be further decreased. Furthermore, a heat dissipation device including the aforementioned fan assembly is provided. Since the aforementioned fan assembly may increase air flow, the heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation device may be improved.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments, so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A fan assembly, comprising: a hub;a plurality of fan blades surrounding the hub; anda fluid-guiding structure connecting any two adjacent fan blades to each other,wherein each of the fan blades includes a first end connected to the hub and a second end opposite to the first end, a distance between the fluid-guiding structure and the second end is less than a distance between the fluid-guiding structure and the first end, and the fluid-guiding structure includes at least one streamlined surface.

2. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid-guiding structure comprises a first surface and a second surface intersecting each other at two intersecting lines.

3. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein one of the first surface and the second surface is a flat surface, and the other one of the first surface and the second surface is a streamlined surface.

4. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein a first mean curvature of the first surface is different from a second mean curvature of the second surface.

5. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein a fluid flows toward the fluid-guiding structure from the hub, a first pressure is generated when the fluid flows through the first surface, a second pressure is generated when the fluid flows through the second surface, and the first pressure is different from the second pressure.

6. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein both the first surface and the second surface are streamlined surfaces.

7. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein a first mean curvature of the first surface is equal to a second mean curvature of the second surface.

8. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a shaft having an axial direction, wherein when viewed along the axial direction, the fluid-guiding structure is ring-shaped.

9. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein when viewed along the axial direction, the fluid-guiding structure surrounds the hub.

10. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 8, further comprising an abrasion-resistant element, wherein the shaft abuts the abrasion-resistant element.

11. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inner axial size of an inner portion of the fan blades that is relatively close to the hub is different from an outer axial size of an outer portion of the fan blades.

12. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the inner axial size of the inner portion of the fan blades that is relatively close to the hub is less than the outer axial size of the outer portion of the fan blades.

13. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fan blades and the fluid-guiding structure are formed integrally.

14. The fan assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fan blades are equally spaced apart from each other.

15. A heat dissipation device, comprising: a casing;a fan frame connected to the casing; andthe fan assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fan assembly is disposed in the fan frame.

16. The heat dissipation device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the casing comprises a front casing and a rear casing, and the fan frame is disposed between the front casing and the rear casing.

17. The heat dissipation device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the fluid-guiding structure is relatively close to the rear casing and relatively far away from the front casing.

18. The heat dissipation device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fluid-guiding structure comprises a first surface and a second surface intersecting each other at two intersecting lines.

19. The heat dissipation device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first surface is a flat surface, and the second surface is a streamlined surface.

20. The heat dissipation device as claimed in claim 18, wherein both the first surface and the second surface are streamlined surfaces.