Electronic apparatus

The subject matter herein generally relates to an electronic apparatus.

Fan modules are generally installed in a chassis by screws. However, it is inconvenient to install or uninstall the fan modules when maintenance or replacement.

Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures.

FIG. 1 is an exploded, partially cutaway isometric view of an embodiment of an electronic apparatus, wherein the electronic apparatus includes a fan module.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of the fan module of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is an assembled, isometric view of the fan module of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a partial assembled, isometric view of the electronic apparatus of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is an assembled, isometric view of the electronic apparatus of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 , but showing the electronic apparatus in a locked state.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features. The description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.

Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented.

The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, substantially cylindrical means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. The term “comprising” means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in a so-described combination, group, series and the like.

The present disclosure is described in relation to an electronic apparatus.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an electronic apparatus comprising an enclosure 10 , a circuit board 20 installed in the enclosure 10 , and a fan module 30 .

The enclosure 10 includes a side wall 11 . The side wall 11 defines a substantially rectangular opening 111 adjacent to the circuit board 20 . The side wall 11 adjacent to two opposite side edges of the opening 111 respectively define two spaced notches 113 and two spaced cutouts 115 . Each notch 113 is located beside the corresponding cutout 115 . In the embodiment, the enclosure 10 is a server chassis, the sidewall 11 is a top wall or bottom wall of the server chassis.

The circuit board 20 is parallel to the side wall 11 , and comprises a connector 22 mounted on the circuit board 20 facing an end edge of the opening 111 .

FIG. 2 illustrates the fan module 30 comprising a fan 31 and a chassis 32 for receiving the fan 31 . The fan 31 comprises a cable 311 and a connector 312 connected with a distal end of the cable 311 . The chassis 32 comprises a first bracket 321 and a second bracket 323 configured to latch to the first bracket 321 .

The first bracket 321 comprises a main plate 3211 , two side plates 3212 substantially perpendicularly extending from two opposite side edges of the main plate 3211 , two end plates 3213 substantially perpendicularly extending from two opposite end edges of the main plate 3211 , and a resilient plate 3214 located at an outer side of one of the end plate 3213 . The end plates 3213 are located at the same side with the side plates 3212 , and are connected between sides of the side plates 3212 . The resilient plate 3214 is parallel to and adjacent to the main plate 3211 . The two opposite sides of the main plate 3211 respectively define two operating holes 3217 . Two protuberances 3218 protrude from two opposite ends of each side of the main plate 3211 , and are located adjacent to the corresponding operating holes 3217 . Two spaced tabs 3219 extend out from an outer surface of each side plate 3212 , and are located adjacent to the main plate 3211 . Two hooks 3215 are formed at an inner surface of each side plate 3212 away from the main plate 3211 , and each hook 3215 exposes out the corresponding side plate 3212 . A middle of each end plate 3213 defines a substantially semicircular vent 3210 . A substantially wedge-shape latch 3216 protrudes from a distal end of the resilient plate 3214 , opposite to the end plates 3213 .

The second bracket 323 comprises a bottom plate 3231 , two side plates 3232 substantially perpendicularly extending from two opposite side edges of the bottom plate 3231 , and two end plates 3234 substantially perpendicularly extending from two opposite end edges of the bottom plate 3231 . The end plates 3234 are located at the same side with the side plates 3232 , and are connected between sides of the side plates 3232 . An inner surface of each side plate 3232 defines two latching holes 3233 away from the bottom plate 3231 . A middle of each end plate 3234 defines a substantially semicircular vent 3238 . An installing plate 3235 extending out from one of the end plates 3234 . The installing plate 3235 is parallel to and away from the bottom plate 3231 . A positioning plate 3236 extends from a middle of a distal end of the installing plate 3235 toward the bottom plate 3231 . A middle of the positioning plate 3236 defines a positioning hole 3237 .

FIG. 3 illustrates that the fan module 30 to be assembled, the fan 31 is received in the first bracket 321 , and the second bracket 323 covers on the fan 31 . The side plates 3232 of the second bracket 323 aligns with the corresponding side plates 3212 of the first bracket 321 , and the installing plate 3235 is located away from the resilient plate 3214 . The first bracket 321 and the second bracket 323 are pressed toward each other, deforming the hooks 3215 , until the hooks 3215 align with the corresponding latching hole 3233 . The hooks 3215 are restored to latch into the corresponding latching holes 3233 of the latching member 323 . The connector 312 of the fan 31 is positioned in the positioning hole 3237 , and the fan 31 is mounted between the first bracket 321 and the second bracket 323 . An air inlet and an air outlet of the fan 30 are aligned with the corresponding vents 3210 and 3238 .

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate that the fan module 30 to be assembled to the enclosure 10 , the second bracket 323 of the fan module 30 is inserted into the opening 111 of the enclosure 10 . The distal end of the resilient plate 3214 is pressed toward the opening 111 , deforming the resilient plate 3214 , until the latch 3216 of the resilient plate 3214 abuts against an inner surface of the side wall 11 . The protuberances 3218 pass through the corresponding cutouts 115 , the tabs 3219 are received in the corresponding notch 113 , and the connector 312 of the fan 31 aligns with the connector 22 of the circuit board 20 . The fan module 30 is moved toward the connector 22 of the circuit board 20 through operating the operating holes 3217 , until the connector 312 of the fan 31 is connected with the connector 22 . The resilient plate 3214 is restored to allow the latch 3216 to abut against an end edge of the opening 111 opposite to the connector 22 , for avoiding the connector 312 disengaged from the connector 22 . The protuberances 3218 abut against the inner surface of the side wall 11 for avoiding the fan module 30 disengaged from the side wall 11 . The tabs 3219 are supported on the corresponding notches 113 for avoiding the fan module 30 dropped in the enclosure 10 .

The fan module 30 can be disengaged from the enclosure 10 , the resilient plate 3214 is pressed down, deforming the resilient plate 3214 , and the latch 3216 is disengaged from the end surface of the opening 111 . The fan module 30 is slid away from the connector 22 through the operating holes 3217 , the connector 312 is disengaged from the connector 22 , and the latch 3216 slidably abuts against the inner surface of the side wall 11 . The protuberances 3218 are slid into the corresponding cutouts 115 , the fan module 30 is pulled from the enclosure 10 .

The fan module 30 configured to install to or disengage from the enclosure 10 without need to remove the side wall 11 . When the electronic apparatus is installed at a lower portion of a rack, the side wall 11 as a top wall of the electronic apparatus, the fan module 30 configured to be installed to or disengaged from the enclosure 10 above the side wall 11 . When the electronic apparatus is installed at an upper portion of a rack, the side wall 11 as a bottom wall of the electronic apparatus, the fan module 30 configured to be installed to or disengaged from the enclosure 10 below the side wall 11 .

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