Abstract:
A cooling apparatus for a computer system includes a fan operable to provide convective cooling to contents of a computer system housing. The fan is at least partly surrounded by a fan housing. A handle is hinged to a top side of the fan housing operable to engage the computer system housing for levering the fan housing in and out of the computer system housing. The handle is foldable into a position lying along the top of the fan housing. A latch includes a movable latch portion which is operable to fasten the handle into the folded position. With the handle in the folded position, a distinctive marking on the latch portion is visible from above the top side of the fan housing so that it is apparent how to release the handle and the fan.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to cooling of computer systems, and more particularly to a cooling apparatus that can easily be inserted and removed from a computer system housing. 
     2. Related Art 
     In modern computer systems, there are trends toward reduced computer system housing size, increased processor capability, and even multiple processors in relatively inexpensive computer systems. This particular set of circumstances contribute to increased heating within computer system housings. Increased heating makes cooling of computer systems more important, while reduced size makes such cooling all the more difficult to achieve. Furthermore, at the same time computer systems are getting smaller and more powerful, they are also getting less expensive. 
     Therefore a need exists for an improved computer system cooling apparatus which is compact, inexpensive and easy to service. 
     SUMMARY 
     The foregoing need is address in a cooling apparatus for a computer system which includes a fan operable to provide convective cooling to contents of a computer system housing. The fan is at least partly surrounded by a fan housing. A handle is hinged to a top side of the fan housing, and is operable to engage the computer system housing for levering the fan housing in and out of the computer system housing. The handle is foldable into a position lying along the top of the fan housing. A latch for the apparatus includes a movable latch portion for holding the handle in the folded position. A distinctive marking on the latch is visible from above the top side of the fan housing so that it is apparent how to release the handle and the fan. The marking is particularly visible with the handle in the folded position. 
     In a further aspect, the computer system housing has first and second guides for receiving the fan housing. With the handle in the folded position the handle engages one of the guides at a point of engagement to fasten the fan housing into the computer system housing. The engagement point is visible from above the fan housing, so that it is further apparent how to release the handle and the fan. In another aspect, the apparatus includes a light emitting diode adjacent to the engagement point, also visible from above the fan housing. 
     The fan housing has an attached electrical connector for connecting the fan to a power supply and to control signals for the computer system. A second, mating electrical connector is attached to the computer system housing. The computer system housing has guides which are keyed to the fan housing so that the fan housing fits between the guides only if the fan housing has a certain alignment with respect to the guides. With the fan housing inserted between the guides in the certain alignment, the two electrical connectors mate with one another. 
     Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1 shows a fan, fan housing, handle and latch portion in an exploded view, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 shows the assembled apparatus of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a computer system housing, including first and second guides for receiving the fan housing, according to an embodiment. 
     FIG. 4A shows details of the handle of the previous figures. 
     FIG. 4B provides a view of the bottom side of the fan housing top of the previous figures. 
     FIG. 4C illustrates assembly of the handle and fan housing top of FIGS  4 A and  4 B. 
     FIG. 5 provides a view of the assembled fan and fan housing in which the fan housing bottom is visible. 
     FIG. 6 shows a partial assembly which illustrates details of the fan housing side assembled to fan housing bottom with a connector fixed to the fan housing bottom. 
     FIG. 7 shows details of how the handle engages one of the guides to cam the fan and fan housing into the computer system housing. 
     FIG. 8 shows the fan and fan housing inserted in the computer system housing. 
     FIG. 9 shows details of how the handle engages one of the guides to cam the fan and fan housing out of the computer system housing. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described herein in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a fan  110 , fan housing  120  through  160 , handle  170  and latch portion  180  are shown in an exploded view, according to an embodiment of the invention. The fan housing includes a first grill  120  that mounts on one major side of the fan  110 , and a second grill  130  that mounts on the other major side. In operation, the fan takes in air on one of the sides, through one of the grills  120  or  130 , and discharges the air on the opposing side, through the other grill. 
     The fan housing also includes a top  140  which mounts above the fan  110 , a bottom  150  which mounts below the fan  110 , and a side  160  which mounts at a minor side of the fan  110 . The top  140 , bottom  150  and side  160  all mount by attaching to the grills  120  and  130 . Note that in this embodiment one of the fan minor sides has no corresponding fan housing side. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the top  140  defines an opening into which the latch portion  180  is inserted. Thus the latch portion  180  as shown lies flat along the top of the fan  110  and is recessed in the top  140  opening so that the latch portion  180  is flush in the fan housing top  140 . Likewise, the handle  170  as shown is in a folded position lying flat along the top of the fan  110  and is recessed flush in the opening of the fan housing top  140 . 
     The handle latches as follows. The handle  170  is hinged to the fan housing top  140 . The latch portion  180  overlaps an edge of the handle  170 . The latch portion  180  can slide a short distance in the opening of the top  140  in the direction of the arrow head shown on the top of the latch portion  180 . The latch portion  180  is referred to as a “portion” because latching of the handle  170  in the folded position is accomplished not only by the overlapping of the latch portion  180 , but also by resistance to sliding the latch portion  180 . The resistance is provided by a spring arm attached to the latch portion  180  described further hereinbelow, in connection with FIGS  4 B and  4 C. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, the assembled apparatus of FIG. 1 is shown. As may be seen in this view, the handle  170  and latch portion  180  form a fingernail catch  210  where a user can catch his or her fingernail in order to slide the latch portion  180  away from the handle  170  to release the handle  170 . In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the latch portion  180  forms the fingernail catch  210 . The latch portion  180  has an icon  220  for directing the user&#39;s attention to the latch portion  180  so that it is clearly apparent to the user how to release the handle  170 . Releasing the handle  170  is necessary in order to release the fan  110  and fan housing from a computer system housing (not shown in FIG.  2 ). In this embodiment the icon  220  includes an arrow head pointed in the direction in which the user&#39;s force is to be applied against the latch portion  180  in order to release the handle  170 . 
     The icon  220  is brightly colored, whereas fan housing top  140  is not. This color contrast between the icon  220  and the fan housing top  140  also serves to direct the user&#39;s attention to the latch. In an alternative embodiment, some other portion of the top surface of the latch portion  180  is brightly colored instead of, or in addition to, the icon  220 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, a computer system housing  310  is shown, including a first guide  320  and second guide  330 , which are mounted in a position on the housing  310  for receiving the fan housing. Each of the guides  320  and  330  is attached to a computer system housing member  340  and forms a respective slot  350  with the member  340  for receiving an edge of one of the fan housing grills, in this case, as shown, first grill  120 . A connector  340  is mounted on the computer system housing  310  for mating up with a connector (not shown) for the fan  110 . 
     Each of the guides  320  and  330  forms a respective aperture  331  and each guide has a respective lip  333 . The guides  320  and  330  are attached to computer system housing  310  with each lip  333  facing in the same direction, so that the fan  110  and fan housing can only be inserted in one possible orientation. That is, as was pointed out in connection with FIG. 1, one of the fan minor sides has no corresponding fan housing side. The lip  333  facing inward on the guide  320 , i.e., toward the other guide  330 , interferes with the insertion of the fan housing top  140 , bottom  150  or side  160 , unless the fan is inserted between the guides with the open side of the fan housing adjacent to the inward facing lip  333  of guide  320 , that is, with the fan housing side  160  adjacent to the interior side of the guide  330  having the outward facing lip  333 . In this way the guides and fan housing are effectively keyed to one another. With the fan  110  inserted into the computer system housing  310  between the guides  320  and  330 , the color contrasting icon  220  is visible from above the fan housing top  140 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 4A, details of the handle  170  are shown, as well as a spring  410  which mounts on the handle. The handle  170  has two interior pins, one of which, pin  415  is visible in this view. The spring  410  is mounted on one of the pins  415 , and is operable to pop up the handle from the folded position responsive to the latch being released. The handle  170  also has first prong  430  and second prong  440 , one of which is used for levering the fan into the computer system housing  310  (FIG.  3 ), as will be described further hereinbelow. (In an alternative embodiment both of the prongs  430  and  440  may be used for the levering.) 
     Referring now to FIG. 4B, the bottom side of fan housing top  140  is shown, along with latch portion  180  and spring arm  420 . The spring arm  420  clips to the latch portion  180 , and the two of them clip into the opening of the top  140 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 4C, assembly of the handle  170 , latch portion  180 , spring arm  420  and fan housing top  140  are illustrated. 
     Assembly of the handle  170  to the top  140  is as follows. The top  140  forms two “C” shaped notches  470 , one of which is visible in this view. The handle  170  has two exterior pins, one of which, pin  460  is visible in this view. The handle  170  is hinged to the fan housing top  140  by the pins  460  engaging respective notches  470  in the top  140 , as indicated. Also visible in this view is third prong  450  of the handle  170 , which is used for levering the fan out of the computer system housing  310  (FIG.  3 ), as will be described further hereinbelow. 
     Assembly and operation of the latch portion  180  and spring arm  420  are as follows. As previously stated, the spring arm  420  clips to the latch portion  180 , and the two of them clip into the opening of the top  140 . A user can slide the latch portion  180  and spring arm  420  slightly toward the proximate end of the top  140 ; however, when this is done the spring arm  420  contacts the lip at the end of the top  140 , as shown. Therefore when the user releases the latch portion the spring arm  420  drives the latch portion  180  back away from the proximate end, i.e., toward the handle  170 . With the handle  170  in the folded position (as in FIG. 1, for example) the spring arm  420  pushes the latch portion  180  to overlap the handle  170  and hold the handle  170  closed, i.e., in the folded position. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, a view of the assembled fan  110  and fan housing are shown from which the fan housing bottom  150  is visible, illustrating the fan connector  510  mounted in the bottom  150 . As previously stated, connector  510  mates with connector  340  (FIG. 3) when the fan is properly inserted between the guides  320  and  330  (FIG.  3 ). 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, a partial assembly is shown, with the fan housing side  160  assembled to fan housing bottom  150 , and with the connector  510  inserted in an opening in the bottom  150 . The connector is wired to the fan  110  and to a light emitting diode (“LED”)  610 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, details are shown for levering the fan  110  and fan housing into the computer system housing  310  (FIG.  3 ). With handle  170  flipped up, that is, not in the folded position, the first prong  430  of the handle  170  does not interfere with the insertion of the fan  110  into the computer system housing  310  between the guides (guide  330  is shown). Then, once fully inserted, the handle maybe moved downward toward the folded position, and the first prong  430  will then insert into aperture  331 . As the handle is pressed downward at the end remote from the prong  430 , the top of the prong  430  will engage the top of the aperture  331 . Note that the length of the handle  170  from the pins  415  (FIG. 4A) to the end of the handle  170  remote from the pins  415  is substantially longer than the length of the handle  170  from the pins  415  to the end of the prong  430 . Therefore, as the handle  170  is rotated about the axis of the pins  415  by pushing on the end remote from the axis, engagement of the prong  430  and the guide  330  provides a lever action with a mechanical advantage that forces the fan  110  and fan housing into a fully inserted position between the guides  320  and  330  (FIG.  3 ). This action of rotating the handle  170  about an axis by pushing or pulling on the end of the handle  170  most distant from the axis, engaging of a portion of the handle most near the axis, e.g., the prong  430 , with a portion of the computer system housing  310 , e.g., the guide  330 , and thereby forcing the fan  110  and fan housing into a fully inserted position in the computer system housing  310 , e.g., between the guides  320  and  330 , is referred to herein as “levering the fan housing into the computer system housing.” 
     Referring now to FIG. 8, the fan  110  and fan housing are shown in the fully inserted position with the handle  170  folded and latched. In this position, the first prong  430  remains inserted in the aperture  331 , that is, the point of engagement between the handle  170  and the guide  330 . With the fan  110  and fan housing between the guides  320  and  330  (FIG.  3 ), with the edges of the grills  120  and  130  (FIG. 3) in the slots  350  (FIG.  3 ), the prong  430  of the handle  170  inserted in the aperture  331  due to the handle  170  being in the folded position, and the handle  170  held in the folded position by the latch portion  180  overlapping the handle  170  and by the latch portion being held against and overlapping the handle  170  by the spring arm  420  (FIG.  4 C), the fan  110  and fan housing are held fastened into place in the computer system housing  310  (FIG.  3 ). 
     The point of engagement is visible from above the fan housing top  140 . This tends to make it apparent to a user how the fan is fastened into the computer system housing. Also note that in this position the LED  610  is adjacent to the point of engagement and is visible from above the fan housing top  140 . This LED  610  is operable to light up responsive to a malfunction detected by the computer system (not shown), so that the attention of a user or service technician is drawn to the fan  110  and fan housing top  140 , and more specifically to the point of engagement of the handle  170  and the guide  330  which fastens the fan  110  into the computer system housing  310 . Furthermore, since the latch portion  180  has the distinctive marking, i.e., contrasting coloring and icon  220  (FIG.  2 ), which are also visible from above the fan housing top  140 , the user&#39;s or technician&#39;s attention is naturally directed to the way to release the fan  110  and fan housing from the computer system housing  310 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 9, details are shown for levering the fan  110  and fan housing out of the computer system housing  310  (FIG.  3 ). With the fan in the fully inserted position between the guides  320  and  330  (FIG. 3) (guide  330  is shown in FIG.  9 ), raising the handle  170  causes the third prong  450  to engage the top of guide  330 . As the handle is pulled up at the end remote from the prong  450 , this will rotate the handle about the axis of the pins  415  (FIG. 4A) and force the fan  110  and fan housing out of the computer system housing  310  from between the guides  320  and  330 . The action of rotating the handle  170  about an axis by pushing or pulling on the end of the handle  170  most distant from the axis, engaging of a portion of the handle at the end most near the axis, e.g., the prong  450 , with a portion of the computer system housing  310 , e.g., the guide  330 , and thereby forcing the fan  110  and fan housing out of a fully inserted position in the computer system housing  310 , e.g., out from between the guides  320  and  330 , is referred to herein as “levering the fan housing out of the computer system housing.” 
     It should be understood from the foregoing, that it is a particular advantage of the invention that it is very intuitive how to insert the fan into and remove the fan out of the computer system housing. The fan can only be inserted in one way, which automatically aligns the connectors to mate. Furthermore, the inserting, mating and removing is made easier by the leverage provided by the handle engaging one of the guides. Also, fan housing parts are reduced to merely the top, bottom, side and grills, and their few subparts. 
     The description of the present embodiment has been presented for purposes of illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, it should be understood that while the apparatus has been described as including numerous features such as the latch with distinctive marking to draw attention to its functioning, the visible engagement of the handle with one of the guides, the prominent LED adjacent to the point of engagement, the keying of the fan housing and the guides, etc. it would be within the spirit and scope of the invention to encompass an embodiment wherein one or more of these features was omitted. 
     To reiterate, the embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. Various other embodiments having various modifications may be suited to a particular use contemplated, but may be within the scope of the present invention.