Abstract:
A fan connector for being connected to either a first fan header having a number of first pins or a second fan header having a number of second pins includes a main body, a number of first holes defined in the main body for electrically receiving the first pins, and a number second holes defined in the main body for electrically receiving the second pins.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates connectors and, particularly, to a fan connector. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Different fan headers are generally mounted to a motherboard, to be electrically connected to different fan connectors. Thus, in assembly, a fan having a fan connector must be connected to the corresponding fan header, which is troublesome. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Many aspects of the present embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawing, all the views are schematic, and like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a fan connector together with a fan and a motherboard. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the fan connector of  FIG. 1 , but viewed from another perspective. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an assembled, isometric view of  FIG. 1 , wherein the fan connector is connected to a first fan header of the motherboard. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an assembled, isometric view of  FIG. 1 , wherein the fan connector is connected to a second fan header of the motherboard. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    The disclosure, including the accompanying drawings, is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one. 
         [0011]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exemplary embodiment of a fan connector  30  is provided to be connected to either a first fan header  10  or a second fan header  20  on a motherboard  40 . 
         [0012]    The first fan header  10  is a common mistake-proof 4-pin fan header which is compatible with a 3-pin fan header. The first fan header  10  includes a first base  12 , four spaced first pins  14  perpendicularly extending up from the first base  12 , and a mistake-proof first hook  16  perpendicularly extending up from a side of the first base  12  and aligning with three of the first pins  14 . The top of the first hook  16  is bent towards the three first pins  14 . 
         [0013]    The second fan header  20  is a common mistake-proof 4-pin fan header which is incompatible with a 3-pin fan header. The second fan header  20  includes a second base  22 , four spaced second pins  24  perpendicularly extending up from the second base  22 , and a mistake-proof second hook  26  perpendicularly extending up from a side of the second base  22  and aligning with the four second pins  24 . The top of the second hook  26  is bent towards the four second pins  24 . 
         [0014]    The fan connector  30  includes a substantially rectangular main body  31 . The main body  31  includes a bottom wall  32 , a top wall  33 , a first sidewall  34 , and a second sidewall  35  opposite to the first sidewall  34 . Four spaced first holes  321  are defined in the bottom wall  32  adjacent to the first sidewall  34 , and four spaced second holes  324  are defined in the bottom wall  32  adjacent to the second sidewall  35 . Two first flanges  341  are respectively formed on an end of the first sidewall  34  and a portion of the first sidewall  34  adjacent to an opposite end. Two second flanges  351  are respectively formed on opposite ends of the second sidewall  35 . A distance between the second flanges  351  is larger than a distance between the first flanges  341 . 
         [0015]    A first cable  311 , a second cable  312 , a third cable  313 , and a fourth cable  314  extend through the top wall  33  and are electrically connected to pins (not shown) in the four first holes  321  from left to right of the bottom wall  32 , respectively. A fifth cable  315 , a sixth cable  316 , a seventh cable  317 , and an eighth cable  318  extend through the top wall  33  and are electrically connected to pins (not shown) in the four second holes  324  from left to right of the bottom wall  32 , respectively. Distal ends of the first, second, third, and fourth cables  311 ,  312 ,  313 , and  314 , away from the main body  31  are electrically connected to a fan  60 . Distal ends of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth cables  315 ,  316 ,  317 , and  318 , away from the main body  31  are electrically connected to the fourth, third, second, and first cables  314 ,  313 ,  312 , and  311 , respectively. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , to connect the fan  60  to the first fan header  10 , the fan connector  30  is placed above the first fan header  10 , with the first sidewall  34  facing the first hook  16 . The fan connector  30  is moved down, to allow the first pins  14  to be inserted into the first holes  321 . Therefore, the fan  60  is electrically connected to the first fan header  10 , with the first hook  16  engaging in a space between the first flanges  341 . 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , to connect the fan  60  to the second fan header  20 , the fan connector  30  is reversed and placed above the second fan header  20 , with the second sidewall  35  facing the second hook  26 . The fan connector  30  is moved down, to allow the second pins  24  to be inserted into the second holes  324 . Therefore, the fan  60  is electrically connected to the second fan header  20 , with the second hook  26  engaging in a space between the second flanges  351 . 
         [0018]    In the embodiment, the distal ends of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth cables  315 ,  316 ,  317 , and  318  away from the main body  31  are electrically connected to the fourth, third, second, and first cables  314 ,  313 ,  312 , and  311 , respectively, which will ensure that the fan  60  receives same signals from the motherboard  60  when the fan connector  30  is connected to either the first fan header  10  or the second fan header  20 . 
         [0019]    Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and the functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in details, especially in 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.