Patent Publication Number: US-8534988-B2

Title: Fan assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to fan assemblies, and particularly to a fan assembly with anti-backflow function. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Electronic devices, such as computers, use heat dissipation assemblies for dissipating heat generated by components therein, thus preventing the components from becoming overheated. The heat dissipation assembly mainly includes a plurality of fan assemblies blowing air to dissipate heat in the electronic devices. However, if one of the fan assemblies breaks down and ceases operation, the exhausted heat can be sucked back into the electronic devices by the fan assembly because the other fan assemblies are still in operation, which could lead to damaging overheating of components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       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 drawings, all the views are schematic, and like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of a fan assembly including a mounting bracket and a plurality of baffles mounted to the mounting bracket. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of one of the baffles of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a partial, enlarged side view of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an assembled, isometric view of the fan assembly of  FIG. 1 , but viewed from another perspective and the mounting bracket partially cut away. 
         FIG. 5  is a using state view of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosure, including the accompanying drawings, is illustrated by way of examples 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. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a fan assembly includes a mounting bracket  10 , a fan  20  mounted to the mounting bracket  10 , and a plurality of baffles  30 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , each baffle  30  includes a shaft  32  and a blocking piece  34  radially extending from a circumference of the shaft  32  along the length thereof. Two flanges  322  are formed at opposite distal ends of the shaft  32 . A pin  321  extends from each flange  322  along an axis of the shaft  32 . A protrusion  324  protrudes out from each pin  321 , and extends to be connected to the corresponding flange  322 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the mounting bracket  10  includes a bottom plate  12 , and two side plates  14  extending up from opposite sides of the bottom plate  12 . The bottom plate  12  and the side plates  14  jointly bound an outlet  11  (labeled in  FIG. 4 ). Each side plate  12  defines a plurality of through holes  16  aligned in a line perpendicular to the bottom plate  12 , adjacent to the outlet  11 . An inner side bounding each through hole  16  defines an arc-shaped cutout  162 , communicating with the corresponding through hole  16 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , in assembly, the pins  321  of each baffle  30  are pivotably engaged in the corresponding through holes  16  of the side plates  14 , with the protrusions  324  of the baffle  30  received in the corresponding cutouts  162 . At this time, a bottom of the blocking piece  34  of one baffle  30  overlaps the shaft  32  of an adjacent baffle  30 , to cover the outlet  11 . Each protrusion  324  resists against a first end of the corresponding cutout  162 , adjacent to the outlet  11 . The fan  20  is accommodated in the mounting bracket  10 , sandwiched between the side plates  14 , and supported on the bottom plate  12 , facing the baffles  30 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in use, as the fan  20  operates, the heated air from the fan  20  will push the baffles  30  to rotate to uncover the outlet  11 . Therefore, the baffles  30  are rotated around the shafts  32 , to open the outlet  11  of the mounting bracket  10 , so that the heat can be exhausted out the outlet  11 . In this process, the pins  321  of the baffles  30  are rotated in the through holes  16  of the mounting bracket  10 , and the protrusions  324  move in the corresponding cutouts  162 . When the protrusions  324  resist against second ends of the corresponding cutouts  162 , away from the outlet  11 , the baffles  30  cannot rotate further. If the fan  20  ceases operation, the baffles  30  automatically rotate back under force of gravity to a closed position to cover the outlet  26 . Each protrusion  324  resists against the first end of the corresponding cutout  162 , adjacent to the outlet  11 , to prevent air intake through the outlet  11 . 
     It is believed that the present embodiments and theirs advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and they will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the description or sacrificing all of their material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being exemplary embodiment.