Patent ID: 12207448

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS.1to3,FIG.1is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device1according to an embodiment of the invention,FIG.2is an exploded view illustrating an airflow guiding mechanism12shown inFIG.1, andFIG.3is an exploded view illustrating a shielding assembly122ashown inFIG.2.

As shown inFIGS.1to3, the electronic device1comprises a casing10, an airflow guiding mechanism12, a circuit board14and a fan16. The airflow guiding mechanism12, the circuit board14and the fan16are disposed in the casing10, wherein the airflow guiding mechanism12is disposed on the circuit board14and the fan16is disposed in front of the airflow guiding mechanism12. The electronic device1may be a computer, a server or other electronic devices capable of installing an interface card according to practical applications. The interface card may be a link control card (LCC), a sound card, a graphic accelerator card, a network card or other expansion cards. In general, the electronic device1may be further equipped with some necessary hardware and/or software components for specific purposes, such as processor, memory, power supply, applications, communication module, etc., and it depends on practical applications. Furthermore, the casing10shown inFIG.1is illustrated by dotted line and the appearance of the casing10may be designed according to practical applications.

The airflow guiding mechanism12comprises a housing120and a shielding assembly122. The housing120comprises an airflow guiding portion1200and a guiding track1202. In this embodiment, the housing120may comprise a top plate120aand a side plate120b, wherein the side plate120bis connected to a side of the top plate120aand the guiding track1202is disposed on the top plate120a. When the airflow guiding mechanism12is disposed in the casing10, the airflow guiding portion1200may be formed and surrounded by the top plate120a, the side plate120band a side wall100of the casing10. In another embodiment, the housing may comprise a top plate and two side plates, wherein the two side plates are connected to opposite sides of the top plate. At this time, the airflow guiding portion may be formed and surrounded by the top plate and the two side plates.

The shielding assembly122is movably connected to the guiding track1202, such that the shielding assembly122is able to move within the airflow guiding portion1200along the guiding track1202. In this embodiment, the airflow guiding mechanism12may comprise four shielding assemblies122and the housing120may comprise four guiding tracks1202, wherein each of the shielding assemblies122is movably connected to the corresponding guiding track1202. Furthermore, the circuit board14may comprise four slots140for installing four interface cards. The four shielding assemblies122are respectively disposed with respect to the four slots140. It should be noted that the number of the shielding assemblies122, the guiding tracks1202and the slots140may be determined according to practical applications, so the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the figures.

The shielding assembly122may comprise a first shielding plate1220and at least one second shielding plate1222, wherein the first shielding plate1220is movably connected to the guiding track1202, and the at least one second shielding plate1222and the first shielding plate1220are movably connected to each other. Accordingly, the at least one second shielding plate1222is able to move with respect to each other to be folded and unfolded to open and shield the airflow guiding portion1200. As shown inFIG.1, the first shielding plate1220may move along the guiding track1202in the directions of the arrows A1, A2, and the second shielding plate1222may move in the directions of the arrows A3, A4. In other words, a moving direction of the second shielding plate1222is perpendicular to a moving direction of the first shielding plate1220along the guiding track1202. In this embodiment, the shielding assembly122may comprise three second shielding plates1222, but the invention is not so limited. The number of the second shielding plates1222may be determined according to practical applications.

The first shielding plate1220may comprise a first engaging structure12200and a flange12202, wherein the first engaging structure12200and the flange12202are located at opposite sides of the first shielding plate1220. The first engaging structure12200is movably engaged with the guiding track1202, such that the first shielding plate1220is movably connected to the guiding track1202. In this embodiment, the guiding track1202may comprise two sliding grooves in parallel and the first engaging structure12200may comprise two opposite engaging hooks. The two engaging hooks are disposed in the two sliding grooves, such that the first engaging structure12200is movably engaged with the guiding track1202.

Each of the second shielding plates1222comprises a second engaging structure12220and a flange12222, wherein the second engaging structure12220and the flange12222are located at opposite sides of the second shielding plate1222. Each of the second shielding plates1222and the first shielding plate1220may be movably engaged with each other by the second engaging structure12220. In this embodiment, the second engaging structure12220may comprise two opposite engaging hooks. The second shielding plate1222and the first shielding plate1220may be sandwiched in between the two engaging hooks correspondingly, such that each of the second shielding plates1222and the first shielding plate1220are movably engaged with each other by the second engaging structure12220. As shown inFIG.2, when each of the second shielding plates1222is unfolded, the flanges12202,12222will stop the second engaging structure12220to restrain each of the second shielding plates1222.

Referring toFIGS.4to8,FIG.4is a perspective view illustrating an interface card18ainstalled at the corresponding slot140,FIG.5is a side view illustrating the interface card18aand the corresponding shielding assembly122shown inFIG.4,FIG.6is a perspective view illustrating two interface cards18b,18cinstalled at the corresponding slots140,FIG.7is a side view illustrating the interface card18band the corresponding shielding assembly122shown inFIG.6, andFIG.8is a side view illustrating the interface card18cand the corresponding shielding assembly122shown inFIG.6.

Since the shielding assembly122is movably connected to the guiding track1202of the housing120, a user may drag the shielding assembly122to move within the airflow guiding portion1200along the guiding track1202, so as to adjust the position of the shielding assembly122according to the interface cards18a,18b,18cwith different lengths, as shown inFIGS.4and6. As shown inFIG.5, when the user wants to install the interface card18awith longer length, the user may move the shielding assembly122to a position corresponding to the length of the interface card18ain advance. Then, the user may install the interface card18aat the corresponding slot140first and then install the airflow guiding mechanism12on the circuit board14. At this time, the second shielding plats1222of the corresponding shielding assembly122are pushed by the interface card18ain the direction of the arrow A3. When the second shielding plates1222are pushed, the second shielding plates1222are stacked to be folded above the interface card18ato open the airflow guiding portion1200. At this time, the second shielding plates1222abut against the interface card18ain the direction perpendicular to the interface card18a. Accordingly, an airflow generated by the fan16will be guided to the interface card18afor heat dissipation. On the other hand, when there is no interface card installed at the position corresponding to the shielding assembly122, the second shielding plates1222of the shielding assembly122will be unfolded due to its own weight in the direction of the arrow A4to shield the guiding portion1200. Accordingly, the invention can prevent the airflow from losing from the position without an interface card, so as to effectively improve heat dissipating efficiency. Furthermore, the user does not need to unfold or fold the second shielding plates1222of the shielding assembly122manually, so the operation is quite convenient.

As shown inFIGS.6to8, when the user wants to install the interface cards18b,18cwith shorter length, the user may drag the shielding assembly122to move within the airflow guiding portion1200along the guiding track1202to the positions corresponding to the lengths of the interface cards18b,18c. Then, the user may install the interface cards18b,18cat the corresponding slots140first and then install the airflow guiding mechanism12on the circuit board14. At this time, the second shielding plats1222of the corresponding shielding assemblies122are pushed by the interface cards18b,18cin the direction of the arrow A3. When the second shielding plates1222are pushed, the second shielding plates1222are stacked to be folded above the interface cards18b,18cto open the airflow guiding portion1200. At this time, the second shielding plates1222abut against the interface cards18b,18cin the direction perpendicular to the interface cards18b,18c. Accordingly, an airflow generated by the fan16will be guided to the interface cards18b,18cfor heat dissipation. As shown inFIG.7, since the height of the interface card18bis relatively high, three second shielding plates1222are pushed to be folded above the interface card18b. As shown inFIG.8, since the height of the interface card18cis relatively low, two second shielding plates1222are pushed to be folded above the interface card18c. In other words, when the second shielding plates1222are pushed by the interface cards with different heights, at least a part of the second shielding plates1222will be stacked to be folded above the interface card. On the other hand, when there is no interface card installed at the position corresponding to the shielding assembly122, the second shielding plates1222of the shielding assembly122will be unfolded due to its own weight in the direction of the arrow A4to shield the guiding portion1200.

As shown inFIGS.4and6, if there are lots of interface cards with different sizes in the airflow guiding portion1200, the positions of the shielding assemblies122may be moved to abut against the interface cards with different sizes. In this embodiment, the airflow guiding effect is better by disposing the shielding assembly122at a front end of the interface card close to the fan, so the shielding assembly122in the figure is disposed at the end of the interface card close to the fan. In different embodiments, according to the requirement of the electronic device, the shielding assembly122may be moved along the guiding track1202to different positions for the interface cards with different sizes and airflow guiding requirements, and the second shielding plates1222may be moved with respect to the first shielding plate1220to abut against the interface cards with different heights. Furthermore, when there is no interface card installed at a region in the airflow guiding portion1200, the first shielding plate1220and the at least one second shielding plate1222may jointly shield the airflow guiding portion1200. As an embodiment shown inFIGS.4and6, the first shielding plate1220and the second shielding plates1222shield the airflow guiding portion1200in a vertical arrangement, and the effect of shielding the airflow is achieved by the second shielding plate1222closest to the bottom100of the casing10. However, the first shielding plate1220and the second shielding plates1222may also be arranged obliquely (not shown) instead of vertical arrangement, as long as the first shielding plate1220and the second shielding plates1222can jointly shield the airflow guiding portion1200for the region without interface card and a lower end of the second shielding plate1222abuts against the bottom100of the casing10to prevent airflow leakage.

Referring toFIGS.9to12,FIG.9is a perspective view illustrating the inside of the electronic device1according to another embodiment of the invention,FIG.10is a perspective view illustrating a shielding assembly122′ shown inFIG.9,FIG.11is a side view illustrating the interface card18aand the corresponding shielding assembly122′, andFIG.12is a side view illustrating the interface card18band the corresponding shielding assembly122′.

As shown inFIGS.9to12, the electronic device1may replace the aforesaid shielding assembly122by the shielding assembly122′. In this embodiment, the shielding assembly122′ comprises an engaging structure1224, an elastic connecting portion1226and an abutting portion1228, wherein the elastic connecting portion1226connects the engaging structure1224and the abutting portion1228. In practical applications, the shielding assembly122′ may be an elastic sheet. The engaging structure1224is movably engaged with the guiding track1202, such that the shielding assembly122′ is movably connected to the guiding track1202. In this embodiment, the guiding track1202may comprise two sliding grooves in parallel and the engaging structure1224may comprise two opposite engaging hooks. The two engaging hooks are disposed in the two sliding grooves, such that the engaging structure1224is movably engaged with the guiding track1202. In this embodiment, the engaging structure1224is exemplified by two engaging hooks. However, other structures capable of moving along the guiding track1202and being engaged with the guiding track1202may also be applied to the engaging structure1224, such as emboss, I-shaped engaging structure, etc.

Since the shielding assembly122′ is movably connected to the guiding track1202of the housing120, the user may drag the shielding assembly122′ to move within the airflow guiding portion1200along the guiding track1202, so as to adjust the position of the shielding assembly122′ according to the interface cards18a,18bwith different lengths, as shown inFIGS.11and12. As shown inFIG.11, when the user wants to install the interface card18awith longer length, the user may move the shielding assembly122′ to a position corresponding to the length of the interface card18ain advance. Then, the user may install the interface card18aat the corresponding slot140first and then install the airflow guiding mechanism12on the circuit board14. At this time, the abutting portion1228of the corresponding shielding assembly122′ abuts against the interface card18a. In this embodiment, an included angle between the elastic connecting portion1226and the abutting portion1228of the shielding assembly122′ is an obtuse angle, but the invention is not so limited. In another embodiment, to strengthen the resistance to the interface card, the abutting portion1228may be moved close to the top of the slot140and the included angle between the elastic connecting portion1226and the abutting portion1228may be set as a right angle, i.e. the elastic connecting portion1226of the shielding assembly122′ vertically abuts against the top of the interface card away from the slot140. Accordingly, the airflow generated by the fan16will be guided to the interface card18aby the shielding assembly122′ for heat dissipation. As shown inFIG.12, when the user wants to install the interface card18bwith shorter length, the user may drag the shielding assembly122′ to move within the airflow guiding portion1200along the guiding track1202to a position corresponding to the length of the interface card18b. Then, the user may install the interface card18bat the corresponding slot140first and then install the airflow guiding mechanism12on the circuit board14. At this time, the abutting portion1228of the corresponding shielding assembly122′ abuts against the interface card18b. Accordingly, the airflow generated by the fan16will be guided to the interface card18bby the shielding assembly122′ for heat dissipation.

When there is no interface card installed at a position corresponding to the shielding assembly122′, the user may push the abutting portion1228of the shielding assembly122′ downward with respect to the elastic connecting portion1226, so as to make the shielding assembly122′ shield the airflow guiding portion1200. That is to say, the elastic connecting portion1226and the abutting portion1228of the shielding assembly122′ will jointly shield the airflow guiding portion1200(not shown). Accordingly, the invention can prevent the airflow from losing from the position without an interface card, so as to effectively improve heat dissipating efficiency. Similar to the first embodiment, the elastic connecting portion1226and the abutting portion1228of the shielding assembly122′ may be perpendicular, not perpendicular, or parallel (i.e. the butting portion1228may be bent with respect to the elastic connecting portion1226to form a folding state as shown inFIG.7). It should be noted that the included angle between the elastic connecting portion1226and the abutting portion1228is not limited, as long as the elastic connecting portion1226and the abutting portion1228of the shielding assembly122′ can jointly shield the airflow guiding portion1200for the region without interface card. When the interface cards18a,18bare installed at the corresponding slots140, the abutting portion1228of the shielding assembly122′ may be pushed or bent by the interface cards18a,18bwith respect to the elastic connecting portion1226, such that the abutting portion1228abuts against the top of the interface card, as shown inFIGS.11and12. By means of the aforesaid manner, the shielding assembly122′ may be used to abut against the interface cards with different sizes to prevent the airflow from losing.

Referring toFIG.6and replacing the shielding assembly122by the shielding assembly122′, similar to the first embodiment, the shielding assembly122′ of the second embodiment may be connected to a plurality of guiding tracks1202, the interface cards with different sizes may be installed under the guiding tracks1202, and no interface card is installed under some guiding tracks1202. The shielding assembly122′ may move along the guiding track1202to abut against the interface card. The abutting portion1228may be bent with respect to the elastic connecting portion1226to abut against the top of the interface card according to the length of the interface card or, alternatively, the abutting portion1228may be bent to abut against the bottom100of the casing10, such that the shielding assembly122′ shields the airflow guiding portion1200.

Referring toFIGS.13to16,FIG.13is a perspective view illustrating an airflow guiding mechanism32according to another embodiment of the invention,FIG.14is a perspective view illustrating the airflow guiding mechanism32shown inFIG.13from another viewing angle,FIG.15is a perspective view illustrating an interface card18dinstalled in the airflow guiding mechanism32shown inFIG.13, andFIG.16is a perspective view illustrating a shielding plate3220shown inFIG.13moving along the guiding track.

As shown inFIGS.13and14, the airflow guiding mechanism32comprises a housing320and a shielding assembly322. The aforesaid airflow guiding mechanism12may be replaced by the airflow guiding mechanism32. The housing320comprises an airflow guiding portion3200and a guiding track3202. The shielding assembly322is movably connected to the guiding track3202, such that the shielding assembly322is able to move within the airflow guiding portion3200along the guiding track3202. In this embodiment, the shielding assembly322comprises at least one shielding plate3220and a torsion spring3222. A shaft portion32200of the shielding plate3220is movably and rotatably connected to the guiding track3202. The torsion spring3222is disposed on the shaft portion32200of the shielding plate3220and opposite ends of the torsion spring3222respectively abut against the shielding plate3220and the housing320. When there is no interface card installed in the airflow guiding portion3200, an elastic force generated by the torsion spring3222drives the shielding plate3220to be closed with respect to the housing320. In this embodiment, the housing320further comprises a retaining rod3204. When the shielding plate3220is closed with respect to the housing320, the retaining rod3204is configured to stop the shielding plate3220to restrain a rotating angle of the shielding plate3220.

In this embodiment, the airflow guiding mechanism32may comprise two shielding plates322and the housing320may comprise two airflow guiding portions3200and two guiding tracks3202. In this embodiment, the guiding track3202may comprise two sliding grooves located at opposite sides of the airflow guiding portion3200and the shielding plate3220may comprise two shaft portions32200located at opposite sides, wherein the two shaft portions32200are movably and rotatably disposed in the two sliding grooves. It should be noted that the number of the shielding plates322, the airflow guiding portions3200and the guiding tracks3202may be determined according to practical applications, so the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the figures.

Since the shielding assembly322is movably connected to the guiding track3202of the housing320, the user may drag the shielding assembly322to move within the airflow guiding portion3200along the guiding track3202, so as to adjust the position of the shielding assembly322according to the interface cards with different lengths, as shown inFIGS.13and16. As shown inFIG.15, when the user wants to install an interface card18dwith longer length, the user may move the shielding assembly322to a position corresponding to the length of the interface card18din advance. Then, the user may install the interface card18din the corresponding airflow guiding portion3200. At this time, the interface card18dwill push the shielding plate3220to rotate to be opened with respect to the housing320. In this embodiment, there are four interface cards18dstacked with each other, but the invention is not so limited. The number of the interface cards18dmay be determined according to practical applications. As shown inFIG.16, when the user wants to install an interface card with shorter length (not shown), the user may drag the shielding assembly322to move within the airflow guiding portion3200along the guiding track3202to a position corresponding to the length of the interface card. On the other hand, when there is no interface card installed in the airflow guiding portion3200, the elastic force generated by the torsion spring3222drives the shielding plate3220to be closed with respect to the housing320. Accordingly, the invention can prevent the airflow from losing from the position without an interface card, so as to effectively improve heat dissipating efficiency.

Referring toFIG.17,FIG.17is an exploded view illustrating a shielding assembly322′ according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG.17, the shielding assembly322′ comprises a first shielding plate3220aand a second shielding plate3220b. The shielding assembly322shown inFIGS.13to16may be replaced by the shielding assembly322′ shown inFIG.17. At this time, a first shaft portion32202of the first shielding plate3220ais movably and rotatably connected to the guiding track3202of the housing320. It should be noted that the size of the housing320may be redesigned according to the shielding assembly322′. Furthermore, the torsion spring3222may also be disposed on the first shaft portion32202of the first shielding plate3220a, such that the elastic force generated by the torsion spring3222drives the first shielding plate3220ato be closed with respect to the housing320.

In this embodiment, the first shielding plate3220ahas a sliding groove32204and a second shaft portion32206of the second shielding plate3220bis movably and rotatably disposed in the sliding groove32204. Accordingly, when an interface card with lower height is installed at a position corresponding to the shielding assembly322′, the interface card will push the second shielding plate3220bto move and/or rotate with respect to the first shielding plate3220a, such that the second shielding plate3220bis opened with respect to the housing320. When an interface card with higher height is installed at a position corresponding to the shielding assembly322′, the interface card will push the second shielding plate3220bto move and/or rotate with respect to the first shielding plate3220afirst and then push the first shielding plate3220ato rotate, such that the first shielding plate3220aand the second shielding plate3220bare opened with respect to the housing320. In a region without interface card, similar to the first and second embodiments, the first shielding plate3220aand the second shielding plate3220bwill jointly shield the airflow guiding portion3200. In an embodiment, to strengthen the resistance of the shielding assembly322′ to the interface card, the shielding assembly322′ may be moved to a position above the slot and the first shielding plate3220avertically abuts against the top of the interface card (i.e. an included angle between the first shielding plate3220aand the second shielding plate3220bis a right angle).

As mentioned in the above, the shielding assembly of the invention is movably connected to the guiding track of the housing, such that the shielding assembly is able to move within the airflow guiding portion along the guiding track. Accordingly, a user may adjust the position of the shielding assembly according to interface cards with different sizes. In an embodiment, the shielding assembly may comprise a first shielding plate and at least one second shielding plate movably connected to each other. When there is an interface card installed at a position corresponding to the shielding assembly, at least a part of the at least one second shielding plate will be pushed by the interface card to be folded to open the guiding portion. On the other hand, when there is no interface card installed at a position corresponding to the shielding assembly, the at least one second shielding plate will be unfolded due to its own weight to shield the guiding portion. Accordingly, the invention can prevent the airflow from losing from the position without an interface card, so as to effectively improve heat dissipating efficiency. In other embodiments, the shielding assembly may also be an elastic sheet or rotatable shielding plate according to practical applications.

Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.