Fan module

Abstract

A fan module is removable from an electronic component by opening a hinged door of the component and removing the fan module from the door. The fan module is removably received within a slot or recess in the door, and is installed or de-installed in a direction non-coincident with the pivotal motion of the door. Removal of the fan module prior to pivotal movement of the door is prevented with a screw mechanism and/or an interlock tab associated with a retractable handle provided in a recess along a top surface of the fan module.

1 . An electronic component, comprising:
 an enclosure comprising a front side and a rear side; and   a fan module configured for pivotal motion with respect to the enclosure, the fan module comprising at least one fan arranged to force cooling air through at least a portion of the enclosure,   wherein the fan module is further configured to be moveable along a travel direction non-coincident with the pivotal motion, to allow the fan module to be separated from the electronic component.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic component of  claim 1 , wherein the fan module is configured to be moveable via translation along the travel direction. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic component of  claim 2 , wherein the pivotal motion occurs around a pivot axis, and the travel direction is substantially parallel to the pivot axis. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic component of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one fan comprises at least two fans configured to spin about axes oriented substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis and to the travel direction. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic component of  claim 1 , further comprising a hinged door mounted to the enclosure, wherein the fan module is configured to be removably mounted to the hinged door, and the hinged door allows the pivotal motion of the fan module with respect to the enclosure. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic component of  claim 5 , wherein the hinged door defines a slot or recess, and the fan module is configured to be removably received within the slot or recess to permit removable mounting of the fan module to the hinged door. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic component of  claim 6 , wherein the slot or recess extends in a vertical direction, and the travel direction is coincident with the vertical direction, such that the fan module is configured to travel in the vertical direction to permit the fan module to be selectively installed or de-installed relative to the hinged door. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic component of  claim 5 , further comprising a retention mechanism configured for releasable engagement between the fan module and the hinged door, wherein engagement of the retention mechanism is configured to disallow movement of the fan module along the travel direction. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic component of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fan comprises at least four fans configured to spin about axes oriented substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis and to the travel direction, and wherein the fan module is positioned along the front side of the enclosure. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic component of  claim 1 , further comprising an engagement mechanism configured for releasable engagement between the fan module and the enclosure, wherein engagement of the engagement mechanism is configured to disallow pivotal motion of the fan module with respect to the enclosure. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic component of  claim 1 , wherein the fan module comprises a first electrical plug or receptacle configured to communicate at least one of power signals or data signals between the fan module and the electronic component. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic component of  claim 11 , wherein the enclosure comprises a hinged door, the hinged door comprises a second electrical plug or receptacle configured to mate with the first electrical plug or receptacle. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic component of  claim 1 , wherein the fan module includes a retractable handle configured to permit the fan module to be pulled along the travel direction. 
     
     
         14 . An electronic component comprising:
 an enclosure comprising a front side and a rear side;   a door mounted to the enclosure, defining a slot or recess, and arranged for pivotal motion with respect to the enclosure; and   a fan module configured to be removably received within the slot or recess to permit the fan module to be selectively installed or de-installed relative to the door, wherein the fan module comprises at least one fan arranged to force cooling air through at least a portion of the enclosure.   
     
     
         15 . The electronic component of  claim 14 , wherein the slot or recess extends in a vertical direction, such that the fan module is configured to travel in the vertical direction to permit the fan module to be selectively installed or de-installed relative to the door. 
     
     
         16 . The electronic component of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one fan comprises at least two fans configured to spin about axes oriented substantially perpendicular to a pivot axis of the door and to the vertical direction. 
     
     
         17 . A method of servicing an electronic component comprising an enclosure, the method comprising:
 pivotally moving a hinged door of the enclosure about a pivot axis, opening the hinged door relative to the enclosure, wherein the hinged door comprises a fan module including at least one fan; and   moving the fan module along a travel direction non-coincident with a direction of pivotal motion of the hinged door until the fan module is separated from the electronic component.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein movement of the fan module along the travel direction comprises translation of the fan module in a direction generally parallel to the pivot axis. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the hinged door defines a slot or recess, and movement of the fan module along the travel direction comprises removal of the fan module from the slot or recess. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising disengaging a retention mechanism configured for releasable engagement between the fan module and the hinged door prior to movement of the fan module along the travel direction. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein movement of the fan module along the travel direction disconnects at least one data connection or power connection between the fan module and the electronic component. 
     
     
         22 .- 40 . (canceled)