TWI392443B - Control system and control method utilizing the same - Google Patents

Description

Heat dissipation system and control method

The present invention relates to a heat dissipation system, and more particularly to a heat dissipation system having a fan.

As technology advances, the functionality of electronic products such as servers, personal computers, or home appliances becomes more complex. In order to improve the performance of electronic products, components in electronic products are becoming more and more sophisticated. When the component is in operation, it is likely to generate heat. Too high thermal energy is likely to affect the operation of the component.

The conventional solution is to install a fan in the electronic product. The hot air is discharged by the operation of the fan. However, when the fan fails to dissipate heat due to aging, it is likely to cause the electronic product to crash.

The invention provides a heat dissipation system comprising a control unit, a power supply unit, a fan and a memory unit. In a start mode, the control unit generates a first control signal. In an operational mode, the control unit generates a second control signal. The power supply unit generates a starting voltage according to the first control signal, and generates an operating voltage according to the second control signal. The fan operates according to the starting voltage or operating voltage. In the start mode, the fan has a first speed. In the operating mode, the fan has a second speed. The memory unit records the first and second rotational speeds. The control unit performs a specific action according to the first and second rotational speeds recorded by the memory unit.

The invention further provides a control method. In a startup mode, a first control signal is generated; according to the first control signal, a starting voltage is generated to a fan such that the fan has a first rotational speed; and the first rotational speed is recorded. In an operation mode, generating a second control signal; generating an operating voltage to the fan according to the second control signal, so that the fan has a second rotation speed; recording the second rotation speed; according to the first and second Speed, perform a specific action.

In order to make the features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, the preferred embodiments are described below, and are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a heat dissipation system of the present invention. As shown, the heat dissipation system 100 includes a control unit 110, a power supply unit 130, a fan 150, and a memory unit 170.

In a start mode, control unit 110 generates control signal S _C1 . In an operational mode, control unit 110 generates control signal S _C2 . The invention does not limit the types of control signals S _C1 and S _C2 . Control unit 110 can be a fan controller. In a possible embodiment, the control signals S _C1 and S _C2 are Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) signals.

The power supply unit 130 generates a voltage level to the fan 150 according to a control signal generated by the control unit 110. In the startup mode, the power supply unit 130 receives and generates a startup voltage V _ST to the fan 150 according to the control signal S _C1 . In the operation mode, the power supply unit 130 generates an operating voltage V _OP to the fan 150 according to the control signal S _C2 . In a possible embodiment, the power supply unit 130 is integrated into the fan 150. In other embodiments, the power supply unit 130 is independent of the fan 150.

The fan 150 operates in accordance with the starting voltage V _ST or the operating voltage V _OP . In the start mode, the fan 150 rotates in accordance with the starting voltage V _ST . At this time, the fan 150 has the rotation speed S _SP1 . In the operating mode, the fan 150 operates in accordance with the operating voltage V _OP and has a speed S _SP2 . The speed S _SP2 may be higher than the speed S _SP1 . In the present embodiment, the rotational speed S _SP1 is the minimum rotational speed of the fan 150.

In addition, the fan 150 transmits its own rotational speed (S _SP1 and S _SP2 ) back to the control unit 110. In a possible embodiment, the control unit 110 directly stores the rotational speeds S _SP1 and _{SP 2} in the memory unit 170 , or the control unit 110 processes the rotational speeds S _SP1 and S _SP2 , and stores the processed results in the memory unit 170 . Among them. In another embodiment, the control unit 110 stores the correspondence between the rotational speed S _SP1 and the starting voltage V _ST and the correspondence between the rotational speed S _SP2 and the operating voltage V _OP in the memory unit 170.

The present invention does not limit the relationship between the control unit 110 and the memory unit 170. In a possible embodiment, the memory unit 170 and the control unit 110 are integrated into an integrated circuit. In another possible embodiment, the memory unit 170 is independent of the control unit 110.

In this embodiment, the control unit 110 can perform a specific action according to the data stored by the memory unit 170. The invention does not limit the type of specific action. Three possible specific actions are given below, but are not intended to limit the invention.

In a possible embodiment, the specific action may be to drive the horn 191 to cause the horn 191 to emit a sound. The user can know the current operating state of the fan 150 based on the sound emitted by the speaker 191. For example, when the difference between the rotational speeds S _SP1 and S _SP2 is less than a predetermined value, it indicates that the fan 150 is abnormal. Therefore, the control unit 110 drives the speaker 191 to notify the user.

In another possible embodiment, the specific action adjusts the control signal S _C2 to change the rotational speed of the fan 150. For example, when the fan 150 is abnormal (aging), even if the power supply unit 130 generates a fixed operating voltage V _OP , the rotational speed of the fan 150 may be lowered.

In order to maintain the performance of the fan 150, the control unit 110 may appropriately adjust the control signal S _C2 according to the rotational speed S _SP2 returned by the fan 150, so that the power supply unit 130 adjusts the operating voltage V _OP . In a possible embodiment, the power supply unit 130 increases the operating voltage V _OP to maintain the rotational speed of the fan 150.

In addition, in order to extend the life of the fan 150, when the rotational speed of the fan 150 becomes slow due to aging, the control unit 110 may appropriately adjust the control signal S _C2 . In a possible embodiment, the power supply unit 130 lowers the operating voltage V _OP according to the control signal S _C2 . Although the rotational speed of the fan 150 may be slow, the life of the fan 150 may be extended.

In other possible embodiments, the specific action performed by the control unit 110 may be to present the relationship between the rotational speeds S _SP1 and S _SP2 to the display unit 193. In addition, each time the heat dissipation system 100 is started, the control unit 110 first generates a control signal S _C1 for knowing the minimum rotation speed of the fan 150 (ie, the rotation speed S _SP1 ), and then the control unit 110 generates the control signal S _C2 . Used to know the speed S _{SP2 of the} fan 150. Therefore, the user can know the state of the fan 150 based on the screen displayed on the display unit 193.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotational speed S _SP2 stored in the memory unit 170. It is assumed that the heat dissipation system 100 records the rotational speed of the fan 150 every month. In an ideal state, when the fan 150 ages, the minimum speed of the fan 150 remains unchanged. Under actual conditions, even if the minimum speed of the fan 150 changes, since the degree of change is small, it can be ignored.

As shown, when the fan 150 is used for a longer period of time, its rotational speed may gradually become slower. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the curve of the fan speed has a linear characteristic, so it can be inferred that, about how long the fan 150 will reach the minimum speed (i.e., S _SP1 ). In the present embodiment, based on the rotational speed curve of the first to fourth months, it can be inferred that the rotational speed of the fan 150 reaches the minimum rotational speed at about the fifth month. Therefore, if the user is informed of the presumed result, the user can be prematurely prevented (such as replacing a new fan).

In other possible embodiments, the specific action performed by the control unit 110 provides the data stored by the memory unit 170 to the analysis unit 195 for analyzing the state of the fan 150. By analyzing the analysis unit 195, the characteristics of the fan 150 can be known, or the aging condition of the fan 150 can be estimated. In a possible embodiment, the analysis unit 195 can be integrated into the control unit 110.

Figure 3 is a possible flow chart of one of the control methods of the present invention. In the present embodiment, steps S310 to S330 are performed in a startup mode, and steps S340 to S370 are performed in an operation mode. First, a first control signal is generated (step S310). The invention does not limit the type of first control signal. In a possible embodiment, the first control signal is a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal.

According to the first control signal, a starting voltage is generated to the fan (step S320). When the fan receives the starting voltage, it starts to rotate. At this time, the rotation speed of the fan is a first rotation speed. This first rotational speed may be the minimum rotational speed of the fan. Next, the first rotational speed is recorded (step S330). In a possible embodiment, the first rotational speed can be stored in a memory unit along with the activation voltage.

Then, a second control signal is generated (step S340). As such, the invention does not limit the type of first control signal. In a possible embodiment, the second control signal may also be a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal.

According to the second control signal, an operating voltage is generated to the fan (step S350). The fan rotates according to the operating voltage. At this time, the rotation speed of the fan is a second rotation speed. The second rotational speed is greater than the first rotational speed. Next, the second rotational speed is recorded (step S360). The second rotational speed can be stored in a memory unit along with the operating voltage.

A specific action is performed based on the first and second rotational speeds (step S370). The invention is not limited to the point in time at which the particular action is performed. In a possible embodiment, the specific action is performed when the difference between the first and second rotational speeds is less than a predetermined value.

In addition, the present invention also does not limit the type of the specific action. In a possible embodiment, the particular action drives a horn to cause the horn to sound. Therefore, the user can know the operation of the fan based on the sound emitted by the speaker. In another embodiment, the particular action is indicative of a relationship between the first and second rotational speeds. Therefore, the user can know whether the fan is aging according to the relationship between the first and second rotational speeds.

In other embodiments, the particular action increases or decreases the operating voltage. For example, when the fan ages, the second speed may be slower. Therefore, the efficiency of the fan can be maintained by increasing the operating voltage. In addition, the life of the fan can be extended by reducing the operating voltage.

By recording the first and second rotational speeds, the state of the fan can be analyzed, and then the time point at which the fan may be faulty is estimated, so that the user can prepare early (replace a new fan). Therefore, the convenience is greatly improved.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

100. . . cooling system

110. . . control unit

130. . . Power supply unit

150. . . fan

170. . . Memory unit

191. . . horn

193. . . Display unit

195. . . Analysis unit

S310~S370. . . step

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a heat dissipation system of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a characteristic curve of the rotational speed S _SP2 stored in the memory unit.

Figure 3 is a possible flow chart of one of the control methods of the present invention.

100. . . cooling system

110. . . control unit

130. . . Power supply unit

150. . . fan

170. . . Memory unit

191. . . horn

193. . . Display unit

195. . . Analysis unit

Claims (16)

A heat dissipation system includes: a control unit that generates a first control signal in an activation mode, and generates a second control signal in an operation mode; a power supply unit that generates a first control signal according to the first control signal Starting a voltage, and generating an operating voltage according to the second control signal; a fan operating according to the starting voltage or the operating voltage, in the starting mode, the fan has a first rotating speed, in the operating mode, The fan has a second rotational speed; and a memory unit that records the first and second rotational speeds, wherein the control unit performs a specific action according to the first and second rotational speeds recorded by the memory unit. The heat dissipation system of claim 1, wherein the first and second control signals are Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) signals. The heat dissipation system of claim 1, wherein the control unit and the memory unit are integrated in a first integrated circuit. The heat dissipation system of claim 1, wherein the power supply unit is integrated in the fan. The heat dissipation system of claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the specific action when a difference between the first and second rotational speeds is less than a predetermined value. The heat dissipation system of claim 1, further comprising a speaker, and the specific action is to drive the speaker to make the speaker emit a sound. The heat dissipation system of claim 1, wherein the specific action increases the operating voltage. The heat dissipation system of claim 1, wherein the specific action reduces the operating voltage. The heat dissipation system of claim 1, further comprising a display unit, and the specific action is such that the display unit exhibits a relationship between the first and second rotational speeds. The heat dissipation system of claim 1, wherein the second conversion is less than the first rotation speed. A control method includes: in a startup mode: generating a first control signal; generating, according to the first control signal, a starting voltage to a fan such that the fan has a first rotational speed; recording the first rotational speed; In an operation mode: generating a second control signal; generating an operating voltage to the fan according to the second control signal, so that the fan has a second rotation speed; recording the second rotation speed; and according to the first and second Speed, perform a specific action. The control method of claim 11, wherein the specific action is performed when a difference between the first and second rotational speeds is less than a predetermined value. The control method of claim 11, wherein the specific action drives a speaker to make the speaker emit a sound. The control method of claim 11, wherein the specific action increases the operating voltage. The control method of claim 11, wherein the specific action is to reduce the operating voltage. The control method of claim 11, wherein the specific action is a relationship between the first and second rotational speeds.