A fan system for automatically starting a series modulation function

Abstract

The present invention discloses a fan system that automatically activates the series connection modulation function, including: a PC motherboard module, a PC terminal application program module, and a main controller. The slave fan device module includes a slave fan single-chip microcomputer module, a fan motor and a drive chip module, an RGB LED strip module, and a DC voltage regulator module. The slave fan single-chip microcomputer module is electrically connected to the fan motor and the drive chip module, the RGB LED strip module, and the DC voltage regulator module respectively. The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: It enables users to make flexible multiple selections. Users can choose to connect to the external PWM signal and RGB LED signal of the PC motherboard module, or directly connect the slave fan device module to the motherboard or other controllers, expanding the compatibility and functions of the slave devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer case fan, and particularly to a fan system with an automatic start-up series connection modulation function. Background Art

[0002] Currently, for the power supply and signal control of the computer case system cooling fans and RGB LED atmosphere lights on the market, they are separate. A fan with an RGB LED has two groups of wires bundled together, which is very cumbersome for manufacturing and end-users, easy to confuse, and difficult to manage the wires. For example, in the prior art, the signal controls are separate. When splicing multiple fans between fans, attention should be paid to the connection directionality, the direction of the card door should also be aligned, and then they can be snapped into place after sliding against each other with force, and it is easy to cause wear of the electrical contacts, affecting the conductive characteristics and service life.

[0003] In addition, in the prior art, for the input of the PWM FAN signal and RGB LED signal on the motherboard of the controller for series connection modulation of fans, it is impossible to simultaneously have the slave fan device directly compatible with and applied to the motherboard interface. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above technical problems, and propose a fan system with an automatic start-up series connection modulation function, which simultaneously has the slave fan device directly compatible with and applied to the motherboard interface, and realizes the automatic start-up series connection modulation function.

[0005] In order to achieve the above purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] A fan system with an automatic start-up series connection modulation function, comprising:

[0007] A PC motherboard module, provided with a PWM interface and an RGB LED light interface, and the PWM interface and the RGB LED light interface are respectively communicatively connected to the main controller;

[0008] A PC application program module, provided with a USB interface, a DC D- interface, a DC D+ interface, and a GND grounding interface, and the USB interface, the DC D- interface, the DC D+ interface, and the GND grounding interface are respectively communicatively connected to the main controller;

[0009] A main controller, provided with a PWM interface, an RGB LED light interface, a USB interface, a DC D- interface, a DC D+ interface, and a GND grounding interface, and is respectively communicatively connected to the PC motherboard module and the PC application program module, and a plurality of slave fan device modules are arranged at the output end of the main controller;

[0010] The subordinate fan device module includes a subordinate fan single-chip microcomputer module, a fan motor and a driver chip module, an RGB LED strip module, and a DC voltage regulator module. The subordinate fan single-chip microcomputer module is electrically connected to the fan motor and the driver chip module, the RGB LED strip module, and the DC voltage regulator module respectively;

[0011] The fan motor and the driver chip module are connected to the PWM interface of the subordinate fan single-chip microcomputer module. The PWM interface of the subordinate fan single-chip microcomputer module is communicatively connected to the PWM interface of the main controller. The PWM interface of the main controller is connected to the PWM interface of the PC motherboard module. The PC motherboard module, the main controller, and the subordinate fan device module control the automatic start-up series modulation of the subordinate fan device module through PWM signals;

[0012] The main controller communicates with the PC terminal application module through a USB interface to control the subordinate device fan module.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of PWM interfaces are provided on both the PC motherboard module and the main controller of the present invention. The PWM interfaces of the PC motherboard module and the main controller are communicatively connected bidirectionally. The GND interface of the PC motherboard module is electrically connected to the GND interface of the main controller.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an RGB LED interface is provided on the PC motherboard module of the present invention. The RGB LED interface is connected to a switch module. The switch module is connected to the main controller. The main controller is respectively connected to the RGB LED strip modules of a plurality of subordinate fan device modules;

[0015] When the switch module is turned on, at this time, the PC terminal application module communicates and controls with the subordinate device fan device through the UART protocol or the I2C protocol. The PC terminal application module further controls the series modulation function of the RGB LED strip modules of a plurality of subordinate fan device modules;

[0016] When the switch module is turned off, at this time, the PC motherboard module communicates with the main controller through the RGB LED interface, communicates and controls with the subordinate device fan device, and reads the rotation speed data of the subordinate fan device module. The PC terminal application module further controls the series modulation function of the RGB LED strip modules of a plurality of subordinate fan device modules to complete the automatic start-up series modulation function.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an output end of the switch module of the present invention is further provided with a signal buffer module, and output ends of the signal buffer module are respectively connected to a plurality of slave fan device modules; the signal buffer module is configured to buffer a control signal for an RGB LED strip module of the slave fan device module sent by the PC main board module through an RGB LED interface.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an output end of the switch module of the present invention is connected to an external RGB LED strip module. When the switch module is turned on, the external RGB LED strip module does not work. When the switch module is closed, the PC main board module starts the external RGB LED strip module to work.

[0019] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main controller of the present invention is further connected to a power supply module, and the power supply module provides a DC power supply for the main controller.

[0020] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an LDO voltage regulator is further provided between the power supply module and the main controller for regulating the input from the power supply module to the main controller.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides a series-connected modulation device fan and a control method thereof, having the following beneficial effects:

[0022] First, the PC main board module of the present invention designs a transfer function for PWM fan signals and RGB LED signals. At the same time, the slave device fan module can directly use the corresponding interface of the PC main board module without a controller (Master), and is also compatible with other PWM fans and RGB LED controllers;

[0023] Second, the present invention enables users to make flexible multiple selections. They can choose to connect the external PWM signal and RGB LED signal of the PC main board module, and directly connect the slave fan device module to the main board or other controllers, expanding the compatibility of the slave device and the ultimate of functions;

[0024] Third, the main controller and the fan device module have a series-connected modulation function; the PWM signal and RGB LED of the external main board can achieve signal transmission and control through the series-connected modulation method; the slave device fan can be directly compatible and applied to the main board or other controllers, thereby enabling users to obtain a better experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the related structure of the main controller of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the related structure of the slave fan device of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 Flow chart of the cascaded modulation function and switching external signal of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 Flow chart of the PWM pulse signal control function and compatibility and application of motherboard signals of the present invention;

[0030] In the figure, 10. Main control module; 20. Slave fan device module; 30. Thimble structure; 11. Power supply module; 12. PC application program; 13. PC motherboard; 14. Main controller; 15. LDO voltage regulator; 16. Signal output interface (including multiple); 17. Main control switch; 18. Signal buffer module; 19. RGB LED light interface; 21. Slave fan single-chip microcomputer module; 22. Fan motor and drive chip module; 23. RGB LED light strip module; 24. DC voltage regulator module. Specific embodiments

[0031] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments.

[0032] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation to the present invention.

[0033] Embodiment 1

[0034] As Figures 1-3 shown, a fan system with an automatically starting cascaded modulation function includes:

[0035] A PC motherboard module 13 is provided with a PWM interface and an RGB LED interface, and the PWM interface and the RGB LED interface are respectively communicatively connected to a main controller 14; the PC motherboard module 13 of the present invention is a computer motherboard with the function of switching between PWM fan signals and RGB LED signals. In the present invention, the main control module 10 (including a main controller single-chip microcomputer, etc.) has 5 PIN lines defined for its interface, achieving a serial jump function with multiple slave fan device modules and supporting the control of the PC motherboard module 13 at the same time; in the absence of the main controller 13, multiple slave fan device modules are directly applied and compatible with the PWM signal and the RGB LED interface of the PC motherboard module 13 through a (4 + 1) PIN adapter cable.

[0036] A PC application program module 12 is provided with a USB interface, a DC D- interface, a DC D+ interface and a GND grounding interface, and the USB interface, the DC D- interface, the DC D+ interface and the GND grounding interface are respectively communicatively connected to the main controller; through communication and identification using the UART protocol or the I2C protocol, after identification, all interface functions will perform data transmission according to the requirements of the communication protocol; if identification fails, it will be determined as an ordinary fan, and the GPIO interfaces of UART and I2C will define the PWM signal output and TACH signal input functions to support the control of the ordinary fan function.

[0037] A main controller 14 is provided with a PWM interface, an RGB LED interface, a USB interface, a DC D- interface, a DC D+ interface and a GND grounding interface, and is respectively communicatively connected to the PC motherboard module and the PC application program module. The output end of the main controller is provided with multiple slave fan device modules; in the signal flow of the main controller 14 (Master), a set of PWM FAN and RGB LED signal lines are respectively set as follows:

[0038] The main controller 14 adds a set of PWM FAN and a set of RGB LED signals. The PWM FAN is directly read by the single-chip microcomputer MCU of the main controller 14 and transmitted to the slave device fan module (SLAVE DEVICE) in a serial modulation manner. The RGB LED signal is communicated through a set of 5 PIN signal lines.

[0039] At the same time, for the slave device fan module, the default setting is the PWM signal to control the fan function. By replacing it with a (4 + 1) PIN signal line, it is directly compatible and applicable with the PC motherboard; after being connected to the main controller 14, the slave device fan module automatically activates the serial modulation function through access and identification of the communication protocol.

[0040] The slave fan device module of the present invention is as Figure 3As shown, the slave fan device module 20 includes a slave fan single-chip microcomputer module 21, a fan motor and a drive chip module 22, an RGB LED strip module 23, and a DC voltage regulator module 24. The slave fan single-chip microcomputer module 21 is respectively connected to the fan motor and the drive chip module 22, the RGB LED strip module 23, and the DC voltage regulator module 24; in addition, a switch module 25 of the slave fan device module is provided between the fan motor and the drive chip module 22 and the slave fan single-chip microcomputer module 21 for controlling the switch of the fan, and a switch module 25 of the slave fan device module is provided between the RGB LED strip module 23 and the slave fan single-chip microcomputer module 21 for controlling the switch of the RGB LED strip module 23.

[0041] Furthermore, the fan motor and the drive chip module 22 of the present invention are connected to the PWM interface of the slave fan single-chip microcomputer module 21. The PWM interface of the slave fan single-chip microcomputer module 21 is communicatively connected to the PWM interface of the main controller 14. The PWM interface of the main controller 14 is connected to the PWM interface of the PC motherboard module 13. The PC motherboard module 13, the main controller 14, and the slave fan device module 20 control the automatic start-up series modulation of the slave fan device module through PWM signals; the main controller communicates with the PC terminal application module through the USB interface to control the slave device fan module.

[0042] As Figure 2 shown, multiple PWM interfaces are provided on both the PC motherboard module 13 and the main controller 14 of the present invention. The PWM interfaces of the PC motherboard module 13 and the main controller 14 are communicatively connected bidirectionally. The GND interface of the PC motherboard module 13 is electrically connected to the GND interface of the main controller 14. An RGB LED interface is provided on the PC motherboard module 13 of the present invention. The RGB LED interface is connected to a switch module 17. The switch module 17 is connected to the main controller 14. The main controller 14 is respectively connected to the RGB LED strip modules 23 of multiple slave fan device modules 20; when the switch module is turned on, at this time, the PC terminal application module communicates and controls with the slave device fan through the UART protocol or the I2C protocol, and the PC terminal application module further controls the series modulation function of the RGB LED strip modules of multiple slave fan device modules; when the switch module is turned off, at this time, the PC motherboard module communicates with the main controller through the RGB LED interface, communicates and controls with the slave device fan, and reads the rotation speed data of the slave fan device module. The PC terminal application module further controls the series modulation function of the RGB LED strip modules of multiple slave fan device modules to complete the automatic start-up series modulation function.

[0043] As Figure 1 、 2As shown, an output end of the switch module 17 of the present invention is further provided with a signal buffer module 18, and output ends of the signal buffer module 18 are respectively connected to a plurality of slave fan device modules 20; the signal buffer module 17 is used for buffering a control signal for an RGB LED strip module 23 of the slave fan device module 20 sent by a PC motherboard module 13 through an RGB LED interface.

[0044] As Figure 1 , 2 shown, different from the prior art, an output end of the switch module 17 of the present invention is connected to an external RGB LED strip module 19. When the switch module is turned on, the external RGB LED strip module 19 does not work. When the switch module is closed, the PC motherboard module 14 starts the external RGB LED strip module 19 to work. This design enables users to make flexible multiple selections. They can choose to connect the main board external PWM signal and RGB LED signal, and can also directly connect the slave fan device module to the PC motherboard or other controllers, expanding the compatibility and functionality of the slave fan device module to the extreme.

[0045] The main controller of the present invention is further connected to a power supply module, and the power supply module provides DC power for the main controller. An LDO voltage regulator is further provided between the power supply module and the main controller of the present invention for regulating the input from the power supply module to the main controller, providing stable power for the entire fan system.

[0046] Figure 4 The following is a flowchart of the serial modulation function and switching external signal of the present invention, and the specific implementation steps are as follows:

[0047] S101. The PC-side application program connects to the slave fan device module through the main controller; or the PC motherboard externally connects the PWM FAN signal and RGB LED signal, and controls the main controller through the APP;

[0048] S102. The main controller single-chip microcomputer accesses and identifies the communication protocol of the slave fan module through the UART protocol or I2C protocol;

[0049] S103. After successful identification, it is determined that the current slave fan device module is the fan device 1#;

[0050] S104. The main controller single-chip microcomputer accesses and identifies the communication protocol of the slave fan module through the UART protocol or I2C protocol;

[0051] S105. After successful identification, it is determined that the current slave fan device module is the fan device 2#;

[0052] S106. The main controller single-chip microcomputer accesses and identifies through the communication protocol of the UART protocol or the I2C protocol with the slave fan module;

[0053] S107. After successful identification, it is determined that the current slave fan device module is the fan device 3#.

[0054] Figure 5 The PWM pulse signal control function of the present invention and the signal flow chart of compatibility and application with the main board are as follows. The specific implementation steps are as follows:

[0055] S201. The PC main board externally connects the PWMFAN signal and the RGBLED signal and directly connects to the slave fan device module;

[0056] S202. After the slave fan device module is connected to the PC main board, the main controller single-chip microcomputer MCU will automatically switch to the PWM control mode and simultaneously assign the address code as the 1# fan;

[0057] S203. After successful identification, it is determined that the current slave fan device module is the fan device 1#;

[0058] S204. After the single-chip microcomputer of the slave fan device module accesses and identifies through the UART protocol or the I2C protocol with the protocol of the slave fan device module, it automatically switches to the PWM control module, and at the same time assigns the address code as the 2# fan;

[0059] S205. After successful identification, it is determined that the current slave fan device module is the fan device 2#;

[0060] S206. After the single-chip microcomputer of the slave fan device module accesses and identifies through the UART protocol or the I2C protocol with the protocol of the slave fan device module, it automatically switches to the PWM control module, and at the same time assigns the address code as the 3# fan;

[0061] S207. After successful identification, it is determined that the current slave fan device module is the fan device 3#.

[0062] The PC motherboard module of the present invention designs the transfer function of PWM fan signals and RGB LED signals. At the same time, the slave device fan module can directly use the corresponding interface of the PC motherboard module without a controller (Master), and is also compatible with other PWM fans and RGB LED controllers; the present invention enables users to make flexible multiple selections, and they can choose to connect the external PWM signals and RGB LED signals of the PC motherboard module, as well as directly connect the slave fan device module to the motherboard or other controllers directly, expanding the compatibility of the slave device and the ultimate of its functions; the master controller and the fan device module have the series modulation function; the PWM signals and RGB LEDs of the externally connected motherboard can achieve signal transmission and control through the series modulation method; the slave device fan can be directly compatible and applied to the motherboard or other controllers, thus enabling users to obtain a better experience.

[0063] The above is only a preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, according to the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, makes equivalent substitutions or changes, and should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fan system that automatically activates the series modulation function, characterized in that, it includes: A PC motherboard module, which sets a PWM interface and an RGB LED light interface, and the PWM interface and the RGB LED light interface are respectively communicatively connected to the main controller; A PC-side application program module, which sets a USB interface, a DC D- interface, a DC D+ interface, and a GND grounding interface, and the USB interface, the DC D- interface, the DC D+ interface, and the GND grounding interface are respectively communicatively connected to the main controller; A main controller, which sets a PWM interface, an RGB LED light interface, a USB interface, a DC D- interface, a DC D+ interface, and a GND grounding interface, and is respectively communicatively connected to the PC motherboard module and the PC-side application program module. The output end of the main controller sets multiple slave fan device modules; The slave fan device module includes a slave fan single-chip microcomputer module, a fan motor and a driver chip module, an RGB LED light strip module, and a DC voltage regulator module. The slave fan single-chip microcomputer module is respectively electrically connected to the fan motor and the driver chip module, the RGB LED light strip module, and the DC voltage regulator module; The fan motor and the driver chip module are connected to the PWM interface of the slave fan single-chip microcomputer module. The PWM interface of the slave fan single-chip microcomputer module is communicatively connected to the PWM interface of the main controller. The PWM interface of the main controller is connected to the PWM interface of the PC motherboard module. The PC motherboard module, the main controller, and the slave fan device module control the automatic start and series modulation of the slave fan device module through PWM signals; The main controller communicates with the PC-side application program module through the USB interface to control the slave device fan module.

2. The fan system with an automatically activated series modulation function according to claim 1, characterized in that: Multiple PWM interfaces are set on both the PC motherboard module and the main controller. The PWM interfaces of the PC motherboard module and the main controller are communicatively connected bidirectionally. The GND interface of the PC motherboard module is electrically connected to the GND interface of the main controller.

3. The fan system with an automatically activated series modulation function according to claim 2, characterized in that: An RGB LED interface is set on the PC motherboard module. The RGB LED interface is connected to a switch module. The switch module is connected to the main controller. The main controller is respectively connected to the RGB LED light strip modules of multiple slave fan device modules; When the switch module is turned on, at this time, the PC-side application program module communicates and controls with the slave device fan device through the UART protocol or the I2C protocol. The PC-side application program module further controls the series modulation function of the RGB LED light strip modules of multiple slave fan device modules. When the switch module is turned off, the PC motherboard module communicates with the main controller through the RGB LED interface, communicates with and controls the slave device, the fan device, and reads the rotation speed data of the slave fan device module. The PC application module further controls the serial modulation function of the RGB LED strip modules of multiple slave fan device modules to complete the automatic start of the serial modulation function.

4. The fan system with an automatically starting serial modulation function according to claim 3, wherein: An output end of the switch module is further provided with a signal buffering module, and output ends of the signal buffering module are respectively connected to multiple slave fan device modules; the signal buffering module is used for buffering control signals of the RGB LED strip modules of the slave fan device modules sent by the PC motherboard module through the RGB LED interface.

5. The fan system with an automatically starting serial modulation function according to claim 3, wherein: The output end of the switch module is connected to an external RGB LED strip module. When the switch module is turned on, the external RGB LED strip module does not work. When the switch module is closed, the PC motherboard module starts the external RGB LED strip module to work.

6. The fan system with an automatically starting serial modulation function according to claim 1, wherein: The main controller is further connected to a power supply module, and the power supply module provides DC power for the main controller.

7. The fan system with an automatically starting serial modulation function according to claim 6, wherein: An LDO voltage regulator is further arranged between the power supply module and the main controller to provide stable power for the entire fan system.

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