Fan capable of automatically cleaning dust

Abstract

The invention discloses a fan capable of automatically cleaning dust, which comprises a fan body and a control module, and the control module is electrically connected with the fan body. And the control module is configured to control the fan body to alternately perform forward rotation and reverse rotation so as to clean dust on the surface when the fan is started, and then control the fan body to normally operate in a preset rotation direction to output air volume after cleaning is completed. The control module comprises a processor and a drive circuit, the processor controls the motor to drive the fan blades to act through the drive circuit, and the total forward and reverse rotation duration and cycle times can be adjusted. Cost does not need to be increased, automatic dust removal is achieved through the positive and negative rotation logic algorithm, the method is suitable for heat dissipation scenes, dust attachment can be reduced, and the service life of the fan is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fan control, and more specifically, to a fan that automatically cleans dust. Background Technology

[0002] In practical applications, existing cooling fans often operate intermittently rather than continuously due to equipment operating demands. When the fan stops, dust particles in the air gradually adhere to the fan blades and surrounding components, and the amount of dust accumulates over time. This accumulated dust significantly increases the load on the fan blades, leading to higher energy consumption during fan startup. Prolonged operation may also cause the motor to overheat due to excessive load, shortening its lifespan. Simultaneously, dust accumulation alters the airflow structure around the fan blades, resulting in a substantial decrease in airflow and an inability to efficiently remove heat generated by the equipment. This leads to poor heat dissipation, affecting the normal operation of the equipment and potentially causing malfunctions due to overheating.

[0003] Most cooling fans on the market currently lack automatic dust cleaning functions, operating only in a single direction with continuous rotation. Dust on the fan blades is typically addressed through manual cleaning or fan replacement. Manual cleaning requires periodic shutdowns, consuming manpower and time. Furthermore, cleaning fans installed in confined spaces or inside precision equipment is extremely difficult and can easily cause damage to other components. Replacing the fan significantly increases maintenance costs, and discarding the replaced fan due to dust accumulation is a waste of resources. This approach fails to address the root cause of repeated dust buildup and cannot meet the requirements for long-term stable operation of the equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a fan that automatically cleans dust, in order to solve the technical problems of existing cooling fans that are prone to dust accumulation when they stop working intermittently, lack automatic dust cleaning function, and require manual cleaning or direct replacement. This is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, increasing costs, but also causes the fan blades to be overloaded, the air volume to decrease, the heat dissipation effect to deteriorate, and even shortens the life of the fan and affects the stable operation of the equipment due to dust accumulation.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an automatic dust cleaning fan, comprising a fan body and a control module, wherein the control module is electrically connected to the fan body, and the control module is configured to, when the fan is started, first control the fan body to perform forward and reverse rotation to clean the dust adhering to its surface, and after the forward and reverse rotation is completed, control the fan body to operate normally in a preset direction.

[0006] Furthermore, the control module controls the fan body to perform forward and reverse rotation alternately, and the forward and reverse rotation actions are executed in a sequential cycle until the preset cleaning process is completed.

[0007] Furthermore, the control module includes a processor and a drive circuit. The processor is electrically connected to the drive circuit, and the drive circuit is electrically connected to the fan body. The processor outputs control signals to the fan body through the drive circuit to control forward rotation, reverse rotation, and normal operation.

[0008] Furthermore, the control module is configured to adjust the total duration of the forward and reverse rotation of the fan body to adapt to cleaning needs with different levels of dust adhesion.

[0009] Furthermore, the preset direction of rotation is a fixed direction, and the control module controls the fan body to maintain this fixed direction of rotation during normal operation.

[0010] Furthermore, the fan body includes fan blades and a drive motor. The output end of the drive motor is connected to the fan blades, and the drive motor is electrically connected to the control module. Under the control of the control module, the drive motor drives the fan blades to rotate forward, reverse, and operate normally.

[0011] Furthermore, the control module is configured to execute control logic each time the fan is started, first controlling the fan body to rotate forward and reverse, and then controlling its normal operation.

[0012] Furthermore, the control module is configured to adjust the number of cycles of forward and reverse rotation.

[0013] Furthermore, the processor is pre-programmed with a forward and reverse rotation logic algorithm, and the processor generates control signals based on the forward and reverse rotation logic algorithm and transmits them to the wind turbine body through the drive circuit.

[0014] Furthermore, the fan body is used in heat dissipation scenarios, and the control module controls the fan body to output airflow during normal operation after dust cleaning to achieve heat dissipation.

[0015] Furthermore, the surface of the fan blade is an area for dust to adhere to. When the drive motor drives the fan blade to rotate forward and reverse, the dust adhering to the surface is removed by the shaking of the fan blade.

[0016] Beneficial effects

[0017] The automatic dust-cleaning fan provided by this invention cleans the fan blade surface through alternating forward and reverse rotation each time it starts up, effectively reducing dust adhesion and preventing the increased load on the fan blades caused by dust accumulation. This reduces the motor's operating burden, significantly extends the overall service life of the fan, and reduces the number of equipment downtimes due to fan failure. This fan requires no additional hardware; the automatic dust-cleaning function is achieved simply by adding a forward and reverse rotation logic algorithm to the control module. This not only reduces manufacturing costs but also allows existing fan equipment to be functionally improved through simple program upgrades, demonstrating strong economic efficiency and practicality. The control module can flexibly adjust the total duration and number of cycles of forward and reverse rotation, allowing for targeted settings based on the dust concentration differences in different operating environments. It enhances cleaning intensity in dusty industrial environments and reduces cleaning time in clean environments, improving the fan's adaptability to different scenarios. Automatic dust cleaning ensures stable airflow during normal operation, ensuring that heat dissipation is not affected by dust, maintaining good equipment operation, and reducing the risk of equipment performance degradation or failure due to poor heat dissipation. At the same time, it eliminates the tedious process of regular manual cleaning, reduces the labor and time costs of equipment maintenance, avoids accidental damage to the equipment that may be caused by manual cleaning, and improves the stability and reliability of equipment operation, thus having broad application prospects. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 A diagram of an automatic dust cleaning fan provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the circuit logic drive for an automatic dust cleaning fan provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 The schematic diagram of the automatic dust cleaning fan circuit provided in the embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0024] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this invention involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text implies three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0025] refer to Figures 1-3 This invention discloses an automatic dust-cleaning fan, aiming to solve the problem that existing cooling fans easily accumulate dust when stopped, leading to increased load, reduced airflow, and poorer heat dissipation. The structure, construction, working principle, and cooperative mechanism of each part of this invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0026] This automatic dust-cleaning fan mainly consists of two parts: the fan body and the control module. The fan body is responsible for generating airflow to achieve heat dissipation, while the control module is responsible for regulating the fan body's operation, including the dust-cleaning action during startup and subsequent normal heat dissipation operation. The two are electrically connected to form an integrated system. The electrical signals output by the control module can precisely control the fan body's direction, operating duration, and operating mode, thereby achieving the coordinated operation of automatic dust cleaning and stable heat dissipation.

[0027] The fan body consists of fan blades and a drive motor, which are mechanically connected to transmit power. As the component in direct contact with the air, the shape and structural design of the fan blades directly affect airflow output and dust accumulation. Fan blades are typically made of lightweight yet strong materials, such as ABS plastic or aluminum alloy. These materials not only reduce the overall weight of the fan and the load on the drive motor, but also have good wear resistance and corrosion resistance, making them suitable for long-term use. The surface of the fan blades is usually smooth, but in actual use, due to dust particles in the air, when the fan stops, these dust particles gradually adhere to the surface of the fan blades, especially in areas where airflow is relatively gentle, such as the edges and back of the blades, where dust accumulation is more likely to occur.

[0028] As the power source of the fan body, the performance of the drive motor directly determines the stability and controllability of the fan's operation. In this invention, a DC motor is preferred because the direction of rotation of a DC motor is easily controlled by changing the direction of the current, and the speed adjustment is relatively simple, making it well-suited to the forward and reverse rotation logic of the control module. The output shaft of the drive motor is fixedly connected to the central shaft of the fan blades via a coupling or direct sleeve connection, ensuring that the rotational motion of the motor can be efficiently transmitted to the fan blades, driving the fan blades to rotate synchronously. The drive motor housing is usually provided with mounting holes for fixing the motor to the fan frame or the heat dissipation part of the equipment, ensuring the stability of the fan during operation and preventing loosening of components or excessive noise due to vibration.

[0029] The control module is the core of this invention to realize the automatic dust cleaning function. It mainly consists of a processor and a drive circuit, which are electrically connected to form a complete control unit.

[0030] The processor is responsible for storing and executing preset control logic, namely the forward and reverse rotation logic algorithm. A microcontroller (MCU) is preferred as the processor. These devices integrate a central processing unit, memory, input / output interfaces, and other functional modules, and are characterized by small size, low power consumption, and flexible programming, meeting the control precision and response speed requirements of this invention. The processor's memory pre-stores the control program for implementing forward and reverse rotation cleaning and normal operation of the fan. This program includes parameter settings such as the alternation mode of forward and reverse rotation, the total duration of the cleaning phase, the number of cycles, and the direction of normal operation. These parameters can be adjusted according to actual application requirements. The processor's input interface can be connected to external trigger signals, such as the equipment's start signal. Upon receiving the start signal, the processor immediately switches from standby mode to operating mode and begins executing the control program.

[0031] The main function of the drive circuit is to convert the low-voltage control signal output by the processor into a current signal capable of driving the motor. It is a crucial intermediate link connecting the processor and the drive motor. The drive circuit typically consists of electronic components such as transistors, resistors, and capacitors, forming a circuit unit with signal amplification and direction control functions. The transistors act as switching elements, their on / off state controlled by the control signal output by the processor. When the transistor is on, the motor's power supply circuit is connected, and the motor starts running; when the transistor is off, the power supply circuit is disconnected, and the motor stops running. By controlling different combinations of transistor on / off states, the direction of the current flowing through the motor can be changed, thus achieving forward and reverse rotation. Resistors mainly serve as current limiters in the circuit, preventing excessive current from damaging the processor or transistors; capacitors are used for filtering, reducing voltage fluctuations in the circuit, and ensuring the stability of motor operation.

[0032] The control module is electrically connected to the fan body as follows: the processor's output is connected to the drive circuit's input via a wire, and the drive circuit's output is connected to the drive motor's terminals via a wire. This connection method ensures that control signals can be smoothly transmitted from the processor to the drive motor, enabling precise control of the motor's operating status. Furthermore, the control module is typically integrated onto a small circuit board, which can be fixed near the fan body or inside the equipment using a bracket, saving space and facilitating wiring and maintenance.

[0033] The operation of this automatic dust-cleaning fan is mainly divided into two stages: the dust-cleaning stage during startup and the subsequent normal operation stage. These two stages are carried out in an orderly manner under the control of the control module, ensuring that the surface dust is cleaned before the fan can perform its heat dissipation function.

[0034] When the fan receives a start signal (such as a power-on start signal or a cooling demand signal), the processor in the control module responds immediately, initiating a preset control program, and the fan enters the dust cleaning phase. In this phase, the processor, based on a forward / reverse logic algorithm, outputs a series of control signals to the drive circuit, controlling the drive motor to alternately rotate the fan blades forward and reverse. Specifically, the processor first outputs a forward control signal. Upon receiving this signal, the drive circuit controls the corresponding transistor to conduct, allowing forward current to flow into the input of the drive motor, causing the motor to rotate the fan blades in a preset direction. After a preset time, the processor switches to output a reverse control signal, and the drive circuit accordingly changes the transistor's conduction combination, allowing reverse current to flow into the drive motor, causing the motor to rotate the fan blades in reverse. After another preset time, the processor switches back to the forward control signal, and this process repeats, forming an alternating cycle of forward-reverse-forward-reverse.

[0035] During the alternating forward and reverse rotation, the direction of the fan blades constantly changes. This sudden change in direction generates a certain inertial force, which acts on the dust adhering to the surface of the fan blades. Because the adhesion between the dust and the fan blade surface is relatively weak, under the action of inertial force, the dust will gradually separate from the fan blade surface, thereby achieving the purpose of cleaning the dust. This shaking forward and reverse rotation of the fan blades can effectively remove the dust adhering to its surface, especially those loose dust particles that have accumulated during periods of inactivity.

[0036] The duration of the cleaning phase is determined by the preset total forward and reverse rotation time in the processor, which can be adjusted according to the severity of dust adhesion in the actual application scenario. For example, in a dusty industrial environment, the total time can be set relatively long to ensure cleaning effectiveness; while in a relatively clean indoor environment, the total time can be appropriately shortened to reduce unnecessary energy consumption. Simultaneously, the number of forward and reverse rotation cycles can also be adjusted through the processor's program. The more cycles, the more frequently the fan blades vibrate, and the more thorough the cleaning effect is generally. Users can flexibly set this according to their actual needs.

[0037] After the cleaning phase is completed, the processor automatically switches the control logic, and the fan enters the normal operation phase. In this phase, the processor outputs a fixed-direction control signal to the drive circuit, which maintains a stable transistor conduction state, causing the drive motor to continuously rotate the fan blades in a fixed direction. The normal operation direction is a preset fixed direction, determined based on the fan's heat dissipation requirements and typically matched to the equipment's heat dissipation ductwork, ensuring that the output airflow efficiently removes the heat generated by the equipment, thus achieving the heat dissipation function. During the normal operation phase, the control module continuously monitors the fan's operating status to ensure stable operation until a stop signal is received (such as equipment shutdown or the disappearance of heat dissipation requirements), at which point the fan stops operating and awaits the next startup.

[0038] In this invention, the control module has the function of adjusting the total duration of forward and reverse rotation and the number of cycles. This function is implemented through the processor's program settings. The processor's memory stores a configuration program for setting the forward and reverse rotation parameters, which can be modified by the user through an external interface (such as a serial port, USB interface, or a dedicated setting button). For example, the user can connect to a computer, run dedicated configuration software, set the total duration of forward and reverse rotation to T1, and the number of cycles to N. These parameters are confirmed by the processor and stored in the memory, becoming the basis for execution in the subsequent cleanup stage.

[0039] In the program design, the total duration of forward and reverse rotation is adjusted by changing the cumulative sum of the forward and reverse rotation times. An internal timer in the processor starts counting after the cleanup phase begins. Each time a forward-reverse cycle is completed, the timer records the cycle duration and compares it to the preset total duration. The cleanup phase ends when the cumulative duration reaches the preset total duration. The number of cycles is adjusted by setting a loop counter in the program. Each time a forward-reverse cycle is completed, the counter increments by 1. The cleanup phase ends when the counter reaches the preset number of cycles. This software-based adjustment method requires no changes to the hardware structure, making it easy to operate and adaptable to different operating environments, thus improving the versatility and adaptability of the fan.

[0040] Throughout the entire fan system, the various components work closely and systematically to ensure the automatic cleaning and heat dissipation functions are achieved. When the start signal is triggered, the processor, acting as the control core, first reads the preset forward / reverse parameters and control logic from memory, generates the corresponding control signals, and sends them to the drive circuit. The drive circuit amplifies and converts the control signals, forming a current signal capable of driving the motor, controlling the motor's direction and operating time. The drive motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, driving the fan blades to rotate synchronously via the output shaft. Dust cleaning is completed during alternating forward and reverse rotation, and airflow is output for heat dissipation during fixed-direction rotation.

[0041] The rotation of the fan blades directly reflects the control module's adjustment effect. The alternating frequency and duration of forward and reverse rotation are consistent with the parameters set by the processor, while the direction of rotation during normal operation strictly follows a preset fixed direction. The drive circuit plays a role in signal conversion and power amplification in this process, ensuring that the processor's low-voltage signal can effectively control the motor's operation, while protecting the processor from current surges generated during motor operation. The processor then fine-tunes the control logic by monitoring the feedback signals from the drive circuit in real time (such as the motor's operating current or speed signal, if appropriate detection elements are provided), ensuring the stable operation of the entire system.

[0042] This automatic dust-cleaning fan is suitable for various devices requiring heat dissipation, such as computer mainframes, server racks, household appliances (such as air conditioners and refrigerators), and industrial control cabinets. In these applications, the fan typically does not operate continuously but rather intermittently based on temperature changes in the equipment, which makes it easy for dust to accumulate during periods when the fan is not running.

[0043] In some embodiments, when the computer is powered on, the temperature control chip on the motherboard detects an increase in the temperature of components such as the CPU and sends a start signal to the fan. At this time, the fan of the present invention starts immediately, and the control module first enters the cleaning phase, driving the fan blades to perform alternating forward and reverse rotation to clean the dust adhering to the fan blades during the stop period. After cleaning, the fan blades continue to rotate in a fixed direction, and the generated airflow carries away the heat generated by components such as the CPU, ensuring stable computer operation. When the computer is powered off or the component temperature drops to a set value, the fan stops operating, waiting to execute the cleaning and heat dissipation process again upon the next startup. In dusty environments such as server racks, the fan of the present invention can more effectively clean the dust on the surface of the fan blades by adjusting the total duration and number of cycles of forward and reverse rotation, avoiding the decrease in airflow and deterioration of heat dissipation caused by dust accumulation, thereby extending the service life of the fan and reducing equipment maintenance costs.

[0044] In summary, the automatic dust-cleaning fan of the present invention, through the coordinated work of the fan body and the control module, utilizes the forward and reverse rotation logic algorithm preset by the control module to first perform alternating forward and reverse rotation actions to clean dust when the fan starts, and then enters the normal operation stage to achieve heat dissipation. Without adding extra hardware costs, it can effectively solve the problem of dust accumulation in existing fans. It has the characteristics of simple structure, precise control, and strong adaptability, and is suitable for various heat dissipation scenarios.

[0045] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention's specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fan for automatically cleaning dust, characterized in that, The device includes a fan body and a control module. The control module is electrically connected to the fan body. The control module is configured to control the fan body to rotate forward and reverse when the fan is started to clean the dust attached to its surface. After the forward and reverse rotation is completed, the fan body is then controlled to operate normally in a preset direction.

2. The automatic dust-cleaning fan according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control module controls the fan body to perform forward and reverse rotation alternately, and the forward and reverse rotation actions are executed in a cycle until the preset cleaning process is completed.

3. The automatic dust-cleaning fan according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control module includes a processor and a drive circuit. The processor is electrically connected to the drive circuit, and the drive circuit is electrically connected to the fan body. The processor outputs control signals to the fan body through the drive circuit to control forward rotation, reverse rotation, and normal operation.

4. The automatic dust-cleaning fan according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control module is configured to adjust the total duration of the fan body's forward and reverse rotation to adapt to cleaning needs with different levels of dust adhesion.

5. The automatic dust-cleaning fan according to claim 1, characterized in that, The preset direction is a fixed direction, and the control module controls the fan body to maintain this fixed direction of continuous rotation during normal operation.

6. The automatic dust-cleaning fan according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fan body includes fan blades and a drive motor. The output end of the drive motor is connected to the fan blades. The drive motor is electrically connected to the control module. Under the control of the control module, the drive motor drives the fan blades to rotate forward, reverse, and operate normally.

7. The automatic dust-cleaning fan according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control module is configured to execute control logic each time the fan starts, first controlling the fan body to rotate forward and reverse, and then controlling its normal operation.

8. The automatic dust-cleaning fan according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control module is configured to adjust the number of cycles of forward and reverse rotation.

9. The automatic dust-cleaning fan according to claim 3, characterized in that, The processor has a preset forward and reverse rotation logic algorithm. The processor generates control signals based on the forward and reverse rotation logic algorithm and transmits them to the wind turbine body through the drive circuit.

10. The automatic dust-cleaning fan according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fan body is used for heat dissipation scenarios, and the control module controls the fan body to output air volume to achieve heat dissipation during normal operation after dust cleaning.

11. The automatic dust-cleaning fan according to claim 6, characterized in that, The surface of the fan blades is an area for dust to adhere to. When the drive motor drives the fan blades to rotate forward and reverse, the dust adhering to the surface is removed by the shaking of the fan blades.

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