Electronic device with dust accumulation detection function and dust accumulation detection method thereof

Abstract

The invention is suitable for the technical field of computers, and provides an electronic device which comprises a shell with a ventilation opening. The airflow generator is arranged in the shell, and the airflow generator can be operated to generate airflow towards the ventilation opening so that air in the shell can be exhausted out of the shell through the ventilation opening of the shell; and a sensor element located at or before the vent of the housing along the path of the airflow for measuring one or more physical characteristics of the airflow. The invention discloses a dust accumulation detection method of an electronic device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of computer technology, and in particular to an electronic device for detecting dust accumulation and a method for detecting dust accumulation. Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, electronic devices such as computing devices (e.g., laptops, notebooks, desktops, tablets, servers, all-in-one PCs, etc.), visual display devices (e.g., monitors, televisions, etc.), consoles (e.g., game consoles), or audio devices may accumulate dust inside after a period of use. This accumulated dust can lead to a decrease in the performance of the electronic device. For example, accumulated dust may retain heat and / or disrupt cooling, causing electronic components to degrade.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to address at least some of the aforementioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an electronic device for detecting dust accumulation and a method for detecting dust accumulation.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an electronic device for detecting dust accumulation, comprising: a housing having a vent; an airflow generator disposed in the housing, wherein the airflow generator is operable to generate an airflow toward the vent to discharge air inside the housing through the vent to the outside of the housing; and a sensor element located at or before the vent of the housing along the path of the airflow for measuring one or more physical characteristics of the airflow.

[0006] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a method for detecting dust accumulation in an electronic device. The method includes: comparing one or more physical characteristics of an airflow measured by a sensor element with reference data, wherein the airflow is generated by an airflow generator disposed in the housing of the electronic device toward a vent in the housing to discharge air inside the housing to the outside of the housing through the vent in the housing, and the sensor element is located at or before the vent in the housing along the path of the airflow, wherein the state of dust accumulation along the airflow is determined based on the comparison result.

[0007] The beneficial effects of this application are: it can detect dust accumulation in electronic devices, allowing users to know the status of dust accumulation and take action to remove dust or clean electronic devices in order to maintain the performance of electronic devices. Attached Figure Description

[0008] In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals generally refer to the same parts in different views. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but generally focus on the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments are illustrated with reference to the following drawings, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating dust accumulation detection in an electronic device according to various embodiments; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating dust accumulation detection in an electronic device according to various embodiments; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating dust accumulation detection in an electronic device according to various embodiments; Figure 4 This illustrates various embodiments, by Figure 3 An example of an electronic device generating airflow; Figure 5 This illustrates various embodiments for determining Figures 1 to 3 A diagram illustrating methods for dust accumulation in electronic devices (e.g., computer-implemented methods); and Figure 6 This illustrates various embodiments, Figure 5 Used to determine Figures 1 to 3 An extended flowchart of a method for dust accumulation in electronic devices (e.g., a computer-implemented method). Detailed Implementation

[0009] The embodiments described below in the context of the device are similarly effective for the corresponding methods, and vice versa. Furthermore, it is understood that the embodiments described below can be combined; for example, a portion of one embodiment can be combined with a portion of another embodiment.

[0010] It should be understood that the terms “up,” “above,” “top,” “bottom,” “lower,” “side,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “front,” “lateral,” “side,” etc., used in the following description are for convenience and to aid in understanding relative position or direction, and are not intended to limit the orientation of any device or structure, or any part of any device or structure. Furthermore, the singular terms “a” and “the” include plural indicators unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0011] Various embodiments relate to an electronic device. In particular, various embodiments generally relate to an electronic device with dust accumulation detection and a method for detecting dust accumulation in the electronic device. According to various embodiments, the electronic device may include, but is not limited to, a computing device (e.g., a laptop, notebook computer, desktop computer, tablet computer, server, all-in-one PC, etc.), a visual display device (e.g., a monitor, television, etc.), a console (e.g., a game console), or an audio device. In various embodiments, the electronic device may be configured to detect dust accumulation. To achieve dust accumulation detection, various embodiments may include a sensor element. The sensor element may be configured to detect dust accumulation within the electronic device.

[0012] According to various embodiments, electronic devices can be configured to dissipate heat through airflow flowing through them. While airflow can cool the electronic device and remove heat, it can also cause dust to accumulate within the device. This accumulated dust can then impede airflow and cause changes in it. For example, by impeding airflow, one or more physical properties of the airflow (e.g., velocity, pressure, volumetric flow rate, etc.) can be altered. Therefore, electronic devices can be configured to detect changes in one or more physical properties of the airflow as a measure of dust accumulation. In various embodiments, electronic devices can be configured to detect dust accumulation along the path of the airflow by monitoring, measuring, or sensing one or more physical properties of the airflow. For example, sensor elements can be positioned or located along the path of the airflow and can be configured to monitor, measure, or sense one or more physical properties of the airflow.

[0013] According to various embodiments, sensor elements can be positioned in areas where dust may accumulate in the airflow, causing changes in one or more physical properties of the airflow. For example, structures that easily trap dust (e.g., mesh structures, lattice structures, fin structures, etc.) can correspondingly lead to faster dust accumulation rates and, when dust accumulates, cause relatively rapid changes in one or more physical properties of the airflow. Therefore, sensor elements can be positioned along the airflow path in airflow regions following such structures to monitor, measure, or sense one or more physical properties of the airflow as a measure for detecting dust accumulation. As another example, the airflow can have a non-uniform velocity distribution across the width of the airflow. In areas of higher velocity, the rate of dust accumulation can be faster. Therefore, sensor elements can be positioned in airflow regions with higher velocities to monitor, measure, or sense one or more physical properties of the airflow as a measure for detecting dust accumulation.

[0014] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram illustrating dust accumulation detection of electronic device 100 according to various embodiments. According to various embodiments, electronic device 100 may be, but is not limited to, a computing device (e.g., a laptop, notebook computer, desktop computer, tablet computer, server, all-in-one PC, etc.), a visual display device (e.g., a monitor, television, etc.), a console (e.g., a game console), or an audio device. According to various embodiments, electronic device 100 may include a housing 110. Housing 110 may be an outer shell or casing defining an internal space 112 to house or protect the components of electronic device 100. Housing 110 may serve as the body of the electronic device and is configured to provide the appearance and feel of electronic device 100. Furthermore, housing 110 may be provided with a user interface for user interaction and / or operation of electronic device 100.

[0015] According to various embodiments, the housing 110 of the electronic device 100 may include a vent 114. The vent 114 may be an opening, hole, gap, or aperture in the housing 110, allowing air to escape or dissipate to the outside of the housing 110. According to one embodiment, the vent 114 may be a single opening, hole, aperture, or slot in the housing 110. According to another example, the vent 114 may be a series of openings, holes, apertures, or slots in the housing 110. According to yet another example, the vent 114 may be a single opening, hole, aperture, or slot in the housing 110 covered with a perforated sheet, mesh, or grid.

[0016] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 100 may include an airflow generator 120. The airflow generator 120 may be disposed within a housing 110. Therefore, the airflow generator 120 may be located within the internal space 112 of the housing 110. According to various embodiments, the airflow generator 120 may be, but is not limited to, a centrifugal fan, an axial fan, a blower, an air pump, or any device suitable for generating air movement. According to various embodiments, the airflow generator 120 is operable to generate airflow toward a vent 114 of the housing 110. The airflow can then be exhausted from inside the housing 110 to the outside of the housing 110 through the vent 114. Therefore, when the airflow generator 120 is operated, the airflow generator 120 may be configured to direct and pass through the vent 114 of the housing 110. In various embodiments, the airflow may be an airflow generated by the airflow generator 120. As airflow flows from the interior space 112 of the housing 110 through the vent 114 of the housing 110 into the external environment outside the housing 110, air can be removed from inside the housing 110. When the electronic device 100 is operating, the air inside the housing 110 can be heated. Therefore, by removing air from the housing 110 through the vent 114 of the housing 110 via the airflow generator 120, the electronic device 100 can be cooled. Therefore, the airflow generator 120 can be part of the thermal management device of the electronic device 100 (e.g., see...). Figure 3 (160).

[0017] According to various embodiments, the airflow generator 120 may include an outlet 122. Airflow generated by the airflow generator 120 may be discharged or ejected from the outlet 122. In various embodiments, the outlet 122 of the airflow generator 120 may be oriented towards or directed toward and facing the vent 114 of the housing 110, such that airflow exiting the outlet 122 of the airflow generator 120 may flow toward (or be directed toward) the vent 114 of the housing 110.

[0018] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 100 may include a sensor element 130. The sensor element 130 may be positioned along the path of the airflow generated by the airflow generator 120. Therefore, the sensor element 130 may be located in the path of the airflow from the airflow generator 120. Furthermore, the sensor element 130 may be located at or before the vent 114 of the housing 110. Therefore, the sensor element 130 may be positioned within or attached to the vent 114 of the housing 110, or the sensor element 130 may be located between the airflow generator 120 and the vent 114 of the housing 110. For example, when the sensor element 130 is located within or attached to the vent 114 of the housing 110, the sensor element 130 may be held at the vent 114 by attaching to the edge of the vent 114 or by attaching to a structure extending across the vent 114 of the housing 110 (e.g., a grille, mesh, grid, or grating). As another example, when the sensor element 130 is located between the airflow generator 120 and the vent 114 of the housing 110, the sensor element 130 may be aligned with the outlet 122 of the airflow generator 120 and the vent 114 of the housing 110, such that airflow from the airflow generator 120 may encounter or meet the sensor element 130 before reaching the vent 114 of the housing 110. According to various embodiments, the sensor element 130 may be configured to monitor, measure, or sense one or more physical characteristics of the airflow. According to various embodiments, one or more physical properties of the airflow may include, but are not limited to, airflow velocity, airflow pressure, and / or airflow volumetric flow rate. Therefore, sensor element 130 may include one or a combination of pressure sensing element, wind speed sensing element, or flow rate sensing element.

[0019] According to various embodiments, airflow from airflow generator 120 can dissipate heat by expelling heated air from the housing 110 through vent 114. Therefore, electronic device 100 can be cooled by the airflow generated by airflow generator 120. However, airflow can cause dust to accumulate inside electronic device 100. The accumulated dust, in turn, obstructs airflow and causes changes in airflow. By obstructing airflow, one or more physical properties of the airflow can be altered. Therefore, changes in one or more physical properties of the airflow can correspond to the amount (or degree) of dust accumulation. For example, when the amount of dust accumulation increases, the airflow pressure can increase and / or the airflow velocity can decrease and / or the volumetric flow rate of the airflow can decrease. With sensor element 130 disposed in the airflow path, sensor element 130 can detect changes in one or more physical properties of the airflow as a measurement for detecting dust accumulation. Therefore, dust accumulation along the airflow path can be detected by monitoring, measuring, or sensing one or more physical properties of the airflow through sensor element 130.

[0020] According to various embodiments, the airflow generated by the airflow generator 120 may have a non-uniform velocity distribution across the width of the airflow. In regions with relatively high velocities (e.g., maximum velocities) across the width of the airflow, the rate of dust accumulation may be faster. Therefore, the sensor element 130 may be positioned in regions of the airflow with relatively high velocities to monitor, measure, or sense one or more physical properties of the airflow as measurements for detecting dust accumulation. For example, when the central region of the airflow has relatively high velocities across the width of the airflow, the sensor element 130 may be positioned in the central region of the airflow. As another example, when the side edge regions of the airflow have relatively high velocities across the width of the airflow, the sensor element 130 may be positioned in the side edge regions of the airflow. Thus, according to various embodiments, the lateral position of the sensor element 130 relative to the width of the airflow may correspond to a point with a higher airflow velocity (e.g., maximum airflow velocity) relative to the airflow velocity distribution along the width of the airflow. Dust can accumulate more quickly in regions with relatively high velocities across the width of the airflow, resulting in faster changes in one or more physical properties of the airflow. The sensitivity of sensor element 130 in detecting dust accumulation can be enhanced by positioning sensor element 130 in the area along the airflow.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating dust accumulation detection in an electronic device 200 according to various embodiments. According to various embodiments, Figure 2 The electronic device 200 includes Figure 1 All features of the electronic device 100. Therefore, suitable for Figure 1 All features, variations, modifications, and alterations of the electronic device 100 may also be applied. Figure 2Electronic device 200. Furthermore, components identical to those described above will be designated with the same reference numerals, and for the sake of brevity, repetition of their corresponding descriptions will be omitted. The following description focuses on various possible additional features and details.

[0022] According to various embodiments, similar to Figure 1 The electronic device 200 of the electronic device 100 may include a housing 110 having a vent 114, an airflow generator 120, and a sensor element 130. (See also...) Figure 2 According to various embodiments, the electronic device 200 may further include a heat-conducting element 140. The heat-conducting element 140 may be part of a thermal management device for the electronic device 200 (e.g., see...). Figure 3 (160). The heat-conducting element 140 may be disposed within the housing 110 of the electronic device 200. According to various embodiments, the heat-conducting element 140 may be, but is not limited to, a heat pipe, a heat sink, a flat heat pipe, a heat-conducting plate, or any suitable element for transferring heat energy (e.g., heat). Therefore, the heat-conducting element 140 may be used to transfer heat energy between different parts within the housing 110 of the electronic device 200.

[0023] According to various embodiments, the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) may extend laterally across the airflow from the airflow generator 120 to the vent 114 of the housing 110. Therefore, the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) may laterally cross the airflow. Furthermore, the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) may be located between the airflow generator 120 and the vent 114 of the housing 110. Thus, the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) may be disposed in the intermediate space between the airflow generator 120 and the vent 114 of the housing 110, such that the airflow from the airflow generator 120 may encounter or meet the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) before reaching the vent 114 of the housing 110. With the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) located in the path of the airflow generated by the airflow generator 120, heat conduction (e.g., heat exchange or heat transfer) can occur between the airflow from the airflow generator 120 and the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140). As an example, the airflow from the airflow generator 120 can cool the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) as heat is transferred to it via the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140).

[0024] According to various embodiments, sensor element 130 may be disposed at heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of heat-conducting element 140). Therefore, sensor element 130 may be attached to or connected to heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of heat-conducting element 140). With sensor element 130 disposed at heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of heat-conducting element 140), sensor element 130 may monitor, measure, or sense one or more physical properties of the airflow as the airflow from airflow generator 120 flows through heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of heat-conducting element 140). According to various embodiments, heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of heat-conducting element 140) in the path of airflow from airflow generator 120 may trap dust and may cause dust accumulation, which may cause changes in one or more physical properties of the airflow. Therefore, by positioning the sensor element 130 at the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140), the sensor element 130 can monitor, measure, or sense one or more physical properties of the airflow as a measure for detecting dust accumulation. According to various embodiments, dust accumulation may occur on the side of the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) closer to the airflow generator 120 (or on the side facing the oncoming airflow). Therefore, the sensor element 130 may be positioned on the side of the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) away from the airflow generator 120 (or closer to the vent 114 of the housing 110). In this way, the sensor element 130 can more effectively monitor, measure, or sense changes in one or more physical properties of the airflow to detect dust accumulation.

[0025] According to various embodiments, the sensor element 130 may also be disposed within the housing 110 between the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) and the vent 114 of the housing 110. Therefore, the sensor element 130 may be disposed in the intermediate space between the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) and the vent 114 of the housing 110, such that the airflow, after passing through the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140), may encounter or meet the sensor element 130 before reaching the vent 114 of the housing 110. Thus, the sensor element 130 can monitor, measure, or sense one or more physical characteristics of the airflow caused by dust accumulation.

[0026] According to various embodiments, the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) may be elongated. Thus, as the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) extends laterally across the airflow, a first longitudinal side 142 of the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) may face or be directed toward the outlet 122 of the airflow generator 120, and a second longitudinal side 144 of the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) may face or be directed toward the vent 114 of the housing 110. Therefore, airflow from the airflow generator 120 may flow from the first longitudinal side 142 to the second longitudinal side 144, across and through the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140), and then toward the vent 114 of the housing 110.

[0027] According to various embodiments, sensor element 130 may be disposed at a second longitudinal side 144 of heat conduction element 140. Therefore, sensor element 130 may be attached to or connected to the second longitudinal side 144 of heat conduction element 140. According to various embodiments, when airflow from airflow generator 120 flows through heat conduction element 140, dust may be trapped at a first longitudinal side 142 of heat conduction element 140. Dust accumulation at the first longitudinal side 142 of heat conduction element 140 may cause changes in one or more physical properties of the airflow flowing through heat conduction element 140 toward vent 114 of housing 110. Therefore, by disposing sensor element 130 at the second longitudinal side 144 of heat conduction element 140, sensor element 130 can effectively monitor, measure, or sense changes in one or more physical properties of airflow as a measure for detecting dust accumulation (e.g., at the first longitudinal side 142 of heat conduction element 140).

[0028] According to various embodiments, the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) may include a plurality of plates 146. The plurality of plates 146 may extend from the body 148 of the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140). The plurality of plates 146 may be aligned with the airflow from the airflow generator 120 to the vent 114 of the housing 110. Thus, a first edge 145 of a corresponding plate 146 (e.g., relative to the leading edge of the airflow) may face or be directed toward the vent 122 of the airflow generator 120, while a second edge 147 of a corresponding plate 146 (e.g., relative to the trailing edge of the airflow) may face or be directed toward the vent 114 of the housing 110. According to various embodiments, the plurality of plates 146 may be parallel to each other. Therefore, the first edges 145 of the plurality of plates 146 (e.g., relative to the leading edge of the airflow) may face or be directed toward the outlet 122 of the airflow generator 120 in the same direction, while the second edges 147 of the plurality of plates 146 (e.g., relative to the trailing edge of the airflow) may face or be directed toward the vent 114 of the housing 110 in the same direction.

[0029] With the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) having a plurality of plates 146, airflow from the airflow generator 120 can flow over the plurality of plates 146 to flow through the vent 114 of the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) toward the housing 110. According to various embodiments, the plurality of plates 146 can serve as heat sinks to remove heat energy (e.g., heat) from the body 148 of the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140), allowing heat exchange to occur between the plurality of plates 146 and the airflow. Thus, the plurality of plates 146 can increase the surface area in contact with the airflow from the airflow generator 120 (or provide a larger surface area), thereby enhancing the transfer of heat energy (e.g., heat) to the airflow to increase heat exchange with the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., for cooling).

[0030] According to various embodiments, sensor element 130 may be disposed at a second edge 147 (e.g., relative to the trailing edge of the airflow) of at least one of the plurality of plates 146. Therefore, sensor element 130 may be attached to or connected to the second edge 147 (e.g., relative to the trailing edge of the airflow) of at least one of the plurality of plates 146. According to various embodiments, dust may be trapped in the plurality of plates 146 as airflow from airflow generator 120 flows through them. Dust accumulation in the plurality of plates 146 can cause changes in one or more physical properties of the airflow flowing through the plurality of plates 146 of heat transfer element 140 toward the vent 114 of housing 110. Therefore, by setting the sensor element 130 at the second edge 147 (e.g., relative to the trailing edge of the airflow) of at least one of the plurality of plates 146, the sensor element 130 can effectively monitor or measure or sense changes in one or more physical properties of the airflow as a measure to detect dust accumulation in the plurality of plates 146 (e.g., at the first longitudinal side 142 of the heat conduction element 140).

[0031] According to various embodiments, the sensor element 130 may also be disposed within the housing 110 between a plurality of plates 146 of the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140) and the vent 114 of the housing 110. Therefore, the sensor element 130 may be disposed in the intermediate space between the plurality of plates 146 and the vent 114 of the housing 110, such that airflow, after passing through the plurality of plates 146 of the heat-conducting element 140 (e.g., at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 140), may encounter or meet the sensor element 130 before reaching the vent 114 of the housing 110. Thus, the sensor element 130 can monitor, measure, or sense one or more physical characteristics of the airflow caused by dust accumulation on the plurality of plates 146.

[0032] See Figure 2 According to various embodiments, housing 110 may include an opening 116 (or air inlet) for air intake. According to various embodiments, the opening 116 for air intake may be located at any suitable portion of housing 110. The opening 116 for air intake allows air from outside housing 110 to be drawn into the interior space 112 of housing 110 as airflow from airflow generator 120 exits housing 110 through vent 114. Therefore, the opening 116 for air intake in housing 110 allows fresh air to be supplied to housing 110. According to various embodiments, the opening 116 for air intake may be adjacent to or immediately adjacent to airflow generator 120. In this way, airflow generator 120 can directly draw in air through the opening 116 (for air intake) in housing 110 to generate airflow directed to vent 114 of housing 110 for flow through vent 114 to the outside of housing 110.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating dust accumulation detection in an electronic device according to various embodiments. According to various embodiments, Figure 3 The electronic device 300 includes Figure 2 Electronic devices 200 and Figure 1 All features of the electronic device 100. Therefore, suitable for Figure 2 Electronic devices 200 and Figure 1 All features, variations, modifications, and alterations of the electronic device 100 may also be applied. Figure 3 Electronic device 300. Furthermore, components identical to those described above will be designated with the same reference numerals, and for the sake of brevity, repetition of their corresponding descriptions will be omitted. The following description focuses on various possible additional features and details.

[0034] Figure 3 The electronic device 300 depicted in the image has a housing 110 having two vents 114 as an example to illustrate that electronic devices according to various embodiments may include a housing 110 having one or more vents 114 (e.g., at least one vent 114, or two or more vents 114, or at least two vents 114, etc.). Similarly, Figure 3 The electronic device 300 is depicted as having two airflow generators 120 as an example to illustrate that an electronic device according to various embodiments may include having one or more airflow generators 120 (e.g., at least one airflow generator 120, or two or more airflow generators 120, or at least two airflow generators 120, etc.). With two airflows generated by the two airflow generators 120, Figure 3The electronic device 300 is depicted as having two sensor elements 130 as an example to illustrate that electronic devices according to various embodiments may include having one or more sensor elements 130 (e.g., at least one sensor element 130, or two or more sensor elements 130, or at least two sensor elements 130, etc.). According to various embodiments, the number of sensor elements 130 may correspond to the number of airflows generated within the housing 110 at a minimum, such that at least one sensor element 130 is associated with at least one airflow.

[0035] See Figure 3 According to various embodiments, the electronic device 300 may include a heat-generating electronic element 150 (or at least one heat-generating electronic element 150, or one or more heat-generating electronic elements 150) disposed within the housing 110. According to various embodiments, the heat-generating electronic element 150 may be, but is not limited to, a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, or a solid-state drive. The heat-generating electronic element 150 may be a heat source within the internal space 112 enclosed by the housing 110. Therefore, the heat-generating electronic element 150 may heat the air within the housing 110, which can lead to a decrease in the performance of the electronic device 300.

[0036] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 300 may include a thermal management device 160. When the electronic device 300 is operating, the thermal management device 160 can regulate the operating temperature within the housing 110. Therefore, the thermal management device 160 can help to reduce excess heat generated, for example, by the heat-generating electronic components 150, to improve the reliability of the electronic device 300 and prevent degradation of its performance. According to various embodiments, the thermal management device 160 may include one or a combination of an airflow generator 120 and a heat-conducting element 140.

[0037] According to some embodiments, the thermal management device 160 may include only an airflow generator 120. Therefore, the airflow generator 120 may be positioned relative to the heating electronic element 150 and the vent 114 of the housing 110, such that the airflow generator 120 can guide airflow through or across the heating electronic element 150 and toward the vent 114 of the housing 110. In these embodiments, the heat-conducting element 140 may be absent or the electronic device may not have a heat-conducting element 140.

[0038] See also Figure 3According to some embodiments, the thermal management device 160 may include an airflow generator 120 and a heat-conducting element 140. In these embodiments, a first portion 140a of the heat-conducting element 140 may be in thermal contact with the heat-generating electronic component 150, and a second portion 140b of the heat-conducting element 140 may be located in the path of the airflow generated by the airflow generator 120. Therefore, heat generated by the heat-generating electronic component 150 can be transferred to the first portion 140a of the heat-conducting element 140, from the first portion 140a to the second portion 140b, and from the second portion 140b to the airflow from the airflow generator 120, and then the airflow can flow through the vent 114 of the housing 110 to the outside of the housing 110. Therefore, the airflow generator 120 and the heat-conducting element 140 can work together to perform thermal management of the electronic device 300.

[0039] According to various embodiments, the heat-conducting element 140 may be a planar heat sink, a planar heat pipe, or a heat-conducting plate. According to various embodiments, the first portion 140a of the heat-conducting element 140 may be a planar structure having a thermal contact surface for establishing thermal contact with the heat-generating electronic element 150. According to various embodiments, the electronic device 300 may include two or more heat-generating electronic elements 150, and the size or dimensions of the first portion 140a of the heat-conducting element 140 may be designed such that the thermal contact surface of the first portion 140a of the heat-conducting element 140 can establish contact with two or more heat-generating electronic elements 150.

[0040] According to various embodiments, the second portion 140b of the heat-conducting element 140 may be an elongated extension of the first portion 140a of the heat-conducting element 140. The second portion 140b of the heat-conducting element 140 may extend from the first portion 140a of the heat-conducting element 140 to laterally cross the airflow from the airflow generator 120.

[0041] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 300 may include two airflow generators 120 disposed within the housing 110. Therefore, in addition to a second portion 140b of a heat-conducting element 140 that laterally spans the airflow from the first of the two airflow generators 120, the heat-conducting element 140 may include a third portion 140c. Similarly, the third portion 140c of the heat-conducting element 140 may be an elongated extension of the first portion 140a of the heat-conducting element 140. Furthermore, the third portion 140c of the heat-conducting element 140 may extend from the first portion 140a of the heat-conducting element 140 to laterally span the airflow from the second of the two airflow generators 120.

[0042] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 300 may include at least one sensor element 130 associated with each of the two airflow generators 120. Each of the two airflow generators 120 is operable to generate a corresponding airflow toward a corresponding vent 114 of the housing 110. Therefore, at least one sensor element 130 may be positioned at or before the corresponding vent 114 of the housing 110 along the path of the corresponding airflow. Thus, at least one sensor element 130 may monitor, measure, or sense changes in one or more physical properties of the corresponding airflow.

[0043] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 300 may include two sensor elements 130 respectively disposed at a second portion 140b and a third portion 140c of the heat-conducting element 140. Therefore, the first of the two sensor elements 130 may be located in the path of the airflow from the first of the two airflow generators 120, while the second of the two sensor elements 130 may be located in the path of the airflow from the second of the two airflow generators 120. Thus, the first of the two sensor elements 130 may monitor, measure, or sense changes in one or more physical characteristics of the airflow from the first of the two airflow generators 120, while the second of the two sensor elements 130 may monitor, measure, or sense changes in one or more physical characteristics of the airflow from the second of the two airflow generators 120. Therefore, the two sensor elements 130 may respectively detect dust accumulation along the paths of the airflow from the first and the airflow from the second of the two airflow generators 120.

[0044] According to various embodiments, the second portion 140b of the heat conduction element 140 may include a plurality of plates 146. According to various embodiments, a first of two sensor elements 130 may be disposed at the edge of at least one of the plurality of plates 146 of the second portion 140b of the heat conduction element 140 (e.g., relative to the trailing edge of the airflow). The edge of at least one of the plurality of plates 146 may face or toward a corresponding vent 114 of the housing 110. According to various embodiments, the third portion 140c of the heat conduction element 140 may include a plurality of plates 146. According to various embodiments, a second of two sensor elements 130 may be disposed at the edge of at least one of the plurality of plates 146 of the third portion 140c of the heat conduction element 140 (e.g., relative to the trailing edge of the airflow). The edge of at least one of the plurality of plates 146 may face or toward a corresponding vent 114 of the housing 110.

[0045] According to various embodiments, such as Figure 3As shown, the vent 114 of the housing 110 may include a perforated structure extending across the housing 110, including but not limited to a grille, mesh, grid, or grating. Such perforated structures prevent entry into the housing 110 while allowing airflow to exit the housing 110. Furthermore, according to some embodiments, a sensor element 130 may also be attached to such perforated structures for monitoring, measuring, or sensing one or more physical characteristics of the airflow at a point exiting the housing 110.

[0046] Figure 4 This illustrates examples of airflow generated by an airflow generator 120 according to various embodiments. According to various embodiments, the airflow generator 120 may include a centrifugal fan 470. The centrifugal fan 470 may include a plurality of blades 472 distributed around a rotation axis 471. According to various embodiments, the plurality of blades 472 may be rotatable about the rotation axis 471. When the plurality of blades 472 rotate about the rotation axis 471, the plurality of blades 472 of the centrifugal fan 470 may generate vortices 473 around the plurality of blades 472 about the rotation axis 471. According to various embodiments, the airflow generator 120 may include an airflow guide device 474. The airflow guide device 474 may guide the vortices 473 into the airflow at the vent 114 of the guide housing 110. According to various embodiments, the vortices 473 and the airflow may be located in the same plane perpendicular to the rotation axis 471.

[0047] According to various embodiments, the airflow guide device 474 may include a curved wall portion 476 along a section surrounding the centrifugal fan 470. The periphery of the centrifugal fan 470 may be circular, and the section surrounding the centrifugal fan 470 may be arc-shaped or curved. Therefore, the curved wall portion 476 may be adjacent to and curved along the section surrounding the centrifugal fan 470. According to various embodiments, the curvature of the curved wall portion 476 may be such that there is an increasing distance between the curved wall portion 476 and the section surrounding the centrifugal fan 470 in the rotational direction of the plurality of blades 472. According to some embodiments, the curvature of the curved wall portion 476 may be such that the distance between the curved wall portion 476 and the section surrounding the centrifugal fan 470 remains constant along the length of the curved wall portion 476.

[0048] According to various embodiments, the airflow guide 474 may include a straight wall portion 478. The straight wall portion 478 may extend from one end of the curved wall portion 476. Therefore, the straight wall portion 478 may be continuous with the curved wall portion 476. Thus, the curved wall portion 476 may seamlessly connect to the straight wall portion 478. According to various embodiments, the straight wall portion 478 of the airflow guide 474 of the airflow generator 120 may point towards the vent 114 of the housing 110. Therefore, the straight wall portion 478 may extend in a direction away from the curved wall portion 476 and toward the vent 114 of the housing 110.

[0049] According to various embodiments, the airflow guiding device 474 can guide vortices 473 along the curved wall portion 476 toward the straight wall portion 478. Therefore, the curved wall portion 476 can collect the vortices 473 radiated from the centrifugal fan 470, thereby causing the vortices 473 to concentrate, converge, or merge toward the straight wall portion 478. When the vortices 473 concentrate, converge, or merge toward the straight wall portion 478, the vortices 473 can become direct current 475. According to various embodiments, the airflow guiding device 474 can then guide the direct current 475, which exits the airflow generator 120 as airflow, from the straight wall portion 478 toward the vent 114 of the housing 110. Therefore, the straight wall portion 478 can serve as a guide or direct airflow toward the vent 114 of the housing 110. Furthermore, the straight wall portion 478 can terminate at the air outlet 122 of the airflow generator 120. According to various embodiments, when the airflow leaves the outlet 122 of the airflow generator 120, the airflow can continue to flow toward the vent 114 of the housing 110 in a direction parallel to the straight wall portion 478.

[0050] According to various embodiments, sensor element 130 may be located in the side edge region 479 of the airflow from airflow generator 120. The side edge region 479 may be outside the airflow exiting from the outer region of vortex 473. Therefore, the side edge region 479 may be continuous with the outer region of vortex 473. The outer region of vortex 473 may be the region furthest from the rotation axis 471. According to various embodiments, the side edge region 479 may be aligned with the straight wall portion 478 of airflow guide device 474. According to various embodiments, when vortex 473 is in a counter-clockwise direction, sensor element 130 may be located on the right side of the side edge region 479 relative to the width of the airflow. According to various embodiments, when vortex 473 is in a clockwise direction, sensor element 130 may be located on the left side of the side edge region 479 relative to the width of the airflow.

[0051] According to various embodiments, the airflow guiding device 474 of the airflow generator 120 may include a vortex housing or a scroll housing. Therefore, a centrifugal fan 470 may be disposed within the vortex housing or the scroll housing. Furthermore, the outlet of the vortex housing or the scroll housing may be directed to the vent 114 of the housing 110.

[0052] According to various embodiments, electronic device 300 may include processor 151. For example, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 3Processor 151 may be a central processing unit, which may be one of the heat-generating electronic components 150. As another example, processor 151 may be a separate microcontroller specifically designed to determine dust accumulation. In various embodiments, "processor" can be understood as any kind of logical implementation entity that can be a dedicated circuit or processor executing software stored in memory, firmware, or any combination thereof. Thus, in one embodiment, "processor" may be a wired logic circuit or a programmable logic circuit, such as a programmable processor, for example, a microprocessor (e.g., a Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) processor or a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) processor). "Processor" may also be a processor executing software, such as any kind of computer program, for example, a computer program using virtual machine code (e.g., Java). According to various embodiments, any other kind of implementation of the various functions described in more detail below may also be understood as a "processor." In various embodiments, "processor" may be part of a computing system or controller or microcontroller or any other system providing processing capabilities. According to various embodiments, such systems may include memory used, for example, in processes performed by a device or system. The memory used in these embodiments may be volatile memory, such as Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), or non-volatile memory, such as Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), Erasable PROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable PROM (EEPROM), or flash memory, such as Floating Gate Memory, Charge-Trap Memory, Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM), or Phase Change Random Access Memory (PCRAM).

[0053] According to various embodiments, processor 151 may be electrically connected to sensor element 130 to receive output signals from sensor element 130. Processor 151 may then process the output signals received from sensor element 130 to determine the state of dust accumulation along the airflow from airflow generator 120. Therefore, processor 151 may determine the state of dust accumulation along the airflow from airflow generator 120 based on the output signals from sensor element 130, which provide measurements related to one or more physical characteristics of the airflow.

[0054] According to various embodiments, when processing the output signal received from sensor element 130, processor 151 may perform a comparison between one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 and reference data. Therefore, processor 151 may compare one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 with reference data. Subsequently, processor 151 may determine the state of dust accumulation along the airflow based on the comparison result.

[0055] According to various embodiments, the comparison may include determining whether one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are less than, equal to, or greater than a predefined basic threshold. The predefined basic threshold may be a portion of reference data. According to various embodiments, the reference data may include predefined basic thresholds for one or more physical characteristics of the airflow at a set speed for each airflow generator 120 within the operating speed range of the airflow generator 120. Therefore, based on the set speed of the airflow generator 120 and one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130, processor 151 may compare one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 with the predefined basic threshold of the set speed to determine whether one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are less than, equal to, or greater than the predefined basic threshold. According to some embodiments, the set speed of the airflow generator 120 may be based on user input in processor 151. According to some embodiments, processor 151 may be electrically connected to airflow generator 120 for controlling the operation of airflow generator 120. Therefore, the set speed of the airflow generator 120 can be based on the control signal from the processor 151 to the airflow generator 120.

[0056] As an example, when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are airflow velocity or airflow volumetric flow rate, (i) when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are equal to a predefined basic threshold, processor 151 can determine that there is no dust accumulation; and / or (ii) when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are less than the predefined basic threshold, processor 151 can determine that there is dust accumulation; and / or (iii) when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are greater than the predefined basic threshold, processor 151 can determine that the configuration / position / orientation of the electronic device may not be suitable for sensor element 130 to determine whether there is dust accumulation. Therefore, the processor 151 may (i) output a dust accumulation warning signal (e.g., to the display of the electronic device 300) when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130 are determined to be less than a predefined basic threshold; and / or (ii) output a no-dust-accumulation signal (e.g., to the display of the electronic device 300) when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130 are determined to be equal to the predefined basic threshold; and / or (iii) cyclically compare the physical characteristics of the airflow subsequently measured with reference data when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130 are determined to be greater than the predefined basic threshold.

[0057] As another example, when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are airflow pressure, (i) when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are equal to a predefined basic threshold, processor 151 can determine that there is no dust accumulation; and / or (ii) when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are greater than the predefined basic threshold, processor 151 can determine that there is dust accumulation; and / or (iii) when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are less than the predefined basic threshold, processor 151 can determine that the configuration / position / orientation of the electronic device may not be suitable for sensor element 130 to determine whether there is dust accumulation. Therefore, the processor 151 may (i) output a dust accumulation warning signal (e.g., to the display of the electronic device 300) when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130 are determined to be greater than a predefined basic threshold; and / or (ii) output a no-dust-accumulation signal (e.g., to the display of the electronic device 300) when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130 are determined to be equal to the predefined basic threshold; and / or (iii) cyclically compare the physical characteristics of the airflow subsequently measured with reference data when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130 are determined to be less than the predefined basic threshold.

[0058] According to some embodiments, the comparison may include determining whether one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are within a predefined basic threshold to a predefined upper threshold, less than a predefined basic threshold, or greater than a predefined upper threshold. The predefined basic threshold and the predefined upper threshold may be part of reference data. According to various embodiments, the reference data may include predefined basic thresholds and predefined upper thresholds for one or more physical characteristics of the airflow at a set speed for each airflow generator 120 within the operating speed range of the airflow generator 120. Therefore, based on the set speed of the airflow generator 120 and one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130, processor 151 may compare one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 with the predefined basic thresholds and predefined upper thresholds of the set speed to determine whether one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are within a predefined basic threshold to a predefined upper threshold, less than a predefined basic threshold, or greater than a predefined upper threshold. According to some embodiments, the set speed of the airflow generator 120 can be based on user input in the processor 151. According to some embodiments, the processor 151 can be electrically connected to the airflow generator 120 for controlling the operation of the airflow generator 120. Therefore, the set speed of the airflow generator 120 can be based on control signals from the processor 151 to the airflow generator 120.

[0059] As an example, when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are airflow velocity or airflow volumetric flow rate, (i) when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are within the range from a predefined basic threshold to a predefined upper threshold, processor 151 can determine that there is no dust accumulation; and / or (ii) when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are less than the predefined basic threshold, processor 151 can determine that there is dust accumulation; and / or (iii) when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are greater than the predefined upper threshold, processor 151 can determine that the configuration / position / orientation of the electronic device may not be suitable for sensor element 130 to determine whether there is dust accumulation. Therefore, the processor 151 may (i) output a dust accumulation warning signal (e.g., to the display of the electronic device 300) when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130 are determined to be less than a predefined basic threshold; and / or (ii) output a no-dust-accumulation signal (e.g., to the display of the electronic device 300) when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130 are determined to be within the range from the predefined basic threshold to the predefined upper threshold; and / or (iii) cyclically compare the physical characteristics of the airflow subsequently measured with reference data when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130 are determined to be greater than the predefined upper threshold.

[0060] As another example, when the physical characteristic of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 is airflow pressure, (i) when the physical characteristic of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 is within the range from a predefined basic threshold to a predefined upper threshold, processor 151 can determine that there is no dust accumulation; and / or (ii) when the physical characteristic of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 is greater than the predefined upper threshold, processor 151 can determine that there is dust accumulation; and / or (iii) when the physical characteristic of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 is less than the predefined basic threshold, processor 151 can determine that the configuration / position / orientation of the electronic device may not be suitable for sensor element 130 to determine whether there is dust accumulation. Therefore, the processor 151 may (i) output a dust accumulation warning signal (e.g., to the display of the electronic device 300) when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130 are determined to be greater than a predefined upper threshold; and / or (ii) output a no-dust-accumulation signal (e.g., to the display of the electronic device 300) when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130 are determined to be within the range from a predefined basic threshold to a predefined upper threshold; and / or (iii) cyclically compare the physical characteristics of the subsequently measured airflow with reference data when the physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130 are determined to be less than a predefined basic threshold.

[0061] See also Figure 3 According to various embodiments, the electronic device 300 may include an orientation sensing element 180. The orientation sensing element 180 may be disposed within the housing 110 for determining the orientation of the housing 110. According to various embodiments, the orientation sensing element 180 may be fixedly attached to or fixedly coupled to the housing 110. According to various embodiments, the orientation sensing element 180 may include, but is not limited to, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, or an inertial measurement unit.

[0062] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 300 may include a speed sensing element 182. The speed sensing element 182 may be disposed within the housing 110 for measuring the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120. According to various embodiments, the speed sensing element 182 may be disposed relative to the airflow generator 120. For example, the speed sensing element 182 may be configured toward a rotating wheel, rotating shaft, or pivot axis of the airflow generator 120 for measuring the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120. According to various embodiments, the speed sensing element 182 may include, but is not limited to, an optical sensor, a magnetoresistive sensor, an inductive sensor, a variable magnetoresistive magnetic sensor, or a Hall effect magnetic sensor.

[0063] According to various embodiments, before determining dust accumulation based on a comparison of one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 with reference data, processor 151 may check whether the airflow generator 120 is operating normally or malfunctioning (e.g., faulty). Therefore, as a first stage, processor 151 may determine the state of airflow generator 120, and as a second stage, based on the determined state of airflow generator 120, decide whether to continue performing the comparison between one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 and reference data to determine dust accumulation. According to various embodiments, when airflow generator 120 is not operating normally, the result of the comparison between one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 and reference data may not be accurately used to determine whether dust accumulation exists. Therefore, checking whether airflow generator 120 is operating normally as a first stage can avoid inaccurate determination of whether dust accumulation exists.

[0064] According to various embodiments, processor 151 may determine the state of airflow generator 120 based on the actual operating speed of airflow generator 120 measured by speed sensing element 182, and / or determine the orientation of housing 110 by orientation sensing element 180, and / or determine whether airflow is obstructed (e.g., at vent 114 of housing 110) based on one or more physical characteristics of airflow measured by sensor element 130. Airflow generator 120 is considered to be operating normally when the actual operating speed of airflow generator 120 measured by speed sensing element 182 conforms to a specified value (e.g., conforms to a set speed of airflow generator 120 or is within an acceptable speed range based on the set speed of airflow generator 120). However, when the actual operating speed of airflow generator 120 does not conform to a specified value, it may be attributed to housing 110 not being in the desired orientation, and / or airflow not being obstructed (e.g., at vent 114 of housing 110). Therefore, in addition to measuring the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, when the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120 does not meet the specifications, it may be necessary to determine the orientation of the housing 110 and / or determine whether the airflow is obstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110) before determining whether the airflow generator 120 is faulty (e.g., malfunctioning).

[0065] According to various embodiments, when determining the state of the airflow generator 120, the processor 151 may compare the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120 measured by the speed sensing element 182 with the set speed of the airflow generator 120 to determine whether the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120 measured by the speed sensing element 182 is less than, equal to or greater than the set speed of the airflow generator 120.

[0066] When the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, as measured by the speed sensing element 182, is equal to the set speed of the airflow generator 120, the airflow generator 120 can be considered to be operating normally. Therefore, the processor 151 can continue to perform a comparison between one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130 and reference data to determine dust accumulation.

[0067] However, when the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120 measured by the speed sensing element 182 is not equal to the set speed of the airflow generator 120, the processor 151 may need to determine the orientation of the housing 110 and / or whether the airflow is obstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110) before determining whether there is an error in the airflow generator 120.

[0068] For example, when the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, measured by the speed sensing element 182, is less than the set speed of the airflow generator 120, the processor 151 can continue to determine the orientation of the housing 110 via the orientation sensing element 180. The desired orientation of the housing 110 can be the orientation in which the airflow generator 120 should operate normally. The desired orientation of the housing 110 can be provided to the processor 151 as a reference orientation. Therefore, when the orientation of the housing 110 sensed by the orientation sensing element 180 matches the reference orientation, the processor 151 can determine that the orientation of the housing 110 is in the desired orientation. However, if the processor 151 determines that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, measured by the speed sensing element 182, is less than the set speed of the airflow generator 120 and the orientation of the housing 110 is in the desired orientation, it may mean that the airflow generator 120 is not operating normally, and the processor 151 can output an error signal to notify that there is an error in the airflow generator 120. On the other hand, if the processor 151 determines that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, as measured by the speed sensing element 182, is less than the set speed of the airflow generator 120 and the orientation of the housing 110 is not in the desired orientation, it means that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120 may differ from the set speed of the airflow generator 120 because the orientation of the housing 110 is not in the desired orientation. Therefore, the processor 151 may output a signal to notify that repositioning / reorientation of the housing 110 may be necessary.

[0069] As another example, when the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, as measured by the speed sensing element 182, is greater than the set speed of the airflow generator 120, the processor 151 may continue to determine whether the airflow is obstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110) based on one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130. The airflow may be obstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110) when one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130 are not equal to a threshold or are not within a threshold range associated with the set speed of the airflow generator 120 (e.g., less than the threshold airflow velocity or threshold airflow volumetric flow rate, or greater than the threshold airflow pressure). If the processor 151 determines that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, as measured by the speed sensing element 182, is greater than the set speed of the airflow generator 120 and the airflow is obstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110), it may mean that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120 may differ from the set speed of the airflow generator 120 due to the obstruction. Therefore, the processor 151 can output a signal to notify that it may be necessary to check the obstruction at the vent 114 of the housing 110.

[0070] On the other hand, if the processor 151 determines that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, as measured by the speed sensing element 182, is greater than the set speed of the airflow generator 120 and the airflow is unobstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110), the processor 151 can continue to determine the orientation of the housing 110 via the orientation sensing element 180. The desired orientation of the housing 110 can be the orientation in which the airflow generator 120 should operate normally when the airflow is unobstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110). The desired orientation of the housing 110 can be provided to the processor 151 as a reference orientation. Therefore, when the orientation of the housing 110 sensed by the orientation sensing element 180 coincides with the reference orientation, the processor 151 can determine that the orientation of the housing 110 is in the desired orientation. However, if the processor 151 determines that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, measured by the speed sensing element 182, is greater than the set speed of the airflow generator 120, the airflow is unobstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110), and the orientation of the housing 110 is in the desired orientation, it may mean that the airflow generator 120 is not operating properly, and the processor 151 may output an error signal to notify that there is an error in the airflow generator 120. On the other hand, if the processor 151 determines that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, measured by the speed sensing element 182, is greater than the set speed of the airflow generator 120, the airflow is unobstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110), and the orientation of the housing 110 is in the desired orientation, it may mean that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120 may differ from the set speed of the airflow generator 120 because the orientation of the housing 110 is not in the desired orientation. Therefore, the processor 151 may output a signal to notify that the housing 110 may need to be repositioned / reoriented.

[0071] According to some embodiments, when determining the state of the airflow generator 120, the processor 151 may compare the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, measured by the speed sensing element 182, with a speed range based on a set speed of the airflow generator 120. The speed range based on the set speed of the airflow generator 120 may be from a minimum threshold speed to a maximum threshold speed. The minimum threshold speed may be a speed within an acceptable deviation from the set speed of the airflow generator 120, while the maximum threshold speed may be a speed within an acceptable deviation from the set speed of the airflow generator 120. Therefore, the processor 151 may determine whether the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, measured by the speed sensing element 182, is less than the minimum threshold range, is within the speed range, or is greater than the maximum threshold speed.

[0072] When the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, as measured by the speed sensing element 182, is within the speed range based on the set speed of the airflow generator 120, the airflow generator 120 can be considered to be operating normally. Therefore, the processor 151 can continue to perform a comparison between one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130 and reference data to determine dust accumulation.

[0073] However, when the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, as measured by the speed sensing element 182, is within the speed range, the processor 151 may need to determine the orientation of the housing 110 and / or whether the airflow is obstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110) before determining whether there is an error in the airflow generator 120.

[0074] For example, when the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, measured by the speed sensing element 182, is less than the minimum threshold speed within the speed range based on the set speed of the airflow generator 120, the processor 151 can continue to determine the orientation of the housing 110 via the orientation sensing element 180. The desired orientation of the housing 110 can be the orientation in which the airflow generator 120 should operate normally. The desired orientation of the housing 110 can be provided to the processor 151 as a reference orientation. Therefore, when the orientation of the housing 110 sensed by the orientation sensing element 180 coincides with the reference orientation, the processor 151 can determine that the orientation of the housing 110 is in the desired orientation. However, if the processor 151 determines that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, measured by the speed sensing element 182, is less than the minimum threshold speed within the speed range based on the set speed of the airflow generator 120, and the orientation of the housing 110 is in the desired orientation, it may mean that the airflow generator 120 is not operating normally, and the processor 151 can output an error signal to notify that there is an error in the airflow generator 120. On the other hand, if the processor 151 determines that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, as measured by the speed sensing element 182, is less than a minimum threshold speed within the speed range based on the set speed of the airflow generator 120, and the orientation of the housing 110 is not in the desired orientation, it means that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120 may differ from the set speed of the airflow generator 120 because the orientation of the housing 110 is not in the desired orientation. Therefore, the processor 151 may output a signal to notify that repositioning / reorientation of the housing 110 may be necessary.

[0075] As another example, when the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, as measured by the speed sensing element 182, is greater than a maximum threshold speed within a speed range based on the set speed of the airflow generator 120, the processor 151 may continue to determine whether the airflow is obstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110) based on one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130. Airflow may be obstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110) when one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130 are not equal to a threshold or are not within a threshold range associated with the set speed of the airflow generator 120 (e.g., less than a threshold airflow velocity or a threshold airflow volumetric flow rate, or greater than a threshold airflow pressure). If the processor 151 determines that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, as measured by the speed sensing element 182, is greater than the maximum threshold speed of the speed range based on the set speed of the airflow generator 120, and the airflow is obstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110), it can mean that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120 may differ from the set speed of the airflow generator 120 due to the obstruction. Therefore, the processor 151 may output a signal to notify that the obstruction at the vent 114 of the housing 110 may need to be checked.

[0076] On the other hand, if the processor 151 determines that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, as measured by the speed sensing element 182, is greater than the maximum threshold speed within the speed range based on the set speed of the airflow generator 120, and the airflow is unobstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110), the processor 151 can continue to determine the orientation of the housing 110 via the orientation sensing element 180. The desired orientation of the housing 110 can be the orientation in which the airflow generator 120 should operate normally when the airflow is unobstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110). The desired orientation of the housing 110 can be provided to the processor 151 as a reference orientation. Therefore, when the orientation of the housing 110 sensed by the orientation sensing element 180 coincides with the reference orientation, the processor 151 can determine that the orientation of the housing 110 is in the desired orientation. However, if the processor 151 determines that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, measured by the speed sensing element 182, is greater than the maximum threshold speed of the speed range based on the set speed of the airflow generator 120, the airflow is not obstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110), and the orientation of the housing 110 is in the desired orientation, it may mean that the airflow generator 120 is not operating properly, and the processor 151 may output an error signal to notify that there is an error in the airflow generator 120. On the other hand, if the processor 151 determines that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120, measured by the speed sensing element 182, is greater than the maximum threshold speed of the speed range based on the set speed of the airflow generator 120, the airflow is not obstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110), and the orientation of the housing 110 is not in the desired orientation, it may mean that the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120 may be different from the set speed of the airflow generator 120 because the orientation of the housing 110 is not in the desired orientation. Therefore, the processor 151 can output a signal to notify that the housing 110 may need to be repositioned / reoriented.

[0077] According to various embodiments, processor 151 may execute a program based on a user request or automatically when electronic devices 100, 200, 300 are powered on, to determine whether dust has accumulated in electronic devices 100, 200, 300. According to various embodiments, the determination of dust accumulation is programmable as a computer program, for example, including a self-test program that, when executed by processor 151, may run or execute the program as described herein to determine whether dust has accumulated in electronic devices 100, 200, 300. According to various embodiments, a computer-readable medium may include instructions that, when executed by processor 151, cause processor 151 to run or execute the program as described herein to determine whether dust has accumulated in electronic devices 100, 200, 300.

[0078] Figure 5This diagram illustrates a method 501 (e.g., a computer-implemented method) for determining dust accumulation in electronic devices 100, 200, and 300 according to various embodiments. According to various embodiments, processor 151 may execute a computer program including instructions to cause processor 151 to perform method 501. According to various embodiments, processor 151 may execute instructions including instructions on a computer-readable medium to cause processor 151 to perform method 501. According to various embodiments, method 501 may include, as a first stage 503, determining the state of airflow generator 120 of electronic devices 100, 200, and 300, and as a second stage 505, determining the state of dust accumulation in electronic devices 100, 200, and 300 when airflow generator 120 is determined to be operating normally. Therefore, method 501 may involve checking whether airflow generator 120 of electronic devices 100, 200, and 300 is operating normally before proceeding to determine the state of dust accumulation in electronic devices 100, 200, and 300 in the manner described herein.

[0079] Figure 6 This is an extended flowchart illustrating a method 501 (e.g., a computer-implemented method) for determining dust accumulation in electronic devices 100, 200, 300 according to various embodiments.

[0080] According to various embodiments, a first stage 503 for determining the state of the airflow generator 120 may include, in step 513, setting a set speed for the airflow generator 120 to operate at the set speed, and in step 515, comparing the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120 measured by the speed sensing element 182 with the set speed of the airflow generator 120 or a speed range based on the set speed of the airflow generator 120. If the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120 measured by the speed sensing element 182 is equal to the set speed of the airflow generator 120 or within a speed range based on the set speed of the airflow generator 120, then it is determined that the airflow generator 120 is operating normally. According to various embodiments, method 501 may determine whether the airflow generator 120 is operating normally once between steps 513 and 515 based on a single set speed of the airflow generator 120. According to various embodiments, method 501 may repeat steps 513 and 515 for at least two different set speeds (or two or more different set speeds) before determining whether the airflow generator 120 is operating normally. In these embodiments, before determining whether the airflow generator 120 is operating normally, step 515 may require the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120 to match all the different set speeds. When step 515 of the first stage 503 determines that the airflow generator 120 is operating normally, method 501 may proceed to the second stage 505 to determine the state of dust accumulation.

[0081] According to various embodiments, during step 515 of the first stage 503 for determining the state of the airflow generator 120, if the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120 measured by the speed sensing element 182 is less than the set speed of the airflow generator 120 or less than a minimum threshold speed within the speed range based on the set speed of the airflow generator 120, then method 501 may continue to determine the orientation of the housing 110 by the orientation sensing element 180 in step 517. During step 517, the orientation of the housing 110 sensed by the orientation sensing element 180 may be compared with a reference orientation to determine whether the orientation of the housing 110 sensed by the orientation sensing element 180 coincides with the reference orientation. The reference orientation may be the desired orientation of the housing 110 for which the airflow generator 120 should operate normally. Therefore, if the orientation of the housing 110 sensed by the orientation sensing element 180 is determined to coincide with the reference orientation in step 517, method 501 may continue to generate a fan error warning in step 519. This is because the housing 110 of electronic devices 100, 200, and 300 is in the desired orientation for normal operation of the airflow generator 120, but the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120 measured by the speed sensing element 182 in step 513 is still less than the set speed of the airflow generator 120 or less than the minimum threshold speed of the speed range based on the set speed of the airflow generator 120, which may be due to an error in the airflow generator 120.

[0082] According to various embodiments, during step 517, if the orientation of the housing 110 sensed by the orientation sensing element 180 is determined to be different from the reference orientation, method 501 may continue to loop back to the initial step 511, while generating a message to suggest repositioning / reorientation of the electronics 100, 200, 300 (together with the housing 110). Steps 513 and 515 may then be repeated to determine the state of the airflow generator 120 after the repositioning / reorientation of the electronics 100, 200, 300.

[0083] According to various embodiments, during step 515 of the first phase 503 of determining the state of the airflow generator 120, if the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120 measured by the speed sensing element 182 is greater than the set speed of the airflow generator 120 or greater than the maximum threshold speed based on the speed range of the set speed of the airflow generator 120, then method 501 may continue to determine whether the airflow is obstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110) based on one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130. The airflow may be obstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110) when one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element 130 are not equal to a threshold or are not within a threshold range associated with the set speed of the airflow generator 120 (e.g., less than the threshold airflow velocity or threshold airflow volumetric flow rate, or greater than the threshold airflow pressure). In step 521, if it is determined that the airflow is obstructed (e.g., at the vent 114 of the housing 110), method 501 may continue to loop back to the initial step 511, while generating a message to suggest checking and resolving the airflow obstruction. Steps 513 and 515 may then be repeated to determine the state of the airflow generator 120 after checking and resolving the airflow obstruction.

[0084] According to various embodiments, in step 521, if it is determined that the airflow is unobstructed, method 501 may continue to step 523 to determine the orientation of housing 110 by orientation sensing element 180. In step 523, the orientation of housing 110 sensed by orientation sensing element 180 may be compared with a reference orientation to determine whether the orientation of housing 110 sensed by orientation sensing element 180 coincides with the reference orientation. The reference orientation may be the desired orientation of housing 110 where airflow generator 120 should operate normally when airflow is unobstructed. Therefore, if the orientation of housing 110 sensed by orientation sensing element 180 in step 521 is determined to coincide with the reference orientation, method 501 may continue to generate a fan error warning in step 525. This is because the housing 110 of electronic devices 100, 200, and 300 is in the desired position for normal operation of the airflow generator 120, and the airflow is not obstructed. However, the actual operating speed of the airflow generator 120 measured by the speed sensing element 182 in step 515 is still greater than the set speed of the airflow generator 120 or greater than the maximum threshold speed of the speed range based on the set speed of the airflow generator 120. This may be due to an error in the airflow generator 120.

[0085] According to various embodiments, during step 523, if the orientation of the housing 110 sensed by the orientation sensing element 180 is determined to be different from the reference orientation, method 501 may continue to loop back to the initial step 511, while generating a message to suggest repositioning / reorientation of the electronics 100, 200, 300 (together with the housing 110). Steps 513 and 515 may then be repeated to determine the state of the airflow generator 120 after the repositioning / reorientation of the electronics 100, 200, 300.

[0086] According to some embodiments, the second stage 505 may begin setting a predetermined set speed for dust accumulation detection at step 527. Subsequently, method 501 may continue comparing one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 with reference data at step 529. When one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are determined to be equal to a predefined basic threshold or within the range of the predefined basic threshold to a predefined upper limit threshold, method 501 may continue generating an output indicating no dust accumulation at step 531.

[0087] According to various embodiments, during step 529, when the physical characteristic of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 is airflow velocity or airflow volumetric flow rate, and if one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are determined to be less than a predefined basic threshold or a predefined basic threshold within a range from a predefined basic threshold to a predefined upper threshold, then method 501 may continue to generate a dust accumulation warning in step 533. According to various embodiments, when dust accumulates along the airflow, the airflow velocity or airflow volumetric flow rate decreases accordingly. Therefore, when it is determined in step 529 that the airflow velocity or airflow volumetric flow rate is less than expected, it can be concluded that dust accumulation exists. Therefore, method 501 may continue to generate a dust accumulation warning in step 533.

[0088] According to various embodiments, during step 529, when the physical characteristic of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 is airflow velocity or airflow volumetric flow rate, and if one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are determined to be greater than a predefined basic threshold or a predefined upper threshold greater than the range from the predefined basic threshold to the predefined upper threshold, then method 501 may continue to loop back to the starting step 511 of the first step 503 of method 501, while generating a message to suggest repositioning / reorientation of electronic devices 100, 200, 300 (together with housing 110). Afterwards, method 501 may repeat the first stage 503 before proceeding to the second stage 505.

[0089] According to various embodiments, during step 529, when the physical characteristic of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 is airflow pressure, and if one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are determined to be greater than a predefined basic threshold or a predefined upper threshold greater than the range from the predefined basic threshold to the predefined upper threshold, then method 501 may continue to generate a dust accumulation warning in step 533. According to various embodiments, when dust accumulates along the airflow, the airflow pressure increases accordingly. Therefore, when it is determined in step 529 that the airflow pressure is greater than expected, it can be concluded that dust accumulation exists. Therefore, method 501 may continue to generate a dust accumulation warning in step 533.

[0090] According to various embodiments, during step 529, when the physical characteristic of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 is airflow pressure, and if one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by sensor element 130 are determined to be less than a predefined basic threshold or less than a predefined basic threshold ranging from a predefined basic threshold to a predefined upper threshold, then method 501 may continue to loop back to the starting step 511 of the first step 503 of method 501, while generating a message to suggest repositioning / reorientation of electronic devices 100, 200, 300 (together with housing 110). Afterwards, method 501 may repeat the first stage 503 before proceeding to the second stage 505.

[0091] According to various embodiments, a method for detecting dust accumulation in an electronic device is provided. The method may include comparing one or more physical characteristics of an airflow measured by a sensor element with reference data, the airflow being generated by an airflow generator disposed in a housing toward a vent in the housing to expel air from inside the housing to the outside through the vent, the sensor element being positioned at or before the vent in the housing along the path of the airflow, wherein the state of dust accumulation along the airflow can be determined based on the comparison results.

[0092] According to various embodiments, comparing one or more physical properties of the airflow measured by the sensor element with reference data may include determining whether one or more physical properties of the airflow measured by the sensor element are less than, equal to, or greater than a predefined basic threshold.

[0093] According to various embodiments, the method may further include generating a dust accumulation warning signal when one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element are determined to be less than a predefined basic threshold, and / or generating a no-dust-accumulation signal when one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element are determined to be equal to the predefined basic threshold. The one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element may include airflow velocity or airflow volumetric flow rate.

[0094] According to various embodiments, the method may further include comparing one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element with reference data when the physical characteristics of the airflow subsequently measured are determined to be greater than a predefined basic threshold.

[0095] According to various embodiments, comparing one or more physical properties of the airflow measured by the sensor element with reference data may include determining whether one or more physical properties of the airflow measured by the sensor element are within a range from a predefined basic threshold to a predefined upper threshold, or less than a predefined basic threshold, or greater than a predefined upper threshold.

[0096] According to various embodiments, the method may further include generating a dust accumulation warning signal when one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element are determined to be less than a predefined basic threshold, and / or generating a no-dust-accumulation signal when one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element are determined to be within a range from a predefined basic threshold to a predefined upper threshold. The one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element may include airflow velocity or airflow volumetric flow rate.

[0097] According to various embodiments, the method may further include comparing one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element with reference data when the physical characteristics of the airflow subsequently measured are determined to be greater than a predefined upper limit threshold.

[0098] According to various embodiments, the method may further include determining the state of the airflow generator based on the actual operating speed of the airflow generator as measured by a speed sensing element associated with the airflow generator, and / or the orientation of the housing as determined by an orientation sensing element associated with the housing, and / or the state of the airflow generator as measured by one or more physical characteristics of the airflow as measured by the sensor elements, before comparing one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor elements.

[0099] According to various embodiments, determining the state of the airflow generator may include comparing the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, as measured by a speed sensing element, with the set speed of the airflow generator to determine whether the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, as measured by the speed sensing element, is less than, equal to, or greater than the set speed of the airflow generator.

[0100] According to various embodiments, when the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, as measured by the speed sensing element, is equal to the set speed of the airflow generator, one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element can be compared with reference data.

[0101] According to various embodiments, when the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, measured by the speed sensing element, is less than the set speed of the airflow generator, the orientation of the housing can be determined by an orientation sensing element associated with the housing. An error signal can be generated when the orientation of the housing is determined to be at a reference orientation.

[0102] According to various embodiments, when the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, measured by the speed sensing element, is greater than the set speed of the airflow generator, whether the airflow is obstructed can be checked based on one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element. When the airflow is determined to be unobstructed, the orientation of the housing can be determined by an orientation sensing element associated with the housing. When the orientation of the housing is determined to be at a reference orientation, an error signal can be generated.

[0103] According to various embodiments, determining the state of the airflow generator may include comparing the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, measured by a speed sensing element, with a speed range based on a set speed of the airflow generator, whereby the speed range is from a minimum threshold speed to a maximum threshold speed, in order to determine whether the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, measured by the speed sensing element, is less than the minimum threshold speed, or within the speed range, or greater than the maximum threshold speed.

[0104] According to various embodiments, when the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, as measured by the speed sensing element, is within the speed range, one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element can be compared with reference data.

[0105] According to various embodiments, when the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, measured by the speed sensing element, is less than a minimum threshold speed, the orientation of the housing can be determined by an orientation sensing element associated with the housing. An error signal can be generated when the orientation of the housing is determined to be at a reference orientation.

[0106] According to various embodiments, when the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, measured by the speed sensing element, is greater than a maximum threshold speed, airflow obstruction can be checked based on one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element. When the airflow is determined to be unobstructed, the orientation of the housing can be determined by an orientation sensing element associated with the housing. When the orientation of the housing is determined to be at a reference orientation, an error signal can be generated.

[0107] According to various embodiments, a computer program including instructions is provided that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described herein.

[0108] According to various embodiments, a computer-readable medium including instructions is provided that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described herein.

[0109] Various embodiments provide electronic devices capable of detecting dust accumulation therein. In various embodiments, a user can become aware of the state of dust accumulation in the electronic device and take action to remove the dust or clean the electronic device to maintain its performance.

[0110] While the invention has been specifically shown and described with reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, and variations in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and is thus intended to cover all changes within the meaning and equivalents of the claims.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized in that, include: A housing having a vent; An airflow generator is disposed in the housing, wherein the airflow generator is operable to generate an airflow toward the vent to discharge air inside the housing through the vent of the housing to the outside of the housing; as well as A sensor element located at or before the vent of the housing along the path of the airflow, for measuring one or more physical properties of the airflow.

2. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The one or more physical properties of the airflow include airflow pressure or airflow velocity.

3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor element includes one or a combination of pressure sensing elements and wind speed sensing elements.

4. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The lateral position of the sensor element relative to the width of the airflow corresponds to the point of maximum airflow velocity relative to the airflow velocity distribution along the width of the airflow.

5. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The airflow generator includes: a centrifugal fan having a plurality of blades rotatable about a rotation axis to generate vortices around the rotation axis and around the plurality of blades; and An airflow guiding device to guide the vortex into the airflow at the vent of the housing.

6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, The airflow guiding device includes a curved wall portion along a section surrounding the centrifugal fan, and a straight wall portion extending from one end of the curved wall portion toward the vent of the housing, for guiding the vortex along the curved wall portion toward the straight wall portion and guiding the airflow from the straight wall portion to the vent of the housing.

7. The electronic device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, The sensor element is located in the side edge region of the airflow, aligned with the straight wall portion of the airflow guide device.

8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, The airflow guiding device includes a vortex-shaped shell or a vortex-type shell.

9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic device also includes: A heat-conducting element that extends laterally across the airflow between the airflow generator and the vent.

10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, The sensor element is disposed at the heat conduction element.

11. The electronic device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, The heat conduction element comprises multiple sheets, and the sensor element is disposed on the multiple sheets.

12. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic device also includes: A processor configured to perform a comparison between one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element and reference data, wherein the state of dust accumulation along the airflow is determined based on the result of the comparison.

13. The electronic device as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that, The comparison includes determining whether the one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element are less than, equal to, or greater than a predefined basic threshold.

14. The electronic device as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that, The one or more physical characteristics of the airflow include airflow velocity or volumetric flow rate, wherein, when the one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element are determined to be less than the predefined basic threshold, the processor is configured to output a dust accumulation warning signal, and / or When the one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element are determined to be equal to the predefined basic threshold, the processor is configured to output a no-dust-accumulation signal.

15. The electronic device as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that, When one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element are determined to be greater than the predefined basic threshold, the processor is configured to perform the comparison of the subsequently measured one or more physical characteristics of the airflow with the reference data.

16. The electronic device as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that, The comparison includes determining whether the one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element are within the range of a predefined basic threshold to a predefined upper threshold, or less than the predefined basic threshold, or greater than the predefined upper threshold.

17. The electronic device as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that, The one or more physical characteristics of the airflow include airflow velocity or volumetric flow rate, wherein, when the one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element are determined to be less than the predefined basic threshold, the processor is configured to output a dust accumulation warning signal, and / or When the one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element are determined to be within the range from the predefined basic threshold to the predefined upper threshold, the processor is configured to output a no-dust-accumulation signal.

18. The electronic device as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that, When one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element are determined to be greater than the predefined upper limit threshold, the processor is configured to perform the comparison of the subsequently measured one or more physical characteristics of the airflow with the reference data.

19. The electronic device as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that, The electronic device further includes: an orientation sensing element disposed in the housing for determining the orientation of the housing.

20. The electronic device as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that, The electronic device further includes a speed sensing element disposed in the housing for measuring the actual operating speed of the airflow generator.

21. The electronic device as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that, Before performing the comparison between the one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor elements and the reference data, the processor is configured to determine the state of the airflow generator based on the actual operating speed of the airflow generator measured by the speed sensing element, and / or the orientation of the housing determined by the orientation sensing element, and / or the one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor elements.

22. The electronic device as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that, The processor is configured to compare the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, measured by the speed sensing element, with the set speed of the airflow generator to determine whether the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, measured by the speed sensing element, is less than, equal to, or greater than the set speed of the airflow generator.

23. The electronic device as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that, When the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, as measured by the speed sensing element, is equal to the set speed of the airflow generator, the processor is configured to continue performing the comparison between the one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element and the reference data.

24. The electronic device as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that, When the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, as measured by the speed sensing element, is less than the set speed of the airflow generator, the processor is configured to determine the orientation of the housing by the orientation sensing element, wherein when the orientation of the housing is located at a reference orientation, the processor is configured to output an error signal.

25. The electronic device as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that, When the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, as measured by the speed sensing element, is greater than the set speed of the airflow generator, the processor is configured to determine whether the airflow is obstructed based on one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element, wherein when the airflow is determined to be unobstructed, the processor is configured to determine the orientation of the housing by means of the orientation sensing element.

26. The electronic device as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that, The processor is configured to compare the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, measured by the speed sensing element, with a speed range based on a set speed of the airflow generator, wherein the speed range is from a minimum threshold speed to a maximum threshold speed, in order to determine whether the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, measured by the speed sensing element, is less than the minimum threshold speed, or is within the speed range, or is greater than the maximum threshold speed.

27. The electronic device as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that, When the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, as measured by the speed sensing element, is within the speed range, the processor is configured to continue performing the comparison between the one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element and the reference data.

28. The electronic device as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that, When the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, as measured by the speed sensing element, is less than the minimum threshold speed, the processor is configured to determine the orientation of the housing by the orientation sensing element, wherein when the orientation of the housing is at a reference orientation, the processor is configured to output an error signal.

29. The electronic device as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that, When the actual operating speed of the airflow generator, as measured by the speed sensing element, is greater than the maximum threshold speed, the processor is configured to determine whether the airflow is obstructed based on one or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by the sensor element, wherein when the airflow is determined to be unobstructed, the processor is configured to determine the orientation of the housing by the orientation sensing element.

30. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes at least two vents, wherein at least two airflow generators are disposed in the housing, each airflow generator being operable to generate a corresponding airflow toward the corresponding vent, wherein at least two sensor elements are disposed, each sensor element being located at or before the corresponding vent of the housing along the path of the corresponding airflow.

31. A method for detecting dust accumulation in an electronic device, characterized in that, The method includes: One or more physical characteristics of the airflow measured by a sensor element are compared with reference data. The airflow is generated by an airflow generator disposed in the housing of the electronic device toward a vent in the housing to discharge air inside the housing through the vent in the housing to the outside of the housing. The sensor element is located at or before the vent in the housing along the path of the airflow, wherein the state of dust accumulation along the airflow is determined based on the result of the comparison.

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