Cooling fan control device and program

Abstract

To provide a cooling fan controlling apparatus and a program therefor which, even when a cooling fan is changed, can control an operation of the cooling fan without changing an application program.SOLUTION: A cooling fan control apparatus communicates with a control microcomputer to control an operation of a cooling fan connected to the control microcomputer. The cooling fan control apparatus has a control table reading unit (reading unit) for reading a control table describing control characteristics of a cooling fan, a control table storing unit for storing contents of the control table read by the control table reading unit, a control parameter acquiring unit (acquiring unit) for acquiring an atmosphere temperature and a fan velocity of the cooling fan in association with each other from the control microcomputer, and a control instruction unit (operation control unit) for, based on the atmosphere temperature and the fan velocity acquired by the control parameter acquiring unit and the control table, outputting a control command for use in controlling the cooling fan to the control microcomputer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a cooling fan control device and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a system has been proposed in which a function for controlling a cooling fan is provided in hardware and the hardware is controlled by firmware implemented in a controller module (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In such a conventional system, the control of the cooling fan is performed by firmware implemented in the controller module, that is, a kind of application program. Therefore, for example, when the cooling fan is changed to a different type, it is necessary to rewrite the content of the application program, which has been troublesome.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a cooling fan control device and a program that can control the operation of a cooling fan without changing the application program even when the cooling fan is changed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The cooling fan control device of this embodiment controls the operation of a cooling fan connected to a control microcontroller by communicating with the control microcontroller, and comprises a read unit, a storage unit, an acquisition unit, and an operation control unit. The read unit reads the control table of the cooling fan stored in the control microcontroller. The storage unit stores the contents of the control table read by the read unit. The acquisition unit acquires the current ambient temperature and the current fan speed of the cooling fan from the control microcontroller. The operation control unit outputs a control command to the control microcontroller to control the cooling fan based on the ambient temperature, fan speed, and control table acquired by the acquisition unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the electronic device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of information between the cooling fan control device and the control microcontroller in the electronic device of the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of control characteristics registered in the cooling fan's control table. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a cooling fan control device included in the electronic device of the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the cooling fan setting process performed by the cooling fan control device included in the electronic device of the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of cooling fan control processing performed by the cooling fan control device provided in the electronic device of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0008] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the electronic device 1 of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] (Outline configuration of the cooling fan control system) The schematic configuration of the electronic device 1 of the embodiment will be explained using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the electronic device of the embodiment.

[0010] Electronic device 1 performs various electronic controls according to its application. Electronic device 1 may include, for example, a POS (Point of Sales) terminal that processes various transactions related to goods in a store, or a server device that is connected to multiple POS terminals to manage multiple POS terminals and manage sales in the store. However, electronic device 1 is not limited to these examples.

[0011] The electronic device 1 is housed in a casing 2 and includes a control microcontroller 10, a cooling fan control device 30, and cooling fans 3, 4, and 5.

[0012] Since the control microcontroller 10 and the cooling fan control device 30 are equipped with heat-generating components such as the CPU and memory device, they need to be properly cooled according to the ambient temperature inside the enclosure 2 in order to ensure stable operation.

[0013] Cooling fans 3, 4, and 5 are used for this cooling. Cooling fans 3, 4, and 5 are motor-driven fans that cool the inside of the enclosure 2 by expelling the air inside the enclosure 2 to the outside. The number of cooling fans provided by the electronic device 1 is not limited.

[0014] The cooling fan control device 30 obtains a control table 121 (see Figure 2) from the control microcontroller 10, which describes the control characteristics of multiple cooling fans, including cooling fans 3, 4, and 5. The cooling fan control device 30 also repeatedly obtains the ambient temperature T inside the housing 2, measured by the temperature sensor 6 (described later), and the fan speed, which is the rotational speed of cooling fans 3, 4, and 5, from the control microcontroller 10. Furthermore, based on the control table 121 of the currently connected cooling fans 3, 4, and 5, the ambient temperature inside the housing 2 obtained from the control microcontroller 10, and the fan speed of cooling fans 3, 4, and 5, the cooling fan control device 30 provides control commands to the control microcontroller 10 to control cooling fans 3, 4, and 5.

[0015] The control microcontroller 10 outputs the cooling fan control table 121, which it has stored, to the cooling fan control device 30. The control microcontroller 10 also repeatedly outputs to the cooling fan control device 30 the ambient temperature inside the enclosure 2 measured by the temperature sensor, and the fan speeds of the cooling fans 3, 4, and 5. Furthermore, the control microcontroller 10 controls the operation of the cooling fans 3, 4, and 5 in response to control commands from the cooling fan control device 30. As a result, the control microcontroller 10, the cooling fan control device 30, and other components are cooled.

[0016] The side of the enclosure 2 is provided with a vent 8, which is the outlet for the air drawn in by the cooling fans 3, 4, and 5 and expelled to the outside of the enclosure 2, and a connector 9 for connecting the electronic device 1 to a display device such as a monitor (not shown) and an operating device such as a keyboard.

[0017] (Hardware configuration of electronic devices) The hardware configuration of electronic device 1 will be explained using Figure 2. Figure 2 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the electronic device of the embodiment.

[0018] The electronic device 1 comprises a cooling fan control device 30, a control microcontroller 10, cooling fans 3, 4, and 5 connected to the control microcontroller 10, a temperature sensor 6, and a power switch 7.

[0019] The control microcomputer 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a cooling fan driver 14, a sensor interface 15, and a communication controller 16. The control unit 11, the storage unit 12, the cooling fan driver 14, and the sensor interface 15 are connected by an internal bus 13. The control microcomputer 10 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) board.

[0020] The control unit 11 controls the overall operation of the control microcomputer 10. The control unit 11 includes a CPU 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113. The CPU 111 is connected to the ROM 112 and the RAM 113 via internal buses such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 111 expands the control program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113. The CPU 111 controls the operation of the control microcomputer 10 by operating according to the control program expanded in the RAM 113. That is, the control unit 11 has the configuration of a general computer.

[0021] The storage unit 12 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) connected to the control unit 11 via the internal bus 13. The storage unit 12 may also be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 12 stores a control table 121. Note that the storage unit 12 may further store a control program for operating the control unit 11.

[0022] The control table 121 is a table that describes the control characteristics of all cooling fans that may be connected to the control microcomputer 10. In the control table 121, for example, identification information that uniquely identifies the type of cooling fan, such as the model information of the cooling fan, and the relationship between the ambient temperature T and the fan speed of the cooling fan are stored in association with each other. The fan speed of the cooling fan is represented, for example, by the duty ratio D of the drive pulse applied to the motor that drives the cooling fan. The control characteristics of the cooling fan will be described in detail later (see FIG. 4).

[0023] The cooling fan driver 14 is a drive circuit for the motors that drive the cooling fans 3, 4, and 5. For each of the cooling fans 3, 4, and 5, different drivers may be provided, or one cooling fan driver 14 may drive a plurality of cooling fans.

[0024] The sensor interface 15 acquires the output of the temperature sensor 6 installed inside the housing 2 of the electronic device 1, that is, the ambient temperature T inside the housing 2, and delivers it to the control unit 11.

[0025] The temperature sensor 6 is, for example, a thermistor. A thermistor is an element that changes its resistance value according to the ambient temperature. The number of temperature sensors 6 to be installed is not limited. That is, the temperature sensors 6 are installed in each area cooled by the cooling fans 3, 4, and 5.

[0026] The communication controller 16 controls the communication between the control microcomputer 10 and the cooling fan control device 30, and thereby receives and transmits various information between the control microcomputer 10 and the cooling fan control device 30.

[0027] In addition, the control unit 11 of the control microcomputer 10 acquires a signal indicating that the power switch 7 has been turned on, and starts its own operation. Further, the control unit 11 of the control microcomputer 10 acquires a signal indicating that the power switch 7 has been turned off, and stops its own operation.

[0028] The cooling fan control device 30 comprises a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication controller 34. The control unit 31, the storage unit 32, and the communication controller 34 are connected by an internal bus 33.

[0029] The control unit 31 controls the overall operation of the cooling fan control device 30. The control unit 31 comprises a CPU 311, a ROM 312, and a RAM 313. The CPU 311 connects to the ROM 312 and the RAM 313 via internal buses such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 311 loads various programs stored in the ROM 312 and the memory unit 32 into the RAM 313. The CPU 311 controls the operation of the cooling fan control device 30 by operating according to the various programs loaded into the RAM 313. In other words, the control unit 31 has the configuration of a typical computer.

[0030] The storage unit 32 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD, connected to the control unit 31 via the internal bus 33. Alternatively, the storage unit 32 may be a non-volatile memory such as flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 32 stores the control program 321 and the control table 322.

[0031] The control program 321 is a program that controls the overall operation of the cooling fan control device 30. The control program 321 may be provided stored in the memory unit 32, or it may be provided as an installable or executable file recorded on a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD. The control program 321 may also be provided by storing it on a computer connected to a network and downloading it via the network. Furthermore, the control program 321 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0032] Control table 322 is the same as control table 121 read from the control microcontroller 10. In other words, control table 322 and control table 121 are the same thing. To distinguish between the control table stored in the control microcontroller 10 and the control table read by the cooling fan control device 30, different symbols will be assigned to them in the following explanation.

[0033] The communication controller 34 controls the communication between the cooling fan control device 30 and the control microcontroller 10, thereby receiving various types of information between the cooling fan control device 30 and the control microcontroller 10.

[0034] (Information exchange between the cooling fan control device and the control microcontroller) The reception of various types of information between the cooling fan control device 30 and the control microcontroller 10 will be explained using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of information between the cooling fan control device and the control microcontroller in the electronic device of this embodiment.

[0035] The control unit 31 of the cooling fan control device 30 includes cooling fan control middleware 51 operated by the CPU 311, a cooling fan setting tool 52, and input / output middleware 53.

[0036] The cooling fan control middleware 51 obtains the control table 121 from the control microcontroller 10. The cooling fan control middleware 51 also repeatedly obtains the control parameters necessary to control the cooling fans 3, 4, and 5 from the control microcontroller 10. The control parameters are, for example, the ambient temperature T inside the enclosure 2 measured by the temperature sensor 6, and the fan speeds of the cooling fans 3, 4, and 5. Furthermore, the cooling fan control middleware 51 obtains the status of the power switch 7 from the control microcontroller 10.

[0037] Furthermore, the cooling fan control middleware 51 outputs control commands to the control microcontroller 10 for controlling the cooling fans 3, 4, and 5.

[0038] The cooling fan setting tool 52 is a software tool for setting the types of cooling fans 3, 4, and 5 installed in the electronic device 1. By identifying the cooling fans 3, 4, and 5 connected to the control microcontroller 10, the cooling fan setting tool 52 sets the control table to be used as the control target from the control table 121 stored in the memory unit 12.

[0039] The cooling fan setting tool 52 outputs cooling fan setting information to the control microcontroller 10, which identifies the cooling fan to be controlled. The cooling fan setting tool 52 also obtains information from the control microcontroller 10 indicating that the cooling fan setting is complete (setting completion information).

[0040] The input / output middleware 53 controls the input and output of various information between the cooling fan control middleware 51, the cooling fan setting tool 52, and the control microcontroller 10.

[0041] The control microcontroller 10 receives and exchanges various information with the cooling fan control device 30 via the aforementioned communication controller 16.

[0042] The CPU 111 of the control microcontroller 10 accesses the control table 121 stored in the memory unit 12 and outputs the contents of the control table 121 to the cooling fan control middleware 51.

[0043] Furthermore, when the CPU 111 of the control microcontroller 10 obtains the cooling fan setting information from the cooling fan setting tool 52, it accesses the control table 121 stored in the memory unit 12 and enables the corresponding cooling fan in the control table 121. Then, the CPU 111 returns setting completion information to the cooling fan setting tool 52, indicating that the cooling fan setting has been completed.

[0044] The CPU 111 provides the cooling fan driver 14 with control commands obtained from the cooling fan control middleware 51. The control commands include, for example, information identifying the cooling fan and the duty cycle D of the drive pulse to be applied to the cooling fan.

[0045] The cooling fan driver 14 generates a pulse waveform with the specified duty cycle D based on the control command received from the CPU 111, and drives the cooling fan 3 with the generated pulse waveform. The CPU 111 issues control commands to all cooling fans connected to the control microcontroller 10 via the cooling fan driver 14. Note that a cooling fan driver 14 may be provided for each cooling fan.

[0046] Furthermore, the CPU 111 repeatedly acquires the fan speed of the cooling fan 3 via the cooling fan driver 14. Specifically, the CPU 111 repeatedly acquires the duty cycle D of the drive pulses output to the cooling fan 3 from the cooling fan driver 14. The duty cycle D of the drive pulses indicates the fan speed of the cooling fan 3 at that time. That is, the larger the duty cycle D of the drive pulses, the higher the fan speed, and the smaller the duty cycle D of the drive pulses, the lower the fan speed. The CPU 111 repeatedly acquires the fan speed (duty cycle D) from all cooling fans connected to the control microcontroller 10. The CPU 111 may also acquire the fan speed itself.

[0047] Furthermore, the CPU 111 repeatedly acquires the ambient temperature T inside the enclosure 2 from the temperature sensor 6. Since multiple temperature sensors are installed inside the enclosure 2, the CPU 111 acquires the ambient temperature T from all of the temperature sensors.

[0048] Furthermore, the CPU 111 obtains the status of the power switch 7 from the power switch 7. The status of the power switch 7 is information indicating either that the power switch 7 is turned on or that the power switch 7 is turned off. The CPU 111 may also obtain information indicating that the power switch 7 has switched from off to on, and information indicating that the power switch 7 has switched from on to off, that is, information indicating that the state of the switch has changed.

[0049] The CPU 111 repeatedly outputs all ambient temperatures T inside the enclosure 2, obtained from temperature sensors, and all fan speeds (duty cycle D) of the cooling fans, associated with the time they were acquired, to the cooling fan control middleware 51. The ambient temperature T is output along with the information of which temperature sensor measured it. Similarly, the fan speed is output along with the information of which cooling fan it represents. The repetition time for outputting ambient temperature T and fan speed is set according to the processing power of the control microcontroller 10.

[0050] Furthermore, the CPU 111 outputs the status of the power switch 7 to the cooling fan control middleware 51.

[0051] (Cooling fan control characteristics) The control characteristics registered in the cooling fan's control table 121 will be explained using Figure 4. Figure 4 shows an example of the control characteristics registered in the cooling fan's control table.

[0052] The cooling fans 3, 4, 5, ... cool the heat-generating elements in their vicinity by rotating at a fan speed corresponding to the ambient temperature T in their vicinity. The fan speed is determined by the duty cycle D of the drive pulse applied to the motor that rotates the cooling fans 3, 4, 5, ....

[0053] The duty cycle D is, for example, the ratio of the on-time p to the total time t of one cycle of the drive pulse. That is, D = p / t. The larger the duty cycle D, that is, the larger the ratio of the on-time p to the total time t of one cycle of the drive pulse, the higher the fan speed.

[0054] According to the control characteristics shown in Figure 4, when the ambient temperature T is below 25°C, the cooling fan is driven with a drive pulse with a duty cycle D = 30%. When the ambient temperature T is 55°C or higher, the cooling fan is driven with a drive pulse with a duty cycle D = 70%. Since the fan speed of the cooling fan is approximately proportional to the duty cycle D, in the example in Figure 4, the cooling fan rotates at approximately twice the speed when the ambient temperature T is 55°C or higher compared to when the ambient temperature T is below 25°C.

[0055] Furthermore, when the ambient temperature T is between 25°C and 55°C, the cooling fan is driven with drive pulses that are linearly interpolated values ​​between 30% and 70% of the duty cycle D within the range of ambient temperature T. That is, the duty cycle D is expressed by equation (1).

[0056] D = (4T - 10) / 3 ... (1)

[0057] Note that the control characteristics of the cooling fan are not limited to the example in Figure 4; different control specifications are set for each cooling fan and stored in the control table 121.

[0058] (Functional configuration of the cooling fan control unit) The functional configuration of the cooling fan control device 30 included in the electronic device 1 of the embodiment will be explained using Figure 5. Figure 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the cooling fan control device included in the electronic device of the embodiment.

[0059] The control unit 31 of the cooling fan control device 30 reads the control program 321, loads it into the RAM 313, and executes it, thereby realizing the following functional parts as shown in Figure 5: the control table reading unit 41, the cooling fan setting unit 42, the control table storage unit 43, the control parameter acquisition unit 44, the control command unit 45, the control microcontroller status acquisition unit 46, and the communication control unit 47. Note that all or some of these functional parts may be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0060] The control table reading unit 41 reads the control table 121 stored in the control microcontroller 10, which describes the control characteristics of the cooling fans 3, 4, 5, ... Note that the control table reading unit 41 is an example of a reading unit in this disclosure.

[0061] The cooling fan setting unit 42 selects the control table 121 to be used as the control target by the control command unit 45 from among the control tables 121 stored in the control table storage unit 43. Note that the cooling fan setting unit 42 is an example of a setting unit in this disclosure.

[0062] The control table storage unit 43 stores the contents of the control table 121 read by the control table reading unit 41. Note that the control table storage unit 43 is an example of a storage unit in this disclosure.

[0063] The control parameter acquisition unit 44 acquires the ambient temperature T and the duty cycle D (fan speed) of the cooling fans 3, 4, 5, ... from the control microcontroller 10, relating them together. Note that the control parameter acquisition unit 44 is an example of an acquisition unit in this disclosure.

[0064] The control command unit 45 outputs control commands to the control microcontroller 10 to control the cooling fans 3, 4, 5, ... based on the ambient temperature T and duty cycle D (fan speed) acquired by the control parameter acquisition unit 44, and the control table 121. Note that the control command unit 45 is an example of an operation control unit in this disclosure.

[0065] The control microcontroller status acquisition unit 46 acquires the power supply status of the control microcontroller 10.

[0066] The communication control unit 47 controls communication between the control microcontroller 10 and the cooling fan control device 30.

[0067] (Flow of the cooling fan setting process performed by the cooling fan control unit) The flow of the cooling fan setting process performed by the cooling fan control device 30 will be explained using Figure 6. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the cooling fan setting process performed by the cooling fan control device provided in the electronic device of this embodiment.

[0068] The operator launches the cooling fan setting tool 52, which operates on the cooling fan control device 30, and has it perform the following process.

[0069] The control table reading unit 41 reads the control table 121 stored in the memory unit 12 of the control microcontroller 10 (step S11).

[0070] The cooling fan setting unit 42 acquires identification information for the cooling fan to be set as the control target (step S12). Specifically, the cooling fan setting unit 42 prompts the operator to input information that identifies the cooling fan to be controlled (for example, the model number of the cooling fan).

[0071] The cooling fan setting unit 42 determines whether the control table for the corresponding cooling fan exists in the control table 121 read by the control table reading unit 41 (step S13). If it is determined that the control table for the corresponding cooling fan exists (step S13: Yes), the process proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the control table for the corresponding cooling fan exists (step S13: No), the process proceeds to step S15.

[0072] In step S13, if it is determined that a control table for the corresponding cooling fan exists, the cooling fan setting unit 42 sets the corresponding control table as the control table for the cooling fan to be controlled (step S14). After that, the cooling fan control device 30 terminates the process shown in Figure 6.

[0073] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that there is no control table for the corresponding cooling fan, the cooling fan setting unit 42 outputs an alert indicating that there is no control table for the corresponding fan (step S15). After this, the cooling fan control device 30 may terminate the process shown in Figure 6, or it may return to step S12 and prompt the operator to re-enter the information.

[0074] Furthermore, if the cooling fan control device 30 controls multiple cooling fans, the cooling fan setting tool 52 sets the multiple cooling fans to be controlled in step S14.

[0075] (Flow of cooling fan control processing performed by the cooling fan control device) Figure 7 illustrates the flow of the cooling fan control process performed by the cooling fan control device 30. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of cooling fan control processing performed by the cooling fan control device provided in the electronic device of the embodiment.

[0076] The operator starts up the cooling fan control middleware 51 running on the cooling fan control device 30 and has it perform the following processes.

[0077] The cooling fan setting unit 42 determines whether the cooling fan to be controlled has already been set (step S21). If it is determined that the cooling fan to be controlled has already been set (step S21: Yes), the process proceeds to step S22. On the other hand, if it is determined that the cooling fan to be controlled has not been set (step S21: No), the process proceeds to step S27.

[0078] In step S21, if it is determined that the cooling fan to be controlled has been set, the control microcontroller status acquisition unit 46 determines whether the power to the control microcontroller 10 is turned on (step S22). If it is determined that the power to the control microcontroller 10 is turned on (step S22: Yes), the process proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the power to the control microcontroller 10 is turned on (step S22: No), the cooling fan control device 30 terminates the process shown in Figure 7.

[0079] In step S22, if it is determined that the control microcontroller 10 is powered on, the control parameter acquisition unit 44 acquires control parameters (ambient temperature T and fan speed (duty cycle D)) from the control microcontroller 10 (step S23).

[0080] The control command unit 45 determines whether the fan speed (duty cycle D) obtained in step S23 matches the ambient temperature T obtained in association with that fan speed (step S24). If it is determined that the fan speed matches the ambient temperature T obtained in association with that fan speed (step S24: Yes), the process proceeds to step S25. On the other hand, if it is determined that the fan speed does not match the ambient temperature T obtained in association with that fan speed (step S24: No), the process proceeds to step S26. If the cooling fan control device 30 is controlling multiple cooling fans, the control command unit 45 performs the determination in step S24 for each cooling fan.

[0081] In step S24, if it is determined that the fan speed does not match the ambient temperature T obtained in association with the fan speed, the control command unit 45 instructs the control microcontroller 10 to change the fan speed (step S26). Specifically, the control command unit 45 instructs the control microcontroller 10 to execute a fan speed (duty cycle D) that matches the ambient temperature T. The process then proceeds to step S25.

[0082] On the other hand, in step S24, if it is determined that the fan speed matches the ambient temperature T obtained in association with the fan speed, the control microcontroller state acquisition unit 46 determines whether the power to the control microcontroller 10 has been cut off (step S25). If it is determined that the power to the control microcontroller 10 has been cut off (step S25: Yes), the cooling fan control device 30 terminates the process shown in Figure 7. On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S25 that the power to the control microcontroller 10 has been cut off (step S25: No), the process returns to step S23.

[0083] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, the cooling fan control device 30 of the embodiment controls the operation of cooling fans 3, 4, and 5 connected to the control microcontroller 10 by communicating with the control microcontroller 10. The device includes a control table reading unit 41 (reading unit) that reads a control table 121 stored in the control microcontroller 10 that describes the control characteristics of the cooling fans 3, 4, and 5; a control table storage unit 43 (storage unit) that stores the contents of the control table 121 read by the control table reading unit 41; a control parameter acquisition unit 44 (acquisition unit) that acquires the ambient temperature T and the fan speed of the cooling fans 3, 4, and 5 from the control microcontroller 10 in association with each other; and a control command unit 45 (operation control unit) that outputs control commands to the control microcontroller 10 to control the cooling fans 3, 4, and 5 based on the ambient temperature T and fan speed acquired by the control parameter acquisition unit 44 and the control table 121. Therefore, even if the cooling fans are changed, the operation of the cooling fans can be controlled without changing the application program.

[0084] Furthermore, in the cooling fan control device 30 of this embodiment, the control table 121 describes the control characteristics of multiple cooling fans that may be connected to the control microcontroller 10, and the identification information of the cooling fans in association with each other. Therefore, the control characteristics of cooling fans that may be connected, in addition to the cooling fan that is actually connected, can be stored in advance. This allows the control characteristics to be quickly changed if the cooling fan is changed.

[0085] Furthermore, the cooling fan control device 30 of this embodiment also includes a cooling fan setting unit 42 (setting unit) that, by identifying the cooling fan connected to the control microcomputer 10, sets the control table 121 to be used as the control target by the control command unit 45 (operation control unit) from among the control tables 121 stored in the control table storage unit 43 (storage unit). Therefore, the cooling fan to be controlled can be easily set.

[0086] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the cooling fan is controlled by the cooling fan control device 30. However, if the control characteristics of the cooling fan are simple, the control microcontroller 10 may directly control the cooling fan. However, even in such cases, if the cooling fan setting tool 52 is configured to perform more complex control, the cooling fan control device 30 will be made to control the cooling fan. In that case, the control by the control microcontroller 10 will be disabled.

[0087] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0088] 1 Electronic equipment 2 cabinets 3,4,5 Cooling fan 6. Temperature sensor 7 Power switch 8. Ventilation holes 9 connectors 10 Control microcontroller 11 Control Unit 12 Storage section 121 Control Table 13 Internal bus 14 Cooling fan driver 15 Sensor Interface 16. Communication Controller 30 Cooling fan control unit 31 Control Unit 311 CPU 312 ROM 313 RAM 32 Storage section 321 Control Program 322 Control Table 33 Internal bus 34 Communication Controller 41 Control Table Reading Unit (Reading Unit) 42 Cooling fan setting section (setting section) 43 Control Table Storage Unit (Storage Unit) 44 Control parameter acquisition unit (acquisition unit) 45 Control Command Unit (Operation Control Unit) 46 Control microcontroller status acquisition unit 47 Communication Control Unit 51 Cooling Fan Control Middleware 52 Cooling Fan Configuration Tool 53 Input / Output Middleware D duty cycle T Ambient temperature [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0089] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-157784

Claims

1. A cooling fan control device that controls the operation of a cooling fan connected to a control microcontroller by communicating with the control microcontroller, A reading unit reads a control table stored in the control microcontroller that describes the control characteristics of the cooling fan, A storage unit that stores the contents of the control table read by the reading unit, An acquisition unit that obtains the ambient temperature and the fan speed of the cooling fan in association with each other from the control microcontroller, The system includes an operation control unit that outputs a control command to the control microcontroller to control the cooling fan based on the ambient temperature, the fan speed, and the control table acquired by the acquisition unit. Cooling fan control device.

2. The control table describes the control characteristics of multiple cooling fans that may be connected to the control microcontroller, and the identification information of the cooling fans in association with each other. The cooling fan control device according to claim 1.

3. The system further includes a setting unit that identifies the cooling fan connected to the control microcontroller and sets a control table from among the control tables stored in the storage unit to be used by the operation control unit as the control target. The cooling fan control device according to claim 2.

4. A computer that communicates with a control microcontroller to control the operation of a cooling fan connected to that control microcontroller, A reading unit reads a control table stored in the control microcontroller that describes the control characteristics of the cooling fan, A storage unit that stores the contents of the control table read by the reading unit, An acquisition unit that obtains the ambient temperature and the fan speed of the cooling fan in association with each other from the control microcontroller, Based on the ambient temperature, the fan speed, and the control table acquired by the acquisition unit, the operation control unit outputs a control command to the control microcontroller to control the cooling fan. A program that makes something work.

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