Chassis Cooling System With Multi-Sensor Fan Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for electronic devices generate noise due to fan operation, which can be unpleasant for users, and lack effective control to manage temperature differences between heating elements and chassis surfaces, leading to inefficient cooling capacity and noise issues.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with multiple temperature sensors and a fan control unit that adjusts fan rotation based on temperature thresholds at different locations within the chassis, including a mechanism to invalidate rotation commands during external device connections, ensuring optimal noise reduction while maintaining cooling capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the cooling fan operates at high rotation number to maintain cooling capacity, then the cooling performance is improved, but the operation sound and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using multiple temperature sensors positioned at different locations (near heating elements and on chassis surface) to detect temperature distribution variations. The fan control unit selectively activates fans based on local temperature conditions, enabling precise control that reduces unnecessary fan operation and associated noise while maintaining cooling capacity where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the fan rotation number to be dynamically adjusted based on real-time temperature measurements from multiple sensors. The fan control unit modifies fan operation levels according to actual thermal conditions, allowing the system to operate silently when cooling demand is low while activating fans only when temperature thresholds are exceeded.
2Temperature
If the fan rotation number is increased to address temperature changes near heating elements, then the cooling performance is improved, but the noise and unpleasant feeling to users increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places temperature sensors at specific locations including near heating elements and on the chassis surface to detect local temperature variations. The fan control unit uses this spatial temperature data to determine when fan operation is actually necessary, preventing premature or excessive fan activation that would generate noise and unpleasant sensations for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring temperatures from multiple sensors and using this information to adjust fan operation. The fan control unit receives temperature data, compares it against thresholds, and modifies fan rotation accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents unnecessary noise while maintaining effective cooling.
3Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are deployed to accurately detect temperature differences, then the temperature measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent strategically places a limited number of temperature sensors at critical locations (near heating elements and on chassis surface) rather than uniformly distributing many sensors throughout. This approach achieves sufficient temperature measurement precision to detect meaningful differences while minimizing the number of sensors and overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces noise from fan operation while maintaining cooling capacity by considering temperature differences and external device connections, providing a more comfortable user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling fan which discharges heat generated in the chassis to the outside of the chassis
Implementation Method 2
a first temperature sensor which is disposed in the chassis, a second temperature sensor which is disposed at a position which is different from a position of the first temperature sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention aims to reduce noise derived from an operation sound of a fan while maintaining cooling capacity of the fan. A cooling system includes a fan which is disposed in a chassis in which a CPU which is exemplified as a heating element is housed, one temperature sensor which is disposed in the chassis, another temperature sensor which is disposed at a position which is different from a position of the one temperature sensor, and a fan control unit which drives the fan in a case where one temperature, which is based on a measured value of one temperature sensor, is at least a first threshold value or in a case where another temperature, which is based on a measured value of the other temperature sensor, is at least a second threshold value which is set to a value lower than the first threshold value.