Dock Fan Control for Handheld Cooling and Low Acoustic Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems in handheld information handling systems face challenges in providing adequate cooling while maintaining low acoustic levels, especially when docked, due to the limitations of internal fans and user-controlled manual adjustments.
Innovation Solution
An embedded controller in the handheld system controls the RPMs of both internal and dock fans through a closed-loop communication via USB-C VDM messaging, optimizing airflow and acoustic levels by leveraging thermal tables and sensors to balance performance and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If internal fans are used for cooling, then cooling function is provided, but acoustic noise increases and cooling adequacy is insufficient when docked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling functions of the handheld system's internal fan and the dock's fan into a unified cooling system. The embedded controller coordinates both fans to work together, with the dock fan providing additional cooling capacity when docked, thereby improving temperature control without requiring the internal fan to operate at high noise-generating speeds alone
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded controller acts as an intermediary that manages the coordination between the handheld system and dock fan. It receives temperature data, determines cooling requirements, and controls the dock fan's operation accordingly, enabling intelligent thermal management that balances cooling adequacy and acoustic noise
2Ease of operation
If manual fan speed adjustments are allowed, then user control is improved, but optimal cooling performance cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service thermal management where the embedded controller automatically monitors temperature sensors and adjusts fan speeds without user intervention. The controller reads temperature data from sensors, consults thermal tables to determine appropriate fan speeds, and automatically controls both internal and dock fans to maintain optimal cooling performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control by continuously monitoring temperature via sensors and adjusting fan speeds based on real-time thermal conditions. The embedded controller receives temperature feedback, compares it against thermal specifications in the thermal table, and dynamically adjusts fan operation to maintain temperatures within acceptable ranges while minimizing noise
3Temperature
If dock fan is added for cooling, then cooling capacity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded controller is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the handheld system's control unit and as the dock's fan controller when docked. This universal controller manages thermal conditions in both standalone and docked modes, eliminating the need for separate control systems and reducing overall system complexity despite the added dock fan
Solution Approach 2:
The control functionality is segmented into modular components: temperature sensing, thermal table lookup, fan speed determination, and actuator control. This segmentation allows the embedded controller to manage complex thermal scenarios by breaking down the control logic into manageable, reusable modules that handle different operating modes (standalone vs. docked) independently
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system includes a storage that stores a thermal table associated with the information handling system. A processor detects that the information handling system is connected to a dock. In response to the information handling system being connected to the dock, the processor provides a dock temperature request to the dock. The processor receives a first temperature value for the dock, and receives a second temperature value for the information handling system. The processor retrieves thermal table data from the thermal table. The processor generates a first fan control signal based on the first and second temperature values and the thermal table data, and provides the first fan control signal to the dock.