Dual Fan Module Backup for Heat Dissipation Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fan failure backup systems are vulnerable because they rely on a single control unit, so if that unit fails, the entire backup system often fails as well, leading to inadequate heat dissipation in electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

A dual-fan module system where each fan module has its own control unit, allowing the second control unit to enhance the pressure-flow characteristic of the second fan unit when the first fan module fails, ensuring continued heat dissipation by increasing the rotation speed and duty cycle of the second fan unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single control unit is used to control multiple fan devices, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because the entire system fails when the control unit fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol unit structureVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the control function into separate control units, with each fan module having its own dedicated control unit. This segmentation ensures that a failure in one control unit does not affect other fan modules, thereby improving system reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the rotation speed of the second fan unit is increased to enhance pressure-flow characteristic, then the heat dissipation capability is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of fan rotation speeds based on real-time operational conditions. The control units can adjust the rotation speed of each fan unit dynamically, increasing speed only when heat dissipation capacity is insufficient and maintaining normal speed when adequate, thereby optimizing the balance between heat dissipation performance and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This setup ensures that even if one fan module fails, the other can compensate by enhancing its pressure-flow characteristic, maintaining effective heat dissipation and preventing damage from reverse air flow during braking modes.

Implementation Method 1

the second control unit controls the second fan module to additionally enhance a pressure-flow characteristic of the second fan unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-flow characteristic:

Implementation Method 2

fan devices are equipped with the electronic device to dissipate the heat generated inside the electronic device when the electronic device is in operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10794388B2Fan failure backup apparatus and method of backing up the same

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 DELTA ELECTRONICS INC(CN)

AI summary

A fan failure backup apparatus includes a first fan module and a second fan module. When a second control unit of the second fan module realizes that the first fan module is failed through a first control unit of the first fan module, and the second control unit realizes that the second fan module is not failed, the second control unit controls the second fan module to additionally enhance a pressure-flow characteristic of a second fan unit of the second fan module.