Fan Control System with Cascaded Feedback Loop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fan control systems for multiple fans often rely on open-loop control, where only one fan provides feedback, making it difficult to monitor and manage the operation conditions of all fans simultaneously, leading to increased costs when multiple controllers are used.
Innovation Solution
A fan control system comprising a control module and two fan modules, where the first fan module receives a control signal to adjust its state and also sends a signal to the second fan module, allowing for simultaneous control and feedback, enabling detection of abnormal states and reducing costs by eliminating the need for multiple controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple controllers are used to control multiple fans, then each fan can provide feedback signal, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions for multiple fans into a single controller. The first fan module and second fan module are both controlled by one controller, which receives feedback from the first fan module and transmits control signals to both fans, eliminating the need for multiple controllers while maintaining feedback capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The first fan module acts as an intermediary between the controller and the second fan module. It receives control signals from the controller, adjusts its own operation, and simultaneously transmits the control signals to the second fan module, enabling centralized control with feedback from a single point.
2Device complexity
If open-loop control is used for multiple fans, then system cost is reduced, but the controller cannot detect operation conditions of all fans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the first fan module provides feedback signals to the controller regarding its operation conditions. This allows the single controller to detect and monitor the operational status of the fans without requiring multiple controllers, thus maintaining information availability while reducing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A fan control system includes a control module, a first fan module and a second fan module. The control module provides a first control signal to the first fan module to adjust the rotation state of the first fan module. The first fan module provides a second control signal to the second fan module based on the first control signal to adjust the second fan module. The first fan module includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The second fan module includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal of the first fan module is electrically connected to the control module to receive the first control signal. The second terminal of the first fan module is electrically connected to the first terminal of the second fan module. The second terminal of the second fan module is electrically connected to a reference voltage.