Fan Control Apparatus for Computer Equipment Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fan control methods for computer equipment are inadequate in optimally controlling the revolving speed of cooling fans, especially when temperature sensors are not available for each device, leading to inefficient cooling and potential overheating, particularly in systems with multiple devices having different temperature statuses.
Innovation Solution
A fan control apparatus and method that determines the revolving speed of a cooling fan based on the inlet temperature and usage rate of each device, estimating the temperature status of downstream devices using temperature estimation tables, allowing for optimal fan speed control without requiring a temperature sensor for each device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is attached to each device to monitor temperature, then temperature monitoring accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single temperature sensor positioned in the air flow path to monitor temperatures for multiple devices simultaneously. The sensor measures the common air temperature that affects all devices, eliminating the need for individual sensors on each device while maintaining effective temperature monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the air flow itself as an intermediary medium. Instead of directly measuring device temperatures with sensors attached to each device, the system measures the air temperature that serves as an intermediary indicator of the thermal environment affecting all devices. This indirect measurement approach reduces complexity while providing useful temperature information.
2Temperature
If fan speed is increased to cool all devices, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but power consumption and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by determining different target fan speeds for different devices based on their individual usage rates and thermal characteristics. Instead of using a single high fan speed for all devices, the system calculates device-specific cooling requirements and selects appropriate fan speeds locally for each device, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making fan speed adjustable and adaptive based on real-time usage rate conditions. The fan speed is not fixed but dynamically changed according to the actual thermal load and usage patterns of devices, allowing the system to optimize power consumption by running the fan at lower speeds when cooling demand is reduced.
3Reliability
If fan speed is increased to ensure adequate cooling, then cooling reliability is improved, but noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by determining different target fan speeds for different devices based on their individual usage rates. Instead of uniformly increasing fan speed for all devices, the system identifies which devices actually require high-speed cooling and adjusts fan speed locally for those specific cases, thereby maintaining cooling reliability only where needed and reducing noise in other situations.
4Device complexity
If temperature estimation is used instead of direct measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using measured air temperature as input to calculate estimated device temperatures through a systematic process. The temperature sensor provides feedback on air temperature, which is then used in conjunction with usage rate information to estimate device temperatures. This feedback mechanism enables accurate estimation without requiring direct temperature sensors on each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/physical approach of attaching temperature sensors directly to devices with a computational/mathematical approach. Instead of using physical sensors on each device, the system uses calculations based on air temperature measurements and usage rate data to estimate device temperatures, replacing direct physical measurement with indirect computational estimation.
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 approach enables efficient cooling of multiple devices by determining the optimal fan speed based on the temperature and usage rate of each device, preventing unnecessary high fan speeds and achieving power savings and noise reduction.
Implementation Method 1
a fan that causes an air flow to cool each device
Implementation Method 2
controls the revolving speed of a cooling fan depending on an internal temperature of computer equipment
Data Source
AI summary
A fan control apparatus is provided for the computer equipment including a fan, a temperature sensor, and a device module (e.g. an add-in card) mounting at least two devices aligned along an air flow. The fan control apparatus determines a revolving speed of the fan for cooling each device based on an inlet temperature and a usage rate of each device. In addition, the fan control apparatus estimates an inlet temperature of a second device, which is disposed in the downstream side of a first device among at least two devices, based on an inlet temperature and a usage rate of the first device. Thus, it is possible to control the fan to cause an adequate amount of cooling air for cooling devices mounted on the device module installed in the computer equipment.