Fan ID Switching for Low-Cable Cooling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing apparatuses face challenges in efficiently acquiring identification information of fans with a simple configuration, leading to increased hardware and cable requirements as the number of fans increases, and manual fan replacement processes that are time-consuming and prone to human errors.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves incorporating a storage unit in each fan to store identification information, utilizing a coupling destination switch to reroute signal cables, and a fan controller to read and control fan identification information, allowing for automatic detection and testing of fan replacements without increasing the number of signal lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate signal cable is connected to each fan for acquiring identification information, then the identification information can be acquired reliably, but the cable complexity and hardware requirements increase with the number of fans
Solution Approach 1:
The signal cable is designed to serve multiple functions: it既可以 control the fan motor,又可以 read identification information from the storage device. The coupling destination switch enables the single cable to be routed to different destinations (fan or storage device) based on the operational phase, eliminating the need for separate dedicated cables for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The control signal line and identification information signal line are merged into a single signal cable. Instead of using separate cables for control and identification reading, the patent combines both functions into one cable that can be routed to different destinations through the coupling destination switch.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual fan replacement processes are used, then hardware costs are reduced, but operator burden increases and human errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects fan replacements by reading the identification information from the storage device coupled to the signal cable. When a fan is replaced, the new identification information is automatically detected and registered, eliminating the need for manual intervention in the fan replacement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors and reads identification information from fans through the signal cable. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically detect when a fan has been replaced by comparing the newly read identification information with the previously stored information, enabling automatic adaptation to hardware changes.
3Reliability
If multiple signal lines are used for fan control and identification reading, then signal interference is reduced, but the overall system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically routes the single signal cable to different destinations based on the operational phase. The coupling destination switch changes the connection configuration dynamically: during identification reading phase, the cable is routed to the storage device; during fan control phase, the cable is routed to the fan. This dynamic switching allows one cable to perform multiple functions without signal interference.
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 acquisition of fan identification information and automatic fan testing, reducing operator burden and minimizing human errors, while maintaining a simple configuration and reducing hardware and cable complexity.
Implementation Method 1
outside air is taken by a fan provided in a housing of the information processing apparatus to perform air cooling of the components
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes: a heat generator; a fan configured to cool the heat generator; a storage configured to store identification information of the fan; a coupling destination switch configured to switch a coupling destination of a signal cable to either the fan or the storage; and a fan controller configured to control the fan via the signal cable in a state where the coupling destination is switched to the fan by the coupling destination switch, and read the identification information from the storage via the signal cable in a state where the coupling destination is switched to the storage by the coupling destination switch.