Low-pin Fan Speed Control System with Dust-clearing Startup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fan speed control chips require 8 pins or more to provide comprehensive fan control functions, leading to increased packaging and production costs due to larger PCB areas, while low-pin count chips lack robust functionality and are prone to damage from dust and impurities.
Innovation Solution
A low-pin count fan speed control system using a chip with 4, 5, or 6 pins, comprising an activation unit, idle speed regulation unit, temperature transition unit, positive temperature regulation slope unit, and over-temperature protection unit, which regulates fan speed and maintains stability by adjusting voltage and drive energy in response to temperature changes, reducing production costs and PCB area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an 8-pin or more chip is used to control fan speed, then comprehensive fan control functions are provided, but packaging cost and production cost increase due to larger PCB area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple fan control functions (temperature monitoring, fan speed regulation, over-temperature protection, and idle speed control) into a single chip that uses only 6 pins. This multi-functional integration reduces the PCB area required compared to using multiple separate components or an 8-pin chip, while maintaining comprehensive fan control capabilities.
2Area of stationary object
If a low-pin count (5 pins) chip is used to reduce production cost, then chip packaging cost and PCB area are reduced, but functionality is not robust and lacks multi-functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multi-functionality in a 6-pin chip by integrating temperature sensing, fan speed control across multiple operating ranges (idle speed, normal operation, over-temperature protection), and comprehensive monitoring capabilities. This provides robust functionality comparable to or exceeding 8-pin chips while maintaining lower pin count and PCB area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple control functions that would traditionally require separate components or additional pins into a single integrated 6-pin chip. By merging temperature monitoring, multi-range fan speed regulation, and protection functions into one chip, the patent achieves comprehensive functionality with reduced pin count and PCB footprint.
3Use of energy by moving object
If fan starts with low voltage, then power consumption is reduced, but rotation speed is affected by dusts and impurities causing fan to be jammed or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a startup phase where the fan is initially driven at high speed to clear dust and impurities from the fan blades and bearings before transitioning to normal operation. This preliminary high-speed rotation prevents dust accumulation that would otherwise cause jamming or damage during low-voltage startup conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic high-speed rotation cycles during fan operation to periodically clear dust and impurities from the fan mechanism. This periodic action maintains fan reliability by preventing dust accumulation, while allowing the fan to operate at lower voltages and speeds during normal clean conditions, thus reducing power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A low-pin count fan speed control system and a method thereof include primarily an activation unit to drive a fan to operate. When the fan starts completely, the fan slows down to a pre-determined rotation speed through an idle speed regulation unit. After achieving a pre-determined temperature through a temperature transition unit, the fan speed beings to increase from the idle speed. When the fan is operating, the rotation speed is properly increased in proportion to the temperature, using a positive temperature regulation slope unit. Therefore, through this method, the rotation speed will not be decreased by foreign objects when the fan is operating and a computer host can be provided with proper heat dissipation.