Selective Fan Control by Cooling Sections in Information Handling Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Information handling systems face challenges in efficiently managing fan usage, as it is difficult to determine which components need cooling and when, leading to unnecessary power consumption and wear due to overinstallation of fans.

Innovation Solution

An information handling system with spatially diverse components and temperature sensors, where a fan controller defines cooling sections based on topological information and selectively controls fans according to component temperatures, allowing for variable speed operation or shutdown of fans not needed for cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fans are overinstalled to ensure adequate cooling coverage, then cooling reliability is improved, but power consumption and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the IHS into multiple cooling sections based on topological information about component locations. Each cooling section is assigned to a specific fan, allowing independent control of each fan based on the thermal needs of its designated section. This segmentation enables the system to activate only the fans needed for current cooling requirements rather than running all fans continuously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements localized temperature monitoring and fan control by placing temperature sensors near specific components and assigning them to particular cooling sections. Each cooling section has its own thermal characteristics and fan control policy, allowing the system to provide appropriate cooling quality to each local area based on its specific thermal demands rather than applying uniform cooling across the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If fans are overinstalled to ensure adequate cooling coverage, then cooling reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fan controller automatically determines which fans need to be activated by monitoring temperature sensor readings and comparing them against threshold values. The system self-manages fan control decisions without requiring external intervention or complex manual configuration, reducing operational complexity while maintaining reliable cooling through automated thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If fans operate continuously to maintain cooling, then temperature control is improved, but fan lifespan decreases due to increased wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidfan lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic monitoring of component temperatures through temperature sensors and adjusts fan operation accordingly. Fans are activated only when temperature thresholds are exceeded and deactivated when cooling is no longer required, creating a periodic on-demand operation pattern rather than continuous running. This reduces cumulative wear while maintaining adequate temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The fan controller dynamically changes fan operational parameters (on/off state, speed) based on real-time temperature conditions. When component temperatures rise above thresholds, fans are activated; when temperatures drop below thresholds, fans are deactivated or slowed. This parameter adjustment based on thermal conditions maintains effective cooling while minimizing unnecessary fan operation and associated wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 only the components that require it, reducing power consumption and extending fan lifespan by ensuring that fans are only active when necessary.

Implementation Method 1

temperature sensors disposed with respect to the spatially diverse IHS components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

The fan controller may selectively control the spatially diverse fans according to component temperatures obtained from the temperature sensors and according to the cooling sections

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11221656B2Method and apparatus for selective fan control in an information handling system

Publication Date: 2022.01.11 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An information handling system (IHS) includes spatially diverse IHS components and temperature sensors disposed with respect to the spatially diverse IHS components. A fan controller defines cooling sections of the IHS for spatially diverse fans based on topological information as to locations of the spatially diverse IHS components, and selectively controls the spatially diverse fans according to component temperatures obtained from the temperature sensors and according to the cooling sections.