JP2003086981A - Warning device and warning method of vent hole blockage of various devices - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a warning device and a warning method of the blockage of vent holes of various devices by which the blockage of vent holes is detected and a warning is issued. SOLUTION: A housing 10 has vent holes of various devices which are provided with heat sources such as electronic components 11, 16 and 18 inside. It is provided with sensors 20, 21 and 22 for detecting the blockage of the vent holes, a controller 11 for determining the blockage of the vent holes according to signals from the sensors and outputting control signals, and a warning circuit 11 for issuing a warning according to the control signals from the controller 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for detecting a blockage of a ventilation hole inside a casing of various equipment in which the inside of the casing is cooled by a ventilation hole of a personal computer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, in a personal computer 1, outside air is introduced into the housing or air inside the housing is exhausted through a ventilation hole 3 provided in the housing 2. By doing so, electronic components such as a CPU and various drive devices (not shown) provided inside the housing are radiated. In order to increase the heat dissipation effect, an air-cooling fan for forced ventilation is provided to forcibly introduce the outside air or forcibly discharge the air in the housing.

[0003]

By the way, in such natural heat dissipation or forced heat dissipation by a cooling fan,
In either case, air is introduced or discharged through a ventilation hole provided in the housing. For this reason, if the ventilation holes are blocked for some reason, heat is not sufficiently dissipated, the temperature inside the housing rises, and in some cases the electronic components inside the housing run out of heat or It may lead to thermal destruction.

On the other hand, in order to avoid the temperature rise inside the casing, as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-348479, the temperature inside the casing is monitored and the temperature change is dealt with. It is also known to control the rotation speed of the cooling fan and display the temperature. Further, when external air is forcibly introduced by a cooling fan through a dustproof filter, a clogging of the dustproof filter is detected and a warning is issued, as disclosed in, for example, JP-A-60-183623. It is also known to do. However, these are all premised on the attachment of a cooling fan, and cannot be used in the case of a small device that does not have a cooling fan. Further, none of them is supposed to block the ventilation hole, and cannot cope with a rapid temperature rise due to the blocking of the ventilation hole.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a technique for detecting the obstruction of a ventilation hole and issuing a warning, for providing a warning for the obstruction of the ventilation hole of various devices. To aim.

[0006]

In order to achieve this object, a device for warning the obstruction of ventilation holes of various devices according to claim 1 of the present invention is directed to ventilation of various devices equipped internally with a heat source such as an electronic component. Regarding a case having a hole, a detection sensor that detects the blockage of the ventilation hole, a control unit that determines the blockage of the ventilation hole based on the signal from the detection sensor, and outputs a control signal, and a control signal from the control unit A warning circuit that issues a warning based on
Is provided.

If the device for warning the obstruction of the ventilation hole of various devices is constructed in this way, when the ventilation hole provided in the housing is obstructed, the detection sensor detects this and outputs a signal. Thus, when the control unit determines whether the ventilation hole is closed based on the signal from the detection sensor and outputs the control signal, the warning circuit issues a warning based on the control signal. Therefore, when the ventilation holes provided in the housings of various devices are closed, the warning circuit issues a warning.
From this warning, the user can know the blockage of the ventilation hole, stop the use of the various equipment by turning off the power of the various equipment, and remove the cause of the blockage of the ventilation hole. As a result, an abnormal temperature rise due to the blockage of ventilation holes inside the housings of various devices can be avoided, and thermal runaway and thermal destruction of electronic components and the like provided inside the housings can be prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a warning device for blocking ventilation holes of various devices, wherein the detection sensor is a temperature sensor disposed adjacent to the heat source. With such a configuration of the ventilation hole blockage warning device for various devices, the temperature sensor detects an abnormal temperature rise of the heat source due to heat radiation or poor ventilation due to blockage of the ventilation hole, and thus the blockage of the ventilation hole. Can be detected.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for warning the obstruction of ventilation holes of various devices, wherein the control unit compares the temperature data from the temperature sensor with a preset reference temperature, and the temperature data exceeds the reference temperature. In this case, it is determined that the ventilation hole is closed. With such a configuration of the ventilation hole blockage warning device for various devices, when the temperature of the heat generating portion detected by the temperature sensor exceeds the reference temperature, it is possible to detect that the ventilation hole is blocked.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a warning device for ventilation hole blockage of various devices, wherein the control unit registers temperature data from the temperature sensor in a memory, and based on the temperature data registered in the memory for a certain period. When an abnormal temperature rise is detected, it is determined that the ventilation hole is closed. If the device for warning the obstruction of ventilation holes of various devices is configured in this manner, the temperature of the heat generating portion detected by the temperature sensor is monitored for a certain period of time, and the ventilation holes are obstructed due to an abnormal temperature rise. Can be detected.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for warning of blockage of a ventilation hole, wherein the detection sensor is a light quantity sensor provided inside the ventilation hole. With such a configuration of the ventilation hole blockage warning device of various devices, by detecting the amount of light incident from the outside through the ventilation hole by the light amount sensor, it is possible to detect a decrease in the light amount when the ventilation hole is blocked, It is possible to detect the occurrence of blockage of the ventilation hole.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for warning the obstruction of ventilation holes, wherein the warning circuit outputs a warning display signal to the display section of the various devices. When the device for warning the obstruction of the ventilation holes of various devices is configured as described above, the warning circuit displays a warning on the display unit of each device by, for example, characters or images. By visually recognizing the part, it is possible to know that the ventilation hole is closed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a warning device for blocking ventilation holes of various devices, wherein the warning circuit outputs a warning sound signal to a speaker of each device. With such a configuration of the ventilation device blockage warning device for various devices, the warning circuit causes the speaker of each device to emit a warning sound. Therefore, the user should listen to the warning sound from the speaker of each device. Thus, it is possible to know that the ventilation hole is blocked.

In order to achieve this object, the method for warning the obstruction of ventilation holes of various devices according to a eighth aspect of the present invention is a casing having ventilation holes for various devices, which internally includes a heat source such as an electronic component. Regarding the body, the detection sensor detects the blockage of the ventilation hole, the control unit determines whether the ventilation hole is blocked based on the signal from the detection sensor, and issues a warning based on the determination of the blockage of the ventilation hole of the control unit. It is as a configuration.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a personal computer incorporating an embodiment of a ventilation hole blockage warning device for various devices according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a personal computer in which an example of a ventilation hole blockage warning device according to the present embodiment is incorporated.

As shown in FIG. 1, the personal computer 10 includes a CPU 11 as a control unit and a memory 12.
, Speaker 13, display 14, chipset 15 for controlling them, hard disk drive 1
6, a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive 17, a graphic board 18 (see FIG. 2), and at least one, and in the illustrated case, three temperature sensors 20, 21, 2
2 and the measuring unit 23 to which the detection signals of the temperature sensors 20 to 22 are input.

Further, the personal computer 10 is
As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 11, the memory 12, the chipset 15, the temperature sensors 20, 21, 22 and the measuring unit 2
A housing 19 for accommodating 3 and 3 is provided. Here, the housing 1
9 has ventilation holes (not shown) similar to those shown in FIG. 7 on its upper surface, side surfaces, and bottom surface.

The CPU 11, memory 12, speaker 1
3, the display 14 and the chipset 15 are the same as those provided in a conventional personal computer,
Since its structure and operation are known, the description thereof will be omitted.

The temperature sensors 20, 21, 22 are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 11 and the hard disk drive 16 which are heat sources of the personal computer 10, respectively.
It is arranged adjacent to the graphic board 18. As a result, the temperature sensors 20, 21, 22 detect the temperatures of the CPU 11, the hard disk drive 16, and the graphic board 18, respectively, and output the temperature data to the measuring unit 23.

The measuring unit 23 includes temperature sensors 20, 2
Based on the temperature data from 1 and 22, constant time t
(N) (n is a natural number) for each of the temperature sensors 20, 21, 2
The temperature data A (n), B (n), C (n) from 2 are continuously measured and registered in the memory 12. As a result, in the memory 12, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, temperature data A (1), B (1), C (1),
A (2), B (2), C (2), A (3), ... Are stored. In the memory 12, the operation guarantee temperatures corresponding to the temperature sensors 20, 21, 22 are registered in advance as reference temperatures Z (A), Z (B), Z (C).

The CPU 11 controls the temperature data A of the temperature sensors 20, 21, 22 registered in the memory 12.
(N), B (n), C (n) and reference temperatures Z (A), Z
(B), Z (C) are read and these temperature data A
(N), B (n), C (n) are the corresponding reference temperatures Z
Compared with (A), Z (B), and Z (C), when at least one temperature data exceeds a corresponding predetermined reference temperature, it is determined that the ventilation hole is closed.

As a result, the measuring unit 23 causes the temperature data A (n), B from the temperature sensors 20, 21, 22 to be measured.
(N) and C (n) are respectively referred to as reference temperatures Z (A) and Z
One of the temperature data A compared with (B) and Z (C)
(N), B (n), C (n) are the corresponding reference temperatures Z
When (A), Z (B), and Z (C) are exceeded, it is determined that the ventilation hole is closed and a control signal is output. The control signal includes information indicating which temperature sensor temperature data exceeds the reference temperature.

The CPU 11 operates as a warning circuit according to a program read from the memory 12. Then, the CPU 11 outputs a warning sound signal as a warning signal based on the control signal to the speaker 1
3 and a warning display signal are output to the display 14, respectively.

Here, the CPU 11 controls each temperature sensor 2
The temperature data of 0, 21, 22 is the reference temperature Z, respectively.
When (A), Z (B), and Z (C) are exceeded, a warning display as shown in Fig. 4, that is, "The temperature inside the housing is rising. Behind the top of the device (when installed vertically), Also, do not place any objects near the ventilation holes on the back side. "Is output to the display 14 as a warning display signal.

Next, the operation of the vent hole closing warning process of the personal computer 10 equipped with the vent hole closing warning device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 5, in STEP 1, the temperatures of the CPU 11, hard disk drive 16 and graphic board 18 in the housing 19 are measured by the temperature sensors 20, 21 and 22.
Temperature data A (n), B (n) and C for each (n)
(N) is output. Then, in STEP 2, the housing 19
The temperature data A (n), B (n) and C (n) therein are recorded in the memory 12.

As a result, in STEP 3, the CPU 11
Are the temperature sensors 20, 21, registered in the memory 12,
22 temperature data A (n), B (n), C (n) and reference temperatures Z (A), Z (B), Z (C) are read, and these temperature data A (n), B (n) are read. n), C (n) are compared with the corresponding reference temperatures Z (A), Z (B), Z (C).

Then, in STEP 4, as a result of the comparison, at least one of the temperature data A (n) and B
(N) and C (n) correspond to reference temperatures Z (A) and Z
If (B) and Z (C) are exceeded, in STEP 5,
The CPU 11 generates a control signal as a control unit, generates a warning display signal based on the control signal as a warning circuit, and outputs the warning display signal to the display 14 to display it.
A warning is displayed on the screen of and at STEP 7,
A warning sound signal is generated and output to the speaker 13, and a warning sound is generated from the speaker 13.

On the other hand, in STEP 4, the reference temperatures Z (A), Z (B), Z (C) corresponding to any of the temperature data A (n), B (n), C (n) are obtained. If the warning sound signal and the warning display signal are already output in STEP 7, the CPU 11 stops the output of the warning sound signal and the warning display signal.

Then, the above STEP6 or STEP7
After that, the CPU 11 determines in STEP 8 that the use of the personal computer has ended. If not, the CPU 11 returns to STEP 1 again, and after a certain period of time, repeats the above operation. In STEP 8, when the use of the personal computer is finished, the personal computer 10 is terminated and the power is turned off, thereby completing the ventilation hole closing warning process.

As described above, according to the personal computer 10 equipped with the ventilation hole closing warning device according to the present invention, when the ventilation hole is blocked for some reason, the ventilation hole inside the case 19 causes poor ventilation. The temperature rise generated is detected by the temperature sensors 20, 21, 22 arranged adjacent to the CPU 11, the hard disk drive 16 and the graphic board 18 which are heat sources,
When the reference temperature is exceeded, a warning sound is generated from the speaker 13 and a warning is displayed on the screen of the display 14.

As a result, the user can visually and audibly know the obstruction of the ventilation hole by the warning sound and the warning display. Therefore, when the temperature data A (n) of the temperature sensor 20 fluctuates with respect to the reference temperature Z (A) as shown in FIG. 6 due to intermittent blockage of the ventilation holes,
Only when the temperature data A (n) exceeds the reference temperature Z (A), a warning sound is generated from the speaker 13 and a warning is displayed on the screen of the display 14.

In the above-described embodiment, in order to detect the temperature inside the casing 19, CP is used as a heat source.
Adjacent to U11, the hard disk drive 16 and the graphic board 18, three temperature sensors 20 and 2 are provided.
1, 22 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and one or two or four or more temperature sensors may be provided for another heat source or at any place other than the heat source. Obviously good.

In the above embodiment, CP
U11 is the temperature data A of at least one of the temperature data from the respective temperature sensors 20, 21, 22.
Reference temperature Z corresponding to (n), B (n), and C (n)
Although the occurrence of blockage of the ventilation hole is determined when (A), Z (B), and Z (C) are exceeded, the present invention is not limited to this, and each temperature sensor 20, 21, 22 at a predetermined time is determined. It is also possible to constantly monitor the fluctuations in the temperature data from the above and determine the occurrence of blockage of the ventilation hole when a rapid temperature rise occurs.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the blockage of the ventilation hole is detected as the temperature rise by the temperature sensor arranged adjacent to the heat generating portion inside the casing 19, but this is not the case. Not limited to this, it is obvious that a light amount sensor provided inside the ventilation hole may be arranged to detect the decrease in the light amount due to the blockage of the ventilation hole by the light amount sensor.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the warning device of the ventilation hole blockage is incorporated in the personal computer as various devices has been described. It is obvious that the warning device and the warning method of the ventilation hole blockage according to the present invention can be applied to various devices having ventilation holes in the body for heat dissipation.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the ventilation hole provided in the housing is closed, the detection sensor, for example, the temperature sensor or the light amount sensor detects this and outputs a signal. As a result, the control unit determines whether the ventilation hole is closed based on the signal from the detection sensor, and the warning circuit issues a warning. Therefore, the user is
It is possible to know the obstruction of the ventilation hole, stop the use of the various equipment by turning off the power of the various equipment, and remove the cause of the obstruction of the ventilation hole. As a result, an abnormal temperature rise due to the blockage of ventilation holes inside the housings of various devices can be avoided, and thermal runaway and thermal destruction of electronic components and the like provided inside the housings can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a personal computer including an embodiment of a ventilation hole blockage warning device according to the present invention.

2 (A) is a schematic plan view and FIG. 2 (B) is a schematic side view showing the arrangement of temperature sensors inside the housing of the personal computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a storage state of temperature data in a memory of the personal computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing warning display contents corresponding to each temperature sensor in the personal computer shown in FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing an operation of a warning method of a ventilation hole block in the personal computer shown in FIG.

6 is a time chart showing a temperature change and a warning state inside the housing of the personal computer shown in FIG.

7A is a schematic perspective view and FIG. 7B is a schematic bottom view showing a ventilation hole in an example of a conventional personal computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 personal computer 11 CPU (control unit, warning circuit) 12 memories 13 speakers 14 display 15 chipsets 16 hard disk drive 17 floppy disk drive 18 graphic board 19 housing 20, 21, 22 Temperature sensor 23 Measuring section

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A housing having a ventilation hole for various devices, which internally includes a heat source such as an electronic component, and a detection sensor for detecting blockage of the ventilation hole, and a ventilation sensor for the ventilation hole based on a signal from the detection sensor. A ventilating device obstruction warning device for various devices, comprising: a control unit that determines a blockage and outputs a control signal; and a warning circuit that issues a warning based on a control signal from the control unit. 2. The warning device for ventilation hole blockage of various devices according to claim 1, wherein the detection sensor is a temperature sensor arranged adjacent to the heat source. 3. The control unit compares the temperature data from the temperature sensor with a reference temperature set in advance, and when the temperature data exceeds the reference temperature, determines that the ventilation hole is closed. The device for warning the obstruction of ventilation holes of various devices according to claim 2. 4. The control unit registers temperature data from a temperature sensor in a memory, and when an abnormal temperature rise is detected based on the temperature data registered in the memory for a certain period, it is determined that the ventilation hole is blocked. The determination is performed according to claim 2.
A device for warning the obstruction of ventilation holes of various devices described in 1. 5. The device for warning the obstruction of a ventilation hole of various devices according to claim 1, wherein the detection sensor is a light amount sensor provided inside the ventilation hole. 6. The device for warning the obstruction of a ventilation hole of various devices according to claim 1, wherein the warning circuit outputs a warning display signal to a display section of each device. . 7. The warning device for ventilation hole blockage of various devices according to claim 1, wherein the warning circuit outputs a warning sound signal to a speaker of each device. 8. A housing having a ventilation hole for various devices, which internally includes a heat source such as an electronic component, wherein a detection sensor detects blockage of the ventilation hole, and based on a signal from the detection sensor, a control unit. A method for warning the obstruction of a ventilation hole of various devices, characterized in that a warning is issued based on the judgment of the obstruction of the ventilation hole of the control unit and the warning is issued based on the judgment of the obstruction of the ventilation hole of the control unit.