JP2006085497A - Cooling method, cooling system, and cooling program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reliably and efficiently perform cooling when disconnecting the power supply of a device. <P>SOLUTION: This cooling method of an electronic device comprising a device main part, a temperature sensor mounted on the device main part, a temperature measuring means, a cooling means, a cooling control means, a timer, and a power source for supplying power to each part: starts a timer with a set timer period T1 simultaneously with the disconnection of the power source supplied to the device main part by an instruction of power-off to wait for a timer interruption; measures the temperature of the device main part by the interruption from the timer after the elapse of the set timer period T1; starts the timer with a set timer period T2 when the measured temperature is a prescribed value θ1 or higher to wait for the timer interruption, and if not, the power sources supplied to the temperature measuring means, the cooling means, the cooling control means and the timer are shut off. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooling method, a cooling system, and a cooling program, and more particularly, to a method and system for reliably and efficiently cooling an electronic device when power is turned off.

Since electronic devices such as computers are equipped with many components that generate heat, the temperature inside the device tends to rise. Some electronic devices are sensitive to temperature, and if they are not properly cooled, there is a risk of malfunction and device destruction. A cooling system for appropriately cooling such an apparatus is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).
In the cooling system described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-73414, as shown in FIG. 5, voltage control is performed between a power supply device 56 connected to a fan 55 that cools the arithmetic device 51 and a service processing device 53. A device 57 is connected, and the cooling state is appropriately switched based on the control signal of the service processing device 53.

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the cooling system example shown in FIG.

  In this system, the service processing device 53 reads the detection value of the temperature sensor 52 installed in the arithmetic device 51 at regular time intervals. When the temperature in the arithmetic device 51 is lower than the set temperature, the service control device 53 A power-off command is issued, the power supply 56 is turned off, and the cooling fan 55 is stopped. If it is determined that the detected temperature is higher than the room temperature by a certain value or more, a low voltage command is transmitted to the voltage control device 57 to switch the fan 55 to low speed rotation. When the temperature is higher than the temperature in the arithmetic unit 51, the service processing unit 53 sends a high voltage command to the voltage control unit 57 to switch the fan 55 to high speed rotation.

  Next, the service processing unit 53 reads the information signal in the arithmetic unit 51 and writes the information as a record of occurrence of abnormality in the floppy disk unit 58.

  However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, if the detected temperature continues to be higher than the set temperature even if the cooling capacity is increased, the service processing device 53 has a temperature abnormality in which the temperature in the computing device 51 exceeds the maximum cooling capacity. It is determined that it has occurred, and a power-off command is sent as a control signal to the power supply device 54 and the voltage control device 57, respectively, and the power supply to the arithmetic device 51, service control device 53, and cooling fan 55 is cut off, and all operations Stop.

  In general, an electronic device includes a portion having a relatively high durability at high temperatures and a portion having a relatively low durability at high temperatures. When the power is turned off with such a device and the cooling fan is stopped at the same time, the heat accumulated in the part with large heat generation is transmitted to the whole device, shortening the life of the part with low durability against high temperature, In some cases, the device will be destroyed.

  In order to avoid such a problem, there is a technique in which the rotation time of the cooling fan is extended for a certain time by a timer even after the apparatus power is turned off. However, since the cooling status of the device varies depending on the ambient temperature and the operating state (heat generation state) of the device, in order to cope with all conditions assumed by the timer that sets a certain time, waste is required for safety. It is necessary to set a longer timer time, which is inefficient.

  An object of the present invention is to reliably and efficiently perform cooling when the apparatus power is turned off.

  The first invention includes an apparatus main part, a temperature sensor attached to the apparatus main part, a temperature measuring means, a cooling means, a cooling control means, a timer, and a power source for supplying power to each of the parts. A cooling method for an electronic device comprising: cutting off the power supplied to the main part of the device in response to a power-off instruction, simultaneously starting a timer at a set time T1, waiting for a timer interrupt, and from the timer after the set time T1 has elapsed When the measured temperature is equal to or greater than the predetermined value θ1, the timer is started at the set time T2 to wait for the timer interrupt, and when the measured temperature is less than the predetermined value θ1, The power supplied to the measuring means, the cooling means, the cooling control means, and the timer is cut off.

  The second invention is a method for cooling an electronic device according to the first invention, and further, when the measured temperature is less than a predetermined value θ1, the power supplied to the cooling means is cut off at the same time as the set time. Start the timer at T3 and wait for the timer interruption, measure the temperature of the main part of the device by interruption from the timer after the set time T3 elapses, and start the timer at the set time T2 if the measured temperature is more than the predetermined value θ2 When the measured temperature is less than the predetermined value θ2, the power supplied to the temperature measuring means, the cooling means, the cooling control means, and the timer is cut off.

  A third invention includes an apparatus main part, a temperature sensor attached to the apparatus main part, a temperature measuring means, a cooling means, a cooling control means, a timer, and a power source for supplying power to each of the parts. An electronic device cooling system provided with the cooling control means receives a power-off instruction, cuts off the power supplied to the main part of the device, and simultaneously starts a timer at a set time T1 and waits for a timer interrupt, After the set time T1 elapses, the temperature measuring means is started by interruption from the timer to acquire the temperature of the main part of the device measured by the temperature sensor. When the acquired temperature is equal to or greater than the predetermined value θ1, the timer is started at the set time T2. If the acquired temperature is less than the predetermined value θ1, the power supply to the temperature measuring means, the cooling means, the cooling control means, and the timer is cut off. Features.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a main part of the apparatus, a temperature sensor attached to the main part of the apparatus, a temperature measuring means, a cooling means, a cooling control means, a timer, and a power source are supplied to the computer. A program for cooling an electronic device having a power supply, the step of receiving a power-off instruction, and the power supply to the main part of the device is cut off, and at the same time, a timer is started at a set time T1 and a timer interrupt is generated. A step of waiting, a step of starting the temperature measuring means by interruption from the timer and acquiring the temperature of the main part of the device measured by the temperature sensor, and a timer at the set time T2 if the acquired temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined value θ1 If the acquired temperature is less than the predetermined value θ1, the temperature measuring means, the cooling means, the cooling control means, and the timer And a step of cutting off the supplied power.

  According to the present invention, cooling is continued for a predetermined time after the power is turned off to suppress an increase in the temperature in the apparatus, and it is confirmed that the temperature of the main part of the apparatus has become a predetermined value or less. By stopping the cooling means after elapse of time, it becomes possible to avoid unnecessary cooling.

  In addition, after the cooling means is stopped, when the temperature inside the apparatus rises to a predetermined value or more, the cooling can be performed again. This makes it possible to perform optimum cooling even when the required cooling time fluctuates due to fluctuations in the operating conditions and environmental conditions of the apparatus.

  FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration example of an electronic device cooling system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a cooling control means 5 of the basic configuration example. The predetermined values used in this system are set in advance with the following conditions as a guide.

  Predetermined temperature θ1: Cooling target temperature (a temperature lower by a certain value than the maximum temperature that is considered not to affect the life of the apparatus even if left standing, for example, 45 degrees).

  Timer set value T1: Time required for cooling from power-off to a predetermined temperature θ1 under average cooling conditions.

Timer set value T2: Additional cooling time when the temperature does not drop to θ1 after T1 cooling after power off. (Example: 1 minute)
In FIG. 1, P <b> 1 represents power supplied to the apparatus main part 1, and P <b> 2 represents power supplied to each part other than the apparatus main part 1.

  The cooling control means 5 receives a power-off instruction generated by pressing a power switch (not shown) and starts power-off processing. In step S21, a signal instructing the disconnection of the power supply P1 supplied to the main part 1 of the apparatus is sent to the power supply 7 via the signal line C1, and at the same time, the timer 6 is started at the set time T1 to wait for a timer interrupt, The power supply 7 cuts off the power supply P1.

  When an interrupt from the timer 6 is accepted in step S22, the process proceeds to step S23, where the cooling control means 5 activates the temperature measuring means 3, and the temperature measuring means 3 sends the temperature data θ0 measured by the temperature sensor 2 to the cooling control means 5. send.

  In step S24, the cooling control means 5 compares the acquired temperature data θ0 with a preset θ1, and if the acquired temperature θ0 is equal to or greater than θ1, the process proceeds to step S25 and starts the timer 6 at the set time T2. Returning to step S22 and waiting for a timer interruption, if the acquired temperature θ0 is less than θ1, the process proceeds to step S26, and a signal for instructing disconnection of the power supply P2 supplied to other than the main part 1 of the apparatus is sent via the signal line C1. Send to power supply 7. The power supply 7 cuts off the power supply P2 and ends the process.

  In addition, if the interruption from the timer 6 after the set time T2 set in step S25 has elapsed is received, the cooling control means 5 repeats the above process, and the process ends when the process proceeds to step S26.

  FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the cooling control means 5 of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the following predetermined values are set in advance in addition to the predetermined values used in the description of the basic configuration example.

Predetermined temperature θ2: a temperature that is considered not to affect the life of the apparatus even if left untreated. (Example: 50 degrees)
Timer set value T3: T1 or T2 After cooling, it is time to confirm that the temperature has not risen to θ2 after the temperature has dropped below θ1. (Example: 10 minutes)
In FIG. 3, P3 represents the power supplied to the cooling means 4, and P4 represents the power supplied to each part other than the apparatus main part 1 and the cooling means 4.

  The cooling control means 5 receives a power-off instruction generated by pressing a power switch (not shown) and starts power-off processing. In step S41, a signal instructing the disconnection of the power supply P1 supplied to the main part 1 of the apparatus is sent to the power supply 7 via the signal line C1, and at the same time, the timer 6 is started at the set time T1 to wait for a timer interrupt, The power supply 7 cuts off the power supply P1.

  When an interrupt from the timer 6 is received in step S42, the process proceeds to step S43, where the cooling control means 5 activates the temperature measurement means 3, and the temperature measurement means 3 sends the temperature data θ0 measured by the temperature sensor 2 to the cooling control means 5. send.

  In step S44, the cooling control means 5 compares the acquired temperature data θ0 with a preset θ1, and if the acquired temperature θ0 is equal to or greater than θ1, the process proceeds to step S45 and starts the timer 6 at the set time T2. Returning to step S42, the timer interruption is awaited. If the acquired temperature θ0 is less than θ1, the process proceeds to step S46, and a signal instructing disconnection of the power supply P3 supplied to the cooling means 4 is sent to the power supply 7 via the signal line C1. Simultaneously with the transmission, the timer 6 is started at the set time T3 and the timer interruption is waited (step S47). The power supply 7 cuts off the power supply P3.

  When an interrupt from the timer 6 (after the set time T3 has elapsed) is accepted in step S47, the process proceeds to step S48, where the cooling control means 5 activates the temperature measuring means 3, and the temperature measuring means 3 measures the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 2. Data θ 0 is sent to the cooling control means 5.

  In step S49, the cooling control means 5 compares the acquired temperature data θ0 with a preset θ2, and if the acquired temperature θ0 is equal to or greater than θ2, the cooling control means 5 proceeds to step S50 and supplies the power supply P3 supplied to the cooling means 4. At the same time, a signal for instructing to turn on is sent to the power supply 7 via the signal line C1, and at the same time, the timer 6 is started at the set time T2, and the process returns to step S42 to enter the timer interrupt waiting state. To do. If the acquired temperature θ0 is less than θ2, the process proceeds to step S51, and a signal for instructing disconnection of the power supply P4 supplied to each part other than the apparatus main part 1 and the cooling means 4 is supplied via the signal line C1 to the power supply 7. Send to. The power supply 7 cuts off the power supply P4 and ends the process.

  In step S42, upon receiving an interrupt from the timer 6 after the set time T2 set in step S50 has elapsed, the cooling control means 5 repeats the above process, and the process ends when the process proceeds to step S51.

  As described above, according to the present invention, optimum cooling can be performed even if the required cooling time varies due to fluctuations in the operation status and environmental status of the apparatus.

Electronic device cooling system basic configuration example according to the present invention Flow chart of basic configuration example of the present invention Embodiment 1 of an electronic device cooling system according to the present invention Flowchart of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Conventional cooling system configuration example Example flowchart of conventional cooling system

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main part 2 Temperature sensor 3 Temperature measuring means 4 Cooling means 5 Cooling control means 6 Timer 7 Power supply

Claims (4)

Cooling of an electronic device comprising a main part of the apparatus, a temperature sensor attached to the main part of the apparatus, a temperature measuring means, a cooling means, a cooling control means, a timer, and a power source for supplying power to each part. A method,
In response to the power-off instruction, the power supplied to the main part of the device is cut off, and at the same time, the timer is started at the set time T1 to wait for the timer interrupt,
The temperature of the main part of the device is measured by interruption from the timer,
If the measured temperature is more than the predetermined value θ1, start the timer at the set time T2 and wait for the timer interrupt,
An electronic device cooling method comprising: cutting off power supplied to a temperature measurement unit, a cooling unit, a cooling control unit, and a timer when the measured temperature is less than a predetermined value θ1. The electronic device cooling control method according to claim 1, further comprising:
When the measured temperature is less than the predetermined value θ1, the power supplied to the cooling means is turned off, and at the same time, the timer is started at the set time T3 and a timer interruption is waited.
The temperature of the main part of the device is measured by interruption from the timer,
If the measured temperature is greater than or equal to the predetermined value θ2, start the timer at the set time T2 and wait for the timer interrupt,
An electronic device cooling method comprising: cutting off power supplied to a temperature measuring unit, a cooling unit, a cooling control unit, and a timer when the measured temperature is less than a predetermined value θ2. Cooling of an electronic device comprising a main part of the apparatus, a temperature sensor attached to the main part of the apparatus, a temperature measuring means, a cooling means, a cooling control means, a timer, and a power source for supplying power to each part. A system,
The cooling control means receives a power-off instruction, cuts off the power supplied to the main part of the apparatus, and simultaneously starts a timer at a set time T1 and waits for a timer interrupt,
The temperature measurement means is activated by an interrupt from the timer and the temperature of the main part of the device measured by the temperature sensor is acquired.
If the acquired temperature is more than the predetermined value θ1, start the timer at the set time T2 and wait for the timer interrupt,
An electronic device cooling system characterized in that, when the acquired temperature is less than a predetermined value θ1, the power supplied to the temperature measuring means, the cooling means, the cooling control means, and the timer is cut off. An electronic device comprising a computer main part, a temperature sensor attached to the main part of the apparatus, a temperature measuring means, a cooling means, a cooling control means, a timer, and a power source for supplying power to each part. A program for cooling the device,
Receiving a power-off instruction;
A step of starting a timer at a set time T1 and waiting for a timer interrupt at the same time as turning off the power supplied to the main part of the device;
The step of acquiring the temperature of the main part of the apparatus measured by the temperature sensor by starting the temperature measuring means from the interruption from the timer,
When the acquired temperature is equal to or greater than the predetermined value θ1, a step of starting a timer at a set time T2 and waiting for a timer interruption;
An electronic device cooling program comprising: a step of cutting off power supplied to a temperature measuring means, a cooling means, a cooling control means, and a timer when the acquired temperature is less than a predetermined value θ1 .

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