JP2007150306A - Fan system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fan system which can prevent breakage, by stopping a fan module when it is decided that the operating temperature is too high or too low. <P>SOLUTION: The fan system comprises the fan module, a starting module, a thermoelement, and a control module. The starting module is electrically connected to the fan module to drive the fan module. The thermoelement generates a sensor signal corresponding to the ambient temperature. The control module controls the starting module, based on the sensor signal and turns off the fan module, when the ambient temperature is higher than a first set temperature or lower than a second set temperature. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fan system, and more particularly to a fan system including a thermo element.

Generally, all large electronic systems are equipped with a fan system so that the electronic system can operate normally while maintaining a normal operating temperature. And the fan system itself also has specific usage standards, such as Operating Temperature.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional fan system 1. The fan system 1 includes a fan module 11 and an activation module 12. Among these, the activation module 12 activates the fan module 11 to radiate heat.

  However, if the operating temperature of the fan system 1 is too high or too low, the fan system 1 itself may be damaged.

  In view of the above problems, the conventional fan system 1 usually employs the analog control chip 13 to sense the operating temperature of the fan system 1 itself, and when the operating temperature is too high or too low. Automatically stops the operation of the fan system 1 to protect it.

  However, since the analog control chip 13 is expensive, the conventional fan system 1 including the analog control chip 13 has a drawback that the entire production cost is increased. The analog control chip 13 does not have a soft-start function.

  Accordingly, the present invention protects the fan system by stopping the operation of the fan module when the operating temperature is too high or too low by sensing the operating temperature of the fan system using the thermo element. This is the issue.

  In order to solve the above problems, a fan system according to the present invention includes a fan module, a start-up module, a thermo element, and a control module. Among these, the activation module is electrically connected to the fan module and drives the fan module. The thermo element generates a sensor signal corresponding to the environmental temperature. Based on this sensor signal, the control module controls the start-up module and turns off the fan module when the environmental temperature is higher than the first set temperature or lower than the second set temperature.

  According to the fan system of the present invention, when the thermo element senses the operating temperature and the operating temperature is too high or too low, the fan system can be protected from being damaged by turning off the fan module. it can. In addition, since the fan system of the present invention does not use an analog control chip, it is possible to maintain the normal operation of the fan system while keeping the overall production cost low.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the fan system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, a fan system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The fan system 2 is provided inside an electronic system (not shown in the figure) and dissipates heat.

  The fan system 2 includes a fan module 21, an activation module 22, a control module 23, and a thermo element 24. Among these, the fan module 21 has a fan. The fan module 21 has a plurality of fans according to the degree to which heat dissipation is required, and the heat dissipation effect is enhanced.

The activation module 22 is electrically connected to the fan module 21 and drives the fan module 21. The thermo element 24 generates a sensor signal V _t (for example, a voltage value) corresponding to the environmental temperature. In the present embodiment, the thermo element 24 is a thermistor having a negative temperature coefficient. The ambient temperature sensed by the thermoelement 24 is the ambient temperature within the electronic system. Normally, the operating temperature of an electronic device and the temperature around the electronic device (environmental temperature) are correlated with each other. Therefore, in the present invention, sensing the environmental temperature is substantially equivalent to sensing the operating temperature. is there. The characteristics of the thermistor itself having a negative temperature coefficient, for example, when the temperature inside the electronic system increases, the resistance value of the thermo-element 24 is reduced, the voltage value of the sensor signal V _t is decreased accordingly. Conversely, when the environmental temperature inside the electronic system drops, the resistance value of the thermo-element 24 is increased, the voltage value of the sensor signal V _t rises accordingly.

Control module 23 receives the sensor signal _{V t,} thereby controlling the activation module 22. When the environmental temperature is higher than the first set temperature or lower than the second set temperature, the control module 23 controls the start module 22 and turns off the fan module 21 to operate under an abnormal environmental temperature. Prevents the fan system 2 from being damaged. In the present embodiment, the first set temperature and the second set temperature are determined by the usage standard of the fan system 2 itself. The first set temperature is the upper limit operating temperature of the fan system 2, and the second set temperature is the lower limit operating temperature of the fan system 2. For example, the first set temperature is 70 ° C and the second set temperature is -40 ° C. It is.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the control module 23 includes a first control unit 231 and a second control unit 232. Of these, the first control unit 231 mainly includes a first switch Q ₁ and the first comparator U _1, the second control unit 232 mainly includes a second switch Q ₂ and the second comparator U ₂ .

First switch Q ₁ and the second switch Q ₂ is an electronic device having a transistor or other switch functions. In this embodiment, the first switch _{Q 1} and the second switch _{Q 2} is an NMOS transistor.

With respect to the first control unit 231, the drain of the first switch Q ₁ is electrically connected to the activation module 22, as well as control the activation module 22, the source of the first switch Q ₁ is grounded.

The first comparator U ₁ includes a first input terminal input ₁ , a second input terminal input ₂ and an output terminal output. In this embodiment, the first input terminal input ₁ is a non-inverting input terminal, and the second input terminal input ₂ is an inverting input terminal.

The first input terminal input ₁ receives the first reference signal V _ref1 . The first reference signal V _ref1 is a voltage generated by a voltage dividing circuit including at least two resistors, and the voltage value can be adjusted by changing the resistance value. In the present embodiment, the first reference signal V _ref1 is used to determine the upper limit operating temperature of the fan system 2. Second input terminal input The ₂ receives the sensor signal _{V t} through the resistor, the output terminal output is electrically connected to the gate of the first switch _{Q 1} via the resistor, the first switch _{Q 1} To control. For simplicity of explanation, when the voltage gain of the first comparator U ₁ is 1, and the sensor signal V _t is lower than the first reference signal V _ref1 , the output terminal output outputs a positive voltage, by the switch _{Q 1} to oN, to control the activation module 22, a fan module 21 to OFF.

In this embodiment, the voltage at the output terminal output is fed back by electrically connecting the second input terminal input ₂ and the output terminal output of the first comparator U ₁ via the resistor R _1. Yes. Thereby, the sensor signal V _t and the first reference signal V _ref1 can be compared with high accuracy. For example, when the first set temperature is 70 ° C., the first comparator U ₁ has an accurate environmental temperature. At 70 ° C., the startup module 22 can be controlled to turn off the fan module 21.

On the other hand, with respect to the second control unit 232, the drain of the second switch Q ₂ are electrically connected to the activation module 22, as well as control the activation module 22, a source of the second switch Q ₂ is grounded.

The second comparator U ₂ includes a first input terminal input ₁ , a second input terminal input _2, and an output terminal output. In this embodiment, the first input terminal input ₁ is a non-inverting input terminal, and the second input terminal input ₂ is an inverting input terminal.

The first input terminal input The ₁ receives the sensor signal _{V t} through the resistor, a second input terminal input The ₂ receives a second reference signal _{V ref2.} The second reference signal V _ref2 is a voltage generated by a voltage dividing circuit composed of at least two resistors, and the voltage value can be adjusted by changing the resistance value. In the present embodiment, the second reference signal V _ref2 is used to determine the lower limit operating temperature of the fan system 2. Output terminal output is electrically connected to the second gate of the switch Q ₂ via a resistor, to control the second switch Q _2. For simplicity of explanation, the voltage gain of the second comparator U ₂ and 1, when the sensor signal V _t is higher than the second reference signal V _ref2, the output terminal output is output a positive voltage, the second by the switch _{Q 2} to oN, to control the activation module 22, a fan module 21 to OFF. The first input terminal input The ₁ and the output terminal output is electrically connected through a resistor _{R 2.} Resistor _{R 2,} the same function as the resistor _{R 1} described above.

As described above, when it is determined that the sensor signal V _t is lower than the first reference signal V _ref1 or higher than the second reference signal V _ref2 , the first comparator U ₁ or the second comparator U The output terminal output ₂ outputs a positive voltage, thereby controlling the activation module 22 and turning off the fan module 21.

The activation module 22 in the present embodiment includes a third switch Q ₃ , a fourth switch Q ₄ , at least one capacitor C, at least one resistor R _3, and a plurality of diodes D ₁ and D ₂ . Among them, the third switch Q ₃ and the fourth switch Q ₄ are the electronic device having a transistor or other switch functions. In this embodiment, the third switch _{Q 3} are a PMOS transistor, the fourth switch _{Q 4} are the NMOS transistors.

The source of the third switch _{Q 3} are electrically connected to the diode _D 1, _{D 2.} The drain of the third switch Q ₃ are electrically connected to the fan module 21, drives the fan module 21. The gate of the third switch Q ₃ are, through a resistor connected to one end of the diode D _3, the other end of the diode D ₃ is electrically connected to the drain of the fourth switch Q _4. One end of the capacitor C is electrically connected to the source of the third switch Q _3, the other end of the capacitor C is electrically connected to one end of the diode D _3. One end of the diode D _3, further one end of the resistor R ₃ are electrically connected, the other end of the resistor R ₃ is grounded. Further, the diodes D ₁ and D ₂ are Schottky diodes and prevent reverse current flow. The gate of the fourth switch Q ₄ are, are electrically connected to the drain of the first switch Q ₁ and the second drain of the switch Q _2.

The operation of the fan system 2 is as follows. When the internal temperature (environment temperature) of the electronic system is between the first set temperature and the second set temperature (within the normal operating temperature range), the sensor signal V _t generated by the thermoelement 24 is the first reference signal V _ref1. It is higher than the second reference signal V _ref2 . Therefore, the first switch _{Q 1} and the second switch _{Q 2} is then OFF, the fourth switch _{Q 4} are is ON.

In this case, for example, by such fan system 2 is connected to the electronic system, the input voltage V _in is applied to the activation module 22, a capacitor C begins to charge. When the voltage value across the capacitor C reaches the starting voltage of the third switch Q _3, the third switch Q ₃ becomes ON, and start radiating activates the fan module 21. It should be noted here that the current applied to the fan module 21 increases relatively slowly by the charging circuit of the capacitor C and the resistor R ₃ , so that the fan system 2 has a soft start effect. It is.

When the internal temperature of the electronic system becomes higher than the first set temperature, the sensor signal V _t becomes lower than the first reference signal V _ref1 . Therefore, the first switch _{Q 1} is made ON, the fourth switch _{Q 4} is turned OFF, the further the third switch _{Q 3} turned OFF. Thus, the fan module 21 is turned off and the fan system 2 is protected from an environmental temperature that is too high.

Similarly, when the temperature inside the electronic system is lower than the second set temperature, the sensor signal V _t is higher than the second reference signal V _ref2. Therefore, the second switch _{Q 2} is turned ON, the fourth switch _{Q 4} is turned OFF, the further the third switch _{Q 3} turned OFF. Thus, the fan module 21 is turned off and the fan system 2 is protected from environmental temperatures that are too low. As described above, the fan system 2 monitors whether the internal temperature (environment temperature) of the electronic system sensed by the thermoelement 24 is higher than the upper limit operating temperature or lower than the lower limit operating temperature, and is compulsory when abnormal. The fan system 21 is turned off to prevent the fan system 2 from being damaged.

  As described above, according to the fan system of the present invention, when the operating temperature is too high or too low by sensing the operating temperature of the fan system using the thermo element, the fan module is turned off. The fan system can be protected. In addition, since the fan system of the present invention senses the operating temperature using a thermo element without using an analog control chip, the overall production cost is kept low compared to the conventional technology. Normal operation can be ensured.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and there are design changes and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention. However, it is included in the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the conventional fan system. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a fan system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a circuit diagram of a fan system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 fan system 11 fan module 12 start module 13 analog control chip 2 fan system 21 fan module 22 start module 23 control module 231 first control unit 232 second control unit 24 thermo element V _t sensor signal V _in input voltage Q ₁ first 1 switch Q ₂ second switch Q ₃ third switch Q ₄ fourth switch U ₁ first comparator U ₂ second comparator V _ref1 first reference signal V _ref2 second reference signal input ₁ first input terminal input ₂ first second input terminal output the output terminal _R 1 to R ₃ resistor _D 1, _{D 2} diodes C condenser S source G gate D drain

Claims (11)

A fan module;
An activation module electrically connected to the fan module to activate the fan module;
A thermo element that generates a sensor signal according to the ambient temperature;
A control module that controls the start-up module to turn off the fan module when it is determined that the environmental temperature is higher than the first set temperature or lower than the second set temperature based on the sensor signal; ,
A fan system comprising: The control module is
A first control unit that is electrically connected to the thermo-element and receives the sensor signal, and controls the start-up module and turns off the fan module when the environmental temperature is higher than the first set temperature;
A second control unit that is electrically connected to the thermo-element and receives the sensor signal, and controls the start-up module and turns off the fan module when the environmental temperature is lower than the second set temperature;
The fan system according to claim 1, further comprising: The first control unit includes:
A first switch electrically connected to the activation module;
A first input terminal; a second input terminal; and an output terminal, wherein the first input terminal receives a first reference signal, the second input terminal receives the sensor signal, and the output terminal is connected to the first switch. A first comparator that controls the first switch by being electrically connected;
The fan system according to claim 2, further comprising: The second control unit is
A second switch electrically connected to the activation module;
A first input terminal; a second input terminal; and an output terminal, wherein the first input terminal receives the sensor signal, the second input terminal receives a second reference signal, and the output terminal is connected to the second switch. A second comparator that controls the second switch by being electrically connected;
The fan system according to claim 2, further comprising:   The fan system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first switch and the second switch are transistors.   The first input terminal of the first comparator and the second comparator is a non-inverting input terminal, and the second input terminal of the first comparator and the second comparator is an inverting input terminal. The fan system according to claim 3 or 4.   The fan system according to claim 3, wherein the second input terminal and the output terminal of the first comparator are electrically connected via a resistor.   The fan system according to claim 4, wherein the first input terminal and the output terminal of the second comparator are electrically connected via a resistor. The activation module is
A third switch having one end electrically connected to the fan module and controlling the fan module;
A fourth switch electrically connected to the third switch for controlling the third switch;
A capacitor having one end electrically connected to the third switch;
A resistor electrically connected to the other end of the capacitor;
At least one diode having one end receiving an input voltage and the other end electrically connected to the third switch;
The fan system according to claim 1, further comprising:   The fan system according to claim 9, wherein the third switch and the fourth switch are transistors.   The fan system according to claim 1, wherein the thermo element is a thermistor.

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