JP2010116915A - Reduction in deposit dust particle in heat diffusion arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce dust particles deposited on at least one or more of surfaces arranged near a pulsation fan. <P>SOLUTION: The surfaces may include the pulsation fan 120 and a blade of the pulsation fan or a heat exchanger 130 arranged near the other similar surface. The pulsation fan rotates in the first direction 135 over a first duration period, and may rotate in the second direction 185 over a second duration period. While rotating the pulsation fan in the second direction, the dust particles deposited on one or more of surfaces arranged near the pulsation fan reduce. The second rotational direction is the opposite direction of the first rotational direction. The pulsation fan may include an axial fan or a centrifugal fan. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  Systems that include electronic components, automobiles, or air conditioning systems may include heat generating components. In electronic components, a microprocessor, graphics device, or other similar device can generate heat. The generated heat may be dissipated using a heat dissipating arrangement. The heat dissipation arrangement may include a combination of a fan and heat exchanger, or an air cooling device. The heat generated from these devices may be dissipated by flowing air over the heat generating device. Since the generated heat is transferred while the air is flowing, the generated heat may be dissipated.

  In many cases, the fan includes a blade connected to a component provided along the axis of the fan, and rotation of the blade generates an air flow. A heat exchanger comprising a highly conductive material may also be provided near the fan, and with such an arrangement heat can be dissipated at a faster rate. However, while the fan is rotating, many dust particles can be deposited on the heat exchanger and fan blade surfaces by the airflow. Over time, such dust particle deposition may form an insulating and non-conductive layer that impedes the passage of air. In such situations, the amount of heat dissipation can be reduced. This can lead to performance and ergonomic issues, and other similar issues.

  The invention described herein will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but is intended to be exemplary only and not limiting. For the sake of brevity and clarity of explanation, the scale of the members shown in the figures is not necessarily correct. For example, for the sake of clarity, the dimensions of certain members may be exaggerated compared to the dimensions of other members. Furthermore, wherever appropriate, the same reference numerals have been used repeatedly among the drawings to indicate corresponding or similar parts.

FIG. 4 shows arrangements 110 and 150 including pulsating axial fans that rotate in a first period and a second period, respectively, for the purpose of reducing dust accumulating on a heat exchanger, according to one embodiment. 2 is line diagrams 210 and 250 showing the direction of airflow when the pulsating axial fan is rotating for the first and second time periods, respectively. A photograph of the heat dissipation arrangement 110 is shown. FIG. 3 shows a photograph of a heat dissipation arrangement 150 that includes a pulsating axial fan that rotates in both a first and second direction. FIG. 6 shows arrangements 510 and 550 including pulsating centrifugal fans that rotate in third and fourth directions, respectively, for the purpose of reducing dust accumulating on the heat exchanger, according to one embodiment. 6 are line diagrams 610 and 650 showing the collision direction when the pulsating centrifugal fan rotates in the third and fourth directions, respectively. A photograph of the heat dissipation arrangement 510 is shown. FIG. 6 shows a photograph of a heat dissipation arrangement 550 that includes a pulsating centrifugal fan that rotates in both a third and fourth direction. 1 illustrates a computer system 900 that uses a pulsating fan arrangement to reduce dust deposited on a heat exchanger, according to one embodiment.

  The following describes the reduction of dust that accumulates on the heat dissipation arrangement. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth, such as logic configurations, overlapping implementations, member types and correlations, in order to provide a deeper understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, structures have not been described in detail in order not to obscure the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, according to the description contained in the specification, an appropriate function can be realized without undue experimentation.

  As used in the specification, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, and “an example embodiment” indicate that the described embodiment includes a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not all implementations. A form need not necessarily include these particular features, configurations or characteristics. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, configuration, or characteristic is described in connection with one embodiment, the feature described in connection with the other embodiment, whether or not explicitly described. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the structure or property will also have an effect.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a pulsating axial flow fan used in the heat dissipation arrangements 110 and 150 for the purpose of reducing dust accumulating on the heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the arrangement 110 includes a pulsating axial fan 120 and a heat exchanger 130. In one embodiment, the pulsating axial fan 120 may rotate in the direction 135. Directions 105 and 106 indicate the directions of the input airflow and the output airflow, respectively. In one embodiment, the air moving along the axis (direction 105) of the pulsating axial fan 120 may include dust particles.

  In one embodiment, the air flowing along the direction 105 may carry dust particles in the direction of the blades of the pulsating axial fan 120 and the heat exchanger 130. In one embodiment, dust particles may be deposited on the blades and heat exchanger 130 of the pulsating axial fan 120. In one embodiment, the dust layer 140 may be formed by deposition of dust particles. In one embodiment, the dust layer 140 inhibits the passage of air, which may reduce the amount of heat dissipation. In one embodiment, the reduced heat dissipation may increase the heat level of the heat generating component, which may impair the performance of the heat generating component. A photograph of the heat dissipation arrangement 110 showing dust particles 340 deposited on the blades of the pulsating axial fan 120 and the heat exchanger 370 in one embodiment is shown in FIG.

  In one embodiment, the dust particles can include fine soil particles, fibrous media, or other similar components. In one embodiment, dust particles can be generated by a variety of sources such as soil, human skin cells, plant pollen, animal hair, textile fibers, paper fibers and other such particles.

  In one embodiment, the heat dissipation arrangement 150 may include a pulsating axial fan 120 and a heat exchanger 130. However, the rotational direction of the pulsating axial fan 120 may be the opposite direction as shown by the second direction 185. In one embodiment, the pulsating axial fan 120 rotates in a first direction for a substantial duration and rotates in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction in between. May be. In one embodiment, the pulsating axial fan 120 rotating in the second direction 185 may generate intake pressure along the direction 155-156. In one embodiment, the dust particles in the dust layer 140 may be removed by the intake pressure generated by the rotation of the pulsating axial fan 120. In one embodiment, the removal of dust particles from the dust layer 140 may reduce dust particles deposited on the blades of the pulsating axial fan 120 and the heat exchanger 130. A photograph of a heat dissipation arrangement 150 including a pulsating axial fan rotating in both the first and second directions in one embodiment is shown in FIG. The photograph of FIG. 4 illustrates the reduction of accumulated dust particles 340 while the pulsating axial flow fan 310 periodically rotates in the first direction 135 and the second direction 185 in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the period during which the pulsating axial fan 310 rotates in the first direction 135 may be significantly greater than the period during which the pulsating axial fan 310 rotates in the second direction 185.

  In one embodiment, the dust layer 340 may be substantially absent from the heat exchanger by removing the dust particles. Such an approach may allow the heat generating device to run at the expected performance level. In one embodiment, such an approach can substantially avoid disturbing heat dissipation. In one embodiment, avoiding disturbance of heat dissipation can also prevent the heat of the heat generating device from rising excessively, thereby keeping the heat level of the device within ergonomic limits. . Such an approach can keep the blades of the pulsating axial fan 310 and the surface of the heat exchanger 370 clean, which can improve the aesthetic aspects of the arrangement.

  In one embodiment, the pulsating axial fan 310 may rotate in the first rotational direction 135 for a substantial duration. In one embodiment, the pulsating axial fan 310 may rotate in a second direction 185, which is the opposite direction to the first direction 135, for a short duration in response to the occurrence of a particular event. . In one embodiment, the specific event may be a specific duration of time during which the pulsating axial fan 310 rotates in the first direction 135 and the heat level of the heat generating device is preset. It may be a case where the level is exceeded, a startup event, a shutdown event, and other similar events. In one embodiment, a time tracking device may be used to track time and a temperature sensor may be used to sense the temperature of the heat generating device.

  FIG. 2 shows line diagrams 210 and 250 showing the direction of airflow while the pulsating axial fan 120 rotates in directions 135 and 185, respectively. In one embodiment, the pulsating axial fan 120 rotating in the direction 135 creates an air flow along the direction 105-106, thus depositing dust particles on the blades and the heat exchanger 130 of the pulsating axial fan 120. Can be. In one embodiment, rotating the pulsating axial fan 120 in the opposite direction causes the pulsating axial fan 120 to inhale along direction 155-156, which is substantially opposite to direction 105-106. It may be generated. The dust particles on the blades of the pulsating axial fan 120 and the heat exchanger 130 may be removed by the air flow in the opposite direction (155-156). Thus, the heat dissipation arrangement 150 can reduce dust particles that accumulate on the blades of the pulsating axial fan 120 and the heat exchanger 130.

  FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a pulsating centrifugal fan used in heat dissipation arrangements 510 and 550 intended to reduce dust particles that accumulate on the blades and heat exchanger of the pulsating centrifugal fan. In one embodiment, arrangement 510 includes a heat exchanger 520 and a pulsating centrifugal fan 530. In one embodiment, the pulsating centrifugal fan 530 may rotate in the third direction 515. In one embodiment, direction 505 may indicate the direction of the input airflow and direction 506 may indicate the direction of the output airflow. In one embodiment, direction 506 may be at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to direction 505.

  In one embodiment, air may collide with heat exchanger 520 by rotating pulsating centrifugal fan 530 in direction 515. In one embodiment, air may collide with the heat exchanger 520 from the impingement direction 525 by rotation of the pulsating centrifugal fan 530. In one embodiment, a substantial amount of dust can be deposited on one end of the heat exchanger 520 and the blades of the fan 530 by impinging the air from the impingement direction 525 on the heat exchanger 520. In one embodiment, dust particles may accumulate on the heat exchanger 520 to form a dust layer 540 on the blades of the fan 530 and the heat exchanger 520. FIG. 7 shows a photograph of a heat dissipation arrangement 510 showing dust particles 740 deposited on a blade of a pulsating centrifugal fan 710 and a heat exchanger 770 in one embodiment.

  In one embodiment, in the heat dissipation arrangement 550, the rotational direction of the pulsating centrifugal fan 530 may be opposite. In one embodiment, the fourth direction 565 may be in a direction substantially opposite to the third direction 515. In one embodiment, the airflow may impinge on the heat exchanger 520 from the impingement direction 575 when the pulsating centrifugal fan 530 rotates in the fourth direction 565. In one embodiment, the collision direction 575 may form an angle theta 1 (“θ1”) with respect to the collision direction 525. In one embodiment, the angle of the collision direction 575 may reduce dust particles from the blades of the fan 530 and the heat exchanger 520 by airflow along the collision direction 575. In one embodiment, rotating the centrifugal fan 530 in the fourth direction 565 may reduce dust particles that accumulate on the blades of the fan 530 and the heat exchanger 520. FIG. 8 shows a photograph of a heat dissipation arrangement 550 that includes a pulsating centrifugal fan that rotates in both the third and fourth directions in one embodiment. FIG. 8 illustrates the reduction of accumulated dust particles 740 while the pulsating centrifugal fan 710 rotates alternately in the third and fourth directions periodically in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the duration that the pulsating centrifugal fan 710 rotates in the third direction 515 may be significantly greater than the duration that the pulsating centrifugal fan 710 rotates in the fourth direction 565. .

  FIG. 6 is a line diagram showing the collision direction of the airflow generated with the change in the rotation direction of the pulsating centrifugal fan 530.

  In the line diagram 610, the pulsating centrifugal fan 530 may rotate in the third direction 515, thereby causing the input airflow 505 to collide with the heat exchanger 520 from the collision direction 525. In other embodiments, the pulsating centrifugal fan 530 may rotate in the third direction 515, thereby causing the input airflow in the direction 505 to impinge on the heat exchanger 520 from the impingement direction 526. In one embodiment, air collisions from directions 525 and 526 may occur at each of the first and second angles. In one embodiment, air impingement from impingement direction 525 and / or 526 may cause dust particles in the air to accumulate on fan 530 blades and heat exchanger 520.

  In line diagram 650, pulsating centrifugal fan 530 may rotate in a fourth direction 565, which is the opposite direction to third direction 515. In one embodiment, air may collide with heat exchanger 520 from impingement direction 575 by rotating pulsating centrifugal fan 530 in direction 565. In other embodiments, the pulsating centrifugal fan 530 may rotate in the fourth direction 565, thereby causing the input airflow 505 to impinge on the heat exchanger 520 from the direction 576. In one embodiment, air collisions from directions 575 and 576 may occur at the third and fourth angles, respectively.

  In one embodiment, direction 575 may form angle theta 1 (“θ1”) with respect to direction 525. In one embodiment, the angle theta 1 may be obtuse (greater than 90 degrees). In other embodiments, direction 576 may form an angle theta 2 (“θ2”) with respect to direction 526. In one embodiment, the angle theta 2 (θ2) may be an acute angle (less than 90 degrees). In one embodiment, dust particles deposited on the heat exchanger 520 may be removed by airflow in the impact direction 575 and / or 576.

  FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a computer system 900 that includes a heat dissipation arrangement with a pulsating axial flow or a centrifugal fan. In one embodiment, the computer system 900 may include a processor 910, a cooling unit 930, a memory 940, a graphics device 950, a cooling unit 960, a controller hub 970 and an I / O device 980.

  In one embodiment, the memory 940 may be used for storing instructions and data values used by the processor 910. In one embodiment, controller hub 970 may provide an interface between processor 910 and memory 940 and between processor 910 and I / O device 980. In one embodiment, the cooling unit may be provided near a component that needs to dissipate heat from itself. In one embodiment, by way of example, the cooling units 930 and 960 may be provided near the processor 910 and the graphics device 950, respectively.

  In one embodiment, the processor 910 may include a single core, dual core or multi-core processor. In one embodiment, processor 910 may refer to a heat generating device, and the heat generated by processor 910 may be dissipated using cooling unit 930. In one embodiment, the cooling unit 930 may include a fan 935 and a heat exchanger HE938. In one embodiment, the fan 935 may include a pulsating axial flow or pulsating centrifugal fan that rotates a substantial amount of time in one direction and rotates in the opposite direction for a short period of time. In one embodiment, the change in direction of rotation of the pulsating fan 930 from one direction to the opposite direction is due to a pre-set duration, the heat level of the processor 910 exceeding a pre-set heat level, or The processing load of the processor 910 may be performed based on the occurrence of an event such as exceeding a preset load value.

  In one embodiment, rotation in the opposite direction can remove dust particles, thereby allowing dust particles to accumulate on fan 935 and heat exchanger HE 938, or on other surfaces near cooling unit 930. Can be reduced. In one embodiment, such an approach may reduce the likelihood of problems associated with dust particles depositing on the fan 935 and HE 938 and other surfaces near the cooling unit 930.

  In one embodiment, graphics device 950 may include a graphics controller, a display controller, and other similar units that perform processing of image data and therefore require significant processing resources. Thus, in one embodiment, the graphics device 950 can generate heat, and the generated heat needs to be dissipated to maintain a performance level. In one embodiment, a cooling unit 960 provided near the graphics device 950 may dissipate heat generated by the graphics device 950. In one embodiment, the cooling unit 960 may include a fan 965 and a heat exchanger HE968. In one embodiment, the fan 965 is a pulsating axial flow or pulsation that can deposit dust particles on the fan 965 and HE 968 or other surface near the cooling unit 960 while rotating in one direction. A centrifugal fan may be included. In one embodiment, pulsating fan 965 may rotate in the opposite direction for the purpose of removing dust particles deposited on HE968. With such an approach, heat dissipation levels and performance levels can be maintained.

  The specific features of the present invention have been described above using a plurality of embodiments. However, this description is not intended to be construed in a limited manner. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications of the present embodiments and other embodiments of the present invention are within the scope of the present application and the intended scope of the present application.

Claims (28)

A pulsating fan that rotates in a first direction over a first duration and rotates in a second direction over a second duration;
A plurality of surfaces provided near the pulsating fan,
While the pulsating fan rotates in the second direction, dust particles accumulated on the plurality of surfaces decrease,
The second direction of the rotation is opposite to the first direction of the rotation;
The plurality of surfaces comprises a heat exchanger and blades of the pulsating fan.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pulsating fan is an axial fan.   The rotation of the axial fan in the first direction causes air to flow in a third direction, and the rotation of the axial fan in the second direction causes the air to flow in a fourth direction, and The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fourth direction is substantially opposite to the third direction.   The rotation of the axial fan in the second direction is started based on the occurrence of an event, and the event is such that the heat level of the heat generating device from which heat is dissipated exceeds a set level. The apparatus of claim 3 comprising:   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pulsating fan is a centrifugal fan.   The rotation of the centrifugal fan in the first direction causes air to collide with the heat exchanger from the fifth direction, and the rotation of the centrifugal fan in the second direction causes the air to move in the sixth direction. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the dust particles are removed by causing the air to collide with the heat exchanger and causing the air to collide with the heat exchanger from the sixth direction.   The sixth direction forms a first angle with respect to the fifth direction, the first angle is an acute angle, and the air collides with the heat exchanger at the first angle. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the dust particles deposited on the heat exchanger are removed.   The sixth direction forms a second angle with respect to the fifth direction, the second angle is obtuse, and causes the air to collide with the heat exchanger at the second angle. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the dust particles deposited on the heat exchanger are removed.   6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein rotation of the centrifugal fan in the second direction is initiated based on the occurrence of an event, the event including the first duration having elapsed. Rotating the pulsating fan in a first direction over a first duration and rotating the pulsating fan in a second direction over a second duration;
Providing a plurality of surfaces in the vicinity of the pulsating fan,
While the pulsating fan rotates in the second direction, dust particles deposited on the plurality of surfaces decrease,
The second direction of the rotation is opposite to the first direction of the rotation;
The method wherein the plurality of surfaces comprises a heat exchanger and blades of the pulsating fan.   The method according to claim 10, wherein the pulsating fan is an axial fan.   The rotation of the axial fan in the first direction causes air to flow in a third direction, and the rotation of the axial fan in the second direction causes the air to flow in a fourth direction, and The method of claim 11, wherein the fourth direction is substantially opposite to the third direction.   The rotation of the axial fan in the second direction is started based on the occurrence of an event, and the event is such that the heat level of the heat generating device from which heat is dissipated exceeds a set level. The method of claim 12 comprising:   The method of claim 10, wherein the pulsating fan is a centrifugal fan.   The rotation of the centrifugal fan in the first direction causes air to collide with the heat exchanger from the fifth direction, and the rotation of the centrifugal fan in the second direction causes the air to move in the sixth direction. The method according to claim 14, wherein the dust particles are removed by impinging on the heat exchanger and impinging the air on the heat exchanger from the sixth direction.   The sixth direction forms a first angle with respect to the fifth direction, the first angle is an acute angle, and the air collides with the heat exchanger at the first angle. The method of claim 15, wherein the dust particles are removed.   The sixth direction forms a second angle with respect to the fifth direction, the second angle is obtuse, and causes the air to collide with the heat exchanger at the second angle. The method of claim 15, wherein the dust particles are removed.   The method of claim 14, wherein the rotation of the centrifugal fan in the second direction is initiated based on the occurrence of an event, the event including the passage of the first duration. A heat generating device;
With a heat dissipation arrangement,
The heat dissipating arrangement is provided near the heat generating device;
The heat dissipating arrangement rotates in a first direction for a first duration and rotates in a second direction for a second duration, and a plurality of surfaces provided near the pulsation fan; Have
While the pulsating fan rotates in the second direction, dust particles accumulated on the plurality of surfaces decrease,
The second direction of the rotation is opposite to the first direction of the rotation;
The plurality of surfaces includes a heat exchanger and blades of the pulsating fan.   The system of claim 19, wherein the heat generating device is a processor.   The system of claim 19, wherein the pulsating fan is an axial fan.   The rotation in the first direction causes air to flow in a third direction, the rotation in the second direction causes the air to flow in a fourth direction, and the fourth direction corresponds to the first direction. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the system is substantially opposite to the direction of three.   The system of claim 19, wherein the heat generating device is a graphics device.   The system of claim 19, wherein the pulsating fan is a centrifugal fan.   The rotation of the pulsating fan in the first direction causes air to collide with the heat exchanger from the fifth direction, and the rotation of the pulsating fan in the second direction causes the air to move in the sixth direction. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the system impacts the heat exchanger.   26. The system of claim 25, wherein the dust particles deposited on the heat exchanger are removed by the air impingement from the sixth direction.   The sixth direction forms a first angle with respect to the fifth direction, the first angle is an acute angle, and the air collides with the heat exchanger at the first angle. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the dust particles are removed.   The sixth direction forms a second angle with respect to the fifth direction, the second angle is obtuse, and causes the air to collide with the heat exchanger at the second angle. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the dust particles are removed.