JP2015149436A - Blower and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a blower which allows for air supply in two directions facing each other, while suppressing temperature rise of a cooled object.SOLUTION: A blower is constituted to include blowing means 1, temperature acquisition means 2, time measurement means 3, and control means 4. The blowing means 1 supplies air in a first direction for cooling a cooled object, and in a second direction opposite from the first direction. The temperature acquisition means 2 collects the temperature data about the cooled object. The time measurement means 3 measures the time when air is not supplied in the second direction, as the elapsed time. The control means 4 controls the blowing means 1 to supply air in the second direction, when the temperature data is less than a predetermined reference temperature, and the elapsed time is longer than predetermined set time.

Description

  The present invention relates to a blower, and more particularly, to dust removal of a cooling blower.

  Electronic components used in information processing apparatuses and communication apparatuses may increase in heat generation as performance increases. For example, semiconductor devices are driven with a high clock as performance increases, and power consumption increases, resulting in an increase in heat generation. On the other hand, with miniaturization, the distance between elements and wirings constituting the semiconductor device is narrowed, and the influence of heat generation on the characteristics of the semiconductor device is increasing. In order to obtain a stable operating state in an electronic component such as a semiconductor device, it is necessary to suppress an increase in temperature. Therefore, an information processing device using the electronic component has a function of cooling the electronic component. As a method for cooling the electronic component in the information processing apparatus, for example, a method of cooling the electronic component by air cooling by using a fan or the like to suck air from the outside is used.

  When air is taken in from the outside to cool the electronic component, if dust is taken into the casing of the information processing apparatus together with air, the dust accumulates around the electronic component. Accumulation of dust around the electronic component may cause electrostatic breakdown of the electronic component. Therefore, a dust-proof filter may be provided at the intake port so that dust is not taken in when intake is performed. By taking in air from outside through the dust filter, it is possible to prevent dust from being taken into the apparatus. However, if the intake is continued, the dustproof filter is clogged with dust. If the dustproof filter becomes clogged, it may not be able to intake air and cooling may be insufficient. Therefore, it is necessary to remove dust attached to the filter by cleaning the dustproof filter or the like.

  Information processing apparatuses and the like are sometimes used for applications that require long-term continuous operation. In an information processing apparatus that has been operating continuously for a long period of time, it is necessary to perform cleaning for removing dust adhering to the dustproof filter by stopping the intake air for cooling while operating the information processing apparatus. However, if the intake air is stopped for cleaning the dustproof filter, the temperature of the internal electronic components rises and the operation may become unstable. On the other hand, an information processing apparatus that has been operating continuously for a long time is often required to have high stability. Therefore, the dustproof filter must be cleaned while ensuring stability by suppressing the temperature rise during cleaning. For this reason, various studies have been conducted on techniques for suppressing the effect of cleaning the dustproof filter of the blower used for cooling the information processing apparatus. As a technique for suppressing the influence of cleaning the dustproof filter of the blower used for cooling the information processing apparatus, for example, a technique such as Patent Document 1 is disclosed.

  Patent Document 1 relates to a dust removing device having a function of removing dust accumulated in a dustproof filter. The dust removal device of Patent Literature 1 includes a dustproof filter, an intake fan, an exhaust fan, and a dust collection sensor. The dust removal device of Patent Document 1 performs intake by an intake fan and exhaust by an exhaust fan through the same dustproof filter. The dust removal device of Patent Document 1 cools a cooling target by performing intake air with an intake fan and blowing air toward the cooling target. Moreover, the dust removal apparatus of patent document 1 removes the dust accumulated in the dustproof filter by blowing air, that is, exhausting, from the inside to the outside by an exhaust fan for dust removal. In Patent Document 1, dust is removed from the dustproof filter by blowing air to the dustproof filter in the direction opposite to the direction of intake and exhausting the dust. Further, the dust removal device of Patent Document 1 determines the degree of clogging of the dustproof filter based on the measurement result by the dust collection sensor, and cleans the dustproof filter when the dustproof filter is clogged. In Patent Document 1, since cleaning is performed only when clogging is caused by measurement of the dust collection sensor, unnecessary dust cleaning is not necessary, and the dust filter can be efficiently cleaned.

JP 2009-212376 A

  However, the technique of Patent Document 1 is not sufficient in the following points. In an information processing apparatus or the like that operates continuously for a long time, it is necessary to clean the dustproof filter while operating the apparatus. At that time, if the cooling by the intake air is stopped to clean the dustproof filter, and the air is exhausted by blowing in the opposite direction to the intake air, the temperature of the electronic components to be cooled will rise and the operation of the device will become unstable There is a fear. In Patent Document 1, the time when the cooling by the intake air is stopped is suppressed by performing the cleaning only when the dustproof filter is clogged by the measurement of the dust collection sensor and it is determined that the cleaning is necessary. However, since it operates regardless of the state of the device when it is determined that cleaning is necessary, it is possible to completely avoid the instability of the device due to the temperature of electronic components inside the device rising. Can not. Therefore, the technique of patent document 1 is not sufficient as a technique for cleaning the dustproof filter of the cooling apparatus for the information processing apparatus that has been operating continuously for a long time while operating the information processing apparatus.

  An object of the present invention is to obtain a blower capable of blowing air in two directions facing each other while suppressing an increase in temperature of a cooling target.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the blower of the present invention includes a blower, a temperature acquisition unit, a time measurement unit, and a control unit. The blowing means performs blowing in the first direction for cooling the object to be cooled and blowing in the second direction opposite to the first direction. The temperature acquisition unit collects temperature data related to the cooling target. The time measuring means measures the time during which air is not blown in the second direction as the elapsed time. The control means controls the air blowing means to blow in the second direction when the temperature data is lower than the predetermined reference temperature and the elapsed time is longer than the predetermined set time.

  The air blowing method of the present invention blows air in the first direction for cooling the object to be cooled, collects temperature data related to the object to be cooled, and indicates the time during which air is not blown in the second direction opposite to the first direction. Measure as Further, the air blowing method of the present invention blows air in the second direction when the temperature data is lower than the predetermined reference temperature and the elapsed time is longer than the predetermined set time.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to blow air in two directions facing each other while suppressing an increase in temperature of the cooling target.

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of a structure of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of a structure of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of a part of apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of the operation | movement in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of the operation | movement in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the graph of the example of the temperature transition in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of the operation | movement in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an outline of the configuration of the blower of this embodiment. The blower device of this embodiment includes a blower unit 1, a temperature acquisition unit 2, a time measurement unit 3, and a control unit 4. The air blowing means 1 performs air blowing in the first direction for cooling the object to be cooled and air blowing in the second direction opposite to the first direction. The temperature acquisition unit 2 collects temperature data related to the cooling target. The time measuring means 3 measures the time when the air is not blown in the second direction as the elapsed time. The control means 4 controls the air blowing means 1 so as to blow air in the second direction when the temperature data is lower than the predetermined reference temperature and the elapsed time is longer than the predetermined set time.

  The control means 4 of the air blower of the present embodiment blows the air blowing means 1 in the second direction when the temperature data to be cooled and the elapsed time in the state where the air is not blown in the second direction satisfy the condition. Control is performed as follows. In the blower of this embodiment, when the temperature of the cooling target is lower than the predetermined reference temperature, the air is blown in the second direction opposite to the first direction. It is possible to avoid stopping the air flow in the direction of. As a result, in the blower of the present embodiment, it is possible to blow in both directions facing each other while suppressing the temperature rise of the cooling target.

  A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows an outline of the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to this embodiment. The information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a dust filter 11, a blower 12, a controller 13, a temperature measuring unit 14, a device controller 15, and an electronic component 16. In the information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the air blower 12 takes in air from the outside to the inside of the information processing apparatus 10 via the dustproof filter 11 in order to cool the electronic component 16. Moreover, the information processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment removes the dust adhering to the dustproof filter 11 when taking in air inside by sending out air through the dustproof filter 11 from the inside to the outside. The information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment cleans the dust-proof filter 11 by removing the attached dust by blowing in the direction opposite to the blowing direction during cooling.

  The dust filter 11 has a function of preventing dust from entering the inside of the information processing apparatus 10 when air is taken in from the outside. As the dust filter 11, for example, a filter member formed of a sponge-like resin having many holes can be used.

  The air blower 12 has a function of taking in air from the outside to the inside of the information processing apparatus 10, that is, a function of performing intake. The blower unit 12 has a function of discharging air from the inside of the information processing apparatus 10 to the outside side, that is, a function of exhausting air. The air blower 12 is provided with a fan that rotates in response to a fan control signal S1 sent from the controller 13. The fan control signal S1 includes information on the operation content indicating the start or stop of fan rotation, the rotation direction of the fan, and the rotation speed of the fan. In the present embodiment, the rotation direction of the fan when the fan of the air blowing unit 12 takes in air from the outside to the inside of the information processing apparatus 10 is referred to as a normal rotation direction. Further, when air is discharged from the inside to the outside, the fan of the transmission unit 12 rotates in the opposite direction to that when air is taken in. In the present embodiment, the rotation direction of the fan when air is discharged from the inside of the information processing apparatus 10 to the outside is referred to as a reverse rotation direction.

  In the present embodiment, the fan of the air blowing unit 12 rotates at a predetermined rotation speed in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction, respectively. The predetermined rotation speed is set as a speed sufficient for cooling the electronic component 16 and cleaning the dust filter 11. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the predetermined rotation speeds in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction are the same. The rotational speeds in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction may be different. The fan of the air blowing unit 12 may be configured to rotate at a plurality of stages of rotation speed in each direction.

  The control unit 13 has a function of controlling the operation of the fan of the air blowing unit 12 for cooling the electronic component 16 and cleaning the dustproof filter 11. The control unit 13 has a function of determining whether or not the dust filter 11 can be cleaned. The control unit 13 controls the rotation of the fan of the blower 12 for cooling and cleaning the dustproof filter 11 by sending a fan control signal S1 to the blower 12.

  The configuration of the control unit 13 will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 shows an outline of the configuration of the control unit 13 of this embodiment. FIG. 3 also shows the air blowing unit 12, the temperature measuring unit 14, and the device control unit 15 for explanation. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 13 of the present embodiment includes a drive control unit 21, a blower control unit 22, a monitoring time timer 23, an execution interval timer 24, and a cleaning time timer 25.

  The drive control unit 21 has a function of transmitting a fan control signal S1 to the blower unit 12. The drive control unit 21 transmits a fan control signal S <b> 1 to the blower unit 12 based on the drive control signal S <b> 2 sent from the blower control unit 22. The drive control signal S2 includes information on the rotational direction and rotational speed of the fan.

  The air blowing control unit 22 has a function of controlling rotation of the fan for cleaning the dustproof filter 11 and normal cooling in the air blowing unit 12. The air blowing unit 12 has a function of determining whether or not the dust filter 11 needs to be cleaned. The air blow control unit 22 performs cleaning of the dust filter 11 based on the temperature data indicated by the temperature measurement signal S3 sent from the temperature measurement unit 14 and the time information indicated by the execution interval signal S11 sent from the execution interval timer 24. Judgment is necessary. The temperature measurement signal S3 includes temperature data information measured by the temperature measurement unit 14 with respect to the electronic component 16. Further, the execution interval signal S11 is configured by information on an elapsed time after the cleaning of the dust filter 11 is completed. The temperature data measured with respect to the electronic component 16 refers to, for example, the temperature of the surface of the electronic component 16.

  The monitoring time timer 23 has a function of measuring a cycle when the air blow control unit 22 monitors the temperature data indicated by the temperature measurement signal S3 sent from the temperature measurement unit 14. The monitoring time timer 23 is activated when it receives a monitoring time timer activation signal S8 from the air blow control unit 22. The monitoring time timer activation signal S <b> 8 is a signal for the blower control unit 22 to transmit activation to the monitoring time timer 23. The monitoring time timer activation signal S8 includes information indicating activation and information on a period for monitoring temperature. When activated, the monitoring time timer 23 starts measuring time and outputs a monitoring time signal S <b> 9 to the air blowing control unit 22 for each period of monitoring temperature data. The monitoring time signal S <b> 9 is a signal for transmitting the timing at which the monitoring time timer 23 monitors the temperature to the air blowing control unit 22.

  The execution interval timer 24 has a function of measuring an elapsed time from completion of cleaning of the dust filter 11. The execution interval timer 24 is activated when it receives the execution interval timer activation signal S10. When started, the execution interval timer 24 starts measuring time from time 0, and sends information on the elapsed time since the start of measurement to the air blow control unit 22 as an execution interval signal S11. The execution interval timer activation signal S <b> 10 is a signal for the blower control unit 22 to transmit activation to the execution interval timer 24.

  The cleaning time timer 25 has a function of measuring the length of time during which the dust filter 11 is cleaned. The cleaning time timer 25 is activated when it receives a cleaning time timer activation signal S12 from the blower control unit 22. The cleaning time timer activation signal S <b> 12 is a signal for the blower control unit 22 to transmit activation to the cleaning time timer 25. The time timer 25 measures the elapsed time since activation as the elapsed time from the start of cleaning of the dust filter 11. The cleaning time timer 25 sends information on elapsed time to the air blow control unit 22 as a cleaning time signal S13.

  The temperature measurement unit 14 has a function of measuring the temperature related to the electronic component 16. In the present embodiment, the temperature measurement unit 14 measures the temperature of the surface of the electronic component 16 as the temperature related to the electronic component 16. The temperature measurement unit 14 sends the measured temperature data of the electronic component 16 to the air blow control unit 22 of the control unit 13 as a temperature measurement signal S3.

  The device control unit 15 has a function of performing overall control of the information processing device 10. For example, the device control unit 15 performs control related to the power supply of the information processing device 10. When the information processing apparatus 10 is turned on, the apparatus control unit 15 sends a signal indicating that a predetermined operation is started to the control unit 13 and the electronic component 16. For example, the device control unit 15 sends a signal indicating that the cooling is started to the control unit 13 as the air blow control signal S4. Moreover, the apparatus control part 15 sends the information etc. which the operator of the information processing apparatus 10 sent via the electronic component 16 input to the control part 13 as ventilation control signal S4. Also, information such as the cleaning result of the dustproof filter 11 sent as the cleaning result signal S5 from the control unit 13 is sent to the electronic component 16. The electronic component 16 includes a semiconductor device such as a central processing unit, a storage device, and an image processing device, and other components, and is used when the information processing apparatus 10 performs each process. One or more electronic components 16 are provided in the information processing apparatus 10. In the case where a plurality of electronic components 16 are provided, the temperature measuring unit 14 may be provided for each electronic component 16 and is provided so as to measure the temperature in the vicinity where the plurality of electronic components 16 are installed. May be. Further, the temperature measurement unit 14 may be provided so as to measure the temperature of the electronic component 16 that is important in the configuration of the electronic component 16 and the information processing apparatus 10 that generate the largest amount of heat. As described above, the temperature measurement unit 14 measures the temperature related to the electronic component 16 to be cooled.

  An operation when the dustproof filter 11 is cleaned in the information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described. 4 and 5 show an outline of the flow when the dustproof filter 11 of this embodiment is cleaned. FIG. 4 shows the overall flow when the dust filter 11 is cleaned, and FIG. 5 shows a more detailed flow of step 106 in FIG.

  The information processing apparatus 10 starts operating by an operation by the worker (step 101). When the information processing apparatus 10 starts operating, the apparatus control unit 15 sends a blow control signal S4 indicating that the operation has started to the control unit 13 in order to start cooling the electronic component 16. When the information processing device 10 air blow control signal S4 is input to the control unit 13, the control unit 13 performs control to rotate the fan of the air blowing unit 12 in the normal rotation direction to start cooling (step 102). The control unit 13 controls the start of cooling as follows. The blowing control signal S4 input to the control unit 13 is sent to the blowing control unit 22. Upon receiving the air blow control signal S4, the air blow control unit 22 sends a drive control signal S6 indicating that the fan is rotated in the forward rotation direction at a predetermined rotational speed to the drive control unit 21. The drive control signal S6 is a signal composed of information on the rotation direction and rotation speed of the fan. When the drive control unit 21 receives the drive control signal S6, the drive control unit 21 sends a fan control signal S1 indicating the start of rotation of the fan in the forward rotation direction to the blower unit 12.

  When receiving the fan control signal S1 indicating that the fan 12 starts to rotate in the forward rotation direction, the blower unit 12 starts rotating the fan in the forward rotation direction. When the air blower 12 starts to rotate the fan in the forward rotation direction, air is taken in from the outside to the inside of the information processing apparatus 10 through the dust filter 11 and intake is performed. The electronic component 16 provided inside the information processing apparatus 10 is cooled by the air taken from the outside of the information processing apparatus 10. When the fan 12 starts rotating the fan, the fan 12 sends a fan operation signal S2 indicating that the fan has started rotating in the forward rotation direction to the drive controller 21. When the drive control unit 21 receives the fan operation signal S <b> 2, the drive control unit 21 sends a drive state signal S <b> 7 indicating that the rotation of the fan has started in the forward rotation direction to the blower control unit 22. The drive state signal S7, information on rotation or stop of the fan, and information on the rotation direction are included.

  When receiving the driving state signal S7 indicating that the rotation of the fan has started, the air blow control unit 22 sends a monitoring time timer activation signal S8 to the monitoring time timer 23 to activate the monitoring time timer 23 (step 103). The monitoring time timer activation signal S8 includes information on a predetermined time together with information indicating activation of the monitoring time timer 23. The predetermined time is set as a cycle for monitoring the temperature data sent from the temperature measuring unit 14 and is stored in the air blowing control unit 22. In the present embodiment, a predetermined time, which is a period for monitoring temperature data sent from the temperature measurement unit 14, is referred to as a temperature monitoring period.

  When the monitoring time timer 23 receives the monitoring time timer activation signal S8, the monitoring time timer 23 starts measuring time. When the monitoring time timer 23 starts measuring the time, the monitoring time timer 23 sends a monitoring time signal S9 to the air blowing control unit 22 every predetermined time corresponding to the temperature monitoring period. The monitoring time signal S9 is a signal for transmitting to the air blow control unit 22 that it is time to monitor the temperature data. In this embodiment, the monitoring time timer 23 is provided and the temperature is monitored every temperature monitoring period, but the monitoring time timer 23 may not be provided. In the case where the monitoring time timer 23 is not provided, the blower control unit 22 monitors the temperature data constantly or at regular intervals. Further, when the monitoring time timer 23 is not provided, the blower control unit 22 performs the same operation as in the present embodiment except for the operation related to the monitoring time timer 23.

  When the monitoring time timer 23 is activated, the blower control unit 22 determines the timing for monitoring the temperature data from the presence or absence of the monitoring time signal S9 sent from the monitoring time timer 23. If the monitoring time signal S9 has not been received (No in step 104), the air blow control unit 22 waits until receiving the monitoring time signal S9. While the air blow control unit 22 is on standby until it receives the monitoring time signal S9, the air intake by the rotation of the fan in the forward rotation direction is continued and the electronic component 16 is cooled. When the monitoring time signal S9 is received (Yes in step 104), the air blow control unit 22 receives the temperature data sent as the temperature measurement signal S3 from the temperature measurement unit 14 when the monitoring time signal S9 is received, and a predetermined value. Compare the reference temperatures. The predetermined reference temperature is set in advance as a temperature indicating the upper limit of the temperature at which the intake of air for cooling is stopped and the dustproof filter 11 can be cleaned, and is stored in the air blow control unit 22.

  If the temperature indicated by the temperature data is equal to or higher than the predetermined reference temperature (No in step 105), the air blowing control unit 22 determines that the dustproof filter 11 cannot be cleaned. When the temperature is higher than a predetermined reference temperature, it is determined that the cleaning is impossible. When the temperature is high, when the cooling is stopped and the dust filter 11 is cleaned, the temperature of the electronic component 16 further increases, resulting in malfunction. This is because there is a possibility of generating. If it is determined that the dust filter 11 cannot be cleaned, the process returns to step 104, and the air blow control unit 22 waits until the monitoring time signal S9 is received again. While the air blow control unit 22 is on standby until receiving the monitoring time signal S9 again, the cooling of the electronic component 16 by the intake air is continued.

  If the temperature data indicated by the temperature measurement signal S3 is less than the predetermined reference temperature (Yes in step 105), the air blow control unit 22 determines that the dust filter 11 can be cleaned. If it determines that the ventilation control part 22 can be cleaned, it will clean the dust-proof filter 11 (step 106).

  In step 106, the operation when the dustproof filter 11 is cleaned will be described with reference to FIG. When cleaning of the dustproof filter 11 is started, the air blowing control unit 22 sends a drive control signal S6 indicating that the fan is rotated in the reverse rotation direction to the drive control unit 21. When the drive control unit 21 receives the drive control signal S6, the drive control unit 21 sends the fan control signal S1 indicating that the fan 12 stops rotating the fan. When receiving the fan control signal S1 indicating that the rotation of the fan is stopped, the air blowing unit 12 stops the rotation of the fan in the forward rotation direction (step 201). When the fan 12 stops rotating the fan in the forward rotation direction, the fan 12 sends a fan operation signal S2 indicating that the fan has stopped rotating to the drive controller 21.

  When the drive control unit 21 receives the fan operation signal S2 indicating that the rotation of the fan is stopped, the drive control unit 21 sends a fan control signal S1 indicating that the rotation of the fan in the reverse rotation direction is started to the blower unit 12. When receiving the fan control signal S1 indicating that the fan starts to rotate in the reverse rotation direction, the air blowing unit 12 rotates the fan at a predetermined rotation speed in the reverse rotation direction (step 202). When the fan 12 starts rotating in the reverse rotation direction, it sends a fan operation signal S2 indicating that the fan has started rotating in the reverse rotation direction to the drive control unit 21. When the drive control unit 21 receives the fan operation signal S <b> 2, the drive control unit 21 sends a drive state signal S <b> 7 indicating that the rotation of the fan in the reverse rotation direction has started to the blower control unit 22.

  When receiving the driving state signal S7 indicating that the fan has started to rotate in the reverse rotation direction, the air blow control unit 22 sends a cleaning time timer activation signal S12 to activate the cleaning time timer 25 (step 203). When receiving the cleaning time timer activation signal S12, the cleaning time timer 25 starts measuring the cleaning time. The cleaning time indicates an elapsed time after the dust filter 11 starts cleaning. When the cleaning time timer 25 starts measuring the cleaning time, the cleaning time timer 25 sends information on the cleaning time to the air blow control unit 22 as a cleaning time signal S13.

  When sending the cleaning time timer activation signal S12, the air blow control unit 22 compares the temperature data indicated by the temperature measurement signal S3 sent from the temperature measurement unit 14 with a predetermined reference temperature. During normal cooling, the air blow control unit 22 monitors the temperature every time the monitoring time signal S9 is received. However, while the dustproof filter 11 is being cleaned, the airflow control unit 22 always or every short time is temperature data. Is compared with a predetermined reference temperature. During normal cooling, the temperature data is compared with a predetermined reference temperature in order to determine whether or not cleaning can be performed, whereas when the cleaning is performed, the temperature of the electronic component 16 is equal to or higher than the predetermined reference temperature. It is because it goes to prevent it from rising. By comparing the temperature data with a predetermined reference temperature constantly or every short time, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the electronic component 16 from rising to a temperature at which the operation becomes unstable.

  If the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined reference temperature (No in step 204), the air blow control unit 22 determines that the cleaning cannot be continued. If it is determined that the cleaning cannot be continued, the air blow control unit 22 sends a drive control signal S6 indicating that the fan is rotated in the normal rotation direction to the drive control unit 21. When the drive control unit 21 receives the drive control signal S6 indicating that the fan is rotated in the forward rotation direction, the drive control unit 21 sends a fan control signal S1 indicating that the rotation of the fan is stopped to the blower unit 12. When receiving the fan control signal S1 indicating that the fan 12 stops rotating, the air blowing unit 12 stops the rotation of the fan in the reverse rotation direction (step 206). When the fan 12 stops rotating in the reverse rotation direction of the fan, the fan 12 sends a fan operation signal S2 indicating that the fan has stopped rotating to the drive controller 21.

  When the drive control unit 21 receives the fan operation signal S2 indicating that the rotation of the fan has been stopped, the drive control unit 21 sends the fan control signal S1 indicating that the rotation of the fan in the forward rotation direction is started to the blower unit 12 . When receiving the fan control signal S1 indicating that the fan 12 starts to rotate in the forward rotation direction, the blower unit 12 rotates the fan in the forward rotation direction at a predetermined rotational speed (step 207). When the fan 12 starts rotating the fan, the fan 12 sends a fan operation signal S2 indicating that the fan has started rotating in the forward rotation direction to the drive controller 21. When the drive control unit 21 receives the fan operation signal S <b> 2, the drive control unit 21 sends a drive state signal S <b> 7 indicating that the rotation of the fan has started in the forward rotation direction to the blower control unit 22. When receiving the driving state signal S7 indicating that the rotation of the fan has started in the forward rotation direction, the blower control unit 22 performs the operation from step 104 shown in FIG.

  If the temperature is lower than the predetermined reference temperature (Yes in step 204), the air blow control unit 22 checks the elapsed time from the start of cleaning indicated by the cleaning time signal S13 sent from the cleaning time timer 25. If the elapsed time from the start of cleaning indicated by the cleaning time signal S13 has not passed the predetermined cleaning time (No in step 205), the process returns to step 204 and the air blow control unit 22 continues to monitor the temperature. The predetermined cleaning time is stored in advance in the air blow control unit 22 as the length of time for cleaning the dust filter 11. When the predetermined cleaning time has not elapsed, the temperature monitoring by the air blowing control unit 22 and the cleaning of the dustproof filter 11 by the reverse rotation of the fan of the air blowing unit 12 are continued until the predetermined cleaning time elapses.

  If the elapsed time from the start of cleaning indicated by the cleaning time signal S13 has passed the predetermined cleaning time (Yes in step 205), the air blow control unit 22 determines that the cleaning is completed. When the air blow control unit 22 determines that the cleaning is completed, it sends a drive control signal S6 indicating that the fan is rotated in the forward rotation direction to the drive control unit 21. When the drive control unit 21 receives the drive control signal S6 indicating that the fan is rotated in the forward rotation direction, the drive control unit 21 sends a fan control signal S1 indicating that the rotation of the fan is stopped to the blower unit 12. When receiving the fan control signal S1 indicating that the fan rotation is stopped, the air blowing unit 12 stops the rotation of the fan in the reverse rotation direction (step 206). When the fan 12 stops rotating in the reverse rotation direction of the fan, the fan 12 sends a fan operation signal S2 indicating that the fan has stopped rotating to the drive controller 21.

  When the drive control unit 21 receives the fan operation signal S2 indicating that the rotation of the fan has been stopped, the drive control unit 21 sends a fan control signal S1 indicating that the rotation of the fan in the forward rotation direction is started to the blower unit 12. When receiving the fan control signal S1 indicating that the fan starts to rotate in the forward rotation direction, the air blowing unit 12 rotates the fan in the forward rotation direction at a predetermined rotation speed (step 207). When the fan 12 starts rotating the fan, the fan 12 sends a fan operation signal S2 indicating that the fan has started rotating in the forward rotation direction to the drive controller 21. When the drive control unit 21 receives the fan operation signal S <b> 2, the drive control unit 21 sends a drive state signal S <b> 7 indicating that the rotation of the fan has started in the forward rotation direction to the blower control unit 22. Thus, the cleaning of the dustproof filter 11 shown in step 106 of FIG. 4 is completed.

  When receiving the driving state signal S7 indicating that the fan has started rotating in the forward rotation direction, the air blow control unit 22 sends an execution interval timer start signal S10 to start the execution interval timer 24 (step 107). When the execution interval timer 24 receives the execution interval timer activation signal S10, the execution interval timer 24 starts measuring the elapsed time from the completion of cleaning of the dustproof filter 11. The execution interval timer 24 starts measurement from time 0 when it receives the execution interval timer activation signal S10. The execution interval timer 24 sends an execution interval signal S11 indicating information on the elapsed time from the completion of cleaning to the air blow control unit 22 at predetermined intervals.

  When receiving the execution interval signal S11, the air blow control unit 22 determines whether the elapsed time from the completion of cleaning indicated by the execution interval signal S11 is equal to or longer than a predetermined reference time. If the elapsed time from the completion of cleaning is less than the predetermined reference time (No in step 108), the air blow control unit 22 waits until the next execution interval signal S11 is received. Until the elapsed time from the completion of cleaning reaches a predetermined reference time or longer, intake is performed by rotation of the fan in the forward rotation direction, and cooling is continued. If the elapsed time from the completion of cleaning is equal to or longer than the predetermined reference time (Yes in step 108), the air blowing control unit 22 determines again that the dustproof filter 11 needs to be cleaned. When the blower control unit 22 determines that the dustproof filter 11 needs to be cleaned, the operation from step 103 is performed. Thus, one cleaning of the dustproof filter 11 in the information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is completed. When the cleaning of the dustproof filter 11 is completed, the air blowing control unit 22 sends a cleaning result signal S5 indicating that the cleaning of the dustproof filter 11 is completed to the device control unit 15.

  FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of a temperature change measured by the temperature measuring unit 14 when cooling or cleaning is performed in the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit 14. In FIG. 6, the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit 14 is shown as a curve A. “D” in FIG. 6 indicates a temperature monitoring cycle. Further, “B1” to “B8” in FIG. 6 indicate the time during which the air blowing control unit 22 monitors the temperature data for each temperature monitoring cycle “D”. “A” in FIG. 6 indicates the upper limit of the temperature at which the dust filter 11 can be cleaned. “B” in FIG. 6 indicates the upper limit of the temperature range in which the electronic component 16 operates normally. In addition, “c” in FIG. 6 indicates a time period in which the cleaning is performed on the dustproof filter 11, that is, a time period in which the cleaning is performed below the upper limit “a” of the temperature range in which cleaning is possible. In addition, “E” in FIG. 6 indicates the cleaning interval. During the period “E”, cleaning is not performed even if the temperature falls below the predetermined reference temperature “a”. “F” in FIG. 6 indicates the time during which the dust filter 11 is cleaned, that is, the time during which the exhaust unit 12 performs the exhaust operation.

  Assume that the air blow control unit 22 compares the temperature data sent from the temperature measurement unit 14 with a predetermined reference temperature at the time “B1” in FIG. 6. In “B1”, since the temperature is higher than the predetermined reference temperature “a”, cleaning is not performed. Next, the air blow control unit 22 compares the temperature sent from the temperature measurement unit 14 with the predetermined reference temperature at the time “B2” after the temperature monitoring cycle “D” has elapsed. In “B2”, since the temperature is lower than the predetermined reference temperature “a”, cleaning is performed. Cleaning is performed for a length of time “F”. When the temperature is lower than the predetermined reference temperature “a”, it is considered that the operation rate of the electronic component 16 is lowered and the temperature is hardly increased. Therefore, by cleaning the dust-proof filter 11 when the temperature is low, it is possible to prevent the cleaning from being stopped after the temperature exceeds the predetermined reference temperature “a” within the cleaning time during which the cleaning is performed. it can.

  If cleaning is performed once in the “B2” time, the cleaning is not performed until the “E” period elapses. For example, although the time “B6” is lower than the predetermined reference temperature “a”, the period “E” has not elapsed since “B2”, so that cleaning is not performed. Cleaning is performed next to “B2” after the period “E” has elapsed, that is, when the temperature first falls below the temperature “a” after the time “B7”. The information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment controls the presence / absence of the cleaning in this manner, thereby suppressing unnecessary cleaning such that the cleaning execution interval is narrow, and the dustproof filter when the temperature falls below the reference. 11 is being cleaned.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment measures the temperature of the electronic component with the temperature measurement unit, and when the temperature is lower than a predetermined reference temperature, the air blowing unit rotates the fan in the direction opposite to the intake air to thereby prevent the dust-proof filter. We are cleaning. Further, cleaning is performed only when a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous cleaning of the dustproof filter. The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment stops the cleaning and restarts the intake operation when the temperature of the electronic component rises while the intake air is stopped and the dustproof filter is being cleaned. Therefore, in the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment, the dustproof filter can be cleaned while avoiding that the temperature of the electronic component rises due to cleaning and the operation becomes unstable. Further, since it is determined whether or not the cleaning needs to be performed based on the elapsed time since the cleaning, it is possible to avoid an increase in the number of cleanings due to the unnecessary cleaning. As a result, in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the dust filter can be cleaned while continuing the operation of the information processing apparatus while suppressing the temperature rise, and thus it can be possible to operate stably for a long time. .

  A third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 shows an outline of an operation flow of the information processing apparatus according to this embodiment. The configuration of the information processing apparatus of this embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, and will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, when the predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous dust-proof filter cleaning, the execution of the cleaning is skipped. However, in this embodiment, when the cleaning execution instruction is given, the previous cleaning is performed. Clean the dustproof filter regardless of the elapsed time since. The information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment cools the electronic component 16 by intake air and cleans the dust-proof filter 11 by the same method as in the second embodiment. Moreover, the fan of the ventilation part 12 of this embodiment has the function to rotate with the rotational speed of a multistep in the normal rotation direction.

  An operation when the dustproof filter 11 is cleaned in the information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described. A description will be given assuming that when the information processing apparatus 10 is operating in the same operation flow as in the second embodiment, the operator operates the information processing apparatus 10 and inputs an instruction to start cleaning. When an instruction to start cleaning is input, a blower control signal S4 indicating that cleaning of the dustproof filter 11 is started is sent from the apparatus control unit 15 to the control unit 13 (step 121). The air blowing control signal S4 indicating that the dustproof filter 11 that has been sent to the control unit 13 starts cleaning is sent to the air blowing control unit 22.

  When receiving the blow control signal S4 indicating that the dust filter 11 starts cleaning, the blow control unit 22 indicates that the drive control unit 21 rotates the fan of the blow unit 12 in the forward rotation direction at a predetermined rotation speed. A drive control signal S6 is sent. In the present embodiment, the predetermined rotation speed at this time is set as the maximum speed in the forward rotation direction of the fan of the blower unit 12. When the drive control unit 21 receives the drive control signal S6 indicating that the fan is rotated in the forward rotation direction at the maximum speed, the drive control unit 21 blows the fan control signal S1 indicating that the fan starts rotating at the maximum speed in the forward rotation direction. Send to part 12. When receiving the fan control signal S1 indicating that the fan starts rotating at the maximum speed in the forward rotation direction, the air blowing unit 12 rotates the fan at the maximum speed in the forward rotation direction (step 122). When the fan 12 starts rotating the fan, the fan 12 sends a fan operation signal S2 indicating that the fan has started rotating in the forward rotation direction to the drive controller 21. When the drive control unit 21 receives the fan operation signal S <b> 2, the drive control unit 21 sends a drive state signal S <b> 7 indicating that the rotation of the fan has started in the forward rotation direction to the blower control unit 22.

  When the blower control unit 22 receives the drive state signal S7 indicating that the rotation of the fan has started in the forward rotation direction, the temperature data indicated by the temperature measurement signal S3 sent from the temperature measurement unit 14 and a predetermined reference temperature Compare The predetermined reference temperature is set as a temperature at which the rotation of the fan in the forward rotation direction, that is, the intake for cooling is stopped and the dustproof filter 11 can be shifted to cleaning.

  If the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined reference temperature (No in step 123), the air blow control unit 22 determines that it is impossible to immediately perform cleaning. If the blower control unit 22 determines that it is impossible to immediately perform cleaning, the temperature check count is increased by "1" and integrated (step 126). The number of times of temperature confirmation is reset when the air blow control signal S4 indicating that cleaning of the dustproof filter 11 is started is sent from the apparatus control unit 15 and returns to “0”. When the number of temperature confirmations is accumulated, the air blowing control unit 22 determines whether the temperature confirmation is less than a predetermined number of times. When the confirmation of the temperature is less than the predetermined number of times (Yes in step 127), the blower control unit 22 compares the temperature data with the predetermined reference temperature and performs the operation from step 123 after the predetermined time has elapsed.

  If the temperature confirmation is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of times (No in step 127), the blower control unit 22 sends a cleaning result signal S5 indicating that the cleaning of the cleaning is not sent to the device control unit 15. When the cleaning result signal S5 indicating that the cleaning is to be deferred is sent, the blower control unit 22 transmits the drive control signal S6 indicating that the fan is rotated in the normal rotation direction at a predetermined rotation speed during normal operation. Send to. The normal rotational speed is the rotational speed of the fan when cleaning is not performed, that is, when the electronic component 16 is normally cooled. When the drive control unit 21 receives the drive control signal S6, the drive control unit 21 sends a fan control signal S1 indicating that the fan is rotated in the normal rotation direction at a normal rotation speed to the blower unit 12. When receiving the fan control signal S1 indicating that the fan is rotated in the normal rotation direction at a predetermined rotation speed at the normal time, the blower unit 12 rotates the fan in the normal rotation direction at the normal rotation speed. When the fan 12 rotates the fan in the normal rotation direction at a normal rotation speed, the fan 12 sends a fan operation signal S2 indicating that the rotation speed has been changed to the normal rotation speed to the drive control unit 21. When the drive control unit 21 receives the fan operation signal S2 indicating the change to the normal rotation speed, the drive control unit 21 sends a drive state signal S7 indicating the change to the normal rotation speed to the blow control unit 22. When the air blow control unit 22 receives the drive state signal S7 indicating that the rotation speed has been changed to the normal rotation speed, the cleaning operation ends.

  When the temperature is lower than the predetermined reference temperature (Yes in step 123), the air blowing control unit 22 determines that the dustproof filter 11 can be cleaned. When it is determined that the dust filter 11 can be cleaned, the air blow control unit 22 controls the air blow unit 12 to clean the dust filter 11 as in the second embodiment. That is, the air blow control unit 22 controls the cleaning of the dust filter 11 similarly to steps 201 to 208 of the second embodiment. When the cleaning of the dust filter 11 is completed, the air blow control unit 22 sends a cleaning result signal S5 indicating that the cleaning is completed to the device control unit 15 (step 125). Thus, the cleaning operation of the dust filter 11 based on the instruction from the device control unit 15 is completed.

  When the cleaning operation of the dustproof filter 11 based on the instruction from the device control unit 15 is completed, the dustproof filter 11 is periodically cleaned as in the second embodiment. When shifting to regular cleaning of the dustproof filter 11, the air blow control unit 22 sends an execution interval timer activation signal S10 to activate the execution interval timer 24, and performs the operation from Step 107 of the second embodiment.

  In this embodiment, when the apparatus control unit 15 instructs the dust filter 11 to be cleaned, the fan of the air blowing unit 12 is rotated at the maximum speed in the normal rotation direction. However, the rotation speed after the change is other than the maximum speed. It is good. When the fan rotation speed after the change is set to other than the maximum speed, it is set to a speed higher than the normal rotation speed. Moreover, it can also be set as the method of starting the operation | movement of cleaning, without raising a rotational speed.

  The information processing apparatus of the present embodiment cleans the dustproof filter when an instruction to perform cleaning is given. In the information processing apparatus of this embodiment, when the temperature measurement detects an increase in the temperature of the electronic component when the fan of the blower unit is rotated in the reverse rotation direction for cleaning, the cleaning is stopped and the fan rotates forward. The direction rotation is resumed. Therefore, the dust-proof filter can be cleaned at a timing that requires cleaning while suppressing an increase in the temperature of the electronic component.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, when switching from intake air to exhaust gas for cleaning the dustproof filter, a method of switching to exhaust gas after increasing the rotational speed in the positive rotation direction for intake air can be used. Before switching to rotation in the reverse rotation direction for exhaust, cooling proceeds by increasing the rotation speed in the forward rotation direction, so the temperature of the electronic component exceeds the predetermined reference temperature while cleaning is performed Can be suppressed. By suppressing the temperature from exceeding the predetermined reference temperature, it is possible to avoid the cleaning of the dustproof filter being stopped halfway.

  The information processing apparatuses of the second embodiment and the third embodiment perform cleaning of the dustproof filter when starting operation, and thereafter perform cleaning every predetermined elapsed time. Instead of performing such cleaning, do not perform cleaning at the start of operation if the predetermined elapsed time from the cleaning performed at the previous operation has not elapsed at the start of operation. You can also. When cleaning at the start of operation is not performed, the elapsed time from the previous cleaning is measured by integrating the time when the fan of the sending unit is rotating in the forward rotation direction. That is, the elapsed time is not included in the elapsed time when the information processing apparatus is not operating and the fan of the blower is stopped.

  In the second embodiment and the third embodiment, temperature data is directly sent from the temperature measurement unit to the control unit. Instead of such a configuration, a temperature measurement signal may be input to the control unit via an electronic component having a temperature measurement function or an apparatus control unit. In addition, a part of the operation performed by the control unit of the second embodiment and the third embodiment may be configured to be performed by the operating system of the information processing apparatus.

  In the second embodiment and the third embodiment, conditions related to the cleaning such as the temperature used as a reference for determination, the interval between cleanings, and the cleaning time are stored in advance in the air blow control unit. It can replace with such a structure and can also be set as the structure by which the condition which concerns on implementation of a cleaning is sent to a ventilation control part from an apparatus control part. In the case of such a configuration, information on condition setting by the information processing device at startup or by an operator is sent from the electronic component responsible for input / output functions to the device control unit, and from the device control unit to the air blow control unit. Sent. The air blow control unit controls the cleaning of the dustproof filter based on the condition received from the device control unit. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to optimize the frequency and conditions of cleaning of the dustproof filter 11 by changing the conditions related to cleaning when the configuration of the apparatus is changed or the usage is changed. It becomes.

  In the second embodiment and the third embodiment, cooling or cleaning is performed by rotating one fan provided in the blower in the forward rotation direction or the reverse rotation direction. Instead of such a configuration, a configuration in which a forward rotation direction fan and a reverse rotation direction fan are provided separately, that is, a configuration in which two fans are provided may be employed. By using different fans depending on the rotation direction, the load on the fan is reduced, so that the failure of the blower can be suppressed. In addition, by using a configuration with multiple fans for the reverse rotation direction or a configuration using a fan with a large output, the time required for cleaning the dustproof filter can be shortened and the temperature rise of electronic components, etc. can be suppressed. You can also. Moreover, as a structure provided with two or more ventilation parts, while one ventilation part is performing the cleaning operation | movement, another ventilation part can also continue cooling.

  In 2nd Embodiment and 3rd Embodiment, although the structure provided with 1 set of dustproof filters and ventilation parts was shown, multiple dustproof filters and ventilation parts may be provided. In the second and third embodiments, the temperature measurement unit monitors the temperature of the electronic component. However, the temperature measurement unit may be provided in a place other than the electronic component to perform temperature monitoring. . For example, the temperature measurement unit may be installed at a position where heat is most likely to be generated due to the housing and internal structure of the information processing apparatus. Alternatively, a plurality of temperature measurement units may be provided, and temperature monitoring may be performed based on the average value or maximum value of the measurement results of each temperature measurement unit.

  The present invention can be used for a blower for cooling the inside of an information processing apparatus or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air blow means 2 Temperature acquisition means 3 Time measurement means 4 Control means 10 Information processing apparatus 11 Dust-proof filter 12 Air blower 13 Control part 14 Temperature measurement part 15 Device control part 16 Electronic component 21 Drive control part 22 Air blow control part 23 Monitoring time timer 24 execution interval timer 25 cleaning time timer 101-108 information processing device operation step 121-128 information processing device operation step 201-210 cleaning step S1 fan control signal S2 fan operation signal S3 temperature measurement signal S4 air blow control signal S5 cleaning Result signal S6 Drive control signal S7 Drive state signal S8 Monitoring time timer activation signal S9 Monitoring time signal S10 Execution interval timer activation signal S11 Execution interval signal S12 Cleaning time timer activation signal S13 Cleaning time signal

Claims (10)

A blowing means for blowing air in a first direction for cooling the object to be cooled and blowing air in a second direction opposite to the first direction;
Temperature acquisition means for collecting temperature data relating to the cooling object;
Time measuring means for measuring the time during which air is not blown in the second direction as elapsed time;
Control means for controlling the blowing means so as to blow in the second direction when the temperature data is lower than a predetermined reference temperature and the elapsed time is longer than a predetermined set time. Blower to do.   The control means controls to switch to blowing in the first direction when the temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference value when blowing in the second direction. The air blower according to claim 1.   When the control means switches the air blowing means from the air blowing in the first direction to the air blowing in the second direction, the intensity of the air blowing in the first direction is higher than the intensity previously executed. Then, the air blower according to claim 1 or 2 is controlled so as to switch to the air blowing in the second direction.   When the control unit is blowing air in the first direction and the elapsed time is longer than a predetermined set time and the temperature data is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, a predetermined time is further increased. The blower according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein after the elapse of time, it is determined again whether or not switching to blowing in the second direction is possible.   When the control means receives the predetermined signal, even if the elapsed time is shorter than the predetermined set time, if the temperature data is less than the predetermined reference temperature, the air in the second direction is blown. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the blower is controlled so as to be performed. At least one electronic component;
A blower device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The information acquisition apparatus, wherein the temperature acquisition unit collects temperature data with the electronic component as the cooling target, and the blower unit cools the electronic component with the cooling target. Air is blown in the first direction for cooling the object to be cooled,
Collecting temperature data of the cooling object;
Measuring the elapsed time as the time not blowing in the second direction opposite to the first direction,
An air blowing method, wherein the air is blown in the second direction when the temperature data is lower than a predetermined reference temperature and the elapsed time is longer than a predetermined set time.   The air blowing method according to claim 7, wherein when air is blown in the second direction, the air is switched to air blowing in the first direction when the temperature becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined reference value.   When switching from blowing in the first direction to blowing in the second direction, after the intensity of blowing in the first direction is higher than the intensity that has been executed so far, in the second direction It switches to ventilation, The ventilation method of Claim 7 or 8 characterized by the above-mentioned.   When the air is blown in the first direction, the elapsed time is longer than a predetermined set time, and when the temperature data is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, 10. The blowing method according to claim 7, wherein it is determined whether or not switching to blowing in the second direction is possible.

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