JP4025635B2 - Low temperature countermeasure system and electronic device start-up method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a low-temperature countermeasure system that prevents a device from being restarted due to a low temperature when restarting a device whose power supply is temporarily cut off at night and the like, and a method for starting an electronic device that prevents the device from being restarted due to a low temperature In particular, the present invention relates to a low-temperature countermeasure system and a method for starting an electronic device that can prevent device inactivation due to low temperatures with a small number of parts.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Electronic devices equipped with capacitors are mounted in various forms on electronic equipment. In general, the capacitance of a capacitor changes according to the temperature of the environment in which it is used, but has the property that the capacitance decreases and the output decreases at low temperatures.
[0003]
Since the electronic device itself generates heat at the time of use, even when the electronic device is used in a low temperature environment, a decrease in the capacitance of the capacitor does not become a problem during use.
In addition, if the electronic device is in operation, the entire device is heated on average as in the “warming structure for communication devices” disclosed in Patent Document 1 to prevent an increase in power consumption. Occurrence of failures due to low temperatures can also be prevented.
[0004]
However, when an electronic device that has been placed in a low-temperature environment with the operation stopped is restarted (for example, when an electronic device that has stopped operating at night is restarted in the morning), the capacitor is an electronic device. Since it was not warmed by the heat generated by the capacitor, the capacity of the capacitor is reduced when the electronic device is started. In such a state, the output of the capacitor may not reach a specified value, and the electronic device may not start up normally.
Note that the invention described in Patent Document 1 heats a communication device in operation, and does not prevent a start-up failure at a low temperature.
[0005]
For this reason, the lower limit temperature at the time of activation is set in the BIOS of the electronic device, and the electronic device is often not activated below this temperature.
[0006]
In addition, electronic devices are provided with mechanical mechanisms in various forms. For example, an HDD includes a disk rotation drive mechanism and an optical pickup positioning control mechanism, and a card reader includes a card loading / discharging mechanism.
[0007]
In these mechanisms, rubber members are also often used to absorb vibrations and shocks during driving. Also, oil or grease is often used for the contact portion in order to reduce the load during driving.
[0008]
An electronic device equipped with such a mechanism unit can be used in a cold environment or in a low temperature environment such as early morning in winter when the rubber member hardens or the viscosity of oil or grease increases. It may not be able to drive normally.
[0009]
Thus, starting up the electronic device in a low-temperature environment is not preferable in both electrical and mechanical aspects. Therefore, when starting the electronic device, it is necessary to warm it to a predetermined temperature or higher by some method.
[0010]
As a prior art for solving such a problem, “preheating method for electrical equipment” disclosed in Patent Document 2, “preheating method for automatic machine” disclosed in Patent Document 3, and disclosed in Patent Document 4 There is an “automatic transaction device”.
[0011]
In the invention described in Patent Document 2, preheating time is determined in advance by a timer, and preheating is performed only when the temperature around the apparatus becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature within the preheating time. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to shorten the energization time so as not to perform preheating in an unnecessary time zone, and to reduce power consumption and extend the life of the apparatus.
[0012]
In the invention described in Patent Document 3, the operation time of the device and the preheating time outside the operation time are respectively defined by separate timers, and the power supply of the device is turned on when the environmental temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature during the preheating time. The mechanism part of the apparatus is operated after the operation time is reached. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to shorten the energization time so as not to perform preheating in an unnecessary time zone, and to reduce power consumption and extend the life of the apparatus.
[0013]
In the invention described in Patent Document 4, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than the specified temperature, the device is forcibly warmed by the heater, and if the temperature is higher than the specified temperature, the heater is not driven. This aims at shortening the time required to start the apparatus.
[0014]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-237893 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-62-57014 [Patent Document 3]
JP-A-1-204119 [Patent Document 4]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-56064
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the inventions described in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 require a timer for defining the preheating time, the number of parts increases.
[0016]
The invention described in Patent Document 4 is not a preheating method in which the device is heated by heat generated by the device itself, but a method in which the device is forcibly heated. For this reason, the heater as a heat source and the control part for controlling this are required, and a number of parts will increase.
[0017]
If the number of parts increases, the man-hours for assembling the apparatus increase, the work becomes complicated, and maintenance inspection becomes difficult. For this reason, the manufacturing cost of the apparatus rises, and it becomes a cause that a failure is likely to occur.
[0018]
Furthermore, electronic devices are required to be small and space-saving, but an increase in the number of components leads to a large device.
Therefore, it is not preferable to increase the number of parts in an electronic device.
[0019]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and even when the power supply is temporarily cut off at night or the like, the device can be prevented from being restarted due to low temperature when restarted, and the number of components is small. It is an object of the present invention to provide a low-temperature countermeasure system and a method for starting up an electronic device without causing a low-temperature inactivation.
[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device that is arranged in a space surrounded by a system wall and in which a control unit reads and executes a program stored in a storage unit; Intake means for sucking the air into the space, exhaust means for discharging the air inside the space, intake / exhaust control means for controlling the drive of the intake means and the exhaust means, and monitoring the temperature in the space And a temperature monitoring means for notifying the control means and the intake / exhaust control means, the electronic device has a first temperature, and the intake / exhaust control means has a second temperature higher than the first temperature. If the temperature in the space is not more than the first temperature set in advance when the electronic device is activated, the control means waits without reading the program from the storage means, The control means is an intake means and When the air means remains in a stopped state and the temperature in the space exceeds the first temperature, the control means reads and executes the program from the storage means, and when the temperature in the space exceeds the second temperature, intake and exhaust A low temperature countermeasure system, wherein the control means drives the intake means and the exhaust means, and the intake / exhaust control means controls the drive / stop of the intake means and the exhaust means to adjust the temperature in the space to a predetermined range. Is to provide.
[0021]
In the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the electronic device includes an operation unit for a user to perform an operation, and only the operation unit is disposed in the space so as to be exposed to the outside of the space.
[0022]
Or in the said 1st aspect of this invention, it is preferable to further have the input / output means for a user to operate an electronic device out of space.
[0023]
In any configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the first temperature is preferably set by being stored in a rewritable semiconductor memory.
[0024]
In any of the above configurations, the air intake means and the air exhaust means are preferably electric fans.
[0025]
In order to achieve the above object, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided, as a second aspect, an electronic device that is arranged in a space surrounded by a system wall and that reads out and executes a program stored in a storage unit. Intake means for sucking air outside the space into the space, exhaust means for discharging the air inside the space out of the space, intake / exhaust control means for controlling the drive of the intake means and the exhaust means, and the temperature in the space And a temperature monitoring means for notifying the control means and the intake / exhaust control means, and the electronic device has a first temperature, and the intake / exhaust control means has a second temperature higher than the first temperature. A method of starting an electronic device in a system in which temperatures are set in advance, the step of determining whether or not the temperature in the space when the electronic device is started is equal to or lower than a first temperature, and the electronic device The temperature in the space at the start of When the temperature is equal to or lower than 1, the control means waits without reading the program from the storage means, and the intake / exhaust control means stops the intake means and the exhaust means so that the temperature in the space is the first temperature. Waiting for the temperature to exceed, a step in which the control means reads and executes the program from the storage means when the temperature in the space exceeds the first temperature, and the temperature in the space A step of determining whether or not the temperature is equal to or lower than a temperature of 2, a step of driving the intake and exhaust means by the intake and exhaust means when the temperature in the space exceeds the second temperature, and an intake and exhaust control means And a step of adjusting the temperature in the space to a predetermined range by controlling driving / stopping of the air intake means and the air exhaust means .
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a low-temperature countermeasure system according to this embodiment. This low temperature countermeasure system has fans 1, 2, 3, a fan control device 4 with a temperature sensor, an electronic device body 5, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 6, and a cable 7, which are housed by a system wall 8. Yes.
[0027]
The fan 1 takes in air from outside the system wall 8 and sends it into the system. The fan 2 and the fan 3 exhaust air inside the system to the outside of the system. The fan control device 4 with a temperature sensor monitors the temperature in the system, and drives or stops the fans 1, 2, and 3 based on the temperature in the system. Further, in the fan control device 4 with temperature sensor, the steady temperature and the like are set and held by the user. Note that the fan control device 4 with temperature sensor is connected to the UPS 6 and obtains electric power therefrom.
[0028]
The electronic device body 5 is a device that performs processing (calculation, information processing) for realizing the original function of the electronic device, and is, for example, a server device. Note that any type of electronic device can be applied to the electronic device body 5.
The UPS 6 is connected to a commercial power source, and normally supplies power from the commercial power source to the electronic device main body 5 and charges the battery. When a power failure or instantaneous interruption occurs, the UPS 6 supplies power directly from the battery to the electronic device body 5 at a constant voltage and a constant frequency by an inverter. The cable 7 connects the fan control device 4 with temperature sensor and the fans 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The fan control device 4 with temperature sensor controls each fan and the power source of each fan Is supplied to each fan. The system wall 8 is arranged so as to surround each part, and protects each part including the electronic device main body 5 from an external force or the like.
[0029]
In FIG. 2, the example of a structure of the control part of the electronic device main body 5 is shown.
The CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the control unit, and acquires temperature information from the temperature sensor-equipped fan control device 4 via the I / F 504.
In the BIOS 5021 in the EEPROM 502, a startup temperature (for example, 5 ° C.) is set in advance within the range of the guaranteed operating temperature, and when the electronic device body 5 is started when the temperature in the system is lower than this, the CPU 501 After reading the BIOS, the BIOS operating state is maintained until the temperature in the system reaches the startup temperature. That is, the CPU 501 does not read and execute the OS 5031 from the HDD 503 until the temperature in the system reaches the startup temperature. The setting contents of the BIOS 5021 can be arbitrarily rewritten by the user.
When the CPU 501 reads and executes the OS 5031 from the HDD 503, the CPU 501 continues to read and execute the application program 5032. Note that a state in which the CPU 501 executes the OS 5031 and the application program 5032 is defined as a “main activation state”.
[0030]
FIG. 3 shows an operation flow when the electronic device main body 5 is activated.
When the power switch of the electronic device main body 5 is turned on (step S101), the CPU 501 reads the BIOS 50211 from the EEPROM 502, and the electronic device main body 5 enters the BIOS operation state (step S102). When the electronic device main body 5 enters the BIOS operating state, the temperature sensor-equipped fan control device 4 measures the temperature in the system (step S103). The CPU 501 acquires the temperature measured by the fan control device with a temperature sensor, and when the temperature at this time is equal to or lower than the startup temperature (for example, 5 ° C.) set by the BIOS (step S103 / No), the HDD 503 The OS 5031 is not read from the electronic device main body 5 and the electronic device main body 5 is maintained in the BIOS operation state, and the warm-up operation is performed.
[0031]
Note that the warm-up operation refers to operating the electronic device main body 5 in a state where the fans 1, 2, and 3 are not driven. That is, the electronic device main body 5 is operating, but the fan control device 4 with a temperature sensor is in a state where the fans 1, 2, and 3 are stopped. Since electric power is supplied to the electronic device body 5 during the warm-up operation, the temperature in the system rises due to the heat generated by the electronic device body 5.
[0032]
When the temperature in the system reaches the starting temperature (step S103 / Yes), the CPU 501 reads and executes the OS 5031 from the HDD 503, and subsequently reads and executes the application program 5032 to bring the electronic device main body 5 into the main activation state. (Step S104).
[0033]
After the electronic device main body 5 is in the fully activated state, the fan control device 4 with temperature sensor monitors whether or not the temperature in the system has reached a steady temperature (for example, 20 ° C.) set in the BIOS (step 20). S105). When the steady temperature has not been reached (step S105 / No), the temperature sensor-equipped fan control device 4 keeps the fans 1, 2, and 3 stopped and continues the warm-up operation.
[0034]
When the temperature in the system reaches a steady temperature (step S105 / Yes), the temperature sensor-equipped fan control device 4 transmits a control signal to each of the fans 1, 2, and 3 via the cable 7, and the suction by each fan. Exhaust is started (step S106). After each fan is started, the fan control device with temperature sensor 4 performs temperature adjustment by stopping and starting each fan according to a temperature change in the system (step S107).
[0035]
Here, the configuration in which the periphery of the electronic device main body 5 is surrounded by the system wall 8 is shown. However, such a configuration is more suitable for an electronic device such as a server device that has few opportunities for operations by a user.
When an electronic device such as an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine), a CD (Cash Dispenser), or an automatic ticket vending machine is frequently operated by the user, as shown in FIG. (Such as a keyboard, a touch panel, a display, a speaker, and a pointing device) are exposed to the outside of the system wall 8, or an input / output device (a keyboard, a touch panel, a display, a speaker, a pointing device, etc.) as shown in FIG. ) Only on the outside of the system wall.
[0036]
Thus, according to the present embodiment, the electronic device can be activated even in a low temperature environment. In addition, since preheating is performed using the heat generated by the electronic device itself, a heat source such as a heater is unnecessary. Therefore, space saving and low running cost can be achieved, and high safety can be secured.
[0037]
In addition, the said embodiment is an example of suitable implementation of this invention, and this invention is not limited to this.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which two fans are provided on the exhaust side is shown, but this does not limit the number of fans.
Also, the outer wall of the system can be any shape.
As described above, the present invention can be variously modified.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, even if the power supply is temporarily cut off at night or the like, the device can be prevented from being restarted due to low temperature when restarted, and the number of parts can be reduced. It is possible to provide a low-temperature countermeasure system and a method for starting up an electronic device without causing a low-temperature inactivation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a low-temperature countermeasure system in which the present invention is preferably implemented.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control unit of the electronic device main body.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flow of operations when starting an electronic device main body.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration when an operation unit included in an electronic device main body is exposed outside a system wall.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration in a case where an input / output device for a user to operate an electronic device main body is arranged outside a system wall.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 2, 3 Fan 4 Fan control device with temperature sensor 5 Electronic equipment 6 Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
7 Cable 8 System wall 501 CPU
502 EEPROM
503 HDD
504 I / F
5021 BIOS
5031 OS
5032 Application program

Claims (6)

An electronic device that is arranged in a space surrounded by a system wall and that the control means reads and executes a program stored in the storage means;
Air intake means for sucking air outside the space into the space;
Exhaust means for exhausting the air in the space out of the space;
Intake / exhaust control means for controlling driving of the intake means and the exhaust means;
Temperature monitoring means for monitoring the temperature in the space and notifying the control means and the intake / exhaust control means,
A first temperature above the electronic device indicating the temperature that enables the reading of the program, Ri hot der than the first temperature in the intake and exhaust control means, wherein the electronic device is operable by the program A second temperature indicating a temperature to be set in advance,
If the temperature in the space is equal to or lower than the first temperature when the electronic device is activated, the control unit activates the electronic device without reading the program from the storage unit. together make standby remains, the intake and exhaust control means is waiting for the intake means and the exhaust means while the drive stopped state,
When the temperature in the space exceeds the first temperature, the control unit reads and executes the program from the storage unit,
When the temperature in the space exceeds the second temperature, the intake / exhaust control means drives the intake means and the exhaust means,
The low-temperature countermeasure system, wherein the intake / exhaust control means controls the drive / stop of the intake means and the exhaust means to adjust the temperature in the space to a predetermined range. The electronic device includes an operation unit for a user to perform an operation,
The low-temperature countermeasure system according to claim 1, wherein only the operation means is disposed in the space so as to be exposed to the outside of the space.   2. The low-temperature countermeasure system according to claim 1, further comprising input / output means for a user to operate the electronic device outside the space.   The low temperature countermeasure system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first temperature is set by being stored in a rewritable semiconductor memory.   The low temperature countermeasure system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the intake means and the exhaust means are electric fans. An electronic device that is arranged in a space surrounded by a system wall and that the control means reads and executes a program stored in the storage means;
Air intake means for sucking air outside the space into the space;
Exhaust means for exhausting the air in the space out of the space;
Intake / exhaust control means for controlling driving of the intake means and the exhaust means;
Temperature monitoring means for monitoring the temperature in the space and notifying the control means and the intake / exhaust control means,
A first temperature indicating a temperature at which the electronic device can read the program is higher than the first temperature at the intake / exhaust control means, and the electronic device is operable by the program. A starting method of the electronic device in a system in which a second temperature indicating a temperature is set in advance,
Determining whether the temperature in the space when the electronic device is activated is equal to or lower than the first temperature;
When the temperature in the space at the time of activation of the electronic device is equal to or lower than the first temperature, the control unit does not read the program from the storage unit and keeps the electronic device in the activated state. A step of waiting, the intake / exhaust control means waiting for the intake means and the exhaust means in a driving stop state , and waiting for the temperature in the space to exceed the first temperature;
When the temperature in the space exceeds the first temperature, the control means reads and executes the program from the storage means;
Determining whether the temperature in the space is less than or equal to the second temperature;
When the temperature in the space exceeds the second temperature, the intake / exhaust means drives the intake means and the exhaust means;
And a step of adjusting the temperature in the space to a predetermined range by controlling the intake / exhaust control means to drive and stop the intake means and the exhaust means.

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