JP5196558B2 - Information processing apparatus and heat dissipation method in information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a notebook type (portable type: laptop type) information processing apparatus.

  Notebook type (portable: laptop type) information processing devices incorporating elements such as CPUs (heating elements), the outer surface temperature of the information processing device case reaches 40-60 ° C. in accordance with the operation of the CPU. May reach. In some cases, a higher temperature may be reached. And if a human body is in contact with such a high temperature place for a long time, there is a possibility of causing a low temperature burn. In order to solve such a problem, a heat dissipation device is provided. In addition, in order to avoid a further increase in temperature, the operation performance of the CPU is lowered to suppress the amount of heat generation.

  For example, a method of controlling the temperature of a computer housing for a computer, the method comprising: detecting a pressure applied to the outside of the computer housing; and detecting the pressure applied to the outside of the computer housing; Reducing the temperature of at least a portion of the computer housing, further measuring the temperature of the computer housing, and adjusting a cooling mechanism in the computer to reduce the temperature to a predetermined level. Adjusting the cooling mechanism comprises increasing the use of a cooling fan in a laptop computer to reduce the temperature, the computer to reduce the temperature of the computer components Of the above components A method further comprising adjusting power usage, and wherein the computer is a laptop computer and the laptop computer is placed on a user's lap, the computer housing. A method is proposed that further includes the step of adjusting the operation of the laptop computer to reduce the temperature of the computer housing when it is determined that the pressure applied to the outside is generated (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-345465). Has been.

  Further, the temperature control device is incorporated in an electronic device and changes the load of a heat source built in the electronic device to control the surface temperature of the housing of the electronic device, and the human body is in the housing. When the human body contact detecting means for detecting the touching, the surface temperature measuring means for measuring the surface temperature of the housing, and the human body contact detecting means detect that the human body is touching, the measurement When the surface temperature is higher than the first predetermined surface temperature, the temperature adjusting device includes a heat source control means for reducing the load of the heat source to the first predetermined load, and the heat generation temperature measurement for measuring the heat generation temperature of the heat source The heat source control means maintains a reduction in load of the heat source until the heat generation temperature reaches a first predetermined heat generation temperature, and the heat source control means comprises: The surface The temperature control device, wherein the load of the heat source is maintained until the temperature reaches a first predetermined surface temperature, the electronic device is a notebook personal computer, and the heat source is a CPU The temperature control device characterized in that the human body contact detection means and the surface temperature measurement means are provided in a palm rest portion of the notebook personal computer (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-293814). Publication).

A main body having an upper surface; a keyboard disposed on the upper surface; an optical sensor disposed on the upper surface in the vicinity of the keyboard; and a temperature sensor provided in the main body for detecting the temperature inside the main body. And a circuit board that is built in the main body and on which electronic components are mounted, and a temperature control section that is mounted on the circuit board and controls the temperature inside the main body, the temperature control section being controlled by the optical sensor An electronic apparatus that controls a temperature inside the main body based on a detected light amount and a temperature detected by the temperature sensor, a fan built in the main body, and a fan control unit that controls the fan And an electronic device characterized in that the number of rotations of the fan is controlled based on the amount of light detected by the optical sensor, and a CPU mounted on the circuit board. An electronic apparatus that controls a clock frequency of the CPU based on a light amount detected by an optical sensor, a main body having an upper surface, a keyboard disposed on the upper surface, and the upper surface adjacent to the keyboard. A pressure sensor that detects pressure applied from outside the main body, a temperature sensor that is provided inside the main body and detects the temperature inside the main body, and a circuit that is built in the main body and on which electronic components are mounted A substrate, and a temperature control unit that is mounted on the circuit board and controls the temperature inside the main body. The temperature control unit is configured to adjust the pressure detected by the pressure sensor and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. On the basis of this, an electronic apparatus characterized by controlling the temperature inside the main body has been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-220003).
JP 2003-345465 A JP 2006-293814 A JP 2007-220003 A

  The proposed technique is said to be able to prevent low-temperature burns even when the human body is in contact.

  However, since the heat radiation location is determined, when the human body is in contact with the heat radiation location, the operating speed of the CPU must be reduced to prevent the temperature from rising.

  Therefore, a problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a technique capable of minimizing a decrease in the operation speed of the CPU. In particular, it is to provide a technique that makes it difficult for damage such as low-temperature burns to occur without slowing down the operation of the CPU.

The above issues are
An information processing apparatus of a type that contacts at least a part of the human body during operation,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A human body detection unit;
A heat dissipating means for dissipating heat generated from the heat generating element of the information processing apparatus,
Information configured to dissipate heat generated by a heat generating element of an information processing device from a heat release end of a heat dissipating means located corresponding to a location where no human body is detected by the human body detecting unit. Solved by the processing device.

In addition, an information processing device of a type in which at least a part of the human body contacts during operation,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A human body detection unit;
A heat dissipating means for dissipating heat generated from the heat generating element of the information processing apparatus;
It is solved by an information processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that positions a heat release end of the heat radiating unit corresponding to a location where a human body is not detected by the human body detection unit.

A heat dissipation method in an information processing apparatus comprising a human body detection unit and a heat dissipation means for radiating heat generated from a heat generating element of the information processing apparatus,
A detection step of detecting a location where a human body is not detected by the human body detection unit;
It is solved by the heat dissipation method in the information processing apparatus, comprising a heat dissipation step for controlling and dissipating the heat dissipation direction by the heat dissipation means corresponding to the location detected in the detection step.

A heat dissipation method in an information processing apparatus comprising a human body detection unit and a heat dissipation means for radiating heat generated from a heat generating element of the information processing apparatus,
A detection step of detecting a location where a human body is not detected by the human body detection unit;
A heat dissipation step for dissipating heat generated by the heat generating element of the information processing device from a heat release end of the heat dissipation means positioned corresponding to the location detected in the detection step. Solved by the method.

  The present invention is configured so that heat generated in the heat generating element of the information processing device is radiated from the heat release end of the heat radiating means located corresponding to the location where the human body is not detected by the human body detection unit. Damages such as burns are unlikely to occur. That is, since the heat is radiated from a place where the human body is not in contact, there is no fear of low temperature burns. In addition, at this time, for example, it is not necessary to adopt a method of slowing down the operation of the CPU to reduce the heat generation amount, and information processing at a high speed becomes possible.

  The present invention is an information processing apparatus. In particular, it is an information processing apparatus of a type in which at least a part of a human body, for example, a part of a hand, a part of an arm, or a knee contacts during operation. For example, a notebook type (portable type: laptop type) information processing apparatus (computer) may be mentioned. This apparatus includes a human body detection unit. In particular, it includes human body detection units provided at a plurality of locations. In addition, a heat dissipating means for dissipating heat generated from a heat generating element (for example, CPU) of the information processing apparatus is provided. In particular, the heat dissipating means is configured such that the heat release end can be positioned corresponding to the human body detection units provided at a plurality of locations. And it is comprised so that the heat which generate | occur | produced with the heat generating element of the information processing apparatus may be radiated | emitted from the heat radiation | emission end of the thermal radiation means located corresponding to the location where the human body detection part was not detected. Such a configuration can be realized, for example, by providing a control unit that positions the heat release end of the heat radiating unit corresponding to a location where the human body is not detected by the human body detection unit. Specifically, for example, it is conceivable to provide a heat transfer path that connects between the heat generating element and the heat release end in accordance with the heat release position. Also, the heat transfer path is made movable (for example, can be rotated and / or telescopically operated), the movable heat transfer path is moved (operated), and one end of the heat transfer path (tip: heat release end) It is also conceivable to employ a technique in which the heat release is dissipated from a position where the human body is not in contact.

  The heat dissipation method of the present invention is particularly a heat dissipation method in an information processing apparatus. In particular, it is a heat dissipation method in the information processing apparatus. And the detection step which detects the location where the human body was not detected in the human body detection part is comprised. Further, a heat radiation step for controlling and radiating the heat radiation direction by the heat radiation means corresponding to the location detected in the detection step is provided. Alternatively, a heat radiating step of radiating the heat generated in the heat generating element of the information processing device from the heat release end of the heat radiating means located corresponding to the location detected in the detection step is provided. In particular, the heat radiating step includes a position adjusting step for positioning the heat releasing end of the heat radiating means at a location where no human body is detected in the detecting step, and a heat releasing end of the heat radiating means positioned at the position adjusted in the position adjusting step. And radiating heat generated by the heat generating element of the information processing apparatus.

  More specific description will be given below.

  1 to 4 show an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the front side of the information processing apparatus in the opened state, and FIG. 2 is an information processing apparatus in the opened state. FIG. 3 is a side view for explaining the positional relationship of components in the information processing apparatus in the opened state, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of this apparatus.

  In each figure, A is a notebook type (portable: laptop type) information processing apparatus (computer). The information processing apparatus A includes a main body 1a having various electronic components such as a keyboard and various semiconductor elements such as a CPU (heating element) built in the housing and a printed circuit board, and the main body 1a. And a lid-type display screen (apparatus) 1b provided in a pivotable manner. Since such a configuration is a well-known matter, details are omitted.

  Reference numerals 2a and 2b denote infrared sensors used for human body detection, for example, pyroelectric infrared sensors. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 2a is usually in front of the information processing apparatus A when the information processing apparatus A is operated (for example, during an input operation by operating a keyboard). Since it is located on the side, it is provided at a position where the operator can be detected (for example, a position on the side surface (front surface) on the near side of the main body 1a). And it is comprised so that infrared rays may be radiated | emitted toward the near side from the pyroelectric infrared sensor 2a. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 2b is provided on the bottom surface of the main body 1a. In the state of FIG. 1, infrared rays are radiated from the pyroelectric infrared sensor 2 b toward the lower side (in the state of FIG. 2, toward the left oblique direction). For example, when the information processing apparatus A is placed on the table and operated, this is detected by the pyroelectric infrared sensors 2a and 2b. That is, when the pyroelectric infrared sensor 2a is detected but not detected by the pyroelectric infrared sensor 2b, it is determined that the information processing apparatus A is placed on the table and operated. When the information processing apparatus A is placed on the knee and operated, or when placed on the hand, this is detected by the pyroelectric infrared sensors 2a and 2b. That is, when the pyroelectric infrared sensors 2a and 2b detect both, it is determined that the information processing apparatus A is operated on the knee or the hand. That is, the output information from the pyroelectric infrared sensors 2a and 2b can be used to determine under what circumstances the information processing apparatus A is used.

  Reference numerals 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i, 3j, and 3k are touch sensors. This touch sensor is of an electrostatic type. And touch sensor 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i is provided in the bottom face of the main-body part 1a as FIG. 2 shows. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the touch sensors 3j and 3k are provided on the upper surface of the main body 1a, particularly on the upper surface (palm rest) located on the near side of the keyboard.

  Now, based on the output information from the pyroelectric infrared sensors 2a and 2b, it can be basically understood under what circumstances the information processing apparatus A is used. However, it is difficult to determine whether or not the human body is directly touching the information processing apparatus A with only the infrared sensor. Therefore, a touch sensor was used. That is, it is determined whether or not a human body is touching a place where the touch sensor is provided, based on output signals from the touch sensors 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i, 3j, and 3k. it can. For example, even if it is determined from the output information from the pyroelectric infrared sensors 2a and 2b that the information processing apparatus A seems to be placed and operated on the knee (or hand), the main body 1a is not used alone. The entire bottom surface of the is not necessarily in contact with the human body. For example, the touch sensors 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, and 3g may be in contact with the human body, but the touch sensors 3h and 3i may not be in contact with the human body. Therefore, it was made to know how many positions are in contact with the human body. That is, when operating the information processing apparatus A, it is possible to determine which part is in contact with the human body, that is, it is possible to detect a partial contact part. Note that when the information processing apparatus A is operated, the part where the human body partially contacts is usually the bottom of the main body 1a or the upper surface of the main body 1a at a position nearer than the keyboard, that is, a palm rest. is there. Accordingly, the touch sensor is provided at such a location. In the present embodiment, the touch sensors 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i are provided in the area of the bottom surface of the main body 1a, and the touch sensors 3j, 3k are areas of the palm rest. Is provided. The number of touch sensors provided at each location is determined as appropriate. For example, it may be more than in the present embodiment. Alternatively, the number may be small. Also, the pattern for providing the touch sensor can be determined as appropriate. In this embodiment, the touch sensors 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, and 3i are provided in a pattern of 3 rows and 3 columns, but they are doughnut-shaped or annular (single or multiple donuts). Shape or ring shape). In addition, since it may not be known whether or not the human body is in contact only with the output signal from the touch sensor, in this embodiment, the infrared sensor and the touch sensor are used together. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this.

  Next, various components built in the main body 1a of the information processing apparatus A will be briefly described. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the main body 1a of the information processing apparatus A incorporates a printed circuit board 5 on which a heating element 4 such as a CPU is mounted. Corresponding to the heating element 4, a first heat pipe 6a for taking in heat from the heating element 4 and releasing it to the outside is provided in the housing. The second heat pipe 6b is connected to the first heat pipe 6a. A third heat pipe 6c with an automatic opening / closing valve and a fourth heat pipe 6d with an automatic opening / closing valve are connected to the second heat pipe 6b. Further, a driving device 7 for driving (rotating) the first heat pipe 6a is provided. The second heat pipe 6b is configured to be extendable and contractible. 8 is a control means.

  When configured as described above, the output signals from the pyroelectric infrared sensors 2a and 2b and the touch sensors 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i, 3j, and 3k are detected by the human body. Input to the determination unit 9. Then, the human body detection determination unit 9 determines which pattern the signal has, and which part (which touch sensor part) is touching the human body (not touching the human body). judge. For example, assume that it is determined that only the touch sensor 3a is not touching the human body. Then, based on this determination signal, the driving device 7 is driven to rotate the first heat pipe 6a, and in some cases, the length of the second heat pipe 6b is adjusted, and the third heat pipe 6c is adjusted. Is controlled so as to be positioned corresponding to the location of the touch sensor 3a. If it does so, the location which does not contact a human body will be selected for the heat | fever from heat generating elements, such as CPU, and heat will be discharge | released outside from the 3rd heat pipe 6c which the on-off valve opened in the selected location. As a result, since the heat release part is not in contact with the human body, an accident such as a burn can be avoided. In addition, since the heat radiation point is selected, it is not necessary to slow down the operation speed of the CPU or the like. Similarly, when only the location of the touch sensor 3e is not in contact, similarly, the driving device 7 is driven based on the determination signal, the first heat pipe 6a is rotated, and in some cases, the second heat pipe The length of 6b is adjusted so that the heat release end of the third heat pipe 6c is positioned corresponding to the location of the touch sensor 3e. And heat dissipation is performed from the 3rd heat pipe 6c which the on-off valve opened. Similarly, when only the location of the touch sensor 3d is not in contact, the driving device 7 is driven based on the determination signal to rotate the first heat pipe 6a. In some cases, the second heat pipe The length of 6b is adjusted to expand and contract, and the heat release end of the third heat pipe 6c is controlled so as to be positioned corresponding to the location of the touch sensor 3d. And heat dissipation is performed from the 3rd heat pipe 6c which the on-off valve opened. Similarly, when only the location of the touch sensor 3j is not in contact, the driving device 7 is driven based on the determination signal to rotate the first heat pipe 6a. In some cases, the second heat pipe may be rotated. The length of 6b is adjusted so that the heat release end of the fourth heat pipe 6d is positioned corresponding to the location of the touch sensor 3j. Then, heat is radiated from the fourth heat pipe 6d with the open / close valve opened. In the above, there was only one place where the human body was not touching. However, there may be a plurality of places where the human body is not touching. In such a case, the touch sensor at the position farthest from the human body is determined, and the heat release is performed by adjusting the position and expansion / contraction length of the heat pipes 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d so as to correspond to the touch sensor. The heat pipe may be configured so that each heat is released from a plurality of locations. However, since heat release from a plurality of locations complicates the structure of the heat pipe, the touch sensor at the location farthest from the human body is determined, and the positions of the heat pipes 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d corresponding to the location. -It is preferable to adjust the expansion / contraction length so that heat is released.

The perspective view from the surface side in the lid-opening state of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention The perspective view from the back side in the open state of the information processing apparatus which becomes this invention The side view explaining the positional relationship of the built-in components of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention Block diagram of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention

Explanation of symbols

A Notebook type information processing apparatus 1a Main unit 1b Display screens 2a, 2b Infrared sensors 3a, 3b,... 3i, 3j, 3k Touch sensor 4 Heating elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d

Patent Applicant NEC Access Technica Co., Ltd.
Representative Katsumi Udaka

Claims (6)

An information processing apparatus of a type that contacts at least a part of the human body during operation,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A human body detection unit;
A heat dissipating means for dissipating heat generated from the heat generating element of the information processing apparatus,
The human body detection unit includes a touch sensor provided on a bottom surface side of the information processing device, an infrared sensor provided on a bottom surface side of the information processing device, and an infrared sensor provided on a front surface side of the information processing device. A touch sensor provided on the upper surface side of the information processing apparatus,
Information configured to dissipate heat generated by a heat generating element of an information processing device from a heat release end of a heat dissipating means located corresponding to a location where no human body is detected by the human body detecting unit. Processing equipment. An information processing apparatus of a type that contacts at least a part of the human body during operation,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A human body detection unit;
A heat dissipating means for dissipating heat generated from the heat generating element of the information processing apparatus;
A control means for positioning a heat release end of the heat dissipation means corresponding to a location where a human body is not detected by the human body detection unit ,
The human body detection unit includes a touch sensor provided on a bottom surface side of the information processing device, an infrared sensor provided on a bottom surface side of the information processing device, and an infrared sensor provided on a front surface side of the information processing device. An information processing apparatus comprising: a touch sensor provided on an upper surface side of the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is of a notebook type . A heat dissipating method for dissipating heat generated from the heat generating element of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
A detection step of detecting a location where a human body is not detected by the human body detection unit;
A heat dissipation step for controlling and dissipating the heat radiation direction by the heat radiation means corresponding to the location detected in the detection step.
A heat dissipation method for an information processing apparatus . A heat dissipating method for dissipating heat generated from the heat generating element of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
A detection step of detecting a location where a human body is not detected by the human body detection unit;
A heat dissipation step of dissipating heat generated in the heat generating element of the information processing device from the heat release end of the heat dissipation means located corresponding to the location detected in the detection step
A heat dissipation method for an information processing apparatus . The heat dissipation step is
A position adjustment step of positioning the heat release end of the heat dissipating means at a location where no human body was detected in the detection step;
Dissipating heat generated in the heat generating element of the information processing device from the heat release end of the heat dissipating means located at the position adjusted in the position adjusting step
The heat dissipating method in the information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

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