U.S. patent application number 11/591475 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-17 for fan system and temperature-sensing module.
This patent application is currently assigned to DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.. Invention is credited to Chien-Hua Chen, Wen-Shi Huang, Chia-Pin Wei.
Application Number | 20070110558 11/591475 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38040989 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070110558 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Chien-Hua ; et
al. |
May 17, 2007 |
Fan system and temperature-sensing module
Abstract
A fan system, which receives an input voltage from exterior,
includes a first fan module, a second fan module, a first starting
module, a second starting module, a temperature-sensing element and
a first controlling module. The first starting module receives the
input voltage and starts the first fan module. The second starting
module, which is electrically connected to the second fan module,
receives the input voltage. The temperature-sensing element
produces a sensing signal in accordance with an ambient
temperature. The first controlling module controls the second
starting module in accordance with the sensing signal so as to
start the second fan module.
Inventors: |
Chen; Chien-Hua; (Taoyuan
Hsien, TW) ; Wei; Chia-Pin; (Taoyuan Hsien, TW)
; Huang; Wen-Shi; (Taoyuan Hsien, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
|
Family ID: |
38040989 |
Appl. No.: |
11/591475 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
415/47 ;
415/148 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 25/166 20130101;
F04D 27/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
415/047 ;
415/148 |
International
Class: |
F04D 15/00 20060101
F04D015/00; F04D 29/56 20060101 F04D029/56 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 11, 2005 |
TW |
094139638 |
Claims
1. A fan system for receiving an input voltage from exterior, the
fan system comprising: a first fan module; a second fan module; a
first starting module for receiving the input voltage so as to
start the first fan module; a second starting module electrically
connected with the second fan module for receiving the input
voltage; a temperature-sensing element for producing a sensing
signal in accordance with an ambient temperature; and a first
controlling module for controlling the second starting module to
start the second fan module in accordance with the sensing
signal.
2. The fan system according to claim 1, wherein both the first
starting module and the second starting module comprise: a first
switch element having a terminal for receiving the input voltage to
start the corresponding one of the first fan module and the second
fan module; and a second switch element electrically connected with
the first switch element for controlling the first switch
element.
3. The fan system according to claim 2, wherein both the first
starting module and the second starting module further comprises a
capacitor having a terminal for electrically connected with the
first switch element.
4. The fan system according to claim 2, wherein both the first
starting module and the second starting module further comprise at
least one diode having a first terminal for receiving the input
voltage and a second terminal for electrically connecting with the
first switch element.
5. The fan system according to claim 2, wherein both the first
switch element and the second switch element are a transistor.
6. The fan system according to claim 1, wherein the first
controlling module further comprises a first comparator having a
first input terminal for receiving a first reference signal, a
second input terminal for receiving the sensing signal, and an
output terminal electrically connected with the second starting
module for controlling the second starting module to start the
second fan module.
7. The fan system according to claim 6, wherein the output terminal
and the second input terminal of the first comparator are connected
with each other through a resistor.
8. The fan system according to claim 1, wherein the
temperature-sensing element is a thermistor or a negative
temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor.
9. The fan system according to claim 1, further comprising: a third
fan module; a third starting module electrically connected with the
third fan module and receiving the input voltage; and a second
controlling module for controlling the third starting module to
start the third fan module in accordance with the sensing
signal.
10. The fan system according to claim 9, wherein the second
controlling module comprises a second comparator having a first
input terminal for receiving a second reference signal, a second
input terminal for receiving the sensing signal, and an output
terminal electrically connected with the third starting module for
controlling the third starting module to start the third fan
module.
11. The fan system according to claim 10, wherein the output
terminal and the second input terminal of the second comparator are
connected with each other through a resistor.
12. A temperature-sensing module for receiving an input voltage
from exterior and cooperating with a fan module, the
temperature-sensing module comprising: a starting unit electrically
connected with the fan module and receiving the input voltage; a
temperature-sensing element for producing a sensing signal in
accordance with an ambient temperature; and a controlling unit for
controlling the starting unit to start the fan module in accordance
with the sensing signal.
13. The temperature-sensing module according to claim 12, wherein
the starting unit comprises: a first switch element having a
terminal for receiving the input voltage to start the fan module;
and a second switch element electrically connected with the first
switch element for controlling the first switch element.
14. The temperature-sensing module according to claim 13, wherein
the starting unit further comprises a capacitor having a terminal
for electrically connected with the first switch element.
15. The temperature-sensing module according to claim 13, wherein
the starting unit further comprises at least one diode having a
first terminal for receiving the input voltage and a second
terminal for electrically connecting with the first switch
element.
16. The temperature-sensing module according to claim 13, wherein
both the first switch element and the second switch element are a
transistor.
17. The temperature-sensing module according to claim 12, wherein
the controlling unit comprises a comparator having a first input
terminal for receiving a reference signal, a second input terminal
for receiving the sensing signal, and an output terminal
electrically connected with the starting unit for controlling the
starting unit to start the fan module.
18. The temperature-sensing module according to claim 17, wherein
the output terminal and the second input terminal of the comparator
are connected with each other through a resistor.
19. The temperature-sensing module according to claim 12, wherein
the temperature-sensing element is a thermistor or a negative
temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Non-provisional application claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 094139638 filed in
Taiwan, Republic of China on Nov. 11, 2005, the entire contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a fan system and a
temperature-sensing module and, in particular, to a fan system and
a temperature-sensing module, which can start a plurality of fan
modules according to the temperature difference.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Generally speaking, a large electronic system is always
equipped with a fan system to ensure that the electronic system can
be kept at the normal working temperature such that the electronic
system can operate normally.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing a conventional
fan system 1. The fan system 1 receives an input voltage V.sub.in
from exterior to serve as an operation voltage. The fan system 1
mainly has a plurality of fan modules 11a to 11ic and a plurality
of starting modules 12a to 12c. After the starting modules 12a to
12c receive the input voltage V.sub.in, the fan modules 11a to 11c
are started simultaneously to dissipate the heat. However, when the
fan modules 11a to 11c are started simultaneously, an extremely
large start-up current and inrush current are generated at the
moment of starting. Thus, the electronic system or the fan system 1
may crash or have unpredictable malfunction, or even the electronic
system or the fan system 1 may be damaged.
[0007] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the prior art
adopts an analog starting control chip 13 for starting the fan
modules 11a to 11c sequentially, or a software module to control
the starting sequence of the fan modules 11a to 11c. Thus, the
prior art provides a protection mechanism for respectively starting
the fan modules 11a to 11c at different time instants so as to
avoid the malfunction caused when the fan modules 11a to 11c are
simultaneously started. However, the analog starting control chip
13 has a high price, and the software module has a complicated
architecture. Thus, the overall manufacturing cost of the
conventional fan system 1 is too high. In addition, the analog
starting control chip 13 only can delay the starting time of each
of the fan modules 11a to 11c and cannot provide the function of
soft-start.
[0008] Thus, it is an important subject of the invention to provide
a fan system and a temperature-sensing module to overcome the
above-mentioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In view of the foregoing, the invention is to provide a fan
system and a temperature-sensing module for starting a plurality of
fan modules at different time based on the temperature difference
so as to avoid the malfunction caused when the fan modules are
started simultaneously and to reduce the power consumption.
[0010] To achieve the above, a fan system of the invention is for
receiving an input voltage from exterior. The fan system includes a
first fan module, a second fan module, a first starting module, a
second starting module, a temperature-sensing element and a first
controlling module. The first starting module receives the input
voltage and starts the first fan module. The second starting
module, which is electrically connected to the second fan module,
receives the input voltage. The temperature-sensing element
produces a sensing signal in accordance with an ambient
temperature. The first controlling module controls the second
starting module in accordance with the sensing signal so as to
start the second fan module.
[0011] To achieve the above, the invention also discloses a
temperature-sensing module for receiving an input voltage from
exterior and cooperating with a fan module. The temperature-sensing
module includes a starting unit, a temperature-sensing element and
a controlling unit. The starting unit is electrically connected
with the fan module and receives the input voltage. The
temperature-sensing element produces a sensing signal in accordance
with an ambient temperature. The controlling unit controls the
starting unit to start the fan module in accordance with the
sensing signal.
[0012] As mentioned above, the fan system and the
temperature-sensing module according to the invention include the
temperature-sensing element for producing the sensing signal. Then,
the controlling module can individually start the fan modules at
different temperatures in accordance with the sensing signal so as
to avoid the malfunction caused by the extremely large start-up
current and inrush current, which are generated by instantaneously
starting the fan modules. Compared with the prior art, the fan
system and temperature-sensing module of the invention utilize the
temperature-sensing element to sense the operating temperature and
then correspondingly start sufficient fan modules. Therefore, the
fan modules are started in a time-sharing manner to ensure that the
fan system can operate normally, reduce the power consumption, and
replace the analog starting control chip to reduce the overall
manufacturing cost.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The invention will become more fully understood from the
detailed description given herein below illustration only, and thus
is not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing a conventional
fan system;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing a fan system
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a fan system according
to the preferred embodiment of the invention; and
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing a
temperature-sensing module according to the embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention will be apparent from the following
detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein the same references relate to the
same elements.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing a fan system 2
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in
FIG. 2, the fan system 2 receives an input voltage 91 from exterior
to serve as an operation voltage. In the embodiment, the fan system
2 may be applied to an electronic system (not shown) in order to
dissipate heat, and the input voltage 91 may be supplied from the
electronic system.
[0020] The fan system 2 includes a plurality of fan modules 21a to
21c, a plurality of starting modules 22a to 22c, a plurality of
controlling modules 23a and 23b, and a temperature-sensing element
24.
[0021] Each of the fan modules 21a to 21c has a fan. Of course, the
user may dispose a plurality of fans in each of the fan modules 21a
to 21c according to the heat dissipating requirement so as to
enhance the heat dissipating effect.
[0022] The starting modules 22a to 22c receive the input voltage 91
and are electrically connected with the fan modules 21a to 21c,
respectively.
[0023] The temperature-sensing element 24 produces a sensing signal
V.sub.t in accordance with an ambient temperature. The
temperature-sensing element 24 may be a thermistor (thermal
resistor). In this embodiment, the temperature-sensing element 24
is a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor. The ambient
temperature may be the internal temperature of the electronic
system, so that the temperature-sensing element 24 produces the
sensing signal V.sub.t, e.g. a voltage value, in accordance with
the internal temperature. Based on the characteristic of the NTC
thermistor in this embodiment, the resistance of the
temperature-sensing element 24 decreases and the voltage of the
sensing signal V.sub.t decreases when the internal temperature of
the electronic system increases. On the contrary, the voltage of
the sensing signal V.sub.t increases when the internal temperature
of the electronic system decreases.
[0024] The controlling modules 23a and 23b are electrically
connected with the starting modules 22b and 22c, respectively. In
the embodiment, the starting module 22a receives the input voltage
91 so as to start the fan module 21a, and the controlling modules
23a and 23b control the starting modules 22b and 22c according to
the sensing voltage V.sub.t so as to start the fan modules 21b and
21c.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the starting modules 22a to 22c
includes a plurality of diodes D.sub.1 and D.sub.2, a plurality of
resistors R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, two switch elements Q.sub.1 and
Q.sub.2 and a capacitor C. Each of the first switch element Q.sub.1
and the second switch element Q.sub.2 may be a transistor or any
other electronic element with the switch function. In this
embodiment, the first switch element Q.sub.1 is a PMOS transistor,
and the second switch element Q.sub.2 is an NMOS transistor.
[0026] In addition, the diodes D.sub.1 and D.sub.2 are connected in
parallel. Each of the diodes D.sub.1 and D.sub.2 has a first
terminal for receiving the input voltage 91. In this embodiment,
each of the diodes D.sub.1 and D.sub.2 may be a Schottky diode for
avoiding the reverse current. One terminal of the resistor R.sub.1
is electrically connected with a second terminal of each of the
diodes D.sub.1 and D.sub.2.
[0027] A source S of the first switch element Q.sub.1 is
electrically connected with the second terminals of the diodes
D.sub.1 and D.sub.2, and a drain D of the first switch element
Q.sub.1 is electrically connected with corresponding one of the fan
modules 21a to 21c. A gate G of the first switch element Q.sub.1 is
electrically connected with a drain D of the second switch element
Q.sub.2.
[0028] The drain D of the second switch element Q.sub.2 is
electrically connected with a second terminal of the resistor
R.sub.1. A source S of the second switch element Q.sub.2 is
grounded. A first terminal of the capacitor C is electrically
connected with the source S of the first switch element Q.sub.1 and
a first terminal of the resistor R.sub.1. A first terminal of the
resistor R.sub.2 is electrically connected with a second terminal
of the capacitor C, and a second terminal of the resistor R.sub.2
is grounded.
[0029] The controlling modules 23a and 23b include a comparator
U.sub.1 and a comparator U.sub.2, respectively. Each of the
comparators U.sub.1 and U.sub.2 has a first input terminal
input.sub.1, a second input terminal input.sub.2 and an output
terminal output. The second input terminal input.sub.2 and the
output terminal output are electrically connected with each other
through a resistor R to provide the comparator U.sub.1 or U.sub.2 a
precise temperature transition characteristic. The resistor R is
set between the second input terminal input.sub.2 and the output
terminal output of the comparator U.sub.1 for compensating the
feedback voltage value. Therefore, the comparator U.sub.1 can
precisely control the starting module 22b to start the fan module
21b. Accordingly, the precise temperature transition characteristic
can be achieved. Similarly, in the controlling module 23b, the
resistor R is set between the second input terminal input.sub.2 and
the output terminal output of the comparator U.sub.2 for
compensating the feedback voltage value. Therefore, the comparator
U.sub.2 can precisely control the starting module 22c to start the
fan module 21c, so that the precise temperature transition
characteristic can be achieved. In this embodiment, the first input
terminal input.sub.1 is a noninverting input terminal and the
second input terminal input.sub.2 is an inverting input
terminal.
[0030] Regarding to the controlling module 23a, the first input
terminal input.sub.1 of the comparator U.sub.1 receives a first
reference signal V.sub.ref1, and the second input terminal
input.sub.2 receives the sensing signal V.sub.t. The output
terminal output is electrically connected with the gate G of the
second switch element Q.sub.2 of the starting module 22b for
controlling the second switch element Q.sub.2 of the starting
module 22b. In the embodiment, when the sensing signal V.sub.t is
lower than the first reference signal V.sub.ref1, the output
terminal output delivers a positive voltage signal to start the
second switch element Q.sub.2 of the starting module 22b.
Accordingly, the fan module 21b is started.
[0031] Regarding to the controlling module 23b, the first input
terminal input.sub.1 of the comparator U.sub.2 receives a second
reference signal V.sub.ref2, and the second input terminal
input.sub.2 receives the sensing signal V.sub.t. The output
terminal output is electrically connected with the gate G of the
second switch element Q.sub.2 of the starting module 22c for
controlling the second switch element Q.sub.2 of the starting
module 22c. In the embodiment, when the sensing signal V.sub.t is
lower than the second reference signal V.sub.ref2, the output
terminal output delivers a positive voltage signal to start the
second switch element Q.sub.2 of the starting module 22c.
Accordingly, if the second reference signal V.sub.ref2 is lower
than the first reference signal V.sub.ref1, the fan module 22b is
started when the internal temperature of the electronic system
rises.
[0032] The operation principle of the fan system 2 will be
described in the following. Once the fan system 2 is connected with
the electronic system, it receives the input voltage 91. In this
case, the diodes D1 and D2 of the starting module 22a receive the
input voltage 91 to start the switch element Q2 and to charge the
capacitor C. When the voltage of the capacitor C reaches the
starting voltage of the switch element Q1, the switch element Q1 is
started to enable the fan module 21a. To be noted, the capacitor C
and the resistor R.sub.2 form a charging circuitry that enables the
current flowing through the fan module 21a to increase at a slow
rate such that the effect of soft starting can be achieved.
[0033] Since the electronic system is just started, the internal
temperature thereof is not raised too much. At this moment, the
sensing signal V.sub.t is not less than the first reference signal
V.sub.ref1 and the second reference V.sub.ref2, so the fan modules
21b and 21c are not started yet. After the electronic system has
operated for a period of time, the internal temperature thereof
begins to rise so that the voltage of the sensing signal V.sub.t
decreases. If the sensing signal V.sub.t is less than the first
reference signal V.sub.ref1, the controlling module 23a will
control the starting module 22b to start the fan module 21b.
[0034] If the internal temperature of the electronic system keeps
rising, which leads to the sensing voltage V.sub.t less than the
second reference signal V.sub.ref2, the controlling module 23b will
control the starting module 22c to start the fan module 21c. As a
result, the fan modules 21a to 21c can be started in accordance
with the different temperatures so as to avoid the malfunction
caused by the extremely large start-up current and inrush current.
Thus, the heat dissipation requirement and the power consumption
issue can be achieved.
[0035] In addition, the fan system 2 of the embodiment provides the
backup heat-dissipating device in advance, so that the backup heat
dissipating device, such as the fan module, can be enabled to
increase the heat dissipation efficiency as the load of the
electronic system increases, which generates more heat. In this
manner, the electronic system can operate normally.
[0036] For example, assuming that the electronic system needs only
one fan module 22a for normal operation, the preset two fan modules
22b and 22c can be used as the backup fan modules in the fan system
2 of the embodiment. Therefore, when the load of the electronic
system increases, which leads to the higher internal temperature in
the electronic system, the temperature-sensing element 24 will
sense the temperature variation for starting the fan modules 22b
and 22c. In this manner, the heat-dissipating efficiency can be
enhanced for maintaining the normal operation of the electronic
system.
[0037] With reference to FIG. 4, the invention further discloses a
temperature-sensing module 3, which receives an input voltage 91
from exterior and cooperates with a fan module 31. The
temperature-sensing module 3 includes a starting unit 32, a
controlling unit 33, and a temperature-sensing element 34. In this
embodiment, the fan module 31, the starting unit 32, the
controlling unit 33, and the temperature-sensing element 34 have
the same constructions and functions as those of the above
mentioned fan module 21b, the starting unit 22b, the controlling
unit 23a, and the temperature-sensing element 24, so the detailed
descriptions thereof will be omitted for concise purpose.
[0038] In summary, the fan system and the temperature-sensing
module according to the invention include the temperature-sensing
element for producing the sensing signal. Then, the controlling
modules can individually start the fan modules at different
temperatures in accordance with the sensing signal so as to avoid
the malfunction caused by the extremely large start-up current and
inrush current, which are generated by instantaneously starting the
fan modules. Compared with the prior art, the fan system and
temperature-sensing module of the invention utilize the
temperature-sensing element to sense the operating temperature and
then correspondingly start sufficient fan modules. Therefore, the
fan modules are started in a time-sharing manner to ensure that the
fan system can operate normally, reduce the power consumption, and
replace the analog starting control chip to reduce the overall
manufacturing cost. In addition, the fan system of the invention
has the advantage of preparing the backup heat-dissipating devices
in advance, which can enhance the flexibility in usage.
[0039] Although the invention has been described with reference to
specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed
in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed
embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, will be apparent
to persons skilled in the art. It is, therefore, contemplated that
the appended claims will cover all modifications that fall within
the true scope of the invention.
* * * * *