U.S. patent application number 11/600215 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-24 for fan system and temperature-sensing protecting device thereof.
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 | 20070116553 11/600215 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38053707 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070116553 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Chien-Hua ; et
al. |
May 24, 2007 |
Fan system and temperature-sensing protecting device thereof
Abstract
A fan system includes a fan module, a starting module, a
temperature-sensing element and a controlling module. The starting
module is electrically connected with the fan module for starting
it. The temperature-sensing element generates a sensing signal in
accordance with an ambient temperature. The controlling module
receives the sensing signal for controlling the starting module.
When the ambient temperature is higher than a first temperature or
is lower than a second temperature, the controlling module controls
the starting module to disable the 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: |
38053707 |
Appl. No.: |
11/600215 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
415/47 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 27/02 20130101;
F04D 27/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
415/047 |
International
Class: |
F04D 15/00 20060101
F04D015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 23, 2005 |
TW |
094141110 |
Claims
1. A fan system comprising: a fan module; a starting module
electrically connected with the fan module for starting the fan
module; a temperature-sensing element for generating a sensing
signal in accordance with an ambient temperature; and a controlling
module receiving the sensing signal for controlling the starting
module, wherein the controlling module controls the starting module
to disable the fan module when the ambient temperature is higher
than a first temperature or lower than a second temperature.
2. The fan system of claim 1, wherein the controlling module
comprises: a first controlling unit electrically connected with the
temperature-sensing element and controlling the starting module in
accordance with the sensing signal, wherein the first controlling
unit controls the starting module to disable the fan module when
the ambient temperature is higher than the first temperature; and a
second controlling unit electrically connected with the
temperature-sensing element and controlling the starting module in
accordance with the sensing signal, wherein the second controlling
unit controls the starting module to disable the fan module when
the ambient temperature is lower than the second temperature.
3. The fan system of claim 2, wherein the first controlling unit
comprises: a first switch element electrically connected with the
starting module; and a first comparator having a first input
terminal, a second input terminal and an output terminal, wherein
the first input terminal receives a first reference signal, the
second input terminal receives the sensing signal, and the output
terminal is electrically connected with the first switch element
for controlling the first switch element.
4. The fan system of claim 3, wherein the second controlling unit
comprises: a second switch element electrically connected with the
starting module; and a second comparator having a first input
terminal, a second input terminal and an output terminal, wherein
the first input terminal receives the sensing signal, the second
input terminal receives a second reference signal, and the output
terminal is electrically connected with the second switch element
for controlling the second switch element.
5. The fan system of claim 4, wherein the first switch element and
the second switch element are transistors, respectively.
6. The fan system of claim 1, wherein the starting module
comprises: a third switch element having a terminal electrically
connected with the fan system for controlling the fan system; a
fourth switch element electrically connected with the third switch
element for controlling the third switch element; a capacitor
having a terminal electrically connected with the third switch
element; a resistor electrically connected with the capacitor; and
at least a diode having a first terminal for receiving an input
voltage and a second terminal electrically connected with the third
switch element.
7. The fan system of claim 6, wherein the third switch element and
the fourth switch element are transistors or any other electronic
elements with the switch function, respectively.
8. The fan system of claim 1, wherein the temperature-sensing
element is a thermistor or a negative temperature coefficient (NTC)
thermistor.
9. A temperature-sensing protecting device, which cooperates with a
fan module, comprising: a starting module electrically connected
with the fan module for starting the fan module; a
temperature-sensing element for generating a sensing signal in
accordance with an ambient temperature; and a controlling module
receiving the sensing signal for controlling the starting module,
wherein the controlling module controls the starting module to
disable the fan module when the ambient temperature is higher than
a first temperature or lower than a second temperature.
10. The temperature-sensing protecting device of claim 9, wherein
the controlling module comprises: a first controlling unit
electrically connected with the temperature-sensing element and
controlling the starting module in accordance with the sensing
signal, wherein the first controlling unit controls the starting
module to disable the fan module when the ambient temperature is
higher than the first temperature; and a second controlling unit
electrically connected with the temperature-sensing element and
controlling the starting module in accordance with the sensing
signal, wherein the second controlling unit controls the starting
module to disable the fan module when the ambient temperature is
lower than the second temperature.
11. The temperature-sensing protecting device of claim 10, wherein
the first control unit comprises: a first switch element
electrically connected with the starting module; and a first
comparator having a first input terminal, a second input terminal
and an output terminal, wherein the first input terminal receives
the first reference signal, and the second input terminal receives
the sensing signal, and the output terminal is electrically
connected with the first switch element for controlling the first
switch element.
12. The temperature-sensing protecting device of claim 11, wherein
the second control unit comprises: a second switch element
electrically connected with the starting module; and a second
comparator having a first input terminal, a second input terminal
and an output terminal, wherein the first input terminal receives
the sensing signal, the second input terminal receives a second
reference signal, and the output terminal is electrically connected
with the second switch element for controlling the second switch
element.
13. The temperature-sensing protecting device of claim 12, wherein
the first switch element and the second switch element are
transistors or any other electronic elements with the switch
function, respectively.
14. The temperature-sensing protecting device of claim 12, wherein
the first input terminal of the first comparator or the second
comparator is a noninverting input terminal, and the second input
terminal of the first comparator or the second comparator is an
inverting input terminal.
15. The temperature-sensing protecting device of claim 11, wherein
the second input terminal and the output terminal of the first
comparator are electrically connected with a resistor,
respectively.
16. The temperature-sensing protecting device of claim 12, wherein
the first input terminal and the output terminal of the second
comparator are electrically connected with a resistor,
respectively.
17. The temperature-sensing protecting device of claim 9, wherein
the starting module comprises: a third switch element having a
terminal is electrically connected with the fan system for
controlling the fan system; a fourth switch element electrically
connected with the third switch element for controlling the third
switch element; a capacitor having a terminal electrically
connected with the third switch element; a resistor electrically
connected with the capacitor; and at least a diode having a first
terminal for receiving an input voltage and a second terminal
electrically connected with the third switch element.
18. The temperature-sensing protecting device of claim 17, wherein
the third switch element and the fourth switch element are
transistors or any other electronic elements with the switch
function, respectively.
19. The temperature-sensing protecting device of claim 9, 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). 094141110 filed in
Taiwan, Republic of China on Nov. 23, 2005, the entire contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a fan system and a
temperature-sensing protecting device thereof and, in particular,
to a fan module with a temperature-sensing element and a
temperature-sensing protecting device thereof.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] In general, most electronic systems have a fan system to
ensure that the electronic systems can be kept at the normal
working temperature such that the electronic system can operate
normally. The fan system has predetermined operating
specifications, such as the operating temperature and the
likes.
[0006] As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional fan system 1 mainly
includes a fan module 11 and a starting module 12. The starting
module 12 is used for enabling the fan module 11 so as to
dissipating heat. However, when the operating temperature of the
fan system 1 is too high or too low, the damage of the fan system 1
may occur. To solve this problem, the prior art usually adopts an
analog starting control chip 13 to sense the operating temperature
of the fan system 1. If the sensed operating temperature is too
high or too low, the fan system 1 will be automatically disabled
for the protection purpose.
[0007] However, the analog starting control chip 13 has a high
price, so that the overall manufacturing cost of the fan system 1
is too high. Besides, the analog starting control chip 13 cannot
provide the function of soft-start.
[0008] Therefore, it is an important subject of the invention to
provide a fan system and a temperature-sensing protecting device
thereof to solve the above mentioned problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In view of the foregoing, the invention is to provide a fan
system, which disables the fan system when the operating
temperature detected by a temperature-sensing element is too high
or too low, and a temperature-sensing protecting device
thereof.
[0010] To achieve the above, a fan system of the invention includes
a fan module, a starting module, a temperature-sensing element and
a controlling module. In the invention, the starting module is
electrically connected with the fan module for starting it. The
temperature-sensing element generates a sensing signal in
accordance with an ambient temperature. The controlling module
receives the sensing signal for controlling the starting module.
When the ambient temperature is higher than a first temperature or
is lower than a second temperature, the controlling module controls
the starting module to disable the fan module.
[0011] To achieve the above, the invention also discloses a
temperature-sensing protecting device, which cooperates with a fan
module. The temperature-sensing protecting device includes a
starting module, a temperature-sensing element and a controlling
module. The starting module is electrically connected with the fan
module for starting it. The temperature-sensing element generates a
sensing signal in accordance with an ambient temperature. The
controlling module receives the sensing signal for controlling the
starting module. When the ambient temperature is higher than a
first temperature or is lower than a second temperature, the
controlling module controls the starting module to disable the fan
module.
[0012] As mentioned above, the fan system and temperature-sensing
protecting device of the invention have a temperature-sensing
element for sensing the operating temperature of a fan system.
Then, when the operating temperature is too high or too low, the
fan module is disabled for protecting it. Compared with the prior
art, the fan system and temperature-sensing protecting device of
the invention utilize the temperature-sensing element to detect the
operating temperature for ensuring that the fan system can operate
normally and replacing 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 diagram of a conventional fan
system;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a fan system according to a
preferred embodiment of the invention; and
[0016] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a fan system according to a
preferred embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] 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.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing a fan system
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The fan
system 2 may be installed inside an electronic system (not shown)
in order to dissipate heat.
[0019] The fan system 2 includes a fan module 21, a starting module
22, a controlling module 23 and a temperature-sensing element 24.
The fan module 21 has a fan. Of course, the fan module 21 may have
a plurality of fans according to the heat dissipating requirement
so as to enhance the heat dissipating effect.
[0020] In the fan system 2, the starting module 22 is electrically
connected with the fan module 21 so as to start it. 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 an ambient
temperature. Based on the characteristic of the NTC thermistor, 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 resistance of the temperature-sensing element 24 increases and
the voltage of the sensing signal V.sub.t increases when the
internal temperature of the electronic system decreases.
[0021] The controlling module 23 receives and controls the starting
module 22 in accordance with the sensing signal V.sub.t. When the
ambient temperature is higher than a first temperature or lower
than a second temperature, the controlling module 23 controls the
starting module 22 to disable the fan module 21 for preventing the
fan system 21 from being damaged caused by the improper operation
under abnormal operating temperature. In this embodiment, the first
temperature and the second temperature are determined in accordance
with the operating specifications of the fan system 2. The first
temperature is the upper limit operating temperature of the fan
system 2 such as 70.degree. C., and the second temperature is the
lower limit operating temperature of the fan system 2 such as
-40.degree. C.
[0022] With reference to FIG. 3, the controlling module 23 includes
a first control unit 231 and a second control unit 232. In this
embodiment, the first control unit 231 comprises a first switch
element Q.sub.1 and a first comparator element U.sub.1. The second
control unit 232 comprises a second switch element Q.sub.2 and a
second comparator element U.sub.2.
[0023] 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 the
first switch element Q.sub.1 and the second switch element Q.sub.2
are both NMOS transistors.
[0024] Regarding to the first control unit 231, a drain D of the
first switch element Q.sub.1 is electrically connected with the
starting module 22 for controlling the starting module 22, and a
source S of the first switch element Q.sub.1 is grounded.
[0025] The first comparator element U.sub.1 includes a first input
terminal input.sub.1 a second input terminal input.sub.2, and an
output terminal output. 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.
[0026] The first input terminal input.sub.1 receives a first
reference signal V.sub.ref1, which is produced from a
voltage-dividing circuit composed of at least two resistors. The
specifications of the resistors can be chosen according to the
requirement of user for adjusting the first reference signal
V.sub.ref1. In this case, the first reference signal V.sub.ref1 is
used to determine the upper limit operating temperature of the fan
system 2. The second input terminal input.sub.2 receives the
sensing signal V.sub.t. The output terminal output is electrically
connected with a gate G of the first switch element Q.sub.1 for
controlling the first switch element Q.sub.1. To make the invention
more comprehensive, the following description assumes that the
voltage gain value of the first comparator element U.sub.1 is equal
to 1. 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 to start the first switch element Q.sub.1 so as to
control the starting module 22 to disable the fan module 21.
[0027] In addition, the second input terminal inputs and the output
terminal output of the first comparator element U.sub.1 are
electrically connected with a resistor R.sub.1, so that the first
comparator element U.sub.1 may have a precise temperature
transition characteristic. For example, the first control unit 231
is supposed to control the starting module 22 to disable the fan
module 21 when the first temperature reaches 70.degree. C. However,
the starting module 22 practically disables the fan module 21 when
the first temperature is 72.degree. C. due to the characteristic of
the electronic element, which causes an error originally. For
preventing the above mentioned problem, the resistor R.sub.1 is set
between the second input terminal input.sub.2 and the output
terminal output of the first comparator element U.sub.1 for
compensating the feedback voltage value. Therefore, the first
comparator element U.sub.1 can precisely control the starting
module 22 to disable the fan module 21 when the temperature reaches
70.degree. C. Accordingly, the precise temperature transition
characteristic can be achieved.
[0028] Regarding to the second control unit 232, a drain D of the
second switch element Q.sub.2 is electrically connected with the
starting module 22 for controlling it, and a source S of the second
switch element Q.sub.2 is grounded
[0029] The second comparator element U.sub.2 includes a first input
terminal input.sub.1, a second input terminal input.sub.2, and an
output terminal output. 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] The first input terminal input.sub.1 receives the sensing
signal V.sub.t and the second input terminal input.sub.2 receives a
second reference signal V.sub.ref2 producing from the
voltage-dividing circuit composed of at least two resists. The
specifications of resistors can be chosen according to the
requirement of user for adjusting the second reference signal
V.sub.ref2. In this case, the second reference signal V.sub.ref2 is
used to determine the lower limit operating temperature of the fan
system 2. The output terminal output is electrically connected with
a gate G of the second switch element Q.sub.2 for controlling the
second switch element Q.sub.2. To make the invention more
comprehensive, the following description assumes that the voltage
gain value of the second comparator element U.sub.2 is equal to 1.
When the sensing signal V.sub.t is higher than the second reference
signal V.sub.ref2, the output terminal output delivers a positive
voltage to start the second switch element Q.sub.2 so as to control
the starting module 22 to disable the fan module 21. In addition, a
resistor R.sub.2 is set between input terminal input.sub.1 and the
output terminal output of the second comparator element U.sub.2,
and the operation of the resistor R.sub.2 is the same as that of
the above-mentioned resistor R.sub.1. Therefore, the second
comparator element U.sub.2 may have precise temperature transition
characteristic.
[0031] As mentioned above, when the sensing signal V.sub.t is lower
than the first reference signal V.sub.ref1, or higher than the
second reference signal V.sub.ref2, both the output terminals
output of the first comparator element U.sub.1 and the second
comparator element U.sub.2 deliver a positive voltage signal in
order to control the starting module 22 to disable the fan module
21.
[0032] In this embodiment, the starting module 22 includes a third
switch element Q.sub.3, a fourth switch element Q.sub.4, at least a
capacitor C, at least a resistor R.sub.3, and a plurality of diodes
D.sub.1 and D.sub.2. Each of the third switch element Q.sub.3 and
the fourth switch element Q.sub.4 is a transistor or any other
electronic element with the switch function. In this embodiment,
the third switch element Q.sub.3 is a PMOS transistor, and the
fourth switch element Q.sub.4 is an NMOS transistor.
[0033] A source S of the third switch element Q.sub.3 is
electrically connected with the diodes D.sub.1 and D.sub.2. A drain
D of the third switch element Q.sub.3 is electrically connected
with the fan system 21 for starting the fan system 21. A gate G of
the third switch element Q.sub.3 is electrically connected with a
drain D of the fourth switch element Q.sub.4. A terminal of the
capacitor C is electrically connected with the source S of the
third switch element Q.sub.3. The resistor R.sub.3 is electrically
connected with another terminal of the capacitor C. In addition,
each of the diodes D.sub.1 and D.sub.2 may be a Schottky diode for
avoiding the reverse current. A gate G of the fourth switch element
Q.sub.4 is electrically connected with the drain D of the first
switch element Q.sub.1 and the drain D of the second switch element
Q.sub.2.
[0034] The operation principle of the fan system 2 will be
described in the following. When the internal temperature of the
electronic system is between the first temperature and the second
temperature (the temperature range of normal operation), the
sensing signal V.sub.t of the temperature-sensing element 24 is
higher than the first reference signal V.sub.ref1 and lower than
the second reference signal V.sub.ref2. In this case, the first
switch element Q.sub.1 and the second switch element Q.sub.2 will
be turned off and the fourth switch element Q.sub.4 will be turned
on.
[0035] Then, the capacitor C starts to charge. When the voltage
value of the capacitor C reaches the starting voltage of the third
switch element Q.sub.3, the third switch element Q.sub.3 is turned
on to enable the fan module 21 for dissipating the heat. To be
noted, the charge circuit of the capacitor C and the resistor
R.sub.3 enables the current flowing through the fan module 21 to
increase at a slow rate such that the effect of soft starting can
be achieved.
[0036] When the internal temperature of the electronic system is
higher than the first temperature, the sensing signal V.sub.t is
lower than the first reference signal V.sub.ref1 to turn on the
first switch element Q.sub.1. Accordingly, the fourth switch
element Q.sub.4 and the third switch element Q.sub.3 are turned off
to disable the fan module 21 in order to achieve the protection and
efficiency.
[0037] Similarly, when the internal temperature of the electronic
system is lower than the second temperature, the sensing signal
V.sub.t is higher than the second reference signal V.sub.ref2 to
turn on the second switch element Q.sub.2. Accordingly, the fourth
switch element Q.sub.4 and the third switch element Q.sub.3 will be
turned off to disable the fan module 21 in order to achieve the
protection and efficiency. As mentioned above, the
temperature-sensing element 24 of the fan system 2 senses that
whether the internal temperature is higher than the upper limit
operating temperature or lower than the lower limit operating
temperature. If so, the fan system 2 will compulsorily disable the
fan module 21 for preventing it from damage.
[0038] The invention also discloses a temperature-sensing
protecting device, which cooperates with a fan module. The
temperature-sensing protecting device includes a starting module, a
temperature-sensing element and a controlling module. In this
embodiment, the starting module, temperature-sensing element and
controlling module of the temperature-sensing protecting device
have the same constructions and functions as those of the
previously mentioned starting module 22, temperature-sensing
element 24 and controlling module 23, so the detailed descriptions
thereof will be omitted for concise purpose.
[0039] As mentioned above, the fan system and temperature-sensing
protecting device of the invention have a temperature-sensing
element for sensing the operating temperature of a fan system.
Then, when the operating temperature is too high or too low, the
fan module is disabled for protecting it. Compared with the prior
art, the fan system and temperature-sensing protecting device of
the invention utilize the temperature-sensing element to detect the
operating temperature for ensuring that the fan system can operate
normally and replacing the analog starting control chip to reduce
the overall manufacturing cost.
[0040] 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.
* * * * *