Server and heat dissipation method

A server and a heat dissipation method adapted for the server are provided. The method includes: sensing temperatures of two temperature sensors. Recognizing the two temperature sensors, determining a temperature difference between the two temperature sensors and obtaining a comparison result. Selecting one stored table according to the comparison result and acquiring fan running data recorded in the table. In addition, controlling the at least one fan to rotate according to the acquired fan running data. When a motherboard of the server is in one installation direction, the server selects corresponding fan running data and controls the at least one fan to rotate according to the two temperatures of the two temperature sensors installed at the two opposite ends of the motherboard. Therefore, the server can get a good heat dissipation effect in two installation directions of the motherboard.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The disclosure relates to servers and, more particularly, to a server and a heat dissipation method adapted for the server.

2. Description of Related Art

When a motherboard in a server is installed in one direction and a user wants to connect peripheral devices to the ports, he/she may need to move to the back end, which is very inconvenient. Therefore, the user may rotate a motherboard of the server so the connection ports are installed at the front, however, the heat dissipation application cannot satisfy the heat dissipation of the motherboard due to a change of the position.

Therefore, what is needed is a server to overcome the described shortcoming.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, a server1includes a rack box (not shown) accommodating a motherboard2of the server1and a plurality of components3are distributed on the motherboard2, such as fans50, for example. The server1defines an inlet and an outlet. The server1further includes a first temperature sensor10, a second temperature sensor30, a storage unit20, a control unit40, and the at least one fan50. The motherboard2is installed in two installation directions and between the inlet and the outlet in the box in a horizontal state as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The two installation directions are orientated in opposite directions. For example, the installation direction inFIG. 2is obtained by rotating the motherboard2in the installation direction inFIG. 1relative to 180 degrees. A user may select one installation direction of the motherboard2according to his/her needs.

As shown inFIG. 1, the first temperature sensor10is installed at one end of the motherboard2and adjacent to the at least one fan50, the second temperature sensor30is installed at the opposite end of the motherboard2, and other components3are distributed between the two temperature sensors10and20. The first temperature sensor10is closer to the inlet than the second temperature sensor30. The first temperature sensor10senses the temperature of the end of the motherboard2and the second temperature sensor30senses the temperature of the opposite end of the motherboard2.

If airflow is provided from the end to the opposite end of the motherboard2(i.e., along the direction of an arrow shown inFIGS. 1 and 2). InFIG. 1, the at least one fan50draws in cool air from the inlet of the server1and causes the cool air to move to the components3to dissipate heat, therefore, the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor10is less than that sensed by the second temperature sensor30.

InFIG. 2, the motherboard2is rotated 180 degrees relative to the direction in the box inFIG. 1. The second temperature sensor30is closer to the inlet than the first temperature sensor10. The at least one fan50is also rotated 180 degrees relative to the motherboard2thereon to draw in cool air from the inlet. As a result, the first temperature sensor10senses the temperature of hot air from the outlet and the second temperature sensor30senses the temperature of cool air from the inlet, therefore, the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor10is greater than that sensed by the second temperature sensor30.

The storage unit20stores at least two tables. In the embodiment, the storage unit20stores a first table21and a second table22respectively associated with the two installation directions. For example, the first table21corresponds to the installation direction shown inFIG. 1, and the second table22corresponds to the installation direction shown inFIG. 2. Each table records a fan running data and a comparison of the two temperatures10,30. The fan running data includes, but is not limited to, a rotation speed and air volume of the at least one fan50. The first fan running data in the first table21is different from the second fan running data in the second table22.

As shown inFIG. 4, the control unit40includes a recognition module410, a temperature determining module420, a table select module430, and a fan control module440. The recognition module410recognizes the first and the second temperature sensors10,30. In the embodiment, the recognition module410recognizes the first and the second temperature sensors10,30according to the positions of the two temperature sensors10,30. For example, the recognition module410recognizes the first and the second temperature sensors10,30according to the coordinates of the two temperature sensors10,30.

The temperature determining module420determines a temperature difference between the first and the second temperature sensors10,30and obtains a comparison result. In the embodiment, the temperature determining module420determines whether the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor10is greater than that sensed by the second temperature sensor30. The table select module430selects one table according to the comparison result from the storage unit20and acquires the fan running data recorded in the table, and the fan control module440controls the at least one fan50to rotate according to the acquired fan running data.

FIG. 5is a flowchart of heat dissipation method for the server ofFIG. 3. In step S300, the first, and the second temperature sensors10,30sense the temperatures in real time. In step S310, the recognition module410recognizes the first and the second temperature sensors10,30. In step S320, the temperature determining module420determines the temperature difference between the first and the second temperature sensors10,30and obtains a comparison result, that is, the temperature determining module420determines whether the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor10is greater than that sensed by the second temperature sensor30.

When the temperature determining module420determines that the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor10is greater than that sensed by the second temperature sensor30, in step S330, the table select module430selects the first table21from the storage unit20and acquires the first fan running data recorded in the first table21. In step S350, the fan control module440controls the at least one fan50to rotate according to the first fan running data. When the temperature determining module420determines that the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor30is greater than that sensed by the first temperature sensor10, in step S340, the table select module430selects the second table22from the storage unit20and acquires the second fan running data recorded in the second table22. In step S360, the fan control module440controls the at least one fan50to rotate according to the second fan running data.

When the motherboard2is installed at one direction in the box, the server1selects corresponding fan running data and controls the at least one fan50to rotate according to the two temperatures sensed by the first and the second temperature sensors10,30installed at the two opposite ends of the motherboard2. Therefore, the server1can get a good heat dissipation effect in two directions of the motherboard2.