Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to a heat dissipation device and a control method thereof and, more particularly, to a heat dissipation device that controls a rotation speed of a fan according to a satellite positioning signal and a real-time signal, and a control method thereof.

With the advancement in functions and performance of digital devices, a large amount of heat is easily produced during high-speed operations. Thus, efficient heat dissipation of digital devices remains an important issue.

In a conventional heat dissipation method for digital devices, an approach adopting a fixed rotation speed is used. However, such approach generates fixed sound volume and cannot be automatically adjusted in response to environmental conditions, hence failing in attending to both heat dissipation efficiency for different application environments and acoustic optimization.

Therefore, there is a need to design a heat dissipation device and a control method thereof to solve the above technical problems. <CIT> discloses a heat dissipation system, comprising to a computing unit, wherein the system comprises a fan unit; a signal receiving unit, configured to receive a satellite positioning signal and generate a signal strength according to the satellite positioning signal; an internal clock, configured to provide a time signal; and a control unit, communicatively coupled to the fan unit, the signal receiving unit and the internal clock, and configured to adjust a rotation speed of the fan unit according to the signal strength and the time signal. <CIT> discloses system and a method for tuning a thermal strategy in a portable computing device based on location data. <CIT> discloses an active acoustic control of a cooling fan and a method therefor. <CIT> discloses an electronic device and a method for controlling a fan of the electronic device.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a heat dissipation device that is capable of automatically changing a rotation speed of a fan with respect to an ambient environment, thereby solving the technical problems of the incapabilities of the prior art regarding automatic adjustment on heat dissipation efficiency according to environmental conditions and acoustic optimization, achieving the goal of convenient use.

To achieve the above object, a heat dissipation device according to independent claim <NUM> is provided. The heat dissipation device is applied to a computing unit, and includes a fan unit, a signal receiving unit, a time unit and a control unit. The signal receiving unit receives a satellite positioning signal, and generates a signal strength according to the satellite positioning signal. The time unit generates a real-time signal. The control unit is electrically connected to the fan unit, the signal receiving unit and the time unit.

In some embodiments, the signal strength is directly proportional to the rotation speed, and the real-time signal is inversely proportional to the rotation speed when the real-time signal is in a <NUM>-hour time format.

The heat dissipation device further includes an audio capturing unit. The audio capturing unit is electrically connected to the control unit, receives an ambient audio and generates volume according to the ambient audio. The control unit adjusts the rotation speed of the fan unit according to the volume, the signal strength and the real-time signal, wherein the volume is directly proportional to the rotation speed.

In some embodiments, the heat dissipation device further includes a temperature unit. The temperature unit is electrically connected to the control unit, and sense a temperature of the computing unit. The control unit adjusts the rotation speed of the fan unit according to the temperature, the signal strength, the volume, and the real-time signal, wherein the temperature is directly proportional to the rotation speed.

In some embodiments, the heat dissipation device further includes a storage unit. The storage unit is electrically connected to the control unit, and stores a look-up table (LUT). The control unit adjusts the rotation speed of the fan unit according to the signal strength, the real-time signal, the volume, the temperature, and the LUT.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a control method of a heat dissipation device that is capable of automatically changing a rotation speed of a fan with respect to an ambient environment, thereby solving the technical problems of the incapabilities of the prior art regarding automatic adjustment on heat dissipation efficiency according to environmental conditions and acoustic optimization, achieving the goal of convenient use.

To achieve the above object, the control method according to independent claim <NUM> is provided by the present invention. The control method is applied to a computing unit, and includes: receiving a satellite positioning signal, and generating a signal strength according to the satellite positioning signal; and generating a real-time signal.

The control method further includes: receiving an ambient audio, and generating volume according to the ambient audio; and adjusting the rotation speed of the fan unit according to the volume, the signal strength and the real-time signal, wherein the volume is directly proportional to the rotation speed.

In some embodiments, the control method further includes: sensing a temperature of the computing unit; and adjusting the rotation speed of the fan unit according to the temperature, the signal strength, the volume, and the real-time signal, wherein the temperature is directly proportional to the rotation speed.

In some embodiments, the control method further includes reading a look-up table (LUT), and adjusting the rotation speed of the fan unit according to the signal strength, the real-time signal, the volume, the temperature, and the LUT.

In conclusion, the heat dissipation device and the control method thereof of the present invention are capable of automatically changing the rotation speed of the fan unit according to different ambient environments of the heat dissipation device, thereby achieving different heat dissipation states corresponding to different conditions.

It should be noted that, when the ambient environment is outdoors, the rotation speed of the fan unit can be increased to reinforce the heat dissipation effect, without having to worry that the noise generated by the fan unit may interfere a user or other individuals. In an indoor environment, the rotation speed of the fan unit can be reduced, so that on the premise of safe operations of the computing unit, the concern that the noise generated by the fan unit may interfere a user or other individuals can be minimized. Alternatively, when the ambient environment is in the afternoon or at nighttime, the rotation speed of the fan unit can also be reduced, so that on the premise of safe operations of the computing unit, the concern that the noise generated by the fan unit may interfere a user or other individuals can be minimized.

Therefore, the heat dissipation device and the control method thereof of the present invention are capable of automatically changing a rotation speed of a fan with respect to an ambient environment, thereby solving the technical problems of the incapabilities of the prior art regarding automatic adjustment on heat dissipation efficiency according to environmental conditions and acoustic optimization, achieving the goal of convenient use.

To further understand the techniques, means and functions for achieving expected purposes adopted by the present invention, the present invention is described in detail with the accompanying drawings below so that the specific features and characteristics can be accordingly better understood. It should be noted that the drawings provided are for reference and illustration purposes, and are not to be construed as limitations to the present invention.

Implementation details of the present invention are described by way of specific embodiments for a person skilled in the art to easily and fully understand other advantages and effects of the present invention on the basis of the disclosure of the present application. The present invention may be implemented or applied by other specific embodiments and changes and modifications may also be made to various details in the description on the basis of different perspectives and applications.

It should be noted that, the structures, scale, sizes and numbers of elements depicted in the drawings of the present application are used in coordination with the disclosure of the present application for reading and better understanding of a person skilled in the art, and are not to be construed as limitation implementable to the present invention and thus do not form any substantive technical significance. All structural modifications, scale relation changes and size adjustment, without affecting the effects that can be generated and achievable objects of the present invention, are encompassed within the coverable range of the technical contents disclosed by the present invention.

The technical contents and details of the present invention are described with the accompanying drawings below.

<FIG> shows a function block diagram of a heat dissipation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention (not showing all features of claim <NUM>), and <FIG> shows a flowchart of a control method according to the first embodiment of the present invention (not showing all features of claim <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a heat dissipation device <NUM> according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied to a computing unit <NUM>, and includes a fan unit <NUM>, a signal receiving unit <NUM>, a time unit <NUM> and a control unit <NUM>. The control method of the heat dissipation device <NUM> may include step S1 to step S3 (wherein step S3 is not referring to all parameters used in claims <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively).

The computing unit <NUM> may include one of a micro control unit (MCU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and a system-on-chip (SoC). The MCU may also include a circuit board based on an Arduino machine code structure, for example but not limited to, a printed circuit board (PCB).

The fan unit <NUM> includes a pivotally rotatable aerodynamic structure provided with a plurality of surrounding vanes (not shown), for example, an impeller fan or blower fan. The fan unit <NUM> adjusts an output air speed or air volume by, for example but not limited to, changing a rotation speed thereof.

In some embodiments, the fan unit <NUM> further includes a motor <NUM> pivotally connected to the aerodynamic structure. The rotation speed of the aerodynamic structure is changed by, for example but not limited to, the motor <NUM> to further adjust the output air speed or air volume.

As in step S1, the signal receiving unit <NUM> receives a satellite positioning signal <NUM>, and generates a signal strength <NUM> according to the satellite positioning signal <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the satellite positioning signal <NUM> may include a wireless signal output by a satellite on an earth orbit. Further, the satellite positioning signal <NUM> is a satellite signal compatible with a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), for example but not limited to, the assisted global positioning system (AGPS), the U. global positioning system (GPS), the Russian global navigation satellite system (GLONASS), the Chinese Beidou navigation satellite system (BDS), and the European Union Galileo satellite system.

In some embodiments, the signal receiving unit <NUM> may include an accelerometer, which is also referred to as an acceleration sensor or a G-sensor, and is a device for measuring the acceleration. Compared to a device that performs remote sensing, an accelerometer measures a motion thereof. When the accelerometer is applied to measure gravity (the gravitational acceleration G value caused by the center of the earth), it may be referred to as a gravimeter. When the accelerometer is applied to a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) or geographic positioning, it may also be referred to as, for example but not limited to, a GNSS.

It should be noted that, in the present invention, it is determined by means of generating a signal strength <NUM> whether the heat dissipation device <NUM> is indoors or outdoors. Further, a common building is a structure in rigid materials (for example, concrete and reinforcement bars), and has an attenuating effect on the strength of wireless signals from satellites and base stations. For example, when the heat dissipation device <NUM> is indoors, the satellite positioning signal <NUM> is interfered and hence attenuated by the building, and the signal receiving unit <NUM>, by confirming that the received signal strength <NUM> is less than a predetermined threshold (not shown) and is thus weak, determines that the heat dissipation device <NUM> is indoors; when the heat dissipation device <NUM> is outdoors, the satellite positioning signal <NUM> is not interfered and thus attenuated by the building, and the signal receiving unit <NUM>, by confirming that the received signal strength <NUM> is more than the predetermined threshold and is thus strong, determines that the heat dissipation device <NUM> is outdoors.

As in step S2, the time unit <NUM> generates a real-time signal <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the time unit <NUM> is compatible with, for example but not limited to, the coordinated universal time (UTC), international atomic time, Greenwich mean time (GMT), integrated circuit time (or may be referred to as a real-time clock (RTC)), network time protocol (NTP) or GNSS.

Moreover, the time unit <NUM> may be, for example but not limited to, an integrated circuit (for example, a BIOS chip on a computer motherboard) electrically connected to the computing unit <NUM>, and so the real-time signal <NUM> is an RTC signal.

Moreover, the time unit <NUM> may also be, for example but not limited to, a time program of an operating system (for example, Windows, MAC and Linux), and so the real-time signal <NUM> is an NTP signal.

It should be noted that, in the present invention, it is determined through the real-time signal <NUM> whether the heat dissipation device <NUM> needs to be adjusted in response to a time zone and routine hours of a user. For example, in response to a change of the heat dissipation device <NUM> in different time zones, the time unit <NUM> can generate a real-time signal <NUM> corresponding to the environment, for example, an updated GNSS at all times, and this is extremely practical for travelers who frequently travel around the globe for business trips. Thus, for example but not limited to, when the heat dissipation device <NUM> is carried to different time zones within short periods, mismatched normal human routine hours for different time zones are not presented, hence reducing the interference of adjusting to time difference.

Moreover, when the format of the real-time signal <NUM> output by the time unit <NUM> is in a <NUM>-hour time, the larger the number is, the closer it gets to the rest time of normal human routine hours, but on the contrary, the smaller the number is, the closer it gets to the awake time of normal human routine hours (for example, after six o'clock in the morning). Accordingly, the control unit <NUM> can determine the rest time through the real-time signal <NUM>, and reduce the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM>. Thus, for example but not limited to, on the premise of safe operations of the computing unit <NUM>, the concern that the noise generated by the fan unit <NUM> may interfere a user or other individuals can be minimized.

The control unit <NUM> is electrically connected to the fan unit <NUM>, the signal receiving unit <NUM> and the time unit <NUM>.

As in step S3 (not referring to all parameters of claims <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively), the control unit <NUM> adjusts the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM> according to the signal strength <NUM> and the real-time signal <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the control unit <NUM> may include one of a micro control unit (MCU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and a system-on-chip (SoC). The MCU may also include a circuit board based on an Arduino machine code structure, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB). The SoC may be, for example but not limited to, a Raspberry Pi with a model number of 1A, 1A+, 1B, 1B+, 2B, 3B, 3B+, 3A+ or 4B.

It should be noted that, the control unit <NUM> includes an integrated circuit capable of outputting a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal. Moreover, for example but not limited to, the control unit <NUM> can output a pulse to the motor <NUM>, and adjust the rotation speed of the motor <NUM> by controlling a duty cycle of the output pulse, thereby changing the output air speed or air volume of the fan unit <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the signal strength <NUM> is directly proportional to the rotation speed. That is, according to the determination result indicating whether the ambient environment of the heat dissipation device <NUM> is indoors or outdoors, the control unit <NUM> further adjusts the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM>. When the real-time signal <NUM> is in a <NUM>-hour time format, the real-time signal <NUM> is inversely proportional to the rotation speed. That is, for example but not limited to, according to the determination result indicating normal human routine hours of an ambient environment, the control unit <NUM> further adjusts the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM>.

In conclusion, the heat dissipation device <NUM> and the control method thereof of the present invention are capable of automatically changing the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM> according to different ambient environments of the heat dissipation device <NUM>, thereby achieving different heat dissipation states corresponding to different conditions.

It should be noted that, when the ambient environment is outdoors, the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM> can be increased to reinforce the heat dissipation effect, without having to worry that the noise generated by the fan unit <NUM> may interfere a user or other individuals. In an indoor environment, the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM> can be reduced, so that on the premise of safe operations of the computing unit <NUM>, the concern that the noise generated by the fan unit <NUM> may interfere a user or other individuals can be minimized. Alternatively, when the time of the ambient environment is afternoon or nighttime, the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM> can also be reduced, so that on the premise of safe operations of the computing unit <NUM>, the concern that the noise generated by the fan unit <NUM> may interfere a user or other individuals can be minimized. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

<FIG> shows a function block diagram of a heat dissipation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> shows a flowchart of a control method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a heat dissipation device <NUM> according to the second embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as the heat dissipation device <NUM> of the first embodiment; however, the heat dissipation device <NUM> further includes an audio capturing unit <NUM>, a temperature unit <NUM> and a storage unit <NUM>. Compared to the control method of the heat dissipation device <NUM>, the control method of the heat dissipation device <NUM> further includes step S4 to step S6.

The audio capturing unit <NUM> is electrically connected to the control unit <NUM>. As in step S4, the audio capturing unit <NUM> receives an ambient audio <NUM>, and generates volume <NUM> according to the ambient audio <NUM>. Further, in step S3, the control unit <NUM> can adjust the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM> according to the volume <NUM>, the signal strength <NUM> and the real-time signal <NUM>, wherein the volume <NUM> is directly proportional to the rotation speed.

In some embodiments, for example but not limited to, the audio capturing unit <NUM> may include a dynamic microphone, condenser microphone, electret condenser microphone, MEMS microphone, ribbon microphone, carbon microphone or assistive context-aware toolkit (ACAT), and the unit of the volume <NUM> may be in a sound pressure level in a unit of decibels (dB).

It should be noted that, the control unit <NUM> determines, for example but not limited to, according to the volume <NUM>, the tolerance of the ambient environment for the noise generated by the fan unit <NUM>. That is, when the control unit <NUM> determines according to the volume <NUM> that the ambient environment is noisy, it determines that the ambient environment has a high noise tolerance, and does not limit or further increase the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM> so as to maintain or enhance the heat dissipation effect for the computing unit <NUM>. When the control unit <NUM> determines according to the volume <NUM> that the ambient environment is quiet, it determines that the ambient environment has a low noise tolerance, and further reduces the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM>, so that on the premise of safe operations of the computing unit <NUM>, the concern that the noise generated by the fan unit <NUM> may interfere a user or other individuals can be minimized.

The temperature unit <NUM> is electrically connected to the control unit <NUM>. As in step S5, the temperature unit <NUM> senses a temperature <NUM> of the computing unit <NUM>. Further, in step S3 (not referring to all parameters of claims <NUM> and <NUM>), the control unit <NUM> can adjust the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM> according to the temperature <NUM>, the signal strength <NUM> and the real-time signal <NUM>, wherein the temperature <NUM> is directly proportional to the rotation speed.

In some embodiments, the temperature unit <NUM> may include, for example but not limited to, a thermocouple element, a semiconductor temperature sensor or a crystal oscillator.

It should be noted that, the control unit <NUM> determines, for example but not limited to, the load of the computing unit <NUM> according to the temperature <NUM>. That is, when the control unit <NUM> determines that the temperature <NUM> is too high, it further increases the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM> so as to enhance the heat dissipation effect for the computing unit <NUM> and prevent the computing unit <NUM> from getting damaged as a result of the excessive heat. When the control unit <NUM> determines that the temperature <NUM> is below a safety range, it does not limit or further reduce the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM>, so that on the premise of safe operations of the computing unit <NUM>, the concern that the noise generated by the fan unit <NUM> may interfere a user or other individuals can be minimized.

The storage unit <NUM> is electrically connected to the control unit <NUM>, and stores a look-up table (LUT). As in step S6 (not referring to all parameters of claims <NUM> and <NUM>), the control unit <NUM> reads the LUT, and adjusts the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM> according to the signal strength <NUM>, the real-time signal <NUM> and the LUT.

In some embodiments, the storage unit <NUM> may include, for example but not limited to, a non-volatile storage medium such as a NAND flash or EEPROM, so as to properly store the LUT for the control unit <NUM> to read at all times. Moreover, the stored LUT may be updated by means of a wired programming method such as I2C or a wireless transmission means such as over-the-air (OTA) programming.

In some embodiments, the LUT includes a control rule associated with at least one of the signal strength <NUM>, the real-time signal <NUM>, the volume <NUM> and the temperature <NUM> corresponding to the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM>, for the control unit <NUM> to control the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM>. For example, it is determined whether the ambient environment is indoors or outdoors according to whether the signal strength <NUM> is zero (for example, when the satellite positioning signal <NUM> cannot be received) or greater than zero (for example, when the satellite positioning signal <NUM> can be received).

In some embodiments, assuming that all of the signal strength <NUM>, the real-time signal <NUM> and the volume <NUM> are taken into account, when the ambient environment is a noisy environment with a large volume <NUM>, regardless of how the signal strength <NUM> and the real-time signal <NUM> are, the control unit <NUM> does not particularly control the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM>; that is, the fan unit <NUM> is allowed to operate in a normal state. When the ambient environment is an environment with noise in a moderate volume <NUM>, regardless of how the signal strength <NUM> and the real-time signal <NUM> are, the control unit <NUM> controls the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM> to be <NUM>% of the rotation speed of the normal state. When the ambient environment is a quiet environment with a small volume <NUM> and is determined to be indoors according to the signal strength <NUM>, according to the real-time signal <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> controls the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM> to be <NUM>% of the rotation speed of the normal state in the morning and afternoon and <NUM>% of the rotation speed of the normal state at nighttime. When the ambient environment is a quiet environment with a small volume <NUM> and is determined to be outdoors according to the signal strength <NUM>, regardless of how the real-time signal <NUM> is, the control unit <NUM> controls the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM> to be <NUM>% of the rotation speed of the normal state. It should be noted that the above examples are illustrative but not restrictive.

Accordingly, for example but not limited to, in addition to the signal strength <NUM> and the real-time signal <NUM> and the volume <NUM>, the temperature <NUM> is used by the control unit <NUM>, so that the control unit <NUM> in the second embodiment further adjusts the rotation speed of the fan unit <NUM> according to different environmental conditions. By additionally sensing the environmental conditions, the rotation speed can be adjusted to better adapt to actual requirements, thereby providing more diversified operation modes for the fan unit <NUM>.

It should be noted that, when the ambient environment is outdoors, the rotation speed of the fan unit can be increased to reinforce the heat dissipation effect, without having to worry that the noise generated by the fan unit may interfere a user or other individuals. In an indoor environment, the rotation speed of the fan unit can be reduced, so that on the premise of safe operations of the computing unit, the concern that the noise generated by the fan unit may interfere a user or other individuals can be minimized. Alternatively, when the time of the ambient environment is afternoon or nighttime, the rotation speed of the fan unit can also be reduced, so that on the premise of safe operations of the computing unit, the concern that the noise generated by the fan unit may interfere a user or other individuals can be minimized.

It should be noted that, in addition to determining the rotation speed of the fan unit according to the signal strength and the real-time signal, in some embodiments, for example but not limited to, the volume and the temperature are further used by the control unit, so that the control unit can further adjust the rotation speed of the fan unit according to different environmental conditions. By additionally sensing the environmental conditions, the rotation speed can be adjusted to better adapt to actual requirements, thereby providing more diversified operation modes for the fan unit.

Claim 1:
A heat dissipation device (<NUM>), applied to a computing unit (<NUM>), comprising:
a fan unit (<NUM>);
a signal receiving unit (<NUM>), configured to receive a satellite positioning signal (<NUM>) and generate a signal strength (<NUM>) according to the satellite positioning signal (<NUM>);
a time unit (<NUM>), configured to generate a real-time signal;
a control unit (<NUM>), electrically connected to the fan unit (<NUM>), the signal receiving unit (<NUM>) and the time unit (<NUM>); and
an audio capturing unit (<NUM>), electrically connected to the control unit (<NUM>), configured to receive an ambient audio (<NUM>) and generate volume according to the ambient audio (<NUM>);
wherein, the control unit (<NUM>) is configured to adjust the rotation speed of the fan unit (<NUM>) according to the volume, the signal strength (<NUM>), and the real-time signal, wherein the volume is directly proportional to the rotation speed;
wherein it is determined by means of generating the signal strength (<NUM>) whether the heat dissipation device (<NUM>) is indoors or outdoors, wherein the signal receiving unit (<NUM>) is configured to determine, by confirming that the received signal strength (<NUM>) is less than a predetermined threshold, that the heat dissipation device (<NUM>) is indoors, and wherein the signal receiving unit (<NUM>) is configured to determine, by confirming that the received signal strength (<NUM>) is more than the predetermined threshold, that the heat dissipation device (<NUM>) is outdoors.