COOLING SYSTEM FOR A PERSONAL COMPUTER

Abstract

A cooling system for a personal computer includes at least one cooling device using electrical power, and a wiring. The wiring has a male connector, a female connector, at least one first wire arrangement, and at least one second wire arrangement. The first and second wire arrangements electrically connect the male connector to the cooling device, the female connector to the cooling device, and the male connector to the female connector. The first wire arrangement is configured to electrically connect the cooling device to a ground, and the second wire arrangement is configured to electrically connect the cooling device to a power supply.

Claims

1. A cooling system for a personal computer, comprising at least one cooling device using electrical power and having a body and a wiring, the wiring comprising a male connector, a female connector, at least one first wire arrangement, and at least one second wire arrangement; wherein the first and second wire arrangements electrically connect the male connector to the cooling device, the female connector to the cooling device, and the male connector to the female connector; wherein the first wire arrangement is configured to electrically connect the cooling device to a ground; and wherein the second wire arrangement is configured to electrically connect the cooling device to a power supply.

2. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the wiring is arranged in one of a T-shape or an L-Shape comprising a first line of wires between the male connector and the female connector, and a second line of wires extending from the first line of wires and connecting the first line of wires with a body of the cooling device.

3. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device comprises a fan; and wherein the second wire arrangement is configured to electrically connect the fan to the power supply.

4. The cooling system according to claim 3, wherein the wiring comprises at least one third wire arrangement, and at least one fourth wire arrangement; wherein the third wire arrangement electrically connects the male connector to the cooling device, the fourth wire arrangement electrically connects the male connector to the body of the cooling device, the female connector to the body of the cooling device, and the male connector to the female connector; wherein the third wire arrangement is configured to electrically connect the cooling device to a fan control unit, and to transmit a tachometer signal of a speed sensor of the fan to the fan control unit; and wherein the fourth wire arrangement is configured to electrically connect the cooling device to the fan control unit, and to transmit a pulse width modulation signal from the fan control unit to the fan.

5. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device comprises a coolant pump configured to pump a liquid coolant; and wherein the second wire arrangement is configured to electrically connect the coolant pump to the power supply.

6. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device comprises a lighting unit configured to illuminate the cooling device; wherein the wiring comprises at least one fifth wire arrangement; wherein the fifth wire arrangement connects the male connector to the lighting unit, the female connector to the lighting unit, and the male connector to the female connector; and wherein the fifth wire arrangement is configured to electrically connect the lighting unit to a second power supply.

7. The cooling system according to claim 6, wherein the lighting unit is configured for A-RGB lighting, to receive a digital input signal for controlling the A-RGB lighting, and to provide a digital output signal; wherein the wiring comprises at least one sixth wire arrangement, at least one seventh wire arrangement, and at least one eighth wire arrangement; wherein the sixth wire arrangement is configured to electrically connect the lighting unit to a lighting control unit configured to provide the digital input signal; wherein the seventh wire arrangement is configured to electrically connect the lighting unit to a target of the digital output signal; and wherein the eighth wire arrangement is configured to electrically connect the lighting unit to the ground.

8. The cooling system according to claim 6, wherein the lighting unit is configured for RGB lighting, and to receive a first input signal for controlling a red element of the RGB lighting, a second input signal for controlling a green element of the RGB lighting, and a third input signal for controlling a blue element of the RGB lighting; wherein the wiring comprises at least one ninth wire arrangement, at least one tenth wire arrangement, and at least one eleventh wire arrangement; wherein the ninth wire arrangement is configured to electrically connect the lighting unit to a lighting control unit configured to provide the first input signal; wherein the tenth wire arrangement is configured to electrically connect the lighting unit to a lighting control unit configured to provide the second input signal; and wherein the eleventh wire arrangement is configured to electrically connect the lighting unit to a lighting control unit configured to provide the third input signal.

9. The cooling system according to claim 7, comprising a cable having a first connector configured to connect either to the female connector of the wiring or to connect to male connector of the wiring, a second connector configured to connect to at least the first power supply, and a third connector configured to connect to the lighting control unit.

10. The cooling system according to claim 9, wherein the second connector is a SATA power connector.

11. The cooling system according to claim 10, comprising a fourth connector configured to connect to the fan control unit.

12. The cooling system according to claim 1, comprising a cable having a male connector configured to connect to the female connector of the wiring, and a female connector configured to connect to the male connector of the wiring.

13. The cooling system according to claim 1, comprising a controller configured to send a pulse width modulation signal and to receive a tachometer signal.

14. The cooling system according to claim 1, comprising a controller configured to send a digital input signal.

15. The cooling system according to claim 13, wherein the controller comprises the first power supply and/or the second power supply.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Hereinafter, specific embodiments are described referring to the drawings, wherein:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cooling device according to an embodiment;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic oblique top view of the cooling device according to FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the cooling device according to FIG. 2;

[0032] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the wiring of the cooling device according to FIGS. 1 to 3;

[0033] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a wiring of a cooling device according to an embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a wiring of a cooling device according to another embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a cooling system for a personal computer according to an embodiment;

[0036] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a cable of the cooling system according to FIG. 7;

[0037] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of another cable of the cooling system according to FIG. 7;

[0038] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of another cable of the cooling system according to FIG. 7; and

[0039] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a cable of the cooling system according to FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cooling device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0041] The cooling device 100 according to the present embodiment is exemplary formed as a fan. The cooling device 100 comprises a fan body 102 and a fan blade 104. The fan body 102 comprises an electrical drive (hidden by the fan blade 104 in FIG. 1) configured to rotate the fan blade 104. The fan blade 104 is rotatably mounted on the fan body 102. The cooling device 100 is configured to manage heat inside a case of a personal computer by exhausting hot air. For example, the cooling device 100 may be configured and arranged to remove hot air from the case or to blow cool air into the case. The cooling device 100 may also be configured and arranged to remove hot air from a heat exchanger of a heat generating element, for example a CPU, a GPU or a mass storage drive, or to blow cool air onto the heat generating element.

[0042] The cooling device 100 further comprises a wiring 106 arranged atop of the fan body 102 in FIG. 1. The wiring 106 comprises a female connector 108 show left in FIG. 1 and a male connector 110 shown right in FIG. 1. The wiring 106 further comprises wiring arrangements configured to provide electrical power and control signals to the cooling device 100. The wiring arrangements are described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. A first line of wires 112 connects the female connector 108 to the male connector 110. A second line of wires 114 connects the first line of wires 112 to the cooling device 100. The first and second lines 112, 114 are arranged to form a T-shape. However, the first and second lines 112, 114 may also be arranged in an L-shape or form a triangle.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a schematic oblique top view of the cooling device 100 according to FIG. 1.

[0044] As can be seen in FIG. 2 the second line of wires 114 extends from a top surface of the fan body 102 of the cooling device 100 towards the first line of wires 112 According to the present embodiment, the second line of wires 114 is fixed to the cooling device 100. However, it is also possible to detachably connect the second line of wires 114 to the cooling device 100, for example by a pair of connectors.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the cooling device 100 according to FIG. 2.

[0046] The first line of wires 112 extends over the complete width of the fan body 102, i.e. from left to right in FIG. 3. The male connector 110 is arranged such that it extends over the right side of the fan body 102 in FIG. 3 while the male connector 108 is arranged such that it is flush with the left side of fan body 102 in FIG. 3. This arrangement allows two or more cooling devices 100 to be connected in series as is described below with reference to FIG. 7.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the wiring 106 of the cooling device 100 according to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0048] The male connector 108 is shown to the left of FIG. 4 and the male connector 110 is shown to the right of FIG. 4. The male connector 108 and the male connector 110 are connected by the first line of wires 112. The second line of wires 114 branches off from that first line of wires 112. It depends on the specifics of the cooling device 100 which wires of the first line of wires 112 branch off and which wires of the first line of wires 112 simply connect the male and female connectors 108, 110. The wiring 106 is detailed below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In particular, the wiring 106 of the cooling device 100 may be any of the wiring 500, 600 according to the FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a wiring 500 of a cooling device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0050] The wiring 500 comprises a female connector 502 having eight pins arranged on the left in FIG. 5, and a male connector 504 having eight pins arranged on the right in FIG. 5. The male connector 504 may be connected to a power supply and to one or more control units, for example arranged a mother board of a personal computer. The connection between the male connector 504 and the mother may either be direct or indirect, i.e. via an extension cable or a wiring 500 of another cooling device 100 when multiple cooling devices 100 are connected in series.

[0051] A first wire arrangement 506 connects a first pin 508a of the male connector 504 with a first pin 508b of the female connector 502. A branch of the first wire arrangement 506 electrically connects to the body 102 of the cooling device 100 for connecting the cooling device 100 unit to the ground. A second wire arrangement 510 connects a second pin 512a of the male connector 504 with a second pin 512b of the female connector 502. A branch of the second wire arrangement 510 electrically connects to the body 102 of the cooling device 100 for providing an electrical current having a voltage of +12 V to an electrical drive of the cooling device 100.

[0052] A third wire arrangement 514 connects a third pin 516 of the male connector 504 with the body 102 of the cooling device 100. The cooling device 100 is configured to send a sensor signal to its control unit via the third wire arrangement 514. For example, the control signal may be a tachometer signal of a speed sensor of a fan that is send to a fan control unit via the third wire arrangement 514. A fourth wire arrangement 518 connects a fourth pin 520a of the male connector 504 with a fourth pin 520b of the female connector 502. A branch of the fourth wire arrangement 518 electrically connects to the body 102 of the cooling device 100. The cooling device 100 is configured to receive a control signal from the control unit via the fourth wire arrangement 518. The control signal may be a pulse width modulation signal for controlling the speed of a fan.

[0053] A fifth wire arrangement 522 connects a first pin 524a of the male connector 504 with a fifth pin 524b of the female connector 502. A branch of the fifth wire arrangement 522 electrically connects to a body 102 of the cooling device 100 for providing an electrical current having a voltage of +5 V to an A-RGB lighting unit of the cooling device 100.

[0054] A sixth wire arrangement 526a electrically connects a second pin 528a of the male connector 504 to the A-RGB lighting unit. The A-RGB lighting unit is configured to receive a digital input signal via the sixth wire arrangement 526a and the second pin 528a of the male connector 504. The digital input signal controls the A-RGB lighting unit, in particular a color of the light emitted by the A-RGB lighting unit. A seventh wire arrangement 526b electrically connects a fifth pin 528b of the female connector 502 to the A-RGB lighting unit. The A-RGB lighting unit is configured to send a digital output signal via the seventh wire arrangement 526b and the second pin 528b of the female connector 502. The digital output signal may be identical to the digital input signal received by the A-RGB lighting unit. According to this embodiment, when two or more cooling devices 100 to be connected in series the A-RGB lighting unit of all cooling devices 100 in the series will receive the same digital input signal. In particular, it is possible to multiplex the digital input signal, such that each A-RGB lighting unit can be individually controlled. Alternatively, the A-RGB lighting unit may be configured to modify the digital input signal in order to generate the digital output signal.

[0055] An eighth wire arrangement 530 connects a seventh pin 532a of the male connector 504 with a seventh pin 532b of the female connector 502. A branch of the eighth wire arrangement 530 electrically connects to the body 102 of the cooling device 100 for connecting the A-RGB lighting unit to a ground. An additional wire arrangement 534 connects an eighth pin 536a of the male connector 504 with an eighth pin 536b of the female connector 502.

[0056] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a wiring 600 of a cooling device 100 according to another embodiment.

[0057] The cooling device 100 according to FIG. 6 is distinguished form the cooling device 100 according to FIG. 5 in not having the A-RGB lighting unit. Consequently, the wiring 500 of the cooling device 100 according to FIG. 6 does not comprise branches for providing control signals and electrical power to the A-RGB lighting unit. According to this embodiment, a tenth wire arrangement 602 connects the sixth pin 528a of the male connector 504 to the sixth pin 528b of the female connector 502.

[0058] When several cooling devices 100 are connected in series, the cooling device 100 according to FIG. 5, i.e. comprising an A-RGB lighting unit, can receive the digital input signal even when the cooling unit according to the present embodiment is arranged before the cooling device 100 according to FIG. 5 in the series.

[0059] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a cooling system 700 for a personal computer according to an embodiment.

[0060] The cooling system 700 according to FIG. 7 comprises three cooling devices 100a, 100b, 100c according to FIGS. 1 to 6. The three cooling devices 100a, 100b, 100c are arranged in a single row directly next to each other. In this arrangement, the cooling devices 100a, 100b, 100c may for example be mounted on a side of a case of the personal computer. Although three cooling devices 100a, 100b, 100c are shown in FIG. 7, the cooling system 700 may comprise any number of cooling devices 100a, 100b, 100c that may realistically be arranged inside the case of the personal computer.

[0061] The male connector 110a of the leftmost cooling device 100a is connected to the male connector 108b of the cooling device 100b arrange in the middle of the cooling system 700. The male connector 110b of the middle cooling device 100b is connected to the male connector 108c of the rightmost cooling device 100c. Thereby, all three cooling devices 100a, 100b, 100c are connected by a single line of wires formed by the wirings 106a, 106b, 106c of the cooling devices 100a, 100b, 100c, and thus all three cooling devices 100a, 100b, 100c are connected in series. All cooling devices 100a, 100b, 100c can be connected to a power supply and/or a fan control unit at once by either connecting the right most male connector 110 or the leftmost female connector 108 to the power supply and/or the fan control unit. This arrangement produces significantly less cable clutter that a known arrangement using a cable splitter.

[0062] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a cable 800 of the cooling system 700 according to FIG. 7.

[0063] The cable 800 comprises a first connector 802 that is configured to connect the one of the connectors 108, 110 of the wiring 106 of the cooling device 100. The cable 800 further comprises a second connector 806 that is configured to connect to at least a first power supply, and third connector 804 configured to connect to a second power supply and to a lighting control unit. The second connector 806 may also be configured to connect to a control unit configured to control the cooling device 100, for example a fan control unit or a pump control unit.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the first connector 802 is exemplary formed as a male connector having eight pins. The eight pins of the first connector correspond to the eight pins 508a, 508b, 512a, 512b, 516, 520a, 520b, 524a, 524b, 528a, 528b, 532a, 532b, 536a, 536b of the wiring 500, 600 according to FIGS. 5 and 6. The second connector 806 is a female connector having four pins. The four pins of the second connector correspond to the first to fourth pins 508a, 508b, 512a, 512b, 516, 520a, 520b of the wiring 500, 600 according to FIGS. 5 and 6. The third connector 804 is a female connector having three pins corresponding to the fifth to seventh pins 524a, 524b, 528a, 528b, 532a, 532b, 536a, 536b of the wiring 500, 600 according to FIGS. 5 and 6. The cable 800 according to FIG. 8 can for example be used to connect a cooling device 100 having the wiring 500, 600 according to FIGS. 5 and 6 to a mother board of a personal computer.

[0065] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of another cable of the cooling system 700 according to FIG. 7.

[0066] The cable according to FIG. 9 comprises a male connector 902 that is configured to connect the male connector 108 of the wiring 106 of the cooling device 100, and a male connector 904 that is configured to connect the male connector 110 of the wiring 500, 600 of the cooling device 100.

[0067] In the present embodiment, the male and female connectors 902,904 are exemplary formed as having eight pins each. The eight pins correspond to the eight pins 508a, 508b, 512a, 512b, 516, 520a, 520b, 524a, 524b, 528a, 528b, 532a, 532b, 536a, 536b of the wiring 500, 600 according to FIGS. 5 and 6. The cable according to FIG. 9 can for example be used as an extension between different cooling devices 100 in order to connect the cooling devices 100 100 in series.

[0068] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of another cable 1000 of the cooling system 700 according to FIG. 7.

[0069] The cable 1000 according to FIG. 10 comprises a first connector 1002 that is configured to connect the one of the connectors 108, 110 of the wiring 106 of the cooling device 100, and two second connectors 1004a, 1004b configured to connect the other connector 110, 108 of the wiring 106 of the cooling device 100. In the present embodiment, the first connector 1002 is exemplary formed as a male connector having eight pins. The second connectors 1004a, 1004b are exemplary formed as a male connector having eight pins each. The eight pins correspond to the eight pins 508a, 508b, 512a, 512b, 516, 520a, 520b, 524a, 524b, 528a, 528b, 532a, 532b, 536a, 536b of the wiring 500, 600 according to FIGS. 5 and 6. The cable 1000 according to FIG. 10 can for example be used as a branch between two different series of cooling devices 100.

[0070] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a cable 1100 of the cooling system 700 according to FIG. 7.

[0071] The cable comprises a first connector 1102 that is configured to connect the one of the connectors of the wiring 106 of the cooling device 100. The cable further comprises a second connector 1104 that is configured to connect to a power supply, a third connector 1106 configured to connect to a control unit for controlling the lighting unit, and a forth connector 1108 configured to connect to a control unit for controlling the cooling device 100.

[0072] In the present embodiment, the first connector 1102 is exemplary formed as a male connector having eight pins. The eight pins of the first connector correspond to the eight pins 508a, 508b, 512a, 512b, 516, 520a, 520b, 524a, 524b, 528a, 528b, 532a, 532b, 536a, 536b of the wiring 500, 600 according to FIGS. 5 and 6. The second connector 1104 is exemplary formed as a SATA connector. The pins of the second connector 1104 correspond to the first, second, fifth, and seventh pins 508a, 508b, 512a, 512b, 524a, 524b, 532a, 532b of the wiring 500, 600 according to FIG. 5 and 6. In other words, first connector provides the connection to the power supply of the cooling device 100 and the power supply of the lighting unit.

[0073] The third connector 1106 is a female connector having a single pin connected to a wire of the cable 1100. The connected pin of the fourth connector 1106 corresponds to the sixth pin 528a, 528b of the wiring 500, 600 according to FIGS. 5 and 6. The fourth connector 1108 is a female connector having two pins connected to wires of the cable 1100. The two connected pins of the third connector 1106 correspond to the third and fourth pins 516, 520a, 520b of the wiring 500, 600 according to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0074] The cable according to FIG. 11 can for example be used to connect a cooling device 100 having the wiring 500, 600 according to FIGS. 5 and 6 to a mother board of a personal computer. Since the power supply is handled by a SATA connector, more electrical power can be supplied to the cooling devices 100 of the cooling system 700.

[0075] The proposed cooling system 700 may comprise any feasible number of the cooling devices 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The proposed cooling system 700 may further comprise any feasible number of cables described above with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11.

[0076] Identical or similarly acting elements are designated with the same reference signs in all Figures. As used herein the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Individual features of the embodiments and all combinations of individual features of the embodiments among each other as well as in combination with individual features or feature groups of the preceding description and/or claims are considered disclosed.