Method and apparatus for reducing the sound level of a microcomputer

A method of reducing the sound level of a microcomputer, the microcomputer including:

• at least one fan rotated by a fan motor, at least one component that gives off heat at a rate that varies as a function of the operating conditions of the at least one component, a power supply for electrically powering the fan motor, at least one first electric cable connecting the power supply to the fan motor either directly or via both a first connection element and a second connection element releasably engageable with the first connection element and connected to the fan motor;
• the method comprising the following steps:
• a) providing at least one unit of a first type including input and output contacts suitable for being connected in releasable and interposed manner either to the at least one first cable or between the first connection element and the second connection element and which includes:
• a first power supply modulator circuit controlled as a function of a first control signal so as to interrupt, establish, or modulate in selective manner the power supply to the fan motor via certain input contacts and output contacts of the at least one unit of the first type;
• and
• a first control circuit which is continuously powered by the power supply via the input contacts of the at least one unit of the first type, which receives, via at least one temperature signal cable, at least one temperature signal produced by at least one first temperature sensor situated at a certain distance from said at least one component that gives off heat, and which produces as an output said first control signal for controlling the first power supply modulator circuit so that the first control signal:
• either causes the fan motor to be powered when said at least one temperature signal is in a state indicative of excessive temperature and causes the power supply to the fan motor to be interrupted or reduced when said at least one temperature signal is in a state indicative of non-excessive temperature;
• or else modulates the power supply to the fan motor in application of a predetermined mathematical relationship as a function of the at least one temperature signal;
• b) connecting the at least one unit of the first type to the at least one first cable by sectioning it in full or in part, or connecting the at least one unit of the first type between the first and second connection elements;
• and
• c) placing in the microcomputer said at least one first temperature sensor for said at least one unit of the first type.