AU2009100225A4

AU2009100225A4 - The O-zone Energy Efficient Air Conditioning Remote Control Unit

Info

Publication number: AU2009100225A4
Application number: AU2009100225A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Owen Scholes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-10
Filing date: 2009-03-10
Publication date: 2009-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 2017-03-10

Description

Australian Patents Act 1990 Complete Specifications Innovation Patent Energy Efficient Air Conditioning Remote Control Unit The invention is described in the following statement: - Energy Efficient Air Conditioning Remote Control Unit Concept: This invention is a universal remote control suitable for use with all brands of split system room air conditioners. It uses preset controls to reduce wasteful energy consumption, saving the operator money as well as making a positive impact on the environment by aiming to reduce household carbon emissions. Air conditioning systems can be a big consumer of energy in the home and at work. All air conditioners will have some sort of human interface which allows the operator to control the function of the air conditioner. Ducted systems generally have a wall mounted wired-in controller and split systems room air conditioners usually have a remote control that uses infra red signals to control the system. The Energy Efficient Air Conditioning Remote's aim is to reduce energy consumption of air conditioning by ensuring an efficient setting is selected by the user. A secondary aim of this invention is to educate the user about efficient air conditioner use, and the benefits of reducing their energy consumption, which include: 1. Reducing energy costs (a lower electricity bill); and 2. Reducing their carbon foot print (decreased emissions through efficient air conditioning use) Studies done by electricity supply companies have identified that the most comfortable and energy efficient settings to have your air conditioner set on is 25 Degrees Celsius in the cooling mode and 18 Degrees Celsius in the heating mode. This invention uses these identified temperatures as the preset values to efficiently control the air conditioning system. When the cooling function is selected, the remote signals the air conditioner to cool the room and to cycle the compressor out, when the room temperature is pulled down to 25 Degrees Celsius. When the heating function is selected, the remote will signal the air conditioner to reverse cycle (heating) and cycle the compressor out when it brings the room temperature up to 18 Degrees Celsius.

Energy Efficient Air Conditioning Remote Control Unit Whist operating on the cooling mode, if the ambient air temperature in the room goes down to 24 degrees the remote control will signal the air conditioner to turn off, as if the start/stop button has been pressed on the remote control. Similarly, if when operating in the heating mode and the ambient temperature of the room goes up to 19 Degrees Celsius, the remote control will signal the air conditioner to turn off. The remote will not signal for the air conditioner to come back on without an operator doing so. The remote will not engage when the room temperature is between 24 and 19 Degrees Celsius. This ensures the air conditioner cannot be turned on if the room air temperature is between these temperatures and no energy is wasted while the room is at a comfortable temperature. The Energy efficient remote control will also have two basic other functions associated with the control of split system room air conditioners: " Fan speed control; and " Louver swing/air direction control These two functions will able to be adjusted by the operator to suite there desired settings.

Energy Efficient Air Conditioning Remote Control Unit Design: The illustration below shows how the components inside the remote control unit work together to operate the air conditioner efficiently. LCD Operational Infra Red LED Display Transmitter Human Interface: Central On/ Off Processing Unit Cooling (CPU) / Heating Printed Circuit Board Fan speed &Louver Swing (Up/Down Left-Right) Temperature Battery Supply Air Conditioner Sensing Unit Brand Code Buttons Definitions: Infra Red Light Emitting Diode (LED) Transmitter - The Light Emitting Diode produces a light when an electric current is applied in a forward direction, in this case infra red light is used for the remote control signals which in turn control the air conditioning unit. Integrated Circuit / Printed Circuit Board - An Integrated Circuit is a miniaturized electronic circuit constructed of individual semiconductor devices. Together with other passive components and bonded to the Printed Circuit Board, it is the logic controller for the device. Temperature Sensing Unit -This will be a Silicon band gap temperature sensor which is a forward voltage silicon diode that is temperature dependent. This can be included in a silicon Integrated Circuit at low cost. Battery Supply - is a combination of one or more electrochemical galvanic cells which store chemical energy that can be converted into electric potential energy, creating electricity to enable the device to function. Human Interface - The Human Interface refers to the means by which people (the users) interact with the system (the device). Air Conditioner Brand Code Buttons - are the soft plastic buttons on the device which, through human interface, the user can enter air conditioner brand codes into the Integrated Circuit. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Operational Display - Liquid Crystal Display is an electronically-modulated thin, flat panel situated on the device, which is made up of a number of pixels filled with liquid crystals and arrayed in front of a reflector. It acts as a screen to identify to the user what functions are present for the device.

Energy Efficient Air Conditioning Remote Control Unit Process: Essential to the remote control's operation is being able to signal the air conditioning system. This is achieved by selecting the code for the brand of air conditioner to be controlled. By inputting the code that corresponds to the brand, the processing unit will select the correct signalling protocol to control the air conditioner. The codes will be available on the product packaging and product web site. It will be recommended for the consumer to keep record of this code in permanent marker on the remote control battery lid, as in some cases the code will need to be re-entered after battery replacement. The temperature sensing unit is exposed to the ambient temperature, and will have the sensor protruding from the house so that it is not affected by any heat generated by internal circuitry. Using an electrical connection, the Temperature Sensing Unit inputs the temperature into the processing unit so that it can display the ambient temperature on the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen, and signal the air conditioner to operate as pre programmed via the Infra Red Transmitter. The Human Interface is a series of soft plastic buttons also using an electrical connection on the printed circuit board. These signal the Integrated Circuit when pressed, and this in turn signals the air conditioner as pre programmed. A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is used to show the operator: 1. The status of operation; 2. The ambient air temperature; and 3. The remote status (identifying if the remote has signalled the air conditioner to turn off after the desired temperature of the room has been reached) The Transmitter on the remote control uses a light emitting diode (LED) to produce Infra Red Light signals that are used in most remote controls. The Processing Unit outputs onto a printed circuit and using an electrical connection from the battery, applies power to the diode to produce the Infra Red Light signal.

Energy Efficient Air Conditioning Remote Control Unit The LED will be slightly protruding from the top of the remote control, so when stored in the holster (which is attached to a wall in the same room as the air conditioner) it will have a line of sight with the receiver of the air conditioner. The energy efficient remote requires no alterations to the existing air conditioner, as it uses infra red signalling to the air conditioners receiver to select the desired operation. All of the components are powered by the battery power supply, via printed circuit board. None of the above mentioned electronic processes are new in design and universal remotes are readily available. However none provide the features of this remote design. This invention holds the innovative step of combining available technology to produce a new device, which can save consumers money and positively impact our environment through decreasing C02 emissions. Below is a preliminary drawing for basic appearance of the energy efficient remote, keeping in mind that the buttons to control the code selection of air conditioning system will be concealed under a fold out cover to prevent accidental operation.

Claims

1. An air conditioning remote control unit that uses preset warming and cooling temperatures to control the air conditioner and prevent its inefficient use.

2. An air conditioning remote control unit that automatically turns off the air conditioner when it is outside the preset cooling or warming temperatures and will not turn the air conditioner on again without user intervention.

3. An air conditioning remote control unit that will not allow the user to turn on the air conditioner if the ambient room temperature is between 24 and 19 Degree Celsius.

4. An air conditioning remote control unit that allows you to input the code of different brand air conditioners; with which it will then automatically select the signalling protocol that controls that specific air conditioner.

5. An air conditioning remote control unit that consists of an exposed temperature sensing unit that measures the rooms ambient temperature, a Liquid Crystal Display for visual information presentation and a Light Emitting Diode to produce infra-red signals to the air conditioner.