GB2474685A - Air conditioner control module - Google Patents

Air conditioner control module Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2474685A
GB2474685A GB0918600A GB0918600A GB2474685A GB 2474685 A GB2474685 A GB 2474685A GB 0918600 A GB0918600 A GB 0918600A GB 0918600 A GB0918600 A GB 0918600A GB 2474685 A GB2474685 A GB 2474685A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
pins
air conditioner
variable resistor
continuous variable
display device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0918600A
Other versions
GB0918600D0 (en
Inventor
Ming-Tsung Chiu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
New Widetech Industries Co Ltd
Original Assignee
New Widetech Industries Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by New Widetech Industries Co Ltd filed Critical New Widetech Industries Co Ltd
Priority to GB0918600A priority Critical patent/GB2474685A/en
Publication of GB0918600D0 publication Critical patent/GB0918600D0/en
Publication of GB2474685A publication Critical patent/GB2474685A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/88—Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/0008—Control or safety arrangements for air-humidification
    • F24F11/0012—
    • F24F11/0015—
    • F24F11/0086—
    • F24F11/02—
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/50—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
    • F24F11/52—Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/89—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
    • F24F2110/10—Temperature
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
    • F24F2110/20—Humidity
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
    • F24F13/20—Casings or covers
    • F24F2013/207—Casings or covers with control knobs; Mounting controlling members or control units therein

Abstract

An air conditioner control module comprises a control panel 10 and a circuit board 20 mounted on a rear of the control panel. The control panel has a plurality of buttons 13-15, a plurality of light holes 11, a display window 12 and a dial 16. The control circuit is mounted on the circuit board and is connected with a plurality of micro switches 23, a plurality of indicators 21, a display device 22 and a continuous variable resister 40. The micro switches, indicators and display device respectively correspond to the buttons, light holes and display window. The continuous variable resistor is connected with the dial. A dent 160 for a user's finger may be formed on an outer surface of the dial and located near an edge of the outer surface. The dial and the continuous variable resistor constitute a continuous dial for fine tuning temperature and humidity of an air conditioner and facilitate the operation of the air conditioner.

Description

I
AIR CONDITTONER CONTROL MODULE
I. Field of the invention
The present invention is related to on air conditioner control module, and more particularly to an air conditioner control module with fine tuning ftanction.
2. Description of the Related Art
Regardless of private space or public occasions air condItioners have become an indispensable commodity for all walks of life nowadays. Mast current air conditioners come with remote control for users to control the functions of air conditioners. As air conditioners tend to be mounted at a hiaber place where could be out of reach to users, remote control has its irreplaceable role to become the major operation intethce of air conditioners. The components of remote control associated with setup and adjustment of air cwiditioners contains nothing more than a display and multiple function bwtons. For eample, the setup of temperature or burnidity relics on an up button (increment) and a down button decrerncnt; to discreicly increase or decrease temperature readings respectively. Although using two independent buttons to respectively control temperature rise and temperature drop of air condItioners is fimctionally independent and straigfrforward, such benefit may not satisfy usen accustomed to a fine..tunin control interiSce with a dial In that sense1 a feasible solution addressing a more user-friendly operation interf?ace must be provided as an alternative to users.
An objective of the present Invention is to provide an air conditioner control module. The module employs a dial allowing users accustomed to continuous dial interface to adjust the temperature or humidity reading of an air conditioner.
Since the operation is continuous, the operation is more user-friendly and accurate.
To achieve the foregoing objective, the air conditioner control inoduic has a control panel at least one continuous variable resistor and a circuit board.
The control panel has a plurality of openings a plurality of buttons respectively mounted in the plurality of openings. a plurality of light holes a display window and at least one dial.
The at least one continuous variable resistor is mounted on a rear side of the control panel.
The circuit board is mounted on a rear side of the control panel and has a control circuit a plurality of micro switihes, a plurality ol' indicators and a display device.
The control circuit is electronically connected with at least one continuous variable resisinr. Each continuous variable resistor is connected to the corresponding dial on the control panel.
The plurality of micro switches respectively correspond in the buttons.
The plurality of indicators respectIvely coriespond to the light holes.
The display device corresponds to the dIsplay window.
As the dial interfbce fanned by combining the dial on the control panel arid the continuous variable resistor on the circuit board can be adopted to setup and control of the temperature ot humidity reading of an aIr condItioner, to users accustomed to continuous dial interfacec, the continuous dial interface Is more user-friendly and convenient in operation.
IN THE DRAWINGS a
rig. i is an exploded perspective view of san air conditioner control module in accordance with the present invention; and Figs. 2A 20 am a detailed circuit diagram of the air conditioner control module in accordance with the present inventIon.
With reference to PIg. L an air conditioner control module has a control panel t 10) and a circuit board (20).
The control panel (10) has a rectangularsheet body, a plurality of Light holes (11). at least one display wndow (12). plurality of openings. a plurality of buttons (13 to 15; and a dial (16).
light boles Ill) and the at least one display window (12) are respectively formed on the body of the control panelIlO), and are eIther hollowed out or covered with a transparent materIal. An arrangement of the light holes (11) and the al least one display window (12) on the body is changed according to different requirements. The openings are formed on the body. The buttons (13 to 15) are respectively mounted in the openings.
The dial (16) capable of pivotally rotating 360 degrees is mounted on the body of the control panel (10). The dial (16) has an outer eunice relatively larger than that of regular dials. The dial (16) can be toucbed and turned to rotate 360 degrees. The dial (16) fiuther has a dent (160) %rmed on the outer surface of the dial (16) and located near an edge of the outer surthoc. Therefore, the nscr4s finger touches the dent (160) to conveniently rotates the dial (16) in operation since a location of the dent (160) is distant fkcm a center of the dial (16).
The circuit board (20)is about the same size of the control panel (10) and us fixed on a rear side of the control panel (10). The circuit board has a control circuit (not shown, a feasible circuit solution thereof is described in details later), a plurabty olindicators (21), a display device (22), a plurality of micro switches (23) and a flexible flat cable connector (24).
The control circuit is rnuunted on the circuit board (20). The plurality of indicton (21), the display device (22). the plurality of micro swItches (23) and the flexible flat cable connector (24) are mounted on a surface of the conn'oL panel (10). and are electronically connected with the control circuit. The flexible flat cable connector (24) is timber connected to a flexible flat cable (30). The flexible fiat cable (30) has a plurality of tenninals One pa of tennmnals (31)ol' the flexible flat cable (30) are connected to a conunuous variable resistor (40;.
The other part of teuninals (32; are connected to a control device (SO) of an air conditioner.
When the circuit board (20) and the coutmuous variable resistor 40) are mounted to the rear side of the control panel (10). the indicators (21) respectively correspond to the light holes (11;, the display device (22) corresponds to the dbplay window (1 2, and the micro switches (23) respectively correspond to the butlons(l3ro 15)orithecoritrolpanel(lO).
The indicators (21) emit fight through the light holea (II) on the control panel (10). A screen of the display device (22) is exposed through the dibplay window (12). The micro switches (23) on the cIrcuit board (20) are triggered by pressing the correspondIng buttana (13 to 15) on the control panel (10).
Moreover the continuous variable resistor (40) connected to the control circuit on the circuit board (20) is a dial capable ofpivotally rotattng 360 degrees, and baa a pivot shaft (41) connected with the dial (16) on the control panel (10). $
When the dkd (16) is rotated, it synchronously drives the pivor shaft (41) to rotate therewith such that the contInuous variable resistor (40j generates potential variation continuously. The dial (16; and the contMuous variable resistor t40) are combined for users to flnetune1emperature and humidily of the air ocudidoner.
With reference to Figs 2A -2C a pre&rred embodIment of the connol circuit on the circuit board (20) is shown. The conirol circuit has a microprocessor (201) and a shift register (202). The microprocessor (201) is electronically connected with the flexible flat cable cmnector (24) through a plurality of pins (13, 14. 16, 17,20 to 22) and is further electronically xmnected with a control device o(thc air conditioner and the continuous variable resistor (both not shown) through the flexible fiat cable (not shown; to send out control signals for adjusting temperature or humidIty to the control device and receive potential variation from the continuous variable resistor.
The shift register (202) is electronically connected with pan of 10 pins (10, 11, IS; of the microprocessor (201) and multiple light-emitting diodes LEt) I to LED8 and the micro switches (23) for receiving switching signals of the mIcro switches (23). The microprocessor (201) turns on or olflhe light-emitting diodes LIlt) I to LEOX bused on these switching signals. The light-emitting diodes here are part of the indicators (21). Apturality o(piris (3110 42) of the microprocessor (201) are connected to the display device (22) through a bus to drive the display device (22).
The control circuit is collaborated with the buttons (13 to 15) and the dial (16) on the control panel and the continuous variable resistor (40) on the circuit board (20) to provide a user-friendly air conditioner operation interface.
When users touch any button 03) to (15) on the cc*mrol panel (10). the button (13; iv (15) triggers the corresponding micro switch (23) on the circuit board (20) tO issue a control command for executing a designated function. After receiving the control command, the microprocessor (201) issues the correspondtng control signal to the control device (50) of the air conditioner in completion of the executIon of the designated tIusction. Similarly, when users rotate the dial (16) on the control panel (10), the continuous variable resIstor t40 generates the corresponding potential variation to the microprocessor (201). The microproceSboT (201) convertS the potential variation to a corresponding reading value and drives the display device (22)10 display the reading value. At the time, the microprocessor outputs tbe control signal to the conirol device (50)). It is noted that the continuous varIable resistor (40) performs fine-tuning adjustment and the microprocessor (201) memorizes the potential variation outputted from the continuous varIable resistor (40). This mcans thst a specific reading value of temperature orhuniidity is set up when the pivot shaft (41) of the continuous variable resistor (40)ss rotated a certain degree clockwise or counter-clockwise.
The reading value Is displayed on the display device (22) and I.s memodzcd by the microprocessor (201). Regard'ess of' if the continuous variable resistor (40) changct3 a control option of the air conditioner including temperature, humidity and the like, the microprocessor (201) always drIves the display device (22) to dlbplay Last reading value previously set up for the control Qpnon when the saute control option it solected. For any subsequent setup ot' the control item, the mkroprocessor (201) can continuously increase or decrease the reading value of
F
the control item with repect to the last reading wherever the last value of the con irol item measured from the continuous variable resilnor j In sum. the air conditioner control module of the present invention adopts a fine-tuning dial for users lo set up temperature or humidity reading of the air conditioner in a coutmuously dialing üisbion, thereby providing a more user-friendly choice of the operation interface and making the operation more accurate arid convenient Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set limb in the foregoing description, together with details of the strucwre and fUnction of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only.
Changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape. size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the hill eflcut indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are espresaed. a

Claims (8)

  1. CLAIMS; 1. An air conditioner control module, comprising: a control panel (10) having a pluralIty of openings, a plurality of buttons (13 15) respectively mounted in the plurality of openings., a plurality orlight holes (11), a dIsplay window (12) and at least one dial (16'); at least one continuous variable resistor (40) mounted on a rear side ofthe control panel (10); and a circuit board (20) mounted on a rear side otthe control panel (10) and having a control circuit electronically connected with at least one continuous variable resistor (40), each continuous variable resistor (40) eonnected to the corresponding dial (141 on the control panel (10;: a plurality of micro switches (23) respectIvely corresponding to the buttons (13' 15); a pluralIty otintiicators (21) respectively corresponding to the light holes (11); and a display device (22) corresponding to the display window (12).
  2. 2. The air conditioner control module as claimed in claim 1, wherein each continuous variable resistor (40) has a pivot shaft 41) connected with the corresponding dial (16) on the control panel (10).
  3. 3. The air conditioner control module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the circuit board (20) (luther comprises: a flesible flat cable connector (24) eLectronically connected with the control circutt; andSa flexIble flat cable (30) connected to the flexible flat cable connector (24) and having two pan of tenninals, wherein one part of' the terminals (3D of the flexible tim cable (30) we connected to the continuous variable resistor (40) and the other part of the tenninals (32) adapted to connect with external devices.
  4. 4. The air conditioner control module as claimed in claim 3. wherein the control panel (10) has a rectangular sheet body; the light holes (11) and the display window (12) are hollowed out or coveTed with a transparent material; and adent(160) is Ibrinedonan outersnrticeofthedial(ló)and is tocatednear an edge of the outer surface.
  5. 5. The air condItioner control module as claImed in claim 1, wherein a microprocessor (201 has a plurality of pins having a first part of pins electronically connected to the at least one continuous anab1o rtsiator (40); a second part iñpins elecuonically connected to the indicatoN (21) and the micro switches (23 through a shift register (202); and a third part of pins electronically connected to the display device (22) through a bus to drive the display device (22).
  6. 6. The air conditioner control module as claimed irs claim 2. wherein a microprocessor (201) has a plurality of pins having a first part of pins electronically connected to the at Least one continuous variable resistor (40)z a second pan of pins eLecrromcafly connected to the indicators (2l and the micro switches (23) through a shift register (202); and a third part of pIns elecwonically connected to the display device 22) through a bus to drh'e the dIsplay device (22).
  7. 7. The air conditioner control module as claimed in claim 3. wherein a microprocessor (201) has a plurality of pins having a first part of pins electronically connected to the at lean one continuous variable resistor (40); a second part of pins electronically connected ro the indicators (21) and the micro switches (23) through a sluft register (202); and a third part of pins electronically connected to the display device (22) through a bus to drive the display device (22).
  8. S. The air conditIoner control module as claimed in claim 4. wherein a microprocessor (201) has a plurality of pins havIng a first part of pins electronically connected to the at least one continuous variable resistor (40); a second part of pins electronically connected to the indicators (21; and the micro switches (23; through a shift register (302) arid a third part of pins electronically connected to the display device (22) through a bus to drive the diplay device (22).
GB0918600A 2009-10-23 2009-10-23 Air conditioner control module Withdrawn GB2474685A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0918600A GB2474685A (en) 2009-10-23 2009-10-23 Air conditioner control module

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0918600A GB2474685A (en) 2009-10-23 2009-10-23 Air conditioner control module

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0918600D0 GB0918600D0 (en) 2009-12-09
GB2474685A true GB2474685A (en) 2011-04-27

Family

ID=41426595

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0918600A Withdrawn GB2474685A (en) 2009-10-23 2009-10-23 Air conditioner control module

Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2474685A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2896896A1 (en) * 2014-01-15 2015-07-22 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Electric component box and indoor unit of air conditioner

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1547538A (en) * 1976-05-20 1979-06-20 Wong G Electronic timer and thermoswitch device
US4316577A (en) * 1980-10-06 1982-02-23 Honeywell Inc. Energy saving thermostat
US20080135206A1 (en) * 2006-11-24 2008-06-12 Siemens Vdo Automotive Ltda. Interface device for climate control system for automotive vehicles, centralized vehicle system command combination, climate control system for automotive vehicles, and automotive vehicle

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1547538A (en) * 1976-05-20 1979-06-20 Wong G Electronic timer and thermoswitch device
US4316577A (en) * 1980-10-06 1982-02-23 Honeywell Inc. Energy saving thermostat
US20080135206A1 (en) * 2006-11-24 2008-06-12 Siemens Vdo Automotive Ltda. Interface device for climate control system for automotive vehicles, centralized vehicle system command combination, climate control system for automotive vehicles, and automotive vehicle

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2896896A1 (en) * 2014-01-15 2015-07-22 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Electric component box and indoor unit of air conditioner
US9674977B2 (en) 2014-01-15 2017-06-06 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Electric component box and indoor unit of air conditioner

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0918600D0 (en) 2009-12-09

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