KR100207997B1 - Refrigerator test function operating device and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for performing a test function of a refrigerator, which improves the convenience of the refrigerator test function by allowing a test function of the refrigerator to be performed without a separate test jig for an operator's cumbersome operation or test function. will be.

The apparatus for performing a test function of the refrigerator according to the present invention includes a control device incorporating a microcomputer and performs a test function of the refrigerator to perform a test function such as a predetermined forced starting function, a forced defrost function, and a test release function. An input unit having a first input means for providing a signal for the normal operation of the refrigerator to the control device and a second input means for providing a signal for the test function of the refrigerator to the control device, The input unit is installed in a separate case that is easy to operate, and the control device is forced to start the refrigerator when receiving a signal from the second input means of the input unit and receiving a signal of a specific key provided in the operation panel of the refrigerator. To perform a forced defrost function and a release function, and from the first input means of the input unit. When you receive a call, type and characterized in that the normal operation ever carried out,

The method of performing a test function of a refrigerator according to the present invention is a method of performing a test function of a refrigerator having an input means for selecting a normal operation and a test function operation and a control means for controlling the operation of the refrigerator. A selection step of selecting any one operation; A first step of performing normal operation when normal operation is selected in the selection step; A second step of performing a forced start when a test function operation is selected in the selection step and a signal of a predetermined specific key provided in an operation panel unit of the refrigerator is input once; A third step of performing forced defrost if the signal of the specific key is input again when the forced start is performed in the second step; And a fourth step of releasing the test function of the refrigerator and performing a normal operation when the signal of the specific key is input again while the forced defrost is being performed in the third step.

Description

Apparatus and method for performing test function of refrigerator

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for performing a test function of a refrigerator, and more particularly, a refrigerator test function by allowing a test function of a refrigerator to be performed without a separate test jig for an operator's cumbersome operation or test function. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for performing a test function of a refrigerator having improved convenience.

In general, the recent refrigerators are to be able to perform a test function for the test and process inspection of the control device and the product. The test function of the refrigerator is configured to perform a self-diagnosis function by turning on the power again after selecting a predetermined test button provided for the test function to confirm the function of the product. Here, the test button may be provided on a printed circuit board of the refrigerator control apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 1 (No. 12 of FIG. 1), and a separate test jig for performing a test function. It may be provided in the (20) (reference numeral 22 of FIG. 1), in the case of using the test button 22 provided in the test jig 20, the connector 15 and the coupling connector withdrawn from the control device 10 The connector 25 for connection drawn out from the jig 20 must be coupled, and in the case of using the test button 12 provided on the printed circuit board, the case (not shown) of the control device 10 needs to be opened. There is.

The test function of the refrigerator as described above includes a forced start function, a forced defrost function, a test release mode, and the like. That is, when the test button 12 provided on the printed circuit board of the control device 10 or the test button 22 provided on the test jig 20 is selected once, the forced start function is performed, and the control device 10 is then performed. The compressor 30 immediately operates without a delay time. When the forced start function is selected by one-time selection of the test button 12 or 22, the freezer and refrigerator compartment temperature controllers (NOTCH; hereinafter referred to as notches) are selected from steel and steel, and the compressor 30 And the freezer compartment 40 is pull-down (PULL-DOWN), the refrigerator compartment fan 45 is controlled by the notch in the steel. During forced start, the pull-down function is only maintained for 24 hours, after which the freezer and refrigerator compartments are automatically defrosted and operated normally. The release of the forced start is achieved by turning on again after the power off or by the test release mode described later. At forced start, the alarm sound continues until the forced start is completed and continues regardless of the selection or release of the alarm key. In the forced defrost function, pressing the test button 12 or 22 once in the forced start state performs the cold storage forced defrost. In this state, if the test button 12 or 22 is selected once more, the defrosting of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber is performed. If forced defrost is entered, forced start is automatically canceled and normal function is performed after completion of defrost. Forced defrost is of course achieved by the defrost heater (50). In addition, the test release mode returns to the normal operation state by pressing the test button 12 or 22 one more time during the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment forced defrosting. The alarm stops when the test is released.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the test function of the refrigerator is achieved by a test function program embedded in the microcomputer 14 of the control device 10 when the test button 12 or 22 is selected.

However, when performing the test function of the refrigerator as described above, by removing the cover of the control device and operating a test button provided on the printed circuit board therein, a high signal is applied to the test port of the microcomputer of the control device. Or by connecting a separate test jig to the control device and operating a test button provided in the test jig, there is a problem in that a high signal must be input to the test port of the microcomputer of the control device. In addition, in the conventional refrigerator, there is a problem of preparing a separate test jig provided with a test button in order to perform a test function, and a problem in which an operator manually manipulates the test button to perform the test function. Therefore, in order to perform the test function in the conventional refrigerator, the production cost of the test jig is required, and at the same time, there is a problem in that a work time for performing the test function is required. In addition, when an abnormality occurs in the test jig, there is a cumbersome problem in that the test function is re-executed by the new test jig.

1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an apparatus for performing a test function of a conventional refrigerator;

2 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for performing a test function of a refrigerator according to the present invention;

3 is a flowchart of a test function performing method of a refrigerator according to the present invention;

Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

100: controller 140: microcomputer

200: switching input switch 210: normal operation input terminal

220: test function input terminal 230: common terminal

300: operation panel unit K1: power freezing key

The present invention has been created to solve the above problems, it is possible to perform the test function of the refrigerator without a separate test jig for the operator's cumbersome operation or test function convenience of the test function of the refrigerator An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for performing an improved test function of a refrigerator.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to use a separate input switch member and a conventional refrigerator operation panel key for applying a normal operation signal and a test function signal to the microcomputer of the refrigerator control apparatus storing the test function program of the refrigerator. It is to improve the convenience of the refrigerator by achieving the test function of the refrigerator.

Apparatus for performing a test function of a refrigerator according to the present invention to achieve the above object,

In the apparatus for performing a test function of a refrigerator including a control device incorporating a microcomputer, and performing a test function such as a predetermined forced start function, forced defrost function, and test release function,

And an input unit including first input means for providing a signal for a normal operation of the refrigerator to the control device and second input means for providing a signal for a test function of the refrigerator to the control device.

The input unit is installed in a separate case for easy operation,

The control device is configured to perform a forced start, a forced defrost function and a release function of the refrigerator when receiving a signal from the second input means of the input unit and receiving a signal of a specific key provided in the operation panel of the refrigerator. When the signal is received from the first input means of the feature is characterized in that the normal operation to perform.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for performing a test function of the refrigerator of the present invention, the specific key provided in the operation panel unit may be a power freezing key or a power refrigeration key.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for performing a test function of the refrigerator of the present invention, the control device is forced if the signal of the specific key is input once while the signal is input from the second input means of the input unit to the control device. If the signal of the specific key is input again while the forced start is being performed, the control device performs forced defrost, and the signal of the specific key is executed in the state where the forced defrost is being performed. When input again, the control device releases the test function to perform normal operation.

In addition, the method for performing a test function of the refrigerator according to the present invention implemented by the present invention,

In the method of performing the test function of the refrigerator having an input means for selecting the normal operation and the test function operation,

A selection step of selecting any one of the normal operation and the test function operation;

A first step of performing normal operation when normal operation is selected in the selection step;

A second step of performing a forced start when a test function operation is selected in the selection step and a signal of a predetermined specific key provided in an operation panel unit of the refrigerator is input once;

A third step of performing forced defrost if the signal of the specific key is input again when the forced start is performed in the second step;

And a fourth step of releasing the test function of the refrigerator and performing normal operation when the signal of the specific key is input again while the forced defrost is being performed in the third step.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the refrigerator test function performing apparatus and method according to the present invention. For convenience of description, the same reference numerals are used for constituent members that have the same function as those used in the prior art.

An apparatus and method for performing a refrigerator test function according to the present invention can improve the convenience of a test function of a refrigerator by allowing a test function of a refrigerator to be performed without a separate test jig for an operator's cumbersome operation or test function. As such, the apparatus of the present invention provides a normal operation input terminal 210 for providing a signal (or high signal) for the normal operation of the refrigerator to the control device 100 including the microcomputer 140 as shown in FIG. 2. And an input switch 200 having a test function input terminal 220 for providing a signal (or a high signal) for the test function of the refrigerator to the control device 100 and installed in a separate case (not shown). do. Here, although not shown, the input switch 200 may be installed in a separate case independently of the inside or outside of the refrigerator, which may be easily operated by an operator, for example, a process inspector or a product tester and an A / S worker. Shall be installed. The common terminal 230 of the input switch 200 is connected to the power supply Vcc of the refrigerator through the resistor R, and must be connected to any one terminal of the normal operation input terminal 210 or the test function input terminal 220. do. In addition, the control device 100 including the microcomputer 140 receives a signal from the test function input terminal 220 of the input switch 200, for example, a specific key provided in the operation panel unit 300 of the refrigerator, for example. When the signal of the power freezing key K1 is input, each load of the refrigerator, for example, the compressor 30, the fan 40, 45, and the defrost heater, performs the forced start, forced defrost and release functions of the refrigerator. 50), the control device 100 also controls the refrigerator load so that the normal operation of the refrigerator is performed when a signal is input from the normal operation input terminal 210. More specifically, when the signal of the power freezing key K1 is input once while the high signal is being input from the test function input terminal 22 to the control device 100, the control device 100 is forced to start. When the refrigerator load is controlled to be performed and the signal of the power freezing key K1 is input again while the forced start is being performed, the control device 100 controls the refrigerator load to perform forced defrosting. When the signal of the power freezing key K1 is input again in the state of being performed, the control device 100 releases the test function of the refrigerator and controls the refrigerator load to perform normal operation.

In FIG. 2, the front operation panel of the refrigerator shown by reference numeral 300 includes a power freezing key K1, a power refrigerating key K2, a refrigerating temperature key K3, and various keys Kn. As a specific key, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the power freezing key K1 may be replaced with the power refrigerating key K2, the refrigerating temperature key K3, and various keys Kn. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 400 denotes a display unit having an LED (L) indicating various operating states of the refrigerator.

In addition, the method of performing the test function of the refrigerator according to the present invention implemented by the apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 3, during normal operation and test function operation through the operation of the input switch 200. A selection step (S10) (S15) of selecting one operation; A first step (S20) of performing normal operation if normal operation is selected in step S10; When the test function operation is selected in step S15 and a signal of a predetermined specific key, for example, the power freezing key K1 provided in the operation panel unit 300 of the refrigerator is input to the control device 100 of FIG. 2 once. The control device 100 includes a second step (S20) (S22) of controlling the load of the refrigerator to perform forced starting; If the signal of the power freezing key K1 is input to the control device 100 again when the forced start is being performed in step S22, the control device 100 controls the refrigerator load to perform forced defrosting (S30). (S32); When forced defrosting is performed in step S32, if the signal of the power freezing key K1 is input to the control device 100 again, the control device 100 releases the test function of the refrigerator and loads the refrigerator so that normal operation is performed. Fourth step (S40) (S42) (S44) of controlling and simultaneously erasing the number of pressing of the power freezing key K1 stored in the storage device (not shown) of the microcomputer 140 of the control device 100. It is made, including. The reason for erasing the number of presses of the power freezing key K1 stored in the memory device at step S44 is to be performed from the forced start during the newly started test function.

In the method of the present invention, if the signal of the power freezing key K1 is not inputted to the control device 100 during the forced start of step S22, the forced start is terminated in the same manner as in the conventional case and then returned to normal operation. Controlling the load of the refrigerator and then erasing the number of presses of the power freezing key K1 stored in the storage device of the microcomputer 140 is preferably further included (S34) (S36).

In the method of the present invention, if the signal of the power freezing key K1 is not input to the control device 100 during the forced braking of step S32, the forced braking is terminated in the same manner as in the conventional case, and then the test function is released. Controlling the refrigerator load to return to normal operation, and then eliminating the number of presses of the power freezing key K1 stored in the storage device of the microcomputer 140 (S46) (S48). .

An apparatus and a method of performing a test function of the refrigerator of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

First, since the input switch 200 of the present invention is connected to the two input terminals (Port) of the microcomputer 140 of the control device 100 as shown in Figure 2, the input switch 200 is operated When the high signal (Vcc signal) is applied to the input port of the microcomputer 140, the microcomputer 140 performs a test function of the refrigerator according to the flowchart algorithm of FIG. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the program according to the flowchart algorithm of FIG. 3 should be stored in the memory device of the microcomputer 140.

2 and 3, when the initial power is applied to the refrigerator, the microcomputer 140 of the control device 100 is one of the normal operation input terminal 210 and the test function input terminal 220 of the input switch 200. Determine which input terminal the high signal is applied to. If a high signal is applied from the normal operation input terminal 210, the control apparatus 100 operates the refrigerator normally (S10). In addition, when the input switch 200 is switched and a high signal is applied from the test function input terminal 220, the control apparatus 100 switches the refrigerator to the test mode (S15), and the test mode operates the front of the refrigerator. It is achieved by a specific key provided in the panel 300, for example, the power freezing key K1. That is, the power freezing key K1 is input to the control device 100 by operating the power freezing key K1 once while the high signal is being input from the test function input terminal 220 to the control device 100. If it is (S20), the control device 100 enters the refrigerator load into a forced start state (S22). When the forced start is performed, when the operation signal of the power freezing key K1 is input to the control device 100 again, that is, the microcomputer 140 of the control device 100 is connected to the power freezing key K1. When it is determined that the operation signal is input twice, the control apparatus 100 controls the compressor 30, the fans 40, 45, the defrost heater 50, and the like, which are the loads of the refrigerator to perform forced defrosting (S30). (S32).

When the forced defrosting is being performed as described above, if the operation signal of the power freezing key K1 is input again, that is, the microcomputer 140 of the control device 100 receives the operation signal of the power freezing key K1. When it is determined that the input is performed three times in total, the control device 100 releases the test function of the refrigerator and controls the refrigerator load so that normal operation is performed, and at the same time, the storage device of the microcomputer 140 of the control device 100 (not shown). ), The number of presses of the power freezing key K1 stored in the control unit is erased (S40) (S42) (S44). The test function of the refrigerator, which is newly started by erasing the number of presses of the power freezing key K1 stored in the memory device of the microcomputer 140, that is, the number of inputs of the power freezing key K1, starts from the forced start as described above. Will be done.

If the operation signal of the power freezing key K1 is not input to the control device 100 at the time of forced start S22, the control device 100 ends the forced start in the same manner as in the conventional case, as shown. After controlling the refrigerator load to return to normal operation, the number of times of pressing of the power freezing key K1 stored in the storage device of the microcomputer 140 is erased (S34) (S36). In addition, when the signal of the power freezing key K1 is not input to the control device 100 at the time of forced braking (S32), the control device 100 terminates the forced braking in the same manner as in the conventional case and then performs a test function. The refrigerator load is controlled to release and return to normal operation, and then the number of presses of the power freezing key K1 stored in the storage device of the microcomputer 140 is erased (S46) (S48).

Thus, according to the present invention, a simple operation of the switching input switch 200 connected to the control device 100 of the refrigerator including the microcomputer 140 storing the test function program, and the front operation panel of the refrigerator. The test function of the refrigerator is conveniently and easily achieved by simple operation of the specific key provided in the 300.

As described above, the apparatus for performing a test function of the refrigerator according to the present invention and a method thereof allow the test function of the refrigerator to be performed without a separate test jig for an operator's troublesome operation or test function. It offers the advantage of improving the convenience.

On the other hand, the test function performing apparatus and method of the refrigerator according to the present invention as described above is not limited to the above embodiment can be carried out by adding a number of manufacturing modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (6)

In the apparatus for performing a test function of a refrigerator including a control device incorporating a microcomputer, and performing a test function such as a predetermined forced start function, forced defrost function, and test release function, And an input unit including first input means for providing a signal for a normal operation of the refrigerator to the control device and second input means for providing a signal for a test function of the refrigerator to the control device. The input unit is installed in a separate case for easy operation, The control device is configured to perform a forced start, a forced defrost function and a release function of the refrigerator when receiving a signal from the second input means of the input unit and receiving a signal of a specific key provided in the operation panel of the refrigerator. When receiving a signal from the first input means of performing the test function of the refrigerator, characterized in that to perform a normal operation. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the specific key provided in the operation panel unit is a power freezing key. The control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the signal of the specific key is input once in a state in which a signal is input from the second input means of the input unit to the control apparatus, the control apparatus performs forced start. When the signal of the specific key is input again while the forced start is being performed, the control device causes forced defrosting. When the signal of the specific key is input again while the forced defrost is being performed, the control device The test function performing apparatus of the refrigerator, characterized in that to release the test function to perform normal operation. In the method of performing a test function of a refrigerator having an input means for selecting a normal operation and a test function operation and a control means for controlling the operation of the refrigerator, A selection step of selecting any one of the normal operation and the test function operation; A first step of performing normal operation when normal operation is selected in the selection step; A second step of performing a forced start when a test function operation is selected in the selection step and a signal of a predetermined specific key provided in an operation panel unit of the refrigerator is input once; A third step of performing forced defrost if the signal of the specific key is input again when the forced start is performed in the second step; And a fourth step of releasing the test function of the refrigerator and performing normal operation when the signal of the specific key is input again while the forced defrost is being performed in the third step. How to do this. The method of claim 4, wherein if the signal of the specific key is not input to the control means again during the forced start of the second step, the forced start is terminated, and the refrigerator is returned to normal operation and stored in the control means. And a step of erasing the number of pressing of the specific key. The method of claim 4, wherein if the signal of the specific key is not input to the control means again during the forced braking of the third step, the forced braking is terminated and the refrigerator test function is released to return the refrigerator to normal operation. And erasing the number of presses of the specific key stored in the control means.

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