KR20020096422A - Method and apparatus for testing in airconditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A self-diagnosis method and self-diagnosis apparatus for air conditioner is provided to allow air conditioner to perform self-diagnosis by using an internet network and inform the result to the user. CONSTITUTION: A self-diagnosis apparatus for air conditioner, comprises sensors(210,215) for sensing temperatures of each component of air conditioner; a controller(220) for judging whether the air conditioner is in a normal operation in accordance with the temperature detected by sensors, upon occurrence of request for self-diagnosis; an internet network(240) for transmitting the result of judgement of the controller over a world wide web service; and a dedicated web server(235) for displaying the result of self-diagnosis input through the internet network, over a world wide web service. The dedicated web server displays a service request link window over the world wide web service, upon detection of abnormality of product.

Description

Self-diagnosis method and apparatus of air conditioner {Method and apparatus for testing in airconditioner}

The present invention relates to a self-diagnostic method and apparatus for an air conditioner, and more particularly, to a self-diagnostic method and apparatus for an air conditioner that can be displayed on the web by inspecting the operating state of the air conditioner.

An air conditioner is an air conditioner that provides a comfortable environment for people and devices staying indoors by raising or lowering the room temperature to a user-set temperature. Among the air conditioners, cooling is usually used in summer when the temperature is high, and heating is used in winter when the temperature is low. Although such air conditioners are expensive products, the improvement of living standards and the development of electronic devices are provided not only in the company but also in most homes.

This air conditioner is equipped with a self-diagnosis function that can check the operating state of the product in the product itself. However, the self-diagnosis function of the conventional air conditioner consists only of the configuration which judges only the abnormality of the sensor provided in the product.

1 is a control diagram for a self-diagnosis of a conventional air conditioner, Figure 2 is a flow chart for the self-diagnosis in the conventional air conditioner.

The conventional configuration for self-diagnosis of the air conditioner is composed of a variety of sensors, the configuration is connected to the sensors to sense the abnormality of the sensor.

That is, sensors such as the indoor temperature sensor 10 for detecting the indoor temperature, and the indoor pipe temperature sensor 15 for detecting the indoor piping temperature. And a control unit 20 for inputting a sensing temperature of the indoor temperature detecting sensor 10 and a sensing temperature of the indoor piping temperature detecting sensor 15.

The control unit 20 controls to maintain an indoor temperature at a user set temperature based on the sensed temperatures of the sensors when performing air conditioning control according to the operation of the air conditioner. In addition, the controller 20 determines whether there is an abnormality of various sensors based on a signal sensed by the sensor when performing a function for self-diagnosis, and performs a control to display it on the display unit 25. do.

The display unit 25 outputs a message to inform the user under the control of the control unit 20.

The following describes the operation process for self-diagnosis in the conventional air conditioner.

Immediately after power is supplied to the product or when a self-diagnosis command for determining the abnormality of the product is input by the user's request, the control unit 20 determines whether there is an abnormality of various sensors installed in the product. 100 steps).

The step 100 is a process of determining an operating state of an indoor temperature sensor 10 for detecting an indoor temperature, an indoor pipe temperature sensor 15 for detecting an indoor pipe temperature, and the like. In this case, the controller 20 outputs an arbitrary signal to the indoor temperature sensor 10 and the indoor pipe temperature sensor 15, and determines whether the sensors are normally operated based on the input signal again. It will be possible.

As a result of the determination of step 100, the self-diagnosis operation of the product is terminated in the normal state of the sensors. However, when a sensor abnormality is detected, the display unit 25 controls the display of the sensor abnormality to notify the user (step 110).

In addition, if there are other sensors installed in the product, for example, if a sensor for detecting the outdoor temperature, a sensor for detecting the temperature of the compressor, etc. are installed, the presence or absence of these abnormalities are also determined in step 100 above. .

As described above, in performing the self-diagnosis function in the conventional air conditioner, only the normal operation of the sensors provided in the product is limited. In addition, the conventional air conditioner, it was possible to command to perform the self-diagnostic function only in the product itself.

Therefore, the self-diagnosis method of the conventional air conditioner has the following problems.

First, since the self-diagnosis function of the product can be performed only by using the self-diagnostic function key or the remote control key provided in the product itself, the self-diagnosis of the product has a problem that a user must be located near the product. If the user wants to perform self-diagnosis of the product from the outside, a problem arises that requires the help of another person in the vicinity of the product.

Second, the self-diagnosis of the conventional air conditioner should be satisfied to determine only the normal operation of the sensors provided in the product. Therefore, since it was impossible to determine the operation state of the cycle in the product using the sensors, it is difficult to find the problem and solution according to the abnormal operation of the product in the case of determining the normal operation of the sensors. there was.

Third, due to the dissatisfaction with the self-diagnosis process of the conventional air conditioner, the user must always use the service center in case of a product failure, and the user has to bear the expense and time consumption problem, thereby lowering the reliability of the product. Causing problems.

Therefore, in the present invention, in performing the self-diagnosis function of the air conditioner, in addition to the normal operation of the sensors to determine the abnormality of the cooling and heating cycle using the sensing temperature of the sensors.

In addition, the present invention proposes a device that can notify the user and the administrator by controlling the self-diagnostic function of the air conditioner using the Internet network that is currently being developed, and displaying the determination result on the web.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a self-diagnostic method and apparatus for an air conditioner capable of performing self-diagnosis and informing a user of a product using an internet network.

1 is a configuration diagram for the self-diagnosis of the conventional air conditioner,

2 is an operation flowchart for a self-diagnosis of a conventional air conditioner,

3 is a conceptual diagram for the self-diagnosis of the air conditioner according to the present invention,

4 is a detailed configuration diagram for the self-diagnosis of the air conditioner according to the present invention,

5 is an operation flowchart for self-diagnosis of the air conditioner according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10,210: Indoor temperature sensor 15,215: Indoor piping temperature sensor

20,220 control unit 25,225 display unit

230: Internet Controller 235: Dedicated Web Server

240: Internet network

Self-diagnosis apparatus for an air conditioner according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the sensing means for sensing various temperatures of the air conditioner; Judging means for judging whether or not the product is normally operated on the basis of the detection temperature of the sensing means, when performing the self-diagnosis of the product; Internet connection means for transmitting the check result of the determination means on the web; And a dedicated web server configured to display a self-diagnosis result of the product input through the internet connection means on the web.

The dedicated web server of the present invention is characterized by displaying a service request link window together when a problem occurs in the product.

The invention further comprises a display means provided in the product for displaying the self-diagnosis results determined by the determination means.

The Internet connection means of the present invention is characterized in that the Internet controller provided in the product.

The Internet connection means of the present invention is characterized in that the external device connected to the determination means and the signal line.

The determining means of the present invention is characterized by using a control device provided in the product.

The self-diagnosis request of the product of the present invention is performed through the dedicated web server.

The self-diagnosis request of the product of the present invention is characterized in that it is performed by key input in the product itself provided with the determining means.

In addition, the self-diagnostic method of the air conditioner according to the present invention, the sensing step for sensing various temperatures of the air conditioner; A determination step of determining whether the product is normally operated based on the temperature detected in the sensing step, when the self-diagnosis of the product is required; A delivery step of delivering the check result to a web; And displaying the self-diagnosis result of the product input through the Internet on the web.

The present invention is characterized in that in the display step, the service request link window is displayed together when an error occurs.

In addition, the present invention is configured to further include the step of displaying the inspection result on the display unit provided in the product.

Hereinafter, a self-diagnosis method and apparatus for an air conditioner according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a conceptual diagram for self-diagnosis of the air conditioner according to the present invention.

As shown, the Internet 240 is connected to the air conditioner 200 provided in each home and building 13. Therefore, the air conditioner 200 must have a configuration for connecting to the Internet. In addition, the Internet-only web server 235 includes a control program for self-diagnosis of the air conditioner 200 provided in each home 13, and includes an air conditioner provided in each home 13 through the Internet. Self-diagnosis of 200).

Figure 4 shows a detailed configuration for self-diagnosis of the air conditioner according to the concept of the present invention.

4 is a detailed configuration diagram for the self-diagnosis of the air conditioner according to the present invention.

The self-diagnostic apparatus of the air conditioner according to the present invention is characterized in that the self-diagnosis of the product through the Internet. Therefore, the self-diagnosis apparatus of the air conditioner according to the present invention includes not only the air conditioner configuration but also external devices connected through the Internet network.

Accordingly, the present invention includes a dedicated web server 235 which performs a self-diagnosis function of an air conditioner by a user request on a web or with a certain period. The dedicated web server 235 requests data necessary for the air conditioner side through the Internet, and displays the self-diagnosis result on the web.

If the dedicated web server 235 determines that the specific sensor of the air conditioner to be inspected is an error, the display unit provided with the air conditioner includes a method or a service center for repairing an error of the specific sensor and a sensor in error state. Control to display on In addition, the determination result is also displayed on the dedicated web server 235 so that the user can access the dedicated web server 235 to know the self-diagnosis result of the air conditioner.

Accordingly, the dedicated web server 235 may be a product seller who performs post-management of the sold air conditioner, or may be a separate manager having a specific contract state with the user. That is, the dedicated web server 235 provides a series of processes for self-diagnosis and display through the Internet at a predetermined period or user request under a certain contract with the user using the air conditioner.

In addition, the present invention includes an internet network 240 for performing data transmission between the air conditioner capable of internet connection and the dedicated web server 235.

And the air conditioner to which the self-diagnosis apparatus of the air conditioner according to the present invention is applied should be a product capable of internet connection. Thus, the air conditioner includes an internet controller 230 that enables an internet connection as shown in FIG.

The Internet controller 230 is responsible for transmitting the data received through the Internet to the controller 220 to be described later, or transmitting the data output from the controller 220 to the dedicated web server 235 side.

The controller 220 may be a main controller which controls the driving of the air conditioner as a whole, or a controller capable of obtaining necessary data from the main controller. The control unit 220 is configured to input a detection signal from the indoor temperature sensor 210 and the indoor pipe temperature sensor 215 for self-diagnosis of the air conditioner according to the present invention.

The present invention further includes a display unit 225 for displaying a result message according to the self-diagnosis of the air conditioner.

That is, in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the air conditioner product itself is provided with an Internet controller that enables the Internet connection.

However, as another embodiment, a configuration (for example, a personal computer) capable of connecting the dedicated web server and the Internet, a configuration (transmitter and receiver) enabling communication between the configuration (personal computer) and the product, and a signal transmission line It is also possible to apply the present invention to the present invention. That is, a personal computer performs internet communication with the web server, and the personal computer may also perform a self-diagnosis function of the product with the Internet according to the present invention by transmitting and receiving information necessary for the product through a signal transmission line. will be.

Next, the self-diagnosis operation process of the air conditioner according to the present invention having the above configuration will be described in detail.

5 is an operation flowchart for self-diagnosis of the air conditioner according to the present invention.

First, in order for the present invention to be applied, a product and an internet connection must be established. Or, it should be connected to the personal computer that can connect to the Internet by the signal line through wired or wireless, so that data can be transmitted and received. In the following description, for ease of understanding, as illustrated in FIG. 4, an example including a configuration for enabling an internet connection to the product itself will be described.

If the user requests the self-diagnosis function of the product through the dedicated web server 235 (step 300), the dedicated web server 235 is self-connected through the Internet network 240. Inform the product requiring diagnosis (hereinafter referred to as product 1) to perform the self-diagnosis function. In addition, when the user requests to perform the self-diagnosis function by using the self-diagnosis button provided in the product itself, this signal is transmitted to the dedicated web server 235 through the internet controller 230, and the dedicated web server 235. ) Then commands to perform the self-diagnostic function.

The product 1 receives and recognizes a signal according to a request for performing a self-diagnosis function transmitted from the dedicated web server 235 through the internet controller 230. That is, while the signal received from the Internet controller 230 is input to the control unit 220 in the product 1, the control unit 220 performs a self-diagnosis function of the product 1.

Accordingly, the control unit 220 in the product 1 checks the operation state of the various sensors connected to the product (step 303). The operation state check of the sensor may be determined by a process of comparing a signal input when the controller 220 outputs a signal to the sensor and when the signal is not output, and other known techniques may be used. will be.

In step 303, if any of the sensors connected to the product, the indoor temperature sensor 210, the indoor pipe temperature sensor 215, and the like is determined to be in an abnormal state, the controller 220 determines that the abnormal state is abnormal. Information of the detected sensor is transmitted to the dedicated web server 235 through the internet controller 230 and the internet network 240. In addition, the controller 220 controls the display unit 225 in the product 1 to display information about a sensor in which an abnormality is found.

The dedicated web server 235 displays information about a sensor on which an abnormality is found on the web. The self-diagnosis function is terminated (step 306). In this way, when the sensor information in which abnormalities are found on the web in step 306 is displayed, the user can access the web server 235 and check the self-diagnosis result of the product 1.

However, if it is determined in step 303 that all the sensors mounted on the product 1 are in a normal state, the controller 220 determines whether the heating / cooling cycle using the sensors is in normal operation. In the following process, the cooling cycle will be described as an example.

First, the control unit 220 determines whether the cooling operation state in step 309. Step 309 is performed because it is difficult to determine whether the cooling cycle is normally operated when the cooling operation state (the product 1 is in the operating state).

If it is determined in step 309 that the cooling operation state is not, the control unit 220 outputs a signal that the cooling operation is not performed. The signal is transmitted to a dedicated web server 235 through an internet controller 230 that is connected to an internet network. The dedicated web server 235 receives the signal and displays it on the web.

However, if it is determined in the step 309 that the cooling operation state, as a next step, it is determined whether a predetermined time (about 7 minutes) has elapsed (step 315). The predetermined time in the step 315 refers to the time to wait until the cooling cycle reaches the normal trajectory in consideration of the fact that the refrigerant on the cooling cycle does not normally operate immediately after the cooling operation is started.

If it is determined in step 309 that the cooling operation is in progress, and when the operation time of the cooling cycle in step 315 is not satisfied, the controller 220 determines that the cooling cycle has not reached the normal orbit, and the message accordingly Outputs The output signal of the controller 220 is output to the outside of the air conditioner through the Internet controller 230, and the signal is transmitted to the dedicated web server 235 through the Internet network 240. The dedicated web server 235 displays a message on the web that the current cooling cycle has not reached the normal track (step 318).

Next, after the condition of step 315 is satisfied and the cooling cycle reaches the normal orbit, the controller 220 reads the current indoor pipe temperature detected by the indoor pipe temperature sensor 215. In general, in the state in which the cooling cycle is normally driven and the cooling operation is normally operated, the indoor piping temperature is located in the range of about 4 ° C to 15 ° C.

Therefore, the controller 220 compares the temperature detected by the indoor pipe temperature sensor 215 with a predetermined temperature (-2 ° C.) (step 321), and determines that overcooling is performed when the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature. do. And outputs the super-cooling state to the dedicated web server 235 side.

The dedicated web server 235 displays the supercooling state transmitted from the product 1 on the dedicated web and displays the service request link window together (step 324).

That is, in step 324, the service request link window may be displayed to indicate that the user is in a supercooled state as a result of the self-diagnosis of the product 1, and at the same time, to help resolve the supercooled state. Will be displayed.

Next, when the indoor piping temperature is included in the normal range in step 321, the controller 220 reads the indoor temperature detected from the indoor temperature sensor 210.

The predetermined temperature which is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature (A ° C.), which is the upper limit of the temperature for determining the normal state of the cooling cycle (step 327), and the lower limit of the temperature that determines the normal state of the cooling cycle ( B ° C) or more (B ≤ detected room temperature ≤ A) (step 333), the controller 220 determines that the cooling cycle is in a normal state. And it outputs to the Internet that the cooling cycle is in a normal state and simultaneously displays on the display unit 225.

When the signal output from the product 1 is input to the dedicated web server 235, the dedicated web server 235 displays the message 'product 1 is performing normal cooling operation' on the dedicated web (step 339).

However, when the indoor temperature detected in step 327 is within a range above a predetermined temperature (A ° C.), which is an upper limit of the temperature for determining that the cooling cycle is in a normal state, the cooling state is determined to be weak. In addition, the cooling cycle is displayed in the display unit 225 while simultaneously outputting the weak state of the Internet.

When the signal output from the product 1 is input to the dedicated web server 235, the dedicated web server 235 displays a 'weak state of cooling' message on the dedicated web. Then, the service request window is displayed on the web (operation 330).

In addition, when the lower limit of the temperature for determining that the room temperature detected in the step 333 is the normal state of the cooling cycle is in the range of less than the predetermined temperature (B ℃), it is determined that the supercooled state. The controller 220 outputs a signal according to the supercooling state to the Internet and simultaneously displays it on the display unit 225.

When the signal output from the product 1 is input to the dedicated web server 235, the dedicated web server 235 displays a 'supercooled state' message on the dedicated web. Then, the service request window is displayed on the web (operation 336).

In this process, the self-operation diagnosis result of the product 1 displayed on the dedicated web under the control of the dedicated web server 235 and the corresponding service request link window are provided to the user. That is, the user can access the dedicated web server 235 to check the self-diagnosis result for the product 1, and it is possible to promptly apply for the service through the service request link window provided.

Therefore, the present invention includes a configuration that enables the Internet connection between the air conditioner and the dedicated web server, characterized in that to perform the self-diagnostic function of the air conditioner on the web provided by the dedicated web server. The configuration may be an internet controller provided inside the air conditioner, or may be a personal computer connected to the air conditioner by wire or wireless. Therefore, the user can perform self-diagnosis of the air conditioner through the dedicated web server from the outside.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that after performing the self-diagnostic function of the air conditioner, the result is displayed on the web. The service request link window according to the self-diagnosis result is displayed on the web. Therefore, the user can know the result of the self-diagnosis of the product from the outside, and it is possible to quickly know the service link window.

The present invention described above has the following effects.

First, in the self-diagnosis process in which the conventional simple sensor abnormality is displayed on the product, the present invention determines the overall operation state of the product operation by determining the abnormality of the cooling / heating cycle of the product based on the detected value of the sensor. There is a possible advantage.

Second, since the self-diagnosis of the product can be performed at any time and anywhere using the Internet network, the user has the advantage of performing the self-diagnosis of the product even when not using it for a long time or at a long distance and confirming the result.

Third, since the self-diagnosis result of the product and the corresponding service request link window are displayed on the web, the service can be requested directly at the same time as the occurrence of an error, and thus the user's convenience can be achieved.

Claims (11)

Sensing means for sensing various temperatures of the air conditioner; Judging means for judging whether or not the product is normally operated on the basis of the detection temperature of the sensing means, when performing the self-diagnosis of the product; Internet connection means for transmitting the check result of the determination means on the web; And And a dedicated web server configured to display a self-diagnosis result of a product input through the internet connection means on a web. The method of claim 1 wherein: The dedicated web server is a self-diagnosis device for an air conditioner, characterized in that when the product abnormality, the service request link window is displayed together. The method of claim 1 wherein: Self-diagnostic apparatus of the air conditioner further comprises a display means provided in the product for displaying the self-diagnosis results determined by the determination means. The method of claim 1; The internet connection means, the self-diagnosis apparatus of the air conditioner, characterized in that the Internet controller provided in the product. The method of claim 1 wherein: The internet connection means, the self-diagnosis apparatus of the air conditioner, characterized in that the external device connected to the determination means and the signal line. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The determination means is a self-diagnostic apparatus of the air conditioner, characterized in that using the control device provided in the product. The method of claim 6 wherein: Self-diagnosis of the product, the self-diagnostic apparatus of the air conditioner, characterized in that performed via the dedicated web server. The method of claim 6 wherein: Self-diagnosis request of the product, characterized in that the self-diagnosis apparatus of the air conditioner, characterized in that is performed by the key input in the product itself provided with the determining means. A sensing step for sensing various temperatures of the air conditioner; A determination step of determining whether the product is normally operated based on the temperature detected in the sensing step, when the self-diagnosis of the product is required; A delivery step of delivering the check result to a web; And Self-diagnosis method of the air conditioner comprising a step of displaying a self-diagnosis result of the product input through the Internet on the web. The method of claim 9 wherein: Self-diagnosis method of the air conditioner, characterized in that for displaying the service request link window when an error occurs. The method of claim 9 wherein: Self-diagnostic method of the air conditioner further comprises the step of displaying the check result on the display unit provided in the product.