US20140182313A1

US20140182313A1 - Process control of temperature and humidity for electrical appliances

Info

Publication number: US20140182313A1
Application number: US14/136,807
Authority: US
Inventors: Neomar Giacomini; João Eduardo Santana Borges
Original assignee: Whirlpool SA
Current assignee: Whirlpool SA
Priority date: 2012-12-21
Filing date: 2013-12-20
Publication date: 2014-07-03
Also published as: BR102012032976A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of operating electrical appliances, specifically for air conditioner, which aims to limit the maximum temperature of an environment as well as its minimum humidity level, thus providing greater local comfort and better health conditions when compared with those already known in the art. The invention is characterized by the fact that at least one control unit comprises a function for limiting the maximum temperature cooperating with at least one temperature sensor, and said maximum temperature limit function automatically activates the appliance compressor when the temperature sensor detects the maximum adjusted temperature. It is also characterized by the fact that at least one control unit comprises a minimum humidity limit function cooperating with at least one humidity sensor, and said minimum humidity limit function automatically activates the appliance humidifier when the humidity sensor detects the minimum adjusted humidity.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of operating electrical appliances, specifically for air conditioner, which aims to limit the maximum temperature of an environment as well as its minimum humidity level, thus providing greater local comfort and better health conditions when compared with those already known in the art.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As it is known in the art, the air conditioner has the function of cooling the environmental air by an exchanging process, i.e., the appliance captures the air, cools it, and then gives it back into the environment. The humidifiers serve to humidify the environment and, thus, improving air quality, helping in the control of respiratory problems, improving the environment for plants, pets, among others.
Normally, considering that the temperature cooling provided by air conditioners leaves a too dry air, some equipment available today combine these two functions of cooling and humidifying the air simultaneously, or implementing each of these functions independently.
It occurs, however, that in general the air conditioning appliances operate according to the user-defined target temperatures during its use, so that when this temperature is off the target temperature, the compressor and evaporator appliance are activated and inactivated according to the control algorithms already known, so as to maintain the environmental temperature closest to the target temperature as possible. However, no known air conditioner appliance operates according to a maximum environmental temperature, i.e., aiming not only to maintain the adjusted target temperature, but avoiding the occurrence of higher temperatures than those appropriate in order to ensure the environmental comfort, even when the equipment was previously turned off.
In this regard, it is clear that the common variation between low temperatures provided by the appliance and high temperatures eventually reached when the equipment is turned off, causes a thermal expansion and constriction in the local furniture and may cause cracks and therefore disorders. Furthermore, the high temperatures also affect the comfort of pets eventually present in this place, and may cause premature ripening of fruits and other products.
Similarly, it is known that humidity low levels leave the air extremely dry, and may cause cracks in furniture, and in some foods, skin dryness and fruit dryness, in addition to causing respiratory problems for both humans and animals eventually residents and/or attenders of the place.
In trying to solve the problem of air dryness caused by the use of air conditioners, it was developed an appliance that combines the function of air conditioner and humidifier without, however, having a solution to the problem of temperatures that reach a value above those considered suitable for the environment or that provide automatic control of both local temperature and humidity.
It is noted, however, that the current state of the art lacks of solutions for air conditioning appliances that, in addition to combining the functions of conditioning and humidification, still perform, in an automatic and effective manner, the local temperature and humidity control.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an objective of this invention to provide a process of temperature and humidity control for electrical appliances that automatically functions whenever is detected an environmental temperature value above a suitable predefined value.
Additionally, it is amongst other objectives of the present invention to provide a process of temperature and humidity control for electrical appliances that automatically functions whenever is detected a humidity value below a suitable adjusted minimum value.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a process able to monitor local conditions and automatically activates on detecting inadequate temperature and humidity patterns, even if the electrical appliance is turned off.
Furthermore, the invention is aimed to achieve above objectives without, however, requiring the installation of components additional to those used in similar known appliances, which are: compressor, control unit, condenser, evaporator, humidifier, humidity sensor and temperature sensor, among others.
Therefore, it is one of the objectives of the invention to provide a process of temperature and humidity control for electrical appliances that, only through an amendment of operational routine, is able to monitor and control the air temperature and humidity in an environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objectives are achieved through a process of temperature and humidity control for electrical appliances, specifically for air conditioners, which comprises at least one control unit cooperating with a fan, a compressor and a temperature sensor, wherein, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one control unit comprises a maximum temperature limit function cooperating with at least one temperature sensor, and said maximum temperature limit function automatically activates the appliance compressor when the sensor temperature detects the maximum adjusted temperature.
Preferably, also, at least one temperature sensor and said limit function maximum temperature remain constantly active, even when the appliance is in “off” condition and, therefore, the maximum temperature limit function activates the appliance compressor even if the electrical appliance is in “off” condition.
This procedure, therefore, is characterized by the fact that the maximum temperature limit function comprises a temperature hysteresis.
It should be clarified that said process of temperature control comprises the following steps:

- the user logs in at least one control unit, the maximum acceptable temperature for the environment;
- at least one temperature sensor constantly performs the monitoring of the environment temperature, and at this stage, if the appliance considers it necessary, it may be performed the connection of the ventilation system aiming to equalize possible environmental temperature unbalances, thus ensuring an assertive average temperature measurement;
- if the temperature sensor identifies that the environmental temperature is equal to or greater than the maximum adjusted temperature, the maximum temperature limit function sends an information to at least one control unit for activating the appliance compressor for X minutes;
- it is verified if the temperature hysteresis was satisfied, and if so, the appliance is turned off, and if not, a new verification of the environmental temperature is made with respect to the maximum allowable temperature.

The objectives are also achieved through a process of humidity control for electrical appliances, specifically for air conditioners, which comprises at least one control unit cooperating with a fan, a compressor, a humidifier, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one control unit comprises a minimum humidity limit function cooperating with at least one humidity sensor, and said limiting minimal humidity function automatically activates the appliance humidifier when the humidity sensor detects the minimum adjusted humidity.
It should be clarified that at least one humidity sensor and said minimal humidity limit function remain constantly active, even when the appliance is in “off” condition and therefore the minimum humidity limit function activates the appliance humidifier even if the electrical appliance is in “off” condition.
Preferably, within this process, the minimal humidity limit function comprises a humidity hysteresis and additionally, said process comprises the following steps:

- the user logs in at least one control unit, the minimum acceptable humidity for the environment;
- at least one humidity sensor constantly performs the monitoring of the environment humidity, and at this stage, if the appliance considers it necessary, it may be performed the connection of the ventilation system aiming to equalize possible environmental humidity unbalances, thus ensuring an assertive average humidity measurement;
- if the humidity sensor identifies that the environmental humidity is equal to or lesser than the minimum adjusted humidity, the minimum humidity limit function sends an information to at least one control unit for activating the appliance humidifier;
- it is verified if the humidity hysteresis was satisfied, and if so, the appliance is turned off, and if not, a new verification of the environmental humidity is made with respect to the minimum allowable humidity.

It should be emphasized that the invention also relates to a process of simultaneous temperature and humidity control for electrical appliances, carried out according to the characteristics of the individual control process described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described in detail based on the figures shown below, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a flowchart representing the operation of a temperature control used in an air conditioner of the current state of the art;

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart representing the operation logistics of the process of temperature control for electrical appliance, which is an object of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a representative flowchart of an appliance operation of the current state of the art that simultaneously performs the functions of air conditioner and humidifier; and

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart representing the operation logistics of the process of humidity control for electrical appliance, which is an object of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention will be described below in more detail, but merely in an illustrative and not limitative manner, since the appliance disclosed herein may comprise different details and dimensional and structural aspects without thereby not being encompassed by the desired scope of protection.
The present invention relates to a process of temperature and humidity control for electrical appliances.
Concerning the process of environmental temperature control, it is specifically intended for use in air conditioners comprising a control unit responsible for managing the operation of a fan and a compressor, acting also according to the readings obtained by a temperature sensor, wherein said control unit includes an upper temperature limit function which is directly linked to the temperature sensor of the appliance.
Therefore, this function is programmed to act whenever the temperature sensor identifies that the environmental temperature is equal to or greater than a reference value which can be adjusted by the user or a factory setting, in a value or a range of predefined values.
Accordingly, in the process of temperature control, object of the present invention, said maximum temperature limit function automatically activates the appliance compressor when the temperature sensor detects the maximum adjusted temperature, thereby activating the cooling function of the appliance in order to reduce the temperature and thus maintaining at a suitable level for the environment, according to the user preferences or local needs.
Therefore, it is important to highlight that the electrical appliance that uses the process of this invention, both the temperature sensor and the maximum temperature limit function remain constantly active, whether the appliance is turned on, whether it is in “off” or standby mode. That makes the environmental temperature control be constant, and the necessary actions, to maintain the temperature at a value lower than the limited one, are performed independently of human actions and equipment activation.
It is also important to emphasize that the maximum temperature limit function of said process of temperature control comprises temperature hysteresis, i.e., comprises means for maintaining the temperature within a range of acceptable values without human intervention, thus resulting in an automatic, efficient and practical process.
Thus, the process of temperature control comprises the following steps:

- initially, the user determines the maximum acceptable temperature to the environment in which the appliance is installed, recording such value through the control unit;
- having the maximum temperature been parameterized, the temperature sensor constantly performs the monitoring of the environmental temperature;
- if the temperature sensor identifies that the environmental temperature is equal to or greater than the maximum adjusted temperature, the maximum temperature limit function sends an information to the control unit for activating the appliance compressor for X minutes, so that the cooling system is activated and the local temperature starts to drop, then falling outside the range of inadequate value. It should be clarified that the time X may vary as needed;
- then it is verified if the hysteresis temperature was satisfied. If so, the appliance is turned off, and if not, a new verification of the environmental temperature is made with respect to the maximum allowable temperature.

Similarly, the process described above can be used to perform the environmental humidity control, especially in air conditioners which additionally comprise the humidifier function—i.e., those provided with a control unit cooperating with a fan, a compressor, a humidifier, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor.
In this case, the control unit comprises a minimum humidity limit function cooperating with at least one humidity sensor, and said limiting minimal humidity function automatically activates the appliance humidifier when the humidity sensor detects the minimum adjusted humidity.
Also, in this process, the humidity sensor and the minimal humidity limit function remain constantly active, even when the electrical appliance is in “off” condition, so that even if the electrical appliance is off, its humidifier will be activated if the humidity level detected is equal to or lesser than the value defined by the user or the factory.
Therefore, said minimal humidity limit function of said control process comprises hysteresis humidity.
Note that it is possible that the same equipment air conditioner has both functions of control, i.e., temperature and humidity without thereby departing from the scope of the desired protection.
It is also important to note that the above description has as sole purpose of describing, in exemplary manner, some preferred embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, it becomes clear that a person skilled in the art understands that various modifications, variations and constructive combinations of the elements that perform the same function substantially in the same manner to achieve the same results, are still within the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Process of temperature control for electrical appliances, specifically for air conditioners, which comprises at least one control unit cooperating with a fan, a compressor and a temperature sensor, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that at least one control unit comprises a maximum temperature limit function cooperating with at least one temperature sensor, and the said maximum temperature limit function automatically activates the appliance compressor when the temperature sensor detects a maximum adjusted temperature.

2. Process according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the at least one temperature sensor and the maximum temperature limit function remain constantly active, even when the appliance is in “off” condition.

3. Process according to claims 1 and 2, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the maximum temperature limit function activates the compressor even if the electrical appliance is in “off” condition.

4. Process according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the maximum temperature limit function comprises a temperature hysteresis.

5. Process according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises the following steps:

the user logs in at least one control unit, the maximum acceptable temperature for the environment;

at least one temperature sensor constantly performs the monitoring of the environment temperature, and at this stage, if the appliance considers it necessary, it may be performed the connection of the ventilation system aiming to equalize possible environmental temperature unbalances, thus ensuring an assertive average temperature measurement;

if the temperature sensor identifies that the environmental temperature is equal to or greater than the maximum adjusted temperature, the maximum temperature limit function sends an information to at least one control unit for activating the appliance compressor for X minutes;

it is verified if the temperature hysteresis was satisfied, and if so, the appliance is turned off, and if not, a new verification of the environmental temperature is made with respect to the maximum allowable temperature.

6. Process of humidity control for electrical appliances, specifically for air conditioners, which comprises at least one control unit cooperating with a fan, a compressor, a humidifier, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that at least one control unit comprises a minimum humidity limit function cooperating with at least one humidity sensor, and said minimal humidity limit function automatically activates the appliance humidifier when the humidity sensor detects the minimum pre-determined humidity.

7. Process according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the at least one sensor and said minimum humidity limit function remain constantly active, even when the appliance is in “off” condition.

8. Process according to claims 6 and 7, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the minimum humidity limit function activates the humidifier even if the electrical appliance is in “off” condition.

9. Process according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the minimum humidity limit function comprises a humidity hysteresis.

10. Process according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises the following steps:

the user logs in at least one control unit, the minimum acceptable humidity for the environment;

at least one humidity sensor constantly performs the monitoring of the environment humidity, and at this stage, if the appliance considers it necessary, it may be performed the connection of the ventilation system aiming to equalize possible environmental humidity unbalances, thus ensuring an assertive average humidity measurement;

if the humidity sensor identifies that the environmental humidity is equal to or lesser than the minimum adjusted humidity, the minimum humidity limit function sends an information to at least one control unit for activating the appliance humidifier;

it is verified if the humidity hysteresis was satisfied, and if so, the appliance is turned off, and if not, a new verification of the environmental humidity is made with respect to the minimum allowable humidity.

11. Process of temperature and humidity control for electrical appliances, specifically for air conditioners, which comprises at least one control unit cooperating with a fan, a compressor, a humidifier, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, CHARACTERIZED by the fact of being accomplished according to appended claims 1 to 6.