Apparatus and method for monitoring state information in trial run mode of multi-airconditioner

• US 7,735,328 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2005
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Chung, Baik Young, Kim, Kwang Woon, Oh, Jeong Eon, Chang, Se Dong
• Primary Examiner(s): Norman; Marc E
• Application Number:
  US11/249,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20060123808A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,705 Days
• Field of Search: 621/25, 621/27, 621/29, 621/99, 622/00, 236/51, 700/276
• US Class Current: 62/127
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/54 using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/005 of safety devices F25B49/02 and F25B49/04 take precedence

Abstract

An apparatus and method for monitoring state information in a trial run mode of a multi-airconditioning system in which a plurality of indoor units are controlled by only one outdoor unit is disclosed. The apparatus and method connects a dedicated controller to the outdoor unit in a trial run mode of the multi-airconditioning system, such that it controls the indoor units and monitors state information of the indoor and outdoor units. The apparatus includes a trial-run-mode controller and a control input & state display unit. The trial-run-mode controller connected to the outdoor unit includes a trial-run-mode program for automatically detecting poor installation of the multi-airconditioning system. The control input & state display unit is connected to the trial-run-mode controller, enters control signals capable of performing control and monitoring operations of the trial run mode executed after the multi-airconditioning system has been installed, and outputs information associated with the control signals.

Claims

1. A portable apparatus for monitoring state information in a trial run mode of a multi-airconditioning system in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to an outdoor unit, comprising:

a trial-run-mode controller having a trial-run-mode program for automatically detecting poor installation of the multi-airconditioning system, controlling to power up/down the indoor units at a remote site, and detecting temperature information of individual pipes contained in the outdoor unit and a device state of the outdoor unit, wherein the trial-run mode controller is configured to be easily connected to and disconnected from the outdoor unit; and

a control input &

state display unit which is connected to the trial-run-mode controller, enters control signals capable of performing control and monitoring operations of the trial run mode executed after the multi-airconditioning system has been installed, and outputs information associated with the control signals,

wherein the trial-run-mode controller includes a microprocessor for controlling the indoor and outdoor units, and monitoring the indoor and outdoor units;

an outdoor-unit connector configured to be easily connected to and disconnected from the outdoor unit; and

a computer connector configured to be easily connected to and disconnected from a computer acting as a terminal capable of entering the control signals and displaying operation states; and

wherein the trial-run-mode program is automatically performed after the trial-run-mode controller is connected to the outdoor unit and the control input &

state display unit.

2. The portable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outdoor unit is connected to a communication module connected to the trial-run-mode controller via the outdoor-unit connector, such that the communication module communicates with the trial-run-mode controller to control operations of the trial run mode and to display operation states of the outdoor unit.

3. The portable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor stores a program for establishing data communication between the outdoor unit and the computer interconnected via the connectors, such that it controls operations generated between the outdoor unit and the computer, and displays operation states generated between the outdoor unit and the computer.

4. The portable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trial-run-mode controller stores operation variable values of the multi-airconditioning system during the trial run mode, and stores information indicative of an abnormal installation part.

5. The portable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor stores operation variable values of the multi-airconditioning system during the trial run mode, and stores/outputs information indicative of an abnormal installation part.