Remote control for diagnostics of an air conditioner

• US 5,495,722 A
• Filed: 04/21/1994
• Issued: 03/05/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Glotzbach, Patrick J., Manson, Larry J., Paustian, John K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tanner, Harry B.
• Application Number:
  US08/230,963
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 62/125, 62/126, 62/127, 62/129, 62/130, 62/157, 62/158, 236/51, 236/94, 165/11.1, 340/825.16, 340/825.17, 340/825.36, 340/825.37
• US Class Current: 62/125
• 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 11/49 ensuring correct operation, e.g. by trial operation or configuration checks
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/76 by means responsive to temperature, e.g. bimetal springs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/77 by controlling the speed of ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/86 by controlling compressors within refrigeration or heat pump circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21099 Two independent interfaces, one for pc, other for remote monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24048 Remote test, monitoring, diagnostic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24167 Encryption, password, user access privileges
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25192 Infrared
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling operation of diagnostic test modes with a remote control for a room air conditioner. Program keys are selected and activated to allow a user to input a particular diagnostic test mode to the air conditioner. The user then monitors the actions of the room air conditioner to ensure that the room air conditioner successfully completes the selected diagnostic test. Two remote control units are utilized, one to operate the room air conditioner in a conventional way while a second remote unit transmits codes to cause the air conditioner to run a diagnostic test. The remote control units includes a microprocessor to accept and process the entered selections for the diagnostic tests.

Claims

1. An electronic control for use in operating a room air conditioner in a particular diagnostic test mode, said electronic control comprising:

a remote control unit adapted to be located remote from said room air conditioner, said remote control unit including;

input means for selecting the operational parameters of the particular diagnostic test mode of said room air conditioner and for generating selection signals;

processing means for processing said selection signals into a plurality of output signals, said output signals including an encoded sequence corresponding to the particular diagnostic test selected said room air conditioner operating according to said encoded sequence;

memory means for maintaining in memory said selection signals are operably associated with said processor means; and

first wireless communication means for sending said output signals; and

a room air conditioner control unit including

a second wireless communication means for receiving said output signals, and

switch means for controlling said room air conditioner in the particular diagnostic test mode selected, said switch means operatively connected to said second wireless communication means.

2. The electronic control of claim 1 wherein said first and said second wireless communication means respectively send and receive said output signal via an intermittent infrared beam.

3. The electronic control of claim 1 wherein said input means includes a plurality of keys, said keys enabling said processor means to load said selection signals into said memory means, said keys further enabling and disabling the particular diagnostic test mode selected.

4. The electronic control of claim 1 wherein said input means includes a plurality of keys, said keys enabling said processor means to load said selection signals into said memory means, said keys further enabling and disabling a plurality of diagnostic test modes in said room air conditioner control unit.

5. The electronic control of claim 1 wherein said processing means prevents two different diagnostic test mode selection sequences from being loaded into said memory means.

6. The electronic control of claim 1 wherein said processing processes selection signals to create an output signal to force a power on reset of said room air conditioner control unit and leave a diagnostic test mode.

7. An electronic control system for a room air conditioner, said electronic control system comprising:

a first remote control unit and a second remote control unit both adapted to be separately located remote from said room air conditioner, said each remote control unit including;

input means for selecting the operational parameters of said room air conditioner and for generating selection signals, said second remote control unit input means adapted to select operational parameters of particular diagnostic test modes for said room air conditioner;

processor for processing said selection signals into a plurality of output signals, said output signals including an encoded sequence corresponding to the desired operating parameters of said room air conditioner, said second remote control unit output signals additionally including an encoded sequence corresponding to the particular diagnostic test selected said room air conditioner operating according to said encoded sequence;

memory means for maintaining in memory said selection signals are operably associated with said processor means; and

a primary wireless communication means for sending said output signals; and

a room air conditioner control unit including

a secondary wireless communication means for receiving said output signals, and

switch means for controlling said room air conditioner in the particular diagnostic test mode and corresponding to the operational parameters selected, said switch means operatively connected to said secondary wireless communication means.

8. The remote control system of claim 7 wherein said processor within said secondary remote control unit prevents two diagnostic modes from operating at the same time.

9. The remote control system of claim 7 wherein said input means further includes a key to select a diagnostic test mode for the room air conditioner having a dry cycle which speeds up the dry cycle to permit a rapid check of the cycle regardless of time delays within an operational dry cycle.