U.S. patent application number 11/907145 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-10 for performance testing system and method for air conditioner.
This patent application is currently assigned to DAEWOO ELECTRONICS Corporation. Invention is credited to Kil Hong Song.
Application Number | 20080083233 11/907145 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39273984 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080083233 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Song; Kil Hong |
April 10, 2008 |
Performance testing system and method for air conditioner
Abstract
A system for conducting performance tests of an air conditioner
by operation modes, the system includes a test loader for loading
an air conditioner to be tested; and a control unit for switching
an operation mode of the air conditioner loaded on the test loader
in order of cooling and heating operation modes at a preset lowest
operating frequency and cooling and heating operation modes at a
preset rated operating frequency, and executing the switched
operation mode. Further, the system for conducting performance
tests of an air conditioner by operation modes includes a checking
unit for checking the existence of a malfunction in preset
performances whenever each of the operation modes is executed; and
a warning unit for visually and acoustically warning the check
result on the existence of a malfunction in each of the operation
modes.
Inventors: |
Song; Kil Hong; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BACON & THOMAS, PLLC
625 SLATERS LANE, FOURTH FLOOR
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
DAEWOO ELECTRONICS
Corporation
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
39273984 |
Appl. No.: |
11/907145 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/127 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 49/005
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/127 |
International
Class: |
F25B 49/02 20060101
F25B049/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 10, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0098209 |
Claims
1. A system for conducting performance tests of an air conditioner
by operation modes, the system comprising: a test loader for
loading an air conditioner to be tested; a control unit for
switching the operation modes in order of cooling and heating
operation modes at a lowest operating frequency and cooling and
heating operation modes at a rated operating frequency to execute
the switched operation modes; a checking unit for checking the
existence of a malfunction in preset performances whenever each of
the operation modes is executed; and a warning unit for warning the
check result on the existence of a malfunction in each of the
operation modes.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a display unit for
displaying, on a monitor, the check results as final performance
test results.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the warning unit includes: an LED
for visually displaying the check result on the existence of a
malfunction in each of the operation modes; and a speaker for
acoustically warning the check result on the existence of a
malfunction in each of the operation modes.
4. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the preset
performances include at least one of vibration level, noise level,
existence of compression defects, switching state of a four-way
valve, and normal operational states of sensors.
5. A method for conducting performance tests of an air conditioner
by operation modes, the method comprising the steps of: loading the
air conditioner to be tested on a test loader; operating the air
conditioner in a cooling operation mode at a preset lowest
operating frequency; performing a first check on the existence of a
malfunction in preset performances during the cooling operation for
a specified period time; switching the air conditioner to a heating
operation mode after the first check is executed for a specified
period of time; operating the air conditioner in the heating
operating mode at the preset lowest operating frequency to conduct
a second check on the existence of a malfunction in preset
performances; switching the air conditioner to a cooling operation
mode after the second check is executed for a specified amount of
time, and operating the air conditioner at a preset rated operating
frequency; carrying out a third check on the existence of a
malfunction in preset performances during the cooling operation at
the preset rated operating frequency; switching the air conditioner
to a heating operation mode after the third check is executed for a
specified period of time; operating the air conditioner at the
preset rated operating frequency to conduct a fourth check on the
existence of a malfunction in preset performances; and giving
warnings every time the occurrence of a malfunction is detected
during the first through the fourth tests.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of:
accumulating check results from the first through the fourth
checks; and displaying, on a monitor, the accumulated check results
as final performance test results.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the include blinking LED light
and outputting intermittent speaker sounds.
8. The method of any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising the
step of: giving visual and acoustic warnings when the performance
tests on the air conditioner are completed.
9. The method of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the preset
performances include at least one of vibration level, noise level,
existence of compression defects, switching state of a four-way
valve, and normal operational states of sensors.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a performance testing
technique for an air conditioner, and more specifically, to a
performance testing system and method for an air conditioner, which
are suitable for executing performance tests of the air conditioner
during both cooling and heating operations at high speed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] As well-known in the art, a typical air conditioner has a
structure as shown in FIG. 1 as one example.
[0003] Referring to FIG. 1, the typical air conditioner is largely
divided into an outdoor unit 110 and an indoor unit 120. The
outdoor unit 110 is constituted by a compressor 111, a four-way
valve 112, an outdoor heat exchanger 113, an electronic expansion
valve (EEV) 114, an accumulator 115, an outdoor fan 116, and so
forth. The indoor unit 120 is constituted by an indoor heat
exchanger 121, an indoor fan 123, and so forth.
[0004] During a cooling operation of the typical air conditioner
with the structure mentioned above, a high temperature, high
pressure gaseous refrigerant compressed in the compressor 111 is
introduced, via the four-way valve 112, into the outdoor heat
exchanger 113 that functions as a condenser. This high-pressure
gaseous refrigerant undergoes heat exchange, through the outdoor
heat exchanger 113, with outdoor air of outdoor temperature which
is lower than the refrigerant temperature, to be condensed to a
high pressure state. Here, the outdoor fan 116 is driven by an
outdoor fan motor (not shown), and serves to forcibly ventilate the
outdoor air.
[0005] As the high-pressure condensed gaseous refrigerant passes
through the EEV 114, it turns to low temperature, low pressure
liquid refrigerant by throttling, and is conveyed to the indoor
heat exchanger 121 of the indoor unit 120. Here, the indoor fan 123
is driven by an indoor fan motor (not shown), and serves to
forcibly ventilate the indoor air.
[0006] Next, the refrigerant in a liquid state is evaporated
through heat exchange with indoor air at the indoor heat exchanger
121 functioning as an evaporator. After evaporation, the low
temperature, low pressure gaseous refrigerant flows back to the
outdoor unit 110 along a circulation line, in which it passes
through the four-way valve 112 and is introduced again into the
compressor 111 via the accumulator 115. Here, the accumulator 115
serves to completely change the refrigerant being introduced into
the compressor 111 into gas.
[0007] Moreover, during a heating operation of the typical air
conditioner with the structure stated above, the refrigerant flow
direction at the four-way valve 112 is reversed, so the refrigerant
flows in opposite direction from the refrigerant flow during the
cooling operation set forth above. At this time, since the indoor
heat exchanger 121 functions as a condenser differently from the
cooling operation, warm air is circulated again into the indoor
environment by the indoor fan 123. That is, the refrigerant flow
during the heating operation of the air conditioner follows the
circulation line, such as, the compressor 111->the four-way
valve 112->the indoor heat exchanger 121->the EEV 114->the
outdoor heat exchanger 113->the four-way valve 112->the
accumulator 115->the compressor 111.
[0008] Meanwhile, in terms of the reliability of a finished
product, it is necessary for an air conditioner operating by the
refrigerant circulation line described above to undergo various
types of performance test (inspection) in the cooling and heating
operations.
[0009] Here, examples of air conditioner performance test include
vibration level and noise level during the cooling and heating
operations, existence of compression defects, switching state of
the four-way valve during switching between the cooling and heating
operations, normal operational states of various sensors therein,
normal operational state of a pressure switch, and so on.
[0010] For the above-stated performance tests, in the conventional
test method, an engineer (or worker) manually operated an air
conditioner to be tested by operation modes (that is, cooling and
heating operations at the lowest operating frequency, and cooling
and heating operations at rated operating frequency), and then
tested the performance of the air conditioner by using various
equipments (vibration sensor, noise sensor, oscilloscope, and the
like).
[0011] In other words, in accordance with the conventional method,
the engineer conducts performance testing on an air conditioner
through a series of processes as follows. First of all, the
engineer sets the operation mode of the air conditioner to a
cooling operation mode to test a variety of performances at the
lowest operating frequency. And then, the engineer manually
switches the operation mode to a heating operation mode, and
repeats the performance testing at the lowest operating frequency.
Next, the engineer sets the air conditioner to a cooling operation
mode to test a variety of performances at the rated operating
frequency. Lastly, the engineer manually switches the operation
mode to a heating operation mode, and repeats the performance
testing at the rated operating frequency.
[0012] In the conventional performance test method, however, since
the engineer has to manually operate the operation modes of the air
conditioner in sequence to conduct a variety of performance tests,
such a performance testing was a tedious and time consuming task.
These problems eventually led to a reduction in productivity of air
conditioners.
[0013] Moreover, because various kinds of performance tests were
done manually by the engineer, the degree of accuracy of the
performance test results is questionable. Such a problem acts as
another factor that decreases the reliability of a finished
product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention
to provide a performance testing system and method for an air
conditioner, which are capable of automatically executing
performance tests of the air conditioner in each operation
mode.
[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
performance testing system and method for an air conditioner, which
are capable of automatically conducting performance tests of the
air conditioner in each operation mode and automatically offering
performance test results by operation modes in visible and acoustic
alarms.
[0016] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a system for conducting performance tests of an
air conditioner by operation modes, the system including: a test
loader for loading an air conditioner to be tested; a control unit
for switching an operation mode of the air conditioner loaded on
the test loader in order of cooling and heating operation modes at
a preset lowest operating frequency and cooling and heating
operation modes at a preset rated operating frequency, and
executing the switched operation mode; a checking unit for checking
the existence of a malfunction in preset performances whenever each
of the operation modes is executed; and a warning unit for visually
and acoustically warning the check result on the existence of a
malfunction in each of the operation modes.
[0017] It is preferable that the system further include a display
unit for accumulating check results on the existence of a
malfunction in each of the operation modes, and displaying, on a
monitor, the accumulated check results as final performance test
results.
[0018] Further, it is preferable that the warning unit includes: an
LED for visually displaying the check result on the existence of a
malfunction in each of the operation modes; and a speaker for
acoustically warning the check result on the existence of a
malfunction in each of the operation modes.
[0019] Further, it is also preferable that the various kinds of
preset performances include at least one of vibration level, noise
level, existence of compression defects, switching state of the
four-way valve, and normal operational states of sensors.
[0020] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a method for conducting performance tests of an
air conditioner by operation modes, the method including the steps
of: loading an air conditioner to be tested on a test loader;
operating the air conditioner in a cooling operation mode at a
preset lowest operating frequency in response to a test mode start
operation; performing a first check on the existence of a
malfunction in preset performances during the cooling operation at
the preset lowest operating frequency; automatically switching the
air conditioner to a heating operation mode after the first check
is executed for a specified amount of time, and operating the air
conditioner at the preset lowest operating frequency; conducting a
second check on the existence of a malfunction in preset
performances during the heating operation at the preset lowest
operating frequency; automatically switching the air conditioner to
a cooling operation mode after the second check is executed for a
specified amount of time, and operating the air conditioner at a
preset rated operating frequency; carrying out a third check on the
existence of a malfunction in preset performances during the
cooling operation at the preset rated operating frequency;
automatically switching the air conditioner to a heating operation
mode after the third check is executed for a specified amount of
time, and operating the air conditioner at the preset rated
operating frequency; performing a fourth check on the existence of
a malfunction in preset performances during the heating operation
at the preset rated operating frequency; and giving visual and
acoustic warnings every time the occurrence of a malfunction is
detected during the first through the fourth tests.
[0021] It is preferable that the method for conducting performance
tests of an air conditioner by operation modes further includes the
step of: accumulating check results from the first through the
fourth checks and displaying, on a monitor, the accumulated check
results as final performance test results.
[0022] Further, it is preferable that the visual and acoustic
warnings include blinking LED light and outputting intermittent
speaker sounds.
[0023] Further, it is preferable that the method for conducting
performance tests of an air conditioner by operation modes further
include the step of: giving visual and acoustic warnings when the
performance tests on the air conditioner are completed.
[0024] Further, it is also preferable that the various kinds of
preset performances include at least one of vibration level, noise
level, existence of compression defects, switching state of the
four-way valve, and normal operational states of sensors.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The above and other objects and features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following description of
preferred embodiments, given in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 shows an overall structural view of a typical air
conditioner system;
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a
performance testing system for an air conditioner in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0028] FIGS. 3A and 3B are flowcharts for describing a performance
testing method for an air conditioner in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0030] As will be described below, in accordance with the present
invention, an air conditioner is mounted on a test loader capable
of conducting performance tests by operation modes, which are
automatically switched in order of a cooling operation mode at a
preset lowest operating frequency, a heating operation mode at a
preset lowest operating frequency, a cooling operation mode at a
preset rated operating frequency, and a heating operation mode at a
preset rated operating frequency, and performance test results in
each operation mode are given in visible and acoustic alarms
whenever performance testing in each operation mode is finished,
unlike the above-mentioned conventional performance testing method
in which an engineer manually conducts performance tests in each
operation mode by switching the operation mode of an air
conditioner. Using this technical unit makes it easier to
accomplish the objects of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a
performance testing system for an air conditioner in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. The inventive
performance testing system includes an operating block 202, a
control block 204, a test loader 206, a vibration sensor 210, a
noise sensor 212, a monitor 214, a speaker 216, and a display
218.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, the operating block 202 is constituted
by a plurality of operation keys used for various operation
controls of the testing system. It functions to generate a test
execution signal for executing test modes in accordance with the
invention in response to user operation, and transfer the signal to
the control block 204.
[0033] Next, the control block 204 includes a microprocessor, for
example, performing the overall operational control of the testing
system. When the test execution signal is inputted from the
operating block 202 with an air conditioner 208 being mounted
(loaded) on the test loader 206, the control block 204 controls the
operation of the air conditioner 208. That is, the control block
204 provides an execution control function for each operation mode,
in which the air conditioner is set to a cooling operation mode and
is running at a preset lowest operating frequency for a specified
amount of time; switches to a heating operation mode to run at a
preset lowest operating frequency for a specified amount of time;
switches to a cooling operation mode to run at a preset rated
operating frequency for a specified amount of time; and switches to
a heating operation mode to run at a preset rated operating
frequency for a specified amount of time.
[0034] Here, the operation mode at a lowest frequency stands for an
operation mode that executes a start control and a normal control,
under conditions where the operating frequency of a compressor is
fixed to a lowest frequency (e.g., 30 Hz), the pulse value of an
electronic expansion valve is set to a value calculated based on
cooling/heating load amount, an indoor fan is at low state, and an
outdoor fan is set to 650 RPM. In addition, the operation mode at a
rated frequency represents an operation mode that executes a start
control and a normal control, under conditions where the operating
frequency of the compressor is fixed to a rated frequency (e.g., 56
Hz), the pulse value of the electronic expansion valve is set to a
value calculated based on cooling/heating load amount, the indoor
fan is at high state, and the outdoor fan is set to 650 RPM.
[0035] The control block 204 provides a variety of functions such
as checking whether a kind of preset performances are normal or
abnormal based on sensing signals generated by the vibration and
the noise sensors 210 and 212 and an output signal from the air
conditioner 208 loaded on the test loader 206 every time each
operation mode (that is, a cooling operation mode at the lowest
operating frequency, a heating operation mode at the lowest
operating frequency, a cooling operation mode at the rated
operating frequency, and a heating operation mode at the rated
operating frequency) is executed. Here, examples of the kind of
preset performance tests include, for example, vibration level,
noise level, existence of compression defects, switching state of
the four-way valve, normal operational states of sensors, and so
on.
[0036] Moreover, when a malfunction is detected in any performance
during the procedure of performance testing in each operation mode,
the control block 204 offers the function of generating a guidance
message and a control signal for giving visible and acoustic
alarms, and then sending them to the monitor 214, the speaker 216,
and the display 218.
[0037] The test loader 206 is for loading the air conditioner 208
to be tested. The air conditioner 208 loaded on such a test loader
206 performs such functions as power ON/OFF, operation mode
execution, operation mode switching, etc., in response to various
control signals provided from the control block 204, and generates
an output signal, a four-way valve switching state signal, a sensor
operating signal, and the like, and transfers them to the control
block 204 when various operation modes are executed.
[0038] On the other hand, although not shown in detail in FIG. 2,
it may be of course configured in a manner that the air conditioner
208 is automatically loaded on the test loader 206 in a conveyor
loading way, and is unloaded to outside in a conveyor unloading way
after performance testing is finished.
[0039] The vibration and the noise sensors 210 and 212 sense
vibration and noise in the air conditioner 208 loaded on the test
loader 206, respectively, when the air conditioner 208 is running
in various operation modes (that is, a cooling operation mode at
the lowest operating frequency, a heating operation mode at the
lowest operating frequency, a cooling operation mode at the rated
operating frequency, and a heating operation mode at the rated
operating frequency). The vibration and noise signals sensed by the
sensors are then sent to the control block 204.
[0040] The monitor 214 displays a warning message provided from the
control block 204 when an abnormal performance is detected in any
of the operation modes. When performance testing on the air
conditioner 208 is over, the speaker 216 gives performance test
results in an acoustic alarm in response to an acoustic alarm
control signal provided from the control block 204. The display 218
can be constituted by an LED and the like to give performance test
results in a visible alarm in response to a visible alarm control
signal provided form the control block 204.
[0041] For example, when all performances of an air conditioner are
in normal state, the speaker 216 may generate a prolonged "beep"
sound once, and the display 218 may be lighted (indicating good
quality of the air conditioner). On the other hand, when any type
of malfunction is detected in the air conditioner, the speaker 216
may generate short intermittent sounds like "beep, beep, beep . . .
", and the display 218 may blink (warning a defect in the air
conditioner).
[0042] If performance tests in all operation modes have been
finished, the control bock 204 generates performance test result
values (e.g., test result values in the shape of graph) by
operation modes, and transfers the same to the monitor 214.
Consequently, if there is any malfunction in the air conditioner,
an engineer (or worker) can easily learn what part or which
function has a problem, simply by looking at the performance test
result values that are displayed on the monitor 214.
[0043] In short, the testing system of the invention can conduct
performance testing in an automatic manner by automatically
switching the operation mode of an air conditioner to be tested on
the test loader at fixed time intervals in response to the test
execution operation by the engineer, and gives the performance test
results in each operation mode both visually and acoustically.
Therefore, the inventive testing system can remarkably reduce the
time spent in performance testing on an air conditioner and enhance
the reliability of performance tests, compared with the
conventional testing system.
[0044] Now, a stepwise procedure of the automatic, high-speed
performance testing on an air conditioner in accordance with the
invention will be described through the use of the testing system
with the constitution set forth above.
[0045] FIGS. 3A to 3B is a flowchart for describing a performance
testing method for an air conditioner in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3B, when the air conditioner 208 to
be tested is loaded on the test loader 206 of the testing system at
step S302, the control block 204 checks at step S304 whether a
testing mode execution signal according to user operation is
inputted from the operating block 202.
[0047] In result of the checking in step S304, if the testing mode
execution signal is inputted, the control block 204 sets the
operation mode of the air conditioner to a cooling operation at the
lowest operating frequency, and executes the operation at step
S306. At this time, the operation mode at the lowest frequency
includes a start control and a normal control.
[0048] For instance, the start control and the normal control in
the cooling operation mode at the lowest frequency are executed
under conditions where the operating frequency of a compressor is
fixed to a lowest frequency (e.g., 30 Hz), the pulse value of an
electronic expansion valve is set to a value calculated based on
cooling/heating load amounts, an indoor fan is at low state, and an
outdoor fan is set to 650 RPM.
[0049] When the air conditioner 208 is running in the cooling
operation mode at the lowest operating frequency as described
above, the vibration sensor 210 and the noise sensor 212 provide a
sensed vibration signal and a sensed noise signal to the control
block 204, respectively. Also, an output signal, a four-way valve
switching state check signal, and signals indicating operational
states of the sensors are provided from the air conditioner 208 to
the control block 204.
[0050] In response, the control block 204 compares the sensed
vibration signal and the sensed noise signal with a threshold
vibration level value and a threshold noise level value that are
preset and stored in an internal memory, respectively, to detect
whether degrees of vibration and noise exceed the preset threshold
values. Moreover, the control block 204 decides, based on the
output signal, the four-way valve switching state check signal and
the signals indicating operational states of the sensors from the
air conditioner 208, whether there are compression defects, whether
switching state of the four-way valve is abnormal, whether various
sensors (e.g., a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, etc.) are
operated normally, and so forth. In other words, the control block
204 checks at step S308 if there is any malfunction in the cooling
operation mode at the lowest operating frequency.
[0051] In result of the checking in step S308, if there is no
problem in every performance testing item, the procedure goes to
step S314, in which the control block 204 switches the operation
mode of the air conditioner 208 to a heating operation so that the
air conditioner 208 may operate in a heating operation mode at the
lowest operating frequency.
[0052] Contrarily to the above, however, if a malfunction was
detected in at least one of specific check items during the cooling
operation at the lowest operating frequency, the control block 204
controls the generation of a warning message in that mode. That is,
the control block 204 generates a malfunction message indicating an
item with the occurrence of a malfunction to transfer it to the
monitor 214, and generates visible and acoustic alarm control
signals for alarming the occurrence of a malfunction visually and
acoustically to transfer them to the speaker 216 and the display
218, respectively, at step S310.
[0053] In consequence, a message for alarming the occurrence of a
malfunction in the cooling operation mode at the lowest operating
frequency is displayed on the monitor 214, an acoustic alarm sound
(for example, short "beep, beep, beep . . . " intermittent sounds)
is generated from the speaker 216, and a visible alarm (for
example, blinking LED light) is indicated on the display 218. The
warning and alarm messages outputted during the cooling operation
at the lowest operating frequency are provided only for a specified
amount of time (for example, 3 sec, 6 sec, 9 sec, etc.). After the
specified amount of time elapses, the procedure goes back to step
S314 to proceed with subsequent steps.
[0054] Next, the control block 204 collects and stores information
associated with the occurrence of any malfunction during the
cooling operation mode at the lowest operating frequency in the
internal memory at step S312. The reason for collection of the
information concerning the occurrence of any malfunction is to help
the engineer more easily and clearly see the performance test
results in each operation mode being displayed on the monitor when
the performance testing on the air conditioner is completed.
[0055] In the meantime, when the operation mode switches at step
S314 and the air conditioner 208 is running in a heating operation
mode at the lowest operating frequency at step S316, the same
processes in step S308 are carried out, i.e., the control block 204
checks at step S318 whether vibration and noise have exceeded their
preset thresholds, whether there are compression defects, whether
switching state of the four-way valve is abnormal, whether various
sensors are operated normally, and so forth.
[0056] In result of the checking in step S318, if there is no
problem in every performance testing item during the heating
operation at the lowest operating frequency, the procedure goes to
step S324, in which the control block 204 switches the operation
mode of the air conditioner 208 to a cooling operation so that the
air conditioner 208 may operate in a cooling operation mode at the
rated operating frequency.
[0057] Contrarily to the above, however, if a malfunction was
detected by the checking in step S318 in at least one of specific
check items during the heating operation at the lowest operating
frequency, the control block 204 controls the generation of a
warning message in that mode. That is, the control block 204
generates a malfunction message indicating an item with the
occurrence of a malfunction to transfer it to the monitor 214, and
generates visible and acoustic alarm control signals for alarming
the occurrence of a malfunction visually and acoustically to
transfer them to the speaker 216 and the display 218, respectively,
at step S320.
[0058] In consequence, a message for alarming the occurrence of a
malfunction in the heating operation mode at the lowest operating
frequency is displayed on the monitor 214, an acoustic alarm sound
(for example, short "beep, beep, beep . . . " intermittent sounds)
is generated from the speaker 216, and a visible alarm (for
example, blinking LED light) is indicated on the display 218. The
warning and alarm messages outputted during the heating operation
at the lowest operating frequency are provided only for a specified
amount of time (for example, 3 sec, 6 sec, 9 sec, etc.). After the
specified amount of time elapses, the procedure goes back to the
step S324 to proceed with subsequent steps.
[0059] Next, the control block 204 collects and stores information
concerning the occurrence of any malfunction during the heating
operation at the lowest operating frequency in the internal memory
at step S322.
[0060] Subsequently, when the operation mode switches at step S324
and the air conditioner 208 is running in a cooling operation mode
at the rated operating frequency at step S326, the same processes
in steps S308 to S316 are carried out, i.e., the control block 204
checks at step S328 whether vibration and noise have exceeded their
preset thresholds, whether there are compression defects, whether
switching state of the four-way valve is abnormal, whether all
sensors are operated normally, and so forth.
[0061] For example, a variety of performance tests are done by
executing an operation mode that performs a start control and a
normal control under conditions where the operating frequency of
the compressor is fixed to a rated frequency (e.g., 56 Hz), the
pulse value of the electronic expansion valve is set to a value
calculated based on cooling/heating load amounts, the indoor fan is
at high state, and the outdoor fan is set to 650 RPM.
[0062] In result of the checking in step S328, if there is no
problem in every performance testing item during the cooling
operation at the rated operating frequency, the procedure goes to
step S334, in which the control block 204 switches the operation
mode of the air conditioner 208 to a heating operation so that the
air conditioner 208 may operate in a heating operation mode at the
rated operating frequency.
[0063] Contrarily to the above, however, if a malfunction was
detected by the checking in step S328 in at least one of specific
check items during the cooling operation at the rated operating
frequency, the control block 204 controls the generation of a
warning message in that mode. That is, the control block 204
generates a malfunction message indicating an item with the
occurrence of a malfunction to transfer it to the monitor 214, and
generates visible and acoustic alarm control signals for alarming
the occurrence of a malfunction visually and acoustically to
transfer them to the speaker 216 and the display 218, respectively,
at step S330.
[0064] In consequence, a message for alarming the occurrence of a
malfunction in the cooling operation mode at the rated operating
frequency is displayed on the monitor 214, an acoustic alarm sound
(for example, short "beep, beep, beep . . . " intermittent sounds)
is generated from the speaker 216, and a visible alarm (for
example, blinking LED light) is indicated on the display 218. The
warning and alarm messages outputted during the cooling operation
at the rated operating frequency are provided only for a specified
amount of time (for example, 3 sec, 6 sec, 9 sec, etc.). After the
specified amount of time elapses, the procedure goes back to step
S334 to proceed with subsequent steps.
[0065] Thereafter, the control block 204 collects and stores
information concerning the occurrence of any malfunction during the
cooling operation at the rated operating frequency in the internal
memory at step S332.
[0066] Next, when the procedure goes to step S334 to switch the
operation mode and the air conditioner 208 is running in a heating
operation mode at the rated operating frequency at step S336, the
same processes in step S328 are carried out, i.e., the control
block 204 checks whether vibration and noise have exceeded their
preset thresholds, whether there are compression defects, whether
switching state of the four-way valve is abnormal, whether various
sensors are operated normally, and so forth at step S338.
[0067] In result of the checking in step S338, if there is no
problem in every performance testing item during the heating
operation at the rated operating frequency, the procedure goes to
step S344 that provides a test result message, as set forth
later.
[0068] Contrarily to the above, however, if a malfunction was
detected by the checking in step S338 in at least one of specific
check items during the heating operation at the rated operating
frequency, the control block 204 controls the occurrence of a
warning message in that mode. That is, the control block 204
generates a malfunction message indicating an item with the
occurrence of a malfunction to transfer it to the monitor 214, and
generates visible and acoustic alarm control signals for alarming
the occurrence of a malfunction visually and acoustically to
transfer them to the speaker 216 and the display 218, respectively,
at step S340.
[0069] In consequence, a message for alarming the occurrence of a
malfunction in the heating operation mode at the rated operating
frequency is displayed on the monitor 214, an acoustic alarm sound
(for example, short "beep, beep, beep . . . " intermittent sounds)
is generated from the speaker 216, and a visible alarm (for
example, blinking LED light) is indicated on the display 218. The
warning and alarm messages outputted during the heating operation
at the rated operating frequency are provided only for a specified
amount of time (for example, 3 sec, 6 sec, 9 sec, etc.). After the
specified amount of time elapses, the procedure goes back to the
step S344 to proceed with subsequent steps.
[0070] Thereafter, the control block 204 collects and stores
information concerning the occurrence of any malfunction during the
heating operation at the rated operating frequency in the internal
memory at step S342.
[0071] If the performance testing on an air conditioner in all
modes that consist of a cooling operation mode at the lowest
operating frequency, a heating operation mode at the lowest
operating frequency, a cooling operation mode at the rated
operating frequency, and a heating operation mode at the rated
operating frequency has been finished through a series of processes
described so far, the control block 204 reads the performance test
result data from the internal memory, creates a test result
message, for example, a list of test results (indicating a
malfunction) classified by operation modes, and transfers the list
to the monitor 214 at step S344.
[0072] Consequently, the air conditioner performance test result
values classified by operation modes are displayed on the monitor
214, so that the engineer can easily discriminate good or bad
quality of the air conditioner by naked eyes, and utilize the
results for maintenance of and repairing a malfunction in any
performance of a specific operation mode, if any.
[0073] In this way, performance tests on the air conditioner
according to the invention are completed through the performance
testing by operation modes as explained above at step S346.
[0074] Alternatively, in order that the engineer can more easily
recognize the completion of the performance tests visually and
acoustically when all of the performance tests on the air
conditioner are completed, prolonged intermittent sounds that are
relatively longer than the intermittent sounds used for warning a
malfunction may be outputted through the speaker for a
predetermined time period, or the display may be lighted to signal
the completion of the testing.
[0075] That is to say, in accordance with the present invention,
the air conditioner to be tested is loaded on the test loader, and
operates automatically in order of a cooling operation mode at the
lowest operating frequency, a heating operation mode at the lowest
operating frequency, a cooling operation mode at the rated
operating frequency, and a heating operation mode at the rated
operating frequency. When any malfunction of performance is
detected in each operation mode, visible and acoustic alarms are
given, so that the performance testing system of the present
invention can markedly reduce the time spent in performance testing
on an air conditioner and drastically enhance the reliability of
performance tests, compared with the conventional testing system
set forth above.
[0076] As mentioned above, in accordance with the present
invention, an air conditioner is mounted on a test loader capable
of conducting performance tests by operation modes, which are
automatically switched in order of a cooling operation mode at a
preset lowest operating frequency, a heating operation mode at a
preset lowest operating frequency, a cooling operation mode at a
preset rated operating frequency, and a heating operation mode at a
preset rated operating frequency, and performance test results in
each operation mode are given in visible and acoustic alarms
whenever performance testing in each operation mode is finished,
unlike the above-mentioned conventional performance testing method
in which an engineer manually conducts performance tests in each
operation mode by switching the operation mode of an air
conditioner. As a result, the performance testing system of the
invention can markedly reduce the time spent in performance testing
on an air conditioner and drastically enhance the reliability of
performance tests, compared with the above-stated general testing
system.
[0077] While the invention has been shown and described with
respect to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined in the following claims.
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