U.S. patent application number 11/967607 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-02 for low voltage bus for an appliance.
Invention is credited to Richard DEVOS.
Application Number | 20090165478 11/967607 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40796474 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090165478 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DEVOS; Richard |
July 2, 2009 |
LOW VOLTAGE BUS FOR AN APPLIANCE
Abstract
According to an aspect of the present invention a control system
for an appliance includes a plurality of peripheral devices and a
plurality of sensors and a controller. A first communications/DC
power bus is coupled to the plurality of sensors and peripheral
devices and coupled to the controller. A second communications/ac
power bus is coupled to the plurality of sensors and peripheral
devices and coupled to the controller. Wherein the controller is
configured to receive data from the sensors over the either
communications bus and transmit control operations to the
peripheral devices based on the data.
Inventors: |
DEVOS; Richard; (Goshen,
KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
General Electric Company;GE Global Patent Operation
PO Box 861, 2 Corporate Drive, Suite 648
Shelton
CT
06484
US
|
Family ID: |
40796474 |
Appl. No.: |
11/967607 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/132 ;
62/440 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 29/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/132 ;
62/440 |
International
Class: |
F25B 49/00 20060101
F25B049/00 |
Claims
1. A control system for an appliance including a plurality of
peripheral devices and a plurality of sensors, the control system
comprising: a controller; a first communications/DC power bus
coupled to the plurality of sensors, or peripheral devices and
coupled to the controller; and a second communications/AC power bus
coupled to the plurality of sensors, or peripheral devices and
coupled to the controller; wherein the controller is configured to:
receive data from the sensors over either communications bus; and
transmit control operations to the peripheral devices based on the
data.
2. A control system for an appliance according to claim 1, wherein
said communications bus comprises a serial communications bus.
3. A control system for an appliance according to claim 1, further
comprising a human machine interface board, the human machine
interface board coupled to a human machine interface.
4. A control system for an appliance according to claim 3, wherein
the human machine interface comprising a touch screen device.
5. A control system for an appliance according to claim 1, further
comprising a power-conditioning device.
6. A control system for an appliance according to claim 1, wherein
the plurality of peripheral devices comprises a variable speed
compressor of a vapor compression circuit.
7. A control system for an appliance according to claim 1, wherein
the plurality of peripheral device comprises variable speed fans
configured to move air past an evaporator to cool a
compartment.
8. A control system for an appliance according to claim 1, further
comprising a diagnostic communications port and a collision
detection system.
9. A control system for an appliance according to claim 1, wherein
the serial communications bus comprises an asynchronous serial
communications bus.
10. A control system for an appliance according to claim 1, wherein
the plurality of devices includes an icemaker.
11. A control system for an appliance according to claim 1, wherein
said plurality of sensors and peripheral devices are each
configured to be assigned a unique address.
12. A refrigerator comprising a control system for a plurality of
peripheral devices, said control system comprising: a controller; a
first communications/DC power bus coupled to the plurality of
sensors, or peripheral devices and coupled to the controller; and a
second communications/AC power bus coupled to the plurality of
sensors, or peripheral devices and coupled to the controller;
wherein the controller is configured to: receive data from the
sensors over either communications bus; and transmit control
operations to the peripheral devices based on the data.
13. A refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein said
communications bus comprises a serial communications bus.
14. A refrigerator according to claim 12, further comprising a
human machine interface board, the human machine interface board
coupled to a human machine interface.
15. A refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the human machine
interface comprising a touch screen device.
16. A refrigerator according to claim 12, further comprising a
power-conditioning device.
17. A refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of
peripheral devices comprises a variable speed compressor of a vapor
compression circuit.
18. A refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of
peripheral device comprises variable speed fans configured to move
air past an evaporator to cool a compartment.
19. A refrigerator according to claim 12, further comprising a
diagnostic communications port and a collision detection
system.
20. A refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the serial
communications bus comprises an asynchronous serial communications
bus.
21. A refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of
devices includes an icemaker.
22. A refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein said plurality of
peripheral devices are each configured to be assigned a unique
address.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to control systems for
appliances, and more particularly, to a control system for a
refrigerator.
[0002] Known household appliances are available in various
platforms having different structural features, operational
features, and controls. For example, known refrigerator platforms
include side-by-side single and double fresh food and freezer
compartments, and vertically oriented fresh food and freezer
compartments including top mounted freezer compartments, and bottom
mounted freezer compartments. Conventionally, a different control
system may be used in each refrigerator platform. For example, a
control system for a side-by-side refrigerator typically controls
the freezer temperature by controlling operation of a compressor
and controls the fresh food compartment through the operation of a
mullion damper located between the fresh food compartment and the
freezer compartment, a fresh food fan and a variable or multi-speed
fan-speed evaporator fan. Top mount refrigerators and bottom mount
refrigerators however, are available with and without a mullion
damper, the absence or presence of which consequently affects the
refrigerator controls.
[0003] Other major appliances, including dishwashers, washing
machines, dryers and ranges, are available in various platforms and
employ different control schemes.
[0004] Known electronically controlled appliances typically employ
a dedicated connection between a controller and a plurality of
peripheral devices, including but not limited to sensors to monitor
various operating conditions of the appliance. Typically, analog
signals are transmitted between the sensors and the controller.
These analog signals, however, are vulnerable to electrical
interference, which can compromise performance of the appliance. To
reduce electrical interference, additional electronic circuitry may
be employed, but only at increased complexity and cost of the
control scheme. Further, ever-expanding appliance features entail
relatively sophisticated control schemes and many electrical
connections to place all the peripheral devices in communication
with the controller. A large number of electrical connections not
only increases assembly costs, but presents a possible defect in
manufacturing or possibility of failure in use.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention a control
system for an appliance includes a plurality of peripheral devices,
a plurality of sensors and a controller. A first communications/DC
power bus is coupled to the plurality of sensors and peripheral
devices and coupled to the controller. A second communications/AC
power bus is coupled to the plurality of sensors and peripheral
devices and coupled to the controller. Wherein the controller is
configured to receive data from the sensors over either
communications bus and transmit control operations to the
peripheral devices based on the data.
[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention a
refrigerator comprises a control system for an appliance which
includes a plurality of peripheral devices, a plurality of sensors
and a controller. A first communications bus provides DC power to
peripheral devices and is coupled to the plurality of sensors and
coupled to the controller. A second communications bus provides AC
power to peripheral devices and is coupled to the plurality of of
sensors and peripheral devices and coupled to the controller.
Wherein the controller is configured to receive data from the
sensors over a communications bus and transmit control operations
to the peripheral devices based on the data.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerator of FIG. 1
with the doors in a open position.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a distributed low voltage bus
system of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 according to an aspect of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is contemplated that the teaching of the description set
forth below is applicable to all types of appliances, including but
not limited to refrigerators but include a standalone refrigeration
unit or may be connected to ranges, microwaves, and other
appliances. The present invention is therefore not intended to be
limited to any particular refrigeration device or configuration of
cooling circuit 100 for the temperature controlled medium.
[0011] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a side-by-side refrigerator 100
including a fresh food compartment 102 and freezer compartment 104.
Freezer compartment 104 and fresh food compartment 102 are arranged
in a bottom mount configuration where the freezer compartment 104
is below the fresh food compartment 102. The fresh food compartment
is shown with French opening doors 134 and 135. However, a single
door may be used. Door or drawer 132 closes freezer compartment
104.
[0012] The fresh food compartment 102 and freezer compartment 104
are contained within an outer case 106. As shown in FIG. 2, Mullion
114 separates the fresh food compartment 102 and the freezer
compartment 104.
[0013] Door 132 and doors 134, 135 close access openings to freezer
and fresh food compartments 104, 102, respectively. Each door 134
and 135 is mounted by a top hinge 136 and a bottom hinge 137 to
rotate about its outer vertically oriented edge between an open
position, as shown in FIG. 2, and a closed position shown in FIG. 1
closing the associated storage compartment.
[0014] In accordance with known refrigerators, refrigerator 100
also includes a machinery compartment (not shown) that at least
partially contains components for executing a known vapor
compression cycle for cooling air in the compartments. The
components include a compressor, a condenser (not shown), an
expansion device (not shown), and an evaporator (not shown)
connected in series and charged with a refrigerant. The evaporator
is a type of heat exchanger that transfers heat from air passing
over the evaporator to a refrigerant flowing through the
evaporator, thereby causing the refrigerant to vaporize. The cooled
air is used to refrigerate one or more fresh food or freezer
compartments via fans (shown schematically in FIG. 3 as 534).
Collectively, the vapor compression cycle components in a
refrigeration circuit, associated fans, and associated compartments
are referred to herein as a sealed system. The construction of the
sealed system is well known and therefore not described in detail
herein, and the sealed system is operable to force cold air through
the refrigerator 100.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary low voltage bus system 500
with controller 502 in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. Controller 502 can be used, for example, in
refrigerators, freezers and combinations thereof, including but not
limited to refrigerator 100 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). It is
recognized, however, that controller 502 is easily adaptable to
control other types of appliances, including but not limited to
dishwashers, washing machines, dryers and ranges in light of the
principles set forth below.
[0016] Controller 502 includes a diagnostic port 562 and a human
machine interface (HMI) board 564 coupled to a main control board
566 by an interprocessor communications bus 568. HMI board 564 is
coupled to a HMI display device 200, which may include a touch
screen or other input as well as a liquid crystal display for
outputting features and parameters to a user. It should be realized
that HMI display device may be any user input such as buttons,
switches, keyboard or mouse as well as the above mentioned touch
screen or any other input means. Additionally, the output feature
may be any output means including the above referenced LCD screen
as well as, light emitting diode signals, or any other known
display means.
[0017] Main control board 566, human machine interface (HMI) board
564 are coupled to a power supply 632 which receives an AC power
from a protection unit 634. Protection unit 634 may sense and
protect the unit from current leakage or arcing using ground fault
or arc fault technology. The protection unit may communicate with
and/or be controlled by the main control board 566. The input
voltage may be 90-265 Volts AC, 50/60 Hz signal.
[0018] Main control board 566 monitors and manages the DC input and
output bus 520 and the AC input and output bus 540 as well as power
supply current and voltage, brownout detection, compressor cycle
adjustment, analog time and delay inputs where the analog input is
coupled to an auxiliary device such as a clock or finger pressure
activated switch, analog pressure sensing of the compressor sealed
system for diagnostics and power/energy optimization. Further input
functions include external communication via power line, infrared
detectors or sound detectors, human machine interface display
dimming based on ambient light, adjustment of the refrigerator to
react to food loading and changing the air flow/pressure
accordingly to ensure food load cooling or heating as desired, and
altitude adjustment to ensure even food load cooling and enhance
pull-down rate of various altitudes by changing fan speed and
varying air flow.
[0019] A plurality of digital inputs 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532,
534, 536 and 538 (collectively 522-538) are disclosed in FIG. 3.
Digital devices 522-538 correspond to, but are not limited to, a
condenser fan speed, an evaporator fan speed, a door detector 198,
dispenser ice chute obstruction detection, light emitting diodes
and various thermisters. These devices may function as inputs or
outputs to the microprocessor and may draw DC power from the bus
520.
[0020] Main control board 566 also is coupled to an AC input/output
bus 540 for managing various AC peripheral devices 542-548. AC
input/output bus 540 may be separately wired (not shown) or sent
over the conditioned power supply wires, as shown. AC peripheral
devices 542-548 may include but are not limited to a crusher
solenoid, an auger motor, a water dispenser valve, a compressor
control, a defrost heater, the operating speed of a variable speed
condenser fan, a fresh food compartment fan, an evaporator fan, and
a quick chill system feature pan fan.
[0021] Each of the DC peripheral devices 522-538 and AC peripheral
device outputs 542-548 are assigned a unique address by the main
control board 566. By utilizing information from each of the inputs
522-538 the main control board 566 may manipulate the various
peripheral devices 542-548 or 522-538. Manipulation may include
safety shutoff of various features, energy efficient operation, and
lighting or other human interface programming and control or other
features or controls required by the particular application.
[0022] While the invention has been described in terms of various
specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit
and scope of the claims.
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