BRPI1104773A2 - Appliances, System and Appliance Control Method - Google Patents

Abstract

ELECTRIC HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROL. The present invention relates to an input voltage control system and method 1 for appliances having at least one electric motor in their set of electrical charges 5. This control is performed by a processing unit 3 that can selectively act and independently on a set of output switches 4 and thereby act differently on each of the devices of the electric charge set 5.

Description

Report of the Invention Patent for "ELECTRODOMESTIC, ELECTRODOMESTIC CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD".

The present invention relates to an input voltage control system and method for appliances having at least one electric motor in their set of electric charges. This control is done by a processing unit that can selectively and independently actuate a set of output switches and thereby act differently on each of the devices in the electrical load set.

Description of the prior art

Several countries currently differ in the production and distribution of electricity, with different levels of voltages in each country. Thus, the vast majority of electronic devices, such as computers, televisions, stereos, among others, have a low voltage characteristic that comprises an automatic voltage control that allows the adjustment of several input voltages, usually 11V or 220V, for perfect operation at specific voltages. This feature is still widespread in the area of appliances, as most of them require electric motors to operate, limited by current techniques due to factors such as power and control, among others.

In this sense, the few products that allow operation in bit voltage have manual switching made by the end user by means of a switch, which generally changes the arrangement of coils of the devices for their operation. However, few users have specific knowledge for these functions, which often causes functional errors, causing device burns or partial loss of functionality, causing inconvenience to these users as well as risks to them depending on the level of functionality. device protection. Because of this, to avoid these drawbacks in addition to

To protect the user and to avoid unnecessary warranty service, thus reducing losses in the image associated with the manufacturer of the product, automatic changes of input voltage to acceptable level of operation of the device have become mandatory practice. .

Similarly, single-phase induction motors are widely used in home appliances due to their simplicity, robustness and high performance. Applied to various appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, washing machines, among others, induction motors are usually equipped with a cage-type rotor and a stator that has coils, usually consisting of two windings. selectively used for the state of the induction motor (starting or running).

In this sense, during normal operation of the compressor a power winding is fed by an alternating voltage, while a starting winding is only fed during the first moments of engine operation since the start of the starting motion requires greater force. for rotor acceleration. Therefore, motors are specifically designed and built to operate in certain limited voltage ranges, typically with possible variations no greater than 10% above or below the design. If these variations are greater than 10%, a new engine design and construction is required.

Because of this, possible attempts to solve this problem appear in documents that design bivolt systems. US 4,415,964 presents a design in this regard whereby it provides a system configured to automatically adjust the voltage output independent of the input voltage by modifying the coil arrangement of an output transformer by changing the coils to configuration at to - lelo when switched on at 11OV thus causing a 110V output, and conversely change coils to series configuration when switched on at 220V thus repeating a 110V output again. However, the document limits possible loads to be connected as well as their control, since it uses a transformer at the output and not the direct organization of the devices in which it is acting. Other prior art information is US 5,001,623, which discloses an automatic voltage control system with a direct current output, which however presents the same problems as the aforementioned document, and that of - document US 7,528,734, which features a system that indicates the input voltage, configured to warn the user if the voltage present at that specific location is desired for the operation of the apparatus but without changing or controlling the output voltage.

It should be noted that all documents presented are immaterial to transients and other disturbances in the power lines, and have enormous energy consumption and manufacturing and maintenance costs compared to the present invention.

In this sense, low-power controls, such as lamps and fans, require an extra waste of energy lost in transformers and other automatic control systems configured to reconfigure the input voltage currently used.

Differently, conventional appliances that use electric motors are usually designed for a specific voltage, since the high power of electric motors makes it impossible to use transformers to act as voltage regulating sources because of the large volume they would have for dimensioning in these. applications.

In addition, currently used appliances have various features for the comfort of users. Documents such as US Patent 7,716,937 demonstrate some of the features currently found, such as dampers, fans, evaporators, condensers, motors, defrost resistors, lights, displays, temperature sensors and more. These different types of devices have different actuation requirements as well as may have different specifications for optimal operation. Therefore, the control presented by this invention is intended not to

not only automate device control by varying the input voltage to be delivered to devices, but also optimize all devices to be controlled. Objectives of the Invention

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and robust topology automatic voltage control device with low cost, allowing for large scale use and the reduction of models required to suit a particular family of market products. of different tensions.

It is another object of this invention that the electronic control of these devices have negligible power consumption. It is another object of this invention that electronic control be

less susceptible to transients or disturbances from the power supply.

Another object of this invention is the optimized control of various devices that have different prerequisites for actuation, as well as the control of various features for user comfort and interaction with appliance interfaces. Brief Description of the Invention

A first embodiment of the invention features a control system for appliances, the system comprising at least one input voltage, a processing unit, an output switch assembly and an electrical charge assembly that includes an electric motor and have a operating voltage, the system in which the processing unit is configured to detect input voltage and actuate the output switch set to drive devices, and be configured to match the detected input voltage to the input voltage. operation of the devices by acting on the set of output switches in different ways to adjust the voltage independently on each of the devices in the set of electrical loads.

The invention also provides a control method for appliances having a set of electrical charges including an electric motor, comprising the steps of: a. Detect an input voltage; B. Define an operating voltage of electrical charge set devices;

ç. Set the mode of operation on output switches; and

Be configured to act on the output switch set in different ways to adjust the voltage independently on each of the electrical charge set devices. Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will hereinafter be described in more detail based on an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings. The figures show:

Figure 1 is a block diagram representation of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a block diagram representing possible controls performed on the preferred construction of the invention; Figure 3 - is a graph of one of the device control modes.

full cycles with 110V input voltage;

Figure 4 - is a graph of one of the device control modes, by complete cycles with input voltage 220V;

Figure 5 is a graph of one of the device control modes, per phase, with 110V input voltage;

Figure 6 is a graph of one of the device control modes, per phase, with input voltage 220V;

Figure 7 is a graph of one of the device control modes, by load organization, with input voltage 110V; and Figure 8 - is a graph of one of the device control modes.

by organization of loads with input voltage 220V. Detailed Description of the Figures

Figure 1 demonstrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Thus, Figure 1 shows a processing unit 3 which is fed by an input voltage 1 via a rectifier 2. The processing unit 3 can also be powered by the input voltage 1, and is configured for detection of the dimensions of this input voltage 1 applied to the system. Detection in the system can be done directly, where the input voltage 1 is directly sent to the processing unit 3 which calculates and sets the voltage values, or indirectly where the input voltage 1 feeds a voltage level sensor 6 which detects the dimensions of this input voltage 1 and provides this information to processing unit 3 for analysis, thereby remaining processing unit 3 responsible for calculating and setting input voltage values 1.

In this sense, processing unit 3 is configured to define various selective actuation modes on output switch set 4, which preferably comprise electromechanical switches (such as relays or solenoids) or electronically controlled switches (such as keys). TRIACs or transistors), also powered by the input voltage 1. These switches on the output switch set 4 are configured to act differently on devices (which have a definite operating voltage, preferably 127V) from the electrical charge set. - cas 5, so that the input voltage 1 is adjusted to the operating voltage of the various electric charge set devices 5, this actuation means being defined not only by the input voltage 1 but also by the type of charge set device 5 to be controlled.

Thus, processing unit 3 is configured to detect input voltage 1, either directly or by means of a voltage level sensor 6, and also to define the best means of actuation on output switch set 4. A Figure 1 also demonstrates that processing unit 3 is configured to receive information from a control interface 7 via buttons and temperature sensors, for example, thus obtaining information necessary to manage system devices. optimally, as well as providing information to the user of the appliance through the control interface 7, which can use displays or LEDs, among others, for communication with the user.

In this sense, Figure 2 presents a block diagram with possible devices to be controlled. It should be noted that the processing unit 3 is configured to independently and differently control various types of electrical charge array devices 5 which may have various elements such as compressors 8, defrost resistors 9, lamps 10, miscellaneous motors 11 for opening and closing doors or other types of automation, fans 15 plus one or more outputs for any other signal type 12 such as alarm speakers.

Similarly, processing unit 3 is also configured to receive information from various elements which may be sensors internal to the cooling system, internal to processing unit 3 or external to the cooling system, such as door sensors. 13, temperature sensors 14 or the control interface 7 of the home appliances, for optimal operation of the devices to be controlled, which may include buttons, displays or screens such as LCD or LED, touch-screens, voice commands, among others. others.

Thus, it should be noted that processing unit 3 may contain a program that is configured to simultaneously manage all devices optimally by setting not only the actuation mode on output switch set 4 for selecting specific voltages for each element, as well as the on and off time of each switch for the cooling system to function according to its technical specifications, in order to carry out all the necessary operations at the correct times, also resulting in energy saving due to features of the operating program. An example of drive management that can be

given is the operation of reverse mode devices for loads that are interfering with each other, such as the lamp and defrost resistor 9. When opening the cooling system door when this defrost resistor 9 is activated, it is possible to notice fliker in lamp 10 (flashing light instead of constant). This is due to the voltage drop in the cycles that the defrost resistor 9 is activated. In this way, the processing unit 3 can be configured to detect the problem and, if the defrost resistor 9 is activated, when the cooling system door is opened it is deactivated for as long as the door remains open. When the door is closed, the defrost resistor 9 is triggered again.

Figures 3 to 8 demonstrate possible control modes for managing the devices of the present invention. In a preferred mode, the devices in the electric charge set 5 are sized for 127V, and these devices range from lamps, fans, resistors, to motors. It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the motor used has a specific construction which will be explained in more detail later.

In this sense, Figure 3 shows a control mode for managing the devices of the present invention, called phase control, in which devices of the electric charge set 5 are controlled by the processing unit 3, which detects the voltage of input 1 with a value of approximately 110V, with a preferred range of operation of the present invention from 90V to 170V. Thus, the processing unit 3 acts on the output switch set 4 so that all the input voltage wave 1 is supplied to the electrical charge of the electrical load set 5. Thus, the applied voltage The devices have value of the operating voltage of the devices and therefore these devices have 100% of the input voltage 1 applied to them (approximately 127V).

Similarly, Figure 4 demonstrates this phase control mode by acting on devices having an input voltage of approximately 220V, with a preferred range of operation of the present invention from 170V to 260V. Thus, processing unit 3 detects the input voltage 1 and defines that it must be modified before it is supplied to the devices of the electric charge set and, therefore, cuts the wave cycles by their actuation on the output switch set 4. It should be noted that this phasing provides a final voltage to be supplied to the devices at half the operating voltage value and therefore approximately 127V. Thus, the system transmits to the devices the operating voltage even when the input voltage 1 is different from the operating voltage of the electric charge set devices 5. It should be noted that this control uses the Flicker standard and is therefore generally used. for frost resistors, fans without speed control, among others.

Figure 5 presents a control system for managing

of the electric charge set 5 devices having an operating voltage of 127V, in a mode called full cycle control, in which processing unit 3 detects that the input voltage is approximately 110V. Thus, it should be noted that the processing unit 3 acts on the output switch set 4 in such a way that the entire wave of the input voltage is supplied to the load.

Figure 6 shows the same mode of control of the present invention, by full cycle control, when the set of electrical loads 5 has an operating voltage of 127V and the processing unit 3 detects an input voltage of about 220V. In this sense, the processing unit defines that the best mode of control of certain devices that have low power and non-expressive harmonic levels, such as incandescent lamps, use full cycle control. It should be noted that for certain occasions, such as lamps, the application of full wave cycles and full cycle cutoff cannot be used as it would result in a noticeable variation in light intensity and is therefore This control mode produces a non-sine wave when making physical cuts during wave cycles.

Differently, figures 7 and 8 show devices of the

set of electrical loads 5 having elements that can be arranged to be selectively actuated for operations at different voltages. Figure 7 thus shows a combination of loads of the devices of the parallel electric charge set 5, where the processing unit 3 detects an input voltage 1 with a value of approximately 110V, while conversely Figure 8 shows a combination of loads of devices in the series of electrical load series, where the processing unit detects an input voltage 1 with a value of approximately 220V. It should be noted that output switch set 4 acts directly on this combination of the loads of the electrical charge set 5 devices. This control is normally applied to high power devices such as electric motors commonly used in compressors, having coils that can be combined differently.

These electric motors are preferably induction motors generally comprising at least one stator having one or more travel windings and one or more starting windings, and a preferably cage type rotor. These induction motors can also be of variable speed controlled type as well as other unnamed types that can be constructed to the specified configurations. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coils of these induction motors are arranged in a T-link, comprising a main coil divided into two parts, which may be combined in series or parallel, and an auxiliary starting coil. connected in parallel to one of the main coil parts.

Finally, it is important to note that in the technique used by this invention there is no extra power consumption when the devices are switched off, as they do not use transformers, and there are several other control modes that can be cited, such as modulating - Pulsing (PWM), voltage graders, converters with rectifiers and voltage multipliers (or dividers). Robust controls such as those presented by the invention can therefore be used over a wide voltage range (preferably between 90V and 260V). Thus, various types of devices may be controlled simultaneously, independently and in different ways by the present invention.

Having described an example preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention encompasses other possible variations and is limited only by the content of the appended claims, including the possible equivalents thereof.

Claims (26)

1. control system for household appliances, the system comprising at least: - an input voltage (1); - a processing unit (3); - a set of output keys (4); and - a set of electrical charges (5) having an operating voltage; The system characterized by the fact that the processing unit (3) is configured to detect the input voltage (1) and act on the output switch set (4) to drive devices of the electric charge set (5) , and be configured to match the detected input voltage (1) to the operating voltage of each of the electric charge set devices (5) by acting on the output switch set (4) in different ways to suit the input voltage (1) independently in each of the devices of the electric charge set (5). Appliance control system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a voltage level sensor (6) which provides input voltage information (1) for the processing unit (3) to be configured. to match the detected input voltage (1) to the operating voltage of each of the electrical load set devices (5). Appliance control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the processing unit (3) is configured to set an on and off time for each of the devices in the electric charge set (5). . Appliance control system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the processing unit (3) operates within an input voltage range (1) of 90 V to 260 V. Appliance control system according to claim 1, 2 3 or 4, characterized in that the processing unit (3) acts on the output switch assembly (4) to suit the voltage of the appliance. input (1) at an operating voltage of 90 V to 127 V on each of the devices in the electrical load set (5). Appliance control system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the processing unit (3) is configured to manage the electrical charge set devices (5) according to a control interface (7) of the appliance. Appliance control system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the processing unit (3) is configured to manage the devices in the electrical charge set (5) by means of a phase control of the input voltage (1). Appliance control system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the processing unit (3) is configured to manage the devices in the electrical charge set (5) by means of a control complete cycles of the input voltage (1). Appliance control system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein at least one of the electric charge set devices (5) has two or more coils, characterized in that the processing unit (3) be configured to manage the devices of the electric charge set (5) by combining the two or more coils in series or parallel. Appliance control system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the processing unit (3) is configured to manage the devices in the electrical charge set (5) by means of pulse modulation (PWM). Appliance control system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein at least one of the electric charge set devices (5) has two or more coils, characterized in that the processing unit (3) be configured to simultaneously manage the devices in the electric charge set (5) by means of a phase control or a cycle control of the input voltage (1), by means of pulse modulation (PWM) and by means of combination of two or more coils in series or parallel. Appliance control system according to claim 11, characterized in that the processing unit (3) uses voltage graders, rectifier converters, multipliers and / or voltage dividers. Appliance control system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that one of the devices in the electric charge set (5) is an electric motor with at least two coils. 14. Control method for appliances having a set of electrical charges (5), having an operating voltage, household with an input voltage (1), the method comprising the steps of: a. Detect input voltage (1); B. Define an operating voltage for electric charge set devices (5); characterized by the fact that it further comprises the steps of: c. Set the actuation mode on a set of output switches (4); d. Act on the output switch set (4) in different ways to match the input voltage (1) independently of the operating voltage of each of the electrical charge set devices (5). Control method for household appliances according to claim 14, characterized in that during the actuation step on the output switch assembly (4), the activation and shutdown time of each of the devices in the assembly is defined. of electric charges (5). Appliance control method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the actuation step on the output switch assembly (4) to match the input voltage (1) to an operating voltage of 90 V to 127 V on each of the electric charge set devices (5). Appliance control method according to claim 14, 15 or 16, characterized in that the actuation step on the output switch assembly (4) manages the devices of the electrical charge assembly (5) of according to a control interface of the appliance. Appliance control method according to claim 14, 15 or 16, characterized in that the actuation step on the output switch assembly (4) manages the devices of the electrical charge assembly (5) by by means of a phase control of the input voltage (1). Appliance control method according to claim 14, 15 or 16, characterized in that the actuation step on the output switch assembly (4) manages the devices of the electrical charge assembly (5) by by means of a control complete cycles of the input voltage (1). A control method for household appliances according to claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein at least one of the electric charge set devices (5) has two or more coils, characterized in that the actuation step on The output switch assembly (4) manages the devices of the electrical charge assembly (5) by combining the two or more coils in series or parallel. Appliance control method according to claim 14, 15 or 16, characterized in that the actuation step on the output switch assembly (4) manages the devices of the electrical charge assembly (5) by through pulse modulation (PWM). Appliance control method according to claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein at least one of the electric charge set devices (5) has two or more coils, characterized in that the actuation step on the output switch assembly (4) simultaneously manages the devices of the electrical charge assembly (5) by means of a phase control or a cycle control of the input voltage (1) by means of pulse modulation ( PWM) and by combining the two or more coils in series or parallel. Appliance control method according to claim 22, characterized in that the step of actuation on the set of output switches (4) uses voltage graders, converters with rectifiers, multipliers and / or voltage dividers. . Appliance control method according to Claim 14, 15 or 16, characterized in that one of the devices of the electric load set (5) is an electric motor with at least two coils. Appliance, characterized in that it comprises a system as defined in claims 1 to 13 or a method as defined in claims 14 to 24. Appliance according to claim 25, characterized in that it is a refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner or a washing machine.