Recreational Vehicle, Cooling Device, Controlling System and Method for Controlling the Cooling Device
20210155073 · 2021-05-27
Inventors
- Jörg Peter (Meinerzhagen, DE)
- Marcus Dietrich (Netphen, DE)
- Marcus Remmel (Roth, DE)
- Anton Lundqvist (Älvsjö, SE)
Cpc classification
B60H1/00964
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
The present embodiments refer to a controlling system configured to be installed in a recreational vehicle, cooling devices comprising or coupled to such controlling systems, a recreational vehicle comprising such controlling systems and methods for controlling cooling the cooling devices. The controlling system comprises a central processing unit, a read out unit and a controlling unit and is configured to be coupled to a plurality of electronic devices of the recreational vehicle. The read out unit of the controlling system is configured to read out data from the electronic devices and/or sensors of the recreational vehicle coupled to the controlling system and to forward the read out data to the central processing unit. The central processing unit is configured to receive and to process the read out data received from the read out unit and to forward processed data to the controlling unit. The controlling unit is configured to receive the processed data from the central processing unit and to control at least one of the electronic devices based on at least some of the processed data.
Claims
1. A controlling system configured to be installed in a caravan or recreational vehicle, wherein the controlling system comprises a central processing unit, a read out unit and a controlling unit, wherein the controlling system is configured to be coupled to a plurality of electronic devices and/or sensors of the caravan or recreational vehicle, comprising: the read out unit of the controlling system is configured to read out data from the plurality of electronic devices and/or at least one of the sensors of the caravan or recreational vehicle coupled to the controlling system and to forward the read out data to the central processing unit, the central processing unit is configured to receive and to process the read out data received from the read out unit and to forward processed data to the controlling unit, and the controlling unit is configured to receive the processed data from the central processing unit and to control at least one of the plurality of electronic devices coupled to the controlling system based on at least some of the processed data.
2. The controlling system of claim 1, wherein the controlling system further comprises a memory unit, wherein the memory unit is configured to store information defining how to control the at least one of the plurality of electronic devices based on the read out data, wherein the central processing unit further is configured to read out the stored information from the memory unit and to use these information to process the read out data.
3. The controlling system of claim 1, wherein the central processing unit further is configured to generate and to process data, in particular time related data.
4. The controlling system of claim 1, wherein the controlling system comprises or is coupled to a display unit, wherein the central processing unit further is configured to forward at least a part of the processed data to the display unit, and the display unit is configured to receive and display said part of the processed data.
5. The controlling system of claim 1, wherein the controlling system is configured to be coupled to electronic devices via wireless data connection and in particular to receive and process commands from the plurality of electronic devices coupled to the controlling system as read out data.
6. The controlling system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electronic devices comprises an electric control unit of the caravan or recreational vehicle, mobile and stationary equipment of the caravan or recreational vehicle, other controlling systems and/or BUS-systems provided in the caravan or recreational vehicle, additionally provided sensors and/or external mobile devices.
7. The controlling system of claim 1, wherein the central processing unit of the controlling system is sourced out at least partially to one or more of the plurality of electronic devices coupled to the controlling system.
8. The controlling system of claim 1, wherein the controlling system is capable of being coupled to the internet and configured to read out data from the internet automatically when coupled thereto.
9. The controlling system of claim 1, wherein the controlling system is capable of being coupled coupleable to various energy storages of the caravan or recreational vehicle and/or controlling systems for such energy storages provided to supply energy to the at least one of the plurality of electronic devices, and configured to control, which one of the provided energy storages is used to supply energy to the at least one of the plurality of electronic devices.
10. The controlling system of claim 1, wherein the controlling system provides various operations modes, preferably an energy saving mode, a high power mode and/or a silent mode, selectable by a user for controlling the at least one of the plurality of electronic devices in a specific manner.
11. The controlling system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the plurality of electronic devices is a cooling device for a caravan or recreational vehicle, in particular a refrigerator and preferably an absorption refrigerator, and/or a device responsible to define and/or control an operation mode of the cooling device.
12. The controlling system of claim 11, wherein the controlling system is configured to control the operation mode of the cooling device based on data with regard to a real clock time, a relative time, a global location of the caravan or recreational vehicle, operation information of the caravan or recreational vehicle, tilting information for the caravan or recreational vehicle and/or of the cooling device, an internal and/or ambient temperature of the cooling device and/or the caravan or recreational vehicle, operation information of the cooling device itself, a current weather situation and/or weather forecast, a state of charge and/or availability of various energy storages and/or sources, a sound level of the cooling device and/or within the caravan or recreational vehicle, a current energy consumption of the cooling device, and/or specific operation instructions programmed to the central processing unit, stored in a memory coupled to the central processing unit and/or received via or read out from one or more of the plurality of electronic devices.
13. The controlling system according to any one of the preceding claim 11, wherein the controlling system is configured to control an operation mode of a heater and/or a compressor of the cooling device.
14. A cooling device for a caravan or recreational vehicle, in particular a refrigerator, comprising: a controlling system operably coupled to the cooling device, wherein the controlling system comprises a central processing unit, a read out unit and a controlling unit, wherein the controlling system is configured to be coupled to a plurality of electronic devices and/or sensors of the caravan or recreational vehicle, comprising: the read out unit of the controlling system is configured to read out data from the electronic devices and/or at least one of the sensors of the caravan or recreational vehicle coupled to the controlling system and to forward the read out data to the central processing unit, the central processing unit is configured to receive and to process the read out data received from the read out unit and to forward processed data to the controlling unit, and the controlling unit is configured to receive the processed data from the central processing unit and to control at least one of the electronic devices coupled to the controlling system based on at least some of the processed data.
15. A caravan or recreational vehicle, comprising a controlling system wherein the controlling system comprises a central processing unit, a read out unit and a controlling unit, wherein the controlling system is configured to be coupled to a plurality of electronic devices and/or sensors of the caravan or recreational vehicle, comprising: the read out unit of the controlling system is configured to read out data from the plurality of electronic devices and/or at least one of the sensors of the caravan or recreational vehicle coupled to the controlling system and to forward the read out data to the central processing unit, the central processing unit is configured to receive and to process the read out data received from the read out unit and to forward processed data to the controlling unit, and the controlling unit is configured to receive the processed data from the central processing unit and to control at least one of the plurality of electronic devices coupled to the controlling system based on at least some of the processed data, and/or a cooling device wherein the cooling device comprises or is coupled to a controlling system.
16. A method for controlling an operation mode of a cooling device, in particular a refrigerator, for a caravan or recreational vehicle comprising the steps of: reading out data from electronic devices and/or sensors of the caravan or recreational vehicle; processing the read out data; and controlling the operation mode of the cooling device based on at least a part of the processed data.
17. The method according to of claim 16, wherein controlling the operation mode of the cooling device is based on data with regard to the real clock time, a relative time, a global location of the caravan or recreational vehicle, operation information of the caravan or recreational vehicle, tilting information for the caravan or recreational vehicle and/or of the cooling device, an internal and/or ambient temperature of the cooling device and/or the caravan or recreational vehicle, operation information of the cooling device itself, a current weather situation and/or weather forecast, a state of charge and/or availability of various energy storages and/or sources, a sound level of the cooling device and/or within the caravan or recreational vehicle, a current energy consumption of the cooling device, and/or specific operation instructions programmed to a central processing unit, stored in a memory coupled to the central processing unit and/or received via or read out from one or more of the electronic devices.
Description
[0034] In the following, embodiments will be described to substantiate the understanding of the above said with reference to the drawings, wherein in
[0035]
[0036]
[0037]
[0038]
[0039]
[0040] As illustrated in
[0041] The electronic control unit 50 of the caravan 10 is further coupled via hard wires to some sensors 52, 54 and 56 of the RV 10, and, thus, provides a coupling between the sensors 52, 54, 56 and the controlling system 20. In the depicted example, the first sensor 52 is a speed sensor for determining the travel speed of the RV 10, the second sensor 54 is a temperature sensor for determining the ambient temperature of the RV 10 and the third sensor 56 is a charge level sensor for determining the charge level of the automotive battery of the RV 10. However, more or less and/or other sensors are imaginable.
[0042] The controlling system 20 comprises a read out unit, which is configured to read out and receive data from the electronic devices 30, 40, 60, 70 and 80 and from the sensors 52, 54 and 56 of the RV 10. Furthermore, the controlling system 20 comprises a central processing unit and a controlling unit. The processing unit is configured to receive and process the said read out respectively received data, which is forwarded from the read out unit to the central processing unit. The central processing unit further comprises an internal clock to generate information with regard to at least a relative time. The controlling unit of the controlling system is configured to receive processed data forwarded from the central processing unit to the controlling unit, and to control the absorption refrigerator 30 based on at least some of the processed data received from the processing unit. The controlling system is further configured to communicate via the router 70 with the internet and to obtain information therefrom. In the illustrated example, the controlling system 20 is able to obtain real clock time information and weather forecast information for the current position of the RV 10 from the internet 90. Furthermore, the controlling system 20 is configured to communicate with the mobile phone 40 to transmit data to the mobile phone 40 and/or to receive data from the mobile phone 40. Hence, status and other relevant information dedicated to the user can be displayed by the mobile phone 40. Further, the user can input instructions into the mobile phone 40 to control the electronic devices 30, 40, 60, 70 and 80 via the controlling system 20.
[0043] As indicated in
[0044] In
[0045] Finally, in
[0046] In
[0047] In the following, to underline the advantages and potential of the present embodiments, examples for controlling the operation mode of the cooling device 30 advantageously will be described.
[0048] As illustrated in
[0049] An example for a correlation between read out data and displayed data is depicted in the diagram of
[0050] Again, returning to
[0051] In the following, some other advantageous functions of the depicted controlling system 20 will be described.
[0052] The depicted controlling system 20 is configured to control the operation mode of the cooling device 30 based on a real clock time. The real clock time can be obtained automatically via the router from the internet 90. When it is not possible to get the information with regard to the real clock time from the internet 90, the controlling system 20 is configured to obtain the real clock time information from the mobile phone 40 coupled to the controlling system 20. The controlling system 20 uses the obtained data with regard to the real clock time to control the operation mode of the cooling device 30, for example, by activating an operation of the cooling device 30 by a specific time set. For example, the operation mode can be switched on every day at 8 a.m. and switched off at 8 p.m. on the same day. Thus, the cooling device 30 is operated during day time only and, thus, energy consumption during night time is reduced significantly. Furthermore, the controlling system 20 according to the present embodiment is configured to initiate a boosted cooling operation of the cooling device 30, for example, during noon and to execute a defrosting cycle at midnight. Thus, unintended temperature increases during noon due to high ambient temperatures can be avoided while the defrosting cycle is executed when no considerable temperature increase has to be feared as it would be during noon. In particular, the operation mode of the controlling system 20 and thus the operation mode of controlling the electronic devices 30, 40, 60, 70 and 80 is adapted to a user's behavior pattern stored in a memory coupled to the controlling system 20 as well as an additionally provided user behavior control system comprising at least a movement sensor coupled to the controlling system 20.
[0053] Furthermore, the controlling system 20 is configured to control the operation mode of the cooling device 30 based on a relative time which is generated by the processing unit of the controlling system 20. For example, when the user activates a boost mode for the cooling device 30 via the mobile phone 40 coupled to the controlling system 20, for example for a duration of 45 minutes, starting with receiving the instruction to perform the boost mode, the cooling system 30 is operated at a high-performance mode without considering the energy consumption. Such a boost mode, for example, can be activated before the user intends to go for shopping such that, a temperature increase due to the new items placed within the cooling device 30 after shopping is quenched.
[0054] Furthermore, the controlling system 20 is configured to control the operation mode of the cooling device 30 based on a global location of the RV obtained by the mobile phone 40 and/or via the router 70 from the internet 90. For example, the controlling system 20 recognizes when the RV 10 is at home and, by recognizing this home position, switches off the cooling device 30 of the RV 10.
[0055] Furthermore, the controlling system 20 is configured to control the operation mode of the cooling device 30 based on operation information of the RV 10 by selecting the energy source for supplying the cooling device 30 based on the driving mode of the RV. Thus, when the RV 10 is motor-driven, the cooling device 30 is provided with energy from the automotive battery, while when the RV 10 is in a parked condition, the cooling device 30 is supplied with energy gained from the gas or fuel tank.
[0056] Furthermore, the controlling system 20 is configured to control the operation mode of the cooling device 30 based on an internal temperature and ambient temperature of the cooling device 30 and of the RV 10. For example, when the ambient temperature of the RV 10 is high while the internal temperature of the RV 10 is relatively low, the controlling system 30 is operated with an increased cooling power to provide a reliable cooling of the cooling space.
[0057] Furthermore, the controlling system 20 is configured to control the operation mode of the cooling device 30 based on tilting information for the RV 10 and, thus, for the cooling device 30. In particular, when the RV 10 and, thus, also the cooling device 30 is tilted above a critical predefined value, the cooling device 30 is automatically shutdown to prevent damages thereto and/or danger emanating from undesired effects when the cooling device 30 is tilted over while being operated.
[0058] Furthermore, the controlling system 20 is configured to control the operation mode of the cooling device 30 based on operation information of the cooling device 30 itself. In particular, when the controlling systems 20 determines that the cooling efficiency of the cooling device 30 drops, it controls the cooling device 30 to operate a defrosting cycle to restore the desired cooling efficiency.
[0059] Furthermore, the controlling system 20 is configured to control the operation mode of the cooling device 30 based on the current weather situation or the weather forecast for the current location of the RV 10. In particular, when the ambient temperature is high but soon strong rainfall or another temperature drop is expected according to the forecast, the cooling device 30 is not operated at its high-performance mode, because soon a drop in the ambient temperature is expected. Thus, the cooling device 30 is operated at a higher energy efficiency.
[0060] Furthermore, the controlling system 20 is configured to control the operation mode of the cooling device 30 based on a sound level of the cooling device 30 and the sound level within the RV 10. In particular, when the sound level of the cooling device 30 is high compared to the overall sound level within the RV 10, the cooling device 30 is controlled to operate in a silent mode by reducing the fan speed. Thus, users staying inside within the RV 10 are not acoustically disturbed by the operation of the cooling device 30, especially during night times.
[0061] The controlling system 20 further is configured to control the operation of the cooling device 30 based on the charging level and availability of various energy storages and sources. Exemplary energy sources are on-board systems like an automotive battery of the RV 10 or an internal gas tank and external electrical power supply, for example provided on a camping ground or at home, as indicated in
[0062] Furthermore, the controlling system 20 is configured to control the operation mode of the cooling device 30 based on a determined energy consumption of the cooling device 30. In particular, when the energy consumption of the cooling device 30 is above an acceptable value, a defrosting operation is executed such that the desired cooling efficiency of the cooling device 30 is restored.
[0063] Furthermore, the controlling system 20 is configured to control the operation mode of the cooling device 30 based on further specific operation instructions programmed to the central processing unit, stored in a memory coupled to the central processing unit of the controlling system 20 and received via the mobile phone 40 or read out from the internet 90 via the router 70. In particular, each command received from the mobile phone 40 and, thus, intended by a user will be carried out by the controlling system 20 regardless of other programmed or stored information. This ensures that the controlling system 20 controls the cooling device 30 as it is desired by the user.
[0064] It is obviously, that the controlling system 20 has to be coupled to corresponding electrical devices providing the data required to control the operation mode of the cooling device 30 in the above-described advantages manners.
REFERENCE SIGNS
[0065] 10: recreational vehicle
[0066] 20: controlling system
[0067] 30: cooling device
[0068] 40: mobile device
[0069] 41: internal temperature
[0070] 42: operation mode of air-con
[0071] 43: charging level of automotive battery
[0072] 44: filling level of water tank
[0073] 45: last date of exchanging water of the water tank
[0074] 46: morning mode
[0075] 47: night mode
[0076] 48: sleep-summer mode
[0077] 49: quick cool mode
[0078] 50: electronic control unit
[0079] 52: speed sensor
[0080] 54: temperature sensor
[0081] 56: charging level sensor
[0082] 60: air con
[0083] 70: router
[0084] 80: movement sensor
[0085] 90: internet
[0086] S1 to S3: method steps
[0087] M1 to M5: temperature modes
[0088] d1 to d5: desired temperature ranges
[0089] a2: acceptable temperature range above desired temperature range d2
[0090] b2: acceptable temperature range below desired temperature range d2
[0091] na2: non-acceptable temperature range above desired temperature range d2
[0092] nb2: non-acceptable temperature range below desired temperature range d2