Method for operating a thermal engineering device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a thermal device in which a signal is transmitted between an indoor unit (1) and an outdoor unit (2) via an information channel (3) and a fluid via a fluid line (4). For theft protection, an information signal is generated upon a predefined change in the signal transmission. According to the invention, the information signal is generated only when both a predefined change in the signal transmission and a predefined change in the fluid transmission occur.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a thermal engineering device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A method for operating a thermal device of the type mentioned above is known from patent document US 7812734 B2. In this method, a signal, in this case an electric current, is transmitted between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit via an information channel (here an electrical conductor) and a fluid via a fluid line. Furthermore, in this method, an information signal is generated for theft protection upon a predefined change in the signal transmission (here the current transmission). Additionally, in this method, an information signal is generated for theft protection upon a predefined change in the fluid transmission.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of improving a method of the type mentioned above. In particular, it aims to create an even more reliable method for detecting theft and avoiding false alarms.

[0004] This problem is solved by a method for operating a thermal engineering device by the features listed in the characterizing portion of claim 1.

[0005] According to the invention, the information signal is therefore generated only when both a predefined change in signal transmission and a predefined change in fluid transmission are present.

[0006] In other words, the solution according to the invention is characterized by the fact that the generation of an information signal indicating a theft of the device only occurs when both predefined changes are present. Unlike the aforementioned prior art, it is therefore not sufficient according to the invention for only one of the two predefined changes to be present in order to trigger the information signal. The invention is based on the inventive idea that the occurrence of only one of the two predefined changes can also occur in the event of other damage to the device, more precisely to the information channel, which, for example, also includes the device's evaluation electronics and corresponding sensors, or to the fluid line. Thus, in the aforementioned prior art, unnecessary false theft alarms are only insufficiently prevented. The fact that the signal transmission and the fluid transmission are simultaneously disrupted is also addressed in the invention.This is highly unlikely, and therefore this double condition is a particularly reliable indicator of the presence of a theft, in which, in principle, both the information channel, especially the electrical conductor, and the fluid line must be severed.

[0007] Other advantageous developments of the method according to the invention are set out in the dependent patent claims.

[0008] The method according to the invention, including its advantageous further developments according to the dependent claims, is explained in more detail below with reference to the graphic representation of a preferred embodiment.

[0009] It shows schematically Fig. 1 the thermal device according to the invention comprising an indoor and an outdoor unit, which are connected to each other via an information channel, preferably an electrical conductor, and a fluid line.

[0010] The in Fig.The heat-processing device shown in Figure 1, which is preferably designed and used here as a heat pump, is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention, as will be explained in more detail below. In this method, for the operation of the heat-processing device, a signal, preferably an electric current, is transmitted between an indoor unit 1 and an outdoor unit 2 via an information channel 3, preferably an electrical conductor (usually two to form a circuit), and a fluid via a fluid line 4 (usually two to form a circuit). Furthermore, an information signal is generated for theft protection in the event of a predefined change in the signal transmission.The requirement regarding theft protection regularly, but not necessarily, refers to the outdoor unit, since the indoor unit is typically located in a building that is not freely accessible from the outside and is therefore usually not stolen.

[0011] Essential to the inventive method is that the information signal is only generated when both a predefined change in signal transmission and a predefined change in fluid transmission occur. As explained at the outset, only the inventive combination of both monitoring methods leads to reliable theft protection, where the device owner can be very certain that an attempt to steal the device is actually being made when an alarm is triggered.

[0012] Going into even more detail, it is particularly preferred that, for theft protection, either the signal transmission is monitored in a first step and the fluid transmission in a second step, or the fluid transmission is monitored in a first step and the signal transmission in a second step, whereby an information signal is only generated if, in both cases, there is a predefined deviation from normal operation of the thermal device.

[0013] For example, if communication between indoor unit 1 and outdoor unit 2 via information channel 3 is functioning correctly, or if no pressure drop outside of normal operating conditions is detectable in fluid line 4, then an attempted theft can be reliably ruled out even if (conversely) there is an unusual pressure drop in the fluid line or communication between indoor unit 1 and outdoor unit 2 is somehow disrupted. In this case, a corresponding error code is simply stored in the system, indicating either a fault in fluid line 4 or in information channel 3.

[0014] In all of this, it is particularly preferred that the monitoring of the signal and fluid transmission for theft protection is carried out repeatedly, preferably at regular intervals and particularly preferably in real time.

[0015] Going into further detail, it is also preferably provided that the signal transmitted between the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2 is either an electrical current characterized predominantly by data transfer or predominantly by power transfer. In the first case, this is a current for information transmission, and in the second case, a current for the transmission of electrical power. However, it is important to note that the requirement of claim 1, namely that a signal is transmitted via an information channel, also includes the option of wireless signal transmission (in which case the information channel consists, for example, of a transmitter, a transmission medium (especially air), and a receiver) or signal transmission via optical fiber.

[0016] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that either water (in this case, the outdoor unit 2 is a so-called monoblock unit) or a refrigerant (in this case, the entire system is a so-called split unit) is transferred as the fluid between the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2.

[0017] In all cases, it is also preferably provided that an optional visual and / or audible warning signal is generated as an information signal. It is particularly preferred that the information signal or warning signal is transmitted in real time to a computer, such as a personal computer or a smartphone, and displayed there (optionally also as a silent alarm).

[0018] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the acoustic warning signal is emitted via a loudspeaker, preferably integrated into the housing of an outdoor temperature sensor, preferably to the area surrounding the outdoor unit 2. In other words, a device for carrying out the method according to the invention is provided in which an outdoor temperature sensor (not shown separately because it is readily conceivable) is assigned to the outdoor unit 2, and this sensor has a transducer that converts the information signal into an acoustic signal. Thus, if an attempt is made to steal the outdoor unit 2, a preferably very loud acoustic signal is emitted via the loudspeaker integrated into the outdoor temperature sensor, which is preferably located no more than 5 m from the outdoor unit 2, which may deter the thief from his attempt. The transducer integrated into the outdoor temperature sensor, preferably operating without a battery, or...The loudspeaker is preferably electrically connected to the indoor unit 1, in which the corresponding monitoring unit carrying out the method according to the invention is preferably also arranged. Particularly preferably, the corresponding cable to the temperature sensor, which does not correspond to the information channel 3, is routed directly behind the temperature sensor through the building wall, so that it is not accessible from the outside, or at least not easily accessible (and could be cut). This ensures that the loudspeaker continues to function even if the outdoor unit 2 is separated from the indoor unit 1 during a theft.

[0019] Returning to the aforementioned predefined changes, it is particularly preferred that the predefined change in signal transmission on information channel 3 within a bus system for data transmission be detected. A CAN bus system (see also https: / / de.wikipedia.org / w / index.php?title=Controller_Area_Network&oldid=246786308) is specifically intended as the bus system, which is used to check whether data is being transmitted between indoor unit 1 and outdoor unit 2. In other words, the CAN bus monitors whether either indoor unit 1 or outdoor unit 2 is present. A predefined change in signal transmission can therefore be understood, generally speaking, or specifically, as an interruption of signal transmission.In contrast to the prior art mentioned at the beginning, the solution according to the invention does not, in particular, apply an additional voltage to the thermal device, but rather monitors an already existing signal.

[0020] Furthermore, with regard to the aforementioned predefined changes, it is preferably provided that the predefined change in fluid transfer at fluid line 4 is detected within a pressure measuring system connected to fluid line 4. For this purpose, a suitable pressure sensor, preferably belonging to the indoor unit 1 (and thus located in a building), is used to monitor whether a pressure loss or pressure drop rate exceeding a predefined, device-specific limit value occurs either at the heating circuit (see the aforementioned monoblock unit) or at the refrigerant circuit (see the aforementioned split unit). A predefined change in fluid transfer can therefore be considered, generally speaking, or more specifically, an interruption of the fluid transfer.

[0021] As an additional measure to prevent theft, it is also planned that the location of the outdoor unit 2 will be monitored with a GPS system, i.e., in the event of theft of the outdoor unit 2, its location could be determined via GPS system and suitable measures for its recovery could be organized. Reference symbol list 1 indoor unit 2 Outdoor unit 3 Information channel 4 Fluid line QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 7812734 B2

[0002] Cited non-patent literature

[0000] https: / / de.wikipedia.org / w / index.php? title=Controller_Area_Network&oldid=246786308

[0019]

Claims

[1] Method for operating a thermal device, in which a signal is transmitted between an indoor unit (1) and an outdoor unit (2) on the one hand via an information channel (3) and on the other hand via a fluid line (4), where, for theft protection, an information signal is generated when there is a predefined change in signal transmission, where, for theft protection, an information signal is generated in the event of a predefined change in fluid transmission, characterized by , that the information signal is only generated when both a predefined change in signal transmission and a predefined change in fluid transmission are present. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by, that for theft protection, either the signal transmission is monitored in a first step and the fluid transmission in a second step, or the fluid transmission is monitored in a first step and the signal transmission in a second step, whereby an information signal is only generated if, in both cases, there is a predefined deviation from normal operation of the thermal device. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the signal transmitted between the indoor unit (1) and the outdoor unit (2) is either an electrical current characterized predominantly by data transfer or predominantly by power transfer. [4] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that either water or a refrigerant is transferred as the fluid between the indoor unit (1) and the outdoor unit (2). [5] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat monitoring of signal and fluid transmission is carried out regularly for theft protection. [6] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that an optional visual and / or acoustic warning signal is generated as an information signal. [7] Method according to claim 6, characterized by that the acoustic warning will be given via a loudspeaker. [8] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the predefined change in signal transmission on the information channel (3) within a bus system for data transmission is detected. [9] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the predefined change in fluid transfer at the fluid line (4) is detected within a pressure measuring system connected to the fluid line (4). [10] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized bythat the information signal is transmitted to a computer such as a personal computer or a smartphone.

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