Outdoor unit of air conditioner and method of controlling the same
US9574999B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 21, 2015 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 21, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01W1/14
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Provided are an outdoor unit of an air conditioner that detects snow that piles up on the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and a method of controlling the same. When a detection device is installed in the outdoor unit and snow piles up in a snow cover detection area included in the detection device, it is detected using an optical sensor whether snow cover occurs. A value detected by the optical sensor is transmitted to a controller, and the controller compares the value with a default value, and when the controller receives a value different from the default value, the controller controls a fan driving unit to drive a fan. Wind generated by driving the fan removes snow that piles up in the snow cover detection area, a fan guard and a discharge port to prevent the fan from malfunctioning due to accumulated snow.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.