Air Conditioning Appliance Using an Asymmetric Sensor Pair for Transient Temperature Measurment

The present subject matter relates generally to air conditioning appliances, and more particularly to air conditioner units and methods for directing air conditioner unit functions based on sensor readings in the air conditioner unit.

Air conditioner (AC) units are conventionally utilized to adjust the temperature within structures such as dwellings and office buildings. In particular, one-unit type room air conditioner units may be utilized to adjust the temperature in, for example, a single room or group of rooms of a structure. A typical one-unit type air conditioner or air conditioning appliance includes an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The indoor portion is generally located indoors, and the outdoor portion is generally located outdoors. Accordingly, the air conditioner unit generally extends through, for example, a wall of the structure. Generally, a fan may be operable to rotate to motivate air through the indoor portion. Another fan may be operable to rotate to motivate air through the outdoor portion. A sealed cooling system including a compressor is generally housed within the air conditioner unit to treat (e.g., cool or heat) air as it is circulated through, for example, the indoor portion of the air conditioner unit. One or more control boards are typically provided to direct the operation of various elements of the particular air conditioner unit. The operations of the AC unit can be directed based on sensor readings gathered from certain sensors within the AC unit, and the determination of which sensor to use to direct the AC unit may be determined by certain events that take place within the AC unit.

Although it may be desirable to have multiple sensors available to measure readings in an AC unit, this presents some challenges. For instance, as the AC unit functions and certain events take place within the AC unit, certain sensor measurements may become an inaccurate representation of the system. In order to avoid such inaccurate measurements, a system may obtain sensor readings from a different sensor. However, this may lead to discontinuities in the sensor readings. These discontinuities may arise, for instance, due to differences in mounting locations for the sensors. Additionally or alternatively, components of the AC unit may affect different sensors differently. During use, discontinuities may cause unexpected behaviors in the AC unit or may trigger a fault or error.

As a result, further improvements would be useful, such as to ensure consistent or reliable operation of an air conditioning appliance.

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a method for directing air conditioner (AC) unit function based on sensor readings in an AC unit is provided. The method may include obtaining a primary temperature from a primary sensor group, wherein the primary sensor group comprises one or more primary sensors. The method may further include directing the AC unit based on the primary sensor group. The method may also include obtaining a secondary temperature from a secondary sensor group, wherein the secondary sensor group comprises one or more secondary sensors. The method may further include directing the AC unit based on the secondary temperature. The method may include detecting an adjustment event. The adjustment event may correspond to a fan speed adjustment. The method may also include determining an adjusted temperature between the primary temperature and the secondary temperature using the primary sensor group and the secondary sensor group. The method may still further include directing the AC unit based on the adjusted temperature.

In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an AC unit is provided. The AC unit may include a fan, a primary sensor group, a secondary sensor group, and a controller. The fan may provide airflow through the AC unit. The primary sensor group may comprise one or more primary sensors. The secondary sensor group may comprise one or more secondary sensors. The controller may be configured to direct a conditioning operation. The conditioning operation may include obtaining a primary temperature from a primary sensor group, wherein the primary sensor group comprises one or more primary sensors. The conditioning operation may further include directing the AC unit based on the primary sensor group. The conditioning operation may also include obtaining a secondary temperature from a secondary sensor group, wherein the secondary sensor group comprises one or more secondary sensors. The conditioning operation may further include directing the AC unit based on the secondary temperature. The conditioning operation may include detecting an adjustment event. The adjustment event may correspond to a fan speed adjustment. The conditioning operation may also include determining an adjusted temperature between the primary temperature and the secondary temperature using the primary sensor group and the secondary sensor group. The conditioning operation may still further include directing the AC unit based on the adjusted temperature.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The phrase “in one embodiment,” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,” “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin, i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V.

Referring now to the figures, in, an air conditioneraccording to various exemplary embodiments is provided. The air conditioneris generally a one-unit type air conditioner, also conventionally referred to as a room air conditioner or package terminal air conditioner unit (PTAC). The air conditionerincludes an indoor portionand an outdoor portion, and defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T. Each direction V, L, T is perpendicular to each other, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined.

Although described in the context of a PTAC, an air conditioner unit as disclosed herein may be provided as a window unit, single-package vertical unit (SPVU), vertical packaged air conditioner (VPAC), or any other suitable single-package air conditioner. The air conditioneris intended only as an exemplary unit and does not otherwise limit the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, it is understood that the present disclosure may be equally applicable to other types of air conditioner units.

Generally, a housingof the unitcontains various other components of the unit. Housingmay include, for example, a rear grilland a room frontthat may be spaced apart along the transverse direction T by a wall sleeve. The rear grillmay be part of the outdoor portion, while the room frontis part of the indoor portion. Components of the outdoor portionsuch as an outdoor heat exchanger, outdoor fan, and compressormay be housed within the wall sleeve. A casingmay additionally enclose the outdoor fan, as shown.

Referring now also to, indoor portionmay include, for example, an indoor heat exchanger, a blower fan, and a heating unit. These components may, for example, be housed behind the room front. Additionally, a bulkheadmay generally support or house various other components or portions thereof of the indoor portion, such as the blower fanand the heating unit. Bulkheadmay generally separate and define the indoor portionand outdoor portion.

Outdoor and indoor heat exchangers,may be components of a thermodynamic assembly (i.e., sealed system), which may be operated as a refrigeration assembly (and thus perform a refrigeration cycle) and, in the case of the heat pump unit embodiment, a heat pump (and thus perform a heat pump cycle). Thus, as is understood exemplary heat pump unit embodiments may be selectively operated to perform a refrigeration cycle at certain instances (e.g., while in a cooling mode) and a heat pump cycle at other instances (e.g., while in a heating mode). By contrast, exemplary A/C exclusive unit embodiments may be unable to perform a refrigeration cycle (e.g., while in a cooling mode).

The sealed system or assembly may, for example, further include compressorand an expansion valve, both of which may be in fluid communication with the heat exchangers,to flow refrigerant therethrough, as is generally understood. Optionally, the compressormay be a variable speed compressor or, alternatively, a single speed compressor. When the assembly is operating in a cooling mode, and thus performs a refrigeration cycle, the indoor heat exchangeracts as an evaporator and the outdoor heat exchangeracts as a condenser. In heat pump unit embodiments, when the assembly is operating in a heating mode, and thus performs a heat pump cycle, the indoor heat exchangeracts as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchangeracts as an evaporator. The outdoor and indoor heat exchangers,may each include coils,, as illustrated, through which a refrigerant may flow for heat exchange purposes, as is generally understood. For instance, and as will be understood, in response to an input temperature setting, compressormay activate for a cycle (e.g., cooling cycle or heating cycle) until the input temperature setting (or hysteresis thereof) is detected within the corresponding room.

Bulkheadmay include various peripheral surfaces that define an interiorthereof. For example, and additionally referring to, bulkheadmay include a first sidewalland a second sidewallwhich are spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction L. A rear wallmay extend laterally between the first sidewalland second sidewall.

The rear wallmay, for example, include an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion may for example have a generally curvilinear cross-sectional shape, and may accommodate a portion of the blower fanwhen blower fanis housed within the interior. The lower portion may have a generally linear cross-sectional shape, and may be positioned below the upper portion along the vertical direction V. Rear wallmay further include an indoor facing surfaceand an opposing outdoor facing surface. The indoor facing surfacemay face the interiorand indoor portion, and the outdoor facing surface may face the outdoor portion.

Bulkheadmay additionally extend between a top end and a bottom end along vertical axis V. The upper portion may, for example, include the top end, while the lower portion may, for example, include the bottom end.

Bulkheadmay additionally include, for example, an air diverter, which may extend between the sidewalls,along the lateral direction L and through which air may flow.

In exemplary embodiments, blower fanmay be a tangential fan. Alternatively, however, any suitable fan type may be utilized. Blower fanmay include a blade assemblyand a motor. The blade assembly, which may include one or more blades disposed within a fan housing, may be disposed at least partially within the interiorof the bulkhead, such as within the upper portion. As shown, blade assemblymay for example extend along the lateral direction L between the first sidewalland the second sidewall. The motormay be connected to the blade assembly, such as through the fan housingto the blades via a shaft. Operation of the motormay rotate the blades, thus generally operating the blower fan(e.g., in a cooling mode, heating mode, or fan-only mode). Further, in exemplary embodiments, motormay be disposed exterior to the bulkhead. Accordingly, the shaft may for example extend through one of the sidewalls,to connect the motorand blade assembly.

In exemplary embodiments, heating unitincludes one or more heater banks. Each heater bankmay be operated as desired to produce heat. In some embodiments, three heater banksmay be utilized, as shown. Alternatively, however, any suitable number of heater banksmay be utilized. Each heater bankmay further include at least one heater coil or coil pass, such as in exemplary embodiments two heater coils or coil passes. Alternatively, other suitable heating elements may be utilized. As is understood, each heater coil passmay be provided as a resistive heating element configured to generate heat in response to resistance to an electrical current flowed therethrough. For instance, and as will be understood, in response to an input temperature setting, at least a portion of heater bankmay activate as an electrical current is flowed therethrough for a heating cycle until the input temperature setting (or hysteresis thereof) is detected within the corresponding room.

The operation of air conditioner, including compressor(and thus the sealed system generally) blower fan, fan, heating unit, and other suitable components, may be controlled by a control board or controller. Controllermay be in communication (via for example a suitable wired or wireless connection) to such components of the air conditioner 10. By way of example, the controllermay include a memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of air conditioner. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. Generally, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory.

Air conditionermay additionally include a control paneland one or more user inputs, which may be included in control panel. The user inputsmay be in communication with the controller. A user of the air conditionermay interact with the user inputsto operate the air conditioner, and user commands may be transmitted between the user inputsand controllerto facilitate operation of the air conditionerbased on such user commands (e.g., to specify a desired temperature, cooling mode, heating mode, fan-only mode, idle mode, date/time, service event, etc.). A displaymay additionally be provided in the control paneland may be in communication with the controller. Displaymay, for example be a touchscreen or other text-readable display screen, or alternatively may simply be a light that can be activated and deactivated as required to provide an indication of, for example, an event, setting, or mode for the air conditioner.

Referring now to, in some embodiments, a first indoor temperature sensor(e.g., indoor refrigerant temperature sensor) or a second indoor temperature sensor(e.g., indoor ambient temperature sensor) is disposed within the indoor portion. Each temperature sensor may be configured to sense the temperature of its surroundings. For example, each temperature sensor may be a thermistor or a thermocouple. The indoor temperature sensorsandmay be in communication with the controller, and may transmit temperatures sensed thereby to the controller(e.g., as one or more voltages or signals, which the controlleris configured to interpret as temperature values). Optionally, the voltages or signal transmitted to the controllermay be transmitted in response to a polling request or signal received by one or more of the indoor temperature sensorsand. For example, a polling request or signal may be transmitted to one or more of the indoor temperature sensors,from the controller.

First indoor temperature sensormay be disposed proximate to the indoor heat exchanger(such as relative to the second indoor temperature sensor). For example, in some embodiments, first indoor temperature sensormay be in contact with the indoor heat exchanger, such as with a coilthereof. The first indoor temperature sensormay be configured to detect a temperature for the indoor heat exchanger 40. Second indoor temperature sensormay be spaced from the indoor heat exchanger, such as in the transverse direction T. For example, the second indoor temperature sensormay be in contact with the room front, as illustrated in. Second indoor temperature sensormay be configured to detect a temperature of air entering the indoor portion. During certain operations (e.g., in a cooling mode), air may thus generally flow across or adjacent to the second indoor temperature sensor, then the first indoor temperature sensor.

Referring again to, some embodiments, such as exemplary heat pump unit embodiments, a first outdoor temperature sensor(e.g., outdoor refrigerant temperature sensor) (as indicated in phantom lines) and a second outdoor temperature sensor(e.g., outdoor ambient temperature sensor) (as indicated in phantom lines) are disposed within the outdoor portion. Each temperature sensor may be configured to sense the temperature of its surroundings. For example, each temperature sensor may be a thermistor or a thermocouple. The outdoor temperature sensors,may be in communication with the controller, and may transmit temperatures sensed thereby to the controller(e.g., as one or more voltage signals, which the controlleris configured to interpret as temperature readings).

represents an example graphrelated to an example gradual transition from a secondary temperaturefrom a secondary sensor group (e.g., including second indoor temperature sensor—) to a primary temperaturefrom a primary sensor group (e.g., including first indoor temperature sensor—). In this embodiment, the secondary temperatureis represented by the bottom line, an adjusted temperatureis represented by the middle line, and the primary temperatureis represented by the top line. The vertical axisrepresents temperature values and the horizontal axisrepresents time values, wherein as the horizontal axismoves to the right, an amount of time passed increases, and as the vertical axismoves up, the temperature values increase. The leftmost arrowrepresents a moment in time that a fan located in close proximity to the primary group of sensors turns on. The rightmost arrowrepresents a moment in time when the gradual transition period is complete.

Prior in time to the leftmost arrow, a controller may be understood to be directing the AC unit based on the secondary temperature. At the leftmost arrow, the fan turns on and the gradual transition (e.g., in use for directing the AC unit) from the secondary temperatureto the primary temperaturebegins. The gradual transition may comprise determining an adjusted temperatureby a weighted average between a contemporary temperature reading of the primary temperatureat the primary sensor group and a contemporary temperature reading of the secondary temperatureat the secondary sensor group (e.g., wherein both contemporary temperatures are detected simultaneously or at substantially the same point in time), wherein the contemporary temperature readings are updating values (e.g., continuously updating or updating intermittently over time). In one embodiment, determining the weighted average comprises increasing a weight of the primary temperatureover a predetermined interval of time and decreasing a weight of the secondary temperatureover the predetermined interval of time. The interval of time may be in an interval between about 1 second to about 10 minutes, such as between about 30 seconds to about 8 minutes, or between about 1 minute to about 5 minutes. The weight of the primary temperaturemay start at 0% at the leftmost arrow(e.g., when the fan turns on) and increase according to a set increase rate (e.g., by a certain percentage each second). This increase may be in a range between about.5% to about 5%, such as about 1% per second. The weight of the secondary temperaturemay start at 100% at the leftmost arrow(e.g., when the fan turns on) and decrease according to a set decrease (e.g., by a certain percentage each second). This decrease may be in a range between about.5% to about 5%, such as about 1% per second. The increase of the weight of the primary temperaturemay be a constant increase (e.g., linear increase) or a variable increase (e.g., exponential or according to another variable formula increase). The decrease of the weight of the secondary temperaturemay be a constant decrease (e.g., linear decrease) or a variable decrease (e.g., exponential or according to another variable formula decrease). At the rightmost arrow, the weight of the primary temperatureis 100% and the weight of the secondary temperatureis 0% respectively, and the gradual transition has completed. Following the completion of the gradual transition, the controller may direct the AC unit based on the primary temperature.

represents an example graphrelated to a change in a primary temperature(e.g., including first indoor temperature sensor—), a secondary temperature(e.g., including second indoor temperature sensor—), and an adjusted temperaturecaused by a change in a fan speed. In this embodiment, the primary temperatureis represented by the solid line, the fan speedis represented by the dotted line, the secondary temperatureis represented by the dot dash combination line, and the adjusted temperatureis represented by the dashed line. In this embodiment, the left vertical axisrepresents temperature values. The right vertical axisrepresents revolutions per minute (RPM) values of the fan speed. The horizontal axisrepresents time values, wherein as the horizontal axismoves to the right, an amount of time passed increases. It is noted that the values represented in the graph are understood to be merely exemplary, solely for the purposes of illustration, and are in no way limiting to the primary disclosure.

Referring again to the embodiment of, as the fan speedstays relatively constant, the primary temperatureand secondary temperaturealso remain relatively constant. Prior to a first adjustment event, the adjusted temperaturemay be equal or substantially equal to the primary temperature. At the first adjustment event, the fan is turned off. In response to the fan turning off, the primary temperaturemay decrease rapidly (e.g., in response to the cooling of a coil near a primary sensor group). The secondary temperaturewill also decrease, however, due to the position of the secondary temperature sensor, the secondary temperature sensormay be less affected by the fan turning off (e.g., in response to the cooling of the coil near the primary sensor group or in response to less heat generated by components of the AC unit). Prior to the decrease, the primary temperatureand secondary temperaturemay slightly increase (e.g., in response to a loss of air flow caused by the fan turning off prior to the cooling of the coil). At a second adjustment eventthe fan is turned back on. In response to the fan turning back on, the primary temperaturemay begin to increase rapidly (e.g., in response to heat generated or emitted by working components near the primary sensor group or halting the process of cooling the coil due to the fan being turned back on) and the secondary temperaturemay begin to increase more gradually than the primary temperature. In response to the primary temperatureand secondary temperatureincreasing, the adjusted temperaturewill also increase. The primary temperatureand secondary temperaturemay begin to stabilize after the fan has been running for a period of time. The period of time may be a period of about 1 minute to about 20 minutes, such as about 3 minutes to about 15 minutes, such as about 5 minutes to about 10 minutes. As the primary temperatureand secondary temperaturestabilize, the adjusted temperaturemay still increase due to a weight of the primary temperatureincreasing and a weight of the secondary temperaturedecreasing. The weight of the primary temperaturemay start at 0% at the second adjustment event(e.g., when the fan turns on) and increase according to a set increase rate (e.g., by a certain percentage each second). This increase may be in a range between about 0.5% to about 5%, such as about 1% per second. The weight of the secondary temperaturemay start at 100% at the second adjustment event(e.g., when the fan turns on) and decrease according to a set decrease (e.g., by a certain percentage each second). This decrease may be in a range between about 0.5% to about 5%, such as about 1% per second. The increase of the weight of the primary temperaturemay be a constant increase (e.g., linear increase) or a variable increase (e.g., exponential or according to another variable formula increase). The decrease of the weight of the secondary temperaturemay be a constant decrease (e.g., linear decrease) or a variable decrease (e.g., exponential or according to another variable formula decrease). After the weight of the primary temperaturehas increased to 100% and the weight of the secondary temperaturehas decreased to 0% respectively, the gradual transition has completed and the adjusted temperaturewill be equal to the primary temperature. Following the completion of the gradual transition, the controller may direct the AC unit based on the primary temperature.

Referring now to, the present disclosure may further be directed to a method of operating an air conditioner or air conditioning appliance, such as air conditioner. In exemplary embodiments, the controllermay be operable to perform various steps of a method in accordance with the present disclosure.

It is noted that the order of steps within methodis for illustrative purposes. All may be adopted or characterized as being fulfilled in a common operation. Except as otherwise indicated, one or more steps in the below methodmay be changed, rearranged, performed in a different order, or otherwise modified without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

The methodmay occur as, or as part of, a conditioner operation (e.g., a cooling or heating operation) of the air conditioner. In particular, the methods disclosed herein may advantageously adapt detection or performance of a specific air conditioner unit according to the room, environment, or location in which the unit is installed and thus continues to operate.

At, the methodincludes obtaining a primary temperature (e.g., contemporary primary temperature) from a primary sensor group, which may include one or more primary sensors (e.g., as described above). As an example, the primary temperature may include or be provided as a direct temperature value measured as a reading from a single primary sensor of the one or more primary sensors. As another example, the primary temperature may include or be provided as a multi-reading temperature value calculated from multiple readings from a plurality of discrete primary sensors. For instance, the multi-reading temperature value may be provided as an average temperature value calculated from a plurality of temperature values (e.g., contemporary values) each detected at a discrete primary sensor. The multi-reading temperature may also be determined from a weighted average of the one or more primary sensors. For instance, the weighted average of the one or more primary sensors may be determined by assigning weight values to each discrete primary sensor, wherein the weights may be determined based on a priority ranking of each discrete primary sensor of the one or more primary sensors. In one instance, a primary sensor located closest to a fan would be in a location that would measure a maximally accurate temperature of the AC unit environment and may have a greater weight than a primary sensor located farther away from the fan, and thus in a location that would measure a slightly less accurate temperature of the AC unit environment.

Additionally or alternatively, the primary sensor group and secondary sensor group may be in communication with a controller, and may transmit temperatures sensed thereby to the controller (e.g., as one or more voltages or signals, which the controller is configured to interpret as temperature values). Optionally, the voltages or signal transmitted to the controller may be transmitted in response to a polling request or signal received by one or more of the primary sensor group and secondary sensor group. For example, a polling request or signal may be transmitted to one or more of the primary sensor group and secondary sensor group from the controller. The primary sensor group and secondary sensor group may measure contemporary temperatures of the AC unit environment and may transmit the contemporary temperature measurements to the controller (e.g., as a continuous transmission or intermittently over time).

At, the methodincludes directing the AC unit based on the primary sensor group. Generally, directing the AC unit based on a sensor group comprises controlling certain actions or steps based on sensor data from a certain sensor group. For example, an action or step may depend on a threshold value, wherein the operation may be performed in a first configuration when a primary temperature (e.g., contemporary primary temperature) obtained from a primary sensor group is greater than the threshold value. Further, the operation may be performed in a second configuration when the primary temperature is less than the threshold value. In one embodiment, the controller may execute instructions for directing components (e.g., compressor, reversible valve, heater bank, etc.) based on temperature readings received from the current sensor group responsible for providing temperature readings. For example, when the temperature readings received from the primary sensor group are determined to be above a certain threshold, the compressor may be activated (e.g., at a first compressor speed to motivate refrigerate through a sealed system) and when the temperature readings are determined to be below a certain threshold, the compressor may be deactivated (e.g., stops or slows the flow rate of refrigerant through the sealed system). At, the primary sensor group is responsible for providing temperature readings, and thus the controller directs the AC unit based on the primary sensor group.

At, the method includes detecting an adjustment event (e.g., first adjustment event). Generally, the adjustment event may correspond to a fan speed adjustment of a fan (e.g., a decrease in the fan speed of the fan). The decrease in fan speed may be determined by determining that a measured fan speed of the fan is below a threshold fan speed value. For instance, a controller may be coupled to a motor of a blower fan. The controller may access information or receive signals from the motor indicative of an operation setting of the fan (e.g., blower fan operating at maximum capacity, blower fan speed decreasing, blower fan not currently operating, blower fan speed increasing, etc.). Upon accessing information or receiving the signals indicative of the operation setting of the fan, the controller may compare the information to a threshold value to determine if the fan speed of the fan is below the threshold fan speed value. If the fan speed is determined to have crossed over below the threshold fan speed value, the controller may determine that an adjustment event has occurred.

At, the method includes obtaining a secondary temperature (e.g., contemporary secondary temperature) from a secondary sensor group, which may include one or more secondary sensors (e.g., as described above). As an example, the secondary temperature may include or be provided as a direct temperature value measured as a reading from a single secondary sensor of the one or more secondary sensors. As another example, the secondary temperature may include or be provided as a multi-reading temperature value calculated from multiple readings from a plurality of discrete secondary sensors. For instance, the multi-reading temperature value may be provided as an average temperature value calculated from a plurality of temperature values each detected at a discrete secondary sensor. The average temperature of the one or more secondary sensors may also be determined from a weighted average of the one or more secondary sensors. For instance, the weighted average of the one or more secondary sensors may be determined by assigning weight values to each discrete secondary sensor, wherein the weights may be determined based on a priority ranking of each discrete secondary sensor of the one or more secondary sensors. For example, a secondary sensor considered to be located in a location that would measure a maximally accurate temperature of the AC unit environment may have a greater weight than a secondary sensor considered to be in a location that would measure a slightly less accurate temperature of the AC unit environment. As another example, the secondary temperature may be determined by adding an offset value to a contemporary temperature value measured by one discrete secondary sensor of the one or more secondary sensors. The offset value may be determined by measuring a difference between the primary temperature and the temperature value measured by one discrete secondary sensor of the one or more secondary sensors at a specific moment in time (e.g., when a fan adjustment event occurs, such as the fan speed increasing, decreasing, or turning off). The offset value is then added to the temperature value measured by one discrete secondary sensor of the one or more secondary sensors in order to obtain the secondary temperature. The offset value may also be added to the subsequent contemporary temperature values measured by the one discrete secondary sensor of the one or more secondary sensors. Notably, addition of the offset value may mitigate gaps, discontinuities or spikes in the temperature readings when switching from the primary temperature to the secondary temperature. Additionally or alternatively, the offset value may aid in accuracy or account for differences in the primary sensor group and the secondary sensor group. In some embodiments, obtaining the secondary temperature from the secondary sensor group may be in response to.

At, the method includes directing the AC unit based on the secondary temperature (e.g., contemporary secondary temperature). Generally, directing the AC unit based on a sensor group comprises controlling certain actions or steps based on sensor data from a certain sensor group. For example, an action or step may depend on a threshold value, wherein the operation may be performed in a first configuration when a secondary temperature obtained from a secondary sensor group is greater than the threshold value. Further, the operation may be performed in a second configuration when the secondary temperature is less than the threshold value. In one embodiment, the controller may execute instructions for directing components (e.g., compressor, reversible valve, heater bank, etc.) based on temperature readings received from the current sensor group responsible for providing temperature readings. For example, when the temperature readings received from the secondary sensor group are determined to be above a certain threshold, the compressor may be activated (e.g., at a first compressor speed to motivate refrigerate through a sealed system) and when the temperature readings are determined to be below a certain threshold, the compressor may be deactivated (e.g., stops or slows the flow rate of refrigerant through the sealed system). At, the secondary sensor group is responsible for providing temperature readings, and thus the controller directs the AC unit based on the secondary sensor group.

At, the method includes detecting an adjustment event (e.g., a new or second adjustment event). Generally, the adjustment event may correspond to a fan speed adjustment of a fan (e.g., an increase in the fan speed of the fan). The increase in fan speed may be determined by determining that a measured fan speed of the fan is above a threshold fan speed value. For instance, a controller may be coupled to a motor of the fan. The controller may access information or receive signals from the motor indicative of an operation setting of the fan (e.g., a blower fan operating at maximum capacity, a blower fan speed decreasing, a blower fan not currently operating, a blower fan speed increasing, etc.). Upon accessing information or receiving the signals indicative of the operation setting of the fan, the controller may compare the information to a threshold value to determine if the fan speed of the fan is above the threshold fan speed value. If the fan speed is determined to have crossed over above the threshold fan speed value, the controller may determine that an adjustment event has occurred.

At, the method includes determining an adjusted temperature (e.g., contemporary adjusted temperature) between the primary temperature and the secondary temperature using the primary sensor group and the secondary sensor group (e.g., in response to). The adjusted temperature may include or be provided as a temperature value between the primary temperature and the secondary temperature. Additionally or alternatively, the adjusted temperature may increase or decrease over an interval of time. The increase or decrease of the adjusted temperature may be gradual over the interval of time in order to not cause any gaps, discontinuities or spikes in the temperature readings. In some embodiments, determining the adjusted temperature between the primary temperature and the secondary temperature may be in response to.

In some embodiments,includes determining a weighted average between a contemporary temperature at the primary sensor group and a contemporary temperature at the secondary sensor group. The primary sensor group and secondary sensor group may measure contemporary temperatures of the AC unit environment and may transmit the contemporary temperature measurements to the controller (e.g., as a continuous transmission or intermittently over time).

In one embodiment, determining the weighted average comprises increasing a weight of the primary temperature over a predetermined interval of time and decreasing a weight of the secondary temperature over the predetermined interval of time (e.g., as described above). The interval of time may be in an interval between about 1 second to about 10 minutes, such as between about 30 seconds to about 8 minutes, or between about 1 minute to about 5 minutes. The weight of the primary temperature may start at 0% when the fan turns off and increase according to a set increase rate (e.g., by a certain percentage each second). This increase may be in a range between about.5% to about 5%, such as about 1% per second. The weight of the secondary temperature may start at 100% when the fan turns on and decrease according to a set decrease (e.g., by a certain percentage each second). This decrease may be in a range between about.5% to about 5%, such as about 1% per second. The increase of the weight of the primary temperature may be a constant increase (e.g., linear increase) or a variable increase (e.g., exponential or according to another variable formula increase). The decrease of the weight of the secondary temperature may be a constant decrease (e.g., linear decrease) or a variable decrease (e.g., exponential or according to another variable formula decrease). Once the weight of the primary temperature is 100% and the weight of the secondary temperature is 0% respectively, the gradual transition has completed. Following the completion of the gradual transition, the controller may direct the AC unit based on the primary temperature.

At, the method comprises directing the AC unit based on the adjusted temperature (e.g., contemporary adjusted temperature). In this embodiment, the controller is directing the AC unit based on contemporary readings from both the primary sensor group and secondary sensor group concurrently. As time passed since the second adjustment event increases, the weight of the primary sensor group also increases and the weight of the secondary sensor group decreases. In one embodiment, following the completion of the gradual transition (the adjusted temperature is equal or about equal to the primary temperature), the controller may direct the AC unit based on the primary temperature.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.