METHOD FOR CONFIGURING A MACHINE

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for remotely configuring a machine for recovering and regenerating refrigerant fluids for air-conditioning plants, in particular, but not only, air-conditioning plants of cars.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for remotely configuring the aforementioned air-conditioning plants.

Description of the prior art

[0003] As well known, air conditioning plants for cars require frequent maintenance operations for controlling the levels of the refrigerant present within the air-conditioning plant, commonly named A/C circuit. Small amounts of oil are added to the refrigerant in order to lubricate the compressor of the circuits, therefore, also the amount of oil with respect to the amount of refrigerant has to be periodically controlled to guarantee a correct operation.

[0004] Furthermore, during normal operation of the air-conditioning plants, the refrigerant fluid is contaminated by air, by incondensable gas, by water and by solid particles, which are formed due to the wear and to the loss of tightness of the components of the plant.

[0005] In particular, the maintenance of the air-conditioning plants is carried out by periodically emptying the plant and recovering the refrigerant fluid that is treated in order to purify the same from the impurities and to restore the optimal levels.

[0006] To this purpose apparatus are known for recovering and regenerating refrigerants normally comprising an evaporator formed by a container having, in the upper part, an inlet for the mixture refrigerant fluid/impurities and, in the lower part, an outlet for removing the impurities gathered at the bottom, a compressor, a condenser, and a reservoir containing new refrigerant fluid, or regenerated fluid. The fluid contained in the reservoir is, then, introduced again in the air-conditioning plant, for example the plant of a car.

[0007] The above mentioned apparatus are able to treat a specific refrigerant fluid having determined characteristics. In particular, the lubricating oil is specific for each different kind of refrigerant fluid that is used. With the passing of time, new refrigerant fluids have been developed having improved characteristics and a reduced environmental impact in connection to their disposal treatment. Also in this case, for each refrigerant fluid a specific lubricating oil has to be used.

[0008] Recovering and regenerating apparatus are, furthermore, known that are able to treat at the same time two different refrigerant fluids, in order to treat, in a transition time of several years, air-conditioning plants of cars, or other machines using different refrigerant fluids. More precisely, it can occur that a workshop has to treat at the same time air-conditioning plants of new cars, using a new refrigerant, and older cars, which still use an old refrigerant. To avoid that the workshop has to purchase two different machines, two-fluid machines have been developed that allow to treat two different refrigerants

[0009] For example, apparatus for recovering and regenerating are known that are able to treat both the traditional fluid R12 and the R134a fluid, which has replaced the other because has a lower environmental impact. These two typologies of refrigerant fluid are very different from each other, but, at the same time, are not incompatible one another, i.e. a small amount of R12 was accepted if erroneously introduced into air-conditioning plants designed for R134a fluid, because the two fluids had similar physical and thermodynamic properties.

[0010] Recently, as known, a new refrigerant fluid, named R1234yf, has been developed having chemical-physical properties having a still lower environmental impact, and, therefore, this is gradually replacing the widespread refrigerant R134a.

[0011] However, R1234yf fluid is completely incompatible with the R134a fluid because this is inflammable. For this reason an even small amount of R1234yf cannot be accepted in the earlier air-conditioning plants. Furthermore, the new A/C plants that can work with R1234yf, are completely different from the plant working with R134a, therefore malfunctions can occur even if small amounts of R134a are present.

[0012] Therefore, the known apparatus for recovering and regenerating two different refrigerants are not adapted to treat refrigerant fluid R1234yf in combination with old R134a fluid since even small amounts of contamination of the second refrigerant fluid in the first one cause a malfunction of the air-conditioning plant and of the mechanical components of the same. In fact, if a two-fluid machine is used for treating in turn the two different refrigerant fluids, the drawback occurs that, when passing from a refrigerant fluid to the other, a residue fraction of refrigerant fluid that has been treated first always remains in the ducts of the recovering circuit, in the valves, in the evaporator, in the mechanical components, etc. causing a contamination of the two fluids. Such contamination, in addition to cause a malfunction of the air-conditioning plant in which is introduced, causes a contamination of the new refrigerant fluid R1234yf contained in the reservoir, therefore this becomes unserviceable, causing an economic damage, due to the high costs.

[0013] On the other hand, if a two-fluid machine is produced having two circuits and components completely separated from each other, no difference is obtained with respect to produce two distinct machines, with the costs of two different machines, and would not be economically interesting neither for the producer companies nor for the client companies.

[0014] Therefore, in the last years the producers and the distributors of this kind of machines tend to configure the same in such a way that it is able to treat only a refrigerant fluid and not a different one.

[0015] In US2013/298578 a method is described for configuring a machine for recovering and regenerating a refrigerant fluid in an air-conditioning plant in such a way that the machine is able to process a refrigerant fluid only. The method provides to send to the final user the machine provided of a local processing unit, and a predetermined kit of fittings for mechanically configuring the machine same, in such a way that the machine is able to operate only with a predetermined refrigerant fluid.

[0016] However, the solution described in US2013/298578, as well as analogous solutions, which provide to configure the machine by the producer, or by the distributor, in such a way that the machine same is able to treat only a refrigerant fluid, the configuration is carried out by operating a series of operations on the machine that can affect the software managing the machine and/or the mechanical components. In this latter case in order to guarantee that the machine is able to be physically connected to the plant to be treated.

[0017] The aforementioned operations involve a rise in duties for the producer, or the distributor and, therefore, in costs for the final client, in addition to long times for the delivery.

[0018] Furthermore, in case of misunderstanding between the final client and the producer, or the distributor, it is possible that a machine configured to work with a refrigerant fluid different from the one desired by the user is delivered to the final user. In order to correct this mistake it is, therefore, necessary to carry out another operation by skilled workers with further costs and loss of time.

Summary of the invention

[0019] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for configuring a machine for recovering and regenerating refrigerant fluids for air-conditioning plants which allows to overcome the above mentioned problems of the prior art solutions.

[0020] It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a method for configuring a machine for recovering and regenerating refrigerant fluids for air-conditioning plants, which allows, in particular, to configure the machine under the producer's, or the distributor's, guidance, but in an autonomous way and that is, at the same time, quick and absolutely sure.

[0021] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system for configuring a machine for recovering and regenerating refrigerant fluids for air-conditioning plants that allows to obtain similar advantages with respect to the prior art solutions.

[0022] These and other objects are achieved by the method, according to the invention, for configuring, by a final user, a machine for recovering and regenerating a refrigerant fluid in an air conditioning plant, in such a way that said machine is able to treat only a determined refrigerant fluid among a plurality of possible refrigerant fluids, said method for configuring comprising the steps of:

• delivery to said final user said machine for recovering and regenerating a refrigerant fluid in an air conditioning plant, said machine being provided with a local processing unit;
• delivery to said final user a predetermined kit of basic fittings selected by said final user among a plurality of kits of fittings, each kit of said plurality being arranged to mechanically configure said machine in such a way to be able to treat only said determined refrigerant fluid, said predetermined kit of basic fittings being associated to a predetermined kit code provided to said final user; whose main characteristic is that said machine is associated to a predetermined activation code provided to said final user and that it, furthermore, comprises the steps of:
• communication by the final user to a remote control unit of said activation code and of said kit code, said communication being carried out by an electronic device connected to said remote control unit;
• verifying said activation code and said kit code by said remote control unit;
• generation and sending by said remote control unit to said final user of an unlocking code if the output of said verifying step is positive;
• communication of said unlocking code to said local processing unit of said machine by said final user;
• finalizing said machine by said local processing unit by installing a predetermined software program selected among a plurality of software programs, each of which corresponding to a determined refrigerant fluid, said predetermined software program being arranged to set predetermined values of a predetermined plurality of exercise parameters of the machine corresponding to said predetermined refrigerant fluid;
• activation of said machine at the end of said finalizing step.

[0023] Further technical characteristics of the present invention and related embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

[0024] In particular, the aforementioned plurality of exercise parameters can be retrieved from a data library.

[0025] Advantageously, the aforementioned activation step is arranged to activate said machine in a definite way.

[0026] In particular, an electronic device can be, furthermore, provided configured to communicate via internet with said remote control unit, said communication step of said activation code and of said kit code to said remote control unit by said final user being carried out by said electronic device.

[0027] Advantageously, the aforementioned local processing unit comprises an interface display, and at least one of the following steps is carried out within a graphic interface displayed on said interface display:

• displaying said activation code associated to said machine to provide said activation code to said final user;
• typing said unlocking code by said final user in order to start said finalizing step.

[0028] In particular, the aforementioned machine can be housed within a main packaging and the aforementioned kit of basic fittings can be housed within a secondary packaging.

[0029] Furthermore, a storing step can be provided for storing in the remote control unit of the finalized machine together with the indication of the determined refrigerant fluid and of the final user.

[0030] According to another aspect of the invention, a system for configuring a machine for recovering and regenerating a refrigerant fluid in an air conditioning plant, in such a way that the machine is able to treat only a determined refrigerant fluid among a plurality of possible refrigerant fluids, comprises:

• a machine for recovering and regenerating a refrigerant fluid in an air-conditioning plant, said machine being provided with a local processing unit;
• a kit of basic fittings arranged to mechanically configure said machine in such a way to be able to treat only a predetermined refrigerant fluid among a plurality of possible refrigerant fluids, said kit of basic fittings being associated to a predetermined kit code provided to said final user;

whose main characteristic is that the machine is associated to a predetermined activation code provided to said final user and that it furthermore comprises:

• a remote control unit configured to communicate with an electronic device in such a way to receive said activation code and said kit code by said final user, said remote control unit being, furthermore, configured to verify said activation code and said kit code, generate a corresponding unlocking code and to send the same to the final user, if the output of said verifying step is positive;
• a local processing unit configured to receive said unlocking code from said final user in order to start, then, a finalizing step of said machine by installing a predetermined software program selected among a plurality of software programs, each of which corresponding to a predetermined refrigerant fluid, said predetermined software program being arranged to set predetermined values of a predetermined plurality of exercise parameters of the machine corresponding to said determined refrigerant fluid and retrieved, in particular, from a data library, said finalizing step ending with the activation of said machine, advantageously in a definitive way.

Brief description of the drawings

[0031] The invention will now be shown with the following description of its exemplary embodiments, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

• Fig. 1A shows a block diagram of the main steps of the method, according to the invention, for configuring a machine for recovering and regenerating a refrigerant fluid in an air conditioning plant;
• Fig. 1B shows a block diagram of the main steps of an alternative embodiment of the method of figure 1A;
• Fig. 2A diagrammatically shows the finalizing step with which the configuring of the machine ends;

• Fig. 2B diagrammatically shows a finalizing step with which the configuring of the machine ends and that is alternative to the one of figure 2A;
• Fig. 3 shows a possible hydraulic scheme of a machine for recovering and regenerating a refrigerant fluid in an air conditioning plant to which the configuring method, according to the invention, can be applied;
• Figures 4A and 4B diagrammatically show a perspective side elevation view of the packaging of the machine and of the kit of basic fittings, respectively, in a configuration of mutual engagement, and in a configuration of disengagement.

Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention

[0032] In figure 1A the main steps are shown of the method according to the invention for configuring, by a final user, a machine 100 for recovering and regenerating a refrigerant fluid, in particular a refrigerant gas, in an air-conditioning plant 200, in particular an air-conditioning plant of a car. In particular, the machine 100, together with a predetermined activation code 101 associated to the same, and a kit of basic fittings 150 associated to a respective kit code 151, are provided to the final user who starts the sequence of steps that is diagrammatically shown in the block diagram of figure 1A, and described in the following, for configuring the machine 100 same. More precisely, the aforementioned configuration provides the steps of communicating, by the final user, the activation code 101 and the kit code 151 to a remote control unit 350. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the activation code 101 can be provided to the final user when he starts the machine 100, by a visualization display 120 of which is equipped with, or can be provided together with the instruction book of the machine. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the activation code 101 can be stamped on a main packaging 102 within which the machine 100 is delivered to the final user 250, or directly on the machine 100 same, for example indicated on a plate. Analogously, the kit code 151 can be provided to the final user 250 through different solutions. Kit code 151 can be indicated, for example stamped, on the packaging 152 within which the kit of fittings 150 can be delivered to the final user. Alternatively, the aforementioned kit code 151 can be indicated on a plate constrained to the secondary packaging 152, on which it is preferably indicated also the kind of refrigerant fluid with which has to work. In a further embodiment of the invention, the kit code 151 can be provided to the final user 250 indicating the same in an instruction book arranged within the secondary packaging 152.

[0033] As diagrammatically shown in figure 1B, the communication of the activation code and of the kit code to the remote control unit 350, in particular a proprietary server, can be carried out by the final user 250 connecting by an electronic device, for example a smartphone 255, or a tablet, or a pc, or any other device that is able to communicate via the internet network, and opening a predetermined web page. Advantageously, a storing step can be, furthermore, provided for storing in the remote control unit 350 the identification data that the final user 250 has to draw up in the format available in this web page. Automatically and for the starting date of the guarantee of the machine 100 purposes, the remote control unit 350 stores the final user's data, the activation date, the kind of configured refrigerant fluid and the matriculation number of the machine 100.

[0034] Then, the remote control unit 350 elaborates the aforementioned codes 101 and 151 and starts a verifying procedure at the end of which, in case of positive output, generates an unlocking code 351 that is communicated to the final user 250, for example by displaying the same on the aforementioned web page (figure 1B), or by sending a message to a delivery email, or to a phone number, that has been previously provided to the system by the final user 250. Then, the final user 250 communicates the aforementioned unlocking code 352 to the local processing unit 130 of machine 100, for example by typing the same directly on the interface display 120, if this is of touchscreen type, or by a proper keyboard 125. The local processing unit 130, once verified that the unlocking code is correct, starts a finalizing step 140 of machine 100.

[0035] Advantageously, the aforementioned plurality of refrigerant fluids among which the determined refrigerant fluid can be selected comprises, for example R134a fluid, R1234yf fluid, R744 fluid and R513a fluid.

[0036] In particular, as diagrammatically shown in figure 2A, the finalizing step 140 can provide the installation of a predetermined software program selected among a plurality of software programs, for example 4 different software programs 141-144, each of which corresponding to a predetermined refrigerant fluid, for example the software program 141 can be associated to the refrigerant fluid R134a, the software program 142 can be associated to the refrigerant fluid R1234yf, the software program 143 can be associated to the refrigerant fluid R744, and the software program 144 can be associated to the refrigerant fluid R513a. In the example of figure 2A, the unlocking code communicated by the final user 250 to the local processing unit 130 of machine 100 corresponds to the software program 143, which is, therefore, installed in the microcontroller of the machine 100 in order to end the configuration. For example, the different software programs 141-144 can be provided already preinstalled in the local processing unit 130 of the machine 100, and the finalizing step 140 can have the function of unblocking, or completing the installation, only of the software program, in the example of figure 2A the software program 143, corresponding to the combination of the activation code 101 and of the kit code 151 communicated to the remote control unit 350 in the related step.

[0037] In particular, the installation of a software program, rather than another can consist in setting a series of exercise parameters of the machine 100 corresponding to the predetermined refrigerant fluid that the machine 100 have to treat. The aforementioned exercise parameters can be, for example, retrieved from a data library. Advantageously, the aforementioned plurality of exercise parameters of the machine 100 set at the end of the finalizing step of the local processing unit 130 can comprise at least one exercise parameter selected from the group of: exercise temperature, exercise pressure, in particular la the maximum allowable exercise pressure (PS), la safety calibration of the valves, the time duration of a working cycle, or any combination thereof.

[0038] In particular, the maximum allowable exercise pressure (PS) and the safety calibration of the valves can be set according to the type of fluid that is used. More in particular, in the case the fluid is R134a: PS: 25 bar, and safety calibration: 20 bar. In the case of R1234yf fluid, instead, advantageously, the maximum allowable exercise pressure can be 25 bar, and the safety calibration 20 bar. In the further case in which the fluid is R744, the maximum allowable exercise pressure can be set equal to 250 bar, and the safety calibration equal to 170 bar. At last, in the case in which the fluid is R513a, the maximum allowable exercise pressure can be set equal to 25 bar, and the safety calibration equal to 20 bar.

[0039] Advantageously, the exercise temperature can be set between 10°C and 50°C for each refrigerant fluid. In particular, the time duration of a working cycle can be comprised between 30 min and 90 min according to the data set and to the amount of fluid that is contained within the air conditioning plant.

[0040] In the alternative embodiment of figure 2B, it is provided that, the remote control unit 350, once verified that the combination of activation code 101 and kit code 151 is correct, can be arranged to send via internet besides the unlocking code 352 also the software program 143 corresponding to the aforementioned combination. The sending via internet can be done to the electronic device 255 of the final user 250. It is also provided that the electronic device 255 and the local processing unit 130 are able to communicate one with the other, for example through a wireless communication, such as Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi, in such a way that the software program 143, for example retrieved from the aforementioned data library, can be transmitted by the electronic device 255 to the machine 100 and installed in the local processing unit 130. In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the machine 100 can be equipped with a module for communicating via internet, for example a module for WI-FI communication, and that the remote control unit 350 is able to transmit via internet the software program 143 directly to the local processing unit 130.

[0041] At the end of the configuration procedure according to the present invention, the machine 100, neutral at the beginning, because can be potentially able to treat any refrigerant fluid of those normally used in the aforementioned air-conditioning plants 200, is able to treat only a determined refrigerant fluid. The main object of the present invention is, in fact, to allow to the final user to configure the machine making the same, as above anticipated, able to treat only a refrigerant fluid. In this way, it is possible to avoid, in particular with respect to the prior art solutions, that is the producer, or anyway the distributor, to provide to the final user the machine 100 already configured to treat a specific refrigerant fluid both from a software, and from a mechanical point of view, i.e. already provided with the kit of basic fittings 150, comprising in particular service ducts, pipes for quick coupling to the air conditioning plant 200 of the car, besides of a series of connections for additional purposes, such as connections for the external cylinder, connectors for washing the ducts, and connectors for the service ducts. In this way, therefore, on the one hand neither the producer, nor the distributor, is no more responsible for the finalization of the machine 100, thus reducing the costs and the times for the delivery, and on the other hand the risk is avoided that the machine 100 requested by the final user for the treatment of a specific refrigerant fluid is, instead, erroneously configured for a different refrigerant fluid, thus reducing the risk of making errors.

[0042] As diagrammatically shown in the figures 4A and 4B, the main packaging 102 within which the machine 100 is contained when the same is delivered to the final user, and the secondary packaging 152 within which the aforementioned kit of basic fittings 150 is contained, can be configured to reversibly move from a mutual engagement position (figure 4A) to a disengagement position (figure 4B).

[0043] For example, the main packaging 102 can provide a housing 103, which can be reached, for example, from side 102a, and preferably having a geometry that is complementary to the one of the secondary packaging 152 in such a way that, in the aforementioned engagement configuration, the secondary packaging 152 does not protrude from the volume defined by the main packaging 102.

[0044] Preferably, as diagrammatically shown in figure 3, the aforementioned machine 100 comprises, essentially, a recovery and regeneration circuit 10 arranged to treat a refrigerant fluid coming from an air-conditioning plant 200. Normally, the air-conditioning plant, as diagrammatically shown in figure 3, provides, an evaporator 210, a compressor 220 and a condenser 230. The recovery and regeneration circuit 10 of machine 100 provides a first passage duct 11 of the refrigerant fluid from/towards the machine 100. The first flow duct 11 provides, advantageously, an end portion 11' configured to be connected to a high pressure connection pipe 211 of the air conditioning plant 200. The machine 100, furthermore, provides a second flow duct 12 of refrigerant fluid from/towards the machine 100. Analogously to the first duct 11, the second flow duct 12 provides an end portion 12' configured to be connected to a low pressure connection pipe of the aforementioned air conditioning plant 200.

[0045] Furthermore, the recovery and regeneration path 10 comprises a distributor element 15 arranged at the confluence of the first and the second flow ducts 11, 12 and a confluence duct 16 arranged downstream of the distributor element 15. Downstream of the confluence duct 16 a depuration or regeneration circuit 20 is provided for the refrigerant fluid fed by the confluence duct 16 arranged to provide to the distributor element 15 a regenerated refrigerant fluid in such a way that the regenerated refrigerant fluid can be introduced again into the air conditioning plant 200 through the first and the second flow ducts 11 and 12.

[0046] In particular, the regeneration circuit 20 comprises, essentially, a compressor 40 arranged to compress the used refrigerant fluid, an oil separator 42, an evaporator and impurities separator 30 of the used refrigerant fluid coming from the air-conditioning circuit 200, in such a way to obtain the regenerated refrigerant fluid, and a vacuum pump 35 associated to the evaporator 30. Furthermore, the regeneration circuit 20 provides a condenser 60, for example providing an electric fan 61 and arranged downstream of the evaporator and impurities separator 30. The condenser 60 is arranged to condense the regenerated refrigerant fluid. It is also provided a reservoir 70 of the regenerated refrigerant fluid, or of new refrigerant fluid.

[0047] Downstream of the reservoir 70 a series of introduction reservoirs, for example 2 reservoirs 80a and 80b, is provided each of which associated to a respective valve 82a and 82b, and arranged to contain the regenerated refrigerant fluid before introducing the same again in the air-conditioning circuit 200.

[0048] The regeneration circuit 20 can comprise also a container of tracing fluid 90 associated to a respective valve 92. The circuit, furthermore, comprises a series of valves, for example 22 valves 51a-51z, for controlling the fluid flow throughout the circuit. In particular, the aforementioned finalizing step can end with the activation of the machine 100 in a definitive way. Advantageously, the finalization of machine 100 is adapted to set, for example, the safety calibration of all, or a part of the valves 51a-51z, 82a, 82b and 92 of the circuit of machine 100 above mentioned according to the type of chosen configuration, i.e. of the type of refrigerant fluid that machine 100 has to treat.

[0049] Preferably, the configuration of machine 100, from a software point of view, can be started, as above described, once the kit of basic fittings 150 has been installed, in particular by the final user, i.e. once the mechanical configuring step of machine 100 is ended.

[0050] It is appropriate to clarify that with the term finalizing it is intended, in particular, the configuring of machine 100, or at least the final part of the same, from a software point of view.

[0051] The foregoing description exemplary embodiments of the invention will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt for various applications such embodiment without further research and without parting from the invention. The means and the materials to realize the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology that is employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Claims

1. A method for remotely configuring, by a final user (250), a machine (100) for recovering and regenerating a refrigerant fluid in an air-conditioning plant (200), in such a way that said machine (100) is able to treat only a determined refrigerant fluid among a plurality of possible refrigerant fluids, said method for configuring comprising the steps of:

- delivery to said final user of said machine (100) for recovering and regenerating a refrigerant fluid in an air conditioning plant (200), said machine (100) being provided with a local processing unit (130);

- delivery to said final user a predetermined kit of basic fittings (150) selected by said final user (250) among a plurality of kit of fittings, each kit (150) of said plurality being arranged to mechanically configure said machine (100) in such a way to be able to treat only said determined refrigerant fluid, said determined kit of basic fittings (150) being associated to a predetermined kit code (151) provided to said final user;

said method being characterized in that said machine (100) is associated to a predetermined activation code (101) provided to said final user and in that the method, furthermore, comprises the steps of:

- communication by said final user of said activation code (101) and of said kit code (151) to a remote control unit (350), said communication being carried out by an electronic device (255) connected to said remote control unit (350);

- verifying of said activation code (101) and of said kit code (151) by said remote control unit (350);

- generation and sending by said remote control unit (350) to said final user of an unlocking code (352) if the output of said verifying step is positive;

- communication of said unlocking code (352) to said local processing unit (130) of said machine (100) by said final user;

- finalizing of said machine (100) by said local processing unit (130) by installing a predetermined software program (141-144) selected among a plurality of software programs, each of which corresponding to a determined refrigerant fluid, said predetermined software being arranged to set predetermined values of a predetermined plurality of exercise parameters of said machine (100) corresponding to said predetermined refrigerant fluid;

- activation of said machine (100) at the end of said finalizing step.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of exercise parameters is retrieved from a data library.

3. Method according to claim 1, or 2, wherein said electronic device (255) and said remote control unit (350) are configured to communicate one with the other via internet.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein said local processing unit (130) comprises an interface display, and wherein at least one of the following steps is carried out within a graphic interface displayed on said interface display:

- displaying said activation code (101) associated to said machine (100) to provide said activation code (101) to said final user;

- typing said unlocking code (352) by said final user in order to start said finalizing step.

5. Method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said plurality of refrigerant fluids among which said determined refrigerant fluid is selected, comprises:

- R134a fluid;

- R1234yf fluid;

- R744 fluid;

- R513a fluid.

6. Method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said kit of basic fittings (150) is contained within a packaging (152) on which said kit code (151) is indicated in such a way to be visible to said final user.

7. Method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said machine (100) is housed within a main packaging (102) and said kit of basic fittings (150) is housed within a secondary packaging (152).

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein said main packaging (102) and said secondary packaging (152) are configured to reversibly move from a mutual engagement position to a disengagement position.

9. Method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said plurality of exercise parameters of said machine (100) set at the end of said finalizing step comprises at least one exercise parameter selected from the group of:

- exercise temperature;

- exercise pressure, in particular the maximum allowable exercise pressure (PS);

- safety calibration of the valves (51a-51z, 82a, 82b, 92);

- time duration of a working cycle;

or a combination thereof.

10. Method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein a storing step is furthermore provided for storing in said remote control unit (350) said machine (100) and associating said determined refrigerant fluid and said final user.

11. Method according to any of the previous claims, wherein said machine comprises:

- a recovery and regeneration circuit (10,20) arranged to treat a refrigerant fluid coming from said air conditioning plant (200), said recovery and regeneration circuit comprising:

- a first flow duct (11) for the flow of said refrigerant fluid from/towards said machine (100), the first flow duct (11) having an end portion (11') configured to be connected to a high pressure connection of said air conditioning plant A/C (200) ;

- a second flow duct (12) for the flow of said refrigerant fluid from/towards said machine (100), said second flow duct (12) having an end portion (12') configured to be connected to a low pressure connection of said air conditioning plant (200);

- a compressor (40) arranged to compress said used refrigerant fluid;

- an evaporator (30) for evaporating said refrigerant fluid arranged to separate the impurities from said used refrigerant fluid coming from said air conditioning plant (200) in such a way to obtain a regenerated refrigerant fluid;

- a vacuum pump (35) associated to said evaporator (30) ;

- a condenser (60) positioned downstream of said evaporator (30) and arranged to condense said regenerated refrigerant fluid;

- a reservoir (70) of said regenerated refrigerant fluid and of said new refrigerant fluid.

12. System for configuring a machine (100) for recovering and regenerating a refrigerant fluid in an air conditioning plant (200), in such a way that said machine (100) is able to treat only a determined refrigerant fluid among a plurality of possible refrigerant fluids, said system comprising:

- a machine for recovering and regenerating a refrigerant fluid in an air-conditioning plant (200), said machine (100) being provided with a local processing unit (130);

- a kit of basic fittings (150) arranged to mechanically configure said machine (100) in such a way to be able to treat only a predetermined refrigerant fluid among a plurality of possible refrigerant fluids, said kit of basic fittings (150) being associated to a predetermined kit code (151) provided to said final user;

said system being characterized in that said machine (100) is associated to a predetermined activation code (101) provided to said final user and in that it, furthermore, comprises:

- a remote control unit (350) configured to communicate with an electronic device (255) in such a way to receive by the final user said activation code (101) and said kit code (151), said remote control unit (350) being, furthermore, configured to verify said activation code (101) and said kit code (151), to generate a corresponding unlocking code (352) and to send this to said final user if the output of said verifying step is positive;

- the local processing unit (130) which is configured to receive said unlocking code (352) from said final user and in order to start, then, to carry out a finalizing step of said machine (100) by installing a predetermined software program selected among a plurality of software programs, each of which corresponding to a predetermined refrigerant fluid, said predetermined software being arranged to set predetermined values of a predetermined plurality of exercise parameters of said machine (100) corresponding to said determined refrigerant fluid and retrieved, in particular, from a data library, said finalizing ending with the activation of the machine in a definitive way.

Ansprüche

1. Verfahren zum Fernkonfigurieren, durch einen Endbenutzer (250), einer Maschine (100) zum Rückgewinnen und Regenerieren eines Kältemittelfluids in einer Klimaanlage (200) derart, dass die Maschine (100) in der Lage ist, nur ein bestimmtes Kältemittelfluid aus einer Vielzahl von möglichen Kältemittelfluiden aufzubereiten, wobei das Verfahren zum Konfigurieren die Schritte umfasst:

- Lieferung der Maschine (100) zum Rückgewinnen und Regenerieren eines Kältemittelfluids in einer Klimaanlage (200) an den Endbenutzer, wobei die Maschine (100) mit einer lokalen Verarbeitungseinheit (130) versehen ist;

- Lieferung eines vorbestimmten Grundausstattungsbausatzes (150) an den Endbenutzer, der von dem Endbenutzer (250) aus einer Vielzahl von Grundausstattungsbausätzen ausgewählt wird, wobei jeder Bausatz (150) der Vielzahl eingerichtet ist, um die Maschine (100) mechanisch derart zu konfigurieren, dass sie in der Lage ist, nur das bestimmte Kältemittelmittelfluid aufzubereiten, wobei der bestimmte Grundausstattungsbausatz (150) einem vorbestimmten Bausatzcode (151) zugeordnet ist, der dem Endbenutzer bereitgestellt wird;

wobei das Verfahren dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass die Maschine (100) einem vorbestimmten Aktivierungscode (101) zugeordnet ist, der dem Endbenutzer bereitgestellt wird, und dass das Verfahren ferner die Schritte umfasst:

- Übermittlung des Aktivierungscodes (101) und des Bausatzcodes (151) durch den Endbenutzer an eine Fernsteuereinheit (350), wobei die Übermittlung durch ein elektronisches Gerät (255) durchgeführt wird, das mit der Fernsteuereinheit (350) verbunden ist;

- Verifizieren des Aktivierungscodes (101) und des Bausatzcodes (151) durch die Fernsteuereinheit (350);

- Generieren und Senden eines Entsperrcodes (352) durch die Fernsteuereinheit (350) an den Endbenutzer, wenn die Ausgabe des Verifizierungsschritts positiv ist;

- Übermittlung des Entsperrcodes (352) an die lokale Verarbeitungseinheit (130) der Maschine (100) durch den Endbenutzer,

- Fertigstellen der Maschine (100) durch die lokale Verarbeitungseinheit (130) durch Installieren eines vorbestimmten Softwareprogramms (141-144), das aus einer Vielzahl von Softwareprogrammen ausgewählt wird, von denen jedes einem bestimmten Kältemittelfluid entspricht, wobei die vorbestimmte Software eingerichtet ist, um vorbestimmte Werte einer vorbestimmten Vielzahl von Anwendungsparametern der Maschine (100) entsprechend dem vorbestimmten Kältemittelfluid einzustellen,

- Aktivierung der Maschine (100) am Ende des Fertigstellungsschritts.

2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Vielzahl von Anwendungsparametern aus einer Datenbibliothek abgerufen wird.

3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei das elektronische Gerät (255) und die Fernsteuereinheit (350) konfiguriert sind, um über das Internet miteinander zu kommunizieren.

4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die lokale Verarbeitungseinheit (130) eine Schnittstellenanzeige umfasst, und wobei mindestens einer der folgenden Schritte innerhalb einer grafischen Schnittstelle durchgeführt wird, die auf der Schnittstellenanzeige angezeigt wird:

- Anzeigen des Aktivierungscodes (101), der der Maschine (100) zugeordnet ist, um den Aktivierungscode (101) dem Endbenutzer bereitzustellen;

- Eingeben des Entsperrcodes (352) durch den Endbenutzer, um den Fertigstellungsschritt zu starten.

5. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Vielzahl von Kältemittelfluiden, unter denen das bestimmte Kältemittelfluid ausgewählt wird, umfasst:

- R134a-Fluid;

- R1234yf-Fluid;

- R744-Fluid;

- R513a-Fluid.

6. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Grundausstattungsbausatz (150) in einer Einkapselung (152) enthalten ist, auf der der Bausatzcode (151) derart angegeben ist, dass er für den Endbenutzer sichtbar ist.

7. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Maschine (100) in einer Haupteinkapselung (102) untergebracht ist und der Grundausstattungsbausatz (150) in einer Sekundäreinkapselung (152) untergebracht ist.

8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7, wobei die Haupteinkapselung (102) und die Sekundäreinkapselung (152) konfiguriert sind, um sich reversibel von einer gegenseitigen Eingriffsposition in eine Löseposition zu bewegen.

9. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Vielzahl von Anwendungsparametern der Maschine (100), die am Ende des Fertigstellungsschritts eingestellt werden, mindestens einen Anwendungsparameter umfassen, der aus der folgenden Gruppe ausgewählt ist:

- Anwendungstemperatur;

- Anwendungsdruck, insbesondere der maximal zulässige Anwendungsdruck (PS);

- Sicherheitskalibrierung der Ventile (51a-51z, 82a, 82b, 92);

- Zeitdauer eines Arbeitsspiels;

oder eine Kombination davon.

10. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei ferner ein Speicherschritt zum Speichern der Maschine (100) in der Fernsteuereinheit (350) und zum Zuordnen des bestimmten Kältemittelfluids und des Endbenutzers vorgesehen ist.

11. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Maschine umfasst:

- einen Rückgewinnungs- und Regenerierungskreislauf (10,20), der eingerichtet ist, um ein Kältemittelfluid aufzubereiten, das von der Klimaanlage (200) kommt, wobei der Rückgewinnungs- und Regenerierungskreislauf umfasst:

- einen ersten Strömungskanal (11) für die Strömung des Kältemittelfluids von/zu der Maschine (100), wobei der erste Strömungskanal (11) einen Endabschnitt (11') aufweist, der konfiguriert ist, um mit einer Hochdruckverbindung der Klimaanlage A/C (200) verbunden zu werden,

- einen zweiten Strömungskanal (12) für die Strömung des Kältemittelfluids von/zu der Maschine (100), wobei der zweite Strömungskanal (12) einen Endabschnitt (12') aufweist, der konfiguriert ist, um mit einer Niederdruckverbindung der Klimaanlage (200) verbunden zu werden,

- einen Kompressor (40), der eingerichtet ist, um das verwendete Kältemittelfluid zu komprimieren;

- einen Verdampfer (30) zum Verdampfen des Kältemittelfluids, der eingerichtet ist, um die Verunreinigungen aus dem verwendeten Kältemittelfluid, das von der Klimaanlage (200) kommt, derart abzutrennen, dass ein regeneriertes Kältemittelfluid erhalten wird;

- eine dem Verdampfer (30) zugeordnete Vakuumpumpe (35);

- einen Kondensator (60), der stromabwärts des Verdampfers (30) positioniert ist und eingerichtet ist, um das regenerierte Kältemittelfluid zu kondensieren;

- einen Behälter (70) des regenerierten Kältemittelfluids und des neuen Kältemittelfluids.

12. System zum Konfigurieren einer Maschine (100) zum Rückgewinnen und Regenerieren eines Kältemittelfluids in einer Klimaanlage (200) derart, dass die Maschine (100) in der Lage ist, nur ein bestimmtes Kältemittelfluid aus einer Vielzahl von möglichen Kältemittelfluiden aufzubereiten, wobei das System umfasst:

- eine Maschine zum Rückgewinnen und Regenerieren eines Kältemittelfluids in einer Klimaanlage (200), wobei die Maschine (100) mit einer lokalen Verarbeitungseinheit (130) versehen ist,

- einen Grundausstattungsbausatz (150), der eingerichtet ist, um die Maschine (100) mechanisch derart zu konfigurieren, dass sie in der Lage ist, nur ein vorbestimmtes Kältemittelmittelfluid aus einer Vielzahl von möglichen Kältemittelfluiden aufzubereiten, wobei der Grundausstattungsbausatz (150) einem vorbestimmten Bausatzcode (151) zugeordnet ist, der dem Endbenutzer bereitgestellt wird;

wobei das System dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass die Maschine (100) einem vorbestimmten Aktivierungscode (101) zugeordnet ist, der dem Endbenutzer bereitgestellt wird, und dass es ferner umfasst:

- eine Fernsteuereinheit (350), die konfiguriert ist, um mit einem elektronischen Gerät (255) derart zu kommunizieren, dass sie von dem Endbenutzer den Aktivierungscode (101) und den Bausatzcode (151) empfängt, wobei die Fernsteuereinheit (350) ferner konfiguriert ist, um den Aktivierungscode (101) und den Bausatzcode (151) zu verifizieren, um einen entsprechenden Entsperrcode (352) zu generieren und dieses an den Endbenutzer zu senden, wenn die Ausgabe des Verifizierungsschritts positiv ist;

- die lokale Verarbeitungseinheit (130), die konfiguriert ist, um den Entsperrcode (352) von dem Endbenutzer zu empfangen und um dann zu beginnen, einen Fertigstellungsschritt der Maschine (100) durch Installieren eines vorbestimmten Softwareprogramms durchzuführen, das aus einer Vielzahl von Softwareprogrammen ausgewählt wird, von denen jedes einem vorbestimmten Kältemittelfluid entspricht, wobei die vorbestimmte Software eingerichtet ist, um vorbestimmte Werte einer vorbestimmten Vielzahl von Anwendungsparametern der Maschine (100) einzustellen, die dem bestimmten Kältemittelfluid entsprechen und insbesondere aus einer Datenbibliothek abgerufen werden, wobei die Fertigstellung mit der endgültigen Aktivierung der Maschine endet.

Revendications

1. Procédé de configuration à distance, par un utilisateur final (250), d'une machine (100) de récupération et de régénération d'un fluide réfrigérant dans un système de climatisation (200), de telle manière à ce que ladite machine (100) puisse traiter uniquement un fluide réfrigérant déterminé parmi une pluralité de fluides réfrigérants possibles, ledit procédé de configuration comprenant les étapes de :

- délivrance audit utilisateur final de ladite machine (100) de récupération et de régénération d'un fluide réfrigérant dans un système de climatisation (200), ladite machine (100) étant munie d'une unité de traitement locale (130) ;

- délivrance audit utilisateur final d'un kit prédéterminé d'accessoires de base (150) sélectionné par ledit utilisateur final (250) parmi une pluralité de kits d'accessoires, chaque kit (150) de ladite pluralité étant conçu pour configurer mécaniquement ladite machine (100) de telle manière à pouvoir traiter uniquement ledit fluide réfrigérant déterminé, ledit kit d'accessoires de base déterminé (150) étant associé à un code de kit prédéterminé (151) fourni audit utilisateur final ;

ledit procédé étant caractérisé en ce que ladite machine (100) est associée à un code d'activation prédéterminé (101) fourni audit utilisateur final et en ce que le procédé comprend, en outre, les étapes de :

- communication par ledit utilisateur final dudit code d'activation (101) et dudit code de kit (151) à une unité de télécommande (350), ladite communication étant réalisée par un dispositif électronique (255) connecté à ladite unité de télécommande (350) ;

- vérification dudit code d'activation (101) et dudit code de kit (151) par ladite unité de télécommande (350) ;

- génération et envoi par ladite unité de télécommande (350) audit utilisateur final d'un code de déverrouillage (352) si le résultat de ladite étape de vérification est positive ;

- communication dudit code de déverrouillage (352) à ladite unité de traitement locale (130) de ladite machine (100) par ledit utilisateur final ;

- finalisation de ladite machine (100) par ladite unité de traitement locale (130) en installant un programme logiciel prédéterminé (141 à 144) sélectionné parmi une pluralité de programmes logiciels dont chacun correspond à un fluide réfrigérant déterminé, ledit logiciel prédéterminé étant conçu pour régler des valeurs prédéterminées d'une pluralité prédéterminée de paramètres de fonctionnement de ladite machine (100) correspondant audit fluide réfrigérant prédéterminé ;

- activation de ladite machine (100) à la fin de ladite étape de finalisation.

2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite pluralité de paramètres de fonctionnement est extraite d'une bibliothèque de données.

3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel ledit dispositif électronique (255) et ladite unité de télécommande (350) sont configurés pour communiquer l'un avec l'autre via Internet.

4. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite unité de traitement locale (130) comprend un affichage d'interface, et dans lequel au moins l'une des étapes suivantes est exécutée dans une interface graphique affichée sur ledit affichage d'interface :

- affichage dudit code d'activation (101) associé à ladite machine (100) pour fournir ledit code d'activation (101) audit utilisateur final ;

- saisie dudit code de déverrouillage (352) par ledit utilisateur final afin de démarrer ladite étape de finalisation.

5. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite pluralité de fluides réfrigérants parmi lesquels ledit fluide réfrigérant déterminé est sélectionné, comprend

- fluide R134a ;

- fluide R1234yf ;

- fluide R744 ;

- fluide R513a.

6. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit kit d'accessoires de base (150) est contenu dans un emballage (152) sur lequel ledit code de kit (151) est indiqué de manière à être visible par ledit utilisateur final.

7. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite machine (100) est logée dans un emballage principal (102) et ledit kit d'accessoires de base (150) est logé dans un emballage secondaire (152).

8. Procédé selon la revendication 7, dans lequel ledit emballage principal (102) et ledit emballage secondaire (152) sont configurés pour se déplacer de manière réversible d'une position d'engagement mutuel à une position de désengagement.

9. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite pluralité de paramètres de fonctionnement de ladite machine (100) réglés à la fin de ladite étape de finalisation comprend au moins un paramètre de fonctionnement sélectionné dans le groupe de :

- température de fonctionnement ;

- pression de fonctionnement, en particulier la pression de fonctionnement maximale autorisée (PS) ;

- étalonnage de sécurité des vannes (51a-51z, 82a, 82b, 92) ;

- durée d'un cycle de travail ;

ou une combinaison de ceux-ci.

10. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel une étape de mémorisation est en outre prévue pour mémoriser dans ladite unité de télécommande (350) ladite machine (100) et associer ledit fluide réfrigérant déterminé et ledit utilisateur final.

11. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite machine comprend :

- un circuit de récupération et de régénération (10, 20) conçu pour traiter un fluide réfrigérant provenant dudit système de climatisation (200), ledit circuit de récupération et de régénération comprenant :

- un premier conduit d'écoulement (11) pour l'écoulement dudit fluide réfrigérant depuis/vers ladite machine (100), le premier conduit d'écoulement (11) ayant une partie d'extrémité (11') configurée pour être connectée à une connexion haute pression dudit système de climatisation A/C (200) ;

- un deuxième conduit d'écoulement (12) pour l'écoulement dudit fluide réfrigérant depuis/vers ladite machine (100), ledit deuxième conduit d'écoulement (12) ayant une partie d'extrémité (12') configurée pour être connectée à une connexion basse pression dudit système de climatisation (200) ;

- un compresseur (40) conçu pour comprimer ledit fluide réfrigérant utilisé ;

- un évaporateur (30) pour évaporer ledit fluide réfrigérant conçu pour séparer les impuretés dudit fluide réfrigérant utilisé provenant dudit système de climatisation (200) de manière à obtenir un fluide réfrigérant régénéré ;

- une pompe à vide (35) associée audit évaporateur (30) ;

- un condenseur (60) positionné en aval dudit évaporateur (30) et conçu pour condenser ledit fluide réfrigérant régénéré ;

- un réservoir (70) dudit fluide réfrigérant régénéré et dudit nouveau fluide réfrigérant.

12. Système de configuration d'une machine (100) de récupération et de régénération d'un fluide réfrigérant dans un système de climatisation (200), de telle manière à ce que ladite machine (100) puisse traiter uniquement un fluide réfrigérant déterminé parmi une pluralité de fluides réfrigérants possibles, ledit système comprenant :

- une machine de récupération et de régénération d'un fluide réfrigérant dans un système de climatisation (200), ladite machine (100) étant munie d'une unité de traitement locale (130) ;

- un kit d'accessoires de base (150) conçu pour configurer mécaniquement ladite machine (100) de manière à pouvoir traiter uniquement un fluide réfrigérant prédéterminé parmi une pluralité de fluides réfrigérants possibles, ledit kit d'accessoires de base (150) étant associé à un code de kit prédéterminé (151) fourni audit utilisateur final ;

ledit système étant caractérisé en ce que ladite machine (100) est associée à un code d'activation prédéterminé (101) fourni audit utilisateur final et en ce qu'il comprend, en outre :

- une unité de télécommande (350) configurée pour communiquer avec un dispositif électronique (255) de manière à recevoir par l'utilisateur final ledit code d'activation (101) et ledit code de kit (151), ladite unité de télécommande (350) étant, en outre, configurée pour vérifier ledit code d'activation (101) et ledit code de kit (151), pour générer un code de déverrouillage correspondant (352) et pour l'envoyer audit utilisateur final si la sortie de ladite étape de vérification est positive ;

- l'unité de traitement locale (130) qui est configurée pour recevoir ledit code de déverrouillage (352) dudit utilisateur final et pour commencer, puis, exécuter une étape de finalisation de ladite machine (100) en installant un programme logiciel prédéterminé choisi parmi une pluralité de programmes logiciels, dont chacun correspond à un fluide réfrigérant prédéterminé, ledit logiciel prédéterminé étant conçu pour régler des valeurs prédéterminées d'une pluralité prédéterminée de paramètres de fonctionnement de ladite machine (100) correspondant audit fluide réfrigérant déterminé et extrait, en particulier, d'une bibliothèque de données, ladite finalisation se terminant par l'activation de la machine de manière définitive.

Drawing