Patent Application
20250207801
The disclosure relates to an air conditioner capable of a cooling operation, and a method for controlling the air conditioner.
An air conditioner includes an outdoor unit where heat exchange occurs between outdoor air and refrigerant, and an indoor unit where heat exchange occurs between indoor air and refrigerant. The air conditioner is a device that cools or heats a room using the transfer of heat generated during evaporation and condensation as refrigerant circulates through a heat pump cycle of compression, condensation, decompression, and evaporation.
In order for the air conditioner to operate normally, a predetermined level of refrigerant pressure requires to be secured. However, the refrigerant pressure may not be maintained for various reasons such as refrigerant leakage. Accordingly, it is required to determine whether the refrigerant amount is insufficient to maintain an appropriate refrigerant pressure that takes into account both a reliable operation of the air conditioner and operating efficiency.
Embodiments of the disclosure provide an air conditioner and a method for controlling the same that may prevent and/or reduce performance deterioration and improve product reliability by enhancing an accuracy of determining the refrigerant amount.
According to an example embodiment, an air conditioner may include: at least one indoor unit including an indoor temperature sensor configured to detect an indoor temperature; an outdoor unit including a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air, and an outdoor temperature sensor configured to detect an outdoor temperature; an expansion valve configured to adjust a flow rate of the refrigerant; and at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, individually and/or collectively, configured to determine whether a refrigerant amount is normal based on the outdoor temperature, the indoor temperature, and an opening/closing rate of the at least one expansion valve.
The outdoor unit may further include an outdoor heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor configured to detect an outlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on the outlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger.
The air conditioner may further include at least one indoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and indoor air, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on an average superheat of the at least one indoor heat exchanger.
At least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine that the refrigerant amount is insufficient based on the average superheat of the at least one indoor heat exchanger being greater than or equal to a specified value.
At least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on an operating frequency of the compressor being greater than or equal to a specified reference value and the average superheat being less than or equal to a specified value.
At least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine that the refrigerant amount is not identifiable based on an operating frequency of the compressor being less than or equal to a specified reference value.
The air conditioner may further include: a low pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the refrigerant flowing in a flow path connected to an inlet of the compressor; and a high pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the refrigerant flowing in a flow path connected to an outlet of the compressor.
At least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on an output value of the low pressure sensor, an output value of the high pressure sensor, and the opening/closing rate of the at least one expansion valve.
The air conditioner may further include: at least one indoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and indoor air; an evaporation temperature sensor configured to detect an evaporation temperature of the at least one indoor heat exchanger; and a condensation temperature sensor configured to detect a condensation temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger.
At least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on the evaporation temperature, the condensation temperature and the opening/closing rate of the at least one expansion valve.
At least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine the refrigerant amount to determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal, and determine that the refrigerant amount is insufficient based on the refrigerant amount being below a specified reference range.
According to an example embodiment, in a method for controlling an air conditioner including a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air, at least one expansion valve configured to adjust a flow rate of the refrigerant, and at least one indoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and indoor air, the method may include: detecting, by an outdoor temperature sensor, an outdoor temperature; detecting, by an indoor temperature sensor, an indoor temperature; and determining whether a refrigerant amount is normal based on the outdoor temperature, the indoor temperature, and an opening/closing rate of the at least one expansion valve.
The method may further include: detecting, by an outdoor heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor, an outlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger; and determining whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on the outlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger.
The method may further include determining whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on an average superheat of the at least one indoor heat exchanger.
The method may further include determining that the refrigerant amount is insufficient based on the average superheat of the at least one indoor heat exchanger being greater than or equal to a specified value.
The method may further include determining whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on an operating frequency of the compressor being greater than or equal to a specified reference value and the average superheat being less than or equal to a specified value.
The method may further include outputting an unidentifiable refrigerant amount signal based on an operating frequency of the compressor being less than or equal to a specified reference value.
The method may further include: measuring, by a low pressure sensor, a pressure of the refrigerant flowing in a flow path connected to an inlet of the compressor; and measuring, by a high pressure sensor, a pressure of the refrigerant flowing in a flow path connected to an outlet of the compressor.
The method may further include determining whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on an output value of the low pressure sensor, an output value of the high pressure sensor, and the opening/closing rate of the at least one expansion valve.
The method may further include: detecting, by an outdoor heat exchanger condensation temperature sensor, a condensation temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger; and detecting, by an indoor heat exchanger evaporation temperature sensor, an evaporation temperature of the at least one indoor heat exchanger.
The method may further include determining the refrigerant amount based on the evaporation temperature, the condensation temperature and the opening/closing rate of the at least one expansion valve.
The method may further include determining the refrigerant amount to determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal, and determining that the refrigerant amount is insufficient based on the refrigerant amount being below a specified reference range.
An air conditioner and a method for controlling the same may determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal, and detect whether a refrigerant is not additionally added or whether the refrigerant is low due to leakage, thereby preventing and/or reducing performance deterioration and improving product reliability.
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals throughout the disclosure denote like elements. The disclosure may not describe all elements according to various embodiments of the disclosure, and descriptions well-known in the art to which the disclosure pertains or overlapped portions may be omitted for brevity and clarity. Terms such as “˜portion”, “˜block”, “˜member”, “˜module”, and the like may be implemented in hardware or software or any combination thereof. According to various embodiments, a plurality of “˜portions”, “˜blocks”, “˜members”, or “˜modules” may be embodied as a single element, or a single “˜portion”, “˜block”, “˜member”, or “˜module” may include a plurality of elements.
Throughout the disclosure, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it may be directly or indirectly connected to the other element, wherein the indirect connection includes, for example, “connection” via a wireless communication network.
It will be understood that the term “include” when used in the disclosure specifies the presence of stated elements, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements.
Throughout the disclosure, it will be understood that when an element controls another element, it includes not only when the element directly transmits a control signal to the other element, but also when the element controls the other element by transmitting a control signal to yet another element that provides power to the other element and providing power to the other element by the yet another element.
It will be understood that when an element transmits a signal or data to another element, it does not preclude the existence of yet another element between the element and the other element, unless otherwise stated.
It will be understood that the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well.
Although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used to describe different components, the terms do not limit the corresponding components, but are used simply for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.
Reference numerals used for method steps are simply used for convenience of explanation, but not to limit an order of the steps. Thus, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the written order may be practiced otherwise.
Hereinafter, an air conditioner 1 and a method for controlling the same according to various embodiments of the disclosure are described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
A space in which the at least one indoor unit 200, 200-1, and 200-2 is installed may be cooled or heated using transfer of heat generated by the evaporation and condensation processes while the refrigerant circulates through the heat pump cycle.
The outdoor unit 100 may include a compressor 120 that compresses the refrigerant and an outdoor heat exchanger 130 in which heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant and the outdoor air, and the at least one indoor unit 200, 200-1, and 200-2 may include expansion valves 250 that decompress the refrigerant and indoor heat exchangers 230 in which heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant and the indoor air.
The air conditioner 1 may perform a cooling operation. While the air conditioner 1 performs a cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 130 operates as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger 230 operates as an evaporator.
In addition, the air conditioner 1 may perform both a cooling operation and a heating operation. When a cooling mode is selected, the air conditioner 1 may perform a cooling operation, and when a heating mode is selected, the air conditioner 1 may perform a heating operation. The selection of the cooling mode and the heating mode may be made by user input or may be made automatically based on a set temperature and a current temperature. When the air conditioner 1 performs a heating operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 130 may operate as an evaporator and the indoor heat exchanger 230 may operate as a condenser.
In the example, although the air conditioner 1 is described as including three indoor units 200, 200-1, and 200-2 connected to a single outdoor unit 100, a multi-type air conditioner 1 in which a plurality of outdoor units 100 and a plurality of indoor units 200 are connected may be implemented.
Referring to
The refrigerant used in the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment may be a HydroFluoroCarbon (HFC) refrigerant. For example, refrigerant R32 or a mixed refrigerant including refrigerant R32 may be used, and refrigerant R410A may be used as the mixed refrigerant including refrigerant R32. However, the air conditioner 1 is not limited to the refrigerants, and various types of refrigerants may be used.
The other end of a refrigerant pipe 101 connected to an outlet port 122 of the compressor 120 may be connected to a flow path switching valve 121, which will be described in greater detail below with reference to
As described above, in the cooling mode, the outdoor heat exchanger 130 may operate as a condenser that condenses high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant into high-pressure liquid refrigerant below a condensation temperature, and in the heating mode, may operate as an evaporator that evaporates low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant into gaseous refrigerant.
An outdoor blower fan 181 may be installed adjacent to the outdoor heat exchanger 130 to increase a heat exchange efficiency between the refrigerant and the outdoor air. During a cooling operation, when the outdoor blower fan 181 rotates and blows outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 130, the high-temperature refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 130 is cooled by the outdoor air, and the outdoor air is heated by the heat emitted by the high-temperature refrigerant. The heated air may be discharged to the outside by the outdoor blower fan 181.
The at least one indoor unit 200, 200-1, and 200-2 is a device that cools or heats an indoor space through heat exchange between a refrigerant and indoor air. The at least one indoor unit 200, 200-1, and 200-2 may include the indoor heat exchanger 230 and an indoor blower fan 281, and two or more indoor heat exchangers 230 and indoor blower fans may be installed as required.
In the cooling mode, the indoor heat exchanger 230 may operate as an evaporator that evaporates low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant into gaseous refrigerant, and in the heating mode, may operate as a condenser that condenses high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant into high-pressure liquid refrigerant below a condensation temperature.
The indoor blower fan 281 may be installed adjacent to the indoor heat exchanger 230 to blow indoor air, thereby increasing the heat exchange efficiency between the refrigerant circulating in the indoor heat exchanger 230 and the indoor air.
The expansion valve 250 may be installed between the outdoor heat exchanger 130 and the indoor heat exchanger 230. The expansion valve 250 may be implemented as the electronic expansion valve 250 that may adjust an opening degree according to an electronic signal. The expansion valve 250 may decompress the refrigerant, adjust a flow rate of the refrigerant, and block the flow of the refrigerant if required.
It is illustrated in
In addition, referring to
For example, the flow path switching valve 121 may be implemented as a four-way valve, and may form a refrigerant flow path required for operation in a corresponding mode by switching the flow of refrigerant discharged from the compressor 120 according to the operation mode (cooling mode or heating mode).
The flow path switching valve 121 may include a first port connected to the outlet port of the compressor 120, a second port connected to the indoor heat exchanger 230, a third port connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 130, and a fourth port connected to an accumulator.
In addition, an accumulator (not shown) may be provided between the fourth port of the flow path switching valve and the compressor 120. The accumulator may filter out the refrigerant that has failed a phase conversion and remains in a liquid state among the refrigerant flowing into the compressor 120 from the flow path switching valve 121 and may supply oil to the compressor 120.
In addition, an oil separator that separates oil may be provided between the compressor 120 and the first port of the flow path switching valve 121, and thus oil may be separated from the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 120.
Referring to
The operation of the compressor 120, the outdoor heat exchanger 130, and the expansion valve 250 is as described above with reference to
The outdoor fan module 170 includes an outdoor fan 171 that blows outdoor air into the outdoor unit 100 to increase a heat exchange efficiency between the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 130 and the outdoor air, absorbs heat from the refrigerant, and discharges the heated air to the outside, and an outdoor fan motor 172 that provides rotational power to the outdoor fan.
The communication circuitry 160 may transmit data to an external device or receive data from the external device under the control of a processor 151. For example, the communication circuitry 160 may communicate with a server (not shown) and/or the user terminal 2 and/or a home appliance (not shown) to transmit and receive various data.
According to an embodiment, the air conditioner 1 may transmit information about whether a refrigerant amount is normal to the user terminal 2 through the communication circuitry 160. Specifically, the processor 151 may transmit information including normal refrigerant amount, insufficient refrigerant amount, and refrigerant amount (%) to the user terminal 2 through the communication circuitry 160, and thus a user may easily confirm the information about the refrigerant amount of the air conditioner 1 through the user terminal 2
For the communication, the communication circuitry 160 may establish a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between external devices (e.g., server, user terminal 2 and/or home appliance), and support communication through the established communication channel.
According to an embodiment, the communication circuitry 160 may include wireless communication circuitry 161 (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or wired communication circuitry 162 (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module may communicate with an external electronic device through a first network (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN). These various types of communication modules may be integrated as one component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., multiple chips).
According to various embodiments, the communication circuitry 160 may establish communication with the user terminal 2 via a server. According to various embodiments, the communication circuitry 160 may include a Wi-Fi module, and may communicate with an external server and/or the user terminal 2 based on established communication with an access point (AP) within a home.
A sensor portion may transmit a sensing result to the controller 150, and the sensor portion may include the outdoor temperature sensor 140, the indoor temperature sensor 141, the low pressure sensor 142, the high pressure sensor 143, the condensation temperature sensor 144, the evaporation temperature sensor 145, and the outdoor heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 146.
The outdoor temperature sensor 140 may be installed adjacent to the outdoor unit 100, and may be installed outside the space where the indoor unit 200 is installed to measure an outdoor temperature. For example, in a case where the indoor unit 200 is installed inside an apartment building, the outdoor temperature sensor 140 may be installed outside the apartment building.
The outdoor temperature sensor 140 may be installed adjacent to the indoor unit 200, and may be installed in a space where the indoor unit 200 is installed to measure an indoor temperature. For example, in a case where the indoor unit 200 is installed inside an apartment building, the indoor temperature sensor 141 may be installed in each room in the apartment building.
The low pressure sensor 142 may be installed on a flow path connected to a condenser inlet, and may measure a pressure of refrigerant flowing on the flow path connected to the condenser inlet. The high pressure sensor 143 may be installed on a flow path connected to a condenser outlet, and may measure a pressure of refrigerant flowing on the flow path connected to the condenser outlet.
The condensation temperature sensor 144 may be installed in the outdoor heat exchanger 130 and may measure a condensation temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 130. The evaporation temperature sensor 145 may be installed in the indoor heat exchanger 230 and may measure an evaporation temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 230. The outdoor heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 146 may be installed on a flow path from the outdoor heat exchanger 130 to the expansion valve 250 and may measure an outlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 130.
The controller 150 may determine whether the refrigerant amount of the air conditioner 1 is normal may include a processor 151 for generating a control signal about an operation of the air conditioner 1, and a memory 152 for storing programs, applications, instructions, and/or data for the operation of the air conditioner 1. The processor 151 and the memory 152 may be implemented as separate semiconductor devices or may be implemented as a single semiconductor device. In addition, the controller 150 may include a plurality of processors 151 or a plurality of memories 152. The controller 150 may be provided at various locations inside the air conditioner 1.
The processor 151 may include arithmetic circuitry, memory circuitry, and control circuitry. The processor 151 may include a single chip or a plurality of chips. In addition, the processor 151 may include a single core or a plurality of cores.
The processor 151 may be provided in the outdoor unit 100 and the at least one indoor unit 200, and the processors 151 provided in the outdoor unit 100 and the at least one indoor unit 200 may communicate with each other to transmit and receive information.
For example, the processor 151 provided in the outdoor unit 100 may transmit the outdoor temperature or the outdoor heat exchanger outlet temperature to the processor 151 provided in the at least one indoor unit 200, and the processor 151 provided in the at least one indoor unit 200 may transmit the indoor temperature or the indoor heat exchanger evaporation temperature to the processor 151 provided in the outdoor unit 100. The processor 151 may include various processing circuitry and/or multiple processors. For example, as used herein, including the claims, the term “processor” may include various processing circuitry, including at least one processor, wherein one or more of at least one processor, individually and/or collectively in a distributed manner, may be configured to perform various functions described herein. As used herein, when “a processor”, “at least one processor”, and “one or more processors” are described as being configured to perform numerous functions, these terms cover situations, for example and without limitation, in which one processor performs some of recited functions and another processor(s) performs other of recited functions, and also situations in which a single processor may perform all recited functions. Additionally, the at least one processor may include a combination of processors performing various of the recited/disclosed functions, e.g., in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions.
The memory 152 may store data including a determination equation for determining whether the refrigerant amount is normal and variables and constants used in the determination equation. In addition, the memory 152 may store the refrigerant amount (%) of the air conditioner 1 based on the determination equation.
The memory 152 may include a volatile memory 152, such as a static random access memory (S-RAM) and a dynamic random access memory (D-RAM), and a non-volatile memory 152, such as a read only memory (ROM), and an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM). The memory 152 may include a single memory element 152 or a plurality of memory elements 152.
The processor 151 may process data and/or signals using a program stored in the memory 152, and transmit a control signal to each component of the air conditioner 1 based on the processing result. For example, the processor 151 may determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on a sensing value received through the sensor portion, and the processor 151 may control the communication circuitry 160 to transmit information about whether the refrigerant amount is normal and the refrigerant amount (%) to the user terminal 2.
In an example, the processor 151 may determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on the outdoor temperature, the indoor temperature, and an opening/closing rate of the expansion valve 250.
In an example, the processor 151 may determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on the outlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 130.
In an example, the processor 151 may determine that the refrigerant amount is insufficient based on an average superheat of the at least one indoor heat exchanger 230 being greater than or equal to a preset value.
In an example, the processor 151 may determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on an operating frequency of the compressor 120 being greater than or equal to a preset reference value and the average superheat being less than or equal to the preset value.
In an example, the processor 151 may determine that the refrigerant amount is not identifiable based on the operating frequency of the compressor 120 being less than or equal to the preset reference value.
In an example, the processor 151 may determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on an output value of the low pressure sensor 142, an output value of the high pressure sensor 143, and the opening/closing rate of the at least one expansion valve 250.
In an example, the processor 151 may determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on the evaporation temperature, the condensation temperature, and the opening/closing rate of the at least one expansion valve 250.
In an example, the processor 151 may determine the refrigerant amount to determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal, and may determine that the refrigerant amount is insufficient based on the refrigerant amount being below a preset reference range.
Accordingly, the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment may determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal with higher reliability, and may provide the current refrigerant amount (%) of the air conditioner 1 to allow the user to confirm information about whether to replenish the refrigerant amount, thereby increasing user convenience.
Referring to
The processor 151 may determine whether an operating frequency of the compressor 120 is less than or equal to a preset (e.g., specified) reference value after the test run starts (510). The processor 151 may determine the operating frequency of the compressor 120 to determine whether a condition for determining the refrigerant amount is satisfied.
For example, in a case where a test run is performed in winter when the temperature is low, the operating frequency of the compressor 120 may decrease because an indoor temperature is already low, and accuracy of determining the refrigerant amount may decrease. Accordingly, based on determining that the operating frequency of the compressor 120 is less than or equal to the preset reference value (Yes in operation 510), the processor 151 may not determine the refrigerant amount (570).
Based on determining that the operating frequency of the compressor 120 exceeds the preset reference value (No in operation 510), the processor 151 may determine whether an average superheat of the indoor units 200 is greater than or equal to a preset reference value (520).
In this instance, a superheat of the indoor unit 200 may refer to a difference between an inlet temperature and an outlet temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 230. The average superheat of the indoor units 200 may refer to a result obtained by determining superheat values of a plurality of indoor units 200 and calculating an average of the determined superheat values.
Accordingly, in a case where the average superheat of the indoor units 200 is greater than or equal to the preset value, the processor 151 may determine that the refrigerant amount is insufficient regardless of a result of determination equation described below. Based on determining that the refrigerant amount is insufficient, the processor 151 may output an insufficient refrigerant amount signal (550), and may transmit the insufficient refrigerant amount signal to a display of the indoor unit 200 or the user terminal 2.
Based on the average superheat of the indoor units 200 being less than the preset value, the processor 151 may determine whether a refrigerant amount determination value R is within an error range (K−α to K+α) (530). In this instance, the refrigerant amount determination value R may be calculated by the following equation.
Here, constants A, B, C, D, E, and K may be selected based on data for each operating condition obtained through test runs performed for each outdoor temperature, indoor temperature, and refrigerant amount. The selection may be made simply by the test run results, or may be made using a logistic regression equation and machine learning. In addition, the selection may be made in various ways.
In addition, in a case where the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment does not include the outdoor heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 146, the D value may be set to 0.
Accordingly, in a case where the outdoor heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 146 is not provided, the processor may obtain an outdoor temperature, an indoor temperature, and an opening/closing rate of the expansion valve 250, may obtain the determination value R by substituting the outdoor temperature, the indoor temperature, and the opening/closing rate of the expansion valve 250 into Equation 1, and may determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on the determination value R.
T_out may be an outdoor temperature value measured by the outdoor temperature sensor 140, T_in may be an indoor temperature value measured by the indoor temperature sensor 141, the EEV opening/closing rate may be an opening/closing rate of the expansion valve 250, and T_cond out may be an outlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 130 measured by the outdoor heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 146.
The processor 151 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment may determine the refrigerant amount based on the determination value R. For example, even for the same refrigerant amount, the EEV opening/closing rate adjusts an opening degree with consistent characteristics to regulate a flow rate of the indoor unit 200 according to the outdoor temperature and indoor temperature. Using the above, the processor 151 may obtain the outdoor temperature (or high-pressure or condensation temperature), the indoor temperature (or low-pressure or evaporation temperature), and the EEV opening/closing rate during a cooling operation, and then determine the refrigerant amount by the determination equation.
Based on the refrigerant amount determination value R being within the error range (K−α to K+α) (Yes in operation 530), the processor 151 may determine that the determination value R is on the border between a normal refrigerant amount and an insufficient refrigerant amount, and may not determine the refrigerant amount (570).
Based on the refrigerant amount determination value R being outside the error range (K−α to K+α) (No in operation 530), the processor 151 may determine whether the refrigerant amount determination value R exceeds an upper limit (K+α) of the error range (540).
Based on the refrigerant amount determination value R exceeding the upper limit (K+α) of the error range, the processor 151 may determine that the refrigerant amount is normal. Accordingly, the processor 151 may output a normal refrigerant amount signal (560), and transmit the normal refrigerant amount signal to the display of the indoor unit 200 or the user terminal 2.
Based on the refrigerant amount determination value R being below a lower limit (K−α) of the error range (No in operation 540), the processor 151 may determine that the refrigerant amount is insufficient and output an insufficient refrigerant amount signal (550).
In addition, the processor 151 may derive the refrigerant amount (%) based on the refrigerant amount determination value R. For example, the memory 152 may store the constants A, B, C, D, and E in advance according to the refrigerant amount (%). The processor 151 may calculate the determination value R by changing the variable values according to the refrigerant amount (%) stored in advance in the memory 152 in a single air conditioner 1.
For example, a determination equation when the refrigerant is 100% is R100%=A100%*T_out+B100%*T_in +C100%*EEV opening degree (opening/closing rate)+D100%*T_cond out+E100%. A determination equation when the refrigerant is 90% is R90%=A90%*T_out+B90%*T_in +C90%*EEV opening/closing rate+D90%*T_cond out+E90%. A determination equation when the refrigerant is 80% is R80%=A90%*T_out+B80%*T_in +C80%*EEV opening degree (opening/closing rate)+D80%*T_cond out+E80%.
As described above, the processor 151 may derive a plurality of determination values R with only the constant changed according to the refrigerant amount, and may substitute the derived determination values R into Equation below.
The processor 151 may compare each determination value R in Equation 2 to derive a maximum value, and because the determination value R has the largest value in the constants A, B, C, D, and E corresponding to the current refrigerant amount, the current refrigerant amount (%) may also be derived.
In order to describe a process of determining a refrigerant amount by the processor 151, as an example, described is the air conditioner 1 in which the outdoor unit 100 includes a flow path switching valve, and the indoor unit 200 includes the expansion valve 250, as shown in
Referring to
In this instance, the refrigerant amount may not be determined because the determination value R, which is the determination equation result value, is within the error range of K−α to K+α.
Referring to
As a result of the determination of the processor 151, the air conditioner 1 whose refrigerant amount is 100% has all positive determination values b, and thus a final result value c may be displayed at the top of the graph.
On the other hand, as a result of the determination of the processor 151, the air conditioner 1 whose refrigerant amount is 70% has all negative determination values b except for three products, and thus a final result value c may be displayed at the bottom of the graph. In the air conditioner 1 whose refrigerant amount is 70%, the processor 151 may not determine the refrigerant amount because the determination values R of the three products included in a non-determination area d are determined to be on the border between a normal refrigerant amount and an insufficient refrigerant amount as described above.
Similarly to
Referring to
In this instance, the refrigerant amount may not be determined because an operating frequency of the compressor 120 is less than or equal to a preset reference value.
Referring to
In
As a result of the determination of the processor 151, the air conditioner 1 whose refrigerant amount is 100% has all positive determination values b, and thus a final result value c may be displayed at the top of the graph.
On the other hand, as a result of the determination of the processor 151, the air conditioner 1 whose refrigerant amount is 70% has all negative determination values b except for one product, and thus a final result value c may be displayed at the bottom of the graph. In the air conditioner 1 whose refrigerant amount is 70%, the one product included in a non-determination area d may show a decreased accuracy of refrigerant amount determination as described above, and thus the refrigerant amount may not be determined because the operating frequency of the compressor 120 is determined to be less than or equal to a preset reference value.
As such, the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment may determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal with high accuracy, and may determine the refrigerant amount with high reliability by considering even a case where an incorrect determination of the refrigerant amount may occur.
Referring to
For example, the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment may include the compressor 120 compressing a refrigerant, the outdoor heat exchanger 130 exchanging heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air, the at least one expansion valve 250 adjusting a flow rate of the refrigerant, the outdoor heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 146 detecting an outlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 130, the low pressure sensor 142 measuring a pressure of the refrigerant flowing on a flow path connected to an inlet of the compressor 120, and the high pressure sensor 143 measuring a pressure of the refrigerant flowing on a flow path connected to an outlet of the compressor 120. The air conditioner 1 may include the processor 151 determining whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on an output value of the low pressure sensor 142, an output value of the high pressure sensor 143, the outlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 130, and an opening/closing rate of the at least one expansion valve 250.
In this instance, a refrigerant amount determination value R may be calculated by the following equation.
Here, P_high may be a refrigerant pressure at the outlet of the compressor 120 measured by the high pressure sensor 143, and P_low may be a refrigerant pressure at the inlet of the compressor 120 measured by the low pressure sensor 142. That is, the processor 151 may substitute the outdoor temperature in Equation 1 with an output value of the high pressure sensor 143 using a relationship between temperature and pressure, and may substitute the indoor temperature in Equation 1 with an output value of the low pressure sensor 142 using a relationship between temperature and pressure.
As described above in
Accordingly, the processor may obtain the refrigerant pressure at the outlet of the compressor 120, the refrigerant pressure at the inlet of the compressor 120, and the opening/closing rate of the expansion valve 250, may obtain the determination value R by substituting the refrigerant pressure at the outlet of the compressor 120, the refrigerant pressure at the inlet of the compressor 120, and the opening/closing rate of the expansion valve 250 into Equation 1, and may determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on the determination value R.
Referring to
For example, the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment may include the compressor 120 compressing a refrigerant, the outdoor heat exchanger 130 exchanging heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air, the at least one expansion valve 250 adjusting a flow rate of the refrigerant, the outdoor heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 146 detecting an outlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 130, the at least one indoor heat exchanger 230 exchanging heat between the refrigerant and indoor air, the evaporation temperature sensor 145 detecting an evaporation temperature of the at least one indoor heat exchanger 230, and the condensation temperature sensor 144 detecting a condensation temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 130. The air conditioner 1 may include the processor 151 determining whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on the evaporation temperature, the condensation temperature, the outdoor heat exchanger outlet temperature, and the opening/closing rate of the at least one expansion valve 250.
In this instance, a refrigerant amount determination value R may be calculated by the following equation.
Here, T_c may be the condensation temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 130 measured during a cooling operation of the air conditioner 1, and T_e may be the evaporation temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 230 measured during the cooling operation of the air conditioner 1.
As described above in
Accordingly, the processor may obtain the condensation temperature, the evaporation temperature, and the opening/closing rate of the expansion valve 250, may obtain the determination value R by substituting the condensation temperature, the evaporation temperature, and the opening/closing rate of the expansion valve 250 into Equation 1, and may determine whether the refrigerant amount is normal based on the determination value R.
For example, the processor 151 may substitute the outdoor temperature in Equation 1 with the condensation temperature, and may substitute the indoor temperature in Equation 1 with the evaporation temperature.
Referring to
The processor 151 may store average data of sensor values and operating frequencies received for 1 minute, and may start the refrigerant amount determination.
The processor 151 may re-determine whether the air conditioner 1 satisfies the operating temperature range after entering the safe operating state (1330). In a case where the air conditioner 1 exceeds the operating temperature range (Yes in operation 1330), the refrigerant amount determination may not be performed (1400).
Based on determining that the air conditioner 1 does not exceed the operating temperature range (No in operation 1330), the processor 151 may determine whether an operating frequency of the compressor 120 is less than or equal to 40 Hz (1340).
Based on determining that the operating frequency of the compressor 120 is less than or equal to 40 Hz, the processor 151 may determine that it is not suitable for detecting an insufficient refrigerant amount, and thus the refrigerant amount determination may not be performed (1400).
If the operating frequency is greater than 40 Hz (no in 1340), the processor 151 may determine whether an average superheat of the plurality of indoor units 200 is greater than or equal to 8K (1350).
Accordingly, in a case where the average superheat of the indoor units 200 is greater than or equal to a preset value, the processor 151 may determine that the refrigerant amount is insufficient regardless of a result of determination equation. Based on determining that the refrigerant amount is insufficient, the processor 151 may output an insufficient refrigerant amount signal (1380), and may transmit the insufficient refrigerant amount signal to a display of the indoor unit 200 or the user terminal 2.
Based on the average superheat of the indoor units 200 being less than the preset value, the processor 151 may determine whether a refrigerant amount determination value R is within an error range (K−α to K+α) (1360).
Based on the refrigerant amount determination value R being within the error range (K−α to K+α) (Yes in operation 1360), the processor 151 may determine that the determination value R is on the border between a normal refrigerant amount and an insufficient refrigerant amount, and may not determine the refrigerant amount (1400).
Based on the refrigerant amount determination value R being outside the error range (K−α to K+α) (No in operation 1360), the processor 151 may determine whether the refrigerant amount determination value R exceeds an upper limit (K+α) of the error range (1370).
Based on the refrigerant amount determination value R exceeding the upper limit (K+α) of the error range, the processor 151 may determine that the refrigerant amount is normal. Accordingly, the processor 151 may output a normal refrigerant amount signal (1390), and transmit the normal refrigerant amount signal to the display of the indoor unit 200 or the user terminal 2.
Based on the refrigerant amount determination value R being below a lower limit (K−α) of the error range (No in operation 1370), the processor 151 may determine that the refrigerant amount is insufficient and output an insufficient refrigerant amount signal (1380).
According to the method for controlling the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment, whether the refrigerant amount is normal may be determined with high reliability, and in addition, the refrigerant amount (%) may be derived, thus increasing convenience when an operator inspects the air conditioner 1.
The various example embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium that stores instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program codes, and when executed by a processor 151, the instructions may create a program module to perform operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.
The computer-readable recording medium may include all kinds of recording media storing instructions that may be interpreted by a computer. For example, the computer-readable recording medium may be read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disc, a flash memory 152, an optical data storage device, etc.
In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. The ‘non-transitory storage medium’ may refer to a tangible device without including a signal, e.g., electromagnetic waves, and may not distinguish between storing data in the storage medium semi-permanently and temporarily. For example, the ‘non-transitory storage medium’ may include a buffer that temporarily stores data.
The methods according to the various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed through an application store (e.g., Play Store™) online. In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be stored at least semi-permanently or may be temporarily generated in a storage medium, such as a memory 152 of a server of a manufacturer, a server of an application store, or a relay server.
Although embodiments of the disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, one skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications may be easily made without departing from the technical spirit or essential features of the disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting in all aspects. It will also be understood that any of the embodiment(s) described herein may be used in conjunction with any other embodiment(s) described herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2022-0123828 | Sep 2022 | KR | national |
This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/KR2023/012383 designating the United States, filed on Aug. 22, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Receiving Office and claiming priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0123828, filed on Sep. 28, 2022, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/KR2023/012383 | Aug 2023 | WO |
| Child | 19076069 | US |
