Patent Application
20250207803
The disclosure relates to an air conditioner capable of performing a cooling operation or a heating operation, and a method for controlling the same.
An air conditioner is an apparatus for conditioning air in indoor space using transfer of heat produced from evaporation and condensation of a refrigerant to cool or heat the air and release the cooled or heated air. The air conditioner may circulate the refrigerant through a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger during a cooling operation or a heating operation, and may cool or heat the indoor space by releasing the air that has exchanged heat in the indoor heat exchanger into the indoor space.
In general, during a cooling operation or a heating operation, a compressor included in an outdoor unit is controlled to repeatedly turn on or off according to changes in indoor temperature. However, as the compressor is repeatedly turned on or off, the fluctuation in the indoor temperature increases and the fluctuation in the indoor humidity increases, causing user inconvenience. In addition, repeatedly turning on or off the air conditioner may not only increase cumulative power consumption, but also reduce reliability due to increased wear of major components such as a compressor and a four-way valve.
Embodiments of the disclosure provide an air conditioner and a method for controlling the same that may adjust a target pressure of a compressor in interoperation with an indoor temperature and/or an indoor humidity to prevent and/or reduce the compressor from being turned on and off frequently and to maintain the indoor temperature and the indoor humidity at a comfortable level, and may enable continuous operation to reduce wear of major components and maintain product reliability.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an air conditioner may include: an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger; an outdoor unit including a compressor configured to supply a refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger; a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure of the compressor; an indoor humidity sensor configured to detect an indoor humidity; an indoor temperature senor configured to detect an indoor temperature; and a controller comprising circuitry configured to periodically obtain a temperature difference between the indoor temperature and a desired temperature or a humidity difference between the indoor humidity and a reference humidity, adjust a target pressure of the compressor based on a first change amount of the temperature difference or a second change amount of the humidity difference, and adjust a frequency of the compressor in response to the target pressure being adjusted.
The air conditioner may further include memory configured to store a fuzzy table including a plurality of adjustment values for the target pressure of the refrigerant, wherein the controller may be configured to determine an adjustment value of the target pressure using the fuzzy table.
The controller may be configured to determine the adjustment value of the target pressure corresponding to the temperature difference and the first change amount of the temperature difference or corresponding to the humidity difference and the second change amount of the humidity difference from the fuzzy table, and adjust the target pressure based on the adjustment value.
The controller may be configured to decrease the frequency of the compressor based on an increase in the target pressure, or increase the frequency of the compressor based on a decrease in the target pressure.
The controller may be configured to increase a rotation speed of an outdoor fan included in the outdoor unit and increase an opening degree of an expansion valve included in the indoor unit based on an increase in the frequency of the compressor, or decrease the rotation speed of the outdoor fan and decrease the opening degree of the expansion valve based on a decrease in the frequency of the compressor.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, in a method for controlling an air conditioner including an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger and an outdoor unit including a compressor configured to supply a refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger, the method may include: detecting an indoor humidity using an indoor humidity sensor included in the indoor unit; detecting an indoor temperature using an indoor temperature sensor included in the indoor unit; detecting a pressure of the compressor using a pressure sensor; periodically obtaining a temperature difference between the indoor temperature and a desired temperature or a humidity difference between the indoor humidity and a reference humidity; obtaining a first change amount of the temperature difference or a second change amount of the humidity difference; adjusting a target pressure of the compressor based on the first change amount of the temperature difference or the second change amount of the humidity difference; and adjusting a frequency of the compressor in response to the target pressure being adjusted.
The adjusting of the target pressure may include determining an adjustment value of the target pressure using a fuzzy table including a plurality of adjustment values for the target pressure of the refrigerant stored in memory.
The adjusting of the target pressure may include: determining the adjustment value of the target pressure corresponding to the temperature difference and the first change amount of the temperature difference or corresponding to the humidity difference and the second change amount of the humidity difference from the fuzzy table; and adjusting the target pressure based on the adjustment value.
The adjusting of the frequency of the compressor may include decreasing the frequency of the compressor based on an increase in the target pressure, or increasing the frequency of the compressor based on a decrease in the target pressure.
The method may further include: increasing a rotation speed of an outdoor fan included in the outdoor unit and increasing an opening degree of an expansion valve included in the indoor unit, based on an increase in the frequency of the compressor; or decreasing the rotation speed of the outdoor fan and decreasing the opening degree of the expansion valve, based on a decrease in the frequency of the compressor.
An air conditioner and a method for controlling the same may adjust a target pressure of a compressor in interoperation with an indoor temperature and/or an indoor humidity without frequent on-off control of the compressor, thereby maintaining the indoor temperature and the indoor humidity at a comfortable level. The compressor is not repeatedly turned on and off, thereby reducing fluctuations in indoor temperature and indoor humidity. In addition, power consumption efficiency may be improved, and a more comfortable indoor environment may be provided to users.
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:
Embodiments described in the disclosure and configurations shown in the drawings are merely examples of various embodiments of the disclosure, and may be modified in various different ways at the time of filing of the application to modify the various embodiments and drawings of 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 “connection via a wireless communication network”.
Terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the various embodiments and are not intended to restrict and/or to limit the disclosure. The singular expressions herein may include plural expressions, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “includes” and “has” are intended to indicate that there are features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof described in the disclosure, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.
It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, etc., may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are simply used to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the technical spirit or essential features of the disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and also a second element may be referred to as a first element.
In addition, the terms, such as “˜ portion”, “˜device”, “˜block”, “˜member”, “˜ module”, and the like may refer to a unit for processing at least one function or act. For example, the terms may refer to at least process processed by at least one hardware, such as field-programmable gate array (FPGA)/application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), software stored in memories, or processors.
Reference numerals used for method steps are just used for convenience of description, but not to limit an order of the steps. Thus, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the written order may be practiced otherwise.
Hereinafter, various example embodiments according to the disclosure are described in greater detail with reference to accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The outdoor unit 1a and the indoor unit 1b are connected through external pipes P1 and P2. A refrigerant may circulate through the outdoor unit 1a, the external pipes P1 and P2, and the indoor unit 1b. One end of the external pipe P1 or P2 may be connected to a piping valve arranged on one side of the outdoor unit 1a. Furthermore, the external pipes P1 and P2 may be connected to a refrigerant pipe arranged inside the indoor unit 1b and the outdoor unit 1a.
An outdoor fan 150 may be disposed in a housing of the outdoor unit 1a. By operation of the outdoor fan 150, air may be discharged to the outside of the outdoor unit 1a through an outlet of the housing. The outlet may be provided with a fan guard 22 to protect the outdoor fan 150. The fan guard 22 may cover the outlet, and may have a grill or mesh shape.
The indoor unit 1b may include a body case 201 and a front panel 202. In addition, the indoor unit 1b may include at least one outlet 205 on the front panel 202 and at least one door 204 for opening and closing the outlet 205. For example, the doors 204 may include a first door 204a, a second door 204b, and a third door 204c. The outlets 205 may include a first outlet 205a, a second outlet 205b, and a third outlet 205c. The outlets 205 and the doors 204 may be provided on an upper portion of the front panel 202.
The front panel 202 may include a plurality of holes 202h distinguished from the outlets 205. The plurality of holes 202h may be formed in a region of the front panel 202 where the outlets 205 are not formed. The size of each of the plurality of holes 202h is smaller than that of the outlet 205.
The outlets 205 are arranged to directly discharge the air heat exchanged by an indoor heat exchanger 230 to the outside, e.g., the outlets 205 may be exposed to the outside of the indoor unit 1b. The door 204 may open or close the outlet 205. When the outlet 205 is opened by movement of the door 204, heat-exchanged air may be discharged through the outlet 205.
For example, the first door 204a may open the first outlet 205a, the second door 204b may open the second outlet 205b, and the third door 204c may close the third outlet 205c. In this case, heat-exchanged air may be discharged through the first outlet 205a and the second outlet 205b, and heat-exchanged air may not be discharged from the third outlet 205c.
The doors 204 and the outlets 205 may be provided in equal numbers and may be arranged for one-to-one correspondence. The door 204 may have a shape that corresponds to the shape of the outlet 205. For example, the outlets 205 and the doors 204 may be circular. The door 204 may be movable between an open position to open the outlet 205 and a closed position to close the outlet 205. The door 204 may move in a forward and backward direction between the open position and the closed position. The door 204 may be moved by a door actuator (not shown).
An indoor fan 250 (see, e.g.,
An air inlet 203 may be disposed at the rear of the body case 201. The air introduced into the air inlet 203 may be heat exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 230, and the heat-exchanged air may be discharged to the outside (e.g., an indoor space) of the indoor unit 1b through the outlet 205. In addition, the heat-exchanged air may be discharged to the outside (the indoor space) of the indoor unit 1b through the plurality of holes 202h of the front panel 202.
When the door 204 opens the outlet 205, the heat-exchanged air may be discharged to the indoor space through the outlet 205 and the plurality of holes 202h of the front panel 202. When the door 204 closes the outlet 205, the heat-exchanged air may be discharged to the outside of the indoor unit 1b through the plurality of holes 202h of the front panel 202.
When the outlet 205 is closed by the door 204, a rotation speed of the indoor fan 250 may be controlled to be relatively low. A flow rate of air discharged through the plurality of holes 202h in a state where the outlet 205 is closed may be slower than that of air discharged through the open outlet 205. As such, the indoor unit 1b may control the door 204 to open or close the outlet 205, and may change a discharge flow path of the air introduced into the air inlet 203.
Although the air conditioner 1 has been described as including one outdoor unit 1a and one indoor unit 1b, the air conditioner 1 may include a plurality of outdoor units 1a and a plurality of indoor units 1b. For example, a plurality of indoor units 1b may be connected to a single outdoor unit 1a. Furthermore, the form of the indoor unit 1b is not limited to what is described above. Any type of indoor unit 1b may be applied, as long as the indoor unit 1b is installed in an indoor space and is capable of cooling or heating the indoor space. Although the indoor unit 1b is illustrated as a stand type, the indoor unit 1b is not limited thereto. The indoor unit 1b may be provided in various forms, such as a wall-mounted type or a ceiling type.
Referring to
The air conditioner 1 may include a liquid pipe P1 connecting the outdoor unit 1a and the indoor unit 1b and serving as a passage through which liquid refrigerant flows, and a gas pipe P2 through which gaseous refrigerant flows. The liquid pipe P1 and the gas pipe P2 may extend to the inside the outdoor unit 1a and the indoor unit 1b.
During a cooling operation, the refrigerant may release heat from an outdoor heat exchanger 130 and absorb heat from the indoor heat exchanger 230. That is, during the cooling operation, the refrigerant compressed in a compressor 110 may be first supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 130 through a four-way valve 120 and then to the indoor heat exchanger 230 through an expansion valve 220. During the cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 130 may operate as a condenser that condenses the refrigerant, and the indoor heat exchanger 230 may operate as an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant.
During the cooling operation, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 moves to the outdoor heat exchanger 130. The liquid or near-liquid refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 130 is expanded and decompressed in the expansion valve 220. Two-phase refrigerant that has passed through the expansion valve 220 moves to the indoor heat exchanger 230. The refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 230 exchanges heat with air and evaporates. Accordingly, a temperature of the air passing through the indoor heat exchanger 230 decreases, and the cooled air is discharged to the outside of the indoor unit 1b. In addition, because the moisture contained in the air passing through the indoor heat exchanger 230 is condensed, the air from which the moisture has been removed may be discharged into the indoor space.
During a heating operation, the refrigerant may release heat from the indoor heat exchanger 230 and absorb heat from the outdoor heat exchanger 130. That is, during the heating operation, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 110 may be first supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 230 through the four-way valve 120 and then to the outdoor heat exchanger 130. In this case, the indoor heat exchanger 230 may operate as a condenser that condenses the refrigerant, and the outdoor heat exchanger 130 may operate as an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant.
During the heating operation, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 moves to the indoor heat exchanger 230. The high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger 230 exchanges heat with low-temperature and dry air. The refrigerant is condensed into a liquid or near-liquid refrigerant and releases heat, and as the air absorbs the heat, warm air is discharged to the outside of the indoor unit 1b.
As the frequency of the compressor 110 increases during cooling operation, the pressure (condensation pressure) of the refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 130 that functions as a condenser increases, and the pressure (evaporation pressure) of the refrigerant discharged from the indoor heat exchanger 230 that functions as an evaporator decreases relatively.
When the frequency of the compressor 110 increases, the amount of refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 increases, and the inlet pressure of the outdoor heat exchanger 130 and the inlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 130 increases. However, because the size of the outdoor heat exchanger 130 does not change, heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air does not occur smoothly in the outdoor heat exchanger 130. Rather, when the frequency of the compressor 110 is relatively low, heat exchange between the refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 130 and the outdoor air occurs more smoothly. Accordingly, the outlet pressure of the outdoor heat exchanger 130 and the outlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 130 also increase.
Heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 130 and the indoor air also does not occur smoothly. Accordingly, the outlet temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 130 relatively decreases, and the pressure (evaporation pressure) of the refrigerant discharged from the indoor heat exchanger 130 decreases.
As the frequency of the compressor 110 decreases during cooling operation, the pressure (condensation pressure) of the refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 130 decreases, and the pressure (evaporation pressure) of the refrigerant discharged from the indoor heat exchanger 230 relatively increases.
During heating operation, as the frequency of the compressor 110 increases, the pressure (condensation pressure) of the refrigerant discharged from the indoor heat exchanger 230 performing the role of a condenser increases, and the pressure (evaporation pressure) of the refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 130 performing the role of an evaporator relatively decreases. During heating operation, as the frequency of the compressor 110 decreases, the pressure (condensation pressure) of the refrigerant discharged from the indoor heat exchanger 230 decreases, and the pressure (evaporation pressure) of the refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 130 relatively increases.
The outdoor unit 1a includes the compressor 110 for compressing the refrigerant, the outdoor heat exchanger 130 for performing heat exchange between outdoor air and the refrigerant, the four-way valve 120 for guiding the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 to the outdoor heat exchanger 130 or the indoor heat exchanger 230 based on cooling operation, dehumidifying operation, heating operation, an accumulator 160 for preventing/reducing unevaporated liquid refrigerant from flowing into the compressor 110, a first pressure sensor 174 for detecting a pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the inlet of the compressor 110, and a second pressure sensor 175 for detecting a pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the outlet of the compressor 110.
The compressor 110 may operate with electric energy provided from an external power source. The compressor 110 includes a compressor motor (not shown) and compresses a gaseous refrigerant of low pressure into high pressure using the rotational force of the compressor motor. A frequency of the compressor 110 may be changed to correspond to a capacity required by the indoor unit 1b. The compressor 110 may be an inverter air compressor, a positive displacement compressor or a dynamic compressor, and various types of compressors that may be considered by a designer may be used.
The four-way valve 120 may change a moving direction of the high temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110. During the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation, the four-way valve 120 is controlled to guide the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 to the outdoor heat exchanger 130. During the heating operation, the four-way valve 120 is controlled to guide the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 to the indoor unit 1b.
The outdoor heat exchanger 130 may serve as a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 during the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation, and may serve as an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant decompressed in the indoor unit 1b during the heating operation. The outdoor heat exchanger 130 may include an outdoor heat exchanger refrigerant pipe (not shown) through which the refrigerant passes, and an outdoor heat exchanger cooling fin (not shown) to increase a surface area in contact with outdoor air. An increase in the contact surface area between the outdoor heat exchanger refrigerant pipe (not shown) and outdoor air may improve a heat exchange efficiency between the refrigerant and outdoor air.
The outdoor fan 150 may be positioned around the outdoor heat exchanger 130 to flow outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 130. The outdoor fan 150 may blow outdoor air before heat exchange to the outdoor heat exchanger 130 while simultaneously blowing the heat-exchanged air outdoors. The outdoor fan 150 may disperse heat released by liquefaction of refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 130 by discharging air around the outdoor heat exchanger 130 to the outside.
The accumulator 160 may store liquid refrigerant and vaporize the stored liquid refrigerant. The accumulator 160 may prevent and/or suppress the liquid refrigerant from flowing into the compressor 110. However, in a case where the amount of refrigerant circulation is excessive, the vaporization of the liquid refrigerant by the accumulator 160 may not be performed properly. In this case, the liquid refrigerant may flow into the compressor 110, and the compressor 110 may be damaged.
The outdoor unit 1a may include an outdoor temperature sensor 171 for detecting an outdoor temperature. An outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 172 for detecting a temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 130 may be disposed on at least one side of the outdoor heat exchanger 130. The outdoor temperature sensor 171 and the outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 172 may be implemented as at least one of a bimetal thermometer, a thermistor thermometer, or an infrared thermometer.
Based on the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation in which the refrigerant flows from the compressor 110 to the outdoor heat exchanger 130, the outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 172 may be disposed on the outlet side of the outdoor heat exchanger 130 from which the refrigerant flows out. Accordingly, the outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 172 may be referred to as an ‘outdoor heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor’. Although not illustrated, a temperature sensor (not shown) may also be provided on the inlet side of the outdoor heat exchanger 130, which may be referred to as an ‘outdoor heat exchanger inlet temperature sensor’. In other words, a temperature sensor may be disposed at each of the inlet and outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 130. The outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 172 may be installed around the inlet and/or outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 130, or may be installed to contact the refrigerant pipe connected to the inlet and/or outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 130.
During the heating operation, a circulation direction of the refrigerant is reversed, and thus the inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 130 where the refrigerant flows in and the outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 130 where the refrigerant flows out may be defined in reverse. However, for convenience of description, the inlet and outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 130 may be described based on the cooling operation.
A compressor outlet temperature sensor 173 may be disposed at the outlet of the compressor 110. The compressor outlet temperature sensor 173 may detect a discharge temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110. The discharge temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 may be referred to as a compressor discharge temperature or a compressor outlet temperature.
The first pressure sensor 174 may be provided at the inlet of the compressor 110. The first pressure sensor 174 may be located in a pipe connecting the compressor 110 and the accumulator 160. The first pressure sensor 174 may detect the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the compressor 110 from the accumulator 160. The pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the inlet of the compressor 110 may be referred to as an inlet pressure of the compressor 110. The inlet pressure of the compressor 110 may be detected as ‘low pressure’. During the cooling operation, the inlet pressure of the compressor 110 detected by the first pressure sensor 174 becomes an important factor for controlling the compressor 110.
In addition, the second pressure sensor 175 may be provided at the outlet of the compressor 110. The second pressure sensor 175 may be located in a pipe connecting the compressor 110 and the four-way valve 120. The second pressure sensor 175 may detect a pressure of the refrigerant discharged through the outlet of the compressor 110. The pressure of the refrigerant discharged through the outlet of the compressor 110 may be referred to as an outlet pressure of the compressor 110. The outlet pressure of the compressor 110 may be detected as ‘high pressure’. During the heating operation, the outlet pressure of the compressor 110 detected by the second pressure sensor 175 becomes an important factor for controlling the compressor 110.
Although it has been described that the pressure sensors are located at each of the inlet side and the outlet side of the compressor 110, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, without the pressure sensors located on each of the inlet and outlet sides of the compressor 110, a single pressure sensor (not shown) may be provided in the pipe P2 connecting the four-way valve 120 and the indoor heat exchanger 230. In this case, during the cooling operation, the pressure sensor detects the ‘low pressure’, which is the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the compressor 110, and during the heating operation, the pressure sensor detects the ‘high pressure’, which is the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110.
The indoor unit 1b may include the expansion valve 220, the indoor heat exchanger 230, and the indoor fan 250. The indoor heat exchanger 230 performs heat exchange between indoor air and the refrigerant. The indoor fan 250 may cause indoor air to flow to the indoor heat exchanger 230. A plurality of indoor fans 250 may be provided.
The expansion valve 220 may expand the refrigerant in a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid state and discharge a mixture of gaseous and liquid refrigerants of low temperature and low pressure. The expansion valve 220 may adjust the amount of refrigerant supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 230. The expansion valve 220 decompresses the refrigerant using throttling actions. Throttling actions refer to a reduction in pressure of the refrigerant when the refrigerant passes through a narrow flow path even without heat exchange with the outside.
The expansion valve 220 may be an electronic expansion valve (EEV) capable of controlling an opening degree. For example, the expansion valve 220 may be a thermoelectric electronic expansion valve that uses deformation of a bimetal, a thermostatic electronic expansion valve that uses volumetric expansion by heating enclosed wax, a pulse width modulation type electronic expansion valve for opening or closing a solenoid valve according to a pulse signal, or a step motor type electronic expansion valve that uses a motor to open or close the valve.
The expansion valve 220 is illustrated as being included in the indoor unit 1b, but the expansion valve 220 may also be included in the outdoor unit 1a. In addition, the expansion valve 220 may be included in both the outdoor unit 1a and the indoor unit 1b. For example, the expansion valve 220 may be provided in the liquid pipe P1, which is a pipe forming a refrigerant flow path between the outdoor heat exchanger 130 and the indoor heat exchanger 230.
The indoor heat exchanger 230 may serve as an evaporator that evaporates low-pressure liquid refrigerant during the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation, and may serve as a condenser that condenses high-pressure gaseous refrigerant during the heating operation. The indoor heat exchanger 230 includes an indoor heat exchanger refrigerant pipe (not shown) through which the refrigerant passes, and an indoor heat exchanger cooling fin (not shown) for improving a heat exchange efficiency between the refrigerant and indoor air.
The indoor fan 250 may be positioned around the indoor heat exchanger 230 to blow indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 230. The indoor heat exchanger 230 may perform heat exchange with indoor air. The indoor fan 250 may blow indoor air before heat exchange to the indoor heat exchanger 230 while simultaneously blowing the heat-exchanged air into the indoor space.
An indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 211 may be provided in the indoor heat exchanger 230 to detect a temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 230. The indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 211 may be disposed adjacent to the indoor heat exchanger 230 and/or on an outer surface of the indoor heat exchanger 230. The temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 230 may indicate a temperature of air that exchanges heat with the indoor heat exchanger 230.
In addition, an indoor temperature sensor 213 may be disposed in the indoor unit 1b to detect an indoor temperature. The indoor temperature sensor 213 may detect a temperature of indoor air drawn in through the air inlet 203 located at the rear of the body case 201 of the indoor unit 1b. The indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 211 and the indoor temperature sensor 213 may be implemented as at least one of a bimetallic thermometer, a thermistor thermometer, or an infrared thermometer. In addition, the air conditioner 1 may include various temperature sensors.
An indoor humidity sensor 212 may detect an indoor humidity. The indoor humidity may indicate a relative humidity. The indoor humidity sensor 212 may detect a humidity of indoor air drawn in through the air inlet 203 located at the rear of the body case 201 of the indoor unit 1b. The indoor humidity sensor 212 may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the detected indoor humidity to a second controller 270 of the indoor unit 1b.
The indoor temperature sensor 213 and the indoor humidity sensor 212 may be disposed in the body case 201, but are not limited thereto. The indoor temperature sensor 213 and the indoor humidity sensor 212 may also be disposed outside the body case 201.
Referring to
The first controller 190 may include various processing/control circuitry and be electrically connected to components of the outdoor unit 1a and may control the operation of each component. For example, the first controller 190 may adjust a frequency of the compressor 110 and control the four-way valve 120 to allow a circulation direction of refrigerant to be switched. The first controller 190 may adjust a rotation speed of the outdoor fan 150. The rotation speed of the outdoor fan 150 may be adjusted according to an outdoor temperature. In addition, the first controller 190 may generate a control signal to adjust an opening degree of the expansion valve 220 of the indoor unit 1b.
Under the control of the first controller 190, the refrigerant may circulate along a refrigerant circulation flow path including the compressor 110, the four-way valve 120, the outdoor heat exchanger 130, the expansion valve 220, and the indoor heat exchanger 230. The compressor 110 may compress a gaseous refrigerant and discharge a high-temperature/high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. In addition, the compressor 110 may not operate in a blowing operation that does not require cooling or heating.
The four-way valve 120 may switch the circulation direction of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 under the control of the first controller 190. The four-way valve 120 guides the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 110 to the outdoor heat exchanger 130 during a cooling operation, and guides the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 110 to the indoor heat exchanger 230 during a heating operation.
The outdoor temperature sensor 171 may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to a detected outdoor temperature to the first controller 190. The outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 172 may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to a detected inlet temperature and/or a detected outlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger to the first controller 190. The compressor outlet temperature sensor 173 may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to a compressor discharge temperature to the first controller 190. The first pressure sensor 174 may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to a compressor inlet pressure to the first controller 190. The second pressure sensor 175 may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to a compressor outlet pressure to the first controller 190.
The first communication interface 180 may include various communication circuitry and communicate with the indoor unit 1b. The first communication interface 180 of the outdoor unit 1a may transmit a control signal transmitted from the first controller 190 to the indoor unit 1b, or may transmit a control signal transmitted from the indoor unit 1b to the first controller 190. In other words, the outdoor unit 1a and the indoor unit 1b may perform bi-directional communication. The outdoor unit 1a and the indoor unit 1b may transmit or receive various signals during operation.
The first memory 192 may record/store various information required for operation of the air conditioner 1. The first memory 192 may store instructions, applications, data, and/or programs required for operation of the air conditioner 1. For example, the first memory 192 may store programs for operation of the air conditioner 1.
The first memory 192 may include a volatile memory, such as a static random access memory (S-RAM), a dynamic random access memory (D-RAM) for temporarily storing data. In addition, the first memory 192 may include a non-volatile memory, such as a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), and the like, for long term data storage.
The first processor 191 may include various processing circuitry and generate a control signal for controlling an operation of the air conditioner 1 based on the instructions, applications, data and/or programs stored in the first memory 192. The first processor 191 may include a logic circuit and an arithmetic circuit in hardware. The first processor 191 may process data according to the programs and/or instructions provided from the first memory 192, and generate a control signal according the processing result. The first memory 192 and the first processor 191 may be implemented as a single control circuit or a plurality of circuits. The processor 191 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.
Some of the components of the outdoor unit 1a illustrated may be omitted, or other components may be added in addition to the illustrated components of the outdoor unit 1a. For example, the outdoor unit 1a may further include a control panel. The control panel may be provided in a cabinet 10 of the outdoor unit 1a. The control panel may obtain a user input related to the operation of the air conditioner 1, and may output information about the operation of the air conditioner 1. The control panel may transmit an electrical signal (voltage or current) corresponding to the user input to the first controller 190. The first controller 190 may control the operation of the air conditioner 1 based on the electrical signal transmitted from the control panel. The control panel may include buttons and a display.
Referring to
The second controller 270 may include various processing/control circuitry including, for example, a second memory 272 and a second processor 271. The second controller 270 of the indoor unit 1b may be electrically connected to components of the indoor unit 1b and may control operations of each component.
The indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 211 may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to a detected temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 230 to the second processor 271. The indoor humidity sensor 212 may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to a detected indoor humidity to the second processor 271. The indoor temperature sensor 213 may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to a detected indoor temperature to the second processor 271. The expansion valve 220 may decompress a refrigerant. In addition, the expansion valve 220 may also adjust the amount of refrigerant supplied so that sufficient heat exchange may be performed in the outdoor heat exchanger 130 or the indoor heat exchanger 230. The expansion valve 220 decompresses the refrigerant using a throttling action of the refrigerant in which a pressure of the refrigerant decreases as the refrigerant passes through a narrow flow path.
The second communication interface 260 may include various communication circuitry and communicate with the outdoor unit 1a. The second communication interface 260 of the indoor unit 1b may transmit a control signal transmitted from the second controller 270 to the outdoor unit 1a, or may transmit a control signal transmitted from the outdoor unit 1a to the second controller 270. For example, a control signal to adjust an opening degree of the expansion valve 220 may be transmitted from the outdoor unit 1a to the indoor unit 1b. The second controller 270 may adjust the opening degree of the expansion valve 220 based on the signal transmitted from the first controller 190 of the outdoor unit 1a.
In addition, the second communication interface 260 may communicate with an access point (AP, not shown) provided separately in an air conditioning space, and may be connected to a network through the access point. The second communication interface 260 may communicate with a user terminal device (e.g., a smartphone) through the access point. The second communication interface 260 may receive information about the user terminal device connected to the access point, and may transmit the information about the user terminal device to the second controller 270. Thus, a user may remotely control the air conditioner 1.
The second memory 272 may record/store various information required for operation of the air conditioner 1. The second memory 272 may store instructions, applications, data, and/or programs required for operation of the air conditioner 1. For example, the second memory 272 may store programs for cooling operation, heating operation, and defrosting operation of the air conditioner 1. The second memory 272 may include a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory like the first memory 192.
The second processor 271 may include various processing circuitry and generate a control signal for controlling an operation of the air conditioner 1 based on the instructions, applications, data and/or programs stored in the second memory 272. The second processor 271 may include a logic circuit and an arithmetic circuit in hardware. The second processor 271 may process data according to the programs and/or instructions provided from the second memory 272, and generate a control signal according the processing result. The second memory 272 and the second processor 271 may be implemented as a single control circuit or a plurality of circuits. The second processor 271 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 user interface 280 may be provided on at least one of the body case 201 of the indoor unit 1b or the door 204. The user interface 280 may include various user interface circuitry and obtain user input related to an operation of the air conditioner 1, and may output information about the operation of the air conditioner 1. The user interface 280 may transmit an electrical signal (voltage or current) corresponding to the user input to the second controller 270. The second controller 270 may control the operation of the air conditioner 1 based on the electrical signal transmitted from the user interface 280.
The user interface 280 may include a plurality of buttons. For example, the plurality of buttons may include an operation mode button for selecting an operation mode, such as cooling operation, heating operation, blowing operation, defrosting operation, and dehumidifying operation, a temperature button for setting a target temperature of an indoor space (air conditioning space), a wind direction button for setting a wind direction, and/or a wind speed button for setting a wind speed (rotation speed of the indoor fan).
In addition, the user interface 280 may include a display. The display may display information input by a user or information provided to the user on various screens. For example, information such as a selected operation mode, wind direction, wind speed, and temperature may be displayed as at least one of an image or text.
Some of the components of the indoor unit 1b illustrated may be omitted, or other components may be added in addition to the illustrated components of the indoor unit 1b. For example, the indoor unit 1b may further include a control panel. The control panel may obtain a user input related to the operation of the air conditioner 1, and may output information about the operation of the air conditioner 1.
As described in
After a cooling operation starts, the air conditioner 1 may decrease a frequency of the compressor 110 as the indoor temperature decreases. That is, the air conditioner 1 may decrease the frequency of the compressor 110 to converge the indoor temperature to a desired temperature during the cooling operation.
In existing technologies, during a cooling operation, a target pressure for a pressure (low pressure) of refrigerant flowing into the compressor 110 is fixed and does not change. The target pressure at an inlet side of the compressor 110 may also be referred to as a target inlet pressure, a threshold inlet pressure, or a target low pressure. During the cooling operation, when the inlet pressure of the compressor 110 reaches a predetermined target pressure, the compressor 110 is turned off. In a case where the target pressure at the inlet side of the compressor 110 is preset (e.g., specified) and does not change, the air conditioner 1 may not reflect a rate at which an actual indoor temperature decreases, and may continuously maintain the frequency of the compressor 110 high to make the inlet pressure of the compressor 110 reach the target pressure. In a case where the frequency of the compressor 110 is maintained high while the indoor temperature is low, a decrease rate of the inlet pressure (low pressure) of the compressor 110 becomes fast, and thus the target pressure is reached without time to adjust the frequency of the compressor 110. Accordingly, the air conditioner 1 stops the operation of the compressor 110.
The indoor temperature may increase due to the stoppage of the compressor 110, and may become higher than the desired temperature. When the indoor temperature becomes higher than the desired temperature by an offset value, the air conditioner 1 may turn the compressor 110 back on and increase the frequency of the compressor 110. As described above, in a case where the target pressure at the inlet side of the compressor 110 is fixed during the cooling operation, the decrease in the indoor temperature is not reflected, the inlet pressure (low pressure) of the compressor 110 quickly decreases, and thus the frequency of the compressor 110 may not be lowered or may be lowered late. That is, the inlet pressure of the compressor 110 detected by the first pressure sensor 174 reaches the target pressure and the compressor 110 is turned off again.
During a heating operation, the air conditioner 1 may decrease the frequency of the compressor 110 as the indoor temperature increases. In existing technologies, during a heating operation, a target pressure for a pressure (high pressure) of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 is fixed and does not change. The target pressure at an outlet side of the compressor 110 may also be referred to as a target outlet pressure, a threshold outlet pressure, or a target high pressure. During the heating operation, when the outlet pressure of the compressor 110 reaches a predetermined (e.g., specified) target pressure, the compressor 110 may be turned off. In a case where the target pressure at the outlet side of the compressor 110 is preset and does not change, the air conditioner 1 may not reflect a rate at which an actual indoor temperature increases, and may continuously maintain the frequency of the compressor 110 high to make the outlet pressure of the compressor 110 reach the target pressure. In a case where the frequency of the compressor 110 is maintained high while the indoor temperature is high, an increase rate of the outlet pressure (high pressure) of the compressor 110 becomes faster, and thus the target pressure is reached without time to adjust the frequency of the compressor 110. Accordingly, the air conditioner 1 stops the operation of the compressor 110.
The indoor temperature may decrease due to the stoppage of the compressor 110, and may become lower than the desired temperature. When the indoor temperature becomes lower than the desired temperature by an offset value, the air conditioner 1 may turn the compressor 110 back on and increase the frequency of the compressor 110. As described above, in a case where the target pressure at the outlet side of the compressor 110 is fixed during the heating operation, the increase in the indoor temperature is not reflected, the outlet pressure (high pressure) of the compressor 110 quickly increases, and thus the frequency of the compressor 110 may not be lowered or may be lowered late. That is, the outlet pressure of the compressor 110 detected by the second pressure sensor 175 reaches the target pressure and the compressor 110 is turned off again.
As such, in a case where the target pressure of the compressor 110 may not be changed, excessively cooled air or excessively heated air may be supplied until the operation of the compressor 110 is stopped, causing a user to feel uncomfortable. In addition, repeatedly turning the compressor 110 on and off may cause power consumption efficiency to decrease, and a user may feel uncomfortable due to the changing indoor temperature and indoor humidity.
According to the disclosure, the air conditioner 1 may maintain the indoor temperature and indoor humidity at a comfortable level by appropriately adjusting the target pressure of the compressor 110 without the on-off control of the compressor 110. Because the compressor 110 of the air conditioner 1 is not repeatedly turned on and off, fluctuations in the indoor temperature and indoor humidity may be reduced. In addition, power consumption efficiency may be improved, and a more comfortable indoor environment may be provided to the user.
To this end, the first controller 190 of the air conditioner 1 may periodically obtain a temperature difference between the indoor temperature and a predetermined desired temperature or a humidity difference between the indoor humidity and a predetermined reference humidity. The first controller 190 may adjust the target pressure of the compressor 110 according to a first change amount of the temperature difference or a second change amount of the humidity difference by referring to a fuzzy table stored in the first memory 192. The first controller 190 may adjust the frequency of the compressor 110 in response to the adjusted target pressure.
During the cooling operation, the target pressure of the compressor 110 may indicate a ‘target inlet pressure’ with respect to the inlet pressure of the compressor 110. The target inlet pressure may also be referred to as a ‘threshold inlet pressure’ or ‘target low pressure’. During the heating operation, the target pressure of the compressor 110 may indicate a ‘target outlet pressure’ with respect to the outlet pressure of the compressor 110. The target outlet pressure may also be referred to as a ‘threshold outlet pressure’ or ‘target high pressure’.
The first controller 190 may adjust the frequency of the compressor 110 in response to the adjustment of the target pressure of the compressor 110. During the cooling operation, the inlet pressure of the compressor 110 becomes an important factor for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 1. During the heating operation, the outlet pressure of the compressor 110 becomes an important factor for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 1. For example, during the cooling operation, the operation of the air conditioner 1 is controlled using the target pressure for the pressure (low pressure) of the refrigerant flowing into the compressor 110. During the heating operation, the operation of the air conditioner 1 is controlled using the target pressure for the pressure (high pressure) of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110.
The frequency of the compressor 110 may significantly affect changes in the inlet pressure and in the outlet pressure of the compressor 110. Because the inlet pressure or the outlet pressure of the compressor 110 is to be adjusted as the target pressure of the compressor 110 is adjusted, adjusting the frequency of the compressor 110 is required.
A plurality of fuzzy tables may be stored in the first memory 192. The fuzzy tables may also be stored in the second memory 272. The fuzzy table may include a plurality of adjustment values for the target pressure of the compressor 110. For example, the fuzzy table may include a plurality of adjustment values corresponding to the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the predetermined desired temperature and the change amount of the temperature difference. In addition, the fuzzy table may include a plurality of adjustment values corresponding to the humidity difference between the indoor humidity and the predetermined reference humidity and the change amount of the humidity difference.
During the cooling operation or the heating operation, the first controller 190 may determine or select an adjustment value of the target pressure corresponding to the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the desired temperature and a first change amount of the temperature difference from the fuzzy table. In addition, the first controller 190 may determine or select an adjustment value of the target pressure corresponding to the humidity difference between the indoor humidity and the reference humidity and a second change amount of the humidity difference from the fuzzy table. The first controller 190 may adjust the target pressure according to the determined adjustment value.
During the cooling operation, the first controller 190 may decrease the frequency of the compressor 110 based on an increase in the target pressure, or may increase the frequency of the compressor 110 based on a decrease in the target pressure. That is, during the cooling operation, the first controller 190 may decrease the frequency of the compressor 110 to increase the inlet pressure of the compressor 110 to the adjusted target pressure, or may increase the frequency of the compressor 110 to decrease the inlet pressure of the compressor 110 to the adjusted target pressure.
During the heating operation, the first controller 190 may increase the frequency of the compressor 110 based on an increase in the target pressure, or may decrease the frequency of the compressor 110 based on a decrease in the target pressure. During the heating operation, the first controller 190 may increase the frequency of the compressor 110 to increase the outlet pressure of the compressor 110 to the adjusted target pressure, or may decrease the frequency of the compressor 110 to decrease the outlet pressure of the compressor 110 to the adjusted target pressure.
Adjusting the target pressure of the compressor 110 using the fuzzy table is described in greater detail below with reference to
In addition, the first controller 190 of the air conditioner 1 may adjust a rotation speed of the outdoor fan 150 and an opening degree of the expansion valve 220 based on the change in the frequency of the compressor 110. A control data table including the rotation speed of the outdoor fan 150 and the opening degree of the expansion valve 220 corresponding to the frequency of the compressor 110 may be stored in advance in the first memory 192. For example, in response to an increase in the frequency of the compressor 110, the first controller 190 may increase the rotation speed of the outdoor fan 150 included in the outdoor unit 1a and may increase the opening degree of the expansion valve 220 included in the indoor unit 1b. In response to a decrease in the frequency of the compressor 110, the first controller 190 may decrease the rotation speed of the outdoor fan 150 included in the outdoor unit 1a and may decrease the opening degree of the expansion valve 220 included in the indoor unit 1b.
Referring to a graph 500 of
When the cooling operation starts, an indoor humidity also decreases, and thus a humidity difference between the indoor humidity and a predetermined reference humidity also decreases. A period for which the humidity difference and the change amount of the humidity difference are obtained may be determined differently depending on the design.
During the cooling operation, the first controller 190 of the air conditioner 1 may increase a target pressure (e.g., target inlet pressure) at an inlet side of the compressor 110 based on the decrease in the temperature difference. The first controller 190 may determine an increase value of the target pressure by referring to the fuzzy table stored in the first memory 192. For example, the target pressure of the compressor 110 may be increased by the determined increase value. The target pressure of the compressor 110 may be adjusted at predetermined periods, and the target pressure of the compressor 110 may be increased stepwise at each period while the temperature difference decreases.
The first controller 190 may decrease a frequency of the compressor 110 in response to the increase in the target pressure. As the frequency of the compressor 110 decreases, a cooling intensity and a cooling speed of the air conditioner 1 may gradually decrease. During the cooling operation, the target pressure for the inlet pressure of the compressor 110 detected by the first pressure sensor 174 may be continuously adjusted. Accordingly, a frequency adjustment range of the compressor 110 may be expanded, and the compressor 110 may continue to operate without being turned off.
As the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the desired temperature decreases, the cooling intensity and the cooling speed of the air conditioner 1 decrease, and thus the indoor temperature may increase after reaching the desired temperature. For example, the indoor temperature increases from a time point t1, and the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the desired temperature may increase. The first controller 190 of the air conditioner 1 may decrease the target pressure at the inlet side of the compressor 110 (e.g., the target inlet pressure) based on the increase in the temperature difference.
The first controller 190 may determine a decrease value of the target pressure by referring to the fuzzy table. For example, the target pressure of the compressor 110 may be decreased by the determined decrease value. The first controller 190 may increase the frequency of the compressor 110 in response to the decrease in the target pressure. As the frequency of the compressor 110 increases, the cooling intensity and the cooling speed of the air conditioner 1 may gradually increase.
In a case where the frequency of the compressor 110 increases to a predetermined level, the indoor temperature decreases again, and the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the desired temperature may decrease again. For example, based on the decrease in the indoor temperature again from a time point t2, the air conditioner 1 may increase the target pressure (e.g., target inlet pressure) of the compressor 110 again and may decrease the frequency of the compressor 110 again. In a case where the indoor temperature increases again from a time point t3, the air conditioner 1 may decrease the target pressure at the inlet side of the compressor 110 again, and may increase the frequency of the compressor 110 again.
During the cooling operation, the target pressure of the compressor 110 may be adjusted based on the indoor humidity. For example, the first controller 190 of the air conditioner 1 may adjust the target pressure of the compressor 110 based on the humidity difference between the indoor humidity and the reference humidity and the change amount of the humidity difference.
As such, the air conditioner 1 according to the disclosure may adjust the target pressure at the inlet side of the compressor 110 during the cooling operation, thereby maintaining the indoor temperature and/or indoor humidity at a comfortable level without on-off control of the compressor 110. During the cooling operation, the indoor temperature and the indoor humidity may be quickly adjusted, the indoor temperature and the indoor humidity may be prevented and/or suppressed from being excessively lowered, and the fluctuation range of the indoor temperature and the fluctuation range of the indoor humidity may also be reduced.
Referring to a graph 600 of
The first controller 190 may decrease a frequency of the compressor 110 in response to the decrease in the target pressure. As the frequency of the compressor 110 decreases, a heating intensity and a heating speed of the air conditioner 1 may gradually decrease. During the heating operation, the target pressure for the outlet pressure of the compressor 110 detected by the second pressure sensor 175 may be continuously adjusted. Accordingly, a frequency adjustment range of the compressor 110 may be expanded, and the compressor 110 may continue to operate without being turned off.
As the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the desired temperature decreases, the heating intensity and the heating speed of the air conditioner 1 decrease, and thus the indoor temperature may decrease after reaching the desired temperature. For example, the indoor temperature decreases from a time point t4, and the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the desired temperature may increase. The first controller 190 of the air conditioner 1 may increase the target pressure at the outlet side of the compressor 110 (e.g., the target outlet pressure) based on the increase in the temperature difference.
The first controller 190 may determine an increase value of the target pressure by referring to the fuzzy table. For example, the target pressure may be increased by the determined increase value. The first controller 190 may increase the frequency of the compressor 110 in response to the increase in the target pressure. As the frequency of the compressor 110 increases, the heating intensity and the heating speed of the air conditioner 1 may gradually increase.
In a case where the frequency of the compressor 110 increases to a predetermined level, the indoor temperature increases again, and the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the desired temperature may also decrease again. For example, based on the increase in the indoor temperature again from a time point t5, the air conditioner 1 may decrease the target pressure at the outlet side of the compressor 110 again, and may decrease the frequency of the compressor 110 again. In a case where the indoor temperature decreases again from a time point t6, the air conditioner 1 may increase the target pressure at the outlet side of the compressor 110 again, and may increase the frequency of the compressor 110 again.
As such, the air conditioner 1 according to the disclosure may adjust the target pressure at the outlet side of the compressor 110 during the heating operation, thereby maintaining the indoor temperature at a comfortable level without on-off control of the compressor 110. During the heating operation, the indoor temperature may be quickly adjusted, the indoor temperature may be prevented and/or suppressed from becoming excessively high, and the fluctuation range of the indoor temperature may also be reduced.
Referring to
For example, during a cooling operation or a heating operation, the air conditioner 1 may calculate a temperature difference Td(N) between an indoor temperature and a desired temperature and the change amount ΔTd of the temperature difference at each predetermined detection cycle. The change amount ΔTd of the temperature difference refers to a difference between a previous temperature difference Td(N-1) detected at a previous detection time point (N-1 cycle) and a current temperature difference Td(N) detected at a current detection time point (N cycle). For example, the change amount ΔTd of the temperature difference may be obtained by subtracting the previous temperature difference Td(N-1) from the current temperature difference Td(N).
The first controller 190 of the air conditioner 1 may determine an adjustment value (increase value or decrease value) of the target pressure corresponding to the temperature difference Td(N) between the indoor temperature and the desired temperature and the change amount ΔTd of the temperature difference. For example, in the fuzzy table 700 of
In addition, referring to
The air conditioner 1 may calculate the humidity difference Hd(N) between the indoor humidity and the predetermined reference humidity and the change amount ΔHd of the humidity difference at each predetermined detection cycle. The change amount ΔHd of the humidity difference refers to a difference between a previous humidity difference Hd(N-1) detected at a previous detection time point (N-1 cycle) and a current humidity difference Hd(N) detected at a current detection time point (N cycle). For example, the change amount ΔHd of the humidity difference may be obtained by subtracting the previous humidity difference Hd(N-1) from the current humidity difference Hd(N).
The first controller 190 of the air conditioner 1 may determine an adjustment value ΔPa of the target pressure corresponding to the humidity difference Hd(N) between the indoor humidity and the reference humidity and the change amount ΔHd of the humidity difference from the fuzzy table 700. For example, in the fuzzy table 800 of
Referring to
The first controller 190 may obtain a temperature difference between the indoor temperature and a desired temperature and the change amount of the temperature difference (902, 903). The change amount of the temperature difference refers to a difference value between a previous temperature difference detected at a previous detection time point (N-1 cycle) and a current temperature difference detected at a current detection time point (N cycle).
The first controller 190 may adjust a target pressure of the compressor 110 according to the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the desired temperature and the change amount of the temperature difference by referring to the fuzzy table stored in the first memory 192 (904). For example, the first controller 190 may determine an adjustment value of the target pressure corresponding to the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the desired temperature and the change amount of the temperature difference from the fuzzy table. The first controller 190 may adjust the target pressure of the compressor 110 according to the determined adjustment value.
The first controller 190 may adjust a frequency of the compressor 110 in response to the target pressure of the compressor 110 being adjusted (905). During the cooling operation, the first controller 190 may decrease the frequency of the compressor 110 based on an increase in the target pressure, or may increase the frequency of the compressor 110 based on a decrease in the target pressure. During the cooling operation, the first controller 190 may decrease the frequency of the compressor 110 to increase an inlet pressure of the compressor 110 to the adjusted target pressure, or may increase the frequency of the compressor 110 to decrease the inlet pressure of the compressor 110 to the adjusted target pressure.
During the heating operation, the first controller 190 may increase the frequency of the compressor 110 based on an increase in the target pressure, or may decrease the frequency of the compressor 110 based on a decrease in the target pressure. During the heating operation, the first controller 190 may increase the frequency of the compressor 110 to increase an outlet pressure of the compressor 110 to the adjusted target pressure, or may decrease the frequency of the compressor 110 to decrease the outlet pressure of the compressor 110 to the adjusted target pressure.
Referring to
The first controller 190 may obtain a humidity difference between the indoor humidity and a reference humidity and the change amount of the humidity difference (1002, 1003). The change amount of the humidity difference refers to a difference value between a previous humidity difference detected at a previous detection time point (N-1 cycle) and a current humidity difference detected at a current detection time point (N cycle).
The first controller 190 may adjust a target pressure of the compressor 110 according to the humidity difference between the indoor humidity and the reference humidity and the change amount of the humidity difference by referring to the fuzzy table stored in the first memory 192 (1004). For example, the first controller 190 may determine an adjustment value of the target pressure of the compressor 110 corresponding to the humidity difference between the indoor humidity and the reference humidity and the change amount of the humidity difference from the fuzzy table. The first controller 190 may adjust the target pressure of the compressor 110 according to the determined adjustment value.
The first controller 190 may adjust a frequency of the compressor 110 in response to the target pressure being adjusted (1005). During the cooling operation, the first controller 190 may decrease the frequency of the compressor 110 based on an increase in the target pressure, or may increase the frequency of the compressor 110 based on a decrease in the target pressure. During a heating operation, the first controller 190 may increase the frequency of the compressor 110 based on an increase in the target pressure, or may decrease the frequency of the compressor 110 based on a decrease in the target pressure.
According to the disclosure, the air conditioner 1 and the method for controlling the same may appropriately adjust the target pressure of the compressor 110 to maintain the indoor temperature and indoor humidity at a comfortable level without on-off control of the compressor 110. Because the compressor 110 is not repeatedly turned on and off, fluctuations in the indoor temperature and indoor humidity may be reduced. In addition, power consumption efficiency may be improved, and a more comfortable indoor environment may be provided to a user.
The example embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code and, when executed by a processor, may generate a program module to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments.
The machine-readable recording medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. When a storage medium is referred to as “non-transitory,” it may be understood that the storage medium is tangible and does not include a signal (electromagnetic waves), but rather that data is semi-permanently or temporarily stored in the storage medium. For example, a “non-transitory storage medium” may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.
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 of a server of a manufacturer, a server of an application store, or a relay server.
Although various example embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosure may be embodied in different forms without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure, including the appended claims and their equivalents, and should not be construed as limited to the various embodiments set forth herein. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2022-0131824 | Oct 2022 | KR | national |
This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/KR2023/012752 designating the United States, filed on Aug. 29, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Receiving Office and claiming priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0131824, filed on Oct. 13, 2022, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of each of which are incorporate by reference herein in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/KR2023/012752 | Aug 2023 | WO |
| Child | 19076002 | US |
