AIR CONDITIONER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME

Abstract

An air conditioner includes: a housing including a plurality of outlets; a heat exchanger disposed in the housing; a compressor connected to the heat exchanger and configured to circulate a refrigerant to allow the refrigerant to pass through the heat exchanger; a plurality of fans configured to blow air to allow the air to pass through the heat exchanger and be discharged to the plurality of outlets; and a controller including at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, individually and/or collectively, configured to turn on all of the plurality of fans and sequentially turn off the plurality of fans after a cooling operation ends to perform an automatic drying operation.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field

The disclosure relates to an air conditioner and a method for controlling the same, and for example, to an air conditioner that performs a drying operation to dry an interior of the air conditioner after performing a cooling operation, and a method for controlling the same.

Description of Related Art

An air conditioner may refer to an apparatus that cools or heats air using transfer of heat generated in a process of evaporating and condensing a refrigerant and conditions air of an indoor space by discharging the cooled or heated air.

The air conditioner may circulate a refrigerant and draw in indoor air by rotating a fan disposed around an indoor heat exchanger in the cooling operation or heating operation. The air conditioner may cause the drawn air to exchange heat in the indoor heat exchanger and may discharge the heat-exchanged air to the indoor space.

In addition, the air conditioner performs a drying operation after the end of the cooling operation in order to remove moisture condensed in the indoor heat exchanger during the cooling operation. The air conditioner may stop circulating the refrigerant during the drying operation, and drop or evaporate the water condensed on the heat exchanger by rotating the fan disposed around the indoor heat exchanger.

Existing air conditioners rotate the fan at high speed during a preset drying time for the drying operation, causing loud noise. In addition, during the drying operation, microorganisms such as mold are released along with the air, which may cause odor, and in a case where the consumer stops the drying operation due to the odor, the moisture is not sufficiently evaporated, which may cause the microorganisms to multiply more.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure provide an air conditioner and a method for controlling the same that may sequentially turn off a plurality of fans during a drying operation to reduce noise and unpleasant wind.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an air conditioner may include: a housing including a plurality of outlets; a heat exchanger disposed in the housing; a compressor connected to the heat exchanger and configured to circulate a refrigerant to allow the refrigerant to pass through the heat exchanger; a plurality of fans configured to blow air to allow the air to pass through the heat exchanger and be discharged to the plurality of outlets; and a controller including at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, individually and/or collectively, configured to turn on all of the plurality of fans and sequentially turn off the plurality of fans after a cooling operation ends to perform an automatic drying operation.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, in a method for controlling an air conditioner including a housing in which a plurality of outlets are formed, a heat exchanger disposed in the housing, a compressor connected to the heat exchanger and configured to circulate a refrigerant to allow the refrigerant to pass through the heat exchanger, and a plurality of fans configured to blow air to allow the air to pass through the heat exchanger and be discharged to the plurality of outlets, the method may include: turning on all of the plurality of fans after a cooling operation ends; and sequentially turning off the plurality of fans to perform an automatic drying operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerant circulation circuit of an air conditioning system according to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an exterior of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating an air conditioner with an outlet open, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A′ of FIG. 4 according to various embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view illustrating an air conditioner with an outlet closed, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 6 according to various embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for controlling an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of turning on all fans according to various embodiments;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which all fans are turned on according to various embodiments;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of sequentially turning off a plurality of fans according to various embodiments;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which one of a plurality of fans is turned off according to various embodiments;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of sequentially turning off a plurality of fans according to various embodiments;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which another of a plurality of fans is turned off according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of performing a drying operation based on a result of detecting a person according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to any specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

In the disclosure, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B or C”, “at least one of A, B and C”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, without limiting the element in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

When an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being “(functionally or communicatively) coupled” or “connected” to another element (e.g., a second element), the first element may be connected to the second element, directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third element.

It will be understood that when the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including”, and/or “comprising” are used in the disclosure, they specify the presence of the specified features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

When a given element is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another element, it is to be understood that it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element. When a given element is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element through a third element.

It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.

An air conditioner according to various embodiments may refer to a device that performs functions such as purification, ventilation, humidity control, cooling or heating in an air conditioning space (hereinafter referred to as “indoor space”), and in particular a device having at least one of these functions.

According to an embodiment, an air conditioner may include a heat pump device to perform a cooling function or a heating function. The heat pump device may include a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant is circulated through a compressor, a first heat exchanger, and an expansion device and a second heat exchanger. All of the components of the heat pump device may be embedded in a single housing forming an exterior of an air conditioner, which includes a window-type air conditioner or a portable air conditioner. On the other hand, some components of the heat pump device may be divided and embedded in a plurality of housings forming a single air conditioner, which includes a wall-mounted air conditioner, a stand-type air conditioner, and a system air conditioner.

The air conditioner including the plurality of housings may include at least one outdoor unit installed outdoors and at least one indoor unit installed indoors. For example, the air conditioner may be provided such that a single outdoor unit and a single indoor unit are connected by a refrigerant pipe. The air conditioner may be provided such that a single outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units by a refrigerant pipe. The air conditioner may be provided such that two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units are connected by a plurality of refrigerant pipes.

The outdoor unit may be electrically connected to the indoor unit. For example, information (or commands) for controlling the air conditioner may be received through an input interface provided in the outdoor unit or the indoor unit. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit may operate simultaneously or sequentially in response to a user input.

The air conditioner may include an outdoor heat exchanger provided in the outdoor unit, an indoor heat exchanger provided in the indoor unit, and a refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger.

The outdoor heat exchanger may be configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant and air from outdoor through a phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation). For example, while the refrigerant is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant may radiate heat to the outdoor air. While the refrigerant flowing in the outdoor heat exchanger evaporates, the refrigerant may absorb heat from the outdoor air.

The indoor unit is typically installed indoors. For example, according to the arrangement method of the indoor unit, the air conditioner may be classified into a ceiling-type indoor unit, a stand-type indoor unit, a wall-type indoor unit, and the like. For example, the ceiling-type indoor unit may be classified into a 4-way type indoor unit, a 1-way type indoor unit, a duct type indoor unit and the like according to a method of discharging air.

Similarly, the indoor heat exchanger may be configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant and outdoor air through a phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation). For example, while the refrigerant evaporates in the indoor unit, the refrigerant may absorb heat from the indoor air. The indoor space may be cooled by blowing the indoor air cooled through the cooled indoor heat exchanger. While the refrigerant is condensed in the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant may radiate heat to the indoor air. The indoor space may be heated by blowing the indoor air heated through the high-temperature indoor heat exchanger.

In other words, the air conditioner may perform a cooling or heating function by a phase change process of a refrigerant circulated between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. To circulate the refrigerant, the air conditioner may include a compressor to compress the refrigerant. The compressor may draw refrigerant gas through an inlet and compress the refrigerant gas. The compressor may discharge high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas through an outlet. The compressor may be disposed inside the outdoor unit.

Through the refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may be circulated sequentially through the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the indoor heat exchanger or sequentially circulated through the compressor, the indoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the outdoor heat exchanger.

For example, in the air conditioner, when a single outdoor unit and a single indoor unit are directly connected through a refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may be circulated between the single outdoor unit and the single indoor unit through the refrigerant pipe.

For example, in the air conditioner, when a single outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units through a refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may flow from the single outdoor unit to the plurality of indoor units through branched refrigerant pipes. Refrigerant discharged from the plurality of indoor units may be combined and circulated to the outdoor unit. For example, each of the plurality of indoor units may be directly connected in parallel to the single outdoor unit through a separate refrigerant pipe.

Each of the plurality of indoor units may be operated independently according to an operation mode set by a user. In other words, some of the plurality of indoor units may be operated in a cooling mode while others of the plurality of indoor units are operated in a heating mode. At that time, the refrigerant may be selectively introduced into each indoor unit in a high-pressure state or a low-pressure state, discharged, and circulated to the outdoor unit along a circulation path that is designated through a flow path switching valve to be described later.

For example, in the air conditioner, when two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units are connected by the plurality of refrigerant pipes, refrigerant discharged from the plurality of outdoor units may be combined and flow through one refrigerant pipe, and then diverged again at a certain point and introduced into the plurality of indoor units.

All of the plurality of outdoor units may be driven or at least some of the plurality of outdoor units may not be driven, in accordance with to a driving load corresponding to an operating amount of the plurality of indoor units. At that time, the refrigerant may be provided through a flow path switching valve to be introduced into and circulated to an outdoor unit that is selectively driven. The air conditioner may include the expansion device to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger. For example, the expansion device may be disposed inside the indoor unit or inside the outdoor unit, or disposed both inside the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

The expansion device may reduce the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant using a throttling effect. The expansion device may include an orifice configured to reduce a cross-sectional area of a flow path. A temperature and pressure of the refrigerant passing through the orifice may be lowered.

For example, the expansion device may be implemented as an electronic expansion valve configured to adjust an opening ratio (a ratio of a cross-sectional area of a flow path of a valve in a partially opened state to a cross-sectional area of the flow path of the valve in a fully opened state). According to the opening ratio of the electronic expansion valve, the amount of refrigerant passing through the expansion device may be adjusted.

The air conditioner may further include a flow path switching valve disposed on the refrigerant circulation path. The flow path switching valve may include a 4-way valve. The flow path switching valve may determine a refrigerant circulation path depending on an operation mode of the indoor unit (e.g., cooling operation or heating operation). The flow path switching valve may be connected to the outlet of the compressor.

The air conditioner may include an accumulator. The accumulator may be connected to the inlet of the compressor. A low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant, which is evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger, may flow into the accumulator.

When a refrigerant mixture of refrigerant liquid and refrigerant gas is introduced, the accumulator may separate the refrigerant liquid from the refrigerant gas, and supply the refrigerant gas separated from the refrigerant liquid to the compressor.

An outdoor fan may be installed near the outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor fan may blow outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger to promote heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air.

The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include at least one sensor. For example, the outdoor unit sensor may be provided as an environmental sensor. The outdoor unit sensor may be disposed at a given position of the inside or the outside of the outdoor unit. For example, the outdoor unit sensor may include a temperature sensor configured to detect an air temperature around the outdoor unit, an air humidity sensor configured to detect air humidity around the outdoor unit, or a refrigerant temperature sensor configured to detect a refrigerant temperature in a refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit, or a refrigerant pressure sensor configured to detect a refrigerant pressure in a refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit.

The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an outdoor unit communication circuitry. The outdoor unit communication circuitry may be configured to receive a control signal from an indoor unit controller of the air conditioner, which will be described later. Based on a control signal received through the outdoor unit communication circuitry, the outdoor unit may control the operation of the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, the flow path switching valve, the accumulator, or the outdoor fan. The outdoor unit may transmit a measurement value detected by the outdoor unit sensor to the indoor unit controller through the outdoor unit communication circuitry.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a housing, a blower configured to circulate air inside or outside the housing, and the indoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with air introduced into the housing.

The housing may include an inlet. Indoor air may flow into the housing through the inlet.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a filter configured to filter out foreign substance in air that is introduced into the inside of the housing through the inlet.

The housing may include an outlet. Air flowing inside the housing may be discharged to the outside of the housing through the outlet.

An airflow guide configured to guide a direction of air discharged through the outlet may be provided in the housing of the indoor unit. For example, the airflow guide may include a blade positioned in the outlet. For example, the airflow guide may include an auxiliary fan for regulating an exhaust airflow, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the airflow guide may be omitted.

The indoor heat exchanger and the blower arranged on a flow path connecting the inlet and the outlet may be disposed inside the housing of the indoor unit.

The blower may include an indoor fan and a fan motor. For example, the indoor fan may include an axial fan, a mixed-flow fan, a cross-flow fan and a centrifugal fan.

The indoor heat exchanger may be arranged between the blower and the outlet or between the inlet and the blower. The indoor heat exchanger may absorb heat from air introduced through the inlet or transfer heat to air introduced through the inlet. The indoor heat exchanger may include a heat exchange tube through which refrigerant flows, and heat exchange fins in contact with the heat exchange tube to increase a heat transfer area.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a drain tray disposed below the indoor heat exchanger to collect condensed water generated in the indoor heat exchanger. The condensed water contained in the drain tray may be drained to the outside through a drain hose. The drain tray may be arranged to support the indoor heat exchanger.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an input interface. The input interface may include any type of user input device or circuitry including a button, a switch, a touch screen and/or a touch pad. A user can directly input setting data (e.g., desired indoor temperature, cooling/heating/dehumidifying/air cleaning operation mode setting, outlet selection setting, and/or air volume setting) through the input interface.

The input interface may be connected to an external input device. For example, the input interface may be electrically connected to a wired remote controller. The wired remote controller may be installed at a specific location (e.g., a part of a wall) in an indoor space. A user may input setting data related to the operation of the air conditioner by manipulating the wired remote controller. An electrical signal corresponding to the setting data obtained by the wired remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface. In addition, the input interface may include an infrared sensor. A user may remotely input the setting data for operating the air conditioner using a wireless remote controller. The setting data received by the wireless remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface as an infrared signal.

In addition, the input interface may include a microphone. A user's voice command may be obtained through the microphone. The microphone may convert a user's voice command into an electrical signal and transmit the converted electrical signal to the indoor unit controller. The indoor unit controller may control components of the air conditioner to perform a function corresponding to the user's voice command. The setting data obtained through the input interface (e.g., desired indoor temperature, cooling/heating/dehumidifying/air cleaning operation mode setting, outlet selection setting, and/or air volume setting) may be transmitted to the indoor unit controller to be described later. For example, the setting data obtained through the input interface may be transmitted to the outside, that is, to the outdoor unit or a server through an indoor unit communication circuitry to be described later.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a power module. The power module may be connected to an external power source to supply power to components of the indoor unit.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an indoor unit sensor. The indoor unit sensor may be an environmental sensor disposed inside or outside the housing. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include one or more temperature sensors and/or humidity sensors disposed in a predetermined space inside or outside the housing of the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor configured to detect a refrigerant temperature of a refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor each configured to detect a temperature of an entrance, a middle portion and/or an exit of the refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor heat exchanger.

For example, each environmental information detected by the indoor unit sensor may be transmitted to the indoor unit controller to be described later or transmitted to the outside through the indoor unit communication circuitry to be described later.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include the indoor unit communication circuitry. The indoor unit communication circuitry may include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module and a long-range wireless communication module. The indoor unit communication circuitry may include at least one antenna for wirelessly communicating with other devices. The outdoor unit may include the outdoor unit communication circuitry. The outdoor unit communication circuitry may also include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module and a long-range wireless communication module.

The short-range wireless communication module may include a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, and a Zigbee communication module, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication module, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication module, an ultrawideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc., but is not limited thereto.

The long-range wireless communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of long-range wireless communication, and may include a mobile communication circuitry. The mobile communication circuitry transmits and receives radio signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server in a mobile communication network.

The indoor unit communication circuitry may communicate with an external device such as a server, a mobile device and other home appliances through an access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN), to which an air conditioner or a user device is connected, to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The air conditioner or the user device may be connected to the server through the WAN. The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include the indoor unit controller configured to control components of the indoor unit including the blower. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an outdoor unit controller configured to control components of the outdoor unit including the compressor. The indoor unit controller may communicate with the outdoor unit controller through the indoor unit communication circuitry and the outdoor unit communication circuitry. The outdoor unit communication circuitry may transmit a control signal generated by the outdoor unit controller to the indoor unit communication circuitry, or transmit a control signal, which is transmitted from the indoor unit communication circuitry, to the outdoor unit controller. In other words, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may perform bi-directional communication. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit may transmit and receive various signals generated during the operation of the air conditioner.

The outdoor unit controller may be electrically connected to components of the outdoor unit and may control the operation of each component. For example, the outdoor unit controller may adjust a frequency of the compressor and control the flow path switching valve to change a circulation direction of the refrigerant. The outdoor unit controller may adjust a rotational speed of the outdoor fan. In addition, the outdoor unit controller may generate a control signal to adjust the opening degree of the expansion valve. Under the control of the outdoor unit controller, the refrigerant may be circulated along the refrigerant circulation circuit including the compressor, the flow path switching valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the indoor heat exchanger.

Various temperature sensors included in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may transmit electrical signals corresponding to detected temperatures to the outdoor unit controller and/or the indoor unit controller. For example, the humidity sensors included in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may respectively transmit electrical signals corresponding to the detected humidity to the outdoor unit controller and/or the indoor unit controller.

The indoor unit controller may obtain a user input from a user device including a mobile device through the indoor unit communication circuitry, or directly obtain a user input through the input interface or the remote controller. The indoor unit controller may control components of the indoor unit including the blower in response to the received user input. The indoor unit controller may transmit information related to the received user input to the outdoor unit controller of the outdoor unit.

The outdoor unit controller may control components of the outdoor unit including the compressor based on the information related to the user input received from the indoor unit. For example, when a control signal corresponding to a user input for selecting an operation mode such as a cooling operation, a heating operation, a fan operation, a defrosting operation, or a dehumidifying operation is received from the indoor unit, the outdoor unit controller may control components of the outdoor unit to perform an operation of the air conditioner corresponding to the selected operation mode.

The outdoor unit controller and the indoor unit controller may include a processor and a memory, respectively. The indoor unit controller may include at least one a first processor (e.g., including various processing circuitry) and at least one a first memory, and the outdoor unit controller may include at least one a second processor and at least one a second memory.

The memory may record/store various types of information necessary for the operation of the air conditioner. The memory may store instructions, applications, data and/or programs necessary for the operation of the air conditioner. For example, the memory may store various programs for the cooling operation, the heating operation, the dehumidifying operation, and/or the defrosting operation of the air conditioner. The memory may include volatile memory, such as a static random access memory (S-RAM) and a dynamic random access memory (D-RAM) for temporarily storing data. In addition, the memory may include a non-volatile memory, such as a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), and an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) for long-term storage of data.

The processor may generate a control signal for controlling an operation of the air conditioner based on instructions, applications, data, and/or programs stored in the memory. The processor may be hardware and may include a logic circuit and an arithmetic circuit. The processor may process data according to a program and/or instructions provided from the memory, and may generate a control signal according to a processing result. The memory and the processor may be implemented as one control circuit or as a plurality of circuits.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an output interface. The output interface may be electrically connected to the indoor unit controller, and output information related to the operation of the air conditioner under the control of the indoor unit controller. For example, the output interface may output information, such as an operation mode selected by a user input, a wind direction, a wind volume, and a temperature. In addition, the output interface may output sensing information obtained from the indoor unit sensor or the outdoor unit sensor, and output warning/error messages.

The output interface may include a display and a speaker. The speaker may be a sound device and configured to output various sounds. The display may display information, which is input by a user or provided to a user, as various graphic elements. For example, operational information of the air conditioner may be displayed as at least one of an image and text. In addition, the display may include an indicator that provides specific information. The display may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel, a micro-LED panel, and/or a plurality of LEDs.

Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to various example embodiments of the disclosure will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerant circulation circuit of an air conditioning system according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1, an air conditioning system may include an indoor unit 1 and an outdoor unit 2.

The indoor unit 1 may be located in an air conditioning space. The air conditioning space refers to a space to be cooled or heated by the indoor unit 1 (hereinafter, also referred to as an air conditioner). The indoor unit 1 may be installed in a space separated from the outside by walls or partitions, such as, inside of a house or inside of an office.

The outdoor unit 2 may be located outside the air conditioning space. For example, the outdoor unit 2 may be installed outdoors.

The air conditioning system includes a refrigerant flow path for circulating the refrigerant between indoors and outdoors. The refrigerant may be circulated between indoors and outdoors along the refrigerant flow path, and may absorb heat or emit latent heat during a change in state (e.g., a change in state from gas to liquid or liquid to gas).

To induce the change in state of the refrigerant, a refrigerant circulator may include a compressor 3, an outdoor heat exchanger 4, an expansion valve 5 and an indoor heat exchanger 20.

The compressor 3 may compress the gaseous refrigerant, causing the refrigerant to be heated. The high temperature/high pressure gaseous refrigerant may be delivered by the compressor 3 to the outdoor heat exchanger 4. In the outdoor heat exchanger 4, the high temperature/high pressure gaseous refrigerant is converted from the gas state to the liquid state and also emits heat. The refrigerant in the liquid state may be delivered to the expansion valve 5. The expansion valve 5 may decompress the refrigerant in the liquid state, causing the refrigerant to be cooled. The low temperature/low pressure refrigerant liquid may be delivered to the indoor heat exchanger 20. In the indoor heat exchanger 20, the low temperature/low pressure refrigerant liquid is converted into the gas state from the liquid state and also absorbs heat in the indoor heat exchanger 20.

As such, the refrigerant may emit heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and absorb heat in the indoor heat exchanger 20. The indoor heat exchanger 20 may be installed in the air conditioner 1 along with the expansion valve 5, and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 may be installed in the outdoor unit 2 along with the compressor 3. Accordingly, the indoor heat exchanger 20 may cool the air in the air conditioning space (indoors).

In the following description, the indoor unit 2 may be referred to as ‘air conditioner’ and the indoor heat exchanger 20 may referred to as ‘heat exchanger’.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an exterior view of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating an air conditioner with an outlet open, according to various embodiments. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A′ of FIG. 4 according to various embodiments. FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view illustrating an air conditioner with an outlet closed, according to various embodiments. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 6 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 (which may be referred to as FIGS. 2 to 7), the air conditioner 1 may include a housing 10 having at least one outlet 41, the heat exchanger 20 for exchanging heat with the air brought into the housing 10, an air blower 30 for circulating air into or out of the housing 10, and a discharger 40 for discharging the air blown from the air blower 30 out of the housing 10.

The housing 10 may include a front panel 10a on which the at least one outlet 41 is formed, a rear panel 10b arranged behind the front panel 10a, a side panel 10c arranged between the front panel 10a and the rear panel 10b, and upper/lower panel 10d arranged on top and bottom of the side panel 10c. The at least one outlet 41 is shaped like a circle, and at least two of them may be spaced from each other in an up/down direction of the front panel 10a. For example, the outlet 41 may include a first outlet 41a, a second outlet 41b and a third outlet 41c.

An inlet 19 for drawing outside air into the housing 10 may be formed on the rear panel 10b.

The inlet 19 may be formed on the rear panel 10b placed behind the heat exchanger 20 to guide the air outside the housing 10 to flow into the housing 10. The air brought into the housing 10 through the inlet 19 absorbs or loses heat while going through the heat exchanger 20. The air that has exchanged heat while going through the heat exchanger 20 may be discharged by the air blower 30 out of the housing 10 through the discharger 40.

The air blower 30 may include a fan 32 and a grille 34.

The grille 34 may be arranged in a discharging direction of the fan 32. In an embodiment, the fan 32 employs a mixed flow fan, but the type of the fan 32 is not limited thereto and the fan 32 may have any structure that moves the air brought in from outside of the housing 10 to be discharged back to the outside of the housing 10. For example, the fan 32 may be a cross fan, a turbo fan, or a sirocco fan. The number of fans 32 is not limited, and in an embodiment, there may be at least one fan 32 arranged to correspond to the at least one outlet 41. For example, the fan 32 may include a first fan 32a, a second fan 32b and a third fan 32c.

The air blower 30 may be equipped with a fan motor 33 arranged in the middle of the fan 32 to drive the fan 32. For example, the fan motor 33 may include a first fan motor 33a for driving the first fan 32a, a second fan motor 33b for driving the second fan 32b and a third fan motor 33c for driving the third fan 32c.

The grille 34 may be arranged in front of the fan 32 to guide the air flow. The grille 34 may also be arranged between the fan 32 and the outlet 41 to reduce external influences on the fan 32.

The grille 34 may include a plurality of wings 35. By controlling the number, shape and arrangement angle of the plurality of wings 35, the direction or volume of the air blown from the fan 32 to the outlet 41 may be controlled.

A door actuator 66, which will be described below, may be located in the middle of the grille 34. The door actuator 66 and the fan motor 33 may be arranged on the same line in the front-back direction. With this structure, the plurality of wings 35 of the grille 34 may be located in front of the fan 32.

The air blower 30 may include a duct 36. The duct 36 is shaped like a circle that encloses the fan 32 to guide the air flow to the fan 32.

The heat exchanger 20 may be arranged between the fan 32 and the inlet 19 to absorb heat from the air brought in through the inlet 19 or deliver heat to the air brought in through the inlet 19. The heat exchanger 20 may include a tube 21, and headers 22 coupled to the upper and lower sides of the tube 21. However, the type of the heat exchanger 20 is not limited thereto.

There may be at least one heat exchanger 20 arranged in the housing 10 to correspond to the number of outlets 41. For example, the outlet 41 may include the first outlet 41a, the second outlet 41b and the third outlet 41c.

The air conditioner 1 may operate in a plurality of operation modes. The plurality of operation modes may include a first cooling mode that discharges, through the at least one outlet 41, air that has exchanged heat, and a second cooling mode that discharges, through discharge holes 42 formed at a porous discharge plate 14, air that has exchanged heat. The size of the outlet 41 may be larger than that of the discharge hole 42. In addition, the number of the discharge holes 42 is larger than the number of outlets 41, and the discharge holes 42 may be substantially uniformly distributed across the discharge plate 14.

For example, in the first cooling mode, the air that has exchanged heat may be discharged out of the air conditioner 1 through the first, second or third outlet 41a, 41b or 41c, which is open. In this instance, the air conditioner 1 may operate in the first cooling mode by selectively opening the first, second or third outlet 41a, 41b or 41c depending on the detected room temperature.

In the second cooling mode, the first, second and third outlets 41a, 41b and 41c are all closed, and the air that has exchanged heat may be discharged through the discharge holes 42 formed at the discharge plate 14.

In other words, the air that has exchanged heat in the heat exchanger 20 may be discharged, by the fan 32, out of the air conditioner through the at least one outlet 41 and the discharge holes 42.

In the first cooling mode, the air that has exchanged heat is discharged through the outlet 41, but a portion of the air may also be discharged through the discharge holes 42. That is, most of the air that has exchanged heat may be discharged through the outlet 41 in the first cooling mode. As in the first cooling mode, in the second cooling mode, most of the air that has exchanged heat may be discharged through the discharge holes 42.

The air that has passed the air blower 30 may be discharged out of the housing 10 through the outlet 41.

In a case where the air conditioner 1 operates in the first cooling mode, the air that has exchanged heat may be discharged out of the housing 10 through the outlet 41. The outlet 41 is arranged for the air that has exchanged heat to be discharged directly to the outside. The outlet 41 may be arranged to be exposed to the outside of the housing 10. The outlet 41 may be arranged in the air blowing direction of the fan 32 to allow the air that has exchanged heat to be discharged directly to the outside. The air blown by the fan 32 may be moved through a first discharge path 41d formed between the fan 32 and the outlet 41. The first discharge path 41d may be formed by a discharge guide 45.

The first discharge path 41d may be formed by the discharge guide 45. An end 43 of the discharge guide 45 may be connected to the outlet 41, and the first discharge path 41d may be formed along the inner circumferential plane of the discharge guide 45. The end 43 of the discharge guide 45 may be exposed to the outside through the outlet 41 of the housing 10, and a door 60, which will be described below, may be settled (seated) at the end 43 of the discharge guide 45.

The outlet 41 may be opened or closed by the door 60.

The door 60 may open or close the outlet 41, and the air that has exchanged heat may be selectively discharged out of the housing 10 through the outlet 41. For example, the door 60 may include a first door 60a to open or close the first outlet 41a, a second door 60b to open or close the second outlet 41b, and a third door 60c to open or close the third outlet 41c.

The door 60 may be moved between an open position P1 to open the outlet 41 and a closed position P2 to close the outlet 41. The door 60 may be moved between the open position P1 and the closed position P2 in the front-back direction.

For example, the door 60 may each include a door blade 62 and the door actuator 66 to operate the door blade 62.

The door blade 62 may be shaped like a circle to correspond to the shape of the outlet 41. The door blade 62 may be separated from the end 43 of the discharge guide 45 when the door 60 is in the open position P1, and the door blade 62 may close the outlet 41 by contacting the end 43 of the discharge guide 45 when the door 60 is in the closed position P2. For example, the door blade 62 may include a first door blade 62a to open or close the first outlet 41a, a second door blade 62b to open or close the second outlet 41b, and a third door blade 62c to open or close the third outlet 41c.

The door blade 62 may include a blade body 63 shaped like a circle to correspond to the outlet 41, and a blade coupler 64 extending from the blade body 63 to be coupled to the door actuator 66.

The blade body 63 may be shaped substantially like a circular plate. In addition, the blade body 63 may be formed to have one side facing the outside of the man body 10 and the other side facing the outlet 41.

A display may be arranged on the one side of the blade body 63, and the display may be configured to display an operation state of the air conditioner or to allow the air conditioner to be manipulated.

The door actuator 66 may move the door blade 62. The door actuator 66 may include a motor (not shown). The door actuator 66 may be coupled to the blade coupler 64 of the door blade 62 to move the door blade 62.

For example, the door actuator 66 may include a first door actuator 66a to move the first door blade 62a, a second door actuator 66b to move the second door blade 62b, and a third door actuator 66c to move the third door blade 62c.

The grille 34 described above may be arranged around the door actuator 66. The air blown from the fan 32 arranged on the rear side of the grille 34 may be discharged forward past the grille 34.

In a case where the air conditioner 1 operates in the second cooling mode, the air that has exchanged heat may be discharged out of the housing 10 through the discharge holes 42. With this structure, the air that has exchanged heat may be discharged to the outside at a reduced wind speed. The discharge holes 42 may include a plurality of discharge holes 42 formed on the porous discharge plate 14.

In a case where the air that has exchanged heat is discharged out of the housing 10 through the discharge holes 42, the air blown by the fan 32 may be moved along a second discharge path 42a formed between the fan 32 and the discharge holes 42. The second discharge path 42a may be formed by the discharge guide 45 and a discharge panel 12 to be described below.

The discharge panel 12 may form the second discharge path 42a. The air that has exchanged heat is allowed to be discharged out of the air conditioner at low speed through the second discharge path 42a formed by the discharge panel 12 and the discharge plate 14 to be described below.

The discharge panel 12 may include a flow path forming frame 13 and the discharge plate 14.

The flow path forming frame 13 may separate the inside of the housing 10 from the second discharge path 42a. The flow path forming frame 13 may prevent and/or block the air that has exchanged heat from flowing back into the housing 10. In an embodiment, the flow path forming frame 13 may be formed by extending from the grille 34 and connected to an exterior panel 11.

The discharge holes 42 may be formed on the discharge plate 14. The shape of the discharge hole 42 is not limited, but in an embodiment of the disclosure, the discharge hole 42 may be formed in the plural. The discharge hole 42 may penetrate the front and rear sides of the discharge plate 14.

The discharge holes 42 may form a discharge area. The plurality of discharge holes 42 may be evenly distributed in the discharge area or may be concentrated in at least a portion of the discharge area. In an embodiment, the plurality of discharge holes 42 may be evenly distributed in the discharge area.

The discharge area may be formed in at least a portion of the discharge plate 14. However, the discharge area is not limited thereto, and discharging is made through the front side of the discharge plate 14.

The discharger 40 may include the first discharge path 41d and the second discharge path 42a.

The air blown by the fan 32 may be moved through at least one of the first discharge path 41d or the second discharge path 42a.

In the first cooling mode, the air blown by the fan 32 may be moved along the first discharge path 41d formed between the fan 32 and the outlet 41. In the second cooling mode, the air blown by the fan 32 may be moved along the second discharge path 42a formed between the fan 32 and the discharge holes 42.

The discharger 40 may include the discharge guide 45. The air blown by the fan 32 may be controlled by the discharge guide 45. The discharge guide 45 may be disposed in front of the air blower 30 to allow the air moving from the air blower 30 may be moved along at least one of the first discharge path 41d or the second discharge path 42a.

The discharge guide 45 may include a guide body 46 and a guide groove 47.

The guide body 46 may form the first discharge path 41d inside. The guide body 46 may be formed in a cylindrical form with a cavity. Specifically, the guide body 46 is shaped like a tube with one end facing the air blower 30 and the other end facing the outlet 41.

The guide groove 47 may be formed for the second discharge path 42a to pass through. The guide groove 47 may be formed on the guide body 46. The shape of the guide groove 47 is not limited, and the guide groove 47 may have any form arranged on the guide body 46 to allow the air to be moved out of the guide body 46. In an embodiment, the guide groove 47 may in the form of a plurality of holes along the edge of the guide body 46.

In the first cooling mode, the door 60 opens the outlet 41. In this case, the air blown from the air blower 30 may pass the first discharge path 41d formed in the guide body 46 and be discharged through the outlet 41.

In the second cooling mode, the door 60 closes the outlet 41. In this case, one side of the guide body 46 is blocked by the door 60, and thus the air blown from the air blower 30 may be discharged through the discharge holes 42 past the guide groove 47 formed in the guide body 46.

Hereinafter, an operation of the air conditioner is described in greater detail.

The air brought into the housing 10 from outside exchanges heat with the heat exchanger 20. The air heated or cooled by the heat exchanger 20 may be discharged by the air blower 30 out of the housing 10.

The air conditioner 1 may discharge the air that has passed the heat exchanger 20 to the outside through at least one of the outlet 41 or the discharge holes 42. That is, discharging is made through the outlet 41, making the heating or the cooling performed quickly as in the first cooling mode, and discharging is made through the discharge holes 42, making the heating or the cooling performed slowly throughout the indoor space as in the second cooling mode.

The outlet 41 may be opened or closed by the operation of the door 60. The air that has exchanged heat may be discharged through the outlet 41 when the outlet 41 is opened, and the air that has exchanged heat may be discharged through the discharge holes 42 when the outlet 41 is closed.

The first cooling mode is described. In the first cooling mode, the air that has exchanged heat may be discharged through the outlet 41. In the first cooling mode, the door blade 62 may be located in the open position P1 and be separated from the end 43 of the discharge guide 45 to open the outlet 41.

In this case, the air blown from the air blower 30 may be moved to the outlet 41 through the first discharge path 41d formed by the guide body 46 of the discharge guide 45.

In a case where the air is discharged out of the housing 10 through the outlet 41, the air may be discharged to the outside at a constant wind speed set by the air blower 30.

The second cooling mode is described. In the second cooling mode, the air that has exchanged heat may be discharged through the discharge holes 42. In the second cooling mode, the door blade 62 may be located in the closed position P2 and contact the end 43 of the discharge guide 45, thereby closing the outlet 41.

In this case, because the outlet 41 is blocked by the door blade 62, the air moving from the air blower 30 may pass the guide groove 47 formed in the guide body 46 of the discharge guide 45, causing the air moving from the air blower 30 to flow along the second discharge path 42a to the discharge holes 42.

In a case where the air is discharged out of the housing 10 through the discharge holes 42, the air may slow down while passing the plurality of discharge holes on the discharge plate 14, and may be discharged to the outside at low speed.

With the above-described structure, the indoor space may be cooled or heated at a wind speed that makes a user feel comfortable.

An operation of performing a drying operation of the air conditioner after an end of a cooling operation is described in greater detail below.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for controlling an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

As described above, the air conditioner 1 may include the housing, the heat exchanger, the compressor 3, and the plurality of fans 32.

The air conditioner 1 may further include an indoor temperature sensor 131, a heat exchanger temperature sensor 132, a humidity sensor 133, a human detection sensor 134, and a controller 160. The controller 160 may include a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) 161 and a memory 162.

The indoor temperature sensor 131 may detect a temperature of an indoor space in which the air conditioner 1 is located.

The heat exchanger temperature sensor 132 may detect a temperature of the heat exchanger. In addition, the heat exchanger temperature sensor 132 may detect temperatures of an inlet side and an outlet side of the heat exchanger, respectively, and calculate an average value of the temperatures.

The humidity sensor 133 may be located in the housing and detect a humidity of air that has passed through the heat exchanger.

The human detection sensor 134 may detect a person around the air conditioner 1.

The controller 160 may include the memory 162 that stores a control program and control data for controlling the plurality of fans 32, and at least one processor 161 that generates a control signal according to the control program and control data stored in the memory 162. The memory 162 and the processor 161 may be provided integrally or separately.

The memory 162 may store detection values obtained by the sensors, and the like, and may store a program and data for controlling the plurality of fans 32.

The memory 162 may include a volatile memory for temporarily storing data, such as a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), or a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM). The memory 162 may include a non-volatile memory for storing data for a long time, such as a Read-Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), or an Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM).

The processor 161 may include various processing circuitry, logic circuitry and arithmetic circuitry. The processor 161 may process data according to the program provided from the memory 162, and generate a control signal based on the processing result. The processor 162 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.

In response to an end of a cooling operation (901), the controller 160 may turn on all of the plurality of fans 32 (903) and then sequentially turn off the plurality of fans 32 (905).

For example, the controller 160 may turn on the plurality of fans 32 and determine whether a first condition is satisfied.

The first condition may include an operation time of the compressor 3 being less than a reference time. For example, in a case where the operation time of the compressor 3 is less than the reference time, it may be determined that the first condition is satisfied. The reference time may be set to an appropriate time for performing a drying operation, for example, 15 minutes.

The controller 160 may turn off any one of the plurality of fans 32 based on whether the first condition is satisfied. For example, the controller 160 may perform an automatic drying operation in response to the first condition being satisfied, which will be described in detail below.

In addition, the controller 160 may determine whether a second condition is satisfied.

The second condition may include a difference between an indoor temperature and a temperature of the heat exchanger being less than a reference temperature, and a detected humidity being less than a reference humidity. The reference temperature and the reference humidity may be set to an appropriate temperature and humidity for performing the drying operation. For example, the reference temperature may be 3° C. and the reference humidity may be 60%.

In a case where a value obtained by subtracting the temperature of the heat exchanger from the detected indoor temperature is less than 3° C., and the detected humidity is less than 60%, it may be determined that the second condition is satisfied.

The controller 160 may turn off another of the plurality of fans 32 based on whether the second condition is satisfied, which will be described in detail below.

The operation of sequentially turning off the plurality of fans 32 by the controller 160 based on the first condition and the second condition is described in greater detail below.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of turning on all fans according to various embodiments. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which all fans are turned on according to various embodiments.

As described above, the plurality of fans 32 may include the first fan 32a, the second fan 32b, and the third fan 32c.

The first fan 32a may be positioned at the uppermost position. The second fan 32b may be positioned lower than the first fan 32a, and the third fan 32c may be positioned lower than the second fan 32b.

For example, the first fan 32a may be positioned at the uppermost position, the second fan 32b may be positioned in the middle, and the third fan 32c may be positioned at the lowermost position.

After a cooling operation ends (1001), the controller 160 may turn on all of the first fan 32a, the second fan 32b, and the third fan 32c for a first period of time (1003).

Thereafter, the controller 160 may sequentially turn off the plurality of fans 32 to perform a drying operation.

Sequentially turning off the plurality of fans 32 may, for example, be as follows.

Referring to FIG. 3, the heat exchanger may be arranged vertically in a long form, and condensate may be produced in the heat exchanger due to the cooling operation.

Because the condensate flows downward under the influence of gravity, the amount of condensate in a lower part of the heat exchanger becomes greater than in an upper part, and thus the upper part of the heat exchanger is relatively well dried. Accordingly, by first turning off the first fan 32a located near the upper part of the heat exchanger, noise and unpleasant odor may be reduced with reduced power consumption.

Before turning on all of the first fan 32a, the second fan 32b, and the third fan 32c, the controller 160 may turn off all of the first fan 32a, the second fan 32b, and the third fan 32c for a preset period of time to drain the condensate produced in the heat exchanger. That is, after waiting for the preset period of time for the condensate produced in the heat exchanger to flow down, the controller 160 may turn on all of the first fan 32a, the second fan 32b, and the third fan 32c. The preset period of time may be approximately 3 minutes.

The controller 160 may turn on all of the first fan 32a, the second fan 32b, and the third fan 32c for the first period of time (1005). In this instance, air may be discharged from all of the first outlet 41a, the second outlet 41b, and the third outlet 41c, as shown in FIG. 11.

In this instance, the controller 160 may turn on the first fan 32a, the second fan 32b, and the third fan 32c while controlling the door 60 to open the outlet 41.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of sequentially turning off a plurality of fans according to various embodiments. FIG. 13 illustrates a state in which one of a plurality of fans is turned off according to various embodiments.

The controller 160 may turn on the first fan 32a, the second fan 32b, and the third fan 32c for a first period of time, and may determine whether the first condition is satisfied when the first period of time has elapsed. The first condition may include an operation time of the compressor 3 being less than a reference time, as described above.

Based on the first condition being satisfied (Yes in operation 1201), the controller 160 may turn off the first fan 32a and turn on the second fan 32b and the third fan 32c (1203).

In the following process, air may be discharged in a wind-free operation in a state where the outlet 41 is closed.

The controller 160 may turn on the second fan 32b and the third fan 32c for a second period of time (1205). The second period of time may be set as an appropriate time to perform a drying operation, for example, 10 minutes.

The controller 160 may turn off the second fan 32b and the third fan 32c (1207), when the second period of time has elapsed (Yes in operation 1205). For example, the first condition is satisfied, which indicates that the operation time of the compressor 3 has not been long, and thus it may be determined that the drying operation does not require to be performed for a long time. As a result, when the second period of time has elapsed, the controller 160 may turn off the second fan 32b and the third fan 32c and may end the drying operation.

The controller 160 may turn off the first fan 32a and turn on the second fan 32b and the third fan 32c for the second period of time (1209), based on the first condition not being satisfied (No in operation 1201). When the second period of time has elapsed (Yes in operation 1211), the controller 160 may determine whether the second condition is satisfied.

That is, the first condition is not satisfied, which indicates that the operation time of the compressor 3 has been relatively long, and thus it may be determined that the drying operation requires to be performed further. As a result, even when the second period of time has elapsed, the controller 160 may determine whether an additional condition is satisfied without turning off the second fan 32b and the third fan 32c.

In this instance, as shown in FIG. 13, air may be discharged only from the second outlet 41b and the third outlet 41c.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of sequentially turning off a plurality of fans according to various embodiments. FIG. 15 illustrates a state in which another of a plurality of fans is turned off according to various embodiments.

As described above, in a case where the first condition is not satisfied, the controller 160 may turn on the second fan 32b and the third fan 32c for the second period of time, and may determine whether the second condition is satisfied. As described above, the second condition may include a difference between an indoor temperature and a temperature of the heat exchanger being less than a reference temperature, and a detected humidity being less than a reference humidity.

Based on the second condition being satisfied (Yes in operation 1401), the controller 160 may turn off the second fan 32b and turn on the third fan 32c for a third period of time (1403). Thereafter, when the third period of time has elapsed (Yes in operation 1405), the controller 160 may turn off the third fan 32c (1407). Here, the third period of time may be set as an appropriate time to perform the drying operation, for example, 10 minutes.

Based on the second condition not being satisfied (No in operation 1401), the controller 160 may turn off the second fan 32b and turn on the third fan 32c for a fourth period of time that is longer than the third period of time (1409). Thereafter, when the fourth period of time has elapsed (Yes in operation 1411), the controller 160 may turn off the third fan 32c (1413).

The fourth period of time may be set as an appropriate time to perform the drying operation, for example, 15 minutes, which is longer than the third period of time.

In a case where the second condition is satisfied, it may be determined that the drying operation can be performed for a relatively short period of time, and thus the controller 160 may turn on the third fan 32c only for the third period of time (e.g., 10 minutes). In a case where the second condition is not satisfied, it may be determined that the drying operation requires to be performed for a relatively long period of time, and thus the controller 160 may turn on the third fan 32c only for the fourth period of time (e.g., 15 minutes) that is longer than the third period of time.

In this instance, air may be discharged only from the third outlet 41c, as shown in FIG. 15.

When the first fan 32a, the second fan 32b, and the third fan 32c are each turned on by the controller, the first fan 32a, the second fan 32b, and the third fan 32c may each rotate at the same speed or at different rotation speeds.

For example, the first fan 32a may rotate at the slowest speed, the second fan 32b may rotate at a relatively faster speed than the first fan 32a, and the third fan 32c may rotate at the fastest speed.

By sequentially turning off the plurality of fans 32 during the drying operation as described above, the degree of dryness in the air conditioner 1 may be maintained while reducing noise and unpleasant wind and reducing power consumption.

In another example embodiment, the controller 160 may set an appropriate time for each of the first fan 32a, the second fan 32b, and the third fan 32c to perform the drying operation based on a humidity detected by the humidity sensor 133.

For example, the first fan 32a may be turned on for a fifth period of time to perform the drying operation, the second fan 32b may be turned on for a sixth period of time to perform the drying operation, and the third fan 32c may be turned on for a seventh period of time to perform the drying operation. In this instance, the sixth period of time may be longer than the fifth period of time, and the seventh period of time may be longer than the sixth period of time.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of performing a drying operation based on a result of detecting a person according to various embodiments.

After a cooling operation ends (1601), in a case where a person is detected around the air conditioner 1 by the human detection sensor 134 (Yes in operation 1603), the controller 160 may wait for a reference time before turning on all of the plurality of fans 32 (1605).

That is, in a case where a person is present around the air conditioner 1, the drying operation may be performed after waiting for the reference time considering noise and smell that may be caused by the drying operation.

In a case where no person is detected around the air conditioner 1 by the human detection sensor 134 (No in operation 1603), the controller 160 may perform the above-described drying operation immediately without waiting for the reference time (1607).

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an air conditioner may include: a housing including a plurality of outlets; a heat exchanger disposed in the housing; a compressor connected to the heat exchanger and configured to circulate a refrigerant to allow the refrigerant to pass through the heat exchanger; a plurality of fans configured to blow air to allow the air to pass through the heat exchanger and be discharged to the plurality of outlets; and a controller including at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, individually and/or collectively, configured to turn on all of the plurality of fans and sequentially turn off the plurality of fans after a cooling operation ends to perform an automatic drying operation.

According to the disclosure, the air conditioner may sequentially turn off the plurality of fans during a drying operation, thereby maintaining a degree of dryness in the air conditioner while reducing noise and unpleasant wind and reducing power consumption.

At least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine whether a first condition is satisfied, and turn off one of the plurality of fans based on whether the first condition is satisfied.

At least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine whether a second condition is satisfied, and turn off another of the plurality of fans based on whether the second condition is satisfied.

The plurality of fans may include: a first fan; a second fan disposed lower than the first fan; and a third fan disposed lower than the second fan, wherein the controller may be configured to turn on all of the first fan, the second fan, and the third fan for a first period of time after the cooling operation ends.

At least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine whether a first condition is satisfied, based on the first period of time elapsing.

The first condition may include an operation time of the compressor being less than a reference time.

At least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to turn off the first fan, and turn on the second fan and the third fan for a second period of time, in response to the first condition being satisfied.

At least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to turn off the second fan and the third fan, based on the second period of time elapsing.

At least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to turn off the first fan, and turn on the second fan and the third fan for a second period of time, in response to the first condition not being satisfied; and determine whether a second condition is satisfied, based on the second period of time elapsing.

The air conditioner may further include: an indoor temperature sensor configured to detect an indoor temperature; a heat exchanger temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the heat exchanger; and a humidity sensor disposed in the housing and configured to detect a humidity of air passing through the heat exchanger, wherein the second condition may include a difference between the indoor temperature and the temperature of the heat exchanger being less than a reference temperature and the detected humidity being less than a reference humidity.

At least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to turn off the second fan, and turn on the third fan for a third period of time, in response to the second condition being satisfied.

At least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to turn off the third fan, based on the third period of time elapsing.

At least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to turn off the second fan, and turn on the third fan for a fourth period of time longer than the third period of time, in response to the second condition not being satisfied.

At least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to turn off the third fan, based on the fourth period of time elapsing.

The air conditioner may further include a human detection sensor configured to detect a person within a specified vicinity the air conditioner, wherein in response to the person being detected within the specified vicinity of the air conditioner by the human detection sensor, at least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to turn on all of the plurality of fans based on the reference time elapsing after the cooling operation ends.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, in a method for controlling an air conditioner including a housing in which a plurality of outlets are formed, a heat exchanger disposed in the housing, a compressor connected to the heat exchanger and configured to circulate a refrigerant to allow the refrigerant to pass through the heat exchanger, and a plurality of fans configured to blow air to allow the air to pass through the heat exchanger and be discharged to the plurality of outlets, the method may include: turning on all of the plurality of fans after a cooling operation ends; and sequentially turning off the plurality of fans to perform an automatic drying operation.

The sequentially turning off the plurality of fans may include determining whether a first condition is satisfied, and turning off one of the plurality of fans based on whether the first condition is satisfied.

The sequentially turning off the plurality of fans may include determining whether a second condition is satisfied, and turning off another of the plurality of fans based on whether the second condition is satisfied.

The plurality of fans may include: a first fan; a second fan disposed lower than the first fan; and a third fan disposed lower than the second fan, wherein the turning on all of the plurality of fans may include turning on all of the first fan, the second fan, and the third fan for a first period of time after the cooling operation ends.

The method may further include determining whether a first condition is satisfied, based on the first period of time elapsing.

The first condition may include an operation time of the compressor being less than a reference time.

The sequentially turning off the plurality of fans may include turning off the first fan and turning on the second fan and the third fan for a second period of time, in response to the first condition being satisfied.

The method may further include turning off the second fan and the third fan, based on the second period of time elapsing.

The sequentially turning off the plurality of fans may include turning off the first fan and turning on the second fan and the third fan for a second period of time, in response to the first condition not being satisfied; and determining whether a second condition is satisfied, based on the second period of time elapsing.

The air conditioner may further include: an indoor temperature sensor configured to detect an indoor temperature; a heat exchanger temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the heat exchanger; and a humidity sensor disposed in the housing and configured to detect a humidity of air passing through the heat exchanger, wherein the second condition may include a difference between the indoor temperature and the temperature of the heat exchanger being less than a reference temperature and the detected humidity being less than a reference humidity.

The sequentially turning off the plurality of fans may include turning off the second fan and turning on the third fan for a third period of time, in response to the second condition being satisfied.

The method may further include turning off the third fan, based on the third period of time elapsing.

The sequentially turning off the plurality of fans may include turning off the second fan and turning on the third fan for a fourth period of time that is longer than the third period of time, in response to the second condition not being satisfied.

The method may further include turning off the third fan, based on the fourth period of time elapsing.

The air conditioner may further include a human detection sensor configured to detect a person within a specified proximity of the air conditioner, wherein in response to the person being detected around the air conditioner by the human detection sensor, the turning on all of the plurality of fans may include turning on all of the plurality of fans based on the reference time elapsing after the cooling operation ends.

According to the disclosure, the air conditioner may sequentially turn off the plurality of fans during a drying operation, thereby maintaining a degree of dryness in the air conditioner while reducing noise and unpleasant wind and reducing power consumption.

The disclosed 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, 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 a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, etc.

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. Therefore, 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.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, comprising: a housing including a plurality of outlets;a heat exchanger disposed in the housing;a compressor connected to the heat exchanger and configured to circulate a refrigerant to allow the refrigerant to pass through the heat exchanger;a plurality of fans configured to blow air to allow the air to pass through the heat exchanger and be discharged to the plurality of outlets; anda controller including at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, individually and/or collectively, configured to turn on all of the plurality of fans and sequentially turn off the plurality of fans after a cooling operation ends to perform an automatic drying operation.

2. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein at least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, is configured to determine whether a first condition is satisfied, and turn off one of the plurality of fans based on whether the first condition is satisfied.

3. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein at least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, is configured to determine whether a second condition is satisfied, and turn off another of the plurality of fans based on whether the second condition is satisfied.

4. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein at least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, is configured to determine whether a first condition is satisfied, and perform the automatic drying operation based on the first condition being satisfied.

5. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fans comprises: a first fan;a second fan disposed lower than the first fan; anda third fan disposed lower than the second fan,wherein at least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, is configured to turn on all of the first fan, the second fan, and the third fan for a first period of time after the cooling operation ends.

6. The air conditioner of claim 5, wherein at least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, is configured to determine whether a first condition is satisfied, based on the first period of time elapsing.

7. The air conditioner of claim 6, wherein the first condition includes an operation time of the compressor being less than a reference time.

8. The air conditioner of claim 6, wherein at least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, is configured to turn off the first fan and turn on the second fan and the third fan for a second period of time, in response to the first condition being satisfied.

9. The air conditioner of claim 8, wherein at least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, is configured to turn off the second fan and the third fan, based on the second period of time elapsing.

10. The air conditioner of claim 6, wherein at least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, is configured to turn off the first fan and turn on the second fan and the third fan for a second period of time, in response to the first condition not being satisfied; and determine whether a second condition is satisfied, based the second period of time elapsing.

11. The air conditioner of claim 10, further comprising: an indoor temperature sensor configured to detect an indoor temperature;a heat exchanger temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the heat exchanger; anda humidity sensor disposed in the housing and configured to detect a humidity of air passing through the heat exchanger,wherein the second condition includes a difference between the indoor temperature and the temperature of the heat exchanger being less than a reference temperature and the detected humidity being less than a reference humidity.

12. The air conditioner of claim 10, wherein at least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, is configured to turn off the second fan and turn on the third fan for a third period of time, in response to the second condition being satisfied.

13. The air conditioner of claim 12, wherein at least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, is configured to turn off the third fan, based on the third period of time elapsing.

14. The air conditioner of claim 10, wherein at least one processor of the controller, individually and/or collectively, is configured to turn off the second fan and turn on the third fan for a fourth period of time longer than the third period of time, in response to the second condition not being satisfied.

15. The air conditioner of claim 14, wherein at least one processor of the controller. individually and/or collectively, is configured to turn off the third fan, based on the fourth period of time elapsing.