AIR CONDITIONER AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AIR CONDITIONER

Abstract

An air conditioner and a method for operating an air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include an indoor unit, an indoor temperature sensor configured to detect an indoor temperature in an indoor space in which the indoor unit is disposed, and a controller configured to monitor the indoor temperature using the indoor temperature sensor. If the indoor temperature changes by a first reference temperature or more, the controller may commence a power-saving operation, and if the indoor temperature changes by a second reference temperature or more while the power-saving operation is performed, the controller may stop the power-saving operation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0169996, filed in Korea on Nov. 29, 2023, whose entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

An air conditioner and a method for operating an air conditioner are disclosed herein.

2. Background

An air conditioner is installed to provide a pleasant indoor environment for people by discharging cold or warm air to an indoor space to adjust an indoor temperature and purifying indoor air. An air conditioner generally includes an indoor unit, which includes a heat exchanger and is installed in an indoor space, and an outdoor unit, which includes a compressor and a heat exchanger and supplies refrigerant to the indoor unit.

The air conditioner is driven in a cooling mode and a heating mode depending on a flow of refrigerant. In the cooling mode, high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit from the compressor of the outdoor unit through the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit. As the refrigerant expands and is vaporized in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit, ambient temperature is lowered, and as a fan of the indoor unit operates, cold air is discharged to the indoor space. In the heating mode, high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit from the compressor of the outdoor unit, and air heated by energy, which is released as the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is liquefied in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit, is discharged to the indoor space according to operation of the fan of the indoor unit.

As various new functions related to operation of air conditioners have been developed and used, concepts such as so-called “smart air conditioners” or “intelligent air conditioners” are emerging. In general, as disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0085101 (hereinafter, “Related Art Document 1”), which is hereby incorporated by reference, an air conditioner includes a sensor configured to detect an indoor temperature and performs an operation according to the indoor temperature detected by the sensor. For example, the air conditioner may control an operating frequency of the compressor so that the indoor temperature detected by the sensor reaches a target value.

When the indoor space to be cooled or heated communicates with another space, for example, when a door or a window provided on a wall defining the indoor space is opened for ventilation, convection of air may occur between the indoor space and the other space. In this case, although air having undergone heat exchange for cooling or heating in the indoor unit is discharged to the indoor space, it is difficult for the indoor temperature to reach a target value due to convection of air. Further, if the air conditioner continues to operate in order to bring the indoor temperature to the target value in this situation in which it is difficult to cool or heat the indoor space due to communication between the indoor space and the other space, power is unnecessarily consumed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the air conditioner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the air conditioner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the air conditioner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the air conditioner of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views for explaining positioning of a movable vane and a flow of air according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the air conditioner according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are views for explaining a mode in which a main discharge port is closed according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are views for explaining a mode in which the main discharge port is opened according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts of a method for operating an air conditioner according to an embodiment; and

FIGS. 15 to 18 are diagrams for explaining operations of the air conditioner according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, illustration of components unrelated to the description has been omitted to clearly and briefly describe the embodiments, and the same or extremely similar components are denoted by the same or like reference numerals throughout the specification.

As used herein, the terms with which the names of components are suffixed, “module” and “unit”, are assigned to facilitate preparation of this specification, and are not intended to suggest unique meanings or functions. Accordingly, the terms “module” and “unit” may be used interchangeably.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, 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 only used to distinguish one component from another component.

In the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, representations of directions, such as up (U), down (D), left (Le), right (Ri), front (F), and rear (R), are merely for convenience of explanation, and are not intended to limit the technical features disclosed in this specification.

An air conditioner according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The air conditioner may include a case 101 that defines an external appearance thereof. The case 101 may include a suction port 12 formed in an upper side thereof. Air above the case 101 may be introduced into the case 101 through the suction port 12.

The case 101 defines therein a space in which a fan 50 (see FIG. 4) and a heat exchanger 70 (see FIG. 4), which will be described hereinafter, are disposed. The case 101 may include a first discharge port 36 formed in a front side thereof. The air conditioner may include a discharge cover 30, which is disposed on the front side of the case 101 and in which the first discharge port 36 is formed. The air conditioner may include a fixed vane 40 disposed on one side of the discharge cover 30 to guide a direction of air discharged through the first discharge port 36.

A display 170 may be disposed on a front surface of the case 101.

A suction grill 20 may be disposed on an upper side of the case 101. The suction grill 20 may be detachably disposed on the case 101.

The suction grill 20 may be disposed on the upper side of the case 101 in which the suction port 12 is formed. The suction grill 20 may include a plurality of ribs 22 that extends in a leftward-rightward or lateral direction or a forward-backward direction.

A mesh 24 may be disposed on the suction grill 20 in order to remove foreign substances from air entering the suction port 12. The mesh 24 may be disposed between the plurality of ribs 22.

A structure of the air conditioner will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

The display 170 may be disposed on the front surface of the case 101. The display 170 may display information, such as an operation state of the air conditioner or a temperature of an indoor space.

The suction grill 20 may have a shape that protrudes upwardly. Thus, when the case 101 is viewed from the front, one side of the suction grill 20 may be exposed.

The first discharge port 36 may be disposed at a lower portion of the front surface of the case 101. The fixed vane 40 may be disposed in the first discharge port 36. The fixed vane 40 may be fixedly disposed on one side of the case 101. Thus, the fixed vane 40 may guide air flowing through the first discharge port 36 in one direction.

The discharge cover 30, in which the first discharge port 36 is formed, may be disposed on the case 101. The discharge cover 30 may be disposed on a portion of the case 101 that forms the front surface. The discharge cover 30 may have a structure that is disposed in the case 101. The discharge cover 30 may form the first discharge port 36 so that the first discharge port 36 extends in the leftward-rightward or lateral direction. The fixed vane 40 may be disposed on the discharge cover 30.

A configuration of a lower portion of the air conditioner will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

The air conditioner may include a lower cover 46. The lower cover 46 may be disposed on an open lower side of the case 101. A second discharge port 48 may be defined between the lower cover 46 and the case 101. A first movable vane 120 may be disposed between the lower cover 46 and the case 101 in order to open and close the second discharge port 48.

The second discharge port 48 may be formed in a front side of the lower cover 46. The second discharge port 48 may be opened or closed depending on a position of the first movable vane 120.

An overall configuration of the air conditioner will be schematically described with reference to FIG. 4.

The air conditioner may include the case 101 that defines an external appearance thereof. A front surface and both side surfaces of the case 101 may be closed, and the lower side thereof may be open.

An upper side of the case 101 may be open. The case 101 may include the suction port 12 formed in an upper surface thereof. The case 101 may include the upper rib 14 disposed on the upper surface thereof. The upper rib 14 may maintain a positioning of the suction grill 20.

The case 101 may include the first discharge port 36 formed in the front side thereof. The discharge cover 30 in which the first discharge port 36 is formed may be disposed on the front side of the case 101. The discharge cover 30 may be integrally formed with the case 101.

The case 101 may have a shape in which a rear side thereof is open. The case 101 may define therein a space in which the fan 50 and the heat exchanger 70 are disposed.

The air conditioner may include the suction grill 20 disposed in the suction port 12 in the case 101. The suction grill 20 may include the plurality of ribs 22 that extends in the leftward-rightward or lateral direction or the forward-backward direction. The mesh 24 may be disposed between the plurality of ribs 22.

The suction grill 20 may be disposed on the upper rib 14 formed in the case 101.

The air conditioner may include the discharge cover 30 in which the first discharge port 36 is formed. The discharge cover 30 may be fixedly disposed on the front surface of the case 101. The first discharge port 36 may be formed in the discharge cover 30 so as to be elongated in the leftward-rightward direction.

The discharge cover 30 may include a plurality of front ribs 38 that extends in the upward-downward direction and spaced apart from each other in the leftward-rightward or lateral direction. The front ribs 38 may be connected to the fixed vane 40. The front ribs 38 may maintain positioning of the fixed vane 40.

The air conditioner may include the fixed vane 40 to guide the direction of air discharged through the first discharge port 36. The fixed vane 40 may be fixedly disposed on the discharge cover 30. The fixed vane 40 may be fixedly disposed on the case 101.

The fixed vane 40 may may be connected to each of the plurality of front ribs 38 of the discharge cover 30. The fixed vane 40 may guide air flowing through the first discharge port 36 to move in a direction parallel to a floor or to move upwardly with respect to the direction parallel to the floor.

The air conditioner may include the lower cover 46 disposed on a lower surface of the case 101. The lower cover 46 may be disposed so as to cover a portion of the open lower side of the case 101. The second discharge port 48 may be formed in the lower cover 46.

The lower cover 46 may be detachably disposed on the case 101. The lower cover 46 may be fixedly disposed on the case 101 or an inner body 80 described hereinafter. The lower cover 46 may be formed in a plate shape having a substantially U-shape. The second discharge port 48 may be defined between the case 101 and the lower cover 46.

The air conditioner may include a stabilizer 100. The stabilizer 100 may guide the flow of air discharged by the fan 50. The stabilizer 100 may guide air flowing forwardly and downwardly from the fan 50 in the upward direction. The stabilizer 100 may support one side of the heat exchanger 70.

Movable vanes 120 and 130 may be disposed on the stabilizer 100. The movable vanes 120 and 130 may be disposed on the stabilizer 100 so that positioning thereof is changeable.

A vane motor 108 may be disposed on the stabilizer 100 in order to change positioning of the movable vanes 120 and 130. The air conditioner may include first movable vane 120 to open and close the second discharge port 48. The movable vanes 120 and 130 may guide the direction of air discharged through the second discharge port 48. The movable vanes 120 and 130 may guide air flowing through the fan 50 to the first discharge port 36.

The air conditioner may include the inner body 80 disposed in the case 101 to rotatably support the fan 50. The fan 50 may be disposed on the inner body 80. A fan motor 52 may be disposed on the inner body 80 in order to rotate the fan 50.

The inner body 80 may be fixedly disposed in the case 101. The inner body 80 may guide air flowing backwardly or downwardly due to the fan 50. A louver 90 may be disposed on the inner body 80 in order to adjust the flow direction of air to the left and right or laterally. The louver 90 may guide air flowing to the first discharge port 36 or the second discharge port 48 in the leftward-rightward or lateral direction.

The air conditioner may include the fan 50 to send air from the suction port 12 to the first discharge port 36 or the second discharge port 48. The fan 50 may be rotatably disposed in the case 101. The fan 50 may be, for example, a cross-flow fan, which suctions air into one or a first side thereof in a radial direction with respect to a rotational axis thereof and discharges air through another or a second side thereof in the radial direction.

The fan 50 may suction air from the suction port 12 located above the fan 50. The fan 50 may discharge air to the first discharge port 36 or the second discharge port 48 located below the fan 50.

The air conditioner may include the fan motor 52 to rotate the fan 50. The fan motor 52 may be disposed on one side of the inner body 80.

The air conditioner may include a motor cover 54 to cover one side of the fan motor 52. The motor cover 54 may be mounted to the inner body 80. The motor cover 54 may be mounted to one side of the inner body 80 or one side of a control box 60 described hereinafter.

The air conditioner may include the heat exchanger 70 to perform heat exchange on air flowing through the case 101. The heat exchanger 70 may cause heat exchange between refrigerant and air. The heat exchanger 70 may perform heat exchange with air to be discharged to the indoor space. The heat exchanger 70 may perform heat exchange with air flowing to the first discharge port 36 or the second discharge port 48.

The heat exchanger 70 may have a shape including at least one bent portion. The heat exchanger 70 may be disposed above the fan 50. The heat exchanger 70 may perform heat exchange with air flowing to the fan 50.

The air conditioner may include the control box 60 in which electronic components are disposed in order to control operation of the air conditioner. The control box 60 may be mounted to one side of the inner body 80. The control box 60 may be disposed on one side of the fan motor 52. The fan motor 52 may be disposed between the control box 60 and the fan 50.

The air conditioner may include the display 170 to display a temperature or operational state of the air conditioner. The display 170 may be disposed on one side of the control box 60. The display 170 may be disposed in the case 101. The display 170 may be disposed behind a front wall of the case 101. The display 170 may output the operational state to the front wall of the case 101.

The air conditioner may include a rear cover 190 disposed behind the case 101. The air conditioner may be mounted to a wall that defines the indoor space by means of the rear cover 190. The rear cover 190 may be coupled to the case 101 or the inner body 80.

The air conditioner may include a heat exchanger holder 180 disposed on one side of the inner body 80 to maintain positioning of the heat exchanger 70. The heat exchanger holder 180 may be fixedly disposed on the inner body 80. The fan 50 may be rotatably disposed in an area in which the heat exchanger holder 180 is coupled to the inner body 80. The heat exchanger holder 180 may be disposed so as to be coupled to the inner body 80 at a position opposite the fan motor 52.

The air conditioner may include an upper cover 61 to cover an upper side of the control box 60 or the fan motor 52. The upper cover 61 may cover the upper side of the fan motor 52 in the open top area of the case 101.

A positioning of components of the air conditioner will be described with reference to FIG. 5 showing a cross-section of the air conditioner.

The suction port 12 may be formed in the upper side of the case 101. The suction port 12 may be formed at a position above the fan 50.

The heat exchanger 70 may be disposed above the fan 50. The heat exchanger 70 may include at least one bent region. The heat exchanger 70 may include two bent regions. The heat exchanger 70 may include first heat exchanger 70a disposed in front of the fan 50, second heat exchanger 70b bent and extending upwardly and backwardly from the first heat exchanger 70a, and third heat exchanger 70c bent and extending downwardly and backwardly from the second heat exchanger 70b.

One or a first end of the heat exchanger 70 may be disposed above the stabilizer 100. The other or a second end of the heat exchanger 70 may be disposed above the inner body 80.

The fan 50 may be disposed between the inner body 80 and the stabilizer 100. The fan 50 may rotate to suction air through front and upper sides thereof. The fan 50 may rotate to discharge air through rear and lower sides thereof.

The air moved by the fan 50 may flow to a discharge passage 18 defined by the inner body 80 and the stabilizer 100. The inner body 80 may be disposed behind and below the fan 50.

The inner body 80 may include a support body 82 disposed behind the fan 50 to support one side of the heat exchanger 70 and a guide body 84 configured to guide air flowing due to rotation of the fan 50 in forward and downward directions. The guide body 84 may include an inflow guide body 85 that protrudes to an area above the fan 50 to guide air entering the fan 50. The guide body 84 may include a first guide 86 to guide air flowing due to rotation of the fan 50 in forward and downward directions.

The first guide 86 may be disposed such that a distance from the fan 50 gradually increases in the downward direction. The first guide 86 may include an upper guide 86a disposed near periphery of the fan 50 and formed in a curved shape and a lower guide 86b that extends from a lower end of the upper guide 86a in the forward and downward directions.

The louver 90 may be disposed on one side of the first guide 86 in order to adjust the direction of air flowing downwardly due to rotation of the fan 50 in the leftward-rightward or lateral direction. A separate louver motor (not shown) may be provided in order to change a positioning of the louver 90 in the leftward-rightward direction.

A sterilizing lamp 92 may be disposed on one side of the first guide 86 in order to radiate ultraviolet light toward the fan 50. The sterilizing lamp 92 may be disposed on the side of the first guide 86 on which the louver 90 is disposed.

The stabilizer 100 may be spaced upward from the first guide 86 of the inner body 80. The stabilizer 100 may include a second guide 102 disposed so as to be spaced upward from the first guide 86, an end guide 104 bent and extending upwardly from an upper end of the second guide 102, and a plurality of upper protrusions 106 formed on an upper surface of the second guide 102 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the forward-backward direction and to extend upwardly.

The second guide 102 may include at least two walls having different inclined surfaces. The second guide 102 and the first guide 86 may define the discharge passage 18 therebetween.

The movable vanes 120 and 130 may be disposed on the stabilizer 100. The movable vanes 120 and 130 may be disposed in the case 101 in order to adjust the direction of air discharged through the second discharge port 48. The movable vanes 120 and 130 may include first movable vane 120 configured to open and close the second discharge port 48 and second movable vane 130 disposed on the discharge passage 18.

The first movable vane 120 and the second movable vane 130 may be connected to the vane motor 108 via a plurality of links. The air conditioner may include a driving link 140 connected to the vane motor 108, a first link 142 that connects the driving link 140 to the first movable vane 120, and a second link 144 that connects the driving link 140 to the second movable vane 130. The air conditioner may include an auxiliary link 146 that connects the stabilizer 100 to the first movable vane 120.

The first movable vane 120 may open and close the second discharge port 48. The second movable vane 130 may be disposed above the first movable vane 120. A length of the first movable vane 120 in the forward-backward direction may be greater than a length of the second movable vane 130 in the forward-backward direction.

A blocking screen 160 may be disposed on the stabilizer 100. The blocking screen 160 may prevent a part of a body of the user, for example, from approaching the fan 50 through the discharge passage 18.

The second discharge port 48 may be located in the lower surface of case 101. The first discharge port 36 may be located in the front surface of the case 101. When the first movable vane 120 is positioned to close the second discharge port 48, the first movable vane 120 may guide air flowing due to the fan 50 to the first discharge port 36.

The discharge cover 30 may be disposed on one side of the case 101 that is open forward. The first discharge port 36 may be formed in the discharge cover 30. The discharge cover 30 may include lower discharge cover 34 connected to a lower end of the case 101 and upper discharge cover 32 spaced upward from the lower discharge cover 34. The fixed vane 40 may be disposed on the discharge cover 30 in order to guide air discharged through the first discharge port 36.

The case 101 may include a corner wall 16 formed at a lower end portion of the front surface thereof so as to be connected to the lower discharge cover 34.

Hereinafter, a configuration in which air discharged by the fan 50 flows in a state in which the first movable vane 120 closes the second discharge port 48 will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

The first guide 86 of the inner body 80 and the second guide 102 of the stabilizer 100 may define the discharge passage 18. The first guide 86 of the inner body 80 and the second guide 102 and the first movable vane 120 of the stabilizer 100 may define the discharge passage 18.

An inclination angle θ1 formed between the first guide 86 and a virtual horizontal line HL parallel to the floor may be formed to be greater than an inclination angle θ2 formed between the second guide 102 and the virtual horizontal line HL. That is, a cross-sectional width of the discharge passage 18 defined between the first guide 86 of the inner body 80 and the second guide 102 of the stabilizer 100 may gradually increase in a direction away from the fan 50.

The second guide 102 may include rear guide 102a, middle guide 102b that extends forwardly from the rear guide 102a, and front guide 102c that extends forwardly from the middle guide 102b. The rear guide 102a may extend forwardly and downwardly in a direction away from the fan 50. The rear guide 102a may have a shape that is inclined forwardly and downwardly.

The rear guide 102a may define the discharge passage 18 with the lower guide 86b of the first guide 86. The inclination angle θ2 formed between the rear guide 102a and the virtual horizontal line HL may be formed to be less than the inclination angle 01 formed between the first guide 86 and the virtual horizontal line HL.

A (first) portion of the rear guide 102a may be disposed above the first guide 86. Another (second) portion of the rear guide 102a may be disposed above the second discharge port 48. Still another (third) portion of the rear guide 102a may be disposed above the first movable vane 120.

A length 102aL of the rear guide 102a in the forward-backward direction may be formed to be greater than a length 102bL of the middle guide 102b in the forward-backward direction. The length 102aL of the rear guide 102a in the forward-backward direction may be formed to be less than a length 86bL of the lower guide 86b of the first guide 86 in the forward-backward direction.

The middle guide 102b may be disposed substantially parallel to the floor. The middle guide 102b may be disposed above the second discharge port 48. The middle guide 102b may be disposed above the first movable vane 120. The middle guide 102b may be disposed substantially parallel to the first movable vane 120 positioned to close the second discharge port 48.

The length 102bL of the middle guide 102b in the forward-backward direction may be formed to be less than a length 102L of the first movable vane 120 in the forward-backward direction. The length 102aL of the rear guide 102a in the forward-backward direction may be formed to be 1.5 times to 3 times the length 102bL of the middle guide 102b in the forward-backward direction.

An angle θ3 formed between the middle guide 102b and the rear guide 102a may be formed to be greater than an angle θ4 formed between the first guide 86 and the first movable vane 120 positioned to close the second discharge port 48.

The length 102bL of the middle guide 102b in the forward-backward direction may be formed to be greater than a length 102cL of the front guide 102c in the forward-backward direction. The length 102bL of the middle guide 102b in the forward-backward direction may be formed to be 2 times to 4 times the length 102cL of the front guide 102c in the forward-backward direction.

The front guide 102c may extend forwardly and downwardly from the middle guide 102b. The front guide 102c may be connected to the upper discharge cover 32 of the discharge cover 30.

The front guide 102c may be disposed above the second discharge port 48. The front guide 102c may be disposed above the first movable vane 120.

The first guide 86 may include the upper guide 86a disposed near the periphery of the fan 50 and formed in a curved shape. The upper guide 86a may be formed such that a distance from the fan 50 gradually increases in the downward direction.

The upper guide 86a may be disposed at a higher position than the second guide 102 in the upward-downward direction. The upper guide 86a may guide air discharged backwardly by rotation of the fan 50 in the downward direction.

The first guide 86 may include the lower guide 86b to guide air flowing downwardly due to rotation of the fan 50 in the forward direction. The lower guide 86b may have structure that extends forwardly and downwardly.

The first guide 86 may guide air flowing due to rotation of the fan 50 to the second discharge port 48. The lower guide 86b of the first guide 86 has structure that extends toward the second discharge port 48.

The first movable vane 120 may be positioned to close the second discharge port 48. The first movable vane 120 may include a vane upper surface 121, with which air flowing due to rotation of the fan 50 comes into contact. The first movable vane 120 may further include a vane lower surface 122 disposed opposite the vane upper surface 121.

Referring to the drawings, the vane upper surface 121 and the vane lower surface 122 may be formed as different plates. However, unlike what is illustrated in the drawings, the vane upper surface 121 and the vane lower surface 122 may be formed as a single plate.

The vane upper surface 121 may be disposed substantially parallel to the middle guide 102b of the second guide 102. Air flowing along the discharge passage 18 may come into contact with the vane upper surface 121. The vane upper surface 121 may guide air flowing along the discharge passage 18.

As shown in FIG. 6, in a state in which the second discharge port 48 is closed by the first movable vane 120, air flowing through the discharge passage 18 may move along the vane upper surface 121 of the first movable vane 120 and may then reach the first discharge port 36.

As shown in FIG. 6, the state in which the first movable vane 120 closes the second discharge port 48 may be set to a first position P1 of the movable vanes 120, 130. That is, at the first position P1 of the movable vanes 120, 130, the first movable vane 120 may be positioned to close the second discharge port 48.

The first movable vane 120 may include a plurality of protrusions 121c formed on the vane upper surface 121 to protrude upwardly and spaced apart from each other in the forward-backward direction. The plurality of protrusions 121c may prevent formation of dew on the first movable vane 120.

The vane upper surface 121 may include a rear end portion 121b, which forms an inclined surface that extends backwardly and downwardly. The vane upper surface 121 may include a front end portion 121a, which forms an inclined surface that extends forwardly and downwardly.

A length 121bL of a rear end portion 121b in the forward-backward direction may be formed to be 0.1 times to 0.2 times a length 120L of the first movable vane 120 in the forward-backward direction. A length 121aL of the front end portion 121a in the forward-backward direction may be formed to be 0.1 times to 0.2 times the length 120L of the first movable vane 120 in the forward-backward direction.

A thermally insulating member may be disposed inside of the first movable vane 120.

The second movable vane 130 may be disposed above the first movable vane 120. In a state in which the first movable vane 120 closes the second discharge port 48, the second movable vane 130 may be positioned to send air forwardly.

At the first position P1 of the movable vanes 120, 130, the second movable vane 130 sends air flowing forwardly and downwardly through the discharge passage 18 to the first discharge port 36. At the first position P1 of the movable vanes 120, 130, the second movable vane 130 may be positioned in a downwardly convex shape.

At the first position P1 of the movable vanes 120, 130, the rear end portion 121b of the first movable vane 120 may be positioned so as to be oriented backward and upward. At the first position P1 of the movable vanes 120, 130, the front end portion 121a of the first movable vane 120 may be positioned so as to be oriented forward or to be oriented forward and upward.

A length 130L of the second movable vane 130 in the forward-backward direction may be formed to be half or less of the length 120L of the first movable vane 120 in the forward-backward direction.

The discharge cover 30 may be disposed on the front side of the case 101. The discharge cover 30 may be disposed inside of the case 101. A first discharge port passage 30a may be formed inside of the discharge cover 30 in order to guide air flowing through the discharge passage 18 to the first discharge port 36.

The first discharge port passage 30a may be defined between the upper discharge cover 32 and the lower discharge cover 34. The first discharge port 36 may be formed in a front end portion of the first discharge port passage 30a.

The lower discharge cover 34 may include an inclined guide wall 34a that forms an inclined surface extending forwardly and upwardly and a vane-corresponding wall 34b disposed so as to oppose the first movable vane 120. The inclined guide wall 34a may guide air flowing along the vane upper surface 121 of the first movable vane 120 to flow forwardly and upwardly. The inclined guide wall 34a may guide air flowing along the vane upper surface 121 of the first movable vane 120 to the first discharge port 36.

The inclined guide wall 34a may be inclined upwardly at a greater angle than a surface formed by the vane upper surface 121 of the first movable vane 120. That is, the inclined guide wall 34a may guide air passing through the discharge passage 18 and then flowing along the upper surface of the first movable vane 120 to flow upwardly. Accordingly, the air flowing through the first discharge port 36 may be discharged forwardly in a horizontal direction or may be discharged forwardly and upwardly with respect to the horizontal direction. As a result, the air discharged forwardly through the first discharge port 36 may travel a long distance.

A front end portion of the inclined guide wall 34a may be connected to the corner wall 16 of the case 101. The front end portion of the inclined guide wall 34a connected to the corner wall 16 of the case 101 may be disposed substantially horizontally.

The vane-corresponding wall 34b may be disposed so as to oppose the front end portion 121a of the first movable vane 120 positioned at the first position P1.

The upper discharge cover 32 may form a substantially horizontal surface. The upper discharge cover 32 may have structure that extends from the second guide 102.

The fixed vane 40 may be disposed between the lower discharge cover 34 and the upper discharge cover 32. The fixed vane 40 may extend in the forward-backward direction to guide the flow of air discharged through the first discharge port 36. The fixed vane 40 may have structure that extends forwardly and upwardly.

An inclination angle θ5 formed between the fixed vane 40 and the virtual horizontal line HL may be formed to be less than an inclination angle θ6 formed between the lower discharge cover 34 and the virtual horizontal line HL. The inclination angle θ5 formed between the fixed vane 40 and the virtual horizontal line HL may be formed to be less than the inclination angle θ6 formed between the inclined guide wall 34a of the lower discharge cover 34 and the virtual horizontal line HL.

The inclination angle θ5 formed between the fixed vane 40 and the virtual horizontal line HL may be formed to be greater than an inclination angle θ7 formed between the vane upper surface 121 of the first movable vane 120 and the virtual horizontal line HL. The inclination angle θ5 formed between the fixed vane 40 and the virtual horizontal line HL may be formed to be greater than an inclination angle θ8 formed between the upper discharge cover 32 and the virtual horizontal line HL.

The first discharge port passage 30a may be formed such that a cross-sectional size thereof gradually decreases in the forward direction. The first discharge port passage 30a may be formed such that a length thereof in the upward-downward direction gradually decreases in the forward direction.

An area of the first discharge port 36 may be formed to be less than an area of the second discharge port 48. Referring to FIG. 6, a length 36h of the first discharge port 36 in the upward-downward direction may be formed to be less than a length 48w of the second discharge port 48 in the forward-backward direction.

The air flowing due to rotation of the fan 50 may flow forwardly and downwardly along the discharge passage 18. The air flowing between the first movable vane 120 and the second guide 102 may be discharged through the first discharge port 36 via the first discharge port passage 30a. The air discharged through the first discharge port 36 via the first discharge port passage 30a may flow forwardly and upwardly.

Thus, at the first position P1 of the movable vanes 120, 130, air may be discharged through the first discharge port 36. Due to operation of the fan 50, air may be discharged forwardly from the case 101 through the first discharge port 36. In this case, the air discharged through the first discharge port 36 may travel forward a long distance.

A positioning of the movable vanes and a flow of air at a second position P2 of the movable vanes will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 7.

A state in which the second discharge port 48 is opened may be set to a second position P2 of the movable vanes 120, 130. Thus, at the second position P2 of the movable vanes 120, 130, the first movable vane 120 may be positioned below the second discharge port 48. At the second position P2 of the movable vanes 120, 130, the first movable vane 120 may be positioned at a position spaced downward from the second discharge port 48. At the second position P2 of the movable vanes 120, 130, the first movable vane 120 may guide air flowing through the second discharge port 48 to flow forwardly and downwardly or to flow downwardly. Unlike what is illustrated in the drawings, at the second position P2 of the movable vanes 120, 130, a portion of the second movable vane 120 may be positioned above the second discharge port 48.

During transition from the first position P1 of the movable vanes 120, 130 to the second position P2 of the movable vanes 120, 130, the second movable vane 130 may move downwardly. During transition from the first position P1 of the movable vanes 120, 130 to the second position P2 of the movable vanes 120, 130, the second movable vane 130 may be positioned so as to be inclined downwardly.

At the second position P2 of the movable vanes 120, 130, the first movable vane 120 may guide the direction of air flowing through the second discharge port 48. At the second position P2 of the movable vanes 120, 130, the air discharged through the second discharge port 48 may flow forwardly and downwardly along the first movable vane 120.

At the second position P2 of the movable vanes 120, 130, both of the first discharge port 36 and the second discharge port 48 are opened. In this case, the air flowing through the discharge passage 18 may mainly flow to the second discharge port 48 opened in the forward and downward directions or in the downward direction. A portion of the air may be discharged through the first discharge port 36. However, most of the air may be discharged through the second discharge port 48, and may flow forwardly and downwardly or flow downwardly along the first movable vane 120 positioned to open the second discharge port 48.

At the second position P2 of the movable vanes 120, 130, the air flowing to the second discharge port 48 and/or the first discharge port 36 may flow forwardly and downwardly. Because the main air stream flows through the second discharge port 48, the air may be discharged forwardly and downwardly.

The air conditioner described hereinabove is for exemplary purposes only, and it may be noted that embodiments can be implemented in an air conditioner having a different structure, constituent components, or arrangement of constituent components. For example, a position/orientation of the discharge ports may be different than the position/orientation described hereinabove. Also, a flow of air to the discharge ports and/or out of the discharge ports may be achieved differently than described hereinabove.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 8, the air conditioner 1 may include a communication unit 310, a sensor unit or sensor 320, a memory 330, a fan driving unit or fan drive 340 configured to drive a fan 341, a compressor driving unit or compressor drive 350 configured to drive a compressor 351, a vane 360, and/or a controller 370. The communication unit 310 may include at least one communication module. For example, the communication unit 310 may be provided in each of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit 10, and the outdoor unit and the indoor unit 10 may transmit and receive data to and from each other.

A method for communication between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit 10 may employ, for example, wireless communication, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Beacon, or ZigBee, as well as communication using a power line, serial communication, for example, RS-485 communication, and wired communication through a refrigerant pipe.

The communication unit 310 may transmit and receive data to and from an external device. For example, the communication unit 310 may access a server connected to an external network to transmit and receive data.

The sensor unit 320 may include at least one sensor, and may transmit data related to a value detected by the sensor to the controller 370. The sensor unit 320 may include a heat exchanger temperature sensor (not shown). For example, the heat exchanger temperature sensor may be disposed on the indoor heat exchanger 70 to detect a temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 70.

The sensor unit 320 may include a pipe temperature sensor (not shown). The pipe temperature sensor may detect a temperature of refrigerant flowing through each pipe of the air conditioner 1. For example, the pipe temperature sensor may be disposed on an inlet pipe of the indoor unit 10 and/or an outlet pipe of the indoor unit 10 to detect a temperature of refrigerant flowing through the pipe. For example, the pipe temperature sensor may be disposed on a pipe connected to the compressor 351 of the outdoor unit to detect a temperature of refrigerant entering the compressor 351 (hereinafter referred to as “refrigerant suction temperature”) and/or a temperature of refrigerant discharged from the compressor 351 (hereinafter referred to as “refrigerant discharge temperature”).

The sensor unit 310 may include a pressure sensor (not shown). The pressure sensor (not shown) may detect a pressure of gaseous refrigerant flowing through each pipe of the air conditioner 1. For example, the pressure sensor may be disposed on a pipe connected to the compressor 351 to detect a pressure of refrigerant entering the compressor 351 (hereinafter referred to as “suction pressure”) and/or a pressure of refrigerant discharged from the compressor 351 (hereinafter referred to as “discharge pressure”).

The sensor unit 320 may include an indoor temperature sensor (not shown) to detect or sense an indoor temperature, that is, a temperature of the indoor space, and/or an outdoor temperature sensor (not shown) to detect an outdoor temperature, that is, a temperature of the outdoor space. Alternatively or additionally, the indoor temperature and/or the temperature may be measured/sensed/determined by some external sensors or apparatuses and may be communicated/transmitted (through wired or wireless techniques) to the air conditioner.

The sensor unit 320 may include an indoor humidity sensor (not shown) to detect an indoor humidity and/or an outdoor humidity sensor (not shown) to detect an outdoor humidity.

The memory 330 may store data on a reference value related to operation of each component provided in the air conditioner 1. The memory 330 may store programs for processing and controlling each signal in the controller 370, and may store processed data and/or data to be processed. For example, the memory 330 may store application programs designed for the purpose of performing various tasks processable by the controller 370, and may selectively provide some of the stored application programs in response to a request by the controller 370. For example, the memory 330 may include at least one of volatile memory, for example, DRAM, SRAM, or SDRAM, or non-volatile memory, for example, flash memory, hard disk drive (HDD), or solid-state drive (SSD).

The fan driving unit 340 may drive the fan 341 provided in the air conditioner 1. For example, the fan 341 may include an outdoor fan and/or an indoor fan 50. The indoor fan 50 may also be referred to as a blower 50.

The fan driving unit 340 may include a rectifier (not shown) configured to rectify alternating current (AC) power into direct current (DC) power and output the DC power, a DC terminal capacitor (not shown) configured to store a ripple voltage from the rectifier, an inverter (not shown) provided with a plurality of switching elements to convert smoothed DC power into three-phase AC power of a certain frequency and output the three-phase AC power, and/or at least one motor configured to drive the fan 341 according to the three-phase AC power output from the inverter.

The fan driving unit 340 may include components separately provided to drive the outdoor fan and the indoor fan 50. For example, the air conditioner 1 may include first fan driving unit configured to drive the outdoor fan and second fan driving unit configured to drive the indoor fan 50.

The compressor driving unit 350 may drive the compressor 351. The compressor driving unit 350 may include a rectifier (not shown) configured to rectify AC power into DC power and output the DC power, a DC terminal capacitor (not shown) configured to store a ripple voltage from the rectifier, an inverter (not shown) provided with a plurality of switching elements to convert smoothed DC power into three-phase AC power of a certain frequency and output the three-phase AC power, and/or a compressor motor configured to drive the compressor 351 according to the three-phase AC power output from the inverter.

The vane 360 may be disposed in a discharge port of the indoor unit 10, through which air flowing through the indoor unit 10 due to the indoor fan 50 is discharged. The vane 360 may include the fixed vane 40 disposed in the first discharge port 36 and the first movable vane 120 disposed in the second discharge port 48. Hereinafter, the first discharge port 36 may be referred to as a “sub-discharge port”, and the second discharge port 48 may be referred to as a “main discharge port”. The fixed vane 40 may be referred to as a “sub-vane”, and the first movable vane 120 may be referred to as a “main vane”.

The air conditioner 1 may include a vane motor configured to drive the vane 360 and a link connected between the vane 360 and the vane motor. For example, when the link rotates along with rotation of the vane motor, the direction in which the vane 360 is oriented may change according to rotation of the link. In this case, as the direction in which the vane 360 is oriented changes, the direction in which air is discharged through the discharge port of the indoor unit 10 (hereinafter referred to as an “airstream direction”) may change. The vane motor may be implemented as a step motor. However, the embodiments are not limited thereto.

The controller 370 may control overall operation of the air conditioner 1. The controller 370 may be connected to each component provided in the air conditioner 1, and may transmit and/or receive signals to/from each component to control an overall operation of each component.

The controller 370 may control operation of the fan driving unit 340 to change a number of revolutions of the fan 341. For example, the fan driving unit 340 may change a frequency of three-phase AC power output to the outdoor fan motor under the control of the controller 370 to change the number of revolutions of the outdoor fan. For example, the fan driving unit 340 may change the frequency of three-phase AC power output to the indoor fan motor under the control of the controller 370 to change the number of revolutions of the indoor fan 50.

The controller 370 may control operation of the compressor driving unit 350 to change an operating frequency of the compressor 351. For example, the compressor driving unit 350 may change the frequency of three-phase AC power output to the compressor motor under the control of the controller 370 to change the operating frequency of the compressor 351.

The controller 370 may be provided not only in the outdoor unit but also in the indoor unit 10 or a central controller (not shown) configured to control operation of the outdoor unit and/or the indoor unit 10. The controller 370 may include at least one processor, and may control overall operation of the air conditioner 1 using the processor included therein. The processor may be a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor may be a dedicated device, such as an ASIC, or other hardware-based processor.

The controller 370 may obtain data related to each component provided in the air conditioner 1. In this case, the controller 370 may obtain data related to each component provided in the air conditioner 1 at regular time intervals according to a certain period taking into consideration computational load.

The controller 370 may perform various calculations based on the obtained data. Further, the controller 370 may control overall operation of each component provided in the air conditioner 1 based on calculation results.

The data related to each component provided in the air conditioner 1 may include, for example, the operating frequency of the compressor 351, a refrigerant suction temperature of the compressor 351, a refrigerant discharge temperature of the compressor 351, a suction pressure of the compressor 351, a discharge pressure of the compressor 351, a temperature of an inlet pipe of the indoor unit 10, a temperature of an outlet pipe of the indoor unit 10, the indoor temperature, the outdoor temperature, and a degree of opening of an electronic expansion valve (EEV).

The air conditioner 1 may include an input device configured to receive a user input. For example, upon receiving a user input through the input device, for example, a touch panel or a key, the air conditioner 1 may perform an operation corresponding to the user input. The input device may receive user input for implementing one or more settings, for example, an indoor target temperature (described hereinbelow) or a discharge target temperature (described hereinbelow).

The air conditioner 1 may include an output device configured to output a message indicating an operational state of the air conditioner 1. For example, the output device may include a display device, such as display 170 or a light-emitting diode (LED), and/or an audio device, such as a speaker or a buzzer.

The controller 370 may control the vane 360 according to an operation mode. The operation mode of the air conditioner 1 may be set to any one of a first mode in which the main discharge port 48 is closed to prevent air from being discharged through the main discharge port 48 and a second mode in which the main discharge port 48 is opened to allow air to be discharged through the main discharge port 48.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 is set to the first mode, the main discharge port 48 may be closed by the main vane 120. In this case, the air introduced into the indoor unit 10 through the suction port 12 of the indoor unit 10 may flow to the sub-discharge port 36 via the discharge passage 18 due to rotation of the indoor fan 50. The air flowing to the sub-discharge port 36 may be discharged to the indoor space in a first discharge direction AD1 corresponding to the sub-vane 40. For example, the first discharge direction AD1 corresponding to the sub-vane 40 may be a direction corresponding to the forward direction F. For example, the first discharge direction AD1 corresponding to the sub-vane 40 may be a direction tilted at a predetermined angle in the upward direction U with respect to the forward direction F.

The air conditioner may have a different structure from described hereinabove. Generally, a first mode may be understood as a mode in which air is discharged from the air conditioner, for example, the indoor unit of the air conditioner, in a first discharge direction or only in the first discharge direction. The first discharge direction may correspond to or be the same as a direction ranging from a forward direction F or a direction tilted at a predetermined angle, for example, from 0 degree to 90 degree, in the upward direction U with respect to the forward direction F, or may be a direction within the forward direction F and the direction tilted at the predetermined angle, for example, from 0 degree to 90 degree, in the upward direction U with respect to the forward direction F. The first discharge direction may be a fixed or may vary/swing between two limits/boundaries. The two limits/boundaries defined by/falling within the forward direction F and the direction tilted at the predetermined angle, for example, from 0 degree to 90 degree, in the upward direction U with respect to the forward direction F. The forward direction may be understood as a horizontal direction, for example, a direction perpendicular to a front side/surface and/or a rear side/surface of the indoor unit of the air conditioner and/or to a wall surface defining the indoor space. The first mode may structurally be implemented by the air conditioner structure/layout/design/architecture described herein with respect to other FIGs, for example, by using a sub-vane and/or a main vane or may be implemented by any other structure/layout/design/architecture, for example, without using a sub-vane and/or a main vane.

Referring to FIG. 10, when the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 is set to the first mode, indoor temperature 1001, predicted mean vote (PMV) 1002, and predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD) 1003 for the indoor space may be checked. Here, PMV may be an index that predicts the mean value of the votes of a large group of people on a seven-point thermal sensation scale. A larger PMV value indicates that the simulated people feel colder, and a smaller PMV value indicates that the simulated people feel hotter. PPD may be an index that predicts a percentage of thermally dissatisfied people, and the unit thereof may be “%”. PMV and PPD may be calculated based on metabolic rate, thermal resistance, air temperature, mean radiant temperature, relative air velocity, and partial water vapor pressure.

As the main discharge port 48 is closed by the main vane 120, the air having undergone heat exchange after entering the indoor unit 10 through the suction port 12 of the indoor unit 10 may be discharged in the first discharge direction AD1 through the sub-discharge port 36. The air discharged in the first discharge direction AD1 may flow along a ceiling defining the indoor space. In this case, an entirety of the indoor space may be uniformly cooled or heated by the air flowing along the ceiling.

According to an embodiment disclosed herein, when the operation mode is set to the first mode, the air conditioner 1 may control the compressor 351 based on the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 70. For example, when the operation mode is set to the first mode, the user may set a target value for the temperature of the air discharged from the indoor unit 10 (hereinafter referred to as a “discharge target temperature”), for example, through a remote control. In this case, the air conditioner 1 may control the compressor 351 so that the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 70 detected by the heat exchanger temperature sensor corresponds to the preset discharge target temperature. That is, in a case in which the entirety of the indoor space is cooled or heated from an upper side of the indoor space, for example, from the ceiling as the air having undergone heat exchange flows along the upper side/ceiling, the user may directly adjust the temperature of the air discharged from the indoor unit 10. For example, during a cooling operation, the user may set the discharge target temperature in a temperature range of 16° C. to 20° C.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 is set to the second mode, the main discharge port 48 may be opened as the main vane 120 rotates at a predetermined angle. In this case, a portion of the air introduced into the indoor unit 10 through the suction port 12 of the indoor unit 10 may flow to the main discharge port 48 via the discharge passage 18 due to rotation of the indoor fan 50. The air flowing to the main discharge port 48 may be discharged to the indoor space in a second discharge direction AD2 corresponding to the main vane 120. For example, the second discharge direction AD2 corresponding to the main vane 120 may be a direction tilted at a predetermined angle in the downward direction D with respect to the forward direction F.

The air conditioner may have a different structure from described hereinabove. Generally, a second mode may be understood as a mode in which air is discharged from the air conditioner, for example, the indoor unit of the air conditioner, in a second discharge direction or only in the second discharge direction or in the second discharge direction along with the first discharge direction. An amount of air discharged in the first discharge direction may be less than the amount of air discharged in the second discharge direction. The second discharge direction may correspond to or be the same as a direction tilted downward from the forward direction F, for example, from 5 degree to 90 degree, in the downward direction D with respect to the forward direction F. The second discharge direction may be a fixed or may vary/swing between two limits/boundaries. The two limits/boundaries defined by/falling within the forward direction F and the direction tilted at the predetermined angle, for example, up to 90 degree, in the downward direction D with respect to the forward direction F. The second mode may structurally be implemented by the air conditioner structure/layout/design/architecture described herein with respect to other FIGs, for example, by using a sub-vane and/or a main vane or may be implemented by any other structure/layout/design/architecture, for example, without using a sub-vane and/or a main vane.

Referring to FIG. 12, when the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 is set to the second mode, indoor temperature 1201, PMV 1202, and PPD 1203 for the indoor space may be checked. As the main discharge port 48 is opened by the main vane 120, a portion of the air having undergone heat exchange after entering the indoor unit 10 through the suction port 12 of the indoor unit 10 may be discharged in the first discharge direction AD1 through the sub-discharge port 36, and the remaining portion of the air may be discharged in the second discharge direction AD2 through the main discharge port 48. In this case, an amount of air discharged in the first discharge direction AD1 may be less than an amount of air discharged in the second discharge direction AD2. The air discharged in the second discharge direction AD2 may flow toward a specific area in the indoor space corresponding to the second discharge direction AD2. In this case, an entirety of the indoor space may be gradually cooled or heated from the specific area in the indoor space by the air flowing toward the specific area in the indoor space.

According to an embodiment disclosed herein, when the operation mode is set to the second mode, the air conditioner 1 may control the compressor 351 based on the indoor temperature. For example, when the operation mode is set to the second mode, the user may set an indoor target temperature for the indoor space, for example, through the remote control. In this case, the air conditioner 1 may control the compressor 351 so that the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor corresponds to the preset indoor target temperature, that is, a target temperature set by a user or user-set. That is, in a case in which the air having undergone heat exchange flows toward the floor and thus a specific area in the indoor space is intensively cooled or heated, the temperature of the indoor space may reach or be maintained at the indoor target temperature set by the user. During the cooling operation, the larger the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the indoor target temperature, the lower the temperature of the air discharged from the indoor unit 10. In addition, the smaller the temperature difference, the higher the temperature of the air discharged from the indoor unit 10. For example, during the cooling operation, if the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the indoor target temperature is 3° C. or more, the temperature of the air discharged from the indoor unit 10 may be 11° C., and if the temperature difference is less than 0° C., the temperature of the air discharged from the indoor unit 10 may be 17° C. For a heating operation, the above-described is vice versa, that is, the larger the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the indoor target temperature, the higher the temperature of the air discharged from the indoor unit 10. In addition, the smaller the temperature difference, the lower the temperature of the air discharged from the indoor unit 10.

According to an embodiment disclosed herein, alternatively or in addition to the compressor control as described above, a rotational speed of the indoor fan 50 corresponding to a preset air volume may be varied depending on the mode. In a case in which the air volume is set to a predetermined level, a rotational speed of the indoor fan 50 in the state in which the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 is set to the first mode may be less than a rotational speed of the indoor fan 50 in the state in which the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 is set to the second mode. Accordingly, it may be possible to reduce noise occurring due to rotation of the indoor fan 50 in the state in which the main discharge port 48 is closed by the main vane 120.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts showing a method for operating an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, air conditioner 1 may monitor an indoor temperature for an indoor space using an indoor temperature sensor or any other external sensor, that is, not a part of the air conditioner, in S1310. The air conditioner 1 may determine whether the indoor temperature changes by a preset first reference temperature or more, in S1320. In this case, the first reference temperature may be different or may be set differently depending on whether the air conditioner 1 is performing a cooling operation or is performing a heating operation taking into consideration a cooling/heating capacity of the air conditioner 1 and/or a density of air according to temperature. For example, during the cooling operation, the air conditioner 1 may determine whether the indoor temperature increases by a predetermined value, that is, the preset first reference temperature, for example, 1.5° C. or more within a predetermined period of time, for example, 5 minutes. For example, during the heating operation, the air conditioner 1 may determine whether the indoor temperature decreases by a predetermined value, that is, the preset first reference temperature, for example 2.5° C. or more within a predetermined period of time, for example, 5 minutes.

Upon determining that the indoor temperature changes by the preset first reference temperature or more, the air conditioner 1 may commence a power-saving operation, in S1330. Here, the power-saving operation may be operation that reduces the amount of power consumed by the air conditioner 1. For example, when performing the power-saving operation, the air conditioner 1 may drive the compressor 351 at an operating frequency that is lower than the operating frequency of the compressor 351 when the air conditioner 1 performs operation (hereinafter referred to as “normal operation”) before commencing the power-saving operation. For example, when performing the power-saving operation, the air conditioner 1 may drive the outdoor fan at a rotational speed that is lower than the rotational speed of the outdoor fan in the normal operation.

According to an embodiment disclosed herein, when performing the power-saving operation, the air conditioner 1 may determine a first power consumption less than the rated power consumption of the air conditioner 1 by a predetermined level and/or a second power consumption less than the first power consumption by a predetermined level. If the current power consumption of the air conditioner 1 exceeds the first power consumption, the air conditioner 1 may lower the operating frequency of the compressor 351. On the other hand, if the current power consumption of the air conditioner 1 is less than the second power consumption, which is less than the first power consumption by a predetermined level, the air conditioner 1 may increase the operating frequency of the compressor 351. Accordingly, the air conditioner (1) may be possible to operate within a predetermined range of power consumption corresponding to the power-saving operation while performing the power-saving operation.

According to an embodiment disclosed herein, the air conditioner 1 may perform the power-saving operation depending on whether the operation mode is a mode using the main discharge port 48, that is, the second mode. This will be described with reference to FIG. 14.

Referring to FIG. 14, the air conditioner 1 may determine whether operation for minimizing an amount of power consumed by the air conditioner 1 (hereinafter referred to as “hibernate operation” or “minimum power operation” or “standby operation”) is being performed, in S1410. For example, if the operating frequency of the compressor 351 corresponds to a preset minimum frequency, the air conditioner 1 may determine that the hibernate operation is being performed. For example, if temperature set as a criterion for control of cooling/heating corresponds to a highest temperature during cooling or corresponds to a lowest temperature during heating, the air conditioner 1 may determine that the hibernate operation is being performed.

Upon determining that the hibernate operation is not being performed, the air conditioner 1 may determine whether the operation mode is a mode using the main discharge port 48, in S1420. For example, the user may input/transmit a command to set the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 into/to the air conditioner 1, for example, through a remote control. In this case, the air conditioner 1 may set or select the operation mode, for example, the first mode or the second mode, based on the control command received from the user, for example, via the remote control.

Upon determining that the operation mode is set to the first mode, the air conditioner 1 may change the preset discharge target temperature by a first temperature, in S1430. For example, during the cooling operation, the air conditioner 1 may increase the preset discharge target temperature by 0.5° C. For example, during the heating operation, the air conditioner 1 may reduce the preset discharge target temperature by 0.5° C. This further facilitates gradual (or at a slower rate than normal) cooling/heating of the indoor space.

Upon determining that the operation mode is set to the second mode, the air conditioner 1 may change the preset indoor target temperature by a second temperature, in S1440. For example, during the cooling operation, the air conditioner 1 may increase the preset indoor target temperature by 1° C. For example, during the heating operation, the air conditioner 1 may reduce the preset indoor target temperature by 1° C. This further facilitates faster (or at a quicker rate than normal) cooling/heating of the indoor space.

That is, in the case of the first mode in which the discharge target temperature for the temperature of the air discharged from the indoor unit 10 is directly set, the temperature set as the criterion for control may be adjusted more precisely than the second mode in which the indoor target temperature for the indoor temperature is set. In addition, the air conditioner 1 may gradually reduce power consumption by adjusting the discharge target temperature or indoor target temperature until the hibernate operation is performed.

According to an embodiment disclosed herein, a maximum value of the discharge target temperature may be different from a maximum value of the indoor target temperature. For example, during the cooling operation, the maximum value of the discharge target temperature may be 20° C., and the maximum value of the indoor target temperature may be 30° C.

Referring again to FIG. 13, the air conditioner 1 may determine whether the indoor temperature changes by a preset second reference temperature or more, in S1340. In this case, the second reference temperature may be different or may be set differently depending on whether the air conditioner 1 is performing the cooling operation or is performing the heating operation taking into consideration a cooling/heating capacity of the air conditioner 1 and/or a density of air according to temperature. For example, during the cooling operation, the air conditioner 1 may determine whether the indoor temperature decreases by a predetermined value, that is, the preset second reference temperature, for example, 1° C. or more. For example, during the heating operation, the air conditioner 1 may determine whether the indoor temperature increases by a predetermined value, that is, the preset second reference temperature, for example, 2° C. or more. This may be because the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures during the cooling operation is smaller than the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures during the heating operation.

Upon determining that the indoor temperature changes by the preset second reference temperature or more, the air conditioner 1 may stop the power-saving operation, and may perform a normal operation, in S1350.

Referring to FIG. 15, a door 1505 may be disposed on a surface/wall surface defining an indoor space 1500 in which the indoor unit 10 is disposed. In a state in which the door 1505 is closed, the indoor space 1500 may be cooled or heated by air discharged from the indoor unit 10 after undergoing heat exchange therein. This operation may be the normal operation.

Generally, the normal operation may be understood as intended/rated operation or an operation whose parameters are preset, for example, by the manufacturer. For example, the intended/rated operation for cooling an indoor space from a current indoor temperature to a target indoor temperature (set by user) may have parameters, such as operation frequency for the compressor and/or rotational speed of the fan, for example. The operational parameters for normal operation may be stored in a memory of the air conditioner, for example, in a form of look-up table. During the normal operation, the controller may operate the air conditioner based on the preset parameters.

If/when the door 1505 is opened, the indoor space 1500 and another space 1510 may communicate with each other. For example, the other space 1510 may be an outdoor space or another indoor space, for example, outside of the indoor space 1500 or from which the indoor space 1500 may be closed off. In this case, that is, when the door is open, heat exchange may occur between the indoor space 1500 and the other space 1500, for example, convection of air occurs between the indoor space 1500 and the other space 1510 due to a difference in temperature between the indoor space 1500 and the other space 1510, the temperature in the indoor space 1500 may change, for example, by the first reference temperature or more in spite of operation of the air conditioner 1.

On the other hand, if/when the door 1505 is closed again, that is, closed after being opened once, communication between the indoor space 1500 and the other space 1510 may be blocked. In this case, as the air having undergone heat exchange is discharged to the indoor space 1500 by operation of the air conditioner 1, the temperature in the indoor space 1500 may change, for example, by the second reference temperature or more.

Referring to FIG. 16, if/when the door 1505 is opened at a time point while the air conditioner 1 is performing the cooling operation, the indoor temperature in the indoor space 1500 may increase by a first temperature ΔT1, for example, 1.5° C., or more within a predetermined period of time, for example, 5 minutes, in spite of the normal operation of the air conditioner 1. In this case, the air conditioner or its controller may compare the first temperature change ΔT1 to the first reference temperature and if the first temperature change ΔT1 is equal to or greater than the first reference temperature, the air conditioner 1, that is, the controller of the air conditioner, may determine that the door 1505 is open or has been opened, and may perform the power-saving operation, that is, switch/change from the normal operation to the power-saving operation.

On the other hand, if/when the door 1505 is closed at a subsequent time point tc, the temperature in the indoor space 1500 may decrease by a third temperature ΔT3, for example, 1° C., or more due to the power-saving operation of the air conditioner 1. In this case, the air conditioner or its controller may compare the third temperature change ΔT3 to the second reference temperature and if the third temperature change ΔT3 is equal to or greater than the second reference temperature, the air conditioner 11, that is, the controller of the air conditioner, may determine that the door 1505 is/has been closed, and may perform the normal operation, that is, switch/change from the power-saving operation to the normal operation.

Referring to FIG. 17, if the door 1505 is opened at a time point while the air conditioner 1 is performing the heating operation, the indoor temperature in the indoor space 1500 may decrease by a second temperature ΔT2, for example, 2.5° C., or more within a predetermined period of time, for example, 5 minutes, in spite of the normal operation of the air conditioner 1. In this case, the air conditioner or its controller may compare the second temperature change ΔT2 to the first reference temperature and if the second temperature change ΔT2 is equal to or greater than the first reference temperature, the air conditioner 1 may determine that the door 1505 is open or has been opened, and may perform power-saving operation, that is, switch/change from the normal operation to the power-saving operation.

On the other hand, if/when the door 1505 is closed at a subsequent time point tc, the temperature in the indoor space 1500 may increase by a fourth temperature ΔT4, for example, 2° C., or more due to the power-saving operation of the air conditioner 1. In this case, the air conditioner or its controller may compare the fourth temperature change ΔT4 to the second reference temperature and if the fourth temperature change ΔT4 is equal to or greater than the second reference temperature, the air conditioner 1 may determine that the door 1505 is/has been closed, and may perform the normal operation, that is, switch/change from the power-saving operation to normal operation.

Referring to FIG. 18, when the air conditioner 1 performs the power-saving operation, the air conditioner 1 may determine a first power consumption P1 less than the rated power consumption of the air conditioner 1 and/or a second power consumption P2 less than the first power consumption P1 by a predetermined level. If the current power consumption of the air conditioner 1 is equal to or less than the first power consumption P1 and is equal to or greater than the second power consumption P2 (1810), the air conditioner 1 may maintain the operating frequency of the compressor 351. If the current power consumption of the air conditioner 1 exceeds the first power consumption P1 (1820), the air conditioner 1 may lower the operating frequency of the compressor 351. If the current power consumption of the air conditioner 1 is less than the second power consumption P2 (1830), the air conditioner 1 may increase the operating frequency of the compressor 351. Accordingly, the air conditioner 1 may operate within a predetermined range of power consumption corresponding to the power-saving operation while performing the power-saving operation.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 18, an air conditioner 1 in accordance with an embodiment may include an indoor unit 10, an indoor temperature sensor configured to detect an indoor temperature in an indoor space 1500 in which the indoor unit 10 is disposed, and a controller 370 configured to monitor the indoor temperature using the indoor temperature sensor. If the indoor temperature changes by a first reference temperature or more, the controller 370 may commence the power-saving operation, and if the indoor temperature changes by a second reference temperature or more while the power-saving operation is performed, the controller may stop the power-saving operation.

In addition, in accordance with an embodiment, if the indoor temperature increases by a first temperature or more within a predetermined period of time during the cooling operation or decreases by a second temperature or more within the predetermined period of time during the heating operation, the controller 370 may determine that the indoor temperature changes by the first reference temperature or more. The first temperature may be less than the second temperature.

While performing the power-saving operation, if the indoor temperature decreases by a third temperature or more during the cooling operation or increases by a fourth temperature or more during the heating operation, the controller 370 may determine that the indoor temperature changes by the second reference temperature or more. The third temperature may be less than the fourth temperature.

The air conditioner may include the compressor 351 configured to compress a refrigerant. While performing the power-saving operation, if the power consumption of the air conditioner 1 exceeds a first power consumption, the controller 370 may reduce the operating frequency of the compressor 351, and if the power consumption of the air conditioner 1 is less than a second power consumption, the controller 370 may increase the operating frequency of the compressor 351. The first power consumption may be less than the rated power consumption of the air conditioner 1 and may exceed the second power consumption.

The indoor unit 10 may be a wall-mounted type indoor unit 10 including a case 101 configured to be mounted on a wall. The wall-mounted type indoor unit 10 may include a main discharge port 48 formed to be open in a lower side of the case 101, a sub-discharge port 36 formed to be open in a front side of the case 101, and a main vane 120 configured to open and close the main discharge port 48. If an operation mode is set to a first mode not using the main discharge port 48, the controller 370 may determine the rotational angle of the main vane 120 to be a minimum angle to close the main discharge port 48 so that air is discharged through the sub-discharge port 36, and if the operation mode is set to a second mode using the main discharge port 48, the controller 370 may determine the rotational angle of the main vane 120 to be an angle corresponding to a predetermined airstream direction so that the air is discharged through the main discharge port 48 and the sub-discharge port 36.

When performing the power-saving operation with the operation mode set to the first mode, the controller 370 may adjust a first target temperature for the temperature of air discharged from the indoor unit 10. When performing the power-saving operation with the operation mode set to the second mode, the controller 370 may adjust a second target temperature for the indoor temperature.

If the operation mode is set to the first mode, the controller 370 may change the first target temperature by a fifth temperature according to a predetermined period. If the operation mode is set to the second mode, the controller 370 may change the second target temperature by a sixth temperature higher than the fifth temperature according to the predetermined period. A maximum value of the first target temperature set in the power-saving operation may be different from a maximum value of the second target temperature set in the power-saving operation.

An method for operating an air conditioner 1 in accordance with an embodiment may include commencing a power-saving operation when an indoor temperature in an indoor space 1500 in which an indoor unit 10 is disposed, detected by an indoor temperature sensor, changes by a first reference temperature or more and stopping the power-saving operation when the indoor temperature changes by a second reference temperature or more while performing the power-saving operation.

The commencing of the power-saving operation may include determining that the indoor temperature changes by the first reference temperature or more when the indoor temperature increases by a first temperature or more within a predetermined period of time during a cooling operation or decreases by a second temperature or more within the predetermined period of time during a heating operation. The stopping of the power-saving operation may include determining that the indoor temperature changes by the second reference temperature or more when the indoor temperature decreases by a third temperature or more during the cooling operation or increases by a fourth temperature or more during the heating operation while performing the power-saving operation. The first temperature may be less than the second temperature, and the third temperature may be less than the fourth temperature.

The method may further include performing a power-saving operation. The performing of the power-saving operation may include reducing the operating frequency of the compressor 351 when the power consumption of the air conditioner 1 exceeds a first power consumption and increasing the operating frequency of the compressor 351 when the power consumption of the air conditioner 1 is less than second power consumption. The first power consumption may be less than a rated power consumption of the air conditioner 1 and may exceed the second power consumption.

The method may further include performing the power-saving operation. The indoor unit 10 may be wall-mounted type indoor unit 10 including case 101 configured to be mounted on a wall. The wall-mounted type indoor unit 10 may include main discharge port 48 formed to be open in a lower side of the case 101, sub-discharge port 36 formed to be open in a front side of the case 101, and main vane 120 configured to open and close the main discharge port 48. The performing of the power-saving operation may include adjusting a first target temperature for a temperature of air discharged from the indoor unit 10 when performing the power-saving operation with an operation mode set to a first mode not using the main discharge port 48 and adjusting a second target temperature for the indoor temperature when performing the power-saving operation with the operation mode set to a second mode using the main discharge port 48.

As is apparent from the description, an air conditioner and a method for operating an air conditioner according to embodiments may have the following advantages.

According to at least one embodiment disclosed herein, because air having undergone heat exchange is discharged so as to flow along a ceiling defining an indoor space, an entirety of the indoor space may be uniformly cooled or heated.

Further, according to at least one embodiment disclosed herein, because air having undergone heat exchange is discharged so as to flow toward a specific area in an indoor space, an entirety of the indoor space may be gradually cooled or heated from a specific area in the indoor space.

Furthermore, according to at least one embodiment disclosed herein, it may be possible to accurately determine, based on a change in indoor temperature, whether an indoor space is in communication with another space.

According to at least one embodiment disclosed herein, because a power-saving operation is performed while an indoor space is in communication with another space, unnecessary power consumption may be reduced.

Also, according to at least one embodiment disclosed herein, because a normal operation is performed when communication between an indoor space and another space is blocked, operation requested by a user may be performed.

Additionally, according to at least one embodiment disclosed herein, because a power-saving operation is performed in various manners depending on whether a main discharge port is opened or closed by a main vane, a power-saving operation optimized for a preset operation mode may be performed.

The method may be implemented as processor-readable code stored on a processor-readable recording medium. The processor-readable recording medium may be any type of recording device in which data is stored in a processor-readable manner. Examples of the processor-readable recording medium include ROM, RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage, and a carrier wave such as transmission via the Internet, for example. The processor-readable recording medium may also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the processor-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air conditioner capable of discharging air having undergone heat exchange so that the air flows along a ceiling defining an indoor space and an operation method thereof.

Embodiments disclosed herein also provide an air conditioner capable of discharging air having undergone heat exchange so that the air flows toward a specific area in an indoor space and a method for operating an air conditioner.

Embodiments disclosed herein further provide an air conditioner capable of determining whether an indoor space is in communication with another space and a method for operating an air conditioner.

Embodiments disclosed herein furthermore provide an air conditioner capable of performing power-saving operation while an indoor space is in communication with another space and a method for operating an air conditioner.

Additionally, embodiments disclosed herein provide an air conditioner capable of performing a normal operation when communication between an indoor space and another space is blocked and a method for operating an air conditioner.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air conditioner capable of performing a power-saving operation in various manners depending on whether a main discharge port is opened or closed by a main vane and a method for operating an air conditioner.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, an indoor temperature in an indoor space in which an indoor unit is disposed may be detected by an indoor temperature sensor, and it may be possible to determine, based on a change in the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor, whether the indoor space is in communication with another space.

Further, an air conditioner is provided including a controller configured to monitor the indoor temperature using the indoor temperature sensor. If the indoor temperature changes by a first reference temperature or more, the controller commences the power-saving operation. If the indoor temperature changes by a second reference temperature or more while the power-saving operation is performed, the controller stops the power-saving operation.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air conditioner that may include an indoor unit; an indoor temperature sensor configured to detect an indoor temperature in an indoor space in which the indoor unit is disposed; and a controller configured to monitor the indoor temperature using the indoor temperature sensor. The controller may be configured to based on the indoor temperature changing by a first reference temperature or more, commence a power-saving operation, and based on the indoor temperature changing by a second reference temperature or more while the power-saving operation is performed, stop the power-saving operation.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a method for controlling an air conditioner that may include commencing a power-saving operation when the indoor temperature in the indoor space in which the indoor unit is disposed, detected by the indoor temperature sensor, changes by a first reference temperature or more and stopping the power-saving operation when the indoor temperature changes by a second reference temperature or more while performing the power-saving operation.

Based on the indoor temperature increasing by a first temperature or more within a predetermined period of time during the cooling operation or decreasing by a second temperature or more within the predetermined period of time during the heating operation, the controller may be configured to determine that the indoor temperature changes by the first reference temperature or more. The first temperature may be less than the second temperature.

While performing the power-saving operation, based on the indoor temperature decreasing by a third temperature or more during the cooling operation or increasing by a fourth temperature or more during the heating operation, the controller may be configured to determine that the indoor temperature changes by the second reference temperature or more. The third temperature may be less than the fourth temperature.

The air conditioner may include a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant. While performing the power-saving operation, the controller may be configured to based on a power consumption of the air conditioner exceeding a first power consumption, reducing an operating frequency of the compressor, and/or based on the power consumption of the air conditioner being less than a second power consumption, increasing the operating frequency of the compressor. The first power consumption may be less than a rated power consumption of the air conditioner and/or may exceed the second power consumption.

The indoor unit may be a wall-mounted type indoor unit. The indoor unit may include a case configured to be mounted on a wall. The wall-mounted type indoor unit may include a main discharge port formed to be open in a lower side of the case. The wall-mounted type indoor unit may include a sub-discharge port formed to be open in a front side of the case. The wall-mounted type indoor unit may include a main vane configured to open and close the main discharge port.

The controller may be configured to based on an operation mode being set to a first mode not using the main discharge port, determine a rotational angle of the main vane to be a minimum angle to close the main discharge port so that air is discharged through the sub-discharge port, and/or based on the operation mode being set to a second mode using the main discharge port, determining the rotational angle of the main vane to be an angle corresponding to a predetermined airstream direction so that the air is discharged through the main discharge port and the sub-discharge port. The controller may be is configured to when performing the power-saving operation with the operation mode set to the first mode, adjust a first target temperature for temperature of air discharged from the indoor unit, and/or when performing the power-saving operation with the operation mode set to the second mode, adjusting a second target temperature for the indoor temperature.

The controller may be configured to based on the operation mode being set to the first mode, change the first target temperature by a fifth temperature according to a predetermined period, and/or based on the operation mode being set to the second mode, change the second target temperature by a sixth temperature higher than the fifth temperature according to the predetermined period. A maximum value of the first target temperature set in the power-saving operation may be different from a maximum value of the second target temperature set in the power-saving operation.

The commencing power-saving operation may include determining that the indoor temperature changes by the first reference temperature or more when the indoor temperature increases by a first temperature or more within a predetermined period of time during the cooling operation or decreases by a second temperature or more within the predetermined period of time during the heating operation. The stopping the power-saving operation may include determining that the indoor temperature changes by the second reference temperature or more when the indoor temperature decreases by a third temperature or more during the cooling operation or increases by a fourth temperature or more during the heating operation while performing the power-saving operation.

The first temperature may be less than the second temperature. The third temperature may be less than the fourth temperature.

The method may include performing the power-saving operation. The performing of the power-saving operation may include reducing an operating frequency of a compressor when a power consumption of the air conditioner exceeds a first power consumption; and/or increasing the operating frequency of the compressor when the power consumption of the air conditioner is less than a second power consumption. The first power consumption may be less than a rated power consumption of the air conditioner and/or may exceed the second power consumption.

The method may include performing the power-saving operation. The indoor unit may be a wall-mounted type indoor unit including a case configured to be mounted on a wall. The wall-mounted type indoor unit may include one or more of a main discharge port formed to be open in a lower side of the case; a sub-discharge port formed to be open in a front side of the case; and a main vane configured to open and close the main discharge port. The performing of the power-saving operation may include adjusting a first target temperature for temperature of air discharged from the indoor unit when performing the power-saving operation with an operation mode set to a first mode not using the main discharge port; and/or adjusting a second target temperature for the indoor temperature when performing the power-saving operation with the operation mode set to a second mode using the main discharge port.

The air conditioner and/or the method according to the embodiments disclosed herein may have one or more of the following advantages.

According to at least one embodiment disclosed herein, because air having undergone heat exchange is discharged so as to flow along a ceiling defining an indoor space, an entirety of the indoor space may be uniformly cooled or heated.

According to at least one embodiment disclosed herein, because air having undergone heat exchange is discharged so as to flow toward a specific area in an indoor space, an entirety of the indoor space may be gradually cooled or heated from the specific area in the indoor space.

According to at least one embodiment disclosed herein, it may be possible to accurately determine, based on a change in indoor temperature, whether an indoor space is in communication with another space.

According to at least one embodiment disclosed herein, because a power-saving operation is performed while an indoor space is in communication with another space, unnecessary power consumption may be reduced.

According to at least one embodiment disclosed herein, because a normal operation is performed when communication between an indoor space and another space is blocked, an operation requested by a user may be performed.

According to at least one embodiment disclosed herein, because a power-saving operation is performed in various manners depending on whether a main discharge port is opened or closed by a main vane, a power-saving operation optimized for a preset operation mode may be performed.

The additional range of applicability will become apparent from the description. However, because various changes and modifications will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art within the scope, it should be understood that the description and specific embodiments such as embodiments are merely given by way of example.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to specific embodiments shown in the drawings, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments are not limited to those exemplary embodiments and is embodied in many forms without departing from the scope, which is described in the following claims.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, comprising: an indoor unit disposed in an indoor space;an indoor temperature sensor configured to detect an indoor temperature of the indoor space; anda controller configured to monitor the indoor temperature using the indoor temperature sensor, wherein the controller is configured to: based on the indoor temperature changing by a first reference temperature or more, commence a power-saving operation, and based on the indoor temperature changing by a second reference temperature or more while the power-saving operation is performed, stop the power-saving operation.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is configured, in a cooling operation, to cool the indoor space, and wherein the commencing of the power-saving operation includes the controller being configured to switch from a normal operation to the power-saving operation if the indoor temperature increases by the first reference temperature or more in a predetermined period of time, and wherein the stopping of the power-saving operation includes the controller being configured to switch from the power-saving operation to the normal operation if the indoor temperature decreases by the second reference temperature or more while the power-saving operation is being performed; and/or wherein the air conditioner is configured, in a heating operation, to heat the indoor space, and wherein the stopping of the power-saving operation includes the controller being configured to switch from the normal operation to the power-saving operation if the indoor temperature decreases by the first reference temperature or more in a predetermined period of time, and wherein the stopping of the power-saving operation includes the controller being configured to switch from the power-saving operation to the normal operation if the indoor temperature increases by a second reference temperature or more while the power-saving operation is being performed.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the normal operation is an operation using preset parameters for cooling or heating the indoor space from a current indoor temperature to a target indoor temperature set by a user.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein based on the indoor temperature increasing by a first temperature or more within the predetermined period of time during the cooling operation or decreasing by a second temperature or more within the predetermined period of time during the heating operation, the controller is configured to determine that the indoor temperature changes by the first reference temperature or more; or wherein, based on the indoor temperature increasing by a first temperature or more within the predetermined period of time during the cooling operation or decreasing by a second temperature or more within the predetermined period of time during the heating operation, the controller is configured to determine that the indoor temperature changes by the first reference temperature or more, and wherein the first temperature is less than the second temperature.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein, while performing the power-saving operation, based on the indoor temperature decreasing by a third temperature or more during the cooling operation or increasing by a fourth temperature or more during the heating operation, the controller is configured to determine that the indoor temperature changes by the second reference temperature or more; or wherein, while performing the power-saving operation, based on the indoor temperature decreasing by a third temperature or more during the cooling operation or increasing by a fourth temperature or more during the heating operation, the controller is configured to determine that the indoor temperature changes by the second reference temperature or more, and wherein the third temperature is less than the fourth temperature.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, wherein, while performing the power-saving operation, the controller is configured to: based on a power consumption of the air conditioner exceeding a first power consumption, reducing an operating frequency of the compressor, and based on the power consumption of the air conditioner being less than a second power consumption, increasing the operating frequency of the compressor, and wherein the first power consumption is less than a rated power consumption of the air conditioner and exceeds the second power consumption.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the indoor unit is a wall-mounted type indoor unit comprising a case configured to be mounted on a wall defining the indoor space, wherein the wall-mounted type indoor unit comprises: a sub-discharge port open at a front side of the case and configured to discharge air in a first discharge direction;a main discharge port open at a lower side of the case and configured to discharge air in a second discharge direction; anda main vane configured to open and close the main discharge port, wherein the controller is configured to: based on an operation mode being set to a first mode, close the main discharge port by the main vane so that air is discharged through the sub-discharge port, and based on the operation mode being set to a second mode, open the main discharge port so that the air is discharged through the main discharge port and/or the sub-discharge port.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the first discharge direction corresponds to a direction ranging from a forward direction to a direction tilted at a predetermined angle in an upward direction with respect to the forward direction, and wherein the second discharge direction corresponds to a direction tilted downward from the forward direction.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to: when performing the power-saving operation with the operation mode set to the first mode, adjust a discharge target temperature, wherein the discharge target temperature is a target value set by a user for a temperature of air discharged from the indoor unit, and when performing the power-saving operation with the operation mode set to the second mode, adjust an indoor target temperature, wherein the indoor target temperature is a target value set by a user for the indoor temperature of the indoor space.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to: based on the operation mode being set to the first mode, change the discharge target temperature by a first temperature according to a predetermined period, and based on the operation mode being set to the second mode, changing the indoor target temperature by a second temperature higher than the first temperature according to the predetermined period.

11. The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein a maximum value of the discharge target temperature set in the power-saving operation is different from a maximum value of the indoor target temperature set in the power-saving operation.

12. A method for operating an air conditioner, the air conditioner comprising an indoor unit disposed in an indoor space, the method comprising: commencing a power-saving operation when an indoor temperature of the indoor space, detected by an indoor temperature sensor, changes by a first reference temperature or more; andstopping the power-saving operation when the indoor temperature, detected by the indoor temperature sensor, changes by a second reference temperature or more while performing the power-saving operation.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein when the air conditioner is in a cooling operation in which it is cooling the indoor space, the commencing of the power-saving operation includes switching from a normal operation to the power-saving operation if the indoor temperature increases by the first reference temperature or more in a predetermined period of time, and the stopping of the power-saving operation includes switching from the power-saving operation to the normal operation or a standby operation if the indoor temperature decreases by the second reference temperature or more while the power-saving operation is being performed; and/or wherein when the air conditioner is in a heating operation in which it is heating the indoor space, the stopping of the power-saving operation includes switching from a normal operation to the power-saving operation if the indoor temperature decreases by the first reference temperature or more in a predetermined period of time, and the stopping of the power-saving operation includes switching from the power-saving operation to the normal operation or a standby operation if the indoor temperature increases by a second reference temperature or more while the power-saving operation is being performed.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the normal operation is an operation using preset parameters for cooling or heating the indoor space from a current indoor temperature to a target indoor temperature set by user.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the commencing of the power-saving operation comprises determining that the indoor temperature changes by the first reference temperature or more when the indoor temperature increases by a first temperature or more within a predetermined period of time during the cooling operation or decreases by a second temperature or more within the predetermined period of time during the heating operation, the first temperature being less than the second temperature; and wherein the stopping of the power-saving operation comprises determining that the indoor temperature changes by the second reference temperature or more when the indoor temperature decreases by a third temperature or more during the cooling operation or increases by a fourth temperature or more during the heating operation while performing the power-saving operation, the third temperature being less than the fourth temperature.

16. The method according to any claim 13, wherein the performing of the power-saving operation comprises: reducing an operating frequency of a compressor of the air conditioner when power consumption of the air conditioner exceeds a first power consumption; andincreasing the operating frequency of the compressor when the power consumption of the air conditioner is less than a second power consumption, andwherein the first power consumption is less than a rated power consumption of the air conditioner and exceeds the second power consumption.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the air conditioner comprises: a sub-discharge port open at a front side of a case of an indoor unit and configured to discharge air in a first discharge direction corresponding to a direction ranging from a forward direction to a direction tilted at a predetermined angle in an upward direction with respect to the forward direction;a main discharge port open at a lower side of the case and configured to discharge air in a second discharge direction corresponding to a direction tilted downward from the forward direction;a main vane configured to open and close the main discharge port, and wherein the performing of the power-saving operation comprises: adjusting a discharge target temperature, the discharge target temperature being a target value set by a user for a temperature of air discharged from the indoor unit, when performing the power-saving operation with an operation mode set to a first mode in which the main discharge port is closed so that air is discharged through the sub-discharge port; andadjusting an indoor target temperature, the indoor target temperature being a target value set by a user for the indoor temperature, when performing the power-saving operation with the operation mode set to a second mode in which the main discharge port is open so that the air is discharged through the main discharge port and/or the sub-discharge port.

18. An air conditioner, comprising: an indoor unit disposed in an indoor space;an indoor temperature sensor configured to detect an indoor temperature of the indoor space; anda controller configured to monitor the indoor temperature using the indoor temperature sensor, wherein the controller is configured to operate the air conditioner in a normal mode or a power-saving mode, wherein the normal operation is an operation using preset parameters for cooling or heating the indoor space from a current indoor temperature to a target indoor temperature set by a user, and wherein the controller is configured to: based on the indoor temperature changing by a first reference temperature or more, commence the power-saving operation, and based on the indoor temperature changing by a second reference temperature or more while the power-saving operation is performed, stop the power-saving operation.

19. The air conditioner according to claim 18 wherein the air conditioner is configured, in a cooling operation, to cool the indoor space, and wherein the commencing of the power-saving operation includes the controller being configured to switch from the normal operation to the power-saving operation if the indoor temperature increases by the first reference temperature or more in a predetermined period of time, and wherein the stopping of the power-saving operation includes the controller being configured to switch from the power-saving operation to the normal operation if the indoor temperature decreases by the second reference temperature or more while the power-saving operation is being performed; and/or wherein the air conditioner is configured, in a heating operation, to heat the indoor space, and wherein the stopping of the power-saving operation includes the controller being configured to switch from the normal operation to the power-saving operation if the indoor temperature decreases by the first reference temperature or more in a predetermined period of time, and wherein the stopping of the power-saving operation includes the controller being configured to switch from the power-saving operation to the normal operation if the indoor temperature increases by a second reference temperature or more while the power-saving operation is being performed.

20. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the indoor unit is a wall-mounted type indoor unit comprising a case configured to be mounted on a wall defining the indoor space, wherein the wall-mounted type indoor unit comprises: a sub-discharge port open at a front side of the case and configured to discharge air in a first discharge direction;a main discharge port open at a lower side of the case and configured to discharge air in a second discharge direction; anda main vane configured to open and close the main discharge port, wherein the controller is configured to: based on an operation mode being set to a first mode, close the main discharge port by the main vane so that air is discharged through the sub-discharge port, and based on the operation mode being set to a second mode, open the main discharge port so that the air is discharged through the main discharge port and/or the sub-discharge port.