CN114623559A

CN114623559A - Method and device for detecting refrigerant leakage, air conditioner and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN114623559A
Application number: CN202210103480.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杨艳菲; 魏延培; 陈立鹏; 袁本海; 时斌; 杨云龙
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Air Conditioner Gen Corp Ltd; Qingdao Haier Air Conditioning Electric Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Air Conditioner Gen Corp Ltd; Qingdao Haier Air Conditioning Electric Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-01-27
Filing date: 2022-01-27
Publication date: 2022-06-14

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of intelligent household appliances, and discloses a method for detecting refrigerant leakage, which comprises the following steps: obtaining the exhaust superheat degree of the compressor; detecting the time when the exhaust superheat degree is less than a set value a; and sending a first refrigerant leakage prompt under the condition that the time is greater than or equal to a first time threshold value. According to the scheme, the time that the exhaust superheat degree is smaller than the set value reaches the preset time threshold value as the trigger condition for sending the leakage prompt, normal fluctuation of the superheat degree can be prevented from being judged as refrigerant leakage, the user can be prompted when the refrigerant leakage degree is low, the refrigerant is prevented from being continuously leaked, and the sensitivity of the refrigerant leakage detection process is improved. The application also discloses a device for the air conditioner, the air conditioner and a storage medium.

Description

Method and device for detecting refrigerant leakage, air conditioner and storage medium

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of intelligent home appliance technologies, and for example, to a method and an apparatus for detecting refrigerant leakage, an air conditioner, and a storage medium.

Background

With the development of society, air conditioners are becoming important electrical appliances indispensable in daily life. During installation and long-term use, refrigerant leakage may occur due to poor sealing performance, bending, long-term corrosion or other external reasons. The performance of the air conditioner is reduced due to insufficient refrigerant, and the service life of the air conditioner is shortened due to the fact that the compressor is damaged when the compressor operates under the working condition of insufficient refrigerant.

A method for detecting refrigerant leakage includes: starting the air conditioner to run, and pre-judging the refrigerant leakage condition through the refrigerant pressure; if the pre-judgment result is undetermined, the refrigerant allowance is calculated, and the refrigerant leakage condition is further judged.

In the process of implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is found that at least the following problems exist in the related art:

when the refrigerant is judged to be leaked through the pressure of the refrigerant, the refrigerant is leaked to a certain degree, and the compressor is damaged. Therefore, the scheme cannot distinguish the condition that the refrigerant is slightly leaked, and the sensitivity is low.

Disclosure of Invention

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview nor is intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such embodiments but rather as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The embodiment of the disclosure provides a method and a device for detecting refrigerant leakage, an air conditioner and a storage medium, so as to improve the sensitivity of a refrigerant leakage detection process.

In some embodiments, the method comprises: obtaining the exhaust superheat degree of the compressor; detecting the time when the exhaust superheat degree is less than a set value a; and sending a first refrigerant leakage prompt under the condition that the time is greater than or equal to a first time threshold value.

Optionally, the obtaining of the discharge superheat degree of the compressor comprises: detecting the current exhaust temperature and the current exhaust pressure of the compressor; and calculating the superheat degree of the exhaust gas according to the exhaust pressure and the exhaust temperature.

Optionally, the calculating of the exhaust superheat degree from the exhaust pressure and the exhaust temperature comprises: calculating a saturation temperature Ts corresponding to the exhaust pressure; calculating the exhaust superheat SH ═ Td-Ts; where Td is the exhaust temperature.

Optionally, the detecting the time when the exhaust superheat degree is less than the set value a comprises: starting timing when the compressor is started; suspending timing when the superheat degree of the exhaust gas is detected to be greater than or equal to a set value a; continuing timing when the exhaust superheat degree is detected to be less than a set value a; and determining the accumulated time as the time when the exhaust superheat degree is less than a set value a. Optionally, the value range of the set value a is [0 ℃, 5 ℃).

Optionally, in a case that the time is greater than or equal to a first time threshold, the method further includes: and controlling the compressor to stop.

Optionally, in a case that the time is greater than or equal to a first time threshold, the method further includes: judging whether the time is greater than or equal to a second time threshold value; sending out a second refrigerant leakage alarm under the condition that the time is greater than or equal to a second time threshold; wherein the second time threshold is greater than the first time threshold.

In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a processor and a memory storing program instructions, the processor being configured to execute the method for detecting refrigerant leakage described above when executing the program instructions.

In some embodiments, the air conditioner includes the above-mentioned device for detecting refrigerant leakage.

In some embodiments, the storage medium stores program instructions that, when executed, perform the method for detecting refrigerant leakage described above.

The method and the device for detecting refrigerant leakage, the air conditioner and the storage medium provided by the embodiment of the disclosure can realize the following technical effects:

during normal operation of the compressor, the discharge superheat of the compressor tends to be higher than the set point, and occasionally fluctuates below the set point. Experiments prove that when the refrigerant leaks, the time that the superheat degree is lower than the set value is correspondingly prolonged. And in a certain range, the time length below the set value is gradually prolonged along with the aggravation of the refrigerant leakage degree. Therefore, according to the scheme, the time that the exhaust superheat degree is smaller than the set value reaches the preset time threshold value to serve as the trigger condition for sending the leakage prompt, normal fluctuation of the superheat degree can be prevented from being judged as refrigerant leakage, the user can be prompted when the leakage degree of the refrigerant is low, the refrigerant is prevented from continuing to be leaked, and the sensitivity of the refrigerant leakage detection process is improved.

The foregoing general description and the following description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the application.

Drawings

One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, which correspond to the accompanying drawings and not in limitation thereof, in which elements having the same reference numeral designations are shown as like elements and not in limitation thereof, and wherein:

fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for detecting refrigerant leakage according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of another method for detecting refrigerant leakage according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of another method for detecting refrigerant leakage according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a variation trend of various parameters during an operation process of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of another method for detecting refrigerant leakage according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for detecting refrigerant leakage according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Detailed Description

So that the manner in which the features and elements of the disclosed embodiments can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosed embodiments, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. In the following description of the technology, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, one or more embodiments may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices may be shown in simplified form in order to simplify the drawing.

The terms "first," "second," and the like in the description and in the claims, and the above-described drawings of embodiments of the present disclosure, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It should be understood that the data so used may be interchanged under appropriate circumstances such that embodiments of the present disclosure described herein may be made. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," as well as any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

The term "plurality" means two or more unless otherwise specified.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the character "/" indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an or relationship. For example, A/B represents: a or B.

The term "and/or" is an associative relationship that describes objects, meaning that three relationships may exist. For example, a and/or B, represents: a or B, or A and B.

The term "correspond" may refer to an association or binding relationship, and a corresponds to B refers to an association or binding relationship between a and B.

In the disclosed embodiment, the terminal device is an electronic device with a wireless connection function, and the terminal device can be in communication connection with the intelligent household appliance device by connecting with the internet, and can also be in communication connection with the intelligent household appliance device directly in a bluetooth mode, a wifi mode and the like. In some embodiments, the terminal device is, for example, a mobile device, a computer, or a vehicle-mounted device built in a floating car, or any combination thereof. The mobile device may include, for example, a cell phone, a smart home device, a wearable device, a smart mobile device, a virtual reality device, or the like, or any combination thereof, wherein the wearable device includes, for example: smart watches, smart bracelets, pedometers, and the like.

Fig. 1 is a method for detecting refrigerant leakage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the method for detecting refrigerant leakage may be performed in an air conditioner or a server in communication with the air conditioner. The embodiment of the present disclosure is explained with an air conditioner as an execution subject.

Referring to fig. 1, the method for detecting refrigerant leakage includes:

s101, the air conditioner obtains the exhaust superheat degree of the compressor.

S102, the air conditioner detects the time when the exhaust superheat degree is smaller than a set value a.

And S103, sending a first refrigerant leakage prompt by the air conditioner when the time is greater than or equal to the first time threshold.

By adopting the method for detecting refrigerant leakage provided by the embodiment of the disclosure, the following technical effects can be realized: during normal operation of the compressor, the discharge superheat of the compressor tends to be higher than the set point, and occasionally fluctuates below the set point. Experiments prove that when the refrigerant leaks, the time that the superheat degree is lower than the set value is correspondingly prolonged. And in a certain range, the time length below the set value is gradually prolonged along with the aggravation of the refrigerant leakage degree. Therefore, the time that the exhaust superheat degree is smaller than the set value reaches the preset time threshold value to serve as the trigger condition for sending the leakage prompt, normal fluctuation of the superheat degree can be prevented from being judged as refrigerant leakage, the user can be prompted when the refrigerant leakage degree is low, the refrigerant is prevented from continuing to be leaked, and the sensitivity of the refrigerant leakage detection process is improved.

Optionally, the air conditioner detects the time when the exhaust superheat degree is less than the set value a, and comprises the following steps: starting timing at the starting time of the compressor, stopping timing when the exhaust superheat degree is detected to be greater than or equal to a set value a, and continuing timing when the exhaust superheat degree is detected to be less than the set value a, wherein the accumulated time is the time when the exhaust superheat degree is less than the set value a.

Optionally, the value range of the set value a is [0 ℃, 5 ℃). More specifically, it may be 0 ℃, 1 ℃, 2 ℃, 3 ℃, 4 ℃ or 5 ℃. In the actual application process, the value of the set value is determined according to the running condition. For example, if the superheat degree of exhaust gas of the air conditioner is measured to be basically greater than 0 ℃ under the condition that the refrigerant does not leak, the set value is 0 ℃. Therefore, whether the refrigerant is leaked or not can be accurately judged.

Optionally, the first time threshold is determined according to a set value a. Specifically, when the engine operates under the same working condition, the value of the first time threshold is reduced along with the increase of the set value. Therefore, different set values are determined according to different actual conditions, and the accuracy of the refrigerant leakage judging process can be improved.

Optionally, in a case that the set value is 0 ℃, the value range of the first time threshold is [2T, 5T ]. Wherein T is the longest time that the measured exhaust superheat degree under the working condition is more than 0 ℃. When the time for which the exhaust superheat degree is less than 0 ℃ exceeds the first time threshold value, the refrigerant is indicated to be leaked for too long time, so that whether the refrigerant is leaked or not can be judged more accurately through the limitation of the value.

The determination mode of T is to obtain the duration of each exhaust superheat degree larger than 0, and the obtained multiple times are compared to obtain the longest time.

Fig. 2 is a method for detecting refrigerant leakage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the method for detecting refrigerant leakage may be performed in an air conditioner or a server in communication with the air conditioner. The embodiment of the present disclosure is explained with an air conditioner as an execution subject.

Referring to fig. 2, the method for detecting refrigerant leakage includes:

s201, the air conditioner detects the current exhaust pressure and the current exhaust temperature of the compressor.

S202, the air conditioner calculates the exhaust superheat degree according to the exhaust pressure and the exhaust temperature.

S203, the air conditioner detects the time when the exhaust superheat degree is smaller than a set value a.

And S204, under the condition that the time is greater than or equal to the first time threshold, the air conditioner sends out a first refrigerant leakage prompt.

Alternatively, the air conditioner calculating the exhaust superheat degree from the exhaust pressure and the exhaust temperature comprises: the air conditioner calculates a saturation temperature Ts corresponding to the exhaust pressure, and calculates the exhaust superheat SH to be Td-Ts. Where Td is the exhaust temperature. Therefore, the exhaust superheat degree under the current working condition can be accurately calculated, and whether the refrigerant leaks or not can be accurately judged.

Fig. 3 is a method for detecting refrigerant leakage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the method for detecting refrigerant leakage may be performed in an air conditioner or a server in communication with the air conditioner. The embodiment of the present disclosure is explained with an air conditioner as an execution subject.

Referring to fig. 3, the method for detecting refrigerant leakage includes:

s301, the air conditioner detects the current exhaust temperature and the current exhaust pressure of the compressor.

S302, the air conditioner calculates a saturation temperature Ts corresponding to the exhaust pressure.

And S303, the air conditioner calculates the exhaust superheat SH to be Td-Ts. Where Td is the exhaust temperature.

And S304, the air conditioner detects the time when the exhaust superheat degree is less than a set value a.

And S305, when the time is greater than or equal to the first time threshold, the air conditioner sends a first refrigerant leakage prompt.

By adopting the method for detecting refrigerant leakage provided by the embodiment of the disclosure, the following technical effects can be realized: during normal operation of the compressor, the discharge superheat of the compressor tends to be higher than the set point, and occasionally fluctuates below the set point. Experiments prove that when the refrigerant leaks, the time that the superheat degree is lower than the set value is correspondingly prolonged. And in a certain range, the time length below the set value is gradually prolonged along with the aggravation of the leakage degree of the refrigerant. Therefore, according to the scheme, the time that the exhaust superheat degree is smaller than the set value reaches the preset time threshold value to serve as the trigger condition for sending the leakage prompt, normal fluctuation of the superheat degree can be prevented from being judged as refrigerant leakage, the user can be prompted when the leakage degree of the refrigerant is low, the refrigerant is prevented from continuing to be leaked, and the sensitivity of the refrigerant leakage detection process is improved.

Here, the principle is further explained with reference to fig. 4: in the figure, curve 1 is the variation curve of the exhaust temperature, and curve 2 is the variation curve of the exhaust pressure. From the image of the mark area, the exhaust pressure rises faster than the exhaust temperature. Therefore, during the exhaust process of the compressor, the exhaust superheat degree is less than 0 ℃. When the refrigerant leaks, the difference between the rising speeds of the exhaust temperature and the exhaust pressure increases. Since the exhaust superheat is the difference between the exhaust temperature and the saturation temperature, and the saturation temperature is directly related to the exhaust pressure, an increase in the difference between the exhaust temperature and the rising speed of the exhaust pressure will result in an increase in the time during which the exhaust superheat is less than 0 ℃. Therefore, the time when the exhaust superheat degree is less than 0 ℃ can be used as the basis for judging whether the refrigerant leaks. In addition, when the refrigerant does not leak, the degree of superheat of the exhaust gas may be less than 0 ℃ in a short time. Therefore, the condition for judging whether the refrigerant leaks is limited to the condition that the time for judging whether the exhaust superheat degree is less than 0 ℃ is greater than the first time threshold value, so that the condition can be prevented from being judged as the refrigerant leakage by mistake, and the judgment accuracy is improved.

Optionally, in a case that the time is greater than or equal to the first time threshold, the method further includes: the air conditioner controls the compressor to stop. The compressor is damaged when running in a refrigerant leakage state, so that the compressor can be prevented from being damaged by timely controlling the compressor to stop.

Optionally, the first refrigerant leakage alarm may be an alarm sound and/or a text prompt. The text prompt displays characters such as 'refrigerant leakage warning' on a display screen of the air conditioner, or sends prompt information to a mobile terminal of a user. Therefore, the method is beneficial to ensuring that the user timely and accurately receives the leakage prompt of the refrigerant, and further prevents the refrigerant from continuously leaking.

Optionally, the calculating, by the air conditioner, a saturation temperature Ts corresponding to the exhaust pressure includes: the air conditioner obtains the corresponding saturation temperature by looking up a table according to the type of the refrigerant and the measured exhaust pressure. The corresponding relation can be stored in the air conditioner in advance so as to be called in the actual application process.

Fig. 5 is a method for detecting refrigerant leakage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the method for detecting refrigerant leakage may be performed in an air conditioner or a server in communication with the air conditioner. The embodiment of the present disclosure is explained with an air conditioner as an execution subject.

Referring to fig. 5, the method for detecting refrigerant leakage includes:

s501, the air conditioner obtains the exhaust superheat degree of the compressor.

And S502, detecting the time when the exhaust superheat degree is less than a set value a by the air conditioner.

S503, the air conditioner judges whether the time is larger than or equal to a first time threshold value.

If the time is less than the first time threshold, S502 is executed continuously.

S504, if the time is greater than or equal to the first time threshold, the air conditioner determines whether the time is greater than or equal to the second time threshold. Wherein the second time threshold is greater than the first time threshold.

And S505, if the time is greater than or equal to a second time threshold, the air conditioner sends out a second refrigerant leakage alarm.

And S506, if the time is smaller than the second time threshold, the air conditioner sends out a first refrigerant leakage alarm.

By adopting the method for detecting refrigerant leakage provided by the embodiment of the disclosure, the following technical effects can be realized:

during normal operation of the compressor, the discharge superheat of the compressor tends to be higher than the set point, and occasionally fluctuates below the set point. Experiments prove that when the refrigerant leaks, the time that the superheat degree is lower than the set value is correspondingly prolonged. And in a certain range, the time length below the set value is gradually prolonged along with the aggravation of the leakage degree of the refrigerant. Therefore, according to the scheme, the time that the exhaust superheat degree is smaller than the set value reaches the preset time threshold value to serve as the trigger condition for sending the leakage prompt, normal fluctuation of the superheat degree can be prevented from being judged as refrigerant leakage, the user can be prompted when the leakage degree of the refrigerant is low, the refrigerant is prevented from continuing to be leaked, and the sensitivity of the refrigerant leakage detection process is improved.

In addition, this scheme can make the judgement and indicate the user to the degree that the refrigerant revealed for the user knows the degree that the refrigerant revealed according to the suggestion, thereby carries out different operations according to the degree that this refrigerant revealed, and then can prevent that the refrigerant from further revealing.

Optionally, when the value range of the first time is [2T, 5T ], the value range of the second time threshold is [3T, 10T ]. More specifically, it may be 3T, 5T, 8T or 10T. Here, it should be noted that the value of the second time threshold should be larger than the first time threshold as a precondition. Therefore, the second time threshold is limited within a proper time range, the second refrigerant leakage alarm can be prevented from being sent under an unnecessary condition due to the fact that the time threshold is too small, and the refrigerant leakage degree is large when the second refrigerant leakage alarm is sent due to the fact that the time threshold is too large.

Optionally, the second refrigerant leakage alarm may be an alarm sound and/or a text prompt. The text prompt displays characters such as 'refrigerant leakage' on a display screen of the air conditioner, or sends prompt information to a mobile terminal of a user. Therefore, the method is beneficial to ensuring that the user timely and accurately receives the leakage prompt of the refrigerant, and further prevents the refrigerant from continuously leaking.

Here, in an actual setting, it is necessary to distinguish the first refrigerant leakage alarm from the second refrigerant leakage alarm. Therefore, the user can directly determine the leakage degree of the air conditioner refrigerant according to the prompt so as to take different countermeasures.

Further, the degree of refrigerant leakage may be divided into a plurality of sections according to the time length in which the degree of superheat is less than 0, and different prompts may be issued. Therefore, the user can know the leakage length of the refrigerant more clearly, and different countermeasures can be taken.

Optionally, after the air conditioner issues the first refrigerant leakage alarm or the second refrigerant leakage alarm, the method further includes: the air conditioner repeatedly operates the method, and when the first refrigerant leakage alarm or the second refrigerant leakage alarm is not sent out in multiple operations, the air conditioner sends out a safety prompt. Wherein the number of times may be three. In particular, this step occurs in particular after the maintenance personnel have taken care of the air conditioner. Like this, can make automatic judgement to the result of overhauing to make the user know the result of overhauing through sending the suggestion, and then be favorable to judging whether need further overhaul.

Here, the safety prompt may be a prompt sound and/or a text prompt. It should be noted that the indication method should be distinguished from the first refrigerant leakage alarm and the second refrigerant leakage alarm. The text prompts, for example, "refrigerant leak inspection is valid" and "refrigerant leak inspection is invalid". In this way, the user can prompt for a determination of the current overhaul result.

Referring to fig. 6, an apparatus for detecting refrigerant leakage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a processor (processor)60 and a memory (memory) 61. Optionally, the apparatus may further include a Communication Interface (Communication Interface)62 and a bus 63. The processor 60, the communication interface 62 and the memory 61 may communicate with each other through a bus 63. Communication interface 62 may be used for information transfer. The processor 60 may call logic instructions in the memory 61 to execute the method for detecting refrigerant leakage according to the above embodiment.

Furthermore, the logic instructions in the memory 61 may be implemented in the form of software functional units and stored in a computer readable storage medium when sold or used as a stand-alone product.

The memory 61 is a storage medium and can be used for storing software programs, computer executable programs, such as program instructions/modules corresponding to the methods in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The processor 60 executes functional applications and data processing by executing program instructions/modules stored in the memory 61, that is, implements the method for detecting refrigerant leakage in the above embodiment.

The memory 61 may include a storage program area and a storage data area, wherein the storage program area may store an operating system, an application program required for at least one function; the storage data area may store data created according to the use of the terminal device, and the like. Further, the memory 61 may include a high-speed random access memory, and may also include a nonvolatile memory.

The embodiment of the disclosure provides an air conditioner, which comprises the device for detecting refrigerant leakage.

The embodiment of the disclosure provides a storage medium, which stores computer-executable instructions configured to execute the method for detecting refrigerant leakage.

The storage medium described above may be a transitory computer-readable storage medium or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

The technical solution of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes one or more instructions for enabling a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute all or part of the steps of the method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. And the aforementioned storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium comprising: a U-disk, a removable hard disk, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and other various media capable of storing program codes, and may also be a transient storage medium.

The above description and drawings sufficiently illustrate embodiments of the disclosure to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. The examples merely typify possible variations. Individual components and functions are optional unless explicitly required, and the sequence of operations may vary. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in or substituted for those of others. Furthermore, the words used in the specification are words of description only and are not intended to limit the claims. As used in the description of the embodiments and the claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the term "and/or" as used in this application is meant to encompass any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed. Furthermore, the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this application, 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. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising an …" does not exclude the presence of other like elements in a process, method or apparatus that comprises the element. In this document, each embodiment may be described with emphasis on differences from other embodiments, and the same and similar parts between the respective embodiments may be referred to each other. For methods, products, etc. of the embodiment disclosures, reference may be made to the description of the method section for relevance if it corresponds to the method section of the embodiment disclosure.

Those of skill in the art would appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software may depend upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. It can be clearly understood by the skilled person that, for convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the system, the apparatus and the unit described above may refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not described herein again.

In the embodiments disclosed herein, the disclosed methods, products (including but not limited to devices, apparatuses, etc.) may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described apparatus embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the units may be merely a logical division, and in actual implementation, there may be another division, for example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not executed. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form. The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to implement the present embodiment. In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. In the description corresponding to the flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures, operations or steps corresponding to different blocks may also occur in different orders than disclosed in the description, and sometimes there is no specific order between the different operations or steps. For example, two sequential operations or steps may in fact be executed substantially concurrently, or they may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. Each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Claims

1. A method for detecting refrigerant leakage, comprising:

obtaining the exhaust superheat degree of the compressor;

detecting the time when the exhaust superheat degree is less than a set value a;

and sending a first refrigerant leakage prompt under the condition that the time is greater than or equal to a first time threshold value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said obtaining a discharge superheat of the compressor comprises:

detecting the current exhaust pressure and the exhaust temperature of the compressor;

and calculating the superheat degree of the exhaust gas according to the exhaust pressure and the exhaust temperature.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said calculating an exhaust superheat from said exhaust pressure and exhaust temperature comprises:

calculating a saturation temperature Ts corresponding to the exhaust pressure;

calculating the exhaust superheat SH (Td-Ts);

where Td is the exhaust temperature.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the detecting the time when the exhaust superheat degree is less than a set value a comprises:

starting timing when the compressor is started;

suspending timing when the exhaust superheat degree is detected to be greater than or equal to a set value a;

continuing timing under the condition that the detected exhaust superheat degree is less than a set value a;

and determining the accumulated time as the time when the exhaust superheat degree is less than a set value a.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the set value a is in the range of [0 ℃, 5 ℃ ].

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising, in case the time is greater than or equal to a first time threshold:

and controlling the compressor to stop.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising, in case the time is greater than or equal to a first time threshold:

judging whether the time is greater than or equal to a second time threshold value;

sending out a second refrigerant leakage alarm under the condition that the time is greater than or equal to the second time threshold;

wherein the second time threshold is greater than the first time threshold.

8. An apparatus for detecting refrigerant leakage, comprising a processor and a memory storing program instructions, wherein the processor is configured to execute the method for detecting refrigerant leakage according to any of claims 1 to 7 when executing the program instructions.

9. An air conditioner, comprising the apparatus for detecting refrigerant leakage according to claim 8.

10. A storage medium storing program instructions which, when executed, perform a method for detecting refrigerant leakage according to any one of claims 1 to 7.