EP1391664A2 - Mehrzonenklimaanlage und Vefahren zur Regelung des Aussenlüfters dieser Klimaanlage - Google Patents

Mehrzonenklimaanlage und Vefahren zur Regelung des Aussenlüfters dieser Klimaanlage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1391664A2
EP1391664A2 EP03009017A EP03009017A EP1391664A2 EP 1391664 A2 EP1391664 A2 EP 1391664A2 EP 03009017 A EP03009017 A EP 03009017A EP 03009017 A EP03009017 A EP 03009017A EP 1391664 A2 EP1391664 A2 EP 1391664A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
refrigerant
rooms
gas
pipe
outdoor unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP03009017A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1391664A3 (de
EP1391664B1 (de
Inventor
Jong Han Park
Young Min Park
Chang Seon Lee
Sung Oh Choi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LG Electronics Inc
Original Assignee
LG Electronics Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by LG Electronics Inc filed Critical LG Electronics Inc
Publication of EP1391664A2 publication Critical patent/EP1391664A2/de
Publication of EP1391664A3 publication Critical patent/EP1391664A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1391664B1 publication Critical patent/EP1391664B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B13/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/006—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for two pipes connecting the outdoor side to the indoor side with multiple indoor units
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/007—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for three pipes connecting the outdoor side to the indoor side with multiple indoor units
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/023—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units
    • F25B2313/0231—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units with simultaneous cooling and heating
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/027—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for characterised by the reversing means
    • F25B2313/02791—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for characterised by the reversing means using shut-off valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/029—Control issues
    • F25B2313/0294—Control issues related to the outdoor fan, e.g. controlling speed
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/031—Sensor arrangements
    • F25B2313/0315—Temperature sensors near the outdoor heat exchanger
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
    • F25B2400/23—Separators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25B2500/19—Calculation of parameters

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a multi-unit air conditioner.
  • the air conditioner is an appliance for cooling or heating spaces, such as living spaces, restaurants, and offices. At present, for effective cooling or heating of a space partitioned into many rooms, it is a trend that there has been ceaseless development of multi-unit air conditioner.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner is in general provided with one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units each connected to the outdoor unit and installed in a room, for cooling or heating the room while operating in one of cooling or heating mode.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner is operative only one mode of cooling or heating uniformly even if one room requires heating, and the other room requires cooling among the many rooms within the partitioned space, the multi-unit air conditioner has a limit in that the requirement can not be dealt with, appropriately.
  • the requirement demands development of multi-unit air conditioner of concurrent cooling/heating type, for air conditioning rooms individually, i.e., the indoor unit installed in a room requiring heating is operative in a heating mode, and, at the same time, the indoor unit installed in a room requiring cooling is operative in a cooling mode.
  • the present invention is directed to multi-unit air conditioner that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide multi-unit air conditioner which can carry out heating and cooling at the same time proper to each room.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide multi-unit air conditioner, in which weight of a distributor is reduced for easy installation.
  • Further object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling operation of multi-unit air conditioner which can improve an efficiency of air conditioning by optimizing a gas-liquid mixture ratio of refrigerant introduced into a gas-liquid separator in operations of cooling all rooms, or cooling a major number of the rooms while heating a minor number of rooms.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner includes an outdoor unit including an outdoor unit heat exchanger, and a gas-liquid separator connected to an outlet side of the outdoor unit heat exchanger for separating refrigerant from the outdoor unit heat exchanger into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, and discharging separately, an indoor unit in each of a plurality of rooms having an indoor unit heat exchanger and an electric expansion valve, a distributor connected between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, for leading gas refrigerant from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit heat exchanger in the indoor unit which heats the room, liquid refrigerant from the outdoor unit to the electric expansion valve on the indoor unit which cools the room, refrigerant passed through the indoor unit to the indoor unit again, wherein, when heating and cooling are carried out for the rooms individually, the refrigerant liquefied as the refrigerant passes through the indoor unit which heats the room is lead to the outdoor unit after being lead to the electric expansion
  • the multi-unit air conditioner further includes control means for controlling a rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan such that a gas-liquid mixture ratio of the refrigerant introduced into the gas-liquid separator through the outdoor unit heat exchanger is regulated suitable to different operation conditions.
  • the control means includes a temperature sensor on an outdoor unit pipe for measuring a temperature of refrigerant discharged from the outdoor unit heat exchanger, and a microcomputer for comparing the temperature of refrigerant measured at the temperature sensor and a present refrigerant temperature, to detect a refrigerant mixture ratio in the pipe, and controlling a rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan so that the detected mixture ratio is identical to a preset mixture ratio required for different operation conditions.
  • the outdoor unit includes a compressor, an outdoor unit tan. the outdoor unit heat exchanger, an outdoor unit electric expansion valve, the gas-liquid separator, an accumulator, and an outdoor unit piping connected between above elements having a plurality of check valves. and solenoid valves provided thereto.
  • the outdoor unit piping includes a discharge pipe connected between the compressor and the outdoor unit heat exchanger, a support pipe connected between the outdoor unit heat exchanger and the gas-liquid separator, a parallel pipe branched from one side of the support pipe and joined to the support pipe again, a gas refrigerant pipe connected between an upper part of the gas-liquid separator and the distributor, a liquid refrigerant pipe connected between a lower part of the gas-liquid separator and the distributor, a suction pipe connected between the distributor and the compressor, a first bypass pipe connected between the discharge pipe and the gas refrigerant pipe, and a second bypass pipe connected between the discharge pipe between the first bypass pipe and the outdoor unit heat exchanger and the suction pipe.
  • the discharge pipe has a first solenoid valve provided on a position between the first bypass pipe and the second bypass pipe.
  • the first solenoid valve is opened in operations all rooms are cooled, and a major number of rooms are cooled and a minor number of rooms are heated, and closed in operations all rooms are heated, and a major number of rooms are heated and a minor number of rooms are cooled.
  • the first bypass pipe has a second solenoid valve provided thereon.
  • the second solenoid valve is closed in operations all rooms are cooled, and a major number of rooms are cooled and a minor number of rooms are heated, and opened in operations all rooms are heated, and a major number of rooms are heated and a minor number of rooms are cooled.
  • the second bypass pipe has a third solenoid valve provided thereon.
  • the third solenoid valve is closed in operations all rooms are cooled, and a major number of rooms are cooled and a minor number of rooms are heated, and opened in operations all rooms are heated. and a major number of rooms are heated and a minor number of rooms are cooled.
  • the support pipe has a first check valve provided thereon at a position between one point the parallel pipe is branched therefrom and a point the parallel pipe is joined thereto. for prevention of refrigerant flow from the gas-liquid separator toward the outdoor unit heat exchanger.
  • the outdoor unit electric expansion valve is provided on the parallel pipe.
  • the outdoor unit electric expansion valve is closed in operations all rooms are cooled, and a major number of rooms are cooled and a minor number of rooms are heated, and operative in operations all rooms are heated, and a major number of rooms are heated and a minor number of rooms are cooled.
  • a second check valve provided on the gas refrigerant pipe between the gas-liquid separator and the first bypass pipe, for prevention of refrigerant flow from a first bypass pipe side to a gas-liquid separator side.
  • the accumulator is provided on the suction pipe.
  • the distributor includes a distributor piping for guiding gas or liquid refrigerant received through a gas refrigerant pipe or a liquid refrigerant pipe toward the indoor unit, and guiding refrigerant passed through the indoor unit toward the outdoor unit again, and a valve part for controlling refrigerant flow in the distributor piping such that gas or liquid refrigerant is selectively introduced into indoor units in respective rooms and the refrigerant passed through the indoor unit is re-introduced into the outdoor unit according to different operation conditions.
  • the distributor piping includes a gas refrigerant connection pipe connected to the gas refrigerant pipe, gas refrigerant branch pipes each branched from the gas refrigerant connection pipe and connected to the indoor unit heat exchanger in each of the rooms, a liquid refrigerant connection pipe connected to the liquid refrigerant pipe, liquid refrigerant branch pipes each branched from the liquid refrigerant connection pipe and connected to the electric expansion valve in each of the rooms, a connection branch pipe branched from each of the gas refrigerant branch pipes, and a common branch pipe having the connection branch pipes joined thereto and connected to the suction pipe.
  • the valve part includes a plurality of solenoid valves provided to the gas refrigerant branch pipes, the liquid refrigerant branch pipes, the connection branch pipes and controlled.
  • the valve part in the distributor is controlled such that the solenoid valve on the refrigerant connection pipe on an indoor unit side which heats the room, and the solenoid valve on the gas refrigerant branch pipe on an indoor unit side which cools the room are only closed.
  • the electric expansion valve for the indoor unit which heats the room is opened fully.
  • the electric expansion valve for the indoor unit which cools the room is controlled to expand the refrigerant.
  • the check valves and the solenoid valves make different refrigerant flow control depending on operation conditions of cooling all rooms, heating all rooms, a major number of rooms are cooled and a minor number of rooms are heated, a major number of rooms are heated and a minor number of rooms are cooled.
  • the check valves and the solenoid valves are controlled in the operation of cooling all room such that entire refrigerant discharged from the compressor is introduced into the compressor after passed through the outdoor unit heat exchanger, the gas-liquid separator, the distributor, the electric expansion valve, the indoor unit heat exchanger, and the distributor in succession.
  • the check valves and the solenoid valves are controlled in the operation of heating all room such that entire refrigerant discharged from the compressor is introduced into the compressor the second bypass pipe after passed through the first bypass pipe, the distributor the indoor unit heat exchanger, the electric expansion valve, the distributor. the gas-liquid separator, the outdoor unit expansion valve, and the outdoor unit heat exchanger in succession.
  • the check valves and the solenoid valves are controlled in the operation of cooling a major number of rooms and heating a minor number of rooms such that entire refrigerant discharged from the compressor is introduced into the outdoor unit heat exchanger and the gas-liquid separator, wherefrom liquid refrigerant is introduced into the compressor after passed through the distributor, the cooling room electric expansion valves, the cooling room indoor unit heat exchangers, and the distributor in succession, and gas refrigerant is introduced into the compressor through the distributor, a heating room indoor unit heat exchanger and a heating room electric expansion valve, joined with the liquid refrigerant in the distributor, and passed through the cooling room electric expansion valves, cooling room indoor unit heat exchangers, and the distributor.
  • the check valves and the solenoid valves are controlled in the operation of heating a major number of rooms and cooling a minor number of rooms such that entire refrigerant discharged from the compressor is introduced into the distributor through the first bypass pipe, and, therefrom, reintroduced into the distributor via the heating room indoor unit heat exchangers and the heating room electric expansion valves, and a portion of which refrigerant is introduced into the compressor via the cooling room electric expansion valve and the cooling room indoor unit heat exchanger and the distributor, and the other portion of which refrigerant is introduced into the compressor via the gas-liquid separator, the outdoor unit electric expansion valve, and the outdoor unit heat exchanger and through the second bypass pipe.
  • a method for controlling operation of an outdoor unit fan in a multi-unit air conditioner including the steps of measuring a temperature of gas-liquid mixture refrigerant discharged from an outdoor unit heat exchanger. comparing a measure refrigerant temperature to a preset refrigerant temperature, to detect a gas-liquid mixture ratio, and varying a rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan so that a detected gas-liquid mixture ratio becomes identical to a preset mixture ratio required for an intended operation condition.
  • the air conditioner in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor unit 'A', a distributor 'B', and a plurality of indoor units 'C'; 'C1', 'C2', and 'C3', wherein the air conditioner has a system in which rooms the indoor units 'C'; 'C1', 'C2', and 'C3' are installed therein respectively are cooled or heated independently depending on different operation conditions of cooling all rooms, heating all rooms, cooling a major number of the rooms and heating a minor number of rooms, and heating a major number of the rooms and cooling a minor number of rooms, detail of which will be described with reference to FIG. 1.
  • drawing reference symbols 22 represents 22a, 22b, and 22c
  • 24 represents 24a, 24b, and 24c
  • 25 represents 25a, 25b, and 25c
  • 31 represents 31a, 31b, and 31c
  • 61 represents 61a, 61b, and 61c
  • 62 represents 62a, 62b, and 62c
  • C represents C1, C2, and C3.
  • a number of the indoor units 'C' and numbers of elements related to the indoor units are varied with a number of rooms, and for convenience of description, the specification describes assuming a case when there are three rooms.
  • the outdoor unit 'A' includes a compressor 1, an outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 and an outdoor unit fan 2a, a gas-liquid separator 3, an outdoor unit electric expansion valve 13a, an accumulator 19, and a refrigerant piping connecting respective units and provided with a plurality of check valve and solenoid valves, of which detailed system will be described.
  • the compressor 1 and the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 are connected with a discharge pipe 4.
  • the outdoor fan 2a blow air toward the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2.
  • the compressor 1 has a suction pipe 8 connected to a suction side thereof, with an accumulator 19 on the suction pipe 8.
  • the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 and the gas-liquid separator 3 are connected with a support pipe 5, with a parallel pipe 13 branched from one point of the support pipe 5 and connected to the other point of the support pipe 5 to form a bypass path.
  • the check valve 5a permits a refrigerant flow from the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 to the gas-liquid separator 3, and blocks a refrigerant flow from the gas-liquid separator 3 to the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2.
  • the gas-liquid separator 3 has a liquid refrigerant pipe 7 connected to a lower side thereof, and a gas refrigerant pipe 6 connected to an upper side thereof.
  • the liquid refrigerant pipe 7 and the gas refrigerant pipe 6 are connected to a pipe on the distributor 'B' side respectively.
  • first bypass pipe 11 connected between one point of the gas refrigerant pipe 6 and one point of the discharge pipe 4.
  • second solenoid valve 11a on the first bypass pipe 11 controlled such that the second solenoid valve 11a is closed in operations all the rooms are cooled and a major number of the rooms are cooled and a minor number of rooms are heated. and opened in operations all the rooms are heated and a major number of the rooms are heated and a minor number of rooms are cooled.
  • second check valve 6a on the gas refrigerant pipe 6 between the one point the first bypass pipe 11 is connected thereto and the gas-liquid separator 3.
  • the second check valve 6a permits refrigerant flow from the gas-liquid separator 3 to the distributor 'B', and blocks refrigerant flow from the first bypass pipe 11 to the gas-liquid separator 3.
  • the second bypass pipe 12 is connected between one point of the discharge pipe 4 between the first bypass pipe 11 and the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 and one point of the suction pipe 8.
  • the second bypass pipe 12 is connected such that the accumulator 19 is positioned between the compressor 1 and the second bypass pipe 12.
  • the distributor 'B' includes a distributor pipe 20 and a valve part 30.
  • the distributor pipe 20 guides gas or liquid refrigerant introduced thereto through the gas refrigerant pipe 6 or the liquid refrigerant pipe 7 toward the indoor units "C", and refrigerant discharged from the indoor units 'C' to the outdoor unit 'A' again.
  • the distributor pipe 20 includes a gas refrigerant connection pipe 21, a gas refrigerant branch pipe 22, a liquid refrigerant connection pipe 23, a liquid refrigerant branch pipe 24, a connection branch pipe 25, and a common branch pipe 26, of which detail is as follows.
  • the gas refrigerant pipe 21 has one end connected to the gas refrigerant pipe 6 on the outdoor unit 'A', and the liquid refrigerant pipe 23 has one end connected to the liquid refrigerant pipe 7 on the outdoor unit 'A'.
  • the gas refrigerant branch pipe 22 has a plurality of branches from the gas refrigerant connection pipe 21 connected to the indoor unit heat exchangers 62 in the indoor units 'C', and the liquid refrigerant branch pipe 24 has a plurality of branches from the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 23 connected to the electric expansion valve 61 in the indoor units 'C'.
  • connection branch pipe 25 is branched from each of the gas refrigerant branch pipes 22, and the common branch pipe 26 connects the connection branch pipes 25 branched from the gas refrigerant branch pipes 22 into one, and is connected to the suction pipe 8 in the outdoor unit 'A'.
  • the valve part 30 serves to control refrigerant flow in the distributor pipe 20, such that gas or liquid is introduced into the indoor units 'C' of the rooms selectively depending on respective operation conditions of cooling all rooms, heating all rooms, cooling a major number of the rooms and heating a minor number of rooms, and heating a major number of the rooms and cooling a minor number of rooms, and introducing the gas or liquid refrigerant from the indoor units 'C' to the outdoor unit 'A' again.
  • the valve part 30 includes a plurality of solenoid valves 31; 31a, 31b, and 31c on the gas refrigerant branch pipes 22, the gas refrigerant branch pipes 24, and the connection branch pipes 25.
  • the plurality of solenoid valves 31 are controlled such that only the solenoid valves on refrigerant connection pipes on the indoor unit side for heating, and the solenoid valves on the gas refrigerant branch pipe on the indoor side for cooling are closed, of which detailed control depending on different operation conditions will be described, later.
  • the indoor units 'C' are installed in the rooms, each inclusive of an indoor unit heat exchanger 62, an electric expansion valve 61, and a room fan (not shown).
  • the indoor unit heat exchanger 62 is connected to the gas refrigerant branch pipe 22 in the distributor 'B', and the electric expansion valve 61 is connected to the liquid refrigerant branch pipe 24 in the distributor.
  • the indoor unit heat exchangers 62 and the electric expansion valves 61 are connected with refrigerant pipe to one another.
  • the indoor unit fan is installed so as to blow air toward the indoor unit heat exchanger 62.
  • control means further included to the multi-unit air conditioner of the present invention for controlling a rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 2a.
  • the control means includes a temperature sensor 14 and a microcomputer (not shown), for controlling the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 2a so that a gas-liquid mixture ratio of the refrigerant introduced into the gas-liquid separator 3 through the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 is controlled depending on the different operation conditions.
  • the temperature sensor 14 is fitted to the support pipe 5, for measuring a refrigerant temperature flowing through the support pipe 5 after being discharged from the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2.
  • the microcomputer controls outdoor unit fan 2a to vary the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 2a so that the detected gas-liquid mixture ratio is identical to a preset gas-liquid mixture ratio required under the different operation conditions.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner of the present invention is operative such that, after the gas refrigerant from the compressor 1 is introduced into the distributor 'B' directly through the first bypass pipe 11, or after separated into gas and liquid via the outdoor heat exchanger 2 and the gas-liquid separator 3, the liquid refrigerant is introduced into the compressor 1 after passed through the electric expansion valve and the indoor unit heat exchanger of the indoor unit which cools the room, and the distributor 'B', and the gas refrigerant is introduced into the compressor 1 through the second bypass pipe 12 after passed through the indoor unit heat exchanger and the electric expansion valve of the indoor unit which heat the room via the distributor 'B', the gas-liquid separator 3, the outdoor unit electric expansion valve 13a and the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2, of which detailed operation process will be described for each of the different operation conditions, separately.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates a circuit diagram showing an operation state of the multi-unit air conditioner in FIG. 1 when all rooms are cooled.
  • the operation condition of cooling all rooms has a circulation path in which entire refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 is introduced into the compressor 1 after passing through the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2, the gas-liquid separator 3, the distributor 'B', the electric expansion valve 61, the indoor unit heat exchanger 62, and the distributor 'B' in succession, of which detail is as follows.
  • the gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 is introduced into the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 through the discharge pipe 4.
  • the first solenoid valve 4a is opened, and the second solenoid valve 11a on the first bypass pipe 11 and the third solenoid valve 12a on the second bypass pipe 12 are closed.
  • the refrigerant introduced into the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 makes heat exchange with external air blown from the outdoor unit fan 2a controlled by the control means, until supercooled into a liquid state, passes through the first check valve 5a as it flows through the support pipe 5, and introduced into the gas-liquid separator 3.
  • the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 serves as a condenser, and the outdoor unit electric expansion valve on the parallel pipe 13 is closed.
  • the high pressure liquid refrigerant introduced into the gas-liquid separator 3 passes through the liquid refrigerant pipe 7, and the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 23 in succession, and divided and introduced into the liquid refrigerant branch pipes 24.
  • the liquid refrigerant introduced into the liquid refrigerant branch pipe 24 is introduced into the indoor units 'C' after passed through the solenoid valve on the liquid refrigerant branch pipe 24.
  • the liquid refrigerant introduced into the indoor unit 'C' is expanded at the expansion valve 61, cools down the room as the refrigerant vaporizes at the indoor unit heat exchanger 62 and makes heat exchange with room air, and introduced into the gas refrigerant branch pipe 22.
  • the indoor unit heat exchanger 62 serves as a vaporizer.
  • the gas refrigerant introduced into the gas refrigerant branch pipe 22 is introduced into the common branch pipe 26 through the connection branch pipe 25.
  • the solenoid valve on the gas refrigerant branch pipe 22 is closed.
  • the gas refrigerant introduced into the common branch pipe 26 is introduced into the compressor 1 via the suction pipe 8 and the accumulator 19.
  • FIG. 2B illustrates a circuit diagram showing an operation state of the multi-unit air conditioner in FIG. 1 when all rooms are heated, wherein the operation condition of heating all rooms has a circulation path in which entire refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 is introduced into the compressor 1 through the second bypass pipe 12 after passing through the first bypass pipe 11, the distributor 'B', the indoor unit heat exchanger 62, the electric expansion valve 61, the distributor 'B', the outdoor unit electric expansion valve 13a, and the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 in succession, of which detail is as follows.
  • the gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 moves through the discharge pipe 4 toward the gas refrigerant pipe 6 through the first bypass pipe 11 as the first solenoid valve 4a is closed.
  • the gas refrigerant introduced into the gas refrigerant pipe 6 moves toward the gas refrigerant connection pipe 21 in the distributor 'B' as flow toward the gas-liquid separator 3 is limited.
  • the gas refrigerant introduced into the gas refrigerant connection pipe 21 is introduced into the gas refrigerant branch pipes 22, and, therefrom to the indoor unit heat exchangers 62 in the indoor unit 'C' as the solenoid valves on the connection branch pipes 25 are closed.
  • the gas refrigerant introduced into the indoor unit heat exchanger 62 makes heat exchange with the air blown from the indoor unit fan, to discharge condensing heat and heat the room.
  • the indoor unit heat exchanger 62 serves as a condenser.
  • the liquid refrigerant supercooled and condensed at the indoor unit heat exchanger 62 passes through the electric expansion valve 61 opened fully. and is introduced into the gas-liquid separator 3 in the outdoor unit 'A' through the liquid refrigerant branch pipe 24, the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 23, and the liquid refrigerant pipe 7.
  • the liquid refrigerant introduced into the gas-liquid separator 3 is introduced into the parallel pipe 13 as the first check valve 5a blocks the flow path, expanded at the outdoor unit electric expansion valve 13a, and makes heat exchange and vaporizes at the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2, when the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 serves as an evaporator.
  • the liquid refrigerant supercooled and condensed at the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 is guided to the second bypass pipe 12 through the discharge pipe 4 as the first solenoid valve 4a is closed, and introduced into the compressor 1 via the second bypass pipe 12, the suction pipe 8 and the accumulator 19.
  • FIG. 3A illustrates a circuit diagram showing an operation state of the multi-unit air conditioner in FIG. 1 when a major number of the rooms are cooled and a minor number of rooms are heated, wherein the operation condition of cooling a major number of rooms and heating a minor number of rooms has a circulation path in which entire refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 is introduced into the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 and the gas-liquid separator 3, wherefrom the liquid refrigerant is introduced into the compressor 1 after passing through the distributor 3, cooling room electric expansion valves 61a and 61b, cooling room indoor unit heat exchangers 62a and 62b, and the distributor 'B' in succession, and gas refrigerant is introduced into the compressor 1 through the distributor 'B', a heating room indoor unit heat exchanger 62c and a heating room electric expansion valve 61c, joined with the liquid refrigerant in the distributor 'B', and passed through the cooling room electric expansion valves 61a and 61b, cooling room indoor unit heat exchangers 62a and
  • the gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 is introduced into the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 through the discharge pipe 4, when. for guidance of the gas refrigerant, the first solenoid valve 4a is opened, and the second solenoid valve 11a on the first bypass pipe 11 and the third solenoid valve 12a on the second bypass pipe 12 are closed.
  • the gas refrigerant introduced into the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 makes heat exchange with external air blown from the outdoor unit fan 2a, to have a gas-liquid mixture ratio suitable for operation for cooling a major number of the rooms and heating a minor number of rooms. That is, if a large amount of external air is blown to the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 owing to a high rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 2a, a liquid ratio in the refrigerant becomes high, and if a small amount of external air is blown to the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 owing to a low rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 2a, a gas ratio in the refrigerant becomes high.
  • the present invention suggests to control the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 2a by means of control means, for obtaining an optimal gas-liquid mixture ratio required for an operation for cooling a major number of the rooms and heating a minor number of rooms.
  • a method for controlling operation of an outdoor unit fan in an air conditioner of the present invention for obtaining the optimal gas-liquid mixture ratio is as follows.
  • a temperature of the gas-liquid mixture refrigerant discharged from the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 is measured at the temperature sensor 14 on the support pipe 5.
  • a refrigerant temperature measured at the temperature sensor 14 and a preset refrigerant temperature are compared, to detect the gas-liquid mixture ratio of the refrigerant.
  • the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 2a is changed such that the detected gas-liquid mixture ratio of the refrigerant is identical to the preset mixture ratio required for an operation condition for cooling a major number of rooms and heating a minor number of rooms.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner of the present invention can optimize the gas-liquid mixture ratio of the refrigerant under all conditions, thereby improving a cooling/heating efficiency.
  • the refrigerant mixture ratios set at the microcomputer are experimental values fixed from tests under different load conditions, such as suitable to the two cooling side indoor units C 1 and C2 which require liquid refrigerant and the one heating indoor unit C3 which requires gas refrigerant, or suitable to a flow rate of the liquid refrigerant introduced into the two cooling side indoor units C1 and C2 through the one heating indoor unit C3, or the like.
  • the control of the outdoor unit fan 2a carried out thus is applicable to operation conditions for cooling all rooms, and heating a major number of rooms and cooling a minor number of rooms.
  • the two phased refrigerant mixed at an optimal gas-liquid mixture ratio at the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 is introduced into the gas-liquid separator 3 through the support pipe 5.
  • the outdoor unit electric expansion valve 13a on the parallel pipe 13 is closed.
  • the high pressure two phased refrigerant introduced into the gas-liquid separator 3 is separated into liquid phase refrigerant and gas phase refrigerant, wherein the liquid phase refrigerant is introduced into the liquid refrigerant pipe 7 and the gas refrigerant is introduced into the gas refrigerant pipe 6.
  • the liquid refrigerant introduced into the liquid refrigerant pipe 7 is divided into the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 23, the first liquid refrigerant branch pipe 24a and the second liquid refrigerant branch pipe 24b, expanded as the liquid refrigerant passes through the first electric expansion valve 61a and the second electric expansion valve 61b, and makes heat exchange as the refrigerant passes through the first indoor unit heat exchanger 62a and the second indoor unit heat exchanger 62b, to cool down the rooms.
  • the gas refrigerant, vaporized at the first indoor unit heat exchanger 62a and the second indoor unit heat exchanger 62b while cooling down the rooms, is introduced into a common branch pipe 26 through the first gas refrigerant branch pipe 22a and the second gas refrigerant branch pipe 22b, and the first connection branch pipe 25a and the second connection branch pipe 25b.
  • the solenoid valves 31a and 31b on the first gas refrigerant branch pipe 22a and the second gas refrigerant branch pipe 22b and the solenoid valve on the third connection branch pipe 25c on the third indoor unit C3 are closed.
  • the gas refrigerant introduced into the common branch pipe 26 is introduced into the compressor 1 through the suction pipe 8 and the accumulator 19.
  • the gas refrigerant introduced into the third gas refrigerant branch pipe 22c is introduced into the third indoor unit heat exchanger 62c, and makes heat exchange to discharge heat, and heat the room as the solenoid valve on the third connection branch pipe 25c is closed, then introduced into the third liquid refrigerant branch pipe 24c through the third electric expansion valve 61c, and joined with the liquid refrigerant flowing in the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 23. After the joining, the refrigerant introduced into the indoor units C1 and C2 cool respective rooms. and introduced into the compressor 1.
  • the liquid refrigerant introduced into the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 23 through the liquid refrigerant pipe 7 is introduced, not to the third indoor unit C3 side. but only to the sides of the first indoor unit C1 and the second indoor unit C2 owing to a pressure difference. That is, it is because a pressure of the refrigerant from the third liquid refrigerant branch pipe 24c is higher than a pressure of the refrigerant flowing toward the first liquid refrigerant branch pipe 24a and the second refrigerant branch pipe 24b.
  • FIG. 3B illustrates a circuit diagram showing an operation state of the multi-unit air conditioner in FIG. 1 when a major number of rooms are heated and a minor number of rooms are cooled, wherein the operation condition of heating a major number of rooms and cooling a minor number of rooms has a circulation path in which entire refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 is introduced into the distributor 'B' through the first bypass pipe 11, and, therefrom, reintroduced into the distributor 'B' via the heating room indoor unit heat exchangers 62a and 62b and the heating room electric expansion valves 61a and 61b, and a portion of which refrigerant is introduced into the compressor 1 via the cooling room electric expansion valve 61c and the cooling room indoor unit heat exchanger 62c and the distributor 'B', and the other portion of which refrigerant is introduced into the compressor 1 via the gas-liquid separator 3, the outdoor unit electric expansion valve 13a, and the outdoor unit heat exchanger 2 and through the second bypass pipe 12, of which detail is as follows.
  • the gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 is guided to the first bypass pipe 11 by the closed first solenoid valve through the discharge pipe 4, and introduced into the gas refrigerant pipe 6.
  • the gas refrigerant introduced into the gas refrigerant pipe 6 is introduced into the gas refrigerant connection pipe 21 on a side of the distributor 'B' by blocking of the second check valve 6a. introduced into and condensed at the first indoor heat exchanger 62a and the second indoor heat exchanger 62b through the first gas refrigerant branch pipe 22a and the second gas refrigerant branch pipe 22b, and introduced into the first liquid refrigerant branch pipe 24a and the second refrigerant branch pipe 24b via the first electric expansion valve 61a and the second electric expansion valve 61b. In this instance, the first electric expansion valve 61a and the second electric expansion valve 61b are fully opened.
  • the liquid refrigerant introduced into the first liquid refrigerant branch pipe 24a and the second refrigerant branch pipe 24b is introduced into the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 23, and a portion of the liquid refrigerant is branched toward the liquid refrigerant pipe 7, and the other portion thereof is branched toward the third liquid refrigerant branch pipe 24c.
  • the portion of liquid refrigerant branched to, and flowing in the liquid refrigerant pipe 7 is introduced into the gas-liquid separator 3, passes through the outdoor unit electric expansion valve 13a on the parallel pipe 13 guided by the first check valve 5a, and introduced into the compressor 1 through the indoor unit heat exchanger 2, the second bypass pipe 12 and the suction pipe 8.
  • the other portion of the liquid refrigerant branch to, and flowing in the third liquid refrigerant branch pipe 24c passes and expands through the third electric expansion valve 61c, makes heat exchange at the third indoor unit heat exchanger 62c and cools down the room.
  • the gas refrigerant vaporized as the refrigerant cools the room passes the third gas refrigerant branch pipe 22c and the third connection branch pipe 25c, joins with the common branch pipe 26 through the third gas refrigerant branch pipe 22c and the third connection branch pipe 25c, and introduced into the compressor 1 through the suction pipe 8.
  • the present invention having the foregoing system and operative thus has the following advantages.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner of the present invention optimal dealing with individual room environments are made available by the multi-unit air conditioner of the present invention. That is, not only the all room heating operation and the all room cooling operation, but also an operation a major number of rooms are heated and a minor number of rooms are cooled, and an operation a major number of rooms are cooled and a minor number of rooms are heated, when the rooms are selectively heated or cooled, are made available, thereby permitting to deal with individual room environments.
  • the product cost is reduced because the piping is provided with inexpensive and simple on/off valves, instead of expensive three way, and four way valves.
  • the mounting of the gas-liquid separator, not on the distributor, but on the outdoor unit permits reduction of weight of the distributor, not only making mounting of the distributor simple, but also assuring safety after the mounting more.
  • the distributor 'B' is mounted on a ceiling inside of the room, making mounting of the distributor 'B' is more difficult than the outdoor unit 'A', particularly, if the distributor 'B' is heavy, when the mounting, not only is difficult, but also requires reinforcing for supporting the distributor 'B', or otherwise, the distributor 'B' can fall down from the ceiling due to the heavy weight, the gas-liquid separator 3 is fitted in the outdoor unit 'A'.
  • the optimization of the gas-liquid mixture ratio of the two phased refrigerant introduced into the gas-liquid separator in the operations of cooling all rooms and cooling a major number of rooms and heating a minor number of rooms permits improvement of an air conditioning efficiency.
  • the invention provides a multi-unit air conditioner for independent cooling/heating of rooms, including a system in which, depending on operation conditions, gas refrigerant discharged from a compressor in an outdoor unit is introduced into a distributor through a first bypass pipe directly, or via an outdoor unit heat exchanger and a gas-liquid separator with the refrigerant separated into gas and liquid refrigerant indirectly, wherefrom the liquid refrigerant is introduced into the compressor after passed through an electric expansion valve for an indoor unit which cools the room, an indoor unit heat exchanger, and a distributor, and the gas refrigerant is introduced into the compressor through a second bypass pipe after passed through an indoor unit heat exchanger and an electric expansion valve for the indoor unit which heats the room, the distributor, the gas-liquid separator, the outdoor unit electric expansion valve, and the outdoor unit heat exchanger.
  • the invention provides a method for controlling operation of an outdoor unit fan in a multi-unit air conditioner including the steps of measuring a temperature of gas-liquid mixture refrigerant discharged from an outdoor unit heat exchanger, comparing a measured refrigerant temperature to a preset refrigerant temperature, to detect a gas-liquid mixture ratio, and varying a rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan so that a detected gas-liquid mixture ratio becomes identical to a preset mixture ratio required for an intended operation condition.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)
  • Compression-Type Refrigeration Machines With Reversible Cycles (AREA)
EP03009017A 2002-08-22 2003-04-17 Mehrzonenklimaanlage und Verfahren zur Regelung des Aussenlüfters dieser Klimaanlage Expired - Fee Related EP1391664B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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KR10-2002-0049750A KR100447202B1 (ko) 2002-08-22 2002-08-22 냉난방 동시형 멀티공기조화기 및 그 제어방법
KR2002049750 2002-08-22

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EP1391664A2 true EP1391664A2 (de) 2004-02-25
EP1391664A3 EP1391664A3 (de) 2004-03-10
EP1391664B1 EP1391664B1 (de) 2009-01-14

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EP (1) EP1391664B1 (de)
JP (1) JP4391759B2 (de)
KR (1) KR100447202B1 (de)
CN (1) CN1224817C (de)
DE (1) DE60325811D1 (de)

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US8539789B2 (en) 2009-08-17 2013-09-24 Johnson Controls Technology Company Heat-pump chiller with improved heat recovery features
US9657978B2 (en) 2009-07-31 2017-05-23 Johnson Controls Technology Company Refrigerant control system for a flash tank

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US7987679B2 (en) * 2005-02-24 2011-08-02 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Air conditioning apparatus
KR101282565B1 (ko) * 2006-07-29 2013-07-04 엘지전자 주식회사 냉난방 동시형 멀티 공기 조화기
KR101048495B1 (ko) * 2006-12-26 2011-07-12 엘지전자 주식회사 냉난방 동시형 멀티 공기조화기
WO2009018150A1 (en) 2007-07-27 2009-02-05 Johnson Controls Technology Company Multichannel heat exchanger
EP2182306B1 (de) * 2007-08-28 2017-11-01 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Klimaanlage
KR200454331Y1 (ko) * 2008-11-11 2011-06-28 김문성 밀도의 가열장치
CN102052733A (zh) * 2009-10-30 2011-05-11 玛丽·克利昂卡努特 用于冷却系统的有效运行的方法
CN102359738B (zh) * 2011-05-27 2013-05-08 青岛大学 一种热管与制冷系统复合式能量输运方法
KR101288745B1 (ko) 2011-10-27 2013-07-23 엘지전자 주식회사 공기조화기
JP6003635B2 (ja) * 2012-12-28 2016-10-05 ダイキン工業株式会社 空気調和装置及び空気調和装置の施工方法
CN103913009A (zh) * 2012-12-31 2014-07-09 赵佳佳 制冷制热空调机
CN104833126A (zh) * 2015-03-31 2015-08-12 广东美的暖通设备有限公司 多联机系统
JP6805759B2 (ja) * 2016-11-29 2020-12-23 富士電機株式会社 冷媒回路装置
CN106979593A (zh) * 2017-04-24 2017-07-25 广东美的制冷设备有限公司 控制空调器室外风机转速的方法、装置及空调器
KR102373851B1 (ko) * 2017-08-31 2022-03-14 삼성전자주식회사 공기조화기
EP3690331A4 (de) * 2017-09-29 2020-11-18 Daikin Industries, Ltd. Klimatisierungssystem
CN111637657B (zh) * 2020-05-30 2021-09-21 广东志高暖通设备股份有限公司 一种多联式制冷系统减少气液分离器容积的控制方法
CN112815491A (zh) * 2021-01-15 2021-05-18 广东积微科技有限公司 空调器的冷媒分配系统、方法、计算机设备和存储介质
CN114857662B (zh) * 2022-05-05 2023-08-29 青岛海信日立空调系统有限公司 一种多联机空调系统及其控制方法

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US8539789B2 (en) 2009-08-17 2013-09-24 Johnson Controls Technology Company Heat-pump chiller with improved heat recovery features
US9429345B2 (en) 2009-08-17 2016-08-30 Johnson Controls Technology Company Heat-pump chiller with improved heat recovery features

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CN1224817C (zh) 2005-10-26
DE60325811D1 (de) 2009-03-05
CN1477344A (zh) 2004-02-25
KR100447202B1 (ko) 2004-09-04
KR20040017601A (ko) 2004-02-27
EP1391664A3 (de) 2004-03-10
EP1391664B1 (de) 2009-01-14
JP4391759B2 (ja) 2009-12-24
JP2004085179A (ja) 2004-03-18

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