EP1684030B1 - Method for operating an air conditioner - Google Patents

Method for operating an air conditioner Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1684030B1
EP1684030B1 EP05027101A EP05027101A EP1684030B1 EP 1684030 B1 EP1684030 B1 EP 1684030B1 EP 05027101 A EP05027101 A EP 05027101A EP 05027101 A EP05027101 A EP 05027101A EP 1684030 B1 EP1684030 B1 EP 1684030B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
indoor units
temperature
refrigerant
indoor
operating
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP05027101A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1684030A3 (en
EP1684030A2 (en
Inventor
Do Yong Ha
Sung Oh Choi
Ki Baik Kwon
Won Chul Kang
Baik Young 304-1902 Doosan Apt. Chung
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 EP1684030A2 publication Critical patent/EP1684030A2/en
Publication of EP1684030A3 publication Critical patent/EP1684030A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1684030B1 publication Critical patent/EP1684030B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/50—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
    • F24F11/54—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/70—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
    • F24F11/80—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air
    • F24F11/83—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/70—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
    • F24F11/80—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air
    • F24F11/83—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers
    • F24F11/84—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers using 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
    • 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
    • F25B41/00—Fluid-circulation arrangements
    • F25B41/30—Expansion means; Dispositions thereof
    • F25B41/31—Expansion valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
    • F24F2110/10—Temperature
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2140/00—Control inputs relating to system states
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2140/00—Control inputs relating to system states
    • F24F2140/20—Heat-exchange fluid temperature
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2140/00—Control inputs relating to system states
    • F24F2140/50—Load
    • 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
    • F25B2313/0233—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units in parallel arrangements
    • F25B2313/02331—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units in parallel arrangements during cooling
    • 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
    • F25B2313/0233—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units in parallel arrangements
    • F25B2313/02334—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units in parallel arrangements during 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
    • F25B2600/00—Control issues
    • F25B2600/25—Control of valves
    • F25B2600/2513—Expansion valves

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for operating an air conditioner, and more particularly, to a method for operating an air conditioner which is capable of achieving the effective operation of a plurality of indoor units.
  • an air conditioner of a type wherein a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit has been used in high buildings or other buildings having a plurality of rooms.
  • This type of air conditioner is conventionally referred to as a multi-unit air conditioner.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner uses a plurality of indoor units, which are mounted in a plurality of rooms, respectively, to serve as coolers or heaters, while using one outdoor unit in common.
  • the outdoor unit includes a compressor to compress a refrigerant to a high-pressure state, a 4-way valve to switch the flow path of the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor, in accordance with the operation mode, that is, cooling mode or heating mode, of each of the indoor units, and an outdoor heat exchanger to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant, introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger, and outdoor air.
  • a compressor to compress a refrigerant to a high-pressure state
  • a 4-way valve to switch the flow path of the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor, in accordance with the operation mode, that is, cooling mode or heating mode, of each of the indoor units
  • an outdoor heat exchanger to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant, introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger, and outdoor air.
  • a plurality of expansion valves for expanding the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the outdoor heat exchanger are provided on conduits connected to the indoor units, respectively.
  • the number of the expansion valves is identical to that of the indoor units.
  • Each of the indoor units for cooling or heating the associated room includes an indoor heat exchanger to perform heat exchange between indoor air and the refrigerant, and an indoor fan to forcibly circulate the indoor air into the indoor heat exchanger, in order to improve the heat-exchange efficiency of the indoor heat exchanger. While passing through the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant, circulating through the indoor units and the outdoor unit, is heat exchanged with the indoor air.
  • the indoor units are provided with indoor unit controllers, respectively, and the outdoor unit is provided with an outdoor unit controller that communicates with the respective indoor unit controllers.
  • the corresponding indoor unit controller When an operation key of an operating panel installed in each of the indoor units is pressed, the corresponding indoor unit controller receives an operation signal, and performs a control operation for an indoor fan driver, a blowing direction regulator, an indoor temperature sensor, an indoor conduit temperature sensor, and the like required in the indoor unit in accordance with the operation signal.
  • the indoor unit controller also outputs a control signal to the outdoor unit controller, so as to enable the outdoor unit controller to perform a control operation for the compressor, the 4-way valve, and the expansion valve in accordance with the control signal.
  • each of the indoor units and the outdoor unit sends and receives operating information in a one to one ratio.
  • the operating state of the indoor units is not considered with regard to the whole indoor units when the operation of the air conditioner is controlled.
  • the indoor units exhibit uneven operating performance.
  • the indoor heat exchangers may exhibit different capabilities from each other. Also, even if the indoor units are of the same model, the indoor units may have a deviation in operating performance in accordance with various installation conditions thereof (for example, the lengths, installation heights, branched shapes, or curvatures of conduits connected to the outdoor unit).
  • EP-A-1 091 178 relates to a multiroom air conditioner and a control method therefore.
  • the target control temperature is set and stored.
  • a control piping setting circuit is provided.
  • the capacity of the compressor is controlled by comparing the control piping temperature and the piping temperature of the indoor unit adopted as the control piping temperature.
  • EP-A-1 496 316 relates to a multiple-unit type air conditioner capable of executing stable refrigerant control even when the multiple-unit type air conditioner is operating in heating mode with a plurality of the indoor units in a stopped condition. It also provides a control method for such an air conditioner.
  • the air conditioner includes an outdoor unit having an outdoor heat exchanger, a plurality of indoor units each having an indoor heat exchanger, a refrigerant circuit, electric motor operated valves, a discharge pipe thermistor, and an outdoor controller.
  • the refrigerant circuit links the outdoor heat exchanger, a compressor, and the indoor heat exchangers together.
  • the electric motor operated valves are provided in the refrigerant circuit and serve to adjust the amount of refrigerant flowing into each of the indoor heat exchangers, respectively.
  • the discharge pipe thermistor serves to detect the temperature of the discharge pipe of the compressor.
  • the outdoor controller controls the opening degree of the electric motor operated valves corresponding to the indoor units that are stopped based on the temperature of the discharge pipe.
  • the outdoor controller also revises the opening degrees of the electric motor operated valves corresponding to the indoor units that are stopped on an individual basis.
  • the present invention is directed to a method for operating an air conditioner that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating an air conditioner which is capable of achieving the effective operation of a plurality of indoor units.
  • a method for operating an air conditioner comprises the steps of: a) receiving operating state information of a plurality of indoor units connected to one outdoor unit; b) determining whether or not the amount of refrigerant to be distributed into the indoor units needs to be regulated, based on the operating state information of the indoor units; and c) regulating the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed into the indoor units.
  • the operating state information may include at least one of the temperature of air discharged from each of the indoor units, the temperature of each of indoor unit conduits, the temperature of air suctioned into each of the indoor units, and a flow rate value of each of the indoor units.
  • the method may further comprise the step of: confirming that a controller receives the operating state information from all the indoor units.
  • the step b) may comprise the sub steps of: b1) calculating the operating performance of each of the indoor units based on the operating state information; and b2) determining whether or not the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed needs to be regulated, in accordance with the operating performance of each of the indoor units.
  • the operating performance may be calculated by the proportion of an actual operating capability in relation to a rated operating capability under a preset operation condition.
  • the rated operating capability may be a preset temperature of each of the indoor units, and the actual operating capability may be the temperature of air discharged from each of the indoor units under the preset operation condition.
  • the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed may be regulated when it is determined that there are at least one indoor unit having the operating performance below 1 and at least one indoor unit having the operating performance more than 1.
  • the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed may be regulated in the step c), so that an increased amount of the refrigerant is introduced into one or ones of the indoor units having the operating performance below 1.
  • the step b1) may comprise the step of: comparing the temperature of air discharged from each of the indoor units with the average temperature of air discharged from all the indoor units, to calculate the operating performance.
  • the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed may be regulated when it is determined that there are at least one indoor unit in which the temperature of air discharged therefrom is higher than the average temperature and at least one indoor unit in which the temperature of air discharged therefrom is lower than the average temperature.
  • the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed may be regulated in the step c), so that an increased amount of the refrigerant is introduced into one or ones of the indoor units in which the temperature of air discharged therefrom is lower than the average temperature of air discharged from all the indoor units.
  • the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed may be regulated in the step c), so that an increased amount of the refrigerant is introduced into one or ones of the indoor units in which the temperature of air discharged therefrom is higher than the average temperature of air discharged from all the indoor units.
  • the step b1) may comprise the step of: comparing the temperature of each of indoor unit conduits with the average temperature of all the indoor unit conduits, to calculate the operating performance.
  • the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed may be regulated when it is determined that there are at least one indoor unit in which the temperature of the associated conduit is higher than the average temperature and at least one indoor unit in which the temperature of the associated conduit is lower than the average temperature.
  • the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed may be regulated in the step c), so that an increased amount of the refrigerant is introduced into one or ones of the indoor units in which the temperature of the associated conduit is lower than the average temperature of all the indoor unit conduits.
  • the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed may be regulated in the step c), so that an increased amount of the refrigerant is introduced into one or ones of the indoor units in which the temperature of the associated conduit is higher than the average temperature.
  • FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an example of an air conditioner which is operable in accordance with an air conditioner operating method of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for operating an air conditioner in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGs. 3A and 3B are flow charts illustrating a method for operating an air conditioner in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGs. 4A and 4B are flow charts illustrating a method for operating an air conditioner in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • the air conditioner is a multi-unit air conditioner, and includes a plurality of indoor units 10, 20, and 30, and one outdoor unit 40.
  • the following description defines three indoor units. However, it should be understood that the number of the indoor units is not essentially limited thereto.
  • the outdoor unit 40 includes a compressor 41 to compress a refrigerant to a high-temperature and high-pressure state, a 4-way valve 42 to switch the flow path of the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor 41, in accordance with operation mode (for example, cooling mode or heating mode), and an outdoor heat exchanger 43 to perform heat exchange between the circulating refrigerant and outdoor air.
  • operation mode for example, cooling mode or heating mode
  • outdoor heat exchanger 43 to perform heat exchange between the circulating refrigerant and outdoor air.
  • An outdoor fan 44 is arranged at one side of the outdoor heat exchanger 43.
  • the outdoor fan 44 sucks outdoor air, and forcibly blows the sucked air toward the outdoor heat exchanger 43, in order to enable the outdoor air heat exchanger 43 to perform effective heat exchange.
  • a main electronic expansion valve 45 is provided at a main conduit connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 43.
  • the main electronic expansion valve 45 controls the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 43 to regulate the over-heating degree or over-cooling degree of the refrigerant in accordance with the operation mode of the indoor units.
  • a plurality of sub electronic expansion valves 11, 21, and 31 are provided at branched-conduits, which are branched from the main conduit to be connected to the indoor units 10, 20, and 30, respectively.
  • Each of the sub electronic expansion valves 11, 21, and 31 is operated under control of a controller (not shown), in order to enable the associated indoor unit 10, 20 or 30 to selectively perform an air conditioning operation for the associated room in accordance with the operation condition of the associated indoor unit 10, 20 or 30. That is, each of the sub electronic expansion valves 11, 21, and 31 regulates the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed into the associated indoor unit 10, 20, or 30, and selectively cuts off the refrigerant supplied to the associated indoor unit 10, 20, or 30. In particular, the sub electronic expansion valves 11, 21, and 31 expand the circulating refrigerant to an easily evaporable low-temperature and low-pressure state.
  • the indoor units 10, 20, and 30 include respective indoor heat exchangers 12, 22, and 32 for heating or cooling indoor air, and respective indoor fans 13, 23, and 33 for forcibly circulating the indoor air into the indoor heat exchangers 12, 22, and 32 to enable the indoor heat exchangers 12, 22, and 32 to effectively perform heat exchange.
  • the 4-way valve 42 When the indoor units 10, 20, and 30 operate in cooling mode in the air conditioner having the above-described configuration, the 4-way valve 42 is in an Off state. Accordingly, the refrigerant flows along the path as indicated by solid-line arrows in FIG. 1 .
  • the 4-way valve 42 is in an ON state.
  • the refrigerant flows along the path as indicated by dotted-line arrows in FIG. 1 .
  • indoor unit controllers are mounted in the indoor units 10, 20, and 30, respectively, to receive operating state information of all the indoor units 10, 20, and 30 and to output the information to an outdoor unit controller (not shown) mounted in the outdoor unit 40.
  • the outdoor unit controller receives and generalizes the operating state information outputted from the indoor unit controllers, to perform a control operation for the air conditioner.
  • FIGs. 2 , 3A and 3B , and 4A and 4B a method for operating the air conditioner in accordance with several embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGs. 2 , 3A and 3B , and 4A and 4B .
  • the method for operating the air conditioner comprises the steps of: (S10) receiving operating state information of the indoor units 10, 20, and 30 connected to the outdoor unit 40; (S20) determining whether or not the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed into the indoor units 10, 20, and 30 needs to be regulated, based on the operating state information of the indoor units 10, 20, and 30; and (S30) regulating the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed into the indoor units 10, 20, and 30.
  • the operating state information may include at least one of the temperature T d of air discharged from each of the indoor units 10, 20, and 30, the temperature Tp of each of indoor unit conduits, the temperature T s of air suctioned into each of the indoor units 10, 20, and 30, and the flow rate value of air of each of the indoor units 10, 20, and 30.
  • each of the indoor unit controllers receives the above-described operating state information of the associated indoor unit 10, 20, or 30.
  • the indoor unit also outputs the operating state information to the outdoor unit controller.
  • the outdoor unit controller receives the operating state information of all the indoor unit controllers outputted from the indoor unit controllers, to generalize the information.
  • the method for operating the air conditioner in accordance with the present invention further comprises the step of: (S11) confirming that the outdoor unit controller receives the operating state information from all the indoor units.
  • the determination step S20 comprises the sub steps of: (S21) calculating the operating performances of the indoor units based on the operating state information; and (S22) determining whether or not the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed needs to be regulated in accordance with the operating performances of the indoor units.
  • the operating performance may be calculated by the proportion of an actual operating capability of each of the indoor units in relation to a rated operating capability of the corresponding indoor unit under a preset operation condition.
  • the operating performance of each of the indoor units can be calculated.
  • the operating performance can be calculated by dividing the actual temperature T d of air discharged from each of the indoor units by the preset temperature of the corresponding indoor unit under the preset operation condition.
  • the operating performance may be calculated in the same manner by the use of the temperature T s of air to be suctioned, or the temperature Tp of the associated indoor unit conduit.
  • the temperature T s of air to be suctioned corresponds to the temperature of indoor air of each of rooms to be suctioned into the associated indoor unit.
  • the operating performance can be calculated by dividing the temperature T s of air to be suctioned by the preset temperature of the associated room.
  • the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed be regulated to increase the inflow of refrigerant into the indoor unit.
  • the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed be regulated to decrease the inflow of refrigerant into the indoor unit.
  • the outdoor unit controller when it is determined that there are at least one indoor unit having the operating performance below 1 and at least one indoor unit having the operating performance more than 1, the outdoor unit controller outputs a command to regulate the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed.
  • the regulation step S30 for regulating the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed can be carried out by regulating the sub electronic expansion valves 11, 21, and 31 provided at the respective branched conduits connected to the indoor units, respectively.
  • FIG. 3A illustrates a method for operating the air conditioner when the indoor units 10, 20, and 30 operate in cooling mode
  • FIG. 3B illustrates a method for operating the air conditioner when the indoor units 10, 20, and 30 operate in heating mode.
  • the method for operating the air conditioner in accordance with the present embodiment comprises the steps of: (S100) receiving operating state information of the indoor units 10, 20, and 30 connected to the outdoor unit 40; (S200) determining whether or not the amount of refrigerant to be distributed into the indoor units 10, 20, and 30 needs to be regulated, based on the operating state information of the indoor units 10, 20, and 30; and (S300) regulating the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed into the indoor units 10, 20, and 30.
  • the operating state information of the indoor units 10, 20, and 30, to be received in the step S100 includes the temperature T d of air discharged from each of the indoor units.
  • the determination step S200 comprises the sub steps of: (S210) comparing the temperature T d of air discharged from each of the indoor units with the average temperature T da of air discharged from the indoor units to calculate the operating performances of the indoor units; and (S220) determining whether or not the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed needs to be regulated in accordance with the operating performances of the indoor units.
  • the outdoor unit controller collects the temperatures T d of air discharged from all the indoor units 10, 20, and 30 to thereby calculate the average temperature T da . Subsequently, the outdoor unit controller compares the average temperature T da with the temperature T d of air discharged from each of the indoor units, thereby calculating the operating performance of each of the indoor units.
  • the outdoor unit controller classifies the indoor units into some indoor units in which the temperature T d of air discharged therefrom is higher than the average temperature T da and the remainder in which the temperature T d of air discharged therefrom is lower than the average temperature T da .
  • the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed is regulated in the regulation step S300, so that an increased amount of the refrigerant is introduced into one or ones of the indoor units in which the temperature T d of air discharged therefrom is higher than the average temperature T da .
  • the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed is regulated in the regulation step S300, so that an increased amount of the refrigerant is introduced into one or ones of the indoor units in which the temperature T d of air discharged therefrom is lower than the average temperature T da .
  • the outdoor unit controller when it is determined that there are at least one indoor unit in which the temperature T d of air discharged therefrom is higher than the average temperature T da and at least one indoor unit in which the temperature T d of air discharged therefrom is lower than the average temperature T da , the outdoor unit controller outputs a command to regulate the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed.
  • the regulation step S300 for regulating the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed can be carried out by regulating the sub electronic expansion valves 11, 21, and 31 provided at the respective branched conduits connected to the indoor units, respectively.
  • FIG. 4A illustrates a method for operating the air conditioner when the indoor units 10, 20, and 30 operate in cooling mode
  • FIG. 4B illustrates a method for operating the air conditioner when the indoor units 10, 20, and 30 operate in heating mode.
  • the method for operating the air conditioner in accordance with the present embodiment comprises the steps of: (S400) receiving operating state information of the indoor units 10, 20, and 30 connected to the outdoor unit 40; (S500) determining whether or not the amount of refrigerant to be distributed into the indoor units 10, 20, and 30 needs to be regulated, based on the operating state information of the indoor units 10, 20, and 30; and (S600) regulating the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed into the indoor units 10, 20, and 30.
  • the operating state information of the indoor units 10, 20, and 30, to be received in the step S400 includes the temperature Tp of each of the indoor unit conduits.
  • the determination step S500 comprises the sub steps of: (S510) comparing the temperature Tp of each of the indoor unit conduits with the average temperature T pa of the indoor unit conduits to calculate the operating performances of the indoor units; and (S520) determining whether or not the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed needs to be regulated in accordance with the operating performances of the indoor units.
  • the outdoor unit controller collects the temperatures Tp of the conduits connected to all the indoor units 10, 20, and 30 to thereby calculate the average temperature T pa . Subsequently, the outdoor unit controller compares the average temperature T pa with the temperature Tp of each of the indoor unit conduits, thereby calculating the operating performance of each of the indoor units.
  • the outdoor unit controller classifies the indoor units into some indoor units in which the temperature Tp of the associated conduit is higher than the average temperature T pa and the remainder in which the temperature Tp of the associated conduit is lower than the average temperature T pa .
  • the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed is regulated in the regulation step S600, so that an increased amount of the refrigerant is introduced into one or ones of the indoor units in which the temperature Tp of the associated conduit is higher than the average temperature T pa .
  • the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed is regulated in the regulation step S600, so that an increased amount of the refrigerant is introduced into one or ones of the indoor units in which the temperature Tp of the associated conduit is lower than the average temperature Tp a .
  • the outdoor unit controller when it is determined that there are at least one indoor unit in which the temperature Tp of the associated conduit is higher than the average temperature T pa and at least one indoor unit in which the temperature T p of the associated conduit is lower than the average temperature T pa , the outdoor unit controller outputs a command to regulate the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed.
  • the regulation step S600 for regulating the amount of the refrigerant to be distributed can be carried out by regulating the sub electronic expansion valves 11, 21, and 31 provided at the respective branched conduits connected to the indoor units, respectively.
  • the amount of refrigerant to be distributed into each of indoor units can be regulated based on operating state information of all the indoor units. This effectively eliminates a deviation of operating capability between the indoor units caused by differences in the design, manufacture, or installation of the air conditioner. As a result, it is possible to achieve not only the effective operation of the indoor units, but also an improvement in the air conditioning efficiency of a room.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)
EP05027101A 2004-12-14 2005-12-12 Method for operating an air conditioner Not-in-force EP1684030B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020040105329A KR100640856B1 (ko) 2004-12-14 2004-12-14 멀티 공기조화기의 제어방법

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1684030A2 EP1684030A2 (en) 2006-07-26
EP1684030A3 EP1684030A3 (en) 2006-11-29
EP1684030B1 true EP1684030B1 (en) 2008-11-19

Family

ID=36582223

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05027101A Not-in-force EP1684030B1 (en) 2004-12-14 2005-12-12 Method for operating an air conditioner

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20060123810A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP1684030B1 (zh)
KR (1) KR100640856B1 (zh)
CN (1) CN1789845A (zh)
DE (1) DE602005011094D1 (zh)

Families Citing this family (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9261299B2 (en) * 2006-09-22 2016-02-16 Siemens Industry, Inc. Distributed microsystems-based control method and apparatus for commercial refrigeration
GB2450893A (en) * 2007-07-10 2009-01-14 Philip J Davies Method of controlling a space forced convection cooling or heating system
KR101270621B1 (ko) * 2007-12-21 2013-06-03 엘지전자 주식회사 공기조화 시스템
KR101229345B1 (ko) * 2008-02-13 2013-02-05 삼성전자주식회사 멀티형 공기조화기의 제어방법
KR20100123729A (ko) * 2008-02-28 2010-11-24 다이킨 고교 가부시키가이샤 냉동장치
KR101505856B1 (ko) * 2010-09-08 2015-03-25 삼성전자 주식회사 공기조화기 및 그 제어방법
WO2013019537A2 (en) * 2011-07-29 2013-02-07 Carrier Corporation Hvac systems
JP5858824B2 (ja) * 2012-03-01 2016-02-10 三菱電機株式会社 マルチ形空気調和機
CN102654303A (zh) * 2012-05-09 2012-09-05 青岛海尔空调电子有限公司 空调系统、用于空调系统的压力调整方法和装置
CN103512152B (zh) * 2013-05-31 2016-01-06 广东美芝精密制造有限公司 空调系统及用于其的冷媒量的控制方法
JP6099204B2 (ja) * 2013-09-24 2017-03-22 株式会社Ｌｉｘｉｌ 住宅の室温調整装置及び住宅の室温調整方法
CN105588284A (zh) * 2016-01-04 2016-05-18 广东美的暖通设备有限公司 空调系统室内机冷媒分流控制方法及装置
CN105823183B (zh) * 2016-05-11 2019-05-03 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 空调器的温度控制方法及装置
JP7294027B2 (ja) * 2019-09-24 2023-06-20 株式会社富士通ゼネラル 空気調和装置
JP2021050848A (ja) * 2019-09-24 2021-04-01 株式会社富士通ゼネラル 空気調和装置

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS62102046A (ja) * 1985-10-28 1987-05-12 Toshiba Corp 空気調和機
JPS6334459A (ja) * 1986-07-29 1988-02-15 株式会社東芝 空気調和機
US6209338B1 (en) * 1998-07-15 2001-04-03 William Bradford Thatcher, Jr. Systems and methods for controlling refrigerant charge
JP3137114B1 (ja) * 1999-10-06 2001-02-19 松下電器産業株式会社 多室形空気調和装置
JP3772777B2 (ja) * 2002-03-27 2006-05-10 ダイキン工業株式会社 空気調和機および空気調和機の制御方法
KR100640855B1 (ko) * 2004-12-14 2006-11-02 엘지전자 주식회사 멀티 공기조화기의 제어 방법

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1684030A3 (en) 2006-11-29
US20060123810A1 (en) 2006-06-15
CN1789845A (zh) 2006-06-21
EP1684030A2 (en) 2006-07-26
DE602005011094D1 (de) 2009-01-02
KR100640856B1 (ko) 2006-11-02
KR20060066838A (ko) 2006-06-19

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