EP2076959A1

EP2076959A1 - Apparatus for controlling driving of air conditioner

Info

Publication number: EP2076959A1
Application number: EP07808427A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dai-Hyun Kim; Tae-Kyung Kim; Sung-Min Park; Hag-Wone Kim; Sun-Kyoung Lim
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2006-09-22
Filing date: 2007-09-21
Publication date: 2009-07-08
Also published as: EP2076959A4; KR101300273B1; WO2008035950A1; KR20080027076A

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner having a compressor driving motor, comprises: a controlling module implemented by integrating one or more main devices including an inverter, a converter, a switch mode power supply (SMPS), and a controlling circuit for controlling each component; and a peripheral device portion including a smoothening capacitor, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) coil, an EMI capacitor, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC), a relay, etc, and separately disposed from the controlling module. The peripheral device portion is disposed on the same plane as the controlling module, or is disposed on the controlling module in a layered form, thereby receiving a controlling signal and power from the controlling module. The peripheral device portion is configured in a package form with the controlling module.

Description

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING DRIVING OF AIR CONDITIONER

Technical Field

[1] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner having modularized components. Background Art

[2] Generally, an air conditioner drives a compressor by using a three-phase motor. An alternating current of commercial power is converted into a direct current by a power supply unit of the three-phase motor, and then the converted direct current is reconverted into an alternating current by an inverter. The re-converted alternating current is applied to the three-phase motor, thereby driving the three-phase motor.

[3] FIG. 1 is a configuration view showing an apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner in accordance with the conventional art.

[4] As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner comprises a converter 110 having an active filter 111 and a smoothening capacitor C, for converting an alternating current (AC) voltage of an AC power into a direct current (DC) voltage; an active filter controller 120 for removing harmonics and enhancing a power foctor by controlling an operation of the active filter 111 at a zero crossing point of the AC voltage; and an inverter 130 for converting a DC voltage converted by the converter 110 into an AC voltage thereby supplying the AC voltage to a three-phase motor 140 for driving a compressor.

[5] The active filter 111 includes a reactor L, a diode rectifier and power semiconductor devices Ql and Q2, and converts a waveform of an inputted alternating current into a sine wave almost similar to a phase of an inputted AC voltage. The smoothening capacitor C smoothens an AC voltage rectified by the diode rectifier of the active filter 111 into a DC voltage.

[6] The active filter controller 120 includes a synchronization signal generator 121 connected to an output port of AC power, for generating a synchronization signal when an AC voltage of the AC power passes through a zero crossing point; and a controlling circuit 122 for generating a driving signal to remove harmonics and to enhance a power fector by turning on/off the power semiconductor devices Ql and Q2 of the active filter 111 based on a synchronization signal outputted from the synchronization signal generator 121.

[7] An operation of the conventional apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner will be explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[8] An alternating current (AC) voltage cutputted from AC power is inputted to the converter 110 via the reactor L connected to the output port of the AC power so as to enhance a power factor and to reduce harmonics. The AC voltage inputted to the converter 110 is rectified by the diode rectifier of the active filter 111, and then is smoothened by the smoothening capacitor C.

[9] The active filter controller 120 controls an operation of the power semiconductor devices Ql and Q2 of the active filter 111 when an AC voltage passes through a zero crossing point, thereby enhancing a power factor of the converter 110 and reducing harmonics. That is, the synchronization signal generator 121 of the active filter controller 120 generates a synchronization signal when the AC voltage passes through a zero crossing point. Then, the controlling circuit 122 generates a driving signal (i.e., a power føctor enhancing pulse and a noise reducing pulse) based on the synchronization signal, thereby turning on/off the power semiconductor devices Ql and Q2 of the active filter 111.

[10] The inverter 130 converts a DC voltage smoothened by the smoothening capacitor C into an AC voltage, and outputs the AC voltage to the three-phase motor 140 for driving a compressor. Accordingly, an rpm of the three-phase motor 140 is controlled according to a frequency of the AC voltage.

[11] . However, since the conventional apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner has a plurality of complicated components such as the converter, the inverter and the controlling circuit, a fabrication cost is increased and a massive productivity is lowered.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[12] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner capable of reducing a fabrication cost and enhancing a productivity.

[13] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner capable of compactizing an entire structure by integrating main devices as one controlling module and by configuring a peripheral device portion and the controlling module as one package. Technical Solution

[14] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided an apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner having a compressor driving motor, comprising: a controlling module implemented by integrating main devices; and a peripheral device portion disposed at a specific position to be separated from the controlling module.

[15] Preferably, the peripheral device portion is disposed on the same plane as the controlling module or in a layered form on the controlling module, thereby receiving a controlling signal and power from the controlling module.

[16] Preferably, the peripheral device portion is configured in a package form with the controlling module.

[17] Preferably, the controlling module includes at least one of an inverter, a converter, a switch mode power supply (SMPS), and a controlling circuit for controlling each component.

[18] Preferably, the peripheral device portion includes a smoothening capacitor, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) coil, an EMI capacitor, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC), a relay, etc.

[19] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

[20] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[21] In the drawings:

[22] FIG. 1 is a configuration view showing an apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner in accordance with the conventional art;

[23] FIG. 2 is a configuration view showing an apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner according to the present invention;

[24] FIG. 3 is a view showing a controlling module of the apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention; and [25] FIG. 4 is a view showing a controlling module of the apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[26] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[27] The present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner capable of compactizing an entire structure by integrating complicated main devices as one controlling module, and by configuring simple peripheral devices and the controlling module as one package.

[28] Preferably, the main devices include at least one of an inverter, a converter, a switch mode power supply (SMPS), and a controlling circuit for controlling each component.

[29] Preferably, the peripheral devices include a smoothening capacitor, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) coil, an EMI capacitor, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC), a relay, etc.

[30] Each number and each Mnd of the main devices and the peripheral devices are not limited to the aforementioned embodiment, but can be varied according to a configuration of the apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner.

[31] FIG. 2 is a configuration view showing an apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

[32] As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner according to the present invention comprises: a controlling module 31 implemented by integrating at least one of an inverter 32, a converter 33, a switch mode power supply (SMPS) 35 and a controlling circuit 36 for controlling each component; and a peripheral device portion 32 including a smoothening capacitor, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) coil, an EMI capacitor, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC), a relay, etc.

[33] The peripheral device portion 32 is configured to be separated from the controlling module 31.

[34] The peripheral device portion 32 is disposed on the same plane as the controlling module 31, or is disposed on the controlling module 31 as one package in a layered form.

[35] FIG. 3 is a view showing a controlling module of the apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention. [36] As shown in FIG. 3, a controlling module 220 includes a converter 221, an inverter 222 and a controlling unit 223. A reactor 210 and a smoothening unit 230 of a peripheral device portion is separately from the controlling unit 223.

[37] The controlling module 220 includes a converter 221 for outputting a direct current (DC) voltage to the smoothening unit 230 by rectifying an alternating current (AC) voltage of AC power according to a first controlling signal, and boosting the DC voltage smoothened by the smoothening unit 230; an inverter 222 for converting the DC voltage of the smoothening unit 230 into an AC voltage according to a second controlling signal; and a controlling unit 223 for outputting the first and second controlling signals based on an inputted AC voltage and the DC voltage of the smoothening unit 230.

[38] FIG. 4 is a view showing a controlling module of the apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[39] As shown in FIG. 4, a controlling module 430 includes a converter 431 for rectifying an AC voltage of AC power thereby outputting a DC voltage; an inverter 432 for converting a DC voltage cutputted from the converter 431 and smoothened by a smoothening unit 440 that will be later explained into an AC voltage; a first controller 434 for controlling an operation of the converter 431 according to a controlling signal; a second controller 435 for controlling an operation of the inverter 432 according to a controlling signal; a microcomputer 436 for outputting a controlling signal to the first and second controllers 432 and 435; and an SMPS 437 for supplying power to the converter 431, the inverter 432 and the microcomputer 436.

[40] The peripheral device portion may include a reactor 410 for reducing harmonics of the AC power, a switching unit 420 for cutting off power supplied from the AC power, and a smoothening unit 440 for smoothening a DC voltage outputted from the converter 431.

[41] In the present invention, complicated main devices including at least one of an inverter, a converter, a switch mode power supply (SMPS), and a controlling circuit for controlling each component is integrated as one module. Also, the peripheral device portion including a smoothening capacitor, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) coil, an EMI capacitor, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC), a relay, etc. is configured as one package with the controlling module.

[42] In the present invention, the controlling module including at least one of an inverter, a converter, a switch mode power supply (SMPS), and a controlling circuit for con- trolling each component is provided. Also, the peripheral device portion is separately installed from the controlling module, or are mounted on the controlling module as one package. Accordingly, a fabrication cost is reduced and a productivity is enhanced.

[43] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those sMUed in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other . characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments.

[44] As the present features may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fell within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Claims

[I] An apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner having a compressor driving motor, comprising: a controlling module implemented by integrating complicated main devices; and a peripheral device portion disposed to be separated from the controlling module. [2] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device portion is disposed on the controlling module in a layered form, and receives a controlling signal and power from the controlling module. [3] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device portion is disposed on the same plane as the controlling module, and receives a controlling signal and power from the controlling module. [4] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device portion is configured in a package form with the controlling module. [5] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controlling module comprises at least one of an inverter, a converter, a switch mode power supply (SMPS), and a controlling circuit for controlling each component. [6] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device portion comprises a smoothening capacitor, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) coil, an EMI capacitor, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC), and a relay. [7] An apparatus for controlling a driving of an air conditioner having a compressor driving motor, comprising: a controlling module implemented by integrating main devices; and a peripheral device portion disposed at a specific position to be separated from the controlling module. [8] The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the peripheral device portion is disposed on the same plane as the controlling module, and receives a controlling signal and power from the controlling module. [9] The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the peripheral device portion is disposed on the controlling module in a layered form, and receives a controlling signal and power from the controlling module. [10] The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the peripheral device portion is configured in a package form with the controlling module.

[II] The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the controlling module comprises at least one of an inverter, a converter, a switch mode power supply (SMPS), and a con- trolling circuit for controlling each component.

[12] The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the peripheral device portion comprises a smoothening capacitor, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) coil, an EMI capacitor, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC), and a relay.