KR102199382B1 - Air Conditioner and Controlling method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; An outdoor heat exchanger installed outdoors to exchange refrigerant with outdoor air; An indoor heat exchanger installed indoors to exchange refrigerant with indoor air; A switching valve for guiding the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the outdoor heat exchanger during cooling operation and to the indoor heat exchanger during heating operation; A heat storage jacket disposed on the surface of the compressor and through which a heat storage medium absorbing heat generated from the compressor flows therein; A heat storage tank connected to the heat storage jacket to store a heat storage medium absorbing heat from the compressor; A heat storage heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the heat storage medium and refrigerant stored in the heat storage tank; An air conditioner comprising a circulation means for circulating the heat storage heat exchanger, the heat storage jacket, and a heat storage medium flowing through the heat storage tank, and to an air conditioner capable of simultaneous heating and defrosting operation without deteriorating heating capacity.

Description

Air Conditioner and Controlling method for the same}

The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner that absorbs waste heat from a compressor and maintains heating capacity even during a defrost operation, and a control method thereof.

In general, an air conditioner is a device that cools or heats the room by using a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an indoor heat exchanger. That is, it may be composed of a cooler that cools the room and a heater that heats the room. In addition, it may be configured as an air conditioner for both cooling and heating that cools or heats the room.

When the air conditioner is configured as an air conditioner for both cooling and heating, it includes a four-way valve that changes the flow path of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor according to the cooling operation and the heating operation. That is, during cooling operation, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor passes through a four-way valve to flow to the outdoor heat exchanger, and the outdoor heat exchanger acts as a condenser. Then, the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger is expanded by the expansion valve and then introduced into the indoor heat exchanger. At this time, the indoor heat exchanger acts as an evaporator, and the refrigerant evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger passes through the four-way valve again and flows into the compressor.

In such an air conditioner, frost is generated on the surface of the liquid pipe of the outdoor heat exchanger during a heating operation, reducing heating efficiency. Therefore, in order to remove frost, etc., a separate defrost operation was performed to remove frost on the surface of the liquid pipe. However, there is a problem in that heating must be stopped in the indoor unit during defrost operation.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an air conditioner and a control method thereof that maintain heating capability even during defrosting operation by using waste heat such as a compressor.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an air conditioner and a control method for reducing power consumption during heating operation by using waste heat such as a compressor.

The problems of the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; An outdoor heat exchanger installed outdoors to exchange refrigerant with outdoor air; An indoor heat exchanger installed indoors to exchange refrigerant with indoor air; A switching valve for guiding the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the outdoor heat exchanger during cooling operation and to the indoor heat exchanger during heating operation; A heat storage jacket disposed on the surface of the compressor and through which a heat storage medium absorbing heat generated from the compressor flows therein; A heat storage tank connected to the heat storage jacket to store a heat storage medium absorbing heat from the compressor; A heat storage heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the heat storage medium and refrigerant stored in the heat storage tank; And a circulation means for circulating a heat storage medium flowing through the heat storage heat exchanger, the heat storage jacket, and the heat storage tank.

In order to achieve the above object, a control method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; An outdoor heat exchanger installed outdoors to exchange refrigerant with outdoor air; An indoor heat exchanger installed indoors to exchange refrigerant with indoor air; A switching valve for guiding the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the outdoor heat exchanger during cooling operation and to the indoor heat exchanger during heating operation; A heat storage jacket disposed on the surface of the compressor and through which a heat storage medium absorbing heat generated from the compressor flows therein; A heat storage tank connected to the heat storage jacket to store a heat storage medium absorbing heat from the compressor; A heat storage heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the heat storage medium and refrigerant stored in the heat storage tank; A bypass valve provided between the compressor and the switching valve and opened during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation to guide a portion of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the outdoor heat exchanger; And a first expansion mechanism provided between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger and opened during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation to guide the refrigerant to the heat storage heat exchanger, wherein the bypass valve Is opened to guide a portion of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the outdoor heat exchanger, and the switching valve guides the rest of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the indoor heat exchanger to initiate simultaneous heating and defrosting operations; Guiding the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger and the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger to the heat storage heat exchanger by opening the first expansion mechanism; And guiding the refrigerant evaporated in the heat storage heat exchanger to the compressor.

Details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

The air conditioner of the present invention has one or more of the following effects.

First, 　There is an advantage of improving the heating capacity because the heating operation can be performed without interruption of the heating operation during the defrost operation.

Second, there is also an advantage of reducing power consumption by using waste heat generated from the compressor and IPM during heating operation.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a refrigerant cycle circuit diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of refrigerant during a heating operation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing a flow of refrigerant during a cooling operation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of refrigerant during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of refrigerant during a heating operation using heat storage of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a graph showing the heating capacity during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a block diagram of an air conditioner during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an air conditioner during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and a method of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in a variety of different forms, only the present embodiments are intended to complete the disclosure of the present invention, and the general knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to completely inform the scope of the invention to those who have it, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. The same reference numerals refer to the same components throughout the specification.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a refrigerant cycle circuit diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 8 is a view showing a part of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 8, an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor 110 for compressing a refrigerant; An outdoor heat exchanger 120 installed outdoors for exchanging a refrigerant with outdoor air; An indoor heat exchanger 130 installed indoors for exchanging a refrigerant with indoor air; A switching valve 180 guiding the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 to the outdoor heat exchanger 120 during a cooling operation and to the indoor heat exchanger 130 during a heating operation; A heat storage jacket 115 disposed on the surface of the compressor 110 and through which a heat storage medium absorbing heat generated from the compressor 110 flows therein; A heat storage tank 200 connected to the heat storage jacket 115 to store a heat storage medium absorbing heat from the compressor 110; A heat storage heat exchanger 210 for exchanging heat between the heat storage medium and the refrigerant stored in the heat storage tank 200; And a circulation means 220 for circulating the heat storage medium flowing through the heat storage heat exchanger 210, the heat storage jacket 115 and the heat storage tank 200.

The air conditioner includes an outdoor unit disposed outdoors and an indoor unit disposed indoors, and the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are connected to each other. The outdoor unit includes a compressor 110, a heat storage jacket 115, an outdoor heat exchanger 120, a second expansion mechanism 150, a heat storage tank 200, a heat storage heat exchanger 210, a gas-liquid separator 230, and an injection module 170. ) Is provided. The indoor unit is provided with an indoor heat exchanger 130 and an indoor expansion mechanism 160.

The compressor 110 is installed in an outdoor unit and compresses the incoming low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant. The compressor 110 may have various structures, and may be a reciprocating compressor using a cylinder and a piston, or a scroll compressor using an orbiting scroll and a fixed scroll. However, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when a desired indoor temperature is set, an inverter compressor that adjusts the amount of refrigerant compression based on the actual indoor temperature, the actual outdoor temperature, and the number of indoor units operated. The inverter compressor adjusts the compression amount of the refrigerant by the operating frequency applied from the power device 116 to be described later. The compressor 110 may be provided in plural according to the embodiment, and in this embodiment, two compressors 110 are provided.

The compressor 110 may include an injection module 170 that bypasses a part of the refrigerant flowing from the outdoor heat exchanger 120 to the indoor heat exchanger 130 and injects it into the compressor 110. In this embodiment, An injection module 170 is provided in the compressor 110. However, in other embodiments, the injection module 170 may not be provided.

The compressor 110 includes an inlet port and an injection module 170 into which the refrigerant evaporated from the indoor heat exchanger 130 during cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 120 or the refrigerant evaporated from the heat storage heat exchanger 210 during heating operation are introduced. And an injection port through which the refrigerant expanded and evaporated in the air is introduced and a discharge port through which the compressed refrigerant is discharged.

The refrigerant flowing into the inlet port has a lower pressure and temperature than the refrigerant flowing into the injection port. The refrigerant flowing into the injection port has a lower pressure and temperature than the refrigerant discharged through the discharge port.

The compressor 110 compresses the refrigerant introduced into the inlet port in a compression chamber and merges with the refrigerant flowing into the injection port formed in the compression chamber to compress it. The compressor 110 compresses the joined refrigerant and discharges it to a discharge port.

The discharge passage 117 connects the discharge port of the compressor 110 and the switching valve 180, and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 flows. The discharge passage 117 emits heat by flowing a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. The discharge passage 117 has a heat storage hub 118 disposed on the surface.

The heat storage hub 118 is disposed on the surface of the discharge passage 117. In the heat storage hub 118, a heat storage medium that absorbs heat generated from the discharge passage 117 flows therein. The heat storage hub is connected to the heat storage tank 200. Therefore, the heat generated in the discharge passage 117 is absorbed by the heat storage medium and stored in the heat storage tank 200.

The bypass valve 190 is provided between the compressor 110 and the switching valve 180, and is opened during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation. The opened bypass valve 190 guides a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 to the outdoor heat exchanger 120. The bypass valve 190 is closed during a heating operation, a cooling operation, or a heating operation using heat storage.

The power device 116 controls the operating frequency of the inverter compressor 110 to control the amount of refrigerant compression of the compressor 110. The power device 116 is made of IPM and includes a switch therein. The power device 116 controls the operating frequency of the inverter compressor 110 according to the switching operation of the switch.

The power device 116 generates heat according to the switching operation of the switch, and radiates heat to the outside through a heat radiation fin. The power device 116 is connected to the heat storage tank 200. Accordingly, the heat generated by the power device 116 is absorbed by the heat storage medium and stored in the heat storage tank 200.

The gas-liquid separator 230 is installed in the outdoor unit and is provided between the compressor 110 and the switching valve 180. That is, the gas-liquid separator 230 is provided between the switching valve 180 and the inlet port of the compressor 110. Accordingly, the gaseous refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 230 flows into the inlet port of the compressor 110.

The gas-liquid separator 230 separates gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. That is, the gas-liquid separator 230 is a refrigerant evaporated from the indoor heat exchanger 130 during a cooling operation, a refrigerant evaporated from the outdoor heat exchanger 120 during a heating operation, and a refrigerant evaporated from the heat storage heat exchanger 210 during a heating operation using heat storage. Alternatively, gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant are separated from the refrigerant evaporated in the heat storage heat exchanger 210 during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation.

The switching valve 180 is a valve for switching cooling and heating, and guides the compressed refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 to the outdoor heat exchanger 120 during cooling operation and to the indoor heat exchanger 130 during heating operation. According to an embodiment, the switching valve 180 may be implemented as a four-way valve capable of switching four flow paths or a combination of various valves.

The switching valve 180 is connected to a discharge port of the compressor 110, a gas-liquid separator 230, an indoor heat exchanger 130, and an outdoor heat exchanger 120. The switching valve 180 connects the discharge port of the compressor 110 and the outdoor heat exchanger 120 during cooling operation, and connects the indoor heat exchanger 130 and the gas-liquid separator 230. In addition, the switching valve 180 connects the discharge port of the compressor 110 and the indoor heat exchanger 130 during heating operation, and connects the outdoor heat exchanger 120 and the gas-liquid separator 230.

The switching valve 180 may be implemented as various modules capable of connecting different flow paths, and in this embodiment, it is a four-way valve for switching the flow path.

The outdoor heat exchanger 120 is installed in an outdoor space to exchange refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 120 with outdoor air. The outdoor heat exchanger 120 acts as a condenser for condensing refrigerant during cooling operation and discharges warmth to the outside. In addition, the outdoor heat exchanger 120 acts as an evaporator to evaporate the refrigerant during the heating operation and discharges cold air to the outside. The outdoor heat exchanger 120 is connected to the bypass valve 190, the switching valve 180, and the second expansion mechanism 150.

During the cooling operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 passes through the discharge port and the switching valve, flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 120, and then condenses and flows to the second expansion mechanism 150. During the heating operation, the refrigerant expanded in the second expander flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 120 and then evaporates to flow to the switching valve 180.

During simultaneous heating and defrosting operation, the bypass valve 190 is opened. Accordingly, a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 120 and then condenses to defrost frost on the outdoor heat exchanger 120. The refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 120 flows to the second expansion mechanism 150.

The second expansion mechanism 150 is fully opened during the cooling operation to allow the refrigerant to pass therethrough, and the opening degree is adjusted during the heating operation or the heating operation using heat storage to expand the refrigerant. The second expansion device 150 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 120, the injection module 170, and the first expansion device 140.

The indoor heat exchanger 130 is installed in the indoor unit and exchanges heat with indoor air for refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 130. The indoor heat exchanger 130 acts as an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant during cooling operation, and functions as a condenser that condenses the refrigerant during heating operation, heating operation using heat storage, or simultaneous heating and defrosting operation.

The indoor heat exchanger 130 is connected to the switching valve 180 and the indoor expansion mechanism 160. During the cooling operation, the refrigerant expanded by the indoor expansion mechanism 160 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 130 and then evaporates to flow to the switching valve 180. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 during a heating operation, a heating operation using heat storage, or a simultaneous heating and defrost operation is introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 130 by the switching valve 180. The refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 130 is condensed and flows to the indoor expansion mechanism 160.

The indoor expansion mechanism 160 is installed in the indoor unit and expands the refrigerant by adjusting the opening degree during cooling operation. The indoor expansion mechanism 160 is completely opened during a heating operation, a simultaneous heating and defrosting operation, or a heating operation using heat storage to pass the refrigerant. The indoor expansion mechanism 160 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 130 and the injection module 170. That is, the indoor expansion mechanism 160 is provided between the indoor heat exchanger 130 and the injection module 170. However, according to an embodiment, the indoor expansion device 160 may be connected to the indoor heat exchanger 130, the first expansion device 140, and the injection module 170.

The indoor expansion mechanism 160 expands the refrigerant flowing from the injection module 170 to the indoor heat exchanger 130 during cooling operation. The indoor expansion mechanism 160 passes the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130 during a heating operation, a simultaneous heating and defrosting operation, or a heating operation using heat storage.

The injection module 170 is installed in the outdoor unit and may supercool the refrigerant flowing during the cooling operation, supercool the refrigerant flowing during the heating operation, or inject a part of the flowing refrigerant into the compressor 110. According to an embodiment, the injection module 170 may inject a part of the refrigerant flowing during the cooling operation into the compressor 110. The injection module 170 is connected to the indoor expansion device 160, the injection valve 171, the subcooling valve 240, the first expansion device 140 and the second expansion device 150.

The injection module 170 expands and evaporates a part of the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 120 during cooling operation, and supercools the rest of the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 120 to guide the indoor expansion mechanism 160 do. Some of the refrigerant expanded and evaporated by the injection module 170 flows into the gas-liquid separator 230 through the subcooling valve 240.

The injection module 170 expands and evaporates a part of the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130 during heating operation, and the rest of the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130 is guided to the second expansion mechanism 150 do. The refrigerant expanded and evaporated by the injection module 170 is injected into the compressor 110 through an injection port. At this time, since the subcooling valve 240 is in a closed state, the expanded and evaporated refrigerant does not flow to the gas-liquid separator 230. However, according to the embodiment, the subcooling valve 240 may be opened to flow to the gas-liquid separator 230.

The injection module 170 includes an injection expansion valve for expanding a part of the refrigerant that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 130 and an injection heat exchanger 172 for supercooling by exchanging the rest of the refrigerant with the refrigerant expanded in the injection expansion valve. .

The injection expansion valve is connected to the indoor expansion device 160 and the injection heat exchanger 172. During cooling operation, the injection expansion valve is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 120 to expand a part of the refrigerant that has passed through the injection heat exchanger 172 and guides it to the injection heat exchanger 172. During the heating operation, the injection expansion valve expands a part of the refrigerant that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 130 and the indoor expansion mechanism 160 and guides it to the injection heat exchanger 172.

The injection heat exchanger 172 is connected to the second expansion device 150, the indoor expansion device 160, the injection expansion valve, the subcooling valve 240, and the injection valve 171.

The injection heat exchanger 172 heats the refrigerant flowing through the second expansion mechanism 150 from the outdoor heat exchanger 120 during the cooling operation and the refrigerant expanded in the injection expansion valve, and during the heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger 130 The refrigerant flowing through the indoor expansion mechanism 160 and the refrigerant expanded in the injection valve 171 are exchanged with each other.

During the cooling operation, the injection heat exchanger 172 heats the refrigerant flowing from the outdoor heat exchanger 120 through the second expansion mechanism 150 with the refrigerant expanded by the injection expansion valve. During the cooling operation, the refrigerant supercooled in the injection heat exchanger 172 flows to the indoor expansion mechanism 160 and the evaporated refrigerant flows to the gas-liquid separator 230 through the subcooling valve 240.

During the heating operation, the injection heat exchanger 172 heats the refrigerant flowing from the indoor heat exchangers 130 and 130 through the indoor expansion mechanism 160 with the refrigerant expanded in the injection expansion valve. During the heating operation, the refrigerant supercooled in the injection heat exchanger 172 flows to the second expansion mechanism 150 and the evaporated refrigerant is injected into the injection port of the compressor 110 through the injection valve 171. However, in another embodiment of the present invention, the evaporated refrigerant may flow to the gas-liquid separator 230 through the subcooling valve 240.

The subcooling valve 240 is disposed between the injection heat exchanger 172 and the gas-liquid separator 230. The subcooling valve 240 is opened during the cooling operation and expands in the injection valve 171 to guide the refrigerant evaporated in the injection heat exchanger 172 to the gas-liquid separator 230. The refrigerant guided to the gas-liquid separator 230 merges with the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 130. The subcooling valve 240 is closed during the heating operation to prevent the refrigerant evaporated from the injection heat exchanger 172 from flowing to the gas-liquid separator 230. However, in another embodiment of the present invention, the subcooling valve 240 may be opened when certain conditions are met during the heating operation to guide the refrigerant evaporated from the injection heat exchanger 172 to flow to the gas-liquid separator 230.

The injection valve 171 is disposed between the injection heat exchanger 172 of the injection module 170 and the injection port of the compressor 110. The injection valve 171 is closed during the cooling operation. The injection valve 171 is opened when the subcooling valve 240 is closed during a heating operation, and is expanded by the injection expansion valve to guide the refrigerant evaporated from the injection heat exchanger 172 to the injection port of the compressor 110.

The heat storage tank 200 is installed in the outdoor unit and is connected to the heat storage jacket 115, the power device 116 and the heat storage hub 118. Accordingly, the heat storage tank 200 stores a heat storage medium that absorbs heat generated from the compressor 110, heat generated from the power device 116, and heat generated from the discharge passage 117. However, depending on the embodiment, the heat storage tank 200 is connected to the heat storage jacket 115, but may not be connected to the power device 116 or the heat storage hub 117.

The heat storage tank 200 heats the stored heat storage medium with a refrigerant in the heat storage heat exchanger 210. Therefore, the heat storage tank 200 serves as a heating power storage device. The heat storage tank 200 is disposed near the compressor 110 to reduce the flow distance of the heat storage medium.

The heat storage tank 200 may be formed as large as possible to store as much heat storage medium as possible. This is to enable the heat storage medium to supply as much evaporation heat as possible when radiating heat from the heat storage heat exchanger 210 to the refrigerant. It is preferable that the heat storage tank 200 is set to a minimum size that satisfies the temperature of the heat storage tank 200 at least 0 degrees when the simultaneous heating and defrost operation is completed.

The heat storage medium stored in the heat storage tank 200 is made of a material having excellent heat recovery and fluidity, and the heat storage medium is usually brine such as a saline solution or an aqueous calcium chloride solution, or ordinary water. The heat storage medium flows through the heat storage jacket 115, the power element 116, the heat storage hub 118, the heat storage tank 200, and the heat storage heat exchanger 210 by the circulation means 220. The heat storage medium absorbs heat generated from the compressor 110, the power device 116 and the discharge passage 117 by flowing the heat storage jacket 115, the power device 116, and the heat storage hub 118. The heat storage medium absorbing heat is stored in the heat storage tank 200. The heat storage medium stored in the heat storage tank 200 flows to the heat storage heat exchanger 210 by the circulation means 220 during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation and heat storage utilization heating operation, and exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the heat storage heat exchanger 210. That is, the heat storage medium dissipates the absorbed heat with the refrigerant.

Since the circulation means 220 is not driven during the cooling operation, the heat storage medium does not flow to the heat storage jacket 115, the heat storage heat exchanger 210, the power device 116, and the heat storage hub 118. Therefore, heat is not stored in the heat storage tank 200 during the cooling operation.

During the heating operation, the circulation means 220 is driven and the heat storage medium flows to the heat storage jacket 115, the heat storage heat exchanger 210, the power device 116, and the heat storage hub 118. However, the heat storage medium stored in the heat storage tank 200 flows to the heat storage heat exchanger 210 but does not heat exchange with the coolant because the coolant does not flow into the heat storage heat exchanger 210. Accordingly, the flowing heat storage medium continuously stores heat in the heat storage tank 200 by absorbing heat from the compressor 110, the power device 116, and the discharge passage 117.

During the heating operation using heat storage or the simultaneous heating and defrosting operation, the circulation means 220 is driven so that the heat storage medium flows to the heat storage jacket 115, the heat storage heat exchanger 210, the power device 116, and the heat storage hub 118. The heat storage medium stored in the heat storage tank 200 flows to the heat storage heat exchanger 210 to exchange heat with the refrigerant in the heat storage heat exchanger 210. That is, the heat storage medium radiates heat to the coolant, and the coolant absorbs heat from the heat storage medium and evaporates. The refrigerant evaporated in the heat storage heat exchanger 210 flows into the gas-liquid separator 230.

The heat storage jacket 115 is disposed on the surface of the compressor 110 and is disposed to surround a portion of the surface around the compressor 110. The heat storage jacket 115 has one end and the other end of the portion surrounding the circumference of the compressor 110 are spaced apart. The heat storage jacket 115 is disposed to be in contact with the surface of the compressor 110. Depending on the embodiment, the heat storage jacket 115 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the surface of the compressor 110. The heat storage jacket 115 is made of a material having high thermal conductivity to absorb heat generated from the surface of the compressor 110.

The heat storage jacket 115 is connected to the heat storage tank 200 and the heat storage heat exchanger 210. Accordingly, the heat storage jacket 115 receives the heat storage medium heat-exchanged by the heat storage heat exchanger 210, and the heat storage medium absorbing heat generated from the compressor 110 is discharged to the heat storage tank 200.

The heat storage jacket 115 is provided with a flow path to allow the heat storage medium to flow along the surface of the compressor 110. Accordingly, the heat storage medium introduced into the heat storage jacket 115 absorbs heat generated from the compressor 110 while flowing along the circumferential surface of the compressor 110 along the flow passage.

The heat storage jacket 115 is provided with an inlet through which the heat storage medium heat-exchanged in the heat storage heat exchanger 210 flows into the lower side. The heat storage medium introduced into the heat storage jacket 115 circulates around the peripheral surface of the compressor 110 along the flow passage. The heat storage jacket 115 is provided with an outlet through which the heat storage medium absorbing heat generated from the compressor 110 is discharged to the heat storage tank 200 on the upper side.

The heat storage heat exchanger 210 is installed in the outdoor unit and is provided between the heat storage tank 200 and the heat storage jacket 115. The heat storage heat exchanger 210 is connected to the first expansion mechanism 140, the heat storage tank 200, the heat storage jacket 115, and the gas-liquid separator 230. However, according to the embodiment, the heat storage heat exchanger 210 may also be connected to the power device 116, the heat storage hub 118, and the like.

The heat storage heat exchanger 210 heat-exchanges the heat storage medium stored in the heat storage tank 200 and the refrigerant expanded in the first expansion mechanism 140 to be described later during a heating operation using heat storage or a simultaneous heating and defrost operation. Therefore, the heat storage medium radiates heat by the refrigerant and the refrigerant absorbs heat and evaporates. The refrigerant evaporated in the heat storage heat exchanger 210 is discharged to the gas-liquid separator 230. The heat storage heat exchanger 210 does not exchange heat between the heat storage medium and the refrigerant because the first expansion mechanism 140 is closed during the heating operation.

The circulation means 220 is installed in the outdoor unit and circulates the heat storage medium flowing through the heat storage jacket 115, the heat storage tank 200, the heat storage heat exchanger 210, the power device 116, and the heat storage hub 118. Accordingly, the heat storage medium is forcibly flowed through the heat storage jacket 115, the heat storage tank 200, the heat storage heat exchanger 210, the power device 116, and the heat storage hub 117. Accordingly, the absorption rate of heat generated from the heat storage jacket 115, the power device 116, and the discharge passage 117 is increased, so that the amount of heat storage of the heat storage tank 200 is increased. The circulation means 220 is generally made of a pump. The circulation means 220 may be provided in plural to increase circulation power.

The circulation means 220 forcibly circulates the heat storage medium during a heating operation, a heating operation using heat storage, or a simultaneous operation of heating and defrosting. However, the circulation means 220 does not forcibly circulate the heat storage medium because it is not driven during the cooling operation. However, according to the embodiment, the circulation pump may be driven even during cooling operation.

The first expansion mechanism 140 is installed in the outdoor unit, and is provided between the outdoor heat exchanger 120 and the injection module 170. However, according to an embodiment, the first expansion mechanism 140 may be provided between the outdoor heat exchanger 120 and the indoor heat exchanger 130. The first expansion mechanism 140 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 120, the heat storage heat exchanger 210, and the injection heat exchanger 172. However, according to an embodiment, the first expansion mechanism 140 may be connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 120, the heat storage heat exchanger 210, and the indoor heat exchanger 130.

The first expansion mechanism 140 is opened during a heating operation using heat storage or simultaneous heating and defrosting operation to guide the refrigerant to the heat storage heat exchanger 210. The first expansion mechanism 140 expands the refrigerant flowing to the heat storage heat exchanger 210 by adjusting the opening degree. However, the first expansion mechanism 140 is closed during a heating operation or a cooling operation, and does not guide the refrigerant to the heat storage heat exchanger 210.

The first expansion mechanism 140 guides a part of the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130 to the heat storage heat exchanger 210 during a heating operation using heat storage, and a refrigerant flowing to the heat storage heat exchanger 210 by adjusting the opening degree. Inflate

The first expansion mechanism 140 guides the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130 and the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 120 to the heat storage heat exchanger 210 during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation, and adjusts the opening degree. The refrigerant flowing to the heat storage heat exchanger 210 is expanded.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings in order to describe the operation mode of the air conditioner according to embodiments of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of refrigerant during a heating operation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the compressor 110 is driven by receiving an operating frequency from the power device 116 during heating operation. The compressor 110 discharges high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant through a discharge port.

The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 flows to the switching valve 180 through the discharge passage 117. The switching valve 180 switches the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 to the indoor heat exchanger 130.

The indoor heat exchanger 130 exchanges heat with the introduced high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant and indoor air. Accordingly, the indoor heat exchanger 130 condenses the introduced refrigerant and increases the temperature of the indoor air. In other words, it heats the room.

The indoor expansion mechanism 160 is completely open to allow the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130 to pass. The refrigerant that has passed through the indoor expansion mechanism 160 flows to the injection module 170.

The injection module 170 bypasses and expands a portion of the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130. The injection module 170 heat-exchanges a part of the expanded refrigerant with the rest of the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130. Accordingly, some of the expanded refrigerant absorbs heat from the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130 and evaporates.

The injection module 170 injects the expanded and evaporated refrigerant into the compressor 110 through an injection port. However, according to an embodiment, the injection module 170 may not bypass some of the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130.

The refrigerant supercooled in the injection module 170 flows to the second expansion mechanism 150. The second expansion mechanism 150 expands the refrigerant supercooled in the injection module 170. The refrigerant expanded by the second expansion mechanism 150 flows to the outdoor heat exchanger 120. The first expansion mechanism 140 is closed during the heating operation. Accordingly, the refrigerant supercooled in the injection module 170 does not flow to the heat storage heat exchanger 210.

The outdoor heat exchanger 120 exchanges heat with the refrigerant expanded by the second expansion mechanism 150 and outdoor air. The outdoor heat exchanger 120 evaporates the introduced refrigerant. The refrigerant evaporated from the outdoor heat exchanger 120 flows to the switching valve 180. The switching valve 180 switches the refrigerant evaporated from the outdoor heat exchanger 120 to the gas-liquid separator 230.

The gas-liquid separator 230 separates the introduced refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 230 flows to the compressor 110 through an inlet port.

The circulation means 220 is operated together when the compressor 110 is operated. However, according to an exemplary embodiment, the circulation means 220 may be operated after some time has elapsed after the compressor 110 operates. The circulation means 220 forcibly circulates the heat storage medium flowing through the heat storage tank 200, the heat storage heat exchanger 210, the compressor 110, the heat storage jacket 115, the power device 116, and the heat storage hub 118.

The forcibly circulated heat storage medium absorbs heat generated from the compressor 110, the power device 116, and the discharge passage 117 and stores it in the heat storage tank 200.

In the heat storage heat exchanger 210, the first expansion mechanism 140 is closed so that the refrigerant does not flow in. Therefore, heat exchange does not occur between the heat storage medium and the refrigerant. The heat storage tank 200 continuously stores heat generated from the compressor 110, the power device 116, and the discharge passage 117.

3 is a block diagram showing a flow of refrigerant during a cooling operation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the compressor 110 is driven by receiving an operating frequency from the power device 116 during cooling operation. The compressor 110 discharges high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant through a discharge port.

The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 flows to the switching valve 180 through a discharge port. The switching valve 180 switches the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 to the outdoor heat exchanger 120.

The outdoor heat exchanger 120 exchanges heat with the incoming high temperature and high pressure refrigerant and outdoor air. Accordingly, the outdoor heat exchanger 120 condenses the introduced refrigerant.

The second expansion mechanism 150 is completely opened to pass the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 120. The refrigerant that has passed through the second expansion mechanism 150 flows to the injection module 170.

The injection module 170 bypasses and expands a part of the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 120. The injection module 170 heat-exchanges part of the expanded refrigerant with the rest of the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 120. Accordingly, some of the expanded refrigerant absorbs heat from the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 120 and evaporates.

The refrigerant supercooled in the injection module 170 flows to the indoor expansion mechanism 160. The indoor expansion mechanism 160 expands the refrigerant supercooled in the injection module 170 by adjusting the opening degree.

The subcooling valve 240 is opened to flow the refrigerant expanded and evaporated by the injection module 170 to the gas-liquid separator 230. However, according to an embodiment, the injection module 170 may not bypass a part of the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 120.

The indoor heat exchanger 130 heat-exchanges the refrigerant expanded by the indoor expansion mechanism 160 with outdoor air. The indoor heat exchanger 130 evaporates the refrigerant expanded in the indoor expansion mechanism 160 and lowers the temperature of the indoor air. That is, it cools the room. The refrigerant evaporated from the indoor heat exchanger 130 flows to the switching valve 180.

The switching valve 180 switches the refrigerant evaporated from the indoor heat exchanger 130 to the gas-liquid separator 230. The refrigerant evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 130 merges with the refrigerant expanded and evaporated in the injection module 170 and flows to the gas-liquid separator 230.

The gas-liquid separator 230 separates the introduced refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 230 flows to the compressor 110 through an inlet port.

During the cooling operation, the circulation means 220 does not operate. Therefore, the heat storage medium is not forced to be circulated by the circulation means 220. However, the heat storage medium may be circulated by natural convection.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of refrigerant during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a graph showing the heating capacity during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 and 6, the compressor 110 is driven by receiving an operating frequency from the power device 116 during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation. The compressor 110 discharges high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant through a discharge port. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 flows to the switching valve 180 through a discharge port.

The bypass valve 190 is opened during heating and defrosting operations. The bypass valve 190 guides a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 to the outdoor heat exchanger 120. Accordingly, some of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 flows to the outdoor heat exchanger 120, and the rest flows to the switching valve 180.

The outdoor heat exchanger 120 exchanges heat with the incoming high temperature and high pressure refrigerant and outdoor air. The refrigerant is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 120 to release heat to the outdoor air. Accordingly, the outdoor heat exchanger 120 removes frost, etc. attached to the liquid pipe through heat dissipation of the refrigerant. That is, defrost.

The refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 120 flows to the second expansion mechanism 150. The second expansion mechanism 150 is completely opened to pass the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 120. Accordingly, the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 120 merges with the refrigerant supercooled in the injection module 170 and flows to the first expansion mechanism 140.

The first expansion mechanism 140 is opened and guides the joined refrigerant to the heat storage heat exchanger 210. The first expansion mechanism 140 expands the joined refrigerant by adjusting the opening degree.

The switching valve 180 switches the rest of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 to the indoor heat exchanger 130. The indoor heat exchanger 130 exchanges heat with the introduced high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant and indoor air. Therefore, the indoor heat exchanger 130 condenses the introduced refrigerant. Accordingly, the indoor heat exchanger 130 increases the temperature of the indoor air. In other words, it heats the room.

The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130 passes through the fully opened indoor expansion mechanism 160 and flows to the injection module 170. The injection module 170 bypasses and expands a portion of the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130. The injection module 170 exchanges the expanded refrigerant with the rest of the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130. Accordingly, some of the expanded refrigerant absorbs heat from the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130 and evaporates.

The refrigerant expanded and evaporated by the injection module 170 is injected into the compressor 110 through an injection port. However, according to the embodiment, the injection module 170 may not bypass the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130.

The refrigerant supercooled in the injection module 170 merges with the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 120 and flows to the first expansion mechanism 140. The first expansion mechanism 140 is opened and guides the joined refrigerant to the heat storage heat exchanger 210. The first expansion mechanism 140 expands the joined refrigerant by adjusting the opening degree. The refrigerant expanded in the first expansion mechanism 140 flows to the heat storage heat exchanger 210.

The heat storage heat exchanger 210 heat-exchanges the heat storage medium stored in the heat storage tank 200 with the refrigerant expanded in the first expansion mechanism 140. Accordingly, the refrigerant is evaporated by absorbing heat from the heat storage medium. The refrigerant evaporated in the heat storage heat exchanger 210 flows into the gas-liquid separator 230.

The gas-liquid separator 230 separates the introduced refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 230 flows into the compressor 110 through an inlet port.

When the compressor 110 is operated for simultaneous heating and defrosting operation, the circulation means 220 is also operated. However, according to an exemplary embodiment, the circulation means 220 may be operated after some time passes after the compressor 110 operates. The circulation means 220 allows the heat storage medium stored in the heat storage tank 200 to be forcibly circulated to the heat storage heat exchanger 210, the heat storage jacket 115 and the heat storage tank 200.

The circulation means 220 is operated during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation. However, according to an exemplary embodiment, the circulation means 220 may be operated after some time has elapsed after the compressor 110 operates. The circulation means 220 forcibly circulates the heat storage medium flowing to the heat storage heat exchanger 210, the heat storage jacket 115, the power device 116, the heat storage hub 118, and the heat storage tank 200.

The heat storage medium stored in the heat storage tank 200 flows to the heat storage heat exchanger 210 by the circulation means 220. As described above, the heat storage heat exchanger 210 heats the heat storage medium with the refrigerant expanded in the first expansion mechanism 140. The heat storage medium heat-exchanged in the heat storage heat exchanger 210 flows to the heat storage jacket 115, the heat storage hub 118, and the power device 116. The heat storage medium absorbs heat generated from the compressor 110, the discharge passage 117, and the power device 116.

The heat storage medium absorbing heat from the heat storage jacket 115, the heat storage hub 118, and the power device 116 flows to the heat storage tank 200. The heat storage tank 200 stores a heat storage medium absorbing heat. The stored heat storage medium flows back to the heat storage heat exchanger 210 by the circulation means 220.

Simultaneous heating and defrosting operation is preferably used after the heating operation is operated to sufficiently store heat in the heat storage tank 200. That is, before the simultaneous heating and defrosting operation, the switching valve 180 guides the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 to the indoor heat exchanger 130 to start the heating operation, and the circulation means 220 at the same time as the heating operation starts. This drive circulates the heat storage medium through the heat storage jacket 115, the heat storage hub 118, and the power device 116. As the heat storage medium is forcibly circulated, it absorbs heat generated from the compressor 110, the power device 116, and the discharge passage 117 and stores it in the heat storage tank 200.

If a defrost operation is required after that, heating and defrost operation is started. Simultaneous heating and defrosting operation may perform a heating operation simultaneously with the defrosting operation because the refrigerant is evaporated using a heat source stored in the heat storage tank 200. Therefore, it is possible to perform a continuous heating operation without deteriorating the heating capacity.

In addition, when the simultaneous heating and defrosting operation is terminated, the air conditioner operates the heating operation again. However, immediately after the simultaneous heating and defrosting operation is completed, the temperature of the heat storage tank 200 is low. Accordingly, the heat storage tank 200 absorbs a lot of heat generated from the compressor 110 and stores heat, so that the discharge temperature of the compressor 110 may be reduced. Accordingly, immediately after the simultaneous heating and defrosting operation of the air conditioner ends, the circulation means 220 may not operate until the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 has a set superheat degree.

7 is a block diagram of an air conditioner during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an air conditioner during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 and 8, the control unit starts the heating operation (S210). When the control unit switches the switching valve 180, the switching valve 180 connects the discharge port of the compressor 110 and the indoor smoke exchanger, and connects the first inlet port of the compressor 110 and the outdoor heat exchanger 120. do. The controller completely opens the indoor expansion mechanism 160 according to the heating operation control logic, and adjusts the operating speed of the compressor 110 and the opening degree of the second expansion mechanism 150.

When the heating operation is started, the circulation means 220 is driven. The circulation means 220 forcibly circulates the heat storage medium flowing through the heat storage tank 200, the heat storage jacket 115, the power element 116, the heat storage hub 118, and the heat storage heat exchanger 210.

The heat storage tank 200 stores a heat storage medium absorbing heat generated from the compressor 110, the power device 116 and the discharge passage 117. Therefore, heat is stored in the heat storage tank 200 (S220). The control unit closes the first expansion mechanism 140 during heating operation. Accordingly, the refrigerant is prevented from flowing into the heat storage heat exchanger 210 so that heat can be continuously stored in the heat storage tank 200.

After the heating operation is started, the control unit determines whether a defrost operation is necessary. The control unit determines whether the conditions of the defrost operation are satisfied. Conditions for the defrosting operation may be set based on the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 120.

The temperature of the refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 120 is sensed through an outdoor temperature sensor disposed in the outdoor heat exchanger 120. The control unit may determine whether the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 120 is lower than the preset temperature of the refrigerant to determine whether the condition of the defrost operation is satisfied.

When the conditions of the defrost operation are satisfied, the control unit opens the bypass valve 190 and the first expansion mechanism 140 to start the simultaneous heating and defrost operation (S240). By opening the bypass valve 190, a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 is guided to the outdoor heat exchanger 120. The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant guided to the outdoor heat exchanger 120 removes frost from the outdoor heat exchanger 120.

The control unit guides the rest of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 to the indoor heat exchanger 130 through the switching valve 180. The indoor heat exchanger 130 heats the incoming refrigerant and indoor air to heat it.

The control unit completely opens the indoor expansion mechanism 160 and passes the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 130. The control unit completely opens the second expansion mechanism 150 and passes the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the outdoor heat exchanger 120.

The controller opens the first expansion mechanism 140 to guide the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the outdoor heat exchanger 120 and the indoor heat exchanger 130 to the heat storage heat exchanger 210. The controller expands the refrigerant guided to the heat storage heat exchanger 210 by adjusting the opening degree of the first expansion mechanism 140.

The heat storage heat exchanger 210 heats the heat storage medium stored in the heat storage tank 200 with the refrigerant to evaporate the refrigerant (S250). The refrigerant evaporated in the heat storage heat exchanger 210 flows into the gas-liquid separator 230. The gas-liquid separator 230 separates the refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant and injects the gaseous refrigerant into the compressor 110.

The control unit determines whether a defrost operation is necessary (S260). The control unit determines whether the conditions for the defrost operation are satisfied. When the conditions of the defrost operation are satisfied, the control unit continuously performs heating and defrosting simultaneous operation. When the condition of the defrosting operation is not satisfied, the control unit closes the bypass valve 190 and the first expansion mechanism 140 (S270). The control unit stops the defrosting operation and performs only the heating operation. Therefore, even when the defrosting operation is performed, the heating operation can be continued without deteriorating the heating capacity.

5 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of refrigerant during a heating operation using heat storage of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, during a heating operation using heat storage, the compressor 110 is driven by receiving an operating frequency from the power device 116. The compressor 110 discharges high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant through a discharge port.

The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 flows to the switching valve 180 through the discharge passage 117. The switching valve 180 switches the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 to the indoor heat exchanger 130.

The indoor heat exchanger 130 exchanges heat with the introduced high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant and indoor air. Accordingly, the indoor heat exchanger 130 condenses the introduced refrigerant and increases the temperature of the indoor air.

The indoor expansion mechanism 160 is completely open to allow the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130 to pass. The refrigerant that has passed through the indoor expansion mechanism 160 flows to the injection module 170.

The injection module 170 bypasses and expands a portion of the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130. The injection module 170 heat-exchanges a part of the expanded refrigerant with the rest of the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130. Accordingly, some of the expanded refrigerant absorbs heat from the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130 and evaporates.

The injection module 170 injects the expanded and evaporated refrigerant into the compressor 110 through an injection port. However, according to an embodiment, the injection module 170 may not bypass the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 130.

The refrigerant supercooled in the injection module 170 flows to the second expansion mechanism 150. The first expansion mechanism 140 is opened during a heating operation using heat storage. Accordingly, a part of the refrigerant supercooled in the injection module 170 is guided to the heat storage heat exchanger 210. The first expansion mechanism 140 expands the refrigerant flowing to the heat storage heat exchanger 210 by adjusting the opening degree. The refrigerant expanded in the first expansion mechanism 140 flows to the heat storage heat exchanger 210.

The heat storage heat exchanger 210 heat-exchanges the refrigerant expanded in the first expansion mechanism 140 with the heat storage medium stored in the heat storage tank 200. The heat storage heat exchanger 210 evaporates the introduced refrigerant. The refrigerant evaporated in the heat storage heat exchanger 210 flows to the gas-liquid separator 230. The refrigerant evaporated in the heat storage heat exchanger 210 merges with the refrigerant evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 120 and flows into the gas-liquid separator 230.

The temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the gas-liquid separator 230 during the heating operation using heat storage is higher than the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the gas-liquid separator 230 during the heating operation. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption by reducing the number of revolutions of the inverter compressor 110.

The second expansion mechanism 150 expands the rest of the refrigerant supercooled in the injection module 170 by adjusting the opening degree. The refrigerant expanded in the second expansion mechanism 150 flows to the outdoor heat exchanger 120.

The outdoor heat exchanger 120 heat-exchanges the refrigerant expanded in the second expansion mechanism 150 with outdoor air. The outdoor heat exchanger 120 evaporates the refrigerant expanded in the second expansion mechanism 150. The refrigerant evaporated from the outdoor heat exchanger 120 flows to the switching valve 180.

The switching valve 180 switches the refrigerant evaporated from the outdoor heat exchanger 120 to the gas-liquid separator 230. The refrigerant evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 120 merges with the refrigerant evaporated in the heat storage heat exchanger 210 and flows to the gas-liquid separator 230.

The gas-liquid separator 230 separates the introduced refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 230 flows into the compressor 110 through an inlet port.

The circulation means 220 is operated during a heating operation using heat storage. However, according to an exemplary embodiment, the circulation means 220 may be operated after some time has elapsed after the compressor 110 operates. The circulation means 220 forcibly circulates the heat storage medium flowing to the heat storage heat exchanger 210, the heat storage jacket 115, the power device 116, the heat storage hub 118, and the heat storage tank 200.

The heat storage medium stored in the heat storage tank 200 flows to the heat storage heat exchanger 210 by the circulation means 220. As described above, the heat storage heat exchanger 210 heats the heat storage medium with the refrigerant expanded in the first expansion mechanism 140. The heat storage medium heat-exchanged in the heat storage heat exchanger 210 flows to the heat storage jacket 115, the heat storage hub 118, and the power device 116. The heat storage jacket 115, the discharge passage 117 and the power device 116 generate heat to the outside, and the heat storage medium absorbs heat.

The heat storage medium absorbing heat from the heat storage jacket 115, the heat storage hub 118, and the power device 116 flows to the heat storage tank 200. The heat storage tank 200 stores a heat storage medium absorbing heat. The stored heat storage medium flows back to the heat storage heat exchanger 210 by the circulation means 220. The heating operation using heat storage is preferably used after the heating operation is operated to sufficiently store heat in the heat storage tank 200.

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and in the technical field to which the present invention belongs without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims. Various modifications are possible by those of ordinary skill in the art, as well as these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or prospect of the present invention.

110: compressor 115: heat storage jacket
116: power element 117: discharge passage
118: heat storage hub 120: outdoor heat exchanger
130: indoor heat exchanger 140: first expansion mechanism
150: second expansion device 160: indoor expansion device
170: injection module 180: selector valve
190: bypass valve 200: heat storage tank
210: heat storage heat exchanger 220: circulation means
230: gas-liquid separator 240: subcooling valve

Claims (13)

A compressor for compressing a refrigerant;
An outdoor heat exchanger installed outdoors to exchange refrigerant with outdoor air;
An indoor heat exchanger installed indoors to exchange refrigerant with indoor air;
A switching valve for guiding the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the outdoor heat exchanger during cooling operation and to the indoor heat exchanger during heating operation;
A heat storage jacket disposed on the surface of the compressor and through which a heat storage medium absorbing heat generated from the compressor flows therein;
A heat storage tank connected to the heat storage jacket to store a heat storage medium absorbing heat from the compressor;
A heat storage heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the heat storage medium and refrigerant stored in the heat storage tank;
And a circulation means for circulating a heat storage medium flowing through the heat storage heat exchanger, the heat storage jacket and the heat storage tank,
The circulation means,
An air conditioner that does not circulate the heat storage medium during cooling operation. The method of claim 1,
The heat storage jacket,
An air conditioner having a flow passage through which a heat storage medium flows along the surface of the compressor. The method of claim 1,
Including a power element for controlling the operating frequency of the compressor,
The heat storage tank is connected to the power device and stores a heat storage medium that absorbs heat generated from the power device, and
The circulation means is an air conditioner for circulating the heat storage tank and the heat storage medium flowing through the power element. The method of claim 1,
It is disposed on the surface of the discharge passage through which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows, and a heat storage hub through which a heat storage medium absorbing heat generated from the discharge passage flows therein,
The heat storage tank is connected to the heat storage hub and stores a heat storage medium that absorbs heat generated from the discharge passage,
The circulation means is an air conditioner for circulating a heat storage medium flowing through the heat storage tank and the heat storage hub. The method of claim 1,
An air conditioner provided between the compressor and the switching valve and comprising a gas-liquid separator for separating gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant The method of claim 1,
A bypass valve provided between the compressor and the switching valve and opened during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation to guide a portion of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the outdoor heat exchanger; And
And a first expansion mechanism provided between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger and opened during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation to guide the refrigerant to the heat storage heat exchanger,
The first expansion mechanism is an air conditioner for expanding the refrigerant flowing to the heat storage heat exchanger by adjusting an opening degree. The method of claim 1,
A first expansion mechanism provided between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger and opened during a heat storage utilization heating operation to guide a part of the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger to the heat storage heat exchanger,
The first expansion mechanism is an air conditioner for expanding the refrigerant flowing to the heat storage heat exchanger by adjusting an opening degree. The method of claim 1,
An air conditioner comprising a second expansion mechanism provided between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger and configured to expand the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger during a heating operation or a heating operation using heat storage. delete A compressor for compressing a refrigerant;
An outdoor heat exchanger installed outdoors to exchange refrigerant with outdoor air;
An indoor heat exchanger installed indoors to exchange refrigerant with indoor air;
A switching valve for guiding the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the outdoor heat exchanger during cooling operation and to the indoor heat exchanger during heating operation;
A heat storage jacket disposed on the surface of the compressor and through which a heat storage medium absorbing heat generated from the compressor flows therein;
A heat storage tank connected to the heat storage jacket to store a heat storage medium absorbing heat from the compressor;
A heat storage heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the heat storage medium and refrigerant stored in the heat storage tank;
A bypass valve provided between the compressor and the switching valve and opened during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation to guide a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the outdoor heat exchanger; And
In the control method of an air conditioner comprising a first expansion mechanism provided between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger and opened during simultaneous heating and defrosting operation to guide the refrigerant to the heat storage heat exchanger,
The bypass valve is opened to guide part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the outdoor heat exchanger, and the switching valve guides the rest of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the indoor heat exchanger to initiate simultaneous heating and defrosting operation. step;
Guiding the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger and the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger to the heat storage heat exchanger by opening the first expansion mechanism;
Evaporating the refrigerant by exchanging the heat storage medium of the heat storage tank with the refrigerant by the heat storage heat exchanger; And
And guiding the refrigerant evaporated from the heat storage heat exchanger to the compressor. The method of claim 10,
And a circulation means for circulating the heat storage heat exchanger, the heat storage jacket, and a heat storage medium flowing through the heat storage tank. The method of claim 10,
The first expansion mechanism controls an opening degree to expand the refrigerant flowing to the heat storage heat exchanger. The method of claim 10,
Prior to the simultaneous heating and defrosting operation, the switching valve guides the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the indoor heat exchanger to initiate a heating operation; And
The control method of an air conditioner further comprising the step of storing a heat storage medium in which the heat storage tank absorbs heat from the compressor.

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