KR20060098299A - Air conditioner and defrost control method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a defrosting control method thereof. The method includes determining whether the defrosting operation is to be performed, and when the defrosting operation is to be performed, the compressor 420 and the four sides 410 are turned off and The fan 440 is a defrosting first step of operating the indoor fan 240 and the auxiliary heater 220 for a predetermined time while turned on, the compressor 420 and the four sides 410 is turned on (on) The defrosting stage 2 performs the cooling operation by turning off the outdoor fan 440, turns off the compressor 420 and the four sides 410, and turns on the outdoor fan 440. , Defrosting step for operating the indoor fan 240 and the auxiliary heater 220 for a predetermined time. Therefore, an efficient defrosting operation can be performed in response to changes in the operating state of the air conditioner and the external environment.

Air Conditioner, Defrost Operation, Defrost Inrush Conditions, Intelligent

Description

Air conditioner and defrost control method of the same

1 is a schematic view showing the inside of a general air conditioner.

2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional air conditioner capable of performing a defrost operation.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a conventional defrosting operation control method.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the air conditioner of FIG.

6 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a defrost control method of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a defrost control method of the air conditioner according to the present invention for updating the defrost operation inrush conditions in response to the state of the air conditioner and the external environment.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

200: indoor unit 201: power unit

202: room temperature detection unit 203: room piping temperature detection unit

204: outdoor temperature sensor 205: outdoor pipe temperature sensor

206: outdoor humidity detection unit 210: indoor suction

211: indoor fan drive unit 212: auxiliary heater drive unit

213: compressor drive unit 214: outdoor fan drive unit

215: four-side drive unit 220: auxiliary heater

230: indoor heat exchanger 240: indoor fan

250: conduit 300: control unit

310: storage 320: timer

400: outdoor unit 410: four sides

420: compressor 430: outdoor heat exchanger

440: outdoor fan 450: expansion device

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a defrosting control method thereof. In particular, the condition that the air conditioner enters the defrosting operation by checking the outdoor temperature, humidity and the cumulative operation time of the compressor or the frequency of the defrosting operation according to the external environment. An air conditioner capable of automatically updating and a defrost control method thereof.

In general, the air conditioner operates as a cooling cycle that circulates in the order of evaporation → compression → condensation → expansion in summer, and operates as a heating cycle of a heat pump that is reversely circulated with the cooling cycle by switching four sides in winter. It refers to a cooling / heating system that maintains the temperature of a user at a desired level. In addition to the normal cooling / heating function, an air purification function that sucks and contaminates indoor contaminated air and makes it into clean air again And a dehumidifying function that inhales humid air into wet and dry air and reintroduces it into the room.

1 is a schematic view showing the inside of a general air conditioner.

The indoor heat exchanger 12 is installed at the rear of the indoor suction port 14 formed in the front of the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner. A conduit 20 through which refrigerant flows is installed in the indoor heat exchanger 12. The refrigerant flowing through the conduit 20 and indoor air sucked through the indoor suction port 14 are air-conditioned through heat exchange. The temperature of the space 1 is adjusted. That is, when the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, the coolant flowing in the indoor heat exchanger 12 and the indoor air exchange heat to lower the temperature of the air conditioning space 1, and when the heating operation is performed, the indoor heat exchanger 12 The high temperature refrigerant flowing in the air and the indoor air exchange heat to increase the temperature of the air conditioning space 1.

The indoor unit 10 is connected to the outdoor unit 30 through a conduit 20. The outdoor unit 30 is separately installed outside the air conditioning space 1, and inside thereof, the four-sided side 32 for adjusting the flow cycle of the refrigerant, a compressor 34 for compressing the refrigerant and converting the refrigerant into a high temperature and high pressure refrigerant, and cooling The outdoor heat exchanger 36 for condensing the refrigerant during operation and the evaporation of the refrigerant during the heating operation, and the expansion device 38 for expanding the refrigerant and converting the refrigerant into a low temperature low pressure refrigerant are provided.

In Fig. 1, reference numeral 16 denotes an indoor fan, 35 denotes an outdoor suction port, and 37 denotes an outdoor fan.

Next, the cycle of the refrigerant during the cooling and heating operation of the air conditioner will be described.

First, a case in which the air conditioner is operated to cool, the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 34 is introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 36 by the action of the four sides 32. The high temperature and high pressure refrigerant introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 36 is condensed into a liquid refrigerant by heat exchange with outdoor air sucked into the outdoor unit 30, and then converted into a low temperature low pressure refrigerant while passing through the expansion device 38. do. Subsequently, the low temperature and low pressure refrigerant flows back into the indoor heat exchanger 12, lowers the temperature of the indoor air while exchanging heat with the indoor air sucked into the indoor unit 10, and then flows into the compressor 34. Therefore, in the cooling operation, the refrigerant flows through the compressor 34 → the outdoor heat exchanger 36 → the expansion device 38 → the indoor heat exchanger 12 → the compressor 34 repeatedly to control the temperature of the air conditioning space 1. Lower to set temperature.

Next, a case where the air conditioner is operated by heating, the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 34 is introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 12 by the action of the four sides. The high temperature and high pressure refrigerant introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 12 raises the temperature of the indoor air while exchanging heat with the indoor air sucked into the indoor unit 10. Subsequently, the refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger 12 is converted into a gas of low temperature and low pressure while passing through the expansion device 38, and then flows into the compressor 34 after passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 36. Therefore, in the heating operation, the refrigerant flows repeatedly through the compressor 34 → the indoor heat exchanger 12 → the expansion device 38 → the outdoor heat exchanger 36 → the compressor 34 to adjust the temperature of the air conditioning space 1. Increase to set temperature.

When the air conditioner performs the heating operation as described above, when the outdoor environment is below the freezing point temperature and there is a certain amount of moisture, dew is formed on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 36 exposed to the outdoor environment, and the dew It begins to freeze by outdoor temperatures below the freezing point, forming frost. The castle formed on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 36 is further enlarged while the heating operation of the air conditioner is continued, thereby lowering the temperature of the blown air through the indoor heat exchanger 12 to lower the heating function.

Therefore, in order to remove the frost and to maintain efficient heating operation even in an environment below the freezing point, it is necessary to perform defrosting operation at regular time intervals during the heating operation. The defrosting operation is to perform a cooling operation for a predetermined time in the middle of the heating operation to thaw the frost covering the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 36, the outdoor heat exchanger 36 is a warm wind while the defrosting operation is performed. It is to discharge the frost to cover the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger (36).

2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional air conditioner capable of performing defrost operation, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a conventional defrost operation control method.

Conventional air conditioners, such as the power supply unit 40, the indoor temperature sensor 50, the indoor pipe temperature sensor 52, the outdoor temperature sensor 54 and the outdoor pipe temperature sensor 56 for power supply A seed sensing unit, various kinds of load driving units such as an indoor fan driving unit 70, a compressor driving unit 72, an outdoor fan driving unit 74, a four-way driving unit 76, a timer 78, and a control unit for controlling them ( 60).

After a predetermined time elapses after the air conditioner starts heating operation (step S100) (step S110), the controller 60 reads the outdoor pipe temperature measured by the outdoor pipe temperature sensor 56. If the temperature of the outdoor pipe thus read is less than or equal to the preset temperature (Step S120), the controller determines that frost is formed on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger (36 in FIG. 1) by freezing. The defrosting operation is performed by controlling the operation (32 in FIG. 1) by switching the operation of the air conditioner from the heating cycle to the cooling cycle (S130). When the defrosting operation is performed, the outdoor heat exchanger (36 in FIG. 1), which acted as an evaporator, begins to release heat while acting as a condenser, and thaws to castles that were covered on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger by the released heat.

Meanwhile, the controller 60 checks a defrosting operation completion condition such as whether the defrosting operation time reaches a preset time or whether the temperature of the outdoor pipe reaches a preset temperature from the time when the defrosting operation is performed (S140). Subsequently, when it is determined that the defrosting operation completion condition is satisfied, the controller 60 again controls the four sides (32 in FIG. 1) to complete the defrosting operation by switching the operation of the air conditioner from the cooling cycle to the heating cycle ( Step S150).

According to the conventional defrosting operation control method as described above, if only the predetermined defrosting operation conditions are satisfied, the defrosting operation may be performed unconditionally regardless of the change in the outdoor environment (temperature or humidity), thereby causing a decrease in heating efficiency due to frequent defrosting operation. have. Particularly, when the outdoor temperature is about 0 ° C. to about 5 ° C., the defrosting operation cycle is gradually shortened because the defrosting operation is performed again after a few minutes after the defrosting operation is completed. In particular, in the case of a winter morning, the heating operation is not performed, but only the defrosting and preheating operation are repeatedly performed, and the consumer may recognize that the air conditioner is broken.

That is, according to the conventional defrosting operation control method, defrosting operation conditions are product-oriented (manufacturer), and it becomes impossible to achieve comfortable heating for a consumer.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can automatically update the condition that the air conditioner enters the defrost operation by checking the outdoor temperature, humidity and the cumulative operation time of the compressor or the frequency of the defrost operation according to the external environment. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a defrosting control method of an air conditioner that can automatically update a defrosting operation inrush condition according to an external environment.

In order to achieve the above object, an air conditioner according to the present invention includes a pipe temperature sensor 205 for measuring a temperature of an outdoor pipe, an outdoor humidity detector 206 for measuring outdoor humidity, and the pipe temperature sensor. The control unit 300 performs defrosting operation according to the measured value by the 205 and the outdoor humidity detecting unit 206, and a storage unit 310 storing data relating to the defrosting operation rush.

At this time, the storage unit 310 is designed to update the data according to the change of environmental conditions, and the auxiliary heater driver 212 for driving the auxiliary heater 220 installed in the indoor unit 200 is further installed. desirable.

In addition, the control unit 300 is provided with a timer 320 for measuring the cumulative heating time of the air conditioner.

Defrost control method of the air conditioner according to the present invention for achieving the above another object, the step of determining whether the defrost operation is in operation, and if the defrost operation inrush conditions, the compressor 420 and the four sides 410 is off. The defrosting step of operating the indoor fan 240 and the auxiliary heater 220 for a predetermined time while the outdoor fan 440 is turned on, and the compressor 420 and the quadrilateral 410 are turned off. Turn-on, the outdoor fan 440 is turned off (off) to perform a cooling operation phase 2, the compressor 420 and the four sides 410 is off (off), the outdoor fan 440 Turn on (on), characterized in that it comprises a three-step defrost for operating the indoor fan 240 and the auxiliary heater 220 for a predetermined time.

In this case, the defrosting operation inrush condition is that the compressor 420 continuously operates for a predetermined time (Tccr t1) or more and the outdoor pipe temperature is less than or equal to the first pipe temperature (OCT1). (Tacr t1) or more, the outdoor pipe temperature is less than the first pipe temperature (OCT1), the first outdoor temperature (OAT1) <outdoor temperature ≤ second outdoor temperature (OAT2), the compressor 420 accumulates When the second cumulative time (Tacr t2) or more, the outdoor pipe temperature is less than the first pipe temperature (OCT1), the outdoor temperature is more than the second outdoor temperature (OAT2), and the compressor accumulates the third cumulative time (Tacr) It is preferable that it is any one of the case where 1st outdoor temperature OAT1 <outdoor temperature <3rd outdoor temperature OAT3 is operated over t3) and irrespective of outdoor piping temperature.

Therefore, according to the present invention, an efficient defrosting operation can be performed in response to changes in the operating state of the air conditioner and the external environment.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be described in more detail with respect to the air conditioner and defrost control method according to the present invention.

4 is a block diagram showing an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the air conditioner of FIG.

The indoor unit 200 of the air conditioner is installed in an air conditioning space, that is, the indoor space 100. An auxiliary heater 220, an indoor heat exchanger 230, and an indoor fan 240 are provided to the rear of the indoor suction port 210 located at the front of the indoor unit 200. The air in the indoor space 100 is sucked into the air conditioner through the indoor suction port 210, and the indoor air sucked in this way is heat-exchanged through the indoor heat exchanger 230, and then the temperature thereof is adjusted. Is discharged into the interior space. In this case, the indoor fan 240 serves to form a flow path for inhaling and discharging the indoor air into the air conditioner, and the auxiliary heater 220 performs the defrosting operation during the heating operation. It is a heater which works auxiliary to prevent the temperature of the space 100 from lowering.

On the other hand, in the indoor unit 200, the power supply unit 201 for supplying power to the air conditioner, the indoor temperature sensor 202 for measuring the temperature of the indoor space 100, and to measure the temperature of the indoor piping Indoor piping temperature sensing unit 203, the indoor fan drive unit 211 for driving the indoor fan 240, the auxiliary heater driving unit 215 for driving the auxiliary heater 220, the overall air conditioner A control unit 300 or the like for controlling the driving is provided.

The outdoor unit 400 is installed outside the air conditioning space, that is, the outdoor unit, connected to the indoor unit 200 through a conduit 250 through which a refrigerant flows. Inside the outdoor unit 400, four sides 410 for controlling the flow direction of the refrigerant, a compressor 420 for compressing the refrigerant and converting the refrigerant into a high temperature and high pressure refrigerant, and during the cooling operation condensing the refrigerant during heating operation The outdoor heat exchanger 430 for evaporating the refrigerant, the outdoor fan 440 for forming a flow path for injecting and discharging outdoor air into the outdoor unit 400, and expands the refrigerant to convert to a low temperature low pressure refrigerant An expansion device 450 or the like is provided.

On the other hand, in the outdoor unit 400, in order to efficiently control the operation of the air conditioner, various devices for checking the operating state of the air conditioner and its surrounding environment are installed. Representatively, sensing such as an outdoor temperature sensor 204 for measuring outdoor temperature, an outdoor pipe temperature sensor 205 for measuring a temperature of outdoor pipes, an outdoor humidity sensor 206 for measuring outdoor humidity, and the like And a driving unit such as a compressor driving unit 213, an outdoor fan driving unit 214, a four-side driving unit 215, and the like.

When the air conditioner starts the heating operation, the control unit 300 sends a control signal for the operation to each of the above-described driving unit. Accordingly, the indoor fan 240 starts to rotate, and the compressor 420 compresses the refrigerant at high temperature and high pressure and starts to discharge the refrigerant. The high temperature and high pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 420 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 230 and then heat exchanges with the air sucked into the indoor unit 200 by the rotational force of the indoor fan 240. Indoor air, which has been sucked in a relatively low temperature state, is raised in temperature by the heat exchange.

The refrigerant exchanged through the indoor heat exchanger 230 flows in the order of the expansion device 450, the outdoor heat exchanger 430, and then flows back into the compressor 420, after which the compressor 420 and the indoor heat exchanger ( 230, the expansion device 450, and the outdoor heat exchanger 430 repeat the heating cycle in order to raise the room temperature to the level desired by the user.

On the other hand, while repeating the above-described heating cycle, the various sensing unit periodically checks the state of the air conditioner and the surrounding environment, and the control unit 300 based on the current value of the air conditioner based on the value measured by the sensing unit After grasping the condition, the air conditioner can be operated efficiently by readjusting the operating state of the driving units based on the condition.

After a certain period of time after the start of the heating operation, frost is generated on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 430. The generated frost becomes more as the outdoor temperature is lower and the heating time is increased. Since the castle generated on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 430 acts as a fatal factor to reduce the heating efficiency of the air conditioner, the controller 300 performs defrosting operation to remove the frost.

In the storage unit 310 of the conventional air conditioner, a data table (that is, the defrosting operation rush condition) for defrosting operation is stored in advance. The controller periodically checks whether the values measured by the various sensing units and the timer 320 match the values of the data table, and controls the various driving units to perform defrosting operation immediately when the values are determined to match. do.

When the defrosting operation is performed, the outdoor heat exchanger, which acted as an evaporator during the heating operation, begins to emit heat while acting as a condenser, and thaws to the castle that was covered on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger by the released heat.

6 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a defrost control method of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

During operation of the air conditioner (step S200), the controller (300 of FIG. 5) periodically checks the state of the air conditioner and the external environment to check whether the air conditioner is required to perform defrosting operation (step S210). That is, the controller periodically checks whether the values measured by the various sensing units and the timer coincide with the values of the defrosting operation rush condition previously stored in the storage unit 310 of FIG. 5. At this time, the defrosting operation rush condition stored in the storage unit at the beginning of the air conditioner operation is the initial defrosting operation rush condition pre-input by the manufacturer at the time of manufacturing the air conditioner. The initial defrosting operation rush condition may be updated under a predetermined condition according to the change of the external environment (hereinafter, described with reference to FIG. 7). The defrosting operation rush condition may include both the initial defrosting operation rush condition and the updated defrosting operation rush condition. it means.

The defrosting operation rush condition according to the present invention is such that the outdoor temperature as a condition for performing the defrosting operation for each heating continuous or cumulative operating time (that is, the continuous or cumulative operating time of the compressor) is different. That is, in the conventional case, if the outdoor temperature is less than the set temperature and the heating time is more than the set time, defrosting operation is performed unconditionally. The conditions were configured so that the outdoor temperature as the inrush conditions for performing

Hereinafter, the defrosting operation inrush conditions according to the present invention will be described.

In the defrosting operation initiation condition 1, the heating mode continuously operates the compressor for a predetermined time (Tccr t1) or more, and when the outdoor piping temperature is less than the first piping temperature (OCT1), the compressor enters the defrosting operation regardless of how much the outdoor temperature is. At this time, the 1st piping temperature OCT1 is a value determined by experiment, for example, the temperature of 0 degreeC--5 degreeC in the initial defrosting operation inrush condition, but the value changes at the time of update. The Tccr t1 means the time that the compressor is continuously operated without stopping after starting the drive.

The compressor accumulates in the defrosting inrush condition 2 and the heating mode, and the compressor accumulates and operates for the first accumulated time Tacl t1 or more, and the outdoor pipe temperature is equal to or less than the first pipe temperature OCT1 and the first outdoor temperature OAT1 <outdoor temperature ≤ When the second outdoor temperature OAT2 is reached, the defrosting operation is started. In this case, the first outdoor temperature OAT1 is a value smaller than the second outdoor temperature OAT2. That is, the first outdoor temperature OAT1 is lower than the second outdoor temperature OAT2. The first cumulative time Tacl t1 refers to a value calculated by accumulating all the time that the compressor is operated after the air conditioner is turned on.

Compressor accumulates in defrosting operation condition 3, heating mode, and operates over the second cumulative time (Tacr t2), the outdoor piping temperature is below the first piping temperature (OCT1), and the outdoor temperature is above the second outdoor temperature (OAT2). When you start defrosting. In this case, the second cumulative time Tacr t2 is greater than the first cumulative time Tacr t1.

In the defrosting operation inrush condition 4, the heating mode, the compressor accumulates and operates for a third cumulative time (Tacr t3) or more, and regardless of the outdoor piping temperature, the first outdoor temperature OAT1 <outdoor temperature <third outdoor temperature OAT3 When to start defrosting. In this case, the third cumulative time Tacr t3 is greater than the second cumulative time Tacr t2. The third outdoor temperature OAT3 is a relatively larger value than the second outdoor temperature OAT2. That is, the second outdoor temperature OAT2 is lower than the third outdoor temperature OAT3.

Looking at the defrosting operation rush condition according to the present invention, in the case of the defrosting operation rush condition 1, the defrosting operation rush condition is determined only by the continuous operation time and the outdoor pipe temperature of the compressor regardless of the outdoor temperature. This is because as the continuous operation time of the compressor increases, the cooling time of the outdoor heat exchanger acting as an evaporator becomes longer, so that frost is likely to be generated on the surface thereof.

In the case of the defrosting operation inrush conditions 2 to 4, it can be seen that as the cumulative operation time of the compressor increases, the outdoor temperature as the condition for the defrosting operation inrush becomes relatively high. This is because as the cumulative operating time of the compressor increases, the cooling state of the outdoor heat exchanger acting as an evaporator is maintained for a longer time, so that frost is likely to be generated on the surface thereof. In other words, even if the outdoor temperature is relatively high, the increase in the compressor cumulative operation time increases the need to enter the defrost operation.

In the storage unit 310 of FIG. 5, data obtained by tabulating the above-described defrosting operation initiation conditions are pre-stored, and the control unit 300 of FIG. 5 measures the values measured by the various sensing units and the timer 320 of FIG. 5. After comparing with the data values and determines whether to defrost operation. If it is determined in step S110 that the defrosting operation is to be performed, first, defrosting is performed (step S220). The defrosting step is a step before full-fledged defrosting operation, and the compressor (420 in FIG. 4) is in four directions. (410 in FIG. 4) is off, and the outdoor fan (440 in FIG. 4) is in an on state. At this time, by operating the auxiliary heater (220 of FIG. 4) and the indoor fan (240 of FIG. 4) mounted to the indoor unit to prevent a decrease in the temperature of the indoor space according to the defrosting operation.

When A minute, for example, three minutes have passed since the first step of defrosting (step S230), the second step of defrosting is performed (step S130). The defrosting step 2 is a full-scale defrosting operation step, in which an air conditioner is cooled in order to remove frost generated on the surface of an outdoor heat exchanger. The compressor and all sides are turned on, and the outdoor fan is turned off to allow the refrigerant to circulate the cooling cycle so that the outdoor heat exchanger 430 of FIG. 4 acts as a condenser to remove frost. On the other hand, at this time also by operating the auxiliary heater and the indoor fan mounted on the indoor unit to prevent the temperature decrease of the indoor space due to defrosting operation, that is, the cooling operation.

The second phase of defrost is forcibly performed during the minimum defrost time Trev-min1. This is to ensure the minimum time required to defrost the outdoor heat exchanger surface. The controller determines whether the minimum defrost time Trev-min1 has elapsed since the start of the defrosting stage 2 (step S250), and when it is determined that the minimum time has elapsed, the outdoor pipe temperature has reached the initial temperature OCT-init. It is determined whether or not (S260).

The initial temperature is the temperature of the outdoor pipe in the initial state in which no frost is generated in the outdoor heat exchanger. The fact that the outdoor pipe temperature has not reached the initial temperature means that the frost on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger has not been sufficiently removed yet, even though the minimum defrost time Trev-min1 has elapsed. If the temperature has not been reached, continue with the defrosting step 2.

If it is determined in step S260 that the outdoor pipe temperature does not reach the initial temperature OCT-init, the control unit again determines whether the maximum defrost time Trev-max1 has elapsed (step S270). The maximum defrost time (Trev-max1) is the maximum time that can be given to perform defrosting operation. Even if the frost is not completely removed, the defrosting operation can be forcibly stopped to prevent the rapid deterioration of the room temperature. It means the maximum time that can be.

If it is determined that the maximum defrost time (Trev-max1) has elapsed in step S270, even if it is determined that the outdoor pipe temperature has not reached the initial value temperature, step 3 is performed immediately (step S280). On the other hand, in step S260, if it is determined that the outdoor pipe temperature has reached the initial temperature (OCT-init), the third step of defrosting is immediately performed without determining the maximum defrost time (Trev-max1) (S280). step).

Defrosting step 3 is to finish the defrosting operation. As in the defrosting step 1, only the outdoor fan is rotated while the compressor and all sides are turned off and the outdoor fan is turned on to stop the refrigerant circulation. This is the step. Defrost can be additionally removed by the rotation of the outdoor fan and the residual heat remaining in the outdoor heat exchanger, and the auxiliary heater and the indoor fan mounted in the indoor unit are operated to prevent the temperature of the indoor space from defrosting operation.

The third defrosting step is performed for B minutes, for example, 3 minutes. If it is determined that B minutes have elapsed (step S290), the defrosting operation is terminated (step S300), and the air conditioner is operated in the heating mode again.

According to the intelligent defrosting control method according to the present invention, first, since the auxiliary heater is operated during the defrosting operation, it is possible to solve the problem that the temperature of the indoor space is lowered during the defrosting operation. Next, by configuring the outdoor temperature and the outdoor pipe temperature differently as a condition for performing the defrosting operation for each continuous heating or cumulative time, the condition of the outdoor heat exchanger according to the heating time can be considered as the defrosting operation inrush condition. That is, according to the present invention, considering that the outdoor heat exchanger gradually becomes a cryogenic state as the cumulative heating time increases, the defrosting operation can be performed when the cumulative heating time increases even though the outdoor temperature increases relatively. Therefore, efficient defrosting operation is performed according to the state of the air conditioner.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a defrost control method of the air conditioner according to the present invention for updating the defrost operation inrush conditions in response to the state of the air conditioner and the external environment.

According to the intelligent defrost control method according to the present invention, the defrost driving inrush condition can be updated according to the external environment. The initial defrosting operation rush condition mentioned in FIG. 6 is artificially set by the manufacturer at the time of manufacturing the air conditioner, whereas the updated defrosting operation rush condition is a preset defrosting operation rush condition by detecting a change in the external environment by the air conditioner itself. To change them.

When the defrost run inrush condition is fixed at the initial value (that is, the set value), when abnormal situation such as the outdoor temperature keeps the cryogenic temperature due to abnormal cold wave, it continues without normal heating operation. Therefore, a problem may occur that causes the consumer to think that the air conditioner is broken by repeating only the defrosting operation and the preheating operation.

In order to solve this problem, the air conditioner recognizes the environmental change by itself and updates the defrost operation inrush condition according to the change so as to have a defrost operation inrush condition intelligently adapted to the changed environment.

Hereinafter, a method of updating the defrost driving inrush condition in the intelligent defrost control method according to the present invention will be described.

During the heating and defrosting operation, the controller 300 of FIG. 5 processes various types of data. For example, room temperature, indoor piping temperature, outdoor temperature, outdoor piping temperature, humidity, heating time, defrost time, and so on. The control unit has a data table for various types of defrosting for different conditions (that is, data listing the defrosting inrush conditions), among which, if the initial defrosting inrush conditions do not match the current environmental conditions, There is also a staging data table for updating inrush conditions.

If the controller determines that the current in-operation inrush condition does not match the current environmental condition, the controller selects a new data table that matches the current environmental condition by calling the preparation data table under certain conditions. The selected new data table is updated in the storage unit 310 which stores the current defrosting operation condition, so that the air conditioner can have updated defrosting operation inflow conditions for the changed environmental conditions, so that even if there is an environmental change, efficient heating Driving can be performed.

In order to update the current operating inrush condition, the controller determines all three conditions, and executes the update if only one of the conditions is satisfied.

First, it is determined whether the defrosting operation is performed N times, for example, five times in succession under the condition " condition 1 " (step S400). Performing the defrosting operation consecutively N times means that the defrosting operation and the preheating operation are continuously repeated because the current defrosting operation inrush condition does not match the current environmental condition. Therefore, when it is determined that the defrosting operation has been performed N times continuously, the defrosting operation inrush condition is updated to match the current environmental condition (step S440).

The determination on the “condition 1” is usually performed at the end of each defrosting operation. When one defrosting operation is terminated as in step S300 of FIG. 6, the controller determines that the defrosting operation just terminated is under the current defrosting operation inrush condition. If it is determined that the N times, for example, the fifth time in succession, and the N time is determined, step S440 of FIG. 7 is performed to automatically update the current in-operation driving condition.

As described above, the method for automatically updating the current defrosting operation inrush condition may include calling the preparation data table in the control unit to select a new data table that matches the current environmental condition, and then selecting the selected new data table as the current defrosting operation intrusion condition. By updating the storage unit to be stored, it is possible to have an updated defrost operation inrush condition suitable for the current environmental conditions.

Next, it is determined whether the defrosting operation is performed in succession M, e.g., three times after the maximum defrosting time Trev-max1 under " condition 2 " and the current defrosting operation inrush condition (step S410). Performing the defrosting operation continuously M times after the maximum defrosting time means that the defrosting operation inrush condition does not meet the current environmental conditions and the frost is not properly removed even in the defrosting operation. Therefore, the current operating inrush conditions are updated to match the current environmental conditions (step S440).

The determination on the "condition 2" is usually performed after the maximum defrost time Trev-max1 has elapsed. When the maximum defrost time Trev-max1 has elapsed as in step S270 of FIG. It is determined whether (Trev-max1) has elapsed in succession M times under the current defrosting operation rush condition, and if it is determined that the M times, the step S440 of FIG. 7 is performed to automatically update the current defrosting operation rush condition.

Finally, it is determined whether the compressor is operating after the fourth cumulative time tacr t4 when the condition “3”, the outdoor temperature is equal to or lower than the third outdoor temperature OAT3 and the humidity is 85% or more (S420). step). In this case, the fourth cumulative time tacr t4 is greater than the third cumulative time tacr t3.

The determination of the “condition 3” is generally performed in the step of determining whether the state of the air conditioner and the external environment correspond to the defrosting operation inrush condition as in step S210 of FIG. 6, wherein the outdoor temperature is the third outdoor temperature ( OAT3) or less, and when the humidity is 85% or more, it is determined whether the compressor has been operated after the fourth cumulative time (Tacr t4), and if it is determined that the above-mentioned FIG. 7 automatically updates the current in-rush operation condition. Follow step S440.

When the compressor accumulates for a long time in a high humidity state, it is easy to generate frost even when the outdoor temperature is not relatively low. Accordingly, in the present invention, in this case, the defrosting operation in accordance with the current environmental conditions is performed by updating the current defrosting operation inrush condition.

If the condition and the external environment of the air conditioner do not correspond to all the conditions mentioned in the above steps S400, S410 and S420, it is determined that the current operating inrush conditions are suitable for the current environmental conditions. Therefore, the controller determines whether the defrosting operation is performed based on the current defrosting operation inflow condition (S430). On the other hand, if the condition and the external environment of the air conditioner corresponds to any one of the conditions mentioned in the steps S400, S410 and S420, it is determined that the current operating inrush conditions are not suitable for the current environmental conditions, the control unit After updating the current defrosting operation rush condition (step S440), it is determined whether the defrosting operation based on the updated defrosting operation rush condition (step S450).

According to the air conditioner and the defrost control method according to the present invention, first, since the auxiliary heater is operated during the defrosting operation, it is possible to solve the problem that the temperature of the indoor space during the defrosting operation is lowered.

Next, by configuring the outdoor temperature and the outdoor pipe temperature differently as a condition for performing the defrosting operation for each continuous heating or cumulative time, the condition of the outdoor heat exchanger according to the heating time can be considered as the defrosting operation inrush condition. That is, in consideration of the fact that the outdoor heat exchanger gradually becomes a cryogenic state as the cumulative heating time increases, the defrosting operation can be performed when the cumulative heating time increases even when the outdoor temperature is relatively increased. In response to changes in the external environment, efficient defrosting operation can be performed.

In addition, if the current operating inrush conditions do not meet the current environmental conditions, it can be updated under certain conditions. Therefore, the defrosting operation inrush conditions most suitable for the current environmental conditions can be configured at all times, so that the heating operation and the defrosting operation can be efficiently performed.

Claims (9)

A pipe temperature sensor 205 for measuring a temperature of outdoor pipes; An outdoor humidity sensor 206 for measuring outdoor humidity; A controller 300 performing defrosting operation according to the values measured by the pipe temperature detector 205 and the outdoor humidity detector 206; And An air conditioner comprising a storage unit 310 for storing data relating to the defrost operation inrush. The method of claim 1, The storage unit 310 is an air conditioner, characterized in that the data is designed to be updated according to changes in environmental conditions. The method of claim 1, Air conditioner, characterized in that the auxiliary heater driving unit 212 is further provided for driving the auxiliary heater 220 installed in the indoor unit (200). The method of claim 1, The air conditioner, characterized in that the control unit 300 is provided with a timer 320 for measuring the cumulative heating time of the air conditioner. Determining whether to enter the defrosting operation; When the defrosting operation is in a condition of running, the compressor 420 and the four sides 410 are turned off and the outdoor fan 440 is turned on, and the indoor fan 240 and the auxiliary heater 220 are predetermined. Defrosting step 1 for time operation; A defrosting two step of turning on the compressor 420 and the four-sided sides 410 and turning off the outdoor fan 440 to perform a cooling operation; And The compressor 420 and the four sides 410 are turned off, the outdoor fan 440 is turned on, and the defrosting three steps of operating the indoor fan 240 and the auxiliary heater 220 for a predetermined time are performed. Defrost control method of an air conditioner comprising a. The method of claim 5, wherein The defrosting operation inrush condition is a case in which the compressor (420) is continuously operated for a predetermined time (Tccr t1) or more, the outdoor pipe temperature is less than the first pipe temperature (OCT1). The method of claim 5, wherein The defrosting operation inrush condition is that the compressor 420 accumulates and operates for a first cumulative time (Tacr t1) or more, the outdoor pipe temperature is less than or equal to the first pipe temperature (OCT1), and the first outdoor temperature (OAT1) <outdoor temperature ≤ Defrost control method of an air conditioner, characterized in that the case of the second outdoor temperature (OAT2). The method of claim 5, wherein The defrosting operation rush condition is that the compressor 420 accumulates and operates for a second cumulative time (Tacr t2) or more, the outdoor piping temperature is less than or equal to the first piping temperature (OCT1), and the outdoor temperature is greater than or equal to the second outdoor temperature (OAT2). Defrost control method of an air conditioner, characterized in that the case. The method of claim 5, wherein The defrost operation inrush condition is a case where the compressor accumulates and operates for a third cumulative time (Tacr t3) or more, and the first outdoor temperature OAT1 <outdoor temperature <third outdoor temperature OAT3 regardless of the outdoor piping temperature. Defrost control method of an air conditioner, characterized in that.

Images