KR20100110423A - Air conditioner and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An air conditioner and a control method thereof are provided to alternately perform the defrosting operation on a plurality of outdoor heat exchangers while a heating operation is performed. CONSTITUTION: An air conditioner(10) comprises a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, a plurality of outdoor expansion valves(141,151), a plurality of outdoor heat exchangers(142,152), flow rate control valves(162,172), and capillaries(161,171). The compressor compresses the refrigerant. The indoor heat exchanger heat-exchanges the refrigerant passing through the compressor. The outdoor expansion valve reduces the pressure of the refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger. The outdoor heat exchanger performs the heating operation or the defrosting operation by the heat exchange of the refrigerant. The opening degree of the flow rate control valve is controlled according to the defrosting operation of the outdoor heat exchanger. The capillary expands the refrigerant in the defrosting process of the outdoor heat exchanger. The flow rate control valve and the capillary are connected in parallel.

Description

Control method of air conditioner and air conditioner

An embodiment according to the invention relates to an air conditioner and a control method of the air conditioner.

The embodiment according to the present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner that can continuously perform a heating operation even during a defrost operation by improving the structure of the air conditioner.

In general, air conditioners are home appliances for maintaining indoor air in a state most suitable for use and purpose. For example, in the summer, the room is cooled to a cool state, in winter, the room is controlled to a warm heating state, and also the humidity of the room and the air in the room to a comfortable clean state.

As life convenience products such as air conditioners are gradually expanded and used, consumers are demanding high energy use efficiency, performance improvement and convenience products.

Such an air conditioner is divided into a separate air conditioner that separates the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and an integrated air conditioner that combines the indoor unit and the outdoor unit into one device. And, according to the installation form of the air conditioner, it is divided into a wall-mounted air conditioner and a frame air conditioner configured to be mounted on the wall, and a slim air conditioner configured to stand in the living room.

In addition, the air conditioner is a single air conditioner configured to be used in a small place such as a home, and is composed of a capacity capable of driving one indoor unit according to the capacity, and a medium to large air composed of a very large capacity for use in a company or a restaurant. The air conditioner is divided into a multi air conditioner having a capacity capable of sufficiently driving a plurality of indoor units.

Here, the separate air conditioner is configured to be installed indoors to supply hot or cold air into the air conditioning space, and an outdoor unit for compressing, expanding, etc. the refrigerant so that sufficient heat exchange can be performed in the indoor unit.

On the other hand, according to the conventional air conditioner, when the heating operation is performed in a state where the outdoor temperature is low temperature and high humidity, there is a problem that frost occurs on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger.

When frost is caught in the outdoor heat exchanger, there is a problem that the heat exchange efficiency is lowered and the heating operation is not easily performed.

Embodiments according to the present invention have been proposed to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an air conditioner that enables heating and defrosting operation through a plurality of outdoor heat exchangers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that ensures overheating of the refrigerant at the compressor inlet side.

An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problems includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; An indoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant passing through the compressor; A plurality of outdoor expansion valves whose openings are adjusted to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger; A plurality of outdoor heat exchangers each provided on the discharge side of the plurality of outdoor expansion devices, and each of which is subjected to a heating operation or a defrost operation by heat exchange of the refrigerant; Flow rate regulating valves provided on discharge sides of the plurality of outdoor heat exchangers, respectively, the openings of which are adjusted according to whether the outdoor heat exchanger is defrosted; And a capillary provided on the discharge side of the plurality of outdoor heat exchangers, the refrigerant being expanded during the defrosting operation of the outdoor heat exchanger, and the flow control valve and the capillary are connected in parallel. do.

In addition, an air conditioner according to another embodiment includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; An indoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant passing through the compressor; An outdoor expansion valve having an opening degree adjusted for decompression of the refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger; An outdoor heat exchanger provided at a discharge side of the outdoor expansion device and divided into one refrigerant pipe and the other refrigerant pipe to perform a heating operation or a defrosting operation; A flow rate control valve provided at a discharge side of the outdoor heat exchanger and having an opening degree adjusted according to whether the outdoor heat exchanger is defrosted; And a capillary provided at the discharge side of the outdoor heat exchanger, respectively, to expand the refrigerant during the defrosting operation of the outdoor heat exchanger, and the refrigerant flowing in the one side refrigerant pipe is heated by heat exchange with the outside air. The refrigerant flowing in the other refrigerant pipe is performed to defrost the outdoor heat exchanger.

Determining whether the first outdoor heat exchanger is implanted among the plurality of heat exchangers by using values sensed by the outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor and the outdoor air sensor; In a state in which the first outdoor heat exchanger is implanted, allowing the first expansion valve to be fully opened; Defrosting the first outdoor heat exchanger by refrigerant passing through the first expansion valve; Adjusting the opening degree of the first flow control valve so that the refrigerant passing through the first outdoor heat exchanger flows to the first capillary; And allowing heat exchange of the refrigerant for heating in the second outdoor heat exchanger of the plurality of heat exchangers.

According to the embodiment of the present invention according to the above configuration, even when the defrosting operation is performed on at least one outdoor heat exchanger, since the heating operation by another outdoor heat exchanger can be performed, it is possible to supply continuous heating to the indoor space. There is an advantage that it can.

In addition, in the process of heating operation, there is an advantage that the defrost can be made alternately with respect to the plurality of outdoor heat exchanger.

In addition, since the refrigerant heater is provided on the inlet side of the compressor, it is advantageous to prevent the liquid from entering the compressor and increase the temperature of the compressor inlet refrigerant to increase the indoor unit blowout temperature.

In addition, since the ability of the heater provided to the refrigerant heater can be varied, there is an advantage that the amount of heat generated according to the outside temperature can be adjusted.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described a specific embodiment of the present invention. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented, and those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention can easily suggest other embodiments within the scope of the same idea.

1 is a view showing the configuration of the heating cycle of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor unit 100 installed in an indoor space and an outdoor unit 200 connected to the indoor unit 100 and installed outdoors. .

In detail, the outdoor unit 100 includes a compressor 110 for compressing a refrigerant, a four-way valve 120 for switching the flow direction of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110, and a portion of the indoor unit 200. A plurality of expansion valves 141 and 151 for allowing the refrigerant having passed through the indoor heat exchanger 130 to expand at low pressure; And outdoor unit fans 143 and 153 which blow outdoor air to the respective outdoor heat exchangers 142 and 152.

The expansion valves 141 and 151 include a first expansion valve 141 through which at least a portion of the refrigerant passes and a second expansion valve 151 through which the remaining amount of the refrigerant passes. That is, the refrigerant introduced into the outdoor unit 100 may be branched and moved toward the first expansion valve 141 and the second expansion valve 151.

The refrigerant passing through the first outdoor heat exchanger 142 and the second expansion valve 151 through which the refrigerant passing through the first expansion valve 141 flows into the plurality of outdoor heat exchangers 142 and 152 is introduced. The second outdoor heat exchanger 152 is introduced into which heat exchange is performed.

The outdoor unit fans 143 and 153 include a first outdoor unit fan 143 and a second outdoor unit fan 153 provided on each side of the first outdoor heat exchanger 142 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 152.

The first outdoor heat exchanger 142 is provided with a first temperature sensor 145 that senses the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the first outdoor heat exchanger 142, that is, the evaporation temperature. In addition, the second outdoor heat exchanger 152 is provided with a second temperature sensor 155. The temperature sensors 145 and 155 may be referred to as outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensors.

In addition, the outdoor unit 100 is provided with an outdoor air sensor 105 to sense the temperature of the outdoor air.

On one side of the first outdoor heat exchanger 142, the first capillary 161 and the first flow control valve 162 are connected in parallel. The refrigerant passing through the first outdoor heat exchanger 142 may pass through the first capillary 161 or the first flow control valve 162 according to the opening degree of the first flow control valve 162. have. In other words, the refrigerant may flow into the second capillary 171 or the second flow control valve 172 depending on whether the second outdoor heat exchanger 152 is defrosted.

Similarly, the second capillary 171 and the second flow control valve 172 may be connected to one side of the second outdoor heat exchanger 152. The second capillary 171 and the second flow control valve 172 may be connected in parallel.

In addition, the outdoor unit 100 includes a refrigerant having passed through the first capillary 161 or the first flow control valve 162, and the second capillary 171 or the second flow control valve 172. Refrigerant passing through the) is included is a refrigerant heater 180 is introduced.

The refrigerant heater 180 may be provided with at least one heater 182 that provides a predetermined amount of heat to the refrigerant. The heater 182 may be provided in various numbers depending on the amount of heat generated.

In addition, an inverter method in which the amount of heat generated by the heater 182 may be adjusted may be applied to the heater 182. In this case, there is an advantage that the amount of heat can be supplied variable depending on the outdoor temperature and whether the outdoor heat exchanger is defrosted.

On the other hand, the indoor unit 200, the indoor heat exchanger 220 to allow the refrigerant compressed by the high temperature and high pressure by the compressor 110 to exchange heat with the indoor air and the warm heat exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 220 An indoor blower 132 for blowing air into the room is included.

The refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger 220 may flow into the outdoor unit 100 and flow to the first expansion valve 141 and the second expansion valve 151.

The air conditioner 10 determines whether the first outdoor heat exchanger 142 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 152 are implanted by determining values sensed by the temperature sensors 145 and 155 and the outdoor air sensor 105. The control unit 300 to determine is included.

When the controller 300 determines that at least one of the first outdoor heat exchangers 142 and 152 is implanted, the first expansion valve 141 and the second expansion valve 142 and the first flow control valve The flow rate of the refrigerant may be controlled by adjusting the opening degrees of the 162 and the second flow control valve 172.

Hereinafter, a control method of an air conditioner and a flow of a coolant according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

3 and 4 are views showing a state in which the heating and defrosting operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention is performed.

3 illustrates a refrigerant flow when the second outdoor heat exchanger 152 is defrosted, and FIG. 4 illustrates a refrigerant flow when the first outdoor heat exchanger 142 is defrosted.

First, when the controller 300 compares the value detected by the external air sensor 105 with the value detected by the temperature sensor 145.155 and determines that no idea is formed, the first outdoor heat exchanger 142 And the second outdoor heat exchanger 152 may all function as an evaporator. When the outside air temperature is relatively high with respect to the evaporation temperature, frosting may not occur in the outdoor heat exchangers 142 and 152.

That is, the refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger 220 of the indoor unit 200 is depressurized while passing through the first expansion valve 141 and the second expansion valve 151 after branching, respectively, and the first outdoor heat exchanger, respectively. The heat exchanger 142 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 152 may be evaporated.

The refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchangers 142 and 152 may be laminated and heated in the refrigerant heater 180 and then introduced into the compressor 110.

On the other hand, the controller 300 compares the value detected by the outside air sensor 105 with the value detected by the second temperature sensor 155 and determines that the conception is made in the second outdoor heat exchanger (152). As shown in FIG. 2, the defrosting operation of the second outdoor heat exchanger 152 may be performed.

At this time, the heating operation may be continuously performed in the first outdoor heat exchanger 142.

In detail, when the defrosting operation is performed in the second outdoor heat exchanger 152, the controller 300 may allow the second expansion valve 151 to be completely opened. In this case, the refrigerant passing through the second expansion valve 151 may be introduced into the second outdoor heat exchanger 152 without depressurizing (decreasing temperature) (dashed arrow).

Then, the refrigerant having a relatively high temperature and high pressure can be removed by melting the frost formed while passing through the second outdoor heat exchanger 152. In this case, the second outdoor unit fan 153 may be turned off.

The controller 300 may control the opening degree of the second flow control valve 172 to allow the refrigerant passing through the second outdoor heat exchanger 152 to pass through the second capillary 171. . The refrigerant may expand while passing through the second capillary 171.

As described above, while the defrosting operation of the second outdoor heat exchanger 152 is performed, the heating operation may be performed in the first outdoor heat exchanger 142. That is, the first outdoor heat exchanger 142 may function as an evaporator.

When the heating operation is performed in the first outdoor heat exchanger 142, the controller 300 adjusts the opening degree of the first expansion valve 141. In the process of passing the refrigerant through the first expansion valve 141, the refrigerant may be decompressed (decreased) to a predetermined pressure and temperature (solid line arrow).

The refrigerant depressurized by the first expansion valve 141 may flow into the first outdoor heat exchanger 142 to be evaporated and then flow through the first flow control valve 162. In this case, the controller 300 may control the first flow control valve 162 to be opened.

Refrigerants passing through the first outdoor heat exchanger 142 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 152 may be laminated and introduced into the refrigerant heater 180. The refrigerant may be heated in the process of passing through the refrigerant heater 180 to maintain an overheated state.

In particular, the refrigerant used in the defrost of the second outdoor heat exchanger 152 is a two-phase state, the ratio of the liquid state is relatively high. In this case, the controller 300 may increase the capacity of the heater 182 of the refrigerant heater 180 to increase the amount of heat generated. That is, the amount of heat generated by the heater 182 may be further increased than when only a general heating operation is performed.

Since the refrigerant heated in the refrigerant heater 180 maintains an overheating state, the liquid refrigerant is prevented from flowing into the compressor 110, and the refrigerant temperature at the inlet of the compressor 110 is increased to increase the indoor unit blowout temperature. There is an effect that can be increased.

On the other hand, the controller 300 compares the value detected by the outside air sensor 105 with the value detected by the first temperature sensor 145 when it is determined that the concept is made in the first outdoor heat exchanger 142. As shown in FIG. 3, the defrosting operation of the first outdoor heat exchanger 142 may be performed.

This process forms the opposite direction to the position of the heating and defrosting operation described in FIG. 2. That is, defrosting operation is performed in the first outdoor heat exchanger 142 (dashed arrow), and heating operation is performed in the second outdoor heat exchanger 152 (solid line arrow).

In detail, the first expansion valve 141 is fully open, and the refrigerant flowing into the first outdoor heat exchanger 142 removes frost formed on the outdoor heat exchanger 142 at a relatively high temperature. In addition, the refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 142 may be reduced in pressure through the first capillary 161 and then introduced into the refrigerant heater 180.

The opening degree of the second expansion valve 151 is adjusted, and the refrigerant passing through the second expansion valve 151 is reduced in pressure and flows into the second outdoor heat exchanger 152. The refrigerant may be evaporated while passing through the second outdoor heat exchanger 152 and then introduced into the refrigerant heater 180 through the first flow control valve 172.

Since the heating process in the refrigerant heater 180 is the same as described with reference to FIG. 2, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the defrosting operation may be selectively performed on the one outdoor heat exchanger, and the evaporation process of the refrigerant may be performed through the other outdoor heat exchanger during the defrosting operation. That is, even while the defrosting operation is performed, there is an effect that the heating supply is not interrupted.

On the other hand, the above embodiment has been described on the assumption that any one of the plurality of outdoor heat exchanger is implanted in the outdoor heat exchanger, the above process can be applied even if it is determined that both the outdoor heat exchanger is implanted.

That is, in this case, after the defrosting operation is performed on one outdoor heat exchanger, the defrosting operation may be continuously performed on the other outdoor heat exchanger. In other words, the process described in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be performed continuously.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the present embodiment differs only in the configuration of the outdoor heat exchanger, the difference will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals are used to describe the first embodiment.

5 is a view showing the configuration of the heating cycle of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the air conditioner 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a first outdoor heat exchanger 142, a second outdoor heat exchanger 152, and a refrigerant to heat exchange with outdoor air. A third outdoor heat exchanger 192 is included.

At the inlet side of the third outdoor heat exchanger 192, a third expansion valve 191 is provided to allow at least a portion of the refrigerant circulating in the air conditioner to expand. The refrigerant expanded in the third expansion valve 191 may be evaporated while passing through the third outdoor heat exchanger 192.

In addition, at the outlet side of the third outdoor heat exchanger 192, a third capillary 195 and a third flow rate regulating valve 196 through which the refrigerant passing through the third outdoor heat exchanger 192 is selectively passed are provided. Is provided.

When the defrosting operation is performed in the third outdoor heat exchanger 192, the refrigerant is expanded while passing through the third capillary 195. On the other hand, when the heating operation is performed in the third outdoor heat exchanger 192 (when the evaporation action of the refrigerant occurs), the refrigerant may pass through the third flow control valve 196.

The heating or defrosting process at the third outdoor heat exchanger 192 side is the same as the process described in the first embodiment, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 5, the heating operation is performed in the first outdoor heat exchanger 142 (solid arrow), and the defrosting operation is performed in the second outdoor heat exchanger 152 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 192 (dashed arrow). ).

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and heating may be performed in the first outdoor heat exchanger 142 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 152, and defrosting may be performed in the third outdoor heat exchanger 192. will be.

In summary, the heating operation may be performed in one outdoor heat exchanger and the defrosting operation may be performed in the remaining outdoor heat exchanger. And, the defrosting operation may be performed in one outdoor heat exchanger among the plurality of outdoor heat exchangers, and the heating operation may be controlled in the remaining outdoor heat exchanger.

By the above configuration, the heating and defrosting operation can be performed at the same time. That is, even when the defrosting operation of the outdoor heat exchanger is performed, there is an advantage that the heating operation is performed to continuously supply heating to the room.

Another embodiment is proposed.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of outdoor heat exchangers are provided to perform heating and defrosting operations, respectively. However, one outdoor heat exchanger is provided, and the outdoor heat exchanger is divided into sections for each location to perform heating and defrosting operations. Could be

At this time, the heating and defrosting operation according to the divided zone is the same as the process described in the previous embodiment.

For example, the refrigerant pipe of the outdoor heat exchanger is divided into upper, middle, and lower sides (divided) to perform a heating operation using a refrigerant flowing in the upper and middle refrigerant pipes, and a refrigerant flowing in the lower refrigerant pipe. Defrosting operation may be performed.

1 is a view showing the configuration of the heating cycle of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 and 4 are views showing a state in which the heating and defrosting operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention is performed.

5 is a view showing the configuration of the heating cycle of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (10)

A compressor for compressing the refrigerant; An indoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant passing through the compressor; A plurality of outdoor expansion valves whose openings are adjusted to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger; A plurality of outdoor heat exchangers each provided on the discharge side of the plurality of outdoor expansion devices, and each of which is subjected to a heating operation or a defrost operation by heat exchange of the refrigerant; Flow rate regulating valves provided on discharge sides of the plurality of outdoor heat exchangers, respectively, the openings of which are adjusted according to whether the outdoor heat exchanger is defrosted; And It is provided on each of the discharge side of the plurality of outdoor heat exchanger, and includes a capillary to expand the refrigerant during the defrosting operation process of the outdoor heat exchanger, And the flow control valve and the capillary are connected in parallel. The method of claim 1, On the inlet side of the compressor, And a refrigerant heater provided for heating the refrigerant passing through the flow control valve or capillary. The method of claim 1, A temperature sensor provided to the outdoor heat exchanger and configured to sense an evaporation temperature of the refrigerant; And An air conditioner further includes an outside sensor to sense the temperature of the outdoor air. The method of claim 3, wherein The controller may further include a controller configured to determine whether the outdoor heat exchanger is implanted by determining values sensed by the temperature sensor and the outside air sensor. The control unit is an air conditioner, characterized in that for adjusting the opening degree of the expansion valve according to whether the outdoor heat exchanger. The method of claim 1, The plurality of outdoor heat exchangers include a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a third heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger performs a heating operation, and the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger perform a defrosting operation. Air conditioner. A compressor for compressing the refrigerant; An indoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant passing through the compressor; An outdoor expansion valve having an opening degree adjusted for decompression of the refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger; An outdoor heat exchanger provided at a discharge side of the outdoor expansion device and divided into one refrigerant pipe and the other refrigerant pipe to perform a heating operation or a defrosting operation; A flow rate control valve provided at a discharge side of the outdoor heat exchanger and having an opening degree adjusted according to whether the outdoor heat exchanger is defrosted; And Capillaries are provided on the discharge side of the outdoor heat exchanger, respectively, and the refrigerant is expanded during the defrosting operation of the outdoor heat exchanger. The refrigerant flowing in the one refrigerant pipe is a heating operation is performed by heat exchange with the outside air, the refrigerant flowing in the other refrigerant pipe is the air conditioner to perform the defrost of the outdoor heat exchanger. Determining whether the first outdoor heat exchanger is implanted among the plurality of heat exchangers by using values sensed by the outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor and the outdoor air sensor; In a state in which the first outdoor heat exchanger is implanted, allowing the first expansion valve to be fully opened; Defrosting the first outdoor heat exchanger by refrigerant passing through the first expansion valve; Adjusting the opening degree of the first flow control valve so that the refrigerant passing through the first outdoor heat exchanger flows to the first capillary; And And performing heat exchange of the refrigerant for heating in the second outdoor heat exchanger of the plurality of heat exchangers. The method of claim 7, wherein And adjusting the opening degree of the second expansion valve provided at the inlet side of the second outdoor heat exchanger to allow expansion of the refrigerant. The method of claim 8, The outlet side of the second outdoor heat exchanger further includes a capillary for expanding the refrigerant and a second refrigerant flow control valve for controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant, The refrigerant passing through the second outdoor heat exchanger further comprises passing through the second refrigerant flow control valve. The method of claim 7, wherein The control method of the air conditioner further comprises the step of allowing the refrigerant passing through the first capillary flows into the refrigerant heater to be maintained in an overheated state.

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