KR20110030961A - Air conditioner and operating method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An air conditioner and an operation method thereof are provided to easily confirm the abnormality of a refrigerant by using a sensed temperature value and to prevent damage to a compressor. CONSTITUTION: An air conditioner comprises a sensor unit, a display unit(140), and a control unit(110). The sensor unit senses indoor, outdoor, and extraction temperature. The display unit displays the sensed indoor temperature and extraction temperature. The control unit displays a temperature value inputted from the sensor unit on the display unit. The control unit confirms the abnormality of a refrigerant depending on a temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the extraction temperature by setting a reference temperature based on the indoor and outdoor temperature.

Description

Air conditioner and operating method

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and an operating method thereof, and more particularly, to an air conditioner and an operating method of detecting an abnormality of a refrigerant and controlling an indoor temperature according to a sensed temperature value.

The air conditioner is installed to provide a more comfortable indoor environment for humans by discharging cold air into the room to adjust the indoor temperature and purifying the indoor air to create a comfortable indoor environment. In general, an air conditioner includes an indoor unit which is configured as a heat exchanger and installed indoors, and an outdoor unit which is configured as a compressor and a heat exchanger and supplies refrigerant to the indoor unit.

The air conditioner is separated and controlled by an indoor unit composed of a heat exchanger and an outdoor unit composed of a compressor and a heat exchanger, and is operated by controlling power supplied to a compressor or a heat exchanger. In addition, the air conditioner may be connected to at least one indoor unit to the outdoor unit, the refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit according to the requested operating state, the operation is operated in the cooling or heating mode.

The air conditioner is cooled or heated according to the flow of the refrigerant. During the cooling operation, when the liquid refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure is supplied to the indoor unit from the compressor of the outdoor unit to the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit, the refrigerant is expanded and vaporized in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit. When the temperature of the air decreases and the indoor fan is rotated, cold air is discharged into the room. When the high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant is supplied from the compressor of the outdoor unit to the indoor unit during the heating operation, the high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant is liquefied by the heat exchanger of the indoor unit. Air warmed by the released energy is discharged into the room according to the operation of the indoor fan.

As described above, the air conditioner controls the circulation of the refrigerant to operate the cooling or heating. When the refrigerant leaks at any point of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit due to a piping problem, the air conditioning operation efficiency of the air conditioner is only drastically lowered. Rather, it may cause damage to the compressor due to lack of refrigerant. In addition, there is a problem that the cooling and heating efficiency is lowered even when the refrigerant is excessively added.

In the case of the refrigerant abnormality, even if the air conditioner is normally operated, the temperature experienced by the user may not reach the setting and may cause discomfort. In addition, such refrigerant abnormalities may cause damage to the air conditioner.

Accordingly, in order to efficiently operate an air conditioner, a method for quickly and effectively detecting a refrigerant abnormality must be sought.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner and a method of operating the same, which effectively prevents malfunction of the air conditioner and damage to the compressor by easily detecting an abnormality of the refrigerant while effectively controlling the room temperature.

An air conditioner according to the present invention includes a sensing unit for sensing an indoor temperature, an outdoor temperature, and a blowout temperature; A display unit displaying the room temperature and the extraction temperature; And displaying a temperature value input from the detection unit on the display unit, setting a reference temperature according to the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature, and comparing the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the blowout temperature to determine whether the refrigerant is abnormal. And a control unit for determining and controlling the driving.

In addition, the operation method of the air conditioner according to the present invention includes the steps of detecting and displaying the indoor temperature, the outdoor temperature and the blowout temperature; Setting a reference temperature corresponding to the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature, and calculating a temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the extraction temperature; Comparing the temperature difference with the reference temperature to determine an abnormality of the refrigerant; And outputting an error and stopping the operation when the refrigerant is abnormal.

The air conditioner and its operation method according to the present invention configured as described above can easily determine whether the refrigerant is abnormal using the sensed temperature value, and by solving the problem of low efficiency using the same, effectively control the room temperature It can be effective. In addition, since the air conditioner and its operation method according to the present invention determine the refrigerant abnormality by using the sensed temperature value, it is possible to make a quick and accurate determination, and to quickly deal with it, so malfunction of the refrigerant and damage to the compressor may be caused. It is effective to prevent.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view showing an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a view showing an indoor unit and an outdoor unit as an example of a stand-type air conditioner.

Here, the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with an example of the stand type shown in the drawings, but can also be used in the ceiling type or wall-mounted type and can also be used in the integrated type without the distinction between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, the form It is stated that it is not limited to drawing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner includes at least one indoor unit 1 and an outdoor unit 2 connected to the indoor unit. At this time, the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2 are connected to the refrigerant pipe and the cold air is discharged from the indoor unit to the room according to the circulation of the refrigerant. In this case, the indoor unit may be connected to a plurality of outdoor units. At this time, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit may be connected with a communication line to transmit and receive a control command according to a predetermined communication method.

The air conditioner may further include a remote controller (not shown) controlling a plurality of indoor units and outdoor units. In addition, the air conditioner may further include a local controller (not shown) connected to the indoor unit for inputting a user command and outputting an operating state of the indoor unit. In addition to the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, a ventilation unit, an air cleaning unit, a humidification unit, a dehumidification unit It may further include a unit such as a heater. In addition, the air conditioner may be operated in conjunction with the lighting unit, the alarm unit is connected to the remote controller.

The indoor unit (1) is an expansion valve (not shown) for expanding the refrigerant supplied from the connected outdoor unit, an indoor heat exchanger for exchanging the refrigerant, and an indoor air fan for introducing indoor air into the indoor heat exchanger and exposing the heat-exchanged air to the room. (Not shown), a plurality of sensors (not shown), and control means (not shown) for controlling the operation of the indoor unit.

The indoor unit 1 includes a discharge port for discharging the heat-exchanged air, the discharge port is provided with a wind direction control means for opening and closing the discharge port, and controls the direction of the discharged air. The indoor unit controls the air volume by controlling the air sucked in and the air discharged by controlling the rotation speed of the indoor fan. In addition, the indoor unit may further include a human body detecting means for detecting a human body existing in the indoor space.

At this time, a vane for guiding the air and opening and closing at least one of each air inlet and the air outlet such as the left outlet, the right outlet, and the upper outlet is installed, and the vane not only opens and closes the air inlet and each outlet, Guide the direction of air and discharged air.

In addition, the indoor unit 1 may further include a display unit for displaying an operating state and setting information of the indoor unit, and an input unit for inputting setting data. The indoor unit main body may be connected to a local controller (not shown) in a wired or wireless manner, and an operation may be set according to data input from the local controller, and an operation state may be displayed through the local controller.

The outdoor unit 2 is operated in a cooling mode or a heating mode in response to a request of a connected indoor unit or an external control command and supplies refrigerant to a plurality of indoor units.

The outdoor unit (2) is at least one compressor (not shown) for compressing the incoming refrigerant to discharge the high-pressure gas refrigerant, the gas refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant is separated from the refrigerant, the unvaporized liquid refrigerant is introduced into the compressor Accumulator (not shown), oil separator for recovering oil from refrigerant discharged from the compressor, outdoor heat exchanger (not shown) for condensing or evaporating refrigerant by heat exchange with outside air, heat exchange of outdoor heat exchanger more smoothly An outdoor fan (not shown) for introducing air to the outdoor heat exchanger and discharging the heat-exchanged air to the outside, a four-way valve (not shown) for changing a refrigerant flow path according to an operation mode of the outdoor unit, and at least one for measuring pressure. Pressure sensor (not shown), at least one temperature sensor (not shown) to measure the temperature, to control the operation of the outdoor unit and to communicate with other units Include control configuration to perform. The outdoor unit further includes a number of other sensors, valves, subcooling devices, etc., and a description thereof will be omitted below.

The outdoor unit 2 is driven by a request of at least one of the indoor units connected to each other, or by a control command of a remote controller, and the number of operations of the outdoor unit and the compressor installed in the outdoor unit is changed as the air / heating capacity is changed in response to the driven indoor unit. The number of operations is variable.

The air conditioner configured as described above detects the leakage of the refrigerant based on the measured temperature value during operation. In this case, whether the refrigerant leaks may be performed in the indoor unit or the outdoor unit according to the connection configuration between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. Hereinafter, the leakage of the refrigerant in the indoor unit will be described as an example.

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

Referring to FIG. 2, as described above, the indoor unit 1 includes an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an indoor unit fan 170, and includes a communication unit 180, an input unit 130, a display unit 140, and a data unit ( 150, a driving unit 160, a sensing unit 120, a wind direction control unit (not shown), and a control unit 110 that controls the overall operation of the indoor unit.

In addition, the indoor unit may be classified into a ceiling type, a stand type, a wall-hung type, and the like, and may have differences in the configuration and arrangement provided according to the type thereof, but are configured as above. Description of the other components will be omitted.

The input unit 130 includes input means such as a predetermined number of switches, buttons, touch pads, dials, and the like, such as operation modes, operation settings, schedules, etc. for indoor unit operation.

The display unit 140 outputs an operating state of the indoor unit, including a lamp, an indicator such as an LED, and a display unit. In this case, the air conditioner may include at least one output means such as a speaker.

The display unit 140 outputs not only setting information such as setting temperature, setting air volume, and operation mode input through the input unit 130, but also information such as current operation state and room temperature information, and outputs a warning light or warning message when an abnormality occurs. do.

In this case, the input unit 130 and the display unit 140 may be provided in the front panel, the lower surface, the lower portion, the upper portion, and the like of the indoor unit 1, and the position thereof is not limited to the present description.

The sensing unit 120 includes a plurality of sensing means for sensing temperature, pressure, rotational speed, voltage or current, and the like, and applies the measured temperature, pressure, rotational speed, voltage, and current to the controller 110.

For example, the sensing unit is provided with a plurality of pressure sensors for measuring the pressure of the refrigerant to measure the low pressure and high pressure of the refrigerant, respectively, the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the compressor, the pressure of the refrigerant discharged. In addition, the sensing unit measures the rotation speed or the rotation speed for each motor provided in the indoor unit and applies it to the control unit 110. The sensing unit may include a hall sensor to detect the rotation speed.

The sensing unit 140 includes a plurality of temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of the refrigerant pipe, and measures the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger and the discharged refrigerant, and measures the temperature inside and outside the outdoor unit to the controller 110. Is authorized.

In addition, the detector 140 includes an indoor temperature detector 121, an outdoor temperature detector 122, and a blowout temperature detector 123.

The indoor temperature detector 121 is provided at the suction unit of the indoor unit, measures the temperature of the air sucked into the indoor unit, detects the indoor temperature, and applies the detected temperature to the controller 110.

The outdoor temperature detection unit 122 may be installed in an outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit or separately installed in the outdoor unit. The outdoor temperature detector 122 may apply the outdoor temperature measured by the communication between the outdoor unit and the indoor period to the controller 110. In some cases, the outdoor temperature detection unit 122 may be directly connected to a indoor communication device through a predetermined communication line.

The blowout temperature detecting unit 123 is provided at either side of the discharge port when the air heat-exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger is discharged into the room as the indoor fan operates, thereby determining the temperature of the air discharged into the room, that is, the blowout temperature. The measurement is applied to the control unit 110.

The data unit 150 stores setting data for indoor unit operation and control data for operation control, stores data received from an outdoor unit or another indoor unit, and stores a driving record according to the operation of the indoor unit. In addition, the reference value data 151 for comparing the data measured by the sensing unit 120 is configured and stored as a temperature table. In this case, the reference value data 151 is data for setting a reference temperature which is a reference value for determining a refrigerant abnormality.

The communication unit 150 includes at least one communication module to transmit / receive data with other indoor units or outdoor units O1 and O11. In some cases, the communication unit 150 is connected to a remote controller or a local controller to transmit and receive data. At this time, the indoor unit may be connected to the outdoor unit by a predetermined communication line and the outdoor unit may be controlled by the indoor unit. At this time, the communication unit 150 includes a communication module for communication in the air conditioner. The indoor unit is provided with a communication module corresponding to each when the communication method between the remote controller, the local controller, and the external server is different.

The indoor fan fan 170 is provided with a motor for rotational operation. As the motor is driven, the indoor fan is rotated to enable rapid heat exchange in the indoor heat exchanger, and the heat-exchanged air is discharged to the room.

In response to a control command of the controller 110, the driving unit 160 applies a signal and an operating power to the motor of the indoor fan to control the operation of the indoor fan 170 to rotate. Control the operation of the back. At this time, the driving unit 160 controls the driving, operation stop, rotation speed and rotation speed of the indoor unit fan 170 according to the control command of the indoor unit controller 110 corresponding to the set air volume.

In addition, the driving unit 160 controls the opening or closing amount of the expansion valve in response to a control command of the control unit 110, supplies operating power to a motor connected to the indoor fan 170, and drives for operation of the motor. A signal is applied to control the rotation of the motor.

In addition, the driving unit 160 adjusts the direction of the air discharged to the room by adjusting the angle of the louver or vane installed in the opening and closing of each discharge port and the suction port of the indoor unit and the discharge port in response to the control command of the control unit 110. The driver 160 controls the airflow by setting and changing the left and right angles of the discharged airflow and the vertical angle of the airflow.

The controller 110 processes data received from a connected indoor unit or another outdoor unit, and in some cases, a remote controller, and transmits predetermined data to the outside.

The control unit 110 controls the outdoor unit to be in the cooling operation or the heating operation in response to the input setting or the external control command, and according to the measurement data input through the pressure sensor, temperature sensor, etc. provided in the detection unit 120 The operation or stop of the operation is determined and a control command for it is generated and applied to the driver 160. In some cases, the controller 110 may transmit a control command to the outdoor units 2 and O through the communication unit 180 to control the outdoor unit to be operated accordingly.

The controller 110 corresponds to a temperature value input from the indoor temperature detector 121, the outdoor temperature detector 122, and the blowout temperature detector 123 of the detector 120 to adjust the temperature discharged into the room. To control.

The control unit 110 determines the indoor temperature according to the intake temperature of the air flowing into the indoor unit according to the operation mode, and using the temperature difference between the outdoor temperature and the blowout temperature, the blowout temperature of the air discharged into the room to adjust the indoor temperature To control. A predetermined control command may be applied to the outdoor unit to control the refrigerant flowing from the outdoor unit.

At this time, the controller 110 sets a reference temperature which is a reference value for determining the refrigerant abnormality according to the temperature value input from the sensing unit 120, and compares the temperature difference of the temperature value with the reference temperature to determine the abnormality of the refrigerant.

The controller 110 sets the reference temperature according to the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature by using the reference value data 151 stored in the data unit 150, calculates a temperature difference between the extraction temperature and the indoor temperature, and compares it with the reference temperature. If the temperature difference is equal to or less than the reference temperature or if the temperature difference lasts for a predetermined time, it is determined that the refrigerant is abnormal. This is because when the refrigerant leaks or is insufficient, or when the refrigerant is excessively charged, the cooling and heating efficiency is lowered, and a difference occurs in the blowout temperature of air actually discharged than the actual blowout temperature.

When the refrigerant is abnormal, the controller 110 outputs an error through the display unit 140 and causes the air conditioner to stop operating. In particular, the operation stop command is sent to the outdoor unit (O) to stop the compressor operation. If the controller 110 determines that the refrigerant is abnormal, the controller 140 outputs a refrigerant abnormal error through the display unit 140. At this time, the display unit 130 displays a predetermined warning message or warning lamp and outputs an error according to the refrigerant error. In some cases, a warning sound may be output.

The controller 110 controls the operation of the air conditioner by not only controlling the indoor temperature using the above temperature values even when the refrigerant is in a normal state but also continuously determining whether the refrigerant is normal.

Referring to the drawings the operation of the present invention configured as described above is as follows.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a refrigerant failure in an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the air conditioner starts operation according to the setting (S310). When the initial operation time elapses after the start of operation (S320), the controller 110 initializes the time count (S330), and receives the indoor temperature, the outdoor temperature, and the extraction temperature measured by the detection unit 120 (S340). After the start of operation, it is preferable to measure the stable measurement data after the initial operation time for a predetermined time to reach a normal operation state.

At this time, the indoor temperature is a temperature value input to the control unit 110 by measuring the temperature of the air sucked into the indoor unit from the indoor temperature sensor 121 provided in the indoor unit suction port, the outdoor temperature is installed separately in the outdoor unit or outdoor It is measured and input from the outdoor temperature sensor 122. In addition, the extraction temperature is measured by the extraction temperature detection unit 123 provided in the discharge port of the indoor unit is input to the controller 110.

The controller 110 displays the temperature value detected by the detector 120 through the display 140. The controller 110 displays the extraction temperature and the room temperature on the display unit 140 among the measured temperature values (S350). At this time, the display unit 140 is preferably provided on the front of the indoor unit, and in some cases, only the indoor temperature may be displayed and the extraction temperature may not be displayed.

The controller 110 sets a reference temperature using the temperature table of the reference value data 151 according to the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature (S360). In addition, the control unit 110 calculates a temperature difference between the extraction temperature and the room temperature (S370). At this time, the reference temperature is a reference value for the temperature difference between the room temperature and the blowout temperature to determine the refrigerant abnormality, and is set based on the reference value data, and the reference temperature is also changed when at least one of the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature is changed.

The controller 110 compares the calculated temperature difference with the set reference temperature and starts a time count when the temperature difference is less than the reference temperature (S390). The control unit 110 determines whether the time count is greater than or equal to the reference count (S400), and when the reference count is not reached, the display unit 140 displays the indoor temperature, the outdoor temperature, and the extraction temperature input by the sensing unit 120 as described above. The process of displaying on and calculating the temperature difference accordingly is performed repeatedly (S340 to S400).

When the temperature difference between the extraction temperature and the room temperature is less than or equal to the reference temperature, and the time count becomes greater than or equal to the reference count, that is, when the temperature difference is less than or equal to the reference temperature for as long as the reference count, the controller 110 It is determined that there is an abnormality (S410). For example, if the cooling operation is in progress, it may be determined that the extraction temperature is high and the cooling is weak.

In this case, the controller 110 may set a separate reference value for the extraction temperature, and when the extraction temperature is included in the reference value range, calculate the temperature difference as described above and compare it with the reference temperature.

After comparing as described above, if it is determined that there is an abnormality in the refrigerant, the controller 110 displays an error for the abnormality of the refrigerant on the display unit 40 (S420) and stops the operation (S430). At this time, the controller 110 transmits an operation stop command to the outdoor unit so that the compressor is stopped.

On the other hand, if the temperature difference between the take-out temperature and the room temperature is greater than the reference temperature, or even if the temperature difference between the take-out temperature and the room temperature is less than the reference temperature, if the temperature difference between the take-out temperature and the room temperature before reaching the reference count is larger than the reference temperature as described above, The controller 110 determines that the refrigerant is in a normal state (S440) and operates normally (S450). If the state in which the temperature difference is less than the reference temperature is not maintained for a predetermined time, it is regarded as a temporary phenomenon and it is determined that the refrigerant is in a normal state.

However, even during normal operation, the controller 110 may determine whether the refrigerant is abnormal by continuously determining the temperature difference between the extraction temperature and the room temperature as described above. At this time, the control unit 110 changes the value of the reference temperature according to the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature every time when determining the refrigerant abnormality through the temperature difference between the extraction temperature and the indoor temperature, and compares the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the extraction temperature with the reference temperature To judge.

That is, the indoor temperature may be influenced by the outdoor temperature, and the actual cooling and heating efficiency may vary depending on the outdoor temperature. Therefore, the reference temperature may be changed in consideration of the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature condition, and thus more accurate determination of the refrigerant abnormality may be possible. Do it.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of continuously checking a refrigerant state while an air conditioner is operating using the refrigerant abnormality determining method of FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the air conditioner is operating according to a predetermined setting (S470), the controller 110 checks whether a predetermined setting time has been reached after finally checking the refrigerant state (S480). The controller 110 operates normally without determining the refrigerant state when the set time is not reached after the final refrigerant state check.

On the other hand, when the set time has elapsed, the controller 110 initializes the time count (S490), and detects the indoor temperature, the outdoor temperature, and the take-out temperature through the detector 120 (S500).

Indoor temperature detection unit 121 measures the temperature of the air sucked from the indoor to measure the indoor temperature, outdoor temperature detection unit 122 is installed in the outdoor unit or outdoors to measure the outdoor temperature, take-out temperature detection unit 123 Is installed at the discharge port of the indoor unit to sense the ejection temperature.

The detected temperature value is displayed on the display unit 140. At this time, the room temperature and the extraction temperature are displayed.

The controller 110 calculates a temperature difference between the extraction temperature and the indoor temperature by using the extraction temperature in the reference value data 151 using the input indoor and outdoor temperatures (S510). As a result of the calculation, when the temperature difference is normal, that is, when the temperature difference is greater than the reference temperature by comparing the reference temperature and the temperature difference set corresponding to the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature, it is determined that the temperature difference is normal and operates normally (S530).

On the other hand, when the temperature difference is not normal, that is, when the temperature difference is less than the reference temperature for more than a predetermined time (S540), the controller 110 determines that there is an error in the refrigerant and displays an error (S550). Operation stops after the error output (S570).

If the state in which the temperature difference is less than the reference temperature is not maintained for a predetermined time, it is determined that the refrigerant is in a normal state, and then it operates normally.

While the operation is maintained before the operation is stopped (S560), the controller 110 repeatedly detects the temperature value by setting the cycle as described above, sets the reference temperature, and uses the reference temperature and the temperature difference to determine the state of the refrigerant. Check and determine whether the refrigerant is abnormal.

When the driving stop command is input, the controller 110 stops the operation.

5 is a diagram in which reference value data for setting a reference temperature for determining a refrigerant state is represented by a temperature table.

Referring to FIG. 5, the controller 110 determines whether the refrigerant is abnormal by comparing the temperature difference with the reference temperature in determining the refrigerant state by using the temperature difference between the room temperature and the extraction temperature.

The controller 110 sets the reference temperature according to the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature among the temperature values detected by the detector 120 before determining the abnormality of the refrigerant by calculating the temperature difference.

In this case, the reference temperature is set again each time when the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature are input to the controller 110 by the sensor 120. That is, if either the indoor temperature or the outdoor temperature is changed, the reference temperature is also changed.

Since the reference temperature is set according to the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature, the criterion for determining the abnormality of the refrigerant according to the temperature difference between the extraction temperature and the indoor temperature is changed. This is because the influence on the indoor temperature is large according to the outdoor temperature, and the blowout temperature of the air conditioner is changed as the indoor temperature is high and low.

The controller 110 sets a reference temperature corresponding to the outdoor temperature and the indoor temperature. For example, when the indoor temperature is 26 degrees and the outdoor temperature is 30 degrees, the controller 110 sets the reference temperature to 12 degrees with reference to the temperature table.

When the reference temperature is set to 12 degrees, the controller 110 determines that there is an abnormality in the refrigerant when the temperature difference between the extraction temperature and the indoor temperature is 12 degrees or less, or when the state of 12 degrees or less is maintained for a predetermined time.

During cooling, if the indoor temperature is 26 and the outdoor temperature is 30 degrees, the ejection temperature is set low to reduce the indoor temperature to the set temperature. If the temperature difference is less than 12 degrees, the reference temperature, the cooling operation is weaker than the actual setting. it means. Therefore, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the refrigerant that is weakly cooled than the setting.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a temperature display method of the air conditioner of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 6, the air conditioner displays the temperature value measured by the detector 120 on the display unit 140. At this time, the display unit 140 is provided on the front of the indoor unit to inform the user of the temperature information.

As shown in a of FIG. 6, the display unit 140 displays a set temperature (target temperature) 143 input by a user and an indoor temperature 142 measured by the detector 120, and also displays an indoor unit. The blowout temperature 144, which is the temperature of the air discharged from the discharge port of, may be displayed.

The user may change the set temperature or determine an abnormality of the coolant according to the values of the room temperature, the set temperature, and the blowout temperature displayed on the display unit. In addition, when a failure, when the failure diagnosis through a service center connection, it is possible to check whether the refrigerant state is normal through the temperature value displayed on the display unit 140.

In addition, as shown in b of FIG. 6, when the temperature display is selected as one of the buttons 131 provided in the input unit 120 is selected, the extraction temperature 145 may be displayed on the display unit 140. .

When the extraction temperature 145 is displayed in this way, when the user connects to the service center due to a problem such as weak cooling, the service center can check the state of the refrigerant using the extraction temperature and the room temperature.

Therefore, the air conditioner and the operating method of the present invention not only allow the user to confirm by displaying the detected temperature, but can also easily check the state of the refrigerant using the difference in the sensed temperature. Accordingly, by detecting a refrigerant abnormality such as refrigerant leakage or overfill, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the air conditioner and damage to the compressor due to the refrigerant.

As described above, the air conditioner and its operation method according to the present invention have been described with reference to the illustrated drawings. Can be.

1 is a view showing an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention,

2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration according to the indoor unit control of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of determining a refrigerant failure in an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of continuously checking a refrigerant state while an air conditioner is operated using the refrigerant abnormality determining method of FIG. 3.

5 is a diagram showing reference value data for setting a reference temperature for determining a refrigerant state in a temperature table;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a temperature display method of the air conditioner of FIG. 1.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

1: indoor unit 2, O: outdoor unit

110: control unit 120: detection unit

130: input unit 140: display unit

150: data portion 160: driving portion

170: indoor fan 180: communication unit

Claims (10)

A sensing unit for sensing an indoor temperature, an outdoor temperature, and a blowout temperature; A display unit displaying the room temperature and the extraction temperature; And The temperature value input from the sensing unit is displayed on the display unit, And a control unit configured to set a reference temperature according to the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature, and determine whether or not the refrigerant is abnormal according to a result of comparing the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the blowout temperature to control the operation. The method of claim 1, The control unit is configured to set the reference temperature for determining the refrigerant abnormality in response to the outdoor temperature and the indoor temperature based on a pre-stored temperature table. The method of claim 2, And the controller is configured to reset the reference temperature in response to the newly detected indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature when the indoor temperature, the outdoor temperature, and the blowout temperature are newly detected and input. The method of claim 2, And the control unit judges that the temperature difference is less than the reference temperature, the refrigerant is abnormal, outputs an error to the display unit, and stops the operation. The method of claim 4, wherein The control unit determines that the temperature difference is less than the reference temperature is more than a predetermined time, the refrigerant is abnormal or outputs an error on the display unit and stops the operation. The method of claim 1, The control unit periodically determines whether or not the refrigerant is abnormal in response to the temperature value continuously input the indoor temperature, the outdoor temperature and the blowing temperature from the sensing unit. Detecting and displaying an indoor temperature, an outdoor temperature, and a blowout temperature; Setting a reference temperature corresponding to the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature, and calculating a temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the extraction temperature; Comparing the temperature difference with the reference temperature to determine an abnormality of the refrigerant; And And outputting an error and stopping the operation when the refrigerant is abnormal. The method of claim 7, wherein The reference temperature is set corresponding to the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature based on a stored temperature table. If at least one of the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature is changed, the operation method of the air conditioner, characterized in that for resetting. The method of claim 7, wherein And determining that there is an abnormality in the refrigerant when the state in which the temperature difference is equal to or less than the reference temperature continues for a predetermined time or more. The method of claim 7, wherein And determining the abnormality of the refrigerant by re-measuring the indoor temperature, the outdoor temperature, and the blowout temperature after a predetermined time when determining that the refrigerant is normal.

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