KR20160112490A - Air-conditioner and method for thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a control method thereof. To perform an oil recovery operation for protecting a compressor, the present invention corresponds to changes in indoor temperatures inputted from a temperature sensor, determines whether the oil recovery operation is operational or not, and performs the oil recovery operation in the daytime, when users sensitivity regarding noises is low, thereby reducing inconvenience to a user due to noise, while preventing damage to a compressor by performing oil recovery efficiently.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a control method thereof, and more particularly to an air conditioner and a control method thereof for controlling an oil recovery time of a refrigerant.

The air conditioner is installed to provide a comfortable indoor environment for humans by discharging cold air to the room to adjust the room temperature and purify the room air to create a pleasant indoor environment. Generally, the air conditioner includes an indoor unit which is constituted by a heat exchanger and installed in a room, and an outdoor unit which is constituted by a compressor, a heat exchanger and the like and supplies the refrigerant to the indoor unit.

Such an air conditioner is controlled by being separated and controlled by an indoor unit constituted by a heat exchanger, an outdoor unit constituted by a compressor, a heat exchanger and the like, and operated by controlling a power source supplied to a compressor or a heat exchanger. Also, at least one indoor unit may be connected to the outdoor unit, and the air conditioner is operated in the cooling or heating mode by supplying the refrigerant to the indoor unit according to the requested operation state.

When the liquid refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure is supplied from the compressor of the outdoor unit to the indoor unit through the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit during the cooling operation, the refrigerant expands and vaporizes in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit, When the temperature of the air is lowered and the indoor fan is rotated, the cool air is discharged into the room. When the gas refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure is supplied from the compressor of the outdoor unit to the indoor unit during the heating operation, the gas refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure is liquefied in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit The air warmed by the released energy is discharged to the room according to the operation of the indoor fan.

Such an air conditioner performs an oil recovery operation to protect the compressor when it is operated for a predetermined time or more. In the oil recovery operation, the heat exchanger of the indoor unit operates as an evaporator and operates at a constant flow rate for effective oil recovery.

The operation of the heat exchanger of the indoor unit as the evaporator is to perform the cooling operation. When the heating operation is mainly performed as in the winter, the heating operation is stopped and the cooling operation is performed. In addition, There is a problem that excessive noise is generated.

In particular, when the oil recovery is performed at midnight in the home, there arises a problem that disturbs the user's sleep due to noise.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner and a control method thereof that perform an oil recovery operation in a daytime in which sensitivity to noise is low against noise generated due to oil recovery in an air conditioner and a control method thereof .

An air conditioner according to the present invention includes an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit, the air conditioner comprising: a compressor for compressing refrigerant; An oil recovery device for recovering oil from the refrigerant; A temperature sensor for measuring the outdoor temperature; And a controller for determining whether or not the oil recovery operation is possible in response to the change of the outdoor temperature inputted from the temperature sensor and performing the oil recovery operation in a daytime in which the sensitivity to noise is low.

A control method of an air conditioner according to the present invention includes: receiving an outdoor temperature measured from a temperature sensor; Determining whether the outdoor temperature is a maximum temperature; Setting a state in which a daytime oil recovery operation with low sensitivity to noise is enabled when the preset time elapses from a maximum temperature; And performing an oil recovery operation.

In the air conditioner and the control method thereof according to the present invention, in performing the oil recovery operation for protecting the compressor, the oil recovery operation is set according to the change of the outdoor temperature, The oil recovery operation can be efficiently performed while reducing the inconvenience of the user due to the noise, thereby preventing damage to the compressor.

1 is a view showing a configuration of an air conditioner according to the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing the control arrangement of the air conditioner according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the oil recovery operation and the noise sensitivity of the air conditioner according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the noise sensitivity of the air conditioner according to the present invention and the relationship between the oil temperature and the oil recovery operation.
5 is a flowchart showing a method of executing an oil recovery operation of an air conditioner according to the present invention.
6 is a flowchart showing a method for determining whether or not an oil recovery operation of the air conditioner according to the present invention is possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention, and the manner of achieving them, will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. To fully disclose the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

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

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

Referring to Fig. 1, the air conditioner includes at least one indoor unit 20 (21 to 22), and an outdoor unit 10. The remote controller 30 further includes a remote controller 30 (31, 32) connected to the indoor unit 20 for transmitting data and displaying information on the operation state thereof.

And a remote controller (not shown) connected to the indoor unit and the outdoor unit to monitor and control the operation of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, as the case may be.

At this time, the air conditioner may be classified into a ceiling type, a stand type, and a wall type depending on the installation type. The air conditioner further includes a plurality of outdoor units, a plurality of indoor units, and a unit such as a ventilating unit, an air purifying unit, a humidifying unit, a dehumidifying unit and a heater in addition to the outdoor unit and the indoor unit But a description thereof will be omitted in the following.

An air conditioner can be installed in various places such as a home, a building, a factory, etc. Since a building or a factory has an outdoor unit installed in a specific place or a distance between an indoor space and an outdoor unit, When installed, the distance between the outdoor unit and the user is relatively short, so that the user may be influenced by the noise of the outdoor unit.

Since the noise of the outdoor unit occurs during the oil recovery process of the outdoor fan or the refrigerant, the air conditioner of the present invention can change the oil recovery time and perform the oil recovery at a time when the sensitivity to the noise of the user is low. Accordingly, the outdoor unit of the present invention judges whether or not the oil can be recovered and performs the oil recovery operation.

The indoor unit 20 includes an expansion valve (not shown) for expanding the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit 10 connected to the refrigerant pipe, an indoor heat exchanger (not shown) for exchanging the refrigerant heat, indoor air introduced into the indoor heat exchanger (Not shown) for exposing the heat-exchanged air to the room, a plurality of sensors (not shown), and control means (not shown) for controlling the operation of the indoor unit.

The indoor unit 20 includes a discharge port (not shown) for discharging the heat-exchanged air, and the discharge port is provided with a wind direction adjusting unit (not shown) for closing the discharge port and controlling the direction of the discharged air. The indoor unit controls the intake air and the air to be discharged by controlling the rotation speed of the indoor fan, and adjusts the air flow rate. The indoor unit may further include human body sensing means for sensing a human body present in the indoor space as the case may be. The indoor unit 20 may further include an output unit for displaying an operation status and setting information of the indoor unit, and an input unit for inputting setting data.

The outdoor unit 10 operates in a cooling mode or a heating mode in response to a request of the connected indoor unit 20 or a control command of the remote controller, and supplies the refrigerant to a plurality of indoor units.

The outdoor unit 10 includes at least one compressor (not shown) for compressing the refrigerant introduced therein and discharging the gas refrigerant at a high pressure, a gas cooler for separating the gas refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant, An oil separator (not shown) for recovering oil from the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown) for condensing or evaporating the refrigerant by heat exchange with the outside air, an outdoor heat exchanger An outdoor fan (not shown) for introducing air into the outdoor heat exchanger and discharging the heat-exchanged air to the outside, a four-way valve (not shown) for changing the flow path of the refrigerant according to the operation mode of the outdoor unit, At least one pressure sensor (not shown), at least one temperature sensor (not shown) for measuring the temperature, a controller for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit, And a control configuration to be performed. The outdoor unit further includes a plurality of sensors, valves, supercooling units and the like, and a description thereof will be omitted below.

The remote controller 30 inputs the operation schedule such as the operation mode of the indoor unit 30, the temperature and the airflow, as well as the operation schedule, and transmits the operation schedule to the indoor unit so that the indoor unit is operated according to the setting. At this time, the remote controller 30 transmits data on the operation setting to the indoor unit 20 by wire or wirelessly.

2 is a block diagram showing the control arrangement of the air conditioner according to the present invention.

2, the outdoor unit 10 includes a sensing unit 120, a driving unit 140, a compressor 150, an oil collecting unit 160, a communication unit 170, a data unit 130, And a control unit 110 for controlling the apparatus.

The driving unit 140 controls the driving of the compressor 150, the valve (not shown), and the outdoor fan (not shown) in response to the control command of the controller 110. In addition, the driving unit 140 causes the oil collecting unit 160 to operate according to the control command of the control unit 110. At this time, the driving unit 130 may be divided into a compressor driving unit, an outdoor fan driving unit, a valve control unit, and an oil recovery unit control unit. The oil recoverer 160 separates the oil contained in the refrigerant.

The data unit 130 stores control data for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit and each configuration, and data input / output through the sensing unit 120 and the communication unit 170 during the outdoor unit operation. In addition, address data for communication with an indoor unit or an external device is stored in the data unit 130, and reference data according to an operation judgment is stored.

In some cases, the outdoor unit 10 may further include an input unit (not shown) including input means such as a predetermined button or a switch, and an output unit (not shown) indicating the operation status and the operation status. At this time, the input unit inputs commands such as power input, address setting, and trial operation to the controller 110 according to the operation of each input unit. The output unit may output a predetermined effect sound or a warning sound, an operation state, an error occurrence, or a warning, or may output a state or the like as to whether or not the operation state is abnormal or blink.

The sensing unit 120 is installed inside or outside the outdoor unit 10 to sense and measure data on the outdoor unit 10 and data on the operation status. The sensing unit 120 senses information of the inside or outside of the outdoor unit and inputs the sensed information to the control unit 110.

The sensing unit 140 may include a plurality of sensors and may include sensors for measuring temperature, pressure, humidity, carbon dioxide, flow rate, voltage, and current to the inside and the outside of the outdoor unit.

Particularly, the temperature sensor 121 is installed inside the outdoor unit 10 and on the outer surface of the outdoor unit 10 to measure the temperature inside the indoor unit and the temperature outside the outdoor unit, respectively. The temperature sensor 121 is installed in the refrigerant pipe, measures the suction temperature and the discharge temperature of the refrigerant, and inputs the measured temperature to the control unit 110. At this time, the temperature sensor 121 is installed at a suction port where the outside air is sucked, or installed outside the outdoor fan to measure the outdoor temperature.

The communication unit 170 includes a plurality of wired or wireless communication modules. The communication unit 170 transmits and receives data to and from the connected indoor unit 20 according to a control command of the control unit 110. Also, the communication unit 150 can communicate with a remote controller, an external server, or another unit.

The control unit 110 processes input / output data and controls data transmission / reception with the indoor unit 20 through the communication unit 170. The control unit 110 applies a control command to the driving unit 140 so that the compressor 150 and the outdoor fan operate in response to the operation setting for the indoor unit 20. [

The control unit 110 controls the operation of the air conditioner according to the operation setting or the request of the indoor unit 20 so as to control the operation according to the data inputted from the sensing unit 120 .

When the oil recovery operation is completed, the controller 110 counts the time by operating a timer (not shown). When the predetermined time elapses after the last oil recovery operation, the controller 110 performs the oil recovery operation A control command is applied to the driving unit 140.

At this time, the control unit 110 does not perform the oil recovery operation immediately based on the time point at which the set time elapses, but may perform the oil recovery operation based on the outdoor temperature measured by the temperature sensor 121 of the sensing unit 120 The oil recovery operation is performed.

The controller 110 causes the oil recovery operation to be performed in a daytime in which the sensitivity to noise is low. Accordingly, the control unit 110 periodically receives the outdoor temperature from the temperature sensor 121 of the sensing unit 120 and performs the oil recovery operation when a predetermined time elapses after the outdoor temperature reaches the maximum temperature, Allow oil recovery to be performed.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the oil recovery operation and the noise sensitivity of the air conditioner according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sensitivity of the user to noise changes with time based on 24 hours a day. Sensitivity to noise decreases at midnight and has a minimum value at 12 noon. After that, the sensitivity to noise increases again.

When the oil recovery operation is performed in the morning time zone P1 between 0 and the first time t1 or during the night time zone P2 between the second time t2 and 0 midnight, Therefore, the user feels discomfort due to the noise generated due to the oil recovery operation at home.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the noise sensitivity of the air conditioner according to the present invention and the relationship between the oil temperature and the oil recovery operation.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the sensitivity to noise and the change in outdoor temperature are referenced, the sensitivity to noise is high at night and relatively low during daytime, as described above. In other words, noise of the same size may be uncomfortable because it is highly sensitive to it at night time, but even the noise of the same size during the daytime may not feel uncomfortable.

Therefore, the control unit 110 performs the oil recovery operation to generate noise during the daytime when the sensitivity to noise is low, thereby reducing the user's discomfort.

At this time, the outdoor temperature (S2) is low at night and increases during daytime, and decreases after rising to maximum temperature at the time of noon. The control unit 110 uses the outdoor temperature measured by the temperature sensor 121 to distinguish the daytime in which the sensitivity to noise is low.

The controller 110 receives the outdoor temperature periodically from the temperature sensor 121, determines that the outdoor temperature has not yet reached the maximum temperature when the outdoor temperature has risen, and decreases after reaching the maximum temperature when the outdoor temperature has decreased do. At this time, the controller 110 compares the previously input outdoor temperature and the newly inputted outdoor temperature with respect to the outdoor temperature periodically inputted, stores the newly inputted outdoor temperature when the outdoor temperature is higher, and if the newly inputted outdoor temperature is lower Ensure that the existing outdoor temperature is maintained.

Accordingly, the controller 110 can determine whether the maximum temperature has been reached or not, and counts a predetermined time after reaching the maximum temperature to perform the oil recovery operation.

The control unit 110 determines whether or not the outdoor temperature reaches the maximum temperature P11 after passing the noon (12 o'clock), not the existing night time zone and the morning time zone, D2) so that the oil recovery operation is performed in the afternoon time zone from the fourth time (t21) to the fifth time (t22).

Accordingly, the air conditioner can perform the oil recovery operation during the daytime in which the sensitivity to noise is low, so that the discomfort due to the noise can be reduced. Further, when the oil recovery operation is performed during heating, the operation mode is changed, so that it is possible to cope with the discharge of cool air during oil recovery.

5 is a flowchart showing a method for executing an oil recovery operation according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the oil recovery in the oil recovery unit 160 is completed (S310), the control unit 110 counts the time from the completion of the oil recovery (S320).

The control unit 110 measures the outdoor temperature through the temperature sensor 121 when the counted time passes the set time (S330) (S340). The control unit 110 receives the outdoor temperature from the temperature sensor 121 periodically.

The control unit 110 determines whether the oil is recoverable based on the outdoor temperature (S360). At this time, when the oil recovery is not possible, the control unit 110 receives the outdoor temperature from the temperature sensor 121.

When the control unit 110 is in the oil recoverable state, the control unit 110 applies a control command for the oil recovery operation, and the oil recovery unit 160 operates by the driving unit 140. The oil collecting unit 160 performs oil recovery while the oil recoverable state.

When the oil recovery is completed, the control unit 110 sets the oil recovery to the non-recoverable state and counts the time again as described above.

6 is a flowchart showing a method for determining whether or not an oil recovery operation of the air conditioner according to the present invention is possible.

As shown in FIG. 6, the controller 110 measures the outdoor temperature through the temperature sensor 121 (S410). The temperature sensor 121 inputs the measured outdoor temperature to the control unit 110 at predetermined time intervals.

The controller 110 compares the measured outdoor temperature with the newly input outdoor temperature with respect to the inputted outdoor temperature (S420). If the measured outdoor temperature is greater than the newly inputted outdoor temperature, the control unit 110 maintains the stored maximum temperature, and if the newly inputted outdoor temperature is larger, the controller 110 stores the newly inputted outdoor temperature as the highest temperature S430).

After storing the maximum temperature, the controller 110 determines whether the maximum temperature has been updated within a predetermined time (S440). That is, when the newly inputted outdoor temperature is higher than the pre-stored temperature, the highest temperature is renewed. Since the newly inputted outdoor temperature is lower than the pre-stored outdoor temperature, that is, the outdoor temperature after the highest temperature is stored, It is determined whether or not the time is longer than the predetermined time.

When the predetermined time has elapsed after the maximum temperature has been reached, the control unit 110 sets the oil recoverable state (S450). Accordingly, the oil recovery unit 160 performs the oil recovery in response to the input control command (S460).

When the oil recovery is completed (S470), the controller 110 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed after setting the oil recoverable state (S480). The control unit 110 terminates the oil recoverable state when a predetermined time or more has elapsed after the oil recovery is completed or the oil recoverable state is set (S490).

Therefore, the air conditioner sets the oil recoverable state corresponding to the change of the outdoor temperature and performs the oil recovery for the corresponding time, so that the air conditioner operates in the daytime considering the sensitivity to the noise of the user, By utilizing the daytime for the oil recovery operation in which the operation mode should be changed, the user's discomfort to the temperature can be minimized and the oil recovery for protecting the compressor can be performed regularly, thereby preventing damage to the components.

The present invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments, as all the constituent elements constituting the embodiment of the present invention are described as being combined and operated in one. Within the scope of the present invention, depending on the embodiment, all of the components may operate selectively in combination with one or more.

The foregoing description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention and various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

10: outdoor unit 20, 21 to 22: indoor unit
110: control unit 120:
121: Temperature sensor 130: Data part
150: compressor 160: oil recovery machine
142: second sensing unit 180: communication unit

Claims (14)

1. An air conditioner comprising: an outdoor unit; a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit;
A compressor for compressing the refrigerant;
An oil recovery device for recovering oil from the refrigerant;
A temperature sensor for measuring the outdoor temperature; And
And a control unit for determining whether or not the oil recovery operation is possible in response to a change in the outdoor temperature inputted from the temperature sensor and performing the oil recovery operation in a daytime in which the sensitivity to noise is low. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit counts time based on a time point at which the last oil recovery operation is completed and measures the outdoor temperature from the temperature sensor when the set time has elapsed to determine whether oil recovery operation is possible. The method according to claim 1,
The control unit compares the outdoor temperature inputted from the temperature sensor with the outdoor temperature input newly and the newly inputted outdoor temperature, and when the newly inputted outdoor temperature is higher than the previously inputted outdoor temperature, And the outdoor temperature is stored at the highest temperature. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the control unit sets the state in which the oil recovery operation is enabled when the maximum temperature is maintained without being renewed for more than the set time. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the controller performs an oil recovery operation within a set time based on a time when an outdoor temperature is highest. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit releases the oil recoverable state when a predetermined time has elapsed after the oil recovery operation is terminated or the oil recovery operation is enabled. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit releases the oil recoverable state when a predetermined time has elapsed after the oil recovery operation is terminated or the oil recovery operation is enabled. Receiving the measured outdoor temperature from the temperature sensor;
Determining whether the outdoor temperature is a maximum temperature;
Setting a state in which a daytime oil recovery operation with low sensitivity to noise is enabled when the preset time elapses from a maximum temperature; And
And performing an oil recovery operation. 9. The method of claim 8,
Comparing the inputted outdoor temperature with the newly input outdoor temperature with respect to the outdoor temperature input from the temperature sensor;
Further comprising the step of storing the newly inputted outdoor temperature as a maximum temperature when the newly inputted outdoor temperature is larger than the previously inputted outdoor temperature. 10. The method of claim 9,
And when the maximum temperature is maintained without being renewed for more than the predetermined time, the oil recovery operation is enabled. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the oil recovery operation is performed within a predetermined time based on a time point when the outdoor temperature is the highest. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the control unit counts time based on a point of time when the last oil recovery operation is terminated and determines whether or not the oil recovery operation is possible by measuring the outdoor temperature from the temperature sensor when the set time has elapsed. 9. The method of claim 8,
Further comprising the step of releasing the oil recoverable state when a predetermined time has elapsed after the oil recovery operation is settable, or when the oil recovery operation is terminated. 9. The method of claim 8,
Counting time when the oil recovery operation is completed; And
Further comprising the step of measuring the outdoor temperature when the counted time elapses and determining again whether or not the oil recovery operation is possible.

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