KR20180138068A - Air conditioner and air conditioning system having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an air conditioner comprises: a housing having a main discharge port and a sub-discharge port heading for a direction different from the main discharge port; an inner partition wall dividing the inside of the housing into a first space communicating with the main discharge port and a second space communicating with the sub-discharge port, and having at least one through hole; a main opening and closing member to open and close the main discharge port; an inner opening and closing member to open and close the through hole; an indoor heat exchanger arranged in the first space; and a purification assembly arranged in the second space.

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 an air conditioning system including the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to an air conditioner capable of switching between heating and cooling and an air conditioning system including the same.

BACKGROUND ART [0002] Generally, an air conditioner is an apparatus that can cool or heat a room by using a refrigerant cycle of a refrigerant. When the refrigerant is sequentially compressed, condensed, expanded, evaporated, And performs the cooling or heating operation by the characteristic of releasing the heat.

The refrigerant discharged from the compressor during the cooling operation may be condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger and may be phase-changed to the low-temperature low-pressure two-phase refrigerant passing through the indoor expansion device and then transferred to the indoor air side through the indoor heat exchanger.

In the air conditioner, the refrigerant flow during the heating operation is opposite to that during the cooling operation, so that the indoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator.

In the air conditioning system capable of both the cooling operation and the heating operation, there are a switching type and a simultaneous type. In the switching type, a plurality of indoor units can perform all cooling or heating operation only, while in the simultaneous type, a plurality of indoor units can perform cooling operation and some others can perform heating operation.

On the other hand, the flow of the refrigerant circulating in the cycle during the cooling operation and during the heating operation can be changed, and the flow path of the refrigerant can be varied by the flow path converter included in the air conditioning system.

On the other hand, the conventional air conditioner has a problem that an unpleasant odor may be generated in the air passing through the moisture remaining in the indoor heat exchanger during the cooling operation or after restarting the cooling operation.

KR 10-2013-0065121 A (published on June 19, 2013)

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of deodorizing and drying an indoor heat exchanger and an air conditioning system including the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner and an air conditioning system including the same that prevent high temperature air from being directly applied to a user during drying of an indoor heat exchanger.

An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a housing having a main discharge port and a sub discharge port directed in a different direction from the main discharge port; An inner partition wall partitioning the inside of the housing into a first space communicating with the main discharge port and a second space communicating with the sub discharge port and having at least one through hole; A main opening / closing member for opening / closing the main discharge port; An inner opening and closing member for opening and closing the through hole; An indoor heat exchanger disposed in the first space; And a purging assembly disposed in the second space.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a controller for closing the main opening / closing member and opening the inner opening / closing member in a drying mode for drying the indoor heat exchanger.

The second space may be located above the first space.

The sub ejection opening may be formed on the upper surface of the housing.

The purging assembly includes a filter; A filter mount on which the filter is mounted; And an ultraviolet lamp disposed in the filter mount, wherein the controller can turn on the ultraviolet lamp in the drying mode.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a sub opening / closing member for opening / closing the sub outlet. The controller may open the sub opening / closing member in the drying mode.

An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a blowing fan disposed in the first space; And a heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor for measuring an outlet temperature of the indoor heat exchanger. The controller may turn on the blowing fan when the measured temperature of the heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor in the drying mode is equal to or higher than a predetermined first set temperature.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a sub opening / closing member for opening / closing the sub outlet. The controller may open the sub opening / closing member when the measured temperature of the heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor in the drying mode is equal to or higher than the first set temperature.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an air temperature sensor disposed in the second space. The controller may increase the rotational speed of the blowing fan when the measured temperature of the air temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined second set temperature after the blowing fan is turned on in the drying mode.

An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first gas concentration sensor disposed in the first space; And a second gas concentration sensor disposed in the second space. Wherein the controller calculates and stores a reference gas concentration based on the gas concentration measured by the first gas concentration sensor in a cooling mode and stores the calculated reference gas concentration in the drying mode, If the gas concentration is not more than the above, the drying mode can be terminated.

An air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, an indoor heat exchanger, and a switching valve; A housing having a main discharge port and a sub discharge port; An inner partition wall partitioning the interior of the housing into a first space communicating with the main discharge port and having the indoor heat exchanger disposed therein and a second space communicating with the sub discharge port and having at least one through hole; A main opening / closing member for opening / closing the main discharge port; An inner opening and closing member for opening and closing the through hole; A purging assembly disposed in the second space; And a controller for controlling the switching valve so that the discharge passage of the compressor communicates with the outdoor heat exchanger in a cooling mode and the discharge passage of the compressor communicates with the indoor heat exchanger in a drying mode. The controller may open the main opening / closing member to close the inner opening / closing member in a cooling mode, close the main opening / closing member in a drying mode, and open the inner opening / closing member.

The air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a room temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the outside of the housing. When the temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor is within the set indoor temperature range during the cooling mode, the controller turns off the compressor, closes the main opening / closing member, and opens the opening / closing member.

The purging assembly includes a filter; A filter mount on which the filter is mounted; And an ultraviolet lamp disposed on the filter mount, wherein the controller can turn on the ultraviolet lamp when the temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor is within the set indoor temperature range during the cooling mode.

The controller may start the drying mode when the cooling mode ends.

The second space may be located above the first space.

The sub ejection opening may be formed on the upper surface of the housing.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to dry the moisture formed in the indoor heat exchanger in the cooling mode, and to remove the odor from the air passing through the moisture.

In addition, since the air is discharged to the sub discharge port facing the other direction from the main discharge port in the drying mode, there is an advantage that the air can not directly reach the user.

Further, the air discharged from the purge assembly to the sub-discharge port can be deodorized and sterilized, so that indoor air can be comfortably maintained.

In addition, since the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger rises in the drying mode, the drying of the indoor heat exchanger can be performed quickly, and the odor generating material can be effectively removed by the baking-out effect.

In addition, the rotational speed of the blowing fan can be adjusted according to the temperature of the air discharged in the drying mode, thereby preventing the indoor temperature from rising excessively.

In addition, it is possible to measure the gas concentration of the discharged air in the drying mode and control the operation of the drying mode accordingly.

In addition, since the drying mode is automatically performed when the cooling mode is ended, generation of odor generating substances can be prevented and comfortable air can be provided to the user when the air conditioner is restarted.

1 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view showing the flow of refrigerant in the air conditioning system in the cooling mode.
3 is a view showing the flow of refrigerant in the air conditioning system in a heating mode or a drying mode.
4 is a front view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a side view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a plan view of the inner partition wall when the inner opening and closing member is open.
7 is a plan view of the inner partition wall when the inner opening and closing member is closed.
Figure 8 is a top view of a purging assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a control block diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of controlling the air conditioner in a drying mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method when the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention enters into the simple drying mode during the cooling mode.

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

1 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioning system including an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a separate type air conditioner will be described as a standard, but it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the concept of the present invention is not limited thereto and that the present invention can be applied to an integrated type air conditioner.

The air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a refrigeration cycle 1, an outdoor unit 2, and an air conditioner 3. At this time, the air conditioner 3 may mean an indoor unit.

<Configuration of Refrigeration Cycle>

The refrigeration cycle 1 may include a compressor 20, an outdoor heat exchanger 21, an expansion mechanism 22, an indoor heat exchanger 23, and a switching valve 24.

The compressor 20, the outdoor heat exchanger 21 and the expansion mechanism 22 can be disposed in the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor heat exchanger 23 can be disposed in the air conditioner 3 as an indoor unit .

<Compressor>

The compressor (20) can compress the refrigerant. The compressor 20 may be a constant-speed compressor or an inverter compressor whose operation frequency can be adjusted. The compressor 20 can be controlled on and off by the controller 90 to be described later, and the operation frequency can be controlled.

The compressor 20 may be connected to a discharge passage 25 and a suction passage 26. The compressor 20 can compress the refrigerant flowing into the suction passage 26 and discharge the refrigerant into the discharge passage 25. [

An oil separator (not shown) may be provided in the discharge passage 25, and an accumulator (not shown) may be provided in the suction passage 26. The discharge passage 25 and the suction passage 26 may be connected to the switching valve 24, respectively.

<Outdoor Heat Exchanger>

In the outdoor heat exchanger (21), the refrigerant can be condensed or evaporated. In the cooling mode, the outdoor heat exchanger 21 functions as a condenser, and the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 20 can be condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 21. [ In the heating mode or the drying mode, the outdoor heat exchanger 21 serves as an evaporator, and the refrigerant expanded in the expansion mechanism 22 can be evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 21.

The outdoor heat exchanger 21 may be connected to the switching valve 24 through the first flow path 27 and may be connected to the expansion mechanism 22 through the second flow path 28.

The outdoor unit 2 may be provided with an outdoor blowing fan 31 and the air blown by the outdoor blowing fan 31 may be heat-exchanged through the outdoor heat exchanger 21.

<Expansion mechanism>

In the expansion mechanism (22), the refrigerant can be expanded.

The expansion mechanism 22 may be an electric expansion valve (EEV). The expansion mechanism 22 may be connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 21 through the second flow path 28 and may be connected to the indoor heat exchanger 23 through the third flow path 29.

<Indoor Heat Exchanger>

In the indoor heat exchanger (23), the refrigerant can be condensed or evaporated. In the cooling mode, the indoor heat exchanger 23 functions as an evaporator, and the refrigerant expanded in the expansion mechanism 22 can be evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 23. In the heating mode or the drying mode, the indoor heat exchanger 23 functions as a condenser, and the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 20 can be condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 23.

The indoor heat exchanger 23 may be connected to the expansion mechanism 22 through the third flow path 29 and may be connected to the switching valve 24 through the fourth flow path 30.

The air conditioner 3 may be provided with a blowing fan 32 and the air blown by the blowing fan 32 may pass through the indoor heat exchanger 23 and be heat-exchanged. Thus, in the cooling mode, the air is cooled and discharged to the room, so that cooling can be performed. In the heating mode, the air is heated and discharged into the room, thereby heating can be performed.

<Switching valve>

The switching valve 24 may be a four way valve. The switching valve 24 can be switched by a controller 90 to be described later.

The switching valve 24 can communicate the suction passage 26 with any one of the first passage 27 and the fourth passage 30 and the discharge passage 25 can be communicated with the first passage 27 and the fourth passage 30, (30).

More specifically, in the cooling mode, the switching valve 24 allows the fourth flow path 30 and the suction flow path 26 to communicate with each other and the first flow path 27 and the discharge flow path 25 to communicate with each other. The switching valve 24 can communicate the fourth flow path 30 and the discharge flow path 25 and the first flow path 27 and the suction flow path 26 in the heating mode or the dry mode.

<First Temperature Sensor and Second Temperature Sensor>

Meanwhile, the air conditioner 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first temperature sensor 33 and a second temperature sensor 34.

The first temperature sensor 33 and the second temperature sensor 34 may be temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures of the inlet and outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 23, respectively. The first temperature sensor 33 may be disposed on one side of the indoor heat exchanger 23 and the second temperature sensor 34 may be disposed on the other side of the indoor heat exchanger 23 have.

More specifically, the first temperature sensor 33 may be disposed at the connection portion of the indoor heat exchanger 23 and the fourth flow path 30, and the second temperature sensor 34 may be disposed at the connection between the indoor heat exchanger 23 and the third And may be disposed at the connection portion of the flow path 34.

The first temperature sensor 33 may be a heat exchanger inlet sensor and the second temperature sensor 34 may be a heat exchanger outlet sensor based on the refrigerant circulation direction in the heating mode or the drying mode.

2 is a view showing the flow of refrigerant in the air conditioning system in the cooling mode of the air conditioner.

<Operation of air conditioning system in cooling mode>

Hereinafter, the operation of the air conditioning system in the cooling mode will be described.

The switching valve 24 allows the discharge passage 25 and the first flow path 27 to communicate with each other and the suction flow path 26 and the fourth flow path 30 to communicate with each other.

The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 20 can be guided to the outdoor heat exchanger 21 through the discharge passage 25 and the first flow path 27. The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger (21) can be condensed by heat exchange with the air blown by the outdoor air blowing fan (31).

The refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger (21) can be guided to the expansion mechanism (22) through the second flow path (28). The refrigerant introduced into the expansion mechanism 22 can be expanded and guided to the indoor heat exchanger 23 through the third flow path 29. [

The refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 23 can be evaporated by heat exchange with the air blown by the blowing fan 32, and the air can be cooled and discharged to the room where the air conditioner 3 is disposed. Thus, indoor cooling can be performed.

The refrigerant evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 23 can be sucked into the compressor 20 through the fourth flow path 30 and the suction flow path 26. The refrigerant sucked into the compressor (20) is compressed and discharged again by the compressor (20), and the above process can be repeated to circulate the refrigeration cycle.

3 is a view showing a flow of refrigerant in an air conditioning system in a heating mode or a drying mode of the air conditioner.

<Operation of air conditioning system in heating mode or drying mode>

Hereinafter, the operation of the air conditioning system in the heating mode or the drying mode will be described.

The switching valve 24 can communicate the discharge passage 25 and the fourth passage 30 and the suction passage 26 and the first passage 27 in the heating mode or the drying mode.

The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 20 can be guided to the indoor heat exchanger 23 through the discharge flow path 25 and the fourth flow path 30. [ The refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 23 can be condensed by heat exchange with the air blown by the blowing fan 32, and the air can be heated and discharged to the room where the air conditioner 3 is disposed. Thus, indoor heating can be performed. Further, since the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 23 is raised, the water that has condensed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 23, which has been cooled in the cooling mode, can be dried.

The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger (23) can be guided to the expansion mechanism (22) through the third flow path (29). The refrigerant introduced into the expansion mechanism 22 can be expanded and can be guided to the outdoor heat exchanger 21 through the second flow path 28.

The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger (21) can be evaporated by heat exchange with the air blown by the outdoor air blowing fan (31).

The refrigerant evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 21 can be sucked into the compressor 20 through the first flow path 27 and the suction flow path 26. The refrigerant sucked into the compressor (20) is compressed and discharged again by the compressor (20), and the above process can be repeated to circulate the refrigeration cycle.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a side view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a plan view of an open partition wall 7 is a plan view of the inner partition wall when the inner opening and closing member is closed, and Fig. 8 is a plan view of the purging assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The air conditioner 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the housing 4, the inner partition wall 7, the main opening and closing member 50, the inner opening and closing member 71, the indoor heat exchanger 23, 32 and a purge assembly 8. The air conditioner (3) may further include a sub opening / closing member (60).

<Housing>

The housing (4) can constitute the appearance of the air conditioner (3). In the housing 4, a suction port 9, a main discharge port 5, and a sub discharge port 6 may be formed.

The shape and number of each of the suction port 9, the main discharge port 5 and the sub discharge port 6 may be varied as required.

The main discharge port (5) and the sub discharge port (6) may be formed to face each other. Preferably, the main discharge port 5 faces forward and the sub discharge port 6 faces upward. That is, the main discharge port 5 may be formed on the front surface of the housing 4, and the sub discharge port 6 may be formed on the upper surface of the housing 4.

Thereby, the air discharged to the main discharge port 5 can be blown so as to directly touch the user, and the air discharged to the sub discharge port 6 can be blown so as not to directly touch the user.

The suction port 9 may be formed on the back surface of the housing 4. [

A display 4A may be provided on the front surface of the housing 4. [ The controller 90 to be described later can display various information related to the air conditioner 3 on the display 4A. For example, the display 4A can display whether the air conditioner 3 is operating in the cooling mode, the heating mode, the drying mode, or the simple drying mode.

&Lt; Main opening / closing member &

The main opening / closing member 50 can be disposed in the main discharge opening 5 and can open / close the main discharge opening 5. The main opening / closing member 50 may be a vane driven by a driving unit including a motor or the like.

The main opening / closing member 50 can be open / closed controlled by a controller 90 to be described later.

The main opening / closing member 50 may be open-controlled in a cooling mode or a heating mode, and closed in a drying mode or a simple dry mode.

&Lt; Sub opening / closing member &

The sub opening / closing member 60 can be disposed in the sub ejection opening 6 and can open / close the sub ejection opening 6. [ The sub opening / closing member 60 may be a vane driven by a driving unit including a motor and the like.

The sub opening / closing member 60 can be open / closed controlled by a controller 90 to be described later.

The sub opening / closing member 60 can be closed-controlled in the cooling mode or the heating mode, and can be open-controlled in the drying mode or the simple dry mode.

&Lt; Inner bulkhead and inner opening / closing member &

The inner partition wall 7 can be disposed inside the housing 4. The inner partition wall 7 can divide the inside of the housing 4 into a first space S1 and a second space S2.

The first space S1 can communicate with the suction port 9 and the main discharge port 5 and the second space S2 can communicate with the sub discharge port 6. [

The inner partition wall 7 may be horizontally disposed, and the second space S2 may be located above the first space S1.

At least one through hole 70 may be formed in the inner barrier wall 7 and the first space S1 and the second space S2 may communicate with each other by the through hole 70. [

The inner opening and closing member 71 is disposed in each through hole 70 formed in the inner partition wall 7 and can open and close each through hole 70. [

The inner opening and closing member 70 may be connected to the driving unit 72 and may be rotated by the driving unit 72 to open and close the through hole 70. [

The driving unit 72 may include a motor 73 and a gear 74 connected to the motor 73.

The inner opening and closing member 71 can be open / closed controlled by a controller 90 to be described later. In more detail, the controller 90 can control the motor 70 to open / close control the inner opening / closing member 70.

The inner opening and closing member 71 can be closed-controlled in the cooling mode or the heating mode, and can be open-controlled in the dry mode or the simple dry mode.

<Ventilating Fan and Indoor Heat Exchanger>

The indoor heat exchanger 23 and the blowing fan 32 can be disposed inside the housing 4 and more specifically can be disposed in the first space S1.

At least one blowing fan 32 may be provided.

The blowing fan 32 can be turned on and off by a controller 90 to be described later, and the rotational speed can be controlled.

The indoor heat exchanger (23) may be located between the inlet (9) and the main outlet (5). The blowing fan 32 may be disposed between the inlet 9 and the indoor heat exchanger 23 or may be disposed between the main outlet 5 and the indoor heat exchanger 23.

When the blowing fan 32 is turned on, the air outside the housing 4 can be sucked into the first space S1 through the suction port 9 and can be heat-exchanged through the indoor heat exchanger 23. [

In the cooling mode or the heating mode, the heat-exchanged air in the indoor heat exchanger 23 can be discharged to the main discharge port 5. The air exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 23 flows into the second space S2 through the through hole 70 formed in the inner partition wall 7 and is discharged to the sub discharge port 6 .

<Purification assembly>

The purge assembly 8 can be disposed inside the housing 4, and more particularly, in the second space S2.

The purge assembly 8 can be disposed between the sub ejection openings 6 and the inner partition walls 7. [ The purge assembly 8 can be arranged horizontally.

The purifying assembly 8 can purify the air introduced into the second space S2 through the through holes 70 of the inner partition wall 7 in the first space S1. At this time, purification of air may mean deodorization and sterilization of air.

The purge assembly 8 may include a filter 81 and a filter mount 80 on which the filter 81 is mounted. The purge assembly 8 may further include an ultraviolet lamp 82.

The filter 81 may include a deodorizing filter member. The filter 81 can deodorize the air discharged from the second space S2 to the sub ejection opening 6. [ In addition, the filter 81 can filter foreign substances such as dust contained in the air discharged from the second space S2 to the sub-discharge port 6. [

The ultraviolet lamp 82 can sterilize the air discharged from the second space S2 to the sub ejection opening 6. [

The ultraviolet lamp 82 can be on / off controlled by a controller 90 to be described later.

The ultraviolet lamp 82 may be mounted on the filter mounter 80 together with the filter 81 but is not limited thereto and may be disposed in the second space S2 with a separate fixing member.

<Temperature sensor and gas concentration sensor>

Meanwhile, the air conditioner 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a temperature sensor and a gas concentration sensor.

The temperature sensor may include at least one of a first temperature sensor 33 (see FIG. 1), a second temperature sensor 34 (see FIG. 1), an air temperature sensor 83, and a room temperature sensor 36. The gas concentration sensor may include at least one of a first gas concentration sensor (35) and a second gas concentration sensor (84).

As described above, the first temperature sensor 33 and the second temperature sensor 34 can sense the temperatures of the inlet and the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 23, respectively.

And the air temperature sensor 83 may be disposed in the second space S2. More specifically, the air temperature sensor 83 may be disposed on the upper side of the purifying assembly 8.

The air temperature sensor 83 can sense the temperature of the air discharged through the purge assembly 8 to the sub ejection openings 6.

The indoor temperature sensor 36 can sense the temperature of the air outside the housing 4. [ That is, the room temperature sensor 36 can sense the temperature of the room where the air conditioner 3 is placed. The room temperature sensor can be mounted on the outer surface of the housing 4. [

The first gas concentration sensor 35 may be disposed in the first space S1. More specifically, the first gas concentration sensor 35 may be disposed in the indoor heat exchanger 23, and more particularly, in the front portion of the indoor heat exchanger 23. [

And the second gas concentration sensor 84 may be disposed in the second space S2. More specifically, the second gas concentration sensor 84 may be disposed above the purifying assembly 8.

The first gas concentration sensor 35 and the second gas concentration sensor 84 can sense gas concentrations of specific chemical components such as sulfur compounds and acetaldehyde.

The first gas concentration sensor 35 can sense the gas concentration of the air around the indoor heat exchanger 23 and the second gas concentration sensor 84 can detect the gas concentration of the air around the indoor heat exchanger 23 through the purifying assembly 8, It is possible to detect the gas concentration of the air.

9 is a control block diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Controller>

The air conditioner 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a controller 90.

The controller 90 may be disposed in the air conditioner 3, in the outdoor unit 2, or in a building or structure in which the air conditioning system is disposed.

The controller 90 can receive a command of the user. The user can input a command through a terminal such as a remote controller or input an instruction by pressing an input button provided in the air conditioner 3. [

The controller 90 can receive and store the measured values sensed by the respective temperature sensors 33, 34, 83 and 36 and the gas concentration sensors 35 and 84, respectively.

In more detail, the controller 90 may receive and store the inlet and outlet temperatures of the indoor heat exchanger 23 measured by the first temperature sensor 33 and the second temperature sensor 34. The controller 90 can receive and store the temperature of the air measured by the air temperature sensor 83 and the room temperature sensor 36. [

In addition, the controller 90 may receive and store the concentration of the gas measured by the first gas concentration sensor 35 and the second gas concentration sensor 84.

On the other hand, the controller 90 can control the compressor 20 on and off, and can control the operating frequency of the compressor 20. [

The controller 90 can control ON / OFF of the outdoor blowing fan 31 and the blowing fan 32, respectively, and can control the respective rotational speeds.

The controller 90 can open / close control the main opening / closing member 50, the sub opening / closing member 60, and the inner opening / closing member 71.

The controller 90 can turn on and off the ultraviolet lamp.

The controller 90 can display various information related to the operation of the air conditioner, such as the operation mode of the air conditioner, the desired temperature, the room temperature, and the wind intensity, on the display 4A.

The controller 90 can switch the switching valve 24 and communicate the discharge passage 25 of the compressor 20 with the indoor heat exchanger 23 or the outdoor heat exchanger 21. [

<Cooling mode>

Hereinafter, the operation of the air conditioner 3 in the cooling mode will be described.

The controller 90 can control the switching valve 24 so that the discharge passage 25 of the compressor 20 communicates with the outdoor heat exchanger 21 when the user inputs the cooling mode command.

Further, the controller 90 can open the main opening / closing member 50 and close the inner opening / closing member 71 and the sub opening / closing member 60.

Thus, the air sucked into the suction port 9 by the blowing fan 32 is heat-exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 23 and can be cooled, and discharged through the main discharge port 5 to perform indoor cooling. At this time, the air sucked into the first space S1 through the suction port 9 does not flow into the second space S2, but is discharged to the main discharge port 5 completely because the inner opening and closing member 71 is closed. .

On the other hand, in the cooling mode, the controller 90 can receive the gas concentration measured by the first gas concentration sensor 35 and calculate the reference gas concentration based on the gas concentration measured by the first gas concentration sensor 35 Can be calculated and stored. The manner in which the controller 90 calculates the reference gas concentration can be varied as needed. For example, the controller 90 may determine the reference gas concentration by calculating an average of the measured values transmitted over a predetermined time interval. The reference gas concentration may be updated at each time interval, and the controller 90 may then determine an end time of the drying mode based on the last updated reference gas concentration in the drying mode. This will be described in detail later.

<Heating mode>

Hereinafter, the operation of the air conditioner 3 in the heating mode will be described.

The controller 90 can control the switching valve 24 so that the discharge passage 25 of the compressor 20 communicates with the indoor heat exchanger 23 when the user inputs the heating mode command.

Further, the controller 90 can open the main opening / closing member 50 and close the inner opening / closing member 71 and the sub opening / closing member 60.

Thus, the air sucked into the suction port 9 by the blowing fan 32 is heat-exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 23 and can be heated and discharged through the main discharge port 5 to perform indoor heating. At this time, the air sucked into the first space S1 through the suction port 9 does not flow into the second space S2, but is discharged to the main discharge port 5 completely because the inner opening and closing member 71 is closed. .

<Drying mode>

The controller 90 can operate the air conditioner 3 in the dry mode when the cooling mode is terminated or when the user inputs a drying mode command during the cooling mode.

In the cooling mode, the indoor heat exchanger 23 performs heat exchange with the air and evaporates the refrigerant, so that moisture can condense on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 23, and odor can be generated from the air having passed the moisture. Such an odor may be caused by an odor generating substance such as methyl mercaptan. The drying mode may be a mode for drying the condensed water on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 23 in the cooling mode and for removing the odor generating substance. Detailed control in the drying mode will be described later in detail.

<Simple drying mode>

The controller 90 can operate the air conditioner 3 in the simple drying mode when the temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor 36 is within the set indoor temperature range during the cooling mode. The set room temperature range can be varied according to the desired temperature inputted by the user.

That is, the simple dry mode may be a mode in which, when the indoor temperature reaches the desired temperature during the cooling mode, the cooling is temporarily stopped and the moisture in the indoor heat exchanger 23 is dried.

Detailed control in the simple drying mode will be described in detail later.

10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of controlling the air conditioner in a drying mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the operation of the air conditioner 3 in the drying mode will be described in more detail.

<Detailed control in drying mode>

When the cooling mode is terminated or the user inputs a drying mode command during the cooling mode, the drying mode may be started.

When the drying mode is started, the controller 90 can turn off the compressor 20 and the blowing fan 32 (S10). As a result, the refrigerant may not circulate in the refrigeration cycle (1).

The controller 90 can close the main opening and closing member 50 and open the inner opening and closing member 71 and turn on the ultraviolet lamp 82 after turning off the compressor 20 and the blowing fan 32 (S11). The controller 90 can maintain the closed state of the sub opening / closing member 60.

The controller 90 can switch the switching valve 24 (S12). Since the discharge passage 25 of the compressor 20 is in communication with the outdoor heat exchanger 21 before the start of the drying mode and the switching valve 24 is switched, the discharge passage 25 of the compressor 20 performs the indoor heat exchange (23).

When the switching valve 24 is switched and the discharge passage 25 of the compressor 20 is communicated with the indoor heat exchanger 23, the controller 90 can turn on the compressor 20 (S13). The controller 90 can drive the compressor 20 at a constant low frequency.

When the compressor 20 is turned on, the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 1 can be circulated sequentially through the compressor 20, the indoor heat exchanger 23, the expansion mechanism 22, and the outdoor heat exchanger 21, In the indoor heat exchanger (23), refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure passes and can be condensed. Thereby, the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 23 can rise.

The controller 90 can determine whether the temperature measured by the second temperature sensor 34, which is the outlet temperature sensor of the heat exchanger, is equal to or higher than a predetermined first set temperature (S14). The first set temperature is preferably about 45 degrees centigrade.

The temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 23 may gradually increase during the process of condensing the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger 23. As the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger (23) rises, the odor generating material due to the moisture of the indoor heat exchanger (23) can be activated.

When the outlet temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 23 measured by the second temperature sensor 34 reaches the first set temperature, the controller 90 opens the sub opening / closing member 60 and turns on the blowing fan 32 (S15). The controller 90 can control the rotational speed of the blowing fan 32 so that the flow rate of the air blown by the blowing fan 32 is kept at 0.1 m / s or more and 0.2 m / s or less.

When the blowing fan 32 is turned on, the air in the room can be sucked into the first space S1 through the air inlet 9. The air sucked into the first space S1 is not discharged to the main discharge port 5 but is discharged through the through hole 70 of the inner partition wall 7 because the main opening / closing member 50 is closed and the inner opening / closing member 71 is opened To the second space S2. At this time, the odor generating substance activated by the heat of the indoor heat exchanger 23 can flow into the second space S2 together with the air by the bake-out effect. The air that has flowed into the second space S2 passes through the purifying assembly 8 and is deodorized by the filter 81 and can be sterilized by the ultraviolet lamp 82. The purified air passing through the purifying assembly 8 can be discharged to the sub ejection openings 6.

Thereby, the indoor heat exchanger 23 can be dried by the flow of air and heat, and at the same time, the removal of the odor generating material can be performed. In addition, since the sub ejection openings 6 are formed on the upper surface of the housing 4, there is an advantage that the air discharged to the sub ejection openings 6 together with the odor generating substances may not be directly blown to the user.

On the other hand, the controller 90 can determine whether the determination gas concentration measured by the second gas concentration sensor 84 is lower than the reference gas concentration after the blowing fan 32 is turned on (S16). At this time, the reference gas concentration may be a value calculated on the basis of the gas concentration measured by the first gas concentration sensor 35 in the cooling mode and stored in the controller 90.

The controller 90 can maintain the drying mode when the determination gas concentration is higher than the reference gas concentration.

The controller 90 can determine whether the temperature measured by the air temperature sensor 83 is equal to or higher than a predetermined second set temperature (S17).

The air having passed through the indoor heat exchanger (23) is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant and can be heated, so that high temperature air can be discharged to the sub discharge port. When the temperature measured by the air temperature sensor 83 is equal to or higher than the second set temperature, the controller 90 controls the rotation speed of the blowing fan 32 to prevent the temperature of the room from rising due to the high temperature air discharged to the sub- (S18).

On the other hand, when the determination gas concentration measured by the second gas concentration sensor 84 is lower than the reference gas concentration, the controller 90 turns off the compressor 20 and the blowing fan 32, The opening and closing member 60 can be closed, the ultraviolet lamp 82 can be turned off (S19), and the drying mode can be ended.

When the drying mode is performed by the user's command during the cooling mode, the controller 90 can operate the air conditioner 3 again in the cooling mode.

When the cooling mode is ended and the drying mode is performed, the controller 90 can turn off the air conditioner 3 when the drying mode is finished.

11 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method when the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention enters into the simple drying mode during the cooling mode.

Hereinafter, the operation of the air conditioner 3 in the simple dry mode will be described in more detail.

<Detailed control in simple drying mode>

When the temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor 36 during the cooling mode is within the predetermined set indoor temperature range, the simple dry mode can be started.

In the simple dry mode, the controller 90 can turn off the compressor 20 (S20) and keep the blowing fan 32 on.

Thus, the refrigerant may not necessarily circulate in the refrigeration cycle 1, and the air sucked into the suction port 9 by the blowing fan 32 may not be heat-exchanged with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 23.

The controller 90 closes the main opening and closing member 50 and opens the inner opening and closing member 71 and the sub opening and closing member 60 so that the ultraviolet lamp 82 can be turned on (S21).

The air sucked into the first space S1 through the suction port 9 is discharged to the main discharge port 5 without being discharged to the main discharge port 5 because the main opening / closing member 50 is closed and the inner opening / closing member 71 is opened. 7 can be flowed into the second space S2 through the through hole 70 and passed through the purifying assembly 8 and can be deodorized by the filter 81 and sterilized by the ultraviolet lamp 82. Since the sub opening / closing member 60 is in the open state, the purified air passing through the purifying assembly 8 can be discharged to the sub discharge opening 6.

Thus, the indoor heat exchanger 23 can be dried by the flow of air, and at the same time, the generation of odor-generating substances can be prevented.

Meanwhile, the controller 90 can determine whether the temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor 36 is within the set indoor temperature range during the simple drying mode (S22).

When the temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor 36 is within the set indoor temperature range, the controller 90 can maintain the simple dry mode.

The controller 90 opens the main opening and closing member 50 and closes the inner opening and closing member 71 and the sub opening and closing member 60 when the temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor 36 is out of the set room temperature range, The ultraviolet lamp 82 can be turned off (S23). Whereby the simple drying mode can be terminated.

When the simple drying mode is finished, the controller 90 can turn on the compressor 20 again and return to the cooling mode.

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.

Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to illustrate rather than limit the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

The scope of protection of the present invention should be construed according to the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope of equivalents should be construed as falling within the scope of the present invention.

1: refrigeration cycle 2: outdoor unit
20: compressor 21: outdoor heat exchanger
22: Expansion mechanism 23: Indoor heat exchanger
24: switching valve 3: air conditioner
31: outdoor blower fan 32: blower fan
33: first temperature sensor 34: second temperature sensor
35: first gas concentration sensor 36: air temperature sensor
4: housing 5: main outlet
50: main opening / closing member 6: sub outlet
60: Sub-opening and closing member 7: Inner bulkhead
70: through hole 71: inner opening / closing member
8: purge assembly 80: filter mounter
81: filter 82: ultraviolet lamp
83: Air temperature sensor 84: Second gas concentration sensor
9: inlet 90: controller

Claims (16)

A housing having a main discharge port and a sub discharge port oriented in a different direction from the main discharge port;
An inner partition wall partitioning the inside of the housing into a first space communicating with the main discharge port and a second space communicating with the sub discharge port and having at least one through hole;
A main opening / closing member for opening / closing the main discharge port;
An inner opening and closing member for opening and closing the through hole;
An indoor heat exchanger disposed in the first space; And
And a purging assembly disposed in the second space. The method according to claim 1,
And a controller for closing the main opening / closing member and opening the inner opening / closing member in a drying mode for drying the indoor heat exchanger. The method according to claim 1,
And the second space is located above the first space. The method of claim 3,
The sub air outlet is formed on the upper surface of the housing. 3. The method of claim 2,
The purifying assembly includes:
filter;
A filter mount on which the filter is mounted; And
And an ultraviolet lamp disposed in the filter mount,
The controller comprising:
And turns on the ultraviolet lamp in the drying mode. 3. The method of claim 2,
Further comprising a sub opening and closing member for opening and closing the sub ejection opening,
The controller comprising:
And opens the sub opening / closing member in the drying mode. 3. The method of claim 2,
A blowing fan disposed in the first space; And
Further comprising a heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor for measuring an outlet temperature of the indoor heat exchanger,
The controller comprising:
And the blowing fan is turned on when the measured temperature of the heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor in the drying mode is equal to or higher than a predetermined first set temperature. 8. The method of claim 7,
Further comprising a sub opening and closing member for opening and closing the sub ejection opening,
The controller comprising:
And opens the sub opening / closing member when the measured temperature of the heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor in the drying mode is equal to or higher than the first set temperature. 8. The method of claim 7,
Further comprising an air temperature sensor disposed in the second space,
The controller comprising:
And increases the rotating speed of the blowing fan when the measured temperature of the air temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined second set temperature after the blowing fan is turned on in the drying mode. 3. The method of claim 2,
A first gas concentration sensor disposed in the first space; And
And a second gas concentration sensor disposed in the second space,
The controller comprising:
Calculating a reference gas concentration based on the gas concentration measured by the first gas concentration sensor in a cooling mode,
And in the drying mode, the drying mode is terminated when the gas concentration measured by the second gas concentration sensor is lower than the reference gas concentration. A refrigeration cycle including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, an indoor heat exchanger, and a switching valve;
A housing having a main discharge port and a sub discharge port;
An inner partition wall partitioning the interior of the housing into a first space communicating with the main discharge port and having the indoor heat exchanger disposed therein and a second space communicating with the sub discharge port and having at least one through hole;
A main opening / closing member for opening / closing the main discharge port;
An inner opening and closing member for opening and closing the through hole;
A purging assembly disposed in the second space; And
And a controller that controls the switching valve so that the discharge passage of the compressor communicates with the outdoor heat exchanger in a cooling mode and the discharge passage of the compressor communicates with the indoor heat exchanger in a dry mode,
The controller comprising:
Closing the main opening / closing member to close the inner opening / closing member in a cooling mode, and close the main opening / closing member in a drying mode to open the inner opening / closing member. 12. The method of claim 11,
Further comprising a room temperature sensor for measuring a temperature outside the housing,
The controller comprising:
Wherein when the temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor is within a set indoor temperature range during the cooling mode, the compressor is turned off, the main opening / closing member is closed, and the inner opening / closing member is opened. 13. The method of claim 12,
The purifying assembly includes:
filter;
A filter mount on which the filter is mounted; And
And an ultraviolet lamp disposed in the filter mount,
The controller comprising:
And turns on the ultraviolet lamp when the temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor is within the set indoor temperature range during the cooling mode. 12. The method of claim 11,
The controller comprising:
And starts the drying mode when the cooling mode is terminated. 12. The method of claim 11,
And the second space is located above the first space. 16. The method of claim 15,
The sub air outlet is formed on the upper surface of the housing.

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