KR20200082868A - Control method for air conditional - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of controlling an air conditioner including a sterilization part sterilizing condensate water by radiating ultraviolet rays to the condensate water remaining in the air conditioner. According to the present invention, the method includes: a cooling step of performing a cooling operation; a cooling confirmation step of confirming whether the cooling operation is stopped; a drying step of drying the condensate water; a pump confirmation step of confirming whether the operation of a drain pump discharging the condensate water to the outside is stopped; and a sterilization step of sterilizing the condensate water by radiating ultraviolet rays to the condensate water. The drying step includes: a step of stopping the operation of a compressor; a step of closing an air discharge outlet by tilting a vane; and a step of operating an air blow fan discharging air through the outlet. In the sterilization step, ultraviolet rays are radiated to the condensate water after the operation of the drain pump is stopped. According to the present invention, fresh air can be provided by sterilizing the condensate water in the air conditioner.

Description

Control method of air conditioner{CONTROL METHOD FOR AIR CONDITIONAL}

The present invention relates to a control method of an air conditioner, and more particularly, to a control method of an air conditioner capable of sterilizing condensate collected inside the air conditioner.

The air conditioner is equipped with a blower fan that sucks in and discharges air, and a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the sucked air. The inhaled air exchanges heat with a low-temperature or high-temperature refrigerant, and repeats discharging it indoors. As a cooling/heating system that cools or heats, it is a device that forms a series of cycles consisting of a compressor-condenser-expansion valve-evaporator.

In general, a ceiling air conditioner is equipped with a drain fan for collecting condensate inside the air conditioner because the intake air generates condensate in the process of exchanging heat with the heat exchanger when a series of cycles is performed. A drain pump for discharging the collected condensate to the outside is provided to discharge the condensate to the outside.

The conventional ceiling type air conditioner having the above-described structure has condensed water remaining because the drain pump is installed at a certain height away from the drain pan, and after the operation of the drain pump stops, the condensate remaining in the drain pump flows back to the air conditioner. Will remain inside. Therefore, a humid environment inside the air conditioner will be created due to the remaining condensate, and bacteria may multiply in the remaining condensate and be discharged into the room together with the air discharged to the room to cause hygiene problems.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, the present invention is to provide a control method of an air conditioner that can provide comfortable air, including a sterilization step of irradiating ultraviolet rays to the condensate remaining inside the air conditioner do.

The present invention, after the cooling operation of the air conditioner is stopped, when the operation of the drain pump is stopped, the control of the air conditioner capable of sterilizing the condensed water by irradiating ultraviolet rays toward the condensate remaining inside the air conditioner I want to provide a method.

The present invention provides a method of installing a sterilization module inside the air conditioner and sterilizing the condensate, and conducts a drying operation to dry the condensate formed in the heat exchanger after the cooling operation is finished. At this time, the drain pump may be terminated at any point before the drying operation is ended from after the cooling operation is ended.

On the other hand, the sterilization module is driven immediately after the drain pump is finished, and the remaining condensate can be sterilized.

In addition, the control method of the air conditioner according to the present invention, the cooling step of performing an indoor cooling operation and the cooling confirmation step of checking whether the cooling operation is stopped, the drying step of drying the condensate and the condensate to the outside And a pump confirmation step of confirming whether the drain pump to be discharged is stopped, and a sterilization step of sterilizing the condensate by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the condensate. Comprising the steps of closing the discharge port through which the air is discharged by tilting and driving a blower fan for discharging air to the discharge port, the sterilizing step is to irradiate the condensate with ultraviolet light after the drain pump is stopped. It is characterized by.

In addition, the drying step may be terminated when the operation of the blower fan is stopped, and the sterilization step may be terminated by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the condensate for a certain period of time even after the drying step is finished, or at the same time as the completion of the drying step It may be.

Meanwhile, when the cooling operation is stopped in the cooling confirmation step, the drying step, the pump confirmation step, and the sterilization step may be sequentially performed.

In addition, the user may further include a first selection step for selecting whether or not to perform the drying step, and when the drying step is performed, the cooling confirmation step and the sterilization step may be sequentially performed.

In addition, when the cooling operation is stopped, the drying step and the pump checking step may be sequentially performed, and when the driving of the drain pump is stopped in the pump checking step, a method of selecting whether to perform the sterilization step is selected. It may include two selection steps.

In addition, in the step of driving the blowing fan, the blowing fan may rotate at a lower speed than the cooling step.

In addition, the drain pump is continuously or periodically driven during the cooling step and may be stopped after the pump checking step.

In addition, the drain pump is continuously or periodically driven after the cooling check step, and may be stopped after the pump check step.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide comfortable air by sterilizing the condensate inside the air conditioner.

In addition, after the air-conditioning operation of the air conditioner is finished, the condensate on the surface of the heat exchanger is dried through the drying operation, and since the condensate remaining inside the air conditioner is sterilized, comfortable air can be provided even in the early stage of the air-conditioning operation. have.

1 is a view showing an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view showing the interior of the air conditioner of Figure 1;
3 is a view showing the interior of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view showing a sterilizing unit.
5 is a control method of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a control method of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a control method of an air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

It will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments of the present invention for understanding the present invention that can specifically realize the above object.

In this process, the size or shape of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of description. In addition, terms specifically defined in consideration of the configuration and operation of the present invention may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user or operator. Definitions of these terms should be made based on the contents throughout this specification.

1 is a view showing an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a view showing the interior of the air conditioner of FIG.

Referring to Figure 1, the air conditioner 10 of this embodiment relates to a ceiling-type air conditioner that discharges air in four directions, and includes an intake port 11 for sucking air in the room and a discharge port 15 for discharging air into the room. It includes and can control the discharge angle of the air discharged to the discharge port 15, or may include a vane 13 for opening and closing the discharge port 15, is provided outside the air conditioner 10, the air A compressor 30 for circulating the refrigerant into the interior of the air conditioner 10 may be included.

Looking at the internal configuration of the air conditioner 10 with reference to FIG. 2, the air conditioner 10 includes a drain pan 100, a heat exchanger 110, a water collecting part 120, a drain pump 130, and a sterilizing part. 150, the blowing fan 170 and the discharge port 15 may be included.

The heat exchanger 110 is provided inside the air conditioner 10, and air sucked into the air conditioner 10 through the blower fan 170 exchanges heat with the heat exchanger 110. After that, it is discharged to the outside of the air conditioner (10). The drain pan 100 collects condensate generated as the heat exchanger 110 exchanges heat with air sucked into the air conditioner 10, and the condensed water is a groove recessed in the drain pan 100 It is collected in the water collecting part 120 formed by. The condensate collected in the water collecting part 120 is discharged to the outside of the air conditioner 10 through the drain pump 130 and the discharge passage 131.

The drain pump 130 is provided on the upper portion of the water collecting portion 120 to drain the condensate collected in the water collecting portion 120 from the bottom to the top, and at this time, where the drain pump 130 is installed and the water collecting portion Due to a difference in height from the bottom surface of 120, a portion of the condensate remains in the water collecting part 120. In addition, after the operation of the drain pump 130 is stopped, the condensate remaining inside the drain pump 130 flows back to remain in the water collecting unit 120 again. That is, a portion of the condensate is always left in the water collecting part 120.

The sterilizing part 150 is provided on one side of the water collecting part 120 to sterilize condensate remaining in the water collecting part 120, one surface of which contacts the side wall of the drain pan 100 and the other surface of the water collecting part The base member 151 provided at a position facing the 120 and the base member 151 is provided at the sterilization module 153 and the base member 151 to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the water collecting part 120 It includes a blocking film 155 to limit the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays.

Referring to Figure 3, the air conditioner 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention relates to a ceiling-type air conditioner that discharges air in one direction. Looking at the internal configuration of the air conditioner 20, the drain fan 200 , Heat exchanger 210, drain pump 230, water collecting unit 220, sterilization unit 250, and each component may perform the same function as described above.

4 is a view showing a sterilizing unit.

Referring to FIG. 4, the sterilizing unit 150 of this embodiment may be provided in each of the four-way ceiling air conditioners disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the one-way ceiling air conditioner disclosed in FIG. It is not limited to the shape of and is compatible with various types of air conditioners.

Hereinafter, the sterilizing unit 150 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the case provided in the four-way ceiling air conditioner 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The sterilization unit 150 of the present embodiment may include a base member 151, a sterilization module 153, and a blocking layer 155, and the base member 151 is the water collecting unit (of the sidewalls of the drain pan 100). 120) is provided in a position close to the drain pan 100 may be provided in a plate shape provided in a position facing the side wall of the drain pan 100 and the other surface facing the water collecting part 120.

The base member 151 may be distinguished from the blocking film 155 based on the reference line L, and the blocking film 155 may be formed to extend from the reference line L toward the water collecting part 120 from the base member 151. . That is, the blocking film 155 is not a configuration separated from the base member 151, and the blocking film 155 may be understood as a configuration that extends from the base member 151 based on the reference line L.

The sterilization module 153 is fixed to the other surface of the base member 151 and may be provided at a position facing the water collecting part 120, and may be provided in a plate shape having a smaller area than the base member 151.

The blocking layer 155 protrudes from the upper side of the base member 151 toward the water collecting part 120 and protrudes toward the water collecting part 120 from side surfaces of the first blocking film 1551 and the base member 151. The formed second blocking film 1552 may be formed, and more specifically, the first blocking film 1551 may be provided in a plate shape extending from the other surface of the base member 151 toward the collecting part 120. The second blocking film 1552 may be provided in a plate shape extending from the side of the base member 151 closest to the heat exchanger 110 toward the water collecting part 120.

Therefore, the first blocking film 1551 and the second blocking film 1552 limit the irradiation range of the ultraviolet light emitted from the sterilizing module 150 so that the ultraviolet light can be irradiated toward the water collecting part 120, and Ultraviolet rays are blocked from being irradiated toward the heat exchanger 110 to prevent the heat exchanger 110 from being discolored.

Meanwhile, the first blocking layer 1551 may include a first hole 1571 formed through the first blocking layer 1551, and the first hole 1571 corresponds to the width of the sterilizing module 153. The sterilization module 153 is formed in a size to be drawn in through the first hole 1571. In addition, the base member 151 may include a seating portion that is recessed inside the base member 151 to form a space in which the sterilization module 153 can be fixed.

Therefore, the sterilization module 153 is introduced through the first hole 1571, can be seated and fixed to the seating portion, and when the sterilizing module 153 is fixed to the seating portion, the sterilizing module 153 Part of the upper surface of the will not be exposed to the outside through the first hole (1571). More specifically, the seating portion is recessed deeper than the width and width of the sterilization module 153 so that there is no portion protruding from the base member 151 when the sterilization module 153 is fixed. That is, when the sterilization module 153 is fixed to the seating portion, the sterilization module 153 is provided in a position invisible when passing through the first hole 1571 in a direction perpendicular to the first blocking layer 1551. Can be.

Meanwhile, the base member 151 further includes a second hole 1572 in communication, and the second hole 1572 can communicate with a recessed space formed by the seating portion. More specifically, when the sterilization module 153 is fixed to the seating portion, a portion of the upper surface of the sterilization module 153 is exposed to the outside through the second hole 1572, and the second hole 1572 is The first hole 1571 may be connected to each other.

The sterilization module 153 according to the above-described configuration irradiates ultraviolet light to the water collecting part 120, but the ultraviolet light is limited in the range irradiated by the blocking film 155 so that the ultraviolet light is concentrated toward the water collecting part 120. While being irradiated, it is possible to prevent the ultraviolet radiation from being irradiated to the heat exchanger 110. The blocking layer 155 prevents the heat exchanger 110 from being irradiated with ultraviolet light, and thus, when the ultraviolet light is exposed to the heat exchanger 110 for a long time, the heat exchanger 110 is discolored or the efficiency of the heat exchanger 110 It can prevent that this falls.

On the other hand, looking at the process in which the sterilization module 153 is attached to and detached from the sterilization unit 150, the sterilization module 153 may be introduced into the first hole 1571 and fixed to the seating unit. At this time, the top surface of the sterilization module 153 is not exposed to the outside through the first hole 1571, but is fixed to the outside through the second hole 1572. The user can separate the sterilization module 153 from the seating portion through the second hole 1572. More specifically, since the user contacts the top surface of the sterilization module 153 through the second hole 1572 and the first hole 1571 and the second hole 1572 are connected to each other, the sterilization module ( After pushing 153) in the direction of the first hole 1571, the sterilization module 153 and the sterilization unit 150 may be taken out through the first hole 1571.

Meanwhile, the base member 151 may include a fixing member 159 protruding from one surface of the base member 151, and the fixing member 159 is one surface of the base member 151, that is, the drain pan. It is formed protruding from a portion in contact with the side wall of the (100) to fix the base member 151 to the side wall of the drain pan 100 to fix the sterilization unit 150.

Looking at the first embodiment (S10) of the air conditioner control method described above, the cooling step (S100), the cooling check step (S300), the drying step (S500), the pump check step (S700), sterilization step (S900) It may include.

The cooling step (S100) is a step of performing a cooling operation through the air conditioner, the cooling confirmation step (S300) is a step of checking whether the cooling operation is stopped, and a drying step (S500) occurs during the cooling operation. The step of drying the condensed water, and in the drying step (S500), after the cooling operation is stopped, the operation of the compressor is stopped (S510), and the discharge port through which the air is discharged is closed by tilting the vane (S530), The blower fan that discharges air is driven (S550) to dry condensate formed in the heat exchanger. The drying step (S500) starts after the cooling operation is stopped and may be terminated when the operation of the blowing fan is stopped.

The sterilization step (S900) is a step of sterilizing the condensate by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the condensate through the sterilization module, and the sterilization step (S900) can irradiate the condensate after the operation of the drain pump is stopped. have. The sterilization step (S900) may be terminated after the completion of the drying step (S500), or may be terminated simultaneously at the end of the drying step (S500).

Even though the drying step (S500), even if the remaining condensed water is not all dried, the sterilization step (S900) may be terminated after the drying step (S500) is completed.

However, in the sterilization step (S900), since the condensate is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, light may leak to the outside of the air conditioner. At this time, the air conditioner continues to operate due to light leaking even when the air conditioner is turned off. The sterilization step (S900) may be simultaneously terminated when the drying step (S500) ends.

In addition, when the cooling operation is stopped in the cooling confirmation step (S300), the drying step (S500), the pump confirmation step (S700) and the sterilization step (S900) may be sequentially performed, and the drying step (S500) and The sterilization step (S900) may be terminated at the same time or may be terminated at different time points, and the different time points are the sterilization step (S900) for a period of time after the drying step (S500) is terminated. It may mean that the condensate is terminated after being irradiated with ultraviolet light for a certain time.

However, the drying step (S500), the pump confirmation step (S700) and the sterilization step (S900) are not necessarily performed sequentially, but may be performed simultaneously or in a different process from the listed order.

That is, after the cooling operation is stopped, the drying step (S500) is carried out, and at the same time, it is checked whether the drain pump is stopped, and the sterilization step (S900) may proceed, or after the cooling operation is stopped, the drain pump is stopped. After checking whether it has been performed, the drying step (S500) and the sterilization step (S900) may be performed simultaneously or sequentially.

On the other hand, looking at the second embodiment (S20) of the air conditioner control method, cooling step (S100), cooling check step (S300), drying step (S500), pump check step (S700) and sterilization step (S900) A first selection step (S400) for selecting whether to perform the drying step in the control method including a may be further included.

The first selection step (S400) refers to a step of selecting whether or not to perform the drying step when it is determined that the cooling operation is stopped in the cooling confirmation step, and when the drying step is selected and performed in the first selection step, After the drying step, the cooling confirmation step and the sterilization step may be sequentially performed.

That is, the user can selectively perform the operation for drying and sterilization of the air conditioner after the cooling operation is stopped, and the first selection step (S400) may indicate to the user whether to select in various ways.

For example, in the first selection step (S400), after the cooling operation is stopped, the user can display the performance of the first selection step through a light emitting device attached to an air conditioner or a remote control, or through the voice. It may also inform the user of the execution of the selection step. Such examples will typically be understood to include various means of indicating a series of processes.

On the other hand, looking at the third embodiment (S30) of the air conditioner control method, cooling step (S100), cooling check step (S300), drying step (S500), pump check step (S700) and sterilization step (S900) A second selection step (S800) of selecting whether to perform the sterilization step in the control method including may be further included.

The second selection step (S800) is a step of selecting whether to perform the sterilization step when the driving of the drain pump is stopped in the pump checking step, and the steps before the pump checking step may be sequentially performed.

More specifically, when the cooling operation is stopped in the cooling check step, the drying step and the pump check step are sequentially performed, and when the driving of the drain pump is stopped in the pump check step, the second selection step (S800) is performed. Through this, it is possible to select whether or not to perform the sterilization step.

Through the second selection step (S800), the user may perform a sterilization step as needed, and the second selection step (S800) may display a user's selection in various ways.

For example, the second selection step (S800) may display the performance of the second selection step through the light emitting element attached to the air conditioner or the remote control to the user after the driving of the drain pump is stopped or through voice. It may also inform the user of the execution of the second selection step. Such examples will typically be understood to include various means of indicating a series of processes.

Meanwhile, in the step of driving the blowing fans of the above-described first to third embodiments, the blowing fan may rotate at a lower speed than the cooling step. The blowing fan is driven to discharge air to the outside of the air conditioner in the cooling step (S100) and is driven to dry the interior of the air conditioner in the drying step (S500), and rotates at different speeds. can do.

In addition, the drain pump may be continuously or periodically driven during the cooling step (S100) and then stopped after the pump checking step (S700), or after the cooling operation is confirmed to be stopped in the cooling checking step (S300), or It is driven periodically and may be stopped after the pump checking step (S700). That is, the drain pump may be driven from the cooling step (S100) to discharge condensate to the outside, or may be driven from the end of the cooling operation to discharge condensate to the outside.

10, 20: air conditioner S100: cooling stage
30: compressor S300: cooling check step
11: Inlet S500: Drying step
13: vane S700: pump confirmation step
15: outlet S900: sterilization step
100,200: drain pan S400: first selection step
110,210: Heat exchanger S800: Second selection stage
120,220: catchment
130,230: Drain pump
131: discharge channel
150,250: Sterilization unit

Claims (10)

A cooling step of performing a cooling operation;
A cooling check step of checking whether the cooling operation is stopped;
A drying step of drying the condensate;
A pump confirmation step of checking whether the drain pump for discharging the condensate to the outside is stopped;
Including sterilization step of sterilizing the condensate by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the condensate;
The drying step,
Stopping the operation of the compressor;
Closing the discharge port through which the air is discharged by tilting the vane; And
Including; driving a blower fan for discharging air to the outlet;
The sterilization step is a control method of an air conditioner, characterized in that irradiating ultraviolet rays to the condensate after the operation of the drain pump is stopped. According to claim 1,
The drying step is a control method of the air conditioner, characterized in that when the operation of the blowing fan is stopped. According to claim 2,
The sterilization step is a control method of the air conditioner, characterized in that is terminated after the end of the drying step. According to claim 2,
The sterilization step is the control method of the air conditioner, characterized in that the termination at the same time at the end of the drying step. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
If the cooling operation is stopped in the cooling check step, the drying step, the pump check step and the sterilization step is a control method of the air conditioner, characterized in that sequentially performed. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Further comprising a first selection step for selecting whether to perform the drying step,
When the drying step is performed, after the drying step, the cooling confirmation step and the sterilization step are sequentially performed, the control method of the air conditioner. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When the cooling operation is stopped in the cooling confirmation step, the drying step and the pump confirmation step are sequentially performed,
And a second selection step of selecting whether or not to perform the sterilization step when the operation of the drain pump is stopped in the pump confirmation step. According to claim 1,
In the step of driving the blower fan, the blower fan rotates at a lower speed than the cooling step, the control method of the air conditioner. The drain pump of claim 1,
Control method of the air conditioner, characterized in that it is continuously or periodically driven during the cooling step and is stopped after the pump checking step. The drain pump of claim 1,
The control method of the air conditioner, characterized in that it is continuously or periodically driven after the cooling check step and is stopped after the pump check step.

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