KR20220006336A - Air conditioner for heating and cooling operations at the same time - Google Patents

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention relates to an air conditioner, and an operating method thereof. The present invention performs internal communication and a pipe search by using distributors, thereby reducing or removing pipe searching time.

Description

Air conditioner for heating and cooling operations at the same time

The present invention relates to a simultaneous heating and cooling type air conditioner, and more particularly, to a simultaneous heating and cooling type air conditioner capable of simultaneously performing cooling and heating, thereby satisfying various heating and cooling requirements, and an operating method thereof.

A simultaneous heating and cooling type air conditioner (or simultaneous operation air conditioner) is a system capable of simultaneously heating and cooling indoor units. For example, by connecting a plurality of indoor units to one outdoor unit, each of the plurality of indoor units may be used as a cooler or a heater while using the outdoor unit in common. Recently, a plurality of compressors or a plurality of outdoor units may be used to effectively respond to a cooling or heating load according to the number of indoor units operated.

On the other hand, in the case of an indoor unit that circulates indoor air to control the temperature of the indoor space, since only stagnant air in the indoor space is circulated, there is a problem in that comfortable air cannot be continuously provided to the user. Therefore, a method that can continuously introduce fresh outdoor air into the indoor space by introducing outdoor air and exhausting indoor air, for example, a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) is applied to the air conditioner. can do.

The exclusive outdoor system controls the temperature of the air supplied to the room through heat exchange between the indoor air discharged to the outdoors and the outdoor air supplied to the room, or installs an additional heating/cooling means to heat the air flowing into the interior. /can be cooled

Meanwhile, the simultaneous type air conditioner may use a distributor unit to supply refrigerant to a plurality of indoor units. When the distributor unit is installed, a process of matching the piping (hereinafter, piping search) is required so that the distributor can know the state in which the piping between the indoor unit and the distributor is physically connected.

When the number of indoor units is large in the air conditioner, a plurality of distributors may be disposed. At this time, a plurality of valves are disposed in each distributor, a pipe is connected to each valve, and an indoor unit is connected to each pipe. After the air conditioner is installed in a building, a test run is performed before normal operation. During test operation of the air conditioner, a pipe search operation is performed to search which indoor unit each pipe is connected to. Each indoor unit can be individually controlled by such a pipe search operation.

Accordingly, methods for efficiently and quickly performing a pipe search have been proposed.

For example, in Prior Document 1 (Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2017-0090117, published on August 7, 2017), a plurality of indoor unit groups connected to a distributor are searched for, and an indoor unit connected to each pipe is further searched. , a plurality of indoor units connected to the distributor are searched for in two steps. Prior Document 1 discloses a group search for discovering which distributor an indoor unit group is connected to among the plurality of distributors, and sequentially supplying low-pressure refrigerant to a plurality of indoor units belonging to the indoor unit group so that each of the plurality of indoor units is connected to the indoor unit group. An individual search is being performed to find out which connecting pipe of the distributor connected to the .

Prior Document 2 (Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2017-0090117, published on August 7, 2017) proposes a multi-type air conditioner capable of searching for an indoor unit not connected to a distributor and a method for searching a pipe thereof.

The pipe search method of prior documents 1 and 2, etc., has a limitation in reducing the pipe search time by detecting the indoor units by individual operation because it is difficult to distinguish a plurality of refrigerant indoor units. It was difficult.

In addition, the conventional air conditioners such as Prior Documents 1 and 2 require an internal communication structure capable of more effectively performing a pipe search since there is no change in the communication structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a simultaneous heating and cooling type air conditioner operated in various operation modes according to the heating and cooling demand of each indoor unit, and an operating method thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner capable of reducing or eliminating a pipe search time and an operating method thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner capable of improving operating efficiency of a distributor valve and an operating method thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner having an optimized communication structure between units and an operating method thereof.

In order to achieve the above or other object, an air conditioner and an operating method thereof according to an aspect of the present invention may shorten or eliminate a pipe search time by performing internal communication and pipe search using distributors.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner for simultaneous cooling and heating capable of simultaneously performing cooling and heating, and an operating method thereof, comprising: an outdoor unit including a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, and an outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air; and indoor units each including one or more indoor heat exchangers, and distributors disposed between the outdoor unit and the indoor units to distribute the refrigerant to the indoor units according to operating conditions, wherein the distributors are each connected to a refrigerant pipe. The connected outdoor unit and one or more indoor units may communicate by wire, and the outdoor unit and the indoor units may communicate via the distributors.

Meanwhile, the distributors may communicate with the outdoor unit according to a first wired communication method and communicate with the one or more indoor units according to a second wired communication method.

In addition, the first wired communication method may be RS-485 communication, and the second wired communication method may be UART communication.

Meanwhile, the distributors may search for indoor units connected through refrigerant pipes, respectively, and set up a pipe group.

Meanwhile, the pipe group setting may include capacity information of the indoor units, and the distributors may distribute the refrigerant based on operating conditions of the indoor units and capacity information of the indoor units.

Meanwhile, the indoor units may allow the outdoor air to flow into an indoor space and flow indoor air to an outdoor space.

Meanwhile, each of the distributors may perform wired communication with an indoor unit directly connected through a refrigerant pipe.

Also, it is possible to set a pipe group without searching for a pipe in response to the indoor unit information directly connected to the distributors.

Also, the indoor unit directly connected to the distributors may be an indoor unit for heating and cooling.

In addition, another indoor unit may be connected to the indoor unit directly connected to the distributors. In this case, the indoor unit connected to the indoor unit directly connected to the distributors may operate in association with the operation of the indoor unit directly connected to the distributors.

Also, the distributors may communicate with the outdoor unit according to a first wired communication method, and communicate with an indoor unit connected to the directly connected indoor unit according to a second wired communication method. In this case, the first wired communication method may be RS-485 communication, and the second wired communication method may be UART communication.

Meanwhile, the distributors may be directly connected to the first indoor unit through a refrigerant pipe, and the first indoor unit may be connected to the second indoor unit.

In addition, a pipe group may be set in response to the first indoor unit information without a pipe search.

Also, the first indoor unit may include a heat exchanger for dehumidification, and the second indoor unit may include a heat exchanger for reheating.

In addition, the first indoor unit, the indoor unit directly connected to the distributors is an indoor unit for heating and cooling, and the second indoor unit. It may operate in conjunction with the operation of the first indoor unit. In this case, the distributors may communicate with the outdoor unit according to a first wired communication method, and communicate with the first indoor unit according to a second wired communication method, wherein the first wired communication method is RS-485 communication. , the second wired communication method may be UART communication. Also, the first indoor unit and the second indoor unit may communicate according to the second wired communication method.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a simultaneous heating/cooling type air conditioner operated in various operation modes according to the heating/cooling request of each indoor unit, and an operating method thereof.

In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to shorten or eliminate the pipe search time.

In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to improve the operating efficiency of the distributor valve.

In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to optimize the communication structure between units of the air conditioner.

On the other hand, various other effects will be disclosed directly or implicitly in the detailed description according to the embodiment of the present invention to be described later.

1 is a block diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating a connection relationship between a heat exchanger and a distributor disposed inside the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a simplified internal block diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5A, 5B, and 5C are diagrams referenced in the description of the communication structure and pipe search of the conventional air conditioner.
6A, 6B, and 6C are diagrams referred to in the description of the communication structure and pipe search of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a diagram referenced in the description of communication between units of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a block diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a diagram referenced in the description of the communication structure of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11A and 11B are diagrams referenced in the description of the communication structure of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
12A and 12B are diagrams referenced in the description of the pipe search of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
13A and 13B are diagrams referenced in the description of the initial setting and test operation of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and may be modified in various forms.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase. As used herein, "comprises" and/or "comprising" means that a referenced component, step and/or action excludes the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps and/or actions. I never do that.

On the other hand, the suffixes "module" and "part" for the components used in the following description are given simply in consideration of the ease of writing the present specification, and do not give a particularly important meaning or role by themselves. Accordingly, the terms “module” and “unit” may be used interchangeably.

Also, in this specification, terms such as first and second may be used to describe various elements, but these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

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

2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating a connection relationship between a heat exchanger and a distributor disposed inside an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a connection relationship between an outdoor unit and a distributor. 3 shows the connection relationship between the indoor unit and the distributor.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a simultaneous heating/cooling type air conditioner 1 , including one or more air-conditioning and heating/cooling outdoor units 100 , one or more distributors 200 , and , may include a plurality of indoor units 300 .

1 to 3 , the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant 12 and an outdoor heat exchanger 14 for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air. The outdoor unit 100 including the outdoor unit 100 , the indoor units 300 each including one or more indoor heat exchangers, and the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor units 300 are disposed between the indoor units 300 to apply the refrigerant to the indoor units according to operating conditions. It may include distributors 200 for distributing to 300 .

The distributors 200 may be connected to the outdoor unit 100 through a refrigerant pipe 150 . Also, the distributors 200 may be connected to the indoor units 300 through a refrigerant pipe 250 . For example, the first distributor 200a is connected to the first indoor unit 300a1 and the second indoor unit 300a2 through a refrigerant pipe 250 , and the second distributor 200b is connected to the third indoor unit 300b1 and the fourth indoor unit 300b1 , It may be connected to the indoor unit 300b2.

All of the plurality of indoor units 300 may be indoor units for heating and cooling. For example, the first to fourth indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , and 300b2 may be indoor units for heating and cooling.

Alternatively, the plurality of indoor units 300 may include an indoor unit for heating and cooling, and an indoor unit for cooling or heating only. For example, the first indoor unit 300a1 and the third indoor unit 300b1 may be both indoor units for heating and cooling, and the second indoor unit 300a2 and the fourth indoor unit 300b2 may be heating indoor units that operate only during heating.

The air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a DOAS that can continuously introduce fresh air from the outside into the indoor space by introducing outdoor air and discharging indoor air. In this case, the indoor units 300 may heat-exchange indoor air to discharge it to the outside, and heat-exchange outdoor air to supply it to the room. To this end, the indoor units 300 may be connected to air supply and exhaust structures such as ducts.

1 to 3 , the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor 12 for compressing a refrigerant and an outdoor heat exchanger 14 for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air. The outdoor unit 100, the indoor unit 300 that heat-exchanges the indoor air and discharges it to the outside, heat-exchanges the outdoor air and supplies it to the room, and refrigerant pipes 150 and 250 connecting the indoor unit 300 and the outdoor unit 100. may include The refrigerant pipes 150 and 250 may include a plurality of refrigerant pipes 30 , 40 , and 50 .

The indoor unit 300 may be a ventilation device that discharges indoor air to the outdoor space and supplies outdoor air to the indoor space. The indoor unit 300 may heat or cool outdoor air supplied to the indoor space by arranging one or more heat exchangers therein. The indoor unit 300 may exchange heat between outdoor air and indoor air. The indoor unit 300 may heat-exchange indoor air discharged to the outdoor space and discharge it.

The distributor 200 is disposed between the heating and cooling outdoor unit 100 and the first to fourth indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , and 300b2 , and distributes refrigerant to all cooling rooms, all heating rooms, simultaneous cooling and main operation conditions, and simultaneous heating main operation conditions. Accordingly, the first to fourth indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300b1, and 300b2 are distributed.

The distributor 200 may use a heat recovery (hereinafter HR) unit using a refrigerant. Alternatively, the distributor 200 may use a hybrid (Hybrid) HR unit using a unit and water and a refrigerant.

The indoor unit 300 may supply liquid refrigerant or gaseous refrigerant to a heat exchanger disposed therein through the distributor 200 . Accordingly, each of the heat exchangers disposed inside the indoor unit 300 may heat the flowing air and cool the flowing air.

1 to 3 , the indoor unit 300 may be connected to the outdoor unit 100 through the distributor 200 and refrigerant pipes 150 and 250 . Each pipe (150, 250) may include a plurality of refrigerant pipes (30, 40, 50).

The indoor unit 300 may be connected to the outdoor unit 100 through three refrigerant pipes. The plurality of refrigerant pipes 30 , 40 , 50 includes a liquid pipe 30 through which a liquid refrigerant flows, a high-pressure refrigerant pipe 40 through which a high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows, and a low-pressure refrigerant pipe 50 through which a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows. ) may be included.

The outdoor unit 100 may compress the refrigerant with the compressor 12 disposed therein, and send the compressed refrigerant to the outdoor heat exchanger 14 or to the indoor unit 300 .

The distributor 200 is connected to the outdoor unit 100 through the liquid pipe 30 , the high-pressure refrigerant pipe 40 , and the low-pressure refrigerant pipe 50 .

The outdoor unit 100 includes a compressor 12 for compressing a refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 14 disposed inside the outdoor unit 100 to exchange heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air, and an indoor unit 300 for the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 . The first switching valve 18, which sends the refrigerant supplied from the indoor unit 300 to the compressor 12, and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 to the outdoor heat exchanger 14, or 14) may include a second switching valve 20 for sending the refrigerant flowing in from the compressor 12 to the compressor (12).

The compressor discharge pipe through which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 flows is branched and connected to each of the first switching valve 18 and the second switching valve 20 .

The first switching valve 18 is connected to the compressor 12 , the low pressure refrigerant pipe 50 , and the high pressure refrigerant pipe 40 . The second switching valve 20 is connected to the compressor 12 , the outdoor heat exchanger 14 , and the low pressure refrigerant pipe 50 .

The outdoor unit 100 further includes an outdoor blowing fan 16 disposed adjacent to the outdoor heat exchanger 14 to form a flow of air around the outdoor heat exchanger 14 . The outdoor heat exchanger 14 is connected to the liquid pipe 30 and transmits the liquid refrigerant heat-exchanged in the outdoor heat exchanger 14 to the indoor unit 300 . The outdoor heat exchanger 14 may receive the liquid refrigerant heat-exchanged in the indoor unit 300 through the liquid pipe 30 . The outdoor unit 100 may include an outdoor unit expansion valve (not shown) disposed in the liquid pipe 30 to expand the refrigerant flowing in the liquid pipe 30 .

The outdoor unit 100 is connected to the indoor unit 300 through the distributor 200 through a liquid pipe 30 , a high-pressure refrigerant pipe 40 , and a low-pressure refrigerant pipe 50 . The liquid pipe 30 connects the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and the indoor unit 300 . The high-pressure refrigerant pipe 40 connects the first switching valve 18 and the distributor 200 . The low pressure refrigerant pipe 50 connects the second switching valve 20 or the compressor 12 and the distributor 200 .

1 to 3 , the indoor unit 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be installed between an indoor space and an outdoor space to allow indoor air to flow to the outdoors and outdoor air to flow indoors. . The indoor unit 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a ventilation device that introduces outdoor air into the room and sends the bet to the outside.

The indoor unit 300 may include one or more heat exchangers, respectively. Accordingly, the air conditioner 1 may include a plurality of heat exchangers. According to an embodiment, the indoor unit 300 includes a total heat exchanger (not shown) that exchanges heat with outside air and/or one or more heat exchangers 310 , 320 , 330 , 340 for exchanging flowing air with a refrigerant. may include

A total heat exchanger is a device that recovers sensible heat and latent heat by using the temperature difference and humidity difference between the outside air and ventilation while rotating at a low speed. The total heat exchanger has a cylindrical body shape, and the inside is formed in a honeycomb structure to allow air to pass therethrough.

The total heat exchanger may recover sensible heat and latent heat by using the temperature difference and humidity difference between the outside air and the ventilation while rotating the heat exchanger at a low speed. The heat exchanger is composed of aluminum as a base material, so that sensible heat can be recovered by the heat transfer characteristics of aluminum. In addition, by impregnating aluminum with a desiccant, latent heat can be recovered by the water vapor adsorption principle.

For example, the heat exchangers 310 , 320 , 330 , and 340 may include a main heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the flowing outside air, and a reheating heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the outside air passing through the main heat exchanger. The main heat exchanger is a heat exchanger used for cooling and dehumidification and can be used in both cooling and heating operations.

In addition, the indoor unit 300 may further include a recovery heat exchanger for exchanging the refrigerant and the flowing bet air, an ox heat exchanger for exchanging the outdoor air that has passed through the reheat heat exchanger, and a preheat heat exchanger for preheating the incoming air. .

That is, the indoor unit 300 may be configured to include at least a heat exchanger for dehumidification and a heat exchanger for reheating. For example, the indoor unit 300 may include a total heat exchanger and/or a main heat exchanger as a heat exchanger for cooling/dehumidification, and may further include a heat exchanger for reheating. In the case of a small DOAS, the indoor unit 300 may include a main heat exchanger for cooling/dehumidification and a heat exchanger for reheating. In addition, the heat exchanger included in the indoor unit 300 may be combined in various ways to include a heat exchanger other than the heat exchanger for dehumidification and the heat exchanger for reheating.

The distributor 200 flows the refrigerant flowing from the outdoor unit 100 to at least one of the plurality of heat exchangers 310 , 320 , 330 , and 340 , and at least one of the plurality of heat exchangers 310 , 320 , 330 and 340 . The refrigerant flowing from one may be sent to the outdoor unit 100 .

Each of the plurality of heat exchangers 310 , 320 , 330 , 340 is connected to the distributor 200 through a plurality of indoor engines 252 , 254 , 256 , 258 and a plurality of indoor liquid pipes 251 , 253 , 255 , 257 . do.

The main heat exchanger may be connected to the distributor 200 to receive the compressed refrigerant flowing in from the high-pressure refrigerant pipe 40 or the liquid refrigerant flowing in from the liquid pipe 30 .

The recovery heat exchanger heats or cools indoor air flowing into the outdoor space. The recovery heat exchanger may operate opposite to the main heat exchanger. Here, the reverse operation may mean that heat exchange for heating or cooling air is performed differently. That is, when the main heat exchanger cools the air flowing through the supply flow path, the recovery heat exchanger heats the air flowing through the exhaust flow path, and when the main heat exchanger heats the air flowing through the supply flow path, the recovery heat exchanger flows through the exhaust flow path. It may mean to cool the air.

The heat exchanger for reheat is disposed downstream of the main heat exchanger on the supply passage. The heat exchanger for reheating may heat the incoming air. The reheat heat exchanger may be connected to the distributor 200 to receive the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 .

The heat exchanger for reheating may heat flowing air in consideration of the temperature and relative humidity of the air discharged to the indoor space. The reheat heat exchanger and the main heat exchanger can control the temperature and relative humidity of the air discharged into the indoor space.

That is, the heat exchanger for reheat and the main heat exchanger can be operated in consideration of the temperature (hereinafter, 'set temperature') and humidity (hereinafter, 'set humidity') set by the user. First, the main heat exchanger cools the air to the dew point temperature corresponding to the set temperature and set humidity, and the reheat heat exchanger heats the air to the discharge temperature range, and the air can be discharged to the temperature and humidity range set by the user.

In another embodiment, the reheat heat exchanger may be directly connected to the high-pressure refrigerant pipe 40 to receive the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 . At this time, the heat exchanger for reheating is connected to the high-pressure refrigerant pipe 40 , and receives the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing through the high-pressure refrigerant pipe 40 to exchange heat. At this time, the heat exchanger for reheat is directly flow-connected to the distributor 200 or is connected to a pipe connecting the main heat exchanger and the distributor 200 to supply the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger for reheat to the distributor 200. .

The ox heat exchanger can heat the air discharged to the outside air supply port (not shown). The preheat heat exchanger 240 may heat the air introduced from the outdoor air intake (not shown).

The distributor 200 is connected to the outdoor unit 100 and is connected to each of the plurality of heat exchangers 310 , 320 , 330 , 340 . The distributor 200 is connected to the outdoor unit 100 through the liquid pipe 30 , the high-pressure refrigerant pipe 40 , and the low-pressure refrigerant pipe 50 .

In each of the plurality of indoor engines 252 , 254 , 256 , and 258 , the distributor 200 is branched inside and is connected to the high-pressure refrigerant header 214 and the low-pressure refrigerant header 216 . Control valves 221 , 222 , 223 , 224 , 225 , 226 , 227 and 228 for controlling the flow of refrigerant are disposed in each of the plurality of branched indoor engines 252 , 254 , 256 , and 258 .

Indoor heat exchanger expansion valves 312 , 322 , 332 , and 342 may be disposed in each of the plurality of indoor liquid pipes 251 , 253 , 255 , and 257 . Accordingly, the indoor heat exchanger expansion valves 312 , 322 , 332 , and 342 disposed in each of the plurality of indoor liquid pipes 251 , 253 , 255 , and 257 operate each of the plurality of indoor liquid pipes 251 , 253 , 255 and 257 . The flowing refrigerant can expand.

The distributor 200 includes a liquid refrigerant header 212 connecting each of the liquid pipe 30 and the plurality of heat exchangers 310 , 320 , 330 , 340 , a high-pressure refrigerant pipe 40 , and a plurality of heat exchangers 310 and 320 . , 330 and 340), a high-pressure refrigerant header 214 for connecting each, the low-pressure refrigerant pipe 50, and a low-pressure refrigerant header 216 for connecting each of the plurality of heat exchangers (310, 320, 330, 340).

The liquid refrigerant header 212 connects the liquid pipe 30 and the plurality of indoor liquid pipes 251 , 253 , 255 , and 257 , respectively. The high-pressure refrigerant header 214 connects the high-pressure refrigerant pipe 40 and the plurality of indoor engines 252 , 254 , 256 and 258 , respectively. The low-pressure refrigerant header 216 connects the low-pressure refrigerant pipe 50 and the plurality of indoor engines 252 , 254 , 256 , and 258 , respectively.

The indoor unit 300 may further include a rotatably disposed blowing fan (not shown), a blower motor rotating the blowing fan, and the like.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may perform a cooling operation or a heating operation. The cooling operation and the heating operation may be determined based on the main heat exchanger disposed inside the indoor unit 300 . When the air conditioner 1 performs a cooling operation or a heating operation, the blowing fan rotates, and heat exchange between the air flowing through the total heat exchanger is performed.

When the air conditioner 1 is performing a cooling operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 flows to the high-pressure refrigerant pipe 40 through the first switching valve 18 . In addition, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (12) flows to the outdoor heat exchanger (14) through the second switching valve (20). The refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 14 flows to the liquid pipe 30 . Also, the refrigerant supplied from the indoor unit 300 through the low pressure refrigerant pipe 50 flows to the compressor 12 .

When the air conditioner 1 performs a heating operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 flows to the high-pressure refrigerant pipe 40 through the first switching valve 18 . The refrigerant supplied from the indoor unit 300 through the low pressure refrigerant pipe 50 flows to the compressor 12 . In addition, the refrigerant supplied from the indoor unit 300 through the liquid pipe 30 flows to the outdoor heat exchanger 14 , and is supplied to the compressor 12 through the second switching valve 20 .

When the air conditioner 1 operates for cooling, the main heat exchanger is connected to each of the liquid refrigerant header 212 and the low pressure refrigerant header 216 . When the air conditioner 1 operates for cooling, the heat exchanger for reheating is connected to each of the high-pressure refrigerant header 214 and the liquid refrigerant header 212 .

When the air conditioner 1 performs a cooling operation, the main heat exchanger cools the air flowing over the supply passage. When the air conditioner 1 is performing a cooling operation, the heat exchanger for reheating may heat the air flowing through the supply passage.

When the air conditioner 1 performs a cooling operation, the air flowing through the supply passage exchanges heat with indoor air through the total heat exchanger. When the air conditioner 1 performs a cooling operation, the air flowing through the supply passage may exchange heat with the cold air flowing through the exhaust passage to be primarily cooled.

When the air conditioner 1 is performing a cooling operation, the air flowing through the supply passage through the total heat exchanger passes through the main heat exchanger and is cooled. At this time, condensate may be generated in the cooled air. When the air conditioner 1 is performing a cooling operation, the air flowing through the main heat exchanger may be dried by passing through the heat exchanger for reheating. Since the heat exchanger for reheat has a smaller size than the main heat exchanger and the amount of heat exchange is smaller than that of the main heat exchanger, the air discharged to the outdoor air supply port may be cooled and dried air. Accordingly, when the air conditioner 1 is performing a cooling operation, the indoor unit 300 may supply cooled and dried air to the indoor space.

When the air conditioner 1 performs a heating operation, the main heat exchanger is connected to each of the high-pressure refrigerant header 214 and the liquid refrigerant header 212 . When the air conditioner 1 performs a heating operation, the heat exchanger for reheating is connected to each of the high-pressure refrigerant header 214 and the liquid refrigerant header 212 .

When the air conditioner 1 performs a heating operation, the main heat exchanger heats the air flowing over the supply passage 120 . When the air conditioner 1 performs a heating operation, the reheat heat exchanger may heat the air flowing on the supply passage 120 . .

When the air conditioner 1 performs a heating operation, the air flowing through the supply passage 120 through the total heat exchanger passes through the main heat exchanger and is heated. In some cases, when the air conditioner 1 performs a heating operation, the air flowing through the main heat exchanger may be heated through the reheating heat exchanger.

4 is a simplified internal block diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the air conditioner 1 may include a fan driving unit 410 , a compressor driving unit 420 , a valve unit 430 , a sensor unit 440 , and/or a control unit 450 .

The fan driving unit 410 may drive at least one fan provided in the air conditioner 1 . For example, the fan driving unit 410 may drive the outdoor fan 16 provided in the outdoor unit 100 and/or the indoor fan provided in the plurality of indoor units 300 .

The fan driving unit 410 includes a rectifier (not shown) for rectifying AC power into DC power and outputting it, a dc stage capacitor for storing the pulsating voltage from the rectifier, and a plurality of switching elements to provide smoothed DC power with a predetermined frequency. The inverter may include an inverter (not shown) that converts and outputs the three-phase AC power and/or a motor (not shown) that drives the fan according to the three-phase AC power output from the inverter.

The compressor driving unit 420 may drive the compressor 12 . Compressor driving unit 420, according to the three-phase AC power output from a rectifier (not shown), a dc terminal capacitor (not shown), an inverter (not shown) and/or an inverter that rectifies and outputs AC power to DC power, It may include a compressor motor (not shown) for driving the compressor 12 . When the outdoor unit 100 includes a plurality of compressors 12 , the compressor driving unit 420 may include compressor motors respectively corresponding to the plurality of compressors 12 .

The valve unit 430 may include various valves provided in the air conditioner 1 . The valve included in the valve unit 430 may operate under the control of the controller 450 . For example, the valve unit 430 may include a valve provided in the outdoor unit 100 and a valve provided in the distributor 200 .

The sensor unit 440 may include at least one sensor, and may transmit data on a sensing value sensed through the at least one sensor to the control unit 450 .

At least one sensor provided in the sensor unit 440 may be disposed inside or outside the outdoor unit 100 , the distributor 200 , and/or the indoor unit 300 . For example, the sensor unit 440 may include a heat exchanger temperature sensor disposed in the outdoor heat exchanger 14, at least one pressure sensor detecting the pressure of a refrigerant flowing through each pipe, and a fluid flowing through each pipe. It may include at least one pipe temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the.

The sensor unit 440 may include an indoor temperature sensor for detecting an indoor temperature and/or an outdoor temperature sensor for detecting an outdoor temperature. For example, the outdoor temperature sensor may be disposed on the outdoor unit 100 , and the indoor temperature sensor may be disposed on the indoor unit 300 .

The control unit 450 may be connected to each component provided in the air conditioner 1 and may control the overall operation of each component. The control unit 450 may transmit/receive data to and from each component provided in the air conditioner 1 .

The controller 450 may be provided in not only the outdoor unit 100 , but also a remote control device (not shown) that remotely controls the operation of the distributor 200 , the indoor unit 300 , and the air conditioner 1 .

The controller 450 may include at least one processor, and may control the overall operation of the air conditioner 1 by using the processor included therein. Here, the processor may be a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU). Of course, the processor may be a dedicated device such as an ASIC or other hardware-based processor.

The control unit 450 may control the operation of the fan driving unit 410 . For example, the control unit 450 may change the frequency of the three-phase AC power output to the motor that rotates the outdoor fan 16 through the operation control of the fan driving unit 410 to rotate the outdoor fan 16 . number can be changed.

The controller 450 may control the operation of the compressor driving unit 420 . For example, the control unit 450 changes the frequency of the three-phase AC power output to the compressor motor for driving the compressor 12 through the operation control of the compressor driving unit 420 to operate the compressor 12 . You can change the frequency.

The control unit 450 may control the operation of at least one valve included in the valve unit 430 . For example, when the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 is set to any one of a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a heating/cooling mode, the controller 450 operates the valves of the distributor 200 in response to each mode. can be controlled.

The controller 450 may calculate the operating loads of the plurality of indoor units 300 . The control unit 450 is configured to control a driving load of the plurality of indoor units 300 based on at least one of on/off, a set temperature, an indoor temperature, an operation mode, and power consumption of the plurality of indoor units 300 . can be calculated. For example, the operating load of an indoor unit whose power is turned off among the plurality of indoor units 300 may be calculated as 0. For example, the operating load may be calculated according to a difference between the set temperature set in each of the plurality of indoor units 300 and the indoor temperature, and a larger operating load may be calculated as the difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature is greater.

The control unit 450 may calculate the total operating load variation for all of the plurality of indoor units 300 based on the operating loads of the plurality of indoor units 300 , and based on the calculated total operating load variation, the compressor ( 12) can determine the operating frequency.

The controller 450 may control an opening degree of a valve such as a distributor based on the operating loads of the plurality of indoor units 300 .

Meanwhile, the air conditioner 1 may further include a storage unit 460 .

The storage unit 460 may store data necessary for operation and control of the air conditioner 1 . Also, the storage unit 460 may store sensing data obtained through the sensing unit 350 .

Meanwhile, the air conditioner 1 may further include an output unit (not shown).

The output unit may include a display device such as a display or a light emitting diode (LED), and may display a message regarding the operation of the air conditioner 1 through the display device.

The output unit may include an audio device such as a speaker and a buzzer, and may output a warning sound or the like through the audio device.

5A, 5B, and 5C are diagrams referenced in the description of the communication structure and pipe search of the conventional air conditioner.

In FIG. 5A , one outdoor unit 100 is connected to two distributors 200a and 200b by a refrigerant pipe, and the distributors 200a and 200b are respectively connected to two indoor units 300a1 and 300a2 (300b1, 300b2) and An example connected to a refrigerant pipe is shown.

The indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , and 300b2 may each perform a heating operation or a cooling operation. Such a simultaneous air conditioner system may supply a refrigerant according to the operation mode of each of the indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , 300b2 using the distributors 200a and 200b . The distributors 200a and 200b are arranged between the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , and 300b2 to enable a heating or cooling cycle according to the operating state of each indoor unit 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , 300b2 . Valve combinations are configurable.

Therefore, it is important to search for a pipe that matches information so that the distributor can know the physical pipe connection between the indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300b1, and 300b2 and the distributors 200a, 200b.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 5A , the outdoor unit 100 communicates with the indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , 300b2 and the distributors 200a and 200b through a single communication line 500 , and the indoor unit 300a1 through a wired communication line 500 . , 300a2, 300b1, 300b2). For example, the outdoor unit 100 , the distributors 200a and 200b , and the indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , and 300b2 may perform wired communication through RS-485 communication.

On the other hand, since the communication line 500 is connected with one line and the physical connection between the indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300b1, 300b2 and the distributors 200a and 200b cannot be recognized through communication, the indoor units cannot be distinguished and searched one by one. Should be. Accordingly, the piping search time is long, and the cost increases.

5A and 5B , when the outdoor unit 100, the distributors 200a and 200b, and the indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300b1, and 300b2 perform wired communication through RS-485 communication, the outdoor unit 100 ) and the communication board 520b of the distributors 200a and 200b and the communication board 530b of the indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300b1, 300b2 are connected by one RS-485 communication line 510. Accordingly, each unit can transmit/receive data through RS-485 communication using one RS-485 communication line 510 . In addition, the printed circuit between the main board 520a and the communication board 520b of the distributors 200a and 200b, and between the main board 530a and the communication board 530b of the indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300b1, 300b2 It is possible to perform internal communication between the boards (PCBs). For example, internal communication between printed circuit boards (PCBs) may use UART communication.

As described above, conventional inter-board communication is provided as an internal communication means, but communication between units is performed using one communication line 500 through RS-485 communication. Therefore, it is inefficient to directly communicate with the indoor unit and the outdoor unit every time using one communication line 500 , and there is a limitation in the communication speed, so the time required to search the pipe is very long.

Although a person can set the distributor 200 and the indoor unit 300 one by one using the installation diagram, the indoor unit 300 is installed in a duct on the ceiling that is not visible from the indoor space, so it is difficult to access. Therefore, when searching for a pipe, a method of matching the distributor 200 and the indoor unit 300 by driving all the indoor units 300 one by one is used, but there is a problem in that the installation time increases.

5C shows that one outdoor unit 100 is connected to four distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d through a refrigerant pipe, and the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d are each connected to four indoor units 300a1 and 300a1 , respectively. 300a2, 300a3, 300a4) (300b1, 300b2, 300b3, 300b4) (300c1, 300c2, 300c3, 300c4) (300d1, 300d2, 300d3, 300d4) and the refrigerant pipe are shown.

Referring to FIG. 5C , the valves connected to the 16 indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300a3, 300a4, 300b1, 300b2, 300b3, 300b4, 300c1, 300c2, 300c3, 300c4, 300d1, 300d2, 300d3, and 300d4 are opened one by one to open the valve. While maintaining the state, the piping connected to each valve is explored.

Accordingly, 16 pipe search processes corresponding to the 16 indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300a3, 300a4, 300b1, 300b2, 300b3, 300b4, 300c1, 300c2, 300c3, 300c4, 300d1, 300d2, 300d3, and 300d4 are required. , at least one valve must remain on until the search is completed as a cycle forming valve. Since all 16 pipe searching processes are sequentially performed, it is proportional to the increase in the number of indoor units and distributors, and the pipe searching process may be very long.

6A, 6B, and 6C are diagrams referenced in the description of the communication structure and pipe search of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6A is a diagram illustrating a communication structure of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6A , each of the units 100 , 200 , and 300 in the air conditioner 1 may have a hierarchical communication structure.

For example, the distributors 200a and 200b may perform wired communication with the outdoor unit 100 and one or more indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 ( 300b1 , 300b2 ) connected through a refrigerant pipe, respectively. Also, the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , and 300b2 communicate via the distributors 200a and 200b .

That is, the distributors 200a and 200b not only distribute refrigerant according to the operation mode of the indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300b1, 300b2, but also form a communication intermediate layer that serves as a hub in the communication structure. have.

In addition, in the communication hierarchical structure, the indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , and 300b2 may constitute a lower layer of a terminal node role, and the outdoor unit 100 may constitute an upper layer. The indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , and 300b2 may recognize the distributors 200a and 200b as the outdoor unit 100 .

The distributors 200a and 200b serve as coordinators of the indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300b1, and 300b2, and monitor information of all indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300b1, and 300b2 connected to the lower layer. and transmit information from the outdoor unit 100 of the upper layer to the lower terminal node.

The distributors 200a and 200b and the outdoor unit 100 may be connected through a first communication line 610 to transmit/receive data. For example, the first communication line 610 may be an RS-485 communication line, and the distributors 200a and 200b and the outdoor unit 100 may communicate through the first communication line 610 in an RS-485 communication method. .

The distributors 200a and 200b and the indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , and 300b2 may be connected through a second communication line 620 to transmit/receive data. For example, the second communication line 620 may be an RS-485 communication line, and the distributors 200a and 200b and the indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 and 300b2 are RS-485 through the second communication line 620 . It can communicate by way of communication.

On the other hand, it is preferable that a separate wired communication line is constructed for each of the distributors 200a and 200b. The second communication line 620 may include a 2-1 communication line 620a and a 2-2 communication line 620b. The first distributor 200a is connected to the indoor units 300a1 and 300a2 connected by the refrigerant pipe and the 2-1 communication line 620a, and the second distributor 200b is connected to the indoor units 300b1 and 300b2 connected by the refrigerant pipe. It may be connected to the 2-2 communication line 620b. Accordingly, it is possible to share the communication load, and to minimize data transmission and data processing required to identify a unit on communication.

The outdoor unit 100 of the uppermost node may transmit information on the distributors 200a and 200b and the indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , and 300b2 to the distributors 200a and 200b of the lower node.

The distributors 200a and 200b may not only control the flow rate by controlling refrigerant balancing, but also function as an information transmitter between the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300b1, and 300b2.

By sharing the communication load, the traffic situation of communication in the air conditioner 1 can be improved. For example, when all of the indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , and 300b2 of a lower node are in a stopped state, the distributors 200a and 200b enter a sleep mode for the indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , 300b2 . By responding only to a wakeup signal and only the distributors 200a and 200b participate in communication, it is possible to improve the traffic problem caused by frequent communication in the existing system.

In addition, the distributors 200a and 200b of the upper node may automatically set the piping group setting using information of the indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , and 300b2 of the lower node.

The indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , and 300b2 recognize the distributors 200a and 200b of the upper node as the outdoor unit 100 , and the distributors 200a and 200b are connected to the indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 and 300b1 at the same time, respectively. , 300b2) can be searched for piping. As such, even if the number of distributors increases to N due to stratification, the piping search time of one distributor does not increase regardless of the increase in the number of distributors. (N distributor search time = piping search time of one distributor) Accordingly, as the number of distributors increases, It is possible to prevent the pipe search time from increasing in proportion to the number of distributors, and to shorten the overall pipe search time.

According to an embodiment, the distributors 200a and 200b communicate with the outdoor unit 100 according to a first wired communication method, and communicate with one or more indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , and 300b2 according to a second wired communication method. can do. For example, the first wired communication method may be RS-485 communication, and the second wired communication method may be UART communication. In this case, the first communication line 610 may be an RS-485 communication line, and the second communication line 620 may be a UART communication line.

6A and 6B , the outdoor unit 100 and the distributors 200a and 200b perform wired communication through RS-485 communication, and the distributors 200a and 200b and the indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300b1, and 300b2 are Wired communication can be performed with UART communication.

In this case, one RS-485 communication line 610 is connected between the outdoor unit 100 and the communication board 630b of the distributors 200a and 200b. Accordingly, the outdoor unit 100 and the distributors 200a and 200b may transmit/receive data through RS-485 communication using one RS-485 communication line 510 . In addition, between the main board 630a and the communication board 630b of the distributors 200a and 200b, the main board 630a of the distributors 200a and 200b and the communication board 640b of the indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300b1, 300b2) ) and between the main board 640a and the communication board 640b of the indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 and 300b2 may perform internal communication between the printed circuit boards (PCBs). For example, internal communication between printed circuit boards (PCBs) may use UART communication.

Referring to FIG. 5B, in the prior art, data was transmitted and received between units by RS-485 communication, and data was transmitted and received by UART communication within the unit.

Referring to FIG. 6B , according to an embodiment of the present invention, the outdoor unit 100 and the distributors 200a and 200b transmit and receive data through RS-485 communication using one RS-485 communication line 510. , other units and boards may transmit and receive data through UART communication using the UART communication line 620 .

The distributors 200a and 200b may serve as coordinators between the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , and 300b2 and may serve as a transmitter of all information.

The outdoor unit 100 communicates only with the distributors 200a and 200b and does not directly communicate with the indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300b1 , and 300b2 .

The distributors 200a and 200b communicate with the lower node indoor units 300a1 and 300a2 (300b1, 300b2) connected thereto, respectively, and receive the lower node indoor units 300a1 and 300a2 (300b1, 300b2) from the outdoor unit 100. information can be transmitted after processing.

In addition, the distributors 200a and 200b may monitor the state information of the lower node indoor units 300a1 and 300a2 ( 300b1 , 300b2 ) in real time.

On the other hand, the lower node indoor units 300a1 and 300a2 ( 300b1 , 300b2 ) communicate only with the distributors 200a and 200b of the connected upper node, respectively, and the distributors 200a and 200b of the upper node are connected to the outdoor unit 100 like the outdoor unit 100 . Recognize and drive.

In a pipe search process, all of the distributors 200a and 200b may simultaneously perform a pipe search operation as if they were the individual outdoor units 100 . Accordingly, the pipe search time can be shortened, and the valve operation efficiency of the distributors 200a and 200b can be improved.

6C illustrates a pipe search process of a simultaneous air conditioner having a layered communication structure, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6C shows that one outdoor unit 100 is connected to four distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d by a refrigerant pipe, and the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d are each connected to four indoor units 300a1 and 300a1 , respectively. 300a2, 300a3, 300a4) (300b1, 300b2, 300b3, 300b4) (300c1, 300c2, 300c3, 300c4) (300d1, 300d2, 300d3, 300d4) and the refrigerant pipe are shown.

Referring to FIG. 6C , the distributors 200a , 200b , 200c , and 200d include four indoor units 300a1 , 300a2 , 300a3 , 300a4 connected to the same as the existing outdoor unit 100 , 300b1 , 300b2 , 300b3 . , 300b4) (300c1, 300c2, 300c3, 300c4) (300d1, 300d2, 300d3, 300d4) may be searched for a pipe.

The distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d, independently and at the same time, open the valves connected to their own pipes one by one to maintain the valve state and search the pipes connected to each valve.

Accordingly, the indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300a3, 300a4 (300b1, 300b2, 300b3, 300b4) (300c1, 300c2, 300c3, 300c4) (300d1, 300d2, 300d2, 300d3, 300d4) corresponding to 4 pipe search processes are required.

The distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d are, respectively, the indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300a3, 300a4 (300b1, 300b2, 300b3, 300b4) (300c1, 300c2, 300c3, 300c4) (300d1) connected by a refrigerant pipe. , 300d2, 300d3, 300d4) and set the piping group.

Accordingly, even if the number of distributors increases, even when N distributors are connected, it is the same as searching for one unit, so the overall piping search time does not increase, and the piping search time can be shortened compared to the conventional method of FIG. 5C .

In addition, since the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d open only one valve to search for a pipe, there is no risk of overlapping indoor units, and if all valves are closed, it is necessary to use a separate valve for cycle formation in the searched state there is no

Meanwhile, the pipe group setting includes capacity information of the indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300a3, 300a4 (300b1, 300b2, 300b3, 300b4) (300c1, 300c2, 300c3, 300c4) (300d1, 300d2, 300d3, 300d4). can do.

Thereafter, the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d are the indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300a3, 300a4 (300b1, 300b2, 300b3, 300b4) (300c1, 300c2, 300c3, 300c4) (300d1, 300d2, The refrigerant may be distributed based on the operating conditions and capacity information of 300d3 and 300d4).

In the existing communication layer, the distributor and the indoor unit were made in the same layer, but since the distributor is in the coordinator position of the outdoor and indoor units in the communication hierarchy, the time for pipe search can be shortened to 1/N (N is the number of distributors).

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7 , when the pipe search is started, the air conditioner 1 may search for the distributor 200 under the control of the controller 450 ( S710 ).

The searched distributor 200 may search for an indoor unit connected to itself and a refrigerant pipe, respectively (S720). The distributor 200 may sequentially open only one valve and search for the indoor unit while the remaining valves are closed.

The opened valves are sequentially closed, and when all the valves are opened and closed once, the search for a pipe is terminated, and the distributor 200 may match the searched indoor unit 300 with the pipe ( S730 ).

The matched pipe information may be stored in the storage unit 460 . Thereafter, the controller 450 may control the refrigerant flow rate to be supplied to each indoor unit 300 by using the matched pipe information. In some cases, matched pipe information may be transmitted to the outdoor unit 100 .

8 is a diagram referenced in the description of communication between units of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8 , event generation information of the indoor unit 830 is transmitted from the indoor unit transmission buffer 831 to the distributor 820 of an upper node of the indoor unit 830 . Here, the event occurrence information is data generated by the indoor unit, and may include various states, operations, and sensing data of the indoor unit.

The distributor 820 may store event data of the indoor unit 830 in the buffer 821 for a preset time and bypass the event data to the outdoor unit 810 . Alternatively, the distributor 820 may process the event data of the indoor unit 830 and then transmit it to the outdoor unit 810 .

Also, the distributor 820 may transmit its own data and indoor unit (IDU) event data to the outdoor unit 810 .

Data transmitted by the distributor 820 may be processed in the reception buffer 812 of the outdoor unit 810 . The outdoor unit 810 may transmit data to the distributor 82 through the transmission buffer 811 .

The distributor 820 may receive or store only data such as its own identification number among data received from the outdoor unit 810 . Also, the distributor 820 may transmit data such as its own identification number among data received from the outdoor unit 810 and/or indoor unit information data corresponding to its own identification number to the indoor unit 830 of a lower node.

Meanwhile, the distributor 820 may set the group pipe by using capacity information among the information of the indoor unit 830 connected to the distributor 820 . .

9 is a block diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the air conditioner 2 including a split DOAS using outside air.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the air conditioner 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) outdoor unit 100 , a distributor 200 , and a Split DOAS indoor unit 300 . can

Split DOAS is an indoor unit with dehumidification and reheating functions using outside air introduction. Here, Split refers to a system in which the compressor and boiler elements of the cooling and heating functions in the DOAS system are separated to the outside of the DOAS. For example, the split DOAS may refer to a DOAS capable of removing heat and re-moistening using the VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) outdoor unit 100 . If you use a simultaneous VRF outdoor unit in Split DOAS, you can connect multiple DOAS and increase the efficiency of simultaneous cooling and heating operation. In the split DOAS method, several DOAS 300 are connected in series to the outdoor unit 100, and simultaneous cooling and heating operation is possible. Simultaneous operation may mean operation of an outdoor unit capable of cooling and heating at the same time. For simultaneous operation, the air conditioner 2 includes the distributor 200 , and the basic DOAS configuration includes the distributor 200 and the indoor unit 300 .

The indoor unit 300 may include one or more heat exchangers. Preferably, the indoor unit 300 may be configured to include at least a dehumidifying heat exchanger 310 and a reheating heat exchanger 310 . For example, the indoor unit 300 may include a total heat exchanger and/or a main heat exchanger as a heat exchanger for cooling/dehumidification, and may further include a heat exchanger for reheating. In addition, the heat exchanger included in the indoor unit 300 may be combined in various ways to include a heat exchanger other than the heat exchanger for dehumidification and the heat exchanger for reheating.

Meanwhile, the dehumidifying heat exchanger 310 and the reheating heat exchanger 310 may be included in different indoor unit units, respectively.

According to an embodiment, the indoor unit unit including the heat exchanger for dehumidification 310 and the indoor unit unit including the heat exchanger 310 for reheating may be connected in series.

According to an embodiment, the heat exchanger 310 for reheating may be used only for a heating operation, and only a high-pressure refrigerant pipe may be used as the refrigerant pipe. Accordingly, only the high-pressure refrigerant pipe may be connected to the heat exchanger 310 for reheating.

For example, the reheat heat exchanger 310 may receive a high-pressure refrigerant from the outdoor unit 100 or the distributor 200 . Alternatively, the heat exchanger 310 for reheating may receive a high-pressure refrigerant from an indoor unit including the heat exchanger 310 for dehumidification connected in series.

The simultaneous type system is composed of the outdoor unit 100 , the distributor 200 , and the indoor unit 300 , but it is cumbersome to have to match the piping between the distributor 200 and the indoor unit 300 . Pipe matching is a factor that increases the installation time and cost, and it is necessary to shorten or eliminate the pipe search time.

When the air conditioners 1 and 2 include the distributor 200 for simultaneous operation, the piping of the indoor unit 300 and the distributor 200 must be matched when the air conditioners 1 and 2 are installed. Although DOAS has only one indoor unit that uses refrigerant, it is cumbersome to assign pipe matching according to pipe matching operation or installation environment.

In the present embodiment, in a simultaneous system including Split DOAS, the communication structure is changed so that operation is possible without going through the existing simultaneous-type building matching process.

In this embodiment, there is one refrigerant indoor unit in the DOAS, and piping matching does not require operation and setting. In addition, the outdoor unit 100 and the distributor 200 communicate by wire, and the indoor unit 300 and the distributor 200 communicate. The distributor 200 serves as a virtual indoor unit (IDU) to transmit information through internal PCB communication. .

10 is a diagram referenced in the description of the communication structure of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the DOAS may include one distributor and two indoor units, and the entire air conditioner may include one or more outdoor units 100 and a plurality of DOAS.

For example, the air conditioner may include three DOAS. The first DOAS may include a first distributor 200a, and first and second indoor units 300aa and 300ab connected in series to the first distributor 200a. The second DOAS may include a second distributor 200b, and second and second indoor units 300ba and 300bb connected in series to the second distributor 200b. The third DOAS may include a third distributor 200c and third and second indoor units 300ca and 300cb connected in series to the third distributor 200c.

Meanwhile, in the split DOAS, only one indoor unit 300aa, 300ba, or 300ca may be directly connected to one of the distributors 200a, 200b, and 200c through a refrigerant pipe. The indoor units 300aa, 300ba, and 300ca directly connected to the distributors 200a, 200b, and 200c may be indoor units for both cooling and heating used in both cooling and heating operations. According to an embodiment, other indoor units 300bab, 300bb, and 300cb may be connected to the indoor units 300aa, 300ba, and 300ca directly connected to the distributors 200a, 200b, and 200c.

Here, the indoor units 300bab, 300bb, and 300cb connected to the indoor units 300aa, 300ba, and 300ca directly connected to the distributors 200a, 200b, and 200c are the indoor units 300aa, 300ba directly connected to the distributors 200a, 200b, and 200c. , 300ca) can be operated in conjunction with the operation. For example, when the indoor units 300aa, 300ba, and 300ca perform a cooling operation, the indoor units 300bab, 300bb, and 300cb also operate. can be stopped.

According to an embodiment, the indoor units 300aa, 300ba, and 300ca directly connected to the distributors 200a, 200b, and 200c include a heat exchanger for dehumidification, and the indoor units 300aa directly connected to the distributors 200a, 200b, and 200c. The indoor units 300bab, 300bb, and 300cb connected to 300ba and 300ca may include a heat exchanger for reheating. The heat exchanger for reheating may operate in conjunction with the operation of the heat exchanger for dehumidification. For example, when the heat exchanger for dehumidification operates as a cooling operation, the heat exchanger for reheat also operates, and when the heat exchanger for dehumidification operates as a cooling operation, the heat exchanger for reheat may be stopped.

Accordingly, if only one indoor unit 300aa, 300ba, or 300ca connected directly to the distributors 200a, 200b, and 200c through a refrigerant pipe is identified, both the cooling cycle and the heating cycle can be performed.

Since the indoor units 300aa, 300ba, and 300ca directly connected to the distributors 200a, 200b, and 200c correspond one-to-one, the initial installation and setting time can be shortened by eliminating the pipe search process by searching for the distributor without searching for the indoor unit. On the other hand, the search time for the distributor can be further shortened by performing the search for the distributor during auto addressing.

Meanwhile, the distributors 200a , 200b , and 200c may directly communicate with one indoor unit 300aa , 300ba , 300ca directly connected through a refrigerant pipe, respectively. In this case, a pipe group may be set without searching for a pipe in response to information on the indoor units 300aa, 300ba, and 300ca directly connected to the distributors 200a, 200b, and 200c.

In the Split DOAS system, since only one indoor unit directly connected to the distributor is operated at the same time, the outdoor unit can be recognized by making a one-to-one correspondence between the distributor and the indoor unit.

For example, it is possible to manage by assigning an identification number as distributor number = indoor unit number + A (or distributor number = indoor unit number - A).

(Example, divider number 50, indoor unit number 1, where A value is 49

Divider number 51, indoor unit number 2, where A value is 49 )

Accordingly, in the Split DOAS system, the initial installation and setting time can be shortened by not searching for pipes and searching for indoor units.

On the other hand, the air conditioner 2 uses the capacity information of the indoor unit 300 connected to the distributor 200 to 1+2, 1+2+ when there are three pipes in the pipe group (No. 1, 2, and 3). 3 piping, etc.) can be set. For example, (If there are 3 pipes of No. 1, 2, and 3 and the max capacity of the pipe is 4HP, if 6HP is recognized, the pipe is automatically recognized to use No. 1 + 2 pipes at the same time, and the DOAS indoor unit capacity is 9HP. In this case, it is possible to automatically recognize pipes so that pipes No. 1 + No. 2 + No. 3 can be operated at the same time, and accordingly, the operating efficiency of the distributor valve can be improved.

Referring to FIG. 10 , for example, the distributors 200a , 200b , and 200c may perform wired communication with the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor units 300aa , 300ba , and 300ca connected through a refrigerant pipe, respectively. Also, the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor units 300aa, 300ba, and 300ca communicate via the distributors 200a, 200b, and 200c.

That is, the distributors 200a, 200b, and 200c may form a communication middle layer that not only distributes refrigerant according to the operation mode of the indoor units 300aa, 300ba, and 300ca, but also serves as a hub in the communication structure. have.

In addition, in the communication hierarchical structure, the indoor units 300aa, 300ba, and 300ca may constitute a lower layer of the terminal node role, and the outdoor unit 100 may constitute an upper layer. The indoor units 300aa , 300ba , and 300ca may recognize the distributors 200a , 200b , and 200c like the outdoor unit 100 .

The distributors 200a, 200b, and 200c serve as coordinators of the indoor units 300aa, 300ba, and 300ca, and all indoor units 300aa, 300ba, 300ca, 300aab, 300bb, and 300cb connected to the lower layer. may monitor the information of , and transmit information from the outdoor unit 100 of the upper layer to the lower terminal node.

The distributors 200a, 200b, and 200c and the outdoor unit 100 may be connected through a first communication line 1010 to transmit/receive data. For example, the first communication line 1010 may be an RS-485 communication line, and the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c and the outdoor unit 100 communicate with the RS-485 communication method through the first communication line 1010. can

The indoor units 300aa, 300ba, and 300ca directly connected to the distributors 200a, 200b, and 200c may be connected through a second communication line 1020 to transmit/receive data. For example, the second communication line 1020 may be a UART communication line, and the indoor units 300aa, 300ba, and 300ca directly connected to the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c are UART communication methods through the second communication line 1020. can communicate

Meanwhile, the UART communication method may also be used between the indoor units 300aa, 300ba, 300ca, 300aab, 300bb, and 300cb. For example, the first and second indoor units (300aa, 300ab) connected in series, the second and second indoor units (300ba, 300bb), and the third and second indoor units (300ca, 300cb) connected in series are data through UART communication. can send and receive

11A and 11B are diagrams referenced for the description of the communication structure of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A illustrates the communication structure of a conventional Split DOAS system, and FIG. 11B is an embodiment of the present invention. A communication structure of a Split DOAS system according to an embodiment is exemplified.

Referring to FIG. 11A , in the conventional Split DOAS system, one RS-485 communication line 1110 is connected between the outdoor unit 100, the communication board 1120a of the distributor 200a, and the indoor units 300aa and 300ab. Accordingly, each unit can transmit/receive data through RS-485 communication using one RS-485 communication line 1110 .

Between the main board 1120a and the communication board 1120b of the distributor 200a, between the main boards 1130a, 1140a and the communication boards 1130b, 1140b of the indoor units 300aa and 300ab, and the indoor units 300aa, 300ab Internal communication between the printed circuit boards (PCBs) may be performed between the . For example, internal communication between printed circuit boards (PCBs) may use UART communication.

As described above, conventionally, inter-board communication is provided as an internal communication means, but communication between units is performed using one communication line 1110 through RS-485 communication. Therefore, it is inefficient to directly communicate with the indoor unit and the outdoor unit using one communication line 1100 every time, and there is a limit to the communication speed.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the communication PCB 1140b can be deleted by changing the 485 communication between the indoor units 300aa and 300ab to the inter-PCB communication.

Referring to FIG. 11B , referring to 6b in the Split DOAS system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the outdoor unit 100 and the distributor 200a perform wired communication through RS-485 communication, and the distributor 200a and the indoor unit (300aa, 300ab) may perform wired communication through UART communication.

In this case, one RS-485 communication line 1115 is connected between the outdoor unit 100 and the distributors 200a and 200b. Accordingly, the outdoor unit 100 and the distributors 200a and 200b may transmit/receive data through RS-485 communication using one RS-485 communication line 1120 .

Also, between the main board 1120a and the communication board 1120b of the distributor 200a, between the first indoor unit 300aa directly connected to the distributor 200a, and the first indoor unit 300aa and the second indoor unit 300ab Between the printed circuit boards (PCBs) can perform internal communication. For example, internal communication between printed circuit boards (PCBs) may use UART communication.

The distributor 200 may communicate with the outdoor unit 100 using the distributor information and the indoor unit information. The transmission data of the indoor unit may be wrapped and transmitted to the outdoor unit 100 . Also, the distributor 200 may bypass the indoor unit related information received from the outdoor unit 100 to the indoor unit 300 .

The distributor 200 directly communicates with the indoor unit, and it is possible to set a group pipe using information of the connected indoor unit.

12A and 12B are diagrams referenced in the description of the pipe search of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. In more detail, FIG. 12A shows an example of a pipe connection structure in a simultaneous type system, and FIG. 12B shows an example of a pipe connection structure in a split DOAS simultaneous type system according to an embodiment of the present invention. did it

13A and 13B are diagrams referenced in the description of the initial setting and test operation of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 13a shows an example of a pipe search of a simultaneous type system, and FIG. 13b shows an initial installation process without matching existing pipes in a split DOAS simultaneous type system according to an embodiment of the present invention .

12A and 13A, when the simultaneous system is initially installed, between the outdoor unit 100 and the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d, and between the respective distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d and the indoor units ( A pipe is constructed between 300a1, 300a2, 300a3, 300a4) (300b1, 300b2, 300b3, 300b4) (300c1, 300c2, 300c3, 300c4) (300d1, 300d2, 300d3, 300d4) and the refrigerant is injected (S1311).

In FIG. 12A , the outdoor unit 100 is connected to four distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d through refrigerant pipes, and the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d are respectively connected to the four indoor units 300a1, 300a2, and 300a3, 300a4) (300b1, 300b2, 300b3, 300b4) (300c1, 300c2, 300c3, 300c4) (300d1, 300d2, 300d3, 300d4) and the refrigerant pipe are shown as examples.

On the other hand, when piping construction and refrigerant injection are finished (S1311), automatic address setting can be performed (S1313). Here, the automatic address setting is to automatically search for the number of indoor units and distributors and set addresses for each unit.

When the address setting is completed (S1313), the piping can be matched (S1315), and a test operation can be performed (S1317).

In the pipe matching operation ( S1315 ), the indoor unit 300 and the pipe in which a temperature change occurs while driving the outdoor unit 100 to open each pipe of the distributor 200 may be matched.

For example, the valve state can be changed by opening the valves connected to the 16 indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300a3, 300a4, 300b1, 300b2, 300b3, 300b4, 300c1, 300c2, 300c3, 300c4, 300d1, 300d2, 300d3, 300d4 one by one. You can explore the piping connected to each valve while maintaining it.

In order to shorten the pipe search time, like the pipe connection structure, a communication structure diagram or a hierarchical structure of the outdoor unit 100 , the distributor 200 , and the indoor unit 300 is configured, and each of the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d ), like the existing outdoor unit 100, the four indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300a3, 300a4 (300b1, 300b2, 300b3, 300b4) (300c1, 300c2, 300c3, 300c4) (300d1, 300d2) connected to it. , 300d3, 300d4) can be searched for piping.

In this case, the distributors (200a, 200b, 200c, 200d), independently and at the same time, open the valves connected to their own pipes one by one to maintain the valve state while searching the pipes connected to each valve.

The distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d are, respectively, the indoor units 300a1, 300a2, 300a3, 300a4 (300b1, 300b2, 300b3, 300b4) (300c1, 300c2, 300c3, 300c4) (300d1) connected by a refrigerant pipe. , 300d2, 300d3, 300d4) and set the piping group.

12B and 13B, when the simultaneous system is initially installed, between the outdoor unit 100 and the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d, and each of the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c and 200d 1 A pipe is constructed between the indoor units 300aa, 300ba, 300ca, and 300da, and a refrigerant is injected (S1321). The first indoor units 300aa, 300ba, 300ca, and 300da directly connected to the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d through a refrigerant pipe include a dehumidifying heat exchanger, and may be used for both a cooling operation and a heating operation.

One distributor and two indoor units may be included, and the entire air conditioner may include one or more outdoor units 100 and a plurality of DOAS.

For example, the air conditioner may include 4 DOAS. The first DOAS may include a first distributor 200a and first and second indoor units 300aa and 300ab connected in series to the first distributor 200a. The second DOAS may include a second distributor 200b and first and second indoor units 300ba and 300bb connected in series to the second distributor 200b. The third DOAS may include a third distributor 200c and first and second indoor units 300ca and 300cb connected in series to the third distributor 200c. The 34th DOAS may include a fourth distributor 200d, and first and second indoor units 300da and 300db connected in series to the fourth distributor 200d.

Meanwhile, in the split DOAS, only one indoor unit 300aa, 300ba, 300ca, or 300da may be directly connected to one of the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d by a refrigerant pipe. The indoor units 300aa, 300ba, 300ca, and 300da directly connected to the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d may be indoor units for both cooling and heating used in both cooling and heating operations. According to an embodiment, other indoor units 300bab, 300bb, 300cb, and 300db may be connected to the indoor units 300aa, 300ba, 300ca, and 300da directly connected to the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d.

Here, the indoor units 300bab, 300bb, 300cb, and 300db connected to the indoor units 300aa, 300ba, 300ca, 300da directly connected to the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d are the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d. It can operate in conjunction with the operation of the indoor units (300aa, 300ba, 300ca, 300da) directly connected to the . For example, when the indoor units (300aa, 300ba, 300ca, 300da) perform cooling operation, the indoor units (300bab, 300bb, 300cb, 300db) also operate, and when the indoor units (300aa, 300ba, 300ca, 300da) perform heating operation, the indoor unit (300bab, 300bb, 300cb, 300db) can stop the operation.

Also, a pipe is constructed between the outdoor unit 100 and the second indoor units 300ab, 300bb, 300cb, and 300db, and a refrigerant is injected (S1311). The second indoor units 300ab, 300bb, 300cb, and 300db may be directly connected to the high-pressure refrigerant pipe 40 to receive a high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing through the high-pressure refrigerant pipe 40 to exchange heat.

Alternatively, the second indoor units 300ab, 300bb, 300cb, and 300db are directly flow-connected to the distributor 200, or the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d and the first indoor units 300aa, 300ba, 300ca, and 300da are flow-connected. It is connected to a pipe connecting the , and may receive a refrigerant supply.

Meanwhile, the second indoor units 300ab, 300bb, 300cb, and 300db may include a heat exchanger for reheating. The second indoor units 300ab, 300bb, 300cb, and 300db including the heat exchanger for reheating may operate when the heat exchanger for dehumidification performs a cooling operation, and may stop when the heat exchanger for dehumidification performs a cooling operation.

For simultaneous operation, only the first indoor units 300aa, 300ba, 300ca, and 300da capable of cooling or heating operation are searched and distinguished, and the valves connected to the first indoor units 300aa, 300ba, 300ca, and 300da are opened and closed according to the operation mode. Combinations can be controlled differently.

On the other hand, when piping construction and refrigerant injection are finished (S1321), automatic address setting may be performed (S1323), and a test run may be performed (S1327).

In the present embodiment, the first indoor units 300aa, 300ba, 300ca, and 300da are directly connected to the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d one by one. That is, the number of the distributors 200a , 200b , 200c , and 200d and the first indoor units 300aa , 300ba , 300ca and 300da is the same and corresponds one-to-one.

Accordingly, the automatic address setting may automatically detect the number of distributors and set the address in the distributor unit (S1323). Since the distributors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d and the first indoor units 300aa, 300ba, 300ca, and 300da correspond one-to-one, the addresses of the first indoor units 300aa, 300ba, 300ca, and 300da are also 200b, 200c, 200d) can be arbitrarily assigned. For example, if an identification number of 'x' is assigned to the first distributor 200a, an identification number of 'x+y' may be assigned to the first indoor unit 300aa directly connected to the first distributor 200a. .

In the split DOAS system, one indoor unit requires simultaneous operation, and the remaining indoor units perform only heating operation or stop operation according to the indoor temperature. In addition, in the split DOAS system, there is only one indoor unit directly connected to the distributor, so piping matching is unnecessary. Therefore, after the automatic address setting (S1323), the test operation can be performed immediately (S1327).

The configuration and method of the embodiments described above are not limitedly applicable to the air conditioner and its operating method according to the embodiment of the present invention, but the embodiments are the examples of each embodiment so that various modifications can be made. All or a part may be selectively combined and configured.

In addition, although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and the technical field to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims Various modifications may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.

Air conditioner: 1
Outdoor unit: 100
Divider: 200
Indoor unit: 300

Claims (20)

In the simultaneous heating and cooling type air conditioner that can perform cooling and heating at the same time,
An outdoor unit comprising: a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; and an outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air;
indoor units each including one or more indoor heat exchangers; and,
and distributors disposed between the outdoor unit and the indoor units to distribute the refrigerant to the indoor units according to operating conditions; and
Each of the distributors communicates by wire with an outdoor unit and one or more indoor units connected by a refrigerant pipe,
The outdoor unit and the indoor unit communicate via the distributors. The method of claim 1,
The distributors communicate with the outdoor unit according to a first wired communication method, and communicate with the one or more indoor units according to a second wired communication method. 3. The method of claim 2,
The first wired communication method is RS-485 communication, and the second wired communication method is UART communication. According to claim 1,
The distributors search for indoor units connected through refrigerant pipes, respectively, and set up a pipe group. According to claim 1,
The pipe group setting includes capacity information of the indoor units,
and the distributors distribute the refrigerant based on operating conditions of the indoor units and capacity information of the indoor units. According to claim 1,
wherein the indoor units flow the outdoor air into the indoor space and flow the indoor air to the outdoors. According to claim 1,
Each of the distributors directly communicates with an indoor unit connected through a refrigerant pipe by wire. 8. The method of claim 7,
Simultaneous heating and cooling air conditioner, characterized in that the pipe group is set without searching for the pipe in response to the indoor unit information directly connected to the distributors. 8. The method of claim 7,
The indoor unit directly connected to the distributors is an indoor unit for both heating and cooling. 8. The method of claim 7,
An indoor unit directly connected to the distributors is connected to another indoor unit. 11. The method of claim 10,
The indoor unit connected to the indoor unit directly connected to the distributors operates in conjunction with the operation of the indoor unit directly connected to the distributors. 8. The method of claim 7,
The distributors communicate with the outdoor unit according to a first wired communication method, and communicate with an indoor unit connected to the directly connected indoor unit according to a second wired communication method. 13. The method of claim 12,
The first wired communication method is RS-485 communication, and the second wired communication method is UART communication. According to claim 1,
The distributors are directly connected to the first indoor unit through a refrigerant pipe, and the first indoor unit is connected to the second indoor unit. 15. The method of claim 14,
Simultaneous heating and cooling air conditioner, characterized in that the pipe group is set in response to the first indoor unit information without a pipe search. 15. The method of claim 14,
The first indoor unit includes a heat exchanger for dehumidification, and the second indoor unit includes a heat exchanger for reheating. 15. The method of claim 14,
The first indoor unit, the indoor unit directly connected to the distributors is an indoor unit for heating and cooling,
The second indoor unit. Simultaneous heating and cooling air conditioner, characterized in that it operates in conjunction with the operation of the first indoor unit. 13. The method of claim 12,
The distributors communicate with the outdoor unit according to a first wired communication method, and communicate with the first indoor unit according to a second wired communication method. 19. The method of claim 18,
The first wired communication method is RS-485 communication, and the second wired communication method is UART communication. 19. The method of claim 18,
The first indoor unit and the second indoor unit communicate with each other according to the second wired communication method.

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