KR20220021682A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air conditioner. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner includes: a heat exchange mechanism including at least one heat exchanger exchanging heat between a first refrigerant and water; an indoor heat exchanger connected to the heat exchange mechanism to exchange heat between water and inside air; and an air removal mechanism connected with the heat exchange mechanism. The air removal mechanism includes: an inlet connected with a water pipe between the at least one heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to introduce the water flowing in the water pipe; a tank storing the introduced water; an outlet from which the water stored in the tank is discharged to the water pipe; a circulation pump discharging the water from the outlet; and an air purge valve discharging the air introduced into the tank along with the water. Therefore, the present invention can bring about an effect of automatically removing the air from the air conditioner.

Description

air conditioner {Air conditioner}

The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner capable of removing air from a water pipe through an air removal device.

The air conditioner is installed to provide a more comfortable indoor environment for humans by discharging cold or hot air into the room to create a comfortable indoor environment, controlling the indoor temperature, and purifying the indoor air.

The air conditioner is operated for cooling or heating according to the flow of refrigerant. During cooling operation, high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit from the outdoor unit's compressor through the outdoor unit's heat exchanger, and as the refrigerant expands and vaporizes in the indoor unit's heat exchanger, the ambient air temperature decreases, Accordingly, the cold air is discharged into the room. During heating operation, high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit from the compressor of the outdoor unit, and the air heated by the energy released as the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is liquefied in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit is released into the indoor unit according to the operation of the indoor unit fan. is discharged with

Meanwhile, the air conditioner may include a heat exchange device for performing heat exchange between a refrigerant used in the outdoor unit and water used in the indoor unit, and cooling or heating ambient air while passing water through the heat exchanger of the indoor unit to adjust the indoor temperature. there is.

In such an air conditioner, the heat exchanger may supply cold water or hot water to the outdoor unit, and pipes through which water flows may be included between the heat exchanger and the indoor unit. In the process of introducing water into these pipes, when a gas such as air is introduced into the pipe, the flow rate flowing between the heat exchanger and the indoor unit becomes non-uniform due to the gas present in the pipe, thereby reducing the cooling/heating performance of the air conditioner. There is a problem that can reduce and cause the failure of the air conditioner.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of effectively removing air included in a water pipe, including an air removal device, in order to solve the above problems.

The problems of the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs from the description below.

An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a heat exchange device including at least one heat exchanger for exchanging heat with a first refrigerant and flowing water, and an indoor heat exchange device connected to the heat exchange device to exchange water with a bet. a heat exchanger and an air removal device connected to the heat exchanger, wherein the air removal device is connected to a water pipe between the at least one heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to receive water flowing through the water pipe; It may include an accommodating tank, a discharge port through which water accommodated in the tank is discharged through a water pipe, a circulation pump for discharging water from the discharge port, and an air purge valve for discharging air introduced into the tank along with water.

On the other hand, in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the inlet is located at the upper end of the tank, the air purge valve is located on the upper surface of the tank so as to be located above the inlet, and the outlet is located at the upper end of the tank. It may be located at the bottom.

On the other hand, in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the heat exchange device includes an inlet pipe through which water flows into at least one heat exchanger, and an outlet water through which water heat-exchanged in the at least one heat exchanger is discharged. It may further include an inlet pump operable to introduce water into the at least one heat exchanger through the pipe and the inlet pipe.

On the other hand, in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the heat exchange device further includes a supply pipe connected to the outlet pipe to supply water to the outlet pipe, and the inlet is in the inlet pipe. A point between the at least one heat exchanger and the inlet pump may be connected through a pipe, and the outlet may be connected through a supply pipe and a pipe.

On the other hand, in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the inlet is connected through a pipe and a pipe located at the top of the inlet pipe, and the outlet is the lowest point of the supply pipe and the pipe through the pipe can be connected

Meanwhile, in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the heat exchange device and the air removal operation are performed to remove the air included in the water pipe between at least one heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. It may further include a control unit for controlling the device.

On the other hand, in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the control unit may detect an output signal of the inflow pump when performing an air removal operation, and calculate a variation width of the detected output signal .

On the other hand, in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the control unit compares the calculated fluctuation range with a reference value, and removes air if the calculated fluctuation width is less than or equal to the reference value for the first time You can stop driving.

Meanwhile, in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the heat exchange device includes at least one of a flow valve for controlling the flow of water flowing from at least one heat exchanger to the indoor heat exchanger and at least one of the indoor heat exchanger. Further comprising a distribution valve for controlling the flow of water flowing into the heat exchanger, the control unit may control the flow valve to be opened during the air removal operation, and control the distribution valve to be in a three-way open state.

On the other hand, in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the air removal device further includes a shut-off valve installed at the inlet, and the control unit may open the shut-off valve when the air removal operation starts. and control to close the shut-off valve when the air removal operation is finished.

On the other hand, in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the air removal device further includes a water level sensor for measuring the level of water contained in the tank, and the control unit, Based on the measured value of the water level sensor, the level of water accommodated in the tank is measured, and when the water level is below the first reference value, the circulation pump is controlled to be turned off, and when the water level is higher than the second reference value, the circulation pump is It can be controlled to be ON.

The details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

According to the present invention, there are the following effects.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention has an effect of automatically removing air from the air conditioner without using a manually controlled valve to remove the air, including the air removal device.

In addition, the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention controls the shut-off valve and the circulation pump of the air removal device to remove the air included in the water pipe as much as possible, thereby preventing a decrease in air conditioning efficiency due to air during heating and cooling operation. There is an effect that can be done.

In addition, the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention controls the shut-off valve and the circulation pump of the air removal device to remove as much air contained in the water pipe as possible to prevent damage to parts in the pipe due to air during heating/cooling operation. There is a minimization effect.

In addition, the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention has the effect of easily checking whether or not the air is removed or the degree of removal by measuring the fluctuation range of the output signal of the inflow pump.

Effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs from the description of the claims.

1 is a view showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a structure in which an air removal device, a heat exchange device, and an indoor unit are connected in the air conditioner of FIG. 1 .
FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an air removal device included in the air conditioner of FIG. 1 .
4 is a control block diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart of an air removal operation of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

Regardless of the reference numerals, the same or similar components are assigned the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and "part" for components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of only the ease of writing the specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles by themselves. Accordingly, the terms “module” and “unit” may be used interchangeably.

In addition, in describing the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and the technical idea disclosed herein is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and all changes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention , should be understood to include equivalents or substitutes.

Terms including an ordinal number such as 1st, 2nd, etc. may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

When an element is referred to as being “connected” or “connected” to another element, it is understood that it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but other elements may exist in between. it should be On the other hand, when it is said that a certain element is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another element, it should be understood that the other element does not exist in the middle.

The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an air removal device 100, a heat exchange device 300 and It is a view showing a structure in which the indoor unit 400 is connected, and FIG. 3 is a view showing the air removal device 100 included in the air conditioner 10 of FIG. 1 ,

Referring to FIG. 1 , the air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an air removal device 100 , an outdoor unit 200 , a heat exchange device 300 , and at least one indoor unit 400 . there is.

The indoor unit 400 may be connected to the heat exchange device 300 . The indoor unit 400 may be plural, and the number is not limited to the drawings. The at least one indoor unit 400 may be connected to the heat exchange device 300 , and may cool or heat an indoor space by flowing water heat-exchanged with a refrigerant (a first refrigerant) in the heat exchange device 300 . The indoor unit 400 may include at least one of a stand-type air conditioner, a wall-mounted air conditioner, and a ceiling-type air conditioner.

The indoor unit 400 includes an indoor heat exchanger (not shown), an expansion valve (not shown), an indoor fan (not shown) disposed at one side of the indoor heat exchanger to promote heat dissipation of water, and It may include an indoor blower (not shown) comprising a motor (not shown) for an indoor fan that rotates the indoor fan, a plurality of sensors (not shown), and the like. At least one indoor heat exchanger may be installed in the indoor unit 400 .

The outdoor unit 200 may be connected to the heat exchange device 300 . The outdoor unit 200 is connected to the heat exchange device 300 . The outdoor heat exchanger 220 of the outdoor unit 200 may cool or heat the refrigerant (the first refrigerant) that has been heat-exchanged with water in the heat exchange device 300 .

The outdoor unit 200 may be driven by a central controller (not shown) or a demand of the indoor unit 400 . In this case, it is also possible that the number of operating the outdoor unit 200 and the operating number of the compressor 210 installed in the outdoor unit 200 may vary as the heating/cooling capacity is changed in response to the driven indoor unit 400 .

The outdoor unit 200 may include a compressor 210 , an outdoor heat exchanger 220 , an outdoor expansion mechanism 230 , and a cooling/heating switching valve 240 .

The compressor 210 may suction and compress the refrigerant, and discharge the compressed refrigerant. The compressor 210 may be at least one of an inverter compressor and a constant speed compressor.

An accumulator (not shown) may be connected to a suction pipe (not shown) of the compressor 210 . The accumulator may temporarily store the vaporized refrigerant, remove moisture and foreign substances, and then supply the gaseous refrigerant at a constant pressure to the compressor 210 .

The outdoor heat exchanger 220 may exchange heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air. According to an embodiment, the outdoor heat exchanger 220 may be configured in plurality. The outdoor heat exchanger 220 may operate as a condenser during a cooling operation and as an evaporator during a heating operation. The refrigerant may be condensed or evaporated through heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 220 .

The outdoor heat exchanger 220 may further include an outdoor blower (not shown) that is disposed on one side of the outdoor heat exchanger 220 and includes an outdoor fan that promotes heat exchange of refrigerant and an outdoor fan motor that rotates the outdoor fan. can

The outdoor expansion mechanism 230 may expand the refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 220 during a heating operation, and may pass through the refrigerant without expanding it during a cooling operation. The outdoor expansion mechanism 230 may be an electronic expansion valve (EEV) capable of adjusting an opening value according to an input signal.

The cooling/heating switching valve 240 may selectively communicate the outdoor heat exchanger 220 with a suction pipe (not shown) or a discharge pipe (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 3 , in the air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the air removal device 100 may include a tank 110 , an air purge valve 120 , and a circulation pump 140 . there is.

The tank 110 may receive water flowing into the air removal device 100 . The tank 110 may have a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, but the shape of the tank is not limited thereto.

In the tank 110 , an inlet 111 and an outlet 112 may be formed.

The inlet 111 is connected through a water pipe and an inlet pipe 160 between at least one heat exchanger included in the heat exchange device 300 and the indoor unit 400 , and water flowing through the water pipe flows into the tank 110 . can be imported. The inlet 111 may be located at the upper end of the tank 110 . For example, the inlet 111 may be formed on the side of the tank 110 to be adjacent to a point where the side surface and the top surface intersect. For example, the inlet 111 may be formed on the upper surface of the tank 110 .

The discharge port 112 may discharge the water accommodated in the tank 110 to the water pipe through the discharge pipe 170 . The discharge port 112 may be located at the lower end of the tank 110 . For example, the discharge port 112 may be formed on the side of the tank 110 to be adjacent to a point where the side surface and the bottom surface intersect. For example, the discharge port 112 may be formed on the bottom surface of the tank 110 .

The air purge valve 120 may be a valve for discharging air introduced into the tank 110 together with water. The air purge valve 120 may be located at the upper end of the tank 110 , and may be located at the upper end of the inlet 111 . For example, the air purge valve 120 may be formed on the upper surface of the tank 110 .

Air introduced with water into the tank 110 may move to the upper end of the tank 110 due to a specific gravity difference. When the air purge valve 120 is opened (opened), the introduced air may be discharged to the outside of the tank 110 through the air purge valve 120 .

The circulation pump 140 may be located adjacent to the discharge port 112 in the discharge pipe 170 connected to the discharge port 112 . The circulation pump 140 may circulate water through a water pipe of the heat exchange device 300 by discharging water from the discharge port 112 .

Meanwhile, the air removal device 100 may further include at least one shut-off valve 130 , 150 .

The first shutoff valve 130 may be installed in the inlet 111 . The first shutoff valve 130 may be installed adjacent to the inlet 111 in the inlet pipe 160 connected to the inlet 111 . Alternatively, the shutoff valves 130 and 150 may be installed in both the inlet 111 and the outlet 112 . In this case, the shutoff valves 130 and 150 may include a first shutoff valve 130 and a second shutoff valve 150 . The first shutoff valve 130 may be installed adjacent to the inlet 111 in the inlet pipe 160 connected from the inlet 111 , and the second shutoff valve 150 is connected at the outlet 112 . The discharge pipe 170 may be installed adjacent to the discharge port 112 .

When the first and second shutoff valves 130 and 150 are opened (when opened), water can be introduced and discharged into the air removal device 100 , and when the first and second shutoff valves 130 and 150 are closed (when closed), water does not flow into the air removal device 100 and is not discharged.

Meanwhile, there may be a plurality of first shutoff valves 130 . The first shut-off valve 131 may include a 1-1 shut-off valve (not shown) and a 1-2 shut-off valve (not shown). In this case, the 1-1 shut-off valve may be installed in the inlet pipe 160 so that the inlet pipe 160 is adjacent to the point where it joins the first inlet pipe 351 . The 1-2 shut-off valve may be installed in the inlet pipe 160 so that the inlet pipe 160 is adjacent to the point where it joins the second inlet pipe 352 .

When the first shut-off valve includes the 1-1 shut-off valve and the 1-2 shut-off valve, the first flow path including the first heat exchanger 311 and the second flow path including the second heat exchanger 312 . can be distinguished, and water can be controlled to flow into the air removal device 100 from each flow path.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the air removal device 100 may be connected to the heat exchange device 300 . The heat exchange device 300 may be connected to at least one indoor unit 400 .

The indoor unit 400 may be connected to an inlet pipe 410 and an outlet pipe 420 . The indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit 400 may be connected to an inlet pipe 410 and an outlet pipe 420 . Water may be introduced from the heat exchanger 300 to the indoor heat exchanger through the inlet pipe 410 , and water may be discharged from the indoor heat exchanger to the heat exchanger 300 through the outlet pipe 420 .

Each indoor unit 400 may include a communication unit (not shown). Through the communication unit, the indoor unit 400 may transmit/receive data to and from the outdoor unit 200 or the heat exchange device 300 .

The heat exchange device 300 heats the refrigerant flowing in the outdoor unit 200 with water flowing in the indoor unit 400 , supplies the heat-exchanged refrigerant to the outdoor unit 200 , and supplies the heat-exchanged water to the at least one indoor unit 400 . ) can be supplied.

The heat exchange device 300 may include at least one heat exchanger 311 and 312 . In this example, although the heat exchanger device 300 includes two heat exchangers, a first heat exchanger 311 and a second heat exchanger 312 , the number of heat exchangers is not limited thereto.

The heat exchange device 300 may include a first heat exchanger 311 and a second heat exchanger 312 , inflow pumps 321 and 322 , flow valves 331 and 332 , and a distribution valve 340 .

The first heat exchanger 311 and the second heat exchanger 312 may exchange heat with the refrigerant flowing in the outdoor unit 200 with water flowing in the indoor unit 400 . The first heat exchanger 311 and the second heat exchanger 312 may operate as an evaporator or a condenser according to the heating/cooling operation of the indoor unit 400 . When water is heated in the first and second heat exchangers 311 and 312, the refrigerant may be condensed in the first and second heat exchangers 311 and 312, and the first and second heat exchangers 311 and 312 When the water is cooled in the refrigerant, the refrigerant may be evaporated in the first and second heat exchangers 311 and 312 .

The first and second heat exchangers 311 and 312 may be connected to inlet pipes 351 and 352 and outlet pipes 361 and 362 . Water may be introduced into the first and second heat exchangers 311 and 312 through the first and second inlet pipes 351 and 352 , and the first and second through the first and second outlet pipes 361 and 362 . And water heat-exchanged in the second heat exchangers 311 and 312 may be discharged.

The inlet pumps 321 and 322 may operate to introduce water into the first and second heat exchangers 311 and 312 through the inlet pipes 351 and 352 . The inflow pumps 321 and 322 may be installed in the inlet pipes 351 and 352 . The inflow pumps 321 and 322 may include a first inflow pump 321 installed in the first acquisition pipe 351 and a second inflow pump 322 installed in the second acquisition pipe 352 .

The first inlet pump 321 circulates water through a flow path through the first inlet pipe 351 , the first heat exchanger 311 , the first outlet pipe 361 , and at least one indoor unit 400 connected thereto. can do it The second inlet pump 322 circulates water through a flow path through the second inlet pipe 352 , the second heat exchanger 312 , the second outlet pipe 362 , and at least one indoor unit 400 connected thereto. can do it

Meanwhile, the heat exchange device 300 may further include flow valves 331 and 332 and a distribution valve 340 .

The heat exchange device 300 may include at least one flow valve 331 and 332 . Although this example illustrates that the flow valve includes two flow valves of the first flow valve 331 and the second flow valve 332 , the number of flow valves is not limited thereto.

The first and second flow valves 331 and 332 may communicate or separate the inlet pipe 410 of each indoor unit 400 from the first and second water outlet pipes 361 and 362 .

The number of first flow valves 331 may be plural. The number of first flow valves 331 may be the same as the number of indoor units 400 connected to the heat exchange device 300 . The first flow valve 331 may be connected to the first water outlet pipe 361 and the inlet pipe 410 of each indoor unit 400 . When the first flow valve 331 is opened (opened), water discharged from the first heat exchanger 311 may be introduced into the indoor unit 400 . When the first flow valve 331 is closed (closed), the water discharged from the first heat exchanger 311 may be blocked from flowing to the indoor unit 400 .

The number of second flow valves 332 may be plural. The number of the second flow valves 332 may be the same as the number of indoor units 400 connected to the heat exchange device 300 . The second flow valve 332 may be connected to the second water outlet pipe 362 and the inlet pipe 410 of each indoor unit 400 . When the second flow valve 332 is opened (opened), water discharged from the second heat exchanger 312 may be introduced into the indoor unit 400 . When the second flow valve 321 is closed (closed), the water discharged from the second heat exchanger 312 may be blocked from flowing to the indoor unit 400 .

The heat exchange device 300 may include a distribution valve 340 . The distribution valve 340 may selectively communicate the outlet pipe 420 of each indoor unit 400 with the first and second inlet pipes 351 and 352 . The dispensing valve 340 may be a three-way-valve including three pipe fittings.

The distribution valve 340 may be plural. The number of distribution valves 340 may be the same as the number of indoor units 400 connected to the heat exchange device 300 . The distribution valve 340 may be connected to the first acquisition pipe 351 , the second acquisition pipe 352 , and the outlet pipe 420 of each indoor unit 400 .

According to the operation of the distribution valve 340, the outlet pipe 420 of each indoor unit 400 is selectively communicated with the first inlet pipe 351 or the second inlet pipe 352, or the first inlet pipe ( 351) and the second acquisition pipe 352 may be in communication with both.

Meanwhile, the heat exchange device 300 may further include a supply pipe 370 . The supply pipe 370 is connected to the at least one water outlet pipe 361 and 362 , and may supply water to the at least one water outlet pipe 361 and 362 from the outside. For example, the supply pipe 370 may be connected to the second water outlet pipe 362 , and may supply water to the second water outlet pipe 362 from the outside. For example, the supply pipe 370 may be connected to the first and second water outlet pipes 361 and 362 , respectively, and may supply water from the outside to the first and second water outlet pipes 361 and 362 , respectively.

The supply pipe 370 may include a supply valve (not shown). When the supply valve is closed (closed), water supply is stopped, and when the supply valve is opened (opened), water may be supplied from the outside to the at least one water outlet pipe 361 and 362 through the supply pipe 370 .

On the other hand, the inlet 111 of the tank 110 of the air removal device 100, in the inlet pipe (351, 352), at least one heat exchanger (311, 312) and the point between the inlet pump (321, 322) It can be connected to (A1, A2). For example, the inlet 111 may be connected through the inlet pipe 160 to the point A1 between the first heat exchanger 311 and the first inlet pump 321 in the first inlet pipe 351 and , It may be connected to the point A2 between the second heat exchanger 312 and the second inlet pump 322 in the second inlet pipe 352 through the inlet pipe 160 .

On the other hand, the inlet 111 of the tank 110 of the air removal device 100 may be connected to a pipe located at the uppermost of the acquisition pipe (351, 352). For example, when the first acquisition pipe 351 is located at a higher point on the ground than the second acquisition pipe 352 , the inlet 111 is the first acquisition pipe 351 and the inflow pipe 160 . can be connected through

Meanwhile, the discharge port 112 of the tank 110 of the air removal device 100 may be connected through the supply pipe 370 and the discharge pipe 170 . The supply pipe 370 may be located at a lower point on the ground than the first and second water outlet pipes 361 and 362 . The discharge port 112 is connected to the point B of the position closest to the ground in the supply pipe 370 through the discharge pipe 170 , or the discharge pipe 170 is adjacent to the supply valve of the supply pipe 370 . can be connected through

4 is a control block diagram of the air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a control unit 500 .

The controller 500 may control the heat exchange device 300 , the air removal device 100 , the outdoor unit 200 , and the indoor unit 400 , respectively. The control unit 500 includes the heat exchange device 300 and the air removal device ( 100), the outdoor unit 200, and the indoor unit 400 may be controlled, respectively.

The control unit 500 includes a first inlet pump 321 , a second inlet pump 322 , a first flow valve 331 , a second flow valve 332 , a distribution valve 340 , and an air purge valve 120 . , the shut-off valves 130 and 150 and the circulation pump 140 can be controlled.

The controller 500 may control to open both the first flow valve 331 and the second flow valve 332 during the air removal operation. When the air removal operation is performed, the control unit 500 operates the distribution valve 340 such that the outlet pipe 420 of each indoor unit 400 communicates with both the first inlet pipe 351 and the second inlet pipe 352 . can be controlled In this case, the distribution valve 340, the first acquisition pipe 351 and the second acquisition pipe 352 direction inlet may be opened by half.

During the air removal operation, the controller 500 opens both the first flow valve 331 and the second flow valve 332 , and controls the distribution valve 340 , thereby exchanging the first and second heat exchange with the indoor unit 400 . All water pipes between the groups 311 and 312 are connected, and a flow path may be created.

The controller 500 may control water to be supplied from the outside through the supply pipe 370 during the air removal operation. The controller 500 may control to open the supply valve of the supply pipe 370 or control an external water supply device (not shown) connected to the supply pipe 370 to supply water.

The control unit 500 controls the shutoff valves 130 and 150 of the air removal device 100 to be opened during the air removal operation, and when the air removal operation ends, the shutoff valves 130 and 150 of the air removal device 100 are closed. ) can be controlled to be closed. When there are a plurality of shutoff valves, the controller 500 may control the first and second shutoff valves 130 and 150 , respectively. Alternatively, the control unit 500 may control the 1-1, 1-2, and second shutoff valves, respectively.

The control unit 500 controls the air purge valve 120 of the air removal device 100 to be opened after the air removal operation starts, and when the air removal operation ends, the air purge valve 120 of the air removal device 100 . can be controlled to close.

When the air removal operation starts, water supplied from the outside through the supply pipe 370 flows in the indoor unit 400 and the heat exchange device 300 , and passes through the inlet 111 of the air removal device 100 . It is accommodated in the tank 110 . Air introduced together with water may be discharged to the outside of the tank 110 by the air purge valve 120 . Water accommodated in the tank 110 may be discharged through the discharge port 112 , and may flow into the supply pipe 370 connected to the discharge port 112 , and may flow in the heat exchange device 300 and the indoor unit 400 .

As described above, when water flows into the air conditioner 10 from the outside, the air introduced together with the water moves to the air removal device 100 and may be discharged from the air removal device 100 to the outside. The air removal device 100 continuously supplies the air from which the air has been removed to the heat exchange device 300 and continuously discharges the air present in the water pipe connected to the heat exchange device 300 and the indoor unit 400 to the outside. can Accordingly, all air present in the water pipe connected to the heat exchange device 300 and the indoor unit 400 can be automatically removed without manual operation.

The control unit 500 may detect the output signals of the inflow pumps 321 and 322, respectively, during the air removal operation, and calculate a variation width of each detected output signal. When air is included in the water passing through the first and second inlet pumps 321 and 322 , the first and second inlet pumps 321 and 322 include air, than when no air is included in the water passing through the first and second inlet pumps 321 and 322 . and a large fluctuation range of the output signal of the second inflow pumps 321 and 322 may appear.

The controller 500 may apply an input signal of a constant magnitude to the first and second inflow pumps 321 and 322 , and calculate a variation width of the output signal of the first and second inflow pumps 321 and 322 . . The controller 500 may compare the calculated fluctuation width with a reference fluctuation width (reference value) and determine whether air remains.

The controller 500 may compare variation widths of the first output signal of the first inflow pump 321 and the second output signal of the second inflow pump 322 with a reference variation width, respectively. The controller 500 may control to end the air removal operation when the calculated fluctuation range is equal to or less than the reference fluctuation range for the first time period. For example, when both the variation widths of the first output signal and the second output signal are equal to or less than the reference variation range for more than a certain period of time, the controller 500 may control the air removal operation to be terminated. For example, when the average value of the fluctuation widths of the first output signal and the second output signal is equal to or less than the reference fluctuation width for more than a predetermined time, the controller 500 may control the air removal operation to be terminated.

The control unit 500, until the end of the air removal operation, can continuously, calculate the fluctuation range, and compare it with the reference fluctuation range.

When the fluctuation range of the output signal is equal to or less than a predetermined value for more than a predetermined time, it may be determined that almost no air is contained in the water passing through the first and second inflow pumps 321 and 322 . Accordingly, since almost all of the air present in the water pipe connected to the heat exchange device 300 and the indoor unit 400 is discharged, the controller 500 may end the air removal operation.

Accordingly, it is possible to easily check whether or not the air in the water pipe is removed or the degree of the removal by measuring the fluctuation width of the output signal of the inflow pumps 321 and 322 .

On the other hand, when only one of the fluctuation width of the first output signal and the fluctuation width of the second output signal appears to be greater than the reference fluctuation width, the control unit 500 includes the first inflow pump 321 , the second inflow pump 322 and The distribution valve 340 may be controlled. The control unit 500 controls the first inflow pump 321 , the second inflow pump 322 , and the distribution valve 340 , so that only the flow path including the inflow pump in which the fluctuation width of the output signal is greater than the reference fluctuation width is limited. The flow of water can be controlled.

For example, when the fluctuation range of the first output signal appears to be larger than the reference fluctuation width and the fluctuation width of the second output signal appears to be smaller than the reference fluctuation width for a certain period of time or longer, the control unit 500, the distribution valve 340 is The distribution valve 340 can be controlled so that it may communicate with the 1st acquisition piping 351 and not communicate with the 2nd acquisition piping 352. The controller 500 may control the second inflow pump 322 to turn off the second inflow pump 322 while controlling the distribution valve 340 . Accordingly, water may be circulated only in the first flow path including the first inlet pipe 351 , the first heat exchanger 311 , the first outlet pipe 361 and the indoor unit 400 , and the first inlet pipe ( 351 ), the first heat exchanger 311 , the first water outlet pipe 361 , and the air present in the first flow path including the indoor unit 400 may be removed.

The controller 500 may control to terminate the air removal operation when the variation width of the first output signal appears smaller than the reference variation range for a predetermined time or longer.

On the other hand, when the fluctuation width of the first output signal appears larger than the reference fluctuation width and the fluctuation width of the second output signal appears smaller than the reference fluctuation width for a certain period of time or longer, the control unit 500 controls the water to circulate only in the first flow path. , the first flow path valve 331 and the second flow path valve 332 may be further controlled.

For example, the control unit 500 controls the distribution valve 340 so that the distribution valve 340 communicates with the first acquisition pipe 351 and does not communicate with the second acquisition pipe 352 , and the second The second inflow pump 322 may be controlled to turn off the inflow pump 322 , and the second flow path valve 332 may be controlled to close the second flow path valve 332 .

On the other hand, when the fluctuation width of the first output signal appears larger than the reference fluctuation width and the fluctuation width of the second output signal appears smaller than the reference fluctuation width for a certain period of time or longer, the control unit 500 controls the water to circulate only in the first flow path. , the first flow path valve 331 , the second flow path valve 332 , the 1-1 blocking valve, and the 1-2 blocking valve may be further controlled.

For example, the control unit 500 controls the distribution valve 340 so that the distribution valve 340 communicates with the first acquisition pipe 351 and does not communicate with the second acquisition pipe 352 , and the second Controls the second inlet pump 322 to turn off the inlet pump 322, controls the second channel valve 332 to close the second channel valve 332, and controls the 1-2 shutoff valve The 1-2 shut-off valve may be controlled to close.

Meanwhile, the air removal device 100 may further include a water level sensor (not shown).

The water level sensor may measure the level of water accommodated in the tank 110 . The water level sensor may include a common electrode, a low water level electrode, and a high level electrode. The high and low water levels can be detected by whether the common electrode and the high level electrode are energized or the common electrode and the low water level electrode are energized.

The controller 500 may measure the water level of the water accommodated in the tank 110 based on the measured value of the water level sensor during the air removal operation. The control unit 500 controls the circulation pump 140 to be turned off when the measured water level is less than or equal to the first reference value, and when the measured water level is greater than or equal to the second reference value, the circulation pump 140 is turned on ( ON) can be controlled. Here, the first reference value may be a value smaller than the second reference value.

When the amount of air introduced together with water is large, the amount of air that is instantaneously introduced into the tank 110 during the air removal operation may be large. In this case, due to the large amount of air accommodated in the tank 110 , the water level contained in the tank 110 may be lower than the first reference value. Accordingly, some of the air introduced into the tank 110 is not discharged to the outside by the air purge valve 120 , and the heat exchange device 300 and the indoor unit 400 again through the outlet 112 of the tank 110 . can be introduced into

When the water level contained in the tank 110 is less than or equal to the first reference value, the operation of the circulation pump 140 is stopped, so that the air contained in the tank 110 may be stably discharged to the outside. Accordingly, the water level may increase while continuously receiving water in the tank 110 .

When the water level of the water contained in the tank 110 increases and becomes equal to or greater than the second reference value, the control unit 500 operates the circulation pump 140 so that the water contained in the tank 110 flows through the outlet 112 again. It can be controlled to flow into the heat exchange device 300 and the indoor unit 400 .

Meanwhile, the controller 500 may control the shutoff valves 130 and 150 , respectively. The shutoff valve may include a first shutoff valve 130 and a second shutoff valve 150 . When the measured water level is equal to or less than the first reference value, the control unit 500 may control the circulation pump 140 to be turned off and control the second shutoff valve 150 to close. When the measured water level is equal to or greater than the second reference value, the controller 500 may control the circulation pump 140 to be turned on and control the second shutoff valve 150 to be opened. Regardless of the water level, since water must be introduced into the tank 110 , the controller 500 may control the first shut-off valve 130 to be continuously opened.

Accordingly, it is possible to automatically remove the air from the air conditioner without using a manually controlled valve, and to remove the air contained in the water pipe as much as possible, thereby preventing a decrease in air conditioning efficiency during heating and cooling operation. And it is possible to minimize the damage to the parts in the pipe.

Meanwhile, the air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a display unit (not shown). The control unit 500, through the display unit, the operation state of the first and second inflow pumps, the first and second flow valves, the distribution valve of the heat exchange device 300, the air purge valve of the air shutoff device 100, shut off It is possible to output the operating state of the valve and the circulation pump, the variation width information of the output signal during the air removal operation, and the air amount predicted value information included in the water pipe.

Accordingly, it is possible to easily check whether or not the air in the water pipe is removed or the degree of the removal.

5 is a flowchart of an air removal operation of the air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the controller 500 may start an air removal operation. The control unit 500 may start the air removal operation by the operation of an external option switch (not shown).

When the air removal operation starts, the control unit 500 causes water to be supplied to the heat exchange device 300 through the supply pipe 370, and turns on the first and second inlet pumps 321 and 322, The first and second flow valves 331 and 332 are opened, and the distribution valve 340 is controlled to be in a three-way open state (S501).

Thereafter, the control unit 500 opens the shutoff valves 130 and 150 of the air layer removal device 100 and controls the air purge valve 120 to be opened ( S502 ).

Thereafter, when water is accommodated in the tank 110 of the air layer removal device 100 above a certain water level, the control unit 500 controls to turn on the circulation pump 140 of the air layer removal device 100 . (S503).

Thereafter, the control unit 500 applies an input signal of a predetermined magnitude to the first and second inflow pumps 321 and 322 , and detects output signals of the first and second inflow pumps 321 and 322 ( S504 ). ).

The control unit 500 calculates a variation width of the output signals of the first and second inflow pumps 321 and 322 . The controller 500 may compare the calculated fluctuation width with a reference fluctuation width (reference value) and determine whether air remains.

The control unit 500 controls to terminate the air removal operation when the fluctuation range of the output signals of the first and second inflow pumps 321 and 322 is smaller than the reference fluctuation width for a certain period of time or more, and the fluctuation width is the reference fluctuation width If it is greater than that, the fluctuation width is continuously compared with the reference fluctuation width (reference value) (S505).

When the fluctuation width of the output signal of the first and second inflow pumps 321 and 322 is smaller than the reference fluctuation width for a certain period of time or more, the control unit 500 includes the shut-off valves 130 and 15 of the air layer removal device 100 and The air purge valve 120 is closed (S506).

The controller 500 may control the first and second inflow pumps 321 and 322 of the heat exchange device 300 to be turned off, thereby ending the air removal operation ( S507 ). Upon completion of the air removal operation, the controller 500 may control the first and second flow valves 331 and 332 to be closed.

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and it is common in 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 are possible by those having the knowledge of, of course, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or prospect of the present invention.

100: air removal device 110: tank
120: air purge valve 130, 150: shut-off valve
140: circulation pump 200: outdoor unit
300: heat exchanger 311: first heat exchanger
312: second heat exchanger 321: first inlet pump
322: second inlet pump 331: first flow valve
332: second flow valve 340: dispensing valve
400: indoor unit

Claims (11)

a heat exchange device including at least one heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the first refrigerant and flowing water;
an indoor heat exchanger connected to the heat exchange device to exchange heat with water; and
Including; an air removal device connected to the heat exchange device;
The air removal device,
an inlet through which water flowing through the water pipe is connected to a water pipe between the at least one heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger;
a tank accommodating the introduced water;
a discharge port through which the water accommodated in the tank is discharged to the water pipe;
a circulation pump for discharging water from the outlet; and
An air conditioner comprising a; an air purge valve for discharging the air introduced into the tank together with water.
According to claim 1,
The inlet is located at the top of the tank,
The air purge valve is located on the upper surface of the tank so as to be located above the inlet port,
The discharge port is an air conditioner located at a lower end of the tank.
According to claim 1,
The heat exchange device,
an inlet pipe through which water is introduced into the at least one heat exchanger;
an outlet pipe through which water heat-exchanged in the at least one heat exchanger is discharged; and
The air conditioner further comprising a; inlet pump operable to introduce water into the at least one heat exchanger through the inlet pipe.
4. The method of claim 3,
The heat exchange device,
A supply pipe connected to the water outlet pipe to supply water to the water outlet pipe; further comprising,
The inlet is connected through a pipe to a point between the at least one heat exchanger and the inlet pump of the inlet pipe,
The discharge port is connected to the supply pipe and the air conditioner through a pipe.
5. The method of claim 4,
The inlet is connected through a pipe and a pipe located at the top of the inlet pipe,
The discharge port is connected to the lowest point of the supply pipe through the pipe.
4. The method of claim 3,
and a controller configured to control the heat exchange device and the air removal device to perform an air removal operation for removing air contained in a water pipe between the at least one heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger.
7. The method of claim 6,
The control unit is
When the air removal operation is performed, the air conditioner detects an output signal of the inflow pump, and calculates a variation width of the detected output signal.
8. The method of claim 7,
The control unit is
The air conditioner compares the calculated fluctuation range with a reference value, and terminates the air removal operation if the calculated fluctuation range is less than or equal to the reference value for a first time.
7. The method of claim 6,
The heat exchange device,
a flow valve for controlling a flow of water flowing from the at least one heat exchanger to the indoor heat exchanger; and
Further comprising; a distribution valve for controlling the flow of water flowing from the indoor heat exchanger to the at least one heat exchanger;
The control unit is
An air conditioner for controlling the flow valve to be opened and the distribution valve to be in a three-way open state during the air removal operation.
7. The method of claim 6,
The air removal device further comprises a shut-off valve installed at the inlet,
The control unit is
An air conditioner for controlling the shut-off valve to open when the air removal operation starts, and to close the shut-off valve when the air removal operation ends.
11. The method of claim 10,
The air removal device further comprises a water level sensor for measuring the water level contained in the tank,
The control unit is
During the air removal operation, the water level of the water accommodated in the tank is measured based on the measured value of the water level sensor, and when the water level is less than or equal to a first reference value, the circulation pump is controlled to be OFF, and the When the water level is equal to or greater than the second reference value, the air conditioner controls the circulation pump to be turned on.

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