KR20220087176A - Air conditioner and the control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, an air conditioner and a control method of the air conditioner are disclosed. The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor unit, a plurality of indoor units, a plurality of communication lines connected between each of the plurality of indoor units and the outdoor unit, and a plurality of communication lines connected between each of the plurality of indoor units and the outdoor unit. a pipe, wherein the outdoor unit includes a control unit and a plurality of switches connected between each of the plurality of communication lines and the control unit, wherein the control unit sequentially turns on the plurality of switches and addresses each of the indoor units allocate

Description

Air conditioner and control method of air conditioner {Air conditioner and the control method thereof}

The present invention relates to an air conditioner including a plurality of indoor units and a control method of the air conditioner.

Recently, an air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit has been widely used. For the normal operation of the air conditioner, a pipe connected to each indoor unit and an address of each indoor unit must be matched.

In the conventional case, after allocating a unique number to each indoor unit regardless of the pipe connection, the pipe was searched for by detecting the pipe temperature change. However, in the case of such a prior art, it takes a lot of time to search for a pipe, etc., and thus there is a problem in that the work load of the installation worker is increased.

Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-0465683 Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-1140704

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner and a control method of the air conditioner capable of more rapidly setting an address of an indoor unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner and a control method of the air conditioner capable of more quickly performing a pipe search of an indoor unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of simultaneously setting an address of an indoor unit and searching for a pipe, and a method for controlling the air conditioner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner and a control method of the air conditioner capable of automatically performing address setting and/or pipe search of an indoor unit without a separate button input.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects and advantages of the present invention not mentioned may be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the examples of the present invention. It will also be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the appended claims.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a pipe and a communication line may be connected between each of the plurality of indoor units and the outdoor unit, and a switch may be connected between each of the communication lines and the outdoor unit controller. The outdoor unit controller may sequentially turn on the plurality of switches and perform addressing for each of the plurality of indoor units. Accordingly, it is possible to perform indoor unit addressing and pipe search at the same time. In addition, it is possible to reduce the time required for addressing the indoor unit and searching for a pipe.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor unit, a plurality of indoor units, a plurality of communication lines connected between each of the plurality of indoor units and the outdoor unit, and a plurality of communication lines connected between each of the plurality of indoor units and the outdoor unit. a pipe, wherein the outdoor unit includes a control unit and a plurality of switches connected between each of the plurality of communication lines and the control unit, wherein the control unit sequentially turns on the plurality of switches and addresses each of the indoor units allocate

The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor for compressing the refrigerant flowing through the pipe, a heat exchanger for generating heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air, and each of the plurality of pipes and the It may include a plurality of valves connected between the heat exchanger.

The control unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may control the plurality of valves in response to an indoor unit signal received through the plurality of communication lines while all of the plurality of switches are turned on.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a distributor disposed between the outdoor unit and the plurality of indoor units and to which the pipes are connected.

An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor unit, a first indoor unit, a second indoor unit, a first communication line and a first pipe connecting the outdoor unit and the first indoor unit, and a connection between the outdoor unit and the second indoor unit. In the air conditioner including a second communication line and a second pipe connecting a control unit for controlling a second valve, and a second switch connected between the control unit and the second communication line, wherein the control unit allocates a first address to the first indoor unit in a state in which the second switch is turned off, , a second address is allocated to the second indoor unit in a state in which the second switch is turned on.

The control unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention responds to an indoor unit signal received through the first communication line and the second communication line while the second switch is turned on to the first valve and the The second valve may be controlled.

The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a first switch connected between the control unit and the first communication line, wherein the control unit includes the first switch in a state where the first switch is turned on. The first address may be allocated to the indoor unit, and the second address may be allocated to the second indoor unit.

The control unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention responds to the indoor unit signal received through the first communication line and the second communication line while the first switch and the second switch are turned on. The first valve and the second valve may be controlled.

The control unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention adjusts the opening degree of the first valve in response to the indoor unit signal including the first address, and responds to the indoor unit signal including the second address Thus, the opening degree of the second valve can be adjusted.

The method of controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor unit including a controller, a plurality of indoor units, a plurality of communication lines connected between each of the plurality of indoor units and the outdoor unit, and each of the plurality of indoor units In the control method of an air conditioner comprising: a plurality of pipes connected between the outdoor unit and the plurality of pipes, a plurality of valves connected to each of the plurality of pipes, and switches connected between each of the plurality of communication lines and the control unit , assigning, by the controller, an address to each of the plurality of indoor units while sequentially turning on the plurality of switches, and the controller turning on the plurality of switches and receiving from the plurality of communication lines and controlling the plurality of valves in response to a signal.

In the step of allocating the address of the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit determines whether all of the plurality of switches are turned on, and the control unit determines whether the plurality of switches are turned on. If there is a switch that is not turned on, turning on one of the switches that are not turned on, allocating an address to the indoor unit in response to a signal received from the plurality of communication lines, and the controller, when all of the plurality of switches are turned on If so, it may include terminating address allocation.

In the method of controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of indoor units includes a first indoor unit and a second indoor unit, and the plurality of communication lines include a first indoor unit connected between the first indoor unit and the controller. a communication line and a second communication line connected between the second indoor unit and the control unit, wherein the plurality of pipes includes a first pipe connected between the first indoor unit and the outdoor unit; a second pipe connected between outdoor units, wherein the plurality of switches include a first switch connected between a first communication line and the control unit and a second switch connected between the second communication line and the control unit, and wherein The plurality of valves includes a first valve connected to the first pipe and a first pipe connected to the second pipe, and the step of allocating the address includes: the control unit turning on the first switch; 2 turning off a switch and allocating a first address to the first indoor unit, and the controller turns on the first switch, turns on the second switch, and assigns a second address to the second indoor unit may include the step of

The controlling of the plurality of valves of the method for controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may include, by the controller, when the indoor unit signal received through the plurality of communication lines includes the first address. controlling the first valve in response to an indoor unit signal, and when the indoor unit signal received through the plurality of communication lines includes the second address, by the controller, in response to the indoor unit signal may include the step of controlling

According to the air conditioner and the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, the address setting of the indoor unit can be performed more quickly.

In addition, according to the air conditioner and the control method of the air conditioner according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pipe search of the indoor unit can be performed more quickly.

In addition, according to the air conditioner and the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, the address setting of the indoor unit and the pipe search may be simultaneously performed.

In addition, according to the air conditioner and the control method of the air conditioner according to the present invention, the address setting and/or pipe search of the indoor unit can be automatically performed without a button input or the like.

In addition to the above-described effects, the specific effects of the present invention will be described together while describing specific details for carrying out the invention below.

1 is a view schematically showing an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG.
3 is a view for explaining a method of controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an operation flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an operation flowchart for explaining an embodiment of the addressing step of the control method of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 4 .
6 is a view schematically showing an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The above-described objects, features and advantages will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

Although the first, second, etc. are used to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms, of course. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components, and unless otherwise stated, it goes without saying that the first component may be the second component.

In the following, that an arbitrary component is disposed on the "upper (or lower)" of a component or "upper (or below)" of a component means that any component is disposed in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of the component. Furthermore, it may mean that other components may be interposed between the component and any component disposed on (or under) the component.

In addition, when it is described that a component is “connected”, “coupled” or “connected” to another component, the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, but other components are “interposed” between each component. It should be understood that “or, each component may be “connected,” “coupled,” or “connected,” through another component.

Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be singular or plural.

As used herein, the singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, terms such as “consisting of” or “comprising” should not be construed as necessarily including all of the various components or various steps described in the specification, some of which components or some steps are It should be construed that it may not include, or may further include additional components or steps.

Throughout the specification, when “A and/or B” is used, it means A, B or A and B, unless otherwise stated, and when “C to D” is used, it means that there is no specific opposite description. Unless otherwise specified, it means that it is greater than or equal to C and less than or equal to D.

Hereinafter, an air conditioner and a control method of the air conditioner according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner may include an outdoor unit 100 and a plurality of indoor units 210 , 220 , 230 . Pipes 410, 420, 430, 510, 520, 530 and communication lines 310, 320, 330 through which the refrigerant flows between the outdoor unit 100 and each of the plurality of indoor units 210, 220, 230 are provided. can be connected

The outdoor unit 100 (eg, the controller of the outdoor unit 100 ) receives an indoor unit signal from each of the plurality of indoor units 210 , 220 , and 230 , and based on the indoor unit signal, each of the pipes 410 , 420 , 430 ) to control whether the refrigerant flows and/or the amount of the refrigerant flowing. To this end, the outdoor unit 100 may allocate an indoor unit address to each of the plurality of indoor units 210 , 220 , and 230 .

Each of the plurality of indoor units 210 , 220 , and 230 may use the refrigerant introduced from the outdoor unit 100 to cool or heat air in a space in which the indoor units 210 , 220 , and 230 are respectively disposed. To this end, each of the plurality of indoor units 210 , 220 , and 230 may transmit an indoor unit signal to the outdoor unit 100 according to a user's control.

The first communication line 310 and the first pipe 410 may be connected between the outdoor unit 100 and the first indoor unit 210 , and the second communication line 320 and the second pipe 420 may be connected to the outdoor unit 100 . ) and the second indoor unit 220 , and the third communication line 330 and the third pipe 430 may be connected between the outdoor unit 100 and the third indoor unit 230 . That is, each of the first communication line 310 and the first pipe 410 , the second communication line 320 and the second pipe 420 , and the third communication line 330 and the third pipe 430 is set , and configuration information of these communication lines and pipes may be previously stored in the outdoor unit 100 .

Each of the first communication line 310 , the second communication line 310 , and the third communication line 330 is output from the first indoor unit 210 , the second indoor unit 220 , and the third indoor unit 230 . An indoor unit signal may be transmitted to the outdoor unit 100 . The first pipe 410 , the second pipe 420 , and the third pipe 430 are respectively the outdoor unit 100 , the first indoor unit 210 , the second indoor unit 220 , and the third indoor unit 230 , respectively. A path through which the refrigerant flows may be provided.

In addition, each of the pipes 510 , 520 , and 530 may be connected between each of the indoor units 210 , 220 , 230 and the outdoor unit 100 to provide a path through which the refrigerant flows.

1 illustrates that three indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit, various numbers of indoor units may be connected to one outdoor unit as needed.

2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 . The outdoor unit 100 includes a control unit 110 , a switch unit 120 , and a compressor 130 . , a heat exchanger 140 , and a valve unit 150. The switch unit 120 includes a first switch 121 and a second communication line connected between the first communication line 310 and the control unit 110 . It may include a second switch 122 connected between the 320 and the control unit 110, and a third switch 123 connected between the third communication line 330 and the control unit 110. The valve unit 150 ) is a first valve 151 connected to the first pipe 410, a second valve 152 connected to the second pipe 420, and a third valve 153 connected to the third pipe 430. can

The controller 110 may perform an addressing operation on the indoor units connected to the outdoor unit 100 while controlling the switch unit 120 . The controller 110 may perform the addressing operation while performing an initialization operation after a plurality of indoor units are connected to the outdoor unit 100 . A detailed configuration of the addressing operation will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 .

In addition, after performing the addressing operation (or initialization operation), the control unit 110 controls the switch unit 120 so that the switches 121 , 122 , and 123 are kept in an on state, while the compressor 130 and the valve The unit 150 can be controlled. In this case, the controller 110 may control the compressor 130 and the valve unit 150 in response to the indoor unit signal received from the communication lines 310 , 320 , and 330 .

The controller 110 may include at least one processing unit and a memory. Here, the processing unit may include, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), and the like, It may have a plurality of cores. The memory may be volatile memory (eg, RAM, etc.), non-volatile memory (eg, ROM, flash memory, etc.), or a combination thereof. In some cases, the controller 110 may include additional storage. Storage includes, but is not limited to, magnetic storage, optical storage, and the like. Computer readable instructions for implementing the control method of the air conditioner of the present invention may be stored in the storage or memory, and other computer readable instructions for implementing an operating system, an application program, and the like may also be stored. The computer readable instructions stored in the storage may be loaded into memory for execution by the processing unit.

Also, the controller 110 may include at least one communication connection for communicating with the indoor units 210 , 220 , and 230 . In this case, the communication connection may be a communication module that performs serial communication (eg, 485 communication).

The compressor 130 may compress the refrigerant introduced through the pipes 510 , 520 , and 530 . In the heat exchanger 140 , heat exchange may be performed between the refrigerant and outdoor air.

The valve unit 150 (ie, each of the valves 151 , 152 and 153 ) may adjust the opening degree of each of the pipes 410 , 420 , and 430 . Each of the valves 151 , 152 , and 153 of the valve unit 150 may be an Electronic Expansion Valve (EEV).

Depending on the embodiment, the first switch 121 may be excluded. In this case, the first communication line 310 may maintain a state of being electrically connected to the control unit 110 .

3 is a view for explaining a method of controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A method of controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 .

First, when power is applied to the outdoor unit 100 (more specifically, the controller 110 of the outdoor unit 100), the outdoor unit 100 may check whether addresses are assigned to indoor units connected to the outdoor unit 100 (step S101). . Step S101 may be performed whenever power is applied. Alternatively, in step S101, when power is first applied to the outdoor unit 100 and when power is applied after a predetermined operation (eg, operation of a switch, etc. according to connection of a new indoor unit) is performed by the user can be performed.

Also, when power is first applied to the outdoor unit 100 , the outdoor unit 100 may determine that addresses are not assigned to the indoor units. Alternatively, the outdoor unit 100 may determine that addresses are not assigned to the indoor units when a predetermined operation (eg, an operation of a switch when connecting a new indoor unit) is performed by the user. Alternatively, the outdoor unit 100 may determine whether addresses are assigned to the indoor units using messages received from the indoor units. In this case, the outdoor unit 100 may transmit a specific message to the indoor units in order to receive messages from the indoor units.

Next, the outdoor unit 100 may check whether the first indoor unit 210 is mounted, and if the first indoor unit 210 is mounted, allocate a first address to the first indoor unit 210 (step S102). . The outdoor unit 100 (more specifically, the control unit 110 ) may control the first switch 121 to turn on the first switch 121 of the switch unit 120 , and then perform step S102 . .

For example, the outdoor unit 100 (more specifically, the control unit 110 ) transmits a specific message through the first communication line 310 and receives the specific message from the first indoor unit 210 , so that the first indoor unit It can be checked whether the 210 is installed. In this case, the specific message transmitted by the outdoor unit 100 may be a message notifying the start of address setting or a message for confirming the installation. Also, the message that the outdoor unit 100 receives from the first indoor unit 210 may be a message including a unique number (eg, a production number) of the first indoor unit 210 . Also, the first address may be an address generated based on the unique number of the first indoor unit 210 or an address arbitrarily allocated by the outdoor unit 100 .

Next, when the first indoor unit 210 receives an address assigned from the outdoor unit 100, it may transmit a response message to the response message to the outdoor unit 100 (step S103).

Next, the outdoor unit 100 (more specifically, the control unit 110) may turn on the second switch 122 (step S104).

Next, the outdoor unit 100 may check whether the second indoor unit 220 is mounted, and if the second indoor unit 220 is mounted, allocate a second address to the second indoor unit 220 (step S105). . The specific process of step S105 may be similar to step S102.

Next, when the second indoor unit 220 receives an address assigned from the outdoor unit 100, it may transmit a response message to the response message to the outdoor unit 100 (step S106).

Next, the outdoor unit 100 (more specifically, the controller 110 ) may turn on the third switch 123 ( S107 ).

Next, the outdoor unit 100 may check whether the third indoor unit 230 is mounted, and if the third indoor unit 230 is mounted, allocate a third address to the third indoor unit 230 (step S108). . The specific process of step S108 may be similar to step S102.

Next, when the third indoor unit 230 receives an address from the outdoor unit 100, it may transmit a response message to the response message to the outdoor unit 100 (step S109).

Next, the outdoor unit 100 may confirm that there is no more indoor unit to which an address is to be assigned, and may turn on all communication (step S110 ). That is, the outdoor unit 100 (more specifically, the control unit 110 ) determines that the addressing operation is complete, and thereafter, based on the indoor unit signal received from the communication lines 310 , the compressor 130 and the valve unit 150 . can control

4 is an operation flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. Each step shown in FIG. 4 may be performed by the controller 110 of the outdoor unit 100 .

First, the controller 110 may check whether an addressing operation for indoor units connected to the outdoor unit 100 has been performed (step S201 ). Step S201 may be similar to step S101 described with reference to FIG. 3 .

Next, the control unit 110 may transmit a confirmation message through the communication line and allocate an address to the indoor unit (step S202). A detailed operation of step S202 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5 .

Next, the control unit 110 may determine whether there is an off switch (step S203).

As a result of the determination in step S203, if an off switch exists, the controller 110 may turn on the next switch and perform step S202 (step S204). Here, the next switch may be determined according to the arrangement order of the turned-off switches, or may be any one of the turned-off switches.

As a result of the determination in step S203, if there is no turned-off switch, the controller 110 determines that the addressing operation for all indoor units has been completed, and may turn on all communication (step S205). Step S205 may be similar to step S110 of FIG. 3 .

In some cases, some of the steps shown in FIG. 4 may be omitted.

5 is an operation flowchart for explaining an embodiment of the addressing step (step S202) of the control method of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 4 . Each step shown in FIG. 5 may be performed by the controller ( 110 in FIG. 2 ) of the outdoor unit ( 100 in FIG. 2 ).

First, the control unit 110 transmits a confirmation message through the communication line (step S301). The confirmation message may include a message indicating the start of the indoor unit address allocation.

Next, the controller 110 may receive an indoor unit unique number from the indoor unit through a communication line (step S302). The indoor unit unique number may be a production number of the indoor unit. When an address is not assigned to the indoor unit, the indoor unit may output a unique indoor unit number in response to the confirmation message.

Next, the controller 110 determines the indoor unit address based on the received indoor unit unique number (eg, the indoor unit production number), and transmits the determined indoor unit address to the indoor unit through the communication line to set the indoor unit address. can be (step S303).

2 and 3 , only the first communication line 310 is electrically connected to the controller 110 when an addressing operation (address allocation operation) for indoor units is started. Accordingly, only the first indoor unit 210 may be connected to the controller 110 and receive a confirmation message from the controller 110 . As a result, the controller 110 may allocate the first address to the first indoor unit 210 . At the same time, the control unit 110 may determine that the first communication line 310 and the first pipe 410 form one set by using previously stored information or the like. Accordingly, the controller 110 may also determine that the communication line connected to the first indoor unit 210 is the first communication line 310 , and the pipe connected to the first indoor unit 210 is the first pipe 410 .

In the next step, the control unit 110 by turning on the second switch 122 (step S104 of FIG. 3 and/or step S204 of FIG. 4 ), the second communication line 320 is electrically connected to the control unit 110 . can Accordingly, the controller 110 may transmit a confirmation message to the second indoor unit 220 , receive an indoor unit unique number (eg, a production number of the second indoor unit) from the second indoor unit 220 , and 2 A second address may be allocated to the indoor unit 220 . Also, the controller 110 may determine that the communication line connected to the second indoor unit 220 is the second communication line 330 , and the pipe connected to the second indoor unit 220 is the second pipe 420 .

Similarly, the controller 110 may allocate a third address to the third indoor unit 230 , the communication line connected to the third indoor unit 230 is the third communication line 330 , and the third indoor unit 230 . It can also be understood that the pipe connected to the third pipe 430 is.

Accordingly, thereafter, the controller 110 may receive the indoor unit signal and adjust the appropriate opening degree of the valve according to the address of the indoor unit. That is, if the address of the indoor unit is the first address, the opening degree of the first valve 151 may be adjusted in response to the indoor unit signal. If the address of the indoor unit is the second address, the second valve 152 may be adjusted in response to the indoor unit signal. may be adjusted, and when the address of the indoor unit is the third address, the opening degree of the third valve 153 may be adjusted in response to the indoor unit signal.

That is, in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, through this process, the controller 110 sets addresses for the indoor units 210 , 220 , and 230 , and simultaneously sets the addresses for the indoor units 210 , 220 , and 230 , respectively. Piping search to determine which type of pipe is connected to and can be performed at the same time.

6 is a view schematically showing an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor unit 101, first indoor units 211 to sixth indoor units 161; It may include a first distributor 611 and a second distributor 621 .

A communication line 711 and a pipe 811 are connected between the outdoor unit 101 and the first distributor 611 , and a communication line 721 and a pipe 821 are connected between the outdoor unit 101 and the second distributor 612 . ) is connected. Also, a first communication line 311 and a first pipe 411 are connected between the first distributor 611 and the first indoor unit 211 , and between the first distributor 611 and the second indoor unit 221 . A second communication line 321 and a second pipe 421 are connected to each other, and a third communication line 331 and a third pipe 431 are connected between the first distributor 611 and the third indoor unit 231 . connected, a fourth communication line 341 and a fourth pipe 441 are connected between the second distributor 621 and the fourth indoor unit 241 , and the second distributor 621 and the fifth indoor unit 251 are connected ), a fifth communication line 351 and a fifth pipe 451 are connected, and a sixth communication line 361 and a sixth pipe 461 are connected between the second distributor 621 and the sixth indoor unit 261 . ) is connected.

In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 , the outdoor unit 101 may have a structure similar to the outdoor unit shown in FIG. 2 , and each of the first distributor 611 and the second distributor 621 includes a compressor and The heat exchanger may have a structure similar to that omitted.

Also, each of the outdoor unit 101 , the first distributor 611 , and the second distributor 621 may perform the control method described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 .

That is, the outdoor unit 101 simultaneously performs address assignment and pipe search for the first distributor 611 and the second distributor 621, and the first distributor 611 includes the first indoor unit 211 and the second indoor unit ( 221 ) and the third indoor unit 231 , address assignment and pipe search are simultaneously performed, and the second distributor 621 performs the fourth indoor unit 241 , the fifth indoor unit 251 , and the sixth indoor unit 261 . address assignment and pipe search can be performed at the same time.

Accordingly, the time required for address assignment and pipe search can be remarkably reduced, and address assignment and pipe search can be performed more conveniently.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated drawings, but the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed in the present specification. It is obvious that variations can be made. In addition, although the effects according to the configuration of the present invention have not been explicitly described and described while describing the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the effects predictable by the configuration should also be recognized.

100, 101: outdoor unit
210, 220, 230, 211, 221, 231, 241, 251, 261: indoor unit
310, 320, 330, 311, 321, 331, 341, 351, 361: communication line
410, 420, 430, 411, 421, 431, 441, 451, 461: piping

Claims (13)

outdoor unit;
a plurality of indoor units;
a plurality of communication lines connected between each of the plurality of indoor units and the outdoor unit; and
a plurality of pipes connected between each of the plurality of indoor units and the outdoor unit;
the outdoor unit
control unit; and
A plurality of switches connected between each of the plurality of communication lines and the control unit,
The control unit sequentially turns on the plurality of switches and assigns an address to each of the indoor units.
The method of claim 1, wherein the outdoor unit
a compressor for compressing the refrigerant flowing through the pipe;
a heat exchanger for generating heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air; and
and a plurality of valves connected between each of the plurality of pipes and the heat exchanger.
According to claim 2, wherein the control unit
An air conditioner that controls the plurality of valves in response to an indoor unit signal received through the plurality of communication lines while all of the plurality of switches are turned on.
According to claim 1,
The air conditioner further comprising a distributor disposed between the outdoor unit and the plurality of indoor units and to which the pipes are connected.
The outdoor unit, the first indoor unit, the second indoor unit, a first communication line and a first pipe connecting the outdoor unit and the first indoor unit, and a second communication line and a second pipe connecting the outdoor unit and the second indoor unit In an air conditioner comprising:
the outdoor unit
a first valve connected to the first pipe;
a second valve connected to the second pipe;
a control unit for controlling the first valve and the second valve; and
A second switch connected between the control unit and the second communication line,
The control unit allocates a first address to the first indoor unit in a state in which the second switch is turned off, and allocates a second address to the second indoor unit in a state in which the second switch is turned on.
According to claim 5, wherein the control unit
An air conditioner configured to control the first valve and the second valve in response to an indoor unit signal received through the first communication line and the second communication line while the second switch is turned on.
The method of claim 5, wherein the outdoor unit
Further comprising a first switch connected between the control unit and the first communication line,
The control unit allocates the first address to the first indoor unit and the second address to the second indoor unit in a state in which the first switch is turned on.
The method of claim 7, wherein the control unit
An air conditioner configured to control the first valve and the second valve in response to an indoor unit signal received through the first communication line and the second communication line while the first switch and the second switch are turned on.
The method of claim 8, wherein the control unit
An air conditioner for adjusting an opening degree of the first valve in response to the indoor unit signal including the first address, and adjusting an opening degree of the second valve in response to the indoor unit signal including the second address.
An outdoor unit including a controller, a plurality of indoor units, a plurality of communication lines connected between each of the plurality of indoor units and the outdoor unit, a plurality of pipes connected between each of the plurality of indoor units and the outdoor unit, and the plurality of pipes In the control method of an air conditioner comprising a plurality of valves connected to each of the switches, and switches connected between each of the plurality of communication lines and the control unit,
allocating, by the controller, an address to each of the plurality of indoor units while sequentially turning on the plurality of switches; and
and the controller turning on the plurality of switches and controlling the plurality of valves in response to signals received from the plurality of communication lines.
The method of claim 10, wherein allocating the address comprises:
determining, by the control unit, whether all of the plurality of switches are turned on;
when there is a switch that is not turned on among the plurality of switches, by the controller, turning on one of the switches that are not turned on, and allocating an address to the indoor unit in response to a signal received from the plurality of communication lines; and
and terminating, by the controller, allocating an address when the plurality of switches are all turned on.
11. The method of claim 10,
The plurality of indoor units includes a first indoor unit and a second indoor unit,
the plurality of communication lines include a first communication line connected between the first indoor unit and the control unit, and a second communication line connected between the second indoor unit and the control unit,
The plurality of pipes may include a first pipe connected between the first indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and a second pipe connected between the second indoor unit and the outdoor unit,
The plurality of switches includes a first switch connected between a first communication line and the control unit and a second switch connected between the second communication line and the control unit,
The plurality of valves include a first valve connected to the first pipe and a first pipe connected to the second pipe,
Allocating the address is
turning on the first switch, turning off the second switch, and allocating, by the controller, a first address to the first indoor unit; and
and allocating a second address to the second indoor unit by turning on the first switch, turning on the second switch, by the controller.
The method of claim 12, wherein the controlling of the plurality of valves comprises:
controlling, by the controller, the first valve in response to the indoor unit signal when the indoor unit signal received through the plurality of communication lines includes the first address; and
and controlling, by the controller, the second valve in response to the indoor unit signal when the indoor unit signal received through the plurality of communication lines includes the second address.

Images