US20050155361A1 - Air conditioning system and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Air conditioning system and method for controlling the same Download PDF

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Publication number
US20050155361A1
US20050155361A1 US10/926,985 US92698504A US2005155361A1 US 20050155361 A1 US20050155361 A1 US 20050155361A1 US 92698504 A US92698504 A US 92698504A US 2005155361 A1 US2005155361 A1 US 2005155361A1
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Prior art keywords
operating
indoor units
mode
outdoor
compressor
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US10/926,985
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English (en)
Inventor
Gyoo Jung
Hyun Jung
Woo Kim
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Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
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Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
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Assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. reassignment SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: JUNG, GYOO HA, JUNG, HYUN SEOK, KIM, WOO HYUN
Publication of US20050155361A1 publication Critical patent/US20050155361A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B13/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/70—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H43/00—Time or time-programme switches providing a choice of time-intervals for executing one or more switching actions and automatically terminating their operations after the programme is completed
    • H01H43/24—Time or time-programme switches providing a choice of time-intervals for executing one or more switching actions and automatically terminating their operations after the programme is completed with timing of actuation of contacts due to a non-rotatable moving part
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
    • H01R25/003—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/007—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for three pipes connecting the outdoor side to the indoor side with multiple indoor units
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/023—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units
    • F25B2313/0231—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units with simultaneous cooling and heating
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25B2500/26—Problems to be solved characterised by the startup of the refrigeration cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/19—Pressures
    • F25B2700/193—Pressures of the compressor
    • F25B2700/1931—Discharge pressures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/21—Temperatures
    • F25B2700/2106—Temperatures of fresh outdoor air

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an air conditioning system comprising a plurality of indoor units connected to an outdoor unit, in which heating and cooling operations are simultaneously performed, and a method for controlling the air conditioning system.
  • an air conditioning system performs an air conditioning operation in an indoor space using a single outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit.
  • the outdoor unit includes a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, and a motor-operated outdoor valve.
  • Each of the indoor units includes an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor fan, and a motor-operated indoor valve.
  • operating modes such as heating and cooling modes
  • the operating modes may include a single mode, in which all the indoor units are operating in the same mode such as the heating or cooling mode, and a complex mode, in which some of the indoor units are operating in the heating mode, and the rest of the indoor units are simultaneously operating in the cooling mode.
  • the complex mode is divided into a general cooling mode, in which the majority of the indoor units are operating in the cooling mode and the remainder of the indoor units are operating in the heating mode, and a general heating mode, in which the majority of the indoor units are operating in the heating mode and the remainder of the indoor units are operating in the cooling mode.
  • the refrigerant discharged from the compressor passes through the outdoor heat exchanger and is supplied to the indoor units operating in the cooling mode. Then, the refrigerant passed through the indoor units operating in the cooling mode is returned to the compressor. After the starting operation is finished, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is divisionally supplied to the indoor units operating in the heating mode, thus allowing the air conditioning system to simultaneously operate the cooling and heating modes. Since the indoor units set in the heating mode do not perform a heating operation during the starting operation in the general cooling mode, the conventional air conditioning system is at a disadvantage because the heating operation is delayed.
  • an aspect of the invention is to provide an air conditioning system in which a refrigerant discharged from compressors is supplied to indoor units operating in a heating mode during a starting operation in a general cooling mode, and a method of controlling the air conditioning system, thus rapidly performing the heating mode.
  • Another aspect of the invention is to provide an air conditioning system in which operation is controlled in consideration of operational characteristics of a starting operation beginning in response to the system being in a stopped state, and operational characteristics of a main operation beginning in response to the system being stabilized by the starting operation, and a method of controlling the air conditioning system, thus increasing the operating efficiency of the system
  • the present invention provides an air conditioning system comprising: an outdoor unit including at least one compressor and at least one outdoor heat exchanger; a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit; a refrigerant guide unit to guide a refrigerant discharged from the at least one compressor to the indoor units through first and/or second routes; and a control unit to simultaneously control a first quantity of the refrigerant discharged from the at least one compressor to at least one of the indoor units operating in a cooling mode through the first route, and a second quantity of the refrigerant discharged from the at least one compressor to a remainder of the indoor units operating in a heating mode through the second route
  • the control unit may divisionally supply the refrigerant discharged from the at least one compressor through the first and second routes in a general cooling mode in which a majority of the indoor units are operating in the cooling mode and the remainder of the indoor units are operating in the heating mode.
  • the control unit may include: indoor control units to control the indoor units; and an outdoor control unit connected to the indoor control units, wherein the outdoor control unit sets the general cooling mode in response to a total cooling capacity of the indoor units operating in the cooling mode being larger than a total heating capacity of the indoor units operating in the heating mode.
  • the at least one outdoor heat exchanger may be installed on the first route, and an on-off valve to guide the second quantity of the refrigerant discharged from the at least one compressor to the indoor units operating in the heating mode without passing through the at least one outdoor heat exchanger may be provided on the second route.
  • the present invention provides a method of controlling an air conditioning system which simultaneously performs cooling and heating operations by connecting a plurality of indoor units to an outdoor unit having at least one outdoor heat exchanger, the method comprising: setting an operating mode of the system; determining whether the set operating mode is a general cooling mode in which a majority of the indoor units are operating in a cooling mode and a remainder of the indoor units are operating in a heating mode; determining whether the system is operating in a starting mode, which results from the system starting from a stopped state, in response to the determining that the set operating mode is the general cooling mode; and supplying a first quantity of refrigerant discharged from at least one compressor to the indoor units operating in the cooling mode through a first route, and simultaneously supplying a second quantity of the refrigerant to the indoor units operating in the heating mode through a second route, in response to the determining that the system is operating in the starting mode.
  • the general cooling mode may be set in response to a total cooling capacity of the indoor units operating in the cooling mode being larger than a total heating capacity of the indoor units operating in the heating mode.
  • the present invention provides an air conditioning system comprising: an outdoor unit including at least one compressor, at least one outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, and a motor-operated outdoor valve; a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit; a plurality of indoor heat exchangers respectively provided to the indoor units; a refrigerant guide unit to simultaneously guide a refrigerant discharged from the at least one compressor to the indoor units operating in a cooling mode through a first route and to the indoor units operating in a heating mode through a second route; and a control unit to sequentially perform a starting operation in response to the system being started from a stopped state and a main operation in response to the system being stabilized by the starting operation, and to control the at least one compressor, the outdoor fan, and the motor-operated outdoor valve according to operational characteristics of the starting and main operations.
  • the control unit may perform the starting and main operations in response to a total cooling capacity of the indoor units operating in the cooling mode being larger than a total heating capacity of the indoor units operating in the heating mode.
  • the present invention provides a method of controlling an air conditioning system which simultaneously performs cooling and heating operations by connecting a plurality of indoor units to an outdoor unit including at least one outdoor heat exchanger, the method comprising: setting an operating mode of the system; determining whether the set operating mode is a general cooling mode in which a majority of the indoor units are operating in a cooling mode and a remainder of the indoor units are operating in a heating mode; sequentially performing a starting operation in response to the system being started from a stopped state and a main operation in response to the system being stabilized by the starting operation; and controlling at least one compressor, an outdoor fan, and a motor-operated outdoor valve of the outdoor unit according to operational characteristics of the starting and main operations.
  • an operating capacity of the at least one compressor may be set to approximately 50-80% of a total cooling capacity of the indoor units operating in the cooling mode.
  • an opening degree of the motor-operated outdoor valve may be set according to a total cooling capacity of the indoor units operating in the cooling mode.
  • an operating capacity of the outdoor fan may be set according to a difference between a total cooling capacity of the indoor units operating in the cooling mode and a total heating capacity of the indoor units operating in the heating mode, and according to an outdoor temperature.
  • a pressure sensed by a pressure sensor installed at an outlet of the at least one compressor may be compared to a predetermined pressure to determine whether the starting operation is terminated.
  • an operating capacity of the at least one compressor may be set according to a total cooling capacity of the indoor units operating in the cooling mode.
  • an opening degree of the motor-operated outdoor valve may be set according to according to a ratio of a total heating capacity of the indoor units operating in the heating mode to a total operating capacity obtained by adding a total cooling capacity of the indoor units operating in the cooling mode and the total heating capacity of the indoor units operating in the heating mode.
  • the total heating capacity may be inversely proportional to the opening degree of the motor-operated outdoor valve.
  • a pressure sensor to sense a pressure of refrigerant discharged from the compressors may be provided, and, in the main operation, an operating capacity of the outdoor fan may be set such that the pressure of the refrigerant sensed by the pressure sensor and supplied to the indoor units operating in the heating mode reaches a set standard pressure.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an air conditioning system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the air conditioning system of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the air conditioning system of FIG. 1 in which three indoor units are operating in a cooling mode and one indoor unit is operating in a heating mode;
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow charts of a method of controlling the air conditioning system in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the present invention relates to an air conditioning system in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to an outdoor unit.
  • the air conditioning system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises an outdoor unit 100 , four indoor units 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d, and a directional conversion circuit 300 interposed between the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor units 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d to convert the direction of a refrigerant flow.
  • the outdoor unit 100 includes outdoor heat exchangers 101 a and 101 b, an outdoor fan 113 , an outdoor fan motor 114 , a motor-operated outdoor valve 102 connected to outlets of the outdoor heat exchangers 101 a and 101 b, an on-off valve 111 and a check valve 112 connected to the motor-operated outdoor valve 102 , capacity variable compressors 103 a and 103 b, a four-way valve 104 , a receiver 106 , an accumulator 107 , and an on-off valve 109 and a check valve 110 to supply a refrigerant discharged from the compressors 103 a and 103 b to the indoor units operating in a heating mode without passing through the outdoor heat exchangers 101 a and 101 b.
  • the outdoor unit 100 further includes an outdoor temperature sensor 108 to sense an outdoor temperature, and a pressure sensor 105 to sense a discharge pressure of a refrigerant discharged from the compressors 103 a and 103 b.
  • the indoor units 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d respectively include indoor heat exchangers 201 a, 201 b, 201 c, and 201 d, motor-operating indoor valves 202 a, 202 b, 202 c, and 202 d, indoor temperature sensors 203 a, 203 b, 203 c, and 203 d, and pipe temperature sensors 204 a, 204 b, 204 c, and 204 d to sense temperatures at inlets and outlets of the indoor heat exchangers 201 a, 201 b, 201 c, and 201 d.
  • the indoor units 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d respectively further include indoor fans (not shown) and indoor fan motors (not shown).
  • the directional conversion circuit 300 includes high-pressure gas valves 301 a, 301 b, 301 c, and 301 d respectively installed at high-pressure gas pipes (HPPs) located between the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor units 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d, low-pressure gas valves 302 a, 302 b, 302 c, and 302 d respectively installed at low-pressure gas pipes (LPPs), and a motor-operated valve 303 installed at a common pipe (RP) to connect the outdoor unit 100 to the indoor units 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d.
  • HPPs high-pressure gas pipes
  • LPPs low-pressure gas pipes
  • RP motor-operated valve 303 installed at a common pipe (RP) to connect the outdoor unit 100 to the indoor units 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d.
  • RP common pipe
  • the above high-pressure gas valves 301 a, 301 b, 301 c, and 301 d and low-pressure gas valves 302 a, 302 b, 302 c, and 302 d of the directional conversion circuit 300 are operated under the control of an outdoor control unit, which will be described later.
  • One end of the four-way valve 104 of the outdoor unit 100 is connected to the high-pressure gas valves 301 a, 301 b, 301 c, and 301 d of the directional conversion circuit 300 through the high-pressure gas pipes (HPPs). Further, the accumulator 107 of the outdoor unit 100 is connected to the low-pressure gas valves 302 a, 302 b, 302 c, and 302 d of the directional conversion circuit 300 through the low-pressure gas pipes (LPPs).
  • HPPs high-pressure gas pipes
  • LPPs low-pressure gas pipes
  • the common pipe (RP) is installed between the outdoor heat exchangers 101 a and 101 b of the outdoor unit 100 and the directional conversion circuit 300 , and the motor-operated outdoor valve 102 is installed in the common pipe (RP).
  • the on-off valve 111 connected in parallel to the motor-operated outdoor valve 102 , serves as a flow control valve.
  • Pipes EP 1 , EP 2 , EP 3 , and EP 4 of the indoor heat exchangers 201 a, 201 b, 201 c, and 201 d are connected to the common pipe (RP).
  • the air conditioning system in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 comprises an outdoor control unit 120 to control the outdoor unit 100 , first to fourth indoor control units 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d to control the indoor units 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d, and a connection unit 122 interposed between the outdoor control unit 120 and the first to fourth indoor control units 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d to bidirectionally communicate information to operate the air conditioning system.
  • the pressure sensor 105 and the outdoor temperature sensor 108 are connected to an input terminal of the outdoor control unit 120 .
  • a compressor operating unit 124 to operate the compressors 103 a and 103 b, a four-way valve operating unit 126 to operate the four-way valve 104 , an outdoor fan operating unit 128 to operate the outdoor fan 105 , a motor-operated outdoor valve operating unit 130 to operate the motor-operated outdoor valve 102 , and an on-off valve operating unit 132 to operate the on-off valves 109 and 111 are connected to an output terminal of the outdoor control unit 120 .
  • the first to fourth indoor control units 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d respectively provide indoor temperatures sensed by the indoor temperature sensors 203 a, 203 b, 203 c, and 203 d, a temperature and an operating mode set by a user using a function key and a remote control unit, and information regarding capacities of the indoor heat exchangers 201 a, 201 b, 201 c, and 201 d, to the outdoor control unit 120 .
  • the first to fourth indoor control units 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d in connection with the outdoor control unit 120 , respectively control the motor-operated indoor valves 202 a, 202 b, 202 c, and 202 d and the indoor fans (not shown).
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the air conditioning system of FIG. 1 in which one indoor unit (i.e., the indoor unit 200 a ) operates in a heating mode, and the remaining three indoor units (i.e., the indoor units 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d ) operate in a cooling mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • one indoor unit i.e., the indoor unit 200 a
  • the remaining three indoor units i.e., the indoor units 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d
  • the outdoor control unit 120 operates the compressors 103 a and 103 b, opens the motor-operated outdoor valve 102 to an initial degree, and opens the on-off valve 109 .
  • the outdoor control unit 120 opens the high-pressure gas valve 301 a of the indoor unit 200 a operating in the heating mode, and closes the high-pressure gas valves 301 b, 301 c, and 301 d of the indoor units 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d operating in the cooling mode.
  • the outdoor control unit 120 closes the low-pressure gas valve 302 a of the indoor unit 200 a operating in the heating mode, and opens the low-pressure gas valves 302 b, 302 c, and 302 d of the indoor units 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d operating in the cooling mode.
  • a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressors 103 a and 103 b passes through the on-off valve 109 and the check valve 110 , as shown by arrows represented by a solid line, and is then supplied to the indoor unit 200 a operating in the heating mode.
  • the other part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressors 103 a and 103 b passes through the outdoor heat exchangers 101 a and 101 b and the motor-operated outdoor valve 102 , as shown by arrows represented by a dotted line, and is then combined with the refrigerant passed through the indoor unit 200 a.
  • the combined refrigerant sequentially passes through the motor-operated indoor valves 202 b, 202 c, and 202 d and the indoor heat exchangers 201 b, 201 c, and 201 d of the indoor units 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d operating in the cooling mode, and the low-pressure gas pipes (LPPs), and is then returned to the compressors 103 a and 103 b.
  • the refrigerant is circulated through the above-described cycle.
  • the outdoor control unit 120 sets a general cooling mode, and controls the operation of the air conditioning system based on the general cooling mode.
  • the refrigerant discharged from the compressors 103 a and 103 b is divided into two parts as shown in FIG. 3 , thus allowing the indoor unit 200 a, which is operating in the heating mode, to achieve rapid heating.
  • the outdoor control unit 120 sets capacities of the compressors 103 a and 103 b and a capacity (speed) of the outdoor fan 113 so as to satisfy characteristics of the starting of the operating mode of the air conditioning system, and controls an opening degree of the motor-operated outdoor valve 102 , thus maximizing the operating efficiency of the air conditioning system.
  • FIG. 3 operation of the air conditioning system in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B .
  • the outdoor control unit 120 When power is applied to the air conditioning system of FIG. 3 , the outdoor control unit 120 performs initialization ( 400 ).
  • the initialization refers to a procedure automatically achieved according to a predetermined control program to operate the air conditioning system.
  • the indoor control units 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d provide operating mode signals to distinguish between heating and cooling modes set to the corresponding indoor units 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d, capacities of the indoor heat exchangers 201 a, 201 b, 201 c, and 201 d assigned to the corresponding indoor units 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d, a set temperature, and an indoor temperature to the outdoor control unit 120 through the connection unit 122 .
  • the outdoor control unit 120 receives an outdoor temperature from the outdoor temperature sensor 108 ( 410 ).
  • the outdoor control unit 120 calculates heating capacities (heating loads) and cooling capacities (cooling loads) based on the capacities of the indoor heat exchangers 201 a, 201 b, 201 c, and 201 d provided from the indoor units 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d.
  • capacities of the indoor heat exchangers 201 b, 201 c, and 201 d of the three indoor units 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d, which are set to operate in the cooling mode are summed to obtain a total cooling capacity (CQ), and a capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 201 a of the one indoor unit 200 a, which is set to operate in the heating mode, serves as a total heating capacity (HQ) ( 420 ).
  • CQ total cooling capacity
  • HQ total heating capacity
  • the outdoor control unit 120 determines whether the total cooling capacity (CQ) is larger than the total heating capacity (HQ) ( 430 ). In a case in which, as a result of operation 430 , it is determined that the total cooling capacity (CQ) is not larger than the total heating capacity (HQ), the operating mode of the air conditioning system is set to a corresponding one of operating modes such as a cooling mode, a heating mode, and a general heating mode in which the majority of the indoor units are operating in the heating mode and the remainder of the indoor units are operating in the cooling mode ( 431 ).
  • operating modes such as a cooling mode, a heating mode, and a general heating mode in which the majority of the indoor units are operating in the heating mode and the remainder of the indoor units are operating in the cooling mode ( 431 ).
  • the operating mode of the air conditioning system is set to a general cooling mode ( 440 ).
  • the outdoor control unit 120 determines whether the general cooling mode of the air conditioning system starts ( 450 ). In a case in which, as a result of operation 450 , it is determined that the general cooling mode of the air conditioning system starts, the outdoor control unit 120 controls the four-way valve operating unit 126 to convert the route of the four-way valve 104 and the on-off valve operating unit 132 to open the on-off valve 109 such that the refrigerant flow corresponds to the general cooling mode ( 460 ).
  • the outdoor control unit 120 controls the compressor operating unit 124 to operate the compressors 103 a and 103 b according to the initial operating capacity of the compressors 103 a and 103 b.
  • the initial operating capacity of the compressors 103 a and 103 b is set to approximately 50-80% of the total cooling capacity (CQ) calculated in operation 420 , thus preventing the air conditioning system from being overloaded ( 470 ).
  • the outdoor control unit 120 controls the motor-operated outdoor valve operating unit 130 to operate the motor-operated outdoor valve 102 to an initial opening degree.
  • the initial opening degree of the motor-operated outdoor valve 102 is set by the total cooling capacity (CQ), thus preventing the air conditioning system from being overloaded ( 480 ).
  • the outdoor control unit 120 sets the operating capacity (speed) of the outdoor fan 113 based on a difference (CQ-HQ) between the total cooling capacity (CQ) and the total heating capacity (HQ) and an outdoor temperature ( 490 ), and controls the outdoor fan operating unit 128 to operate the outdoor fan 113 based on the set operating capacity of the outdoor fan 113 ( 500 ).
  • CQ-HQ a difference between the total cooling capacity (CQ) and the total heating capacity (HQ) and an outdoor temperature
  • a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressors 103 a and 103 b passes through the outdoor heat exchangers 101 a and 101 b and the motor-operated outdoor valve 102 , and is then supplied to the indoor units 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d, which are operating in the cooling mode.
  • the other part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressors 103 a and 103 b passes through the on-off valve 109 and the check valve 110 without passing through the outdoor heat exchangers 101 a and 101 b, and is then supplied to the indoor unit 200 a, which is operating in the heating mode.
  • the pressure sensor 105 senses the pressure of the discharged refrigerant, and then supplies the sensed pressure to the outdoor control unit 120 ( 510 ).
  • the outdoor control unit 120 compares the supplied pressure of the discharged refrigerant to a set pressure set for finishing the starting operation, and determines whether the starting operation is finished ( 520 ).
  • the outdoor control unit 120 sets the operating capacity of the compressors 103 a and 103 b.
  • the operating capacity of the compressors 103 a and 103 b is set based on the total cooling capacity (CQ) ( 530 ).
  • the outdoor control unit 120 controls the compressor operating unit 124 to operate the compressors 103 a and 103 b according to the set operating capacity of the compressors 103 a and 103 b ( 540 ).
  • the outdoor control unit 120 sets an opening degree of the motor-operated outdoor valve 102 based on the ratio of the total heating capacity (HQ) to the total operating capacity (CQ+HQ) ( 550 ), and controls the motor-operated outdoor valve operating unit 130 to operate the motor-operated outdoor valve 102 based on the set opening degree.
  • the opening degree of the motor-operated outdoor valve 102 is set such that the larger the heating capacity of the indoor unit 200 a operating in the heating mode is, the smaller the opening degree of the motor-operated outdoor valve 102 is, thus causing an amount of the refrigerant supplied to the indoor unit 200 a operating in the heating mode to be increased ( 560 ).
  • the outdoor control unit 120 sets the operating capacity of the outdoor fan 113 such that the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressors 103 a and 103 b and supplied to the indoor unit 200 a operating in the heating mode reaches a standard pressure ( 570 ).
  • the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressors 103 a and 103 b it is necessary for the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressors 103 a and 103 b to be greater than a predetermined temperature.
  • the pressure of the discharged refrigerant sensed by the pressure sensor 105 corresponding to the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressors 103 a and 103 b is maintained to be more than a predetermined pressure.
  • the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressors 103 a and 103 b varies according to the variation in the operating capacity (speed) of the outdoor fan 113 .
  • the outdoor control unit 120 controls the outdoor fan operating unit 128 to operate the outdoor fan 113 based on the set operating capacity of the outdoor fan 113 ( 580 ).
  • the indoor control units 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d operating in the cooling mode receive temperatures at inlets and outlets of the indoor heat exchangers 201 b, 201 c, and 201 d through the pipe temperature sensors 204 b, 204 c, and 204 d, calculate degrees of superheat based on corresponding differences between the temperatures at the inlets and outlets, and control the opening degrees of the motor-operated indoor valves 202 b, 202 c, and 202 d such that the calculated degrees of superheat reach a set degree of superheat (S 590 ).
  • the indoor control unit 210 a operating in the heating mode fully opens the motor-operated indoor valve 202 a ( 600 ).
  • the outdoor control unit 120 determines whether the operation of the air conditioning system is terminated ( 610 ). In a case in which, as a result of operation 610 , it is determined that the operation of the air conditioning system is not terminated, the operating process of the air conditioning system is returned to operation 430 to continue performing the operation.
  • the outdoor control unit 120 stops the operations of the compressors 103 a and 103 b, the outdoor fan 113 , and the motor-operated outdoor valve 102 , thus stopping the operation of the air conditioning system ( 620 ).
  • the present invention provides an air conditioning system, in which a refrigerant discharged from compressors is supplied to indoor units, operating in a heating mode during the starting operation in a general cooling mode, and a method of controlling the air conditioning system, thus rapidly performing the heating mode. Since the compressors, an outdoor fan, and a motor-operated outdoor valve are controlled in consideration of operational characteristics required by the starting operation and operational characteristics required by the main operation in a general cooling mode, the air conditioning system is rapidly stabilized without overload during the starting operation, and operates in the general cooling mode under the condition that the system is stabilized in consideration of cooling and heating capacities, thus having good cooling and heating efficiencies.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)
  • Compression-Type Refrigeration Machines With Reversible Cycles (AREA)
  • Other Air-Conditioning Systems (AREA)
US10/926,985 2004-01-19 2004-08-27 Air conditioning system and method for controlling the same Abandoned US20050155361A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020040003733A KR20050075976A (ko) 2004-01-19 2004-01-19 공기 조화 시스템 및 그 제어방법
KR2004-3733 2004-01-19

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US20050155361A1 true US20050155361A1 (en) 2005-07-21

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US10/926,985 Abandoned US20050155361A1 (en) 2004-01-19 2004-08-27 Air conditioning system and method for controlling the same

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US (1) US20050155361A1 (ko)
EP (1) EP1555495A3 (ko)
KR (1) KR20050075976A (ko)
CN (1) CN100520203C (ko)

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US20060150648A1 (en) * 2004-12-21 2006-07-13 Lg Electronics Inc. Air conditioner
US20080028780A1 (en) * 2006-08-04 2008-02-07 Daewoo Electronics Corporation Method for controlling start-up operation of air conditioner
US20090056352A1 (en) * 2007-09-03 2009-03-05 Min Gi Kim Multi air conditioner system and auto changeover method for multi air conditioner system
US20110197608A1 (en) * 2008-10-29 2011-08-18 Mitsubishi Electric Corportion Air-conditioning apparatus
US20110219795A1 (en) * 2010-03-10 2011-09-15 Chisun Ahn Core assembly for air conditioner and air conditioner having the same
US20110232311A1 (en) * 2010-03-23 2011-09-29 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Multi-room air conditioning apparatus
US20120006050A1 (en) * 2009-04-01 2012-01-12 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Air-conditioning apparatus
US20120042674A1 (en) * 2009-05-12 2012-02-23 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Air-conditioning apparatus
US20120043054A1 (en) * 2009-05-13 2012-02-23 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Air-conditioning apparatus
US20120324932A1 (en) * 2010-03-25 2012-12-27 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Air-conditioning apparatus
WO2020235786A1 (en) * 2019-05-23 2020-11-26 Lg Electronics Inc. Air conditioning apparatus and control method thereof

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KR20060030761A (ko) 2004-10-06 2006-04-11 삼성전자주식회사 다실형 공기조화 시스템 및 그 제어방법
KR101151321B1 (ko) * 2007-02-06 2012-06-08 삼성전자주식회사 멀티형 공기조화기 및 그 운전방법
KR100851906B1 (ko) * 2007-03-23 2008-08-13 삼성전자주식회사 냉난방 동시형 멀티 공기조화기 및 그 제어방법
CN106322580A (zh) * 2016-08-16 2017-01-11 广东美的暖通设备有限公司 多联机空调系统及其除霜控制方法和除霜控制装置
CN110578991B (zh) * 2019-09-16 2021-02-09 海信（山东）空调有限公司 空调能力模式的控制方法、装置、空调及可读存储介质

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US20060150648A1 (en) * 2004-12-21 2006-07-13 Lg Electronics Inc. Air conditioner
US7578137B2 (en) * 2004-12-21 2009-08-25 Lg Electronics Inc. Air-conditioning system with multiple indoor and outdoor units and control system therefor
US20080028780A1 (en) * 2006-08-04 2008-02-07 Daewoo Electronics Corporation Method for controlling start-up operation of air conditioner
US20090056352A1 (en) * 2007-09-03 2009-03-05 Min Gi Kim Multi air conditioner system and auto changeover method for multi air conditioner system
US9273875B2 (en) * 2008-10-29 2016-03-01 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Air conditioning apparatus having indoor, outdoor, and relay units
US20110197608A1 (en) * 2008-10-29 2011-08-18 Mitsubishi Electric Corportion Air-conditioning apparatus
US9322562B2 (en) * 2009-04-01 2016-04-26 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Air-conditioning apparatus
US20120006050A1 (en) * 2009-04-01 2012-01-12 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Air-conditioning apparatus
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US20120042674A1 (en) * 2009-05-12 2012-02-23 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Air-conditioning apparatus
US9366452B2 (en) * 2009-05-12 2016-06-14 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Air-conditioning apparatus with primary and secondary heat exchange cycles
US20120043054A1 (en) * 2009-05-13 2012-02-23 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Air-conditioning apparatus
US20110219795A1 (en) * 2010-03-10 2011-09-15 Chisun Ahn Core assembly for air conditioner and air conditioner having the same
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US20110232311A1 (en) * 2010-03-23 2011-09-29 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Multi-room air conditioning apparatus
US9335072B2 (en) * 2010-03-25 2016-05-10 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Air-conditioning apparatus
US20120324932A1 (en) * 2010-03-25 2012-12-27 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Air-conditioning apparatus
WO2020235786A1 (en) * 2019-05-23 2020-11-26 Lg Electronics Inc. Air conditioning apparatus and control method thereof
US11415343B2 (en) 2019-05-23 2022-08-16 Lg Electronics Inc. Air conditioning apparatus and control method thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1645004A (zh) 2005-07-27
EP1555495A3 (en) 2012-05-02
KR20050075976A (ko) 2005-07-26
EP1555495A2 (en) 2005-07-20
CN100520203C (zh) 2009-07-29

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