WO2016032239A1

WO2016032239A1 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2016032239A1
Application number: PCT/KR2015/008944
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sunghwan Kim; Joonkeol Song
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2014-08-27
Filing date: 2015-08-26
Publication date: 2016-03-03
Also published as: KR20160025221A

Abstract

Disclosed herein are an air conditioner and a method of controlling the same. The air conditioner, which includes an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit for performing a cooling or heating operation, includes a plurality of sensors, a communication unit receiving data measured by each of the sensors, and a control unit for controlling operation in a set mode, in response to the data measured by the sensor, input from the communication unit, so as to discharge cold or hot air to an interior, wherein the sensor immediately converts a measured value on a sensing target into a digital signal, and transmits the converted data to the communication unit. Thus, the air conditioner can minimize the movement of signals relative to values measured by the sensors, and digitize and transmit the measured values, thereby minimizing the distortion of the signals or errors in the measured values. Therefore, when the air conditioner is controlled based on the values measured by the sensors, the air conditioner has improved control accuracy and operation efficiency.

Description

AIR CONDITIONER

The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner, an operation of which is controlled by improving accuracy of data measured by a sensor provided therein.

Air conditioners are installed in order to create a pleasant interior environment. In particular, the air conditioners discharge cold air to the interior to adjust the interior temperature and purify inside air in order to provide a more pleasant interior environment for humans. A typical air conditioner includes an indoor unit, which is configured as a heat exchanger to be installed in the interior, a compressor, and an outdoor unit which is configured as a heat exchanger and the like to supply refrigerant to the indoor unit.

Such an air conditioner is controlled in the state in which the indoor unit configured as a heat exchanger, the compressor, and the outdoor unit configured as a heat exchanger or the like, are independently installed in the air conditioner. The air conditioner is operated by controlling electric power applied to the compressor or the heat exchanger. In some cases, at least one indoor unit may be connected to an outdoor unit in an air conditioner, and the air conditioner supplies refrigerant to the indoor unit so as to be operated in a cooling or heating mode according to a requested operating condition.

The air conditioner performs a cooling or heating operation according to the flow of refrigerant. When a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant is supplied from the compressor of the outdoor unit via the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit to the indoor unit during the cooling operation, the temperature of ambient air is decreased while the refrigerant is expanded and evaporated in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit, and thus cold air is discharged to the interior by the rotation of an indoor fan. When a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is supplied from the compressor of the outdoor unit to the indoor unit during the heating operation, air, which is heated by energy emitted when the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is liquefied in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit, is discharged to the interior along with the rotation of the indoor fan.

The air conditioner includes a plurality of temperature sensors, and sucks air so as to discharge cold or hot air according to a set mode of operation. In this case, the air conditioner determines the interior temperature by measuring the intake temperature, and operates until the interior temperature reaches an input desired temperature.

As described above, the air conditioner controls the temperature of air discharged to the interior on the basis of the measured interior temperature, and thus provides a pleasant interior environment for a user.

In this case, when the interior temperature is not measured accurately, it is difficult to accurately control the temperature of air discharged to the interior. In particular, there is a great possibility that errors occur in the process of transmitting data measured by a typical sensor.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner having improved operation control accuracy by minimizing errors in data measured by a plurality of sensors provided therein and improving accuracy of the measured data.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of an air conditioner, which includes an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit for performing a cooling or heating operation, including a plurality of sensors, a communication unit receiving data measured by each of the sensors, and a control unit for controlling operation in a set mode, in response to the data measured by the sensor, input from the communication unit, so as to discharge cold or hot air to an interior, wherein the sensor immediately converts a measured value on a sensing target into a digital signal, and transmits the converted data to the communication unit.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner, which includes an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit for performing a cooling or heating operation, including a sensor for converting a measured analog value on a sensing target into digital data, a communication unit receiving data measured by the sensor, and a control unit for controlling operation in a set mode, in response to the data measured by the sensor, input from the communication unit, so as to discharge cold or hot air to an interior, wherein the sensor includes a sensing section for outputting the measured value on the sensing target, and a data processing section for converting a value measured by the sensing section into a digital signal and transmitting the converted data to the communication unit.

The air conditioner having the above structure according to the present invention minimizes the movement of signals relative to values measured by the sensors, and digitizes and transmits the measured values, thereby minimizing the distortion of the signals or errors in the measured values. Therefore, when the air conditioner is controlled based on the values measured by the sensors, the air conditioner has improved control accuracy and operation efficiency.

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the air conditioner having a plurality of sensors according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a structure of one sensor and a data processing section for processing a value measured by the sensor in the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a graph for explaining a method of controlling a degree of superheat of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a structure of the sensor of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The advantages and features of the present invention, and methods for accomplishing them will be more clearly understood from the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Fig. 1, the air conditioner includes a plurality of indoor units 21 to 31 and a plurality of outdoor units 11 to 13.

In addition, the air conditioner may further include a remote control (not shown) which is connected to the indoor units 21 to 31 so as to transmit data and display information on the state of operation thereof, and a remote controller (not shown) which is connected to the indoor and outdoor units so as to monitor and control the operations thereof.

Air conditioners may be classified into a ceiling air conditioner, an upright air conditioner, a wall-mounted air conditioner, etc. according to the type of installation. In addition, air conditioners may include ventilation units, air cleaning units, humidification units, and units such as a heater, as well as outdoor units and indoor units, but descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Each of the indoor units 21 to 31 includes an expansion valve (not shown) for expanding refrigerant which is supplied from the associated outdoor units 11 to 13 connected thereto, an indoor heat exchanger (not shown) which exchanges heat with the refrigerant, an indoor fan (not shown) which introduces inside air into the indoor heat exchanger to discharge heat-exchanged air to the interior, a plurality of sensors (not shown), and a control means (not shown) for controlling the operation of the indoor unit. The indoor unit 21 to 31 has an outlet (not shown) for discharging heat-exchanged air, and the outlet is provided with a wind direction adjusting means (not shown) for opening and closing the outlet and controlling the direction of discharged air. The indoor unit controls introduced and discharged air and adjusts air volume by controlling the rotational speed of the indoor fan. In addition, the indoor unit may further include a human sensing means for sensing a human body, which is present in the internal space, as necessary. In addition, the indoor unit 21 to 31 may further include an output section on which the state of operation of the indoor unit and information on the setting of the indoor unit are displayed, and an input section for inputting of setting data.

The outdoor units 11 to 13 are operated in a cooling or heating mode in response to the request of the indoor units 21 to 31 connected thereto or the control command of the remote controller, and supply refrigerant to the indoor units.

Each of the outdoor units 11 to 13 includes at least one compressor (not shown) which compresses refrigerant introduced thereinto to discharge a high-pressure gas refrigerant, an accumulator (not shown) which divides the refrigerant into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant to prevent the non-evaporated liquid refrigerant from being introduced into the compressor, an oil separator (not shown) which separates oil from the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown) which exchanges heat with outside air so as to condense or evaporate refrigerant, an outdoor fan (not shown) which introduces air into the outdoor heat exchanger to discharge heat-exchanged air to the outside so that the outdoor heat exchanger can more smoothly perform heat exchange, a four-way valve (not shown) for switching a refrigerant passage according to the mode of operation of the outdoor unit, at least one pressure sensor (not shown) for measuring pressure, at least one temperature sensor (not shown) for measuring temperature, and a control unit which controls the operation of the outdoor unit and communicates with other units. The indoor unit may further include a plurality of sensors, valves, supercooling devices, etc., in addition to the above devices, but descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The remote controller (not shown) receives data from the indoor unit to display the state of operation of the indoor unit, and transmits the input data to the indoor unit to control the indoor unit such that the indoor unit is operated according to a predetermined setting.

The remote control receives settings of operation, such as modes of the indoor unit, temperatures, and air volumes, and operation schedules, and transmits them to the indoor unit, thereby allowing the indoor unit to be operated according to a predetermined setting.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the air conditioner includes a plurality of sensors 150 (150a to 150z), a communication unit 130, and a control unit 110.

The air conditioner includes a data section (not shown) for storing data received therein, an input section (not shown) which is configured as a predetermined input means, such as at least one button or a touch pad, according to the kind or type of unit, and an output section (not shown). The output section includes a display means (not shown) for displaying information on the setting of operation of the air conditioner, the state of operation of the air conditioner, and whether or not the air conditioner is abnormally operated, a buzzer or speaker (not shown) for outputting a predetermined sound effect or warning sound, and a lamp (not shown) for outputting a state of operation, a state of connection with respective devices, or a warning by means of lighting or flickering.

In addition, the air conditioner may further include a driving means (not shown) for controlling each of the compressor, the outdoor fan, and the valve in the outdoor unit, and controlling each of the valve and the indoor fan in the indoor unit, according to the kind or type of unit, but descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The air conditioner includes the sensors 150a to 150z. The sensors 150 may include individual sensors for measuring temperatures, pressures, humidity, flow rates, voltages, currents, etc.

The sensors 150 are respectively installed in the inner and outer portions of the indoor unit and the inner and outer portions of the outdoor unit, and measure data.

For example, in the outdoor unit, a temperature sensor is provided in the outer portion of the outdoor unit to measure the exterior temperature, and a plurality of temperature sensors is provided in a refrigerant pipe to measure the temperature of refrigerant introduced into the compressor and the temperature of refrigerant discharged from the compressor, respectively. In the indoor unit, a temperature sensor is provided in the outlet of the indoor unit to measure the temperature of air discharged therefrom, and the interior temperature is measured by a temperature sensor provided in the inlet for suction of air.

The sensors 150 are arranged at different positions to measure temperatures, pressures, etc., and convert measured values into data to transmit the data to the communication unit 130.

The communication unit 130 inputs the data received from each of the sensors 150 to the control unit 110, and the control unit 110 controls the operation of the indoor or outdoor unit in response to the data measured by the sensor 150.

In this case, the communication unit 130 transmits the data between the respective devices in the air conditioner by means of an input/output bus provided inside the outdoor or indoor unit. In addition, the communication unit 130 may include a plurality of communication modules to communicate with a remote controller, an external server, and other units in a wired or wireless manner.

The control unit 110 controls the operation of the indoor or outdoor unit in response to the data provided from the sensor 150, which is input from the communication unit 130. In addition, the control unit 110 stores the data provided from the sensor 150 in the data section, and, in the event of an error, may determine any abnormality and the cause of the error, based on the stored data.

For example, the control unit 110 performs temperature control during the cooling or heating operation, based on the difference in temperature between the interior temperature and a desired temperature, in response to the temperature measured by the sensor 150. The control unit 110 controls the compressor of the outdoor unit, and the valve and indoor fan of the indoor unit, so as to discharge heat-exchanged air to the interior until the interior temperature reaches the desired temperature.

In addition, the control unit 110 controls the degree of superheat in response to the temperature of the refrigerant pipe, which is measured by the sensor 150, determines whether overcurrent occurs in response to a voltage or current value measured by the sensor 150, and controls the operation of a motor.

In addition, when a room sensor (not shown) is provided as one of the sensors 150, the control unit 110 may control the temperature or direction of air discharged through the indoor unit, in response to the number, positions, and movement of occupants detected by the room sensor.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a structure of one sensor and the data processing section for processing the value measured by the sensor in the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3(a) illustrates the configuration of a typical sensor unit, and Fig. 3(b) illustrates the configuration of one sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in Fig. 3(a), a sensor 1 and a data processing section 2 for converting and processing data from the sensor are separately provided in the typical sensor unit.

When the sensor 1 is, for example, a temperature sensor, a temperature value measured by the sensor is input to the data processing section 2. In this case, the sensor 1 and the data processing section 2 are interconnected using wired communication lines.

The value measured by the sensor 1 is digitized by the data processing section 2 to be transmitted as data, and the data is input to a control unit through a communication unit or the like.

In this case, the longer the distance D1 between the sensor 1 and the data processing section 2, the greater the possibility that noise or distortion will occur in the process of transferring the measured value to the data processing section 2. For this reason, an error occurs between the actual measured value and the value of data converted by the data processing section 2.

In particular, since values measured by a plurality of sensors are input to the data processing section 2 and are then converted into digital data by the data processing section 2, errors occur in all values measured by the sensors.

Due to such errors, the conventional air conditioner is limited in its ability to perform accurate control since the control unit controls temperatures in consideration of the errors in the sensors.

In contrast, as illustrated in Fig. 3(b), in the sensor 150 of the present invention, a value measured by a sensing section 151 is directly input to a data processing section 152 to be digitized by the data processing section 152, and the digitized value is transmitted. The data is input to the control unit 110 through the communication unit 130.

In this case, the sensing section 151 and the data processing section 152 are provided in a single sensor module. Thus, the distance D2 between the sensing section 151 and the data processing section 152 is close, with the consequence that the error that is generated in the process of transferring measured values may be reduced. In particular, since each of the sensors includes this data processing section, all measured values are immediately converted into digital data and the data is transmitted.

When the sensor 150 is, for example, a temperature sensor, the temperature value measured by the sensing section 151 is immediately input to the data processing section 152 to be digitized and converted into a data value, and then the converted data is transmitted to the communication unit 130.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, the air conditioner controls the degree of superheat to control the interior temperature.

In general, the degree of superheat B is maintained at a temperature of 5?C. In the related art, since the measured temperature value has an error as described above, the error in the temperature sensor is set to be in the temperature range of 1?C to 1.5?C so that the air conditioner controls the temperature within the above range.

In contrast, in the sensor 150 according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the error in the temperature sensor is reduced, the degree of superheat B may be maintained at a temperature less than 5?C, and thus the degree of superheat can be accurately controlled. Similarly, the degree of supercooling A can also be accurately controlled. Therefore, the air conditioner has improved efficiency.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the sensor 150 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the sensing section 151 and the data processing section 152. In this case, the data processing section 152 is provided in a conversion module 153 connected to both ends of the sensing section, and the conversion module 153 includes the data processing section 152, a reference voltage 5V for signal conversion, and a resistance. The conversion module 153 is connected to both ends of the sensing section.

One end of the conversion module is connected to the terminal of the data processing section 152 and the resistance, and the other end thereof is connected to the ground and the data processing section 152. One end of the resistance is connected to the data processing section 152, and the other end thereof is connected to the reference voltage 5V.

The measured value is determined based on a difference in voltage between both ends of the sensing section 151. The data processing section 152 digitizes the difference in voltage between both ends of the sensing section 151 using an analog-digital converter so as to convert the voltage difference into data. A thermistor is used as the sensing section 151.

When a resistance value having a certain magnitude is formed in the sensing section 151, the reference voltage 5V is branched by the resistance and the sensing section 151 in the conversion module 153, and the data processing section 152 converts the voltage applied to the sensing section into data for transmission.

In this case, the reference voltage is branched so as to correspond to the resistance and the magnitude of the resistance value of the sensing section 151. When the resistance value of the sensing section 151 is changed, the magnitude of the voltage applied to the sensing section 151 is also changed.

Thus, since the present invention immediately converts the value measured by the sensor into data and transmits the data, any error generated in the process of transferring the measured value can be minimized. In addition, since the measurement error in the sensor is reduced, the air conditioner can be more accurately controlled. Therefore, the air conditioner can be efficiently operated.

Although all components constituting the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described as being combined into and operated as a single element, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in some embodiments, all components may be selectively combined into and operated as one or more elements within the scope of the object of the present invention.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

An air conditioner including an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit, for performing a cooling or heating operation, the air conditioner comprising:

a plurality of sensors;

a communication unit receiving data measured by each of the sensors; and

a control unit for controlling operation in a set mode, in response to the data measured by the sensor, input from the communication unit, so as to discharge cold or hot air to an interior,

wherein the sensor immediately converts a measured value on a sensing target into a digital signal, and transmits the converted data to the communication unit.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein each of the sensors measures one of temperatures, currents, pressures, the number of revolutions, and flow rates.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein each of the sensors comprises:

a sensing section for outputting the measured value on the sensing target; and

a data processing section for converting a value measured by the sensing section into a digital signal and transmitting the converted data to the communication unit.
The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the sensing section is arranged adjacent to the data processing section.
The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the sensing section and the data processing section are configured as a single module.
The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein, in the sensor, both ends of the data processing section are connected to respective ends of the sensing section, and one of the ends of the data processing section is connected to the ground while the other end thereof is connected to a resistance connected to a reference voltage.
The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein, when the sensing section has a predetermined resistance value, the data processing section converts a voltage applied to the sensing section when the reference voltage is branched so as to correspond to the resistance and a magnitude of the resistance value of the sensing section.
The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the sensing section comprises a thermistor.
The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the data processing section is an analog-digital converter.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein each of the sensors is a digital sensor for converting a measured analog value on the sensing target into digital data.
An air conditioner including an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit, for performing a cooling or heating operation, the air conditioner comprising:

a sensor for converting a measured analog value on a sensing target into digital data;

a communication unit receiving data measured by the sensor; and

a control unit for controlling operation in a set mode, in response to the data measured by the sensor, input from the communication unit, so as to discharge cold or hot air to an interior,

wherein the sensor comprises:

a sensing section for outputting the measured value on the sensing target; and

a data processing section for converting a value measured by the sensing section into a digital signal and transmitting the converted data to the communication unit.
The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein the sensor is configured as a single module in which the sensing section is arranged adjacent to the data processing section.