WO2021154000A1

WO2021154000A1 - Air conditioner and method for controlling air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2021154000A1
Application number: PCT/KR2021/001120
Authority: WO
Inventors: 곽민석; 김도균
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2020-01-31
Filing date: 2021-01-28
Publication date: 2021-08-05
Also published as: KR20210098178A; KR102355461B1

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an air conditioner and a method for controlling the air conditioner are provided. In the air conditioner and/or the method for controlling the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention, when performing a stabilization operation, a determination is made with regard to whether a condition is one in which a temperature adjustment load has not been relieved, and then a load-relieving operation for controlling a compressor by reducing the rate of change of a state factor of the air conditioner can be performed if the condition is one in which the temperature adjustment load has not been relieved. Thus, the air conditioner and the method for controlling the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention can prevent overshooting and/or undershooting of the indoor temperature, and can also prevent the problem of the indoor temperature not reaching a desired temperature.

Description

Air conditioner and control method of air conditioner

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a method for controlling the air conditioner.

The air conditioner refers to a device that cools, heats, or purifies air in a target space, or performs a humidification or dehumidifying operation on the target space. In order for the air conditioner to cool or heat the air in the target space, a compressor and a condenser are required. In order for the air conditioner to properly cool or heat the air in the target space, it is necessary to properly control the compressor or the like.

Prior Art Document 1 (Patent Publication No. 10-2000-0018964) discloses a method of controlling the operation of a compressor in a corresponding frequency band according to a difference between a sensed indoor temperature and a set indoor temperature. That is, in Prior Art Document 1, the driving frequency of the compressor is directly determined according to the difference between the sensed indoor temperature and the set indoor temperature. However, as in Prior Art Document 1, when the driving frequency of the compressor is directly adjusted according to the difference between the detected indoor temperature and the set indoor temperature, an over-shout or under-shout of the room temperature may occur. chances will increase

In Prior Art Document 2 (Patent Publication No. 10-2004-0003707), a method of controlling a compressor frequency according to an indoor pipe temperature is disclosed. Specifically, in Prior Art Document 2, the on/off operation of the compressor is performed based on the indoor temperature and the desired temperature, and in the compressor operating condition, the operating frequency of the compressor is controlled according to the difference between the indoor pipe temperature and the target pipe temperature. However, in the case of controlling as in Prior Art Document 2, there is a problem that the room temperature may not reach the desired temperature.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner capable of preventing the overshoot and/or undershoot of the room temperature and also the problem that the room temperature does not reach a desired temperature.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner capable of constantly controlling the temperature of air discharged from the air conditioner.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an air conditioner capable of preventing overshoot and/or undershoot of the room temperature and at the same time, the problem that the room temperature does not reach a desired temperature. .

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a control method of an air conditioner capable of constantly controlling the temperature of air discharged from an air conditioner.

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. Moreover, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.

In the air conditioner and/or the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, after determining whether the temperature control load is not resolved, if the temperature control load is not resolved, the condition factor of the air conditioner It is possible to control the compressor by reducing the rate of change of

An air conditioner and/or a control method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention determines a rate of change of a low pressure side pressure through which a refrigerant flows into a compressor according to a difference between a target temperature and a room temperature, and uses the determined rate of change of pressure. It is possible to control the frequency of the compressor to follow.

In the air conditioner and/or the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the air conditioner starts to operate, the low pressure side pressure through which the refrigerant flows into the compressor is changed according to the difference between the target temperature and the room temperature However, when the conditions for the stabilization operation are achieved, the rate of change of the low pressure side pressure per unit temperature difference may be reduced.

In the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner sucks air in a room, cools or heats the sucked air and discharges the air into the room. A condenser for condensing, an evaporator receiving the refrigerant condensed from the condenser and discharging the refrigerant to the compressor, and a control device for controlling the compressor according to a desired temperature and room temperature set by a user, the control unit comprising: The apparatus includes a first operation mode for controlling the compressor to change a state factor indicating a state of the air conditioner according to a temperature difference between the desired temperature and the indoor temperature and a first state change rate; When the factor reaches a first limit value set for efficient operation of the air conditioner and the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the first difference value, the condition factor is changed according to the temperature difference and a second condition change rate smaller than the first condition change rate A second operation mode for controlling the compressor is performed.

The state factor of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is one of a compressor inlet pressure, which is a pressure at a portion where the refrigerant flows into the compressor, and a pipe temperature, which is a temperature of a pipe connecting between the evaporator and the compressor. can

The control device of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a pressure sensor measuring the compressor inlet pressure, a pipe temperature sensor measuring the pipe temperature, an indoor temperature sensor measuring the room temperature, and the desired temperature. an interface unit receiving an input, and a control unit controlling the compressor according to the first operation mode and the second operation mode based on the compressor inlet pressure, the pipe temperature, the indoor temperature, and the desired temperature. can

When the control unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention receives an operation start command from the interface unit, the compressor changes the state factor according to the temperature difference and a third state change rate greater than the first state change rate. It is possible to control the compressor according to the third operation mode for controlling the.

The control unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, while controlling the compressor in the third operation mode, when the temperature difference becomes equal to or less than a third difference value greater than or equal to the first difference value, the third operation mode is selected. and may control the compressor according to the first operation mode.

When the state factor reaches the first limit value while controlling the compressor in the third operation mode, the control unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention terminates the third operation mode and performs the first operation mode. The compressor may be controlled according to the operation mode.

When the control unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention controls the compressor in the first operation mode, when a reference time elapses from the time when the operation start command is received, the state factor is When the first limit value is reached and the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the first difference value, the first operation mode may be terminated and the compressor may be controlled according to the second operation mode.

While the control unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention controls the compressor in the first operation mode, the state factor reaches the first limit value, the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the first difference value, , when the rate of change of the temperature difference is equal to or less than the first reference rate of change, the first operation mode may be terminated and the compressor may be controlled according to the second operation mode.

The control unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention controls the compressor when the temperature difference becomes less than or equal to a second difference value smaller than the first difference value while controlling the compressor in the second operation mode. control value can be maintained.

The control unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention controls the compressor when the state factor reaches a second limit value smaller than the first limit value while controlling the compressor in the second operation mode The control value can be maintained.

When the control unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention controls the compressor in the second operation mode, when the rate of change of the temperature difference is greater than or equal to a second reference rate of change greater than the first reference rate of change, the compressor It is possible to maintain a control value that controls

* The control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor, and receiving the condensed refrigerant from the condenser, and provides the refrigerant to the compressor. An air conditioner control method comprising: an evaporator for discharging A first operation step of performing a first operation mode of controlling the compressor so that the state factor indicating the state of the air conditioner changes according to one state change rate, and the controller determines that the state factor is When a first limit value set for efficient operation of the air conditioner is reached and the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the first difference value, the condition factor is changed according to the temperature difference and a second condition change rate smaller than the first condition change rate. It may include a second driving step of performing a second driving mode to control the.

The state factors of the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention are a compressor inlet pressure, which is a pressure at a portion through which the refrigerant flows into the compressor, and a pipe temperature, which is a temperature of a pipe connecting the evaporator and the compressor. can be one of

In the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the controller receives an operation start command, the compressor changes the state factor according to the temperature difference and a third state change rate greater than the first state change rate. It may further include a third driving step of performing a third driving mode to control the.

In the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the control unit controls the compressor in the third operation mode, the state factor reaches the first limit value or the temperature difference becomes the first When the difference value is equal to or less than the third difference value, the third driving step may be terminated and the first driving step may be performed.

In the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, when a reference time elapses from the time when the operation start command is received while the controller controls the compressor in the first operation mode, the When the state factor reaches the first limit value and the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the first difference value, the first driving step may be terminated and the second driving step may be performed.

In the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, the state factor reaches the first limit value while the controller controls the compressor in the first operation mode, and the temperature difference is the first When the difference value is greater than or equal to the difference value and the rate of change of the temperature difference is equal to or less than the first reference rate of change, the first driving step may be terminated and the second driving step may be performed.

In the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, the temperature difference becomes less than or equal to a second difference value smaller than the first difference value, while the controller controls the compressor in the second operation mode, or When the state factor reaches a second limit value smaller than the first limit value, or when the rate of change of the temperature difference becomes greater than or equal to a second reference rate of change greater than the first reference rate of change while controlling the compressor in the second operation mode, the A control value for controlling the compressor can be maintained.

According to the air conditioner and the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, the overshoot and/or undershoot of the room temperature is prevented, and the problem that the room temperature does not reach the desired temperature is also prevented. can do.

According to the air conditioner and the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to constantly control the temperature of the air discharged from the air conditioner.

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 showing a state in which an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed.

2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an exterior of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of a main body of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is an operation flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a graph showing an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention and a temperature change according to a control method of the air conditioner in comparison with a comparative example.

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, the first component may be the second component, of course.

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.

Also, 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 is to 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 specifically stated to the contrary, and when “C to D” is used, it means that there is no specific contrary 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 method for controlling the air conditioner according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described.

In general, an air conditioner may be divided into a separate type air conditioner and an integrated air conditioner.

The separate type air conditioner includes an indoor unit disposed indoors and discharging air harmonized to an indoor space, and an outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit through a pipe and disposed outdoors. The indoor unit may include an indoor heat exchanger, and the outdoor unit may include an outdoor heat exchanger. When the separation type air conditioner performs a cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger may function as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger may function as an evaporator. When the separate type air conditioner performs a heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger may function as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger may function as an evaporator.

In the integrated air conditioner, an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger are installed together in one case. An outdoor heat exchanger (eg, a condenser) is disposed on the outdoor side to exchange heat with outside air, and an indoor heat exchanger (eg, an evaporator) is disposed on the indoor side to exchange heat with indoor air.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described using an integrated air conditioner as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the integrated air conditioner, and the concept of the present invention may also be applied to the separate type air conditioner.

1 is a view showing a state in which an air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be an integrated air conditioner. That is, in the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a condenser and an evaporator may be installed inside the case. The condenser may be disposed on the outdoor side to exchange heat with outdoor air, and the evaporator may be disposed on the indoor side to exchange heat with indoor air.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be installed in a hole formed in the wall surface 1 in a building provided with a wall surface 2 and a window 3 . there is.

Unlike the one shown in FIG. 1 , the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be installed in an installation space provided in an area where the window 3 is located.

2 is a perspective view schematically showing the exterior of an air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a case 10 and a front panel 20. ) may be included.

The case 10 has a hexahedral shape with an open front part, and may form an internal space. A heat dissipation part 11 for dissipating heat generated inside the case may be formed on the upper surface of the case 10 . In addition, an outdoor suction unit 12 through which outdoor air is sucked may be formed on a side surface of the case 10 .

An installation bracket 13 that can be installed on a wall (2 in FIG. 1) or a window (3 in FIG. 1) may be provided on one surface (eg, upper surface) of the case 10 . Through the installation bracket 13, the air conditioner 1 can be fixed to a wall or a window.

The front part of the case 10 may be located in an indoor space, and the rear part may be located in a wall surface or an outdoor space. L1 of FIG. 2 represents the boundary line between the front part and the rear part.

Although not shown, an outdoor discharge unit through which air inside the case is discharged may be formed on the rear surface of the case 10 .

A first indoor suction unit 21 for sucking indoor air may be formed on a side surface of the front panel 20 . The first indoor suction unit 21 may be formed on both sides of the front panel. A second indoor suction unit 22 for sucking indoor air may be formed at a lower portion of the front panel 20 . A discharge unit 23 for discharging the harmonized air may be formed at an upper portion of the front panel 20 .

The air sucked in through the first indoor suction unit 21 and/or the second indoor suction unit 22 may exchange heat while passing through the main body inside the case 10 , and then be discharged through the discharge unit 23 . there is.

The interface unit 24 may be disposed on the upper portion of the front panel 20 . The interface unit 24 may display operation information of the air conditioner. Also, an operation command by a user may be input through the interface unit 24 .

3 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of an air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a case 10, a front panel ( 20), and a body portion 30 .

The case 10 and the front panel 20 will be easily understood with reference to the description of FIG. 2 .

The main body 30 may be detachably coupled to the case 10 . That is, the main body 30 may be separated from the case 10 for replacement and/or repair of parts.

The main body 30 may include a base 31 and an air guide 32 installed on the base 31 . The main body 30 may be divided into an indoor main body through which outdoor air flows and an outdoor main body through which indoor air flows based on the air guide 32 . That is, in the main body 30 , outdoor air may flow from one side with respect to the air guide 32 , and indoor air may flow from the other side. The outdoor body part may include a condenser 33 , a shroud 34 , and a condensation fan 35 , and the indoor body part may include an evaporator 37 and a discharge guide 38 .

The condenser 33 may be disposed on the outlet side of the condensing fan 35 inside the rear portion of the case 10 . Accordingly, the air that has passed through the condensing fan 35 is discharged to the outside through the condenser 33 . The refrigerant compressed in the compressor may be introduced into the condenser 33 through a pipe.

The shroud 34 may be coupled to the condensing fan 35 to guide the flow of air passing through the condensing fan 35 . An opening configured to be inserted into the condensing fan 35 may be formed in the shroud.

The condensing fan 35 sucks in outdoor air sucked into the case and discharges the sucked outdoor air. The condensing fan 35 may be an axial fan.

That is, the outdoor air sucked through the outdoor suction port 12 of the case 10 may be sucked in the axial direction of the condensing fan 35 through the opening of the shroud 34 . The condensing fan 35 may discharge outdoor air sucked in the axial direction in the axial direction. The outdoor air discharged from the condensing fan 35 is guided by the shroud 34 and may be discharged outside the condenser 33 through the condenser 33 .

The evaporator 37 may be disposed inside the front panel 20 and introduces the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 33 through a pipe. Although not shown, the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an expansion device for depressurizing the condensed refrigerant, and the expansion device may be disposed between the condenser 33 and the evaporator 37 . .

The discharge guide 38 may guide the air discharged to the front of the air conditioner 1 . The discharge guide 38 may have a hollow panel or pipe shape.

The air sucked into the first indoor suction port 21 and/or the second indoor suction port 22 may pass through the evaporator 37 and the discharge guide 38 in sequence and then be discharged into the room through the discharge unit 23 . For such a flow of air, the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an evaporating fan.

3 , the main body 30 includes a base 31 , an air guide 32 installed on the upper portion of the base 31 , an outdoor main body disposed on one side of the air guide 32 , and the air guide It may include an indoor-side main body disposed on the other side of (32).

The outdoor body part may include a condenser 33 , a shroud 34 , and a compressor 36 , and the indoor body part may include an evaporator 37 and a discharge guide 38 .

The functions and arrangement of the condenser 33 , the shroud 34 , the evaporator 37 , and the discharge guide 38 may be the same as those described with reference to FIG. 3 .

The compressor 36 may be installed on the base 31 . The compressor 36 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be an inverter compressor capable of frequency control. Accordingly, when the cooling load of the air conditioner 1 is low, the operating frequency of the compressor 36 can be lowered, and when the cooling load is high, the operating frequency of the compressor 36 can be increased. The refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 37 flows into the compressor 36 through a pipe, and the compressor 36 introduces the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 37 through the pipe, compresses the introduced refrigerant, and then through the pipe. It can be discharged to the condenser (33).

5 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and schematically shows the configuration of a control device of the air conditioner.

The control apparatus 100 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a command input from a user, a set temperature, and/or a state of the air conditioner 1 sensed through at least one sensor. It is possible to control the compressor 36 based on the information. The control apparatus 100 may include a control unit 110 , a sensing unit 120 including at least one sensor, an interface unit 130 , and a memory 140 . The control unit 110 may include an outdoor control unit 112 and an indoor control unit 114 , and the sensing unit 120 includes a pressure sensor 122 , an indoor temperature sensor 124 , and a pipe temperature sensor 126 . can do. The interface unit 130 of FIG. 5 may have the same configuration as the interface unit 24 of FIGS. 2 and 3 .

The control unit 110 includes information about the state of the air conditioner 1 measured from the sensing unit 120 , information related to a user's intention input through the interface unit 130 , and information stored in the memory 140 . The compressor 36 may be controlled based on at least one or more.

Information on the state of the air conditioner 1 includes information on the pressure of the inlet side of the compressor 36 , that is, the portion through which the refrigerant flows into the compressor 36 , information on the room temperature, and the pipe through which the refrigerant moves. In particular, it may include at least one or more of information about the temperature of the (pipe between the evaporator 37 and the compressor 36). The information related to the user's intention may include at least one of information for starting a cooling or heating operation, information about a desired temperature, and information for ending a cooling or heating operation. The information stored in the memory 140 may include at least one of information on a rate of change of the inlet pressure of the compressor 36 according to operating conditions and information on a control period.

The controller 110 may include an outdoor controller 112 and an indoor controller 114 . The outdoor control unit 112 may be disposed on the outdoor side of the main body 30 , and the indoor control unit 114 may be disposed on the indoor side of the body 30 . The outdoor control unit 112 and the indoor control unit 114 may communicate with each other.

The control unit 110 (specifically, each of the outdoor control unit 112 and the indoor control unit 114 ) 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. Computer readable instructions for implementing the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may be stored in the memory, and other computer readable instructions for implementing an operating system, an application program, etc. may also be stored. .

In addition, the control unit 110 (specifically, each of the outdoor control unit 112 and the indoor control unit 114) may include a communication connection capable of communication. Here, the communication connection may include a modem, a network interface card (NIC), an integrated network interface, a radio frequency transmitter/receiver, an infrared port, a USB connection, or other interfaces. Also, the communication connection may include a wired connection or a wireless connection.

Specific operations of the controller 110 (ie, the outdoor controller 112 and the indoor controller 114) will be described later with reference to FIG. 6 .

The sensing unit 120 may detect information on the state of the air conditioner and provide the sensed information to the control unit 110 .

The pressure sensor 122 may measure the pressure at the inlet side of the compressor (36 in FIG. 4 ) and provide the value to the control unit 110 (particularly, the outdoor control unit 112 ). The pressure sensor 122 may be disposed on the outdoor body part.

The indoor temperature sensor 124 measures the temperature of the room to which air is discharged through the outlet (23 in FIG. 1) of the air conditioner 1, and the control unit 110 (in particular, the indoor control unit 114) of the value. can be provided to The indoor temperature sensor 124 may be disposed on the indoor body.

The pipe temperature sensor 126 is a pipe through which the refrigerant moves, in particular, a pipe through which the refrigerant flows into the compressor 36 (eg, a pipe between the evaporator (37 in FIG. 5) and the compressor (36 in FIG. 4)). The temperature may be measured, and the value may be provided to the control unit 110 (particularly, the indoor control unit 114 ). The pipe temperature sensor 126 may be disposed on the indoor body.

5 exemplifies a case in which the pipe temperature sensor 126 is disposed in the indoor body part, but the pipe temperature sensor 126 may be disposed in the outdoor body part. In this case, the pipe temperature sensor 126 may provide the measured pipe temperature to the outdoor controller 112 .

The interface unit 130 may receive a command input from the user. The command may include at least one of start and end of the operation of the air conditioner 1 , an operation mode (eg, cooling or heating, etc.) of the air conditioner 1 , and a desired temperature. Also, the interface unit 130 may display operation information of the air conditioner 1 .

The memory 140 may store various information required for the controller 110 to control the compressor 36 . For example, the memory 140 may store a temperature difference, which is a difference between the indoor temperature and a desired temperature, and a pressure change rate according to an operation mode. The controller 110 may control the compressor 36 to change the inlet pressure of the compressor 36 according to the pressure change rate. Alternatively, the memory 140 may store a temperature difference that is a difference between an indoor temperature and a desired temperature and a pipe temperature change rate according to an operation mode. The controller 110 may control the compressor by accessing information stored in the memory 140 . For example, the control unit 110 controls the pipe temperature according to the pipe temperature change rate (especially, the temperature of the pipe through which the refrigerant flows into the compressor 36 (eg, the temperature of the pipe between the evaporator 37 and the compressor 36 ). temperature)) to change the compressor 36 . Alternatively, the control unit 110 calculates a target pressure value of the compressor inlet pressure based on the information measured from the sensing unit 120, and accesses information stored in the memory 140 based on the calculated target pressure value, The compressor 36 may be controlled according to the accessed information.

6 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. 6 may be performed by the controller 110 of FIG. 5 . More specifically, each step shown in FIG. 6 may be performed by the outdoor controller 112 of FIG. 5 . To this end, the outdoor control unit 112 may receive from the indoor control unit 114 at least one of information on a desired temperature set by a user, information on an indoor temperature, and information on a pipe temperature.

First, the controller 110 may control the compressor in the rapid operation mode (step S100 ). When the user inputs an operation start command through the interface unit, the control unit 110 may first control the compressor in the rapid operation mode. The rapid operation mode may be an operation mode in which the operation frequency of the compressor rises to the target frequency, and air conditioning is performed according to the temperature difference and rapid state change rate, which is the difference between the desired temperature set by the user and the indoor temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor. It may be an operation mode in which the compressor is controlled to change the state factor of the unit. Here, the condition factor of the air conditioner may be the compressor inlet pressure, that is, the pressure of the portion through which the refrigerant flows into the compressor, and the temperature of the pipe (more specifically, the temperature of the pipe through which the refrigerant flows into the compressor 36 ( For example, the temperature of the piping between the evaporator and the compressor)). In addition, the state change rate means the change rate of the state of the air conditioner per unit time. That is, in the rapid operation mode, the controller 110 may control the compressor to change the state factor of the air conditioner in proportion to the rapid state change rate and the temperature difference.

Next, the controller 110 may determine whether the mode conversion condition is satisfied (step S200 ). The mode conversion condition determined in step S200 may be that the temperature difference is less than a reference difference value or that the state factor reaches a first limit value. Here, the first limit value may be a value set in advance for efficient operation of the air conditioner (particularly, the compressor). For example, the controller 110 may determine that the mode conversion condition is satisfied when the compressor inlet pressure reaches the first limit value or when the pipe temperature reaches the first limit value.

As a result of determination in step S200, if the mode conversion condition is satisfied, the controller 110 may control the compressor in the stabilizing operation mode (step S300). The stabilization operation mode may be an operation mode in a section in which the compressor operation frequency varies according to the compressor inlet pressure or the pipe temperature, and the controller 110 controls the air conditioner according to the temperature difference and the rate of change of the stabilization state smaller than the rate of change of the rapid state. It may be an operating mode in which the compressor is controlled to change a condition factor (ie, compressor inlet pressure and/or piping temperature). That is, if it is assumed that the temperature difference is the same, the amount of change in the state factor of the air conditioner per unit time in the stable operation mode is smaller than the amount of change in the state of the air conditioner per unit time in the rapid operation mode. The controller 110 may adjust the state change rate by adjusting the control period or by adjusting the weight applied to the temperature difference. In step S300 , the controller 110 may control the compressor so that the state of the air conditioner does not deviate from the first limit range determined by the first limit value. For example, when the control unit 110 determines the rate of change of the compressor inlet pressure according to the temperature difference and the operation mode and controls the compressor accordingly, the control unit 110 causes the compressor inlet pressure to fall below the first limit value. It is possible to control the compressor within a range that does not

Next, the control unit 110 may determine whether the load is relieved (step S400). Here, whether the load is relieved may mean determining whether the user has reached or can reach the desired temperature. In step S400 , when the compressor inlet pressure is the first limit value and the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the load release reference value, the controller 110 may determine that the load is not relieved. In addition, the control unit 110 determines whether the load is relieved by additionally considering at least one of the elapsed time (the time elapsed from the time the air conditioner starts to operate or the time it operates in the stable operation mode) and the rate of change of the temperature difference You may. For example, the control unit 110 determines that the compressor inlet pressure is the first limit value and the temperature difference relieves the load after a certain time elapses (from the time when the air conditioner starts to operate or the time when the stable operation mode is switched). If it is more than the reference value, it can be determined that the load is not relieved. Alternatively, when the compressor inlet pressure is the first limit value, the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the load release reference value, and the rate of change of the temperature difference is less than the first change limit value, the control unit 110 may determine that the load is not relieved.

As a result of the determination in step S400, if it is determined that the load is not relieved, the controller 110 may control the compressor in the load relief operation mode (step S500). The load relief operation mode may be an operation mode in which the compressor inlet pressure or pipe temperature is variable and the operating frequency of the compressor is increased or maintained according to the variable compressor inlet pressure or pipe temperature, and the controller controls the temperature difference and the stabilization It may be an operation mode in which the compressor is controlled so that the state factor (ie, the compressor inlet side pressure and/or the pipe temperature) of the air conditioner changes according to the change rate of the load relief state that is smaller than the change rate of the state. That is, if the temperature difference is assumed to be the same, the change amount of the state factor of the air conditioner per unit time in the load relief operation mode is smaller than the change amount of the state factor of the air conditioner per unit time in the stabilization operation mode. The controller 110 may adjust the state change rate by adjusting the control period or by adjusting the weight applied to the temperature difference. In step S500 , the controller 110 may control the compressor so that the state factor of the air conditioner does not deviate from the second limit range determined by the second limit value. In this case, the second limiting range may be wider than the first limiting range. For example, when the control unit 110 determines the rate of change of the compressor inlet pressure according to the temperature difference and the operation mode and controls the compressor accordingly, the control unit 110 controls the compressor inlet pressure less than the first limit value. 2 It is possible to control the compressor within a range that does not fall below the limit value.

In addition, in step S500, the temperature difference becomes less than or equal to the maintenance reference value that is smaller than the load relief reference value, or the rate of change of the temperature difference becomes greater than or equal to the second change limit value greater than the first change limit value, or the state of the air conditioner (that is, the compressor inlet pressure) and/or pipe temperature) reaches the second limit value, the control unit 110 may maintain the previous control correction amount.

7 is a graph showing an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention and a temperature change according to a control method of the air conditioner compared to a comparative example, wherein each of FIGS. 7(a) to 7(d) is a stabilizing operation mode; R indicates the compressor inlet pressure, the operating frequency of the compressor, the room temperature, and the temperature of the air discharged from the air conditioner in an environment where the desired temperature (24° C.) is not reached.

In FIG. 7 , a thick solid line indicates a change in indoor temperature when the air conditioner and the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention are followed, and a thin dotted line is a comparative example in which the load relief operation mode is not performed. It shows the change in the room temperature when not. In addition, in FIG. 7 , t1 represents a time point of operation in the load relief operation mode.

First, referring to FIG. 7( a ), it can be seen that in the comparative example, the compressor inlet pressure is generally maintained even if the room temperature does not drop to a desired temperature, and rather increases slightly after a certain time has elapsed. On the other hand, according to the air conditioner and the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, after the operation in the load relief operation mode, the indoor temperature does not decrease sufficiently, so that the inlet pressure of the compressor is increased. can be seen to decrease.

Next, referring to FIG. 7(b) , it can be seen that in the comparative example, the operating frequency of the compressor is gradually decreased even if the indoor temperature does not decrease to a desired temperature. This is because the compressor inlet pressure reached a certain limit value even though the room temperature did not reach the desired temperature. On the other hand, according to the air conditioner and the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, after operating in the load relief operation mode, the operating frequency of the compressor is set at a constant frequency ( For example, it can be seen that the target frequency) is almost maintained.

Next, referring to FIG. 7(c) , it can be seen that in the comparative example, the room temperature does not sufficiently decrease even with the lapse of time. (It can be seen from the experimental result of FIG. 7(c) that the indoor temperature may slightly increase.) On the other hand, according to the air conditioner and the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, the load relief operation After a certain amount of time has elapsed after operating in mode, it can be seen that the room temperature is sufficiently lowered. This can be seen as the operation frequency of the compressor is maintained at a constant frequency (eg, the target frequency) by lowering the target value of the compressor inlet pressure.

Next, referring to FIG. 7( d ), it can be seen that in the comparative example, the temperature of the air discharged from the air conditioner maintains a constant value or rather slightly increases even if the indoor temperature does not decrease to the desired temperature. On the other hand, according to the air conditioner and the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, after the operation in the load relief operation mode, the indoor temperature does not reach the desired temperature, It can be seen that the air temperature decreases.

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 are not 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.

Claims

In the air conditioner that sucks air in the room, cools or heats the sucked air and discharges it to the room,

a compressor that compresses the refrigerant;

a condenser condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor;

an evaporator receiving the refrigerant condensed from the condenser and discharging the refrigerant to the compressor; and

A control device for controlling the compressor according to a desired temperature and room temperature set by a user,

The control device includes a first operation mode for controlling the compressor to change a state factor indicating a state of the air conditioner according to a temperature difference between the desired temperature and the indoor temperature and a first state change rate; When the condition factor reaches a first limit value set for efficient operation of the air conditioner and the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the first difference value, the condition factor is determined according to the temperature difference and a second condition change rate smaller than the first condition change rate. An air conditioner performing a second operation mode for controlling the compressor to change.
The method of claim 1 , wherein the state factor is

The air conditioner is one of a compressor inlet pressure, which is a pressure at a portion through which the refrigerant flows into the compressor, and a pipe temperature, which is a temperature of a pipe connecting the evaporator and the compressor.
According to claim 1, wherein the control device

a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure at the inlet side of the compressor;

a pipe temperature sensor for measuring the pipe temperature;

an indoor temperature sensor for measuring the indoor temperature;

an interface unit receiving the desired temperature; and

and a controller configured to control the compressor according to the first operation mode and the second operation mode based on the compressor inlet pressure, the pipe temperature, the indoor temperature, and the desired temperature.
According to claim 3, wherein the control unit

When receiving an operation start command from the interface unit, the air for controlling the compressor according to a third operation mode for controlling the compressor so that the state factor changes according to the temperature difference and a third state change rate greater than the first state change rate harmonizer.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the control unit

While controlling the compressor in the third operation mode, if the temperature difference becomes equal to or less than a third difference value greater than or equal to the first difference value, the third operation mode is terminated, and the compressor is controlled according to the first operation mode air conditioner.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the control unit

When the condition factor reaches the first limit value while controlling the compressor in the third operation mode, the third operation mode is terminated and the compressor is controlled according to the first operation mode.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the control unit

While controlling the compressor in the first operation mode, when a reference time elapses from the time when the operation start command is received, the state factor reaches the first limit value, and the temperature difference is the first difference value If this is the case, the air conditioner terminates the first operation mode and controls the compressor according to the second operation mode.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the control unit

While controlling the compressor in the first operation mode, if the state factor reaches the first limit value, the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the first difference value, and the rate of change of the temperature difference is less than or equal to the first reference rate of change, the second An air conditioner that ends the first operation mode and controls the compressor according to the second operation mode.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the control unit

While controlling the compressor in the second operation mode, when the temperature difference becomes less than or equal to a second difference value smaller than the first difference value, the air conditioner maintains a control value for controlling the compressor.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the control unit

When the state factor reaches a second limit value smaller than the first limit value while controlling the compressor in the second operation mode, a control value for controlling the compressor is maintained.
The method of claim 8, wherein the control unit

While controlling the compressor in the second operation mode, when the rate of change of the temperature difference becomes greater than or equal to a second reference rate of change greater than the first reference rate of change, the air conditioner maintains a control value for controlling the compressor.
A compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor, an evaporator that receives the refrigerant condensed from the condenser and discharges the refrigerant to the compressor, and a desired temperature and room temperature set by a user In the control method of an air conditioner comprising a control unit for controlling the compressor according to the

a first operation step of performing, by the controller, a first operation mode of controlling the compressor to change a state factor indicating a state of the air conditioner according to a temperature difference between the desired temperature and the indoor temperature and a first state change rate; and

When the controller reaches a first limit value set for the efficient operation of the air conditioner in the first control mode and the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the first difference value, the temperature difference and the first state change rate are smaller than and a second operation step of performing a second operation mode of controlling the compressor to change the state factor according to a second state change rate.
13. The method of claim 12,

The state factor is

The control method of the air conditioner, which is one of a compressor inlet pressure, which is a pressure of a portion through which the refrigerant flows into the compressor, and a pipe temperature, which is a temperature of a pipe connecting the evaporator and the compressor.
The method according to claim 12, wherein the control method of the air conditioner comprises:

When the control unit receives an operation start command, a third operation step of performing a third operation mode of controlling the compressor to change the state factor according to the temperature difference and a third state change rate greater than the first state change rate; The control method of the air conditioner further comprising.
The method according to claim 14, wherein the control method of the air conditioner comprises:

When the control unit controls the compressor in the third operation mode, when the state factor reaches the first limit value or the temperature difference becomes equal to or less than a third difference value greater than or equal to the first difference value, the third operation mode A control method for an air conditioner for terminating the step and performing the first operation step.
The method according to claim 14, wherein the control method of the air conditioner comprises:

When a reference time elapses from the time when the operation start command is received while the control unit controls the compressor in the first operation mode, the state factor reaches the first limit value, and the temperature difference If it is equal to or greater than the first difference value, the control method of the air conditioner for terminating the first operation step and performing the second operation step.
The method according to claim 15, wherein the control method of the air conditioner comprises:

When the controller controls the compressor in the first operation mode, the state factor reaches the first limit value, the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the first difference value, and the rate of change of the temperature difference is less than or equal to the first reference rate of change , the control method of the air conditioner for terminating the first operation step and performing the second operation step.
The method according to claim 15, wherein the control method of the air conditioner comprises:

When the controller controls the compressor in the second operation mode, the temperature difference becomes less than or equal to a second difference value smaller than the first difference value, or the state factor reaches a second limit value smaller than the first limit value, or , while controlling the compressor in the second operation mode, when the rate of change of the temperature difference becomes greater than or equal to a second reference rate of change greater than the first reference rate of change, maintaining a control value for controlling the compressor How to control the conditioner.