KR20090079078A - Controlling method of multi-type air condition - Google Patents

Abstract

A control method of a multi air-conditioner is provided to reduce the noise and power consumption of the air-conditioner in the night mode by varying the operation ratio of the compressor and the speed of the outdoor fan. A multi air-conditioner comprises a compressor, an outdoor unit(21) with an outdoor fan, and a plurality of indoor units(11,12,13,14) which are connected to the outdoor unit and include respective indoor expansion valves. When a night mode setting command is input by the user during the cooling or heating mode, the speed of the outdoor fan is lowered, the flow rate of coolant is reduced by regulating the target low pressure or high pressure based on the cooling or heating operation state, and the operation ratio of the compressor is decreased.

Description

Controlling method of multi-type air conditioner

The present invention relates to a control method of a multi-type air conditioner, and more particularly, to a control method of a multi-type air conditioner to reduce noise generated during operation of a multi-type air conditioner.

In general, an air conditioner is a home appliance for maintaining indoor air in a state most suitable for use and purpose. For example, in summer, the room is cooled to a cool state, in winter, the room is heated to a warm state, and also the humidity of the room, and the air in the room to a clean state of clean. As life convenience products such as air conditioners are gradually expanded and used, consumers are demanding high energy use efficiency, performance improvement and convenience products.

Such an air conditioner includes a separate air conditioner in which an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are separately separated, an integrated air conditioner in which the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are combined into one device, a wall-mounted air conditioner and a frame type air conditioner configured to be mounted on a wall, and a living room. A slim air conditioner configured to stand, a single air conditioner configured to be used in a small place such as a house, and a large air capacity configured to be used in a company or a restaurant. It is divided into an air conditioner and a multi type air conditioner having a capacity capable of sufficiently driving a plurality of indoor units.

An object of the present invention to provide a control method of a multi-type air conditioner to reduce the noise generated during operation of the multi-type air conditioner.

The control method of the multi-type air conditioner of the present invention includes an outdoor unit including a compressor and an outdoor fan, and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit, each of which includes an indoor expansion valve, and is operated by a user during nighttime while cooling or heating. When the setting command for the mode is input, the outdoor fan is slowed down than the normal operation, and the target low pressure or high pressure is controlled according to the cooling or heating operation state to reduce the flow rate of the refrigerant and reduce the compressor operation rate.

In the control method of the multi-type air conditioner of the present invention, the noise of the multi-type air conditioner is operating in the night mode by changing the compressor operation rate and the speed of the outdoor fan through the setting command of the night mode input during the operation of the multi-type air conditioner. And the effect of reducing energy waste.

A control method of a multi-type air conditioner according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a building accident in which a multi-type air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention is installed.

1, the multi-type air conditioner according to the present invention is connected to at least one indoor unit (11, 12, 13, 14), the indoor unit (11, 12, 13, 14) installed in the room and a compressor (not shown) And at least one outdoor unit 21 including a heat exchanger (not shown).

The outdoor unit 21 and the indoor units 11, 12, 13, 14 are connected through a refrigerant pipe P, and are cooled or heated according to the flow of the refrigerant between the outdoor unit 21 and the indoor units 11, 12, 13, 14. Will drive.

In this case, the multi-type air conditioner may further include a central controller (not shown) connected to the outdoor unit 21 and the indoor units 11, 12, 13, and 14 to monitor and control an operating state.

In addition, a distributor (not shown) may be included between the outdoor unit 21 and the indoor units 11, 12, 13, and 14.

The indoor units 11, 12, 13, 14 and the outdoor unit 21 transmit and receive mutual control commands and data according to a predetermined communication method.

Here, at least one indoor unit (11, 12, 13, 14) may be provided in one room, the outdoor unit 21 is driven by the request of at least one of the indoor unit (11, 12, 13, 14). . When a plurality of indoor units are provided in one room, the plurality of indoor units installed in one room may be group controlled or individually controlled through the central controller.

Here, the number of the outdoor unit 21 may vary depending on the cooling and heating capacity according to the number of the indoor units (11, 12, 13, 14) and the capacity of the compressor.

2 is a block diagram showing a multi-type air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 briefly illustrates and describes the multi-type air conditioner described in FIG. 1, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 2, the multi-type air conditioner of the present invention includes at least one indoor unit 100, 105, 109, and an outdoor unit 125 connected to at least one indoor unit 100, 105, 109.

Although an outdoor unit has been described in an embodiment of the present invention, at least one outdoor unit may be used.

Here, the at least one indoor unit (100, 105, 109) and the outdoor unit 125 is connected via a refrigerant pipe (not shown), the outdoor unit 125 is at least one of the at least one indoor unit (100, 105, 109) Driven by the demand of the, as the cooling and heating capacity required in the at least one indoor unit (100, 105, 109) increases the number of operating units of the outdoor unit 125 and the number of operating units of the compressor 112 installed in the outdoor unit 125 Is increased. Although the compressor 112 is shown as one, at least one compressor may be used.

Here, at least one indoor unit (100, 105, 109) is an indoor heat exchanger (102) for heat exchange between the refrigerant and the indoor air, and an indoor fan (103) installed near the indoor heat exchanger (102) for circulating indoor air; , An indoor electromagnetic expansion valve 104 for expanding the refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 120 when cooling.

The outdoor unit 125 includes an accumulator (not shown) for extracting only gas refrigerant among refrigerants supplied from the at least one indoor unit (100, 105, 109), and a compressor for receiving and compressing the gas refrigerant extracted from the accumulator (not shown). And a four-way valve 110 connected to the compressor 112 to select a flow path of the compressed refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 120 to heat-exchange the outdoor air with the refrigerant supplied from the four-way valve 110. It is installed near the heat exchanger 102 and includes an outdoor fan 122 for circulating outdoor air.

Here, the outdoor unit 124 includes at least one of an inverter compressor and a constant speed compressor, wherein the inverter compressor is a compressor that can vary the compression capacity of the refrigerant, the constant speed compressor is a compressor having a constant compression capacity of the refrigerant.

On the other hand, an oil separator (not shown) is installed in the pipe connecting the compressor 112 and the four-way valve 110, the oil separator may be connected to the suction side of the compressor (112).

The refrigerant pipe guiding the refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger (120) to the indoor heat exchanger (102) moves to the outdoor electromagnetic expansion valves (lev, 124) for expanding the refrigerant upon heating and to the indoor heat exchanger (102) for cooling. A supercooling device (not shown) for cooling the refrigerant to be used and a liquid injection device (not shown) for lowering the temperature of the compressor 112 are provided.

Here, the outdoor electromagnetic expansion valve 124 is fully open during cooling to allow the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 120 to pass through without expansion, but when heated, it is opened to a predetermined size and condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 102. Before expanding to the outdoor heat exchanger (120) to the liquid in the spray state.

In addition, the indoor electromagnetic expansion valve 104 and the outdoor electromagnetic expansion valve 120 includes a step motor (not shown) therein.

Here, the multi-type air conditioner of the present invention is a control unit 130 for controlling the outdoor unit 125 and at least one indoor unit (100, 105, 109), the outdoor unit 125 and at least one indoor unit (control unit 130) An input unit 140 for inputting a driving command for driving the 100, 105, and 109 and a display unit 150 for displaying information about driving the outdoor unit 125 and at least one indoor unit 100, 105, or 109. do.

The control unit 130, the input unit 140, and the display unit 150 may be formed integrally and separately, and may be formed inside and outside the outdoor unit 125 and the at least one indoor unit 100, 105, 109.

Here, the input unit 140 inputs a setting command for the night driving mode at night sleep so that at least one of the compressor 112, the outdoor fan 122, and the indoor electromagnetic expansion valve 104 is operated.

The control unit 130 controls the operation of at least one of the compressor 112, the outdoor fan 122, and the indoor electromagnetic expansion valve 104 according to the setting command, and the display unit 150 controls the information on the setting command. Control to indicate

3 is a diagram showing a control block of the multi-type air conditioner shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, the multi-type air conditioner of the present invention includes a control unit 130, an input unit 140, and a display unit 154.

Here, it demonstrates like the structure shown in the outdoor unit and the at least 1 indoor unit of the multi-type air conditioner shown in FIG.

The input unit 140 is a wired or wireless remote controller connected to the at least one indoor unit 100, 105, 109 by wire or wirelessly, and the first input unit which inputs a setting command for the night driving mode to the control unit 130. A central controller connected to the unit 142 and the outdoor unit 125 includes a second input unit 144 for inputting a setting command for the night driving mode to the control unit 130.

Here, the input unit 140 includes at least one of the first and second input units 142 and 144.

The display unit 150 includes at least one of the first display unit 152 and the second display unit 154, and the first and second display units 152 and 154 are configured to substantially set the recently entered command. This information is displayed to the user visually.

That is, the first and second display units 152 and 154 may be integrally and separately formed with the first and second input units 142 and 144 and are controlled by the control unit 130.

The control unit 130 receives the setting command input from the first input unit 142 and is input from the first control unit 134 and the second input unit 144 that control the indoor electromagnetic expansion valve 104. And a second control unit 138 for receiving the setting command to control the compressor 112 and the outdoor fan 122.

Here, the first control unit 134 is an indoor unit communication unit 131 for receiving the setting command, and an indoor unit control unit 132 for controlling the indoor electromagnetic expansion valve 132 and the first display unit 152 according to the setting command. And an indoor unit driver 133 for operating the indoor electromagnetic expansion valve 132 according to a control command input from the indoor unit controller 132.

In addition, the second control unit 134 controls the outdoor unit communication unit 135 that receives the setting command, the compressor 112, the outdoor fan 122, and the second display unit 154 according to the setting command. The outdoor unit driving unit 133 operates the compressor 112 and the outdoor fan 122 according to a control command input from the control unit 132 and the outdoor unit control unit 132.

The first control unit 134, the first input unit 142, and the first display unit 152 drive an indoor unit (not shown) and display driving information.

In addition, the second control unit 138, the second input unit 144, and the second display unit 154 operate the outdoor unit (not shown) and display driving information.

Here, a case in which the setting command for the night mode is input through the first input unit 142 formed in the indoor unit will be described.

The first input unit 142 is input by the setting command for the night mode. Here, the first input unit 142 transmits the setting command to the indoor unit communication unit 131. However, although the first input unit 142 has been described as inputting the setting command to the indoor unit communication unit 131, it may be transmitted to the indoor unit control unit 132.

The indoor unit controller 131 transmits the setting command to the indoor unit control unit 132 when the setting command is transmitted, and transmits the setting command to the outdoor unit communication unit 135 according to the control command of the indoor unit control unit 132.

The indoor unit controller 132 transmits the control command to the indoor unit communication unit 131 to transmit the setting command to the outdoor unit communication unit 135, and controls the information on the setting command to be displayed on the first display unit 152. .

In addition, the indoor unit controller 132 controls the operation of the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve 104 by the indoor unit driving unit 133.

The indoor unit driver 132 adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant under the control of the indoor unit controller 132.

Here, the outdoor unit communication unit 135 transmits the setting command transmitted from the indoor unit communication unit 131 to the outdoor unit control unit 136.

The outdoor unit controller 136 determines whether the outdoor unit is operated in the night mode after confirming the initiation of the night mode based on the setting command, and operating frequencies of the outdoor fan 122 and the compressor 112 during the night mode operation. The outdoor unit driver 137 is controlled to be adjusted.

Accordingly, the outdoor unit driver 137 operates at a driving frequency lower by a predetermined ratio than the normal operating states of the outdoor fan 122 and the compressor 112 under the control of the outdoor unit controller 136.

Here, the predetermined ratio is preferably 10% to 50% of the maximum operating frequency of at least one of the outdoor fan 122 and the compressor 112, and at least one of the outdoor fan 122 and the compressor 112 at night When driving, to prevent noise and to make the user feel comfortable.

In addition, the outdoor unit controller 136 compares the information of the setting command and the collection information in order to operate in the night mode, and determines whether the emergency condition during the night mode operation.

Here, the outdoor unit controller 136 operates at least one operating frequency of the outdoor fan 122 and the compressor 112 at the maximum operating frequency in the emergency condition. That is, when the night mode operation is performed with the high pressure at the time of cooling or the low pressure at the time of heating being too low, the outdoor unit controller 136 sets the operating frequency of at least one of the outdoor fan 122 and the compressor 112 to the maximum operating frequency. To operate, and to increase the high and low pressure.

That is, in the case of the compressor 112 in the night mode operation, the outdoor unit controller 136 increases the target low pressure during cooling and lowers the target high pressure during heating to reduce the noise by driving the operating frequency of the compressor 112 low.

In addition, the indoor unit controller 132 increases the target overheat degree at a constant temperature during cooling and increases the target overcooling temperature at a constant temperature when heating the indoor electromagnetic expansion valve 104 in the night mode operation. Reducing the flow rate of the refrigerant in the opening direction of 104).

Therefore, the outdoor unit controller 132 and the indoor unit controller 132 may control the outdoor unit and the indoor unit with at least one of the two.

Since the operation of the second input unit 144 is substantially similar to that of the first input unit 142, description thereof is omitted.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a multi-type air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the multi-type air conditioner of the present invention inputs a setting command for night mode using the input unit 140 (S100), and displays information on the setting command (S102).

That is, the input unit 140 inputs the setting command through at least one of the first and second input units 142 and 144 to control each indoor unit, outdoor unit communication unit 131, 135, or indoor unit, outdoor unit control unit 132, 136. ) At least one of

In addition, the display unit 150 is at least one of the first and second display units 152 and 154, and displays information on the setting command to the outside by at least one of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit control unit 132, 136. .

The indoor unit and outdoor unit controllers 132 and 136 determine whether to perform the night mode operation by comparing the information collected by the indoor or outdoor unit and the indoor units 100, 105, 109 or the outdoor unit 125 with the setting command (S104). ).

Here, the collected information includes at least one of a current time, a pressure during cooling and heating, and a temperature.

Here, the indoor unit and outdoor unit controllers 132 and 136 determine whether to perform the night mode operation by comparing the collected information with the information about the setting command.

During the night mode operation, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit controllers 132 and 136 vary the driving frequency to operate at least one of the compressor 112 and the outdoor fan 122 in a state of being lowered by a predetermined ratio to the maximum operating frequency (S106). ).

That is, when the night mode operation is executed, the outdoor unit controller 136 transmits and operates the driving frequency lowering at least one of the compressors 112 and 122 by the predetermined ratio.

The indoor unit and outdoor unit controllers 132 and 136 determine whether the emergency condition is satisfied during the night mode operation (S108).

That is, at least one of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit controllers 132 and 136 determines whether to stop the night mode operation by comparing the set emergency condition with the current condition.

When the indoor unit and outdoor unit controllers 132 and 136 satisfy the emergency condition, at least one of the compressor 112, the outdoor fan 122, and the indoor electromagnetic expansion valve 104 is controlled (S110), and the emergency condition is released. If the operation is restarted in the night mode (112).

That is, the outdoor unit controller 136 temporarily stops the night mode operation, and controls the outdoor fan 122 to operate at the maximum driving frequency by the outdoor unit driver 137.

Here, the outdoor unit controller 136 varies the operating frequency of the outdoor fan 122 according to the emergency condition when the high pressure when cooling is higher than the set high pressure or lower than the set low pressure when cooling.

In addition, the outdoor unit controller 136 controls to lower the operating frequency of the compressor 112. Here, the indoor unit controller 132 adjusts the opening degree in a direction to reduce the flow rate of the refrigerant to the compressor 112 when cooling or heating the indoor electromagnetic expansion valve 104 by the indoor unit driving unit 133.

Therefore, indoor unit and outdoor unit controllers 132 and 136 restart the night mode operation when the emergency condition is released.

The control invention of the multi-type air conditioner according to the present invention has the advantage of preventing the user from being disturbed by noise by adjusting the operating frequency of the compressor and the outdoor fan by setting the night mode when the user sleeps at night. have.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. It will be appreciated that modifications or variations may be made. Accordingly, modifications to the embodiments of the present invention will not depart from the techniques of the present invention.

1 is a perspective view of a building equipped with a multi-type air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing a multi-type air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram showing a control block of the multi-type air conditioner shown in FIG.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a multi-type air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

130: control unit 140: input unit

150: display unit

Claims (4)

A control method of a multi-type air conditioner including an outdoor unit including a compressor and an outdoor fan and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit and each including an indoor expansion valve, When the user inputs a setting command for night operation mode during cooling or heating operation; A control method of a multi-type air conditioner which slows down the speed of an outdoor fan than normal operation, reduces a flow rate of a refrigerant by controlling a target low pressure or high pressure according to a cooling or heating operation state, and reduces a compressor operation rate. The method of claim 1, wherein the setting command input is Control method of a multi-type air conditioner input by at least one of a wireless remote controller, a wired remote controller and a central controller included in any one of the plurality of indoor units. The method of claim 1, wherein the speed of the outdoor fan, The control method of the multi-type air conditioner of 10% to 50% of the maximum speed of the outdoor fan. The method of claim 1, After the night mode is executed, the outdoor fan is operated at the maximum speed when the emergency condition for the heating or cooling operation is satisfied. The control method of the multi-type air conditioner to continue the operation in the night mode if the emergency conditions are not met.

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