KR20180057259A - An air conditioner and a method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a method for controlling the same. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner comprises: a connection pipe extending from a condenser to an evaporator; a refrigerant storage device storing at least a portion of refrigerant flowing in the connection pipe; an inflow pipe connected to the connection pipe, and extending to the refrigerant storage device; a discharge pipe guiding the flow of high pressure refrigerant compressed in a compressor; a low pressure pipe guiding the flow of low pressure refrigerant to be sucked into the compressor; a first guide pipe extending from the discharge pipe to the refrigerant storage device; and a second guide pipe extending from the low pressure pipe to the refrigerant storage device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner,

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a control method thereof.

The air conditioner is a device for keeping the air in a predetermined space in a most suitable condition according to the purpose of use and purpose. Generally, the air conditioner includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator, and a refrigerant cycle for compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating the refrigerant is driven to cool or heat the predetermined space .

The predetermined space may be variously proposed depending on the place where the air conditioner is used. For example, when the air conditioner is installed in a home or an office, the predetermined space may be an indoor space of a house or a building. On the other hand, when the air conditioner is disposed in a car, the predetermined space may be a boarding space on which a person boarded.

On the other hand, the air conditioner can be operated so as to be switchable to the cooling mode or the heating mode. When the air conditioner is operated in the cooling mode, the outdoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator. On the other hand, when the air conditioner operates in the heating mode, the outdoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator and the indoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser. The air conditioner may be provided with a flow control valve for controlling the flow direction of the refrigerant so that the cooling operation or the heating operation can be switched.

The air conditioner includes a gas-liquid separator disposed at an inlet side of the compressor for separating the gaseous refrigerant from the refrigerant passing through the evaporator and allowing the gaseous refrigerant to flow into the compressor.

The present applicant has filed the following application with respect to an air conditioning system in which the amount of refrigerant stored in the gas-liquid separator can be controlled.

[Prior Application]

1. Registration number (Registration date): 10-1201635 (November 8, 2012)

2. Name of invention: air conditioner

In the conventional application, the refrigerant is overheated in the supercooling heat exchanger under the control of the supercooling regulator, and the amount of refrigerant is controlled by evaporating the refrigerant stored in the gas-liquid separator from the superheated refrigerant. According to this control, the amount of the refrigerant transferred from the supercooling heat exchanger to the gas-liquid separator is reduced and the amount of the refrigerant that can be controlled is reduced.

In order to realize such a system, a supercooling heat exchanger and a supercooling amount adjusting unit are required, resulting in an increase in manufacturing cost.

The present invention has been proposed in order to solve such problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner having a system in which an expansion action of a refrigerant cycle is performed by one expansion device, The purpose.

An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a connection pipe extending from a condenser to an evaporator; A refrigerant storage device for storing at least a part of the refrigerant flowing through the connection pipe; An inlet pipe connected to the connection pipe and extending to the refrigerant storage device; A discharge pipe for guiding the flow of the high-pressure refrigerant compressed in the compressor; Pressure pipe for guiding the flow of the low-pressure refrigerant to be sucked into the compressor; A first guide pipe extending from the discharge pipe to the refrigerant storage device; And a second guide pipe extending from the low pressure pipe to the refrigerant storage device.

The refrigerant storage device includes: a first space portion connected to the inflow pipe; A second space connected to the low-pressure pipe or the discharge pipe; And a partition plate for partitioning the first and second space parts.

The first space portion is formed on the upper side of the partition plate, and the second space portion is formed on the lower side of the partition plate.

The partition plate is movably provided.

The partition plate is provided so as to be movable upward or downward, and the size of the first space portion is variable according to the movement of the partition plate.

A first valve installed in the connection pipe; A second valve installed in the first guide pipe; And a third valve installed in the second guide pipe.

The first and second valves are turned on and the third valve is turned off so that the refrigerant of the discharge pipe is supplied to the refrigerant storage device through the first guide pipe and the refrigerant of the first space is discharged from the refrigerant storage device .

The first and third valves are on and the second valve is off so that the refrigerant in the second space flows to the low pressure pipe through the second guide pipe and the refrigerant condensed in the condenser flows through the inflow pipe And is supplied to the first space portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an air conditioner, comprising: sensing a supercooling degree of the condensed refrigerant by a temperature sensor provided in the condenser; And discharging the refrigerant stored in the first space part by communicating the discharge pipe provided at the outlet side of the compressor with the second space part if the sensed subcooling degree is less than the set subcooling degree, And connecting the low-pressure pipe provided at the suction side of the compressor to the second space part to supply the refrigerant of the connection pipe to the first space part if the supercooling degree is abnormal.

A first guide pipe extending from the discharge pipe to a lower portion of the refrigerant storage device; And a second guide pipe extending from the low-pressure pipe to a lower portion of the refrigerant storage device.

A second valve installed in the first guide pipe; And a third valve installed in the second guide pipe.

According to the present invention, since an expansion device is installed in a connection pipe connecting the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger and a plurality of bypass pipes extending from the connection pipe to the refrigerant storage device are provided, the amount of refrigerant circulating in the air conditioner can be easily .

In particular, since the plurality of bypass pipes extend in parallel at the inlet and the outlet of the expansion device, the refrigerant can be guided to the refrigerant storage device regardless of the cooling or heating operation of the air conditioner.

The bypass piping is provided with a capillary for controlling the amount of refrigerant flowing therein, so that the refrigerant is prevented from being excessively introduced into the refrigerant storage device, thereby preventing the cooling or heating performance of the air conditioner from being deteriorated .

In addition, the refrigerant storage device includes two spaces defined by the partition plate, a receiver in which the liquid refrigerant is stored in the first space portion of the two space portions, Accordingly, the refrigerant stored in the first space can be discharged or the refrigerant can be stored in the first space, so that the amount of refrigerant circulating in the system can be easily controlled.

In addition, the gaseous refrigerant can be introduced into and out of the second space portion of the two space portions, and the partition plate can be movably provided. For example, when the second space portion communicates with the high-pressure pipe, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows into the second space portion, and the partition plate can move toward the first space portion. Accordingly, since the volume of the first space portion is reduced, the liquid refrigerant stored in the first space portion can be discharged from the refrigerant storage device and can be easily supplied to the refrigerant system.

On the other hand, when the second space portion communicates with the low-pressure pipe, the partition plate can move toward the second space portion. Accordingly, since the volume of the first space part is increased, the condensed liquid refrigerant can be introduced into the first space part. Thus, if the amount of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant system is excessive, the refrigerant may be stored in the refrigerant storage device.

In addition, since the refrigerant storage in the refrigerant storage device or the refrigerant supply to the refrigerant cycle can be controlled based on the degree of supercooling of the condensed refrigerant, an appropriate amount of refrigerant can be circulated depending on the room load.

According to this configuration and control, the refrigerant having an appropriate state, that is, the refrigerant section in the vapor state, the two-phase state, and the liquid state can be maintained in the condenser, thereby improving the system efficiency. According to the embodiment of the present invention, when the liquid refrigerant is too large in the condenser, the condensing pressure rises and the system efficiency decreases. When the liquid refrigerant is too small in the condensation, the supercooling degree becomes small, So that the problem of reducing the heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator can be prevented.

1 is a system diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a system diagram showing a flow of a refrigerant in a cooling or heating operation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flow chart showing a control method of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a system diagram showing how refrigerant is discharged from a refrigerant storage device during a cooling operation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a system diagram showing how a refrigerant is discharged from a refrigerant storage device during a heating operation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a system diagram showing how a refrigerant is stored in a refrigerant storage device during a cooling operation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a system diagram showing how a refrigerant is stored in a refrigerant storage device during a heating operation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the spirit of the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and that those skilled in the art, upon reading and understanding the spirit of the invention, may easily suggest other embodiments within the scope of the same concept.

FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing a flow of a refrigerant during a cooling or heating operation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention .

1 and 2, an air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor 110 for compressing a refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 130 for exchanging heat between outdoor air and refrigerant, An outdoor heat exchanger 130, a compressor 110, an indoor heat exchanger 150, and an expansion device 140. The indoor heat exchanger 150 is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between indoor air and refrigerant, an expansion device 140 for expanding a refrigerant, And a refrigerant pipe 200 connected to the refrigerant pipe 140 to form a refrigerant cycle.

The indoor heat exchanger (150) may be installed inside the indoor unit (20). The indoor unit (20) includes an indoor fan (151) provided at one side of the indoor heat exchanger (150) to generate a blowing force. The indoor unit (20) is provided with a second temperature sensor (152) for sensing the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger (150), in particular, the temperature of the refrigerant condensed in the heating operation. For example, the second temperature sensor 152 may be coupled to the indoor heat exchanger 150.

1 may be installed in the outdoor unit 30 except for the indoor heat exchanger 150 and the indoor fan 151. As another example, the expansion device 140 may be installed in the indoor unit 20 or the outdoor unit 30.

At one side of the outdoor heat exchanger (130), an outdoor fan (131) for generating a wind power may be provided. The outdoor heat exchanger 130 may be provided with a first temperature sensor 132 for sensing the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 130, in particular, the temperature of the refrigerant condensed during the cooling operation. For example, the first temperature sensor 132 may be coupled to the outdoor heat exchanger 130.

The air conditioner 100 is provided with a flow switching unit (not shown) for selectively switching the flow direction of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 to any one of the outdoor heat exchanger 130 and the indoor heat exchanger 150 120). For example, the flow switching unit 120 may include a four way valve.

The refrigerant pipe 200 includes a suction pipe 210 for guiding suction of the refrigerant into the compressor 110. The suction pipe 210 may be connected to a suction port of the compressor 110. The suction pipe 210 is a pipe through which the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows, and may extend from the gas-liquid separator 160 to the compressor 110. It is understood that the suction pipe 210 is a part of the low-pressure pipe 240.

The refrigerant pipe 200 further includes a discharge pipe 220 through which the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 is discharged. The discharge pipe 220 may extend from the discharge port of the compressor 110 to the flow switching unit 120. The discharge pipe 220 may be provided with a high-pressure sensor 221 for sensing the high pressure of the refrigerant.

The outdoor heat exchanger 130 and the indoor heat exchanger 150 may function as a condenser or an evaporator depending on the operation mode of the refrigerant system. For example, when the air conditioner 100 is in a heating operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 130 and the indoor heat exchanger 150 function as an evaporator and a condenser, respectively. On the other hand, when the air conditioner 100 is in the cooling operation mode, the outdoor heat exchanger 130 and the indoor heat exchanger 150 may function as a condenser and an evaporator, respectively.

At this time, depending on the operation mode of the air conditioner 100, the flow direction of the refrigerant passing through the compressor 110 may be switched by the flow switching unit 120. That is, in the heating mode, the refrigerant that has passed through the flow switching unit 120 in the compressor 110 flows to the indoor heat exchanger 150, and flows to the outdoor heat exchanger 130 in the cooling mode.

The refrigerant pipe 200 further includes an outdoor guide pipe 230 extending from the flow switching unit 120 to the outdoor heat exchanger 130 to guide the flow of the refrigerant. The refrigerant flowing from the discharge pipe 220 into the flow switching unit 120 may flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 130 through the outdoor guide pipe 230 during the cooling operation.

The refrigerant pipe 200 further includes an indoor guide pipe 235 extending from the flow switching unit 120 to the indoor heat exchanger 150 to guide the flow of the refrigerant. The refrigerant flowing into the flow switching unit 120 from the discharge pipe 220 during the heating operation may flow into the indoor heat exchanger 150 through the indoor guide pipe 235.

The refrigerant pipe 200 further includes a connection pipe 250 connecting the outdoor heat exchanger 130 and the indoor heat exchanger 150. The connection pipe 250 extends from the outdoor heat exchanger 130 to the indoor heat exchanger 150. In other words, the connection pipe 250 extends from the indoor heat exchanger 150 to the outdoor heat exchanger 130.

The expansion device 140 may be installed in the connection pipe 250. The expansion device (140) is configured to reduce the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger (130) or the indoor heat exchanger (150). The expansion device 140 may include an electronic expansion valve (EEV) capable of adjusting the opening degree.

The refrigerant pipe 200 further includes a plurality of bypass pipes 260 and 270 branched from the connection pipe 250.

In detail, the refrigerant pipe 200 is connected to a first bypass pipe 260 branching from one point of the connection pipe 250 and a second bypass pipe 270 branched from another point of the connection pipe 250 ). A first branch 251 is formed at one point of the connection pipe 250 and a second branch 253 is formed at another point of the connection pipe 250.

The expansion device 140 may be disposed at a point between the first and second branches 251 and 253. That is, the first and second branches 251 and 253 may be provided at an inlet and an outlet of the expansion device 140. In other words, the first and second branches 251 and 253 may be provided at the front end and the rear end of the expansion device 140.

More specifically, when the air conditioner 10 performs the heating operation, the first branch 251 is disposed at the inlet or the front end of the expansion device 140, It is understood that the second branch 253 is disposed at the outlet or the rear end of the expansion device 140.

On the other hand, when the air conditioner 10 performs the cooling operation, the first branched portion 251 is disposed at the outlet portion or the rear end portion of the expansion device 140, The second branch 253 may be disposed at the inlet or the front end of the expansion device 140.

The air conditioner 10 further includes capillary tubes 265 and 275 installed in the plurality of bypass pipes 260 and 270 to control the amount of refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipes 260 and 270. In detail, the capillary tubes 265 and 275 are provided with a first capillary tube 265 installed in the first bypass piping 260 and a second capillary tube 263 installed in the second bypass piping 270, And a re-tube 275 is included.

The length or the inner diameter of the first capillary tube 265 or the second capillary tube 275 may be set such that only a part of the refrigerant circulating through the connection pipe 250 flows through the first bypass pipe 260 Can be determined in a range that can flow into the second bypass pipe (270).

For example, the first and second capillary tubes 265 and 275 may have a diameter ranging from 1 to 1.5 mm and a length ranging from 1200 mm to 1800 mm. Accordingly, the first and second capillary tubes 265 and 275 may have a length of 20% Or less may be branched into the first bypass pipe 260 or the second bypass pipe 270.

The refrigerant pipe 200 further includes a joint portion 280 to which the first and second bypass pipes 260 and 270 are connected. The refrigerant pipe 200 is connected to the refrigerant storage device 300 through the connection part 280 and extends to the refrigerant storage device 300 to guide the refrigerant into the refrigerant storage device 300, And an inflow pipe 285 for guiding the flow of the refrigerant.

The inflow pipe 285 may be provided with a first valve 287 capable of controlling the amount of refrigerant flowing through the inflow pipe 285. In one example, the first valve 287 may include a solenoid valve for controlling the opening or closing of the inflow pipe 285. When the first valve 287 is opened, the refrigerant flows into the refrigerant storage device 300 through the inflow pipe 285. When the first valve 287 is turned off (closed), the refrigerant flows through the inflow pipe 285 285 is limited.

As another example, the first valve 287 may include an electronic expansion valve (EEV).

The refrigerant storage device 300 may function as a refrigerant circulating in the air conditioner 10, that is, a reservoir capable of storing a refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant system. If it is determined that the amount of refrigerant circulating in the system relative to the indoor load is insufficient, the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage device 300 may be discharged and supplied to the system. On the other hand, if it is determined that the amount of refrigerant circulating in the system is excessive, some of the refrigerant circulating in the system may be stored in the refrigerant storage device 300.

The refrigerant storage device 300 includes a storage body 310 forming the first and second space parts 330 and 340. For example, the storage body 310 may have a cylindrical shape. In the interior of the storage body 310, a partition plate 320 separating the first and second space units 330 and 340 is provided.

The first and second space portions 330 and 340 may include a first space portion 330 formed on the upper portion of the storage body 310 and a second space portion 340 formed on the lower portion of the storage body 310. [ ). The first space part 330 is formed on the upper side of the partition plate 320 and the second space part 340 is formed on the lower side of the partition plate 320. In the first space 330, high-pressure condensed refrigerant can be stored based on the refrigerant cycle. The gaseous refrigerant may be stored in the second space 340.

The inflow pipe 285 may be connected to the upper portion of the storage body 310 to communicate with the first space portion 330. The storage body 310 includes a first connection part 312 to which the inflow pipe 285 is connected. For example, the first connection part 312 may be formed on the upper surface of the storage body 310.

The first space portion 330 can be understood as a "receiver" as a reservoir of refrigerant flowing through the inflow pipe 285.

The partition plate 320 may be movably installed. For example, the partition plate 320 can be moved up and down. The partition plate 320 may have a circular plate shape corresponding to the inner surface of the storage body 310.

A guide rail 325 for guiding the movement of the partition plate 320 may be provided in the storage body 310. The guide rail 325 may extend in the vertical direction from the upper portion to the lower portion of the storage body 310.

The partition plate 320 includes a guide protrusion 321 inserted in the guide rail 325 and movable in the vertical direction. The partition plate 320 may be moved by a pressure difference between the first space 330 and the second space 340.

For example, the pressure of the first space portion 330, that is, the pressure of the refrigerant present in the first space portion 330 may be lower than the pressure of the second space portion 330, The partition plate 320 can be lowered downward.

On the other hand, if the pressure of the second space portion 340 is greater than the pressure of the first space portion 330, the partition plate 320 can be moved upward.

The refrigerant pipe 200 further includes a low pressure pipe 240 extending from the flow switching unit 120 to the gas-liquid separator 160. The low-pressure refrigerant evaporated in the refrigerant cycle may flow into the low-pressure pipe 240. As described above, it can be understood that the suction pipe 210 is a constitution of the low pressure pipe 240.

The refrigerant pipe 200 further includes a first guide pipe 170 extending from the discharge pipe 220 to the refrigerant storage device 300. The discharge pipe 220 includes a first pipe connection part 222 to which the first guide pipe 170 is connected. The refrigerant storage device 300 includes a second connection part 314 to which the first guide pipe 170 is connected.

The second connection portion 314 is formed at a lower portion of the refrigerant storage device 300. For example, the second connection portion 314 may be formed on the bottom surface of the storage body 310. The first guide pipe 170 may communicate with the second space 340 through the second connection part 314.

The first guide pipe 170 may be provided with a second valve 175 capable of controlling the amount of refrigerant flowing through the first guide pipe 170. For example, the second valve 175 may include a solenoid valve for controlling the opening or closing of the first guide pipe 170. As another example, the second valve 175 may include an electronic expansion valve (EEV).

When the second valve 175 is turned on, the discharge pipe 220 and the second space 340 can communicate with each other. The refrigerant of the discharge pipe 220 may be introduced into the second space 340 of the refrigerant storage device 300 through the first guide pipe 170. On the other hand, when the second valve 175 is turned off, the flow of the refrigerant through the first guide pipe 170 is restricted.

The first guide pipe 170 may be provided with a third capillary tube 172 for controlling the amount of refrigerant flowing through the first guide pipe 170. The third capillary tube 172 prevents the refrigerant of the discharge pipe 220 from being excessively introduced into the refrigerant storage device 300.

The refrigerant pipe 200 further includes a second guide pipe 180 extending from the low pressure pipe 240 to the refrigerant storage device 300. The low pressure pipe 240 includes a second pipe connection part 242 to which the second guide pipe 180 is connected. The refrigerant storage device 300 includes a third connection part 316 to which the second guide pipe 180 is connected.

The third connection part 316 is formed at a lower portion of the refrigerant storage device 300. For example, the third connection portion 316 may be formed on the bottom surface of the storage body 310. The second guide pipe 180 may communicate with the second space 340 through the third connection part 316.

The second guide pipe 180 may be provided with a third valve 185 capable of controlling the amount of refrigerant flowing through the second guide pipe 180. For example, the second valve 185 may include a solenoid valve for controlling the opening or closing of the second guide pipe 180. As another example, the third valve 185 may include an electronic expansion valve (EEV).

When the third valve 185 is turned on, the low-pressure pipe 220 and the second space 340 of the refrigerant storage device 300 may communicate with each other. That is, the internal pressure of the second space 240 is low and the refrigerant stored in the second space 240 flows into the low pressure pipe 240 through the second guide pipe 180 . On the other hand, when the second valve 175 is turned off, the flow of the refrigerant through the two guide pipe 180 is restricted.

The second guide pipe 180 may be provided with a fourth capillary tube 182 for controlling the amount of refrigerant flowing through the second guide pipe 180. The fourth capillary tube 182 prevents the gaseous refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage device 300 from being excessively introduced into the low pressure pipe 240.

Referring to FIG. 2, the flow of the refrigerant during the cooling or heating operation of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment will be briefly described. It can be understood that the cooling or heating operation at this time is a general operating state in which refrigerant storage in the refrigerant storage device 300 or refrigerant supply from the refrigerant storage device 300 does not occur.

First, when the air conditioner 10 performs the cooling operation (see a solid line arrow, the same applies hereinafter), the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 flows into the flow switching unit 120 via the discharge pipe 220 . The refrigerant is diverted in the flow switching unit 120 and flows to the outdoor heat exchanger 130 through the outdoor guide pipe 230 to be condensed. The condensed refrigerant flows through the connection pipe 250 and is decompressed in the expansion device 140.

Meanwhile, the first valve 287, the second valve 175, and the third valve 185 may be turned off. Therefore, the refrigerant flowing through the connection pipe 250 can be restricted from flowing to the first bypass pipe 260 or the second bypass pipe 270.

The refrigerant decompressed in the expansion device 140 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 150 and evaporates. The evaporated refrigerant flows into the flow switching unit 120 through the indoor guide pipe 235. The refrigerant is discharged from the flow switching unit 120 and flows into the gas-liquid separator 160 via the low-pressure pipe 240.

The gas-liquid separator 160 is provided therein with gas-liquid separation pipes 162a and 162b. The gas-liquid separation pipes 162a and 162b include an inlet pipe 162a through which the refrigerant in the two-phase state flows and an outlet pipe 162b through which the separated gaseous refrigerant is discharged. The gas-phase refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 160 may be sucked into the compressor 110 via the suction pipe 210. This refrigerant cycle can be repeated.

Next, when the air conditioner 10 performs the heating operation (see the dotted line, the same applies hereinafter), the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 flows into the flow switching unit 120 via the discharge pipe 220 do. The refrigerant is diverted in the flow switching unit 120 and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 150 through the indoor guide pipe 235 and is condensed. The condensed refrigerant flows through the connection pipe 250 and is decompressed in the expansion device 140.

Meanwhile, the first valve 287, the second valve 175, and the third valve 185 may be turned off. Therefore, the refrigerant flowing through the connection pipe 250 can be restricted from flowing to the first bypass pipe 260 or the second bypass pipe 270.

The refrigerant decompressed in the expansion device 140 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 130 and evaporates. The evaporated refrigerant flows into the flow switching unit 120 through the outdoor guide pipe 230. The refrigerant is discharged from the flow switching unit 120 and flows into the gas-liquid separator 160 via the low-pressure pipe 240. The gas-phase refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 160 may be sucked into the compressor 110 via the suction pipe 210. This refrigerant cycle can be repeated.

3 is a flow chart showing a control method of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the control method of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The air conditioner 10 is turned on, and cooling or heating operation can be started. Of course, the user may input a cooling operation or a heating operation command through the input unit (S11).

The control of the flow switching unit 120 can be performed depending on the cooling or heating operation. 2, when the air conditioner 10 is in the cooling operation mode, the flow switching unit 120 communicates the discharge pipe 220 and the outdoor guide pipe 230, 110 to the outdoor heat exchanger 130 side. The refrigerant can be condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger (130).

On the other hand, when the air conditioner 10 is in the heating operation, the flow switching unit 120 communicates the discharge pipe 220 and the indoor guide pipe 235, and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 The refrigerant is guided to the indoor heat exchanger 150 side. Then, the refrigerant can be condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 150 (S12).

When the air conditioner 10 performs the cooling operation, the degree of supercooling of the refrigerant can be recognized through the first temperature sensor 132 provided in the outdoor heat exchanger 130. The supercooling degree can be understood as a difference value between the condensation temperature and the outlet temperature of the condenser. The condensation temperature is a value calculated from the high pressure of the cycle sensed by the high pressure sensor 221, and the outlet temperature of the condenser can be sensed by the second temperature sensor 132.

When the supercooling degree is too low, it is understood that a relatively small amount of liquid refrigerant exists in the condenser, so that it can be understood that the amount of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant system is relatively small as compared with the load. Therefore, it can be understood that the additional supply of the refrigerant to the refrigerant system is required.

On the other hand, when the supercooling degree is too high, it is understood that a relatively large amount of liquid refrigerant exists in the condenser, so that it can be understood that the amount of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant system is relatively larger than the load. Therefore, it can be understood that a part of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant system must be stored.

If the degree of supercooling through the first temperature sensor 132 is equal to or higher than the set subcooling degree, the first valve 287 and the third valve 185 are turned on and the second valve 175 is controlled to be turned off do.

In this case, the low-pressure pipe 240 communicates with the second space 340 and a relatively low pressure is formed in the second space 340. Therefore, since the pressure of the first space part 330 becomes higher than that of the second space part 340, the partition plate 320 moves downward and the volume of the first space part 330 becomes larger . As a result, the refrigerant circulating in the system can be introduced into the first space 330 through the inlet pipe 285 and stored in the refrigerant storage device 300.

On the other hand, if the subcooling degree through the first temperature sensor 132 is lower than the set subcooling degree, the first valve 287 and the second valve 175 are turned on and the third valve 185 is turned off .

In this case, the discharge pipe 220 communicates with the second space 340, and a relatively high pressure is formed in the second space 340. Therefore, the pressure of the second space portion 340 becomes higher than that of the first space portion 330. This is because the pressure of the second space 340 is the high pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 and the pressure of the first space 330 forms a pressure lower than the high pressure as the condensed refrigerant .

Due to the pressure difference between the first and second space parts 330 and 340, the partition plate 320 moves upward and the volume of the first space part 330 becomes smaller. As a result, the refrigerant stored in the first space part 330 is discharged and may be supplied to the system through the inflow pipe 285 (S13, S14, S15).

When the air conditioner 10 is operating in a heating mode, the degree of supercooling of the refrigerant can be recognized through the second temperature sensor 152 provided in the indoor unit 20. The control for controlling the first to third valves 287, 175, 185 according to whether or not the recognized subcooling degree is equal to or more than the set subcooling degree may be the same as the control state during the cooling operation (S16, S17).

FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing how a refrigerant is discharged from a refrigerant storage device during a cooling operation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. Is discharged from the refrigerant storage device.

Referring to FIG. 4, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 110 flows through the discharge pipe 220 during the cooling operation of the air conditioner 10.

If the supercooling degree detected by the first temperature sensor 132 is lower than the predetermined supercooling degree, it can be recognized that the amount of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant system is insufficient. When the amount of refrigerant circulated in the refrigerant system is insufficient, the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage device 300 may be discharged and supplied to the system. The first valve 287 and the second valve 175 may be turned on and the third valve 185 may be turned off.

By this valve control, the discharge pipe 220 and the second space 340 can communicate with each other. Accordingly, at least a portion of the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the discharge pipe 220 can be supplied to the second space 340 through the first guide pipe 170.

By the high pressure of the refrigerant supplied to the second space portion 340, the partition plate 320 is moved upward. Accordingly, the size of the first space part 330 is reduced, so that the condensed refrigerant stored in the first space part 330 can be discharged from the refrigerant storage device 300.

The refrigerant discharged from the refrigerant storage device 300 flows through the inflow pipe 285 and flows to the connection pipe 250 via the connection part 280 and the first branch part 251 in order . At this time, since the second branch 253 forms a high pressure before being depressurized by the expansion device 140, the refrigerant is restricted from flowing from the ridge portion 280 to the second branch portion 253 .

The refrigerant in the connection pipe 250 is evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 150 and can be sucked into the compressor 110 via the flow switching unit 120, the gas-liquid separator 160, and the suction pipe 210. have.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 flows through the discharge pipe 220 during the heating operation of the air conditioner 10.

If the supercooling degree detected by the second temperature sensor 152 is lower than the predetermined supercooling degree, it can be recognized that the amount of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant system is insufficient. When the amount of refrigerant circulated in the refrigerant system is insufficient, the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage device 300 may be discharged and supplied to the system. The first valve 287 and the second valve 175 may be turned on and the third valve 185 may be turned off.

By this valve control, the condensed refrigerant stored in the first space part 330 can be discharged from the refrigerant storage device 300 and supplied to the system. The discharge state of the refrigerant is the same as that shown in Fig. 4, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The refrigerant discharged from the refrigerant storage device 300 flows through the inflow pipe 285 and flows to the connection pipe 250 via the connection part 280 and the second branch part 253 in order . At this time, since the first branch portion 251 forms a high pressure before being depressurized by the expansion device 140, the refrigerant is restricted from flowing from the ridge portion 280 to the first branch portion 251 .

The refrigerant in the connection pipe 250 is evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 130 and can be sucked into the compressor 110 via the flow switching unit 120, the gas-liquid separator 160 and the suction pipe 210 have.

FIG. 6 is a system diagram showing how a refrigerant is stored in a refrigerant storage device during a cooling operation of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. Is stored in the refrigerant storage device.

6, the low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the low-pressure pipe 240 during the cooling operation of the air conditioner 10 flows into the gas-liquid separator 160 to be phase-separated, and the separated gas- And may be sucked into the compressor 110 through the pipe 210.

If the supercooling degree detected by the first temperature sensor 132 is equal to or higher than the set supercooling degree, the amount of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant system may be recognized as excessive. If the amount of refrigerant circulated in the refrigerant system is excessive, the refrigerant in the system can be supplied to the refrigerant storage device 300 and stored. The first valve 287 and the third valve 185 may be turned on and the second valve 175 may be turned off.

According to the valve control, the second space portion 340 communicates with the low pressure pipe 240, so that the pressure in the second space portion 340 can be formed at a low pressure. Accordingly, since the pressure of the first space part 330 becomes greater than the pressure of the second space part 340, the partition plate 320 is moved downward.

The refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 130 flows through the second bypass pipe 270 and the inflow pipe 285 and flows through the second bypass pipe 270 and the inflow pipe 285, 1 space unit 330 and stored. Meanwhile, the refrigerant stored in the second space 340 may flow to the low pressure pipe 240 through the second guide pipe 180.

7, the low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the low-pressure pipe 240 during the heating operation of the air conditioner 10 flows into the gas-liquid separator 160 to be phase-separated, The refrigerant can be sucked into the compressor 110 through the suction pipe 210.

If the supercooling degree detected by the second temperature sensor 152 is equal to or higher than the predetermined supercooling degree, the amount of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant system may be recognized as excessive. If the amount of refrigerant circulated in the refrigerant system is excessive, the refrigerant in the system can be supplied to the refrigerant storage device 300 and stored. The first valve 287 and the third valve 185 may be turned on and the second valve 175 may be turned off.

The refrigerant in the second space 340 flows into the low pressure pipe 240 by the valve control and the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 150 flows into the first space 330, Lt; / RTI > The discharge state of the refrigerant is the same as that shown in FIG. 6, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this way, one side of the refrigerant storage device 300 can communicate with the connection pipe 250 and the other side can communicate with the low-pressure pipe 240 or the discharge pipe 220, so that the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant system The refrigerant can be stored in the refrigerant storage device 300 or the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage device 300 can be easily supplied to the system.

10: air conditioner 110: compressor
120: flow switching unit 130: outdoor heat exchanger
140: expansion device 150: indoor heat exchanger
151: First branch branch 162: Second branch branch
170: first guide piping 175: second valve
180: second guide pipe 185: third valve
200: refrigerant pipe 260: first bypass pipe
265: first capillary tube 270: second bypass piping
275: second capillary tube 280:
285: inlet piping 287: first valve
300: refrigerant storage device 320: partition plate
330: first space part 340: second space part

Claims (16)

A compressor for compressing the refrigerant;
A condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor;
An expansion device for reducing the pressure of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser;
An evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant decompressed in the expansion device; And
A connection pipe extending from the condenser to the evaporator;
A refrigerant storage device for storing at least a part of the refrigerant flowing through the connection pipe;
An inlet pipe connected to the connection pipe and extending to the refrigerant storage device;
A discharge pipe for guiding the flow of the high-pressure refrigerant compressed in the compressor;
Pressure pipe for guiding the flow of the low-pressure refrigerant to be sucked into the compressor;
A first guide pipe extending from the discharge pipe to the refrigerant storage device; And
And a second guide pipe extending from the low-pressure pipe to the refrigerant storage device. The method according to claim 1,
In the refrigerant storage device,
A first space connected to the inflow pipe;
A second space connected to the low-pressure pipe or the discharge pipe; And
And a partition plate that divides the first and second spaces. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the first space portion is formed on the upper side of the partition plate and the second space portion is formed on the lower side of the partition plate. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the partition plate is movably provided. 5. The method of claim 4,
The partition plate is provided so as to be movable upward or downward,
Wherein the size of the first space part is variable according to the movement of the partition plate. 3. The method of claim 2,
A first valve installed in the connection pipe;
A second valve installed in the first guide pipe; And
And a third valve installed in the second guide pipe. The method according to claim 6,
The first and second valves are turned on and the third valve is turned off,
The refrigerant of the discharge pipe is supplied to the refrigerant storage device through the first guide pipe,
And the refrigerant in the first space portion is discharged from the refrigerant storage device. The method according to claim 6,
The first and third valves are turned on and the second valve is turned off,
The refrigerant in the second space flows to the low pressure pipe through the second guide pipe,
And the refrigerant condensed in the condenser is supplied to the first space through the inflow pipe. The method according to claim 1,
And a capillary tube installed in the first guide pipe or the second guide pipe. The method according to claim 1,
First and second branch portions provided in the connection pipe;
A first bypass pipe branched from the first branch and guiding the refrigerant of the connection pipe to the refrigerant storage device; And
And a second bypass pipe branched from the second branch portion and guiding the refrigerant of the connection pipe to the refrigerant storage device. 11. The method of claim 10,
Further comprising a joint portion in which the first and second bypass pipes are jointed,
And the inflow pipe extends from the ridge portion to the refrigerant storage device. 12. The method of claim 11,
Further comprising a capillary tube installed in the first bypass piping or the second bypass piping. A compressor for compressing the refrigerant; A condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor; An expansion device for reducing the pressure of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser; An evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant decompressed in the expansion device; And a connection pipe extending from the condenser to the evaporator; And a refrigerant storage device having first and second space portions for bypassing and storing at least a part of the refrigerant flowing through the connection pipe, the method comprising the steps of:
Sensing a degree of supercooling of the condensed refrigerant by a temperature sensor provided in the condenser; And
The refrigerant discharged from the first space portion is discharged by communicating the discharge pipe provided at the outlet side of the compressor with the second space portion when the sensed subcooling degree is less than the predetermined subcooling degree,
And supplying the refrigerant of the connection pipe to the first space part by communicating the low pressure pipe provided at the suction side of the compressor with the second space part if the sensed subcooling degree is equal to or more than the set subcooling degree, / RTI > 14. The method of claim 13,
In the refrigerant storage device,
And a movable partition plate for vertically dividing the first and second space parts. 14. The method of claim 13,
A first guide pipe extending from the discharge pipe to a lower portion of the refrigerant storage device; And
And a second guide pipe extending from the low-pressure pipe to a lower portion of the refrigerant storage device. 16. The method of claim 15,
A second valve installed in the first guide pipe; And
And a third valve installed in the second guide pipe.

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