KR20180128202A - Air conditioner and Method for controlling it - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a method for controlling thereof, comprising: an outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, and an indoor unit having an expansion valve and an indoor heat exchanger; a human body detection device configured to detect the number of occupants in the air conditioning space; a memory for storing, in a table form, a plurality of control factors including an opening and a target time of a predetermined expansion valve corresponding to a plurality of condition factors including a set temperature and a number of occupants; and a control unit for controlling the expansion valve based on the information stored in the memory, wherein the control unit selectively updates the degree of opening of the expansion valve stored in the memory based on a time at which the temperature of the air conditioning space reaches the set temperature.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner,

The present invention relates to an air conditioner in which the amount of refrigerant circulating in a refrigerant cycle can be controlled in accordance with the environment and characteristics of an air conditioning space in which an air conditioner is installed, and a control method thereof.

Generally, the air conditioner includes a compressor for compressing refrigerant, an indoor heat exchanger for heat exchange with indoor air, an expansion valve for expanding refrigerant, and an outdoor heat exchanger for heat exchange with outdoor air.

The compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger may be provided in an outdoor unit, and the indoor heat exchanger may be installed in an indoor unit. The expansion valve may be provided in at least one of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

Such an air conditioner may include a heating mode and a cooling mode, and based on the set temperature, at least one of a driving frequency of the compressor provided in the air conditioner and an opening degree of the expansion valve may be adjusted.

In recent years, studies have been continued to increase the comfort level of the user by adjusting the opening degree of the expansion valve based on the number of occupants present in the air conditioning space.

For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-311437 (hereinafter referred to as "the conventional air conditioner") discloses a characteristic of controlling the refrigerant flow rate based on the presence or absence of a person in the air-

Specifically, the conventional air conditioner determines whether or not there is a person in the air conditioning space through the image pickup device. Then, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor unit is controlled by distinguishing the presence area of the person from the absence area of the person.

On the other hand, such a conventional air conditioner has a problem in that the flow rate of the refrigerant is simply controlled based on the presence or absence of the occupant without considering the environment and characteristics of the place where the air conditioner is installed (i.e., the air conditioning space).

For example, according to the conventional air conditioner, since the air conditioner installed in a relatively high temperature environment and the air conditioner installed in a relatively low temperature region all operate with the same control logic, the refrigerant cycle is controlled at the optimum refrigerant flow rate .

In addition, since the same control logic is applied to the conventional air conditioner even when the installation environment is changed, there is a problem that the user's comfort or satisfaction may vary depending on the characteristics of the air conditioning space in which the air conditioner is installed.

Further, since the conventional air conditioner does not consider the time for the temperature of the air conditioning space to reach the set temperature, unnecessary energy may be consumed depending on the adjustment of the refrigerant flow rate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner in which the amount of refrigerant circulating in a refrigerant cycle can be adjusted according to the environment and characteristics of an air conditioning space in which an air conditioner is installed and a control method thereof .

The present invention also provides an air conditioner and its control method capable of updating the opening degree of the expansion valve set corresponding to the condition factor including the set temperature and the number of occupants, based on the time at which the temperature of the air conditioning space reaches the set temperature The purpose is to provide.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner and control method thereof capable of maximizing cooling and heating efficiency and energy saving through adjustment of the opening degree of an expansion valve based on an installation environment of the air conditioner.

An air conditioner includes an outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, and an indoor unit having an expansion valve and an indoor heat exchanger. The indoor unit includes a human body sensing device ; A memory for storing, in the form of a table, a plurality of control factors including an opening and a target time of a predetermined expansion valve corresponding to a plurality of condition factors including a set temperature and a number of occupants; And a control unit for controlling the expansion valve based on information stored in the memory, wherein the control unit controls the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory based on a time at which the temperature of the air conditioning space reaches the set temperature And selectively updating the air conditioner.

The condition factor may further include at least one of an area of the air conditioning space and a current temperature of the air conditioning space.

And the control unit may selectively update the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory based on a result of comparison between the target time and the arrival time.

For example, the control unit may maintain the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory when the arrival time is within a predetermined range based on the target time.

Alternatively, the control unit may update the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory when the arrival time is out of a predetermined range based on the target time.

Specifically, the control unit may update the opening degree of the expansion valve such that the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory increases by a predetermined value when the arrival time exceeds the predetermined range.

The control unit may update the opening degree of the expansion valve so that the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory decreases by a predetermined value when the arrival time is less than the preset range.

The opening degree of the expansion valve among the control factors varies based on the condition factor, and the target time may be constant regardless of the condition factor.

The target time may be determined through experimentation based on the satisfaction of the user or the like, and may be changed depending on the setting of the manager.

And a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the air conditioning space. The temperature of the air conditioning space sensed by the temperature sensor can be compared with the target temperature in real time.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner comprising: a driving start step of starting driving of an air conditioner based on an input set temperature; A sensing step of sensing the number of occupants in the air conditioning space by the human body detecting device provided in the indoor unit; An opening degree adjusting step of controlling the expansion valve by opening degrees stored in the memory corresponding to the set temperature and the number of occupants; A temperature comparing step of comparing the set temperature with the temperature of the air conditioning space sensed by the temperature sensor; And an optional updating step in which the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory is selectively updated based on a time at which the temperature of the air conditioning space reaches the set temperature, to provide.

In the memory, a plurality of control factors including the set temperature and the number of occupants may include a plurality of condition factors and an opening and a target time of the predetermined expansion valve corresponding to the condition factors, may be stored in the form of a table.

In the selective updating step, the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory may be selectively updated based on a result of comparison between the predetermined target time and the arrival time stored in the memory.

And the selective updating step may include an opening degree changing step of updating the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory when the arrival time is out of the predetermined range based on the target time.

And the opening degree changing step may include a first opening degree changing step in which the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory is decreased by a preset value when the arrival time is less than the predetermined range.

The opening degree changing step may include a second opening degree changing step of increasing the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory by a predetermined value when the arrival time exceeds the predetermined range.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air conditioner in which the amount of refrigerant circulating in a refrigerant cycle can be adjusted according to the environment and characteristics of the air conditioning space in which the air conditioner is installed, and a control method thereof.

Further, according to the present invention, an air conditioner in which an opening degree of an expansion valve set to correspond to a condition factor including a set temperature and a number of occupants can be updated based on a time at which the temperature of the air- Method can be provided.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air conditioner and a control method thereof that can maximize cooling and heating efficiency and reduce energy through adjustment of the opening degree of an expansion valve based on an installation environment of the air conditioner.

FIG. 1 shows a refrigerant flow chart of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 shows the connection relationship of the main components of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart showing a control method of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an air conditioner and a control method thereof according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In addition, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. For convenience of explanation, the size and shape of each constituent member shown may be exaggerated or reduced have.

FIG. 1 shows a refrigerant flow chart of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor 100, an indoor heat exchanger 200, an expansion valve 300, and an outdoor heat exchanger 400. In the illustrated embodiment, "I" represents an indoor unit and "O" represents an outdoor unit.

Although the expansion valve 300 is shown in FIG. 1 as being provided in the indoor unit I, the expansion valve 300 may be provided in the outdoor unit O and may be provided in the indoor unit I and the outdoor unit O Or the like.

The compressor 100 is formed to compress the refrigerant. That is, the compressor 100 may be formed so as to pressurize the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant. At least one of the compressors 100 may be provided in the air conditioner 10. The compressor 100 may be an inverter compressor capable of adjusting the frequency.

When a plurality of compressors 100 are provided in the air conditioner 10, a plurality of compressors may be provided in series and / or in parallel along the flow direction of the refrigerant.

The indoor heat exchanger 200 may be formed to exchange heat with indoor air. That is, the indoor heat exchanger 200 may be configured to exchange heat between indoor air and refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 200.

For example, the indoor heat exchanger 200 may perform the function of the evaporator in the cooling mode of the air conditioner 10 and the function of the condenser in the heating mode.

The expansion valve 300 may be configured to expand the refrigerant. For example, in the heating mode, the expansion valve 300 may expand the refrigerant toward the outdoor heat exchanger 400, which functions as an evaporator. Alternatively, in the cooling mode, the expansion valve 300 may expand the refrigerant toward the indoor heat exchanger 200 functioning as an evaporator.

The expansion valve 300 may be controlled by a control unit C to be described later. For example, the expansion valve 300 may be controlled by the controller C so that the opening degree thereof is adjusted.

For example, as the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 increases, the amount of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant cycle can be increased. As the amount of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant cycle increases, the amount of refrigerant to be heat-exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 200 and the outdoor heat exchanger 400 increases, so that the cooling / heating performance can be increased.

Conversely, the smaller the opening of the expansion valve 300, the smaller the amount of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant cycle. When the amount of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant cycle is reduced, the amount of the refrigerant to be heat-exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 200 and the outdoor heat exchanger 400 is reduced, so that the cooling / heating performance can be reduced.

Here, the cooling / heating performance may mean the time when the temperature of the air conditioning space reaches the set temperature.

The outdoor heat exchanger 400 may be configured to exchange heat with outdoor air. That is, the outdoor heat exchanger 400 may be formed to exchange heat between the outdoor air and the refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 400.

For example, the outdoor heat exchanger 400 may perform the function of the condenser in the cooling mode of the air conditioner 10 and the evaporator in the heating mode.

The indoor heat exchanger 200 and the outdoor heat exchanger 400 may be a fin-tube type heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger 200 may be provided with an indoor fan 210 and the outdoor heat exchanger 400 may be provided with an outdoor fan 410.

The air conditioner (10) may include a flow path switching valve (600) for switching the circulation direction of the refrigerant when the cooling mode and the heating mode are switched. The flow path switching valve 600 may be formed as a four-way valve.

For example, the channel switching valve 600 may be configured to guide the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 100 to the outdoor unit in the cooling mode and to guide the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 100 to the indoor unit in the heating mode.

An accumulator (500) may be provided on one side of the compressor (100). The accumulator 500 may be configured to separate the refrigerant toward the compressor 100 into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant, and to supply only the gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 100.

On the other hand, the air conditioner 10 may vary in cooling / heating performance depending on the environment in which the air conditioner 10 is installed, and the user's comfort level or satisfaction may also vary.

For example, the time required for the temperature of the air conditioning space to reach the set temperature may be an indicator of user comfort or satisfaction. Such a long time may give an uncomfortable feeling to the user, and even if it is too short, the user may feel uncomfortable.

The elapsed time may be determined in advance through experimentation to a desired value, for example, from 5 minutes to 15 minutes. Preferably, the time required may be 10 minutes.

The opening degree of the expansion valve can be adjusted so that the temperature of the air conditioning space reaches the set temperature in accordance with the required time. However, the opening degree of such an expansion valve is generally set by the manager before the release of the product.

The air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention can newly update the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M to be described later according to the installation environment of the air conditioner 10 have.

Hereinafter, other drawings will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

2 shows the connection relationship of the main components of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, an air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a human body sensing device 710, a temperature sensor 720, a plurality of control parameters corresponding to a plurality of condition factors A memory M, and a control unit C electrically connected to the memory M.

In addition, the air conditioner 10 may further include a command input unit 800 to which an operation mode, a set temperature, and the like can be input.

The human body sensing device 710 may be configured to sense the number of occupants present in the air-conditioned space. The human body sensing device 710 may be formed of an infrared camera, a thermal imaging camera, or the like. Since many of such human body detection devices 710 are generally known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The temperature sensor 720 may be provided in the indoor unit I or may be provided in a remote controller (not shown) installed on the wall of the air conditioning space. The temperature sensor 720 may be configured to detect the temperature of the air conditioning space in real time.

The memory M may be configured to store the opening value of the expansion valve 300 according to various conditions. Here, the opening value of the expansion valve 300 is a value derived through experiments, and may be input and stored in the memory M by an administrator at the beginning of product manufacture.

For example, the memory M may store a plurality of control factors corresponding to a plurality of condition factors in the form of a table.

Specifically, the plurality of condition factors may include a set temperature and a number of occupants. The plurality of control factors may include an opening degree of the expansion valve 300 and a target time.

Here, the target time may mean the time required for the temperature of the air conditioning space to reach the set temperature, and may be set to a time at which the user's satisfaction is high through experiments. The opening degree of the expansion valve 300 may vary according to the condition factor, but the target time may be a constant time regardless of the condition factor.

In other words, the memory M may store a plurality of control factors in the form of a table including the opening time and the target time of the predetermined expansion valve 300 corresponding to the plurality of condition factors including the set temperature and the number of occupants have.

The condition factor may further include at least one of the width (or average) of the air conditioning space and the current temperature of the air conditioning space. Information related to the area of the air conditioning space can be input to the memory M by the manager at the time of installing the product.

The controller C controls the operation of the compressor 100, the indoor fan 210, the outdoor fan 410, the expansion valve 300, and the flow rate switching based on the operating mode and the set temperature inputted through the command input unit 800. [ The valve 600 can be controlled.

The control unit C may receive information on the number of occupants in the air conditioning space from the human body sensing apparatus 710. In addition, the controller C can receive the temperature of the air conditioning space from the temperature sensor 720 in real time.

The opening degree of the expansion valve 300 can be controlled based on the information stored in the memory M. [ That is, the expansion valve 300 may be controlled to a predetermined opening degree corresponding to the condition factor stored in the memory M.

In other words, the expansion valve 300 can be controlled to a preset opening degree stored in the memory M so as to correspond to at least one of the number of occupants, the set temperature, the width of the air conditioning space and the current temperature of the air conditioning space. Preferably, as the conditional factors, both the number of occupants, the set temperature, the width of the air conditioning space and the current temperature of the air conditioning space can be considered.

On the other hand, the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M corresponding to the conditional factor may not satisfy the target time described above depending on the installation environment of the air conditioner 10. [ Also, as the use time of the product becomes longer, the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M may not satisfy the target time described above.

Furthermore, if the reaching time at which the temperature of the air conditioning space reaches the set temperature is longer or shorter than the target time, the user may feel discomfort and user satisfaction may be reduced. Further, when the arrival time at which the temperature of the air conditioning space reaches the set temperature is shorter than the target time, there may arise a problem that the energy consumption is increased due to an amount of refrigerant that is larger than necessary.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit C may control the expansion valve 300, which is stored in the memory M, based on the arrival time (or the required time) at which the temperature of the air- The opening degree can be selectively updated.

Accordingly, the opening degree of the expansion valve 300, which is stored in the memory M, is updated and stored at the optimum opening degree so as to satisfy the target time regardless of the installation environment or the service life of the air conditioner 10 .

Specifically, the controller C may selectively update the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M based on a result of comparison between the target time and the arrival time.

The controller C receives the temperature of the air conditioning space from the temperature sensor 720 and can compare the temperature of the air conditioning space with the preset temperature in real time. The control unit C may be configured to determine a time at which the temperature of the air conditioning space reaches the set temperature from the start of operation of the air conditioner 10. [

Accordingly, the control unit C can compare the target time stored in the memory M with the arrival time after the temperature of the air conditioning space reaches the set temperature.

At this time, it may not be necessary to update the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M when the arrival time is close to the target time. That is, if the difference between the arrival time and the target time is insignificant, it can be regarded as satisfying the target time.

The controller C may maintain the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M without updating when the arrival time is within a preset range based on the target time.

At this time, the predetermined range may be A? Arrival time? B. Here, "A" may be "target time-alpha ", and" B " And, "? &Quot; can be approximately one to two minutes.

Alternatively, when the arrival time is out of a predetermined range based on the target time, the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M needs to be updated. This is because, if the arrival time is significantly out of the target time, the user's discomfort may be increased.

That is, when the arrival time is out of a predetermined range based on the target time, the controller C updates the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M and stores it again in the memory M .

The opening degree of the expansion valve 300 to be updated may be the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 corresponding to the conditional factor at the time of operation of the air conditioner 10 in the information stored in the form of a table in the memory M have.

That is, when the arrival time is out of the predetermined range based on the target time, the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 corresponding to all the condition factors stored in the memory M is not updated.

In other words, when the arrival time is out of a preset range based on the target time, the expansion valve (not shown) stored in the memory M corresponding to the condition factor detected at the time of driving the air conditioner 10 at that time 300 can be updated by the control unit C only.

More specifically, the control unit C updates the opening degree of the expansion valve so that the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory M is increased by a preset value when the arrival time exceeds the preset range . Here, the predetermined value may be determined through experiments, for example, from 5% to 10%.

For example, as a result of driving the air conditioner 10 based on a specific condition factor, when the arrival time is greater than the above-mentioned "B " (i.e., It is preferable that the flow rate is supplied to the refrigerant cycle.

Accordingly, when the arrival time is greater than the above-mentioned "B ", the controller C increases the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M corresponding to the specific condition factor by a predetermined value, The information stored in the memory M may be updated to be stored in the memory M.

Alternatively, when the arrival time is less than the predetermined range, the controller C may control the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 such that the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M is decreased by a predetermined value, Can be updated. Even in this case, the predetermined value may be determined through experimentation, for example, from 5% to 10%.

For example, when the arrival time of the air conditioner 10 based on the specific condition factor is less than the above-mentioned "A " (i.e., the arrival time < A) It is preferable that the refrigerant flow rate is supplied to the refrigerant cycle.

Accordingly, when the arrival time is smaller than the above-mentioned "A ", the controller C decreases the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M corresponding to the specific condition factor by a preset value, The information stored in the memory M may be updated to be stored in the memory M.

As described above, according to the present invention, the opening value of the expansion valve 300 corresponding to the condition factor is updated regardless of the installation environment and the service life of the air conditioner 10, and the optimum amount of refrigerant can be supplied to the refrigerant cycle , Which can increase energy efficiency and increase user satisfaction.

Hereinafter, a control method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to other drawings.

3 is a flowchart showing a control method of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3, the control method of the air conditioner will be described. It is obvious that the characteristics of the air conditioner described above can be similarly applied to the control method of the air conditioner.

Referring to FIG. 3, the control method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a driving start step (S100), an occupant sensing step (S200), an opening control step (S300) An optional update step S500 in which the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M and the step S400 is selectively updated may be included.

In the driving start step S100, the operation of the air conditioner may be started based on the operating mode and the set temperature inputted by the user. Here, the operation mode may include a cooling mode and a heating mode.

In the opening degree adjustment step S300, the expansion valve 300 may be controlled by the degree of opening stored in the memory M corresponding to the set temperature and the number of occupants. For example, in the memory M, a condition factor including the set temperature, the current temperature, the width of the air conditioning space and the number of occupants and the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 corresponding to the condition factor may be stored in advance.

In the opening degree adjustment step S300, the expansion valve 300 may be controlled by the degree of opening stored in the memory M corresponding to the condition factor.

In the temperature comparison step (S400), the temperature of the air conditioning space sensed by the temperature sensor 720 and the set temperature input by the user can be compared in real time. That is, in the temperature comparison step (S400), the control unit (C) can determine whether the temperature of the air conditioning space has reached the set temperature.

Specifically, the temperature comparison step S400 may include a temperature sensing step S410 of the air conditioning space and a step S420 of determining whether the temperature of the air conditioning space has reached the set temperature.

If it is determined by the control unit C that the temperature of the air conditioning space has reached the set temperature in the temperature comparison step (S400), the selective updating step (S500) may proceed.

In the selective updating step S500, the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M is selectively updated based on the time when the temperature of the air conditioning space reaches the set temperature, Can be stored again.

1 and 2, the memory M stores a plurality of condition factors including the set temperature and the number of occupants, an opening degree of the predetermined expansion valve 300 corresponding to the condition factor, May be stored in the form of a table.

Specifically, in the selective mooring step S500, the controller C may determine the time at which the temperature of the air conditioning space reaches the set temperature.

In the selective updating step S500, the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M is selectively updated based on a result of comparison between the predetermined target time and the arrival time stored in the memory M .

The arrival time may mean a time taken until the temperature of the air conditioning space becomes equal to the set temperature from the start of operation of the air conditioner 100. The target time may be determined through experimentation with a time when the user feels comfortable and may be changed by an administrator or a user. It is also possible for an administrator or a user to appropriately change the target time.

The selective update step S500 includes a first determination step S510 of determining whether the arrival time is within a predetermined range based on the target time, determining whether the arrival time is less than the preset range A second determination step S530 and a third determination step S550 of determining whether the arrival time exceeds the predetermined range.

The arrival time may be compared with the target time through the first to third determination steps (S510, S530, S550).

The selective updating step S500 includes a memory non-updating step S520 in which information stored in the memory M is not updated and an opening changing step S540 in which information stored in the memory M is updated and changed and stored ).

Specifically, if it is determined in the first determination step (S510) that the arrival time is within the predetermined range based on the target time, the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M needs to be changed none.

In this case, the flow advances to the non-updating step S520, and the information related to the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M can be maintained without modification. That is, in the non-updating step S520, information on the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 corresponding to a plurality of condition factors previously stored in the memory M can be maintained without updating.

The first determination step (S510), the second determination step (S530), and the third determination step (S550) may be sequentially performed.

However, if it is determined in the first determination step (S510) that the arrival time is within the predetermined range based on the target time, the second determination step (S530) and the third determination step (550) do not proceed .

If it is determined in the first determination step (S510) that the arrival time is less than the target time in the second determination step (S530) after it is determined that the arrival time is out of a predetermined range based on the target time , The third determination step (S550) may not proceed.

On the other hand, if the control unit C determines that the arrival time is out of the predetermined range based on the target time, the opening change step S540 may be performed.

That is, if it is determined in the first determination step (S510) that the arrival time is out of the preset range based on the target time, the opening degree changing step (S540) 300 may be updated.

The opening degree changing step S540 may include a first opening degree changing step S545 and a second opening degree changing step S555.

In the first opening degree change step S545, the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M may be reduced by a preset value. In the second opening degree changing step S555, the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M may be increased by a preset value.

As described above, the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 to be updated (increased or decreased) can be the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M corresponding to the condition factor.

More specifically, if it is determined in the second determination step (S530) that the arrival time is less than the predetermined range, the first opening degree changing step (S545) may be performed. In this case, the user may feel an uncomfortable feeling because the temperature of the air conditioning space changes too rapidly.

Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the amount of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant cycle so that the arrival time falls within the predetermined range. To this end, the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M may be reduced by a preset value in the first opening degree changing step S545.

That is, in the first opening degree change step S545, the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M corresponding to the current condition factor is decreased by a preset value and stored in the memory M Can be updated.

Also, if it is determined in the third determination step (S550) that the arrival time exceeds the preset range, the second opening degree changing step (S555) may be performed. In this case, the user may feel uncomfortable because the temperature of the air conditioning space changes too slowly.

Therefore, it is necessary to increase the amount of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant cycle so that the arrival time falls within the predetermined range. For this purpose, the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M may be increased by a predetermined value in the second opening degree changing step S555.

That is, in the second opening degree changing step S555, the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M is increased by a preset value corresponding to the current condition factor and stored in the memory M Can be updated.

As described above, according to the present invention, the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant cycle can be appropriately adjusted irrespective of the various installation environments and the service life of the air conditioner.

That is, according to the present invention, since the opening value of the expansion valve 300 stored in the memory M matching with the condition factor can be continuously updated according to the use of the air conditioner 10, the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant cycle Can be adjusted more and more suitably to the use environment.

In accordance with the present invention, since the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 is matched and stored in the memory M according to the conditional factors, the opening degree of the expansion valve 300 is shortened within a short period of time after the operation of the air conditioner 10 is started. Can be adjusted to a desired opening degree.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, And additions should be considered as falling within the scope of the following claims.

100 compressor 200 indoor heat exchanger
210 Indoor fan 300 expansion valve
400 outdoor heat exchanger 410 outdoor fan
500 accumulator 600 Euro switching valve
710 Human body sensor 720 Temperature sensor

Claims (15)

An air conditioner comprising an outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, and an indoor unit having an expansion valve and an indoor heat exchanger,
A human body detecting device configured to detect the number of occupants in the air conditioning space;
A memory for storing, in the form of a table, a plurality of control factors including an opening and a target time of a predetermined expansion valve corresponding to a plurality of condition factors including a set temperature and a number of occupants; And
And a control unit for controlling the expansion valve based on information stored in the memory,
Wherein the control unit selectively updates the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory based on a time at which the temperature of the air conditioning space reaches the set temperature. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the condition factor further comprises at least one of a width of the air conditioning space and a current temperature of the air conditioning space. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit selectively updates the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory based on a result of comparison between the target time and the arrival time. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the control unit maintains the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory when the arrival time is within a predetermined range based on the target time. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the control unit updates the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory when the arrival time is out of a preset range based on the target time. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the control unit updates the opening degree of the expansion valve so that the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory increases by a predetermined value when the arrival time exceeds the predetermined range. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the controller updates the opening degree of the expansion valve so that the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory decreases by a predetermined value when the arrival time is less than the predetermined range. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the opening degree of the expansion valve among the control factors is varied based on the condition factor, and the target time is constant regardless of the condition factor. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the air conditioning space. A driving start step of starting driving of the air conditioner based on the input set temperature;
A sensing step of sensing the number of occupants in the air conditioning space by the human body detecting device provided in the indoor unit;
An opening degree adjusting step of controlling the expansion valve by opening degrees stored in the memory corresponding to the set temperature and the number of occupants;
A temperature comparing step of comparing the set temperature with the temperature of the air conditioning space sensed by the temperature sensor; And
And an optional updating step of selectively updating the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory based on a time at which the temperature of the air conditioning space reaches the set temperature. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the memory stores a plurality of control factors including the set temperature and the number of occupants and a plurality of control factors including an opening and a target time of a predetermined expansion valve corresponding to the condition factor in the form of a table Control method of air conditioner. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory is selectively updated based on a result of comparison between a predetermined target time and the arrival time stored in the memory in the selective updating step. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the selective updating step includes an opening degree changing step of updating the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory when the arrival time is out of the predetermined range based on the target time Way. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the opening degree changing step includes a first opening degree changing step of decreasing the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory by a predetermined value when the arrival time is less than the preset range . 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the opening degree changing step includes a second opening degree changing step of increasing the opening degree of the expansion valve stored in the memory by a predetermined value when the arrival time exceeds the predetermined range Control method.

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