WO2022092529A1

WO2022092529A1 - Air conditioner and control method therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2022092529A1
Application number: PCT/KR2021/011619
Authority: WO
Inventors: 이재길; 이지원; 조규하; 구치욱; 이효신; 전홍석; 정창우
Original assignee: 삼성전자주식회사
Priority date: 2020-10-29
Filing date: 2021-08-30
Publication date: 2022-05-05
Also published as: KR20220057054A

Abstract

An air conditioner according to one disclosed aspect comprises: a housing; a heat exchanger provided inside the housing; a light source unit for emitting light at the heat exchanger; a humidity sensor which is provided inside the housing and which senses the humidity inside the housing; and a control unit for controlling the light source unit so that light is emitted at the heat exchanger on the basis of the operating time of the air conditioner and/or the sensed humidity when the operation of the air conditioner ends.

Description

Air conditioner and its control method

The disclosed invention relates to an air conditioner and a method for controlling the same. Specifically, it relates to an air conditioner capable of sterilizing microorganisms using a light source unit.

An air conditioner is a device that cools or heats air by using the transfer of heat generated during evaporation and condensation of a refrigerant, and discharges the cooled or heated air to condition the air in an indoor space.

In the heat exchanger provided inside the air conditioner, microorganisms such as mold may proliferate and cause odor due to a difference in temperature with the outside or a difference in drying speed.

In order to solve this problem, the conventional air conditioner uses a method of controlling the driving time or wind speed of a fan after the cooling operation is finished, but this is not a fundamental solution.

One aspect of the disclosed invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of sterilizing microorganisms using a light source unit. Another aspect of the disclosed invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of efficiently consuming power during a sterilization process.

In one aspect of the disclosed invention, an air conditioner includes a housing; a heat exchanger provided in the housing; a light source unit irradiating light to the heat exchanger; a humidity sensor provided in the housing and sensing humidity in the housing; and a control unit controlling the light source unit to irradiate light to the heat exchanger based on at least one of an operating time of the air conditioner and the sensed humidity when the operation of the air conditioner is terminated.

When the operating time of the air conditioner is less than a predetermined time, the controller may control the light source to irradiate light to the heat exchanger for a first time.

The control unit may include, when an operation time of the air conditioner is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, and the humidity sensed during operation of the air conditioner is equal to or greater than a predetermined humidity, the heat exchanger is configured to be configured to operate the heat exchanger for a second time period after the lapse of the first time period. The light source unit may be controlled to irradiate light to the .

The air conditioner according to an embodiment further includes a temperature sensor provided in the housing and sensing a temperature in the housing, wherein the control unit is configured to: , the light source unit may be controlled to irradiate light to the heat exchanger for the second time period after the first time period has elapsed.

The control unit controls the humidity sensor to sense the humidity according to a predetermined period after the second time has elapsed, and when the humidity is less than the predetermined humidity after the third time has elapsed, driving the light source unit can be shut down

The light source unit includes a first light source element, a second light source element, and a third light source element provided on a surface of the blower, the first light source element is provided on the surface of the blower, the second light source element is the It is provided in the middle of the surface of the blower, the third light source element may be provided under the surface of the blower.

The controller may control the light source unit to drive the first light source element, the second light source element, and the third light source element when the amount of power required to operate the air conditioner is less than a predetermined amount of power.

The controller may control the light source unit to drive one of the first light source element, the second light source element, or the third light source element when the amount of electric power required to operate the air conditioner is equal to or greater than a predetermined electric energy amount.

The controller may control the light source unit to alternately drive the first light source element, the second light source element, or the third light source element.

The controller may control the driving time of the light source unit so that a driving time of the second light source element exceeds a driving time of the first light source element and less than a driving time of the third light source element.

The controller may control a ratio of a driving time between the first light source element, the second light source element, and the third light source element based on the dry state of the upper part, the middle part, and the lower part of the heat exchanger.

A control method of an air conditioner according to an aspect of the disclosed subject matter includes detecting that the operation of the air conditioner is terminated; sensing the humidity in the housing of the air conditioner; determining an operating time of the air conditioner; and controlling the light source unit to irradiate light to the heat exchanger based on at least one of the operating time and the sensed humidity.

Controlling the light source unit may include controlling the light source unit to irradiate light to the heat exchanger for a first time when the operating time of the air conditioner is less than a predetermined time.

In controlling the light source, if the operating time of the air conditioner is equal to or longer than a predetermined time and the humidity sensed during operation of the air conditioner is equal to or higher than the predetermined humidity, after the first time has elapsed, for a second time period It may include controlling the light source to irradiate light to the heat exchanger.

The controlling of the light source includes controlling the light source to irradiate light to the heat exchanger for the second time after the first time has elapsed when the temperature sensed during operation of the air conditioner falls within a predetermined range. may include doing

The controlling of the light source includes controlling the humidity sensor to sense the humidity according to a predetermined period after the second time elapses, and when the humidity is less than the predetermined humidity after the third time has elapsed, the light source unit It may include terminating the driving of.

Controlling the light source unit may include controlling the light source unit so that the first light source element, the second light source element, or the third light source element is alternately driven.

The controlling of the light source includes controlling the driving time of the light source so that the driving time of the second light source element exceeds the driving time of the first light source element and is less than the driving time of the third light source element can do.

Controlling the light source unit may include controlling a ratio of driving time between the first light source element, the second light source element, and the third light source element based on the dry state of the upper part, the middle part, and the lower part of the heat exchanger. can

According to one aspect of the disclosed invention, it is possible to provide comfortable air to the user by removing microorganisms growing on the surface of the heat exchanger or inside the air conditioner due to the influence of the surrounding environment, etc. there is. In addition, it is possible to efficiently operate the power consumption required for the sterilization process.

1 illustrates a refrigerant circulation circuit of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment.

2 illustrates an external appearance of an air conditioner according to an exemplary embodiment.

3 is an exploded view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

4 illustrates an open outlet of the air conditioner according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section A-A' of FIG. 4 .

6 illustrates a closed discharge port of the air conditioner according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a cross section B-B' of FIG. 6 .

8 is an exploded view of an air conditioner according to another embodiment.

9 is a view illustrating a cross-section when the air conditioner of FIG. 8 blows air through a first flow path.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a cross-section when the air conditioner of FIG. 8 blows air into a second flow path and a third flow path.

11 illustrates an arrangement of a light source unit of an air conditioner according to an exemplary embodiment.

12 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of a light source unit of an air conditioner according to another exemplary embodiment.

13 is a control block diagram of an air conditioner according to an exemplary embodiment.

14 is a view for explaining a case in which the air conditioner according to an exemplary embodiment performs a sterilization control process when a cooling operation is terminated.

15 is a flowchart of a control method in a first operation of the air conditioner according to an exemplary embodiment.

16 is a flowchart of a control method in a second operation of the air conditioner according to an exemplary embodiment.

17 is a flowchart of a control method in a third operation of the air conditioner according to an exemplary embodiment.

18 is a flowchart of a method for controlling an air conditioner according to an exemplary embodiment.

19 is a view for explaining a reduction rate for each volatile organic compound.

20 is a view for explaining the difference in the microbial count according to the photocatalytic coating and UV irradiation.

21 is a view for explaining the difference in sensory concentration according to the photocatalytic coating and UV irradiation.

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. This specification does not describe all elements of the embodiments, and general content in the technical field to which the disclosed invention pertains or content overlapping between the embodiments is omitted. The term 'part, module, member, block' used in this specification may be implemented in software or hardware, and according to embodiments, a plurality of 'part, module, member, block' may be implemented as one component, It is also possible for one 'part, module, member, block' to include a plurality of components.

Throughout the specification, when a part is "connected" to another part, it includes not only a direct connection but also an indirect connection, and the indirect connection includes connection through a wireless communication network. do.

Also, when a part "includes" a certain component, it means that other components may be further included, rather than excluding other components, unless otherwise stated.

Throughout the specification, when a member is said to be located "on" another member, this includes not only a case in which a member is in contact with another member but also a case in which another member exists between the two members.

Terms such as 1st, 2nd, etc. are used to distinguish one component from another component, and the component is not limited by the above-mentioned terms.

The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In each step, the identification code is used for convenience of description, and the identification code does not describe the order of each step, and each step may be performed differently from the specified order unless the specific order is clearly stated in the context. there is.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the disclosed invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 illustrates a refrigerant circulation circuit of an air conditioning system according to an exemplary embodiment, FIG. 2 illustrates an external appearance of the air conditioner according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the air conditioner according to an exemplary embodiment. 4 shows an open discharge port of the air conditioner according to an embodiment, FIG. 5 shows a cross section AA′ of FIG. 4 , and FIG. 6 shows the air conditioner according to the embodiment. It shows that the discharge port is closed, and FIG. 7 shows the cross section B-B' of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the air conditioning system includes an indoor unit 1 and an outdoor unit 2 .

The indoor unit 1 may be located in an air conditioning space. The air conditioning space indicates a space to be cooled or heated by the air conditioner 1 . For example, the indoor unit 1 may be provided inside a space separated from the outside by a wall or a blocking film, such as indoors of a house or an office space.

The outdoor unit 2 may be located outside the air conditioning space. For example, the outdoor unit 2 may be provided outdoors.

An air conditioning system includes a refrigerant passage for circulating a refrigerant between indoors and outdoors. The refrigerant circulates between indoors and outdoors along the refrigerant flow path, and may absorb heat or release latent heat during a state change (eg, a gas-to-liquid state change, a liquid-to-gas state change).

In order to induce a change in the state of the refrigerant, the refrigerant circulation device may include a compressor 3 , an outdoor heat exchanger 4 , an expansion valve 5 , and an indoor heat exchanger 20 .

The compressor 3 compresses a gaseous refrigerant, whereby the refrigerant can be heated. The high-temperature/high-pressure gaseous refrigerant may be transferred to the outdoor heat exchanger (4) by the compressor (3). In the outdoor heat exchanger (4), the high-temperature/high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is converted from a gaseous state to a liquid state, and also heat is released. The liquid refrigerant may be delivered to the expansion valve 5 . The expansion valve 5 depressurizes the refrigerant in a liquid state, whereby the refrigerant can be cooled. The low-temperature/low-pressure liquid refrigerant may be transferred to the indoor heat exchanger 20 . In the indoor heat exchanger 20, the low-temperature/low-pressure liquid refrigerant is converted from a liquid state to a gaseous state, and also absorbs heat.

As such, the refrigerant may radiate heat from the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and absorb heat from the indoor heat exchanger 20 . The indoor heat exchanger 20 may be installed in the indoor unit 1 together with the expansion valve 5 , and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 may be installed in the outdoor unit 2 together with the compressor 3 . Accordingly, the indoor heat exchanger 20 may cool the air in the air conditioning space (indoor). Meanwhile, unlike shown in FIG. 1 , the expansion valve 5 may be installed in the outdoor unit 2 .

Hereinafter, the indoor unit 1 is referred to as an 'air conditioner', and the indoor heat exchanger 20 is referred to as a 'heat exchanger'.

2 and 3 , the air conditioner 1 includes a housing 10 having at least one outlet 41 , and a heat exchanger 20 that exchanges heat with air flowing into the housing 10 . and a blower 30 for circulating air to the inside or outside of the housing 10 , and a discharge part 40 for discharging air blown from the blower 30 to the outside of the housing 10 .

The housing 10 includes a front panel 10a having at least one outlet 41 formed therein, a rear panel 10b disposed behind the front panel 10a, a front panel 10a and a rear panel 10b. It may include a side panel 10c provided therebetween, and upper/lower panels 10d disposed above and below the side panel 10c. The at least one outlet 41 is provided in a circular shape, and at least two or more may be spaced apart from each other in the upper/lower direction of the front panel 10a. For example, the outlet 41 may include a first outlet 41a, a second outlet 41b, and a third outlet 41c.

A suction port 19 may be formed in the rear panel 10b to allow external air to be sucked into the housing 10 .

The inlet 19 may be provided on the rear panel 10b disposed at the rear of the heat exchanger 20 to guide air outside the housing 10 to be introduced into the housing 10 . The air introduced into the housing 10 through the inlet 19 absorbs or loses heat while passing through the heat exchanger 20 . The air exchanged with heat while passing through the heat exchanger 20 may be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the discharge unit 40 by the blower 30 .

The blower 30 may include a fan 32 and a grill 34 .

A grill 34 may be provided in the discharge direction of the fan 32 . In one embodiment, the fan 32 is a flow fan, but the type of the fan 32 is not limited, and the air flowing in from the outside of the housing 10 flows to be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 again. Satisfied if For example, the fan 32 may be a cross fan, a turbo fan, or a sirocco fan. The number of fans 32 is not limited, and in one embodiment, at least one fan 32 may be provided to correspond to the at least one outlet 41 . For example, the fan 32 may include a first fan 32a, a second fan 32b, and a third fan 32c.

The blower 30 may be provided at the center of the fan 32 , and a fan motor 33 for driving the fan 32 may be provided. For example, the fan motor 33 includes a first fan motor 33a driving the first fan 32a and a second fan motor 33b and a third fan 32c driving the second fan 32b. It may include a third fan motor (33c) for driving the.

The grill 34 may be disposed in front of the fan 32 to guide air flow. In addition, the grill 34 may be disposed between the fan 32 and the outlet 41 to minimize the influence of the fan 32 from the outside.

The grill 34 may include a plurality of wings 35 . The plurality of blades 35 may adjust the number, shape, and arrangement angle thereof to adjust the wind direction or amount of air blown from the fan 32 to the outlet 41 .

A door actuator 66 , which will be described later, may be positioned at the center of the grill 34 . The door actuator 66 and the fan motor 33 may be disposed on the same line in the front-rear direction. Through this configuration, the plurality of wings 35 of the grill 34 may be positioned in front of the fan blades of the fan 32 .

The blower 30 may include a duct 36 . The duct 36 is provided in a circular shape surrounding the fan 32 , and is provided to guide the flow of air flowing to the fan 32 .

The heat exchanger 20 is disposed between the fan 32 and the inlet 19 to absorb heat from the air introduced through the inlet 19 or transfer heat to the air introduced through the inlet 19 . The heat exchanger 20 may include a tube 21 and a header 22 coupled to upper and lower sides of the tube 21 . However, the type of the heat exchanger 20 is not limited.

At least one number of heat exchangers 20 disposed inside the housing 10 may be provided to correspond to the number of outlets 41 . For example, the outlet 41 may include a first outlet 41a, a second outlet 41b, and a third outlet 41c.

The air conditioner may operate with a plurality of operation modes. The plurality of operation modes include a first cooling mode for discharging heat-exchanged air through at least one discharge port 41 , and a second cooling mode for discharging heat-exchanged air through a discharge hole 42 provided in the porous discharge plate 14 . It can include 2 cooling modes. The size of the discharge hole 41 may be larger than the size of the discharge hole 42 . In addition, the number of discharge holes 42 is greater than the number of discharge holes 41 , and the discharge holes 42 may be substantially uniformly distributed throughout the discharge plate 14 .

Specifically, the heat exchanged air in the first cooling mode may be discharged to the outside of the air conditioner 1 through the open first outlet 41a, the second outlet 41b, or the third outlet 41c. . At this time, the air conditioner 1 performs the first cooling mode cooling operation by selectively opening the first outlet 41a, the second outlet 41b, or the third outlet 41c according to the sensed indoor temperature. can

In the second cooling mode, the first outlet 41a, the second outlet 41b, and the third outlet 41c are all closed, and the heat-exchanged air is discharged through the discharge hole 42 provided in the discharge plate 14 . can be

That is, the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger 20 may be discharged to the outside of the air conditioner through the at least one discharge port 41 and the discharge hole 42 by the fan 32 .

In the first cooling mode, the heat-exchanged air is discharged through the discharge port 41 , but a portion thereof may be discharged not only through the discharge port 41 , but also through the discharge hole 42 . That is, in the first cooling mode, most of the heat-exchanged air may be discharged through the discharge port 41 . In the second cooling mode, as in the first cooling mode, most of the heat-exchanged air may be discharged through the discharge hole 42 .

The air passing through the blower 30 may be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the discharge port 41 .

When the air conditioner is in the first cooling mode, the heat-exchanged air may be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the discharge port 41 . The discharge port 41 is provided so that the heat-exchanged air can be directly discharged to the outside. The discharge port 41 may be provided to be exposed to the outside of the housing 10 . The outlet 41 may be provided in the blowing direction of the fan 32 so that the heat-exchanged air may be directly discharged to the outside. Air blown by the fan 32 may flow through the first discharge passage 41d formed between the fan 32 and the discharge port 41 . The first discharge passage 41d may be formed by the discharge guide 45 .

The first discharge passage 41d may be formed by the discharge guide 45 . The distal end 43 of the discharge guide 45 is connected to the discharge port 41 , and a first discharge passage 41d may be formed along the inner circumferential surface of the discharge guide 45 . The distal end 43 of the discharge guide 45 is exposed to the outside through the discharge port 41 of the housing 10 , and the discharge guide 45 is the distal end of the discharge guide 45 by moving the door 60 to be described later. (43) can be seated.

The discharge port 41 may be opened and closed by the door 60 .

The door 60 opens and closes the discharge port 41 , and heat exchanged air may be selectively discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the discharge port 41 . For example, the door 60 includes a first door 60a that opens and closes the first outlet 41a, a second door 60b that opens and closes the second outlet 41b, and a third outlet 41c. It may include a third door 60c that opens and closes.

The door 60 may move between an open position P1 for opening the discharge port 41 and a closed position P2 for closing the discharge port 41 . The door 60 may move forward and backward in an open position P1 and a closed position P2.

In detail, the door 60 may include a door blade 62 and a door actuator 66 for operating the door blade 62 , respectively.

The door blade 62 may be formed in a circular shape to correspond to the shape of the discharge port 41 . When the door 60 is in the open position P1, the door blade 62 is spaced apart from the distal end 43 of the discharge guide 45, and when the door 60 is in the closed position P2, the door blade (62) may close the discharge port (41) in contact with the distal end (43) of the discharge guide (45). For example, the door blade 62 includes a first door blade 62a that opens and closes the first outlet 41a, a second door blade 62b that opens and closes the first outlet 41a, and the first outlet A third door plate 62c for opening and closing the 41a may be included.

The door blade 62 may include a blade body 63 provided in a circular shape to correspond to the discharge port 41 , and a blade coupling part 64 extending from the blade body 63 and coupled to the door actuator 66 . can

The blade body 63 may be provided in a substantially circular plate shape. In addition, one side of the blade body 63 may be provided to face the outside of the housing 10 , and the other side may be provided to face the outlet 41 .

A display is provided on one side of the blade body 63, and the display may be provided to display an operating state of the air conditioner or to operate the air conditioner.

The door actuator 66 may move the door blade 62 . The door actuator 66 may include a motor (not shown). The door actuator 66 may be coupled to the blade coupling portion 64 of the door blade 62 to move the door blade 62 .

For example, the door actuator 66 includes a first door actuator 66a that moves the first door blade 62a, a second door actuator 66b that moves the second door blade 62b, and a third A third door actuator 66c that moves the door blade 62c may be included.

The grill 34 described above may be disposed along the perimeter of the door actuator 66 . Air blown from the fan 32 provided on the rear surface of the grill 34 may be discharged forward through the grill 34 .

When the air conditioner is in the second cooling mode, the heat-exchanged air may be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the discharge hole 42 . Through this configuration, the heat-exchanged air can be discharged to the outside while reducing the wind speed. The discharge hole 42 may include a plurality of discharge holes 42 formed in the porous discharge plate 14 to be described later.

When the heat-exchanged air is discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the discharge hole 42 , the air blown by the fan 32 is formed between the fan 32 and the discharge hole 42 . The discharge passage 42a may flow. The second discharge passage 42a may be formed by the discharge guide 45 and the discharge panel 12 to be described later.

The discharge panel 12 may form a second discharge passage 42a. The heat-exchanged air can be discharged to the outside of the air conditioner at a low speed through the second discharge passage 42a formed by the discharge panel 12 and the discharge plate 14 to be described later.

The discharge panel 12 may include a flow path forming frame 13 and a discharge plate 14 .

The flow path forming frame 13 may partition the inside of the housing 10 and the second discharge flow path 42a. It is possible to prevent the air that has been exchanged with heat through the flow path forming frame 13 from flowing back into the housing 10 . In one embodiment, the flow path forming frame 13 may extend from the grill 34 to be connected to the exterior panel 11 .

A discharge hole 42 may be formed in the discharge plate 14 . The shape of the discharge hole 42 is not limited, but may have a shape of a plurality of discharge holes 42 in the disclosed embodiment. The discharge hole 42 may pass through the front and rear surfaces of the discharge plate 14 .

The discharge hole 42 may form a discharge area. A plurality of discharge holes 42 may be uniformly distributed in the discharge area, and may be provided to be concentrated in at least a portion of the discharge area. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of discharge holes 42 may be uniformly distributed in the discharge area.

The discharge area may be formed in at least a portion of the discharge plate 14 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be discharged through the entire surface of the discharge plate 14 .

The discharge unit 40 may include a first discharge flow path 41d and a second discharge flow path 42a.

Air blown by the fan 32 may flow through at least one of the first discharge passage 41d and the second discharge passage 42a.

Air blown by the fan 32 in the first cooling mode may flow through the first discharge flow path 41d formed between the fan 32 and the discharge port 41 . Also, air blown by the fan 32 in the second cooling mode may flow through the second discharge passage 42a formed between the fan 32 and the discharge hole 42 .

The discharge unit 40 may include a discharge guide 45 . Air blown by the fan 32 may be controlled by the discharge guide 45 . The discharge guide 45 is provided in front of the blower 30 , and the discharge guide 45 allows air flowing from the blower 30 to pass through at least one of the first discharge flow path 41d and the second discharge flow path 42a. It is provided so that the discharge flow path of the flow.

The discharge guide 45 may include a guide body 46 and a guide groove 47 .

The guide body 46 may form a first discharge flow path 41d inside it. The guide body 46 may be provided in a cylindrical shape having a hollow portion. In detail, the guide body 46 may be provided in the shape of a tube, one side facing the blower 30 , and the other side facing the outlet 41 .

The guide groove 47 is formed so that the second discharge passage 42a passes. The guide groove 47 may be provided on the guide body 46 . The shape of the guide groove 47 is not limited, and it is satisfactory as long as it is provided on the guide body 46 to allow air to flow in the outward direction of the guide body 46 . In one embodiment, the guide groove 47 may have a plurality of hole shapes along its circumference in the guide body 46 .

In the first cooling mode, the door 60 opens the discharge port 41 . In this case, the air blown from the blower 30 passes through the first discharge passage 41d formed inside the guide body 46 and is discharged through the discharge port 41 .

In the second cooling mode, the door 60 closes the discharge port 41 . In this case, one side of the guide body 46 is blocked by the door 60 , and the air blown from the blower 30 passes through the guide groove 47 formed in the guide body 46 and through the discharge hole 42 . is discharged

Hereinafter, the operation of the air conditioner of the present invention will be described.

The air introduced into the housing 10 from the outside exchanges heat with the heat exchanger 20 . Air heated or cooled by the heat exchanger 20 is discharged to the outside of the housing 10 by the blower 30 .

The air conditioner discharges the air that has passed through the heat exchanger 20 to the outside through at least one of the discharge port 41 and the discharge hole 42 . That is, as in the first cooling mode, heating or cooling may be performed quickly by discharging through the outlet 41, and discharging through the discharge hole 42 as in the second cooling mode to gradually heat or cool the entire room. You may.

The discharge port 41 may be opened and closed by operating the door 60 . When the discharge port 41 is opened, heat exchanged air may be discharged through the discharge port 41 , and when the discharge port 41 is closed, the heat exchanged air may be discharged through the discharge hole 42 .

The first cooling mode will be described. In the first cooling mode, the heat-exchanged air is discharged through the outlet 41 . In the first cooling mode, the door blade 62 is positioned at the open position P1 , and the door blade 62 is spaced apart from the distal end 43 of the discharge guide 45 to open the discharge port 41 .

In this case, the air flowing from the blower 30 flows to the discharge port 41 through the first discharge passage 41d formed by the guide body 46 of the discharge guide 45 .

When it is discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the discharge port 41 , it is discharged to the outside while maintaining the wind speed by the blower 30 .

The second cooling mode will be described. In the second cooling mode, the heat-exchanged air is discharged through the discharge hole 42 . In the second cooling mode, the door blade 62 is positioned at the closed position P2 , and the door blade 62 comes into contact with the distal end 43 of the discharge guide 45 so that the discharge port 41 may be closed.

In this case, the air flowing from the blower 30 passes through the guide groove 47 formed in the guide body 46 of the discharge guide 45 because the discharge port 41 is blocked by the door blade 62 . Through this, the air flowing from the blower 30 passes through the second discharge passage 42a and flows to the discharge hole 42 .

When the air is discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the discharge hole 42 , the wind speed is reduced as the air passes through the plurality of discharge holes of the discharge plate 14 , and is discharged to the outside at a low speed.

Through this configuration, the user can cool or heat the room at a comfortable wind speed.

On the other hand, in the control method of the air conditioner according to the disclosed invention, as shown in FIG. 3 , the outlet 41 is opened and closed by the door 60 , and heat exchanged air is selectively transferred to the housing 10 through the outlet 41 . ) can be implemented in the air conditioner 1 discharged to the outside, and a plurality of fine-sized holes are uniformly distributed in the discharge panel 12 without the discharge port 41 in the discharge panel 12 as shown in FIG. 8 . Thus, it can be implemented in the air conditioner 1 to discharge the heat-exchanged air at a low speed.

8 to 10 , the air conditioner 1 includes a housing 10 forming an exterior, a blower 30 circulating air inside or outside the housing 10 , and the housing 10 . It may include a heat exchanger 20 that exchanges heat with air introduced into the interior of the .

The housing 10 may be coupled to a front panel 16 on which the blower 30 and the heat exchanger 20 are mounted, and which covers the front surface of the housing 10 . The housing 10 may include a first inlet 52 , a second inlet 55 , a main outlet 57 , and guide

outlets

53 and 54 .

The housing 10 may form a rear surface, both side surfaces, an upper surface, and a bottom surface of the air conditioner 1 . The housing 10 has an open front side, the open front side may form a body case opening 11a, and the body case opening 11a may be covered by the front panel 16 and the discharge panel 12 . .

The front panel 16 may be coupled to the body case opening 11a. 8 shows that the front panel 16 is detachably provided from the housing 10 , the front panel 16 and the housing 10 may be integrally formed.

A main outlet 57 may be formed in the front panel 16 . The main outlet 57 may be disposed on the front surface of the housing 10 . The main outlet 57 may pass through the front panel 16 . The main outlet 57 may be formed on the top of the front panel 16 . The main outlet 57 may be disposed at a position substantially facing the first inlet 52 . Air heat-exchanged inside the housing 10 may be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the main outlet 57 . The main outlet 57 may discharge the air introduced through the first inlet 52 .

A panel support member 17a for supporting the discharge panel 12 may be formed on a portion of the front panel 16 in which the main discharge port 57 is formed. The panel support member 17a may extend along the circumference of the main outlet 57 . The panel support member 17a may support the rear surface of the discharge panel 12 .

A first inlet 52 may be formed in the housing 10 . The first inlet 52 may pass through the rear surface of the housing 10 . The first inlet 52 may be formed in an upper portion of the rear surface of the housing 10 . External air may be introduced into the housing 10 through the first inlet 52 .

Although it is illustrated that two first inlets 52 are provided in FIG. 8 , the number of first inlets 52 is not limited thereto, and may be provided in various ways as needed. Although the first inlet 52 is illustrated in FIG. 8 as being formed in a rectangular shape, the shape of the first inlet 52 is not limited thereto, and may be formed in various ways as needed.

A second inlet 55 may be formed in the housing 10 . The second inlet 55 may pass through the rear surface of the housing 10 . The second inlet 55 may be formed at a lower portion of the rear surface of the housing 10 . The second inlet 55 may be formed below the first inlet 52 . External air may be introduced into the housing 10 through the second inlet 55 .

Like the first inlet 52 , the number and/or shape of the second inlet 55 may be variously provided as needed.

The front panel 16 may form guide

outlets

53 and 54 together with the discharge panel 12 . The

guide outlets

53 and 54 may be formed on the same surface as the main outlet 57 . The

guide outlets

53 and 54 may be formed on the left and/or right of the main outlet 57 . The

guide outlets

53 and 54 may be disposed adjacent to the main outlet 57 . The

guide outlets

53 and 54 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the main outlet 57 by a predetermined distance. The

guide outlets

53 and 54 may include a first guide outlet 53 disposed on the left side of the main outlet 57 and a second guide outlet 54 disposed on the right side of the main outlet 57 .

The

guide outlets

53 and 54 may extend along the vertical direction of the housing 10 . The

guide outlets

53 and 54 may have substantially the same length as the length of the main outlet 57 . Air that is not heat-exchanged inside the housing 10 may be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the

guide outlets

53 and 54 . The

guide outlets

53 and 54 may be provided to discharge the air introduced through the second inlet 55 .

The

guide outlets

53 and 54 may be configured to mix the air discharged from the

guide outlets

53 and 54 with the air discharged from the main outlet 57 . Specifically, a portion of the front panel 16 forming the

guide outlets

53 and 54 has a guide outlet 53 so that the air discharged from the

guide outlets

53 and 54 is mixed with the air discharged from the main outlet 57 . , 54) for guiding the air discharged from the guide curved surface portion (53a, 54a, see FIGS. 9 and 10) may include.

The air discharged through the

guide outlets

53 and 54 may be discharged in a direction that can be mixed with the air discharged from the main outlet 57 along the guide curved

portions

53a and 54a. The guide curved

portions

53a and 54a may guide the air discharged through the

guide outlets

53 and 54 to be discharged in substantially the same direction as the air discharged through the main outlet 57 . The guide curved

portions

53a and 54a may be provided to guide the air discharged through the

guide outlets

53 and 54 forward.

Blades 61 and 62 (refer to FIGS. 9 and 10 ) for guiding the air discharged through the

guide outlets

53 and 54 may be provided on the

guide outlets

53 and 54 . The blades 61 and 62 may be continuously disposed along the longitudinal direction of the

guide outlets

53 and 54 . A first blade 61 may be disposed in the first guide outlet 53 , and a second blade 62 may be disposed in the second guide outlet 54 .

An air flow path connecting the first inlet 52 and the main outlet 57 is referred to as a first flow path S1, and an air flow path connecting the second inlet 55 and the first guide outlet 53 is removed. The second flow path S2 is referred to, and the air flow path connecting the second inlet 55 and the second guide outlet 54 is referred to as a third flow path S3 . Here, the first flow path S1 may be partitioned from the second flow path S2 and the third flow path S3 . Accordingly, the air flowing through the first flow path S1 may not be mixed with the air flowing through the second flow path S2 and the third flow path S3 . Some sections of the second flow path S2 and the third flow path S3 may overlap. Specifically, the second flow path S2 and the third flow path S3 may have a common section from the second inlet 55 to the guide blowing fan 165 .

A first duct 58 dividing the first flow path S1 and the second flow path S2 may be disposed inside the housing 10 . The first duct 58 may be disposed on the left side of the blower 30 . The first duct 58 may extend in an up-down direction. The first duct 58 may communicate with the guide blowing fan 165 . The first duct 58 may communicate with the fan outlet 165a of the guide blowing fan 165 . The first duct 58 may guide a portion of the air blown by the guide blowing fan 165 to the first guide outlet 53 . A first duct filter (not shown) may be provided in the first duct 58 to filter foreign substances in the air introduced from the guide blowing fan 165 .

A second duct 59 dividing the first flow path S1 and the third flow path S3 may be disposed inside the housing 10 . The second duct 59 may be disposed on the right side of the blower 30 . The second duct 59 may extend in an up-down direction. The second duct 59 may communicate with the guide blowing fan 165 . The second duct 59 may communicate with the fan outlet 165a of the guide blowing fan 165 . The second duct 59 may guide a portion of the air blown by the guide blowing fan 165 to the second guide outlet 54 . A second duct filter 19a may be provided in the second duct 59 to filter foreign substances in the air introduced from the guide blowing fan 165 .

The air conditioner 1 discharges air that has been heat-exchanged with the heat exchanger 20 through the main outlet 57, and exhausts the air that has not passed through the heat exchanger 20 through the

guide outlets

53 and 54. can That is, the

guide outlets

53 and 54 may be provided to discharge the non-heat-exchanged air. Since the heat exchanger 20 is disposed on the first flow path S1 , the air discharged through the main outlet 57 may be heat-exchanged air. Since the heat exchanger is not disposed on the second flow path S2 and the third flow path S3 , the air discharged through the

guide outlets

53 and 54 may be air that is not heat exchanged.

On the other hand, in another embodiment, it may be provided so that the heat-exchanged air is discharged through the guide outlets (53, 54). That is, the heat exchanger may also be disposed on the second flow path S2 and the third flow path S3 . Specifically, a heat exchanger for heat exchanging the air discharged through the

guide outlets

53 and 54 may be disposed in the accommodation space 11b of the housing 10 . According to this configuration, the air conditioner 1 may provide heat-exchanged air through both the main outlet 57 and the

guide outlets

53 and 54 .

An accommodating space 11b in which electrical components (not shown) may be disposed may be formed in the housing 10 . Electrical components necessary for driving the air conditioner 1 may be disposed in the accommodation space 11b. A guide blowing fan 165 may be disposed in the accommodation space 11b.

The guide blower fan 165 may be provided to be driven independently of the blower 30 . The rotation speed of the guide blowing fan 165 may be provided to be different from the rotation speed of the blower 30 .

The blower 30 may be disposed on the first flow path S1 formed between the first inlet 52 and the main outlet 57 . Air may be introduced into the housing 10 through the first inlet 52 by the blower 30 . The air introduced through the first inlet 52 may move along the first flow path S1 and may be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the main outlet 57 .

The blower 30 may be an axial fan or a four-flow fan. However, the type of the blower 30 is not limited thereto, and it is satisfactory if the blower 30 is configured to flow the air introduced from the outside of the housing 10 to be discharged back to the outside of the housing 10 . For example, the blower 30 may be a cross fan, a turbo fan, or a sirocco fan.

Although it is illustrated that three fans are provided in the blower unit 30 in FIG. 8 , the number of fans of the blower unit 30 is not limited thereto, and may be provided in various numbers as needed.

The guide blowing fan 165 may be disposed on the second flow path S2 and the third flow path S3 formed between the second inlet 55 and the

guide outlets

53 and 54 . Air may be introduced into the housing 10 through the second inlet 55 by the guide blowing fan 165 . Part of the air introduced through the second inlet 55 moves along the second flow path S2 and is discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the first guide outlet 53 or along the third flow path S3. It may move and be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the second guide outlet 54 . The guide blowing fan 165 may be implemented as a circulator according to an embodiment.

The heat exchanger 20 may be disposed between the blower 30 and the first inlet 52 . The heat exchanger 20 may be disposed on the first flow path S1 . The heat exchanger 20 may absorb heat from the air introduced through the first inlet 52 or transfer heat to the air introduced through the first inlet 52 . The heat exchanger 20 may include a tube and a header coupled to the tube. However, the type of the heat exchanger 20 is not limited thereto.

The air conditioner 1 may include a discharge panel 12 disposed on a portion of the front panel 16 in which the main discharge port 57 is formed. That is, the discharge panel 12 may be coupled to the housing 10 through the front panel 16 . The discharge panel 12 may have a plurality of holes through which the air discharged from the main outlet 57 is discharged more slowly than the air discharged from the

guide outlets

53 and 54 . The plurality of holes may pass through the inner and outer surfaces of the discharge panel 12 . The plurality of holes may be formed in a fine size. The plurality of holes may be uniformly distributed over the entire area of the discharge panel 12 . The heat-exchanged air discharged through the main outlet 57 through the plurality of holes may be uniformly discharged at a low speed. A blocking portion 40a in which a plurality of holes are not formed may be provided at the lower end of the discharge panel 12 .

Meanwhile, in another embodiment, the air conditioner 1 may not include the discharge panel 12 , and the heat-exchanged air may be discharged into the air conditioning space through the main outlet 57 . At this time, the main outlet 57 is provided so that the heat-exchanged air can be directly discharged to the outside (air conditioning space). That is, the main outlet 57 may be provided to be exposed to the outside of the housing 10 . In this case, the air introduced into the first inlet 52 may be discharged into a room (air conditioning space) through the main outlet 57 after heat exchange in the heat exchanger 20 . In other words, when the air conditioner 1 does not include the discharge panel 12 , the air conditioner may be discharged to the outside through the main discharge port 57 without speed reduction by the discharge panel 12 . At this time, the air conditioner 1, according to the embodiment, the second inlet 55, the guide blowing fan 165, the distribution device 75, the first duct 58, the second duct 59, and the guide The parts constituting the guide passages S2 and S3, such as the

outlets

53 and 54, may or may not be included.

The air conditioner 1 may include a first suction grill 71 coupled to a portion of the housing 10 in which the first inlet 52 is formed. The first suction grill 71 may be provided so that foreign substances are not introduced through the first inlet 52 . To this end, the first suction grill 71 may include a plurality of slits or holes. The first suction grill 71 may be provided to cover the first inlet 52 .

The air conditioner 1 may include a second suction grill 72 coupled to a portion of the housing 10 in which the second inlet 55 is formed. The second suction grill 72 may be provided so that foreign substances are not introduced through the second inlet 55 . To this end, the second suction grill 72 may include a plurality of slits or holes. The second suction grill 72 may be provided to cover the second inlet 55 .

The air conditioner 1 may include an exhaust grill 73 coupled to a portion in which the main exhaust port 57 of the front panel 16 is formed. The exhaust grill 73 may be mounted on the panel support member 17a. The discharge grill 73 may be provided so that foreign substances are not discharged through the main discharge port 57 . To this end, the exhaust grill 73 may include a plurality of slits or holes. The exhaust grill 73 may be provided to cover the main exhaust port 57 .

The air conditioner 1 may include a distribution device 75 . The dispensing device 75 may be disposed inside the housing 10 . The distribution device 75 may be disposed in the receiving space 11b of the housing 10 . The distribution device 75 may be disposed adjacent to the fan outlet 165a of the guide blowing fan 165 . The distribution device 75 may be disposed at a portion in which the air introduced from the second inlet 55 is branched toward the first guide outlet 53 and the second guide outlet 54 . The dispensing device 75 may be disposed between the first inlet 52 and the second inlet 55 . The distribution device 75 may be configured to distribute the air blown by the guide blowing fan 165 to the first duct 58 and the second duct 59 . The distribution device 75 may be configured to adjust the flow rate of air discharged through the first guide outlet 53 and the second guide outlet 54 .

In the above, the structure of the air conditioner 1 has been described in detail. Hereinafter, the driving of the air conditioner 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 .

First, referring to FIG. 9 , the air conditioner 1 may be driven in the first mode for discharging heat-exchanged air only through the main outlet 57 . Since the discharge panel 12 is disposed at the main outlet 57, air conditioning may be performed slowly throughout the room. That is, when the air is discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the main outlet 57 , the air may pass through a plurality of holes of the discharge panel 12 , and the wind speed may be reduced to be discharged at a low speed. According to this configuration, the user can cool or heat the room at a comfortable wind speed.

Specifically, as the blower 30 is driven, external air of the housing 10 may be introduced into the interior of the housing 10 through the first inlet 52 . The air introduced into the housing 10 passes through the heat exchanger 20 and may be heat exchanged. The heat exchanged air passing through the heat exchanger 20 passes through the blower 30 and passes through the discharge panel 12 and is discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the main outlet 57 in a reduced speed state. can That is, the heat-exchanged air discharged through the first flow path S1 may be discharged at a wind speed at which the user can feel comfortable.

Since the guide blowing fan 165 is not driven in the first mode, air is not discharged through the

guide outlets

53 and 54 .

Referring to FIG. 10 , the air conditioner 1 may be driven in the second mode for discharging air that has not been heat exchanged through only the

guide outlets

53 and 54 . Since the heat exchanger 20 is not disposed on the second flow path S2 and the third flow path S3 , the air conditioner 1 may circulate indoor air.

Since the

guide outlets

53 and 54 are provided with guide

curved portions

53a and 54a, the air discharged through the

guide outlets

53 and 54 may be discharged to the front of the air conditioner 1 . Since the

blades

81 and 82 are provided on the

guide outlets

53 and 54, the air can be blown further toward the front.

Specifically, as the guide blowing fan 165 is driven, external air of the housing 10 may be introduced into the housing 10 through the second inlet 55 . After the air introduced into the housing 10 passes through the guide blowing fan 165, it can move to the second flow path S2 and the third flow path S3 respectively formed on both sides of the first flow path S1. there is. After the air moves upward on the second flow path S2 and the third flow path S3 , it may be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the

guide outlets

53 and 54 . In this case, the air may be guided to the front of the air conditioner 1 along the guide curved

portions

53a and 54a.

In the second mode, since the blower 30 is not driven, air is not discharged through the main outlet 57 . That is, in the second mode, the air conditioner 1 blows the air that is not heat-exchanged, so it can simply perform a function of circulating indoor air or provide a strong wind to the user.

Also, the air conditioner 1 may be driven in the third mode for discharging the heat-exchanged air through the main outlet 57 and the

guide outlets

53 and 54 . The air conditioner 1 may discharge cold air farther when driven in the third mode than when driven in the first mode.

Specifically, when the air conditioner 1 is driven in the third mode, the cold or warm air discharged through the main outlet 57 and the air discharged through the

guide outlets

53 and 54 may be mixed. In addition, since the air discharged through the guide outlets (53, 54) is discharged at a faster rate than the air discharged through the main outlet (57), the air discharged through the guide outlets (53, 54) is the main outlet (57) The exhausted heat-exchanged air can be moved further.

According to this configuration, the air conditioner 1 can provide a user with comfortable cold air or warmth in which the heat-exchanged air and indoor air are mixed.

The air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment may be driven in any one of the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode when the heat exchanger 20 performs a cooling operation in which the refrigerant evaporates. That is, when the air conditioner 1 performs a cooling operation, a first mode in which heat-exchanged air is discharged only through the first flow path S1, a second mode in which air is discharged only through the guide flow paths S2 and S3, and the second mode It may be driven in any one of the third modes for discharging air from both the first flow path S1 and the guide flow paths S2 and S3.

During the cooling operation, the heat exchanger 20 is cooled by the refrigerant, and when the air sucked in through the first inlet 52 comes into contact with the cooled heat exchanger 20, moisture can be condensed on the surface of the heat exchanger 20. there is. Since the blower 30 blows air during the cooling operation, moisture condensed on the surface of the heat exchanger 20 may be collected in a drain container provided under the heat exchanger 20 by the blown air.

When the blower 30 is stopped after the cooling operation is finished, moisture condensed in the heat exchanger 20 may not be removed. In addition to the heat exchanger 20 , moisture condensed in the first inlet 52 , the main outlet 57 , and the discharge panel 12 may not be removed. Due to the moisture, microorganisms may grow in the heat exchanger 20 , the first inlet 52 , the main outlet 57 , and the discharge panel 12 , thereby causing stains and odors.

To prevent this, the air conditioner 1 may perform a drying operation for drying the condensed water on the surface of the heat exchanger 20 even after the cooling operation is finished.

In the drying operation, the blowing operation in which the blower 30 is operated while the compressor 3 is stopped, and the compressor 3 and the blower 30 are both operated, but the circulation direction of the refrigerant is controlled by the four-way valve 180 . It may include switching heating operation. As such, in the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment, the heating operation in which the refrigerant is condensed in the heat exchanger 20 is included as one configuration of the drying operation, so that heating heat is emitted from the surface of the heat exchanger 20 so that the condensed water Allow it to dry completely.

Also, the air conditioner 1 according to the embodiment may be driven in the first mode during a drying operation for drying condensate on the surface of the heat exchanger 20 . That is, during the drying operation, the guide blowing fan 165 is stopped, and blowing of air through the guide passages S2 and S3 may be limited. Through this, the heat exchanged by the heating operation is discharged into the room only through the plurality of holes of the discharge panel 12, so that the heating heat is diffused into the room rather than when the air is discharged through the

guide outlets

53 and 54. It is small and can perform dry operation with low noise.

Meanwhile, in another embodiment, when the air conditioner 1 further includes at least one outlet disposed on a portion of the front panel 16 on which the main outlet 57 is formed and a door capable of opening and closing the outlet, The air conditioner 1 according to an exemplary embodiment controls the door to close the discharge port so that it can be driven in the first mode during the drying operation for drying the condensate on the surface of the heat exchanger 20 . Through this, the air heat-exchanged during the heating operation is discharged into the room only through the plurality of holes of the discharge panel 12, and the heating heat is less diffused into the room than when the air is discharged through the discharge port, and the drying operation is performed with low noise. can be done That is, the air conditioner 1 closes the outlet provided to be exposed to the outside of the housing 10 , thereby changing the flow path of the air introduced into the first inlet 52 , so that the air flows into the plurality of outlets of the outlet panel 12 . Let it be discharged in a decelerated state through the hole. However, according to an embodiment, the air conditioner 1 may perform the drying operation in a state in which the discharge port is opened. This will be described in detail again later.

On the other hand, in another embodiment, when the air conditioner 1 does not include the discharge panel 12 and the main outlet 57 is provided to be exposed to the outside of the housing 10 , the air conditioner 1 is provided to the main outlet Drying operation can be performed by the flow of air through (57). That is, the air conditioner 1 controls the blower 30 and the compressor 3 to perform a drying operation so that the air introduced into the first inlet 52 passes through the heat exchanger 20 to the main outlet 57 . ) to be discharged into the room. Through this, the air conditioner 1 may dry the condensed water of the heat exchanger 20 .

Meanwhile, in the air conditioner 1 according to the disclosed invention, the light source unit 99 including a plurality of

light source elements

99a, 99b, and 99c is provided to sterilize microorganisms such as mold. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the light source unit 99 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13 .

The light source unit 99 includes at least one light source element, and irradiates ultraviolet rays (UV) to the heat exchanger 20 serving as a catalyst unit. The light source unit 99 irradiates light to cause a photocatalytic reaction, and through the photocatalytic reaction, microorganisms, fungi, harmful gases, various contaminants, and odor causing substances such as odors in the heat exchanger 20 can be removed.

The light source unit 99 may be formed of a light emitting diode (LED) irradiating UVA (Ultra Violet-A) light or UVC (Ultra Violet-C) light having a wavelength of 400 nm or less. The light source unit 99 is composed of an LED, so that effective light irradiation is possible with a small amount of power. In this case, since UVA is relatively inexpensive, it is advantageous in terms of cost and effectively activates the photocatalytic reaction of the photocatalytic carrier. Although UVC is relatively expensive, it acts to activate a photocatalytic reaction and at the same time performs a sterilization function on its own, thereby improving sterilization efficiency.

The light source unit 99 is provided on one surface of the blower unit 30 to irradiate light to the heat exchanger 20 . In addition, in the light source unit 99 , a plurality of light source elements may be disposed at each position of the blower 30 in order to irradiate light to the entire heat exchanger 20 . For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the first light source element 99a is provided on the surface of the blower 30 , and the second light source element 99b is provided in the middle of the surface of the blower 30 . and the third light source element 99c may be provided under the surface of the blower 30 . However, the arrangement of the light source element may be changed according to the area of the heat exchanger 20 and the amount of light that the light source element can output.

The light source unit 99 according to the present embodiment may further include a light source guide unit 98 provided so that the first light source element 99a located in the same row can move up and down. For example, the first light source element 99a may move up and down along the light source guide part 98 provided on the surface of the blower 30 .

The air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment may further include a light source guide unit 98 provided to allow the light source unit 99 to move up and down. In this case, the control unit 170 may control the light source unit 99 to reciprocate along the light source guide unit 98 . Also, the control unit 170 may control the moving speed according to the position of the light source unit 99 . For example, in the control unit 170, the light source unit 99 has a high humidity value and the first in the lower part of the blower 30 to stay the longest in the lower part of the heat exchanger 20, where the microorganisms are the most. The light source unit 99 can be controlled to have a speed, to have a second speed greater than the first speed in the central portion of the blower 30, and to have a third speed greater than the second speed in the upper portion of the blower 30. .

Referring to FIG. 13 , the air conditioner 1 includes a user input unit 110 , a display 120 , a first temperature sensor 130 , a second temperature sensor 140 , and a first humidity sensor 150 . ), a second humidity sensor 160 , a fan motor 33 , a door actuator 66 , a light source unit 99 , a compressor 3 , and a control unit 170 .

The user input unit 110 may receive a user input related to the operation of the air conditioner 1 from the user, and may output an electrical signal (voltage or current) corresponding to the received user input to the control unit 170 .

The user input unit 110 may include a plurality of buttons provided on the housing 10 . For example, the user input unit 110 includes a button for setting a target temperature of the room (air conditioning space), a button for selecting any one of the first cooling mode and the second cooling mode, and It may include a button for setting the wind strength (rotation speed of the fan), and the like. The plurality of buttons may be provided on the side panel 10c or the door 60 . The plurality of buttons may include a push switch and a membrane switch operated by a user's pressing, or a touch switch operated by a user's body part contact.

The user input unit 110 may include a remote controller provided separately from the air conditioner 1 and a receiver for receiving a radio signal from the remote controller. Like the housing 10 , the remote controller may include a plurality of buttons.

The display 120 may receive information about the operation of the air conditioner 1 and information about the indoor environment from the controller 170 , and display an image representing the received information. For example, the display 120 may display the target temperature of the room (air conditioning space), the measured temperature of the room, the cooling mode, the strength of the wind, and the like. The display 120 may be provided on the door 60 and may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, and the like.

The first temperature sensor 130 may sense the temperature of the room (outside of the air conditioner) and transmit an electrical signal (voltage or current) indicating the sensed temperature to the controller 170 . For example, the first temperature sensor 130 may include a thermistor whose electrical resistance value changes according to temperature.

The first temperature sensor 130 may detect the temperature of the indoor air that has not passed through the heat exchanger 20 . The first temperature sensor 130 may be located upstream of the heat exchanger 20 in the flow of air by the blower 30 . For example, the first temperature sensor 130 may be located near the inlet 19 .

The second temperature sensor 140 may sense a temperature inside the air conditioner 1 (inside the housing) and transmit an electrical signal (voltage or current) indicating the sensed temperature to the controller 170 . For example, the second temperature sensor 140 may include a thermistor whose electrical resistance value changes according to temperature.

The second temperature sensor 140 may detect the temperature of the indoor air that has passed through the heat exchanger 20 . The second temperature sensor 140 may be located upstream of the heat exchanger 20 in the flow of air by the blower 30 . For example, the second temperature sensor 140 may be located downstream of the heat exchanger 20 in the flow of air by the blower 30 .

The first humidity sensor 150 may detect humidity in the room (outside of the air conditioner) and transmit an electrical signal (voltage or current) indicating the sensed humidity to the controller 170 . For example, the first humidity sensor 150 may include a material whose electrical resistance value or capacitance changes according to humidity.

The first humidity sensor 150 may detect the humidity of the indoor air that has not passed through the heat exchanger 20 . The first humidity sensor 150 may be located upstream of the heat exchanger 20 in the flow of air by the blower 30 . For example, the first humidity sensor 150 may be located near the inlet 19 .

The second humidity sensor 160 may detect humidity inside the air conditioner 1 (inside the housing) and transmit an electrical signal (voltage or current) indicating the sensed humidity to the controller 170 .

The second humidity sensor 160 may detect the humidity of the air that has passed through the heat exchanger 20 . The second humidity sensor 160 may be located downstream of the heat exchanger 20 in the flow of air by the blower 30 . The second humidity sensor 160 may be located between the heat exchanger 20 and the fan 32 , or between the fan 32 and the discharge plate 14 . For example, the second humidity sensor 160 may be installed in the duct 36 or installed in the grill 34 .

The second humidity sensor 160 may be installed at a position approximately corresponding to the center in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger 20 in order to detect the accurate humidity of the air that has passed through the heat exchanger 20 . For example, the second humidity sensor 160 may be located within a range of ±20% (±20% of the longitudinal length of the heat exchanger and ±20% of the transverse length of the heat exchanger) from the center of the heat exchanger 20 . . The humidity of the upper part of the heat exchanger 20 may be relatively low because condensed water falls by gravity, and the humidity of the lower part of the heat exchanger 20 is affected by the header 22 and the drain container of the heat exchanger 20, etc. can receive By installing the second humidity sensor 160 in the approximate center of the heat exchanger 20, accurate humidity detection is possible.

However, the installation position of the second humidity sensor 160 is not limited to the approximate center of the heat exchanger 20 . For example, the second humidity sensor 160 may be installed under the heat exchanger 20 . By installing the second humidity sensor 160 in the lower part of the heat exchanger 20, the second humidity sensor 150 can measure a higher humidity than the actual internal humidity, whereby the inside of the housing 10 can be sufficiently dried. there is.

The fan motor 33 may rotate the fan 32 in response to a blow control signal from the controller 170 . The fan motor 33 may adjust the rotation speed of the fan 32 in response to the blowing control signal of the controller 170 . For example, the fan motor 33 may rotate the fan 32 at a maximum of 1,100 rpm (revolutions per minute) to 1,200 rpm, and may rotate at a minimum of 700 rpm to 800 rpm.

The fan 32 rotated by the fan motor 33 may create a flow of air passing through the heat exchanger 20 . Specifically, the fan 32 may suck in external air (indoor air) through the inlet 19 , and the sucked air may exchange heat with the heat exchanger 20 while passing through the heat exchanger 20 . In addition, the heat-exchanged air may be discharged through the discharge port 41 or discharged through the discharge hole 42 depending on the cooling mode of the air conditioner 1 .

The fan motor 33 rotates the first fan motor 33a rotating the first fan 32a, the second fan motor 33b rotating the second fan 32b, and the third fan 32c It may include a third fan motor 33c. The first fan motor 33a, the second fan motor 33b, and the third fan motor 33c respectively independently rotate the first fan 32a, the second fan 32b, and the third fan 32c. can

The door actuator 66 may move the door blade 62 in response to the mode control signal of the controller 170 . For example, the door actuator 66 may move the door blade 62 to the open position P1 , or may move the door blade 62 to the closed position P2 .

When the door blade 62 is positioned at the open position P1 by the door actuator 66 , the first discharge passage 41d is opened, and the air discharged to the discharge port 41 through the first discharge passage 41d flow can be created. When the door blade 62 is positioned at the closed position P2 by the door actuator 66, the first discharge flow path 41d is closed and discharged to the discharge hole 42 through the second discharge flow path 42a. A flow of air is created.

The door actuator 66 includes a first door actuator 66a that moves the first door blade 62a, a second door actuator 66b that moves the second door blade 62b, and a third door blade 62c and a third door actuator 66c that moves the . The first door actuator 66a, the second door actuator 66b, and the third door actuator 66c are respectively independently the first door blade 62a, the second door blade 62b, and the third door blade 62c. can be moved

The light source unit 99 includes a first light source element 99a , a second light source element 99b , and a third light source element 99c provided on the surface of the blower 30 , and the first light source element 99a is a blower unit It may be provided on the upper surface of the surface, the second light source element 99b may be provided in the middle of the surface of the blower, and the third light source element 99c may be provided below the surface of the blower. The light source unit 99 is operated by a control signal of the control unit 170 , and an operation time, a position of an operating light source element, etc. may be controlled based on the control signal.

In response to the cooling control signal of the controller 170 , the compressor 3 , a refrigerant on a refrigerant circulation circuit including the compressor 3 , the outdoor heat exchanger 4 , the expansion valve 5 , and the indoor heat exchanger 20 . can be circulated. Specifically, the compressor 3 may compress a gaseous refrigerant and discharge a high-temperature/high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The refrigerant discharged by the compressor (3) circulates through the outdoor heat exchanger (4), the expansion valve (5), and the indoor heat exchanger (20), and discharges heat from the outdoor heat exchanger (4) and the indoor heat exchanger (20) can absorb heat.

As described above, the compressor 3 is installed in the outdoor unit 2 , and the compressor 3 is physically located far away from the controller 170 of the indoor unit 1 . Accordingly, the compressor 3 may communicate with the control unit 170 .

The control unit 170 includes a control circuitry, and includes a user input unit 110 , a display 120 , a temperature sensor 130 , a first humidity sensor 150 , a second humidity sensor 160 , and a fan motor. 33 , the door actuator 66 , the light source unit 99 , and the compressor 3 are electrically connected. The control unit 170, based on the output of the user input unit 110, the display 120, the temperature sensor 130, the first humidity sensor 150, the second humidity sensor 160, the fan motor 33, The door actuator 66 , the light source 99 , and the compressor 3 can be controlled.

The controller 170 includes a processor 171 that generates a control signal for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 1 , and a memory 172 that stores and/or stores a program and/or data for generating the control signal. includes

The processor 171 performs a user input received by the user input unit 110 based on the program and data stored and/or stored in the memory 172 and an external temperature (indoor temperature) sensed by the temperature sensor 130 and The external humidity (internal humidity) sensed by the first humidity sensor 150 and the internal humidity (internal humidity of the housing) sensed by the second humidity sensor 150 may be processed. In addition, the processor 171 may output a control signal for controlling the fan motor 33 , the door actuator 66 and the compressor 3 based on the program and data stored and/or stored in the memory 172 . there is.

The processor 171 may include an arithmetic circuit, a memory circuit, and a control circuit. The processor 171 may include one chip or a plurality of chips. Also, the processor 171 may include one core or a plurality of cores.

The memory 172 may store and/or store a program and/or data for processing user input, external temperature (indoor temperature), external humidity (indoor humidity), and internal humidity (internal humidity of the housing). In addition, the memory 172 may store and/or store programs and/or data for controlling the fan motor 33 , the door actuator 66 , and the compressor 3 .

The memory 172 includes a volatile memory such as a static random access memory (S-RAM) and a dynamic random access memory (D-RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and an erasable programmable memory (EPROM). Read Only Memory (EPROM) and non-volatile memory such as flash memory may be included.

As such, the controller 170 including the processor 171 and the memory 172 may control the operation of the air conditioner 1 .

For example, the controller 170 may perform a cooling operation based on the target temperature and the indoor temperature (external temperature). During the cooling operation, the controller 170 may operate the compressor 3 and the fan motor 33 . The processor 171 may output a cooling control signal for operating the compressor 3 and the fan motor 33 based on the target temperature set by the user input and the external temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 130 .

Also, the controller 170 may control the air conditioner 1 so that the air conditioner 1 operates in either one of the first cooling mode and the second cooling mode based on a user input. The processor 171 may output a mode control signal for controlling the door actuator 66 and the fan motor 33 depending on the cooling mode selected by the user input. When the first cooling mode is selected, the processor 171 outputs a control signal to the door actuator 66 to open the outlet 41 , and a control signal to the fan motor 33 to rotate the fan 32 at the maximum rotation speed. can be printed out. In addition, when the second cooling mode is selected, the processor 171 outputs a control signal to the door actuator 66 to close the discharge port 41, and to the fan motor 33 to rotate the fan 32 at the lowest rotation speed. A control signal can be output.

The controller 170 may perform a drying operation for drying the inside of the housing 10 in response to a user input for terminating the cooling operation. During the drying operation, the controller 170 may stop the compressor 3 and operate the fan motor 33 . In order to dry the inside of the housing 10 , the processor 171 outputs a control signal for operating the fan motor 33 based on the internal humidity (humidity inside the housing) detected by the second humidity sensor 150 . can

During the cooling operation, the heat exchanger 20 is cooled by the refrigerant, and when the air sucked through the suction port 19 comes into contact with the cooled heat exchanger 20 , moisture may be condensed on the surface of the heat exchanger 20 . Since the fan 32 blows air during the cooling operation, moisture condensed on the surface of the heat exchanger 20 may be collected in a drain container provided under the heat exchanger 20 by the blown air.

When the fan 32 is stopped after the cooling operation is finished, moisture condensed in the heat exchanger 20 may not be removed. Water condensed in the heat exchanger 20 as well as the duct 36 and the grill 34 may not be removed. Due to the moisture, microorganisms may grow in the heat exchanger 20, the duct 36, and the grill 34, thereby causing stains and odors.

To prevent this, the air conditioner 1 may perform a drying operation of rotating the fan 32 even after the cooling operation is finished. However, the air conditioner 1 according to the disclosed invention operates the light source unit 99 after the cooling operation is completed to cause a photocatalytic reaction, and microorganisms, fungi, harmful gases, various pollutants and odors in the heat exchanger 20 . It can remove odor-causing substances such as Hereinafter, it will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 14 to 18 .

14 is a view for explaining a case in which the air conditioner according to an exemplary embodiment performs a sterilization control process when a cooling operation is terminated. The blower fan shown in FIG. 14 is provided to be driven independently of the blower 30 (refer to FIGS. 3 and 8) or the blower 30 for discharging air heated or cooled by the heat exchanger 20 to the outside. It may be a guide blowing fan 165 (refer to FIG. 8) that can be used.

14 , the control unit 170 controls the light source unit 99 to drive after the cooling operation of the air conditioner 1 is finished, and irradiates light to the heat exchanger 20 so that a photocatalytic reaction occurs. do. In this case, the control unit 170 may control the driving time so that the light source unit 99 is divided into a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation and driven based on a predetermined condition. The operation of the light source unit 99 is divided into three stages, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the sterilization process may be terminated without proceeding with the blocking system.

The air conditioner 1 may dry the inside of the housing 1 by driving only the blower 30 in a state in which the compressor 3 is stopped after the cooling operation is completed. In addition, the air conditioner 1 simultaneously drives the blower 30 and the light source 99 in a state in which the compressor 3 is stopped after the cooling operation has been completed, thereby drying the inside of the housing 10 and the heat exchanger ( 20) can be irradiated with light to perform the sterilization process.

According to an embodiment, the control unit 170 may automatically perform a sterilization process when the cooling operation is finished. At this time, the control unit 170 stops only the compressor 3 when the cooling operation is finished, and drives the light source unit 99 while maintaining the operation of the blower unit 30 to perform the sterilization process. The light source unit 99 is controlled.

Also, according to an embodiment, when the cooling operation is finished, the controller 170 may perform a sterilization process according to a user input. At this time, when the cooling operation is finished, the control unit 170 stops only the compressor 3 in response to a user input, and the blower 30 and the light source 99 are driven so that the blower 30 and the light source 99 are driven. to control

Meanwhile, the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment may control the guide blowing fan 165 during the sterilization process. According to this embodiment, in the sterilization process, the control unit 170 drives only the guide blowing fan 165 that can be driven independently of the blower 30, so that the air discharged during the sterilization process has a plurality of holes in fine sizes. The guide blowing fan 165 may be controlled so as not to pass through the formed discharge panel 40 (refer to FIG. 8 ). At this time, the air discharged in the sterilization process is discharged to the outside through the second flow path (S2, see FIG. 10) to the housing 10 through the first guide outlet 53 or the third flow path (S3, see FIG. 10) It may be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the second guide outlet 54 through the. In this case, when the cooling operation is terminated, the control unit 170 stops the operation of the compressor 3 and the blower 30 when the cooling operation is terminated, and controls the light source unit 99 and the guide blowing fan 165 to be driven. .

According to one embodiment, the controller 170 stops the compressor 3 and the blower 165 when the cooling operation is finished, and drives the light source 99 while maintaining the operation of the guide blower fan 165 to sterilize. The guide blower fan 165 and the light source unit 99 are controlled to perform the process.

Also, according to an embodiment, when the cooling operation is finished, the controller 170 may perform a sterilization process according to a user input. At this time, when the cooling operation is finished, the control unit 170 stops the compressor 3 and the blower 30 in response to the user input, and the blower unit ( 30) and the light source unit 99 are controlled.

Also, according to an embodiment, the controller 170 may control both the blower 30 and the guide blower fan 165 to be driven during the sterilization process.

Hereinafter, a sterilization process after the cooling operation is completed will be described in detail with reference to a flowchart with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18 . Although not directly shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 15 to 18 , it should be noted that the sterilization process is operated after the cooling operation of the air conditioner 1 is finished.

When the operation of the air conditioner 1 is finished, the controller 170 irradiates light to the heat exchanger 20 based on at least one of the operating time of the air conditioner 1 and the sensed humidity.

The controller 170 determines whether the operating time of the air conditioner 1 is less than a predetermined time ( 701 ). For example, the predetermined time may be 15 minutes, and the controller 170 may determine whether the accumulated operating time of the air conditioner 1 is less than 15 minutes.

When it is determined that the operating time of the air conditioner 1 is less than a predetermined time, the control unit 170 controls the light source unit 99 so that the light source unit 99 is driven for a first time period (eg, 10 minutes) ( 702). For example, when the total operating time of the air conditioner 1 is less than 15 minutes, the controller 170 may estimate that the inflow of microorganisms due to the operation is relatively small. Accordingly, when the total operating time of the air conditioner 1 is less than a predetermined time, the control unit 170 controls the light source unit 99 to be driven only for the first time so that excessive power is not consumed.

If the operating time of the air conditioner 1 is longer than a predetermined time, the control unit 170 secures an additional sterilization time other than the first operation (during the first time). This will be described with reference to FIG. 16 .

The control unit 170 controls the light source unit to be driven for the first time ( 801 ), and determines whether the humidity detected during operation of the air conditioner 1 is greater than or equal to a predetermined humidity ( 802 ). The controller 170 controls the second humidity sensor 160 to sense the internal humidity, which is the humidity of the air that has passed through the heat exchanger 20 at regular intervals from the time the air conditioner 1 starts to operate. In this case, the controller 170 may acquire the internal humidity at the time when the cooling operation of the air conditioner 1 is terminated.

The predetermined humidity may be 60% relative humidity, which is an environment in which microorganisms are likely to grow. In the present embodiment, when the air conditioner 1 is terminated while maintaining the relative humidity at which microorganisms are easy to grow, additional sterilization is further performed for a second time other than the basic sterilization time.

When the humidity sensed during operation of the air conditioner 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined humidity, the controller 170 controls the light source unit 99 to be driven for a second time after the first time ( 804 ). Conversely, when the humidity sensed during the operation of the air conditioner 1 is less than a predetermined humidity, the control unit 170 drives the light source unit 99 only for the first time (end).

In addition to sensing the humidity, the control unit 170 may determine the additional operation of the light source unit 99 based on the temperature in the housing. For example, since microorganisms experimentally have optimal growth conditions between 25 and 30 degrees, when the operation of the air conditioner 1 is terminated when between 25 and 30 degrees, in order to prevent the growth of microorganisms Perform additional sterilization procedures.

When the humidity sensed during operation of the air conditioner 1 is greater than or equal to a predetermined humidity and the temperature in the housing falls within a predetermined range (803), the control unit 170 controls the light source unit 99 for a second time period after the first time period (803). is controlled to be driven (804).

According to an embodiment, when the operating time of the air conditioner 1 is greater than or equal to a predetermined time and the humidity sensed during operation of the air conditioner 1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined humidity, the controller 170 determines that the first time After the elapse of time, the light source unit 99 may be controlled to irradiate light to the heat exchanger 20 for a second time period.

Also, according to an embodiment, the air conditioner 1 further includes a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature in the housing. At this time, if the temperature sensed during operation of the air conditioner 1 falls within a predetermined range, the control unit 170 irradiates light to the heat exchanger 20 for a second time after the first time has elapsed. The light source unit 99 may be controlled. In addition, the controller 170 determines that the operating time of the air conditioner 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined time, the humidity sensed during operation of the air conditioner 1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined humidity, and the air conditioner 1 is operated. When the detected temperature falls within a predetermined range, the light source unit 99 may be controlled to irradiate light to the heat exchanger 20 for a second time after the first time has elapsed.

Meanwhile, the first operation and the second operation described above correspond to a control process based on a determination at the time when the cooling operation of the air conditioner 1 is finished. However, the interior of the air conditioner 1 may be affected by the surrounding environment, and in some cases, only sterilization by the first operation and the second operation is insufficient. Accordingly, the controller 170 may further perform an additional sterilization process by sensing the internal humidity in real time during the sterilization process.

In order to determine that the humidity inside the housing has been reduced to some extent in the second operation process, the controller 170 senses the humidity according to a predetermined cycle ( 901 ). When the second operation is finished, the controller 170 determines whether the humidity in the housing is equal to or greater than a predetermined humidity ( 902 ), and if the detected humidity is less than the predetermined humidity, the driving of the light source unit 99 is terminated.

If the detected humidity is greater than or equal to a predetermined humidity, the controller 170 controls the light source unit 99 to be driven for a third time in order to perform an additional sterilization process.

According to an embodiment, the controller 170 controls the humidity sensor to detect the humidity according to a predetermined period for a second time period, and when the detected humidity is equal to or greater than the predetermined humidity after the second time elapses, the third time period While the light source unit 99 is controlled to be driven.

In addition, according to an embodiment, the controller 170 controls the humidity sensor to sense the humidity according to a predetermined period after the second time has elapsed, and when the humidity is less than the predetermined humidity after the third time has elapsed, the light source unit The driving of (99) can be ended. Also, the controller 170 may end the driving of the light source unit 99 at a point in time when the detected humidity is less than a predetermined humidity before the third time has elapsed.

Meanwhile, the light source unit 99 driven in FIGS. 15 to 17 may be implemented as a single light source element or may be implemented as a plurality of light source elements. At this time, when the light source unit 99 is a plurality of light source elements, the control unit 170 may control the light source elements for each location based on the power consumed for the cooling operation or the humidity for each location of the heat exchanger 20 . .

The control unit 170 calculates the amount of power required to operate the air conditioner 1 ( 1001 ). In this case, the calculated amount of power corresponds to the amount of power consumed for the cooling operation. In this embodiment, when power consumption due to the cooling operation is excessive, only some of the plurality of light source elements are driven to reduce total power consumption.

When the amount of power consumed is less than a predetermined amount of power ( 1002 ), the control unit 170 drives all of the first to third light source elements ( 1003 ).

When the amount of consumed power is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount of power ( 1002 ), the control unit 170 may drive at least one light source element without driving all of the first to third light source elements.

In order to determine the driven light source element among the plurality of light source elements, the controller 170 controls the humidity sensor to sense the humidity of the heat exchanger 20 ( 1004 ). Specifically, the control unit 170 detects the humidity for each location of the heat exchanger 20 so that light can be irradiated to a location having a high humidity value.

The controller 170 determines a driving ratio of the first to third light source elements based on the humidity distribution detected in step 1004 ( 1005 ), and alternately drives the first to third light source elements based on the determined ratio. For example, the controller 170 may determine the driving ratio of the first to third light source elements as 3:3:4 and 2:3:5. In this case, the driving ratio of the light source element may be based on various ratios, but among the first to third light source elements, the third light source element located at the lower portion may occupy the largest ratio.

According to an embodiment, the controller 170 controls the driving time of the light source unit 99 such that the driving time of the second light source element exceeds the driving time of the first light source element and less than the driving time of the third light source element. can do.

In addition, according to an embodiment, the control unit 170 determines the driving time between the first light source element, the second light source element, and the third light source element based on the dry state of the upper part, the middle part, and the lower part of the heat exchanger 20 . You can control the ratio.

In the above, the configuration of the air conditioner 1 according to the disclosed invention and a control method based on each configuration have been described. Hereinafter, the application result will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 19 to 20 .

According to the disclosed invention, by removing microorganisms growing on the surface of the heat exchanger or inside the air conditioner due to the influence of the surrounding environment of the air conditioner 1, unpleasant odors, etc. can provide

19 is a view for explaining the reduction rate for each volatile organic compound, and FIG. 20 is a view for explaining the difference in the microbial count according to the photocatalytic coating and UV irradiation.

The numerical value shown in FIG. 19 is the microbial count, and represents the reduction rate for each volatile organic compound according to the photocatalytic coating and UV irradiation. Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20 , it can be confirmed that the microbial count is reduced through photocatalytic coating and UV irradiation, and it can be confirmed that the microbial count is significantly reduced through periodic UV irradiation based on the above-described embodiment.

The sensory concentration shown in FIG. 17 corresponds to a scale indicating the degree of smell that can be sensed by the user's sense of smell. For example, if the sensory concentration is 4, it corresponds to a very strong smell, for example, an odor that may appear in the bathroom, and if the sensory concentration is 2, it is not an odor but corresponds to a degree to which the user can distinguish what kind of smell it is.

As shown in FIG. 21 , when the photocatalytic coating was used, various organic compounds showed a decrease, and it was confirmed that the functional concentration was significantly reduced when the photocatalytic coating and periodic ultraviolet irradiation were applied.

Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing instructions executable by a computer. Instructions may be stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, may create a program module to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

The computer-readable recording medium includes all types of recording media in which computer-readable instructions are stored. For example, there may be a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, and the like.

The device-readable recording medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory recording medium. Here, 'non-transitory recording medium' is a tangible device and only means that it does not contain a signal (eg, electromagnetic wave). It does not distinguish the case where it is stored as For example, the 'non-transitory recording medium' may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

According to an embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in this document may be included and provided in a computer program product. Computer program products may be traded between sellers and buyers as commodities. The computer program product is distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (eg compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or through an application store (eg Play Store™) or on two user devices (eg, It can be distributed online (eg download or upload), directly between smartphones (eg smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (eg, a downloadable app) is stored at least on a machine-readable storage medium, such as a memory of a manufacturer's server, a server of an application store, or a relay server. It may be temporarily stored or temporarily created.

The disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings as described above. Those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention may be practiced in other forms than the disclosed embodiments without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting.

Claims

housing;

a heat exchanger provided in the housing;

a light source unit irradiating light to the heat exchanger;

a humidity sensor provided in the housing and sensing humidity in the housing; and

and a controller configured to control the light source unit to irradiate light to the heat exchanger based on at least one of an operating time of the air conditioner and the sensed humidity when the operation of the air conditioner is terminated.
The method of claim 1,

The control unit is

If the operating time of the air conditioner is less than a predetermined time, the air conditioner controls the light source to irradiate light to the heat exchanger for a first time.
3. The method of claim 2,

The control unit is

If the operating time of the air conditioner is longer than a predetermined time and the humidity sensed during operation of the air conditioner is equal to or higher than the predetermined humidity, light is irradiated to the heat exchanger for a second time after the first time has elapsed An air conditioner for controlling the light source to do so.
4. The method of claim 3,

A temperature sensor provided in the housing and sensing a temperature in the housing; further comprising,

The control unit is

If the temperature sensed during operation of the air conditioner falls within a predetermined range, the air conditioner controls the light source unit to irradiate light to the heat exchanger for the second time period after the first time period has elapsed.
4. The method of claim 3,

The control unit is

After the second time has elapsed, the humidity sensor is controlled to sense the humidity according to a predetermined period, and when the humidity is less than the predetermined humidity after the third time has elapsed, the air conditioner terminates the driving of the light source unit energy.
The method of claim 1,

The light source unit,

a first light source element, a second light source element, and a third light source element provided on a surface of the air blower, wherein the first light source element is provided on the surface of the air blower, and the second light source element is formed on the surface of the air blower The air conditioner is provided in the middle, and the third light source element is provided below the surface of the blower.
7. The method of claim 6,

The control unit is

The air conditioner controls the light source unit so that the first light source element, the second light source element, and the third light source element are driven when the amount of power required to operate the air conditioner is less than a predetermined amount of power.
7. The method of claim 6,

The control unit is

The air conditioner controls the light source unit so that one of the first light source element, the second light source element, or the third light source element is driven when the amount of electric power required to operate the air conditioner is equal to or greater than a predetermined electric energy amount.
7. The method of claim 6,

The control unit is

An air conditioner for controlling the light source unit so that the first light source element, the second light source element, or the third light source element is alternately driven.
10. The method of claim 9,

The control unit is

and controlling the driving time of the light source unit so that a driving time of the second light source element exceeds a driving time of the first light source element and less than a driving time of the third light source element.
10. The method of claim 9,

The control unit is

An air conditioner for controlling a ratio of a driving time between the first light source element, the second light source element, and the third light source element based on the dry state of the upper part, the middle part, and the lower part of the heat exchanger.
detecting that the operation of the air conditioner is terminated;

sensing the humidity in the housing of the air conditioner;

determining an operating time of the air conditioner; and

and controlling the light source unit to irradiate light to the heat exchanger based on at least one of the operating time and the sensed humidity.
13. The method of claim 12,

Controlling the light source unit,

and controlling the light source unit to irradiate light to the heat exchanger for a first time when the operating time of the air conditioner is less than a predetermined time.
14. The method of claim 13,

Controlling the light source unit,

If the operating time of the air conditioner is longer than a predetermined time and the humidity sensed during operation of the air conditioner is equal to or higher than the predetermined humidity, light is irradiated to the heat exchanger for a second time after the first time has elapsed A control method of an air conditioner comprising controlling the light source unit to do so.
15. The method of claim 14,

Controlling the light source unit,

and controlling the light source unit to irradiate light to the heat exchanger for the second time after the first time elapses when the temperature sensed during operation of the air conditioner falls within a predetermined range. control method.