U.S. patent application number 13/019642 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-11 for refrigerant system.
Invention is credited to Sedong Chang, Baikyoung Chung, Doyong HA, Junggyu Park.
Application Number | 20110192183 13/019642 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44012477 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110192183 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HA; Doyong ; et al. |
August 11, 2011 |
REFRIGERANT SYSTEM
Abstract
Provided is a refrigerant system including a high-pressure
bypass tube guiding a refrigerant of a high-pressure tube to flow
into an indoor unit tube by bypassing a high-pressure valve. Thus,
impact and noise that may be generated when an operation mode of an
indoor unit is switched to a heating mode may be minimized.
Inventors: |
HA; Doyong; (Seoul, KR)
; Chung; Baikyoung; (Seoul, KR) ; Chang;
Sedong; (Seoul, KR) ; Park; Junggyu; (Seoul,
KR) |
Family ID: |
44012477 |
Appl. No.: |
13/019642 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/196.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 49/02 20130101;
F25B 2400/04 20130101; F25B 2313/0233 20130101; F25B 2700/2104
20130101; F25B 2313/007 20130101; F25B 2600/2501 20130101; F25B
2313/02741 20130101; F25B 2400/075 20130101; F25B 13/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/196.1 |
International
Class: |
F25B 41/00 20060101
F25B041/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 8, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0011592 |
Claims
1. A refrigerant system comprising: an outdoor unit comprising: an
outdoor heat exchanger to heat-exchange a refrigerant with outdoor
air; and a compressor to compress and to discharge the refrigerant;
a plurality of indoor units comprising: a plurality of indoor heat
exchangers to heat-exchange the refrigerant with indoor air,
respectively; a high-pressure tube to guide the refrigerant
discharged from the compressor to the indoor heat exchangers; a
low-pressure tube to guide the refrigerant evaporated from at least
one of the indoor heat exchangers to the compressor; a
high-pressure branch tube branched from the high-pressure tube to
guide the refrigerant from the high-pressure tube to at least one
of the indoor heat exchangers; a low-pressure branch tube branched
from the low-pressure tube to guide the refrigerant from at least
one of the indoor heat exchangers to the low-pressure tube; an
indoor unit tube to connect at least one of the indoor heat
exchangers to the high-pressure tube and the low-pressure tube; a
high-pressure valve disposed in the high-pressure branch tube to
selectively interrupt a refrigerant flow within the high-pressure
branch tube; and a high-pressure bypass valve to guide the
refrigerant of the high-pressure branch tube to flow into the
indoor unit tube by bypassing the high-pressure valve.
2. The refrigerant system according to claim 1, wherein the
refrigerant from the high-pressure branch tube flows into the
indoor unit tube through the high-pressure bypass tube when an
operation mode of the indoor unit is switched to a heating
mode.
3. The refrigerant system according to claim 1, wherein the
high-pressure valve is opened, after an operation mode of the
indoor unit is switched to a heating mode and a reference time
elapses.
4. The refrigerant system according to claim 1, wherein the
refrigerant flow flowing toward the high-pressure bypass tube is
interrupted, after an operation mode of the indoor unit is switched
to a heating mode and a reference time elapses.
5. The refrigerant system according to claim 1, further comprising
a high-pressure bypass valve disposed in the high-pressure bypass
tube and to selectively interrupt a refrigerant flow within the
high-pressure bypass tube.
6. The refrigerant system according to claim 5, wherein the
high-pressure bypass valve has a capacity less than that of the
high-pressure valve.
7. The refrigerant system according to claim 5, wherein the
high-pressure bypass valve is opened when an operation mode of the
indoor unit is switched to a heating mode.
8. The refrigerant system according to claim 5, wherein the
high-pressure bypass valve is opened and then the high-pressure
valve is opened when an operation mode of the indoor unit is
switched to a heating mode.
9. The refrigerant system according to claim 8, wherein the
high-pressure bypass valve is closed when the high-pressure valve
is opened.
10. The refrigerant system according to claim 8, wherein the
high-pressure valve is opened after the high-pressure bypass valve
is opened and a reference time elapses.
11. The refrigerant system according to claim 8, wherein the
high-pressure bypass valve is closed after the high-pressure bypass
valve is opened and a reference time elapses.
12. The refrigerant system according to claim 8, further comprising
a temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the indoor unit
tube, wherein the high-pressure valve is opened when the
high-pressure bypass valve is opened and the temperature of the
indoor unit tube is over a reference temperature.
13. The refrigerant system according to claim 8, further comprising
a tube temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the indoor
unit tube and an indoor temperature sensor to detect an indoor
temperature, wherein the high-pressure valve is opened when the
high-pressure bypass valve is opened and a difference between the
temperature of the indoor unit tube and the indoor temperature is
over a reference temperature.
14. The refrigerant system according to claim 1, further
comprising: a tube temperature sensor to detect a temperature of
the indoor unit tube; and an indoor temperature sensor to detect an
indoor temperature.
15. The refrigerant system according to claim 1, further
comprising: a liquid refrigerant tube to connect the outdoor heat
exchanger to the indoor heat exchangers to flow the refrigerant
condensed in at least one of the outdoor heat exchanger and the
indoor heat exchangers; and a low-pressure valve disposed in the
low-pressure branch tube to selectively interrupt a refrigerant
flow within the low-pressure branch tube.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119
and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0011592
(filed on Feb. 8, 2010), which is hereby incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerant system in
which a refrigerant cycle is performed.
[0003] In general, a refrigerant system is a device that cools or
heats an interior space by performing a refrigerant cycle including
compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation of
refrigerant.
[0004] The refrigerant system includes an indoor unit in which a
refrigerant is heat-exchanged with indoor air and an outdoor unit
in which a refrigerant is heat-exchanged with outdoor air. The
indoor unit includes an indoor heat exchanger for performing
heat-exchange between the refrigerant and the indoor air, a fan
blowing the indoor air, and a motor rotating the fan. The outdoor
includes an outdoor heat exchanger for performing heat-exchange
between the refrigerant and the outdoor air, a fan for blowing the
outdoor air, a motor for rotating the fan, a compressor for
compressing the refrigerant, an expander for expanding the
compressed refrigerant, and a 4-way valve for diverting a flow of
the refrigerant.
[0005] When an interior space is cooled, the indoor heat exchanger
operates as an evaporator, and the outdoor heat exchanger operates
as a condenser. When the interior space is heated, the indoor heat
exchanger operates as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger
operates as an evaporator. The 4-way valve diverts a refrigerant
flow direction to switch the cooling and heating operations.
SUMMARY
[0006] Embodiments provide a refrigerant system capable of
minimizing noise generated when an operation mode is switched.
[0007] In one embodiment, a refrigerant system includes: an outdoor
unit including an indoor heat exchanger in which a refrigerant is
heat-exchanged with outdoor air and a compressor compressing the
refrigerant; a plurality of indoor units including a plurality of
indoor heat exchangers in which the refrigerant is heat-exchanged
with indoor air, respectively; a high-pressure tube guiding the
refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the indoor heat
exchangers; a low-pressure tube guiding the refrigerant evaporated
from at least one of the indoor heat exchangers to the compressor;
a high-pressure branch tube branched from the high-pressure tube to
guide the refrigerant of the high-pressure tube to any one of the
indoor heat exchangers; a low-pressure branch tube branched from
the low-pressure tube to guide the refrigerant of any one of the
indoor heat exchangers to the low-pressure tube; an indoor unit
tube simultaneously connecting any one of the indoor heat
exchangers to the high-pressure tube and the low-pressure tube; a
high-pressure valve disposed in the high-pressure branch tube to
selectively interrupt a refrigerant flow within the high-pressure
branch tube; and a high-pressure bypass valve guide the refrigerant
of the high-pressure branch tube to flow into the indoor unit tube
by bypassing the high-pressure valve. Thus, impact and noise
generated when the high-pressure refrigerant and the low-pressure
refrigerant are suddenly mixed with each other in the switching
operation of the heating mode may be minimized.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a view of a state in which cooling and heating
operations are simultaneously performed in a refrigerant system
according to a first embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a view of a refrigerant flow in a case where an
indoor unit of the refrigerant system is operated in a cooling mode
according to the first embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a view of a refrigerant flow in a case where the
indoor unit of the refrigerant system is switched from the cooling
mode or a stop mode to a heating mode according to the first
embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a view of a refrigerant flow in a case where the
indoor unit of the refrigerant system is operated in a heating mode
according to the first embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the refrigerant system
according to the first embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the
refrigerant system is switched into the heating mode according to
the first embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a refrigerant system according
to a second embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the
refrigerant system is switched into a heating mode according to the
second embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a refrigerant system according
to a third embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the
refrigerant system is switched into a heating mode according to the
third embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
[0019] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that
form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration
specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be
practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it
is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that
logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes
may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in
the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain
information known to those skilled in the art. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by
the appended claims.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a view of a state in which cooling and heating
operations are simultaneously performed in a refrigerant system
according to a first embodiment.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerant system includes an
outdoor unit 1 disposed in an outdoor space and exposed to outdoor
air, a plurality of indoor units 2 disposed in an indoor space and
exposed to indoor air, a distributor 3 connecting the outdoor unit
1 to the plurality of indoor units 2, and a refrigerant tube
through which a refrigerant flows among the outdoor unit 1, the
indoor units 2, and the distributor 3.
[0022] In detail, the outdoor unit 1 includes an outdoor heat
exchanger 11 in which the indoor air and the refrigerant are
heat-exchanged with each other, a compressor 12 compressing the
refrigerant, a flow switch part 13 switching a flow direction of
the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12, and an outdoor
expansion part 14 selectively expanding the refrigerant flowing
into the outdoor heat exchanger 11.
[0023] The outdoor heat exchanger 11 is exposed to the outdoor air
within the outdoor unit 11. The outdoor heat exchanger 11 may
selectively serve as an evaporator evaporating the refrigerant or a
condenser condensing the refrigerant according to operation modes
of the refrigerant system.
[0024] The compressor 12 includes a constant speed compressor 121
operated at a constant speed to compress the refrigerant and an
inverter compressor 122 operated at a variable speed to compress
the refrigerant. The constant speed compressor 121 and the inverter
compressor 122 are parallely connected to each other.
[0025] The flow switch part 13 is disposed in the refrigerant tube
corresponding to a discharge side of the compressor 12. The flow
switch part 13 allows the refrigerant tube connected to an inflow
side of the compressor 12 to selectively communicate with the
refrigerant tube connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the
refrigerant tube corresponding to the discharge side of the
compressor 12. That is, the refrigerant discharged from the
compressor 12 may flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and vice
versa according to the switching operation of the flow switch part
13.
[0026] The outdoor expansion part 14 is disposed in the refrigerant
tube corresponding to a position adjacent to the outdoor heat
exchanger 11. Particularly, the outdoor expansion part 14 is
disposed in the refrigerant tube connecting the outdoor heat
exchanger 11 to the distributor 3. When the refrigerant system is
operated to allow the outdoor heat exchanger 11 to serve as the
evaporator, the refrigerant discharged from the distributor 3 may
be expanded while it passes through the outdoor expansion part 14
before it flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 11.
[0027] Furthermore, the outdoor unit 1 may further include an
outdoor fan (not shown) for forcibly blowing the outdoor air toward
the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and an outdoor motor (not shown) for
rotating the outdoor fan.
[0028] Each of the indoor units 2 includes an indoor heat exchanger
23 in which the indoor air and the refrigerant are heat-exchanged
with each other and an indoor expansion part 24 for expanding the
refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 23. That is, the
refrigerant system includes a plurality of the indoor heat
exchangers 23 and a plurality of the indoor expansion parts 24
corresponding to the plurality of indoor heat exchangers 23 as a
whole.
[0029] The distributor 3 is connected to both the outdoor unit and
the plurality of indoor units 2. The distributor distributes the
refrigerant discharged from the outdoor unit 1 to the plurality of
indoor units. Also, the distributor 3 switches a flow direction of
the refrigerant within the indoor units 2 according to the
operation mode of the refrigerant system.
[0030] The refrigerant tube includes a high-pressure tube 42
guiding the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 to the
distributor 3, a low-pressure tube 43 guiding the refrigerant
evaporated by at least one of the indoor units 2 to the compressor
12, and a liquid refrigerant tube 41 through which the refrigerant
condensed within the indoor units 2 or the outdoor unitl flows, and
an indoor unit tube 44 connecting the distributor 3 to the indoor
units 2.
[0031] The high-pressure tube 42, the low-pressure tube 43, and the
liquid refrigerant tube 41 connect the outdoor unit 1 to the
distributor 3. Also, the high-pressure tube 42 is branched from the
refrigerant tube corresponding to the discharge side of the
compressor 12 to extend up to the inside of the distributor 3. The
low-pressure tube 43 is connected to the refrigerant tube
corresponding to the inflow side of the compressor 12 to extend up
to the inside of the distributor 3. Also, the liquid refrigerant
tube 41 is connected to the outdoor expansion part 14 to extend up
to the inside of the distributor 3.
[0032] The distributor 3 includes a plurality of high-pressure
branch tubes 45 guiding the refrigerant within the high-pressure
tube 42 to the plurality of indoor heat exchangers 23, a plurality
of low-pressure branch tubes 46 guiding the refrigerant within the
plurality of outdoor heat exchangers 11 to the low-pressure tube
43, and high-pressure and low-pressure valves 31 and 32
respectively selectively interrupting the refrigerant flows within
the high-pressure and low-pressure branch tubes 45 and 46.
[0033] That is, the high-pressure branch tube 45 is branched from
the high-pressure tube 42, and the low-pressure branch tube 46 is
branched from the low-pressure tube 43. The high-pressure valve 31
and the low-pressure valve 32 are disposed in the high-pressure
branch tube 45 and the low-pressure branch tube 46,
respectively.
[0034] The indoor unit 44 has one end connected to the liquid
refrigerant tube 41 and the other end connected to both the
high-pressure branch tube 45 and the low-pressure branch tube 46.
Also, the indoor heat exchanger 23 and the indoor expansion part 24
are disposed on the indoor unit tube 44. That is, the indoor unit
tube 44 connects the indoor heat exchanger 23 to the high-pressure
and low-pressure branch tubes 45 and 46.
[0035] Also, according to the operation mode of the indoor unit 2,
the refrigerant of the liquid refrigerant tube 41 may sequentially
pass through the indoor expansion part 24 and the indoor heat
exchanger 23 to flow into the low-pressure branch tube 46, or the
refrigerant of the high-pressure branch tube 45 may sequentially
pass through the indoor heat exchanger 23 and the indoor expansion
part 24 to flow into the liquid refrigerant tube 41.
[0036] The refrigerant tube may further include a high-pressure
bypass tube 46 allowing the refrigerant of the high-pressure tube
42 to bypass the high-pressure valve 31, thereby guiding the
refrigerant to the indoor unit tube 44. A high-pressure valve 33
for selectively interrupting a refrigerant flow within the
high-pressure bypass tube 46 is disposed in the high-pressure
bypass tube 46.
[0037] In detail, the high-pressure bypass tube 46 has one end
disposed at the high-pressure branch tube 45 between the
high-pressure tube 42 and the high-pressure valve 45 and the other
end disposed at the indoor unit tube 44. Thus, in a state where the
high-pressure bypass tube 46 is opened, the refrigerant of the
high-pressure tube 42 may flow into the indoor unit tube 44 through
the high-pressure bypass tube 46.
[0038] The high-pressure bypass valve 33 has a capacity less than
that of the high-pressure valve 31. That is, a flow amount per unit
time of the refrigerant passing through the high-pressure bypass
valve 33 in a state where the high-pressure bypass valve 33 is
opened is less than that of the refrigerant passing through the
high-pressure valve 31 in a state where the high-pressure valve 31
is opened.
[0039] Thus, in the state where the high-pressure valve 33 is
opened, the refrigerant of the high-pressure tube 42 may further
slowly flow into the indoor unit tube 44 through the high-pressure
bypass tube 46 when compared to the state in which the
high-pressure valve 31 is opened.
[0040] The indoor unit 2 may further include an indoor fan (not
shown) for forcibly blowing the indoor air toward the indoor heat
exchanger 23 and an indoor motor (not shown) for rotating the
indoor fan.
[0041] Hereinafter, a refrigerant flow in the refrigerant system
according to an embodiment will be described in detail with
reference to accompanying drawings.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, in the refrigerant system, the
plurality of indoor units 2 may be operated in different operation
modes simultaneously. FIG. 1 illustrates a refrigerant flow in a
case where the outdoor heat exchanger 11 serves as a condenser, a
first indoor unit 21 is operated in a heating mode, and a second
indoor unit 22 is operated in a cooling mode.
[0043] In detail, a portion of the refrigerant discharged from the
compressor 12 is introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger by the
flow switch part 13. The remaining portion of the refrigerant
discharged from the compressor 12 is introduced into the
high-pressure tube 42.
[0044] The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger
emits heat to the outdoor air while passing through the outdoor
heat exchanger 11, thereby being condensed. Here, even through the
refrigerant passes through the outdoor expansion part 14, the
refrigerant passes through the outdoor expansion part 14 without
changing a phase thereof because the outdoor expansion part 14 is
fully opened.
[0045] The refrigerant flowing into the liquid refrigerant tube 41
flows toward the first indoor unit 21 along the indoor unit tube 44
of the first indoor unit 21. The refrigerant flowing into the first
indoor unit 21 is expanded while passing through the indoor
expansion part 24 of the first indoor unit 21. The refrigerant
passing through the indoor expansion part 24 absorbs heat from the
indoor air while passing through the indoor heat exchanger 23 of
the first indoor unit 21, thereby being evaporated. That is, the
first indoor unit 21 is operated in the cooling mode.
[0046] The refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger 23
of the first indoor unit 21 is introduced into the low-pressure
tube 43 along the low-pressure branch tube 46 corresponding to the
first indoor unit 21. Here, the high-pressure valve 31 and the
high-pressure bypass valve 33 corresponding to the first indoor
unit 21 are maintained in a closed state, and the low-pressure
valve 32 corresponding to the first indoor unit 21 is maintained in
an opened state. Therefore, the refrigerant discharged from the
indoor heat exchanger 23, that is, the first indoor unit 21 may
smoothly flow into the low-pressure tube 43.
[0047] The refrigerant flowing into the low-pressure tube 43 flows
into the compressor 12 and then is compressed again while passing
through the compressor 12.
[0048] The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 to flow
into the high-pressure tube 42 passes through the high-pressure
branch tube 45 corresponding to the second indoor unit 22 to flow
into the indoor unit tube 44 of the second indoor unit 22. At this
time, the low-pressure valve 32 and the high-pressure bypass valve
33 corresponding to the second indoor unit 22 are maintained in a
fully closed state, and the high-pressure valve 31 corresponding to
the second indoor unit 22 is maintained in a fully opened state.
Therefore, the refrigerant passed through the high-pressure tube 42
and the high-pressure branch tube 45 may smoothly flow to the
indoor heat exchanger 23, that is, the second indoor unit 22.
[0049] The refrigerant emits heat to the indoor air while it passes
through the indoor heat exchanger 23 of the second indoor unit 22,
thereby being condensed. That is, the second indoor unit 22 is
operated in the heating mode. The refrigerant passed through the
indoor heat exchanger 23 flows into the liquid refrigerant tube 41
through the indoor unit tube 44. Here, even though the refrigerant
passed through the indoor heat exchanger 23 passes through the
indoor expansion part 24, the refrigerant passes through the indoor
expansion part 24 without changing a phase thereof because the
indoor expansion part 24 is fully opened.
[0050] The refrigerant flowing into the liquid refrigerant tube 41
is mixed with the refrigerant flowing from the outdoor unit 1 to
the distributor 3. As described above, the mixed refrigerant passes
through the first indoor unit 21, flows into the compressor 12
through the low-pressure tube 43, and is compressed again.
[0051] The outdoor heat exchanger 11 may function as a condenser or
an evaporator according to the operation mode of the indoor units
2. For example, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as the
condenser when all the indoor units 2 are operated in the cooling
mode, or the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as the evaporator
when all the indoor units 2 are operated in the heating mode.
[0052] When the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as the
condenser, the flow switch part 13 is configured to communicate
between the refrigerant tube connected to the outdoor heat
exchanger 11 and the refrigerant tube connected to the discharge
side of the compressor 12. When the outdoor heat exchanger 11
functions as the evaporator, the flow switch part 13 is configured
to communicate between the refrigerant tube connected to the
outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the refrigerant tube connected to the
intake side of the compressor 12.
[0053] With respect to the liquid refrigerant tube 41, the
refrigerant of the liquid refrigerant tube 41 flows toward the
distributor 3 and the indoor units 2 when the outdoor heat
exchanger 11 functions as the condenser. On the other hand, when
the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as the evaporator, the
refrigerant of the liquid refrigerant tube 41 flows toward the
outdoor unit 1.
[0054] The operation mode of the indoor units 2 may be switched
into any one of the cooling mode and the heating mode according to
opening and closing operations of the high-pressure valve 31 and
the low-pressure valve 32. For example, when the high-pressure
valve 31 is closed and the low-pressure valve 32 is opened like the
first indoor unit 21, the first indoor unit 21 is operated in the
cooling mode. On the other hand, when the low-pressure valve 32 is
closed and the high-pressure valve 31 is opened like the second
indoor unit 22, the second indoor unit 22 is operated in the
heating mode. That is, any one of the indoor units 2 may be
operated in the cooling mode or the heating mode according to
opening and closing operations of the high-pressure valve 31 and
the low-pressure valve 32 of the corresponding indoor unit 2.
[0055] Hereinafter, the refrigerant flows of the indoor units and
the distributor during the switching the operation mode of the
indoor units in the refrigerant system according to the first
embodiment will be described in detail with reference to
accompanying drawings.
[0056] FIG. 2 is a view of a refrigerant flow in a case where an
indoor unit of the refrigerant system is operated in a cooling mode
according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view of a
refrigerant flow in a case where the indoor unit of the refrigerant
system is switched from the cooling mode or a stop mode to a
heating mode according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a view of
a refrigerant flow in a case where the indoor unit of the
refrigerant system is operated in a heating mode according to the
first embodiment.
[0057] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, in a case where the indoor unit 2
is operated in the cooling mode, like the first indoor unit 2 of
FIG. 2, the refrigerant of the low-pressure tube 43 passes through
the indoor unit 2 and then is introduced into the low-pressure tube
43 through the low-pressure branch tube 45. That is, when the
indoor unit 2 is operated in the heating mode, the indoor unit 2
has the same refrigerant flow as the distributor 3 as shown in FIG.
2.
[0058] A case in which the indoor unit 2 should be switched from
the cooling mode to the heating mode may occur during the operation
of the refrigerant system. Also, in a state where the operation of
the indoor unit 2 is stopped, the heating operation may start. In
this case, a balancing process is performed to minimize impact and
noise generated when the indoor unit 2 is switched to the heating
mode. The balancing process represents a process in which the
indoor unit tube 44 has the same pressure as the high-pressure
branch tube 45.
[0059] In further detail, in a state where the operation of the
indoor unit 2 is stopped or the indoor unit 2 is operated in the
cooling mode, the high-pressure valve 31 and the high-pressure
bypass valve 33 are maintained in the closed state. Thus, with
respect to the high-pressure valve 31 and the high-pressure bypass
valve 33, the inside of the refrigerant tube corresponding to a
high-pressure tube side becomes a high-pressure state, and the
inside of the refrigerant tube corresponding to an indoor unit tube
side becomes a relatively low pressure state.
[0060] In a case where the indoor unit 2 is operated or switched in
the heating mode, the high-pressure bypass valve 33 is opened first
before the high-pressure valve is opened. That is, the balancing
process is performed. At this time, when the balancing process is
performed, the indoor expansion part 24, the high-pressure valve
31, and the low-pressure valve 32 are maintained in closed states,
and the high-pressure bypass tube 33 is maintained in an opened
state.
[0061] Thus, the refrigerant of the high-pressure tube 42 is
introduced into the indoor unit tube 44 through the high-pressure
bypass tube 33 due to a pressure difference between the
high-pressure branch tube 45 and the indoor unit tube 44. When the
balancing process is performed, a refrigerant flow between the
indoor unit 2 and the distributor 3 is illustrated in FIG. 3. At
this time, since the high-pressure bypass valve 33 has a capacity
less than that of the high-pressure valve 31, the refrigerant of
the high-pressure tube 42 may be more slowly introduced into the
indoor tube 44 in the state where the high-pressure bypass valve 33
is opened when compared to the state in which the high-pressure
valve 31 is opened. Thus, when the operation of the indoor unit 2
is switched, the impact and noise generated when the refrigerants
having the pressure difference are mixed may be minimized.
[0062] Such the refrigerant flow occurs until the high-pressure
branch tube 46 has the same pressure as the indoor unit tube 44.
That is, through the balancing process, an internal pressure of the
high-pressure branch tube 45 becomes gradually equal to that of the
indoor unit tube 44.
[0063] When the balancing process is finished, i.e., when the
internal pressure of the high-pressure branch 45 is equal or
similar to that of the indoor unit tube 44, the indoor expansion
part 24 and the high-pressure valve 31 are opened and the
high-pressure bypass valve 33 is closed. Thus, the refrigerant of
the high-pressure tube 42 passes through the indoor heat exchanger
23 to continuously flow toward the low-pressure tube 47. That is,
the indoor unit 2 is operated in the heating mode. At this time, a
refrigerant flow between the indoor unit 2 and the distributor 3 is
illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0064] When the indoor expansion part 24 and the high-pressure
valve 31 are fully opened, the refrigerant passes through the
indoor expansion part 24 and the high-pressure valve 31 without
changing a phase thereof. Also, the low-pressure valve 32 is
maintained in the closed state.
[0065] Hereinafter, a process of switching an operation mode of the
indoor unit of the refrigerant system according to the first
embodiment will be described in detail with reference to
accompanying drawings.
[0066] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the refrigerant system
according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart
illustrating a process in which the refrigerant system is switched
into the heating mode according to the first embodiment.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 5, the refrigerant system includes an
input part 51 through which various input signals for switching the
operation mode of the refrigerant system by a user are inputted and
a control part 55 for controlling operations of the indoor
expansion part 24, the high-pressure valve 31, the low-pressure
valve 32, and the high-pressure bypass valve 33 according to the
control signals transmitted from the input part 51. The input part
51, the control part 55, the indoor expansion part 24, the
high-pressure valve 31, the low-pressure valve 32, and the
high-pressure bypass valve 33 are electrically connected to receive
and transmit the control signals from/to each other.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 6, during the operation of the refrigerant
system, the indoor unit 2 may be switched from the stop mode or the
cooling mode to the heating mode. In this case, in operation S11, a
signal for switching the operation mode of the indoor unit 2 may be
inputted into the input part 51 by the user.
[0069] When the signal for switching the operation mode of the
indoor unit 2 to the heating mode is inputted, the indoor expansion
part 24, the high-pressure valve 31, and the low-pressure valve 32
are closed and the high-pressure bypass valve 33 is opened in
operation S12. That is, the balancing process is performed.
[0070] When a reference time elapses in operation S13 after the
balance process starts, the high-pressure bypass valve and the
low-pressure valve 32 are closed and the indoor expansion part 24
and the high-pressure valve 31 are opened in operation S14. That
is, the indoor unit 2 is operated in the heating mode.
[0071] According to the refrigerant system, the impact and noise
that may be generated when the operation mode of the indoor unit 2
is switched from the stop mode or the cooling mode to the heating
mode may be minimized. In further detail, when the indoor unit 2 is
operated in the stop mode or the cooling mode, the high-pressure
valve 31 and the high-pressure bypass valve 33 are maintained in
the closed state. Thus, with respect to the high-pressure valve 31
and the high-pressure bypass valve 33, the refrigerant tube
corresponding to the high-pressure tube side and the refrigerant
tube corresponding to the indoor unit tube side have the pressure
difference therebetween.
[0072] When the indoor unit 2 is switched to the heating mode, the
balancing process is performed before the high-pressure valve 31 is
opened. That is, the high-pressure bypass valve 33 is opened first
before the high-pressure valve 31 is opened to balance a pressure
between the refrigerant tube corresponding to the high-pressure
tube side and the refrigerant tube corresponding to the indoor unit
tube side. Thus, when compared to a case in which the high-pressure
valve 31 is opened, the refrigerant of the high-pressure tube 42
may be more slowly introduced into the indoor unit tube 44. As a
result, the impact and noise generated when the refrigerant of the
high-pressure tube 42 and the refrigerant of the indoor unit tube
44 are suddenly mixed with each other may be minimized.
[0073] The reference time may be previously set to an average time
for balancing the pressure between the refrigerant tube
corresponding to the high-pressure tube side and the refrigerant
tube corresponding to the indoor unit tube side with respect to the
high-pressure valve 31 and the high-pressure bypass valve 33.
[0074] Hereinafter, a process in which a refrigerant system is
switched into a heating mode according to a second embodiment will
be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. In
this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a
balancing process is finished according to a temperature of an
indoor unit tube.
[0075] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a refrigerant system according
to a second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a
process in which the refrigerant system is switched into a heating
mode according to the second embodiment.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 7, a refrigerant system further includes
an input part 61 through which various input signals for switching
an operation mode of the refrigerant system by a user are inputted,
a tube temperature sensor 62 for detecting a temperature of an
indoor unit tube 44, and a control part controlling operations of
an indoor expansion part 24, a high-pressure valve 31, a
low-pressure valve 32, and a high-pressure bypass valve 33
according to the control signals transmitted from the input part 61
and the tube temperature sensor 62. The input part 61, the tube
temperature sensor 62, the control part, the indoor expansion part
24, the high-pressure valve 31, the low-pressure valve 32, and the
high-pressure bypass valve 33 are electrically connected to receive
and transmit the control signals from/to each other.
[0077] Referring to FIG. 8, during the operation of the refrigerant
system, an indoor unit 2 may be switched from a stop mode or a
cooling mode to a heating mode. In this case, in operation S21, a
signal for switching the operation mode of the indoor unit 2 may be
inputted into the input part 61 by a user.
[0078] When the signal for switching the operation mode of the
indoor unit 2 to the heating mode is inputted, the indoor expansion
part 24, the high-pressure valve 31, and the low-pressure valve 32
are closed and the high-pressure bypass valve 33 is opened in
operation S22. That is, the balancing process is performed.
[0079] In operation S23, after the balancing process is performed,
the temperature of the indoor unit tube 44 is detected through the
tube temperature sensor 62. When the temperature of the indoor unit
tube 44 is less than a reference temperature in operation S24, the
temperature of the indoor unit tube 44 is detected again in
operation S23.
[0080] However, when the temperature of the indoor unit tube 44 is
over the reference temperature in operation S24, the high-pressure
bypass valve 33 and the low-pressure valve 32 are closed and the
indoor expansion part 24 and the high-pressure valve 31 are opened
in operation S25. That is, the indoor unit 2 is operated in the
heating mode.
[0081] Here, the reference temperature may be previously set to a
temperature valve representing that a pressure between the
refrigerant tube corresponding to a high-pressure tube side and the
refrigerant tube corresponding to an indoor unit tube side is
balanced with respect to the high-pressure valve 31 and the
high-pressure bypass valve 33. For example, the reference
temperature may be set to a temperature of the high-pressure tube
42. This is done because the refrigerant of the high-pressure tube
42 should be introduced into the indoor unit tube 44 and mixed with
the refrigerant of the indoor unit tube 44 to balance a pressure
between the refrigerant tube corresponding to the high-pressure
tube side and the refrigerant tube corresponding to the indoor unit
tube side.
[0082] Hereinafter, a process in which a refrigerant system is
switched into a heating mode according to a third embodiment will
be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. In
this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a
balancing process is finished according to a temperature of an
indoor unit tube.
[0083] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a refrigerant system according
to a third embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a
process in which the refrigerant system is switched into a heating
mode according to the third embodiment.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 9, a refrigerant system further includes
an input part 61 through which various input signals for switching
an operation mode of the refrigerant system by a user are inputted,
an indoor temperature sensor 72 for detecting an indoor room, a
tube temperature sensor 73 for detecting a temperature of an indoor
unit tube 44, and a control part 75 controlling operations of an
indoor expansion part 24, a high-pressure valve 31, a low-pressure
valve 32, and a high-pressure bypass valve 33 according to the
control signals transmitted from the input part 71 and the tube
temperature sensor 73. The input part 71, the indoor temperature
sensor 72, the tube temperature sensor 73, the control part 75, the
indoor expansion part 24, the high-pressure valve 31, the
low-pressure valve 32, and the high-pressure bypass valve 33 are
electrically connected to receive and transmit the control signals
from/to each other.
[0085] Referring to FIG. 10, during the operation of the
refrigerant system, an indoor unit 2 may be switched from a stop
mode or a cooling mode to a heating mode. In this case, a signal
for switching the operation mode of the indoor unit 2 may be
inputted into the input part 71 by a user.
[0086] When the signal for switching the operation mode of the
indoor unit 2 to the heating mode is inputted in operation S31, the
indoor expansion part 24, the high-pressure valve 31, and the
low-pressure valve 32 are closed and the high-pressure bypass valve
33 is opened in operation S32. That is, the balancing process is
performed.
[0087] In operation S33, after the balancing process is performed,
the indoor temperature is detected through the indoor temperature
sensor 72 and the temperature of the indoor unit tube 44 is
detected through the tube temperature sensor 73. When a difference
between the temperature of the indoor unit tube 44 and the indoor
temperature is less than a reference temperature, that is, the
indoor unit tube 44 has a temperature greater by the reference
temperature than the indoor temperature or different from the
reference temperature in operation s34, the indoor temperature and
the temperature of the indoor unit tube 44 are detected again in
operation S33.
[0088] However, when the difference between the temperature of the
indoor unit tube 44 and the indoor temperature is over the
reference temperature, that is, the temperature of the indoor unit
tube 44 is greater by the reference temperature than the indoor
temperature in operation S34, the high-pressure bypass valve 33 and
the low-pressure valve 32 are closed and the indoor expansion part
24 and the high-pressure valve 31 are opened in operation S25. That
is, the indoor unit 2 is operated in the heating mode.
[0089] Here, the reference temperature may be previously set to a
temperature valve representing that a pressure between the
refrigerant tube corresponding to a high-pressure tube side and the
refrigerant tube corresponding to an indoor unit tube side is
balanced with respect to the high-pressure valve 31 and the
high-pressure bypass valve 33. For example, the reference
temperature may be set to the difference value between the
temperature of the high-pressure tube 42 and the indoor
temperature.
[0090] In the refrigerator according to the embodiments, since the
hinge shaft having the screw thread is provided and the adjustment
member movably along the hinge shaft and coupled to the hinge shaft
is provided, the door may be easily supported. Thus, industrial
applicability may be significantly improved.
[0091] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood
that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by
those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope
of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within
the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims.
In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts
and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
* * * * *