U.S. patent application number 13/424577 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-25 for multi-type air conditioner and method of controlling the same.
Invention is credited to Hoki LEE, Sanghun Lee.
Application Number | 20120266616 13/424577 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45936962 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120266616 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Hoki ; et al. |
October 25, 2012 |
MULTI-TYPE AIR CONDITIONER AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME
Abstract
A multi type air conditioner is provided that may include a
plurality of indoor devices, each comprising an indoor heat
exchanger, and a plurality of outdoor devices connected to the
plurality of indoor devices, each comprising an outdoor heat
exchanger. When a defrosting operation condition is satisfied
during a heating operation, the plurality of outdoor devices may
successively perform a defrosting operation.
Inventors: |
LEE; Hoki; (Seoul, KR)
; Lee; Sanghun; (Seoul, KR) |
Family ID: |
45936962 |
Appl. No.: |
13/424577 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/80 ; 62/151;
62/275 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 2313/0251 20130101;
F25B 2347/021 20130101; F25B 13/00 20130101; F25B 2400/075
20130101; F25B 47/02 20130101; F25B 2313/0253 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/80 ; 62/275;
62/151 |
International
Class: |
F25D 21/06 20060101
F25D021/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 22, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0037773 |
Claims
1. A multi-type air conditioner, comprising: a plurality of indoor
devices, each comprising an indoor heat exchanger; and a plurality
of outdoor devices connected to the plurality of indoor devices,
each comprising an outdoor heat exchanger, wherein, when a
defrosting operation condition is satisfied during a heating
operation, the plurality of outdoor devices successively perform a
defrosting operation.
2. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein
each of the plurality of outdoor devices comprises a valve, wherein
during the heating operation, the outdoor heat exchanger of each of
the plurality of outdoor devices not currently performing the
defrosting operation serves as an evaporator by switching a
refrigerant flow through the valve, and wherein the outdoor heat
exchanger in which the defrosting operation is currently being
performed serves as a condenser by switching the refrigerant flow
through the corresponding valve.
3. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the
valve comprises a four-way valve.
4. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein
each outdoor heat exchanger is divided into a plurality of heat
exchanger parts through which a refrigerant separately flows, and
wherein when a specific outdoor device of the plurality of outdoor
devices performs the defrosting operation, frost on all of the heat
exchanger parts of the specific outdoor device is removed.
5. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein
each of the plurality of outdoor devices comprises a plurality of
four-way valves, and wherein the number of four-way valves is equal
to that of heat exchanger parts.
6. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein an
order of the plurality of outdoor devices performing the defrosting
operation is based on a heat exchange capacity of the outdoor heat
exchanger of each of the outdoor devices.
7. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the
outdoor device comprising a outdoor heat exchanger having a
relatively small capacity performs the defrosting operation
first.
8. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein an
order of the plurality of outdoor devices performing the defrosting
operation is preset.
9. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 8, further
comprising a memory in which the preset order is stored.
10. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein an
order of the plurality of outdoor devices performing the defrosting
operation is determined whenever the defrosting operation condition
is satisfied.
11. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein,
during the defrosting operation, an operation of an outdoor fan
disposed in the outdoor device performing the defrosting operation
is stopped.
12. A multi type air-conditioner, comprising: a plurality of indoor
devices, each comprising an indoor heat exchanger; and a plurality
of outdoor devices connected to the plurality of indoor devices,
each comprising an outdoor heat exchanger, wherein, when a
defrosting operation condition is satisfied during a heating
operation, the outdoor heat exchanger of one of the plurality of
outdoor device is switched into a condenser state to perform a
defrosting operation.
13. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 12, wherein,
when the outdoor heat exchanger of the one of the plurality of
outdoor devices completely performs the defrosting operation, the
outdoor heat exchanger of another outdoor device is switched into
the condenser state to perform the defrosting operation.
14. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 13, wherein
an order of the plurality of outdoor devices performing the
defrosting operation is based on a heat exchange capacity of the
outdoor heat exchanger of each of the plurality of outdoor
devices.
15. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 13, wherein
an order of the plurality of outdoor devices performing the
defrosting operation is preset.
16. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 15, further
comprising a memory in which the preset order is stored.
17. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 13, wherein
an order of the plurality of outdoor devices performing the
defrosting operation is determined whenever the defrosting
operation condition is satisfied.
18. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 12, wherein
each of the outdoor heat exchangers of the plurality of outdoor
devices is divided into a plurality of heat exchanger parts through
which a refrigerant independently flows, and wherein when a
specific outdoor device performs the defrosting operation, frost on
all of the plurality of heat exchanger parts is removed.
19. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 12, wherein,
when a specific outdoor device performs the defrosting operation,
an operation of an outdoor fan disposed in the outdoor device
performing the defrosting operation is stopped.
20. A method of controlling a multi-type air conditioner comprising
a plurality of indoor devices and a plurality of outdoor devices,
the method comprising: performing a heating operation in the
plurality of outdoor devices; determining whether a defrosting
operation condition is satisfied during the heating operation of
the plurality of outdoor devices; and successively performing a
defrosting operation in the plurality of outdoor devices when the
defrosting operation condition is satisfied.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, when a specific
outdoor device performs the defrosting operation, an outdoor heat
exchanger of the respective outdoor device serves as a condenser by
switching a refrigerant flow through a four-way valve.
22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the successively
performing of the defrosting operation comprises performing the
defrosting operation in another outdoor device after a specific
outdoor device completely performs the defrosting operation.
23. The method according to claim 20, wherein, when a specific
outdoor device performs the defrosting operation, an operation of a
corresponding outdoor fan of the specific outdoor device is
stopped.
24. The method according to claim 20, wherein an order of the
plurality of outdoor devices performing the defrosting operation is
based on a heat exchange capacity of an outdoor heat exchanger of
each of the plurality of outdoor devices.
25. The method according to claim 20, wherein an order of the
plurality of outdoor devices performing the defrosting operation is
preset.
26. The method according to claim 20, wherein an order of the
plurality of outdoor devices performing the defrosting operation is
determined whenever the defrosting operation condition is
satisfied.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119
and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0037773,
filed in Korea on Apr. 22, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] A multi-type air conditioner and a method of controlling a
multi-type air conditioner are disclosed herein.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] Multi-type air conditioners are known. However, they suffer
from various disadvantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to
the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements, and wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multi-type air conditioner
according to an embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a refrigerant cycle of the
multi-type air conditioner of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a refrigerant flow when the
multi-type air conditioner of FIG. 1 performs a cooling
operation;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a
multi-type air conditioner according to an embodiment;
[0011] FIGS. 5 to 8 are block diagrams illustrating successive
defrosting operations of a plurality of outdoor devices; and
[0012] FIGS. 9 and 10 are circuit diagrams of a refrigerant flow
when a specific outdoor device performs a defrosting operation,
FIG. 9 illustrating a refrigerant flow when a fourth outdoor device
performs a defrosting operation, and FIG. 10 illustrating a
refrigerant flow when a first outdoor device performs a defrosting
operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to
the accompanying drawings. Where possible, like reference numerals
have been used to indicate like elements. Also, in the description
of embodiments, detailed description of well-known related
structures or functions has been omitted.
[0014] In general, an air conditioner is an apparatus that
cools/heats an indoor space or purifies indoor air using a
refrigerant cycle including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion
mechanism, and an evaporator to provide a comfortable indoor
environment for users. Air conditioners may be classified as an air
conditioner in which a single indoor device is connected to a
single outdoor device or a multi-type air conditioner in which a
plurality of indoor devices is connected to a single outdoor device
to provide the effect of a plurality of air conditioners.
[0015] The multi-type air conditioner may include a plurality of
indoor devices and a plurality of outdoor devices. Each of the
plurality of outdoor devices may include an outdoor heat exchanger.
Each of the outdoor heat exchangers may be divided into an upper
heat exchanger part and a lower heat exchanger part on the basis of
a flow of refrigerant. Thus, refrigerant may independently flow
into the upper and lower heat exchanger parts.
[0016] Generally, in the multi-type air conditioner, when the
heating operation is continuously performed, frost may develop on
the outdoor heat exchanger. Thus, a defrosting operation should be
performed. When the defrosting operation is performed, the frost on
the upper heat exchanger part of each of the plurality of outdoor
heat exchangers may be removed first. Then, when the frost on the
upper heat exchanger part is completely removed, the frost on the
lower heat exchanger part may be removed. When the defrosting
operation is performed, a high-temperature, high-pressure
refrigerant discharged from a compression device may be bypassed to
flow into the heat exchanger part in which the defrosting operation
has been performed.
[0017] In the case of the above-described multi-type air
conditioner, a portion (about approximately 50% of the whole
outdoor heat exchanger) of the heat exchanger part in each of the
outdoor heat exchangers of the whole outdoor device performs the
defrosting operation, and the remaining portion (about
approximately 50% of the whole outdoor heat exchanger) performs a
heating operation. Thus, heating efficiency may be
deteriorated.
[0018] Also, because the frost on the upper heat exchanger part may
be completely removed, and then, the frost on the lower heat
exchanger part removed, the frost on a boundary between the upper
heat exchanger part and the lower heat exchanger part may not be
smoothly removed. Thus, frost may remain on the boundary.
[0019] Also, when the defrosting operation is performed, because
the refrigerant bypassed to the compression device flows into the
outdoor heat exchanger, an amount of refrigerant flowing into the
outdoor heat exchanger may be less. Thus, it may take a relatively
long time to remove the frost.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an air conditioner according to
an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a refrigerant cycle
of the multi-type air conditioner of FIG. 1. For example, FIG. 2
illustrates a refrigerant flow when the multi-type air conditioner
of FIG. 1 performs a heating operation.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the multi-type air conditioner
according to this embodiment may include an outdoor device 1, an
indoor device 2 connected to the outdoor device 1 through a
distributor 3, a controller (not shown) that controls operations of
the multi-type air conditioner, and a memory (not shown). The
outdoor device 1 may include a plurality of outdoor devices 11, 12,
13, and 14. The indoor device may 2 include a plurality of indoor
devices 21, 22, 23, and 24. For convenience of description,
although four indoor devices are shown connected to four outdoor
devices in this embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited
to this number of indoor and outdoor devices. That is, two or more
indoor devices may be connected to two or more outdoor devices.
Further, the number of indoor device may be greater than the
numbers of outdoor devices.
[0022] The outdoor device 1 may include a first outdoor device 11,
a second outdoor device 12, a third outdoor device 13, and a fourth
outdoor device 14. The first outdoor device 11 may have the same
configuration as that of each of the second to fourth outdoor
devices 12, 13, and 14. Thus, only the configuration of the first
outdoor device 11 will be described hereinbelow. The descriptions
of the first outdoor device 11 may be equally applied to those of
the second to fourth outdoor devices. Also, reference numerals used
for explaining the configuration of the first outdoor device 11 may
be equally applied to those of the second to fourth outdoor
device.
[0023] Each of the outdoor devices 11, 12, 13, and 14 may include a
compression device 110 that compresses a refrigerant, and outdoor
heat exchangers 130, 200, 210, and 220, in which outdoor air is
heat-exchanged with the refrigerant. The compression device 110 may
include one or more compressors. For example, the compression
device 110, which may include a plurality of compressors 111, 112,
and 113, will be described as an example. One or more of the
plurality of compressors 111, 112, and 113 may be an inverter
compressor, such as compressor 111, having a variable capacity, and
others may be a constant-speed compressors, such as compressors 112
and 113. The plurality of compressors 111, 112, and 113 may be
disposed in parallel. One or more of the plurality of compressors
111, 112, and 113 or all of the plurality of compressors 111, 112,
and 113 may be operated according to a capacity of the indoor
device.
[0024] A discharge side tube of each of the compressors 111, 112,
and 113 may include an individual tube 118 and a joint tube 119.
That is, the individual tube 118 of each of the compressors 111,
112, and 113 may be jointed to the joint tube 119. The individual
tube 118 may include an oil separator 114, 115, or 116 that
separates oil from the refrigerant, a temperature sensor 126 that
detects a temperature of the compressed refrigerant, and a
compression sensor 127 that detects a pressure of the compressed
refrigerant.
[0025] The joint tube 119 may be connected to a plurality of valves
121 and 122, which may be 4-way valves, that switch a flow of the
refrigerant. The plurality of valves 121 and 122 may include a
first valve 121 and a second valve 122. The first and second valves
121 and 122 may be disposed in parallel.
[0026] Each of the first and second valves 121 and 122 may be
connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 130 through first
connection tubes 123 and 124, respectively. The first connection
tubes 123 and 124 may include a first heat exchanger part
connection tube 123 and a second heat exchanger connection tube
124.
[0027] Each of the outdoor heat exchangers 130, 200, 210, and 220
may include a plurality of heat exchanger parts. For example, the
plurality of heat exchanger parts may include a first heat
exchanger part 131 and a second heat exchanger part 132. The first
and second heat exchanger parts 131 and 132 may be independent heat
exchangers separated from each other, or a single heat exchanger
divided into two parts based on refrigerant flow. The first valve
121 may be connected to the first heat exchanger part 131 through
the first heat exchanger part connection tube 123, and the second
valve 122 may be connected to the second heat exchanger part 132
through the second heat exchanger part connection tube 124. The
first and second heat exchanger parts 131 and 132 may be disposed
in parallel. Further, the first and second heat exchanger parts 131
and 132 may be horizontally or vertically disposed with respect to
each other. The refrigerant may flow into each of the first and
second heat exchanger parts 131 and 132, or only one of the first
and second heat exchanger parts 131 and 132. The refrigerant may
flow into the first heat exchanger part 131 in a direction opposite
to that of the refrigerant flowing into the second heat exchanger
part 132. That is, the first and second heat exchanger parts 131
and 132 may be independently operated. Moreover, each of the heat
exchangers may independently serve as a condenser or an
evaporator.
[0028] Although each of the outdoor heat exchangers may be divided
into the plurality of heat exchanger parts and may include a
plurality of valves in this embodiment, the present disclosure is
not so limited. For example, a single valve may be connected to the
outdoor heat exchanger.
[0029] The refrigerant within the outdoor heat exchanger may be
heat-exchanged with outdoor air blown by a fan motor assembly 140,
which may include an outdoor fan and a fan motor. A plurality of
fan motor assemblies may be provided. For example, FIG. 1
illustrates two outdoor fan motor assemblies; however, embodiments
are not limited to this number of outdoor fan motor assemblies.
[0030] Also, each of the valves 121 and 122 may be connected to an
accumulator 135 through the second connection tube 134.
Additionally, each of the valves 121 and 122 may be connected to
closed tubes 121a and 122a.
[0031] Each of the outdoor devices 11, 12, and 13, and 14 may
further include an outdoor expansion mechanism 150. The outdoor
expansion mechanism 150 does not expand a refrigerant when the
refrigerant passes through the outdoor heat exchangers 130, 200,
210, and 220, but rather, expands refrigerant which does not pass
through the outdoor heat exchangers 130, 200, 210, and 220.
[0032] The outdoor expansion mechanism 150 may include a first
outdoor expansion valve 151 corresponding to the first heat
exchanger part 131 and a second outdoor expansion valve 152
corresponding to the second heat exchanger part 132. The first and
second outdoor expansion valves 151 and 152 may be disposed in
parallel. That is, the refrigerant expanded by the first outdoor
expansion valve 151 may flow into the first heat exchanger part
131, and the refrigerant expanded by the second outdoor expansion
valve 152 may flow into the second heat exchanger part 132. Each of
the outdoor expansion valves 151 and 152 may be an electronic
expansion valve (EEV), for example.
[0033] Each of the outdoor devices 11, 12, 13, and 14 may be
connected to the distributor 3 through a low pressure gas tube 311
and a low pressure connection tube 312. Also, each of the outdoor
devices 11, 12, 13, and 14 may be connected to the distributor 3
through a high pressure tube 321 and a high pressure connection
tube 322. Additionally, each of the outdoor devices 11, 12, 13, and
14 may be connected to the distributor 3 through a liquid tube 331
and a liquid connection tube 332.
[0034] The low pressure gas tube 311 may be connected to the second
connection tube 134 and the low pressure connection tube 312. The
high pressure tube 321 may be connected to the joint tube 119 and
the high pressure connection tube 322, which may be disposed
downflow from the valves 121 and 122. The liquid tube 331 may be
connected to the outdoor expansion mechanism 150 and the liquid
connection tube 332.
[0035] The distributor 3 may be connected to the plurality of
indoor devices 21, 22, 23, and 24 and the outdoor device 1 to
control refrigerant flow. The distributor 3 may be connected to
each of the indoor devices 21, 22, 23, and 24 through an indoor gas
tube 313 and an indoor liquid tube 333.
[0036] The distributor 3 may include a low pressure gas pipe 31, a
high pressure gas pipe 32, a liquid pipe 33, a low pressure valve
314, and a high pressure valve 324. The low pressure connection
tube 312 and the indoor gas tube 313 may be connected to the low
pressure gas pipe 31, and the indoor liquid tube 333 and the liquid
connection tube 332 may be connected to the liquid pipe 33. The
high pressure connection tube 322 and a branch tube 323 connected
to the indoor liquid tube 333 may be connected to the high pressure
gas pipe 32. The low pressure gas tube 311 may include first valves
315 and 316, the high pressure gas tube 321 may include second
valves 325 and 326, and the liquid tube 331 may include third
valves 335 and 336.
[0037] The indoor gas tube 313 may include the low pressure valve
314, and the high pressure valve 324 may be connected to the branch
tube 323. In this embodiment, the low pressure valve 314 and the
high pressure valve 324 may be, for example, an EEV, in which an
opening degree thereof may be adjusted linearly or in a stepwise
fashion.
[0038] Each of the indoor devices 21, 22, 23, and 24 may include
indoor heat exchangers 211, 221, 231, and 241, indoor fans 212,
222, 232, and 242, and indoor expansion mechanisms 213, 223, 233,
and 243. Each of the indoor expansion mechanisms 213, 223, 233, and
243 may be an EEV, for example.
[0039] Hereinafter, an operation of a multi-type air conditioner
according to an embodiment will be described.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, when the multi-type air conditioner
performs a heating operation, i.e., when one or more indoor devices
perform a heating operation (for example, the four indoor devices
perform the heating operation in FIG. 1), a high temperature
refrigerant discharged from the compression device 110 of the
plurality of outdoor devices 11, 12, 13, and 14 may flow toward the
indoor device. The low pressure valve 314 may be closed, and the
high pressure valve 324 opened. Also, the first valves 315 and 316
disposed in the low pressure gas tube 311 may be closed.
[0041] The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged
from the compression device 110 may flow into the high pressure gas
pipe 32 along the high pressure gas tube 321 by adjusting the
refrigerant flow through the valves 121 and 122. Because the joint
tube 119 communicates with the closed tubes 121 a and 122a via the
valves 121 and 122, the refrigerant does not flow from an end of
the closed tubes 121a and 122a, and thus, flows along the high
pressure gas tube 321.
[0042] The refrigerant flowing into the high pressure gas pipe 32
may flow into each of the indoor heat exchangers 211, 221, 231, and
241 through the branch tube 323 and the indoor gas tube 313. Then,
the refrigerant may be condensed in the indoor heat exchangers 211,
221, 231, and 241 and pass through the indoor expansion mechanisms
213, 223, 233, and 243, without being expanded, to flow into the
liquid pipe 33 through the indoor liquid tube 333. The refrigerant
flowing into the liquid pipe 33 may flow along the liquid
connection tube 332 and the liquid tube 331. Then, the refrigerant
may be expanded by the outdoor expansion mechanism 150 to flow into
the outdoor heat exchangers 130, 200, 210, and 220. The refrigerant
may be evaporated while passing through the outdoor heat exchangers
130, 200, 210, and 220, and then the refrigerant may pass through
each of the valves 121 and 122 to flow into the accumulator 135. A
gaseous portion of the refrigerant introduced into the accumulator
135 may be introduced into the compression device 110.
[0043] As described above, when the heating operation is
continuously performed, frost may occur or form on the outdoor heat
exchangers 130, 200, 210, and 220. Thus, a defrosting operation to
remove the frost from the outdoor heat exchangers 130, 200, 210,
and 220 may be required. The defrosting operation will be described
later.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a refrigerant flow when the
multi-type air conditioner performs a cooling operation. Referring
to FIG. 3, a cooling operation will be described hereinbelow.
[0045] When the multi-type air conditioner performs a cooling
operation, i.e., when one or more indoor devices perform a cooling
operation (for example, the four indoor devices perform the cooling
operation in FIG. 3), a refrigerant discharged from the compression
device 130 of the plurality of outdoor devices 11, 12, 13, and 14
may flow toward the outdoor heat exchangers 130, 200, 210, and 220.
The high pressure valve 324 may be closed, and the low pressure
valve 314 opened. Also, the second valves 325 and 326 disposed in
the high pressure gas tube 321 may be closed.
[0046] The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged
from the compression device 110 may flow into each of the outdoor
heat exchangers 130, 200, 210, and 220 along the first connection
tubes 123 and 124 by adjusting the refrigerant flow through the
valves 121 and 122. Then, the refrigerant may be condensed while
passing through the outdoor heat exchangers 130, 200, 210, and 220
to pass through the outdoor expansion mechanism 150 without being
expanded. The refrigerant passing through the outdoor expansion
mechanism 150 may flow into the liquid pipe 33 along the liquid
tube 331 and the liquid connection tube 332. The refrigerant
flowing into the liquid pipe 33 may be expanded while passing
through the indoor liquid tube 333 to flow into each of the indoor
expansion mechanisms 213, 223, 233, and 243. The expanded
refrigerant may be evaporated while passing through each of the
indoor heat exchangers 211, 221, 231, and 241. The evaporated
refrigerant may flow into the low pressure gas pipe 31 along the
indoor gas tube 313. The refrigerant flowing into the low pressure
gas pipe 31 may flow into the second connection tube 134 along the
low pressure connection tube 312 and the low pressure gas tube 311.
Then, the refrigerant may be introduced into the accumulator 135. A
gaseous portion of the refrigerant introduced into the accumulator
135 may be introduced into the compression device 110.
[0047] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for controlling a
multi-type air conditioner according to an embodiment. FIGS. 5 to 8
are block diagram illustrating successive defrosting operations of
a plurality of outdoor devices. FIGS. 9 and 10 are circuit diagrams
of a refrigerant flow when a specific outdoor device performs a
defrosting operation, FIG. 9 illustrating a refrigerant flow when a
fourth outdoor device performs a defrosting operation, and FIG. 10
illustrating a refrigerant flow when a first outdoor device
performs a defrosting operation.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 10, the multi-type air conditioner,
such as the multi-type air conditioner of FIG. 1, may perform a
heating operation according to a heating operation command, in step
S1. In step S2, a controller may determine that a defrosting
operation condition or conditions is satisfied during the heating
operation of the multi-type air conditioner.
[0049] According to this embodiment, whether the defrosting
operation conditions are satisfied may be determined, for example,
by comparing an outlet tube temperature of the outdoor heat
exchanger to an outdoor temperature. Because the plurality of
outdoor devices are operated at the same time, time points at which
the defrosting operation conditions are satisfied in the plurality
of outdoor devices may be similar to each other. However, the time
points at which the defrosting operation conditions are satisfied
in the outdoor devices may be different from each other. In a case
in which the defrosting operation conditions are satisfied in the
multi-type air conditioner, the defrosting operation conditions may
be satisfied in all of the outdoor devices or in a certain number
of the outdoor devices.
[0050] According to this embodiment, whether the defrosting
operation conditions are satisfied may be determined through
various methods including the above-described method. That is, the
present disclosure is not limited to any particular method for
determining whether the defrosting operation conditions are
satisfied.
[0051] In the result determined in step S2, when the defrosting
operation conditions are satisfied, the multi-type air conditioner
may be operated in a defrosting operation mode. More specifically,
in step S3, the plurality of outdoor devices may be successively
operated in the defrosting operation mode. That is, one outdoor
device may perform the defrosting operation, while the remaining
outdoor devices may perform the heating operation. When one outdoor
device completely performs the defrosting operation, the next
outdoor device may perform the defrosting operation.
[0052] In this embodiment, for example, an order of the outdoor
devices performing the defrosting operation may be decided based on
a capacity (a heat exchange capacitor) of each of the outdoor
devices. That is, in a case in which all or a portion of the
outdoor devices have capacities different from each other, the
outdoor device having a relatively small capacity may perform the
defrosting operation first. If all or a portion of the outdoor
devices have the same capacity, the outdoor devices may perform the
defrosting operation according to a preset order. That is, during
manufacture, an order of the outdoor devices performing the
defrosting operation may be set, and this order stored in a memory
(not shown). When the defrosting operation conditions are
satisfied, the defrosting operation may be performed according to
the preset order. A change of the previously decided order may be
impossible or possible.
[0053] As another example, the order of the outdoor devices
performing the deforesting operation may be decided whenever the
defrosting operation conditions are satisfied. For example, the
outdoor devices may perform the defrosting operation in an order
based on a time point (i.e. from the fastest time point) at which
the defrosting operation conditions are satisfied for each outdoor
device.
[0054] In this embodiment, for example, the outdoor devices may
perform the defrosting operation in an order of a fourth indoor
device, a third indoor device, a second indoor device, and a first
indoor device.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 9, when the fourth outdoor device 14
performs the defrosting operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 220
of the fourth outdoor device 14 may switched into a condenser state
by switching the refrigerant flow through the valve of the fourth
outdoor device 14. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of
heat exchanger parts of the fourth outdoor device 14 may be
switched into the condenser state. Each of the outdoor heat
exchanger 130, 200, and 210 of the first to third indoor devices
11, 12, and 13 may be maintained in an evaporator state, and each
of the indoor heat exchangers 211, 221, 231, and 241 of each of the
indoor devices 21, 22, 23, and 24 may be maintained in the
condenser state.
[0056] Thus, the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant
discharged from the compression device of the fourth outdoor device
14 may flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 220 via the valve. When
the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant passes through the
outdoor heat exchanger 220, frost on the outdoor heat exchanger 220
may be removed.
[0057] The refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger
220 of the fourth outdoor device 14 may flow along the liquid tube
331 of the fourth outdoor device 14, and then, the refrigerant
together with the refrigerant discharged from the liquid pipe 33
may be introduced into the liquid tube 331 of the first outdoor
device 11. The second valve 326 disposed in the high pressure gas
tube 321 of the fourth outdoor device 14 may be closed during the
defrosting operation of the fourth outdoor device 14. An operation
of the fan motor assembly 140 disposed in the fourth outdoor device
14 may be stopped during the defrosting operation of the fourth
outdoor device 14. Also, an opening degree of the outdoor expansion
valve 151, 152 of the fourth outdoor device 14 may be greater than
that of the previous state (i.e., an opening degree of the outdoor
expansion valve when the outdoor heat exchanger of the fourth
outdoor device serves as an evaporator).
[0058] Also, a portion of the refrigerant evaporated while passing
through the outdoor heat exchanger in the first to third outdoor
devices 11, 12, and 13 may flow into the accumulator 135 of the
first to third outdoor devices 11, 12, and 13. The other portion of
the refrigerant may flow into the accumulator 135 of the fourth
outdoor device 14 along the low pressure gas tube 311. When the
defrosting operation of the fourth outdoor device 14 is completed,
the outdoor heat exchanger 220 of the fourth outdoor device 14 may
be switched into the evaporator state by switching the refrigerant
flow through the valve.
[0059] Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the third outdoor device 13 may
perform the defrosting operation. When the third outdoor device 13
performs the defrosting operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 210
of the third outdoor device 13 may serve as the condenser, and the
outdoor heat exchangers of the remaining outdoor devices may serve
as the evaporators. When the defrosting operation of the third
outdoor device 13 is finished, the second outdoor device 12 may
perform the defrosting operation, as shown in FIG. 7. When the
second outdoor device 12 performs the defrosting operation, the
outdoor heat exchanger 210 of the second outdoor device 12 may
serve as the condenser, and the outdoor heat exchangers of the
remaining outdoor devices may serve as the evaporators. When the
defrosting operation of the second outdoor device 12 is finished,
the first outdoor device 11 may perform the defrosting
operation.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 10, when the first outdoor device 11
performs the defrosting operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 130
of the first outdoor device 11 may be switched to the condenser
state by switching the refrigerant flow through the valve. Each of
the outdoor heat exchangers of the second to fourth outdoor devices
12, 13, and 14 may be maintained in the evaporator state, and each
of the indoor heat exchangers 211, 221, 231, and 241 of the each of
the indoor devices 21, 22, 23, and 24 may be maintained in the
condenser state.
[0061] Thus, the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant
discharged from the compression device of the first outdoor device
11 may flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 130 via the valve. When
the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant passes through the
outdoor heat exchanger 130, frost on the outdoor heat exchanger 130
may be removed.
[0062] The refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger
130 of the first outdoor device 11 may flow along the liquid tube
331 of the first outdoor device 11, and then, the refrigerant
together with the refrigerant discharged from the liquid pipe 33
may be introduced into the liquid tubes 331 of the second to fourth
outdoor devices 12, 13, and 14. The second valve 325 disposed in
the high pressure gas tube 321 of the first outdoor device 11 may
be closed during the defrosting operation of the first outdoor
device 11. An operation of the fan motor assembly 140 disposed in
the first outdoor device 11 may be stopped during the defrosting
operation of the first outdoor device 11. Also, an opening degree
of the outdoor expansion valve 151, 152 of the first outdoor device
11 may be greater than that of the previous state (i.e., an opening
degree of the outdoor expansion valve when the outdoor heat
exchanger of the first outdoor device serves as an evaporator).
[0063] When the defrosting operation of the first outdoor device 11
is completed, the defrosting operation of all of the outdoor
devices may be determined to be completed, in step S4. Then, the
defrosting process may return to step S1, and each of the outdoor
heat exchangers 130, 200, 210, and 220 of each of the outdoor
devices 11, 12, 13, and 14 may be switched to the evaporator
state.
[0064] According to embodiments disclosed herein, because the
indoor device may perform a heating operation during a defrosting
operation of the air conditioner, the indoor space may be
continuously heated to maintain a comfortable indoor space. Also,
because the outdoor heat exchangers do not perform the defrosting
operation at the same time, but rather, successively perform the
defrosting operation, deterioration of heating performance may be
minimized. Further, because the frost on all of the outdoor heat
exchangers of each of the outdoor devices may be removed, frost may
be preventing from remaining on a portion of the outdoor heat
exchangers.
[0065] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a multi-type air
conditioner and a method of controlling a multi-type air
conditioner in which a defrosting operation may be performed in a
state in which deterioration of heating performance may be
minimized.
[0066] A multi-type air conditioner according to embodiments
disclosed herein may include a plurality of indoor units or
devices, each including an indoor heat exchanger; and a plurality
of outdoor units or devices connected to the plurality of indoor
units, each including an outdoor heat exchanger, wherein, when a
defrosting operation condition is satisfied during a heating
operation, the plurality of outdoor units may successively perform
a defrosting operation.
[0067] A multi-type air conditioner according to embodiments
disclosed herein may include a plurality of indoor units or
devices, each including an indoor heat exchanger; and a plurality
of outdoor units or devices connected to the plurality of indoor
units, each including an outdoor heat exchanger, wherein, when a
defrosting operation condition is satisfied during a heating
operation, the outdoor heat exchanger of one outdoor unit of the
plurality of outdoor units may be switched into a condenser state
to perform a defrosting operation.
[0068] A method of controlling a multi-type air conditioner
including a plurality of indoor units or devices and a plurality of
outdoor units or devices according to embodiments disclosed herein
may include performing a heating operation in the plurality of
outdoor units; determining whether a defrosting operation condition
is satisfied during the heating operation of the plurality of
outdoor units; and successively performing a defrosting operation
in the plurality of outdoor units when the defrosting operation
condition is satisfied.
[0069] Even though all the elements of embodiments may be coupled
into one or operated in a combined state, the present disclosure is
not limited to such an embodiment. That is, all the elements may be
selectively combined with each other without departing from the
scope of the invention. Further, when it is described that one
comprises (or includes or has) some elements, it should be
understood that it may comprise (or include or has) only those
elements, or it may comprise (or include or have) other elements as
well as those elements if there is no specific limitation. Unless
otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms including
technical or scientific terms are to be given meanings understood
by those skilled in the art. Like terms defined in dictionaries,
generally used terms needs to be construed as meaning used in
technical contexts and are not construed as ideal or excessively
formal meanings unless otherwise clearly defined herein.
[0070] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it will be understood
by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and
details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in descriptive
sense only and not for purposes of limitation, and also the
technical scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiments.
Further, is defined not by the detailed description of the
invention but by the appended claims, and all differences within
the scope will be construed as being comprised in the present
disclosure.
[0071] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it
is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the
art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in
connection with other ones of the embodiments.
[0072] 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.
* * * * *