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EP2126476B1 - Air conditioning system and control method for the same - Google Patents

Air conditioning system and control method for the same Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2126476B1
EP2126476B1 EP08712495.4A EP08712495A EP2126476B1 EP 2126476 B1 EP2126476 B1 EP 2126476B1 EP 08712495 A EP08712495 A EP 08712495A EP 2126476 B1 EP2126476 B1 EP 2126476B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cooling
units
outdoor
heating
indoor units
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP08712495.4A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2126476A4 (en
EP2126476A1 (en
Inventor
Tae-Hee Kwak
Il-Nahm Hwang
Ho-Jong Jeong
Seung-Yong Chang
Kyung-Won Seo
Chi-Woo Song
Jin-Ha Choi
Won-Chul Kang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LG Electronics Inc
Original Assignee
LG Electronics Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by LG Electronics Inc filed Critical LG Electronics Inc
Publication of EP2126476A1 publication Critical patent/EP2126476A1/en
Publication of EP2126476A4 publication Critical patent/EP2126476A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2126476B1 publication Critical patent/EP2126476B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/50—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
    • F24F11/54—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/62—Control or safety arrangements characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B13/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2140/00—Control inputs relating to system states
    • F24F2140/50—Load
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/007—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for three pipes connecting the outdoor side to the indoor side with multiple indoor units
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/023—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units
    • F25B2313/0231—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units with simultaneous cooling and heating
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/025—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple outdoor units
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/027—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for characterised by the reversing means
    • F25B2313/02743—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for characterised by the reversing means using three four-way valves

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system and a control method for the air conditioning system, and more particularly, to an air conditioning system having improved air conditioning efficiency and a control method for the air conditioning system.
  • US 2004/0144111 A1 relates to an air conditioning system provided with an outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger, and a gaseous refrigerant pipe connecting the indoor heat exchanger to the compressor.
  • the air conditioning system is provided with one air-cooled outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected parallel to the outdoor unit.
  • the indoor heat exchangers and the compressor are connected together by the gaseous refrigerant pipe.
  • a pressure adjusting device is installed in the gaseous refrigerant pipe.
  • the pressure adjusting device is a single integral unit equipped with a pressure detecting means, an electric powered expansion valve, and an opening adjusting means and functions to adjust the pressure in the indoor heat exchanger to a higher pressure then the pressure in the indoor heat exchangers of the other indoor units.
  • GB 2 248 494 A discloses du air Conditioning System according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • Some air conditioning systems have one or more outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units. Such air conditioning systems are called as multiple air conditioning systems.
  • the multiple air conditioning systems can be classified into single type air conditioning systems and series type air conditioning systems depending on how the indoor units are connected to the outdoor units. In the single type air conditioning system, one outdoor unit is connected to a plurality of indoor units. In the series type air conditioning system, a plurality of outdoor units are connected to a plurality of indoor units.
  • the multiple air conditioning systems can also be classified into switching type air conditioning systems and mutli-mode air conditioning systems according to refrigerant circulating methods. In the switching type air conditioning system, all indoor units simultaneously switch between cooling mode and heating mode. In the multi-mode air conditioning system, indoor unit units can operate simultaneously in different modes.
  • the multi-mode air conditioning system can operate in a complete heating mode or a complete cooling mode depending on a method of operating the outdoor units.
  • heat exchangers of all the outdoor units operates as evaporators, and in the complete cooling mode, all the heat exchangers operate as condensers.
  • All the outdoor units of the multi-mode air conditioning system operate in the same mode.
  • the outdoor units operate in the complete heating or cooling mode depending on a cooling/heating operation ratio of indoor units. Therefore, it is difficult to match heating/cooling load on the indoor units with heating/cooling load on the outdoor units. That is, in the multi-mode air conditioning system, an excessive amount of refrigerant can be supplied to an indoor unit while an insufficient amount of refrigerant is supplied to another indoor unit. As a result, the refrigerant cycle of the multi-mode air conditioning system can become unstable, and thus the efficiency of the multi-mode air conditioning system can largely decrease.
  • the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units can be adjusted according to the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units. Therefore, the air conditioning system can have stable refrigerant cycle and high efficiency.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view illustrating an air conditioning system according to an embodiment.
  • the air conditioning system includes a plurality of outdoor units 101, 102, and 103, a distributing unit 200, and a plurality of indoor units 301 to 306.
  • the indoor units 301 to 306 are connected to the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 through the distributing unit 200.
  • the number of the indoor units 301 to 306 can be larger than that of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 by n times where n is an integer.
  • Each of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 can be used as a main outdoor unit 101, and the others can be used as sub outdoor units 102 and 103.
  • Each of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 includes a compressor 111, a four-way valve 112, and an outdoor heat exchanger 113, and an accumulator 114.
  • each of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 includes two compressors 111. However, each of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 can include one or three compressors. Each of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 further includes an outdoor fan (not shown) for blowing outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 113.
  • a high-pressure conduit 121 is connected to the outlet refrigerant conduit connected between the compressor 111 and the four-way valve 112.
  • a liquid conduit 122 is connected to the outlet refrigerant conduit of the outdoor heat exchanger 113.
  • a low-pressure conduit 123 is connected to a refrigerant conduit connected between the four-way valve 112 and the accumulator 114.
  • the high-pressure conduits 121, the liquid conduits 122, and the low-pressure conduits 123 of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 are connected, respectively.
  • a bypass conduit 124 is connected between the liquid conduit 122 and an inlet side of the accumulator 114.
  • An LEV 126 is disposed at the bypass conduit 124.
  • the bypass conduit 124 and the liquid conduit 122 are configured such that heat can be exchanged between the bypass conduit 124 and the liquid conduit 122.
  • the bypass conduit 124 and the liquid conduit 122 can be formed into a double conduct structure.
  • refrigerant can flow in the bypass conduit 124 and the liquid conduit 122 in opposite directions.
  • Refrigerant introduced into the bypass conduit 124 and expanded at the LEV 126 may exchange heat with refrigerant flowing in the liquid conduit 122, and then the refrigerant may flow to the inlet side of the accumulator 114.
  • the high-pressure conduit 121, the liquid conduit 122, and the low-pressure conduit 123 are connected to the distributing unit 200.
  • the distributing unit 200 includes a first distribution part 210, a second distribution part 220, a third distribution part 230, and an over-cooling part 240.
  • the first distribution part 210 is connected to the high-pressure conduit 121, and the second distribution part 220 is connected to the liquid conduit 122.
  • the third distribution part 230 is connected to the low-pressure conduit 123.
  • the first to third distribution parts 210, 220, and 230 are connected to the indoor units 301 to 306 through a plurality of branch conduits.
  • the over-cooling part 240 is connected to the second distribution part 220 and the third distribution part 230.
  • a LEV 241 is connected between the over-cooling part 240 and the second distribution part 220.
  • a solenoid valve and a capillary are connected between the first distribution part 210 and the third distribution part 230.
  • Each of the indoor units 301 to 306 includes an indoor heat exchanger 311.
  • An LEV 312 is disposed at one side of each of the indoor units 301 to 306.
  • a plurality of valves 313 and a plurality of solenoid valve 314 are disposed at the other side of each of the indoor units 301 to 306.
  • hatched valves are in off-positions, and the other valves are in on-positions.
  • the air conditioning system may further include a control unit (not shown) for controlling operations of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103, the distributing unit 200, and the indoor units 301 to 306.
  • a control unit (not shown) for controlling operations of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103, the distributing unit 200, and the indoor units 301 to 306.
  • Fig. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a control method for an air conditioning system according to an embodiment.
  • a control unit of the air conditioning system receives a multi-operation control signal for operating some of indoor units in cooling mode and the others in heating mode.
  • indoor units and outdoor units will be referred to as cooling indoor units, heating indoor units, cooling outdoor units, or heating outdoor units.
  • the control unit checks a ratio of cooling indoor units to heating indoor units and a ratio of cooling outdoor units to heating outdoor units. That is, the control unit checks cooling/heating operation ratios of the indoor units and outdoor units.
  • the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units may be a ratio of the number of cooling indoor units to the number of heating indoor units
  • the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units may a ratio of the number of cooling outdoor units to the number of heating outdoor units.
  • the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units can be calculated as a ratio of total cooling load on cooling indoor units to total heating load on heating indoor units
  • the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units can be calculated as a ratio of the total capacity of cooling outdoor units to the total capacity of heating outdoor units.
  • the total cooling or heating load on the indoor units can be determined by outdoor temperature, indoor temperature, selected temperature, and the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units. If the outdoor units have the same capacity, the ratio of the total capacity of cooling outdoor units to the total capacity of heating outdoor units can be equal to the ratio of the number of cooling outdoor units to the number of heating outdoor units.
  • the control unit determines whether the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units differs from that of the outdoor units. For this, the control unit can compare a ratio of the number of cooling indoor units to the number of heating indoor units with a ratio of the number of cooling outdoor units to the number of heating outdoor units. Alternatively, the control unit can compare a ratio of total cooling load on cooling indoor units to total heating load on heating indoor units with a ratio of the total capacity of cooling outdoor units to the total capacity of heating outdoor units.
  • the control unit adjusts the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units to a ratio corresponding to the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units in operation S17.
  • the control unit can control the outdoor units in a manner such that the ratio of the number of cooling outdoor units to the number of heating outdoor units corresponds to the ratio of the number of cooling indoor units to the number of heating outdoor units.
  • the control unit can control the outdoor units in a manner such that the ratio of the total capacity of cooling outdoor units to the total capacity of heating outdoor units corresponds to the ratio of total cooling load on cooling indoor units to total heating load on heating indoor units.
  • the control unit controls the air conditioning system to operate in cooling and heating modes simultaneously (operation S19). Meanwhile, if it is determined in operation S15 that the cooling/ heating operation ratio of the indoor units does not differ from that of the outdoor units (that is, if the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units corresponds to that of the outdoor units), the control unit operates the air conditioning system according to the multi-operation control signal received in operation S11.
  • two indoor units 301 and 302 of the air conditioning system operate in cooling mode. That is, the indoor units 301 and 302 operate as cooling indoor units.
  • the other indoor units 303 to 306 operate in heating mode as heating indoor units.
  • the control unit can control one of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 (for example, the outdoor unit 101) to operate in cooling mode as a cooling outdoor unit and the other outdoor units 102 and 103 to operate in heating mode as heating outdoor units.
  • Refrigerant discharged from the compressor 111 of the cooling outdoor unit 101 is directed to the outdoor heat exchanger 113 of the cooling outdoor unit 101 and the high-pressure conduit 121.
  • the refrigerant directed to the outdoor heat exchanger 113 changes heat with air and thus condenses.
  • the LEV 116 and the solenoid valve 117 disposed at a side of the outdoor heat exchanger 113 are opened. Then, the refrigerant is discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 113 to the liquid conduit 122.
  • Refrigerant discharged from the compressors 111 of the heating outdoor units 102 and 103 is directed to the high-pressure conduit 121. That is, the high-pressure conduit 121 receives refrigerant from all of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103. A portion of refrigerant flowing in the liquid conduit 122 flows to the bypass conduit 124 and expands at the LEV 126 and then is directed to the outdoor heat exchangers 113 of the heating outdoor units 102 and 103.
  • the outdoor heat exchangers 113 of the heating outdoor units 102 and 103 function as evaporators.
  • the refrigerant of the high-pressure conduit 121 flows to the first distribution part 210 and is distributed from the first distribution part 210 to the heating indoor units 303 to 306. Thereafter, the refrigerant is discharged from the heating indoor units 303 to 306 to the second distribution part 220.
  • the refrigerant of the liquid conduit 122 flows to the second distribution part 220. That is, the second distribution part 220 receives refrigerant from the heating indoor units 303 to 306 and the liquid conduit 122.
  • a portion of refrigerant introduced into the liquid conduit 122 is distributed to the cooling indoor units 301 and 302, and the other portion of the refrigerant introduced into the liquid conduit 122 is directed to the over-cooling part 240 through the LEV 241.
  • the refrigerant directed to the over-cooling part 240 is discharged to the third distribution part 230.
  • the refrigerant of the third distribution part 230 is guided to the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 through the low-pressure conduit 123.
  • the refrigerant flows from the low-pressure conduit 123 to the respective compressors 111 of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 through the accumulators 114.
  • the heating outdoor units 102 and 103 can have sufficient refrigerant discharging pressures.
  • a pressure drop can occur when refrigerant discharged from the cooling outdoor unit 101 flows through the liquid conduit 122 to the second distribution part 220.
  • the pressure drop can be compensated for by refrigerant discharged from the indoor units 303 to 306 to the second distribution part 220. Therefore, the cooling indoor units 301 and 302 can have sufficient pressures for sucking and discharging refrigerant.
  • the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units may be adjusted close to the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units. For example, if the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units is larger than the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units, the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units can be reduced close to the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units by adjusting operational speeds of the compressors of the outdoor units. In addition, if the cooling/heating operation ratio of he outdoor units is smaller than the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units, the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units can be increased close to the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units by adjusting the operational speeds of the compressors of the outdoor units.
  • the cooling/ heating operation ratio of the outdoor units can be adjusted close to the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units by adjusting the ratio of the number of cooling outdoor units to the number of heating outdoor units close to the ratio of the number of cooling indoor units to the number of heating indoor units.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Fuzzy Systems (AREA)
  • Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)
  • Compression-Type Refrigeration Machines With Reversible Cycles (AREA)

Description

    Technical Field
  • The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system and a control method for the air conditioning system, and more particularly, to an air conditioning system having improved air conditioning efficiency and a control method for the air conditioning system.
    • Background Art
  • In general, air conditioning systems are used to cool or heat indoor air by removing/ supplying heat from/to the indoor air using a circulating refrigerant. US 2004/0144111 A1 relates to an air conditioning system provided with an outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger, and a gaseous refrigerant pipe connecting the indoor heat exchanger to the compressor. The air conditioning system is provided with one air-cooled outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected parallel to the outdoor unit. The indoor heat exchangers and the compressor are connected together by the gaseous refrigerant pipe. A pressure adjusting device is installed in the gaseous refrigerant pipe. The pressure adjusting device is a single integral unit equipped with a pressure detecting means, an electric powered expansion valve, and an opening adjusting means and functions to adjust the pressure in the indoor heat exchanger to a higher pressure then the pressure in the indoor heat exchangers of the other indoor units. GB 2 248 494 A discloses du air Conditioning System according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • Some air conditioning systems have one or more outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units. Such air conditioning systems are called as multiple air conditioning systems. The multiple air conditioning systems can be classified into single type air conditioning systems and series type air conditioning systems depending on how the indoor units are connected to the outdoor units. In the single type air conditioning system, one outdoor unit is connected to a plurality of indoor units. In the series type air conditioning system, a plurality of outdoor units are connected to a plurality of indoor units. The multiple air conditioning systems can also be classified into switching type air conditioning systems and mutli-mode air conditioning systems according to refrigerant circulating methods. In the switching type air conditioning system, all indoor units simultaneously switch between cooling mode and heating mode. In the multi-mode air conditioning system, indoor unit units can operate simultaneously in different modes. For example, when some indoor units operate in cooling mode, the others can operate in heating mode. The multi-mode air conditioning system can operate in a complete heating mode or a complete cooling mode depending on a method of operating the outdoor units. In the complete heating mode, heat exchangers of all the outdoor units operates as evaporators, and in the complete cooling mode, all the heat exchangers operate as condensers.
  • However, such related-art multi-mode air conditioning systems have the following disadvantages.
  • All the outdoor units of the multi-mode air conditioning system operate in the same mode. In other words, the outdoor units operate in the complete heating or cooling mode depending on a cooling/heating operation ratio of indoor units. Therefore, it is difficult to match heating/cooling load on the indoor units with heating/cooling load on the outdoor units. That is, in the multi-mode air conditioning system, an excessive amount of refrigerant can be supplied to an indoor unit while an insufficient amount of refrigerant is supplied to another indoor unit. As a result, the refrigerant cycle of the multi-mode air conditioning system can become unstable, and thus the efficiency of the multi-mode air conditioning system can largely decrease.
    • Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem
  • To provide an air conditioning system capable of matching cooling/ heating load of outdoor units with cooling/heating load of indoor units, and a control method for the air conditioning system.
    • Technical Solution
  • The above problem is solved by an air conditioning system according to claim 1, and by a method according to claim 3.
  • The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
    • Advantageous Effects
  • As described above, according to the air conditioning system and the control method for the air conditioning system, the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units can be adjusted according to the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units. Therefore, the air conditioning system can have stable refrigerant cycle and high efficiency.
    • Brief Description of the Drawings
    • Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view illustrating an air conditioning system according to an embodiment.
    • Fig. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a control method for an air conditioning system according to an embodiment.
    Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
  • An air conditioning system and a control method for the air conditioning system will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view illustrating an air conditioning system according to an embodiment.
  • Referring to Fig. 1, the air conditioning system includes a plurality of outdoor units 101, 102, and 103, a distributing unit 200, and a plurality of indoor units 301 to 306. The indoor units 301 to 306 are connected to the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 through the distributing unit 200. The number of the indoor units 301 to 306 can be larger than that of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 by n times where n is an integer.
  • One of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 can be used as a main outdoor unit 101, and the others can be used as sub outdoor units 102 and 103. Each of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 includes a compressor 111, a four-way valve 112, and an outdoor heat exchanger 113, and an accumulator 114.
  • The four-way valve 112 is disposed at an outlet refrigerant conduit of the compressor 111. A linear expansion valve (LEV) 116, a solenoid valve 117, and a check valve 118 are disposed at an outlet refrigerant conduit of the outdoor heat exchanger 113. In Fig. 1, each of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 includes two compressors 111. However, each of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 can include one or three compressors. Each of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 further includes an outdoor fan (not shown) for blowing outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 113.
  • A high-pressure conduit 121 is connected to the outlet refrigerant conduit connected between the compressor 111 and the four-way valve 112. A liquid conduit 122 is connected to the outlet refrigerant conduit of the outdoor heat exchanger 113. A low-pressure conduit 123 is connected to a refrigerant conduit connected between the four-way valve 112 and the accumulator 114. The high-pressure conduits 121, the liquid conduits 122, and the low-pressure conduits 123 of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 are connected, respectively.
  • A bypass conduit 124 is connected between the liquid conduit 122 and an inlet side of the accumulator 114. An LEV 126 is disposed at the bypass conduit 124. The bypass conduit 124 and the liquid conduit 122 are configured such that heat can be exchanged between the bypass conduit 124 and the liquid conduit 122. For example, the bypass conduit 124 and the liquid conduit 122 can be formed into a double conduct structure. In this case, refrigerant can flow in the bypass conduit 124 and the liquid conduit 122 in opposite directions. Refrigerant introduced into the bypass conduit 124 and expanded at the LEV 126 may exchange heat with refrigerant flowing in the liquid conduit 122, and then the refrigerant may flow to the inlet side of the accumulator 114.
  • The high-pressure conduit 121, the liquid conduit 122, and the low-pressure conduit 123 are connected to the distributing unit 200. The distributing unit 200 includes a first distribution part 210, a second distribution part 220, a third distribution part 230, and an over-cooling part 240.
  • The first distribution part 210 is connected to the high-pressure conduit 121, and the second distribution part 220 is connected to the liquid conduit 122. The third distribution part 230 is connected to the low-pressure conduit 123. The first to third distribution parts 210, 220, and 230 are connected to the indoor units 301 to 306 through a plurality of branch conduits. The over-cooling part 240 is connected to the second distribution part 220 and the third distribution part 230. A LEV 241 is connected between the over-cooling part 240 and the second distribution part 220. A solenoid valve and a capillary are connected between the first distribution part 210 and the third distribution part 230.
  • Each of the indoor units 301 to 306 includes an indoor heat exchanger 311. An LEV 312 is disposed at one side of each of the indoor units 301 to 306. A plurality of valves 313 and a plurality of solenoid valve 314 are disposed at the other side of each of the indoor units 301 to 306. In Fig. 1, hatched valves are in off-positions, and the other valves are in on-positions.
  • The air conditioning system may further include a control unit (not shown) for controlling operations of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103, the distributing unit 200, and the indoor units 301 to 306.
  • A control method for an air conditioning system will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing.
  • Fig. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a control method for an air conditioning system according to an embodiment.
  • Referring to Fig. 2, in operation S11, a control unit of the air conditioning system receives a multi-operation control signal for operating some of indoor units in cooling mode and the others in heating mode. Hereinafter, according to operational modes, indoor units and outdoor units will be referred to as cooling indoor units, heating indoor units, cooling outdoor units, or heating outdoor units.
  • In operation S 13, the control unit checks a ratio of cooling indoor units to heating indoor units and a ratio of cooling outdoor units to heating outdoor units. That is, the control unit checks cooling/heating operation ratios of the indoor units and outdoor units. In detail, the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units may be a ratio of the number of cooling indoor units to the number of heating indoor units, and the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units may a ratio of the number of cooling outdoor units to the number of heating outdoor units. Alternatively, the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units can be calculated as a ratio of total cooling load on cooling indoor units to total heating load on heating indoor units, and the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units can be calculated as a ratio of the total capacity of cooling outdoor units to the total capacity of heating outdoor units. Here, the total cooling or heating load on the indoor units can be determined by outdoor temperature, indoor temperature, selected temperature, and the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units. If the outdoor units have the same capacity, the ratio of the total capacity of cooling outdoor units to the total capacity of heating outdoor units can be equal to the ratio of the number of cooling outdoor units to the number of heating outdoor units.
  • In operation S 15, the control unit determines whether the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units differs from that of the outdoor units. For this, the control unit can compare a ratio of the number of cooling indoor units to the number of heating indoor units with a ratio of the number of cooling outdoor units to the number of heating outdoor units. Alternatively, the control unit can compare a ratio of total cooling load on cooling indoor units to total heating load on heating indoor units with a ratio of the total capacity of cooling outdoor units to the total capacity of heating outdoor units.
  • If it is determined that the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units differs from that of the outdoor units, the control unit adjusts the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units to a ratio corresponding to the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units in operation S17. For example, the control unit can control the outdoor units in a manner such that the ratio of the number of cooling outdoor units to the number of heating outdoor units corresponds to the ratio of the number of cooling indoor units to the number of heating outdoor units. Alternatively, the control unit can control the outdoor units in a manner such that the ratio of the total capacity of cooling outdoor units to the total capacity of heating outdoor units corresponds to the ratio of total cooling load on cooling indoor units to total heating load on heating indoor units.
  • After the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units is adjusted to a ratio corresponding to that of the outdoor units in operation S 17, the control unit controls the air conditioning system to operate in cooling and heating modes simultaneously (operation S19). Meanwhile, if it is determined in operation S15 that the cooling/ heating operation ratio of the indoor units does not differ from that of the outdoor units (that is, if the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units corresponds to that of the outdoor units), the control unit operates the air conditioning system according to the multi-operation control signal received in operation S11.
  • A method of controlling the air conditioning system of Fig. 1 using the above-described control method will now be described in detail according to an embodiment.
  • Referring again to Fig. 1, two indoor units 301 and 302 of the air conditioning system operate in cooling mode. That is, the indoor units 301 and 302 operate as cooling indoor units. The other indoor units 303 to 306 operate in heating mode as heating indoor units. In this case, since the ratio of cooling indoor units to heating indoor units is 1:2, the control unit can control one of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 (for example, the outdoor unit 101) to operate in cooling mode as a cooling outdoor unit and the other outdoor units 102 and 103 to operate in heating mode as heating outdoor units.
  • Refrigerant discharged from the compressor 111 of the cooling outdoor unit 101 is directed to the outdoor heat exchanger 113 of the cooling outdoor unit 101 and the high-pressure conduit 121. The refrigerant directed to the outdoor heat exchanger 113 changes heat with air and thus condenses. At this time, the LEV 116 and the solenoid valve 117 disposed at a side of the outdoor heat exchanger 113 are opened. Then, the refrigerant is discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 113 to the liquid conduit 122.
  • Refrigerant discharged from the compressors 111 of the heating outdoor units 102 and 103 is directed to the high-pressure conduit 121. That is, the high-pressure conduit 121 receives refrigerant from all of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103. A portion of refrigerant flowing in the liquid conduit 122 flows to the bypass conduit 124 and expands at the LEV 126 and then is directed to the outdoor heat exchangers 113 of the heating outdoor units 102 and 103. Here, the outdoor heat exchangers 113 of the heating outdoor units 102 and 103 function as evaporators.
  • The refrigerant of the high-pressure conduit 121 flows to the first distribution part 210 and is distributed from the first distribution part 210 to the heating indoor units 303 to 306. Thereafter, the refrigerant is discharged from the heating indoor units 303 to 306 to the second distribution part 220.
  • The refrigerant of the liquid conduit 122 flows to the second distribution part 220. That is, the second distribution part 220 receives refrigerant from the heating indoor units 303 to 306 and the liquid conduit 122.
  • A portion of refrigerant introduced into the liquid conduit 122 is distributed to the cooling indoor units 301 and 302, and the other portion of the refrigerant introduced into the liquid conduit 122 is directed to the over-cooling part 240 through the LEV 241. The refrigerant directed to the over-cooling part 240 is discharged to the third distribution part 230.
  • The refrigerant of the third distribution part 230 is guided to the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 through the low-pressure conduit 123. In detail, the refrigerant flows from the low-pressure conduit 123 to the respective compressors 111 of the outdoor units 101, 102, and 103 through the accumulators 114.
  • As explained above, when heating load on the indoor units 301 to 306 is high, refrigerant of the cooling outdoor unit 101 and the heating outdoor units 102 and 103 is directed to the high-pressure conduit 121 and the first distribution part 210. Therefore, the amount of refrigerant supplied from the heating outdoor units 102 and 103 can increase, and thus the pressure of refrigerant in the high-pressure conduit 121 and the first distribution part 210 can be adjusted to a level suitable for heating operations. In addition, the heating outdoor units 102 and 103 can have sufficient refrigerant discharging pressures.
  • A pressure drop can occur when refrigerant discharged from the cooling outdoor unit 101 flows through the liquid conduit 122 to the second distribution part 220. However, the pressure drop can be compensated for by refrigerant discharged from the indoor units 303 to 306 to the second distribution part 220. Therefore, the cooling indoor units 301 and 302 can have sufficient pressures for sucking and discharging refrigerant.
  • If the number of the indoor units is not integer times the number of the outdoor units, the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units may be adjusted close to the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units. For example, if the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units is larger than the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units, the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units can be reduced close to the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units by adjusting operational speeds of the compressors of the outdoor units. In addition, if the cooling/heating operation ratio of he outdoor units is smaller than the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units, the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units can be increased close to the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units by adjusting the operational speeds of the compressors of the outdoor units. Meanwhile, prior to adjusting the operational speeds of the compressors of the outdoor units, the cooling/ heating operation ratio of the outdoor units can be adjusted close to the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units by adjusting the ratio of the number of cooling outdoor units to the number of heating outdoor units close to the ratio of the number of cooling indoor units to the number of heating indoor units.

Claims (3)

  1. An air conditioning system comprising:
    a plurality of indoor units (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306) each including an indoor heat exchanger (311) and capable of operatihg in a cooling or heating mode individually;
    a plurality of outdoor units (101, 102, 103) each including an outdoor heat exchanger (113) and capable of operating in a cooling or heating mode individually, a compressor (111), a four-way valve (112), and an accumulator (114);
    a distributing unit (200) configured to distribute refrigerant between the indoor heat exchangers (311) and the outdoor heat exchangers (113); and
    a control unit configured to operate the outdoor units (101, 102, 103) at a cooling/heating operation ratio corresponding to a cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306), characterized in that
    the control unit is adapted to control the indoor units (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306) and the outdoor units (101, 102, 103) such that a ratio of the number of the indoor units (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306) operating in the cooling mode to the number of indoor units (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306) operating in the heating mode is equal to a ratio of the number of the outdoor units (101, 102, 103) operating in the cooling mode to the number of the outdoor units (101, 102, 103) operating in the heating mode.
  2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the distributing unit (200) according to the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306) such that the distributing unit (200) allows circulations of refrigerant between the indoor units (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306) and the outdoor units (101, 102, 103) that operate in a cooling mode, and circulations of refrigerant between the indoor units (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306) and the outdoor units (101, 102, 103) that operate in a heating mode.
  3. A method for controlling an air conditioning system using a control unit, the air conditioning system including a plurality of indoor units (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306) and a plurality of outdoor units (101, 102, 103) each including an outdoor heat exchanger (113) and capable of operating in a cooling or heating mode individually, a compressor (111), a four-way valve (112), and an accumulator (114),
    the method comprising:
    receiving a control signal for operating the air conditioning system simultaneously in cooling and heating modes;
    determining a cooling/heating operation ratio of a plurality of indoor units (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306)and a cooling/heating operation ratio of a plurality of outdoor units (101, 102, 103) according to the control signal;
    comparing the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306) with the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor unit (101, 102, 103); and
    if the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306) is different from the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units (101, 102, 103), adjusting the cooling/heating operation ratio of the outdoor units (101, 102, 103) to a ratio corresponding to the cooling/heating operation ratio of the indoor units (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306),
    wherein the control unit controls the indoor units (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306) and the outdoor units (101, 102, 103) such that a ratio of the number of the indoor units (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306) operating in a cooling mode to the number of the indoor units (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306) operating in a heating mode is equal to a ratio of the number of the outdoor units (101, 102, 103) operating in a cooling mode to the number of outdoor unit (101, 102, 103) operating in a heating mode.
EP08712495.4A 2007-02-13 2008-02-13 Air conditioning system and control method for the same Not-in-force EP2126476B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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KR1020070014643A KR100854829B1 (en) 2007-02-13 2007-02-13 Air Conditioning System and Its Control Method
PCT/KR2008/000858 WO2008100086A1 (en) 2007-02-13 2008-02-13 Air conditioning system and control method for the same

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JP5859220B2 (en) * 2011-04-28 2016-02-10 三菱重工業株式会社 Branch pipe and air conditioner
KR101271588B1 (en) * 2012-03-05 2013-06-11 이호진 Multi thermo-hygrostat using an air heat
CN108758960B (en) * 2018-03-21 2020-02-04 青岛海信日立空调系统有限公司 Time-sharing dehumidification method and device for multi-split air conditioning system and computer storage medium

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EP2126476A4 (en) 2011-12-28
KR100854829B1 (en) 2008-08-27
ES2619188T3 (en) 2017-06-23
WO2008100086A1 (en) 2008-08-21
EP2126476A1 (en) 2009-12-02
KR20080075581A (en) 2008-08-19

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