Air conditioner and method for controlling the same

Abstract

An air conditioner is provided. A compressor compresses refrigerant. An indoor heat exchanger performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air. An expansion device decompresses the refrigerant. An outdoor heat exchanger performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air. Sensors sense temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger, indoor temperature and outdoor temperature. A heater generates heat variably according to the outdoor temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger temperature. A controller determines quantity of frost on the outdoor heat exchanger by comparing a preset reference temperature with a temperature difference between the outdoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger temperature, and controls output of the heater according to the determined frost quantity. Accordingly, frost quantity is determined according to the indoor and outdoor temperatures and the outdoor heat exchanger temperature, and heat quantity of the induction heater is accordingly varied. Therefore, power consumption can be reduced.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to an air conditioner and a control method thereof. Background technique [0002] In general, an air conditioner is a home appliance that keeps indoor air in an optimal state according to its use and purpose. For example, the room is adjusted to a cool cooling state in summer, and the room is adjusted to a warm heating state in winter, and the indoor humidity is adjusted to keep the indoor air in a comfortable state. [0003] With the gradual expansion of the use of daily convenience products such as air conditioners as described above, consumer demand for products with high energy efficiency, high performance and ease of use is increasing. [0004] The above-mentioned air conditioners can be classified into: a separate type air conditioner that is separated into an indoor unit and an outdoor unit; and an integrated type air conditioner that combines the indoor unit and the outdoor unit into one device. Moreover, according to th...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0007] However, when this method is adopted, the indoor heat exchanger acts as an evaporator, and since it must be defrosted in a refrigerated state, there is a problem of causing the indoor temperature to drop

[0008] In addition, when the operation of the air conditioner is switched to the cooling operation mode, it takes a certain amount of time to supply the high-temperature refrigerant to the outdoor heat exchanger, so there is a problem that it takes a long time to defrost.

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