An air conditioner

Abstract

The air conditioner provided by the embodiment of the present application has its indoor heat exchanger configured by the outdoor control unit to operate as an evaporator so that ice layers are formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger. After the ice layers are formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, the indoor heat exchanger is configured to operate as a condenser so that the ice layers formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger melt; the expansion valve is controlled by the outdoor control unit to maintain the same opening degree when the compressor is configured to stop operating and when the indoor heat exchanger is configured to operate as an evaporator, preventing the refrigerant from flowing rapidly in the indoor heat exchanger due to the increase in the opening degree of the expansion valve when the compressor stops operating, and further preventing the melting rate of the ice layers on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger from being too high. Maintaining the opening degree of the expansion valve unchanged can reduce the melting rate of the ice layers on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, enabling the condensed water formed by the melting of the ice layers to slowly form on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, which can ensure that the condensed water fully absorbs dust, increase the amount of condensed water, and enhance the flushing of dust.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of air conditioners, and particularly to an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] After an air conditioner has been placed or used for a long time, there will be a certain amount of dust and dirt on the surface of the heat exchanger. These dust and dirt will reduce the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger, resulting in a decline in the performance of the air conditioner and an increase in energy consumption. The main cleaning method of existing air conditioners is as follows: under the refrigeration condition, the surface of the indoor unit coil freezes to form an ice layer, and then the refrigeration condition is switched to the heating condition, so that the ice layer melts to form condensed water. The condensed water is pushed by the airflow provided by the fan to take away the dust on the surface of the heat exchanger, realizing the cleaning function of the air conditioner. However, when the existing air conditioner executes the cleaning mode, because the melting speed of the ice layer on its surface is too fast, the amount of condensed water formed by melting is relatively low, thereby reducing the cleaning performance of the dust on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of this application provide an air conditioner and an air conditioner cleaning method, which are used to solve the problem of poor cleaning effect of existing air conditioners and effectively clean the air conditioner.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the embodiments of this application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0005] Embodiments of this application provide an air conditioner, including a compressor for compressing low-pressure refrigerant to form high-pressure refrigerant; an indoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between indoor air and the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger; an outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between outdoor air and the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger; an expansion valve connected between the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger, and adjusting the refrigerant pressure flowing through the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger by the opening degree of the expansion valve; an outdoor control unit configured to control the opening degree of the expansion valve and the operating frequency of the compressor; a refrigerant circuit composed of the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the indoor heat exchanger connected in sequence, and the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit; the indoor heat exchanger is configured by the outdoor control unit to operate as an evaporator so that an ice layer is formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger. After the ice layer is formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, the compressor is configured by the outdoor control unit to stop working according to a preset shutdown time so that the ice layer formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger melts; the expansion valve is controlled by the outdoor control unit to maintain the same opening degree when the compressor is configured to stop working as the opening degree of the expansion valve when the indoor heat exchanger is configured to operate as the evaporator.

[0006] Furthermore, the air conditioner also includes: a four-way valve connected to the refrigerant circuit, and the four-way valve switches the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit under the control of the outdoor control unit to make the indoor heat exchanger work as an evaporator or a condenser.

[0007] Furthermore, the compressor is configured by the outdoor control unit to start operation after the preset downtime, and the indoor heat exchanger is configured by the outdoor control unit to operate as a condenser to dry the surface of the indoor heat exchanger.

[0008] The air conditioner provided by the embodiment of the present application has an indoor heat exchanger configured by the outdoor control unit to work as an evaporator so that an ice layer is formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger. After the ice layer is formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, the indoor heat exchanger is configured to work as a condenser to melt the ice layer formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger. The expansion valve is controlled by the outdoor control unit to maintain the same opening degree when the compressor is configured to stop working and the opening degree when the indoor heat exchanger is configured to evaporator working, so as to prevent the refrigerant from quickly circulating in the indoor heat exchanger due to the increase in the opening degree of the expansion valve when the compressor is stopped working. The melting rate of the ice layer on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger is too high. Maintaining the expansion valve opening unchanged can reduce the melting rate of the ice layer on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, so that the condensed water formed by the melting of the ice layer slowly forms on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, which can ensure that the condensed water is in full contact with the surface of the indoor heat exchanger to absorb the dust attached to its surface, and can increase the amount of condensed water to increase the scouring of dust, thereby improving the cleaning effect of the condensed water on the dust on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, solving the problem of poor cleaning effect of the air conditioner in the prior art, and effectively cleaning the heat exchanger inside the air conditioner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an air conditioner provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0010] Figure 2 A system schematic diagram of an air conditioner provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The specific implementation methods of the present application are further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0012] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides an air conditioner, which is a split air conditioner consisting of an outdoor unit 10 and an indoor unit 20. The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 are connected by a pipeline to transmit refrigerant, and are connected by a data connection line to transmit communication information.

[0013] Among them, in addition to the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20, the air conditioner may further include an air purification unit, a ventilation unit, a humidification unit, a dehumidification unit, a heater, etc. The above units can be integrally controlled in a state of being combined with the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20.

[0014] The outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 11, an outdoor heat exchanger 12, an expansion valve 13, an outdoor control unit 14, an outdoor fan 15, and a four-way valve 16.

[0015] The compressor 11 is used to compress the refrigerant so that the low-pressure refrigerant is compressed to form a high-pressure refrigerant.

[0016] The outdoor heat exchanger 12 is used to perform heat exchange between the outdoor air flow and the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 12. Specifically, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 operates as a condenser under the cooling condition of the air conditioner, so that the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 11 condenses in the outdoor heat exchanger 12; the outdoor heat exchanger 12 operates as an evaporator under the heating condition of the air conditioner, so that the decompressed refrigerant evaporates in the outdoor heat exchanger 12.

[0017] Furthermore, the cooling fins (not shown) of the outdoor heat exchanger 12 are used to improve the heat exchange efficiency between the outdoor air and the refrigerant by expanding the surface area between the outdoor air and the refrigerant pipes (not shown) of the outdoor heat exchanger 12 through which the refrigerant passes.

[0018] The expansion valve 13 is connected between the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the outdoor heat exchanger 12. The opening degree of the expansion valve 13 adjusts the refrigerant pressure flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the outdoor heat exchanger 12 to adjust the refrigerant flow rate between the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the outdoor heat exchanger 12. Among them, the flow rate value and pressure value of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the outdoor heat exchanger 12 will affect the heat exchange performance of the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the outdoor heat exchanger 12. The expansion valve 13 can be an electronic valve, and the opening degree of the expansion valve 13 is adjustable to control the flow rate and pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the expansion valve 13.

[0019] The outdoor control unit 14 is configured to control the opening degree of the expansion valve 13 and the operating frequency of the compressor 11.

[0020] The outdoor fan 15 is used to suck the outdoor air into the outdoor unit 10 through the outdoor air inlet, and send it out through the outdoor air outlet after heat exchange through the outdoor heat exchanger 12. The outdoor fan 15 provides power for the flow of air.

[0021] The four-way valve 16 is connected in the refrigerant circuit. The four-way valve 16 is controlled by the outdoor control unit 14 to switch the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit so that the indoor unit 20 performs the cooling or heating condition.

[0022] The refrigerant circuit is composed of a compressor 11, an outdoor heat exchanger 12, an expansion valve 13, and an indoor heat exchanger 21 connected in sequence. The refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit to allow the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the outdoor heat exchanger 12 to exchange heat with air respectively, so as to achieve cooling or heating of the indoor unit 20.

[0023] The indoor unit 20 includes an indoor heat exchanger 21, an indoor fan 22, and an indoor control unit 23.

[0024] The indoor heat exchanger 21 is used to exchange heat between the indoor air flow and the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 21.

[0025] The indoor fan 22 is used to suck indoor air into the indoor unit 20 through the indoor air inlet, and send it out through the indoor air outlet after heat exchange by the indoor heat exchanger 21. The indoor fan 22 provides power for the flow of air.

[0026] The indoor control unit 23 is configured to control the rotation speed of the indoor fan 22. The indoor control unit 23 is connected to the outdoor control unit 14 through a data line to transmit communication information.

[0027] To clean the dust adhering to the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 21, the indoor unit 20 is controlled to execute the cooling condition, and the compressor 11 operates. Specifically, the outdoor control unit 14 controls the four-way valve 16 so that the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit according to a preset flow direction, so that the indoor unit 20 operates in the cooling condition. When the indoor unit 20 operates in the cooling condition, the indoor heat exchanger 21 is configured to operate as an evaporator. The water molecules in the air are cooled when they encounter the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 21, condense on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 21, and further form ice layers.

[0028] After the ice layer is formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 21, the outdoor control unit 14 controls the compressor 11 to stop operating according to a preset shutdown time, so that the compressor 11 maintains a stopped state for the preset shutdown time, realizing overpressure protection of the compressor 11 when the operating condition of the indoor unit 20 is switched. For example, the preset shutdown time of the compressor 11 is 3 minutes.

[0029] After the compressor 11 has maintained a stopped state for a preset shutdown time, the outdoor control unit 14 controls the startup of the compressor 11 to operate, and the outdoor control unit 14 controls the four-way valve 16 so that the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit according to a preset flow direction, enabling the indoor unit 20 to operate in a heating mode. When the indoor unit 20 operates in a heating mode, the indoor heat exchanger 21 is configured to operate as a condenser. Thus, the indoor heat exchanger 21 is configured to operate as a condenser to melt the ice layer formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 21. The condensed water formed by the melting of the ice layer can clean the dust contained in the ice layer. At the same time, the flow of the condensed water on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 21 can achieve the flushing of the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 21, ensuring the cleanliness of the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 21.

[0030] To improve the cleaning effect on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 21, in the embodiment of the present application, the expansion valve 13 is controlled by the outdoor control unit 14 to maintain the same opening degree within the preset shutdown time when the compressor 11 is configured to stop operating as the opening degree of the expansion valve 13 when the indoor heat exchanger 21 is configured to operate as an evaporator. That is to say, the opening degree of the expansion valve 13 when the compressor is stopped is the same as its opening degree when the indoor unit 20 operates in a refrigeration mode to form an ice layer. For example, the opening degree of the expansion valve 13 when the compressor is stopped is 400°, and the opening degree of the expansion valve 13 when the indoor unit 20 operates in a refrigeration mode to form an ice layer is 400°.

[0031] It should be noted that by maintaining the opening degree of the expansion valve 13 unchanged within the preset shutdown time when the compressor 11 is configured to stop operating, it prevents the refrigerant from flowing rapidly in the indoor heat exchanger 21. The refrigerant with a lower flow rate can reduce the heat exchange performance of the indoor heat exchanger 21 when flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 21, thereby reducing the melting rate of the ice layer on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger. As a result, the condensed water formed by the melting of the ice layer slowly forms on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 21. The slowly melting condensed water can fully contact the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 21 to absorb and flush the dust attached to the indoor heat exchanger 21. At the same time, it can increase the amount of condensed water to enhance the flushing of the dust on the surface of the heat exchanger, further improving the cleaning performance of the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 21.

[0032] It should be noted that the compressor 11 stops operating within the preset shutdown time to protect the compressor 11 from overpressure protection before the indoor unit 20 switches from the refrigeration mode to the heating mode. To quickly start the subsequent heating mode, the opening degree of the expansion valve 13 cannot be reduced, otherwise the pressure between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit will be too large, affecting the restart of the compressor 11 and the stability of the refrigerant circuit.

[0033] It should be noted that the above-mentioned units can be separately provided processors, or can be implemented by integrating into a certain processor of the controller. In addition, they can also be stored in the memory of the controller in the form of program codes, and the functions of the above-mentioned units are called and executed by a certain processor of the controller. The processor described herein can be a central processing unit (CPU), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of the present application.

[0034] It should be understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the sequence numbers of the above processes do not mean the order of execution. The order of execution of each process should be determined according to its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0035] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware, or by a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed in a hardware or software manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0036] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and conciseness of description, the specific working processes of the above-described systems, devices, and units can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be elaborated herein.

[0037] In several embodiments provided by the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and there can be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the displayed or discussed coupling or direct coupling or communication connection to each other can be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units can be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

[0038] The unit described as a separation component may or may not be physically separated. The component shown as a unit may or may not be a physical unit, that is, it may be located in one place or may be distributed over multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0039] In addition, each functional unit in various embodiments of the present application may be integrated in a processing unit, may exist separately as individual physical units, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, characterized in that, Comprising: A compressor for compressing low-pressure refrigerant to form high-pressure refrigerant; An indoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between indoor air flow and the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger; An outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between outdoor air flow and the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger; An expansion valve connected between the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger, and adjusting the refrigerant pressure flowing through the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger by the opening degree of the expansion valve; An outdoor control unit configured to control the opening degree of the expansion valve and the operating frequency of the compressor; A refrigerant circuit composed of the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the indoor heat exchanger connected in sequence, and the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit; The indoor heat exchanger is configured by the outdoor control unit to operate as an evaporator to form ice on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger; after ice is formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, the compressor is configured by the outdoor control unit to stop working according to a preset shutdown time; and after the compressor passes the preset shutdown time, the compressor is configured by the outdoor control unit to start working, and the indoor heat exchanger is configured by the outdoor control unit to operate as a condenser to melt the ice formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger; The expansion valve is controlled by the outdoor control unit to maintain the same opening degree when the compressor is configured to stop working as the opening degree of the expansion valve when the indoor heat exchanger is configured to operate as the evaporator.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, The air conditioner further includes: A four-way valve connected in the refrigerant circuit, and the four-way valve switches the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit under the control of the outdoor control unit to enable the indoor heat exchanger to operate as an evaporator or a condenser.

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