Air conditioner

Abstract

The present invention discloses an air conditioner, which includes a refrigerant module, a control valve group and a heating fan. The refrigerant module includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a throttling device and a second heat exchanger that are connected and communicated with each other. The second heat exchanger includes a first sub-heat exchanger and a second sub-heat exchanger; the control valve group is communicated with the refrigerant module. In the defrosting and heating mode, the control valve group can make the first heat exchanger serve as a condenser, and one of the first sub-heat exchanger and the second sub-heat exchanger serves as a condenser, and the other serves as an evaporator; the heating fan can at least drive air to blow from the condenser in the first sub-heat exchanger and the second sub-heat exchanger to the evaporator. The technical solution of the present invention enables the air conditioner to defrost without stopping the compressor, thereby maintaining continuous heating and improving indoor comfort.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of air conditioners, and particularly to an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] When an air conditioner heats in a low-temperature condition, the outdoor heat exchanger is prone to icing and frosting. After frosting on the outdoor heat exchanger, the heat exchange efficiency will drop sharply, seriously affecting the heat exchange effect. Therefore, when the air conditioner operates in a low-temperature environment for a period of time or when the outdoor heat exchanger frosts, it generally enters a defrosting mode to remove the frost on the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0003] The existing defrosting method of an air conditioner is to switch the air conditioner from the heating mode to the cooling mode for defrosting, that is, the compressor stops and the refrigerant circuit runs in the reverse direction, resulting in discontinuous heating and obvious fluctuations in the indoor temperature, thus affecting the indoor comfort. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner, aiming to enable the air conditioner to defrost without stopping the compressor, so as to maintain continuous heating and improve indoor comfort.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the air conditioner proposed by the present invention includes:

[0006] A refrigerant module, including a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a throttling device and a second heat exchanger connected in communication, and the second heat exchanger includes a first sub-heat exchanger and a second sub-heat exchanger;

[0007] A control valve group, communicating with the refrigerant module. In the defrosting heating mode, the control valve group can make the first heat exchanger act as a condenser, and one of the first sub-heat exchanger and the second sub-heat exchanger act as a condenser, and the other act as an evaporator; and

[0008] A heating fan, at least capable of driving air to blow from the condenser in the first sub-heat exchanger and the second sub-heat exchanger to the evaporator.

[0009] Optionally, the control valve group includes a first control valve, and the first control valve can make its P port communicate with the A port or make its P port communicate with both the A port and the B port; the P port of the first control valve communicates with the exhaust port of the compressor, the A port communicates with the first port of the first heat exchanger, and the B port communicates with the first port of the first sub-heat exchanger; the second port of the first sub-heat exchanger and the second port of the first heat exchanger are both connected to the first port of the throttling device, the second port of the throttling device is connected to the first port of the second sub-heat exchanger, and the second port of the second sub-heat exchanger is connected to the intake port of the compressor.

[0010] Optionally, the control valve group further includes a second control valve and a third control valve. The second control valve can connect its P port to the A port or connect its P port to the B port. The third control valve can connect its P port to the A port or connect its P port to the B port. The A port of the second control valve is connected to the second port of the throttling device, the B port is connected to the B port of the first control valve, and the P port is connected to the first port of the first sub-heat exchanger. The P port of the third control valve is connected to the second port of the first sub-heat exchanger, the A port is connected to the intake port of the compressor, and the B port is connected to the throttling device.

[0011] Optionally, the control valve group further includes a fourth control valve and a fifth control valve. The fourth control valve can connect its P port to the A port or connect its P port to the B port. The fifth control valve can connect its P port to the A port or connect its P port to the B port. The A port of the fourth control valve is connected to the throttling device, the B port is connected to the B port of the first control valve, and the P port is connected to the first port of the second sub-heat exchanger. The P port of the fifth control valve is connected to the second port of the second sub-heat exchanger, the A port is connected to the intake port of the compressor, and the B port is connected to the throttling device.

[0012] Optionally, the refrigerant module further includes a four-way valve. The D port of the four-way valve is connected to the exhaust port of the compressor, the S port is connected to the intake port of the compressor, the E port is connected to the P port of the first control valve, and the C port is connected to the A port of the third control valve and the A port of the fifth control valve.

[0013] Optionally, the refrigerant module further includes a refrigerant storage tank. The first heat exchanger, the B port of the third control valve, the B port of the fifth control valve, and the throttling device are respectively connected to the refrigerant storage tank.

[0014] Optionally, the refrigerant module further includes a first pipeline, a second pipeline, a third pipeline and two check valves. The first end of the first pipeline and the first end of the second pipeline are connected and connected to the first heat exchanger. The second end of the first pipeline is connected to the liquid inlet of the refrigerant storage tank. The first end of the third pipeline is connected to the liquid outlet of the refrigerant storage tank. The second end of the third pipeline is connected to the second end of the second pipeline and connected to the throttling device. One check valve is arranged in the second pipeline and is used to make the refrigerant in the second pipeline flow from the throttling device to the first heat exchanger. The other check valve is arranged in the third pipeline and is used to make the refrigerant in the third pipeline flow from the refrigerant storage tank to the throttling device.

[0015] Optionally, the air conditioner further includes a dehumidification module configured to dry the air blown from the condensers of the first sub-heat exchanger and the second sub-heat exchanger to the evaporator.

[0016] Optionally, the first sub-heat exchanger and the second sub-heat exchanger are opposite and spaced apart, and the dehumidification module is disposed between the first sub-heat exchanger and the second sub-heat exchanger.

[0017] Optionally, the dehumidification module is configured as a rotary dehumidification device, which includes a processing fan and a dehumidification rotor. The dehumidification rotor is used to absorb moisture in the air, and the processing fan is used to make the air flow through the dehumidification rotor. The processing fan and the heating fan are configured as the same structure.

[0018] Optionally, the control valve group can alternately use the first sub-heat exchanger and the second sub-heat exchanger as condensers. The heating fan includes a driving member and a wind wheel drivingly connected to the rotating shaft of the driving member. The rotating shaft of the driving member can rotate forward and backward to make the air blow from the first sub-heat exchanger to the second sub-heat exchanger, or from the second sub-heat exchanger to the first sub-heat exchanger.

[0019] In the defrosting and heating mode of the technical solution of the present invention, the flow direction of the refrigerant is controlled by the control valve group. On the one hand, one of the first sub-heat exchanger and the second sub-heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, and the evaporator and the first heat exchanger used as a condenser together constitute a heating circuit of the refrigerant, so that the first heat exchanger can maintain its function as a condenser to heat the air in the indoor space. On the other hand, the other of the first sub-heat exchanger and the second sub-heat exchanger is used as a condenser, which melts the frost on its own surface by self-heating and can heat the surrounding air. Then, the heated air flows to the evaporator under the drive of the heating fan to melt the frost on the surface of the evaporator. That is to say, part of the energy of the condenser can be recovered by the heating fan to increase the temperature of the air around the evaporator, thereby realizing energy recovery and improving the energy efficiency of the air conditioner. In this way, in the defrosting and heating mode of the present application, the defrosting of the second heat exchanger on the outdoor side can be realized without the compressor stopping and the first heat exchanger on the indoor side continuously heating. Not only is the heating continuous and stable, without causing obvious fluctuations in the indoor temperature to improve indoor comfort, but also the risk of failures caused by frequent start and stop of main electrical components such as the compressor can be reduced, thereby extending the service life of the compressor and the air conditioner. Description of the Drawings

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. At this time, the air conditioner is in the conventional heating mode;

[0022] Figure 2 For Figure 1 Another schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner in [description missing]. At this time, the air conditioner is in the defrosting heating mode, and the first sub-heat exchanger serves as a condenser and the second sub-heat exchanger serves as an evaporator;

[0023] Figure 3 For Figure 1 Another schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner in [description missing]. At this time, the air conditioner is in the defrosting heating mode, and the second sub-heat exchanger serves as a condenser and the first sub-heat exchanger serves as an evaporator;

[0024] Figure 4 For Figure 1 Another schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner in [description missing]. At this time, the air conditioner is in the cooling mode.

[0025] Explanation of the reference numerals in the drawings:

[0026] Label Name Label Name 10 Compressor 55 Fifth control valve 20 First heat exchanger 61 Heating fan 30 Throttling device 62 Dehumidification module 40 Second heat exchanger 70 Four-way valve 41 First sub-heat exchanger 81 Refrigerant storage tank 42 Second sub-heat exchanger 82 Check valve 51 First control valve 83 First pipeline 52 Second control valve 84 Second pipeline 53 Third control valve 85 Third pipeline 54 Fourth control valve

[0027] The realization, functional features, and advantages of the object of the present invention will be further described in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the drawings. Detailed implementation manners

[0028] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] It should be noted that if there are directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back...) involved in the embodiments of the present invention, the directional indications are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement conditions between components in a specific posture (as shown in the drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0030] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as "connection" and "fixation" shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, "fixation" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two components or the interaction relationship between two components, unless otherwise clearly defined. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0031] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present invention, such descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only for descriptive purposes and should not be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" can explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In addition, the meaning of "and / or" appearing throughout the text includes three parallel scenarios. Taking "A and / or B" as an example, it includes scenario A, scenario B, or the scenario where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. In addition, the technical solutions between various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the ability of those of ordinary skill in the art to implement. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0032] The defrosting method of the existing air conditioner is to switch the air conditioner from the heating mode to the cooling mode for defrosting, that is, the compressor stops and the refrigerant circuit runs in reverse, resulting in discontinuous heating and obvious fluctuations in the indoor temperature, thus affecting indoor comfort.

[0033] In view of this, the present invention proposes an air conditioner. Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 , in an embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner includes:

[0034] A refrigerant module, including a compressor 10, a first heat exchanger 20, a throttling device 30, and a second heat exchanger 40 that are connected and communicated with each other. The second heat exchanger 40 includes a first sub - heat exchanger 41 and a second sub - heat exchanger 42;

[0035] A control valve group, communicating with the refrigerant module. In the defrosting and heating mode, the control valve group can make the first heat exchanger 20 act as a condenser, and one of the first sub - heat exchanger 41 and the second sub - heat exchanger 42 act as a condenser, and the other act as an evaporator; and

[0036] A heating blower 61, which can at least drive air to blow from the condenser in the first sub - heat exchanger 41 and the second sub - heat exchanger 42 to the evaporator.

[0037] In the technical solution of the present invention, in the defrosting and heating mode, the flow direction of the refrigerant is controlled by a control valve group. On the one hand, one of the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 serves as an evaporator, and this evaporator and the first heat exchanger 20 serving as a condenser together form a heating circuit of the refrigerant, so that the first heat exchanger 20 can maintain heating the air in the indoor space as a condenser. On the other hand, the other of the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 serves as a condenser, and this condenser melts the ice and frost on its own surface by self-heating, and can heat the air around it, and then the heated air flows to the evaporator under the drive of the heating fan 61 to melt the ice and frost on the surface of the evaporator. That is to say, part of the energy of the condenser can be recovered by the heating fan 61 to increase the temperature of the air around the evaporator, so as to achieve energy recovery and improve the energy efficiency of the air conditioner. In this way, in the defrosting and heating mode of the present application, the defrosting of the second heat exchanger 40 on the outdoor side can be realized without the compressor 10 stopping and the first heat exchanger 20 on the indoor side continuously heating, not only the heating is continuous and stable, and the obvious fluctuation of the indoor temperature will not be caused to improve the indoor comfort, but also the risk of failure caused by the frequent start and stop of the main electrical components such as the compressor 10 can be reduced, so as to improve the service life of the compressor 10 and the air conditioner.

[0038] It should be noted that when the air conditioner determines that it meets the conditions for entering defrosting, it enters the defrosting and heating mode. In the embodiments of the present application, the conditions for the air conditioner to enter defrosting may include one of the following conditions: entering the set defrosting time, detecting that the ambient temperature where the second heat exchanger 40 on the outdoor side is located is relatively low, detecting that the temperature of the first heat exchanger 20 on the indoor side is relatively low, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not impose any limitations on the conditions for entering the defrosting mode.

[0039] It is worth mentioning that after the ice and frost on the surface of the evaporator are removed, the condenser on the outdoor side can continue to work, and the hot air generated by it continues to blow to the evaporator under the drive of the heating fan 61. At this time, the air with a temperature higher than the outdoor air temperature can increase the evaporation temperature of the evaporator, which is beneficial to improving the energy efficiency of the air conditioner.

[0040] Specifically, there are various structural forms of the control valve group. For example, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2, in one embodiment, the control valve group includes a first control valve 51, and the first control valve 51 can conduct its P port with the A port or conduct its P port with both the A port and the B port; the P port of the first control valve 51 is connected to the exhaust port of the compressor 10, the A port is connected to the first port of the first heat exchanger 20, and the B port is connected to the first port of the first sub-heat exchanger 41; the second port of the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second port of the first heat exchanger 20 are both connected to the first port of the throttling device 30, the second port of the throttling device 30 is connected to the first port of the second sub-heat exchanger 42, and the second port of the second sub-heat exchanger 42 is connected to the intake port of the compressor 10. Specifically and optionally, the first control valve 51 is configured as a two-way three-way valve. In this way, the air conditioner can be controlled to selectively switch functions between the defrosting heating mode and the conventional heating mode through a simple structure, so that the air conditioner can select a suitable operation mode according to the outdoor environment requirements, thereby comprehensively improving the efficiency of the air conditioner.

[0041] Specifically, in this embodiment, when there is no defrosting requirement, the air conditioner enters the conventional heating mode, and the first control valve 51 is controlled so that its P port is only conducted with the A port, so that the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the exhaust port of the compressor 10 does not flow into the B port and its downstream first sub-heat exchanger 41, that is, the first sub-heat exchanger 41 does not operate. When there is a defrosting requirement, the air conditioner enters the defrosting heating mode, and the first control valve 51 is controlled so that its P port is conducted with both the A port and the B port, so that the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the exhaust port of the compressor 10 flows into the B port and its downstream first sub-heat exchanger 41, and then the refrigerant flowing out of the first sub-heat exchanger 41 converges with the refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchanger 20 and flows into the throttling device 30, and flows to the second sub-heat exchanger 42 downstream of the throttling device 30, so that the first sub-heat exchanger 41 operates as a condenser, and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 operates as an evaporator.

[0042] Of course, in some embodiments, the first control valve 51 can also be configured as a three-way three-way valve or a three-way five-way valve, etc. Those skilled in the art can understand that as long as the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the exhaust port of the compressor 10 can be selectively only introduced into the first heat exchanger 20 (i.e., the condenser on the indoor side) or simultaneously into the first heat exchanger 20 and the first sub-heat exchanger 41 (i.e., the condenser on the outdoor side). In other embodiments, it can also be that the control valve group includes a stop valve, the refrigerant module further includes a bypass branch connecting the exhaust port of the compressor 10 and the first port of the throttling device 30, the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the stop valve are both provided on this bypass branch, and the stop valve can cut off or conduct this bypass branch, that is, the bypass branch is independent of the main heating circuit of the refrigerant.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2, in another embodiment, on the basis that the control valve group has a first control valve 51, further, the control valve group further includes a second control valve 52 and a third control valve 53. The second control valve 52 can make its P port communicate with the A port or make its P port communicate with the B port, and the third control valve 53 can make its P port communicate with the A port or make its P port communicate with the B port; the A port of the second control valve 52 communicates with the second port of the throttling device 30, the B port communicates with the B port of the first control valve 51, and the P port communicates with the first port of the first sub-heat exchanger 41; the P port of the third control valve 53 communicates with the second port of the first sub-heat exchanger 41, the A port communicates with the intake port of the compressor 10, and the B port communicates with the throttling device 30.

[0044] Specifically, since the control valve group has the first control valve 51, the second control valve 52 and the third control valve 53, the first sub-heat exchanger 41 can be selectively downstream of the first control valve 51 or downstream of the throttling device 30, so that the first sub-heat exchanger 41 can also participate in the heating circuit as an evaporator in the conventional heating mode. Thus, in the conventional heating mode, the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 simultaneously participate in the heating circuit as evaporators, thereby improving the heating performance of the air conditioner.

[0045] Specifically, please refer to Figure 1 , in the conventional heating mode, control the P port of the first control valve 51 to only communicate with the A port, the P port of the second control valve 52 to communicate with the A port, and the P port of the third control valve 53 to communicate with the A port, so that the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the exhaust port of the compressor 10 all flows to the first heat exchanger 20 and the throttling device 30 downstream thereof, and then is divided into two refrigerant flows downstream of the throttling device 30. One of the refrigerant flows flows into the first sub-heat exchanger 41 through the A port and the P port of the second control valve 52, and then flows back to the compressor 10 through the P port and the A port of the third control valve 53 after flowing out of the first sub-heat exchanger 41; the other refrigerant flow directly flows into the second sub-heat exchanger 42 and then flows back to the compressor 10. Thus, the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 simultaneously participate in the heating circuit as evaporators. It can be understood that the conventional heating mode in this embodiment is different from the conventional heating mode in the embodiment with only the first control valve 51.

[0046] Please refer to Figure 2, in the defrosting and heating mode, control the P port of the first control valve 51 to be communicated with both the A port and the B port, the P port of the second control valve 52 to be communicated with the B port, and the P port of the third control valve 53 to be communicated with the B port, so that a part of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the exhaust port of the compressor 10 flows into the first heat exchanger 20, and the other part flows into the first sub-heat exchanger 41 through the B port and the P port of the second control valve 52. After flowing out of the first sub-heat exchanger 41, it then flows into the throttling device 30 through the P port and the B port of the third control valve 53, and then flows to the second sub-heat exchanger 42 together with the refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchanger 20. In this way, the first sub-heat exchanger 41 serves as a condenser and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 serves as an evaporator, so that the first sub-heat exchanger 41 operates to defrost by self-heating, and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 can be defrosted by being affected by the hot air of the heating fan 61.

[0047] Of course, in other embodiments, only the first control valve 51 may be provided, and the second control valve 52 and the third control valve 53 may not be provided. Then, in the defrosting and heating mode, the first sub-heat exchanger 41 always serves as the condenser on the outdoor side and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 always serves as the evaporator on the outdoor side. The first sub-heat exchanger 41 melts the ice and frost by self-heating, while the second sub-heat exchanger 42 melts the ice and frost by the hot air sent by the heating fan 61.

[0048] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 , in another embodiment, on the basis that the control valve group has the first control valve 51, the second control valve 52 and the third control valve 53, further, the control valve group further includes a fourth control valve 54 and a fifth control valve 55. The fourth control valve 54 can make its P port communicate with the A port or make its P port communicate with the B port, and the fifth control valve 55 can make its P port communicate with the A port or make its P port communicate with the B port; the A port of the fourth control valve 54 is communicated with the throttling device 30, the B port is communicated with the B port of the first control valve 51, and the P port is communicated with the first interface of the second sub-heat exchanger 42; the P port of the fifth control valve 55 is communicated with the second interface of the second sub-heat exchanger 42, the A port is communicated with the intake port of the compressor 10, and the B port is communicated with the throttling device 30. In this way, the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 can alternately serve as condensers to alternately achieve self-heating defrosting, thereby improving the defrosting efficiency and defrosting effect.

[0049] Specifically, please refer to Figure 1, in the conventional heating mode, control the P port of the first control valve 51 to be only communicated with the A port, the P port of the second control valve 52 to be communicated with the A port, the P port of the third control valve 53 to be communicated with the A port, the P port of the fourth control valve 54 to be communicated with the A port, and the P port of the fifth control valve 55 to be communicated with the A port; so that the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the exhaust port of the compressor 10 all flows to the first heat exchanger 20 and the throttling device 30 downstream thereof, and then is divided into two refrigerant flows downstream of the throttling device 30. One of the refrigerant flows flows into the first sub-heat exchanger 41 through the A port and the P port of the second control valve 52, and after flowing out of the first sub-heat exchanger 41, it flows back to the compressor 10 through the P port and the A port of the third control valve 53; the other refrigerant flow flows into the second sub-heat exchanger 42 through the A port and the P port of the fourth control valve 54, and after flowing out of the second sub-heat exchanger 42, it flows back to the compressor 10 through the P port and the A port of the fifth control valve 55. In this way, the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 simultaneously participate in the heating circuit as evaporators.

[0050] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , in the defrosting heating mode, the first sub-air exchanger and the second sub-air exchanger alternately act as condensers. Among them, please refer to Figure 2 , when the first sub-heat exchanger 41 acts as a condenser and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 acts as an evaporator, control the P port of the first control valve 51 to be communicated with both the A port and the B port, the P port of the second control valve 52 to be communicated with the B port, the P port of the third control valve 53 to be communicated with the B port, the P port of the fourth control valve 54 to be communicated with the A port, and the P port of the fifth control valve 55 to be communicated with the A port; so that a part of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the exhaust port of the compressor 10 flows into the first heat exchanger 20, and the other part flows into the first sub-heat exchanger 41 through the B port and the P port of the second control valve 52, and after flowing out of the first sub-heat exchanger 41, it flows into the throttling device 30 through the P port and the B port of the third control valve 53, and then flows to the fourth control valve 54 together with the refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchanger 20, and flows into the second sub-heat exchanger 42 through the A port and the P port of the fourth control valve 54, and after flowing out of the second sub-heat exchanger 42, it flows back to the compressor 10 through the P port and the A port of the fifth control valve 55. At this time, the first sub-heat exchanger 41 acts as a condenser and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 acts as an evaporator, so that the first sub-heat exchanger 41 defrosts itself by self-heating, and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 can be defrosted by being affected by the hot air by using the heating blower 61.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 3When the first sub-heat exchanger 41 is used as an evaporator and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 is used as a condenser, the P interface of the first control valve 51 is controlled to be connected to the A interface and the B interface, the P interface of the second control valve 52 is connected to the A interface, the P interface of the third control valve 53 is connected to the A interface, the P interface of the fourth control valve 54 is connected to the B interface, and the P interface of the fifth control valve 55 is connected to the B interface; so that part of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the exhaust port of the compressor 10 flows into the first heat exchanger 20, and the other part flows into the first heat exchanger 20. A part of the refrigerant flows into the second sub-heat exchanger 42 through the B interface and the P interface of the fourth control valve 54, flows out of the second sub-heat exchanger 42, flows into the throttling device 30 through the P interface and the B interface of the fifth control valve 55, and then flows to the second control valve 52 together with the refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchanger 20, and flows into the first sub-heat exchanger 41 through the A interface and the P interface of the second control valve 52, and flows out of the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and flows back to the compressor 10 through the P interface and the A interface of the third control valve 53. At this time, the first sub-heat exchanger 41 acts as an evaporator and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 acts as a condenser, so that the second sub-heat exchanger 42 is defrosted by self-heating, and the first sub-heat exchanger 41 is defrosted by the hot air by the heating fan 61.

[0052] It can be understood that when the outdoor environment is bad, the freezing rate is fast or the frost layer is thick, the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 in this embodiment can be used as condensers alternately, that is, they can be used to defrost by self-heating alternately, so as to remove the frost on the surface more quickly and thoroughly, thereby overcoming the negative impact of the bad environment and improving the heating efficiency of the air conditioner. It can be understood that if the outdoor environment is average, the freezing rate is low or the frost layer is thin, the air conditioner can also not operate according to the working condition that the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 are alternately used as condensers, but one of the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 is selected to be always used as a condenser and the other is always used as an evaporator.

[0053] It is worth mentioning that in the embodiment where the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 alternately serve as a condenser, since the heating fan 61 delivers hot air to the evaporator on the outdoor side, it is beneficial for the evaporator to be defrosted and not easily re-frost. Therefore, the interval time of the alternating operation of the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 can be extended, which is beneficial to reduce the frequency of the alternating operation of the two.

[0054] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4, in order to enrich the functions of the air conditioner, in one embodiment, the refrigerant module further includes a four-way valve 70. The D port of the four-way valve 70 is connected to the exhaust port of the compressor 10, the S port is connected to the intake port of the compressor 10, the E port is connected to the P port of the first control valve 51, and the C port is connected to the A port of the third control valve 53 and the A port of the fifth control valve 55. Thus, by reversing the four-way valve 70, the air conditioner can also have a refrigeration function, that is, the function of providing cold air to the indoor space.

[0055] Specifically, please refer to Figure 4 , in the refrigeration mode, control the D port and the C port of the four-way valve 70 to be conducted and the E port and the S port to be conducted. The P port of the first control valve 51 is only conducted with the A port, the P port of the second control valve 52 is conducted with the A port, the P port of the third control valve 53 is conducted with the A port, the P port of the fourth control valve 54 is conducted with the A port, and the P port of the fifth control valve 55 is conducted with the A port. Thus, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the exhaust port of the compressor 10 flows into the D port of the four-way valve 70. After flowing out of the C port of the four-way valve 70, it is divided into two refrigerant streams. One refrigerant stream flows through the A port and the P port of the third control valve 53, the first sub-heat exchanger 41, the P port and the A port of the second control valve 52 in sequence, and then flows into the throttling device 30. The other refrigerant stream flows through the A port and the P port of the fifth control valve 55, the second sub-heat exchanger 42, the P port and the A port of the fourth control valve 54 in sequence, and then flows into the throttling device 30. Then the two refrigerant streams flow into the throttling device 30 together and then flow to the first heat exchanger 20. The refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchanger 20 then flows through the A port and the P port of the first control valve 51, the E port and the S port of the four-way valve 70 in sequence, and finally flows back to the compressor 10. Thus, the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 simultaneously act as condensers and participate in the refrigeration circuit to improve the refrigeration performance of the air conditioner. Of course, in other embodiments, only one of the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 can participate in the refrigeration circuit, and the other does not operate.

[0056] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 , it can be understood that in the conventional heating mode or the defrosting heating mode, control the D port and the E port of the four-way valve 70 to be conducted and the S port and the C port to be conducted. Through the set control valve group of the present application, functions such as refrigeration, heating, and defrosting of the air conditioner without stopping the compressor 10 can be realized, meeting the needs of users for the comfort of air-conditioning refrigeration and heating in different environments, thereby improving the user experience.

[0057] In one embodiment, the throttling device 30 is configured as an electronic expansion valve. Of course, in other embodiments, the throttling device 30 can also be configured as a thermal expansion valve or a capillary tube, etc.

[0058] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4, in one embodiment, the refrigerant module further includes a refrigerant storage tank 81. The first heat exchanger 20, the B port of the third control valve 53, the B port of the fifth control valve 55, and the throttling device 30 are respectively connected to the refrigerant storage tank 81. In this way, in the defrosting and heating mode, there may be a pressure difference between the multiple refrigerant flows flowing out from the first heat exchanger 20, the B port of the third control valve 53, and the B port of the fifth control valve 55. If these multiple refrigerant flows directly converge, it may be unfavorable for the smooth flow of the refrigerant. Therefore, by connecting the first heat exchanger 20, the B port of the third control valve 53, and the B port of the fifth control valve 55 to the refrigerant storage tank 81 respectively, these multiple refrigerant flows flow into the refrigerant storage tank 81 respectively to achieve indirect convergence, and then flow from the refrigerant storage tank 81 to the throttling device 30, thereby improving the negative impact caused by the pressure difference between the multiple refrigerant flows and being conducive to the smooth flow of the refrigerant. Of course, in other embodiments, the refrigerant storage tank 81 may not be provided.

[0059] Please refer to Figures 2 to 4 , the refrigerant module further includes a first pipeline 83, a second pipeline 84, a third pipeline 85, and two check valves 82. The first end of the first pipeline 83 and the first end of the second pipeline 84 are connected and communicate with the first heat exchanger 20. The second end of the first pipeline 83 communicates with the liquid inlet of the refrigerant storage tank 81. The first end of the third pipeline 85 communicates with the liquid outlet of the refrigerant storage tank 81. The second end of the third pipeline 85 is connected to the second end of the second pipeline 84 and communicates with the throttling device 30. One check valve 82 is provided in the second pipeline 84 and is used to make the refrigerant in the second pipeline 84 flow from the throttling device 30 to the first heat exchanger 20. The other check valve 82 is provided in the third pipeline 85 and is used to make the refrigerant in the third pipeline 85 flow from the refrigerant storage tank 81 to the throttling device 30. In this way, it can prevent the refrigerant in the refrigeration mode from flowing into the refrigerant storage tank 81, that is, it can make the refrigerant flowing out from the throttling device 30 directly flow along the second pipeline 84 directly to the first heat exchanger 20; and in the defrosting and heating mode, the refrigerant flowing out from the B port of the third control valve 53 or the B port of the fifth control valve 55 can first flow into the refrigerant storage tank 81, buffer with the refrigerant flowing out from the first heat exchanger 20 and then converge, and then flow through the third pipeline 85 to the throttling device 30. In this way, the refrigerant storage tank 81 can operate and play a role as needed, thereby improving its use flexibility and the efficiency of the air conditioner. Of course, in other embodiments, multiple stop valves can also be used to respectively control the conduction of the first pipeline 83, the second pipeline 84, and the third pipeline 85 and the flow direction of the refrigerant therein.

[0060] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4, in one embodiment, the air conditioner further includes a dehumidification module 62 configured to dry the air flowing from the condenser on the outdoor side to the evaporator on the outdoor side. In this way, through the cooperation of the dehumidification module 62 and the heating fan 61, air with high temperature and low moisture content can be provided to the evaporator, which is beneficial to reducing the risk of the evaporator frosting again and improving the heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator. Of course, in other embodiments, the dehumidification module 62 may not be provided.

[0061] In one embodiment, the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 are opposite and spaced apart, and both the dehumidification module 62 and the heating fan 61 are disposed between the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second sub-heat exchanger 42. In this way, the layout of the first sub-heat exchanger 41, the second sub-heat exchanger 42, the dehumidification module 62 and the heating fan 61 can be made more compact, which is beneficial to the miniaturization design of the air conditioner. Of course, in other embodiments, the air conditioner may also be provided with an annular cavity, the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 are spaced apart in the annular cavity, and the side wall of the annular cavity is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet, and the heating fan 61 can make the air flow circulate at least partially in the annular cavity.

[0062] In one embodiment, the dehumidification module 62 is configured as a rotary dehumidification device (not shown in the drawings). The rotary dehumidification device includes a processing fan and a dehumidification rotor. The dehumidification rotor is used to absorb moisture in the air, and the processing fan is used to make the air flow through the dehumidification rotor. The processing fan and the heating fan 61 are configured as the same structure. In this way, the structure of the air conditioner can be simplified and its manufacturing cost can be reduced. Of course, in other embodiments, it may also be a refrigeration dehumidification device. Since the related technologies of the rotary dehumidification device and the refrigeration dehumidification device are relatively mature, they will not be elaborated here.

[0063] It is worth mentioning that in the embodiment where the first sub-heat exchanger 41 and the second sub-heat exchanger 42 alternately serve as the condenser, optionally, the heating fan 61 can make the air blow from the first sub-heat exchanger 41 to the second sub-heat exchanger 42, or from the second sub-heat exchanger 42 to the first sub-heat exchanger 41. Specifically and optionally, the heating fan 61 includes a wind wheel drivingly connected to the rotating shaft of the driving member. The rotating shaft of the driving member can rotate forward and backward, so as to drive the wind wheel to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, thereby changing the direction of the air flow, that is, the air flow blows to the first sub-heat exchanger 41 or the air flow blows to the second sub-heat exchanger 42. In this way, the structure of the air conditioner can be simplified and its manufacturing cost and operating cost can be reduced. Specifically and optionally, the driving member can be configured as a motor, a pneumatic motor or a hydraulic motor, etc. Of course, in other embodiments, two heating fans 61 can also be provided. One heating fan 61 is responsible for making the air blow from the first sub-heat exchanger 41 to the second sub-heat exchanger 42, and the other heating fan 61 is responsible for making the air blow from the second sub-heat exchanger 42 to the first sub-heat exchanger 41.

[0064] The above are only alternative embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the patent scope of the present invention accordingly. Any equivalent structural transformation made by using the content of the specification and drawings of the present invention under the inventive concept of the present invention, or any direct / indirect application in other related technical fields shall be included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, characterized in that, it includes: a refrigerant module including a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a throttling device and a second heat exchanger connected in communication, and the second heat exchanger includes a first sub-heat exchanger and a second sub-heat exchanger; a control valve group communicating with the refrigerant module, and in the defrosting and heating mode, the control valve group can make the first heat exchanger serve as a condenser, and one of the first sub-heat exchanger and the second sub-heat exchanger serves as a condenser and the other serves as an evaporator; and a heating blower capable of at least driving air to blow from the condenser in the first sub-heat exchanger and the second sub-heat exchanger to the evaporator; the air conditioner further includes a dehumidification module for drying the air blown from the condenser in the first sub-heat exchanger and the second sub-heat exchanger to the evaporator.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, the control valve group includes a first control valve which can make its P port communicate with the A port or make its P port communicate with both the A port and the B port; the P port of the first control valve communicates with the exhaust port of the compressor, the A port communicates with the first port of the first heat exchanger, and the B port communicates with the first port of the first sub-heat exchanger; the second port of the first sub-heat exchanger and the second port of the first heat exchanger both communicate with the first port of the throttling device, the second port of the throttling device communicates with the first port of the second sub-heat exchanger, and the second port of the second sub-heat exchanger communicates with the intake port of the compressor.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that, the control valve group further includes a second control valve and a third control valve, the second control valve can make its P port communicate with the A port or make its P port communicate with the B port, and the third control valve can make its P port communicate with the A port or make its P port communicate with the B port; the A port of the second control valve communicates with the second port of the throttling device, the B port communicates with the B port of the first control valve, and the P port communicates with the first port of the first sub-heat exchanger; the P port of the third control valve communicates with the second port of the first sub-heat exchanger, the A port communicates with the intake port of the compressor, and the B port communicates with the throttling device.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, the control valve group further includes a fourth control valve and a fifth control valve, the fourth control valve can make its P port communicate with the A port or make its P port communicate with the B port, and the fifth control valve can make its P port communicate with the A port or make its P port communicate with the B port; the A port of the fourth control valve communicates with the throttling device, the B port communicates with the B port of the first control valve, and the P port communicates with the first port of the second sub-heat exchanger; the P port of the fifth control valve communicates with the second port of the second sub-heat exchanger, the A port communicates with the intake port of the compressor, and the B port communicates with the throttling device.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that, The refrigerant module further includes a four-way valve. The D port of the four-way valve is connected to the exhaust port of the compressor, the S port is connected to the intake port of the compressor, the E port is connected to the P port of the first control valve, and the C port is connected to the A port of the third control valve and the A port of the fifth control valve.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein, the refrigerant module further includes a refrigerant storage tank, and the first heat exchanger, the B port of the third control valve, the B port of the fifth control valve, and the throttling device are respectively connected to the refrigerant storage tank.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein, the refrigerant module further includes a first pipeline, a second pipeline, a third pipeline and two check valves. The first ends of the first pipeline and the second pipeline are connected and connected to the first heat exchanger. The second end of the first pipeline is connected to the liquid inlet of the refrigerant storage tank. The first end of the third pipeline is connected to the liquid outlet of the refrigerant storage tank. The second end of the third pipeline is connected to the second end of the second pipeline and connected to the throttling device; one check valve is arranged in the second pipeline and is used for allowing the refrigerant in the second pipeline to flow from the throttling device to the first heat exchanger, and the other check valve is arranged in the third pipeline and is used for allowing the refrigerant in the third pipeline to flow from the refrigerant storage tank to the throttling device.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, the first sub-heat exchanger and the second sub-heat exchanger are opposite and spaced apart, and the dehumidification module is arranged between the first sub-heat exchanger and the second sub-heat exchanger; and / or, the dehumidification module is configured as a rotary dehumidification device. The rotary dehumidification device includes a processing fan and a dehumidification rotor. The dehumidification rotor is used for absorbing moisture in the air, and the processing fan is used for allowing air to flow through the dehumidification rotor. The processing fan and the heating fan are configured as the same structure.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, the control valve group can alternately use the first sub-heat exchanger and the second sub-heat exchanger as condensers. The heating fan includes a driving member and a wind wheel drivingly connected to the rotating shaft of the driving member. The rotating shaft of the driving member can rotate forward and backward so that air blows from the first sub-heat exchanger to the second sub-heat exchanger, or from the second sub-heat exchanger to the first sub-heat exchanger.

Images