Fan control method and device and air conditioner

Abstract

The disclosure provides a fan control method and device and an air conditioner, and relates to the field of air conditioners. When a fan speed feedback signal is abnormal, first representation information of a duty cycle of a current fan control signal is obtained, a current fan speed corresponding to the first representation information is determined according to each fan speed gear and representation information of the duty cycle of the corresponding fan control signal, the duty cycle of the fan control signal is adjusted according to the current fan speed and a target fan speed, so that second representation information of the duty cycle of the adjusted fan control signal reaches target representation information corresponding to the target fan speed. Therefore, in the case that the fan speed feedback signal is abnormal, the fan speed information can still be obtained, and the fan can continue to be controlled, thereby improving the robustness of the fan control.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of air conditioning, and in particular to a fan control method and apparatus, as well as an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] The fan is one of the important components of an air conditioner. The air conditioner obtains fan speed information through the fan speed feedback signal, and adjusts the fan speed by adjusting the duty cycle of the fan control signal so that the feedback fan speed reaches the target fan speed.

[0003] When the fan speed feedback signal is abnormal, the air conditioner cannot obtain the fan speed information through the fan speed feedback signal, which makes the air conditioner unable to continue to control the fan. Therefore, once the air conditioner detects an abnormal fan speed feedback signal, it will usually stop directly and report the fault. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In this embodiment, when the fan speed feedback signal is abnormal, the first characteristic information of the duty cycle of the current fan control signal is obtained. Based on the characteristic information of the duty cycle of each fan speed level and the corresponding fan control signal, the current fan speed corresponding to the first characteristic information is determined. The duty cycle of the fan control signal is adjusted according to the current fan speed and the target fan speed, so that the second characteristic information of the adjusted fan control signal duty cycle reaches the target characteristic information corresponding to the target fan speed. Therefore, even when the fan speed feedback signal is abnormal, the fan speed information can still be obtained, and the fan can continue to be controlled, improving the robustness of fan control.

[0005] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, based on the air conditioner's operating mode and the abnormal fan speed feedback signal (whether it is the indoor or outdoor fan), and combined with at least two of the air conditioner's compressor suction temperature, exhaust temperature, indoor heat exchanger pipe temperature, and outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature, it is possible to determine whether the fan is operating normally. In order to continue controlling the fan when it is operating normally, and to report the fault and shut down the machine when the fan is operating abnormally.

[0006] This disclosure provides a fan control method in some embodiments, including:

[0007] When the fan speed feedback signal is abnormal, the first characteristic information of the duty cycle of the current fan control signal is obtained.

[0008] Based on the characterization information of each fan speed level and the corresponding duty cycle of the fan control signal, determine the current fan speed corresponding to the first characterization information;

[0009] The duty cycle of the fan control signal is adjusted according to the current fan speed and the target fan speed so that the second characteristic information of the duty cycle of the adjusted fan control signal reaches the target characteristic information corresponding to the target fan speed.

[0010] In some embodiments, obtaining the first characterization information of the duty cycle of the current wind turbine control signal includes:

[0011] The current wind turbine control signal is input into the wind turbine control signal detection unit to obtain the first characterization information output by the wind turbine control signal detection unit.

[0012] Among them, the fan control signal detection unit outputs the duty cycle representation information of the fan control signal based on the input fan control signal.

[0013] In some embodiments, the wind turbine control signal detection unit includes a transistor, with the base of the transistor serving as the input terminal of the wind turbine control signal and the emitter of the transistor serving as the output terminal representing the duty cycle information of the wind turbine control signal.

[0014] In some embodiments, the duty cycle characterization information of the wind turbine control signal includes voltage characterization information.

[0015] In some embodiments, determining the current wind turbine speed corresponding to the first characterization information includes:

[0016] Based on the characterization information of each fan speed level and the corresponding fan control signal duty cycle, fit the relationship curve between the fan speed and the characterization information of the fan control signal duty cycle.

[0017] Using the aforementioned relationship curve, the current wind turbine speed corresponding to the first characterization information is determined.

[0018] In some embodiments, adjusting the duty cycle of the fan control signal according to the current fan speed and the target fan speed includes: increasing the duty cycle of the fan control signal when the current fan speed is less than the target fan speed, and decreasing the duty cycle of the fan control signal when the current fan speed is greater than the target fan speed, so that the second characterization information of the adjusted fan control signal duty cycle reaches the target characterization information corresponding to the target fan speed.

[0019] In some embodiments, the method further includes: determining whether the fan is operating normally based on the air conditioner's operating mode and whether the abnormal fan speed feedback signal is from the indoor or outdoor fan, combined with at least two of the air conditioner's compressor suction temperature, exhaust temperature, indoor heat exchanger pipe temperature, and outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature.

[0020] In some embodiments, the method further includes: continuing the fan control method of each embodiment when the fan is operating normally; or reporting a fault and shutting down the fan when it is operating abnormally.

[0021] In some embodiments, determining whether the fan is operating normally includes:

[0022] When the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode and the abnormal fan speed feedback signal is from the indoor fan, if the difference between the compressor's suction temperature and the indoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than the first temperature difference threshold, the indoor fan is considered to be operating normally; otherwise, the indoor fan is considered to be operating abnormally. Alternatively,

[0023] When the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode and the outdoor fan's speed feedback signal is abnormal, if the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than the second temperature difference threshold, the outdoor fan is considered to be operating normally; otherwise, the outdoor fan is considered to be operating abnormally. Alternatively,

[0024] When the air conditioner is operating in heating mode and the abnormal fan speed feedback signal is from the indoor fan, if the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the indoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than the third temperature difference threshold, the indoor fan is considered to be operating normally; otherwise, the indoor fan is considered to be operating abnormally. Alternatively,

[0025] If the air conditioner is in heating mode and the outdoor fan has an abnormal fan speed feedback signal, the outdoor fan is considered to be operating normally if the difference between the compressor's suction temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than the fourth temperature difference threshold; otherwise, the outdoor fan is considered to be operating abnormally.

[0026] In some embodiments, the first temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the compressor suction temperature and the pipe temperature of the indoor heat exchanger when the air conditioner is in cooling mode and the indoor fan is operating normally; or...

[0027] The second temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature when the air conditioner is in cooling mode and the outdoor fan is operating normally; or,

[0028] The third temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the indoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature when the air conditioner is in heating mode and the indoor fan is operating normally; or,

[0029] The fourth temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the compressor's suction temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature when the air conditioner is in heating mode and the outdoor fan is operating normally.

[0030] Some embodiments of this disclosure provide a wind turbine control device, including: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute a wind turbine control method based on instructions stored in the memory.

[0031] This disclosure provides some embodiments of a fan control device, including:

[0032] The fan speed feedback unit is used to send the fan speed feedback signal to the control unit;

[0033] The fan control signal detection unit is used to output the duty cycle representation information of the fan control signal to the control unit based on the input fan control signal;

[0034] The control unit is used to acquire the first characterization information of the duty cycle of the current fan control signal when the fan speed feedback signal is abnormal; determine the current fan speed corresponding to the first characterization information based on each fan speed level and the corresponding characterization information of the duty cycle of the fan control signal; and issue an instruction to adjust the duty cycle of the fan control signal to the fan control signal output unit based on the current fan speed and the target fan speed, so that the second characterization information of the duty cycle of the adjusted fan control signal reaches the target characterization information corresponding to the target fan speed.

[0035] The fan control signal output unit is used to output a fan control signal with a corresponding duty cycle to the fan based on the input indication information.

[0036] In some embodiments, the wind turbine control signal detection unit includes a transistor, with the base of the transistor serving as the input terminal of the wind turbine control signal and the emitter of the transistor serving as the output terminal representing the duty cycle information of the wind turbine control signal.

[0037] In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to determine whether the fan is operating normally based on the air conditioner's operating mode and whether the abnormal fan speed feedback signal is from the indoor or outdoor fan, combined with at least two of the air conditioner's compressor suction temperature, exhaust temperature, indoor heat exchanger pipe temperature, and outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature.

[0038] In some embodiments, the fan control device further includes:

[0039] A first temperature sensor is installed at the air intake of the air conditioner compressor to detect the intake temperature of the compressor.

[0040] A second temperature sensor is installed at the exhaust port of the air conditioner compressor to detect the exhaust temperature of the compressor.

[0041] A third temperature sensor installed in the indoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner to detect the temperature of the pipes in the indoor heat exchanger.

[0042] A fourth temperature sensor is installed on the outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner to detect the pipe temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0043] This disclosure provides an air conditioner, including a fan control device, in some embodiments.

[0044] Some embodiments of this disclosure propose a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of a wind turbine control method. Attached Figure Description

[0045] The accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. This disclosure can be more clearly understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0047] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an air conditioning and fan control device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0048] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a wind turbine control signal detection unit according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0049] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the input and output of a wind turbine control signal detection unit according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is provided.

[0050] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a wind turbine control method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0051] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a fan control device according to other embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0052] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Unless otherwise specified, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc., used in this disclosure are used to distinguish different objects and are not used to indicate size or sequence.

[0054] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an air conditioning and fan control device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, the air conditioner includes, for example, a fan control device 110 ( Figure 1 (Not shown in the image), it may also include conventional components of an air conditioning system such as an indoor fan 120, an outdoor fan 130, a compressor 140, an indoor heat exchanger 150, an outdoor heat exchanger 160, a reversing valve (such as a four-way valve) 170, and an expansion valve (such as an electronic expansion valve) 180. Conventional components can be found in relevant technologies. The composition and function of the fan control device 110 are described in detail below.

[0056] like Figure 1As shown, the fan control device 110 includes, for example, a fan speed feedback unit 111, a fan control signal detection unit 112, a control unit 113, and a fan control signal output unit 114. The fan control device 110 also includes, for example, a first temperature sensor 115 located at the air intake of the air conditioner compressor 140 for detecting the air intake temperature of the compressor 140; a second temperature sensor 116 located at the air outlet of the air conditioner compressor 140 for detecting the air outlet temperature of the compressor 140; a third temperature sensor 117 located at the indoor heat exchanger 150 of the air conditioner for detecting the pipe temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 150; and a fourth temperature sensor 118 located at the outdoor heat exchanger 160 of the air conditioner for detecting the pipe temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 160. The third temperature sensor 117 can, for example, be located in the middle pipe section of the indoor heat exchanger 150 to more accurately measure the pipe temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 150. The fourth temperature sensor 118 can be installed, for example, in the middle pipe section of the outdoor heat exchanger 160, in order to measure the pipe temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 160 more accurately.

[0057] In some embodiments: for the indoor fan 120, a set of fan speed feedback unit 111, fan control signal detection unit 112, and fan control signal output unit 114 can be configured; for the outdoor fan 130, another set of fan speed feedback unit 111, fan control signal detection unit 112, and fan control signal output unit 114 can be configured; the indoor fan 120 and the outdoor fan 130 can share the control unit 113.

[0058] The fan speed feedback unit 111 is used to send a fan speed feedback signal to the control unit 113. The fan speed feedback unit 111 of the indoor fan 120 is used to send the speed feedback signal of the indoor fan 120 to the control unit 113. The fan speed feedback unit 111 of the outdoor fan 130 is used to send the speed feedback signal of the outdoor fan 130 to the control unit 113.

[0059] The fan control signal detection unit 112 is used to output information representing the duty cycle of the fan control signal to the control unit 113 based on the input fan control signal. The fan control signal includes, but is not limited to, PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) fan control signals. This information includes, but is not limited to, voltage information and other information capable of representing the duty cycle of the fan control signal. The fan control signal detection unit 112 of the indoor fan 120 is used to output information representing the duty cycle of the indoor fan 120's control signal to the control unit 113 based on the input control signal of the indoor fan 120. The fan control signal detection unit 112 of the outdoor fan 130 is used to output information representing the duty cycle of the outdoor fan 130's control signal to the control unit 113 based on the input control signal of the outdoor fan 130.

[0060] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a wind turbine control signal detection unit according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0061] like Figure 2 As shown, the fan control signal detection unit 112 includes a transistor (Q1), which can be, for example, an NPN transistor. The base of the transistor is designated as the input terminal of the fan control signal (PWM_OUTPUT), which can be connected to the control unit 113 so that the fan control signal is input from the control unit 113 to the fan control signal detection unit 112. The emitter of the transistor is designated as the output terminal of the voltage representation information of the fan control signal's duty cycle (PWM_CHECK), which can also be connected to the control unit 113 so that the voltage representation information is output from the fan control signal detection unit 112 to the control unit 113. The collector of the transistor is connected to a power supply. A first resistor (R1) can be connected between the input terminal of the fan control signal and the base of the transistor. The area between the first resistor and the base of the transistor is designated as the fan control terminal (MOTOR_PWM), through which the fan control signal is output to the fan, primarily to the fan motor, since the fan rotation is mainly controlled by the motor. A second capacitor (R2) is placed between the collector of the transistor and the power supply. A third resistor (R3) and a first capacitor (C1) can be connected in parallel between the output terminal of the voltage characterization information and ground.

[0062] Figure 2The fan control signal detection unit 112 shown can output voltage characterization information (i.e., voltage value) of the duty cycle of the input PWM fan control signal based on the input PWM fan control signal. Generally speaking, the larger the duty cycle of the input PWM fan control signal, the larger the voltage characterization information of the duty cycle of the output PWM fan control signal. The duty cycle of the PWM fan control signal refers to the proportion of the high-level period in the PWM fan control signal to the entire cycle of the PWM fan control signal.

[0063] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates the input and output of a wind turbine control signal detection unit according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the duty cycles of the input PWM fan control signals are 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%, respectively. The stable voltage values ​​output by the fan control signal detection unit 112 are approximately 1.2V, 1.7V, 2V, and 2.2V, respectively. The fan control signal detection unit 112 requires approximately 0.03s to 0.05s to output a stable voltage value. Figure 3 It can also be seen that the larger the duty cycle of the input PWM fan control signal, the greater the voltage characterization information of the duty cycle of the output PWM fan control signal.

[0064] The control unit 113 is used to, when the fan speed feedback signal is abnormal (e.g., the fan speed feedback signal is lost), acquire the first characteristic information of the duty cycle of the current fan control signal; determine the current fan speed corresponding to the first characteristic information based on the characteristic information of the duty cycle of each fan speed level and the corresponding fan control signal; and issue an instruction to adjust the duty cycle of the fan control signal to the fan control signal output unit 114 based on the current fan speed and the target fan speed, so that the second characteristic information of the duty cycle of the adjusted fan control signal reaches the target characteristic information corresponding to the target fan speed. The control unit 113 can execute corresponding control logic for abnormal speed feedback signals of the indoor fan 120 or the outdoor fan 130. Therefore, even when the fan speed feedback signal is abnormal, fan speed information can still be acquired, and the fan can continue to be controlled according to an alternative method, improving the robustness of fan control.

[0065] In some embodiments, the control unit 113 is further configured to, when the fan speed feedback signal is normal, obtain fan speed information through the fan speed feedback signal, and adjust the fan speed by adjusting the duty cycle of the fan control signal, so that the feedback fan speed reaches the target fan speed. Thus, when the fan speed feedback signal is normal, the fan is controlled in a conventional manner.

[0066] In some embodiments, the control unit 113 acquires the first characterization information of the duty cycle of the current wind turbine control signal by: inputting the current wind turbine control signal into the wind turbine control signal detection unit 112, and acquiring the first characterization information output by the wind turbine control signal detection unit 112, wherein the wind turbine control signal detection unit 112 outputs the characterization information of the duty cycle of the wind turbine control signal based on the input wind turbine control signal.

[0067] In some embodiments, the characterization information of each fan speed setting and the corresponding duty cycle of the fan control signal can be obtained in advance when the fan is operating normally. For example, each fan speed setting is traversed, and each setting is run stably for a period of time (e.g., 10 seconds), gradually accelerating to the maximum speed setting. During the traversal, the characterization information of the duty cycle of the fan control signal corresponding to each fan speed setting when stable is recorded. The recorded information can be saved to the air conditioner's memory, such as EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and then the control unit 113 can read the characterization information of the duty cycle of the fan control signal corresponding to each fan speed setting from the memory as needed.

[0068] In some embodiments, the control unit 113 determines the current fan speed corresponding to the first characterization information by: fitting a relationship curve between the characterization information of the fan speed and the duty cycle of the fan control signal based on the characterization information of each fan speed level and the corresponding fan control signal duty cycle; and using the relationship curve to determine the current fan speed corresponding to the first characterization information.

[0069] In some embodiments, the control unit 113 adjusts the duty cycle of the fan control signal according to the current fan speed and the target fan speed by: increasing the duty cycle of the fan control signal when the current fan speed is less than the target fan speed, and decreasing the duty cycle of the fan control signal when the current fan speed is greater than the target fan speed, so that the second characterization information of the adjusted fan control signal duty cycle reaches the target characterization information corresponding to the target fan speed.

[0070] In some embodiments, the control unit 113 is further configured to determine whether the fan is operating normally based on the air conditioner's operating mode and whether the abnormal fan speed feedback signal is from the indoor fan 120 or the outdoor fan 130, combined with at least two of the air conditioner's compressor 140's suction temperature, exhaust temperature, indoor heat exchanger 150's pipe temperature, and outdoor heat exchanger 160's pipe temperature, so that if the fan is operating normally, the control unit can continue to control the fan according to the aforementioned control logic, and if the fan is operating abnormally, the control unit can report a fault and shut down the fan.

[0071] In some embodiments, the control unit 113 determines whether the fan is operating normally, including the following situations.

[0072] (1) When the air conditioner is in cooling mode and the indoor fan 120 has an abnormal fan speed feedback signal, if the difference between the suction temperature of the compressor 140 and the pipe temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 150 is greater than the first temperature difference threshold, the indoor fan 120 is determined to be operating normally; otherwise, the indoor fan 120 is determined to be operating abnormally. The first temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the suction temperature of the compressor 140 and the pipe temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 150 when the air conditioner is in cooling mode and the indoor fan 120 is operating normally.

[0073] (2) When the air conditioner is in cooling mode and the outdoor fan 130 has an abnormal fan speed feedback signal, if the difference between the exhaust temperature of the compressor 140 and the pipe temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 160 is greater than the second temperature difference threshold, the outdoor fan 130 is judged to be operating normally; otherwise, the outdoor fan 130 is judged to be operating abnormally. The second temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the exhaust temperature of the compressor 140 and the pipe temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 160 when the air conditioner is in cooling mode and the outdoor fan 130 is operating normally.

[0074] (3) When the air conditioner is in heating mode and the indoor fan 120 has an abnormal fan speed feedback signal, if the difference between the exhaust temperature of the compressor 140 and the pipe temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 150 is greater than the third temperature difference threshold, the indoor fan 120 is determined to be operating normally; otherwise, the indoor fan 120 is determined to be operating abnormally. The third temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the exhaust temperature of the compressor 140 and the pipe temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 150 when the air conditioner is in heating mode and the indoor fan 120 is operating normally.

[0075] (4) When the air conditioner is in heating mode and the outdoor fan 130 has an abnormal fan speed feedback signal, if the difference between the suction temperature of the compressor 140 and the pipe temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 160 is greater than the fourth temperature difference threshold, the outdoor fan 130 is determined to be operating normally; otherwise, the outdoor fan 130 is determined to be operating abnormally. The fourth temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the suction temperature of the compressor 140 and the pipe temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 160 when the air conditioner is in heating mode and the outdoor fan 130 is operating normally.

[0076] The control unit 113 can be implemented, for example, using a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete hardware components such as discrete gates or transistors.

[0077] The fan control signal output unit 114 is used to output a fan control signal with a corresponding duty cycle to the fan based on the indication information input by the control unit 113. The fan control signal output unit 114 is, for example, a PWM signal generator, capable of generating PWM fan control signals with various duty cycles. The fan control signal output unit 114 of the indoor fan 120 is used to output a fan control signal with a corresponding duty cycle to the indoor fan 120 based on the input indication information for the indoor fan 120. The fan control signal output unit 114 of the outdoor fan 130 is used to output a fan control signal with a corresponding duty cycle to the outdoor fan 130 based on the input indication information for the outdoor fan 130.

[0078] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a wind turbine control method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0079] like Figure 4 As shown, the wind turbine control method of this embodiment is executed, for example, by a wind turbine control device, and includes the following steps.

[0080] In step 400, the characterization information of each fan speed level and the corresponding fan control signal duty cycle is obtained in advance.

[0081] For example, the system iterates through each fan speed setting, maintaining a stable operation at each setting for a period of time (e.g., 10 seconds), gradually accelerating to the maximum speed setting. During this iteration, it records the duty cycle information (such as voltage information) of the fan control signal corresponding to each fan speed setting when the system is stable.

[0082] In step 410, the air conditioner is turned on, outputs the initial fan control signal, and detects the fan speed feedback signal. If the fan speed feedback signal is normal, the fan is controlled in the conventional way, i.e., step 420 is executed. If the fan speed feedback signal is abnormal, such as the fan speed feedback signal is lost, the fan is controlled in an alternative way, i.e., step 430 and subsequent steps are executed.

[0083] In step 420, when the fan speed feedback signal is normal, the fan speed information is obtained through the fan speed feedback signal. The fan speed is adjusted by adjusting the duty cycle of the fan control signal so that the feedback fan speed reaches the target fan speed. Thus, when the fan speed feedback signal is normal, the fan is controlled in a conventional manner.

[0084] Adjusting the fan speed by adjusting the duty cycle of the fan control signal includes: increasing the duty cycle of the fan control signal to increase the fan speed, or decreasing the duty cycle of the fan control signal to decrease the fan speed.

[0085] In step 430, when the fan speed feedback signal is abnormal, such as when the fan speed feedback signal is lost, the first characteristic information of the duty cycle of the current fan control signal is obtained.

[0086] In some embodiments, obtaining the first characterization information of the duty cycle of the current wind turbine control signal includes: inputting the current wind turbine control signal into the wind turbine control signal detection unit, and obtaining the first characterization information output by the wind turbine control signal detection unit. As described above, the wind turbine control signal detection unit outputs the characterization information of the duty cycle of the wind turbine control signal based on the input wind turbine control signal.

[0087] In step 440, the current fan speed corresponding to the first characterization information is determined based on the characterization information of each fan speed level and the duty cycle of the corresponding fan control signal.

[0088] In some embodiments, determining the current fan speed corresponding to the first characterization information includes: fitting a relationship curve between the characterization information of the fan speed and the duty cycle of the fan control signal based on the characterization information of each fan speed level and the corresponding fan control signal duty cycle; and using the relationship curve to determine the current fan speed corresponding to the first characterization information.

[0089] In step 450, the duty cycle of the fan control signal is adjusted according to the current fan speed and the target fan speed, so that the second characterization information of the duty cycle of the adjusted fan control signal reaches the target characterization information corresponding to the target fan speed.

[0090] In some embodiments, adjusting the duty cycle of the fan control signal according to the current fan speed and the target fan speed includes: increasing the duty cycle of the fan control signal when the current fan speed is less than the target fan speed, and decreasing the duty cycle of the fan control signal when the current fan speed is greater than the target fan speed, so that the second characterization information of the adjusted fan control signal duty cycle reaches the target characterization information corresponding to the target fan speed.

[0091] Specifically, the adjusted fan control signal is input to the fan control signal detection unit, and the second characterization information of the duty cycle of the adjusted fan control signal output by the fan control signal detection unit is obtained. As mentioned above, the fan control signal detection unit outputs the characterization information of the duty cycle of the fan control signal based on the input fan control signal.

[0092] Specifically, the target characterization information corresponding to the target fan speed is determined based on the relationship curve between the fan speed and the duty cycle of the fan control signal.

[0093] Therefore, even when the fan speed feedback signal is abnormal, the fan speed information can still be obtained, and the fan can continue to be controlled according to the alternative method, thus improving the robustness of the fan control.

[0094] In step 460, after running for a few minutes, such as 3 minutes, based on the air conditioner's operating mode and the abnormal fan speed feedback signal (indoor or outdoor fan), and considering at least two of the following reference factors: the air conditioner's compressor suction temperature, exhaust temperature, indoor heat exchanger pipe temperature, and outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature, determine whether the fan is operating normally. The specific reference factors are determined based on the air conditioner's operating mode and whether the abnormal fan speed feedback signal indicates an indoor or outdoor fan.

[0095] In some embodiments, step 460 may include steps 461 to 465.

[0096] In step 461, the operating mode of the air conditioner, the indoor or outdoor fan speed feedback signal that is abnormal, the suction temperature and discharge temperature of the compressor, the pipe temperature of the indoor heat exchanger, and the pipe temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger are obtained.

[0097] In step 462, when the air conditioner is in cooling mode and the indoor fan has an abnormal fan speed feedback signal, it is determined whether the difference between the compressor's suction temperature and the indoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than a first temperature difference threshold. The first temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the compressor's suction temperature and the indoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature when the air conditioner is in cooling mode and the indoor fan is operating normally. If the difference between the compressor's suction temperature and the indoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than the first temperature difference threshold, the indoor fan is determined to be operating normally; otherwise, the indoor fan is determined to be operating abnormally.

[0098] In step 463, when the air conditioner is in cooling mode and the outdoor fan is experiencing an abnormal fan speed feedback signal, it is determined whether the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than a second temperature difference threshold. The second temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature when the air conditioner is in cooling mode and the outdoor fan is operating normally. If the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than the second temperature difference threshold, the outdoor fan is determined to be operating normally; otherwise, the outdoor fan is determined to be operating abnormally.

[0099] In step 464, when the air conditioner is in heating mode and the indoor fan has an abnormal fan speed feedback signal, it is determined whether the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the indoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than a third temperature difference threshold. The third temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the indoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature when the air conditioner is in heating mode and the indoor fan is operating normally. If the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the indoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than the third temperature difference threshold, the indoor fan is determined to be operating normally; otherwise, the indoor fan is determined to be operating abnormally.

[0100] In step 465, when the air conditioner is in heating mode and the outdoor fan is experiencing an abnormal fan speed feedback signal, it is determined whether the difference between the compressor's suction temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than a fourth temperature difference threshold. The fourth temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the compressor's suction temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature when the air conditioner is in heating mode and the outdoor fan is operating normally. If the difference between the compressor's suction temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than the fourth temperature difference threshold, the outdoor fan is determined to be operating normally; otherwise, the outdoor fan is determined to be operating abnormally.

[0101] If the fan is operating normally, the fan can be controlled in an alternative manner, i.e., continue to execute step 430 and subsequent steps; if the fan is operating abnormally, report the fault and shut down the fan (step 470).

[0102] In this embodiment, when the fan speed feedback signal is abnormal, the first characteristic information of the duty cycle of the current fan control signal is obtained. Based on the characteristic information of each fan speed level and the corresponding duty cycle of the fan control signal, the current fan speed corresponding to the first characteristic information is determined. The duty cycle of the fan control signal is adjusted according to the current fan speed and the target fan speed so that the second characteristic information of the adjusted fan control signal duty cycle reaches the target characteristic information corresponding to the target fan speed. Thus, even when the fan speed feedback signal is abnormal, the fan speed information can still be obtained, and the fan can continue to be controlled according to the alternative method, improving the robustness of fan control. In addition, this embodiment, based on the air conditioner's operating mode and whether the abnormal fan speed feedback signal is from the indoor or outdoor fan, combined with at least two of the air conditioner's compressor suction temperature, exhaust temperature, indoor heat exchanger pipe temperature, and outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature, can determine whether the fan is operating normally. If the fan is operating normally, the fan can continue to be controlled according to the alternative method; if the fan is operating abnormally, a fault is reported and the fan is shut down.

[0103] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a fan control device according to other embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0104] like Figure 5 As shown, the wind turbine control device 500 of this embodiment includes a memory 510 and a processor 520 coupled to the memory 510. The processor 520 is configured to execute the wind turbine control method of each embodiment based on instructions stored in the memory 510. The memory 510 and the processor 520 can be connected, for example, via a bus 530.

[0105] The memory 510 may include, for example, system memory, fixed non-volatile storage media, etc. The system memory may store, for example, the operating system, application programs, boot loader, and other programs.

[0106] The processor 520 can be implemented using a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates, or transistors, or other discrete hardware components.

[0107] The bus 530 can use any of the various bus architectures. For example, bus architectures include, but are not limited to, Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus.

[0108] (1) A fan control method, comprising:

[0109] When the fan speed feedback signal is abnormal, the first characteristic information of the duty cycle of the current fan control signal is obtained.

[0110] Based on the characterization information of each fan speed level and the corresponding duty cycle of the fan control signal, determine the current fan speed corresponding to the first characterization information;

[0111] The duty cycle of the fan control signal is adjusted according to the current fan speed and the target fan speed so that the second characteristic information of the duty cycle of the adjusted fan control signal reaches the target characteristic information corresponding to the target fan speed.

[0112] (2) According to (1), the first characteristic information of the duty cycle of the current wind turbine control signal includes:

[0113] The current wind turbine control signal is input into the wind turbine control signal detection unit to obtain the first characterization information output by the wind turbine control signal detection unit.

[0114] Among them, the fan control signal detection unit outputs the duty cycle representation information of the fan control signal based on the input fan control signal.

[0115] (3) According to (2), the fan control signal detection unit includes a transistor. The base of the transistor is set as the input terminal of the fan control signal, and the emitter of the transistor is set as the output terminal of the information representing the duty cycle of the fan control signal.

[0116] (4) According to any one of (1)-(3), the duty cycle characterization information of the wind turbine control signal includes voltage characterization information.

[0117] (5) Based on any one of (1)-(4), the current wind turbine speed corresponding to the first characterization information is determined as follows:

[0118] Based on the characterization information of each fan speed level and the corresponding fan control signal duty cycle, fit the relationship curve between the fan speed and the characterization information of the fan control signal duty cycle.

[0119] Using the aforementioned relationship curve, the current wind turbine speed corresponding to the first characterization information is determined.

[0120] (6) According to any one of (1)-(5), adjusting the duty cycle of the fan control signal based on the current fan speed and the target fan speed includes:

[0121] When the current fan speed is less than the target fan speed, the duty cycle of the fan control signal is increased; when the current fan speed is greater than the target fan speed, the duty cycle of the fan control signal is decreased, so that the second characteristic information of the adjusted fan control signal duty cycle reaches the target characteristic information corresponding to the target fan speed.

[0122] (7) According to any one of (1)-(6), it also includes: depending on the operating mode of the air conditioner and whether the abnormal fan speed feedback signal is an indoor fan or an outdoor fan, and combining at least two of the following: the air intake temperature of the air conditioner compressor, the exhaust temperature, the pipe temperature of the indoor heat exchanger, and the pipe temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger, determine whether the fan is operating normally.

[0123] (8) According to any one of (1)-(7), it further includes: continuing the method described in (1) when the fan is operating normally; or, reporting the fault and shutting down the fan when it is operating abnormally.

[0124] (9) Determining whether the fan is operating normally according to (7) or (8) includes:

[0125] When the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode and the abnormal fan speed feedback signal is from the indoor fan, if the difference between the compressor's suction temperature and the indoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than the first temperature difference threshold, the indoor fan is considered to be operating normally; otherwise, the indoor fan is considered to be operating abnormally. Alternatively,

[0126] When the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode and the outdoor fan's speed feedback signal is abnormal, if the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than the second temperature difference threshold, the outdoor fan is considered to be operating normally; otherwise, the outdoor fan is considered to be operating abnormally. Alternatively,

[0127] When the air conditioner is operating in heating mode and the abnormal fan speed feedback signal is from the indoor fan, if the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the indoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than the third temperature difference threshold, the indoor fan is considered to be operating normally; otherwise, the indoor fan is considered to be operating abnormally. Alternatively,

[0128] If the air conditioner is in heating mode and the outdoor fan has an abnormal fan speed feedback signal, the outdoor fan is considered to be operating normally if the difference between the compressor's suction temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than the fourth temperature difference threshold; otherwise, the outdoor fan is considered to be operating abnormally.

[0129] (10) Based on (9), the temperature difference thresholds are determined using the following method:

[0130] The first temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the compressor's suction temperature and the indoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature when the air conditioner is in cooling mode and the indoor fan is operating normally; or,

[0131] The second temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature when the air conditioner is in cooling mode and the outdoor fan is operating normally; or,

[0132] The third temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the indoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature when the air conditioner is in heating mode and the indoor fan is operating normally; or,

[0133] The fourth temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the compressor's suction temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature when the air conditioner is in heating mode and the outdoor fan is operating normally.

[0134] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this disclosure can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this disclosure can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this disclosure can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer program code.

[0135] This disclosure is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this disclosure. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create a machine for implementing the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0136] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0137] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0138] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this disclosure and is not intended to limit this disclosure. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this disclosure should be included within the protection scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A fan control method, characterized in that, include: When the fan speed feedback signal is abnormal, the first characteristic information of the duty cycle of the current fan control signal is obtained. Based on the characterization information of each fan speed level and the corresponding fan control signal duty cycle, fit the relationship curve between the fan speed and the characterization information of the fan control signal duty cycle. Using the aforementioned relationship curve, the current wind turbine speed corresponding to the first characterization information is determined; The duty cycle of the fan control signal is adjusted according to the current fan speed and the target fan speed so that the second characteristic information of the duty cycle of the adjusted fan control signal reaches the target characteristic information corresponding to the target fan speed.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first characteristic information for obtaining the duty cycle of the current wind turbine control signal includes: The current wind turbine control signal is input into the wind turbine control signal detection unit to obtain the first characterization information output by the wind turbine control signal detection unit. Among them, the fan control signal detection unit outputs the duty cycle representation information of the fan control signal based on the input fan control signal.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The wind turbine control signal detection unit includes a transistor. The base of the transistor is set as the input terminal of the wind turbine control signal, and the emitter of the transistor is set as the output terminal representing the duty cycle information of the wind turbine control signal.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The duty cycle characterization information of the wind turbine control signal includes voltage characterization information.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Adjusting the duty cycle of the fan control signal based on the current fan speed and the target fan speed includes: If the current fan speed is lower than the target fan speed, increase the duty cycle of the fan control signal; if the current fan speed is higher than the target fan speed, decrease the duty cycle of the fan control signal.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Based on the air conditioner's operating mode and the abnormal fan speed feedback signal, determine whether the indoor or outdoor fan is abnormal. Combine this with at least two of the following: the air conditioner's compressor suction temperature, exhaust temperature, indoor heat exchanger pipe temperature, and outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature to determine if the fan is operating normally.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: If the fan is operating normally, continue to perform the method described in claim 1; or, If the fan malfunctions, report the fault and shut down the machine.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Determining whether the fan is operating normally includes: When the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode and the abnormal fan speed feedback signal is from the indoor fan, if the difference between the compressor's suction temperature and the indoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than the first temperature difference threshold, the indoor fan is considered to be operating normally; otherwise, the indoor fan is considered to be operating abnormally. Alternatively, When the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode and the outdoor fan's speed feedback signal is abnormal, if the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than the second temperature difference threshold, the outdoor fan is considered to be operating normally; otherwise, the outdoor fan is considered to be operating abnormally. Alternatively, When the air conditioner is operating in heating mode and the abnormal fan speed feedback signal is from the indoor fan, if the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the indoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than the third temperature difference threshold, the indoor fan is considered to be operating normally; otherwise, the indoor fan is considered to be operating abnormally. Alternatively, If the air conditioner is in heating mode and the outdoor fan has an abnormal fan speed feedback signal, the outdoor fan is considered to be operating normally if the difference between the compressor's suction temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature is greater than the fourth temperature difference threshold; otherwise, the outdoor fan is considered to be operating abnormally.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the compressor's suction temperature and the indoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature when the air conditioner is in cooling mode and the indoor fan is operating normally; or, The second temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature when the air conditioner is in cooling mode and the outdoor fan is operating normally; or, The third temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the compressor's exhaust temperature and the indoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature when the air conditioner is in heating mode and the indoor fan is operating normally; or, The fourth temperature difference threshold is determined based on the difference between the compressor's suction temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger's pipe temperature when the air conditioner is in heating mode and the outdoor fan is operating normally.

10. A fan control device, characterized in that, include: Memory; as well as A processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the wind turbine control method of any one of claims 1-9 based on instructions stored in the memory.

11. A fan control device, characterized in that, include: The fan speed feedback unit is used to send the fan speed feedback signal to the control unit; The fan control signal detection unit is used to output the duty cycle representation information of the fan control signal to the control unit based on the input fan control signal; The control unit is used to obtain the first characteristic information of the duty cycle of the current fan control signal when the fan speed feedback signal is abnormal; and to fit the relationship curve between the fan speed and the characteristic information of the duty cycle of the fan control signal according to each fan speed level and the corresponding characteristic information of the duty cycle of the fan control signal. Using the relationship curve, the current fan speed corresponding to the first characterization information is determined; based on the current fan speed and the target fan speed, an instruction to adjust the duty cycle of the fan control signal is sent to the fan control signal output unit so that the second characterization information of the duty cycle of the adjusted fan control signal reaches the target characterization information corresponding to the target fan speed. The fan control signal output unit is used to output a fan control signal with a corresponding duty cycle to the fan based on the input indication information.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, The wind turbine control signal detection unit includes a transistor, with the base of the transistor serving as the input terminal of the wind turbine control signal and the emitter of the transistor serving as the output terminal representing the duty cycle information of the wind turbine control signal.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, The control unit is also used to determine whether the fan is operating normally based on the air conditioner's operating mode and whether the abnormal fan speed feedback signal is from the indoor or outdoor fan, combined with at least two of the air conditioner's compressor suction temperature, exhaust temperature, indoor heat exchanger pipe temperature, and outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that, Also includes: A first temperature sensor is installed at the air intake of the air conditioner compressor to detect the intake temperature of the compressor. A second temperature sensor is installed at the exhaust port of the air conditioner compressor to detect the exhaust temperature of the compressor. A third temperature sensor installed in the indoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner to detect the temperature of the pipes in the indoor heat exchanger. A fourth temperature sensor is installed on the outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner to detect the pipe temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger.

15. An air conditioner, characterized in that, include: The fan control device according to any one of claims 10-14.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It stores a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the wind turbine control method according to any one of claims 1-9.

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