A method for defrosting without shutting down in the heating mode of an air conditioner

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method for defrosting without shutting down the air conditioner in the heating mode. The air conditioner includes a main control board, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, and a refrigerant circulation system. The refrigerant circulation system includes a four-way solenoid valve, a bypass solenoid valve, a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an electronic expansion valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger. The four-way solenoid valve is provided with an inlet, an outlet, a first conversion port, and a second conversion port. The outlet is connected to the suction port of the compressor, the discharge port of the compressor is connected to the inlet, the first conversion port is connected to the indoor heat exchanger, the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the electronic expansion valve, the electronic expansion valve is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger, the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the second conversion port, the input end of the bypass solenoid valve is connected to the pipeline between the first conversion port and the indoor heat exchanger, and the output end of the bypass solenoid valve is connected to the pipeline between the electronic expansion valve and the outdoor heat exchanger. By adopting the hot gas bypass technology, defrosting without shutting down the machine is realized, and the efficiency loss is reduced to improve the user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of air conditioners, and more particularly to a method for defrosting an air conditioner without stopping during the heating mode. Background Art

[0002] In summer, when the air conditioner is in the cooling mode, the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger is relatively low, and water vapor in the air will condense into condensate when it meets the cold. The condensate is drained outdoors through the pipeline. Since the indoor environmental temperature is relatively high, frost generally does not form on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger. In winter, when the air conditioner is in the heating mode, the surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger is relatively low. Since the outdoor environmental temperature is also relatively low, water vapor in the air will condense and form frost on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger. If the frost on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger is not cleared in time, it will hinder the heat exchange with the outside world, the surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger will drop rapidly, thereby reducing the heating efficiency of the air conditioner and increasing energy consumption.

[0003] Currently, the defrosting of air conditioners includes the following methods: One is to optimize the control scheme of the air conditioner and defrost by starting the reverse cycle of the cooling mode. During the defrosting process, the heating of the air conditioner needs to be paused, resulting in a poor user experience; the second is electromagnetic frost inhibition, which suppresses the frost formation speed of the heat exchanger through electromagnetic vibration, but the cost is high and the effect is average; the third is electric auxiliary defrosting, which defrosts through the heat of the electric auxiliary heating, but the energy consumption is high and the defrosting efficiency is low; the fourth is heat storage defrosting, which adds a heat storage module around the compressor and uses the recovered waste heat for defrosting. The cost is too high and it is difficult to implement.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to improve the existing technology. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the above deficiencies of the existing technology, the present invention provides a method for defrosting an air conditioner without stopping during the heating mode, which can achieve defrosting without stopping the machine, so as to improve the user experience and reduce efficiency loss.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0007] A method for defrosting an air conditioner without stopping during the heating mode, the air conditioner including a main control board, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, and a refrigerant circulation system;

[0008] The refrigerant circulation system includes a four-way solenoid valve, a bypass solenoid valve, a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an electronic expansion valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger. The four-way solenoid valve is electrically connected to the main control board. The four-way solenoid valve is provided with an inlet, an outlet, a first conversion port, and a second conversion port. The outlet is connected to the suction port of the compressor, the discharge port of the compressor is connected to the inlet, the first conversion port is connected to the indoor heat exchanger, the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the electronic expansion valve, the electronic expansion valve is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger, the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the second conversion port, the bypass solenoid valve is electrically connected to the main control board, the input end of the bypass solenoid valve is connected to the pipeline between the first conversion port and the indoor heat exchanger, and the output end of the bypass solenoid valve is connected to the pipeline between the electronic expansion valve and the outdoor heat exchanger;

[0009] The first temperature sensor is electrically connected to the main control board and is used to detect the outdoor ambient temperature. The second temperature sensor is electrically connected to the main control board and is used to detect the surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger;

[0010] The main control board is preset with different outdoor ambient temperatures and the corresponding standard cooling rates of the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger, specifically as follows:

[0011] When the outdoor ambient temperature is 0°C < t1 ≤ 4°C, the corresponding standard cooling rate is μ1;

[0012] When the outdoor ambient temperature is -7°C < t2 ≤ 0°C, the corresponding standard cooling rate is μ2;

[0013] When the outdoor ambient temperature is t3 ≤ -7°C, the corresponding standard cooling rate is μ3;

[0014] The above μ1, μ2, and μ2 are all measured through experiments;

[0015] In the air conditioner heating mode, the main control board controls the four-way solenoid valve to act. The refrigerant is discharged from the discharge port of the compressor, and then passes through the inlet, the first conversion port, the indoor heat exchanger, the electronic expansion valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the second conversion port, and the outlet in sequence, and finally is sucked into the compressor by the suction port of the compressor to complete the heating cycle and repeat the cycle;

[0016] In the air conditioner heating mode, if all of the following conditions are met, the main control board controls the bypass solenoid valve to open, and a part of the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor enters the outdoor heat exchanger to start defrosting;

[0017] A. The air conditioner is in the heating mode and has been running continuously for more than 10 minutes;

[0018] B. Detect the outdoor ambient temperature, determine the standard cooling rate of the outdoor heat exchanger according to the outdoor ambient temperature, detect the surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger twice within a period of time, calculate the real-time cooling rate of the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger, and the real-time cooling rate > the standard cooling rate;

[0019] During the defrosting process, if any of the following conditions is met, the main control board controls the bypass solenoid valve to close and exits the defrosting;

[0020] A. The surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger > t4 and lasts for more than 1 minute;

[0021] B. The suction temperature of the compressor > 0°C;

[0022] C. The defrosting time > 10 minutes.

[0023] Preferably, in the air-conditioning cooling mode, the main control board controls the four-way solenoid valve to act, and the refrigerant is discharged from the exhaust port of the compressor, and then sequentially passes through the inlet, the second conversion port, the outdoor heat exchanger, the electronic expansion valve, the indoor heat exchanger, the first conversion port and the outlet, and finally is sucked into the compressor by the suction port of the compressor to complete the refrigeration cycle and repeat the cycle.

[0024] Preferably, in the air-conditioning heating mode, if the defrosting process occurs three times continuously, the air-conditioning cooling mode is forced to prevent incomplete defrosting.

[0025] Preferably, if the defrosting time > 10 minutes and triggers to exit the defrosting, the air-conditioning cooling mode is forced to be turned on to ensure rapid defrosting.

[0026] Preferably, during the defrosting process, the operating frequency of the compressor is increased to 100 Hz, the air-conditioning PTC electric auxiliary heating is forced to be turned on, and the outdoor fan is turned off.

[0027] Preferably, the range of t4 is 15°C ≤ t4 ≤ 20°C.

[0028] Preferably, a liquid storage tank is provided on the pipeline between the outlet and the suction port of the compressor.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0030] The present invention provides a method for defrosting without stopping the machine in the air-conditioning heating mode. By optimizing the refrigerant circulation system, adding a bypass solenoid valve, and adopting the hot gas bypass technology, defrosting without stopping the machine is realized, reducing efficiency loss, improving the user experience. In addition, the cost is low and the market prospect is good. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, the drawings required for the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0032] Figure 1It is the schematic diagram of the refrigerant cycle in the refrigeration mode of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 It is the schematic diagram of the refrigerant cycle in the heating mode of the present invention.

[0034] In the figure: 1, four-way solenoid valve; 2, bypass solenoid valve; 3, compressor; 4, liquid storage tank; 5, indoor heat exchanger; 6, electronic expansion valve; 7, outdoor heat exchanger; a, inlet; b, outlet; c, first conversion port; d, second conversion port. Detailed implementation manners

[0035] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0036] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", "connection", and "fixation" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two components. 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 situations.

[0037] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method for defrosting without stopping the machine in the heating mode of an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes: a main control board, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, and a refrigerant circulation system.

[0038] The refrigerant circulation system includes: a four-way solenoid valve 1, a bypass solenoid valve 2, a compressor 3, a liquid storage tank 4, an indoor heat exchanger 5, an electronic expansion valve 6, and an outdoor heat exchanger 7. The main control board is electrically connected to the four-way solenoid valve 1, and the main control board can control the corresponding actions of the four-way solenoid valve 1. The four-way solenoid valve 1 is provided with an inlet a, an outlet b, a first conversion port c, and a second conversion port d.

[0039] Specifically, the outlet b of the four-way solenoid valve 1 is connected to the suction port of the compressor 3 through a pipeline, the discharge port of the compressor 3 is connected to the inlet a of the four-way solenoid valve 1 through a pipeline, the first conversion port c of the four-way solenoid valve 1 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 5 through a pipeline, the indoor heat exchanger 5 is connected to the electronic expansion valve 6 through a pipeline, the electronic expansion valve 6 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 7 through a pipeline, and the outdoor heat exchanger 7 is connected to the second conversion port d of the four-way solenoid valve 1 through a pipeline.

[0040] The bypass solenoid valve 2 is electrically connected to the main control board, and the main control board can control the opening and closing of the bypass solenoid valve 2. The input end of the bypass solenoid valve 2 is connected to the pipeline between the first conversion port c of the four-way solenoid valve 1 and the indoor heat exchanger 5, and the output end of the bypass solenoid valve 2 is connected to the pipeline between the electronic expansion valve 6 and the outdoor heat exchanger 7.

[0041] Further, a liquid storage tank 4 is provided on the pipeline between the outlet b of the four-way solenoid valve 1 and the suction port of the compressor 3 to prevent liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor 3 and damaging the compressor 3.

[0042] The first temperature sensor is electrically connected to the main control board. The first temperature sensor is used to detect the outdoor ambient temperature. The second temperature sensor is electrically connected to the main control board. The second temperature sensor is used to detect the surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0043] The main control board is a programmable controller, and different outdoor ambient temperatures and the corresponding standard cooling rates of the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger are preset therein, as follows:

[0044] When the outdoor ambient temperature 0°C < t1 ≤ 4°C, the corresponding standard cooling rate is μ1;

[0045] When the outdoor ambient temperature -7°C < t2 ≤ 0°C, the corresponding standard cooling rate is μ2;

[0046] When the outdoor ambient temperature t3 ≤ -7°C, the corresponding standard cooling rate is μ3;

[0047] The above μ1, μ2, and μ2 are all measured through experiments, and the values of μ1, μ2, and μ2 measured for different models of air conditioners are different.

[0048] As Figure 1 shown, in the air conditioner refrigeration mode, the bypass solenoid valve 2 is in the closed state. The main control board controls the four-way solenoid valve 1 to act. The refrigerant is discharged from the exhaust port of the compressor 3, and then sequentially passes through the inlet a of the four-way solenoid valve 1, the second conversion port d of the four-way solenoid valve 1, the outdoor heat exchanger 7, the electronic expansion valve 6, the indoor heat exchanger 5, the first conversion port c of the four-way solenoid valve 1, and the outlet b of the four-way solenoid valve 1, and finally is sucked into the compressor 3 from the suction port of the compressor 3 to complete the refrigeration cycle and repeat the cycle.

[0049] As Figure 2 shown, in the air conditioner heating mode, the main control board controls the four-way solenoid valve 1 to act. The refrigerant is discharged from the exhaust port of the compressor 3, and then sequentially passes through the inlet a of the four-way solenoid valve 1, the first conversion port c of the four-way solenoid valve 1, the indoor heat exchanger 5, the electronic expansion valve 6, the outdoor heat exchanger 7, the second conversion port d of the four-way solenoid valve 1, and the outlet b of the four-way solenoid valve 1, and finally is sucked into the compressor 3 from the suction port of the compressor 3 to complete the heating cycle and repeat the cycle.

[0050] In the air conditioner heating mode, if the following two conditions are met, the main control board controls the bypass solenoid valve 2 to open and start defrosting.

[0051] A. The air conditioner is in the heating mode and has been running continuously for more than 10 minutes.

[0052] B. Detect the outdoor ambient temperature, determine the standard cooling rate of the outdoor heat exchanger according to the outdoor ambient temperature, detect the surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger twice within a period of time, calculate the real-time cooling rate of the outdoor heat exchanger surface, and the real-time cooling rate > the standard cooling rate.

[0053] During the defrosting process, increase the operating frequency of the compressor 3 to 100 Hz to increase the exhaust volume per unit time. A part of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged by the compressor 3 enters the indoor heat exchanger 5 to maintain the heating mode of the air conditioner and ensure that the air conditioner does not stop heating. In addition, forcibly turn on the air conditioner PTC electric auxiliary heating to prevent the indoor temperature from dropping too fast and improve the user experience. Another part of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant enters the outdoor heat exchanger 7 to increase the surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger to achieve the purpose of defrosting. In addition, turn off the outdoor fan to improve the defrosting efficiency.

[0054] Furthermore, in the heating mode of the air conditioner, if three defrosting processes occur continuously, then forcibly perform an air conditioner cooling mode to prevent incomplete defrosting.

[0055] During the defrosting process, if any one of the following three conditions is met, the main control board controls the bypass solenoid valve 2 to close and exits the defrosting.

[0056] A. The surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger > t4 and lasts for more than 1 minute, where the range of t4 is 15°C ≤ t4 ≤ 20°C.

[0057] B. The suction temperature of the compressor > 0°C.

[0058] C. The defrosting time > 10 minutes.

[0059] Furthermore, when the condition of "defrosting time > 10 minutes" is triggered and the defrosting is exited, then forcibly turn on the air conditioner cooling mode to ensure rapid defrosting.

[0060] In summary, for the method of defrosting without stopping in the heating mode of the air conditioner described in the embodiments of the present invention, by optimizing the refrigerant circulation system, adding a bypass solenoid valve, and adopting the hot gas bypass technology, defrosting without stopping is achieved, reducing efficiency loss to improve the user experience. In addition, the cost is low and the market prospect is good.

[0061] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, not to limit it; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements for some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for defrosting without stopping the machine in the heating mode of an air conditioner, characterized in that, The air conditioner includes a main control board, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, and a refrigerant circulation system; The refrigerant circulation system includes a four-way solenoid valve, a bypass solenoid valve, a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an electronic expansion valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger. The four-way solenoid valve is electrically connected to the main control board. The four-way solenoid valve is provided with an inlet, an outlet, a first conversion port, and a second conversion port. The outlet is connected to the suction port of the compressor, the discharge port of the compressor is connected to the inlet, the first conversion port is connected to the indoor heat exchanger, the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the electronic expansion valve, the electronic expansion valve is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger, the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the second conversion port, the bypass solenoid valve is electrically connected to the main control board, the input end of the bypass solenoid valve is connected to the pipeline between the first conversion port and the indoor heat exchanger, and the output end of the bypass solenoid valve is connected to the pipeline between the electronic expansion valve and the outdoor heat exchanger; The first temperature sensor is electrically connected to the main control board and is used to detect the outdoor ambient temperature. The second temperature sensor is electrically connected to the main control board and is used to detect the surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger; The main control board presets different outdoor ambient temperatures and the corresponding standard cooling rates of the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger, which are specifically as follows: Outdoor ambient temperature 0°C < t1 ≤ 4°C, corresponding standard cooling rate μ1; Outdoor ambient temperature -7°C < t2 ≤ 0°C, corresponding standard cooling rate μ2; Outdoor ambient temperature t3 ≤ -7°C, corresponding standard cooling rate μ3; The above μ1, μ2, and μ2 are all measured through experiments; In the heating mode of the air conditioner, the main control board controls the four-way solenoid valve to act. The refrigerant is discharged from the discharge port of the compressor, and then sequentially passes through the inlet, the first conversion port, the indoor heat exchanger, the electronic expansion valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the second conversion port, and the outlet, and finally is sucked into the compressor from the suction port of the compressor to complete the heating cycle and repeat the cycle; In the heating mode of the air conditioner, if all of the following conditions are met, the main control board controls the bypass solenoid valve to open, and a part of the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor enters the outdoor heat exchanger to start defrosting; A. The air conditioner is in the heating mode and has been running continuously for more than 10 minutes; B. Detect the outdoor ambient temperature, determine the standard cooling rate of the outdoor heat exchanger according to the outdoor ambient temperature, detect the surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger twice within a period of time, and calculate the real-time cooling rate of the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger. The real-time cooling rate > the standard cooling rate; During the defrosting process, if any of the following conditions is met, the main control board controls the bypass solenoid valve to close and exits the defrosting; A. The surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger > t4 and lasts for more than 1 minute; B. The suction temperature of the compressor > 0°C; C. The defrosting time > 10 minutes.

2. The defrosting method without stopping the machine in the heating mode of an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein In the cooling mode of the air conditioner, the main control board controls the four-way solenoid valve to act. The refrigerant is discharged from the discharge port of the compressor, and then sequentially passes through the inlet, the second conversion port, the outdoor heat exchanger, the electronic expansion valve, the indoor heat exchanger, the first conversion port, and the outlet, and finally is sucked into the compressor from the suction port of the compressor to complete the cooling cycle and repeat the cycle.

3. The defrosting method without stopping the machine in the heating mode of an air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein In the heating mode of the air conditioner, if the defrosting process occurs three times continuously, the air conditioner is forced to enter the cooling mode to prevent incomplete defrosting.

4. A defrosting method without stopping the machine in the heating mode of an air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein, If the defrosting time > 10 min and the defrosting is triggered to exit, the air conditioner cooling mode is forced to be turned on to ensure rapid defrosting.

5. A defrosting method without stopping the operation of an air conditioner in the heating mode according to claim 1, characterized in that, During the defrosting process, the operating frequency of the compressor is increased to 100 Hz, the PTC electric auxiliary heating of the air conditioner is forced to be turned on, and the outdoor fan is turned off.

6. The defrosting method without shutdown in the heating mode of an air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The range of the said t4 is 15°C ≤ t4 ≤ 20°C.

7. A defrosting method without shutdown in the heating mode of an air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, A liquid storage tank is provided on the pipeline between the outlet and the suction port of the compressor.

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