A method for controlling fresh air of air conditioner and air conditioner

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for controlling fresh air of an air conditioner and an air conditioner, the control method comprising: detecting TVOC value in real time, determining current TVOC grade K according to the amount of change A of TVOC value per unit time and current TVOC value, K including excellent grade, good grade and poor grade; judging whether K is poor grade; if so, turning on exhaust mode of the air conditioner; if not, detecting indoor humidity Q in real time, judging whether Q ≥ first humidity value Q1; if so, turning on exhaust mode of the air conditioner; if not, judging whether Q < second humidity value Q2; if so, turning on fresh air mode of the air conditioner; if not, keeping the current state of the air conditioner; the method for controlling fresh air of an air conditioner and the air conditioner described in the present invention improve the degree of automation of fresh air adjustment of the air conditioner, are conducive to simplifying user operation, and also enable the air conditioner to automatically and effectively adjust fresh air, thereby ensuring user requirements for indoor air cleanliness and comfort.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of air conditioning, and in particular to a method for controlling fresh air in an air conditioner and an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] Air conditioners are essential appliances in our daily lives, available in a wide variety of configurations. With the continuous advancement of industrial design and the application of new processes, materials, and designs, not only have a wide variety of indoor units been developed, but control methods have also been optimized.

[0003] Take air conditioners with fresh air functions as an example. With improved living standards, more and more users are prioritizing health and comfort, and are choosing to install and use fresh air air conditioners at home. However, existing fresh air air conditioners have a low degree of automation. Users often have to adjust the air conditioner to activate fresh air mode only after they feel uncomfortable with the indoor air conditions. This not only makes the user's control operation cumbersome, but also easily leads to a delay in the timing of the fresh air activation, which can affect the user's health. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention aims to propose a control method for fresh air of an air conditioner and an air conditioner, so as to solve the problem that the degree of automation of fresh air regulation of the air conditioner in the prior art is relatively low, which is not conducive to simplifying user operation and easily leads to delayed fresh air regulation.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the technical solution of the present invention is achieved as follows:

[0006] A method for controlling fresh air in an air conditioner includes: detecting TVOC values in real time, determining a current TVOC level K based on a change A in the TVOC value per unit time and the current TVOC value, where K includes excellent, good, and poor levels; determining whether K is poor; if so, activating the air conditioner's exhaust mode; if not, detecting indoor humidity Q in real time, determining whether Q ≥ a first humidity value Q1; if so, activating the air conditioner's exhaust mode; if not, determining whether Q < a second humidity value Q2; if so, activating the air conditioner's fresh air mode; if not, maintaining the air conditioner's current state. By determining the current TVOC level K, the air conditioner analyzes indoor air quality in its automatic fresh air mode and automatically adjusts the air conditioner's operation based on the indoor humidity. This improves the automation of the air conditioner's fresh air adjustment, avoiding tedious user operations and simplifying user operations. Furthermore, it enables the air conditioner to automatically and effectively adjust the fresh air, improving the accuracy of air conditioner control and ensuring user satisfaction with indoor air cleanliness and comfort.

[0007] Furthermore, the control method includes: detecting the TVOC value in real time and calculating the change A of the TVOC value per unit time; determining whether A ≥ 0; if so, determining K based on a first TVOC rating condition; if not, determining K based on a second TVOC rating condition. The first TVOC rating condition is: when the current TVOC value is less than a first preset value Y1, K is excellent; when the first preset value Y1 ≤ the current TVOC value ≤ the second preset value Y2, K is good; when the current TVOC value is greater than the second preset value Y2, K is poor; the second TVOC rating condition is: when the current TVOC value is less than a third preset value Y3, K is excellent; when the third preset value Y3 ≤ the current TVOC value ≤ the fourth preset value Y4, K is good; when the current TVOC value is greater than the fourth preset value Y4, K is poor. Y2>Y4>Y1>Y3; thus, the change of TVOC is divided into an increasing trend of concentration and a decreasing trend of concentration, and different evaluation conditions with different parameters are used respectively, especially the relationship of "Y1>Y3, Y2>Y4>Y1". Except for the excessive fluctuation of TVOC value, no matter the TVOC value increases or decreases slightly, the grade K can be kept at the same level. Accordingly, the subsequent display color, windshield, etc. related to K will not change, avoiding unnecessary level changes caused by "slight fluctuation of TVOC value". Accordingly, it avoids the air conditioner from adjusting the color, windshield, etc. too frequently.

[0008] Furthermore, the control method includes: determining whether the automatic fresh air mode is enabled; and if so, executing a process for determining whether K is a poor level. After the automatic fresh air mode is enabled, the air conditioner operates for a preset period of time, and then the process for determining whether K is a poor level is executed again. Therefore, if the air conditioner is operating in fresh air mode for the first time during a particular operation, the indoor air may not be particularly comfortable. Therefore, when the automatic fresh air mode is initiated, oxygenation of the incoming air can be performed to improve the indoor air quality.

[0009] Furthermore, the control method includes a highest priority condition; the highest priority condition includes: real-time detection of outdoor ambient temperature T; judging whether T≤the first preset temperature T1; if so, controlling the fresh air motor to shut down and turning off the air intake / exhaust function of the air conditioner; if not, judging whether the first preset temperature T1<T≤the second preset temperature T2; if so, controlling the fresh air motor to run only at a low wind speed; if not, judging whether the second preset temperature T2<T<the third preset temperature T3; if so, the air conditioner operates normally; if not, controlling the fresh air motor to run only at a low wind speed; wherein, if other operating processes in the control method conflict with the highest priority condition, the highest priority condition shall prevail. By setting the highest priority condition, the outdoor ambient temperature is divided into at least four different intervals. When T is in the corresponding interval, the air conditioner adopts the corresponding operating state. Especially when the outdoor environment is extremely cold or hot, the air conditioner adjusts the operating state of the fresh air motor to, on the one hand, minimize the interference of the outdoor environment on the indoor environmental conditions and ensure the user's comfort requirements for indoor temperature and other conditions as much as possible; on the other hand, it maintains the fresh air function of the air conditioner as much as possible and ensures the user's demand for indoor air cleanliness as much as possible.

[0010] Furthermore, if K is excellent, the air conditioner's interactive display module displays a green light, and the air conditioner defaults to the low wind speed setting. If K is good, the interactive display module displays a yellow light, and the air conditioner defaults to the medium wind speed setting. If K is poor, the interactive display module displays a red light, and the air conditioner defaults to the high wind speed setting. This allows the air conditioner to use the K level to not only remind the user through the interactive display module, but also automatically adjust the wind speed setting according to different indoor air conditions, which helps to improve the automation of fresh air regulation.

[0011] Furthermore, as K changes, during the windshield adjustment process, if the wind speed needs to be reduced, the air conditioner will immediately lower the current windshield; if the wind speed needs to be increased, the air conditioner will maintain the current state and run for the rated time before raising the current windshield to reduce detection noise interference caused by the detection position, detection fluctuations, etc., and reduce the occurrence of misjudgment.

[0012] An air conditioner adopts the above-mentioned method for controlling fresh air of an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a fresh air system, which is at least used to realize the two-way functions of air intake and air outlet.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the method for controlling fresh air in an air conditioner and the air conditioner described in the present invention have the following advantages:

[0014] The present invention describes a method for controlling fresh air in an air conditioner and an air conditioner. By determining the current TVOC level K, the method analyzes the indoor air quality in the automatic fresh air mode of the air conditioner and automatically adjusts the air conditioner operation in combination with the indoor humidity. On the one hand, the method improves the degree of automation of the fresh air adjustment of the air conditioner, avoids the user from performing more tedious operations, and helps to simplify the user operation. On the other hand, the method enables the air conditioner to perform timely and effective fresh air adjustment on its own, which helps to improve the accuracy of the air conditioner adjustment and ensure the user's needs for indoor air cleanliness and comfort. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which constitute part of the present invention, are provided to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are provided to explain the present invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[0016] Figure 1 The figure is a flow chart of a method for controlling fresh air in air conditioning according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The inventive concepts of the present disclosure will be described below using terms commonly used by those skilled in the art to convey the essence of their work to other persons skilled in the art. However, these inventive concepts can be embodied in many different forms and should not be considered limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0018] It should be noted that, unless there is a conflict, the embodiments and features of the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other. TVOC is the abbreviation of "Total Volatile Organic Compounds", which means total volatile organic compounds. TVOC in this application can be understood as the content of total volatile organic compounds. However, since pollutants are converted into air quality index AQI according to the target concentration limit, in order to facilitate a more intuitive association between the product and the national standard requirements, the numbers used as examples of TVOC values in this application are all converted to AQI values.

[0019] The humidity in this application is relative humidity. Correspondingly, relative humidity and absolute humidity can be converted under certain conditions. That is, the humidity in this application can also be converted and implemented as absolute humidity.

[0020] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with embodiments.

[0021] In the existing technology, fresh air air conditioners are often turned on by users after they feel that the indoor air conditions are uncomfortable. The low degree of automation not only makes the user's adjustment operation more cumbersome, but also easily causes the time point of turning on the fresh air to be delayed, which can easily affect the user's health.

[0022] In order to solve the problem that the automation level of fresh air regulation of air conditioners in the prior art is low, which is not conducive to simplifying user operations and easily leads to delayed fresh air regulation, this embodiment proposes a control method for fresh air of air conditioners, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 1 As shown, the control method includes:

[0023] S1. The air conditioner detects the TVOC value in real time and determines the current TVOC level K based on the change A of the TVOC value per unit time and the current TVOC value;

[0024] The unit time is consistent with the relevant records in the field of air conditioning technology, and is a certain period of time, such as 1s, 3s, etc. K includes excellent, good, and poor grades.

[0025] The change in TVOC value A = the TVOC value detected later - the TVOC value detected earlier, which is consistent with relevant records in the field of air-conditioning technology and conforms to conventional mathematical cognition.

[0026] The process of determining K, that is, step S1, includes:

[0027] S11, the air conditioner detects the TVOC value in real time and calculates the change A of the TVOC value per unit time;

[0028] S12. The air conditioner determines whether A≥0; if so, K is determined based on the first TVOC rating condition; if not, K is determined based on the second TVOC rating condition.

[0029] Among them, the first TVOC grade assessment condition is: when the current TVOC value is less than the first preset value Y1, K is excellent; when the first preset value Y1 ≤ the current TVOC value ≤ the second preset value Y2, K is good; when the current TVOC value is greater than the second preset value Y2, K is poor.

[0030] The second TVOC grade assessment condition is: when the current TVOC value is less than the third preset value Y3, K is an excellent grade; when the third preset value Y3 ≤ the current TVOC value ≤ the fourth preset value Y4, K is a good grade; when the current TVOC value is greater than the fourth preset value Y4, K is a poor grade.

[0031] Among them, Y1>Y3, Y2>Y4>Y1; therefore, since the indoor air condition is easily affected by the activities of indoor users, the TVOC value fluctuates. For this reason, this application divides the change of TVOC into an increasing concentration trend and a decreasing concentration trend, and adopts corresponding evaluation conditions with different parameters, especially the relationship of "Y1>Y3, Y2>Y4>Y1", so that except for the excessive fluctuation of the TVOC value, whether the TVOC value increases slightly or decreases slightly, the level K can be maintained at the same level. Accordingly, the subsequent display color, windshield, etc. related to K will not change, avoiding unnecessary level changes caused by "slight fluctuations in TVOC values", and accordingly, avoiding the air conditioner from adjusting the color, windshield, etc. too frequently.

[0032] At the same time, in order to make it easier for users to understand the current indoor air conditions, the air conditioner's interactive display module can display different colors according to the different K levels. For example, if K is excellent, the interactive display module displays a green light; if K is good, the interactive display module displays a yellow light; and if K is poor, the interactive display module displays a red light. In addition, since the level of K also represents the quality of the current indoor air conditions, at least during the automatic operation of the air conditioner (such as the automatic fresh air mode), if K is excellent, the air conditioner defaults to a low windshield; if K is good, the air conditioner defaults to a medium windshield; and if K is poor, the air conditioner defaults to a high windshield. This allows the air conditioner to, based on the level of K, on the one hand, remind the user through the interactive display module; on the other hand, it can automatically adjust the windshield according to different indoor air conditions, which is conducive to improving the degree of automation of the air conditioner's fresh air adjustment.

[0033] In addition, as indoor air conditions change, K will also change after certain conditions in step S12 are met. In this application, the air conditioner will also perform a corresponding windshield adjustment process. During the windshield adjustment process, if the wind speed needs to be reduced, the air conditioner will immediately lower the current windshield. If the wind speed needs to be increased, the air conditioner will maintain the current state for a rated time and then adjust the current windshield upward to reduce detection noise interference caused by the detection position, detection fluctuations, etc., and reduce the occurrence of misjudgment. For example, if the TVOC value in a local space in the room suddenly increases, it only interferes with the detection point of the air conditioner and does not cause excessive interference to the entire room. At this time, it is only necessary to maintain the current state of the air conditioner for a period of time. If the wind speed still needs to be increased due to the influence of the K value, the current windshield will be adjusted upward. The rated time is preferably 3-5 minutes.

[0034] The rated values and preset values mentioned in this application, such as Y1-Y4, are all preset values developed and designed by the air conditioner manufacturer before the air conditioner leaves the factory. To adapt to the user's own usage habits, at least some of the preset values may also be user-adjustable. Considering that different air conditioner manufacturers often have significant differences in their R&D concepts, air conditioner types, air conditioner performance, and air conditioner operating environments, this application does not limit the preset values for air conditioners and only provides individual reference values as examples. For example: Y1 = 150, Y2 = 300, Y3 = 100, Y4 = 250.

[0035] In this application, in addition to the automatic operation process, the air conditioner also has a manual mode, that is, it operates according to the user's control instructions. Accordingly, at least for the operating conditions of the air conditioner's fresh air operation, the user settings are the basis; but the color displayed by the interactive display module is still based on the actual TVOC situation to ensure that the user can clearly understand the current indoor air conditions.

[0036] S2. The air conditioner determines whether the automatic fresh air mode is turned on; if so, proceed to step S3;

[0037] Among them, turning on the automatic fresh air mode of the air conditioner can be regarded as the user directly sending the corresponding automatic operation command to the air conditioner through a remote control, mobile terminal, or other device. In addition, if the air conditioner does not turn on the automatic fresh air mode, the air conditioner maintains the current state, or operates using other control methods in the prior art, such as a mode manually controlled by the user. Of course, if the air conditioner is already running in the automatic fresh air mode by default, or the air conditioner is pre-defined as the automatic fresh air mode, the control method can omit step S2, that is, after executing step S1, directly execute step S3.

[0038] Considering that if the air conditioner is running at fresh air for the first time during a certain operation, the indoor air may not be particularly comfortable, the air conditioner may first perform air intake oxygenation before proceeding to step S3. That is, step S2 includes:

[0039] S21, the air conditioner determines whether the automatic fresh air mode is turned on; if so, proceed to step S22;

[0040] S22: The air conditioner turns on the air intake mode and runs for a preset time, and then proceeds to step S3.

[0041] Among them, the air intake mode can be regarded as a process of introducing air into the room and increasing oxygen, and the preset duration is preferably 7-15 minutes.

[0042] S3, the air conditioner determines whether K is a poor level; if so, the air conditioner turns on the exhaust mode and returns to step S1; if not, proceeds to step S4;

[0043] S4. The air conditioner detects the indoor humidity Q in real time and determines whether Q is greater than or equal to the first humidity value Q1. If so, the air conditioner turns on the exhaust mode and returns to step S1. If not, proceed to step S5.

[0044] S5. The air conditioner determines whether Q is less than the second humidity value Q2; if so, the air conditioner turns on the fresh air mode and returns to step S1; if not, the air conditioner maintains the current state and returns to step S1.

[0045] In automatic fresh air mode, the air conditioner first analyzes the indoor air quality. If the air quality is poor, it activates exhaust mode to exhaust the dirty indoor air outdoors. If the air quality is good, it further analyzes the indoor humidity. If the humidity is too high, it activates exhaust mode again to exhaust the moist indoor air outdoors. If the humidity is normal, the air conditioner's fresh air mode automatically operates. Accordingly, Q1 and Q2 are also factory-set parameters for the air conditioner. This application uses Q1 and Q2 for illustrative purposes only and does not impose specific limitations. For example, Q1 = 75% and Q2 = 60%. Of course, users can also adjust Q1 and Q2 based on their own preferences.

[0046] Therefore, this application determines the current TVOC level K, analyzes the indoor air quality in the automatic fresh air mode of the air conditioner, and automatically adjusts the air conditioner operation in combination with the indoor humidity. On the one hand, it improves the automation level of the air conditioner fresh air adjustment, avoids the user from performing more tedious operations, and helps to simplify user operations. On the other hand, it also enables the air conditioner to perform timely and effective fresh air adjustment on its own, which is also conducive to improving the accuracy of air conditioner adjustment and ensuring the user's needs for indoor air cleanliness and comfort.

[0047] Furthermore, during the fresh air process, outdoor environmental conditions may interfere with indoor environmental conditions, thereby affecting the user's indoor comfort. To balance the user's needs for indoor air cleanliness and comfort, this application proposes a top-priority condition in the control method. That is, the control method includes a top-priority condition. If any other operating process in the control method conflicts with the top-priority condition, the top-priority condition shall prevail.

[0048] The highest priority conditions include:

[0049] B1. The air conditioner detects the outdoor ambient temperature T in real time;

[0050] B2. The air conditioner determines whether T ≤ the first preset temperature T1; if so, the air conditioner controls the fresh air motor to shut down and turns off the air intake / exhaust function of the air conditioner; if not, proceeds to step B3;

[0051] B3. The air conditioner determines whether the first preset temperature T1 < T ≤ the second preset temperature T2; if so, the air conditioner controls the fresh air motor to operate only at a low wind speed; if not, proceed to step B4;

[0052] B5. The air conditioner determines whether the second preset temperature T2 < T < the third preset temperature T3; if so, the air conditioner operates normally; if not, the air conditioner controls the fresh air motor to operate only at a low wind speed.

[0053] To avoid ambiguity, it should be noted that in steps B2 and B3, if the judgment result is yes, the subsequent steps will not be continued. That is, by setting the highest priority condition, the outdoor ambient temperature is divided into at least four different intervals. When T is in the corresponding interval, the air conditioner adopts the corresponding operating state. In particular, under conditions such as severe cold or hot outdoor conditions, the air conditioner adjusts the operating state of the fresh air motor to, on the one hand, minimize the interference of the outdoor environment on the indoor environmental conditions and ensure the user's comfort requirements for indoor temperature and other conditions as much as possible; on the other hand, it maintains the fresh air function of the air conditioner as much as possible and ensures the user's demand for indoor air cleanliness as much as possible. Among them, T1, T2, and T3 are all preset temperature values of the air conditioner before leaving the factory. This application only uses T1, T2, and T3 as examples and does not impose specific limitations, such as: T1 = -15°C, T2 = -5°C, T3 = 43°C. Among them, the low windshield in steps B3 and B5 is preferably the lowest windshield of the fresh air motor.

[0054] In the present invention, for any air conditioner with fresh air function, the control method of the air conditioner fresh air described in this embodiment can be adopted. During the fresh air operation, automatic mode, fresh air mode, exhaust mode, and fresh air operation shut down can be executed, and this can be achieved when the whole machine is in standby / on mode.

[0055] In addition, based on the control method provided in this embodiment, the air conditioner also includes: a fresh air system, which is at least used to realize the two-way functions of air intake and air outlet; a filtering and purification device, which is used to filter and purify the air, such as a health filter element; a TVOC module, which is used to detect the indoor TVOC value; a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor; an interactive display module, which may include functions such as text display and light strip display. Since it is a conventional component of the fresh air air conditioner in the prior art, it will not be described here.

[0056] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for controlling fresh air in an air conditioner, characterized in that: The control method includes: Real-time detection of TVOC values and calculation of the change in TVOC value per unit time, A; determination of whether A ≥ 0; if so, determination of the current TVOC level K based on the first TVOC level assessment criteria; if not, determination of K based on the second TVOC level assessment criteria, where K includes excellent, good, and poor levels; The first TVOC rating condition is: when the current TVOC value is less than the first preset value Y1, K is an excellent grade; when the first preset value Y1 ≤ the current TVOC value ≤ the second preset value Y2, K is a good grade; when the current TVOC value is greater than the second preset value Y2, K is a poor grade; The second TVOC rating condition is: when the current TVOC value is less than the third preset value Y3, K is an excellent grade; when the third preset value Y3 ≤ the current TVOC value ≤ the fourth preset value Y4, K is a good grade; when the current TVOC value is greater than the fourth preset value Y4, K is a poor grade; Determine whether K is a poor level; if so, the air conditioner turns on the exhaust mode; if not, detect the indoor humidity Q in real time and determine whether Q ≥ the first humidity value Q1; if so, the air conditioner turns on the exhaust mode; if not, determine whether Q < the second humidity value Q2; if so, the air conditioner turns on the fresh air mode; if not, the air conditioner maintains the current state.

2. The method for controlling fresh air in air conditioning according to claim 1, characterized in that: Y2>Y4>Y1>Y3.

3. The method for controlling fresh air in air conditioning according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control method includes: determining whether the automatic fresh air mode is turned on; if so, executing a process of determining whether K is a poor level.

4. The method for controlling fresh air in air conditioning according to claim 3, characterized in that: After the automatic fresh air mode is turned on, the air conditioner runs for a preset time and then performs the process of determining whether K is a poor level.

5. The method for controlling fresh air in air conditioning according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control method includes a top priority condition; the top priority condition includes: Real-time detection of the outdoor ambient temperature T; determination of whether T ≤ a first preset temperature T1; if so, control the fresh air motor to shut down and turn off the air intake / exhaust function of the air conditioner; if not, determination of whether the first preset temperature T1 < T ≤ a second preset temperature T2; if so, control the fresh air motor to operate only at a low wind speed; if not, determination of whether the second preset temperature T2 < T < a third preset temperature T3; if so, the air conditioner operates normally; if not, control the fresh air motor to operate only at a low wind speed; If other operating processes in the control method conflict with the highest priority condition, the highest priority condition shall prevail.

6. The method for controlling fresh air in air conditioning according to claim 1, characterized in that: If K is excellent, the air conditioner's interactive display module displays a green light, and the air conditioner uses the low windshield by default; if K is good, the air conditioner's interactive display module displays a yellow light, and the air conditioner uses the medium windshield by default; if K is poor, the air conditioner's interactive display module displays a red light, and the air conditioner uses the high windshield by default.

7. The method for controlling fresh air in air conditioning according to claim 6, characterized in that: As K changes, during the windshield adjustment process, if the wind speed needs to be reduced, the air conditioner will immediately lower the current windshield; If the wind speed needs to be increased, the air conditioner will maintain the current state and run for the rated time before adjusting the current windshield upwards.

8. An air conditioner, characterized in that: The air conditioner adopts a method for controlling fresh air of an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and the air conditioner includes a fresh air system, which is at least used to realize a two-way function of air intake and air outlet.

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