Method for controlling operation of multi-connected system, device for controlling operation of multi-connected system, and multi-connected system

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of multi-connected machine operation control method, operation control device and multi-connected machine, and multi-connected machine includes first indoor unit of outer machine and being arranged in kitchen, outer machine is provided with refrigerant total valve, kitchen is further provided with gas total valve, exhaust device, gas sensor for detecting flammable gas concentration and infrared sensor for detecting whether there is person in kitchen, method includes: when detecting that kitchen is unoccupied, no fire source and duration reaches first preset time length, obtain current first flammable gas concentration;When first flammable gas concentration is greater than first concentration, respectively carry out air conditioner refrigerant leakage judgment operation and kitchen gas leakage judgment operation;According to the result of judging, control first indoor unit, refrigerant total valve, gas total valve and exhaust device, to reduce the influence of flammable gas leakage.Can improve the accuracy of flammable gas detection judgment in kitchen area, reduce the influence of flammable gas leakage, improve user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air conditioning technology, and in particular to a method for controlling the operation of a multi-split air conditioner, an operation control device, and the multi-split air conditioner itself. Background Technology

[0002] With economic and social development, air conditioning is becoming increasingly widely used in various places such as entertainment, homes, and workplaces. When multiple small areas within the same region require air conditioning, multi-split air conditioning systems, consisting of one outdoor unit and multiple indoor units, are often used to regulate the room temperature in multiple areas in order to save energy. Furthermore, leak detection of flammable refrigerants and leak handling measures have become essential means to ensure the safety of existing air conditioning systems; typically, if any indoor unit in a multi-split system leaks, the outdoor unit and all indoor units in the system will cease operation to avoid causing further damage.

[0003] Currently, in scenarios where the kitchen air conditioner is one of the indoor units of a multi-split system, the presence of gas in the kitchen makes it easier for the multi-split system to misjudge the flammable refrigerant, resulting in the air conditioning needs of other rooms not being met and reducing the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art, and to provide a multi-split air conditioner operation control method, operation control device and multi-split air conditioner, which can improve the accuracy of combustible gas detection and judgment in the kitchen area, reduce the impact of combustible gas leakage and improve the user experience.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for controlling the operation of a multi-split air conditioning unit. The multi-split air conditioning unit includes an outdoor unit and a first indoor unit installed in a kitchen. The outdoor unit is equipped with a refrigerant main valve, and the kitchen is also equipped with a gas main valve, an exhaust system, a gas sensor for detecting the concentration of combustible gas, and an infrared sensor for detecting whether there are people in the kitchen. The method includes:

[0006] When the kitchen is detected to be unoccupied and without a fire source for a duration of a first preset time, the current first combustible gas concentration is obtained.

[0007] When the concentration of the first combustible gas is greater than the first concentration, the air conditioning refrigerant leakage judgment operation and the kitchen gas leakage judgment operation are performed respectively.

[0008] Based on the judgment result, control the first indoor unit, the refrigerant main valve, the gas main valve and the exhaust device to reduce the impact of combustible gas leakage.

[0009] The multi-unit air conditioning system operation control method provided by the embodiments of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0010] Before determining whether there are people or a source of ignition in the kitchen, the system checks for occupants and potential ignition sources in the kitchen before assessing the initial combustible gas concentration. This avoids misjudgments caused by users cooking with gas in the kitchen. By setting a first concentration as a critical threshold, further checks are performed when the concentration exceeds this threshold. These checks determine whether there is a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning system or a gas leak in the kitchen, improving the accuracy of combustible gas detection in the kitchen area. Finally, based on the assessment results, appropriate control operations are implemented for the indoor unit, refrigerant main valve, gas main valve, and exhaust system in the kitchen to address different leakage scenarios. This means different measures can be taken for different situations, such as refrigerant leaks in the air conditioning system, gas leaks in the kitchen, or simultaneous leaks of both, effectively reducing the impact of combustible gas leaks and improving the user experience.

[0011] In the multi-split air conditioning unit operation control method provided in some embodiments of the present invention, the air conditioning refrigerant leakage judgment operation includes:

[0012] Control the outdoor unit and the first indoor unit to stop, and control the refrigerant main valve and the gas main valve to close;

[0013] Obtain the maximum value of the combustible gas concentration within the second preset time period, and record it as the second combustible gas concentration;

[0014] When the concentration of the second combustible gas is greater than the concentration of the first combustible gas, it is determined that the air conditioning refrigerant has leaked.

[0015] Wherein: the first indoor unit shutdown includes rotating the air outlet guide plate to the closed state and turning off the air outlet fan.

[0016] In the multi-split air conditioner operation control method provided in some embodiments of the present invention, the kitchen gas leak detection operation includes:

[0017] Control the air outlet guide vane of the first indoor unit to rotate to the maximum opening, and control the air outlet fan of the first indoor unit to run at the maximum wind speed;

[0018] Obtain the maximum value of the combustible gas concentration within the third preset time period, and record it as the third combustible gas concentration;

[0019] When the concentration of the third combustible gas is greater than the concentration of the first combustible gas, it is determined that a gas leak has occurred in the kitchen.

[0020] In the multi-split air conditioner operation control method provided in some embodiments of the present invention, the determination result includes air conditioning refrigerant leakage, kitchen gas leakage, and simultaneous leakage of air conditioning refrigerant and kitchen gas.

[0021] In the multi-split air conditioner operation control method provided in some embodiments of the present invention, when the judgment result is that the air conditioning refrigerant has leaked, the exhaust device is controlled to open, the first indoor unit is controlled to perform sweeping and air supply at the maximum wind speed, the main refrigerant valve is controlled to close, and the outdoor unit is controlled to stop.

[0022] In the multi-split air conditioner operation control method provided in some embodiments of the present invention, when the judgment result is that kitchen gas leaks, the exhaust device is controlled to open, the first indoor unit is controlled to deliver air at maximum wind speed toward the air inlet of the exhaust device, and the main gas valve is controlled to close.

[0023] In the multi-split air conditioner operation control method provided in some embodiments of the present invention, when the judgment result is that the air conditioning refrigerant and the kitchen gas are leaking simultaneously, the exhaust device is controlled to open, the first indoor unit is controlled to perform sweeping and air supply at the maximum wind speed, the refrigerant main valve and the gas main valve are controlled to close, and the outdoor unit is controlled to stop.

[0024] In the multi-split air conditioner operation control method provided in some embodiments of the present invention, when the judgment result includes a kitchen gas leak, a fire-prohibition sign is displayed.

[0025] In some embodiments of the present invention, the method for controlling the operation of a multi-unit system further includes: sending the judgment result to a server or to a mobile terminal bound to the first internal unit.

[0026] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an operation control device, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. The processor executes the program to implement the multi-unit operation control method as described in the first aspect embodiment above.

[0027] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-unit air conditioner, including the operation control device described in the second aspect of the embodiments above.

[0028] Fourthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to execute the multi-unit operation control method described in the first aspect embodiment above.

[0029] Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the following description, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. The objects and other advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the description and the drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The accompanying drawings are provided to further understand the technical solutions of the present invention and constitute a part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to explain the technical solutions of the present invention, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions of the present invention.

[0031] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments;

[0032] Figure 1 This is a system schematic diagram of a multi-unit air conditioner provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the equipment layout of a kitchen with the first indoor unit installed.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the functional modules of the control circuit board of the first indoor unit in this embodiment of the invention;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the multi-unit air conditioning operation control method provided in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the air conditioning refrigerant leakage judgment operation provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the kitchen gas leak detection operation provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the operation control device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0039] This section will describe in detail specific embodiments of the present invention. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings. The purpose of the drawings is to supplement the textual description with graphics, so that people can intuitively and vividly understand each technical feature and overall technical solution of the present invention, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0040] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," "exceeding," etc. are understood to exclude the number itself, while "above," "below," "within," etc. are understood to include the number itself. "At least one" refers to one or more, and "at least one of the following" and similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. If "first," "second," etc., are used in the description, they are only for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features or the order of the indicated technical features.

[0041] It should be noted that the terms "setting," "installing," and "connecting" in the embodiments of this invention should be interpreted broadly. Those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution. For example, the term "connection" can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows for mutual communication; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium.

[0042] It should be noted that the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0043] With economic and social development, air conditioning is increasingly widely used in various places such as entertainment, homes, and workplaces. When multiple small areas in the same region require air conditioning, multi-split air conditioning systems, consisting of one outdoor unit and multiple indoor units, are often used to control the room temperature in multiple areas in order to save energy. Furthermore, with increasingly stringent standards, air conditioning systems are moving towards lower GWP (Gas-to-Warm-Up) in cooling. However, refrigerants with low GWP are generally toxic or flammable. Toxicity poses a threat to human life and is therefore unsuitable for use, while flammable refrigerants are being considered as environmentally friendly refrigerants for the present and for some time to come. Leak detection of flammable refrigerants and leak handling measures have become necessary means to ensure the safety of existing air conditioning systems; typically, if any indoor unit in a multi-split system leaks, the outdoor unit and all indoor units in the system must cease operation to avoid further damage.

[0044] Currently, in scenarios where the kitchen air conditioner is one of the indoor units of a multi-split system, the presence of gas in the kitchen makes it easier for the multi-split system to misjudge the flammable refrigerant, resulting in the air conditioning needs of other rooms not being met and reducing the user experience.

[0045] Based on this, embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-split air conditioner operation control method, operation control device, and multi-split air conditioner. Before determining whether there are people or a source of ignition in the kitchen, the method first checks the first combustible gas concentration, avoiding misjudgments caused by users cooking with gas in the kitchen. By setting a first concentration as a critical threshold, when the first combustible gas concentration exceeds the threshold, further judgment is performed to determine whether there is an air conditioning refrigerant leak or a kitchen gas leak, improving the accuracy of combustible gas detection in the kitchen area. Finally, based on the judgment results, appropriate control operations are performed on the first indoor unit, the refrigerant main valve, the gas main valve, and the exhaust system in the kitchen to address different leakage situations. Specifically, different measures can be taken for different situations such as air conditioning refrigerant leaks, kitchen gas leaks, and simultaneous leaks of both air conditioning refrigerant and kitchen gas, effectively reducing the impact of combustible gas leaks and improving the user experience.

[0046] The embodiments of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a system schematic diagram of a multi-split air conditioner provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The multi-split air conditioner includes an outdoor unit 100, a first indoor unit 200 installed in the kitchen, and several second indoor units 300 installed in other areas. The outdoor unit 100 includes a compressor 110, a four-way valve 120 connected to the exhaust port of the compressor 110, an outdoor heat exchanger 130 connected to the four-way valve 120, an outdoor fan 140 installed at the outdoor heat exchanger 130, and a gas-liquid separator 150 connected to the four-way valve 120. The gas-liquid separator 150 is also connected to the suction port of the compressor 110. Each indoor unit is equipped with an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. The four-way valve 120 is also connected to one end of the indoor heat exchanger of each indoor unit through a first refrigerant pipeline. The outdoor heat exchanger 130 is also connected to the other end of the indoor heat exchanger of each indoor unit through a second refrigerant pipeline. A refrigerant main valve 160 is also installed on the second refrigerant pipeline of the outdoor unit 100. It is understandable that shutting off the main refrigerant valve 160 cuts off the refrigerant circulation path between the outdoor unit 100 and each indoor unit of the multi-split system. Additionally, during installation, the first indoor unit 200 can be configured via a wired controller or DIP switch to confirm that it is the kitchen air conditioner unit.

[0048] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the equipment layout of a kitchen with the first indoor unit 200 installed. The kitchen also includes kitchen appliances 210 and a gas pipeline 220 connected to the appliances 210. A main gas valve 230 is installed on the gas pipeline 220. The kitchen also includes an exhaust system, which can be a range hood 240 installed above the appliances 210 or a separate exhaust fan 250 located elsewhere. The kitchen also includes a gas sensor 260 for detecting combustible gas concentration and an infrared sensor 270 for detecting the presence of people in the kitchen. The gas sensor 260 can be installed at the air outlet of the first indoor unit 200. The infrared sensor 270 can be installed in a suitable location on the kitchen wall or on the panel of the first indoor unit 200. It is understood that both the air conditioning refrigerant and the kitchen gas are combustible gases; therefore, the gas sensor 260 can detect both the concentration of the air conditioning refrigerant and the concentration of the kitchen gas.

[0049] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 3The diagram shows the functional modules of the control circuit board of the first indoor unit 200 in this embodiment of the invention. The control circuit board of the first indoor unit 200 includes a first control module for implementing conventional air conditioning functions, a first reserved interface for connecting to the exhaust device, and a second reserved interface for connecting to the gas main valve 230.

[0050] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a multi-split air conditioner operation control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The multi-split air conditioner operation control method includes, but is not limited to, steps S410 to S430:

[0051] Step S410: When it is detected that there is no one in the kitchen and no fire source, and the duration reaches the first preset time, obtain the current first combustible gas concentration.

[0052] Understandably, by determining whether someone is in the kitchen and whether there is a heat source before determining the first combustible gas concentration, misjudgments caused by users cooking with gas in the kitchen are avoided. The determination of whether someone is in the kitchen is achieved through measurement by infrared sensor 270, while the determination of whether there is a heat source can be achieved in various ways, such as through measurement by infrared sensor or by measuring the temperature of cooking utensils 210 using a temperature sensor. Furthermore, the first preset duration is preferably 30 minutes, but can be adjusted appropriately within the range of 20 to 120 minutes.

[0053] Step S420: When the concentration of the first combustible gas is greater than the first concentration, perform the air conditioning refrigerant leak judgment operation and the kitchen gas leak judgment operation respectively.

[0054] Understandably, by setting a first concentration as a critical threshold, when the first combustible gas concentration exceeds the first concentration, further judgment operations are taken to determine whether there is an air conditioning refrigerant leak or a kitchen gas leak, which can improve the accuracy of combustible gas detection and judgment in the kitchen area.

[0055] Step S430: Based on the judgment result, control the first indoor unit 200, the refrigerant main valve 160, the gas main valve 230 and the exhaust device to reduce the impact of combustible gas leakage.

[0056] According to the multi-split air conditioner operation control method provided in the embodiments of the present invention, the first indoor unit, refrigerant main valve, gas main valve and exhaust device in the kitchen are controlled accordingly based on the judgment result to deal with different leakage situations. That is, different measures can be taken for different situations such as air conditioning refrigerant leakage, kitchen gas leakage, and simultaneous leakage of air conditioning refrigerant and kitchen gas, thereby effectively reducing the impact of combustible gas leakage and improving the user experience.

[0057] Reference Figure 5 In the multi-split air conditioning unit operation control method provided in some embodiments of the present invention, the air conditioning refrigerant leakage judgment operation in step S420 includes, but is not limited to, steps S510 to S530:

[0058] Step S510: Control the outdoor unit 100 and the first indoor unit 200 to stop, and control the refrigerant main valve 160 and the gas main valve 230 to close;

[0059] Step S520: Obtain the maximum value of the combustible gas concentration within the second preset time period, and record it as the second combustible gas concentration;

[0060] Step S530: When the concentration of the second combustible gas is greater than the concentration of the first combustible gas, it is determined that the air conditioning refrigerant has leaked;

[0061] Among them, the shutdown of the first indoor unit 200 includes rotating the air outlet guide plate to the closed state and turning off the air outlet fan.

[0062] It should be noted that when performing air conditioning refrigerant leak detection, since the flammable refrigerant in an air conditioner is generally heavier than air, a high concentration area is easily formed at the bottom of the first indoor unit 200 when a leak occurs. Controlling the first indoor unit 200 to shut down—that is, controlling the air outlet deflector of the first indoor unit 200 to the closed state and controlling the air outlet fan of the first indoor unit 200 to turn off—will cause the leaked refrigerant to accumulate at the air outlet of the first indoor unit 200. Therefore, the maximum value of the flammable gas concentration within the second preset time period will be greater than the first flammable gas concentration. The second preset time period is preferably 30 seconds, but can be adjusted appropriately within the range of 20 seconds to 120 seconds.

[0063] Reference Figure 6 In the multi-split air conditioner operation control method provided in some embodiments of the present invention, the kitchen gas leak judgment operation in step S420 includes, but is not limited to, steps S610 to S630:

[0064] Step S610: Control the air outlet guide plate of the first indoor unit 200 to rotate to the maximum opening, and control the air outlet fan of the first indoor unit 200 to run at the maximum wind speed;

[0065] Step S620: Obtain the maximum value of the combustible gas concentration within the third preset time period, and record it as the third combustible gas concentration;

[0066] Step S630: When the concentration of the third combustible gas is greater than the concentration of the first combustible gas, it is determined that a gas leak has occurred in the kitchen.

[0067] It should be noted that when performing kitchen gas leak detection, since the main component of the gas is methane, a high concentration area tends to accumulate at the top of the kitchen when a gas leak occurs. By controlling the air outlet guide vane of the first indoor unit 200 to its maximum opening and controlling the air outlet fan of the first indoor unit 200 to run at its maximum speed, the leaked gas can be sent to the air outlet through the air duct of the first indoor unit 200, thereby making the concentration of the third combustible gas detected by the gas sensor 260 greater than the concentration of the first combustible gas. The preferred value for the third preset duration is 90 seconds, but it can also be adjusted appropriately within the range of 60 seconds to 180 seconds.

[0068] In the multi-split air conditioner operation control method provided in some embodiments of the present invention, the determination result includes air conditioning refrigerant leakage, kitchen gas leakage, and simultaneous leakage of air conditioning refrigerant and kitchen gas.

[0069] It is understandable that by performing the above-mentioned procedures separately... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The leak detection function can provide three different leak detection results: air conditioning refrigerant leak, kitchen gas leak, and simultaneous leaks of both air conditioning refrigerant and kitchen gas. This allows for different countermeasures to be taken based on the specific situation, effectively reducing the impact of combustible gas leaks and improving the user experience.

[0070] In the multi-split air conditioner operation control method provided in some embodiments of the present invention, when the judgment result is that the air conditioning refrigerant has leaked, the exhaust device is turned on, the first indoor unit 200 is controlled to perform sweeping and air supply at the maximum wind speed, the refrigerant main valve 160 is closed, and the outdoor unit 100 is stopped.

[0071] Understandably, when air conditioning refrigerant leaks, turning on the exhaust fan can draw the refrigerant from the kitchen area to the outside, reducing the risk. The air outlet fan of the first indoor unit 200 operates at maximum speed, and the air outlet guide vane of the first indoor unit 200 performs sweeping air delivery, which can blow the leaked refrigerant to different locations from the air outlet side, preventing the leaked refrigerant from accumulating on the air outlet side of the first indoor unit 200. In addition, controlling the outdoor unit 100 to stop and controlling the refrigerant main valve 160 to close can cut off the refrigerant circulation loop of the multi-split system and cut off the refrigerant passage between the outdoor unit 100 and each indoor unit, minimizing the amount of refrigerant leakage.

[0072] In the multi-split air conditioner operation control method provided in some embodiments of the present invention, when the judgment result is that the kitchen gas leak has occurred, the exhaust device is controlled to open, the first indoor unit 200 is controlled to deliver air at the maximum wind speed toward the air inlet of the exhaust device, and the main gas valve 230 is controlled to close.

[0073] Understandably, when a gas leak occurs in the kitchen, turning on the exhaust system can draw the gas from the kitchen area to the outside, reducing the risk. The air outlet fan of the first indoor unit 200 operates at maximum speed, and the air outlet guide plate of the first indoor unit 200 directs airflow towards the air inlet of the exhaust system, which can blow the leaking gas towards the exhaust system as much as possible, and then draw it to the outside, effectively reducing the gas concentration in the kitchen area and reducing the risk. In addition, controlling the main gas valve 230 to close can switch the gas supply and prevent further gas leakage.

[0074] In the multi-split air conditioner operation control method provided in some embodiments of the present invention, when the judgment result is that the air conditioning refrigerant and the kitchen gas are leaking at the same time, the exhaust device is turned on, the first indoor unit 200 is controlled to perform sweeping and air supply at the maximum wind speed, the refrigerant main valve 160 and the gas main valve 230 are controlled to close, and the outdoor unit 100 is controlled to stop.

[0075] Understandably, when both air conditioning refrigerant and kitchen gas leak simultaneously, turning on the exhaust system can draw the refrigerant and gas from the kitchen area outdoors, reducing the risk. The air outlet fan of the first indoor unit 200 operates at maximum speed, and the air outlet guide vane of the first indoor unit 200 performs sweeping airflow, which can blow the leaked refrigerant to different locations from the outlet side, preventing the leaked refrigerant from accumulating on the outlet side of the first indoor unit 200. Closing the main gas valve 230 can switch the gas supply, preventing further gas leakage. Controlling the outdoor unit 100 to stop and closing the main refrigerant valve 160 can cut off the refrigerant circulation loop of the multi-split system and the refrigerant pathway between the outdoor unit 100 and each indoor unit, minimizing the amount of refrigerant leakage.

[0076] In the multi-unit air conditioning operation control method provided in some embodiments of the present invention, when the judgment result includes a kitchen gas leak, a fire-prohibition sign is displayed.

[0077] Understandably, displaying a "No Open Flame" sign when a gas leak occurs in the kitchen serves as a reminder to users not to create open flames in the kitchen area, thus preventing serious consequences such as gas leaks and explosions.

[0078] In some embodiments of the present invention, the method for controlling the operation of a multi-unit system further includes: sending the judgment result to a server or to a mobile terminal bound to the first internal unit 200.

[0079] Understandably, sending the leak assessment results to the server allows the system to report to the after-sales service department for repairs, while sending the leak assessment results to the mobile terminal bound to the first indoor unit 200 can notify and remind users to take timely ventilation and other risk avoidance measures, effectively reducing the impact of flammable gas leaks.

[0080] Below, in order to more clearly illustrate the operation control method of the multi-split air conditioner of the present invention, a specific embodiment will be described in full detail.

[0081] One of the indoor units in a multi-split air conditioner is the kitchen air conditioner indoor unit. During installation, the current air conditioner is set as the kitchen air conditioner indoor unit via a wired controller or DIP switch. The kitchen air conditioner indoor unit is equipped with a gas sensor for detecting the concentration of combustible gas. The gas sensor is installed near the left and right air guide plates of the kitchen air conditioner indoor unit, that is, on the air outlet side of the kitchen air conditioner indoor unit.

[0082] 1. First, the following conditions must be met before the determination of the flammable gas concentration detected by the gas sensor can begin:

[0083] The infrared sensor identifies that the kitchen area is unoccupied and without a fire source for a duration of t.

[0084] This is because misjudgments are prone to occur during the use of kitchen utensils. The preferred value for time t is 30 minutes, but it can also be adjusted appropriately within the range of 20 minutes to 120 minutes.

[0085] 2. Then, based on the combustible gas concentration detected by the gas sensor, determine whether to perform air conditioning refrigerant leak detection and kitchen gas leak detection operations:

[0086] When the gas sensor in the indoor unit of the kitchen air conditioner detects a combustible gas concentration exceeding n1, the following air conditioning refrigerant leak detection and kitchen gas leak detection operations are performed respectively. The preferred value for n1 is 10%, but it can also be adjusted within the range of 5% to 45%. The value of n1 is related to the type of refrigerant and gas.

[0087] 2.1 Perform an air conditioning refrigerant leak detection procedure to determine if there is an air conditioning refrigerant leak. The specific steps are as follows:

[0088] For multi-split air conditioning systems, shut down the indoor and outdoor units of the kitchen air conditioner, close the main refrigerant valve, and close the main gas valve in the kitchen.

[0089] Rotate the air guide plate of the indoor unit of the kitchen air conditioner to the off angle and stop the fan of the indoor unit of the kitchen air conditioner. Record the maximum value of refrigerant concentration n3 detected within time t1. The preferred value of t1 is 30s, but it can also be adjusted appropriately within the range of 20s to 120s.

[0090] When n3 > n2, it indicates that there is a refrigerant leak in the indoor unit of the kitchen air conditioner, where n2 is the refrigerant concentration value detected before the air conditioner refrigerant leak detection operation. This is because combustible refrigerant is generally heavier than air and tends to form a high concentration area at the bottom of the air conditioner. After the air guide plate and fan of the indoor unit of the kitchen air conditioner are closed, the leaked refrigerant will accumulate in the air outlet.

[0091] 2.2 Perform a kitchen gas leak detection procedure to determine if there is a kitchen gas leak. The specific steps are as follows:

[0092] Adjust the air guide plate of the indoor unit of the kitchen air conditioner to an angle 'a' with the horizontal, where angle 'a' is the same as the maximum angle when the cooling is fully on, and run the fan at its highest speed in the forward direction; record the maximum gas concentration n4 detected within time t2, where t2 is preferably 90s, but can also be adjusted appropriately within the range of 60s to 180s.

[0093] When n4 > n2, it indicates a kitchen gas leak, where n2 is the gas concentration value detected before the kitchen gas leak detection operation. This is because the main component of the gas is methane, which is less dense than air and tends to accumulate on the roof. If a kitchen gas leak occurs, the leaked gas diffuses from somewhere on the kitchen roof to the indoor unit of the kitchen air conditioner. The fan of the indoor unit rotates in the forward direction, sending the gas through the air duct of the indoor unit to the outlet.

[0094] 3. Different processing operations are performed for different judgment results:

[0095] 3.1 When the judgment result indicates that there is a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner:

[0096] The system notifies the room owner via the app that the concentration of combustible gas in the kitchen is too high and activates the exhaust system. The fault is reported online to the after-sales service center for repair. The fan of the indoor unit of the kitchen air conditioner is running at maximum airflow. The air guide plate of the indoor unit of the kitchen air conditioner is set to swing mode to prevent leaked refrigerant from accumulating on the air outlet side of the indoor unit. The main refrigerant valve controlling the outdoor unit of the multi-split system is closed, and all indoor units of the multi-split system are not allowed to operate.

[0097] 3.2 When the judgment indicates a gas leak in the kitchen:

[0098] The system notifies the homeowner via the app that the concentration of combustible gas in the kitchen is too high; activates the exhaust system; displays an alarm on the indicator panel, such as a "No Open Flames" sign; the indoor unit of the kitchen air conditioner operates at maximum airflow, with the air guide angle set to a1, which is related to the position of the exhaust system, meaning the indoor unit blows air towards the exhaust system's inlet; the main gas valve in the kitchen is shut off; the indoor unit can only supply air and cannot respond to cooling, heating, or dehumidification functions; the outdoor unit of the multi-split system and other indoor units can still operate normally, receiving cooling, heating, dehumidification, air supply, and automatic functions.

[0099] 3.3 When the judgment result indicates that both air conditioning refrigerant and kitchen gas are leaking simultaneously:

[0100] The system notifies the room owner via the app that the concentration of combustible gas in the kitchen is too high and activates the exhaust system. The fault is reported online to the after-sales service center for repair. The fan of the kitchen air conditioner indoor unit operates at maximum airflow. The air guide plate of the kitchen air conditioner indoor unit is set to swing mode to prevent leaked refrigerant from accumulating on the air outlet side of the kitchen air conditioner indoor unit. The main gas valve in the kitchen is shut off. An alarm is displayed on the light panel, such as a no-ignition sign. The main refrigerant valve of the outdoor unit of the multi-split system is shut off, and all indoor units of the multi-split system are disabled.

[0101] It is understandable that the multi-split air conditioner operation control method provided in this embodiment avoids misjudgments caused by users cooking with gas in the kitchen by first determining whether there are people and a source of fire in the kitchen before judging the combustible gas concentration. By setting an appropriate critical concentration threshold n1, when the detected combustible gas concentration is greater than the critical concentration threshold n1, further judgment operations are taken to determine whether there is an air conditioning refrigerant leak or a kitchen gas leak, which can improve the accuracy of combustible gas detection and judgment in the kitchen area. Finally, based on the judgment results, appropriate control operations are performed on the first indoor unit, refrigerant main valve, gas main valve and exhaust device in the kitchen to deal with different leakage situations. That is, different measures can be taken for different situations such as air conditioning refrigerant leak, kitchen gas leak, and simultaneous air conditioning refrigerant and kitchen gas leaks, thereby effectively reducing the impact of combustible gas leaks and improving the user experience.

[0102] Additionally, refer to Figure 7 A second aspect of the present invention provides an operation control device 700, including a memory 710, a processor 720, and a computer program stored in the memory 710 and executable on the processor 720. The processor 720 executes the program to implement the multi-unit operation control method of the first aspect embodiment described above, for example, executing... Figure 4 Method steps S410 to S430 Figure 5Method steps S510 to S530 or execution Figure 6 Method steps S610 to S630.

[0103] In addition, a third aspect of the present invention provides a multi-unit air conditioner, including the operation control device 700 as described in the second aspect of the present invention.

[0104] Furthermore, a fourth aspect of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform the multi-unit operation control method of the first aspect embodiment, for example, executing... Figure 4 Method steps S410 to S430 Figure 5 Method steps S510 to S530 or execution Figure 6 Method steps S610 to S630.

[0105] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that all or some of the steps and systems in the methods disclosed above can be implemented as software, firmware, hardware, and suitable combinations thereof. Some or all of the physical components can be implemented as software executed by a processor, such as a central processing unit, digital signal processor, or microprocessor, or as hardware, or as an integrated circuit, such as an application-specific integrated circuit. Such software can be distributed on a computer-readable medium, which may include computer storage media or non-transitory media and communication media or transient media. As is known to those skilled in the art, the term computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storing information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc DVD or other optical disc storage, magnetic cartridges, magnetic tape, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired information and is accessible to a computer. Furthermore, as is known to those skilled in the art, communication media typically contain computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in modulated data signals such as carrier waves or other transmission mechanisms, and may include any information delivery medium.

[0106] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the operation of a multi-unit air conditioning system, characterized in that, The multi-split air conditioning system includes an outdoor unit and a first indoor unit installed in the kitchen. The outdoor unit is equipped with a refrigerant main valve. The kitchen is also equipped with a gas main valve, an exhaust system, a gas sensor for detecting combustible gas concentration, and an infrared sensor for detecting whether there are people in the kitchen. The method includes: When the kitchen is detected to be unoccupied and without a fire source for a duration of a first preset time, the current first combustible gas concentration is obtained. When the concentration of the first combustible gas is greater than the first concentration, the air conditioning refrigerant leakage judgment operation and the kitchen gas leakage judgment operation are performed respectively. Based on the judgment result, control the first indoor unit, the refrigerant main valve, the gas main valve and the exhaust device to reduce the impact of combustible gas leakage; The air conditioning refrigerant leakage detection operation includes: Control the outdoor unit and the first indoor unit to stop, and control the refrigerant main valve and the gas main valve to close; Obtain the maximum value of the combustible gas concentration within the second preset time period, and record it as the second combustible gas concentration; When the concentration of the second combustible gas is greater than the concentration of the first combustible gas, it is determined that the air conditioning refrigerant is leaking. The first indoor unit shutdown includes rotating the air outlet guide plate to the closed state and turning off the air outlet fan; The kitchen gas leak detection procedure includes: Control the air outlet guide vane of the first indoor unit to rotate to the maximum opening, and control the air outlet fan of the first indoor unit to run at the maximum wind speed; Obtain the maximum value of the combustible gas concentration within the third preset time period, and record it as the third combustible gas concentration; When the concentration of the third combustible gas is greater than the concentration of the first combustible gas, it is determined that a gas leak has occurred in the kitchen.

2. The operation control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The judgment results include air conditioning refrigerant leakage, kitchen gas leakage, and simultaneous leakage of air conditioning refrigerant and kitchen gas.

3. The operation control method according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the judgment result indicates that the air conditioning refrigerant is leaking, the exhaust device is turned on, the first indoor unit is controlled to perform sweeping and air supply at the maximum wind speed, the main refrigerant valve is closed, and the outdoor unit is stopped.

4. The operation control method according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the judgment result indicates that there is a gas leak in the kitchen, the exhaust device is turned on, the first indoor unit is controlled to deliver air at maximum speed towards the air inlet of the exhaust device, and the main gas valve is controlled to close.

5. The operation control method according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the judgment result indicates that both the air conditioning refrigerant and the kitchen gas are leaking, the exhaust device is turned on, the first indoor unit is controlled to perform sweeping and air supply at maximum wind speed, the main refrigerant valve and the main gas valve are closed, and the outdoor unit is controlled to stop.

6. The operation control method according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the judgment result includes a kitchen gas leak, a "No Open Flames" sign is displayed.

7. The operation control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The judgment result is sent to the server or to the mobile terminal bound to the first internal unit.

8. An operation control device, characterized in that, It includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, the processor executing the program to implement the multi-unit operation control method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A multi-split air conditioner, characterized in that, Includes the operation control device as described in claim 8.

10. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform the multi-unit operation control method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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