Air conditioner defrosting system

Abstract

The application relates to the air conditioner technical field, and discloses an air conditioner defrosting system, which comprises a compressor, which is used for conveying high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to a first heat exchange device during operation and receiving refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchange device; the first heat exchange device is connected with a second heat exchange device; the first heat exchange device is used for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and intermediate medium in the second heat exchange device; the second heat exchange device is arranged on a heat exchanger of the air conditioner; the second heat exchange device stores the intermediate medium; and the second heat exchange device is used for defrosting the heat exchanger by using the intermediate medium. In this way, the defrosting effect can be achieved without switching the operation state of the air conditioner, so that the indoor temperature fluctuation is reduced, and the user experience of using the air conditioner is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of air conditioners, for example to an air conditioner defrosting system. BACKGROUND

[0002] At present, when an air conditioner is in heating operation in winter, the temperature around the outdoor heat exchanger is low because the outdoor unit of the air conditioner absorbs heat from outdoor air, and water vapor in the air will condense into frost and adhere to the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger. Thick frost will reduce the heat exchange capacity of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, thereby reducing the heating efficiency of the air conditioner. The existing technology is to switch the operation state of the air conditioner to a refrigeration cycle mode, so that the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged by the compressor is discharged into the outdoor unit through a four-way valve to melt the frost layer on the outdoor unit.

[0003] In the process of implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is found that at least the following problems exist in the related art:

[0004] Because the air conditioner switches from a heating cycle to a refrigeration cycle during defrosting, the indoor temperature fluctuates greatly, resulting in poor air conditioner experience.

[0005] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above BACKGROUND section is only used to strengthen the understanding of the background of the present application, and therefore can include information that does not constitute prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art. SUMMARY

[0006] To have a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed embodiments, a brief overview is given below. The overview is not an extensive review of all of the features of the embodiments nor is it intended to identify key / critical elements of the embodiments or determine the scope of the embodiments. The sole purpose of the overview is to present some aspects of the embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0007] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an air conditioner defrosting system to reduce the fluctuation of the indoor temperature during defrosting.

[0008] In some embodiments, the air conditioner defrosting system comprises: a compressor configured to, when in operation, deliver high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to a first heat exchange device and receive refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchange device; the first heat exchange device is connected with a second heat exchange device, and the first heat exchange device is configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and an intermediate medium in the second heat exchange device; the second heat exchange device is arranged on a heat exchanger of the air conditioner, and the second heat exchange device stores the intermediate medium therein, and the second heat exchange device is configured to defrost the heat exchanger using the intermediate medium.

[0009] In some embodiments, the second heat exchange device comprises a constant-temperature water tank, a heat exchange coil, and a water pump; the heat exchange coil is arranged on the heat exchanger and connected with the first heat exchange device; the constant-temperature water tank is configured to store constant-temperature intermediate medium; and the water pump is arranged in the constant-temperature water tank and configured to inject the constant-temperature intermediate medium into the heat exchange coil.

[0010] In some embodiments, the air conditioner defrosting system further comprises: an image acquisition device, electrically connected to the controller, configured to acquire and send image information of the heat exchanger to the controller; and the controller is configured to determine the frost formation condition of the heat exchanger according to the image information; the frost formation condition is used to represent whether the heat exchanger is frosted or not.

[0011] In some embodiments, the air conditioner defrosting system further comprises: a frost layer thickness detection device, electrically connected to the controller, configured to acquire and send the frost layer thickness of the heat exchanger to the controller.

[0012] In some embodiments, the air conditioner defrosting system further comprises: a temperature sensor, electrically connected to the controller, configured to detect and send the outdoor environment temperature to the controller.

[0013] In some embodiments, the air conditioner defrosting system further comprises: a humidity sensor, electrically connected to the controller, configured to detect and send the outdoor environment humidity to the controller.

[0014] In some embodiments, the air conditioner defrosting system further comprises: a flow valve, arranged on the second heat exchange device, electrically connected to the controller, and configured to control the flow rate of the intermediate medium in the second heat exchange device.

[0015] In some embodiments, the air conditioner defrosting system further comprises: a flow valve, arranged on the second heat exchange device, electrically connected to the controller, and configured to control the flow rate of the intermediate medium in the second heat exchange device.

[0016] The air conditioner defrosting system provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can achieve the following technical effects: since the discharged refrigerant is always high-temperature and high-pressure during the operation of the compressor, the intermediate medium in the second heat exchange device can be heat-exchanged when the refrigerant flows from the compressor to the first heat exchange device. Since the second heat exchange device is arranged on the heat exchanger, the surface of the heat exchanger can be heated to defrost. In this process, the defrosting effect can be achieved without switching the operation state of the air conditioner, thereby reducing the fluctuation of the indoor temperature and improving the user experience of using the air conditioner.

[0017] The foregoing general description and the following description are only exemplary and explanatory, and are not intended to limit the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] One or more embodiments are exemplarily illustrated by corresponding drawings, which do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments, and elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are shown as similar elements, the drawings do not constitute a proportional limitation, and wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner defrosting system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of another air conditioner defrosting system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another air conditioner defrosting system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another air conditioner defrosting system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another air conditioner defrosting system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another air conditioner defrosting system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to enable persons skilled in the art to more fully understand the features and technical contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the implementation of the embodiments of the present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are used only for reference and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. In the following technical description, in order to facilitate explanation, a plurality of details are provided to provide a full understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, one or more embodiments can still be implemented without these details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices can be simplified to facilitate the drawings.

[0026] The terms "first", "second", and the like in the specification and claims of the embodiments of the present disclosure and the above-described drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and do not necessarily have to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data thus used can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein can be implemented. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0027] Unless otherwise specified, the term "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0028] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the character " / " represents an "or" relationship between the preceding and following objects. For example, A / B represents: A or B.

[0029] The term "and / or" is a description of the association relationship between objects, which means that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B means: A or B, or, A and B, the three relationships.

[0030] The term "corresponding" can refer to an association or binding relationship. A and B correspond to each other means that there is an association or binding relationship between A and B.

[0031] In combination Figure 1 As shown in the accompanying drawings, the air conditioner defrosting system 100 provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure comprises a compressor 101, a first heat exchange device 102, and a second heat exchange device 103. The compressor 101 is configured to deliver high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to the first heat exchange device 102 during operation, and receive refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchange device 102. The first heat exchange device 102 is connected to the second heat exchange device 103, and the first heat exchange device 102 is configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and an intermediate medium in the second heat exchange device 103. The second heat exchange device 103 is arranged on a heat exchanger 111, and the second heat exchange device 103 stores the intermediate medium. The second heat exchange device 103 is configured to defrost the heat exchanger 111 by using the intermediate medium.

[0032] The air conditioner defrosting system provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can make the refrigerant flow into the first heat exchange device under the condition that the air conditioner is running, so as to exchange heat between the intermediate medium in the second heat exchange device and the refrigerant. Since the second heat exchange device is arranged on the heat exchanger, and the refrigerant flowing out of the compressor is a high-temperature and high-pressure gas. Therefore, under the condition that the refrigerant flows into the first heat exchange device from the compressor, the temperature of the intermediate medium in the second heat exchange device will rise, thereby achieving the effect of heating and defrosting the surface of the heat exchanger. In this process, since the refrigerant discharged by the compressor is always high-temperature and high-pressure, the refrigerant received by the first heat exchange device is always high-temperature and high-pressure. Therefore, the technical effect of defrosting the heat exchanger can be achieved without changing the operation mode of the air conditioner, thereby reducing the fluctuation of the indoor environment temperature and improving the user experience of using the air conditioner.

[0033] Optionally, in combination Figure 2 As shown in the accompanying drawings, the air conditioner defrosting system 100 further comprises a controller 104 and an image acquisition device 105. The image acquisition device 105 is electrically connected to the controller 104, and the image acquisition device 105 is configured to acquire and send image information of the heat exchanger to the controller 104. The controller 104 is configured to determine the frosting condition of the heat exchanger according to the image information, wherein the frosting condition is used to represent whether the heat exchanger is frosted or not.

[0034] Further, the image acquisition device is configured to acquire and send the image information of the heat exchanger to the controller under the condition that the controller sends a frosting condition acquisition instruction.

[0035] Further, the controller sends a frost condition acquisition instruction to the image acquisition device when the air conditioner is in a heating operation state or a non-operation state, and when the outdoor ambient temperature is less than a preset temperature and the outdoor ambient humidity is less than a preset humidity. When the air conditioner is in a heating mode, the outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner absorbs heat in the air to reduce the surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger. At this time, if the outdoor ambient temperature is low and the outdoor ambient humidity is high, the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger is prone to frost. Therefore, by acquiring the frost condition of the heat exchanger only when the outdoor ambient temperature is less than a preset temperature and the outdoor ambient humidity is less than a preset humidity, unnecessary detection steps can be reduced. When the air conditioner is in an instruction mode, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged by the compressor flows to the outdoor unit through the four-way valve, thereby heating the heat exchanger. In this way, the surface temperature of the heat exchanger is high, and the possibility of frosting is extremely small.

[0036] Optionally, in combination with Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the air conditioner defrosting system 100 further comprises a humidity sensor 106 and a temperature sensor 107. The humidity sensor 106 and the temperature sensor 107 are electrically connected to the controller 104. The temperature sensor 107 is configured to detect and send the outdoor ambient temperature to the controller 104. The humidity sensor 106 is configured to detect and send the outdoor ambient humidity to the controller 104.

[0037] Further, the temperature sensor feeds back the detected outdoor ambient temperature when receiving the temperature acquisition instruction sent by the controller. The humidity sensor feeds back the detected outdoor ambient humidity when receiving the humidity acquisition instruction sent by the controller.

[0038] In some embodiments, the outdoor ambient temperature is the temperature of the area where the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is located. The outdoor ambient humidity is the humidity of the area where the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is located.

[0039] Optionally, the controller is further configured to determine whether the air conditioner is in an operation state when the frost condition is that the heat exchanger is frosted. The air conditioner is controlled to operate when the air conditioner is not in an operation state.

[0040] Optionally, in combination with Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the air conditioner defrosting system further comprises a regulating valve 108 arranged between the compressor and the first heat exchange device. The regulating valve 108 is electrically connected to the controller 104. The controller 104 controls the regulating valve 108 to open when the frost condition is that the heat exchanger is frosted, so that the refrigerant flows from the compressor to the first heat exchange device.

[0041] Optionally, in combination with Figure 5As shown, the air conditioner defrosting system 100 further comprises a frost thickness detection device 109, which is electrically connected to the controller 104. The frost thickness detection device 109 is configured to acquire and send the frost thickness of the heat exchanger to the controller 104.

[0042] Further, the frost thickness detection device acquires the frost thickness of the heat exchanger upon receiving the thickness detection instruction sent by the controller. Further, the controller sends the thickness detection instruction to the frost thickness detection device in the case that the heat exchanger is frosted.

[0043] In some embodiments, the frost thickness detection device is an ultrasonic thickness gauge. In the case that there is only one frost thickness detection device, the frost thickness fed back by the frost thickness detection device is directly determined as the frost thickness of the heat exchanger. In the case that there are multiple frost thickness detection devices, the average of the frost thicknesses fed back by the multiple frost thickness detection devices is determined as the frost thickness of the heat exchanger.

[0044] Optionally, in combination with Figure 6 As shown, the air conditioner defrosting system 100 further comprises a flow valve 110, which is arranged on the second heat exchange device 103 and electrically connected to the controller 104. The flow valve 110 is configured to control the flow rate of the intermediate medium in the second heat exchange device. Further, the flow valve is controlled by the controller to open or close.

[0045] Optionally, the second heat exchange device comprises a constant temperature water tank, a heat exchange coil, a water pump and a flow valve. The heat exchange coil is arranged on the heat exchanger and connected to the first heat exchange device. The constant temperature water tank is configured to store the constant temperature intermediate medium. The water pump is arranged in the constant temperature water tank and configured to inject the constant temperature intermediate medium into the heat exchange coil. The flow valve is arranged on the heat exchange coil and configured to control the flow rate of the intermediate medium in the heat exchange coil. The temperature of the constant temperature intermediate medium is greater than the temperature at which the intermediate medium condenses into ice. In this way, the probability of ice formation in the heat exchange coil can be reduced, thereby reducing the probability of clogging of the heat exchange coil.

[0046] In some embodiments, the intermediate medium is water.

[0047] Further, the controller controls the flow valve to open in the case that the temperature of the intermediate medium in the heat exchange coil is greater than the target temperature. In this way, the intermediate medium can be heated in batches, so that the intermediate medium can reach the target temperature more quickly. Meanwhile, the surface of the heat exchanger can be heated more quickly by using the intermediate medium that has reached the target temperature.

[0048] Further, the controller determines the target temperature according to the frost thickness of the heat exchanger. In some embodiments, the target temperature is determined according to the frost thickness of the heat exchanger, including: matching the target temperature corresponding to the frost thickness in a preset first database. The first database stores the corresponding relationship between the frost thickness and the target temperature. The higher the target temperature, the greater the corresponding frost thickness.

[0049] In some embodiments, when the frost thickness is less than or equal to 1 mm, the target temperature corresponding to the frost thickness is 40 degrees Celsius. When the frost thickness is greater than 1 mm and less than or equal to 5 mm, the target temperature corresponding to the frost thickness is 70 degrees Celsius. When the frost thickness is greater than 5 mm, the target temperature corresponding to the frost thickness is 90 degrees Celsius.

[0050] Further, the controller controls the flow valve to open, including: determining the target valve opening degree according to the frost thickness. The flow valve is triggered to open at the target valve opening degree. Since the opening degree of the flow valve affects the flow speed of the intermediate medium in the second heat exchange device, thereby affecting the heating speed of the second heat exchange device to the heat exchanger. Therefore, by determining the target valve opening degree according to the frost thickness, the target valve opening degree can change with the change of the frost thickness, so that the defrosting can be completed more quickly.

[0051] Further, the controller determines the target valve opening degree according to the frost thickness by: matching the target valve opening degree corresponding to the frost thickness in a preset second database. The second database stores the corresponding relationship between the frost thickness and the target valve opening degree.

[0052] In some embodiments, when the frost thickness is less than or equal to 1 mm, the target valve opening degree corresponding to the frost thickness is half open. When the frost thickness is greater than 1 mm, the target valve opening degree corresponding to the frost thickness is fully open.

[0053] Optionally, after the controller triggers the flow valve to open, the controller further includes: determining an interval time according to the frost thickness, and monitoring the frosting condition of the heat exchanger in real time after the interval time is reached, and controlling the regulating valve and the flow valve to close when the heat exchanger is not frosted. Since the greater the frost thickness, the longer the corresponding defrosting time, therefore, in the case of knowing that the frost thickness on the heat exchanger is large, it is not necessary to detect the frost thickness. Therefore, by determining the interval time according to the frost thickness, and monitoring the frosting condition of the heat exchanger only after the interval time is reached, unnecessary detection steps can be reduced, thereby saving energy.

[0054] Further, the controller determines the interval time according to the frost thickness by: matching the interval time corresponding to the frost thickness in a preset third database. The third database stores the corresponding relationship between the frost thickness and the interval time.

[0055] In some embodiments, when the frost layer thickness is less than or equal to 1 millimeter, the interval time corresponding to the frost layer thickness is 20 minutes. When the frost layer thickness is greater than 1 millimeter and less than or equal to 5 millimeters, the interval time corresponding to the frost layer thickness is 30 minutes. When the frost layer thickness is greater than 5 millimeters, the interval time corresponding to the frost layer thickness is 30 minutes.

[0056] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes one or more instructions to make a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) execute all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The aforementioned storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, including a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, etc. various media that can store program codes, or can be a transitory storage medium.

[0057] The foregoing description and accompanying drawings fully illustrate embodiments of this disclosure to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may include structural, logical, electrical, procedural, and other changes. The embodiments represent only possible variations. Individual components and functions are optional unless explicitly required, and the order of operation may vary. Parts and features of some embodiments may be included in or replace parts and features of other embodiments. Moreover, the terminology used in this application is for describing embodiments only and is not intended to limit the claims. As used in the description of embodiments and claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to equally include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the term “and / or” as used in this application means including one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations thereof. Additionally, when used in this application, the term "comprise" and its variations "comprises" and / or "comprising" refer to the presence of stated features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprises a..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, or apparatus that includes said element. In this document, each embodiment may focus on the differences from other embodiments, and similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to mutually. For methods, products, etc., disclosed in the embodiments, if they correspond to the method section disclosed in the embodiments, the relevant parts can be referred to the description of the method section.

[0058] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the embodiments of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0059] In the embodiments disclosed herein, the disclosed methods, products (including but not limited to apparatuses, devices, etc.) can be implemented in other manners. For example, the described apparatus embodiments are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. There can be another division manner for the actual implementation, for example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections between different units, or among them, can be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, devices, or units, and can be in electric, mechanical, or other forms.

[0060] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the drawings show the possible implementation architectures, functions, and operations of the system, method, and computer program product according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts or block diagrams can represent a module, a program segment, or a part of code, which contains one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function. In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks can occur in an order different from that noted in the drawings. For example, two consecutive blocks can actually be executed substantially in parallel, and sometimes they can be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. In the descriptions corresponding to the flowcharts and block diagrams in the drawings, the operations or steps corresponding to different blocks can also occur in an order different from that disclosed in the descriptions, and sometimes there is no specific order between different operations or steps. For example, two consecutive operations or steps can actually be executed substantially in parallel, and sometimes they can be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. Each block in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, and the combination of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, can be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified functions or actions, or can be implemented by a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

Claims

1. An air conditioning defrosting system, characterized by, The application relates to an air conditioner, which comprises the following parts: a compressor, which is used for conveying high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to a first heat exchange device during operation and receiving refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchange device; the first heat exchange device, which is connected with a second heat exchange device and is used for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and intermediate medium in the second heat exchange device; the second heat exchange device, which is arranged on a heat exchanger of the air conditioner and stores intermediate medium, and is used for defrosting the heat exchanger by using the intermediate medium; a flow valve, which is arranged on the second heat exchange device and is electrically connected with a controller, and is used for controlling the flow rate of the intermediate medium in the second heat exchange device; after the controller triggers the flow valve to open, interval time is determined according to the frost thickness, the frosting condition of the heat exchanger is monitored in real time after the interval time is reached, and the adjusting valve and the flow valve are controlled to be closed in the case that the heat exchanger is not frosted; wherein the thicker the frost thickness is, the longer the interval time corresponding to the frost thickness is.

2. The air conditioning defrosting system of claim 1, wherein, The second heat exchange device comprises a constant-temperature water tank, a heat exchange coil and a water pump; the heat exchange coil is arranged on the heat exchanger and is connected with the first heat exchange device; the constant-temperature water tank is used for storing constant-temperature intermediate medium; and the water pump is arranged in the constant-temperature water tank and is used for injecting the constant-temperature intermediate medium into the heat exchange coil.

3. The air conditioner defrosting system of claim 1, wherein, The application further comprises the following parts: an image acquisition device, which is electrically connected with the controller and is used for acquiring and sending image information of the heat exchanger to the controller; the controller, which is used for determining the frosting condition of the heat exchanger according to the image information; the frosting condition is used for representing whether the heat exchanger is frosted or not.

4. The air conditioner defrosting system of claim 3, wherein The application further comprises the following parts: a frost thickness detection device, which is electrically connected with the controller and is used for acquiring and sending the frost thickness of the heat exchanger to the controller.

5. The air conditioner defrosting system of claim 4, wherein The controller is further used for triggering the frost thickness detection device to acquire the frost thickness of the heat exchanger in the case that the frosting condition is that the heat exchanger is frosted.

6. The air conditioner defrosting system of claim 3, wherein The application further comprises the following parts: a temperature sensor, which is electrically connected with the controller and is used for detecting and sending the outdoor environment temperature to the controller.

7. The air conditioner defrosting system of claim 3, wherein The application further comprises the following parts: a humidity sensor, which is electrically connected with the controller and is used for detecting and sending the outdoor environment humidity to the controller.

8. The air conditioner defrosting system of claim 1, wherein, The controller is further used for controlling the flow valve to open in the case that the temperature of the intermediate medium is greater than a target temperature.

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