Air conditioner and control method of air conditioner

Abstract

The invention discloses an air conditioner and a control method of the air conditioner. The air conditioner comprises a heat exchange flow path used for achieving heat exchange between a living water tank and a refrigerant circulation flow path; the control valve group is arranged on the refrigerant circulating flow path and is used for opening or closing the refrigerant circulating flow path; the controller is connected with the control valve set and the four-way valve, the controller is configured to obtain a target operation mode of the air conditioner, and the target operation mode at least comprises a cooperative mode combining a heating mode, a refrigeration mode and a water heating mode; determining the target operation mode of the air conditioner as a cooperative mode; and the on-off state of the control valve set and the on-off state of the four-way valve are controlled according to the cooperative mode so as to control operation of the heat exchanger set and adjust the water tank temperature of the living water tank. By the adoption of the air conditioner, the requirements of a user for refrigerating, heating and water heating can be met at the same time, waste heat generated during refrigerating or heating is fully used for making hot water, and energy waste in the running process of the air conditioner is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of air conditioners, and in particular to an air conditioner and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] As global warming intensifies, air conditioners are installed to solve the problem of thermal comfort in high-temperature environments in summer. However, when the air conditioner is in cooling mode, a large amount of waste heat is generated and discharged to the outside, further exacerbating the urban heat island effect. In the related art, the existing air conditioner cannot operate in cooling, heating and hot water modes at the same time, and cannot use the waste heat generated in cooling and heating to produce hot water. Instead, the waste heat is directly discharged to the environment, thereby increasing environmental thermal pollution and causing energy waste during the operation of the air conditioner. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, one object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can simultaneously meet the user's needs for cooling, heating and hot water, and fully utilize the waste heat generated during cooling or heating to produce hot water, thereby reducing environmental thermal pollution and avoiding energy waste during the operation of the air conditioner.

[0004] A second object of the present invention is to provide a control method for an air conditioner.

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention proposes an air conditioner, comprising: a refrigerant circulation flow path, so that the refrigerant circulates in the flow path composed of a vapor-liquid separator, a compressor, a fin heat exchanger, a throttling device, a liquid storage device, a heat exchanger group and a four-way valve; the heat exchanger group includes a plurality of refrigerant branches arranged in parallel, and a heat exchanger is provided on each refrigerant branch; the four-way valve includes a first port, a second port, a third port and a fourth port, the first port is connected to the heat exchanger group, the second port is connected to the vapor-liquid separator, and the third port is connected to the fin heat exchanger; a domestic water tank for storing domestic water; a heat exchange flow path, one end of the heat exchange flow path is connected to the outlet of the compressor, the other end of the heat exchange flow path is connected to the fourth port, and the The domestic water tank is placed on the hot flow path, and the heat exchange flow path is used to realize heat exchange between the domestic water tank and the refrigerant circulation flow path; a control valve group, the control valve group is arranged on the refrigerant circulation flow path, and is used to conduct or cut off the refrigerant circulation flow path; a controller, the controller is connected to the control valve group and the four-way valve, and the controller is configured to: obtain a target operating mode of the air conditioner, wherein the target operating mode at least includes a heating mode, a cooling mode and a coordinated mode combining a hot water mode; determine that the target operating mode of the air conditioner is the coordinated mode; control the switching state of the control valve group and the switching state of the four-way valve according to the coordinated mode to control the operation of the heat exchanger group and adjust the tank temperature of the domestic water tank.

[0006] According to the air conditioner of the embodiment of the present invention, when the target operating mode is a collaborative mode combining the heating mode, the cooling mode and the hot water mode, the switching state of the control valve group and the switching state of the four-way valve are controlled to control different heat exchangers in the heat exchanger group to simultaneously operate the cooling mode and the heating mode, and the water in the domestic water tank is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant circulation flow path through the heat exchange flow path to produce hot water, thereby being able to meet the cooling, heating and hot water needs of the air conditioner user at the same time, and the air conditioner produces hot water through the waste heat generated by the heating mode and the cooling mode, which greatly improves the comprehensive energy efficiency and energy recovery of the air conditioner, thereby effectively reducing the energy waste of the air conditioner during operation, reducing environmental thermal pollution, and saving a lot of electricity bills for users.

[0007] In some embodiments, the control valve group includes: a first multi-way valve, wherein the first valve port of the first multi-way valve is connected to the third port, and the second valve port of the first multi-way valve is connected to one end of the fin heat exchanger; a second multi-way valve, wherein the first valve port of the second multi-way valve is connected to one end of the throttling device, and the second valve port of the fifth multi-way valve is connected to the other end of the fin heat exchanger; a third multi-way valve, wherein the first valve port of the third multi-way valve is connected to the first end of the heat exchanger group, and the second valve port of the third multi-way valve is connected to the other end of the throttling device and one end of the liquid reservoir; a fourth multi-way valve, wherein the first valve port of the fourth multi-way valve is connected to the second end of the heat exchanger group, and the first multi-way valve the second valve port of the fifth multi-way valve is connected to the other end of the liquid reservoir; the fifth multi-way valve, the first valve port of the fifth multi-way valve is connected to the first port, and the second valve port of the fifth multi-way valve is connected to the third end of the heat exchanger group; the sixth multi-way valve, the first valve port of the sixth multi-way valve is connected to the third end of the heat exchanger group; the seventh multi-way valve, the first valve port of the seventh multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the sixth multi-way valve, and the second valve port of the seventh multi-way valve is connected to the fourth end of the heat exchanger group; the eighth multi-way valve, the first valve port of the eighth multi-way valve is connected to the outlet of the compressor, and the second valve port of the eighth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the sixth multi-way valve and the first valve port of the seventh multi-way valve.

[0008] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger group includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger arranged in parallel, and the refrigerant circulation flow path includes a cooling flow path and a heating flow path. For controlling the switching state of the control valve group and the switching state of the four-way valve according to the collaborative mode to control the operation of the heat exchanger group and adjust the tank temperature of the domestic water tank, the controller is specifically configured as follows: controlling the switching state of the control valve group to a first state according to the collaborative mode, and controlling the third port to be connected to the fourth port to open the cooling flow path so that the first heat exchanger runs the cooling mode, and opening the heating flow path so that the second heat exchanger runs the heating mode, and opening the heat exchange flow path to control heat exchange between the domestic water tank and the heat exchange flow path.

[0009] In some embodiments, for controlling the switching state of the control valve group and the switching state of the four-way valve according to the collaborative mode to control the operation of the heat exchanger group and adjust the tank temperature of the domestic water tank, the controller is specifically further configured to: control the switching state of the control valve group to be a second state according to the collaborative mode, and control the first port to be connected to the fourth port to open the refrigeration flow path so that the second heat exchanger runs the refrigeration mode, and open the heating flow path so that the first heat exchanger runs the heating mode, and open the heat exchange flow path to control the heat exchange between the domestic water tank and the heat exchange flow path.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first end of the first heat exchanger is connected to the first valve port of the fourth multi-way valve, the second end of the first heat exchanger is connected to the second valve port of the fifth multi-way valve and the first valve port of the sixth multi-way valve, the first end of the second heat exchanger is connected to the first valve port of the third multi-way valve, and the second end of the second heat exchanger is connected to the second valve port of the seventh multi-way valve; the control valve group also includes: a ninth multi-way valve, the first valve port of the ninth multi-way valve is connected to the second end of the second heat exchanger and the second valve port of the seventh multi-way valve, the second valve port of the ninth multi-way valve is connected to one end of the fin heat exchanger and the second valve port of the first multi-way valve; a tenth multi-way valve, the first valve port of the tenth multi-way valve is connected to the first end of the second heat exchanger and the first valve port of the third multi-way valve, and the second valve port of the tenth multi-way valve is connected to the first valve port of the second multi-way valve and one end of the throttling device.

[0011] In some embodiments, in the first state, the first valve port of the first multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the first multi-way valve, the first valve port of the fourth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the fourth multi-way valve, the first valve port of the fifth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the fifth multi-way valve, the first valve port of the seventh multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the seventh multi-way valve, the first valve port of the eighth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the eighth multi-way valve, the first valve port of the ninth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the ninth multi-way valve, and the first valve port of the tenth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the tenth multi-way valve.

[0012] In some embodiments, in the second state, the first valve port of the first multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the first multi-way valve, the first valve port of the fourth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the fourth multi-way valve, the first valve port of the fifth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the fifth multi-way valve, the first valve port of the ninth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the ninth multi-way valve, and the first valve port of the tenth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the tenth multi-way valve.

[0013] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for controlling an air conditioner, which is used for the air conditioner described in the above embodiment, and the control method includes: obtaining a target operating mode of the air conditioner, wherein the target operating mode includes at least a heating mode, a cooling mode and a collaborative mode combining a hot water mode; determining that the target operating mode of the air conditioner is the collaborative mode; and controlling the switching state of the control valve group and the switching state of the four-way valve according to the collaborative mode to control the operation of the heat exchanger group and adjust the tank temperature of the domestic water tank.

[0014] According to the control method of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the target operation mode is a collaborative mode combining the heating mode, the cooling mode and the hot water mode, the switching state of the control valve group and the switching state of the four-way valve are controlled to control different heat exchangers in the heat exchanger group to be able to operate the cooling mode and the heating mode at the same time, and the water in the domestic water tank is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant circulation flow path through the heat exchange flow path to produce hot water, so that the needs of the air conditioner user can be met at the same time, and the air conditioner produces hot water through the waste heat generated by the operation of the heating mode and the cooling mode, which greatly improves the comprehensive energy efficiency and energy recovery of the air conditioner, thereby effectively reducing the energy waste of the air conditioner during operation, reducing environmental thermal pollution, and saving a lot of electricity bills for users.

[0015] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger group includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger arranged in parallel, and controls the switching state of the control valve group and the switching state of the four-way valve according to the collaborative mode to control the operation of the heat exchanger group and adjust the tank temperature of the domestic water tank, including: controlling the switching state of the control valve group to a first state according to the collaborative mode, and controlling the third port to be connected to the fourth port to control the first heat exchanger to operate in the cooling mode, and controlling the second heat exchanger to operate in the heating mode, and controlling heat exchange between the domestic water tank and the heat exchange flow path.

[0016] In some embodiments, controlling the switching state of the control valve group and the switching state of the four-way valve according to the target operating mode also includes: controlling the switching state of the control valve group to a second state according to the collaborative mode, and controlling the first port to be connected to the fourth port to control the second heat exchanger to operate the cooling mode, and controlling the first heat exchanger to operate the heating mode, and controlling heat exchange between the domestic water tank and the heat exchange flow path.

[0017] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description and in part will be obvious from the following description, or will be learned through practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and easily understood from the description of the embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of refrigerant circulation in a collaborative mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of refrigerant circulation in a collaborative mode according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of refrigerant circulation in a refrigeration mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of refrigerant circulation in a refrigeration mode according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of refrigerant circulation in a refrigeration mode according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of refrigerant circulation in a refrigeration mode according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of refrigerant circulation in a heating mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of refrigerant circulation in heating mode according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of refrigerant circulation in a hot water production mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of refrigerant circulation in a hot water production mode according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Fig.11 is a flow chart of a method for controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Reference numerals:

[0031] Air conditioner 1000;

[0032] Gas-liquid separator 1; compressor 2; fin heat exchanger 3; throttling device 4; liquid storage tank 5; heat exchanger group 6; four-way valve 7; domestic water tank 8; control valve group 9;

[0033] The first heat exchanger 61 ; the second heat exchanger 62 ; the first multi-way valve 901 ; the second multi-way valve 902 ; the third multi-way valve 903 ; the fourth multi-way valve 904 ; the fifth multi-way valve 905 ; the sixth multi-way valve 906 ; the seventh multi-way valve 907 ; the eighth multi-way valve 908 ; the ninth multi-way valve 909 ; and the tenth multi-way valve 910 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. The embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary. Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below.

[0035] In order to solve the above problems, the first embodiment of the present invention proposes an air conditioner, which can simultaneously meet the user's needs for cooling, heating and hot water making, and make full use of the waste heat generated during cooling or heating to produce hot water, thereby reducing environmental thermal pollution and avoiding energy waste during the operation of the air conditioner.

[0036] Reference below Figure 1 An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. Figure 1 As shown, the air conditioner 100 includes: a refrigerant circulation flow path, a domestic water tank 8, a heat exchange flow path, a control valve group 9 and a controller.

[0037] Among them, the refrigerant circulation flow path allows the refrigerant to circulate in the flow path composed of the vapor-liquid separator 1, the compressor 2, the fin heat exchanger 3, the throttling device 4, the liquid storage device 5, the heat exchanger group 6 and the four-way valve 7; the heat exchanger group 6 includes a plurality of refrigerant branches arranged in parallel, and a heat exchanger is provided on each refrigerant branch; the four-way valve 7 includes a first port, a second port, a third port and a fourth port, the first port is connected to the heat exchanger group 6, the second port is connected to the vapor-liquid separator 1, and the third port is connected to the fin heat exchanger 3; the domestic water tank 8 is used to store domestic water; one end of the heat exchange flow path is connected to the outlet of the compressor 2, and the other end of the heat exchange flow path is connected to the fourth port, and a domestic water tank 8 is placed on the heat exchange flow path, and the heat exchange flow path is used to realize heat exchange between the domestic water tank 8 and the refrigerant circulation flow path; the control valve group 9 is arranged on the refrigerant circulation flow path, and is used to conduct or cut off the refrigerant circulation flow path; the controller is connected to the control valve group 9 and the four-way valve 7.

[0038] The controller is configured to perform the following steps.

[0039] First, a target operation mode of the air conditioner is obtained, wherein the target operation mode at least includes a heating mode and a coordinated mode combining a cooling mode and a hot water mode.

[0040] Specifically, the user can send control instructions about the operating mode to the air conditioner through the remote control, the air conditioning application in the mobile terminal or the control panel on the air conditioner body by language, gestures and other operating methods. The air conditioner receives the control instructions about the operating mode, and the controller obtains the target operating mode of the air conditioner. For example, the target operating mode of the air conditioner is the heating mode, the collaborative mode combining the cooling mode and the hot water mode, or the heating mode, the cooling mode or the hot water mode, and there is no restriction on this.

[0041] Then, the target operation mode of the air conditioner is determined to be the cooperative mode.

[0042] Exemplarily, if the air conditioner receives a control instruction of the cooperative mode, the controller acquires that the target operation mode of the air conditioner is the cooperative mode.

[0043] Finally, the switching state of the control valve group 9 and the switching state of the four-way valve 7 are controlled according to the collaborative mode to control the operation of the heat exchanger group 6 and adjust the water tank temperature of the domestic water tank 8.

[0044] Specifically, the existing air conditioner cannot run the cooling, heating and hot water making modes at the same time to meet the needs of air conditioner users for cooling, heating and hot water making at the same time, and the air conditioner cannot use the waste heat generated in heating and cooling to make hot water, but directly discharges the waste heat to the environment, thereby increasing environmental thermal pollution and causing energy waste during the operation of the air conditioner. In order to solve the above problems, the air conditioner in the present application controls the different heat exchangers in the heat exchanger group 6 by controlling the switch state of the control valve group 9 and the switch state of the four-way valve 7 when running in the collaborative mode combining the heating mode, the cooling mode and the hot water making mode. The air conditioner can run the cooling mode and the heating mode at the same time, and exchanges heat between the water in the domestic water tank 8 and the refrigerant circulation flow path through the heat exchange flow path to increase the temperature of the water in the domestic water tank 8, so that the air conditioner can use the waste heat generated when running the heating mode and the cooling mode to produce hot water, thereby being able to meet the cooling, heating and hot water needs of air conditioner users at the same time, and using the waste heat generated in the cooling mode and the heating mode to produce hot water, which greatly improves the comprehensive energy efficiency and energy recovery of the air conditioner, thereby effectively reducing the energy waste of the air conditioner during operation, reducing environmental thermal pollution, and saving users a lot of electricity bills.

[0045] In addition, when the target operating mode of the air conditioner is heating mode, cooling mode or hot water mode, the present application controls the switching state of the control valve group 9 and the switching state of the four-way valve 7 according to the target operating mode, thereby realizing the cooling, heating or hot water function.

[0046] According to the air conditioner of the embodiment of the present invention, when the target operation mode is a collaborative mode combining the heating mode, the cooling mode and the hot water mode, the switching state of the control valve group 9 and the switching state of the four-way valve 7 are controlled to control different heat exchangers in the heat exchanger group 6 to simultaneously operate the cooling mode and the heating mode, and the water in the domestic water tank 8 is heat exchanged with the refrigerant circulation flow path through the heat exchange flow path to produce hot water, thereby being able to meet the cooling, heating and hot water needs of the air conditioner user at the same time, and the air conditioner 1000 produces hot water by using the waste heat generated by operating the heating mode and the cooling mode, which greatly improves the comprehensive energy efficiency and energy recovery of the air conditioner, thereby effectively reducing the energy waste of the air conditioner during operation, reducing environmental thermal pollution, and saving a lot of electricity bills for users.

[0047] In some embodiments, Figure 1 As shown, the control valve group 9 includes: a first multi-way valve 901 , a second multi-way valve 902 , a third multi-way valve 903 , a fourth multi-way valve 904 , a fifth multi-way valve 905 , a sixth multi-way valve 906 , a seventh multi-way valve 907 and an eighth multi-way valve 908 .

[0048] Among them, the first valve port of the first multi-way valve 901 is connected to the third port, and the second valve port of the first multi-way valve 901 is connected to one end of the fin heat exchanger 3; the first valve port of the second multi-way valve 902 is connected to one end of the throttling device 4, and the second valve port of the second multi-way valve 902 is connected to the other end of the fin heat exchanger 3; the first valve port of the third multi-way valve 903 is connected to the first end of the heat exchanger group 6, and the second valve port of the third multi-way valve 903 is connected to the other end of the throttling device 4 and one end of the liquid reservoir 5; the first valve port of the fourth multi-way valve 904 is connected to the second end of the heat exchanger group 6, and the second valve port of the first multi-way valve 901 is connected to the liquid reservoir 5; the first valve port of the fifth multi-way valve 905 is connected to the first port, and the second valve port of the fifth multi-way valve 905 is connected to the third end of the heat exchanger group 6; the first valve port of the sixth multi-way valve 906 is connected to the third end of the heat exchanger group 6; the first valve port of the seventh multi-way valve 907 is connected to the second valve port of the sixth multi-way valve 906, and the second valve port of the seventh multi-way valve 907 is connected to the fourth end of the heat exchanger group 6; the first valve port of the eighth multi-way valve 908 is connected to the outlet of the compressor 2, and the second valve port of the eighth multi-way valve 908 is connected to the second valve port of the sixth multi-way valve 906 and the first valve port of the seventh multi-way valve 907. Thus, by controlling the switch state of the above-mentioned control valve group 9 to conduct or cut off the refrigerant circulation flow path, the functions of heating, cooling and heating water at the same time are realized.

[0049] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger group 6 includes a first heat exchanger 61 and a second heat exchanger 62 arranged in parallel, and the refrigerant circulation flow path includes a cooling flow path and a heating flow path. For controlling the switching state of the control valve group 9 and the switching state of the four-way valve 7 according to the collaborative mode to control the operation of the heat exchanger group 6 and adjust the water tank temperature of the domestic water tank 8, the controller is specifically configured as: controlling the switching state of the control valve group 9 to be a first state according to the collaborative mode, and controlling the third port to be connected with the fourth port to conduct the cooling flow path so that the first heat exchanger 61 operates in the cooling mode, and conducting the heating flow path so that the second heat exchanger 62 operates in the heating mode, and conducting the heat exchange flow path to control the heat exchange between the domestic water tank 8 and the heat exchange flow path.

[0050] Specifically, the first heat exchanger 61 and the second heat exchanger 62 are respectively arranged in different spaces. For example, the first heat exchanger 61 is arranged in the first space, and the second heat exchanger 62 is arranged in the second space. When a user needs to turn on the heating mode in the second space, and another user needs to turn on the cooling mode in the first space, and at the same time needs to produce hot water, the air conditioner in the present application operates in a collaborative mode combining the heating mode, the cooling mode and the hot water mode, then the switch state of the control valve group 9 is controlled to be the first state, and the third port is controlled to be connected with the fourth port to conduct the cooling flow path, so that the first heat exchanger 61 operates in the cooling mode, and the heating flow path is connected, so that the second heat exchanger 62 operates in the heating mode, so that And the heat exchange flow path is connected, and the heat exchange between the domestic water tank 8 and the heat exchange flow path is controlled to increase the temperature of the water in the domestic water tank 8, so that the air conditioner can use the waste heat generated when running in the heating mode and the cooling mode to produce hot water. Therefore, the air conditioner controls the switch state of the control valve group 9 to the first state, and controls the third port to be connected with the fourth port, so that the air conditioner user can meet the needs of cooling, heating and hot water at the same time, and the air conditioner 1000 produces hot water by running the heating mode and the cooling mode. The waste heat generated to produce hot water greatly improves the comprehensive energy efficiency and energy recovery of the air conditioner, thereby effectively reducing the energy waste of the air conditioner during operation, reducing environmental thermal pollution, and saving a lot of electricity bills for users.

[0051] In some embodiments, for controlling the switching state of the control valve group 9 and the switching state of the four-way valve 7 according to the collaborative mode to control the operation of the heat exchanger group 6 and adjust the water tank temperature of the domestic water tank 8, the controller is specifically configured to: control the switching state of the control valve group 9 to be the second state according to the collaborative mode, and control the first port to be connected to the fourth port to open the refrigeration flow path so that the second heat exchanger 62 operates in the cooling mode, and open the heating flow path so that the first heat exchanger 61 operates in the heating mode, and open the heat exchange flow path to control the heat exchange between the domestic water tank 8 and the heat exchange flow path.

[0052] Specifically, the first heat exchanger 61 and the second heat exchanger 62 are respectively arranged in different spaces. For example, the first heat exchanger 61 is arranged in the first space, and the second heat exchanger 62 is arranged in the second space. When a user needs to turn on the cooling mode in the second space, and another user needs to turn on the heating mode in the first space, and at the same time needs to produce hot water, the air conditioner in the present application operates in a collaborative mode combining the heating mode, the cooling mode and the hot water mode, then the switch state of the control valve group 9 is controlled to be the second state, and the first port E is controlled to be connected with the fourth port D to conduct the cooling flow path, so that the first heat exchanger 61 operates in the heating mode, and the heating flow path is opened so that the second heat exchanger 62 operates in the cooling mode, so that And the heat exchange flow path is connected, and the heat exchange between the domestic water tank 8 and the heat exchange flow path is controlled to increase the temperature of the water in the domestic water tank 8, so that the air conditioner can use the waste heat generated when running in the heating mode and the cooling mode to produce hot water. Therefore, the air conditioner controls the switch state of the control valve group 9 to the second state, and controls the first port E to be connected with the fourth port D, so that the air conditioner user can meet the needs of cooling, heating and hot water at the same time, and the air conditioner 1000 produces hot water by running the heating mode and the cooling mode. The waste heat generated to produce hot water greatly improves the comprehensive energy efficiency and energy recovery of the air conditioner, thereby effectively reducing the energy waste of the air conditioner during operation, reducing environmental thermal pollution, and saving a lot of electricity bills for users.

[0053] In some embodiments, the first end of the first heat exchanger 61 is connected to the first valve port of the fourth multi-way valve 904, the second end of the first heat exchanger 61 is connected to the second valve port of the fifth multi-way valve 905 and the first valve port of the sixth multi-way valve 906, the first end of the second heat exchanger 62 is connected to the first valve port of the third multi-way valve 903, and the second end of the second heat exchanger 62 is connected to the second valve port of the seventh multi-way valve 907; the control valve group 9 also includes: a ninth multi-way valve 909, the first valve port of the ninth multi-way valve 909 is connected to the second end of the second heat exchanger 62 and the second valve port of the seventh multi-way valve 907, the second valve port of the ninth multi-way valve 909 is connected to one end of the fin heat exchanger 3 and the second valve port of the first multi-way valve 901; the tenth multi-way valve 910, the first valve port of the tenth multi-way valve 910 is connected to the first end of the second heat exchanger 62 and the first valve port of the third multi-way valve 903, and the second valve port of the tenth multi-way valve 910 is connected to the first valve port of the second multi-way valve 902 and one end of the throttling device 4. Thus, the refrigerant circulation flow path is opened or closed by controlling the switch state of the control valve group 9, thereby realizing the functions of heating, cooling and heating water at the same time.

[0054] In some embodiments, in a first state, a first valve port of a first multi-way valve 901 is connected to a second valve port of the first multi-way valve 901, a first valve port of a fourth multi-way valve 904 is connected to a second valve port of the fourth multi-way valve 904, a first valve port of a fifth multi-way valve 905 is connected to a second valve port of the fifth multi-way valve 905, a first valve port of a seventh multi-way valve 907 is connected to a second valve port of the seventh multi-way valve 907, a first valve port of an eighth multi-way valve 908 is connected to a second valve port of the eighth multi-way valve 908, a first valve port of a ninth multi-way valve 909 is connected to a second valve port of a ninth multi-way valve 909, and a first valve port of a tenth multi-way valve 910 is connected to a second valve port of the tenth multi-way valve 910.

[0055] Specifically, when the air conditioner 1000 receives the cooling, heating and hot water instructions, it operates in the heating mode, the cooling mode and the hot water mode combined in the coordinated mode, and then controls the switch state of the control valve group 9 to be the first state, and controls the third port C of the four-way valve 7 to be connected with the fourth port D, so as to conduct the cooling flow path, the heating flow path and the heat exchange flow path, that is, the refrigerant is in accordance with Figure 1 The arrows indicate the circulation of the cooling, heating and heat exchange paths. Figure 1The bold black solid lines in the figure are the cooling flow path, the heating flow path and the heat exchange flow path after being connected, so that when the first heat exchanger 61 operates in the cooling mode and the second heat exchanger 62 operates in the heating mode, the heat exchange between the domestic water tank 8 and the heat exchange flow path is controlled, that is, when a part of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged by the compressor 2 flows into the domestic water tank 8, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the domestic water tank 8 to release heat to the domestic water tank 8, and the domestic water tank 8 uses the refrigerant to heat the water in the domestic water tank 8. The refrigerant after releasing the heat flows into the fourth port D of the four-way valve 7. Then it flows into the first multi-way valve 901 through the third port C of the four-way valve 7, flows into the ninth multi-way valve 909 under the connection between the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the first multi-way valve 901, and flows into the second heat exchanger 62 under the connection between the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the ninth multi-way valve 909. Due to the connection between the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the eighth multi-way valve 908 and the seventh multi-way valve 907, another part of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 flows into the second heat exchanger 62 through the eighth multi-way valve 908 and the seventh multi-way valve 907. The second heat exchanger 62 operates in the heating mode, and the high-temperature refrigerant therein exchanges heat with the indoor environment to release heat to the indoor environment, thereby increasing the indoor temperature. The refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchanger 62 after the heat exchange flows into the throttling device 4 through the tenth multi-way valve 910 in turn to adjust the refrigerant flow and then flows into the liquid reservoir 5. The refrigerant discharged from the liquid reservoir 5 flows into the first heat exchanger 61 through the fourth multi-way valve 904. The first heat exchanger 61 operates in the cooling mode, and the low-temperature refrigerant therein exchanges heat with the indoor environment to absorb indoor heat, thereby reducing the indoor temperature. The refrigerant after heat exchange flowing out of the first heat exchanger 61 flows into the first port E of the four-way valve 7 through the fifth multi-way valve 905 under the connection between the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the fifth multi-way valve 905, and then flows into the vapor-liquid separator 1 through the second port S of the four-way valve 7. The vapor-liquid separator 1 separates the vapor and liquid of the refrigerant and then flows back to the compressor 2. Therefore, by controlling the switching state of the control valve group 9 to be in the first state, and controlling the third port C and the fourth port D of the four-way valve 7 to be connected, the functions of simultaneous hot water production, heating and cooling are realized.

[0056] In an embodiment, the air conditioner can first operate the cooling mode and the heating mode, and then operate the hot water mode, that is, the switch state of the control valve group 9 is controlled according to the operation priority order, that is, the first valve port of the fourth multi-way valve 904 is controlled to be connected with the second valve port of the fourth multi-way valve 904, and the first valve port of the fifth multi-way valve 905 is controlled to be connected with the second valve port of the fifth multi-way valve 905, and the first valve port of the seventh multi-way valve 907 is controlled to be connected with the second valve port of the seventh multi-way valve 907, the first valve port of the eighth multi-way valve 908 is connected with the second valve port of the eighth multi-way valve 908, the first valve port of the ninth multi-way valve 909 is connected with the second valve port of the ninth multi-way valve 909, the first valve port of the tenth multi-way valve 910 is connected with the second valve port of the tenth multi-way valve 910, and then the first valve port of the first multi-way valve 901 is controlled to be connected with the second valve port of the first multi-way valve 901, so that the air conditioner operates in the hot water mode after operating the cooling mode and the heating mode to meet user needs.

[0057] In some embodiments, in the second state, the first valve port of the first multi-way valve 901 is connected to the second valve port of the first multi-way valve 901, the first valve port of the fourth multi-way valve 904 is connected to the second valve port of the fourth multi-way valve 904, the first valve port of the fifth multi-way valve 905 is connected to the second valve port of the fifth multi-way valve 905, the first valve port of the ninth multi-way valve 909 is connected to the second valve port of the ninth multi-way valve 909, and the first valve port of the tenth multi-way valve 910 is connected to the second valve port of the tenth multi-way valve 910.

[0058] Specifically, when the user has the needs of cooling, heating and hot water at the same time, the user can send cooling, heating and hot water instructions to the air conditioner 1000 through the remote control, the air conditioning application in the mobile terminal or the control panel on the body of the air conditioner by language, gestures and other operating methods. After the air conditioner 1000 receives the cooling, heating and hot water instructions, the controller controls the operation of the air conditioner 1000 in the heating mode, the cooling mode and the collaborative mode combining the hot water mode, the switch state of the control valve group 9 is controlled to be the second state, and the first port E of the four-way valve 7 is controlled to be connected with the fourth port D to conduct the cooling flow path, the heating flow path and the heat exchange flow path, that is, the refrigerant is controlled according to Figure 2 The arrows indicate the circulation of the cooling, heating and heat exchange paths. Figure 2The bold black solid lines in the figure are the cooling flow path, heating flow path and heat exchange flow path after being connected, so that the first heat exchanger 61 operates in the heating mode and the second heat exchanger 62 operates in the cooling mode, while controlling the heat exchange between the domestic water tank 8 and the heat exchange flow path. That is to say, when the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged by the compressor 2 flows into the domestic water tank 8, heat exchange is performed with the domestic water tank 8 to release heat to the domestic water tank 8. The domestic water tank 8 uses the refrigerant to heat the water in the domestic water tank 8. The refrigerant after releasing heat flows to the fourth port D of the four-way valve 7, and passes through the four The first port E of the multi-way valve 7 flows into the fifth multi-way valve 905, and flows into the first heat exchanger 61 at the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the fifth multi-way valve 905. The first heat exchanger 61 operates in a heating mode, and the high-temperature refrigerant therein exchanges heat with the indoor environment to release heat to the indoor environment, thereby increasing the indoor temperature. The refrigerant after heat exchange flowing out of the first heat exchanger 61 is stored in the liquid storage device 5. The refrigerant discharged from the liquid storage device 5 flows into the throttling device 4, and after the refrigerant flow is adjusted by the throttling device 4, it flows into the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the tenth multi-way valve 910. When the second valve port b is connected, it flows into the second heat exchanger 62 through the tenth multi-way valve 910. The second heat exchanger 62 operates in the cooling mode, and the low-temperature refrigerant in it exchanges heat with the indoor environment to absorb indoor heat, thereby reducing the indoor temperature. Since the ninth multi-way valve 909 is connected to the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the first multi-way valve 901, the refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchanger 62 after heat exchange flows through the ninth multi-way valve 909 into the first multi-way valve 901, and then flows into the third port C of the four-way valve 7 through the first multi-way valve 901, and then flows into the third port C of the four-way valve 7 through the four-way valve 909. The second port S of the valve 7 flows into the vapor-liquid separator 1, and the vapor-liquid separator 1 separates the vapor and liquid of the refrigerant and then flows back to the compressor 2, thereby controlling the switch state of the control valve group 9 to be in the second state, and controlling the first port E of the four-way valve 7 to be connected with the fourth port D, thereby realizing the functions of simultaneous hot water production, heating and cooling, and the air conditioner 1000 produces hot water by running the cooling mode and the heating mode, which can effectively reduce the energy waste during the operation of the air conditioner 1000, reduce environmental thermal pollution, and save a lot of electricity bills for users.

[0059] In some embodiments, the target operation mode is the cooling mode, and the switch state of the control valve group 9 is controlled according to the cooling mode, and the third port C and the fourth port D of the four-way valve 7 are controlled to be connected to conduct the cooling flow path, so that the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged by the compressor 2 circulates in the cooling flow path, that is, according to Figure 3 The direction of the arrow shown is in the refrigeration flow circuit, where Figure 4The bold black solid line in the figure is the refrigeration flow path, that is, since the fourth port D and the third port C of the four-way valve 7 are connected, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 flows into the domestic water tank 8 and then flows to the fourth port D of the four-way valve 7. Since the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the first multi-way valve 901 are connected, the refrigerant can flow into the first valve port a of the first multi-way valve 901 through the third port C of the four-way valve 7, and flow into the fin heat exchanger 3 through the second valve port b of the first multi-way valve 901. The fin heat exchanger 3 exchanges heat between the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant and the outdoor environment, that is, it absorbs the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. The heat of the refrigerant can be released to the outdoor environment. Since the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the second multi-way valve 902 are connected, the refrigerant after releasing the heat can flow into the throttling device 4 through the second multi-way valve 902 to adjust the refrigerant flow. Since the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the third multi-way valve 903 are connected, a part of the refrigerant flows into the second heat exchanger 62 set on a refrigerant branch through the third multi-way valve 903. The low-temperature refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 62 exchanges heat with the indoor environment to absorb indoor heat, thereby reducing the indoor temperature. The first valve port a and the second valve port b of the multi-way valve 906 and the fifth multi-way valve 905 are connected. The refrigerant after heat exchange flowing out of the second heat exchanger 62 passes through the seventh multi-way valve 907, the sixth multi-way valve 906 and the fifth multi-way valve 905 in sequence and flows into the first port E of the four-way valve 7, and then flows into the vapor-liquid separator 1 through the second port S of the four-way valve 7. The vapor-liquid separator 1 separates the vapor and liquid of the refrigerant and then flows back to the compressor 2. Another part of the refrigerant flows into the liquid storage 5 to be stored. The refrigerant discharged from the liquid storage 5 flows from the fourth multi-way valve 904 into the first exchange valve 90 set on another refrigerant branch. Heat exchanger 61, the low-temperature refrigerant in the first heat exchanger 61 exchanges heat with the indoor environment to absorb indoor heat, thereby reducing the indoor temperature. The refrigerant after heat exchange flowing out of the first heat exchanger flows into the first port of the four-way valve 7 through the fifth multi-way valve 905, and then flows into the vapor-liquid separator 1 through the second port S of the four-way valve 7. The vapor-liquid separator 1 separates the vapor and liquid of the refrigerant and then flows back to the compressor 2. The cooling mode is realized by controlling the switching state of the control valve group 9 and controlling the third port C of the four-way valve 7 to be connected with the fourth port D, thereby meeting the user's cooling needs.

[0060] In some embodiments, the target operation mode is the cooling mode, and the switch state of the control valve group 9 is controlled according to the cooling mode, and the third port C and the fourth port D of the four-way valve 7 are controlled to be connected to conduct the cooling flow path, so that the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged by the compressor 2 circulates in the cooling flow path, that is, according to Figure 5 The direction of the arrow shown is in the refrigeration flow circuit, where Figure 6The bold black solid line in the figure is the refrigeration flow path, that is, the control valve group 9 also includes the eleventh multi-way valve 911. Since the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the eleventh multi-way valve 911 are connected, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 can flow into the fin heat exchanger 3 through the eleventh multi-way valve 911. The fin heat exchanger 3 then exchanges heat between the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant and the outdoor environment, that is, it absorbs the heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to release the heat to the outdoor environment. Since the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the second multi-way valve 902 are connected, the refrigerant after releasing the heat passes through After the second multi-way valve 902 flows into the throttling device 4 to adjust the refrigerant flow, since the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the third multi-way valve 903 are connected, a part of the refrigerant flows into the second heat exchanger 62 set on a refrigerant branch through the third multi-way valve 903, and the low-temperature refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 62 exchanges heat with the indoor environment to absorb indoor heat, thereby reducing the indoor temperature. Since the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the sixth multi-way valve 906, the seventh multi-way valve 907 and the fifth multi-way valve 905 are connected, the refrigerant flows out of the heat exchanger after the heat exchange. The refrigerant can flow into the first port E of the four-way valve 7 through the sixth multi-way valve 906, the seventh multi-way valve 907 and the fifth multi-way valve 905, and then flow into the vapor-liquid separator 1 through the second port S of the four-way valve 7. The vapor-liquid separator 1 separates the vapor and liquid of the refrigerant and then flows back to the compressor 2. Another part of the refrigerant flows into the liquid reservoir 5 to be stored. Since the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the fourth multi-way valve 904 are connected, the refrigerant discharged from the liquid reservoir 5 can flow from the fourth multi-way valve 904 into the first heat exchanger 61 set on another refrigerant branch. The first heat exchanger The low-temperature refrigerant in 61 exchanges heat with the indoor environment to absorb indoor heat, thereby reducing the indoor temperature. The refrigerant after heat exchange flowing out of the first heat exchanger flows into the first port E of the four-way valve 7 through the fifth multi-way valve 905, and then flows into the vapor-liquid separator 1 through the second port S of the four-way valve 7. The vapor-liquid separator 1 separates the vapor and liquid of the refrigerant and then flows back to the compressor 2. Therefore, the refrigeration mode is realized by controlling the switching state of the control valve group 9 and controlling the connection between the third port C and the fourth port D of the four-way valve 7, thereby meeting the user's refrigeration needs.

[0061] In some embodiments, the target operation mode is the heating mode, and the switch state of the control valve group 9 is controlled according to the heating mode, and the first port E of the four-way valve 7 is controlled to be connected with the fourth port D to conduct the heating flow path, so that the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 circulates in the heating flow path, that is, according to Figure 7 The direction of the arrow shown is in the heating flow path, where Figure 8The bold black solid line in the middle is the heating flow path, that is, since the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the ninth multi-way valve 909, the seventh multi-way valve 907 and the sixth multi-way valve 906 are connected, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 flows through the eighth multi-way valve 908, and a part of the refrigerant flows into a second heat exchanger arranged on a refrigerant branch through the seventh multi-way valve 907. The high-temperature refrigerant in the second heat exchanger exchanges heat with the indoor environment to release heat to the indoor environment, thereby increasing the indoor temperature. The refrigerant after heat exchange flowing out of the heat exchanger flows into the throttling device 4 through the third multi-way valve 903, and the other part of the refrigerant flows into the first heat exchanger arranged on another refrigerant branch through the sixth multi-way valve 906. The high-temperature refrigerant in the first heat exchanger exchanges heat with the indoor environment to release heat to the indoor environment, thereby increasing the indoor temperature. The refrigerant after heat exchange flowing out of the heat exchanger flows into the liquid reservoir 5 to be stored, and the refrigerant discharged from the liquid reservoir 5 flows into the throttling device 4. Flow device 4, thereby performing heat exchange with the indoor environment through the heat exchangers on the two refrigerant branches, so that the indoor temperature is increased. After the refrigerant passes through the throttling device 4 and the refrigerant flow is adjusted, since the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the second multi-way valve 902 are connected, it can flow into the fin heat exchanger 3 through the second multi-way valve 902. The fin heat exchanger 3 exchanges heat between the low-temperature refrigerant and the outdoor environment, that is, the heat of the low-temperature refrigerant absorbs the heat of the outdoor environment. The refrigerant after absorbing the heat flows into the third port C of the four-way valve 7 under the connection between the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the first multi-way valve 901, and then flows into the vapor-liquid separator 1 through the second port S of the four-way valve 7. The vapor-liquid separator 1 separates the vapor and liquid of the refrigerant and then flows back to the compressor 2. Therefore, the heating mode is completed by controlling the switching state of the control valve group 9 and controlling the first port E of the four-way valve 7 to be connected with the fourth port D, thereby meeting the heating needs of the user.

[0062] In some embodiments, the target operation mode is a hot water mode, the switch state of the control valve group 9 is controlled, and the first port E is controlled to be connected with the fourth port D to conduct the heat exchange flow path, so that the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged by the compressor 2 circulates in the heat exchange flow path, that is, according to Fig. 9 The direction of the arrows shown circulates in the heat exchange path, where Fig.10The bold black solid line in the middle is the heat exchange flow path, that is, the control valve group 9 also includes a twelfth multi-way valve 912. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 flows into the domestic water tank 8 to exchange heat with the domestic water tank 8 to release heat to the domestic water tank 8. The domestic water tank 8 uses the refrigerant to heat the water in the domestic water tank 8. Under the connection between the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the twelfth multi-way valve 912, the refrigerant flows into the liquid reservoir 5 through the twelfth multi-way valve 912 to be stored. After the refrigerant flow is adjusted by the throttling device 4, the refrigerant flows through the second multi-way valve 902 under the connection between the first valve port a and the second valve port b. 02 flows into the fin heat exchanger 3, and the fin heat exchanger 3 exchanges heat between the low-temperature refrigerant and the outdoor environment, that is, the heat of the low-temperature refrigerant absorbs the heat of the outdoor environment. The refrigerant after absorbing the heat flows into the second port S of the four-way valve 7 under the conduction of the first valve port a and the second valve port b of the first multi-way valve 901, and then flows into the vapor-liquid separator 1 through the third port C of the four-way valve 7. The vapor-liquid separator 1 then separates the vapor and liquid of the refrigerant and then flows back to the compressor 2. Therefore, the hot water making mode is realized by controlling the switching state of the control valve group 9 and controlling the first port E of the four-way valve 7 to be connected with the fourth port D, thereby meeting the user's hot water making needs.

[0063] In the embodiment, refrigerant flows inside the first heat exchanger 61 and the second heat exchanger 62 and a fan is provided for blowing air, so that the cooling or heating needs of the user can be met through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air.

[0064] In the embodiment, the multi-way valve may be a multi-directional valve body such as a four-way valve 7 or a three-way valve, which is not limited thereto.

[0065] In the embodiment, the heat exchange tube of the domestic water tank 8 is in the shape of a coil, which is wound around the outside of the metal inner liner of the domestic water tank 8. There is thermal grease between the heat exchange tube and the metal inner liner, and the thermal grease can enhance heat transfer.

[0066] In the embodiment, except for the compressor 2, the domestic water tank 8, the four-way valve 7, and the vapor-liquid separator 1, the multi-way valve and the heat exchanger have no directionality and can be connected in any direction.

[0067] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for controlling an air conditioner, which is used in the air conditioner of the above embodiment. Fig.11 As shown, the control method includes: step S1 to step S3.

[0068] Step S1, obtaining a target operation mode of the air conditioner, wherein the target operation mode at least includes a heating mode and a coordinated mode combining a cooling mode and a hot water mode.

[0069] Specifically, the user can send control instructions about the operating mode to the air conditioner through the remote control, the air conditioning application in the mobile terminal or the control panel on the air conditioner body by language, gestures and other operating methods. The air conditioner receives the control instructions about the operating mode, and the controller obtains the target operating mode of the air conditioner. For example, the target operating mode of the air conditioner is the heating mode, the collaborative mode combining the cooling mode and the hot water mode, or the heating mode, the cooling mode or the hot water mode, and there is no restriction on this.

[0070] Step S2, determining that the target operation mode of the air conditioner is a cooperative mode.

[0071] Exemplarily, if the air conditioner receives a control instruction of the cooperative mode, the controller acquires that the target operation mode of the air conditioner is the cooperative mode.

[0072] Step S3, controlling the switch state of the control valve group and the switch state of the four-way valve according to the collaborative mode to control the operation of the heat exchanger group and adjust the water tank temperature of the domestic water tank.

[0073] Specifically, the existing air conditioner cannot operate in cooling, heating and hot water making modes at the same time to meet the needs of air conditioner users for cooling, heating and hot water making at the same time, and the air conditioner cannot use the waste heat generated in heating and cooling to make hot water, but directly discharges the waste heat to the environment, thereby increasing environmental thermal pollution and causing energy waste during the operation of the air conditioner. In order to solve the above problems, the air conditioner in the present application controls the switching state of the control valve group and the switching state of the four-way valve to control different heat exchangers in the heat exchanger group when operating in the coordinated mode combining the heating mode, the cooling mode and the hot water making mode. It can operate in cooling mode and heating mode at the same time, and exchange heat between the water in the domestic water tank and the refrigerant circulation flow path through the heat exchange flow path to increase the temperature of the water in the domestic water tank, so that the air conditioner can use the waste heat generated when running the heating mode and the cooling mode to produce hot water, thereby being able to meet the cooling, heating and hot water needs of air conditioner users at the same time, and using the waste heat generated in the cooling mode and the heating mode to produce hot water, which greatly improves the comprehensive energy efficiency and energy recovery of the air conditioner, thereby effectively reducing energy waste during the operation of the air conditioner, reducing environmental thermal pollution, and saving users a lot of electricity bills.

[0074] According to the control method of the air conditioner of the present invention, when the target operation mode is a coordinated mode combining the heating mode, the cooling mode and the hot water mode, the switching state of the control valve group and the switching state of the four-way valve are controlled to control different heat exchangers in the heat exchanger group to be able to operate the cooling mode and the heating mode at the same time, and the water in the domestic water tank is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant circulation flow path through the heat exchange flow path to produce hot water, so that the needs of the air conditioner user can be met at the same time, and the air conditioner produces hot water through the waste heat generated by the operation of the heating mode and the cooling mode, which greatly improves the comprehensive energy efficiency and energy recovery of the air conditioner, thereby effectively reducing the energy waste of the air conditioner during operation, reducing environmental thermal pollution, and saving a lot of electricity bills for users.

[0075] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger group includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger arranged in parallel, and the switching state of the control valve group and the switching state of the four-way valve are controlled according to the collaborative mode to control the operation of the heat exchanger group and adjust the tank temperature of the domestic water tank, including: controlling the switching state of the control valve group to a first state according to the collaborative mode, and controlling the third port to be connected with the fourth port to control the first heat exchanger to operate in a cooling mode, and controlling the second heat exchanger to operate in a heating mode, and controlling heat exchange between the domestic water tank and the heat exchange flow path.

[0076] Specifically, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are respectively arranged in different spaces, for example, the first heat exchanger is arranged in the first space, and the second heat exchanger is arranged in the second space. When a user needs to turn on the heating mode in the second space, and another user needs to turn on the cooling mode in the first space, and at the same time needs to produce hot water, the air conditioner in the present application operates in a collaborative mode combining the heating mode, the cooling mode and the hot water mode, then the switch state of the control valve group is controlled to be the first state, and the third port is controlled to be connected with the fourth port to conduct the cooling flow path, so that the first heat exchanger operates in the cooling mode, and the heating flow path is connected, so that the second heat exchanger operates in the heating mode, and the heating flow path is connected. The heat exchange flow path controls the heat exchange between the domestic water tank and the heat exchange flow path to increase the temperature of the water in the domestic water tank, so that the air conditioner can use the waste heat generated when operating in the heating mode and the cooling mode to produce hot water. Therefore, the air conditioner controls the switch state of the control valve group to the first state, and controls the third port to be connected with the fourth port, so that the air conditioner user can meet the needs of cooling, heating and hot water at the same time. The air conditioner produces hot water through the waste heat generated by operating the heating mode and the cooling mode, which greatly improves the comprehensive energy efficiency and energy recovery of the air conditioner, thereby effectively reducing the energy waste of the air conditioner during operation, reducing environmental thermal pollution, and saving a lot of electricity bills for users.

[0077] In some embodiments, controlling the switching state of the control valve group and the switching state of the four-way valve according to the target operating mode also includes: controlling the switching state of the control valve group to the second state according to the collaborative mode, and controlling the first port to be connected to the fourth port to control the second heat exchanger to operate in a cooling mode, and controlling the first heat exchanger to operate in a heating mode, and controlling heat exchange between the domestic water tank and the heat exchange flow path.

[0078] Specifically, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are respectively arranged in different spaces, for example, the first heat exchanger is arranged in the first space, and the second heat exchanger is arranged in the second space. When a user needs to turn on the cooling mode in the second space, and another user needs to turn on the heating mode in the first space, and at the same time needs to produce hot water, the air conditioner in the present application operates in a collaborative mode combining the heating mode, the cooling mode and the hot water mode, then the switch state of the control valve group is controlled to be the second state, and the first port is controlled to be connected to the fourth port to conduct the cooling flow path, so that the first heat exchanger operates in the heating mode, and the heating flow path is opened so that the second heat exchanger operates in the cooling mode, and the heating flow path is opened so that the second heat exchanger operates in the cooling mode, and the heating flow path is opened so that the second heat exchanger operates in the cooling mode, and the heating flow path is opened so that the second heat exchanger operates in the The heat exchange flow path controls the heat exchange between the domestic water tank and the heat exchange flow path to increase the temperature of the water in the domestic water tank, so that the air conditioner can use the waste heat generated when operating in the heating mode and the cooling mode to produce hot water. Therefore, the air conditioner controls the switch state of the control valve group to the second state, and controls the first port to be connected with the fourth port, so that the air conditioner user's needs for cooling, heating and hot water can be met at the same time. The air conditioner produces hot water through the waste heat generated by operating the heating mode and the cooling mode, which greatly improves the comprehensive energy efficiency and energy recovery of the air conditioner, thereby effectively reducing the energy waste of the air conditioner during operation, reducing environmental thermal pollution, and saving a lot of electricity bills for users.

[0079] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "illustrative embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.

[0080] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, characterized in that: include: The refrigerant circulation flow path allows the refrigerant to circulate in the flow path composed of the vapor-liquid separator, the compressor, the fin heat exchanger, the throttling device, the liquid receiver, the heat exchanger group and the four-way valve; The heat exchanger group includes a plurality of refrigerant branches arranged in parallel, and each refrigerant branch is provided with a heat exchanger; The four-way valve comprises a first port, a second port, a third port and a fourth port, the first port is connected to the heat exchanger group, the second port is connected to the vapor-liquid separator, and the third port is connected to the fin heat exchanger; Domestic water tank, used to store domestic water; a heat exchange flow path, one end of which is connected to the outlet of the compressor, and the other end of which is connected to the fourth port, the domestic water tank being placed on the heat exchange flow path, and the heat exchange flow path being used to realize heat exchange between the domestic water tank and the refrigerant circulation flow path; A control valve group, the control valve group is arranged on the refrigerant circulation flow path, and is used to open or close the refrigerant circulation flow path; A controller, wherein the controller is connected to the control valve group and the four-way valve, and the controller is configured as follows: Acquire a target operation mode of the air conditioner, wherein the target operation mode at least includes a heating mode and a coordinated mode combining a cooling mode and a hot water mode; determining that the target operation mode of the air conditioner is the collaborative mode; The switch state of the control valve group and the switch state of the four-way valve are controlled according to the collaborative mode to control the operation of the heat exchanger group and adjust the water tank temperature of the domestic water tank.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control valve group comprises: a first multi-way valve, wherein a first valve port of the first multi-way valve is connected to the third port, and a second valve port of the first multi-way valve is connected to one end of the fin heat exchanger; a second multi-way valve, wherein a first valve port of the second multi-way valve is connected to one end of the throttling device, and a second valve port of the fifth multi-way valve is connected to the other end of the fin heat exchanger; a third multi-way valve, wherein a first valve port of the third multi-way valve is connected to a first end of the heat exchanger group, and a second valve port of the third multi-way valve is connected to the other end of the throttling device and one end of the liquid reservoir; a fourth multi-way valve, wherein a first valve port of the fourth multi-way valve is connected to the second end of the heat exchanger group, and a second valve port of the first multi-way valve is connected to the other end of the liquid reservoir; a fifth multi-way valve, wherein a first valve port of the fifth multi-way valve is connected to the first port, and a second valve port of the fifth multi-way valve is connected to the third end of the heat exchanger group; a sixth multi-way valve, wherein a first valve port of the sixth multi-way valve is connected to the third end of the heat exchanger group; a seventh multi-way valve, wherein a first valve port of the seventh multi-way valve is connected to a second valve port of the sixth multi-way valve, and a second valve port of the seventh multi-way valve is connected to a fourth end of the heat exchanger group; An eighth multi-way valve, wherein a first valve port of the eighth multi-way valve is connected to the outlet of the compressor, and a second valve port of the eighth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the sixth multi-way valve and the first valve port of the seventh multi-way valve.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heat exchanger group includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger arranged in parallel, the refrigerant circulation flow path includes a cooling flow path and a heating flow path, and the controller is specifically configured to control the switch state of the control valve group and the switch state of the four-way valve according to the collaborative mode to control the operation of the heat exchanger group and adjust the water tank temperature of the domestic water tank: According to the collaborative mode, the switch state of the control valve group is controlled to be a first state, and the third port is controlled to be connected to the fourth port to open the refrigeration flow path so that the first heat exchanger runs the refrigeration mode, and the heating flow path is opened so that the second heat exchanger runs the heating mode, and the heat exchange flow path is opened to control the heat exchange between the domestic water tank and the heat exchange flow path.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that: Regarding controlling the switch state of the control valve group and the switch state of the four-way valve according to the collaborative mode to control the operation of the heat exchanger group and adjust the water tank temperature of the domestic water tank, the controller is further configured as follows: According to the collaborative mode, the switch state of the control valve group is controlled to be the second state, and the first port is controlled to be connected to the fourth port to open the refrigeration flow path so that the second heat exchanger runs the refrigeration mode, and the heating flow path is opened so that the first heat exchanger runs the heating mode, and the heat exchange flow path is opened to control the heat exchange between the domestic water tank and the heat exchange flow path.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first end of the first heat exchanger is connected to the first valve port of the fourth multi-way valve, the second end of the first heat exchanger is connected to the second valve port of the fifth multi-way valve and the first valve port of the sixth multi-way valve, the first end of the second heat exchanger is connected to the first valve port of the third multi-way valve, and the second end of the second heat exchanger is connected to the second valve port of the seventh multi-way valve; The control valve group also includes: a ninth multi-way valve, wherein a first valve port of the ninth multi-way valve is connected to a second end of the second heat exchanger and a second valve port of the seventh multi-way valve, and a second valve port of the ninth multi-way valve is connected to one end of the fin heat exchanger and a second valve port of the first multi-way valve; The tenth multi-way valve, the first valve port of the tenth multi-way valve is connected to the first end of the second heat exchanger and the first valve port of the third multi-way valve, and the second valve port of the tenth multi-way valve is connected to the first valve port of the second multi-way valve and one end of the throttling device.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, characterized in that: In the first state, the first valve port of the first multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the first multi-way valve, the first valve port of the fourth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the fourth multi-way valve, the first valve port of the fifth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the fifth multi-way valve, the first valve port of the seventh multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the seventh multi-way valve, the first valve port of the eighth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the eighth multi-way valve, the first valve port of the ninth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the ninth multi-way valve, and the first valve port of the tenth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the tenth multi-way valve.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 5, characterized in that: In the second state, the first valve port of the first multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the first multi-way valve, the first valve port of the fourth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the fourth multi-way valve, the first valve port of the fifth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the fifth multi-way valve, the first valve port of the ninth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the ninth multi-way valve, and the first valve port of the tenth multi-way valve is connected to the second valve port of the tenth multi-way valve.

8. A method for controlling an air conditioner, characterized in that: For the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the control method comprises: Acquire a target operation mode of the air conditioner, wherein the target operation mode at least includes a heating mode and a coordinated mode combining a cooling mode and a hot water mode; determining that the target operation mode of the air conditioner is the collaborative mode; The switching state of the control valve group and the switching state of the four-way valve are controlled according to the collaborative mode to control the operation of the heat exchanger group and adjust the water tank temperature of the domestic water tank.

9. The air conditioner control method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The heat exchanger group includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger arranged in parallel, and controls the switch state of the control valve group and the switch state of the four-way valve according to the coordinated mode to control the operation of the heat exchanger group and adjust the water tank temperature of the domestic water tank, including: According to the collaborative mode, the switch state of the control valve group is controlled to be a first state, and the third port is controlled to be connected to the fourth port, so as to control the first heat exchanger to operate the cooling mode, control the second heat exchanger to operate the heating mode, and control the heat exchange between the domestic water tank and the heat exchange flow path.

10. The air conditioner control method according to claim 9, characterized in that: Controlling the switch state of the control valve group and the switch state of the four-way valve according to the target operation mode also includes: According to the collaborative mode, the switch state of the control valve group is controlled to be the second state, and the first port is controlled to be connected to the fourth port, so as to control the second heat exchanger to operate the cooling mode, and control the first heat exchanger to operate the heating mode, and control the heat exchange between the domestic water tank and the heat exchange flow path.

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