Air conditioner

Abstract

The invention relates to an air conditioner. An air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise: an outdoor unit; a plurality of indoor units disposed corresponding to each of the plurality of areas; the temperature sensor is used for detecting the indoor temperature of a plurality of areas respectively corresponding to the plurality of indoor units; and a control unit. When the power supplies of two or more adjacent indoor units among the plurality of indoor units are turned on, the control unit can divide the plurality of indoor units into at least one group, determine at least one indoor unit among the plurality of indoor units as an operation control target based on the priority of the at least one group, and control the operation of the at least one indoor unit based on the priority of the at least one group. And stops the operation of the indoor unit determined to be the object of the operation control.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner capable of controlling the operation of various indoor units. Background Art

[0002] In order to create a comfortable indoor environment, the air conditioner adjusts the indoor temperature by blowing out low-temperature air into the room, and purifies the indoor air to provide a more comfortable indoor environment. Generally, the air conditioner includes an indoor unit composed of a heat exchanger and arranged indoors, and an outdoor unit composed of a compressor and a heat exchanger and supplies refrigerant to the indoor unit.

[0003] The air conditioner operates in cooling or heating mode according to the flow of refrigerant. When operating in cooling mode, the compressor of the outdoor unit supplies high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant to the indoor unit via the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit. The refrigerant in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit expands and vaporizes, causing the temperature of the surrounding air to drop, and as the indoor fan rotates, cool air is expelled into the room. When operating in heating mode, the compressor of the outdoor unit supplies high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant to the indoor unit. The warmed air is expelled into the room by the energy released by the liquefaction of the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit as the indoor fan rotates.

[0004] On the other hand, when the air conditioner has a plurality of indoor units, the plurality of indoor units can be used to supply low-temperature air to a plurality of areas of the indoor space. In addition, the low-temperature air discharged from a specific indoor unit can affect not only the area corresponding to the specific indoor unit, but also other adjacent areas. As described above, when a plurality of indoor units are used to cool or heat the indoor space, it is necessary to study a solution for more efficiently controlling the operation of the plurality of indoor units by considering the correlation between the plurality of indoor units. Summary of the invention

[0005] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and other problems.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of grouping a plurality of indoor units according to the priority order of operation control.

[0008] Still another object is to provide an air conditioner capable of determining an indoor unit to be controlled in operation by taking into account the influence on adjacent areas.

[0009] Still another object is to provide an air conditioner capable of minimizing unnecessary operation control of an indoor unit.

[0010] Technical solutions to the problem

[0011] In order to achieve the purpose, the air conditioner may include: an outdoor unit; a plurality of indoor units, which are respectively configured to correspond to a plurality of areas; a temperature sensor, which detects the indoor temperatures of a plurality of areas respectively corresponding to the plurality of indoor units; and a control unit; when power is turned on to two or more indoor units adjacent to each other among the plurality of indoor units, the control unit may divide the plurality of indoor units into at least one group, and based on the priority order of the at least one group, determine at least one indoor unit among the plurality of indoor units as an object of operation control, and stop the operation of the indoor unit determined as the object of operation control.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] The effects of the air conditioner of the present invention are described below.

[0014] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of indoor units can be grouped according to the priority order of operation control.

[0015] Furthermore, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to determine an indoor unit to be controlled in operation by taking into account the influence on an adjacent area.

[0016] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, unnecessary operation control of the indoor unit can be reduced to the minimum.

[0017] The applicable additional scope of the present invention should be clear from the following detailed description. However, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can clearly understand the various changes and modifications within the thought and scope of the present invention, and the detailed description and specific embodiments such as the preferred embodiments of the present invention are provided only as examples. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1a and Figure 1b This is a diagram showing the structure of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a diagram referred to in the description of an air conditioner having a plurality of indoor units according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a diagram referred to in explaining the positions of a plurality of indoor units arranged in a room according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a flow chart of an operating method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figures 6 to 11 This is a diagram referred to in the description of the operation of the air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, in order to clearly and briefly describe the present invention, the illustration of parts not related to the description is omitted, and the same or particularly similar parts are marked with the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0025] The suffixes "module" and "unit" of the constituent elements used in the following description are only given for the convenience of writing the description, and they themselves do not have different meanings or functions. Therefore, the "module" and "unit" can be used interchangeably.

[0026] In this specification, the terms "including" or "having" etc. should be understood as intending to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, structural elements, parts or their combinations disclosed in this specification, but not intending to pre-exclude the existence or additional possibilities of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, structural elements, parts or their combinations.

[0027] In addition, in this specification, in order to explain various elements, the terms such as first and second may be used, but such elements are not limited to such terms. Such terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element.

[0028] Figure 1a and Figure 1b This is a diagram showing the structure of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Reference Figure 1a and Figure 1b The air conditioner may be provided with an outdoor unit (ODU) and an indoor unit (IDU) connected to each other by refrigerant piping. The air conditioner may also be provided with a remote control unit (RCU). The outdoor unit ODU, the indoor unit IDU and / or the remote control unit RCU may send and receive signals to each other.

[0030] The outdoor unit ODU may be provided with a compressor 1, an oil separator 2, a switching valve 3, an outdoor heat exchanger 4, an outdoor expansion valve E2 and / or a liquid storage tank 6. The indoor unit IDU may be provided with an indoor heat exchanger 5 and an indoor expansion valve E1.

[0031] The compressor 1 can compress the refrigerant flowing from the accumulator 6 into a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. For example, the compressor 1 can be an inverter compressor that can control the refrigerant amount and the refrigerant discharge pressure by adjusting the operating frequency. For example, the compressor 1 can be an oil compressor that uses oil as a lubricant.

[0032] The oil separator 2 can recover oil from the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 and supply the oil back to the compressor 1. At this time, the first check valve C1 can be provided in the pipe through which the oil separated from the oil separator 2 flows, thereby limiting the flow direction of the oil to the direction from the oil separator 2 to the compressor 1.

[0033] The switching valve 3 may selectively guide the refrigerant flowing in from the oil separator 2 to the outdoor heat exchanger 4 or the indoor heat exchanger 5. For example, the switching valve 3 may be a four-way valve.

[0034] The outdoor heat exchanger 4 can make the refrigerant exchange heat with the outdoor air. The heat transfer direction between the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the outdoor air can be different according to the operation mode of the air conditioner, that is, heating operation or cooling operation. An outdoor fan (not shown) can be set on one side of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 to adjust the amount of air provided to the outdoor heat exchanger 4.

[0035] The indoor heat exchanger 5 can make the refrigerant exchange heat with the indoor air. The heat transfer direction between the refrigerant of the indoor heat exchanger 5 and the indoor air can be different according to the operation mode of the air conditioner, that is, heating operation or cooling operation. An indoor fan (not shown) can be provided on one side of the indoor heat exchanger 5 to adjust the amount of air provided to the indoor heat exchanger 5.

[0036] For example, the indoor heat exchanger 5 may include a plurality of indoor heat exchangers 5a, 5b, and 5c. In this case, the indoor unit IDU may include: a first indoor unit IDUa having a first indoor heat exchanger 5a, a first indoor fan, and a first indoor expansion valve E1a; a second indoor unit IDUb having a second indoor heat exchanger 5b, a second indoor fan, and a second indoor expansion valve E1b; and a third indoor unit IDUc having a third indoor heat exchanger 5c, a third indoor fan, and a third indoor expansion valve E1c. On the other hand, in accordance with the required indoor cooling or heating load, some of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers 5a, 5b, and 5c may be operated, and the remaining may not be operated.

[0037] The expansion valves E1 and E2 may be provided between the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the indoor heat exchanger 5 to expand the refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 4 or the indoor heat exchanger 5. In addition, the expansion valves E1 and E2 may include an outdoor expansion valve E2 adjacent to the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and an indoor expansion valve E1 adjacent to the indoor heat exchanger 5. In this case, the outdoor expansion valve E2 may be used to expand the refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger 5, and the indoor expansion valve E1 may be used to expand the refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 4. For example, the expansion valves E1 and E2 may be EEVs (Electronic Expansion Valve) capable of adjusting the opening of the flow path of the refrigerant piping provided with the expansion valves E1 and E2.

[0038] For example, the indoor expansion valve E1 may include: a first indoor expansion valve E1a that expands the refrigerant supplied to the first indoor heat exchanger 5a; a second indoor expansion valve E1b that expands the refrigerant supplied to the second indoor heat exchanger 5b; and a third indoor expansion valve E1c that expands the refrigerant supplied to the third indoor heat exchanger 5c.

[0039] A plurality of sensors (not shown) may measure the temperature and / or pressure of the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant pipes.

[0040] The control unit (not shown) may be electrically connected to each component of the air conditioner to control the operation of each component of the air conditioner.

[0041] Reference Figure 1a If a heating operation signal is input to the air conditioner, the control unit may execute the heating operation of the air conditioner. For example, the heating operation signal may be a signal arbitrarily input by a user. As another example, the heating operation signal may be a signal provided to the control unit by a thermostat provided in the indoor space when the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor is lower than the desired temperature set by the user by a predetermined level or more.

[0042] Specifically, the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flowing from the accumulator 6 into the compressor 1 can be compressed into a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant in the compressor 1 and discharged to the oil separator 2. In addition, the refrigerant from which the oil is separated in the oil separator 2 can flow into the second indoor heat exchanger 5b via the switching valve 3 and the first service valve SV1. At this time, the second indoor expansion valve E1b can completely open the flow path of the refrigerant from the second indoor heat exchanger 5b to the outdoor heat exchanger 4. In addition, the first indoor expansion valve E1a and the third indoor expansion valve E1c can close the flow path of the refrigerant from the first indoor heat exchanger 5a and the third indoor heat exchanger 5c to the outdoor heat exchanger 4. In addition, if the required heating load increases, the first indoor expansion valve E1a and / or the third indoor expansion valve E1c can also be opened.

[0043] In the second indoor heat exchanger 5b, as heat energy is transferred from the refrigerant to the indoor air, the refrigerant can be condensed. At this time, the second indoor heat exchanger 5b can function as a condenser. In addition, as the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the indoor air occurs, the indoor space can be heated. The refrigerant condensed by the second indoor heat exchanger 5b can pass through the outdoor expansion valve E2 via the second indoor expansion valve E1b and the second service valve SV2. The refrigerant expanded by the outdoor expansion valve E2 can be distributed to a plurality of positions of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 via the distributor 41.

[0044] In the outdoor heat exchanger 4, as the heat energy of the outdoor air is transferred to the refrigerant, the refrigerant can be evaporated. At this time, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 can function as an evaporator. The refrigerant evaporated by the outdoor heat exchanger 4 can flow into the compressor 1 through the header 42, the switching valve 3 and the accumulator 6 in sequence. In this way, the refrigerant cycle for the heating operation of the above-mentioned air conditioner can be completed.

[0045] Reference Figure 1b If a cooling operation signal is input to the air conditioner, the control unit can execute the cooling operation of the air conditioner. For example, the cooling operation signal can be a signal arbitrarily input by the user. As another example, the cooling operation signal can be a signal provided to the control unit by a thermostat installed in the indoor space when the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor is higher than the expected temperature set by the user by a predetermined level or more.

[0046] Specifically, the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant flowing from the accumulator 6 into the compressor 1 can be compressed into a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant in the compressor 1 and discharged to the oil separator 2. In addition, the refrigerant from which the oil is separated in the oil separator 2 can flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 4 via the switching valve 3 and the header 42.

[0047] In the outdoor heat exchanger 4, the refrigerant can be condensed as heat energy is transferred from the refrigerant to the outdoor air. In this case, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 can function as a condenser.

[0048] The refrigerant condensed by the outdoor heat exchanger 4 can flow into the second indoor expansion valve E1b through the distributor 41, the outdoor expansion valve E2 and the second service valve SV2 in sequence. At this time, the outdoor expansion valve E2 can completely open the flow path. In addition, the refrigerant expanded by the second indoor expansion valve E1b can flow into the second indoor heat exchanger 5b. In addition, if the required cooling load increases, the first indoor expansion valve E1a and / or the third indoor expansion valve E1c can also be opened to a predetermined opening.

[0049] In the second indoor heat exchanger 5b, as the heat energy of the indoor air is transferred to the refrigerant, the refrigerant can be evaporated. At this time, the second indoor heat exchanger 5b can function as an evaporator. In addition, according to the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the indoor air, the indoor space can be cooled. The refrigerant evaporated by the second indoor heat exchanger 5b can flow into the compressor 1 through the first service valve SV1, the switching valve 3 and the accumulator 6 in sequence. Thus, the refrigerant cycle for the cooling operation of the above-mentioned air conditioner can be completed.

[0050] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described by taking an example where the air conditioner performs cooling operation, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention can be applied in the same or similar manner when the air conditioner performs heating operation.

[0051] Figure 2 This is a diagram referred to in the description of an air conditioner provided with a plurality of indoor units according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Reference Figure 2 , a plurality of indoor units IDUa to IDUn can be connected to at least one outdoor unit ODU by refrigerant piping. A plurality of indoor units IDUa to IDUn can be arranged separately from each other in the indoor space. A plurality of indoor units IDUa to IDUn can respectively occupy a plurality of areas constituting the indoor space. On the other hand, two or more of the plurality of indoor units IDUa to IDUn can occupy one of the plurality of areas constituting the indoor space.

[0053] In the present invention, the indoor unit IDU is described as a ceiling-mounted type, but it is not limited to this. For example, the indoor unit IDU may include: an intake hole 51, which provides indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 5 of the indoor unit IDU corresponding to the action of the indoor fan; and an exhaust hole 52, which exhausts the air passing through the indoor heat exchanger 5 into the room. The indoor unit IDU may include a vane 53 (vane), which is movably arranged at the exhaust hole 52 to adjust the direction of the air discharged from the exhaust hole 52 into the room. In the present invention, the indoor unit IDU is described as an example having a plurality of vanes 53 corresponding to four directions.

[0054] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Reference Figure 3 The air conditioner may include a communication unit 310, a sensor unit 320, a memory 330, a fan driving unit 350 for driving a fan 351, and a compressor driving unit 341 ( Figure 1a The compressor 1 in the compressor driving unit 340 and / or the control unit 370.

[0056] The communication unit 310 may include at least one communication module. For example, the communication unit 310 may be respectively provided in the outdoor unit ODU and the indoor unit IDU, and the outdoor unit ODU and the indoor unit IDU may send and receive data to each other. For example, the communication unit 310 may be provided in the remote control unit RCU.

[0057] The communication method of the outdoor unit ODU, indoor unit IDU and / or remote control device RCU can not only be a communication method such as using electric wires, a serial communication method (for example: RS-485 communication), a wired communication method through refrigerant piping, but also a wireless communication method such as wireless fidelity technology (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, beacon, Zigbee protocol, etc.

[0058] The communication unit 310 can transmit and receive data with an external device. For example, the communication unit 310 can access a server connected to an external network to transmit and receive data.

[0059] The sensor part 320 may have at least one sensor, and may transmit data of a value detected by the sensor to the control part 370 .

[0060] The sensor unit 320 may include a heat exchanger temperature sensor (not shown). For example, the heat exchanger temperature sensor may be disposed inside the indoor heat exchanger 5 to detect the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 5 .

[0061] The sensor unit 320 may have a pipe temperature sensor (not shown). The pipe temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through each pipe of the air conditioner. For example, the pipe temperature sensor may be arranged on the inlet side pipe of the indoor unit IDU and / or the outlet side pipe of the indoor unit IDU to detect the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the pipe. For example, the pipe temperature sensor may be arranged on the pipe connected to the compressor 341 to detect the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the compressor 341 (hereinafter, the suction temperature) and / or the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 341 (hereinafter, the discharge temperature).

[0062] The sensor unit 320 may include a pressure sensor (not shown). The pressure sensor (not shown) may detect the pressure of the gas refrigerant flowing through each pipe of the air conditioner. For example, the pressure sensor may be disposed in a pipe connected to the compressor 341 to detect the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the compressor 341 (hereinafter, suction pressure) and / or the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 341 (hereinafter, discharge pressure).

[0063] The sensor unit 320 may include an indoor temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting indoor temperature and / or an outdoor temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting outdoor temperature.

[0064] The sensor unit 320 may include an indoor humidity sensor (not shown) for detecting indoor humidity and / or an outdoor humidity sensor (not shown) for detecting outdoor humidity.

[0065] The memory 330 may store data of reference values ​​related to the operation of each component provided in the air conditioner.

[0066] The memory 330 can store programs for various signal processing and control in the control unit 370, and can store data to be processed and data to be processed. For example, the memory 330 can store a plurality of application programs designed for the purpose of performing various tasks that can be processed by the control unit 370, and when the control unit 370 requests, the memory 330 can selectively provide a part of the stored plurality of application programs.

[0067] The memory 330 may include, for example, at least one of a volatile memory (eg, DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.) or a non-volatile memory (eg, flash memory, hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), etc.).

[0068] The fan driving unit 350 may drive a fan 351 provided in the air conditioner. For example, the fan 351 may include an outdoor fan and / or an indoor fan.

[0069] The fan driving unit 350 may include a rectifier (not shown), a DC-end capacitor (not shown), an inverter (not shown) and / or at least one motor, wherein the rectifier rectifies the AC power supply into a DC power supply and outputs it, the DC-end capacitor stores the pulsating voltage from the rectifier, the inverter is provided with a plurality of switching devices, converts the smooth DC power supply into a three-phase AC power supply of a specified frequency and outputs it, and the motor drives the fan 351 according to the three-phase AC power supply output from the inverter.

[0070] On the other hand, the fan driving unit 350 may separately set the components for driving the outdoor fan and the indoor fan. For example, the air conditioner may include a first fan driving unit for driving the outdoor fan and a second fan driving unit for driving the indoor fan.

[0071] The compressor driving unit 340 can drive the compressor 341. The compressor driving unit 340 may include a rectifier (not shown), a DC terminal capacitor (not shown), an inverter (not shown), and / or a compressor motor 102b, wherein the rectifier rectifies the AC power supply into a DC power supply and outputs it, the DC terminal capacitor stores the pulsating voltage from the rectifier, the inverter is provided with a plurality of switching devices, converts the smooth DC power supply into a three-phase AC power supply of a specified frequency and outputs it, and the compressor motor 102b drives the compressor 341 according to the three-phase AC power supply output from the inverter.

[0072] The control unit 370 can control the overall operation of the air conditioner. The control unit 370 can be connected to each component provided in the air conditioner, and can control the overall operation of each component by sending and / or receiving signals between each component.

[0073] The control unit 370 can change the rotation speed of the fan 351 by controlling the operation of the fan driving unit 350. For example, the fan driving unit 350 can change the frequency of the three-phase AC power output to the outdoor fan motor according to the control of the control unit 370, thereby changing the rotation speed of the outdoor fan. For example, the fan driving unit 350 can change the frequency of the three-phase AC power output to the indoor fan motor according to the control of the control unit 370, thereby changing the rotation speed of the indoor fan.

[0074] The controller 370 can change the operating frequency of the compressor 341 by controlling the operation of the compressor driver 340. For example, the compressor driver 340 can change the frequency of the three-phase AC power output to the compressor motor 102b under the control of the controller 370, thereby changing the operating frequency of the compressor 341.

[0075] The control unit 370 may be provided not only in the outdoor unit ODU but also in the indoor unit IDU, the outdoor unit ODU and / or the remote control unit RCU and the like.

[0076] The control unit 370 may include at least one processor, and may use the included processor to control the overall operation of the air conditioner. Here, the processor may be a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (central processing unit). Of course, the processor may also be a dedicated device such as an ASIC or other hardware-based processor.

[0077] The control unit 370 may acquire data related to each component provided in the air conditioner. At this time, the control unit 370 may acquire data related to each component provided in the air conditioner at predetermined time intervals according to a predetermined cycle in consideration of the computation load.

[0078] The control unit 370 can perform various calculations based on the acquired data, and control the overall operation of each component provided in the air conditioner according to the calculation results.

[0079] The data related to each component installed in the air conditioner may include, for example, the operating frequency of the compressor 341, the suction temperature, discharge temperature, suction pressure, discharge pressure of the compressor 341, the inlet side piping temperature of the indoor unit IDU, the outlet side piping temperature of the indoor unit IDU, the indoor temperature, the outdoor temperature, the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve (EEV), etc.

[0080] On the other hand, the air conditioner may further include an input device (not shown) that can receive user input. For example, when receiving user input through the input device (eg, a touch panel, a key, etc.), the air conditioner may perform an action corresponding to the received user input.

[0081] The air conditioner may further include an output device (not shown) for outputting a message of the operating status of the air conditioner. For example, the output device may include a display device such as a display or a light emitting diode (LED) and / or an audio device such as a speaker or a buzzer.

[0082] Figure 4 This is a diagram referred to in explaining the positions of a plurality of indoor units arranged in a room according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] Reference Figure 4 , a plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44 may be arranged in the indoor space 400. The plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44 may respectively correspond to the plurality of areas 411 to 444 constituting the indoor space 400. The plurality of areas 411 to 444 constituting the indoor space 400 may be connected to each other.

[0084] The operation of the plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44 may affect the adjacent areas. For example, when the first indoor unit IDU11 is in operation, if the air conditioner performs cooling operation, the first indoor unit IDU11 may discharge cold air to the first area 411. At this time, the temperature of the first area 411 may be reduced by the cold air discharged from the first indoor unit IDU11. On the other hand, as the temperature of the first area 411 decreases, the temperatures of the second area 412 and the fifth area 421 adjacent to the first area 411 may be reduced.

[0085] Each of the plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44 may acquire data of a corresponding area among the plurality of areas 411 to 444. For example, each of the plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44 may detect indoor temperature and / or indoor humidity of a corresponding area among the plurality of areas 411 to 444.

[0086] The air conditioner may store location information of a plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44. The location information of a plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44 may be coordinates. The location information of a plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44 may be registered by a user. For example, the user may input the location information of a plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44 through an input device included in a remote control unit RCU.

[0087] The location information of the plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44 may be transmitted to the plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44, respectively. Each of the plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44 may obtain data of adjacent indoor units based on the location information of the plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44. For example, the indoor units adjacent to the first indoor unit IDU11 may be the second indoor unit IDU12 and the fifth indoor unit IDU21. For example, the indoor units adjacent to the sixth indoor unit IDU22 may be the second indoor unit IDU12, the fifth indoor unit IDU21, the seventh indoor unit IDU23, and the tenth indoor unit IDU32.

[0088] According to one embodiment, each of the plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44 may collect data of another indoor unit using a depth-first search (DFS) algorithm. For example, each of the plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44 may obtain the operating status of another indoor unit, the indoor temperature of the area corresponding to the other indoor unit, and the like. To this end, the air conditioner may include an indoor temperature sensor for detecting the indoor temperature of a plurality of areas 411 to 444 corresponding to each of the plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44. The indoor temperature sensor may be configured in each of the plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44.

[0089] On the other hand, the remote control unit RCU may acquire data of the plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44 based on the position information of the plurality of indoor units IDU11 to IDU44.

[0090] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of an operating method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 1a to 4 The detailed description of the contents described in will be omitted.

[0091] Reference Figure 5In operation S510, the air conditioner may register the location information of the plurality of indoor unit IDUs. For example, the air conditioner may register the location information of the plurality of indoor unit IDUs based on the coordinates corresponding to each of the plurality of indoor unit IDUs received through the remote control unit RCU.

[0092] In operation S520, the air conditioner may confirm whether power sources of two or more indoor unit IDUs adjacent to each other among the plurality of indoor unit IDUs are turned on.

[0093] In action S530, the air conditioner can perform grouping of a plurality of indoor unit IDUs according to the priority order of operation control when the power of two or more indoor unit IDUs adjacent to each other is turned on (ON). For example, the air conditioner can perform grouping of a plurality of indoor unit IDUs based on the indoor temperature of the area corresponding to each of the plurality of indoor unit IDUs, the set target temperature, the number of adjacent indoor units in operation, etc. At this time, the object of grouping of the plurality of indoor unit IDUs can be an indoor unit in which adjacent indoor units whose power is turned on (ON) are provided among the plurality of indoor unit IDUs. For example, when the first indoor unit IDU11 is in operation, if the power of the second indoor unit IDU12 and the fifth indoor unit IDU21 is disconnected (OFF), the first indoor unit IDU11 can be excluded from the object of grouping.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the air conditioner may determine a target exceeding indoor unit among a plurality of indoor unit IDUs. For example, during cooling operation, the air conditioner may determine an indoor unit whose indoor temperature in a corresponding area among a plurality of indoor unit IDUs is lower than a target temperature as a target exceeding indoor unit. For example, during heating operation, the air conditioner may determine an indoor unit whose indoor temperature in a corresponding area among a plurality of indoor unit IDUs is higher than a target temperature as a target exceeding indoor unit.

[0095] At this time, when there is one target exceeded indoor unit, the one indoor unit IDU determined as the target exceeded indoor unit can be added to the first group of the first priority. On the other hand, when there are more than two target exceeded indoor units, the target exceeded indoor unit with the largest number of adjacent indoor units in operation among the multiple target exceeded indoor units can be added to the first group, and the remaining target exceeded indoor units can be added to the second group of the second priority. For example, among the multiple target exceeded indoor units, when there are two target exceeded indoor units with three adjacent indoor units in operation and one target exceeded indoor unit with three adjacent indoor units in operation, the two indoor unit IDUs with three adjacent indoor units in operation can be added to the first group, and the three indoor unit IDUs with one adjacent indoor unit in operation can be added to the second group.

[0096] On the other hand, the air conditioner can determine the indoor units (hereinafter referred to as target arrival indoor units) whose indoor temperatures in the corresponding areas are the same as the target temperature among the plurality of indoor unit IDUs. At this time, all the target arrival indoor units can be added to the third group of the third priority. On the other hand, the indoor unit IDUs that are not added to the first to third groups can also be added to the fourth group.

[0097] In operation S540, the air conditioner may determine the indoor unit IDUs to be the targets of operation control for each group of the plurality of indoor unit IDUs grouped according to the priority order. At this time, all the indoor unit IDUs included in the fourth group may be excluded from the targets of operation control.

[0098] According to an embodiment, the air conditioner may determine all the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group as objects of operation control.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the air conditioner may determine at least one of the indoor unit IDUs added to the second group and not adjacent to the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group as an object of operation control. At this time, if there are two or more indoor unit IDUs added to the second group and not adjacent to the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group, the order of the objects determined as operation control in the second group may be determined according to a prescribed condition. Here, the prescribed condition may include a first condition for the number of adjacent indoor units in operation and a second condition for a target temperature, etc.

[0100] For example, among the indoor unit IDUs added to the second group and not adjacent to the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group, the indoor unit with the largest number of adjacent indoor units in operation may satisfy the first condition. At this time, the indoor unit satisfying the first condition may correspond to the first priority of the object determined as the operation control in the second group. On the other hand, among the indoor unit IDUs added to the second group and not adjacent to the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group, the indoor unit whose target temperature is the highest during cooling or the lowest during heating may satisfy the second condition. At this time, the indoor unit corresponding to the second condition may correspond to the second priority of the object determined as the operation control in the second group. On the other hand, among the indoor unit IDUs added to the second group and not adjacent to the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group, the indoor unit that does not satisfy the first condition and the second condition may correspond to the third priority of the object determined as the operation control in the second group. When each control cycle passes, the air conditioner may sequentially determine the indoor unit IDU of the first priority of the second group, the indoor unit IDU of the second priority of the second group, and the indoor unit IDU of the third priority of the second group as the object of operation control.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the air conditioner may determine at least one of the indoor unit IDUs added to the third group and not adjacent to the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group and the indoor unit IDUs added to the second group that are determined as the object of operation control as the object of operation control. At this time, if there are two or more indoor unit IDUs added to the third group and not adjacent to the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group and the indoor unit IDUs added to the second group that are determined as the object of operation control, the order of the objects determined as the objects of operation control in the third group may be determined according to a specified condition.

[0102] For example, among the indoor unit IDUs added to the third group and not adjacent to the indoor units determined as the objects of operation control among the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group and the indoor unit IDUs added to the second group, the indoor unit with the largest number of adjacent indoor units in operation may correspond to the first condition. At this time, the indoor unit corresponding to the first condition may correspond to the first priority of the objects determined as the objects of operation control in the third group. On the other hand, among the indoor unit IDUs added to the third group and not adjacent to the indoor units determined as the objects of operation control among the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group and the indoor unit IDUs added to the second group, the indoor unit that does not correspond to the first condition and has the highest target temperature during cooling or the lowest target temperature during heating may correspond to the second condition. At this time, the indoor unit corresponding to the second condition may correspond to the second priority of the objects determined as the objects of operation control in the third group. On the other hand, among the indoor unit IDUs added to the third group and not adjacent to the indoor units determined as the objects of operation control among the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group and the indoor unit IDUs added to the second group, the indoor unit that does not correspond to the first condition and the second condition may correspond to the third priority of the objects determined as the objects of operation control in the third group. The air conditioner may determine the first-ranked indoor unit IDUs of the third group as objects of operation control one by one in sequence when each control cycle passes. In addition, the air conditioner may determine the second-ranked indoor unit IDUs of the third group as objects of operation control one by one in sequence when each control cycle passes, when all the first-ranked indoor unit IDUs of the third group have been determined as objects of operation control in the previous control cycle. In addition, the air conditioner may determine the third-ranked indoor unit IDUs of the third group as objects of operation control one by one in sequence when each control cycle passes, when all the second-ranked indoor unit IDUs of the third group have been determined as objects of operation control in the previous control cycle.

[0103] In operation S550, the air conditioner may stop the operation of the indoor unit IDU determined as the target of operation control. For example, the air conditioner may block the supply of refrigerant to the indoor unit IDU determined as the target of operation control.

[0104] In action S560, the air conditioner can determine whether a preset control period has passed. The control period can be changed according to the user's setting. For example, the control period can be set to thirty minutes, one hour, two hours, etc.

[0105] In operation S570, the air conditioner may determine whether the group control by grouping a plurality of indoor unit IDUs has ended if the preset control cycle has not elapsed. For example, the user may set whether to activate the group control through the remote control unit RCU.

[0106] On the other hand, when the user changes the setting of the indoor unit IDU determined as the object of operation control, the indoor unit IDU whose setting is changed can operate according to the setting changed by the user. For example, when the target temperature of the indoor unit IDU determined as the object of operation control and stopped operating is changed, the indoor unit IDU can operate according to the changed target temperature before the preset control period elapses.

[0107] In action S580, the air conditioner may operate each of the plurality of indoor unit IDUs according to the respective settings of the indoor unit IDUs. For example, when only one of the plurality of indoor unit IDUs is powered on (ON), or when the powered on (ON) indoor units of the plurality of indoor unit IDUs are not adjacent, or when the group control is deactivated, the air conditioner may operate each of the plurality of indoor unit IDUs according to the respective settings of the indoor unit IDUs.

[0108] Figures 6 to 11 FIG. 1 is a diagram for reference in explaining the operation of the air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figures 6 to 11 In the display, the cooling target temperature of each zone can be displayed on the left, and the indoor temperature can be displayed on the right.

[0109] Reference Figure 6 Among the multiple indoor unit IDUs configured in the multiple areas constituting the indoor space 400, the power of the second indoor unit IDU12, the third indoor unit IDU13, the fifth indoor unit IDU21 to the eighth indoor unit IDU24, the tenth indoor unit IDU32, the twelfth indoor unit IDU34, the fifteenth indoor unit IDU43 and the sixteenth indoor unit IDU44 can be turned on (ON).

[0110] Reference Figure 7In 701, among the plurality of indoor unit IDUs, the sixth indoor unit IDU22, the eighth indoor unit IDU24, and the tenth indoor unit IDU32, whose target temperatures are higher than the indoor temperature, can be determined as target-exceeding indoor units. In addition, the sixth indoor unit IDU22, whose number of adjacent indoor units in operation is four, can be added to the first group, and the eighth indoor unit IDU24 and the tenth indoor unit IDU32 can be added to the second group. In addition, the third indoor unit IDU13, the seventh indoor unit IDU23, and the twelfth indoor unit IDU34, whose target temperatures are the same as the indoor temperature, among the plurality of indoor unit IDUs can be added to the third group.

[0111] Reference Figure 7 In 702, the sixth indoor unit IDU22 added to the first group can be determined as the object of operation control. In addition, as the tenth indoor unit IDU32 adjacent to the first group is excluded from the object of operation control, the eighth indoor unit IDU24 added to the second group can be determined as the object of operation control. In addition, as the seventh indoor unit IDU23 and the twelfth indoor unit IDU34 adjacent to the first group and / or the second group are excluded from the object of operation control, the third indoor unit IDU13 added to the third group can be determined as the object of operation control.

[0112] While the control cycle is elapsed, the operations of the third indoor unit IDU13, the sixth indoor unit IDU22, and the eighth indoor unit IDU24 determined as the targets of the operation control may be stopped.

[0113] Reference Figure 8 801 in which the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group, the second group, and the third group can be updated after a control cycle. First, as the target temperature of the third indoor unit IDU13 is lower than the indoor temperature, the third indoor unit IDU13 can be excluded from the third group. In addition, as the target temperatures of the sixth indoor unit IDU22, the eighth indoor unit IDU24, and the sixteenth indoor unit IDU44 are the same as the indoor temperature, the sixth indoor unit IDU22, the eighth indoor unit IDU24, and the sixteenth indoor unit IDU44 can be newly added to the third group. On the other hand, since the tenth indoor unit IDU32 is the only indoor unit among the multiple indoor unit IDUs whose target temperature is higher than the indoor temperature, the tenth indoor unit IDU32 can be added to the first group.

[0114] Reference Figure 8 In 802, the third indoor unit IDU13 excluded from the third group can restart operation. In addition, the sixth indoor unit IDU22 and the eighth indoor unit IDU24 that were determined as the objects of operation control and stopped operation during the previous control cycle can also restart operation.

[0115] The tenth indoor unit IDU32 added to the first group can be determined as the object of operation control. The sixth indoor unit IDU22, the eighth indoor unit IDU24 and the sixteenth indoor unit IDU44 newly added to the third group can be excluded from the objects of operation control. On the other hand, any one of the seventh indoor unit IDU23 and the twelfth indoor unit IDU34 added to the third group can be determined as the object of operation control. At this time, as the target temperatures of the seventh indoor unit IDU23 and the twelfth indoor unit IDU34 are the same as the indoor temperature, the seventh indoor unit IDU23, which has a larger number of adjacent indoor units in operation, can be determined as the object of operation control. On the other hand, the sixth indoor unit IDU22 and the eighth indoor unit IDU24, which were determined as the objects of operation control and stopped operating during the previous control cycle, can correspond to the last position in the order of being determined as the objects of operation control in the third group.

[0116] During the elapse of the control cycle, the operations of the seventh indoor unit IDU23 and the tenth indoor unit IDU32 determined as the targets of the operation control may be stopped.

[0117] Reference Fig. 9 901, when the control cycle passes, the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group, the second group, and the third group can be updated. As the target temperatures of the third indoor unit IDU13, the tenth indoor unit IDU32, and the fifteenth indoor unit IDU43 are the same as the indoor temperature, the third indoor unit IDU13, the tenth indoor unit IDU32, and the fifteenth indoor unit IDU43 can be newly added to the third group.

[0118] Reference Fig. 9 In 902, the seventh indoor unit IDU23 and the tenth indoor unit IDU32, which were determined as the objects of operation control and stopped during the previous control cycle, can restart their operation.

[0119] According to the order of the indoor unit IDUs added to the third group, the twelfth indoor unit IDU 34 may be determined as the target of operation control. During the control period, the operation of the twelfth indoor unit IDU 34 determined as the target of operation control may be stopped.

[0120] Reference Fig.10 In 1001, when the control cycle passes, the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group, the second group, and the third group can be updated. First, as the target temperature of the twelfth indoor unit IDU34 is lower than the indoor temperature, the twelfth indoor unit IDU34 can be excluded from the third group. In addition, as the target temperature of the second indoor unit IDU12 is the same as the indoor temperature, the second indoor unit IDU12 can be newly added to the third group.

[0121] On the other hand, since the target temperatures of the sixth indoor unit IDU22 and the seventh indoor unit IDU23 are higher than the indoor temperature, the sixth indoor unit IDU22 and the seventh indoor unit IDU23 may correspond to the target exceeding indoor unit. At this time, the sixth indoor unit IDU22 having a larger number of adjacent indoor units in operation may be added to the first group, and the seventh indoor unit IDU23 may be added to the second group.

[0122] Reference Fig.10 1002, the twelfth indoor unit IDU34 excluded from the third group can restart operation.

[0123] The sixth indoor unit IDU22 added to the first group can be determined as the object of operation control. The seventh indoor unit IDU23 added to the second group and adjacent to the first group can be excluded from the object of operation control. In addition, the second indoor unit IDU12 newly added to the third group can be excluded from the object of operation control. On the other hand, according to the order of determining the objects of operation control among the indoor unit IDUs added to the third group, the sixteenth indoor unit IDU44 can be determined as the object of operation control.

[0124] While the control cycle is elapsed, the operations of the sixth indoor unit IDU22 and the sixteenth indoor unit IDU44 determined as the targets of the operation control may be stopped.

[0125] Reference Fig.11 1101 in, when the control cycle passes, the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group, the second group, and the third group can be updated. First, as the power of the sixth indoor unit IDU22 is disconnected (OFF), the tenth indoor unit IDU32 can be excluded from the grouping objects. In addition, as the target temperature of the twelfth indoor unit IDU34 is the same as the indoor temperature, the twelfth indoor unit IDU34 can be newly added to the third group. On the other hand, since the seventh indoor unit IDU23 is the only indoor unit among the multiple indoor unit IDUs whose target temperature is higher than the indoor temperature, the seventh indoor unit IDU23 can be added to the first group.

[0126] Reference Fig.11 At 1102, the sixteenth indoor unit IDU44 which was determined as the object of operation control and stopped operating during the previous control cycle can restart the operation.

[0127] The seventh indoor unit IDU23 added to the first group may be determined as an object of operation control. According to the order of the indoor unit IDUs added to the third group determined as objects of operation control, the fifteenth indoor unit IDU43 may be determined as an object of operation control. On the other hand, the sixteenth indoor unit IDU44, which was determined as an object of operation control and stopped operating during the previous control cycle, may correspond to the last position in the order of being determined as an object of operation control in the third group.

[0128] During the elapse of the control cycle, the operations of the seventh indoor unit IDU23 and the fifteenth indoor unit IDU43 determined as the targets of the operation control may be stopped.

[0129] As described above, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of indoor unit IDUs can be grouped according to the priority order of operation control.

[0130] Furthermore, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the indoor unit IDU to be the target of operation control can be determined in consideration of the influence on the adjacent area.

[0131] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, unnecessary operation control of the indoor unit IDU can be reduced to the minimum.

[0132] Reference Figures 1a to 11 An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an outdoor unit ODU; a plurality of indoor unit IDUs, which are respectively arranged corresponding to a plurality of areas; a temperature sensor, which detects the indoor temperatures of a plurality of areas respectively corresponding to the plurality of indoor unit IDUs; and a control unit 370; the control unit 370 can divide the plurality of indoor unit IDUs into at least one group when the power of two or more indoor unit IDUs adjacent to each other among the plurality of indoor unit IDUs is turned on (ON), and based on the priority order of the at least one group, determine at least one of the plurality of indoor unit IDUs as an object of operation control, and stop the operation of the indoor unit IDU determined as the object of operation control.

[0133] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the areas may constitute a continuous indoor space 400 that is interconnected.

[0134] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 370 can stop the operation of the indoor unit IDU determined as the object of the operation control during a specified control cycle, and update the indoor unit IDU added to the at least one group after the specified control cycle.

[0135] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the number of first indoor unit IDUs whose indoor temperature in the corresponding area is lower than the target temperature during cooling or exceeds the target temperature during heating is one, the control unit 370 may add the first indoor unit IDU to the first group of the first priority order; when the number of the first indoor unit IDUs is plural, at least one first indoor unit with the largest number of adjacent indoor unit IDUs in operation among the plurality of the first indoor unit IDUs may be added to the first group, and the remaining first indoor units may be added to the second group of the second priority order lower than the first priority order.

[0136] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 370 can determine all the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group as the objects of the operation control, and determine at least one indoor unit among the indoor unit IDUs added to the second group that is not adjacent to the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group as the object of the operation control.

[0137] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 370 can determine the second indoor unit IDU added to the second group, which has the largest number of adjacent indoor unit IDUs that are not adjacent to the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group and are in operation, as the object of the operation control.

[0138] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the number of the second indoor unit IDU is plural, the control unit 370 may determine all of the plural second indoor unit IDUs as the objects of the operation control.

[0139] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 370 may add the third indoor unit IDU having the same indoor temperature as the target temperature in the corresponding area to a third group having a third priority lower than the second priority.

[0140] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 370 can determine at least one indoor unit among the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group and the indoor unit IDUs added to the second group as the object of the operation control, and determine at least one indoor unit among the indoor unit IDUs added to the third group that is not adjacent to the indoor unit IDUs added to the first group and the indoor unit IDUs added to the second group that are determined as the objects of the operation control as the object of the operation control.

[0141] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 370 can exclude the fourth indoor unit IDU whose power is turned off (OFF) and the fifth indoor unit IDU whose power is all turned off (OFF) among the plurality of indoor unit IDUs from the objects of the operation control.

[0142] It should be understood that the drawings are only used to easily understand the embodiments described in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited to the drawings, and include all changes, equivalents or substitutes within the ideas and technical scope of the present invention.

[0143] On the other hand, the method of the present invention can be implemented as a processor-readable code on a processor-readable recording medium. The processor-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording devices that store processor-readable data. Examples of processor-readable recording media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic disk, floppy disk, optical data storage device, etc., and also include implementation in the form of carrier waves using transmission over the Internet. In addition, the processor-readable recording medium can be distributed to computer systems connected by a network, and the processor-readable code can be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0144] In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned specific embodiments, and various modifications can be implemented by ordinary technicians in the technical field to which the corresponding invention belongs without departing from the gist of the present invention required in the scope of the claims, and such modified implementation should not be understood solely from the technical idea or prospect of the present invention.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, characterized in that: include: Outdoor unit; A plurality of indoor units are arranged corresponding to the plurality of zones respectively; a temperature sensor for detecting indoor temperatures of a plurality of areas corresponding to the plurality of indoor units; and Control Department; When power to two or more indoor units adjacent to each other among the plurality of indoor units is turned on, the control unit divides the plurality of indoor units into at least one group; The control unit determines at least one indoor unit among the plurality of indoor units as a target of operation control based on the priority order of the at least one group; The control unit stops the operation of the indoor unit determined as a target of the operation control.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of areas constitute a continuous indoor space that is interconnected.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit stops the operation of the indoor unit determined as the target of the operation control during a predetermined control period; The control unit updates the indoor units included in the at least one group when the predetermined control period has elapsed.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit adds the first indoor unit to a first group of a first priority order when the number of the first indoor units whose indoor temperature in the corresponding area is lower than a target temperature in cooling or higher than a target temperature in heating is one; When there are plural first indoor units, the control unit adds at least one first indoor unit having the largest number of adjacent operating indoor units among the plural first indoor units to the first group, and adds the remaining first indoor units to a second group having a second priority lower than the first priority.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that: The control unit determines all indoor units added to the first group as objects of the operation control; The control unit determines at least one indoor unit that is not adjacent to the indoor unit that is included in the first group among the indoor units included in the second group as a target of the operation control.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, characterized in that The control unit determines, as the object of the operation control, a second indoor unit which is not adjacent to the indoor units included in the first group and has the largest number of operating adjacent indoor units among the indoor units included in the second group.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 6, characterized in that: When the number of the second indoor units is plural, the control unit determines all of the plural second indoor units as targets of the operation control.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that The control unit adds a third indoor unit having the same indoor temperature as the target temperature in the corresponding area to a third group having a third priority order lower than the second priority order.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 8, characterized in that: The control unit determines at least one of the indoor units included in the first group and the indoor units included in the second group as a target of the operation control; The control unit determines at least one indoor unit among the indoor units included in the third group that is not adjacent to the indoor units included in the first group and the indoor units included in the second group that are determined as the target of the operation control as the target of the operation control.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that The control unit excludes a fourth indoor unit whose power is turned off and a fifth indoor unit whose power is all turned off among the plurality of indoor units from the targets of the operation control.

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