Air conditioner and control method thereof

Abstract

An air conditioner and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. Specifically, the air conditioner according to the present disclosure includes: an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan; an outdoor unit including a compressor; and a processor that, upon recognizing that an event for cleaning the indoor heat exchanger has occurred, controls execution of a heating operation for increasing a temperature of a surface of the indoor heat exchanger, controls at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform a pre-freezing operation to form droplets on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor is controlled to perform a freezing operation to form an ice capsule on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger by freezing water droplets formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, and the indoor fan is controlled to perform a thawing operation to thaw the surface of the indoor heat exchanger. Various other embodiments are also possible.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner and a control method of the air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner capable of effectively cleaning a heat exchanger included in an indoor unit of the air conditioner and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Recently, the development of technologies associated with air conditioners is showing a steady growth trend, and specifically, user demand and industry requirements for air conditioners that can not only keep indoor air at the most suitable temperature according to use or purpose, but also simultaneously adjust indoor air to a comfortable and clean state are increasing.

[0003] Specifically, a heat exchanger included in an indoor unit of an air conditioner may have pollutants included in the air, which are sucked by an indoor fan and easily adhere to the surface of the heat exchanger or grow mold on the surface thereof, and thus, when in cooling operation, condensed water generated on the surface of the heat exchanger may cause odor. Specifically, among the above, when microbial growth such as mold occurs in the heat exchanger, the demand for technology to effectively remove such microbial growth increases.

[0004] Based on the above, although there is a prior art technology for performing a wind blowing operation when ending a cooling operation, the main purpose of the above is to dry the surface of the heat exchanger included in the indoor unit and the interior of the indoor unit, rather than to clean the heat exchanger included in the indoor unit, thereby limiting the cleaning effect of discharging pollutants attached to the surface of the heat exchanger included in the indoor unit to the outside.

[0005] In addition, although there is a technology in the related art that performs a heating operation when a cooling operation is ended, since its purpose is simply to kill mold and heat itself, it is difficult to effectively discharge the killed mold to the outside of the indoor unit. Summary of the invention

Technical solution

[0006] Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an air conditioner includes: an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan; an outdoor unit including a compressor; and a processor configured to control a heating operation to increase the temperature of a surface of the indoor heat exchanger based on identifying an event for cleaning the indoor heat exchanger, control at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform a pre-freezing operation to form water droplets on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, control at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform a freezing operation to freeze the water droplets formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger to form ice capsules on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, and control the indoor fan to perform a defrosting operation to defrost the surface of the indoor heat exchanger.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor may be configured to control the indoor fan not to rotate during the heating operation.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor may be configured to control the compressor to rotate at a first compressor revolutions per minute (RPM) during a pre-freeze operation and control the compressor to rotate at a second compressor RPM greater than the first compressor RPM during a freeze operation.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor may be configured to control the indoor fan to rotate at a first fan RPM during the pre-freezing operation, and control the indoor fan to rotate at a second fan RPM less than the first fan RPM during the freezing operation.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor can be configured to: based on identifying the occurrence of an event for cleaning the indoor heat exchanger, identify whether a preset threshold time has passed after the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation is completed, and based on identifying that the preset threshold time has passed, control the execution of a heating operation, or based on identifying that the preset threshold time has not passed, control the execution of a drying operation to dry the indoor heat exchanger, and then control the execution of a heating operation.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the outdoor unit may include a cooling and heating switching valve for switching a direction in which the refrigerant flows. The processor may be configured to control the compressor and the cooling and heating switching valve to perform a heating operation.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the indoor unit may include a heater for heating the indoor heat exchanger, and the processor may be configured to control the heater to perform a heating operation.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor may be configured to: based on the end of the heating operation, before controlling the execution of the pre-freezing operation, perform the standby operation for a preset threshold time.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor may be configured to perform a drying operation after the defrosting operation is finished to dry the indoor heat exchanger.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the event may include at least one of the following: the humidity in the space where the indoor unit is installed is greater than a preset threshold humidity, foreign matter inside the air conditioner is detected by at least one sensor in the air conditioner, a preset type of odor is detected by at least one sensor, and a preset cleaning cycle has been reached.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for controlling an air conditioner is provided, the air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan, the outdoor unit including a compressor, the method including: identifying an event occurring for cleaning the indoor heat exchanger; performing a heating operation to increase the temperature of a surface of the indoor heat exchanger; controlling at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform a pre-freezing operation to form water droplets on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger; controlling at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform a freezing operation to freeze the water droplets formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, thereby forming ice capsules on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger; and controlling the indoor fan to perform a defrosting operation to defrost the surface of the indoor heat exchanger.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, performing the heating operation may include controlling an indoor fan not to rotate during the performing of the heating operation.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, controlling at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform a pre-freezing operation may include: during the pre-freezing operation, controlling the compressor to rotate at a first compressor revolutions per minute (RPM). Controlling at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform a freezing operation may include: during the freezing operation, controlling the compressor to rotate at a second compressor RPM greater than the first compressor RPM.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, controlling at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform a pre-freezing operation may include: during the pre-freezing operation, controlling the indoor fan to rotate at a first fan RPM. Controlling at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform a freezing operation may include: during the freezing operation, controlling the indoor fan to rotate at a second fan RPM that is less than the first fan RPM.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further include: based on identifying the occurrence of an event for cleaning the indoor heat exchanger, identifying whether a preset threshold time has passed after the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation is completed, and based on identifying that the preset threshold time has passed, performing a heating operation; or based on identifying that the preset threshold time has not passed, performing a drying operation to dry the indoor heat exchanger, and then performing a heating operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] These and / or other embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent and more easily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments;

[0024] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing in detail a method for controlling an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments;

[0025] Figure 3 is a block diagram briefly showing a configuration of an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments;

[0026] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating in detail the configuration of an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments;

[0027] Figure 6 and Figure 7 is a diagram showing a heater according to one or more embodiments;

[0028] Figure 8 is a diagram showing in detail a configuration for implementing a refrigerant cycle of an air conditioner;

[0029] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing in detail a configuration for controlling the operation of an air conditioner; and

[0030] Fig.10 and Fig.11 is a diagram illustrating factors that may influence the decision to freeze RPM according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Various modifications may be made to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, and various types of embodiments may exist. Therefore, specific embodiments will be shown in the drawings, and these embodiments will be described in detail in the specific embodiments. However, it should be noted that the various embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure to specific embodiments, but should be interpreted as including all modifications, equivalents or substitutions of the embodiments included in the scope of the ideas and technologies disclosed herein. With regard to the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals may be used to indicate the same elements.

[0032] In describing the present disclosure, in the case where it is determined that a detailed description of a related known art may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0033] In addition, one or more of the following embodiments may be modified into various different forms, and it should be understood that the scope of the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. On the contrary, the embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and the technical spirit of the present disclosure will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art.

[0034] The terms used in the present disclosure are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of protection. Unless otherwise specified, a singular expression includes a plural expression.

[0035] In the present disclosure, expressions such as “having”, “may have”, “including”, “may include”, etc. are used to specify the existence of corresponding characteristics (for example, elements such as values, functions, operations or components), and do not exclude the existence or possibility of additional characteristics.

[0036] In the present disclosure, expressions such as "A or B", "at least one of A and / or B", or "one or more of A and / or B" may include all possible combinations of the items listed together. For example, "A or B", "at least one of A and B", or "at least one of A or B" may refer to all cases including (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) both at least one A and at least one B.

[0037] Expressions such as "first", "second", "1st", "2nd" etc. used herein may be used to refer to various elements, regardless of order and / or importance. In addition, it should be noted that these expressions are only used to distinguish one element from another element, rather than limiting the relevant elements.

[0038] When an element (for example, a first element) is indicated as being “(operably or communicatively) coupled” / “(operably or communicatively) coupled to” another element (for example, the second element), or “connected to” another element (for example, the second element), it may be understood that the element is directly coupled to / coupled to the other element, or is coupled through other elements (for example, a third element).

[0039] On the other hand, when an element (for example, a first element) is indicated as being “directly coupled” / “directly coupled to” another element (for example, the second element) or “directly connected to” another element (for example, the second element), it can be understood that there are no other elements (for example, a third element) between the certain element and the other element.

[0040] The expression "configured to ..." (or set to ...") used in the present disclosure may be used interchangeably with, for example, "suitable for ...", "capable of ...", "designed to ...", "suitable for ...", "manufactured to ...", or "capable of ..." depending on the situation. The term "configured to ..." (or set to ...") may not necessarily mean "specifically designed to ..." in terms of hardware.

[0041] Conversely, in some cases, the expression “a device configured to…” may mean that the device “may”, together with another device or component, “perform…” For example, the phrase “a processor configured (or set) to perform A, B, or C” may mean a dedicated processor (e.g., an embedded processor) for performing the corresponding operation, or a general-purpose processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor) capable of performing the corresponding operation by executing one or more software programs stored in a storage device.

[0042] The term "module" or "part" used in one or more embodiments of this document performs at least one function or operation, and can be implemented in hardware or software, or in a combination of hardware and software. In addition, in addition to the "module" or "part" that needs to be implemented as specific hardware, multiple "modules" or multiple "parts" can be integrated into at least one module and implemented in at least one processor.

[0043] Meanwhile, various elements and regions of the drawings have been schematically shown. Therefore, the technical concept of the present disclosure is not limited by the relative sizes and distances shown in the drawings.

[0044] Embodiments of the present disclosure may overcome various limitations in the related art (eg, the limitations described above), and aspects of the present disclosure provide an air conditioner and a control method thereof that are capable of effectively performing cleaning on a heat exchanger included in an indoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0045] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to help those of ordinary skill in the art to understand.

[0046] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the air conditioner 100 according to one or more embodiments.

[0047] The "air conditioner 100" according to the present disclosure refers to a device for maintaining indoor air in the most suitable state according to use and purpose. Specifically, the air conditioner 100 can adjust the indoor air to a cool cooling state, adjust the indoor humidity, and adjust the indoor air to a comfortable and clean state. In addition, when the air conditioner 100 is implemented so that not only a cooling function but also a heating function can be performed, the air conditioner 100 can adjust the indoor air to a warm heating state.

[0048] Specifically, the air conditioner 100 may be implemented as a detachable air conditioner 100 including an outdoor unit 120 installed outdoors and an indoor unit 110 installed indoors. Although the present disclosure is not only applicable to the detachable air conditioner 100, in order to clearly describe various embodiments according to the present disclosure, the above contents will be described assuming the detachable air conditioner 100. However, various embodiments according to the present disclosure are not only applicable to the detachable air conditioner 100.

[0049] refer to Figure 1 , the air conditioner 100 according to the present disclosure may identify an event for cleaning the heat exchanger (S110). Here, "event" may be used as a term for collectively referring to all situations that meet the conditions for starting the cleaning operation of the heat exchanger according to the present disclosure.

[0050] Specifically, the event may include at least one of the following: when the humidity in the space where the indoor unit 110 is provided is greater than or equal to a preset threshold humidity, when foreign matter is detected inside the air conditioner 100, when a preset type of odor is detected, and when a preset cleaning cycle is reached. In addition to the above, various situations may be included in the event according to the present disclosure, such as when a replacement cycle of a filter included in the air conditioner 100 has been reached, or when the air conditioner 100 is operated for the first time after being installed, and when it is operated after not being operated for a preset period of time.

[0051] Meanwhile, humidity, foreign matter, odor, etc. in the above examples may be detected by at least one sensor included in the air conditioner 100 or an external device, and a cleaning cycle and a replacement cycle of a filter, etc. may be set by a developer or a user.

[0052] According to one or more embodiments, the air conditioner 100 may recognize that an event for cleaning a heat exchanger according to the present disclosure has occurred (or has been generated) based on the indoor humidity detected by at least one sensor being greater than or equal to a preset threshold humidity. For example, the threshold humidity may be 60%, and temperature (indoor temperature and / or heat exchanger temperature), illumination, etc. may be event occurrence criteria other than humidity. When humidity, temperature, illumination, etc. become criteria (thresholds) for event occurrence, the criteria may be determined based on humidity, temperature, illumination, etc. that become an environment in which mold can grow.

[0053] In addition, the air conditioner 100 may recognize that an event for cleaning the heat exchanger according to the present disclosure has occurred based on detecting a preset type of smell through at least one sensor, or detecting foreign matter (eg, mold) inside the air conditioner 100 .

[0054] Meanwhile, an event may be identified based on user input. For example, when receiving a user input for performing a cleaning operation of the heat exchanger, the air conditioner 100 may identify that an event for cleaning the heat exchanger has occurred. Here, the user input may be input through various methods, such as, but not limited to, a touch input received through a touch screen, a button input received through a physical button, a voice signal received through a microphone, etc.

[0055] When an event for cleaning the heat exchanger is identified, the air conditioner 100 may perform a heating operation for increasing the temperature of the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 112 (S120). Here, "heating operation" may be used as a term that collectively refers to an operation for increasing the temperature of the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 112 to sterilize the heat exchanger. For example, the sterilization target according to the present disclosure may vary, but may include mold or oil as a target that is easy to remove (especially when heated).

[0056] When in heating operation, as the temperature increases, the sterilization effect can be improved, but since the reliability of the hardware configuration may be reduced if the temperature rises too high, the temperature and time during the heating operation may be determined based on the sterilization effect according to the heating operation and the heat resistance of the hardware configuration included in the air conditioner 100. For example, the air conditioner 100 may perform a heating operation such that the heat exchanger is heated at a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius to 65 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes, but this is only an example.

[0057] Meanwhile, the specific embodiment of the heating operation may vary depending on what configuration for heating the heat exchanger is included in the air conditioner 100. For example, when the air conditioner 100 is implemented so as to implement not only the cooling operation but also the heating operation, the heat exchanger may be heated by performing the heating operation, and when the air conditioner 100 includes a separate heater 113 for heating the heat exchanger, the heating operation may be performed by controlling the separate heater 113. Figures 4 to 7 One or more embodiments are described in greater detail regarding which configurations are used to perform heating operations.

[0058] After performing the heating operation, the air conditioner 100 may control at least one of the indoor fan 111 and the compressor 121 to perform a pre-freezing operation for forming water droplets on the surface of the heat exchanger (S130). Here, the "pre-freezing operation" may be an operation for forming water droplets on the surface of the heat exchanger, and may refer to an operation for causing more effective freezing. That is, the pre-freezing operation may be referred to as a pre-freezing operation (or a pre-operation for freezing) different from the freezing operation because it is an operation for effectively causing freezing according to the freezing operation described below, and may be omitted according to the embodiment.

[0059] The pre-freezing operation may be defined according to the revolutions per minute (or rotations per minute (RPM)) and the freezing RPM of the compressor 121. Specifically, the pre-freezing operation may be an operation in which the compressor 121 rotates at a first RPM of the compressor 121 (or a first compressor RPM), and may be an operation in which the compressor 121 rotates at the first compressor RPM and the indoor fan 111 rotates at a first RPM of the fan (a first fan RPM).

[0060] The first fan RPM, the first compressor RPM, and the operation time according to the pre-freezing operation may be set by checking whether the air conditioner 100 is operating normally, so that freezing is effectively performed and water drops are formed on the surface of the heat exchanger. Specifically, it may be preferable to set the first fan RPM in consideration of the fact that the accuracy of detecting the air state quantity is improved as the flow rate of the refrigerant is reduced, thereby making it easy to achieve the goal of the pre-freezing mode.

[0061] For example, the first fan RPM may be set within a range of 15 Hz to 20 Hz, the first compressor RPM may be set within a range of 5 Hz to 15 Hz, and the operation time according to the pre-freezing operation may be set within 2 to 3 minutes. However, the numerical ranges described above are only examples and may be set to numerical ranges different from the above examples as long as they are within the range for achieving the purpose of the present disclosure.

[0062] After performing the pre-freezing operation, the air conditioner 100 may control at least one of the indoor fan 111 and the compressor 121 to perform a freezing operation for forming ice capsules on the surface of the heat exchanger (S140). Here, the "freezing operation" may be an operation for forming ice capsules on the surface of the heat exchanger and may be defined according to the compressor RPM and the freezing RPM.

[0063] Specifically, the freezing operation may be an operation in which the compressor 121 rotates at a second RPM (or second compressor RPM) greater than a first compressor RPM of the compressor 121, and may be an operation in which the compressor 121 rotates at a second compressor RPM greater than the first compressor RPM and the indoor fan 111 rotates at a second RPM (or second fan RPM) less than or equal to the first fan RPM of the fan. However, the above is not limited thereto, and the second fan RPM, the second compressor RPM, and the operation time according to the first freezing mode may be set so that ice capsules are substantially effectively formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 112. According to one or more embodiments, the operation of the indoor fan 111 may be stopped during the execution of the freezing operation.

[0064] Specifically, if the second fan RPM is too high, frost generation of the ice capsule may not occur because the surface temperature of the heat exchanger has not dropped to 0 degrees Celsius or lower, while if the second fan RPM is too low, the freeze mode release condition may be reached quickly and the amount of frost generation may in turn be reduced. Therefore, the second fan RPM may preferably be set in consideration of the factors described above.

[0065] Meanwhile, the second compressor RPM may preferably be set to a higher RPM than the first compressor RPM because the second freezing mode is a mode for substantially freezing the indoor heat exchanger 112. However, a specific numerical range may be variously determined according to the exhaust volume of the applicable compressor 121, etc.

[0066] Meanwhile, the temperature and time at the time of the freezing operation may be determined based on the freezing effect according to the freezing operation and the heat resistance of the hardware configuration included in the air conditioner 100. For example, the air conditioner 100 may perform a freezing operation for freezing the heat exchanger for 12 minutes to 15 minutes at a temperature of minus 15 degrees Celsius to minus 10 degrees Celsius, but the above is only an example. The amount of frost generated by the ice capsule may be proportional to the operation time according to the second freezing mode, but when operating for a long time, considering that the guaranteed pressure range for each operating condition of the applicable compressor 121 may be exceeded, the operation time according to the second freezing mode may be preferably set.

[0067] The air conditioner 100 may control at least one of the indoor fan 111 and the compressor 121 to perform a defrosting operation for defrosting the ice capsules (S150). Here, the "defrosting operation" may be an operation for defrosting the ice capsules formed according to the pre-freezing operation and the freezing operation, and when the ice capsules formed on the surface of the heat exchanger are defrosted according to the defrosting operation, condensed water may be discharged to the outside of the indoor unit 110 together with foreign matter such as mold attached to the surface thereof.

[0068] Specifically, in the defrosting operation, the compressor 121 may be stopped, and the indoor fan 111 may be operated, and thus, the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 112 may be increased. Specifically, when the operation is performed according to the freezing mode, the temperature of the cold air being discharged may drop to a level of 0 degrees Celsius, and therefore, since a large amount of condensed water is generated by condensation of water drops due to the surface temperatures of the outside and inside of the indoor unit 110 being formed to be less than or equal to the dew point temperature, the air conditioner 100 may need to completely dry its inside and outside through the operation according to the defrosting operation. Therefore, after performing the defrosting operation, a drying operation as described below may be performed.

[0069] The defrost operation may be defined according to the number of times the indoor fan 111 rotates. The RPM of the indoor fan 111 in the defrost operation (or the indoor fan 111 RPM) may be referred to as the third fan RPM below to distinguish it from the indoor fan 111 RPM in the pre-freezing operation and the freezing operation. Then, the third fan RPM and the operation time according to the defrost operation may be set so that condensed water may be formed by effectively defrosting the ice capsules formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 112. For example, the third fan RPM may be set to the minimum RPM of the indoor fan 111 to minimize the occurrence of misting and expansion noise, which may occur at a time point when the operation according to the defrost operation is started after the operation according to the freezing operation ends, but is not limited thereto.

[0070] At the same time, the above-mentioned pre-freezing operation, freezing operation and defrosting operation may be included and collectively referred to as a "freezing cleaning operation", and the term freezing cleaning operation may be used as a term for collectively referring to a series of operations performed after the heating operation, and may include the drying operation to be described below according to one or more embodiments.

[0071] According to the above reference Figure 1 According to one or more embodiments described, the air conditioner 100 can effectively perform cleaning of the heat exchanger by performing a heating operation together with a freezing cleaning operation. Specifically, according to the present disclosure, mold can be effectively killed by performing a heating operation, and pollutants attached to the surface of the heat exchanger can be separated by freezing the heat exchanger and then forming and freezing ice capsules, and then, condensed water formed by defrosting the ice capsules is discharged to the outside of the indoor unit 110, and pollutants attached to the surface of the heat exchanger can be effectively removed.

[0072] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a control method of the air conditioner 100 according to one or more embodiments.

[0073] Because it has been referenced Figure 1 The generation of events, the heating operation, the pre-freezing operation, the freezing operation, and the defrosting operation according to the present disclosure are described, so redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted below, and the first drying operation, the second drying operation, the standby operation, etc. according to the present disclosure will be described.

[0074] refer to Figure 2 , the air conditioner 100 may identify an event for cleaning the heat exchanger (S210). Then, when the event for cleaning the heat exchanger is identified, the air conditioner 100 may identify whether a preset first threshold time has passed after the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation ends (S220).

[0075] When describing the present disclosure, "cooling operation" may be an operation for adjusting a space in which the indoor unit 110 is provided to a cool cooling state, and may be replaced by terms such as "cooling operation", and may be used as a meaning including operations such as "dehumidification operation".

[0076] The "first threshold time" may refer to a time set as a standard for identifying whether the internal temperature of the indoor unit 110 has sufficiently increased after the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation ends. For example, the first threshold time may be 60 minutes and may be changed according to the setting of the developer or the user.

[0077] When it is identified that the first threshold time has passed (S220-Yes), the air conditioner 100 may perform a heating operation (S230). Specifically, when it is identified that the first threshold time has passed, the air conditioner 100 may perform a heating operation for increasing the temperature of the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 112. Figure 1 The specific operations during the heating operation have been described in the description, so its redundant description will be omitted.

[0078] Alternatively, if it is identified that the first threshold time has not passed ( S220 -No), the heating operation ( S230 ) may be performed after performing the first drying operation ( S225 ) for drying the heat exchanger.

[0079] Specifically, if a heating operation is performed without sufficient time after the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation ends, there is a concern that smoke or unpleasant odor is generated as the heat exchanger is suddenly heated in a cooling state. Therefore, the air conditioner 100 according to the present disclosure can identify whether a first threshold time has passed after the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation ends, and based on the fact that the first threshold time has not passed, a first drying operation (S225) for drying the interior is performed. Here, the "first drying operation" may be an operation for drying the interior of the indoor unit 110, and may be, for example, an operation of rotating the indoor fan 111 for 15 minutes at a preset maximum wind force. The RPM of the indoor fan 111 and the operation time according to the first drying operation may be determined according to the humidity in the space where the indoor unit 110 is located. At this time, the compressor may be in a stopped state without rotating. In another example, the first drying operation may be an operation of rotating the indoor fan 111 when the discharge port including the blade and the door is blocked, so that smoke or unpleasant odor does not leak into the space where the user stays.

[0080] After performing the heating operation, the air conditioner 100 may perform a pre-freezing operation (S240) after being in a standby state for a preset second threshold time. That is, the air conditioner 100 may control at least one of the indoor fan 111 and the compressor 121 to perform a pre-freezing operation (S250) for forming water droplets on the surface of the heat exchanger by starting the pre-freezing operation after being in a standby state for a sufficient time after the heating operation ends. Here, being in a standby state for a second threshold time is because when a freezing operation is performed without a sufficient time after the heating operation ends, there is a possibility that the hardware configuration of the air conditioner 100 is damaged according to thermal contraction and thermal expansion.

[0081] After performing the pre-freezing operation, the air conditioner 100 may control at least one of the indoor fan 111 and the compressor 121 to perform a freezing operation for forming ice capsules on the surface of the heat exchanger (S260). After performing the freezing operation, the air conditioner 100 may control at least one of the indoor fan 111 and the compressor 121 to perform a defrosting operation for defrosting the ice capsules (S270). Then, after performing the defrosting operation, the air conditioner 100 may perform a second drying operation for drying the heat exchanger (S280).

[0082] Here, similar to the first drying operation, the "second drying operation" may be an operation for drying the interior of the indoor unit 110, and the compressor may be in a stopped state without rotating during the second drying operation. However, the detailed operation of the second drying operation may vary from the first drying operation. Specifically, the second drying operation may be an operation for completing the cleaning operation according to the present disclosure, and may be performed for a longer time than the first drying operation because if the remaining condensed water is not sufficiently removed, it may cause microbial growth and odor such as mold.

[0083] Meanwhile, the second drying operation may be an operation in which the indoor fan 111 rotates at a fourth RPM (fourth fan RPM) which is an RPM greater than the third fan RPM. The drying RPM and the operation time according to the drying operation may be set to effectively dry the condensed water generated on the outer and inner surfaces of the indoor unit 110. Specifically, the drying RPM according to the second drying operation may be set to the maximum RPM of the indoor fan 111 for effective defrosting and drying. Meanwhile, the RPM of the indoor fan 111 and the operation time according to the second drying operation may be determined according to the humidity in the space in which the indoor unit 110 is provided.

[0084] Meanwhile, it is not necessary to constantly maintain the drying RPM during the execution of the second drying operation, and the drying RPM may be variously changed for effective drying of condensed water. For example, the second drying operation may be an operation of rotating the indoor fan 111 at a preset maximum wind speed for 15 minutes after the indoor fan 111 has been rotated at a preset minimum wind speed for 3 minutes.

[0085] Meanwhile, similar to the first drying operation, the air conditioner 100 may control the motor connected to the discharge port to prevent the discharge port from leaking smoke or unpleasant odors to the space where the user is located during at least one of the heating operation, the pre-freezing operation, the freezing operation, the defrosting operation, and the second drying operation. Meanwhile, when the air conditioner 100 preferably opens the discharge port for adjustment of indoor temperature, relative humidity, etc., at least one of the first drying operation, the heating operation, the pre-freezing operation, the freezing operation, the defrosting operation, and the second drying operation may be performed while the discharge port is in the open state.

[0086] In the above, the defrosting operation and the second drying operation according to the present disclosure have been distinguished and described, but the defrosting operation may be implemented to include a plurality of defrosting steps including the second drying operation.

[0087] According to the above reference Figure 2 In one or more embodiments described, by performing a drying operation or a standby operation between a heating operation and a series of freezing cleaning operations according to the present disclosure, the air conditioner 100 can effectively remove pollutants attached to the surface of the heat exchanger while effectively preventing the generation of smoke and odors due to sudden changes in the internal temperature of the indoor unit 110, the possibility of hardware damage, etc.

[0088] Figure 3 is a block diagram briefly illustrating a configuration of the air conditioner 100 according to one or more embodiments.

[0089] like Figure 3 As shown, the air conditioner 100 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include an indoor unit 110, an outdoor unit 120, and a processor 130. In addition, the indoor unit 110 may include an indoor fan 111 and a heat exchanger 112, and the outdoor unit 120 may include a compressor 121. Figure 3 Configurations other than those shown will be referred to Figures 4 to 9 Describe the above.

[0090] The indoor fan 111 may suck air outside the indoor unit 110 by rotating. Specifically, the indoor fan 111 may suck air outside the indoor unit 110 into the indoor unit 110 by a rotation force generated by driving a motor connected to the indoor fan 111.

[0091] The indoor heat exchanger 112 may perform heat exchange between the air outside the indoor unit 110 sucked by the rotation of the indoor fan 111 and the refrigerant. Specifically, the indoor heat exchanger 112 may be a heat exchanger of F&Tube (Fluoroplastic Tube) or Al material.

[0092] The compressor 121 may compress a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant as a working fluid into a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. Specifically, the compressor 121 may be an inverter compressor 121 of a variable RPM method.

[0093] The processor 130 can control the overall operation of the air conditioner 100. Specifically, the processor 130 can control the overall operation of the air conditioner 100 by connecting with various configurations of the air conditioner 100 (such as but not limited to the indoor fan 111, indoor heat exchanger 112, compressor 121, etc. as described above).

[0094] The processor 130 may be implemented in various ways. For example, the processor may be implemented as at least one of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an embedded processor, a microprocessor, a hardware control logic, a hardware finite state machine (FSM), and a digital signal processor (DSP). Meanwhile, in the present disclosure, the term processor may be used as a meaning including a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a main processing unit (MPU), etc.

[0095] The air conditioner 100 according to the present disclosure may include a plurality of processors. Specifically, the air conditioner 100 may include a processor of the indoor unit 110 included in the indoor unit 110 (indoor unit 110 processor) and a processor of the outdoor unit 120 included in the outdoor unit 120 (outdoor unit 120 processor), and the indoor unit 110 processor and the outdoor unit 120 processor may be connected through a communicator. However, when describing the present disclosure below, the term processor or at least one processor may be used as a term for collectively referring to when the processor is implemented as a plurality (specifically, when the indoor unit 110 and the outdoor unit 120 include the indoor unit 110 processor and the outdoor unit 120 processor, etc., respectively).

[0096] Specifically, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor 130 may perform cleaning of the indoor heat exchanger 112 by controlling operations based on a heating operation, a pre-freezing operation, a freezing operation, a defrosting operation, etc. according to the present disclosure.

[0097] In one or more embodiments, the processor 130 may: control at least one of the indoor fan 111 and the compressor 121 to perform a heating operation for increasing the temperature of the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 112 based on identifying an event for cleaning the indoor heat exchanger 112, and perform a pre-freezing operation for forming water droplets on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 112; control at least one of the indoor fan 111 and the compressor 121 to perform a freezing operation for forming ice capsules on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 112; and control the indoor fan 111 to perform a defrosting operation for defrosting the ice capsules.

[0098] In one or more embodiments, the processor 130 may identify that an event for cleaning the heat exchanger according to the present disclosure has occurred based on the indoor humidity detected by at least one sensor being greater than or equal to a preset threshold humidity (e.g., 60%). In addition, the processor 130 may identify that an event for cleaning the heat exchanger according to the present disclosure has occurred based on detecting a preset type of odor or detecting foreign matter (e.g., mold) inside the air conditioner 100 through at least one sensor.

[0099] In one or more embodiments, the processor 130 may perform a heating operation by controlling the compressor 121 and the cooling and heating switching valve 122 . Additionally, the processor 130 may perform a heating operation by controlling the heater 113 .

[0100] In one or more embodiments, during the heating operation, the processor 130 may control the indoor fan 111 not to rotate. In addition, the processor 130 may perform the pre-freezing operation after being in the standby state for a preset second threshold time based on the end of the heating operation.

[0101] In one or more embodiments, the processor 130 may perform a second drying operation for drying the indoor heat exchanger 112 after the defrosting operation ends.

[0102] In addition to the above, the control process of the processor 130 may be performed as in the above embodiments and as described below. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Various embodiments described.

[0103] You can refer to the following Figures 4 to 9 The configuration of the air conditioner 100 according to the present disclosure is described in more detail.

[0104] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a block diagram showing in detail the configuration of the air conditioner 100 according to one or more embodiments. Figure 6 and Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating a heater according to one or more embodiments.

[0105] The air conditioner 100 according to the present disclosure may be implemented so that not only a cooling operation but also a heating operation can be performed, and may be implemented so that a heating operation cannot be performed (ie, only a cooling operation, a dehumidification operation, etc. are possible).

[0106] If the air conditioner 100 is implemented to be able to perform a heating operation as well, the air conditioner 100 may perform a heating operation for heating the indoor heat exchanger 112 by performing the heating operation. Alternatively, if the air conditioner 100 is implemented to be unable to perform a heating operation, there may be a separate configuration included in the air conditioner 100 for performing a heating operation according to the present disclosure.

[0107] Figure 4 1 shows a configuration when the air conditioner 100 is implemented to also be able to perform a heating operation. In this case, the outdoor unit 120 may further include a cooling and heating switching valve 122 for implementing cooling and heating. The cooling and heating switching valve 122 may refer to a valve that switches the flow direction of the refrigerant by closing during cooling operation and opening during heating operation. For example, the cooling and heating switching valve 122 may be a four-way valve, but is not limited thereto.

[0108] If the air conditioner 100 according to the present disclosure includes a cooling and heating switching valve 122 in the outdoor unit 120, the air conditioner 100 can perform a heating operation by controlling the compressor 121 and the cooling and heating switching valve 122. Specifically, the air conditioner 100 can switch the flow of the refrigerant supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 112 of the indoor unit 110 and the outdoor heat exchanger of the outdoor unit 120 toward the opposite direction when the cooling operation is performed, using the cooling and heating switching valve 122. Therefore, the indoor heat exchanger 112 and the outdoor heat exchanger can respectively play their roles as a condenser and an evaporator (opposite to their corresponding roles during the cooling operation). Then, when the heating operation is performed, the indoor heat exchanger 112 can be heated accordingly.

[0109] Figure 5 1 shows a configuration when the air conditioner 100 is implemented not to perform a heating operation. In this case, the indoor unit 110 may further include a heater 113 for heating the indoor heat exchanger 112. For example, the heater 113 may include a Figure 6 The heating wire is shown attached to the indoor heat exchanger 112 and includes Figure 7 The warm air circulator is shown disposed at the lower end of the indoor heat exchanger 112 .

[0110] If the air conditioner 100 according to the present disclosure includes the heater 113 in the indoor unit 110, the air conditioner 100 can perform the heating operation according to the present disclosure by controlling the heater 113. Specifically, if a heating wire is attached to the indoor heat exchanger 112, the air conditioner 100 can perform the heating operation by supplying power to the heating wire attached to the heat exchanger. Meanwhile, if a warm air circulator is provided at the lower end of the indoor heat exchanger 112, the air conditioner 100 can heat the indoor heat exchanger 112 by controlling the warm air circulator to flow warm air to the indoor heat exchanger 112.

[0111] Meanwhile, the air conditioner 100 may heat the indoor heat exchanger 112 using an external device including a warm air circulator. For example, if a robot (e.g., a robot cleaner, etc.) that can communicate with the air conditioner 100 includes a warm air circulator, the air conditioner 100 may heat the indoor heat exchanger 112 by sending a control signal to the robot, causing the robot to move close to the indoor heat exchanger 112, and then causing the robot to heat the indoor heat exchanger 112 of the air conditioner 100 through a warm air function. In addition, if the robot is implemented as a small robot including a warm air circulator or a heater, the air conditioner 100 may heat the indoor heat exchanger 112 by sending a control signal for heating the indoor heat exchanger 112 to the robot while the robot moves on the surface of the heat exchanger after entering the interior of the indoor unit.

[0112] Figure 8 is a diagram showing in detail a configuration for implementing a refrigerant cycle of an air conditioner, and Fig. 9 is a diagram showing in detail a configuration for controlling the operation of an air conditioner.

[0113] if Figures 3 to 5 The configuration of the air conditioner 100 is mainly used to describe the configuration according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 It is used to describe the configuration of the air conditioner 100 according to the present disclosure in more detail. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 When Figures 3 to 5 A detailed description of the configuration described in the description.

[0114] like Figure 8 As shown, the air conditioner 100 may include an indoor unit 110 and an outdoor unit 120, and the indoor unit 110 may include an indoor heat exchanger 8 and an indoor fan 9. Then, the outdoor unit 120 may include a compressor 1, an outdoor heat exchanger 2, a four-way valve 3, a low-pressure service valve 4, a high-pressure service valve 5, an outdoor fan 6, and an electronic expansion valve 7.

[0115] Specifically, the outdoor unit 120 may include a compressor 1 that compresses a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant as a working fluid into a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 2 that performs heat exchange with an external heat source, and a four-way valve 3 that switches the flow of the refrigerant to achieve cooling and heating. Then, the outdoor unit 120 may include a low-pressure service valve 4 and a high-pressure service valve 5 for fastening a connecting pipe between the indoor unit 110 and the outdoor unit 120. At the same time, an outdoor fan 6 may be provided around the outdoor heat exchanger 2 for heat exchange between the refrigerant circulating in the outdoor heat exchanger 2 and the external air to be effectively transported between each other. In addition, an electronic expansion valve (EEV) 7 may play the role of an expansion device for controlling airflow.

[0116] The indoor unit 110 may include an indoor fan 9 that sucks air outside the indoor unit 110 by rotating, and an indoor heat exchanger 8 that performs heat exchange between the air outside the indoor unit 110 sucked by the rotation of the indoor fan 9 and the refrigerant.

[0117] At the same time, if Fig. 9 As shown, the indoor unit 110 may include an indoor communicator 12-1, an indoor unit processor 13-1, an indoor temperature detection sensor 14, a heat exchanger temperature detection sensor 15, a relative humidity detection sensor 16, an indoor unit memory 17-1, an outputter 18 and an inputter 19.

[0118] Specifically, the indoor temperature detection sensor 14 can detect the temperature of the space where the indoor unit 110 is installed, the heat exchanger temperature detection sensor 15 can detect the indoor heat exchange temperature and the temperature of the inlet and outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 8, and the relative humidity detection sensor 16 can detect the relative humidity around the indoor unit 110.

[0119] In the indoor unit memory 17-1, at least one command for controlling the operation of the indoor unit 110 and various information for controlling the operation of the indoor unit 110 (specifically, information related to temperature, humidity, etc. obtained by the sensor as described above) may be stored. In addition, the indoor unit processor 13-1 may control the operation of the indoor unit 110, and specifically, the operation of the indoor unit 110 is controlled based on at least one command and various information stored in the memory. Specifically, the indoor unit processor 13-1 may include an indoor fan control module for controlling the operation and RPM of the indoor fan 9.

[0120] The outputter 18 may output various functions executable by the air conditioner 100 , and may include at least one of a display, a speaker, and an indicator.

[0121] Specifically, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the outputter 18 can output a notification showing that the operation for cleaning the indoor heat exchanger 8 according to the present disclosure has started, a notification showing that a heating operation, a pre-freezing operation, a freezing operation, a defrosting operation, a first drying operation, a second drying operation, etc. according to the present disclosure is in progress, a notification showing that each operation according to the present disclosure has ended, and further, a notification showing that an error has occurred in the process of an operation according to the present disclosure.

[0122] The inputter 19 may receive a user command for controlling the air conditioner 100, and may include at least one of a microphone, a camera, and a remote controller receiver. In addition, the inputter 19 may be implemented in a form included in a display as a touch screen.

[0123] Specifically, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the input 19 may receive a user command for cleaning the indoor heat exchanger 112. In addition, the input 19 may receive a command that allows a user to directly control a specific operation according to the operation of the present disclosure. For example, the input 19 may receive a user command for temporarily stopping a freezing operation when the freezing operation is in progress.

[0124] At the same time, if Fig. 9 As shown, the outdoor unit 120 may include an outdoor communicator 12-2, an outdoor unit processor 13-2, an outdoor temperature detection sensor 20, and an outdoor unit memory 17-2.

[0125] Meanwhile, the outdoor temperature detection sensor 20 may detect the temperature of the space in which the outdoor unit 120 is provided. The outdoor unit processor 13-2 may control the operation of the outdoor unit 120 based on at least one command and various information stored in the outdoor unit 120. Specifically, the outdoor unit processor 13-2 may include: a compressor driving module for controlling the operation and RPM of the compressor 1, an outdoor fan control module for controlling the operation and RPM of the outdoor fan, a four-way valve control module for controlling the flow of refrigerant for achieving cooling and heating, an expansion valve control module for adjusting the airflow according to predetermined conditions, etc., and the operation according to the corresponding module is performed by each module.

[0126] Meanwhile, the indoor communicator 12-1 and the outdoor communicator 12-2 may be respectively provided at the indoor unit 110 and the outdoor unit 120 to perform communication between the indoor unit 110 and the outdoor unit 120. Then, power supply for each configuration included in the indoor unit 110 and the outdoor unit 120 may be performed by the power supply 21.

[0127] Fig.10 and Fig.11 is a diagram illustrating factors that may influence the decision to freeze RPM according to the present disclosure.

[0128] Fig.10 is a graph showing a frost generation amount of an ice capsule, a discharge amount of condensed water, a freezing time, a mist amount, and thermal contraction and expansion noise according to an increase and decrease of a freezing RPM (including a first fan RPM and a second fan RPM).

[0129] Specifically, if the freezing RPM is set to high, the amount of frost generated by the ice capsule formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 112 can be increased, and therefore, there is an advantage that the amount of condensation discharged outside the indoor unit 110 is also increased. In addition, if the freezing RPM is set to high, the thermal contraction and expansion noise of the molded product that may be generated due to a sudden temperature change can be reduced.

[0130] However, if the freezing RPM is set high, the freezing time may increase due to the increase in time taken to lower to the optimal freezing point, and a problem may occur that the amount of mist generated in the indoor heat exchanger 112 during the freezing period due to the blowing of the indoor fan 111 also increases. In addition, if the freezing RPM is set too high, a problem may occur that freezing itself does not occur.

[0131] Alternatively, if the freezing RPM is set to low, the freezing time may become shorter due to the reduction in time taken to lower until the optimal freezing point, and the amount of mist generated in the indoor heat exchanger 112 due to the blowing of the indoor fan 111 during the freezing period may be reduced. However, if the freezing RPM is set to low, there is a problem that the cleaning effect is deteriorated due to the reduction in the amount of frost generation and the amount of condensed water discharge, and the noise characteristics may also become worse due to the sudden drop in temperature.

[0132] Fig.11 is a graph showing in more detail the frost generation amount of the ice capsule according to the increase or decrease of the freezing RPM.

[0133] like Fig.11 As shown, the more the freezing RPM increases, as the time taken to reach the freezing point increases, there is generally a tendency that the frost generation amount of the ice capsule also increases, but if the freezing RPM increases by a specific freezing ROM (3 steps) or more, there is a tendency that the frost generation amount of the ice capsule decreases.

[0134] As referenced above Figure 1 As mentioned above, we can consider Fig.10 The range of the frozen RPM can be set based on the correlation between the various factors shown in FIG. Fig.11 The trend shown is used to set the second fan RPM for freeze operation.

[0135] An embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a control method for an air conditioner, the air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the indoor unit comprising an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan, the outdoor unit comprising a compressor, the method comprising: based on identifying an event for cleaning the indoor heat exchanger, performing a heating operation for increasing the temperature of the surface of the indoor heat exchanger; controlling at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform a pre-freezing operation for forming water droplets on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger; controlling at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform a freezing operation for forming ice capsules on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger; and controlling the indoor fan to perform a defrosting operation for defrosting the ice capsules.

[0136] The outdoor unit may include a cooling and heating switching valve for switching a direction in which the refrigerant flows, and performing the heating operation may include performing the heating operation by controlling the compressor and the cooling and heating switching valve.

[0137] The indoor unit may include a heater for heating the indoor heat exchanger, and performing the heating operation may include performing the heating operation by controlling the heater.

[0138] The control method of the air conditioner may further include: performing a pre-freezing operation after being in a standby state for a preset second threshold time based on the heating operation being ended.

[0139] The control method of the air conditioner may further include performing a second drying operation for drying the indoor heat exchanger after the defrosting operation is finished.

[0140] The above events include at least one of the following: when the humidity in the space where the indoor unit is installed is greater than or equal to a preset threshold humidity, when foreign matter inside the air conditioner is detected by at least one sensor in the air conditioner, when a preset type of odor is detected by at least one sensor, and when a preset cleaning cycle has been reached.

[0141] The control method of the air conditioner 100 according to the above-mentioned embodiment may be implemented as a program is provided to the air conditioner 100. Specifically, the program including the control method of the air conditioner 100 may be stored and provided in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Specifically, in terms of a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium including a program for executing the control method of the air conditioner 100, the control method of the air conditioner 100 including the indoor unit 110 (including the indoor heat exchanger 112 and the indoor fan 111) and the outdoor unit 120 (including the compressor 121) may include: based on the event for cleaning the indoor heat exchanger 112 being identified, performing a heating operation for increasing the temperature of the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 112; controlling at least one of the indoor fan 111 and the compressor 121 to perform a pre-freezing operation for forming water droplets on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 112; controlling at least one of the indoor fan 111 and the compressor 121 to perform a freezing operation for forming ice capsules on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 112; and controlling the indoor fan 111 to perform a defrosting operation for defrosting the ice capsules.

[0142] In the above, the control method of the air conditioner 100 and the computer-readable recording medium including the program for executing the control method of the air conditioner 100 have been briefly described, but the above is only for omitting its redundant description, and various embodiments of the air conditioner 100 can be applied to the control method of the air conditioner, and even to the computer-readable recording medium including the program for executing the control method of the air conditioner 100.

[0143] The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. In this document, "non-transitory" simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and the term does not distinguish whether data is stored semi-permanently or temporarily in the storage medium. In an example, the "non-transitory storage medium" may include a buffer that temporarily stores data.

[0144] According to one or more embodiments, the methods according to the various embodiments described herein may be provided to be included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be exchanged between a seller and a buyer as a commodity. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) through an application store (e.g., PLAYSTORE™), or distributed directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable application) may be at least temporarily stored in a storage medium such as a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a memory of a relay server, or temporarily generated.

[0145] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the air conditioner 100 can effectively perform cleaning of the heat exchanger by performing a freezing cleaning operation together with a heating operation. Specifically, according to the present disclosure, mold can be effectively killed by performing a heating operation, and then, pollutants attached to the surface of the heat exchanger can be separated by freezing the heat exchanger and forming ice capsules, and then, the pollutants attached to the surface of the heat exchanger can be effectively removed by discharging condensed water formed by defrosting the ice capsules to the outside of the indoor unit 110.

[0146] Each element (e.g., module or program) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure as described above can be formed as a single entity or multiple entities, and some of the above sub-elements can be omitted, or other sub-elements can be further included in various embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, some elements (e.g., modules or programs) can be integrated into one entity to perform the same or similar functions performed by the corresponding elements before integration.

[0147] According to various embodiments, operations performed by a module, a program, or another element may be performed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or in a heuristic manner, or may be performed in a different order, at least some operations may be omitted, or different operations may be added.

[0148] The term "part" or "module" used in the present disclosure may include a unit formed by hardware, software or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as (for example but not limited to) logic, logic block, component, circuit, etc. A "part" or "module" may be a component formed as a whole, or a minimum unit or part of a component that performs one or more functions. For example, a module may be formed as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0149] Various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented with software including instructions stored in a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a computer). The machine may call the instructions stored in the storage medium, and as a device operable according to the called instructions, may include an air conditioner according to the above-described embodiments (e.g., the air conditioner 100).

[0150] Based on the execution of the instruction by the processor, the processor may use other elements directly or under the control of the processor to perform functions corresponding to the instruction. The instruction may include codes generated by a compiler or executed by an interpreter.

[0151] Although the present disclosure has been illustrated and described with reference to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be understood that the various exemplary embodiments are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and full scope of the present disclosure, including the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, comprising: an indoor unit, including an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan; an outdoor unit, including a compressor; as well as A processor configured to: based on identifying an event for cleaning the indoor heat exchanger: controlling to perform a heating operation to increase the temperature of the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, controlling at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform a pre-freezing operation to form water drops on a surface of the indoor heat exchanger, controlling at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform a freezing operation to freeze water droplets formed on a surface of the indoor heat exchanger, thereby forming ice capsules on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, and The indoor fan is controlled to perform a defrosting operation to defrost a surface of the indoor heat exchanger.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein The processor is configured to: During the heating operation, the indoor fan is controlled not to rotate.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein The processor is configured to: During the pre-freeze operation, the compressor is controlled to rotate at a first compressor revolutions per minute (RPM), and During the freezing operation, the compressor is controlled to rotate at a second compressor RPM greater than a first compressor RPM.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein The processor is configured to: During the pre-freezing operation, the indoor fan is controlled to rotate at a first fan RPM, and During the freezing operation, the indoor fan is controlled to rotate at a second fan RPM that is smaller than the first fan RPM.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein The processor is configured to: based on identifying that an event for cleaning the indoor heat exchanger occurs: Identify whether a preset threshold time has passed after the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation ends, and Based on recognizing that the preset threshold time has passed, controlling to perform the heating operation, or Based on recognizing that the preset threshold time has not elapsed, control is performed to perform a drying operation to dry the indoor heat exchanger, and then control is performed to perform the heating operation.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein The outdoor unit includes a cooling and heating switching valve for switching the direction of refrigerant flow, and The processor is configured to: The compressor and the cooling and heating switching valve are controlled to perform the heating operation.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein The indoor unit includes a heater for heating the indoor heat exchanger, and The processor is configured to: The heater is controlled to perform the heating operation.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein The processor is configured to: Based on the heating operation being ended, before the control performs the pre-freezing operation, a standby operation is performed for a preset threshold time.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein The processor is configured to: After the defrosting operation is finished, a drying operation is performed to dry the indoor heat exchanger.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein The event includes at least one of the following: the humidity in the space where the indoor unit is installed is greater than a preset threshold humidity, foreign matter inside the air conditioner is detected by at least one sensor in the air conditioner, a preset type of odor is detected by the at least one sensor, and a preset cleaning cycle has been reached.

11. A method for controlling an air conditioner, the air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the indoor unit comprising an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan, the outdoor unit comprising a compressor, the method comprising: identifying an event occurring for cleaning the indoor heat exchanger; performing a heating operation to increase a temperature of a surface of the indoor heat exchanger; controlling at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform a pre-freezing operation to form water drops on a surface of the indoor heat exchanger; controlling at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform a freezing operation to freeze water droplets formed on a surface of the indoor heat exchanger, thereby forming ice capsules on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger; as well as The indoor fan is controlled to perform a defrosting operation to defrost a surface of the indoor heat exchanger.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein Performing the heating operation includes: During the heating operation, the indoor fan is controlled not to rotate.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein Controlling at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform the pre-freezing operation includes: During the pre-freeze operation, the compressor is controlled to rotate at a first compressor revolutions per minute (RPM), and Controlling at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform the freezing operation includes controlling the compressor to rotate at a second compressor RPM greater than a first compressor RPM during the freezing operation.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein Controlling at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform the pre-freezing operation includes: During the pre-freezing operation, the indoor fan is controlled to rotate at a first fan RPM, and Controlling at least one of the indoor fan and the compressor to perform the freezing operation includes controlling the indoor fan to rotate at a second fan RPM that is less than the first fan RPM during the freezing operation.

15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: Based on recognizing that an event for cleaning the indoor heat exchanger occurs, recognizing whether a preset threshold time has passed after a cooling operation or a dehumidification operation ends, and Based on identifying that the preset threshold time has passed, performing the heating operation; or Based on recognizing that the preset threshold time has not elapsed, a drying operation is performed to dry the indoor heat exchanger, and then the heating operation is performed.

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