Air conditioner

Abstract

The invention discloses an air conditioner which comprises a control module, a gas-liquid separator, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a compressor, a four-way valve, a plurality of cut-off pieces, an outdoor throttling piece and a temperature detection piece which are connected with the control module, the outdoor heat exchanger comprises a plurality of heat exchange modules, one ends of the heat exchange modules are connected with the outdoor throttling piece, and the other ends of the heat exchange modules are connected with a first port of the four-way valve through all cut-off pieces. The control module is provided with a first environment temperature threshold value and a first time threshold value, the outdoor environment temperature is obtained when the heating mode is started, the outdoor environment temperature is compared with the first environment temperature threshold value, and if the outdoor environment temperature is not higher than the first environment temperature threshold value, starting is controlled according to the four-way valve closing stage and the four-way valve opening stage; the outdoor throttling element is opened, and the cut-off elements are communicated; and after all the cut-off pieces are cut off for a first time threshold value, part of the cut-off pieces or all the cut-off pieces and the outdoor throttling pieces are sequentially opened in a delayed mode one by one. The volume of the gas-liquid separator is reduced, and the operation reliability of the air conditioner is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of air conditioning, and particularly to an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] When a relatively large amount of refrigerant is charged in a multi-connected system, in order to ensure the reliability of the air conditioner operation, a gas-liquid separator is usually added to the outdoor unit to store the excess refrigerant in the system and prevent the compressor from being damaged due to liquid return during compressor startup. The multi-connected system is relatively complex, and the connecting pipes between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are relatively long, often requiring a relatively large amount of refrigerant to be charged, resulting in an increased volume inside the gas-liquid separator and a relatively large volume, increasing the occupied space and cost. Especially when the ambient temperature is relatively low and the air conditioner is on standby or shut down for a long time, the refrigerant will migrate to the outdoor side. To ensure the reliability of the air conditioner, a larger gas-liquid separator is required to store the migrated refrigerant.

[0003] The above information disclosed in this background art is only used to increase the understanding of the background art of the present application. Therefore, it may include prior art that is not known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aiming at the problems in the background art that too much liquid refrigerant migrates to the outdoor side, resulting in a relatively large volume of the gas-liquid separator, high cost, and difficult management layout, the present invention proposes an air conditioner, which realizes reducing the volume of the gas-liquid separator while improving the operation reliability of the compressor and enhancing the user experience.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned invention object, the present invention is implemented by the following technical solutions: An air conditioner, including an outdoor unit, which includes a gas-liquid separator, an outdoor heat exchanger, a control module, and a compressor, a four-way valve, a plurality of cut-off members, an outdoor throttling member, and a temperature detection member connected to the control module; The four-way valve includes a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port; the outdoor heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange modules; each heat exchange module has an independent refrigerant pipeline, one end of which is respectively connected to the outdoor throttling member, and the other end is respectively connected to the first port through each cut-off member; the second port and the third port are respectively connected to the exhaust port of the compressor and the gas-liquid separator; The control module is configured with a first ambient temperature threshold and a first time threshold, and is configured to obtain the outdoor ambient temperature from the temperature detection member when the heating mode is turned on, compare the outdoor ambient temperature with the first ambient temperature threshold, and if the outdoor ambient temperature is not higher than the first ambient temperature threshold, then control the startup according to the four-way valve closing stage and the four-way valve opening stage; When the four-way valve is in the closing stage, the outdoor throttle member is opened and each of the cutoff members is connected; when the four-way valve is in the opening stage, the outdoor throttle member is closed, each of the cutoff members is disconnected, and after lasting for the first time threshold, they are individually delayed to open or turn on in the order of some or all of the cutoff members and the outdoor throttle member.

[0006] In some specific embodiments, the outdoor side further includes an outdoor fan, which is connected to the control module and controlled by the control module; the control module is configured with a first operating frequency. In the closing stage of the four-way valve, the compressor runs at an increased frequency with the first operating frequency as the target frequency; the outdoor fan is turned off; the outdoor throttle member is fully opened; each of the cutoff members is connected.

[0007] In some specific embodiments, the control module is further configured with a second time threshold; in the opening stage of the four-way valve, the following controls are sequentially executed: S21. The outdoor throttle member is closed, the outdoor fan runs, and each of the cutoff members is disconnected and lasts for the first time threshold. S22. Each of the cutoff members, the outdoor throttle member, or some of the cutoff members, the outdoor throttle member, and the remaining cutoff members are individually delayed to be connected or turned on in sequence; the delay interval time is the second time threshold.

[0008] In some specific embodiments, in step S22, when not all of the cutoff members are connected; the compressor runs at an increased frequency with the first operating frequency as the target frequency; when all of the cutoff members are connected, the compressor is controlled to run with the frequency value obtained according to the system parameters as the target frequency.

[0009] In some specific embodiments, the outdoor side further includes a pressure detection member, which is connected to the control module; the control module obtains pressure parameters from the pressure detection member and is configured with a first opening degree; in step S22, the outdoor throttle member is controlled to open with the first opening degree, and it is determined whether the system low-pressure is too low according to the pressure parameters; if the system low-pressure is too low, the opening degree of the outdoor throttle member is controlled to increase step by step.

[0010] In some specific embodiments, the control module is configured with a third time threshold and is configured to compare the outdoor ambient temperature with the first ambient temperature threshold and compare the shutdown time with the third time threshold when starting up after shutdown in the heating mode; If the outdoor ambient temperature reaches or is less than the first ambient temperature threshold and the shutdown time reaches or exceeds the third time threshold, start up with the control of the opening stage of the four-way valve. If the outdoor ambient temperature reaches or is less than the first ambient temperature threshold and the shutdown time reaches or is less than the third time threshold, the outdoor throttle component closes, the outdoor fan operates, each of the cutoff components closes and all open after lasting for the first time threshold.

[0011] In some specific embodiments, when the outdoor fan is controlled to operate during the startup of the heating mode or the startup in the shutdown state of the heating mode, the control module controls the outdoor fan to operate at its set maximum speed.

[0012] In some specific embodiments, the control module is further configured with a fourth time threshold and is configured to control all of the cutoff components to be connected when shutting down and all to be disconnected after lasting for the fourth time threshold.

[0013] In some specific embodiments, the internal volume of the heat exchanger module is not greater than the internal volume of the gas-liquid separator.

[0014] In some specific embodiments, the control module is configured with a second ambient temperature threshold and an indoor unit startup ratio threshold, and is configured to, when operating in the cooling mode, obtain the outdoor ambient temperature, compare the outdoor ambient temperature with the second ambient temperature threshold and the indoor unit startup ratio with the indoor unit startup ratio threshold; if the outdoor ambient temperature does not exceed the second ambient temperature threshold and the indoor unit startup ratio does not exceed the indoor unit startup ratio threshold, then control one of the cutoff components to be connected, the rest of the cutoff components to be disconnected, and the outdoor throttle component to be fully open.

[0015] When starting the heating mode, the air conditioner of the present invention first judges the outdoor ambient temperature to determine whether low-temperature heating startup is required; if so, the four-way valve remains closed, the outdoor throttle component opens, each cutoff component is connected, and the air conditioner operates in a refrigeration cycle to establish a system pressure difference, and the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged by the compressor during a short refrigeration operation enters the outdoor heat exchanger, preventing a large amount of liquid refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger from directly entering the gas-liquid separator when directly starting the operation of the four-way valve, causing liquid return damage to the compressor, improving the reliability of the low-temperature heating startup of the air conditioner, and prolonging the service life of the compressor.

[0016] When the system differential pressure is established after a short refrigeration cycle operation, the four-way valve is opened; the outdoor throttle is controlled to close, and each cut-off piece is disconnected and maintained for the first time threshold; the closing of the outdoor throttle prevents the liquid refrigerant on the indoor side from entering the outdoor heat exchanger; the disconnection of each cut-off piece enables the compressor to first extract the refrigerant in the gas-liquid separator; then, each cut-off piece is connected in series with a time delay, so that the compressor extracts the refrigerant in each heat exchange module respectively, preventing too much liquid refrigerant from entering the gas-liquid separator, causing the small-volume gas-liquid separator to be full of liquid and the compressor to operate with liquid return; at this time, the gas-liquid separator only needs to store the refrigerant volume of one heat exchange module, greatly reducing the internal volume of the gas-liquid separator, and further reducing the volume of the gas-liquid separator and its occupied space on the outdoor side, making the pipeline layout on the outdoor side easier and more reasonable, improving the outdoor operation performance and reliability, reducing costs, and extending the life of the compressor.

[0017] After reading the specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings, other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0019] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the refrigerant system connection on the outdoor side of an air conditioner according to an embodiment; Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the control system connection on the outdoor side of an air conditioner according to an embodiment; Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the judgment process for entering low-temperature heating startup of an air conditioner according to an embodiment; Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the control process for low-temperature heating startup of an air conditioner according to an embodiment; Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the control process for the four-way valve closing stage during low-temperature heating startup of an air conditioner according to an embodiment; Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the control process for the four-way valve opening stage during low-temperature heating startup of an air conditioner according to an embodiment; Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the control process for the outdoor throttle during the four-way valve opening stage of low-temperature heating startup of an air conditioner according to an embodiment; Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the control process for shutdown and startup during the heating mode of an air conditioner according to an embodiment; Figure 9Schematic diagram of the shutdown control process of an air conditioner according to an embodiment; Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the low-temperature refrigeration control process of an air conditioner according to an embodiment. In the figure,

[0020] 1. Control module; 2. Compressor; 3. Four-way valve; 31. First port; 32. Second port; 33. Third port; 34. Fourth port; 4. Outdoor fan; 5. Cut-off member; 6. Outdoor throttle member; 7. Temperature detection member; 8. Pressure detection member; 9. Outdoor heat exchanger; 91. Heat exchange module; 10. Gas-liquid separator. Detailed implementation manners

[0021] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0022] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

[0023] The terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present application, unless otherwise stated, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more.

[0024] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the internal communication of two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0025] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being “on” or “under” a second feature may include direct contact between the first and second features, or may include contact between the first and second features not being direct but through additional features therebetween. Moreover, a first feature being “above”, “over” and “on top of” a second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature has a higher level height than the second feature. A first feature being “under”, “beneath” and “underneath” a second feature includes the first feature being directly under and obliquely under the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature has a lower level height than the second feature.

[0026] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different structures of the present invention. To simplify the disclosure of the present invention, components and settings of specific examples are described below. Of course, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, the present invention may repeat reference numerals and / or reference letters in different examples. Such repetition is for the purpose of simplification and clarity and does not itself indicate the relationship between various embodiments and / or settings discussed. In addition, the present invention provides examples of various specific processes and materials, but those of ordinary skill in the art may be aware of the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0027]

Principle of Air Conditioner

[0028] A low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant enters the compressor 2, and the compressor 2 compresses it into a refrigerant gas in a high-temperature and high-pressure state and discharges the compressed refrigerant gas. The discharged refrigerant gas flows into the condenser. The condenser condenses the compressed refrigerant into a liquid phase, and heat is released to the surrounding environment through the condensation process.

[0029] The expansion valve expands the high-temperature and high-pressure liquid-phase refrigerant formed by condensation in the condenser into a low-pressure liquid-phase refrigerant. The evaporator evaporates the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve and returns the refrigerant gas in a low-temperature and low-pressure state to the compressor 2. The evaporator can achieve a refrigeration effect by using the latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant to perform a heat exchange with the material to be cooled. Throughout the cycle, the air conditioner can adjust the temperature of the indoor space.

[0030] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner refers to the part of the refrigeration cycle including the compressor 2 and the outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor unit of the air conditioner includes an indoor heat exchanger, and the expansion valve can be provided in the indoor unit or the outdoor unit.

[0031] The indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger are used as condensers or evaporators. When the indoor heat exchanger is used as a condenser, the air conditioner serves as a heater in the heating mode, and when the indoor heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, the air conditioner serves as a cooler in the cooling mode.

[0032]

Multi-connected air conditioner

[0033]

Air conditioner

[0034] The compressor 2, the four-way valve 3, the gas-liquid separator 10, the outdoor heat exchanger 9, and the outdoor throttling member 6 are connected to form an air-conditioning refrigeration system to realize the refrigeration and heating functions of the air conditioner. Specifically, the four-way valve 3 includes a first port 31, a second port 32, a third port 33, and a fourth port 34; the second port 32 and the third port 33 are respectively connected and communicated with the exhaust port of the compressor 2 and the inlet of the gas-liquid separator 10; the outlet of the gas-liquid separator 10 is connected and communicated with the suction port of the compressor 2; the fourth port 34 is used for connecting to the indoor side; the outdoor heat exchanger 9 includes multiple heat exchange modules 91, which are independent refrigerant pipelines; one end of each heat exchange module 91 is respectively connected to one end of the outdoor throttling member 6; the other end of the outdoor throttling member 6 is used for connecting to the indoor side; the other end of each heat exchange module 91 is respectively connected to the first port 31 through each cut-off member 5.

[0035] The compressor 2, the four-way valve 3, each cut-off member 5, the outdoor throttling member 6, and the temperature detection member 7 are respectively connected to the control module 1; the compressor 2, the four-way valve 3, each cut-off member 5, and the outdoor throttling member 6 are respectively controlled by the control module 1; the temperature detection member 7 is used for detecting the outdoor ambient temperature and transmitting it to the control module 1.

[0036] The control module 1 is configured with a first ambient temperature threshold and a first time threshold, and is configured to obtain the outdoor ambient temperature from the temperature detector 7 when the heating mode is turned on, compare the obtained outdoor ambient temperature with the first ambient temperature threshold, and determine whether to start low-temperature heating according to the judgment result.

[0037] Specifically, if the outdoor ambient temperature is not higher than the first ambient temperature threshold, the air conditioner is controlled to start in the order of the four-way valve closing stage S1 and the four-way valve opening stage S2. That is, when the outdoor ambient temperature reaches or is less than the first ambient temperature threshold, the air conditioner starts heating and first controls the operation of the four-way valve 3 closing stage, and then controls the operation of the four-way valve 3 opening stage, and finally achieves the purpose of starting heating. That is, when the air conditioner starts heating, if the outdoor ambient temperature is equal to or less than the first ambient temperature threshold, the air conditioner starts heating. First, the four-way valve 3 closes and the compressor 2 starts; then the four-way valve 3 opens.

[0038] Specifically, during the four-way valve closing stage S1, the outdoor throttle member 6 is controlled to open S13, and each cut-off member 5 is connected S14; when the system pressure difference meets the opening condition of the four-way valve 3, the four-way valve 3 is controlled to open, and the four-way valve opening stage S2 is entered. During the four-way valve opening stage S2, the outdoor throttle member 6 is controlled to close, each cut-off member 5 is disconnected, and after the first time threshold, some or all of the cut-off members 5 and the outdoor throttle member 6 are controlled to be connected or opened individually in sequence. That is, several of the cut-off members 5 and the outdoor throttle member 6 are connected or opened individually in sequence, or all of the cut-off members 5 and the outdoor throttle member 6 are connected or opened individually in sequence; that is, the cut-off members 5, the cut-off members 5, and the outdoor throttle member 6 are connected or opened individually in sequence.

[0039] When the air conditioner of the present invention starts the heating mode, it first judges the outdoor ambient temperature to determine whether low-temperature heating needs to be started; if so, the four-way valve 3 remains closed, the outdoor throttle member 6 opens, and each cut-off member 5 is connected, and the air conditioner operates in a refrigeration cycle to establish a system pressure difference, and the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged by the compressor 2 during the short refrigeration operation enters the outdoor heat exchanger 9, preventing a large amount of liquid refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 9 from directly entering the gas-liquid separator 10 when the four-way valve 3 starts to operate directly, causing liquid return damage to the compressor 2, improving the reliability of the low-temperature heating start of the air conditioner, and extending the life of the compressor 2.

[0040] When the system pressure difference is established after a short refrigeration cycle operation, the four-way valve 3 is opened; the outdoor throttle member 6 is controlled to close, and each cut-off member 5 is disconnected and maintained for a first time threshold; the closing of the outdoor throttle member 6 prevents the liquid refrigerant on the indoor side from entering the outdoor heat exchanger 9; the disconnection of each cut-off member 5 causes the compressor 2 to operate to first extract the refrigerant in the gas-liquid separator 10; then, each cut-off member 5 is connected in sequence with a time delay, so that the compressor 2 extracts the refrigerant in each heat exchange module 91 respectively, preventing too much liquid refrigerant from entering the gas-liquid separator 10, causing the small-volume gas-liquid separator 10 to be full of liquid and the compressor 2 to operate with liquid return; at this time, the gas-liquid separator 10 only needs to store the refrigerant amount of one heat exchange module 91, greatly reducing the internal volume of the gas-liquid separator 10, and further reducing the volume of the gas-liquid separator 10 and its occupied space on the outdoor side, making the pipeline layout on the outdoor side easier and more reasonable, improving the outdoor operation performance and reliability, reducing costs, and extending the life of the compressor 2.

[0041] The specific structure, control logic and principle of the air conditioner of the present invention will be described in detail below through specific embodiments.

[0042] In some specific embodiments, referring to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 , the outdoor side further includes an outdoor fan 4, which is connected to the control module 1 and controlled by the control module 1; the control module 1 is configured with a first operating frequency.

[0043] In the four-way valve closing stage S1, the compressor 2 is controlled to operate at an increasing frequency with the first operating frequency as the target frequency S11; the outdoor fan 4 stops operating S12; the outdoor throttle member 6 is fully opened S13; each cut-off member 5 is connected S14.

[0044] That is, in the four-way valve closing stage S1, the compressor 2 starts and increases its frequency evenly; the outdoor throttle member 6 is fully opened S13; each cut-off member 5 is connected S14; the air conditioner operates in a refrigeration cycle, and the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant first enters the outdoor heat exchanger 9 to remove the liquid refrigerant migrated to the outdoor heat exchanger 9 from the outdoor heat exchanger 9; at this time, the outdoor fan 4 stops S12, reducing condensation heat dissipation and reducing the heat loss of the refrigerant in a low-temperature environment.

[0045] When the four-way valve closing stage S1 ends, the operating frequency of the compressor 2 may reach the first operating frequency or may not reach the first operating frequency.

[0046] Of course, the full opening of the outdoor throttle member 6 S13, the connection of each cut-off member 5 S14, and the start of the compressor 2 S11 can be controlled and executed simultaneously, or can be executed in any order in sequence.

[0047] In some specific embodiments, referring toFigure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , the control module 1 is further configured with a second time threshold; and in the opening stage S2 of the four-way valve, the following controls are sequentially executed: S21. The outdoor throttle member 6 is closed; the outdoor fan 4 operates; each cut-off member 5 is disconnected and lasts for the first time threshold; the compressor 2 first extracts the refrigerant in the gas-liquid separator 10 to prevent the liquid refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 9 from entering the gas-liquid separator 10 and filling the gas-liquid separator 10, and prevent the compressor 2 from being damaged by liquid return during operation.

[0048] S22. Each cut-off member 5 and the outdoor throttle member 6 are sequentially connected or opened with a time delay, or some cut-off members 5, the outdoor throttle member 6, and the remaining cut-off members 5 are sequentially connected or opened with a time delay; the time interval of the time delay is the second time threshold.

[0049] That is, if there are two cut-off members 5 and the outdoor heat exchanger 9 includes two heat exchange modules 91; when each cut-off member 5 in step S21 is disconnected and lasts for the first time threshold, one of the cut-off members 5 is connected; after the second time threshold, the other cut-off member 5 is controlled to be connected; after another second time threshold, the outdoor throttle member 6 is controlled to open. If the number of cut-off members 5 is more than two; the outdoor heat exchanger 9 includes more than two heat exchange modules 91; when each cut-off member 5 in S21 is disconnected and lasts for the first time threshold, one of the cut-off members 5 is controlled to be connected; after the second time threshold, the other cut-off member 5 is controlled to be connected; after another second time threshold, the outdoor throttle member 6 is controlled to open; after another second time threshold, the third cut-off member 5 is controlled to be connected, and the above-mentioned time-delay control is repeated until all the cut-off members 5 are connected.

[0050] Each cut-off member 5 is sequentially connected with a time delay, so that after the compressor 2 extracts the refrigerant in the gas-liquid separator 10, it extracts the refrigerant in each heat exchange module 91 in sequence, preventing the liquid refrigerant in each heat exchange module 91 from entering the gas-liquid separator 10 simultaneously, causing the gas-liquid separator 10 to be full of liquid and the compressor 2 to return liquid during operation, and realizing reliable operation when the gas-liquid separator 10 has a small volume setting.

[0051] Of course, the durations of the first time threshold and the second time threshold both satisfy that no vacuum pumping occurs during the operation of the compressor 2.

[0052] In some specific embodiments, referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8, in step S22, when controlling the sequential connection of each cut-off member 5, when not all of the cut-off members 5 are connected, the compressor 2 is controlled to increase its frequency at a first operating frequency as the target frequency; that is, when the cut-off members 5 are sequentially connected but not all connected during the stage from the closing of the four-way valve 3 to the opening of the four-way valve 3 by the compressor 2, the compressor 2 uniformly increases its frequency to the first operating frequency; if the frequency of the compressor 2 reaches the first operating frequency before all of the cut-off members 5 are connected, the compressor 2 operates at the first operating frequency until all of the cut-off members 5 are connected.

[0053] After all of the cut-off members 5 are connected, the frequency control of the compressor 2 operates at the target frequency based on the frequency value controlled by the compressor 2 after the start of the air conditioner system. The controlled frequency value of the compressor 2 after the start of the air conditioner system is obtained based on the indoor unit's startup capacity, the displacement of the compressor 2, etc.

[0054] In some specific embodiments, referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 , the outdoor side further includes a pressure detection member 8, which is connected to the control module 1; the control module 1 is configured with a first opening degree, and is configured to control the outdoor throttle member 6 to open at the first opening degree in step S22, obtain a pressure parameter from the pressure detection member 8, and determine whether the low-pressure of the system is too low based on the pressure parameter; if the low-pressure of the system is too low, control the outdoor throttle member 6 to increase its opening degree step by step. If the low-pressure of the system does not appear too low, control the outdoor throttle member 6 to remain open at the first opening degree.

[0055] Specifically, the pressure detection member 8 can be a low-pressure switch. When the pressure of the air conditioner system is too low, the low-pressure switch trips, and the control module 1 receives the switch signal of the pressure detection member 8 tripping; when the control module 1 receives the switch signal of the pressure detection member 8 tripping, control the outdoor throttle member 6 to increase its opening degree step by step until the low-pressure meets the requirements.

[0056] When the pressure detection member 8 is a pressure detection sensor, the control module 1 is configured with a first low-pressure limit value and a second low-pressure limit value, and the first low-pressure limit value is less than the second low-pressure limit value; the control module 1 obtains the pressure parameter, compares it with the first low-pressure limit value, if it is lower than the first low-pressure limit value, then control the outdoor throttle member 6 to increase its opening degree step by step, and the control module 1 continuously obtains the pressure parameter, compares the obtained pressure parameter with the second low-pressure limit value, and when the pressure parameter is higher than the second low-pressure limit value, stop increasing the opening degree step by step and maintain the existing opening degree.

[0057] In some specific embodiments, referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 ,Figure 6 The control module 1 is configured with a third time threshold and is configured to compare the outdoor ambient temperature with the first ambient temperature threshold and compare the shutdown duration with the third time threshold when starting up after shutdown in the heating mode.

[0058] Specifically, compare the outdoor ambient temperature with the first ambient temperature threshold. If the outdoor ambient temperature reaches or is less than the first ambient temperature threshold; that is, if the outdoor ambient temperature is not greater than the first ambient temperature threshold, then compare the shutdown duration with the third time threshold; if the outdoor ambient temperature is greater than the first time temperature threshold, then start up normally.

[0059] When comparing the shutdown duration with the third time threshold, if the shutdown duration reaches or is greater than the third time threshold, it is considered that there is sufficient refrigerant in the air conditioner system migrated to the outdoor heat exchanger 9, and the air conditioner system controls the start-up in the stage of opening the four-way valve 3 to prevent a large amount of refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 9 from entering the gas-liquid separator 10 and causing liquid return when the compressor 2 operates. That is, the following controls are executed in sequence: S21: Close the outdoor throttle member 6; the outdoor fan 4 operates, and each cut-off member 5 is disconnected and lasts for the first time threshold; the compressor 2 first extracts the refrigerant in the gas-liquid separator 10 to prevent the liquid refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 9 from entering the gas-liquid separator 10 and filling the gas-liquid separator 10, and prevent liquid return damage during the operation of the compressor 2.

[0060] S22: Connect or open each cut-off member 5 and the outdoor throttle member 6 in sequence with a time delay, or connect or open multiple cut-off members 5, the outdoor throttle member 6, and multiple cut-off members 5 in sequence with a time delay; the time interval between delays is the second time threshold.

[0061] When comparing the shutdown duration with the third time threshold, if the shutdown duration reaches or is less than the third time threshold, it is considered that not too much refrigerant has migrated to the outdoor heat exchanger 9, then control the outdoor throttle member 6 to close, the outdoor fan 4 operates, and each cut-off member 5 is disconnected for the first time threshold and then all opened. That is, when the shutdown duration is less than or equal to or less than the third time threshold, control the outdoor throttle member 6 to close, the outdoor fan 4 operates, and each cut-off member 5 is disconnected for the first time threshold and then all opened.

[0062] In some specific embodiments, referring to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 8 When starting up in the heating mode in a low-temperature environment, the control module 1 controls the outdoor fan 4 to operate at the highest speed set by the device, so that the liquid refrigerant exchanges heat with the highest efficiency in the outdoor heat exchanger 9 during the heating cycle, so that the liquid refrigerant is fully evaporated, reducing the amount of liquid refrigerant in the gas-liquid separator 10 and meeting the low-temperature refrigeration heat exchange requirements.

[0063] That is, when the heating mode is started in a low-temperature environment, the outdoor fan 4 is controlled to operate at its set maximum speed.

[0064] In some specific embodiments, referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 9 , the control module 1 is further configured with a fourth time threshold, and is configured to control all the cut-off members 5 to be connected when the air conditioner stops operating, and all to be disconnected after continuing for the fourth time threshold.

[0065] That is, the shutdown of the air conditioner includes temperature-controlled shutdown and power-off shutdown; when shutdown occurs, the compressor 2 stops running, controls all the cut-off members 5 to be connected, and all the indoor throttling members and the outdoor throttling member 6 to be opened, so that the refrigerant in the air conditioner system runs according to the pressure difference to achieve the purpose of equalizing pressure; after the pressure equalization is completed, controls the indoor throttling members and the outdoor throttling member 6 to be closed, and all the cut-off members 5 to be disconnected, to prevent the refrigerant from leaking into the outdoor heat exchanger 9 through the outdoor throttling member 6 and then migrating to the gas-liquid separator 10, and to prevent the small-volume gas-liquid separator 10 from being full of liquid refrigerant and overflowing, causing liquid refrigerant return damage to the compressor 2 during startup.

[0066] In some specific embodiments, referring to Figure 1 , the internal volume of each heat exchange module 91 is not greater than the internal volume of the gas-liquid separator 10, so that when a single cut-off member 5 is connected, the liquid refrigerant in the corresponding heat exchange module 91 cannot fill the gas-liquid separator 10 when migrating to the gas-liquid separator 10, realizing that there is no liquid refrigerant return when the compressor 2 starts under the design of the small-volume gas-liquid separator 10 of the present invention and the above control, and ensuring the reliability of the compressor 2 startup.

[0067] In some specific embodiments, referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 10 , the control module 1 is further configured with a second ambient temperature threshold and an indoor unit startup ratio threshold, and is configured to, when operating in the cooling mode, obtain the outdoor ambient temperature, and compare the outdoor ambient temperature with the second ambient temperature threshold and the indoor unit startup ratio with the indoor unit startup ratio threshold.

[0068] If the outdoor ambient temperature does not exceed the second ambient temperature threshold and the indoor unit startup ratio does not exceed the indoor unit startup ratio threshold, then control one of the cut-off members 5 to be connected, the remaining cut-off members 5 to be disconnected, and the outdoor throttling member 6 to be fully opened, so that one of the heat exchange modules 91 of the outdoor heat exchanger 9 is connected in the air conditioner system, reducing the heat dissipation, thereby reducing the cold quantity carried by the refrigerant on the indoor side, preventing the system from entering the anti-freezing protection during low-temperature cooling, and improving the reliability of the operation of the air conditioner system.

[0069] If the outdoor ambient temperature reaches or exceeds the second ambient temperature threshold or the indoor unit startup ratio reaches or exceeds the indoor unit startup ratio threshold, control all the cut-off members 5 to be fully connected.

[0070] And when it is determined that the outdoor ambient temperature does not exceed, i.e., is equal to or less than, the second ambient temperature threshold, the air-conditioning module repeatedly compares the indoor unit startup ratio with the indoor unit startup ratio threshold; if the indoor unit startup ratio does not exceed, i.e., is equal to or less than, the indoor unit startup ratio threshold, then control one of the cut-off members 5 to be connected and the remaining cut-off members 5 to be disconnected; if the indoor unit startup ratio exceeds the indoor unit startup ratio threshold, then control all the cut-off members 5 to be connected.

[0071] The outdoor ambient temperature being equal to the second ambient temperature threshold can be classified as a low-temperature refrigeration ambient temperature or a non-low-temperature refrigeration ambient temperature; when the indoor unit startup ratio is equal to the indoor unit startup ratio threshold, it can be classified as controlling one of the cut-off members 5 to be connected and the rest to be disconnected, or it can also be classified as controlling all the cut-off members 5 to be connected.

[0072] In some specific embodiments, the outdoor throttling member 6 is an electronic expansion valve; the cut-off member 5 is a solenoid valve or other components that can automatically control opening and closing and have no internal leakage.

[0073] In the description of the above embodiments, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0074] The above is only the specific implementation manner of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention should be covered by the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, characterized in that, It includes an outdoor unit, which includes a gas-liquid separator, an outdoor heat exchanger, a control module, and a compressor, a four-way valve, a plurality of cut-off members, an outdoor throttling member, and a temperature detection member connected to the control module; The four-way valve includes a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port; the outdoor heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange modules; each of the heat exchange modules has an independent refrigerant pipeline, one end of which is respectively connected to the outdoor throttling member, and the other end is respectively connected to the first port through each of the cut-off members; the second port and the third port are respectively connected to the exhaust port of the compressor and the gas-liquid separator; The control module is configured with a first ambient temperature threshold and a first time threshold, and is configured to obtain the outdoor ambient temperature from the temperature detection member when the heating mode is turned on, compare the outdoor ambient temperature with the first ambient temperature threshold, and if the outdoor ambient temperature is not higher than the first ambient temperature threshold, then control the start according to the four-way valve closing stage and the four-way valve opening stage; In the four-way valve closing stage, the outdoor throttling member is opened and each of the cut-off members is connected; in the four-way valve opening stage, the outdoor throttling member is closed, each of the cut-off members is disconnected, and after continuing for the first time threshold, they are sequentially connected or opened individually in the order of some or all of the cut-off members and the outdoor throttling member.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, The outdoor side further includes an outdoor fan, which is connected to the control module and is controlled by the control module; the control module is configured with a first operating frequency; In the four-way valve closing stage, the compressor runs at an increasing frequency with the first operating frequency as the target frequency; the outdoor fan is turned off; The outdoor throttling member is fully opened; Each of the cut-off members is connected.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein The control module is further configured with a second time threshold; in the four-way valve opening stage, the following controls are sequentially executed: S21. The outdoor throttling member is closed, the outdoor fan runs, and each of the cut-off members is disconnected and continues for the first time threshold; S22. Each of the cut-off members, the outdoor throttling member, or some of the cut-off members, the outdoor throttling member, and the remaining cut-off members are sequentially connected or opened individually with a time delay; the time interval of the time delay is the second time threshold.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, In step S22, when not all of the cut-off members are connected; the compressor runs at an increasing frequency with the first operating frequency as the target frequency; when all of the cut-off members are connected, the compressor is controlled to run with the frequency value obtained according to the system parameters as the target frequency.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, The outdoor side further includes a pressure detection member, which is connected to the control module; the control module obtains pressure parameters from the pressure detection member and is configured with a first opening degree; in step S22, the outdoor throttling member is controlled to open with the first opening degree, and it is determined whether the system low-pressure is too low according to the pressure parameters; If the system low-pressure is too low, the opening degree of the outdoor throttling member is controlled to increase step by step.

6. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The control module is configured with a third time threshold, and is configured to compare the outdoor ambient temperature with the first ambient temperature threshold and compare the shutdown time with the third time threshold when starting up after shutdown in the heating mode; If the outdoor ambient temperature reaches or is less than the first ambient temperature threshold and the shutdown time reaches or exceeds the third time threshold, start with the four-way valve opening stage control; If the outdoor ambient temperature reaches or is less than the first ambient temperature threshold and the shutdown time reaches or is less than the third time threshold, the outdoor throttle component is closed, the outdoor fan runs, and each of the cut-off components is closed and then all opened after the first time threshold; 7. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that When the outdoor fan is controlled to run during the start of the heating mode or the start of the heating mode shutdown state, the control module controls the outdoor fan to run at its set maximum speed; 8. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The control module is further configured with a fourth time threshold and is configured to control all of the cut-off components to be connected when shutting down and then all disconnected after the fourth time threshold; 9. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The internal volume of the heat exchanger module is not greater than the internal volume of the gas-liquid separator; 10. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The control module is configured with a second ambient temperature threshold and an indoor unit startup ratio threshold, and is configured to, when operating in the cooling mode, obtain the outdoor ambient temperature, compare the outdoor ambient temperature with the second ambient temperature threshold and the indoor unit startup ratio with the indoor unit startup ratio threshold; if the outdoor ambient temperature does not exceed the second ambient temperature threshold and the indoor unit startup ratio does not exceed the indoor unit startup ratio threshold, then control one of the cut-off components to be connected, the remaining cut-off components to be disconnected, and the outdoor throttle component to be fully opened.

Images