Air conditioner and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to an air conditioner and a control method thereof, relates to the technical field of air conditioning equipment, and solves the problem that the air conditioner has different requirements on refrigerant quantity under different operation conditions. The air conditioner comprises a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a throttler and a second heat exchanger which are sequentially connected, the air conditioner further comprises a liquid storage device, a refrigerant flow path between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger is communicated with the liquid storage device, and the liquid storage device is configured to be of a structure with the adjustable internal volume and used for adjusting the refrigerant amount in the refrigerant flow path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of air conditioning equipment technology, and in particular to an air conditioner and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] In traditional heat pump air conditioning systems, the refrigerant circulation volume is a fixed value. Even with structures such as liquid receivers or gas-liquid separators, the overall volume of the refrigerant circulation loop, liquid receiver, and gas-liquid separator remains constant, keeping the refrigerant circulation volume stable. However, during actual operation, the amount of refrigerant in the circulation loop can be too much or too little due to temperature and pressure variations, such as excessively high or low ambient temperatures. This can affect operating conditions and heat exchange efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides an air conditioner and its control method, as well as a solution to the problem that the air conditioner has different refrigerant requirements under different operating conditions.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an air conditioner, including a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a throttle valve, and a second heat exchanger connected in sequence. The air conditioner also includes a liquid receiver. The refrigerant flow path between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger is connected to the liquid receiver. The liquid receiver is configured with an adjustable internal volume to adjust the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path.

[0005] In some embodiments, the reservoir includes a first tank, a second tank, and a drive element. The first and second tanks are movably connected to form a receiving cavity, and a refrigerant flow path between the first and second heat exchangers is connected to the receiving cavity. The drive element is driven to either the first or second tank to move the first tank relative to the second tank in a first direction, thereby adjusting the volume of the receiving cavity.

[0006] In some embodiments, the reservoir includes a connecting pipe, a second tank disposed within the first tank, a receiving cavity on one side of the second tank along a first direction, one end of the connecting pipe being located within the receiving cavity, and the other end of the connecting pipe being inserted into and located outside the first tank. A driving component is located outside the first tank and connected to the first tank to drive the first tank to reciprocate in the first direction.

[0007] In some embodiments, within the first tank, the second tank is a cap structure or a piston structure, and the second tank is spirally connected to the first tank.

[0008] In some embodiments, the connecting pipe extends through the second tank and is fitted to the second tank via a spline structure.

[0009] In some implementations, the first tank is a sealed structure.

[0010] In some embodiments, the driving component includes a drive motor and a drive gear, the drive motor and the drive gear being connected in a transmission connection, and the outer side of the first tank body is provided with a toothed portion along the circumferential direction that meshes with the drive gear, so that the drive motor drives the first tank body to rotate.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first tank body includes a tank shell and a piston component, one end of the tank shell has an opening and is sealed to the piston component, and a connecting pipe is inserted and fixed inside the piston component.

[0012] In some embodiments, the air conditioner includes a control module, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, and a third temperature sensor. The control module is electrically connected to a drive unit and is used to adjust the volume of the receiving cavity. The first temperature sensor is located at a first heat exchanger and is electrically connected to the control module, and is used to detect the return air temperature of the first heat exchanger, which is an outdoor heat exchanger. The second temperature sensor is located on the return air side of the compressor and is used to detect the return air temperature. The third temperature sensor is located on the discharge side of the compressor and is used to detect the discharge temperature.

[0013] In a second aspect, embodiments of this application provide a control method for an air conditioner, used to control the air conditioner in the first aspect, the control method comprising: Control the start-up of the air conditioner.

[0014] Obtain the return air temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0015] The volume of the liquid receiver is controlled and adjusted according to the return air temperature, preset parameters, and operating mode.

[0016] The preset parameters include the preset correspondence between the liquid reservoir volume, return air temperature, and operating mode.

[0017] In some implementations, after adjusting the volume of the liquid receiver based on the return air temperature, preset parameters, and operating mode, the control method includes: The operating status of the balanced air conditioner is controlled based on the current volume of the liquid receiver.

[0018] After the first preset time, the compressor's intake superheat and exhaust temperature are obtained.

[0019] Determine whether the intake superheat is within the first preset range and whether the exhaust temperature is within the second preset range.

[0020] If the intake superheat is within the first preset range and the exhaust temperature is within the second preset range, maintain the current operating mode.

[0021] If the intake superheat is not within the first preset range and the exhaust temperature is not within the second preset range, determine whether the intake superheat is higher than the first preset range and whether the exhaust temperature is higher than the second preset range.

[0022] If the intake superheat is higher than the first preset range and the exhaust temperature is higher than the second preset range, the volume of the reservoir will be reduced.

[0023] If the intake superheat is lower than the first preset range and the exhaust temperature is lower than the second preset range, determine whether the return air temperature is greater than the ambient temperature corresponding to the maximum refrigerant charge.

[0024] If the return air temperature is higher than the ambient temperature corresponding to the maximum refrigerant charge, the volume of the liquid receiver should be increased.

[0025] If the return air temperature is less than or equal to the ambient temperature corresponding to the maximum refrigerant charge, control the reduction of the throttle opening or increase the airflow at the evaporator.

[0026] Thirdly, this application provides a control device for an air conditioner, including at least one communication interface, at least one bus connected to the at least one communication interface, at least one processor connected to the at least one bus, and at least one memory connected to the at least one bus. The processor is configured to execute the control method for the air conditioner described in the second aspect.

[0027] Fourthly, this application also provides a computer storage medium storing computer-executable instructions for executing the air conditioner control method of the second aspect of this application.

[0028] The technical solutions provided in this application have the following advantages compared with the prior art: The receiver is designed with an adjustable internal volume. This allows for effective adjustment of the total amount of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant flow path by changing the receiver's internal volume, thereby controlling the refrigerant flow rate. Refrigerant flow rate refers to the mass or volume of refrigerant flowing through a specific section of the air conditioning system per unit time; its magnitude directly affects the system's cooling or heating capacity. When the receiver volume increases, more refrigerant is stored within it, reducing the amount of refrigerant in the circulation loop. Conversely, when the receiver volume decreases, the stored refrigerant is released into the circulation loop, increasing the amount of refrigerant. This adjustability allows the air conditioner to dynamically optimize the refrigerant circulation volume according to different operating conditions to achieve optimal operation.

[0029] By configuring the receiver with an adjustable internal volume, this air conditioner can dynamically adjust the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path according to actual operating conditions. This effectively avoids the risk of liquid slugging caused by excessive refrigerant in traditional fixed-refrigerant systems during low-temperature heating, as well as excessive suction pressure and oil leakage caused by excessive refrigerant during high-temperature cooling. This improves the compressor's operational reliability and optimizes the air conditioner's energy efficiency under different environmental conditions. Attached Figure Description The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference numerals in the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit for a first type of air conditioner provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit for a second type of air conditioner provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between ambient temperature, room load, unit capacity, and refrigerant quantity for embodiments of this application; Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the first structure of the liquid reservoir shown; Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a second structure for the liquid reservoir shown in the figure; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the electrical connections of the air conditioner in an embodiment of this application; Figure 7 A flowchart of a control method for an air conditioner provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a control device for an air conditioner provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 100. Air conditioner; 10. Compressor; 20. First heat exchanger; 30. Throttling device; 40. Second heat exchanger; 50. Liquid receiver; 51. First tank; 511. Tank shell; 512. Piston; 513. Gear; 52. Second tank; 53. Drive unit; 531. Drive motor; 532. Drive gear; 54. Receiving cavity; 55. Connecting pipe; 61. Control module; 611. Processor; 612. Communication interface; 613. Memory; 614. Communication bus; 62. First temperature sensor; 63. Second temperature sensor; 64. Third temperature sensor; 70. Four-way valve; 71. First port; 72. Second port; 73. Third port; 74. Fourth port; 80. Fan. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0035] The following disclosure provides numerous different embodiments or examples for implementing various structures of this application. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. These are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples. Such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed.

[0036] For ease of description, spatial relative terms may be used in the text to describe the relative position or movement of one element or feature relative to another element or feature, as shown in the figure. These relative terms include, for example, "inside," "outside," "middle," "outer," "below," "below," "above," "front," "back," etc. Such spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation, other than those depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure undergoes a positional flip, orientation change, or change of motion, these directional indications will change accordingly. For instance, an element described as "below other elements or features" or "below other elements or features" will subsequently be oriented "above other elements or features" or "above other elements or features." Therefore, the example term "below" can include both upper and lower orientations. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or in other directions), and the spatial relative descriptors used in the text will be interpreted accordingly.

[0037] In traditional heat pump air conditioning systems, the refrigerant circulation volume is a fixed value. Even with structures such as liquid receivers or gas-liquid separators, the overall volume of the refrigerant circulation loop, liquid receiver, and gas-liquid separator remains constant, keeping the refrigerant circulation volume stable. However, during actual operation, the influence of temperature and pressure, such as excessively high or low ambient temperatures, can lead to excessive or insufficient refrigerant flow in the circulation loop, thus affecting operating conditions and heat exchange efficiency.

[0038] Please see Figures 1 to 8 This application provides an air conditioner and its control method, and addresses the problem that the air conditioner has different refrigerant requirements under different operating conditions.

[0039] Firstly, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this application embodiment provides an air conditioner 100, including a compressor 10, a first heat exchanger 20, a throttle valve 30 and a second heat exchanger 40 connected in sequence. The air conditioner 100 also includes a liquid receiver 50. The refrigerant flow path between the first heat exchanger 20 and the second heat exchanger 40 is connected to the liquid receiver 50. The liquid receiver 50 is configured with an adjustable internal volume to adjust the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path.

[0040] In this system, compressor 10 is responsible for increasing the refrigerant pressure, first heat exchanger 20 and second heat exchanger 40 serve as condenser and evaporator (or vice versa), respectively, and expansion valve 30 is used to reduce the refrigerant pressure. This allows the refrigerant to circulate among compressor 10, first heat exchanger 20, expansion valve 30 and second heat exchanger 40, thereby achieving efficient heat transfer and resulting in high heating or cooling efficiency.

[0041] A receiver 50 is disposed in the refrigerant flow path and connected to the refrigerant flow path between the first heat exchanger 20 and the second heat exchanger 40. The receiver 50 can be connected between the condenser outlet and the expansion joint 30 inlet, or between the evaporator inlet and the expansion joint 30 outlet, to ensure its effective participation in the refrigerant storage and release process. In air conditioning systems, the receiver 50 is typically used to store excess liquid refrigerant to cope with system load changes or refrigerant quantity fluctuations.

[0042] The receiver 50 is configured with an adjustable internal volume. By adjusting the internal volume of the receiver 50, the total amount of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant flow path can be effectively adjusted, thereby controlling the refrigerant flow rate. Refrigerant flow rate refers to the mass or volume of refrigerant flowing through a certain cross-section of the air conditioning system per unit time; its magnitude directly affects the system's cooling or heating capacity. When the volume of the receiver 50 increases, more refrigerant is stored in the receiver 50, reducing the amount of refrigerant in the circulation loop. Conversely, when the volume of the receiver 50 decreases, the stored refrigerant is released into the circulation loop, increasing the amount of refrigerant. This adjustability allows the air conditioner 100 to dynamically optimize the refrigerant circulation volume according to different operating conditions to achieve optimal operating performance.

[0043] By configuring the liquid receiver 50 with an adjustable internal volume, the air conditioner 100 can dynamically adjust the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path (i.e., the circulation loop) according to actual operating conditions. This effectively avoids the risk of liquid slugging caused by excessive refrigerant in traditional fixed refrigerant systems during low-temperature heating, as well as excessive suction pressure and oil leakage caused by excessive refrigerant during high-temperature cooling. This improves the operational reliability of the compressor 10 and optimizes the energy efficiency of the air conditioner 100 under different environmental conditions. In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the liquid reservoir 50 includes a first tank 51, a second tank 52, and a drive unit 53. The first tank 51 and the second tank 52 are movably connected to form a receiving cavity 54, and the first heat exchanger 20 (see reference) Figure 2 The refrigerant flow path between the first tank 51 and the second heat exchanger 40 is connected to the receiving cavity 54. The drive unit 53 is drivenly connected to the first tank 51 or the second tank 52 to move the first tank 51 relative to the second tank 52 in a first direction (i.e., axial direction) to adjust the volume of the receiving cavity 54.

[0044] The first tank 51 is a major structural component of the reservoir 50, forming the outer shell or part of the reservoir 50, and works in conjunction with the second tank 52 to form a variable-volume receiving cavity 54. For example, the first tank 51 can be a cylindrical structure with an opening, or a movable piston assembly. The second tank 52 is another structural component movably connected to the first tank 51. By arranging the second tank 52 to move axially or rotate helically relative to the first tank 51, the volume of the receiving cavity 54 formed between them can be changed.

[0045] The second tank 52 can be an inner cylinder, a piston (corresponding to the outer cylinder of the first tank 51), or a movable end cap (corresponding to the outer cylinder of the first tank 51), designed to ensure a sealed connection with the first tank 51 while allowing relative movement. The receiving cavity 54 is the internal space formed by the movable connection of the first tank 51 and the second tank 52, used to hold the refrigerant. By connecting the refrigerant flow path between the first heat exchanger 20 and the second heat exchanger 40 to the receiving cavity 54, the receiver 50 can absorb or release refrigerant as needed to regulate the refrigerant flow rate in the refrigerant flow path. The volume change of the receiving cavity 54 directly determines the amount of refrigerant that the receiver 50 can hold.

[0046] For example, when the volume of the receiving cavity 54 is increased by adjusting the drive member 53, the receiving cavity 54 has a negative pressure relative to the refrigerant flow path, so that more refrigerant flows into and is stored in the receiving cavity 54, thereby reducing the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path. When the volume of the receiving cavity 54 is decreased by adjusting the drive member 53, the receiving cavity 54 has a positive pressure relative to the refrigerant flow path, so that more refrigerant flows from the receiving cavity 54 into the refrigerant flow path, thereby increasing the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path.

[0047] The drive element 53 is a mechanism for moving the first tank 51 relative to the second tank 52 along a first direction. The drive element 53 is driven by either the first tank 51 or the second tank 52 to provide the necessary power and control, thereby precisely adjusting the volume of the receiving cavity 54. The drive element 53 can take various forms, such as being driven by an electric motor via a lead screw and nut mechanism, or it can be a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator, or its motion can be converted through a motor, gear, and rack mechanism. Its core function is to provide stable and controllable displacement in response to the system's need for refrigerant quantity adjustment.

[0048] By movably connecting the first tank 51 and the second tank 52, a volume-adjustable receiving cavity 54 is formed. Based on this, the driving component 53 can drive one of the tanks to move relative to the other along a first direction, thereby achieving precise adjustment of the internal volume of the liquid receiver 50 and flexibly controlling the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path. Thus, by stably and accurately adjusting the volume of the receiving cavity 54, the air conditioner 100 can more flexibly adapt to different operating conditions and ambient temperature changes, thereby optimizing the system's cooling or heating efficiency and extending the equipment's service life.

[0049] It should be noted that, taking the movement of the first tank 51 driven by the drive component 53 as an example, the drive component 53 can drive the first tank 51 to move linearly in the first direction, thereby adjusting the volume of the receiving cavity 54. Alternatively, the drive component 53 can also drive the first tank 51 to rotate circumferentially, so that the rotating first tank 51 moves relative to the second tank 52 in the first direction through a threaded adapter structure, which can also adjust the volume of the receiving cavity 54. Moreover, this method amplifies the adjustment stroke and has higher adjustment accuracy.

[0050] Continue to refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The reservoir 50 includes a connecting pipe 55. A second tank 52 is disposed inside the first tank 51. One side of the second tank 52 along the first direction (i.e., the axial direction) (such as the upper side) is a receiving cavity 54. One end of the connecting pipe 55 is located inside the receiving cavity 54, and the other end of the connecting pipe 55 is inserted into the first tank 51 and located outside the first tank 51. A driving member 53 is located outside the first tank 51 and connected to the first tank 51 to drive the first tank 51 to reciprocate in the first direction.

[0051] The connecting pipe 55 is used to establish fluid communication between the receiving cavity 54 inside the receiver 50 and the external refrigerant flow path. One end of the connecting pipe 55 extends into the receiving cavity 54 to ensure that the refrigerant can effectively enter and exit the variable volume space. The other end of the connecting pipe 55 is inserted into the first tank 51 and extends to the outside of the first tank 51, thereby facilitating connection and conduction with the refrigerant flow path of the air conditioner 100. The connecting pipe 55 is typically made of a corrosion-resistant, pressure-resistant, and low-temperature-resistant metal pipe, such as a copper pipe or a stainless steel pipe.

[0052] To accommodate the relative movement between the tanks, the connecting pipe 55 can be designed to have a certain degree of flexibility, or the connection can be achieved through a sliding sealing structure. Alternatively, the first tank 51 can be arranged to translate or rotate, while the connecting pipe 55 remains relatively stationary; there are no limitations on this.

[0053] This nested structural design makes the reservoir 50 more compact, effectively reducing the installation space. The second tank 52 moves along the first direction inside the first tank 51, thereby changing the volume of the receiving cavity 54 formed between them. This arrangement can take various forms; for example, the second tank 52 can slide inside the first tank 51 as a piston, or rotate inside the first tank 51 via a threaded connection to achieve axial movement.

[0054] Through the above technical solution, the second tank 52 is set inside the first tank 51, forming a compact nested structure, which effectively reduces the overall volume of the liquid receiver 50 and facilitates integrated installation inside the air conditioner 100. One end of the connecting pipe 55 is located inside the receiving cavity 54, and the other end is located outside the first tank 51. This design cleverly solves the problem of reliable connection between the receiving cavity 54 and the external refrigerant flow path when the tanks move relative to each other, ensuring that the refrigerant can smoothly enter and exit the adjustable volume space. At the same time, the driving component 53 is located outside the first tank 51 and directly drives the first tank 51 to reciprocate in the first direction, simplifying the complexity of the driving mechanism, improving the stability and reliability of the drive, and avoiding corrosion or sealing problems that may be caused by direct contact between the driving component and the refrigerant. This structure makes the volume adjustment of the liquid receiver 50 more precise and efficient, thereby enabling more accurate control of the refrigerant quantity and optimizing the operating performance of the air conditioner 100. It should be emphasized that in this application, the driving component 53 is located on the outside of the first tank 51, and the receiving cavity 54 is located on the inside of the first tank 51. This external driving component 53 facilitates the assembly, disassembly, and maintenance of the driving components. Furthermore, since the external driving component 53 does not need to directly contact the cooling medium, there is no need to further enhance its low-temperature resistance and corrosion resistance, which helps improve the overall stability and service life of the structure and reduces production costs.

[0055] The air conditioner 100 adjusts the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path through an adjustable internal structure of the receiver 50. The receiver 50 includes a first tank 51 and a second tank 52 that are movably connected. A drive member 53 moves the first tank 51 relative to the second tank 52 along a first direction to adjust the volume of the receiving cavity 54. However, if a simple sliding or plug-in method is used to achieve the movable connection between the first tank 51 and the second tank 52, there may be problems such as insufficient tightness of the connection, inadequate sealing, or limited adjustment accuracy. This is especially true in refrigerant systems that need to withstand a certain pressure, which may affect the reliability and stability of the volume adjustment of the receiver 50.

[0056] In this regard, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, inside the first tank 51, the second tank 52 is designed as a cap structure or a piston structure, and the second tank 52 is spirally connected to the first tank 51.

[0057] The second tank 52 acts as a cap or piston structure, sealing the internal space of the first tank 51 and forming a receiving cavity 54 together with the first tank 51. This ensures the sealing of the receiving cavity 54, prevents refrigerant leakage, and provides a structural basis for the subsequent spiral connection. The inner wall of the first tank 51 is machined with internal threads, while the outer edge of the second tank 52 is machined with external threads that match the internal threads, thus achieving a spiral connection between the second tank 52 and the first tank 51. When the driving component 53 rotates the first tank 51, the second tank 52 can be kept relatively fixed through the connecting pipe 55. Due to the threaded engagement, the first tank 51 rotates relative to the second tank 52 and moves up and down axially, thereby adjusting the volume of the receiving cavity 54. To further ensure sealing, a sealing ring, such as an O-ring or a gasket, can be installed at the threaded connection.

[0058] Thus, designing the second tank 52 as a cap structure and spirally connecting it to the first tank 51 effectively solves the problems of insufficient sealing and low adjustment precision that may exist in traditional simple sliding or plug-in connections. The spiral connection provides a tight and stable mechanical fit, ensuring that the receiving cavity 54 maintains good sealing performance under high-pressure conditions in the refrigerant system, preventing refrigerant leakage. In addition, the fine pitch of the thread allows the movement distance of the first tank 51 relative to the second tank 52 to be precisely controlled by the rotation angle, thereby achieving fine and continuous adjustment of the volume of the receiver 50. This precise volume adjustment capability allows the air conditioner 100 to more accurately match the refrigerant requirements under different operating conditions, optimizing system operating efficiency and cooling / heating effects. At the same time, the self-locking characteristic of the spiral connection also enhances the stability after volume adjustment, avoiding accidental displacement caused by vibration or pressure fluctuations, further improving the reliability of the air conditioner 100. In some embodiments, the connecting pipe 55 extends through the second tank 52, and the connecting pipe 55 and the second tank 52 are fitted together by a spline structure. This allows the connecting pipe 55 and the second tank 52 to remain relatively stationary in the circumferential direction, while the spline-fitted components can slide and interlock axially to adjust the axial fitting height between the second tank 52 and the connecting pipe 55.

[0059] For example, the connecting pipe 55 passes through a channel or hole inside the second tank 52, thereby connecting the receiving cavity 54 to the external refrigerant flow path, ensuring that the refrigerant can smoothly enter and exit the receiving cavity 54 when the second tank 52 moves. To coordinate the rotation and axial movement of the second tank 52 under the action of the helical connection, a spline structure is used for insertion and adaptation between the connecting pipe 55 and the second tank 52. The spline structure is a mechanical connection method that uses the protrusions on the connecting pipe 55 to the grooves (or vice versa) inside the second tank 52 for axial insertion and adaptation, preventing the second tank 52 from rotating around the connecting pipe 55 but allowing the two to slide axially, while the connecting pipe 55 itself can remain relatively fixed.

[0060] Through the above technical solution, the connecting pipe 55 is installed through the second tank 52, and the connecting pipe 55 and the second tank 52 are fitted together by a spline structure. This effectively solves the problem of coordination between the relative movement of the connecting pipe 55 and the second tank 52 during the spiral movement and rotation of the second tank 52. The spline structure prevents the second tank 52 from rotating and allows it to move axially relative to the connecting pipe 55. At the same time, the tight fit provided by the spline structure helps maintain the seal between the connecting pipe 55 and the second tank 52, preventing refrigerant leakage, ensuring the smoothness and reliability of the volume adjustment of the receiver 50, and thus ensuring the precise control of the refrigerant circulation volume of the air conditioner 100. For example, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the driving component 53 includes a drive motor 531 and a drive gear 532. The drive motor 531 is an actuator that provides rotational power; it can be a stepper motor, DC motor, or servo motor, etc., and can output precise speed and angle according to control signals, thereby achieving precise control of the rotational motion of the first tank 51. The drive gear 532 is connected to the drive motor 531 through a transmission mechanism, for example, by being directly fixed to the motor output shaft or by a reduction gear, and is used to transmit the rotational power of the drive motor 531.

[0061] The outer side of the first tank 51 is circumferentially provided with teeth that mesh with the drive gear 532. These teeth can be spur teeth, helical teeth, or worm teeth, and their design should ensure a stable and reliable meshing transmission relationship with the drive gear 532 to avoid slippage that would affect the adjustment accuracy. The drive gear 532 meshes with the teeth on the outer side of the first tank 51, forming a gear transmission pair. Through this meshing transmission, the rotational torque generated by the drive motor 531 can be effectively transmitted to the first tank 51, thereby driving the first tank 51 to rotate.

[0062] By configuring a drive motor 531 and a drive gear 532 for transmission, and by providing circumferential teeth on the outer side of the first tank 51 that mesh with the drive gear 532, the drive motor 531 can precisely drive the first tank 51 to rotate via gear transmission. Since the first tank 51 and the second tank 52 are connected by a helical connection, the rotational motion of the first tank 51 can be stably converted into axial movement of the first tank 51 relative to the second tank 52, thereby achieving precise and controllable adjustment of the volume of the receiving cavity 54. This mechanical transmission method has the advantages of compact structure, high transmission efficiency, and accurate positioning, effectively solving the problems of unstable drive or insufficient precision during volume adjustment, ensuring precise control of the refrigerant quantity, and thus optimizing the operating performance of the air conditioner 100 under different operating conditions. The reservoir 50 structure consists of a first tank 51 and a second tank 52 that are movably connected to form a receiving cavity 54, and a drive member 53 that adjusts the volume of the receiving cavity 54. One end of the connecting pipe 55 is located inside the receiving cavity 54, and the other end is connected to the first tank 51 and located outside the first tank 51. However, ensuring reliable communication between the connecting pipe 55 and the receiving cavity 54 during the movement of the first tank 51, while maintaining good sealing performance and ensuring the stability and durability of the entire reservoir 50 structure, is a technical problem that needs to be solved.

[0063] For example, such as Figure 5 As shown, the first tank body 51 includes a tank shell 511 and a piston component 512. One end of the tank shell 511 is provided with an opening and is sealed to the piston component 512. The connecting pipe 55 is inserted and fixed inside the piston component 512.

[0064] The shell 511 refers to the cylindrical or columnar structure that forms the main body of the first tank 51. It is usually made of metal and has sufficient strength and pressure resistance to house the internal components and withstand system pressure. One axial end of the shell 511 is open to be sealed by a piston 512 connected to the opening, so that a sealed chamber is formed inside the shell 511.

[0065] The piston component 512 can be made of metal, engineering plastics, or composite materials to meet strength, wear resistance, and sealing requirements. The piston component 512 typically has an annular or disc-shaped structure, and its function is to define the volume together with the tank shell 511 and to serve as a support and fixing component for the connecting pipe 55.

[0066] A sealed connection refers to the fluid seal achieved at the opening between the piston 512 and the tank shell 511 through a sealing structure (such as an O-ring, U-ring, piston ring, etc.) to prevent refrigerant leakage or the entry of external substances. This sealed connection ensures the airtightness of the receiving cavity 54, allowing the receiver 50 to effectively regulate the refrigerant circulation rate. The selection of the sealing element must consider refrigerant compatibility, operating temperature range, and pressure rating.

[0067] Insertion fixing refers to the insertion of one end of the connecting pipe 55 into a pre-set hole or structure inside the piston 512, and securing it firmly inside the piston 512 by mechanical means (such as threads, snaps, welding, interference fit, etc.) or chemical means (such as adhesive). At this time, the piston 512 can rotate circumferentially relative to the can shell 511. That is, while the driving member 53 drives the can shell 511 to rotate, the piston 512, the connecting pipe 55, and the second can body 52 remain stationary, so that the rotating can shell 511 moves axially upward or downward, thereby increasing or decreasing the volume of the receiving cavity 54.

[0068] Alternatively, the piston 512 and the can shell 511 can be fixedly and sealed together axially and circumferentially. However, the connecting pipe 55 inserted into the piston 512 can slide up and down axially and seal together with the piston 512. If the piston 512 is made of rubber or silicone, it provides a high degree of airtightness between the piston 512 and the connecting pipe 55 while maintaining axial sliding. In this way, the drive unit 53 can simultaneously drive the piston 512 and the can shell 511 to rotate, but the second can 52 will not rotate due to the restriction of the connecting pipe 55. This allows the first can 51, which moves up and down relative to the second can 52, to adjust the volume of the receiving cavity 54.

[0069] In other words, in the above embodiment, while the lower end of the connecting pipe 55 located outside the first tank 51 is connected to the refrigerant flow path, the lower end of the connecting pipe 55 remains relatively fixed to restrict the second tank 52 from rotating circumferentially through the spline structure. This allows the rotating tank shell 511 to move up and down axially, thereby adjusting the volume of the receiving cavity 54.

[0070] By designing the first tank 51 to include a tank shell 511 and a piston 512, and sealing one end of the tank shell 511 with the piston 512, while inserting and fixing the connecting pipe 55 inside the piston 512, the problems of connectivity, sealing, and structural stability between the connecting pipe 55 and the receiving cavity 54 during the volume adjustment of the reservoir 50 are effectively solved. The piston 512, as a fixing carrier for the connecting pipe 55, ensures that the connecting pipe 55 maintains a good sealing connection when the first tank 51 moves. The sealed connection between the tank shell 511 and the piston 512 further ensures the airtightness of the refrigerant inside the reservoir 50, preventing refrigerant leakage, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of the reservoir 50 in adjusting the refrigerant circulation volume. This structural design allows the reservoir 50 to maintain stable performance and a long service life even with frequent volume adjustments. In the above embodiment, the first tank 51 achieves a sealed internal structure through the sealed connection of the tank shell 511 and the piston component 512. Alternatively, the tank shell 511 can also be a sealed structure, initially a split structure. After the second tank 52 and piston component 512 are assembled into the tank shell 511, the split tank shell 511 is sealed together. In this case, one end of the connecting pipe 55 axially penetrates one end of the tank shell 511, allowing for axial sliding and axial rotation between the two. The connecting pipe 55 and the tank shell 511 can be initially sealed using a sealing ring, and a secondary sealing connection is achieved within the tank shell 511 through the piston component 512, thereby improving the sealing effect and pressure resistance of the receiving cavity 54.

[0071] In some embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, the air conditioner 100 includes a control module 61, a first temperature sensor 62, a second temperature sensor 63, and a third temperature sensor 64. The control module 61 is electrically connected to the drive unit 53 and is used to adjust the volume of the receiving cavity 54. The first temperature sensor 62 is located at the first heat exchanger 20 and is electrically connected to the control module 61, and is used to detect the return air temperature of the first heat exchanger 20, which is an outdoor heat exchanger. The second temperature sensor 63 is located on the return air side of the compressor 10 and is used to detect the return air temperature. The third temperature sensor 64 is located on the exhaust side of the compressor 10 and is used to detect the exhaust temperature.

[0072] The control module 61 is the core control component of the air conditioner 100 control system, and it typically consists of a microcontroller, memory, input / output interfaces, and communication interfaces. The control module 61 is responsible for receiving signals from various sensors, executing preset control algorithms, and sending control commands to the drive unit 53 based on the algorithm results to achieve precise adjustment of the volume of the liquid receiver 50. The control module 61 can be implemented in various ways, such as using a high-performance digital signal processor or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) to meet complex control requirements and real-time response capabilities.

[0073] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the drive unit 53 is a mechanical actuator that executes the commands of the control module 61, and its function is to physically change the volume of the receiving cavity 54 of the liquid reservoir 50. According to a specific embodiment, the drive unit 53 may include a drive motor 531 and a drive gear 532. The drive motor 531 drives the first tank 51 of the liquid reservoir 50 to rotate or move via the drive gear 532, thereby adjusting the volume of the receiving cavity 54. Besides the motor drive method, the drive unit 53 may also employ a stepper motor in conjunction with a lead screw mechanism, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators, etc., to achieve precise and controllable adjustment of the reservoir volume.

[0074] The first temperature sensor 62, the second temperature sensor 63, and the third temperature sensor 64 can be of thermistor, thermocouple, or platinum resistance thermometer type. The first temperature sensor 62 is used to monitor the return air temperature of the first heat exchanger 20 (i.e., the outdoor heat exchanger) in real time, and its installation position ensures accurate reflection of the ambient air temperature entering the outdoor heat exchanger. By transmitting the detected return air temperature signal to the control module 61, the control module 61 can obtain the current environmental heat load information, providing important environmental parameters for subsequent refrigerant circulation adjustment.

[0075] The second temperature sensor 63 is located on the return gas side of the compressor 10 to detect the return gas temperature of the refrigerant entering the compressor 10. The second temperature sensor 63 is typically installed in the compressor 10 suction line near the compressor 10 inlet to accurately measure the refrigerant superheat. Return gas temperature is one of the key parameters for determining whether the refrigerant circulation rate is appropriate; too low a return gas temperature may lead to wet compression, while too high a return gas temperature may cause the compressor 10 to overheat.

[0076] The third temperature sensor 64 is located on the discharge side of the compressor 10 and is used to detect the discharge temperature of the refrigerant discharged by the compressor 10. The third temperature sensor 64 is usually installed in the discharge pipe of the compressor 10 near the outlet of the compressor 10. The discharge temperature reflects the operating status of the compressor 10 and the temperature change of the refrigerant during the compression process. Combined with the return gas temperature, the operating efficiency and health status of the compressor 10 can be more comprehensively evaluated.

[0077] Through the above technical solution, the air conditioner 100 can sense changes in the external ambient temperature in real time through the first temperature sensor 62, and monitor the refrigerant status on the intake and exhaust sides of the compressor 10 in real time through the second temperature sensor 63 and the third temperature sensor 64. This real-time temperature data is transmitted to the control module 61, which comprehensively determines the optimal refrigerant circulation amount required under the current operating conditions based on preset control strategies and algorithms.

[0078] Subsequently, the control module 61 calculates or adapts the volume of the receiving cavity 54 according to the preset logic relationship, and sends a command to the drive component 53 to precisely adjust the volume of the receiving cavity 54 of the liquid receiver 50, thereby dynamically changing the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path. This intelligent control method based on multi-point temperature feedback enables the air conditioner 100 to automatically optimize the refrigerant charge according to changes in environmental load and system operating status, ensuring that the system always operates at an efficient and stable operating point. This not only effectively avoids potential risks such as liquid slugging or overheating of the compressor 10 and extends the service life of the compressor 10, but also significantly improves the cooling / heating efficiency and energy efficiency ratio of the air conditioner 100, providing users with a more comfortable and energy-saving user experience. In some embodiments, such as Figure 2As shown, the air conditioner 100 also includes a four-way valve 70, which has four ports: a first port 71, a second port 72, a third port 73, and a fourth port 74. The return and discharge ports of the compressor 10 are connected to the first port 71 and the second port 72 of the four-way valve 70. The third port 73 of the four-way valve 70 is connected to one end of the first heat exchanger 20, and the other end of the first heat exchanger 20 is connected to the fourth port 74 of the four-way valve 70 via a throttling device 30 and a second heat exchanger 40. The four-way valve 70 allows the air conditioner 100 to switch the refrigerant flow direction between the first heat exchanger 20 and the second heat exchanger 40, enabling flexible switching between cooling, heating, defrosting, and dehumidifying modes as needed to adapt to different scenarios.

[0079] Secondly, such as Figure 7 As shown, this application embodiment also provides a control method for an air conditioner, used to control the air conditioner in the first aspect, the control method including the following steps: Control the start-up of the air conditioner.

[0080] Obtain the return air temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0081] The volume of the liquid receiver is controlled and adjusted according to the return air temperature, preset parameters, and operating mode.

[0082] The preset parameters include the preset correspondence between the liquid reservoir volume, return air temperature, and operating mode.

[0083] In this way, the air conditioner 100 can adjust the volume of the liquid receiver 50 in real time based on the return air temperature, ensuring that the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path is always in the optimal state.

[0084] For example, such as Figure 3 As shown, under heating conditions, when the return air temperature is low, the system automatically adjusts and increases the volume of the liquid receiver 50 to reduce the amount of refrigerant participating in the circulation, thereby reducing the amount of refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger. This allows the small amount of refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger to fully absorb heat and vaporize, thus preventing a large amount of liquid refrigerant from flowing to the compressor 10 and causing liquid slugging failure.

[0085] In heating mode, when the return air temperature is high, the system increases the volume of the liquid receiver by 50 to store excess refrigerant, thereby reducing the amount of refrigerant participating in the circulation in the outdoor heat exchanger. This prevents excessive refrigerant from being fully vaporized in the outdoor heat exchanger, thus reducing the suction pressure on the return side of the compressor 10 and avoiding excessive suction pressure and "oil leakage".

[0086] When the return air temperature is within a suitable range, the system reduces the volume of the receiver 50 to increase the refrigerant circulation in the refrigerant path, thereby improving the overall heat exchange efficiency of the air conditioner 100. For example... Figure 3As shown, the above-mentioned return air temperature adjustment method is also applicable to cooling conditions. This dynamic adjustment mechanism significantly improves the adaptability and stability of the air conditioner 100 under different environmental conditions, and effectively reduces the annual power consumption of the entire unit. Continue to refer to Figure 7 After adjusting the volume of the liquid receiver based on the return air temperature, preset parameters, and operating mode, the control method includes: The operating status of the balanced air conditioner is controlled based on the current volume of the liquid receiver.

[0087] After the first preset time, the compressor's intake superheat and exhaust temperature are obtained.

[0088] Determine whether the intake superheat is within the first preset range and whether the exhaust temperature is within the second preset range.

[0089] If the intake superheat is within the first preset range and the exhaust temperature is within the second preset range, maintain the current operating mode.

[0090] If the intake superheat is not within the first preset range and the exhaust temperature is not within the second preset range, determine whether the intake superheat is higher than the first preset range and whether the exhaust temperature is higher than the second preset range.

[0091] If the intake superheat is higher than the first preset range and the exhaust temperature is higher than the second preset range, the volume of the reservoir will be reduced.

[0092] If the intake superheat is lower than the first preset range and the exhaust temperature is lower than the second preset range, determine whether the return air temperature is greater than the ambient temperature corresponding to the maximum refrigerant charge.

[0093] If the return air temperature is higher than the ambient temperature corresponding to the maximum refrigerant charge, the volume of the liquid receiver should be increased.

[0094] If the return air temperature is less than or equal to the ambient temperature corresponding to the maximum refrigerant charge, control the reduction of the throttle opening or increase the airflow at the evaporator.

[0095] After the initial adjustment of the liquid receiver 50 volume during the start-up phase, the system requires a transition period to adapt to the new refrigerant circulation volume. Therefore, the operating state of the air conditioner 100 is first controlled and balanced based on the current volume of the liquid receiver 50. This step aims to bring the air conditioning system to a relatively stable operating state, providing a basis for subsequent precise judgment and adjustment. The control module 61 can perform preliminary coordinated adjustments to other operating parameters such as the compressor 10 speed, the electronic expansion valve (i.e., the throttle valve 30) opening, and the fan 80 speed based on the adjusted current volume of the liquid receiver 50. This ensures that the operating points of each component tend to balance under the new refrigerant circulation volume, avoiding drastic fluctuations in the system within a short period. Furthermore, the system as a whole exhibits a high energy efficiency ratio and heat exchange efficiency. Subsequently, after a first preset time, the control module 61 detects and obtains the intake superheat and exhaust temperature of the compressor 10 through the second temperature sensor 63 and the third temperature sensor 64.

[0096] The first preset time is an empirical value or an experimentally determined time interval, long enough for the system to reach a relatively stable thermodynamic equilibrium after the reservoir volume is adjusted to 50. For example, the first preset time can be any value between 3 and 6 minutes.

[0097] Suction superheat refers to the difference between the actual temperature and the saturation temperature of the refrigerant at the suction port of compressor 10. It reflects the degree of superheat of the refrigerant at the evaporator outlet and is an important indicator for measuring the heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator and preventing wet stroke of compressor 10. Discharge temperature refers to the actual temperature of the refrigerant at the discharge port of compressor 10.

[0098] The suction superheat is typically obtained using a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor (used to calculate the saturation temperature) located on the suction side of the compressor 10, and the data is transmitted to the control module 61 for processing. Specifically, a pressure sensor is also sequentially installed on the return side of the compressor 10, allowing the control module 61 to detect the refrigerant pressure on the return side of the compressor 10 via the electrically connected pressure sensor, and to calculate the suction superheat based on the refrigerant pressure and the actual detected temperature.

[0099] Next, the system determines whether the intake superheat is within the first preset range and whether the exhaust temperature is within the second preset range. The first and second preset ranges are optimal operating intervals preset based on the air conditioner's design requirements, operating mode, environmental conditions, and energy efficiency targets. Specific values ​​for the first and second preset ranges can be found in the table below. If both the intake superheat and exhaust temperature parameters are within these preset ranges, it indicates that the system is operating well, and the current operating mode should be maintained without further adjustment.

[0100]

[0101] However, if the suction superheat is not within the first preset range and the exhaust temperature is not within the second preset range, further determination of the direction of deviation is required. At this time, the system determines whether the suction superheat is higher than the first preset range and whether the exhaust temperature is higher than the second preset range. When both suction superheat and exhaust temperature are high, it usually indicates that the amount of refrigerant in the system is relatively insufficient, or that the refrigerant is overheated during circulation. In this case, the control module 61 will control the reduction of the volume of the receiver 50, thereby releasing more refrigerant into the main circulation loop and increasing the refrigerant circulation volume. Increasing the refrigerant volume can reduce the suction superheat, improve the evaporator heat exchange efficiency, and also reduce the exhaust temperature, reduce the load on the compressor 10, and improve the condenser heat exchange.

[0102] During the specific adjustment process, the first tank 51 can be rotated half a turn or a full turn each time to avoid over-adjustment. The volume of the reservoir 50's internal cavity 54 can be precisely controlled by repeated adjustments.

[0103] On the other hand, if the suction superheat is lower than the first preset range and the exhaust temperature is lower than the second preset range, it may mean that there is relatively too much refrigerant in the system, or that the refrigerant is not sufficiently superheated during circulation. Insufficient suction superheat may lead to a wet stroke risk for compressor 10, and insufficient exhaust temperature may affect the efficiency of compressor 10. In this case, the system will further determine whether the return air temperature is greater than the ambient temperature corresponding to the maximum refrigerant charge. The ambient temperature corresponding to the maximum refrigerant charge refers to the highest ambient temperature allowed for the maximum refrigerant charge that allows the system to operate safely and efficiently under a specific operating mode. If the return air temperature is greater than the ambient temperature corresponding to the maximum refrigerant charge, this usually indicates that there is too much refrigerant in the system. The control module 61 will control the increase of the volume of the receiver 50, recovering a portion of the refrigerant from the main circulation loop to the receiver 50, thereby reducing the refrigerant circulation volume. Reducing the refrigerant volume can increase the suction superheat, avoid wet stroke, and also increase the exhaust temperature, improving the operating state of compressor 10.

[0104] If the return air temperature is less than or equal to the ambient temperature corresponding to the maximum refrigerant charge, it may indicate that the system refrigerant charge is not excessive, but rather that the low ambient temperature is causing insufficient evaporator load, or that the expansion valve 30 is too open. In this case, the control module 61 will either reduce the opening of the expansion valve 30 or increase the airflow at the evaporator. Reducing the opening of the expansion valve 30 can lower the evaporation pressure and increase the evaporator superheat. Increasing the airflow at the evaporator, for example by increasing the fan speed, can increase the evaporator heat exchange, thereby increasing the suction superheat. Both of these measures can optimize the system's superheat performance without changing the refrigerant circulation volume.

[0105] Through the above technical solution, this application can introduce a refined adjustment mechanism based on suction superheat and exhaust temperature after the initial adjustment of the liquid receiver 50 volume, enabling real-time monitoring and dynamic optimization of the air conditioner 100's operating status. This mechanism effectively avoids deviations from optimal operating conditions due to inaccurate initial adjustments or environmental changes, ensuring that the air conditioner 100 always operates in a highly efficient and stable state. Specifically, when the superheat is too high, the heat exchange efficiency is improved by increasing the refrigerant circulation volume. When the superheat is too low, further judgment is made based on the ambient temperature, and the risk of wet stroke is avoided and system performance is optimized by reducing the refrigerant circulation volume or adjusting the opening degree / airflow of the expansion valve 30. This feedback control strategy significantly improves the adaptability and reliability of the air conditioner 100 under different operating conditions and maintains good energy efficiency performance.

[0106] Thirdly, such as Figure 8 As shown in the figure, this application embodiment provides a control device for an air conditioner, namely a control module 61. The control module includes a processor 611, a communication interface 612, a memory 613, and a communication bus 614. The processor 611, communication interface 612, and memory 613 communicate with each other via the communication bus 614. The memory 613 is used to store computer programs.

[0107] In one embodiment of this application, when the processor 611 executes the computer program stored in the memory 613, it implements the execution steps of the air conditioner control method in the second aspect.

[0108] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the execution steps of the air conditioner control method in the second aspect.

[0109] It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “described” as used herein may also include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “having” are inclusive and therefore indicate the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not construed as requiring them to be performed in a particular order described or illustrated unless the order of performance is explicitly indicated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be used.

[0110] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that each embodiment can be implemented by means of software plus a general-purpose hardware platform, and of course, it can also be implemented by hardware. Based on this understanding, the above technical solutions, in essence or the parts that contribute to the related technology, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as ROM (Read-Only Memory) / RAM (Random Access Memory), magnetic disk, optical disk, etc., including several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods of various embodiments or some parts of embodiments.

[0111] Although terms such as first, second, third, etc., may be used in this document to describe multiple elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or segment from another. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms used herein do not imply order or sequence. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer, or segment discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or segment without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0112] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, characterized in that, The air conditioner includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a throttle valve, and a second heat exchanger connected in sequence. The air conditioner also includes a liquid receiver. The refrigerant flow path between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger is connected to the liquid receiver. The liquid receiver is configured with an adjustable internal volume to adjust the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid reservoir includes: First tank body; The second tank is movably connected to the first tank and forms a receiving cavity, and the refrigerant flow path between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger is connected to the receiving cavity; And a driving component, which is drivenly connected to the first tank or the second tank to move the first tank relative to the second tank in a first direction for adjusting the volume of the receiving cavity.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that, The liquid reservoir includes a connecting pipe, the second tank is disposed inside the first tank, one side of the second tank along the first direction is the receiving cavity, one end of the connecting pipe is located inside the receiving cavity, and the other end of the connecting pipe is inserted into the first tank and located outside the first tank. The drive unit is located outside the first tank and connected to the first tank to drive the first tank to reciprocate in the first direction.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, Inside the first tank, the second tank is a cap structure or a piston structure, and the second tank is spirally connected to the first tank.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that, One end of the connecting pipe penetrates the second tank body, and the connecting pipe and the second tank body are connected and adapted via a spline structure; and / or, The first tank is a sealed structure.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that, The driving component includes a drive motor and a drive gear. The drive motor is connected to the drive gear in a transmission manner. The outer side of the first tank is provided with a toothed portion that meshes with the drive gear in the circumferential direction, so that the drive motor drives the first tank to rotate.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first tank body includes a tank shell and a piston component. One end of the tank shell is provided with an opening and is sealed to the piston component. The connecting pipe is inserted and fixed inside the piston component.

8. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 2-7, characterized in that, The air conditioner includes: A control module, electrically connected to the drive component, is used to adjust the volume of the receiving cavity; A first temperature sensor is installed at the first heat exchanger and electrically connected to the control module to detect the return air temperature of the first heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger is an outdoor heat exchanger. The second temperature sensor is located on the return gas side of the compressor and is used to detect the return gas temperature. And a third temperature sensor, located on the exhaust side of the compressor, for detecting the exhaust temperature.

9. A control method for an air conditioner, characterized in that, The control method for controlling an air conditioner as described in any one of claims 1-8 includes: Control the start-up of the air conditioner; Obtain the return air temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger; The volume of the liquid reservoir is controlled and adjusted according to the return air temperature, preset parameters, and operating mode. The preset parameters include a preset correspondence between the volume of the liquid reservoir, the return air temperature, and the operating mode.

10. The control method for an air conditioner according to claim 9, characterized in that, After adjusting the volume of the liquid reservoir based on the return air temperature, preset parameters, and operating mode, the control method includes: The operating state of the air conditioner is controlled and balanced according to the current volume of the liquid reservoir. After a first preset time, the intake superheat and exhaust temperature of the compressor are obtained; Determine whether the intake superheat is within a first preset range and whether the exhaust temperature is within a second preset range; If the intake superheat is within the first preset range and the exhaust temperature is within the second preset range, maintain the current operating mode; If the intake superheat is not within the first preset range and the exhaust temperature is not within the second preset range; determine whether the intake superheat is higher than the first preset range and whether the exhaust temperature is higher than the second preset range. If the intake superheat is higher than the first preset range and the exhaust temperature is higher than the second preset range, the volume of the liquid reservoir is reduced. If the intake superheat is lower than the first preset range and the exhaust temperature is lower than the second preset range, determine whether the return air temperature is greater than the ambient temperature corresponding to the maximum refrigerant charge. If the return air temperature is greater than the ambient temperature corresponding to the maximum refrigerant volume, the volume of the liquid receiver will be increased. If the return air temperature is less than or equal to the ambient temperature corresponding to the maximum refrigerant charge, control the reduction of the throttle opening or the increase of the airflow at the evaporator.

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