Air conditioner and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides an air conditioner and a control method thereof.The air conditioner comprises a controller, and the controller is configured to obtain first pipeline pressure at the current moment and target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment when the air conditioner runs in a refrigeration mode; when the first pipeline pressure is larger than the target pipeline pressure, the type of a signal representing the current rotating speed condition of the outdoor fan is obtained; the operation state of the indoor fan is controlled according to the type of the signal without depending on a specific communication protocol between the indoor fan and the outdoor fan, so that the problem that condensation cannot be effectively prevented when the indoor fan and the outdoor fan are incompatible or cannot communicate can be effectively solved, the reliability of the air conditioner is improved, and the user experience is improved. And the comfort and the satisfaction degree of the user are improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Air conditioners are widely used electrical appliances in people's lives. They play an important role in regulating indoor temperature, providing users with a healthy and comfortable indoor environment to meet their normal work, life, and study needs. In the current air conditioning market, most methods for preventing condensation rely on the communication capabilities between the indoor and outdoor units, meaning that the indoor and outdoor units must follow a unified communication protocol to achieve real-time information exchange.

[0003] However, in North American air conditioning systems that require replacement or compatibility with multiple brands of indoor units, there is a problem of communication compatibility between indoor and outdoor units. Because different brands of indoor units use different communication protocols, it is difficult for the outdoor unit to directly establish communication with the diverse indoor units, thus making it impossible to effectively perform advanced air conditioning functions such as anti-condensation, reducing user comfort and satisfaction. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] Therefore, one objective of this invention is to provide an air conditioner that does not rely on a specific communication protocol between the indoor and outdoor fans during operation. This effectively solves the problem that air conditioners with incompatible or non-communicating indoor and outdoor fans cannot effectively prevent condensation, thereby improving the reliability of the air conditioner and ultimately enhancing user comfort and satisfaction.

[0006] Therefore, a second objective of this invention is to provide a control method for an air conditioner.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, a first aspect of the present invention provides an air conditioner comprising: a refrigerant circulation loop, wherein the refrigerant circulates in a loop consisting of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a four-way valve, wherein one of the condenser and the evaporator is an outdoor heat exchanger and the other is an indoor heat exchanger; an indoor fan, used to rotate and drive indoor air through the indoor heat exchanger to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the indoor air; and an outdoor fan, used to rotate and drive outdoor air through the outdoor heat exchanger to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the outdoor air; the indoor fan and... The outdoor fan is connected via a power line and transmits signals; a pressure sensor is installed at the connection point between the four-way valve and the indoor fan to detect the pressure in the first pipeline between the four-way valve and the indoor fan; a controller is configured to: acquire the current pressure in the first pipeline and a target pressure in the pipeline corresponding to the current time when the air conditioner is in cooling mode; acquire the type of signal characterizing the current rotational speed of the outdoor fan when the first pipeline pressure is greater than the target pipeline pressure; and control the operating state of the indoor fan according to the type of signal.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an air conditioner can acquire a first pipeline pressure and a target pipeline pressure at the current moment during cooling operation. When the first pipeline pressure is greater than the target pipeline pressure, the operating state of the indoor fan can be controlled according to the type of signal representing the current speed of the outdoor fan, without relying on a specific communication protocol between the indoor and outdoor fans. This effectively solves the problem that air conditioners with incompatible or non-communicating indoor and outdoor fans cannot effectively prevent condensation, improves the reliability of the air conditioner, and thus improves user comfort and satisfaction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the air conditioner further includes an outdoor ambient temperature sensor for detecting the outdoor ambient temperature; when acquiring the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment, the controller is configured to: acquire the maximum value of the outdoor ambient temperature within a first preset time period; within the first preset time period, acquire multiple moments and their corresponding first pipeline pressures based on a preset time interval to obtain multiple sets of two-dimensional mapping relationships between moments and first pipeline pressures; based on the maximum value of the outdoor ambient temperature and the multiple sets of two-dimensional mapping relationships between moments and first pipeline pressures, fit a calculation function for the target pipeline pressure; and based on the current moment, the maximum value of the outdoor ambient temperature, and the calculation function for the pipeline pressure, determine the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment.

[0010] In some embodiments, when controlling the operating state of the indoor fan according to the type of the signal, the controller is configured to: when the signal is a first type signal, control the outdoor fan to send a first control signal to the indoor fan to instruct the indoor fan to operate at a first target speed, so that the indoor fan operates according to the first control signal; when the signal is a second type signal, control the outdoor fan to send a second control signal to the indoor fan to instruct the indoor fan to operate at a second target speed, so that the indoor fan operates according to the second control signal, wherein the first target speed is greater than the second target speed.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first type signal, the first control signal, and the second control signal are high-level signals, and the second type signal is a low-level signal.

[0012] In some embodiments, when the indoor fan is running according to the first control signal, the controller is further configured to: when the running time of the indoor fan reaches a second preset time, control the outdoor fan to stop sending the first control signal, and control the speed of the indoor fan to return to the speed during the cooling operation of the air conditioner.

[0013] In some embodiments, when the indoor fan is running according to the second control signal, the controller is further configured to: when the running time of the indoor fan reaches a third preset time, control the outdoor fan to stop sending the second control signal, and control the speed of the indoor fan to return to the speed during the cooling operation of the air conditioner.

[0014] In some embodiments, after the control of the indoor fan's operation state according to the type of the signal ends, the controller is further configured to: periodically acquire the first pipeline pressure at the current moment and the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment at a fourth preset time interval; when the first pipeline pressure is greater than the target pipeline pressure, control the indoor fan to run at a third target speed until a fifth preset time is reached, and then control the indoor fan speed to return to the speed at which the air conditioner is running in cooling mode; when the first pipeline pressure is not greater than the target pipeline pressure, control the indoor fan to maintain the current operating state.

[0015] In some embodiments, before acquiring the first pipeline pressure at the current moment and the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment, the controller is further configured to control the air conditioner to operate in cooling mode for a sixth preset time.

[0016] In some embodiments, after acquiring the first pipeline pressure at the current moment and the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment, the controller is further configured to: control the indoor fan to maintain the current operating state when the first pipeline pressure is not greater than the target pipeline pressure.

[0017] To achieve the above objectives, a second aspect of the present invention provides a method for controlling an air conditioner, the method comprising the following steps: obtaining a first condenser coil temperature, a second condenser coil temperature, and an outdoor ambient temperature; controlling the defrosting state of the air conditioner based on the first condenser coil temperature and the second condenser coil temperature, or controlling the defrosting state of the air conditioner based on the first condenser coil temperature, the second condenser coil temperature, and the outdoor ambient temperature.

[0018] According to the air conditioner control method of the present invention, when the air conditioner is running in cooling mode, a first pipeline pressure and a target pipeline pressure at the current moment can be obtained. When the first pipeline pressure is greater than the target pipeline pressure, the operating state of the indoor fan can be controlled according to the type of signal representing the current speed of the outdoor fan, without relying on a specific communication protocol between the indoor fan and the outdoor fan. This effectively solves the problem that air conditioners with incompatible or non-communicating indoor and outdoor fans cannot effectively prevent condensation, improves the reliability of the air conditioner, and thus improves user comfort and satisfaction.

[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigeration cycle system of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the controller according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of an air conditioner control method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of obtaining the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of controlling the operating status of an indoor fan according to the type of signal, based on an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the process of periodically controlling the indoor fan after the operation of the indoor fan according to the signal type ends, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0031] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0032] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0033] like Figure 1As shown, in this invention, the air conditioner 1 performs a refrigeration cycle by using a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a four-way valve. The refrigeration cycle includes a series of processes involving compression, condensation, and evaporation, and supplies refrigerant to the conditioned and heat-exchanged air.

[0034] The compressor compresses the refrigerant gas, which is in a high-temperature, high-pressure state and enters through the return pipe, and then discharges the compressed refrigerant gas through the exhaust pipe. The discharged refrigerant gas flows into the condenser through the condenser inlet pipe. The condenser condenses the compressed refrigerant into a liquid phase, and the heat is released to the surrounding environment through the condensation process.

[0035] The evaporator evaporates the refrigerant that expands in the expansion valve and returns the refrigerant gas, now at a low temperature and low pressure, to the compressor. The evaporator achieves its cooling effect by utilizing the latent heat of refrigerant evaporation to exchange heat with the material being cooled. Throughout the cycle, air conditioner 1 regulates the temperature of the indoor space.

[0036] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the air conditioner 1 in this application includes an indoor fan 11 and an outdoor fan 12, which can be configured as an integrated unit or a split unit. The indoor fan 11 can be configured as a wall-mounted unit, a ceiling unit, a duct unit, etc., and the indoor fan 11 is installed on the top or ceiling of the room.

[0037] Taking indoor wall-mounted units as an example, indoor wall-mounted units are usually installed on indoor walls or other locations. For example, indoor cabinet units (not shown in the figure) are also a type of indoor fan 11.

[0038] Taking a split-type air conditioner as an example, the air conditioner 1 includes an indoor fan 11 and an outdoor fan 12. The outdoor fan 12 is usually installed outdoors and is used for heat exchange in the indoor environment.

[0039] Furthermore, the air conditioner 1 includes a controller 71 to control the operation of various components within the air conditioner 1, enabling each component to perform its predetermined functions. The air conditioner 1 also includes a control device 200, which, exemplarily, is a remote control. This remote control has the capability to communicate with the controller 71, for example, using infrared or other communication methods. The remote control allows the user to perform various controls on the air conditioner 1, enabling interaction between the user and the air conditioner 1.

[0040] In this embodiment of the application, the indoor fan 11 of the air conditioner 1 is located at the top or upper part of the room. Generally, the installation height of the indoor fan 11 is higher than the user's activity area. The indoor fan 11 includes a return air vent 17 and an air outlet 16 that communicate with the room. Indoor air passes through the indoor fan 11 in the return air vent 17 and flows back into the room through the air outlet 16.

[0041] An air guide plate 2 is installed at the air outlet 16. By changing its relative rotation angle with the air outlet 16, the air guide plate 2 adjusts the outflow direction of the air flowing through the air outlet 12, thereby affecting the stratification of indoor air temperature.

[0042] This application embodiment also provides a hardware structure diagram of the controller 71, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the controller 71 includes a processor 83, and optionally, a memory 82 and a communication interface 84 connected to the processor 83. The processor 83, memory 82, and communication interface 84 are connected via a bus 81.

[0043] Processor 83 can be a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor (NP), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor (Microcontroller), a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. Processor 83 can also be any other device with processing capabilities, such as a circuit, device, or software module. Processor 83 can also include multiple CPUs, and processor 83 can be a single-core processor 83 or a multi-core processor 83. Here, processor 83 can refer to one or more devices, circuits, or processing cores used for processing data (e.g., computer programs).

[0044] The memory 82 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information, a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CDROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of a data structure and accessible by a computer. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this. The memory 82 can exist independently or be integrated with the processor 83. The memory 82 may contain computer program code. The processor 83 is used to execute the computer program code stored in the memory 82, thereby implementing the control method of the air conditioner 1 provided in this application embodiment.

[0045] The communication interface 84 can be used to communicate with other devices or communication networks (such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), etc.). The communication interface 84 can be a module, circuit, transceiver, or any device capable of communication.

[0046] Bus 81 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus 81 or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus 81, etc. Bus 81 can be divided into address bus 81, data bus 81, control bus 81, etc.

[0047] The following is combined Figures 4-8 An air conditioner 1 and its control method according to an embodiment of the present invention are described.

[0048] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the air conditioner 1 includes a refrigerant circulation loop 10, which allows the refrigerant to circulate in a loop consisting of a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator. One of the condenser and the evaporator is an outdoor heat exchanger, and the other is an indoor heat exchanger.

[0049] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the air conditioner 1 may include: an indoor fan 11, which drives indoor air through an indoor heat exchanger by rotation, so that the refrigerant exchanges heat with the indoor air.

[0050] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the air conditioner 1 may include: an outdoor fan 12, which drives outdoor air through an outdoor heat exchanger by rotation, so that the refrigerant exchanges heat with the outdoor air.

[0051] In some embodiments, the indoor fan 11 and the outdoor fan 12 are connected by a power line and transmit signals.

[0052] Specifically, the indoor fan 11 and the outdoor fan 12 are connected via a power line, meaning they share the same power line. This allows the outdoor fan 12 to send power signals to the indoor fan 11, instructing it to change its operating state. Understandably, since the indoor fan 11 and outdoor fan 12 are connected via a power line, the operating state of the indoor fan 11 can be changed simply by sending a power signal. This eliminates the need for a specific communication protocol between the two fans, thus resolving the incompatibility issue between them. Furthermore, it addresses the problem of incompatibility preventing the air conditioner from performing advanced functions such as anti-condensation, which reduces user comfort and satisfaction.

[0053] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the air conditioner 1 may include a pressure sensor 13, which is installed at the connection pipe between the four-way valve and the indoor fan 11, for detecting the pressure in the first pipe between the four-way valve and the indoor fan 11.

[0054] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the air conditioner 1 may include: a controller 71, which is configured to: when the air conditioner 1 is running in cooling mode, acquire the first pipeline pressure at the current moment and the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment;

[0055] When the pressure in the first pipeline is greater than the pressure in the target pipeline, acquire the type of signal that characterizes the current rotational speed of the outdoor fan 12;

[0056] The operation status of the indoor fan 11 is controlled according to the type of signal.

[0057] Specifically, after the air conditioner 1 starts cooling operation, the pressure sensor 13 installed at the connection pipe between the four-way valve and the indoor fan 11 can obtain the first pipe pressure between the four-way valve and the indoor fan 11, that is, the actual pressure value between the four-way valve and the indoor fan 11 at the current moment. At the same time, the target pipe pressure corresponding to the current moment can be obtained through a preset algorithm, that is, the theoretical pressure value between the four-way valve and the indoor fan 11 at the current moment.

[0058] Furthermore, when the pressure in the first pipeline is greater than the pressure in the target pipeline, it indicates that the temperature on one side of the current indoor fan 11 may drop below the dew point, causing water vapor in the air to condense into water on the surface of the indoor fan 11 and at its air outlet, i.e., condensation is generated. At this time, the type of signal characterizing the current speed of the outdoor fan 12 can be obtained to indicate the current operating status of the outdoor fan 12.

[0059] Furthermore, the operating status of the indoor fan 11 can be controlled according to the type of signal, including but not limited to adjusting the speed of the indoor fan 11 to reduce or eliminate the risk of condensation, thereby improving the reliability of the air conditioner 1 and thus improving the user's comfort and satisfaction.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner 1 can acquire the first pipeline pressure and the target pipeline pressure at the current moment when the air conditioner 1 is running in cooling mode. When the first pipeline pressure is greater than the target pipeline pressure, the operating state of the indoor fan 11 can be controlled according to the type of signal representing the current speed of the outdoor fan 12, without relying on a specific communication protocol between the indoor fan 11 and the outdoor fan 12. This can effectively solve the problem that the air conditioner 1 cannot effectively prevent condensation when the indoor fan 11 and the outdoor fan 12 are incompatible or cannot communicate, improve the reliability of the air conditioner 1, and thus improve the user's comfort and satisfaction.

[0061] In one embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner 1 further includes an outdoor ambient temperature sensor for detecting the outdoor ambient temperature; when acquiring the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment, the controller 71 is configured to:

[0062] Obtain the maximum outdoor ambient temperature within a first preset time period;

[0063] Within a first preset time period, multiple moments and their corresponding first pipeline pressures are obtained based on preset time intervals, resulting in multiple sets of two-dimensional mapping relationships between moments and first pipeline pressures;

[0064] Based on the maximum outdoor ambient temperature and multiple sets of two-dimensional mapping relationships between time and first pipeline pressure, a calculation function for the target pipeline pressure is obtained by fitting.

[0065] Based on the current moment, the maximum outdoor ambient temperature, and the calculation function for pipeline pressure, determine the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment.

[0066] Specifically, when determining the target pipeline pressure at the current moment, multiple moments and their corresponding first pipeline pressures can be recorded at preset time intervals within a first preset time period. For example, the first pipeline pressure can be recorded from the beginning of the first preset time, and then the current moment and the corresponding first pipeline pressure can be obtained at preset time intervals, thereby establishing multiple sets of two-dimensional mapping relationships between moments and first pipeline pressures.

[0067] Furthermore, the outdoor ambient temperature can be obtained through an outdoor ambient temperature sensor, and the maximum value of the outdoor ambient temperature within a first preset time period can be determined. This allows for the calculation function of the target pipeline pressure to be fitted using mathematical methods (such as regression analysis, curve fitting, etc.) based on the maximum outdoor ambient temperature and multiple sets of two-dimensional mapping relationships between time and the first pipeline pressure.

[0068] Furthermore, the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment can be determined based on the current moment, the maximum outdoor ambient temperature, and the calculation function for pipeline pressure. That is, the value corresponding to the current moment can be obtained, and it can be substituted into the maximum outdoor ambient temperature and the calculation function for pipeline pressure to obtain the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment.

[0069] In a specific embodiment, the first preset time and the preset time interval can be set according to the actual situation, wherein the preset time interval includes, but is not limited to, 5 minutes.

[0070] In one embodiment of the present invention, when controlling the operating state of the indoor fan 11 according to the type of signal, the controller 71 is configured to: when the signal is a first type of signal, control the outdoor fan 12 to send a first control signal to the indoor fan 11 to instruct the indoor fan 11 to operate at a first target speed, so that the indoor fan 11 operates according to the first control signal;

[0071] When the signal is a second type of signal, the outdoor fan 12 sends a second control signal to the indoor fan 11 to instruct the indoor fan 11 to operate at a second target speed, so that the indoor fan 11 operates according to the second control signal, wherein the first target speed is greater than the second target speed.

[0072] Specifically, in the process of controlling the operation of the indoor fan 11 according to the type of signal, the type of signal can be determined according to the current speed of the outdoor fan 12. If the signal is a first type signal, it means that the outdoor fan 12 is currently operating at a higher frequency. At this time, the outdoor fan 12 can be controlled to send a first control signal to the indoor fan 11 to instruct the indoor fan 11 to operate at high speed (i.e., operate at the first target speed), so that the indoor fan 11 operates according to the first control signal, thereby accelerating the air flow speed and reducing the impact of condensation.

[0073] Furthermore, if the signal is a second type of signal, it indicates that the outdoor fan 12 is currently operating at a lower frequency. At this time, the outdoor fan 12 can be controlled to send a second control signal to the indoor fan 11 to instruct the indoor fan 11 to operate at a moderate speed (i.e., at the second target speed), so that the indoor fan 11 can operate according to the second control signal, thereby accelerating the air flow speed, reducing the possibility of condensation, and achieving the purpose of saving energy and reducing noise.

[0074] In a specific embodiment, the first target speed and the second target speed can be set according to the actual situation. The first target speed includes, but is not limited to, the speed corresponding to the highest setting of the air conditioner 1, such as the speed corresponding to the fifth setting. The second target speed includes, but is not limited to, the speed corresponding to the middle setting of the air conditioner 1, such as the speed corresponding to the third or fourth setting.

[0075] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first type signal, the first control signal, and the second control signal are high-level signals, and the second type signal is a low-level signal.

[0076] Specifically, the first type of signal is a high-level signal, indicating that the outdoor fan 12 operates at a higher frequency; the first control signal is also a high-level signal, which manifests as a higher voltage value when transmitted on the power line, and is used to indicate that the indoor fan 11 operates at a first target speed; the second control signal is also a high-level signal, which manifests as a higher voltage value when transmitted on the power line, and is used to indicate that the indoor fan 11 operates at a second target speed; the second type of signal is a low-level signal, indicating that the outdoor fan 12 operates at a lower frequency; wherein, the first control signal can be obtained by reversing the low-level signal.

[0077] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the indoor fan 11 is running according to the first control signal, the controller 71 is further configured to: when the running time of the indoor fan 11 reaches the second preset time, control the outdoor fan 12 to stop sending the first control signal, and control the speed of the indoor fan 11 to return to the speed when the air conditioner 1 is running in cooling mode.

[0078] Specifically, when the indoor fan 11 is running according to the first control signal, the controller 71 can monitor the running time of the indoor fan 11 according to the first control signal in real time. When the running time of the indoor fan 11 reaches the second preset time, it means that the surface temperature of the indoor fan 11 has been effectively increased due to the indoor fan 11 running at the first target speed, thus solving the condensation problem of the indoor fan 11. At this time, the outdoor fan 12 can be controlled to stop sending the first control signal, and the speed of the indoor fan 11 can be controlled to return to the speed when the air conditioner 1 is running in cooling mode, so as to avoid the indoor fan 11 maintaining unnecessary high-speed operation. This can save energy and reduce noise while improving the reliability of the air conditioner 1, thereby improving the user's comfort and satisfaction.

[0079] In a specific embodiment, the second preset time can be set according to the actual situation, including but not limited to 60 seconds.

[0080] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the indoor fan 11 is running according to the second control signal, the controller 71 is further configured to: when the running time of the indoor fan 11 reaches a third preset time, control the outdoor fan 12 to stop sending the second control signal, and control the speed of the indoor fan 11 to return to the speed when the air conditioner 1 is running in cooling mode.

[0081] Specifically, when the indoor fan 11 is running according to the second control signal, the controller 71 can monitor the running time of the indoor fan 11 according to the second control signal in real time. When the running time of the indoor fan 11 reaches the third preset time, it means that the surface temperature of the indoor fan 11 has been effectively increased due to the indoor fan 11 running at the second target speed, thus solving the condensation problem of the indoor fan 11. At this time, the outdoor fan 12 can be controlled to stop sending the second control signal, and the speed of the indoor fan 11 can be controlled to return to the speed when the air conditioner 1 is running in cooling mode. This avoids the indoor fan 11 from maintaining unnecessary high-speed operation, thereby saving energy and reducing noise while improving the reliability of the air conditioner 1, and thus improving the user's comfort and satisfaction.

[0082] In a specific embodiment, the third preset time can be set according to the actual situation, including but not limited to 60 seconds.

[0083] In one embodiment of the present invention, after the operation of the indoor fan 11 is controlled according to the type of signal, the controller 71 is further configured to: periodically acquire the first pipeline pressure at the current moment and the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment at a time interval of a fourth preset time; when the first pipeline pressure is greater than the target pipeline pressure, control the indoor fan 11 to run at a third target speed until a fifth preset time is reached, and then control the speed of the indoor fan 11 to return to the speed when the air conditioner 1 is running in cooling mode;

[0084] When the pressure in the first pipeline is not greater than the target pipeline pressure, the indoor fan 11 is controlled to maintain its current operating state.

[0085] Specifically, after the operation of the indoor fan 11 is controlled according to the signal type, the first pipeline pressure and the target pipeline pressure at the current moment can be periodically acquired at a fourth preset time interval. When the first pipeline pressure is greater than the target pipeline pressure, it indicates that after the operation of the indoor fan 11 is controlled according to the signal type, the temperature on one side of the indoor fan 11 may drop below the dew point, causing water vapor in the air to condense into water on the surface of the indoor fan 11 and its air outlet, i.e., condensation is generated. At this time, the indoor fan 11 can be controlled to run at the third target speed to accelerate the air flow speed and reduce the impact of condensation until the fifth preset time is reached, at which point the speed of the indoor fan 11 is restored to the speed when the air conditioner 1 is running in cooling mode.

[0086] Furthermore, when the pressure in the first pipeline is not greater than the pressure in the target pipeline, it indicates that after the operation of the indoor fan 11 is controlled according to the signal type, there is no condensation problem in the current indoor fan 11, and the indoor fan 11 can be controlled to maintain the current operating state, that is, maintain the current speed.

[0087] In a specific embodiment, the fourth preset time, the fifth preset time, and the third target speed can all be set according to the actual situation. The third target speed includes, but is not limited to, the speed corresponding to the highest setting of the air conditioner 1, such as the speed corresponding to the fifth setting. The fifth preset time includes, but is not limited to, 60 seconds.

[0088] In one embodiment of the present invention, before obtaining the first pipeline pressure at the current moment and the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment, the controller 71 is further configured to control the air conditioner 1 to operate for a sixth preset time.

[0089] Specifically, after the air conditioner 1 starts cooling operation, before obtaining the first pipeline pressure at the current moment and the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment, the air conditioner 1 can be controlled to run cooling operation for a fixed time (i.e., the sixth preset time) so that the air conditioner 1 reaches a stable cooling operation state. That is, during the cooling operation of the air conditioner 1, various parameters (such as pipeline pressure, temperature, etc.) are kept within a relatively stable and predictable range, which makes it easier to obtain more accurate values ​​of parameters such as the first pipeline pressure, and thus facilitates the precise control of the air conditioner 1.

[0090] In a specific embodiment, the third preset time can be set according to the actual situation.

[0091] In one embodiment of the present invention, after obtaining the first pipeline pressure at the current moment and the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment, the controller 71 is further configured to: control the indoor fan 11 to maintain the current operating state when the first pipeline pressure is not greater than the target pipeline pressure.

[0092] Specifically, after obtaining the first pipeline pressure at the current moment and the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment, if the first pipeline pressure is not greater than the target pipeline pressure, it indicates that the temperature on one side of the indoor fan 11 is not too low, and the possibility of water vapor in the air condensing into water on the surface of the indoor fan 11 and its air outlet is low. Therefore, the indoor fan 11 can be controlled to maintain its current operating state.

[0093] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner 1 can acquire the first pipeline pressure and the target pipeline pressure at the current moment when the air conditioner 1 is running in cooling mode. When the first pipeline pressure is greater than the target pipeline pressure, the operating state of the indoor fan 11 can be controlled according to the type of signal representing the current speed of the outdoor fan 12, without relying on a specific communication protocol between the indoor fan 11 and the outdoor fan 12. This can effectively solve the problem that the air conditioner 1 cannot effectively prevent condensation when the indoor fan 11 and the outdoor fan 12 are incompatible or cannot communicate, improve the reliability of the air conditioner 1, and thus improve the user's comfort and satisfaction.

[0094] The following is for reference. Figure 5 This invention describes a control method for an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] like Figure 5 As shown, the air conditioner control method of this embodiment includes at least steps S1-S3.

[0096] Step S1: When the air conditioner is running in cooling mode, obtain the first pipeline pressure at the current moment and the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment.

[0097] Step S2: When the pressure in the first pipeline is greater than the pressure in the target pipeline, acquire the type of signal that represents the current speed of the outdoor fan.

[0098] Step S3: Control the operating status of the indoor fan according to the type of signal.

[0099] In some embodiments, the air conditioner further includes an outdoor ambient temperature sensor for detecting the outdoor ambient temperature; combined with Figure 6As shown, when obtaining the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment, the process includes: obtaining the maximum outdoor ambient temperature within a first preset time period; within the first preset time period, obtaining multiple moments and their corresponding first pipeline pressures based on preset time intervals to obtain multiple sets of two-dimensional mapping relationships between moments and first pipeline pressures; based on the maximum outdoor ambient temperature and the multiple sets of two-dimensional mapping relationships between moments and first pipeline pressures, fitting a calculation function for the target pipeline pressure; and determining the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment based on the current moment, the maximum outdoor ambient temperature, and the calculation function for pipeline pressure.

[0100] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 7 As shown, when controlling the operating state of the indoor fan according to the type of signal, the method includes: when the signal is a first type signal, controlling the outdoor fan to send a first control signal to the indoor fan to instruct the indoor fan to operate at a first target speed, so that the indoor fan operates according to the first control signal; when the signal is a second type signal, controlling the outdoor fan to send a second control signal to the indoor fan to instruct the indoor fan to operate at a second target speed, so that the indoor fan operates according to the second control signal, wherein the first target speed is greater than the second target speed.

[0101] In some embodiments, the first type signal, the first control signal, and the second control signal are high-level signals, and the second type signal is a low-level signal.

[0102] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 7 As shown, when the indoor fan is running according to the first control signal, the method further includes: when the running time of the indoor fan reaches the second preset time, controlling the outdoor fan to stop sending the first control signal, and controlling the speed of the indoor fan to return to the speed when the air conditioner is running in cooling mode.

[0103] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 7 As shown, when the indoor fan is running according to the second control signal, the method further includes: when the running time of the indoor fan reaches the third preset time, controlling the outdoor fan to stop sending the second control signal, and controlling the speed of the indoor fan to return to the speed when the air conditioner is running in cooling mode.

[0104] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 8 As shown, after controlling the operation of the indoor fan according to the signal type, the method further includes: periodically acquiring the first pipeline pressure and the target pipeline pressure at the current moment at a time interval of the fourth preset time; when the first pipeline pressure is greater than the target pipeline pressure, controlling the indoor fan to run at the third target speed until the fifth preset time is reached, and then controlling the speed of the indoor fan to return to the speed when the air conditioner is cooling; when the first pipeline pressure is not greater than the target pipeline pressure, controlling the indoor fan to maintain the current operation state.

[0105] In some embodiments, before obtaining the first pipeline pressure at the current moment and the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment, the method further includes: controlling the air conditioner to operate for a sixth preset time.

[0106] In some embodiments, after obtaining the first pipeline pressure at the current moment and the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment, the method further includes: when the first pipeline pressure is not greater than the target pipeline pressure, controlling the indoor fan to maintain the current operating state.

[0107] It should be noted that the specific implementation method of controlling the air conditioner is similar to that of the air conditioner in any of the above embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, for a detailed exemplary description of the control process of the air conditioner, please refer to the relevant description of the air conditioner mentioned above. To reduce redundancy, it will not be repeated here.

[0108] According to the air conditioner control method of the present invention, when the air conditioner is running in cooling mode, a first pipeline pressure and a target pipeline pressure at the current moment can be obtained. When the first pipeline pressure is greater than the target pipeline pressure, the operating state of the indoor fan can be controlled according to the type of signal representing the current speed of the outdoor fan, without relying on a specific communication protocol between the indoor fan and the outdoor fan. This effectively solves the problem that air conditioners with incompatible or non-communicating indoor and outdoor fans cannot effectively prevent condensation, improves the reliability of the air conditioner, and thus improves user comfort and satisfaction.

[0109] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.

[0110] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, characterized in that, include: The refrigerant circulation loop allows the refrigerant to circulate in a loop consisting of a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, and four-way valve. One of the condensers and the other of the evaporator is an outdoor heat exchanger and the other is an indoor heat exchanger. An indoor fan is used to drive indoor air through the indoor heat exchanger by rotation, so that the refrigerant can exchange heat with the indoor air; An outdoor fan is used to drive outdoor air through the outdoor heat exchanger by rotation, so that the refrigerant can exchange heat with the outdoor air. The indoor fan and the outdoor fan are connected via power lines and transmit signals. A pressure sensor is installed at the connection pipe between the four-way valve and the indoor fan to detect the pressure in the first pipe between the four-way valve and the indoor fan; The controller is configured to: When the air conditioner is in cooling operation, the first pipeline pressure at the current moment and the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment are obtained; When the pressure in the first pipeline is greater than the pressure in the target pipeline, the type of signal representing the current rotational speed of the outdoor fan is acquired; The operating status of the indoor fan is controlled according to the type of the signal.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air conditioner also includes an outdoor ambient temperature sensor for detecting the outdoor ambient temperature; when acquiring the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment, the controller is configured to: Obtain the maximum value of the outdoor ambient temperature within a first preset time period; Within the first preset time period, multiple moments and their corresponding first pipeline pressures are obtained based on preset time intervals, resulting in multiple sets of two-dimensional mapping relationships between moments and first pipeline pressures; Based on the maximum outdoor ambient temperature and multiple sets of two-dimensional mapping relationships between time and first pipeline pressure, a calculation function for the target pipeline pressure is obtained by fitting. Based on the current moment, the maximum outdoor ambient temperature, and the calculation function for pipeline pressure, the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment is determined.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, When controlling the operating state of the indoor fan according to the type of the signal, the controller is configured to: When the signal is a first type signal, the outdoor fan is controlled to send a first control signal to the indoor fan to instruct the indoor fan to operate at a first target speed, so that the indoor fan operates according to the first control signal; When the signal is a second type of signal, the outdoor fan is controlled to send a second control signal to the indoor fan to instruct the indoor fan to operate at a second target speed, so that the indoor fan operates according to the second control signal, wherein the first target speed is greater than the second target speed.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first type signal, the first control signal, and the second control signal are all high-level signals, while the second type signal is a low-level signal.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the indoor fan operates according to the first control signal, the controller is further configured to: When the indoor fan has been running for a second preset time, the outdoor fan is controlled to stop sending the first control signal, and the speed of the indoor fan is controlled to return to the speed during the cooling operation of the air conditioner.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the indoor fan is running according to the second control signal, the controller is further configured to: When the indoor fan has been running for a third preset time, the outdoor fan is controlled to stop sending the second control signal, and the speed of the indoor fan is controlled to return to the speed during the cooling operation of the air conditioner.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the control of the indoor fan's operation based on the type of signal ends, the controller is further configured to: The pressure of the first pipeline at the current moment and the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment are periodically obtained at a fourth preset time interval. When the pressure in the first pipeline is greater than the pressure in the target pipeline, the indoor fan is controlled to run at the third target speed until the fifth preset time is reached, and then the speed of the indoor fan is controlled to return to the speed at which the air conditioner is running in cooling mode. When the pressure in the first pipeline is not greater than the target pipeline pressure, the indoor fan is controlled to maintain its current operating state.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before acquiring the first pipeline pressure at the current moment and the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment, the controller is further configured to: Control the air conditioner to operate for a sixth preset time.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is also configured to: When the pressure in the first pipeline is not greater than the target pipeline pressure, the indoor fan is controlled to maintain its current operating state.

10. A control method for an air conditioner, characterized in that, For use in an air conditioner as described in any one of claims 1-9, the method comprises the following steps: When the air conditioner is in cooling operation, the first pipeline pressure at the current moment and the target pipeline pressure corresponding to the current moment are obtained; When the pressure in the first pipeline is greater than the pressure in the target pipeline, the type of signal representing the current speed of the outdoor fan is acquired; The operating status of the indoor fan is controlled according to the type of the signal.

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