Air conditioner

Abstract

The utility model provides an air conditioner which comprises an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a throttling device, a bypass pipeline and a flow path control device, the indoor heat exchanger is provided with a refrigerant channel and a phase-change material channel, and the phase-change material channel is configured to absorb heat or cold generated by the refrigerant channel so as to store the heat or cold. The stored heat or cold energy is released outwards; the throttling device is arranged between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger; the bypass pipeline is connected with the indoor heat exchanger in parallel; the flow path control device is configured to enable the throttling device to communicate with the bypass pipeline in a controlled mode or enable the throttling device to communicate with the indoor heat exchanger. When the air conditioner disclosed by the utility model is used for defrosting, the phase change material in the phase change material channel of the indoor heat exchanger can release heat outwards, so that the air conditioner can continuously blow hot air into a room, and the indoor comfort level is higher.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of air handling equipment, and in particular to an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] When air conditioners in related technologies defrost, their indoor units not only fail to provide heat to the room, but also absorb heat from the room through natural convection due to the low surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger, further reducing the indoor temperature. This results in poor indoor comfort during defrosting and a poor user experience. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of the above problems, this utility model is proposed to provide an air conditioner that overcomes or at least partially solves the above problems.

[0004] The present invention aims to solve the problem in the related technology that air conditioners cannot provide heat to the room when defrosting, so as to improve indoor comfort.

[0005] Specifically, this utility model provides an air conditioner.

[0006] The air conditioner of this utility model includes: an outdoor heat exchanger; an indoor heat exchanger having a refrigerant channel and a phase change material channel, the phase change material channel being configured to absorb heat or cold generated by the refrigerant channel to store heat or cold, and to release the stored heat or cold to the outside; a throttling device disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger; a bypass pipe disposed in parallel with the indoor heat exchanger; and a flow path control device configured to controllably connect the throttling device to the bypass pipe, or to connect the throttling device to the indoor heat exchanger.

[0007] In some embodiments, the indoor heat exchanger includes a plurality of parallel flat tubes, and the refrigerant channel and the phase change material channel are both disposed within the flat tubes; and the refrigerant channel and the phase change material channel are alternately arranged along the width direction of the flat tubes.

[0008] In some embodiments, the indoor heat exchanger includes a plurality of parallel flat tubes, and the refrigerant channel and the phase change material channel are both disposed within the flat tubes; the refrigerant channel is arranged in two layers, sequentially arranged along the thickness direction of the flat tubes, with each layer containing a plurality of refrigerant channels, sequentially arranged along the width direction of the flat tubes; the phase change material channel comprises a plurality of channels, sequentially arranged along the width direction of the flat tubes, and disposed between the two layers of refrigerant channels.

[0009] In some embodiments, the indoor heat exchanger further includes two manifolds, one of which is connected to the throttling device; the flat tube is disposed between the two manifolds, and both ends of each refrigerant channel are respectively connected to the two manifolds; the two manifolds respectively seal both ends of the phase change material channel; or each phase change material channel has a sealing structure at both ends; the flat tube is a microchannel flat tube, and heat exchange fins are disposed between two adjacent flat tubes.

[0010] In some embodiments, the flow path control device includes: a first valve disposed on the bypass pipeline and configured to open or close the bypass pipeline; and a second valve disposed between the indoor heat exchanger and the throttling device and configured to open or close the pipeline between the indoor heat exchanger and the throttling device.

[0011] In some embodiments, the air conditioner further includes: a four-way reversing valve having a first valve port, a second valve port, a third valve port, and a fourth valve port, configured to connect the first valve port and the second valve port simultaneously to connect the third valve port and the fourth valve port, or to connect the first valve port and the third valve port simultaneously to connect the second valve port and the fourth valve port; a compressor, the compressor outlet being connected to the first valve port and the compressor inlet being connected to the fourth valve port; the second valve port being connected to the outdoor heat exchanger, and the third valve port being connected to both the bypass pipeline and the indoor heat exchanger.

[0012] In some embodiments, the air conditioner further includes: a first temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger to control the air conditioner to enter a defrost procedure based on the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0013] In some embodiments, the air conditioner further includes: an indoor unit having the indoor heat exchanger, the indoor unit having an air outlet and an indoor fan, the indoor fan being configured to cooperate with the indoor heat exchanger to cause airflow to flow through the indoor heat exchanger and out of the air outlet; and a second temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the phase change material channel to control the rotational speed of the indoor fan based on the temperature of the phase change material channel.

[0014] In some embodiments, the air conditioner further includes: an indoor unit having the indoor heat exchanger, the indoor unit having an air outlet and an indoor fan, the indoor fan being configured to cooperate with the indoor heat exchanger to cause airflow to flow through the indoor heat exchanger and out of the air outlet; a second temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the phase change material channel; and a third temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the air outlet, so as to control the rotational speed of the indoor fan based on the temperature of the phase change material channel and the temperature of the air outlet.

[0015] In some embodiments, the air conditioner further includes: an indoor unit having the indoor heat exchanger, the indoor unit having an air outlet, a return air outlet, and an indoor fan, the indoor fan being configured to cooperate with the indoor heat exchanger to cause airflow to enter from the return air outlet, flow through the indoor heat exchanger, and exit from the air outlet; a second temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the phase change material channel; and a fourth temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the airflow exiting the return air outlet, so as to control the rotational speed of the indoor fan based on the temperature of the phase change material channel and the temperature of the return air outlet.

[0016] In this embodiment of the air conditioner, the indoor heat exchanger is connected in parallel with a bypass pipe, and the indoor heat exchanger and the bypass pipe are switchably connected to a throttling device. The indoor heat exchanger has a refrigerant channel for refrigerant flow and a phase change material channel storing phase change material. When the air conditioner is heating, the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the throttling device, meaning the refrigerant flows into the refrigerant channel and releases heat through the indoor heat exchanger. This not only heats the air drawn into the air conditioner, causing it to blow hot air into the room, but also heats the phase change material, allowing it to store some heat. When the air conditioner is defrosting, the bypass pipe is connected to the throttling device, preventing the low-temperature refrigerant from passing through the indoor heat exchanger, and the phase change material in the phase change material channel releases the stored heat. This allows the air conditioner to continue blowing hot air into the room, solving the problem in related technologies where air conditioners cannot provide heat during defrosting, thus improving indoor comfort.

[0017] The above and other objects, advantages and features of this utility model will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments of this utility model in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The following sections will describe some specific embodiments of the present invention in a detailed manner by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts or components. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of an indoor heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of an indoor heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4This is a schematic structural diagram of an indoor heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic structural diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic structural diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic structural diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0027] Figure label:

[0028] Air conditioner 10;

[0029] Outdoor heat exchanger 100; First temperature sensor 110;

[0030] Indoor heat exchanger 200; refrigerant passage 210; phase change material passage 220; flat tube 230; manifold 240; second temperature sensor 250;

[0031] Throttling device 300;

[0032] Bypass pipe 400;

[0033] Flow path control device 500;

[0034] First valve 610; Second valve 620; Four-way directional valve 630; First valve port 631; Second valve port 632; Third valve port 633; ​​Fourth valve port 634;

[0035] Compressor 710; Indoor fan 720; Third temperature sensor 740; Fourth temperature sensor 750. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The following reference Figures 1 to 8This invention describes an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this description, it should be understood that 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 indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature, that is, include one or more of that feature. In the description of the present invention, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified. When a feature "includes or contains" one or more of the features it encompasses, unless otherwise specifically described, this indicates that other features are not excluded and may be further included.

[0037] Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," "link," "fix," and "couple" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; 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; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art should be able to understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0038] Furthermore, in the description of this embodiment, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or it can include contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. That is, in the description of this embodiment, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," or "below" of the second feature can mean the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0039] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "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 this utility model. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0040] The air conditioner 10 of this utility model is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] like Figures 1-6 As shown, the air conditioner 10 of this utility model embodiment includes an outdoor heat exchanger 100, an indoor heat exchanger 200, a throttling device 300, a bypass pipe 400, and a flow path control device 500.

[0042] The indoor heat exchanger 200 has a refrigerant channel 210 and a phase change material channel 220. The phase change material channel 220 is configured to absorb the heat or cold generated by the refrigerant channel 210 to store the heat or cold, and to release the stored heat or cold to the outside. That is, the phase change material in the phase change material channel 220 can exchange heat with the refrigerant in the refrigerant channel 210 or the air in the air conditioner 10, causing the phase change material to melt or solidify, thereby absorbing the cold released by the refrigerant or releasing heat or cold to the air.

[0043] A throttling device 300 is disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger 100 and the indoor heat exchanger 200, and a bypass pipe 400 is connected in parallel with the indoor heat exchanger 200. A flow path control device 500 is configured to controllably connect the throttling device 300 to the bypass pipe 400, or to connect the throttling device 300 to the indoor heat exchanger 200. That is, the flow path control device 500 controls the connection of the throttling device 300 to the bypass pipe 400 or controls the connection of the throttling device 300 to the indoor heat exchanger 200.

[0044] In heating mode, the flow control device 500 controls the throttling device 300 to connect with the indoor heat exchanger 200. High-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows into the refrigerant channel 210 of the indoor heat exchanger 200, allowing the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant to exchange heat with the phase change material in the phase change material channel 220 and the air drawn into the air conditioner 10. This heats the air drawn into the air conditioner 10, causing the air conditioner 10 to blow hot air into the room, and the phase change material to store some heat. The refrigerant that releases heat forms a high-pressure liquid refrigerant and enters the outdoor heat exchanger 100. After absorbing heat from the outdoor environment, the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 100 is converted into a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant.

[0045] In defrost mode, the flow path control device 500 controls the throttling device 300 to connect with the bypass pipe 400. High-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant exchanges heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 100, causing it to heat up and defrost. The refrigerant after heat exchange becomes high-pressure liquid refrigerant. After being throttled by the throttling device 300, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant becomes low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant, which flows into the bypass pipe 400 and no longer enters the indoor heat exchanger 200. Meanwhile, the phase change material in the phase change material channel 220 of the indoor heat exchanger 200 releases stored heat to the outside, thereby heating the air drawn into the air conditioner 10, allowing the air conditioner 10 to continue blowing hot air into the room to maintain a warm indoor environment.

[0046] Compared with related technologies, in this embodiment of the air conditioner 10, the indoor heat exchanger 200 is provided with a bypass pipe 400 in parallel, and the indoor heat exchanger 200 and the bypass pipe 400 are switchably connected to the throttling device 300. The indoor heat exchanger 200 has a refrigerant channel 210 for refrigerant flow and a phase change material channel 220 for storing phase change material. When the air conditioner 10 is heating, the indoor heat exchanger 200 is connected to the throttling device 300, that is, the refrigerant flows into the refrigerant channel 210 and releases heat to the outside through the indoor heat exchanger 200. This not only heats the air drawn into the air conditioner 10, causing the air conditioner 10 to blow hot air into the room, but also heats the phase change material, causing the phase change material to store some heat. When the air conditioner 10 defrosts, the bypass pipe 400 is connected to the throttling device 300, so that the low-temperature refrigerant no longer passes through the indoor heat exchanger 200, and the phase change material in the phase change material channel 220 releases the stored heat, thereby enabling the air conditioner 10 to continue blowing hot air into the room. This solves the problem in related technologies that the air conditioner 10 cannot supply heat to the room when defrosting, thus achieving the goal of improving indoor comfort.

[0047] The phase change material filling the phase change material channel 220 can be a hydrated salt; or, the phase change material filling the phase change material channel 220 can be paraffin; or, the phase change material filling the phase change material channel 220 can be other materials.

[0048] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the indoor heat exchanger 200 includes a plurality of parallel flat tubes 230. Refrigerant channels 210 and phase change material channels 220 are both disposed within the flat tubes 230, and the refrigerant channels 210 and phase change material channels 220 are aligned along the width direction of the flat tubes 230 (e.g., ...). Figure 3 The refrigerant channels 210 and phase change material channels 220 are arranged alternately in the front and back directions of the tube. Specifically, each flat tube 230 contains multiple refrigerant channels 210 spaced apart along its width, and multiple phase change material channels 220 spaced apart along the same width direction. The refrigerant channels 210 and phase change material channels 220 are staggered, with one phase change material channel 220 between every two adjacent refrigerant channels 210 and one refrigerant channel 210 between every two adjacent phase change material channels 220. By staggering the refrigerant channels 210 and phase change material channels 220, the heat transfer distance between the refrigerant and the phase change material is reduced, allowing the cold or heat in the refrigerant to be quickly transferred to the phase change material, reducing the loss of cold or heat, and thus further improving the utilization rate of cold or heat.

[0049] In some alternative embodiments, two adjacent refrigerant channels 210 are arranged flush with each other in the thickness direction of the flat tube 230, and the phase change material channel 220 between the two adjacent refrigerant channels 210 is staggered from the refrigerant channel 210 in the thickness direction of the flat tube 230.

[0050] In some alternative embodiments, two adjacent refrigerant channels 210 and the phase change material channel 220 between them are all arranged flush with each other in the thickness direction of the flat tube 230.

[0051] In some embodiments, the indoor heat exchanger 200 includes a plurality of parallel flat tubes 230, and refrigerant channels 210 and phase change material channels 220 are both disposed within the flat tubes 230. The refrigerant channels 210 are arranged in two layers, sequentially arranged along the thickness direction of the flat tubes 230, with multiple refrigerant channels 210 in each layer, and the multiple refrigerant channels 210 are sequentially arranged along the width direction of the flat tubes 230. There are multiple phase change material channels 220, which are sequentially arranged along the width direction of the flat tubes 230, and the phase change material channels 220 are disposed between the two layers of refrigerant channels 210.

[0052] In other words, each flat tube 230 has two layers of refrigerant channels 210, thereby increasing the refrigerant flow rate in each flat tube 230 and increasing the amount of cooling or heating that the refrigerant can release in each flat tube 230, thus improving the cooling and heating capacity of the indoor unit of the air conditioner 10 in this embodiment. Furthermore, the phase change material channel 220 is enclosed between the two layers of refrigerant channels 210, allowing the phase change material in the phase change material channel 220 to better absorb the cooling or heating released by the refrigerant, further improving energy utilization.

[0053] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the indoor heat exchanger 200 also includes two manifolds 240, one of which is connected to the throttling device 300. A flat tube 230 is positioned between the two manifolds 240, and both ends of each refrigerant channel 210 are connected to both manifolds 240 respectively. The two manifolds 240 respectively seal both ends of the phase change material channel 220; or each phase change material channel 220 has a sealing structure at both ends. The flat tube 230 is a microchannel flat tube 230, and heat exchange fins are provided between adjacent flat tubes 230.

[0054] That is, the two manifolds 240 are the first manifold 240 and the second manifold 240, respectively. A flat tube 230 is disposed between the first manifold 240 and the second manifold 240, and both ends of each refrigerant channel 210 are connected to the first manifold 240 and the second manifold 240, respectively. The first manifold 240 and the second manifold 240 respectively seal both ends of the phase change material channel 220. Alternatively, both ends of each phase change material channel 220 are provided with a sealing structure. The refrigerant enters from the first manifold 240 into the refrigerant channel 210 of each flat tube 230, and then enters the second manifold 240 through the refrigerant channel 210; or, the refrigerant enters from the second manifold 240 into the refrigerant channel 210 of each flat tube 230, and then enters the first manifold 240 through the refrigerant channel 210.

[0055] Heat exchange fins are provided between two adjacent flat tubes 230 to increase the contact area between the indoor heat exchanger 200 and the air, thereby improving the heat exchange effect.

[0056] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the flow path control device 500 includes a first valve 610 and a second valve 620. The first valve 610 is disposed on the bypass pipe 400 and is configured to open or close the bypass pipe 400. The second valve 620 is disposed between the indoor heat exchanger 200 and the throttling device 300 and is configured to open or close the pipe between the indoor heat exchanger 200 and the throttling device 300. In other words, controlling the connection between the bypass pipe 400 and the indoor heat exchanger 200 and the throttling device 300 through the first valve 610 and the second valve 620 not only simplifies the structure but also makes it easy to manufacture.

[0057] In other embodiments, the flow control device 500 includes a three-way valve having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The inlet is connected to the throttling device 300, and the first and second outlets are connected to the bypass line 400 and the indoor heat exchanger 200, respectively. The three-way valve controls the connection between the bypass line 400 and the indoor heat exchanger 200 and the throttling device 300 by switching the connection between the inlet and one of the first and second outlets.

[0058] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1As shown, the air conditioner 10 of this embodiment further includes a four-way reversing valve 630 and a compressor 710. The four-way reversing valve 630 has a first valve port 631, a second valve port 632, a third valve port 633, and a fourth valve port 634, configured to connect the first valve port 631 and the second valve port 632 while simultaneously connecting the third valve port 633 and the fourth valve port 634, or to connect the first valve port 631 and the third valve port 633 while simultaneously connecting the second valve port 632 and the fourth valve port 634. The outlet of the compressor 710 is connected to the first valve port 631, and the inlet of the compressor 710 is connected to the fourth valve port 634. The second valve port 632 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 100, and the third valve port 633 is connected to both the bypass pipe 400 and the indoor heat exchanger 200, thereby controlling the flow direction of the refrigerant through the four-way reversing valve 630.

[0059] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the air conditioner 10 of this embodiment further includes a first temperature sensor 110, which is configured to detect the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 100, so as to control the air conditioner 10 to enter the defrost program based on the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 100. The first temperature sensor 110 can be installed on the outdoor heat exchanger 100 to accurately detect the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 100, thereby enabling the air conditioner 10 of this embodiment to more accurately enter the defrost program, so as to perform timely defrosting of the outdoor heat exchanger 100 and ensure the normal operation of the air conditioner 10.

[0060] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the air conditioner 10 of this embodiment further includes an indoor unit and a second temperature sensor 250. The indoor unit has an indoor heat exchanger 200 as described in any of the above embodiments, an air outlet, and an indoor fan 720. The indoor fan 720 is configured to cooperate with the indoor heat exchanger 200, causing airflow to pass through the indoor heat exchanger 200 and exit from the air outlet. The second temperature sensor 250 is configured to detect the temperature of the phase change material channel 220, and control the rotation speed of the indoor fan 720 based on the temperature of the phase change material channel 220. The second temperature sensor 250 is located at the phase change material channel 220. In other words, by using the second temperature sensor 250 to detect the temperature of the phase change material, the airflow is adjusted to make the airflow temperature more comfortable, thus further improving the user experience.

[0061] In other embodiments, such as Figure 7As shown, the air conditioner 10 of this embodiment further includes an indoor unit, a second temperature sensor 250, and a third temperature sensor 740. The indoor unit has an indoor heat exchanger 200 as described in any of the above embodiments, an air outlet, and an indoor fan 720. The indoor fan 720 is configured to cooperate with the indoor heat exchanger 200, causing airflow to pass through the indoor heat exchanger 200 and exit through the air outlet. The second temperature sensor 250 is configured to detect the temperature of the phase change material channel 220, and the third temperature sensor 740 is configured to detect the temperature of the airflow exiting the air outlet, thereby controlling the rotational speed of the indoor fan 720 based on the temperature of the phase change material channel 220 and the temperature of the air outlet. In other words, the second temperature sensor 250 detects the temperature of the phase change material, thereby adjusting the airflow volume to make the air outlet temperature more comfortable. Furthermore, the third temperature sensor 740 detects the temperature of the airflow exiting the air outlet, thereby adjusting the rotational speed of the indoor fan 720 based on the detected airflow temperature feedback, thus forming a closed-loop control to make the airflow temperature at the air outlet more accurate.

[0062] In some other embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the air conditioner 10 of this embodiment further includes: an indoor unit, a second temperature sensor 250, and a fourth temperature sensor 750. The indoor unit has an indoor heat exchanger 200 as described in any of the above embodiments. The indoor unit has an air outlet, a return air outlet, and an indoor fan 720. The indoor fan 720 is configured to cooperate with the indoor heat exchanger 200 to cause airflow to enter from the return air outlet, flow through the indoor heat exchanger 200, and exit from the air outlet. The second temperature sensor 250 is configured to detect the temperature of the phase change material channel 220. The fourth temperature sensor 750 is configured to detect the temperature of the airflow exiting the return air outlet, so as to control the rotation speed of the indoor fan 720 according to the temperature of the phase change material channel 220 and the temperature of the return air outlet. In other words, the temperature of the phase change material is detected by the second temperature sensor 250, and the air volume is adjusted accordingly to make the air temperature more comfortable. In addition, the temperature of the airflow at the return air vent, i.e. the indoor ambient temperature, is detected by the fourth temperature sensor 750. The speed of the indoor fan 720 can be adjusted according to the indoor ambient temperature, thereby adjusting the air temperature of the air conditioner 10 to make the air supply more comfortable.

[0063] Therefore, those skilled in the art should recognize that although many exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications conforming to the principles of the present invention can be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and recognized as covering all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, characterized in that, include: Outdoor heat exchanger; An indoor heat exchanger having a refrigerant channel and a phase change material channel, the phase change material channel being configured to absorb heat or cold generated by the refrigerant channel to store heat or cold, and to release the stored heat or cold to the outside. A throttling device is provided between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger; A bypass pipeline is provided, which is connected in parallel with the indoor heat exchanger; A flow path control device configured to controllably connect the throttling device to the bypass line or to the indoor heat exchanger.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The indoor heat exchanger includes multiple parallel flat tubes, and the refrigerant channel and the phase change material channel are both disposed inside the flat tubes; and the refrigerant channel and the phase change material channel are arranged alternately along the width direction of the flat tubes.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The indoor heat exchanger includes multiple parallel flat tubes, and the refrigerant channel and the phase change material channel are both disposed inside the flat tubes; The refrigerant channels are arranged in two layers, sequentially along the thickness direction of the flat tube, with multiple refrigerant channels in each layer, sequentially along the width direction of the flat tube. The phase change material channels are multiple, arranged sequentially along the width direction of the flat tube, and positioned between the two layers of refrigerant channels.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The indoor heat exchanger also includes two manifolds, one of which is connected to the throttling device; The flat tube is disposed between the two manifolds, and both ends of each refrigerant channel are connected to the two manifolds respectively; The two manifolds respectively seal off both ends of the phase change material channel; or each phase change material channel is provided with a sealing structure at both ends; The flat tube is a microchannel flat tube, and heat exchange fins are provided between two adjacent flat tubes.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow path control device includes: A first valve is provided on the bypass pipeline and configured to open or close the bypass pipeline; A second valve is located between the indoor heat exchanger and the throttling device, configured to open or close the pipeline between the indoor heat exchanger and the throttling device.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A four-way reversing valve has a first valve port, a second valve port, a third valve port and a fourth valve port, configured to connect the first valve port and the second valve port while simultaneously connecting the third valve port and the fourth valve port, or to connect the first valve port and the third valve port while simultaneously connecting the second valve port and the fourth valve port. The compressor has its outlet connected to the first valve port and its inlet connected to the fourth valve port. The second valve port is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger, and the third valve port is connected to both the bypass pipeline and the indoor heat exchanger.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A first temperature sensor is configured to detect the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger in order to control the air conditioner to enter the defrost program based on the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: An indoor unit having the indoor heat exchanger, the indoor unit having an air outlet and an indoor fan, the indoor fan being configured to cooperate with the indoor heat exchanger to cause airflow to flow through the indoor heat exchanger and out through the air outlet; A second temperature sensor is configured to detect the temperature of the phase change material channel in order to control the speed of the indoor fan based on the temperature of the phase change material channel.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: An indoor unit having the indoor heat exchanger, the indoor unit having an air outlet and an indoor fan, the indoor fan being configured to cooperate with the indoor heat exchanger to cause airflow to flow through the indoor heat exchanger and out through the air outlet; A second temperature sensor is configured to detect the temperature of the phase change material channel; A third temperature sensor is configured to detect the temperature of the air outlet to control the speed of the indoor fan based on the temperature of the phase change material channel and the temperature of the air outlet.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: An indoor unit having the indoor heat exchanger, the indoor unit having an air outlet, a return air outlet and an indoor fan, the indoor fan being configured to cooperate with the indoor heat exchanger to cause airflow to enter from the return air outlet, flow through the indoor heat exchanger and flow out from the air outlet; A second temperature sensor is configured to detect the temperature of the phase change material channel; A fourth temperature sensor is configured to detect the temperature of the air flowing out of the return air vent, so as to control the speed of the indoor fan based on the temperature of the phase change material channel and the temperature of the return air vent.

Images