Method and apparatus for controlling combined air conditioner-water heater system, and device and system

Abstract

The present application belongs to the field of temperature regulation and provides a control method and device for an air conditioner-water heater combined system, an electronic device, and an air conditioner-water heater combined system. When an air conditioner indoor unit and a water heater are both operated in a heating mode and a real-time water temperature of the water heater is greater than a set water temperature or a set outlet water temperature, it indicates that the water heater has surplus heat. In this case, whether a heating demand of a region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than a preset heating demand is determined. When the heating demand is lower than the preset heating demand, it indicates that the heating demand is relatively low, and the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, such that the surplus heat in the water heater can be supplied to the air conditioner indoor unit connected in series, thereby reducing the heat supplied by a compressor to the air conditioner indoor unit and achieving an energy-saving effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of temperature regulation, and particularly to a control method and device for an air conditioner-water heater combined system, an electronic device, and an air conditioner-water heater combined system.Background

[0002] Both water heaters and air conditioners are indispensable household appliances for temperature regulation. A water heater provides hot water for users, enabling the users to take a bath with hot water. An air conditioner adjusts the indoor ambient temperature, allowing users to stay in a comfortable environment. During cold winter conditions, users need to turn on the air conditioner to operate in a heating mode to meet indoor heating demands, and the water heater likewise needs to operate in a heating mode to satisfy the demand for domestic hot water. In this case, the air conditioner-water heater system has to operate under a high load condition, which consumes a large amount of electric energy. However, a water heater usually raises the water temperature to a certain range higher than the preset water temperature during operation to meet the user's water temperature requirement. In other words, during normal operation, the water heater produces a portion of surplus heat, which is only wasted when the user does not consume water or consumes water at a lower temperature, resulting in poor energy efficiency.Summary

[0003] To overcome the deficiencies of the methods known to the inventors, the present invention provides a control method and device for an air conditioner-water heater combined system, an electronic device, and an air conditioner-water heater combined system, aiming to solve the problem that during normal operation, a water heater produces a portion of surplus heat, which is only wasted when the user does not consume water or consumes water at a lower temperature, resulting in poor energy efficiency.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve this technical problem is as follows: In a first aspect, a control method for an air conditioner-water heater combined system is provided, where an air conditioner outdoor unit supplies heat to an air conditioner indoor unit and a water heater, and the method includes: when the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater are both operated in a heating mode and a real-time water temperature of the water heater is greater than a set water temperature, determining whether a heating demand of a region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than a preset heating demand; and when the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand, controlling the water heater to be connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit.

[0005] In some embodiments, the method includes: when the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater are both operated in the heating mode and the real-time water temperature of the water heater is greater than a set outlet water temperature, determining whether the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand, where the set outlet water temperature is lower than the set water temperature; and when the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand, controlling the water heater to be connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit.

[0006] In some embodiments, determining whether the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand includes: acquiring a current fan speed level of the air conditioner indoor unit; and when the current fan speed level is a quiet level or a preset low level, determining that the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand; and when the current fan speed level is neither the quiet level nor the preset low level, determining that the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is not lower than the preset heating demand.

[0007] In some embodiments, the method includes: controlling an operating frequency of a compressor of the air conditioner outdoor unit to be reduced while the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit.

[0008] In some embodiments, when the real-time water temperature is greater than the set water temperature, a reduction value of the operating frequency of the compressor is calculated based on a first difference between the real-time water temperature and the set water temperature, and a calculation formula is: reduction value = first difference / first preset difference * first preset frequency value.

[0009] In some embodiments, when the real-time water temperature is greater than the set water temperature, a reduction value of the operating frequency of the compressor is calculated based on a second difference between the real-time water temperature and the set outlet water temperature, and a calculation formula is: reduction value = second difference / second preset difference * second preset frequency value.

[0010] In some embodiments, when the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, and the real-time water temperature is less than or equal to the set outlet water temperature, the water heater and the air conditioner indoor unit are controlled to be restored to a parallel connection.

[0011] In some embodiments, when the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, and the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is not lower than the preset heating demand, the water heater and the air conditioner indoor unit are controlled to be restored to a parallel connection.

[0012] In a second aspect, a control device for an air conditioner-water heater combined system is provided, where an air conditioner outdoor unit supplies heat to an air conditioner indoor unit and a water heater, and the device includes: a determination module, configured to, when the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater are both operated in a heating mode and a real-time water temperature of the water heater is greater than a set water temperature, determine whether a heating demand of a region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than a preset heating demand; and a control module, configured to, when the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand, control the water heater to be connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit.

[0013] In a third aspect, an electronic device is provided, comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory, where the memory stores executable instructions of the processor; and the processor is configured to execute the aforementioned method.

[0014] In a fourth aspect, an air conditioner-water heater combined system is provided, configured to apply the aforementioned method.Beneficial effects:

[0015] The technical solution of the present application provides a control method and device for an air conditioner-water heater combined system, an electronic device, and an air conditioner-water heater combined system. When an air conditioner indoor unit and a water heater are both operated in a heating mode and a real-time water temperature of the water heater is greater than a set water temperature or a set outlet water temperature, it indicates that the water heater has surplus heat. In this case, whether a heating demand of a region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than a preset heating demand is determined. When the heating demand is lower than the preset heating demand, it indicates that the heating demand is relatively low, and the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, such that the surplus heat in the water heater can be supplied to the air conditioner indoor unit connected in series, thereby reducing the heat supplied by a compressor to the air conditioner indoor unit, and achieving an energy-saving effect.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] To describe the technical solutions in embodiments of the present invention or in the methods known to the inventors more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments or the methods known to the inventors. It is clear that the accompanying drawings in the following descriptions are merely some embodiments of the present invention, and those of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts. FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an air conditioner-water heater combined system according to some embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for an air conditioner-water heater combined system according to some embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a diagram of a refrigerant flow direction when an air conditioner indoor unit and a water heater operate in parallel according to some embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram of a refrigerant flow direction when an air conditioner indoor unit and a water heater operate in series according to some embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of an air conditioner-water heater combined system device according to some embodiments of the present invention. Reference signs:

[0017] 1-first solenoid valve, 2-second solenoid valve, 3-third solenoid valve, 4-fourth solenoid valve, 5-fifth solenoid valve, 6-sixth solenoid valve, 7-compressor, 8-four-way valve, 9-heat exchanger, 10-water heater, 11-air conditioner indoor unit.Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Apparently, the embodiments described are only a part rather than all of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without any creative effort fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, an air conditioner-water heater combined system includes an air conditioner outdoor unit, an air conditioner indoor unit, and a water heater, where the air conditioner outdoor unit includes a compressor 7, a first solenoid valve 1, a four-way valve 8, a heat exchanger 9, a second solenoid valve 2, a third solenoid valve 3, a fourth solenoid valve 4, a fifth solenoid valve 5, and a sixth solenoid valve 6; and at least one air conditioner indoor unit is provided. In the methods known to the inventors, the water heater 10 is generally connected in parallel with the air conditioner indoor unit 11, and both are controlled independently. The air conditioner outdoor unit provides a refrigerant to the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater, respectively. Taking the case where both the water heater and the air conditioner indoor unit are operated in the heating mode as an example, the states of the solenoid valves are: the first solenoid valve, the second solenoid valve, the third solenoid valve, and the fourth solenoid valve are all opened, and the fifth solenoid valve and the sixth solenoid valve are closed.

[0020] However, in the methods known to the inventors, since the water in the water heater releases heat, in order to avoid frequent heating of the water heater, when the user does not use hot water, an actual water temperature of the water heater is generally higher than the set water temperature. For example, the user sets the water temperature to 50 degrees Celsius, and the actual water temperature in the water heater is 52 degrees Celsius. The heat corresponding to the excess water temperature only waits to dissipate, which is wasted and is not used for other purposes. Based on this, the present invention provides a control method that supplies part of the surplus heat energy of the water heater to the air conditioner indoor unit without affecting the user's water usage temperature, so as to achieve the purpose of energy saving.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, some embodiments of the present invention provide a control method for an air conditioner-water heater combined system, where an air conditioner outdoor unit supplies heat to an air conditioner indoor unit and a water heater, and the method includes: S11. When the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater are both operated in a heating mode and the real-time water temperature of the water heater is greater than a set water temperature, determining whether the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than a preset heating demand, where when both the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater are operated in the heating mode, a refrigerant flow direction is as shown in FIG. 3, a refrigerant comes out of the compressor, part of the refrigerant flows into the air conditioner indoor unit through the first solenoid valve via the four-way valve, and the other part of the refrigerant directly flows into a water tank of the water heater through the second solenoid valve, and finally converges into the compressor through the heat exchanger. When the real-time water temperature is greater than the set water temperature at this time, it indicates that there is surplus heat in the water heater, so the heating demand of the air conditioner indoor unit is determined at this time. Although the water heater has surplus heat, when the heating demand of the air conditioner indoor unit is relatively high, the heat of the water heater does not actually meet the heating demand, and the compressor frequency needs to be increased, resulting in increased power consumption, which fails to achieve the energy-saving effect.

[0022] Determining whether the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand includes: acquiring a current fan speed level of the air conditioner indoor unit; when the current fan speed level is a quiet level or a preset low level, determining that the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand; and when the current fan speed level is neither the quiet level nor the preset low level, determining that the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is not lower than the preset heating demand. That is, the embodiments of the present invention adopt the fan speed level to determine the heating demand.

[0023] It is understood that a person skilled in the art may also determine whether the heating demand is lower than the preset heating demand by other means. For example, when a difference between a current indoor temperature and a user-set temperature falls within a preset range, it is determined that the heating demand is lower than the preset heating demand.

[0024] S12. When the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand, controlling the water heater to be connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit. States of the solenoid valve during series connection: the second solenoid valve, the fifth solenoid valve, and the sixth solenoid valve are opened, and the first solenoid valve, the third solenoid valve, and the fourth solenoid valve are closed; during series operation, the refrigerant flow direction is as shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerant comes out of the compressor and directly flows into the water tank of the water heater through the second solenoid valve, then flows into the air conditioner indoor unit through the fifth solenoid valve, and finally converges into the compressor through the heat exchanger.

[0025] It should be noted that when the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is not lower than the preset heating demand, the water heater and the air conditioner indoor unit continue to operate in parallel.

[0026] In addition, while the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, the operating frequency of the compressor of the air conditioner outdoor unit is controlled to be reduced. Because the surplus heat in the water heater is supplied to the air conditioner indoor unit at this time, the heat provided by the compressor needs to be reduced, and the operating frequency of the compressor is reduced at this time.

[0027] In some embodiments of the present invention, when the compressor frequency is reduced, the compressor frequency is reduced by a fixed preset value, which is determined according to actual needs. However, in this way, when the surplus heat of the water heater is relatively small and the preset value is relatively large, the heat provided by the compressor may be reduced excessively, such that the heating demand of the air conditioner indoor unit is not satisfied.

[0028] Therefore, in some embodiments of the present invention, the reduction value of the operating frequency of the compressor is calculated based on a first difference between the real-time water temperature and the set water temperature, and the calculation formula is: reduction value = first difference / first preset difference * first preset frequency value. The first preset difference and the first preset frequency value are set according to actual needs. The present embodiments adopt a variable reduction value, enabling real-time adjustment of the heat provided by the compressor according to the amount of surplus heat of the water heater, thereby ensuring the heat of the air conditioner indoor unit, that is, ensuring the heating of the air conditioner indoor unit while saving energy.

[0029] In addition, when the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, and the real-time water temperature is less than or equal to the set water temperature, the water heater and the air conditioner indoor unit are controlled to be restored to a parallel connection. Alternatively, when the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, and the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is not lower than the preset heating demand, the water heater and the air conditioner indoor unit are controlled to be restored to a parallel connection.

[0030] The control method for the air conditioner-water heater combined system provided by the embodiments of the present invention indicates that the water heater has surplus heat when both the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater are operated in the heating mode and the real-time water temperature of the water heater is greater than the set water temperature. In this case, whether a heating demand of a region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than a preset heating demand is determined. When the heating demand is lower than the preset heating demand, it indicates that the heating demand is relatively low, and the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, such that the surplus heat in the water heater is supplied to the air conditioner indoor unit connected in series, thereby reducing the heat supplied by a compressor to the air conditioner indoor unit, and achieving an energy-saving effect.

[0031] It should be noted that in the actual use of the water heater, although the user sets a set water temperature, the actual outlet water temperature required by the user is not the set water temperature. For example, the user sets the set water temperature to 50 degrees Celsius, but the required outlet water temperature may only be 40 degrees Celsius. In the methods known to the inventors, part of the cold water is mixed with the hot water from the water heater for the user to use. However, energy loss occurs when hot water is mixed with cold water.

[0032] Based on this, in another embodiment, the embodiments of the present invention provide a control method for an air conditioner-water heater combined system. When the water heater supplies water to the user, cold water is no longer mixed, and the control method includes: When the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater are both operated in a heating mode and the real-time water temperature of the water heater is greater than a set outlet water temperature, determining whether the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than a preset heating demand, where the set outlet water temperature is lower than the set water temperature; when both the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater are operated in the heating mode, the refrigerant flow direction is as shown in FIG. 3; the refrigerant comes out of the compressor, part of it flows into the air conditioner indoor unit through the first solenoid valve via the four-way valve, and the other part directly flows into the water tank of the water heater through the second solenoid valve, and finally converges into the compressor through the heat exchanger. When the real-time water temperature is greater than the set outlet water temperature at this time, since the water heater no longer needs to mix with cold water, it indicates that the water heater has surplus heat when the actual water temperature is greater than the set outlet water temperature. Therefore, the heating demand of the air conditioner indoor unit is determined at this time. Although the water heater has surplus heat, when the heating demand of the air conditioner indoor unit is relatively high, the heat of the water heater does not actually meet the heating demand, and the compressor frequency needs to be increased, resulting in increased power consumption, which fails to achieve the energy-saving effect.

[0033] Determining whether the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand includes: acquiring a current fan speed level of the air conditioner indoor unit; when the current fan speed level is a quiet level or a preset low level, determining that the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand; and when the current fan speed level is neither the quiet level nor the preset low level, determining that the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is not lower than the preset heating demand. That is, the embodiments of the present invention adopt the fan speed level to determine the heating demand.

[0034] It is understood that a person skilled in the art may also determine whether the heating demand is lower than the preset heating demand by other means. For example, when a difference between a current indoor temperature and a user-set temperature falls within a preset range, it is determined that the heating demand is lower than the preset heating demand.

[0035] when the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand, controlling the water heater to be connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit. States of the solenoid valve during series connection: the second solenoid valve, the fifth solenoid valve, and the sixth solenoid valve are opened, and the first solenoid valve, the third solenoid valve, and the fourth solenoid valve are closed; during series operation, the refrigerant flow direction is as shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerant comes out of the compressor and directly flows into the water tank of the water heater through the second solenoid valve, then flows into the air conditioner indoor unit through the fifth solenoid valve, and finally converges into the compressor through the heat exchanger.

[0036] It should be noted that when the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is not lower than the preset heating demand, the water heater and the air conditioner indoor unit continue to operate in parallel.

[0037] In addition, while the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, the operating frequency of the compressor of the air conditioner outdoor unit is controlled to be reduced. Because the surplus heat in the water heater is supplied to the air conditioner indoor unit at this time, the heat provided by the compressor needs to be reduced, and the operating frequency of the compressor is reduced at this time.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present invention, when the compressor frequency is reduced, the compressor frequency is reduced by a fixed preset value, which is determined according to actual needs. However, in this way, when the surplus heat of the water heater is relatively small and the preset value is relatively large, the heat provided by the compressor may be reduced excessively, such that the heating demand of the air conditioner indoor unit is not satisfied.

[0039] Therefore, in some embodiments of the present invention, the reduction value of the operating frequency of the compressor is calculated based on the second difference between the real-time water temperature and the set outlet water temperature, and the calculation formula is: reduction value = second difference / second preset difference * second preset frequency value. The second preset difference and the second preset frequency value are set according to actual needs. The present embodiments adopt a variable reduction value, enabling real-time adjustment of the heat provided by the compressor according to the amount of surplus heat of the water heater, thereby ensuring the heat of the air conditioner indoor unit, that is, ensuring the heating of the air conditioner indoor unit while saving energy.

[0040] In addition, when the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, and the real-time water temperature is less than or equal to the set outlet water temperature, the water heater and the air conditioner indoor unit are controlled to be restored to a parallel connection. Alternatively, when the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, and the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is not lower than the preset heating demand, the water heater and the air conditioner indoor unit are controlled to be restored to a parallel connection.

[0041] The control method for the air conditioner-water heater combined system provided by the embodiments of the present invention indicates that the water heater has surplus heat when the water heater does not need to mix with cold water, and both the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater are operated in the heating mode and the real-time water temperature of the water heater is greater than the set outlet water temperature. In this case, whether the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand is determined. When the heating demand is lower than the preset heating demand, it indicates that the heating demand is relatively low, and the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, such that the surplus heat in the water heater is supplied to the air conditioner indoor unit connected in series, thereby reducing the heat supplied by the compressor to the air conditioner indoor unit, and achieving an energy-saving effect.

[0042] Based on the same inventive concept, the present invention provides a control device for an air conditioner-water heater combined system, where an air conditioner outdoor unit supplies heat to an air conditioner indoor unit and a water heater. As shown in FIG. 5, the device includes: A determination module 51, configured to, when the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater are both operated in a heating mode and a real-time water temperature of the water heater is greater than a set water temperature, determine whether a heating demand of a region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than a preset heating demand.

[0043] A control module 52, configured to, when the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand, control the water heater to be connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit.

[0044] In another embodiment, when the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater are both operated in the heating mode and the real-time water temperature of the water heater is greater than a set outlet water temperature, the determination module 51 determines whether the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand, where the set outlet water temperature is lower than the set water temperature.

[0045] When the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand, the control module 52 controls the water heater to be connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit.

[0046] The determination module 51 determines whether the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand, which includes: acquiring a current fan speed level of the air conditioner indoor unit; when the current fan speed level is a quiet level or a preset low level, determining that the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand; and when the current fan speed level is neither the quiet level nor the preset low level, determining that the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is not lower than the preset heating demand.

[0047] In addition, while the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, the control module 52 controls the operating frequency of the compressor of the air conditioner outdoor unit to be reduced.

[0048] Specifically, when the real-time water temperature is greater than the set water temperature, the control module 52 calculates the reduction value of the operating frequency of the compressor based on the first difference between the real-time water temperature and the set water temperature, and the calculation formula is: reduction value = first difference / first preset difference * first preset frequency value.

[0049] When the real-time water temperature is greater than the set outlet water temperature, the control module 52 calculates the reduction value of the operating frequency of the compressor based on the second difference between the real-time water temperature and the set outlet water temperature, and the calculation formula is: reduction value = second difference / second preset difference * second preset frequency value.

[0050] In some embodiments, when the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, and the real-time water temperature is less than or equal to the set outlet water temperature, the control module 52 controls the water heater and the air conditioner indoor unit to be restored to a parallel connection.

[0051] Alternatively, when the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, and the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is not lower than the preset heating demand, the control module 52 controls the water heater and the air conditioner indoor unit to be restored to a parallel connection.

[0052] The control device for the air conditioner-water heater combined system provided by the embodiments of the present invention indicates that the water heater has surplus heat when both the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater are operated in the heating mode and the real-time water temperature of the water heater is greater than the set water temperature or the set outlet water temperature. In this case, whether a heating demand of a region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than a preset heating demand is determined. When the heating demand is lower than the preset heating demand, it indicates that the heating demand is relatively low, and the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, such that the surplus heat in the water heater is supplied to the air conditioner indoor unit connected in series, thereby reducing the heat supplied by a compressor to the air conditioner indoor unit, and achieving an energy-saving effect.

[0053] Based on the same inventive concept, some embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic device, including: at least one processor and at least one memory, where the memory stores executable instructions of the processor; and the processor is configured to execute the control method for the air conditioner-water heater combined system provided by the above embodiments.

[0054] The electronic device provided by the embodiments of the present invention stores executable instructions of the processor through the memory. When the executable instructions are executed, the processor determines that the water heater has surplus heat when both the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater are operated in the heating mode and the real-time water temperature of the water heater is greater than the set water temperature or the set outlet water temperature. In this case, whether a heating demand of a region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than a preset heating demand is determined. When the heating demand is lower than the preset heating demand, it indicates that the heating demand is relatively low, and the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, such that the surplus heat in the water heater is supplied to the air conditioner indoor unit connected in series, thereby reducing the heat supplied by a compressor to the air conditioner indoor unit, and achieving an energy-saving effect.

[0055] Based on the same inventive concept, some embodiments of the present invention provide an air conditioner-water heater combined system, applying the control method for the air conditioner-water heater combined system provided by the above embodiments.

[0056] The air conditioner-water heater combined system provided by the embodiments of the present invention applies the control method for the air conditioner-water heater combined system provided by the above embodiments. When both the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater are operated in the heating mode and the real-time water temperature of the water heater is greater than the set water temperature or the set outlet water temperature, it indicates that the water heater has surplus heat. In this case, whether a heating demand of a region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than a preset heating demand is determined. When the heating demand is lower than the preset heating demand, it indicates that the heating demand is relatively low, and the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, such that the surplus heat in the water heater is supplied to the air conditioner indoor unit connected in series, thereby reducing the heat supplied by a compressor to the air conditioner indoor unit, and achieving an energy-saving effect.

[0057] It is understood that the same or similar parts in the above embodiments are referred to each other, and the contents not described in detail in some embodiments are referred to the same or similar contents in other embodiments.

[0058] It should be noted that in the description of the present invention, terms such as "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes, and is not understood as indicating or implying relative importance. In addition, in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "plurality" refers to at least two.

[0059] Any process or method descriptions described in the flowcharts or otherwise herein may be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code including executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or processes, and the scope of the preferred embodiments of the present invention includes other implementations in which the functions may be executed out of the order shown or discussed, including executing the functions substantially concurrently or in a reverse order according to the functions involved, as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments of the present invention belong.

[0060] It should be understood that various parts of the present invention may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. In the above embodiments, multiple steps or methods may be implemented by software or firmware stored in a memory and executed by a suitable instruction execution system. For example, if implemented in hardware, as in another embodiment, the implementation may be achieved by using any one of, or a combination of, the following technologies well known in the art: discrete logic circuits with logic gate circuits for implementing logic functions on data signals, invention-specific integrated circuits with suitable combinational logic gate circuits, programmable gate arrays (PGA), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), etc.

[0061] Those of ordinary skill in the art may understand that all or part of the steps carried by the above embodiments may be implemented by instructing relevant hardware through a program. The program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, the program includes one or a combination of the steps of the method embodiments.

[0062] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present invention may be integrated into one processing module, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated into one module. The above integrated module may be implemented in the form of hardware, or may be implemented in the form of a software functional module. The integrated module, if implemented in the form of a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.

[0063] The storage medium mentioned above may be a read-only memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or the like.

[0064] In the description of this specification, descriptions with reference to the terms such as "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" mean that specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described with reference to the embodiments or example 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. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in any suitable manner.

[0065] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it should be understood that these embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art may make variations, modifications, substitutions, and alterations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control method for an air conditioner-water heater combined system, wherein an air conditioner outdoor unit supplies heat to an air conditioner indoor unit and a water heater, and the method comprises: when the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater are both operated in a heating mode and a real-time water temperature of the water heater is greater than a set water temperature, determining whether a heating demand of a region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than a preset heating demand; and when the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand, controlling the water heater to be connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: when the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater are both operated in the heating mode and the real-time water temperature of the water heater is greater than a set outlet water temperature, determining whether the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand, wherein the set outlet water temperature is lower than the set water temperature; and when the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand, controlling the water heater to be connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein determining whether the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand comprises: acquiring a current fan speed level of the air conditioner indoor unit; and when the current fan speed level is a quiet level or a preset low level, determining that the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand; and when the current fan speed level is neither the quiet level nor the preset low level, determining that the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is not lower than the preset heating demand.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: controlling an operating frequency of a compressor of the air conditioner outdoor unit to be reduced while the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein when the real-time water temperature is greater than the set water temperature, a reduction value of the operating frequency of the compressor is calculated based on a first difference between the real-time water temperature and the set water temperature, and a calculation formula is: reduction value = first difference / first preset difference * first preset frequency value.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein when the real-time water temperature is greater than the set outlet water temperature, a reduction value of the operating frequency of the compressor is calculated based on a second difference between the real-time water temperature and the set outlet water temperature, and a calculation formula is: reduction value = second difference / second preset difference * second preset frequency value.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein when the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, and the real-time water temperature is less than or equal to the set outlet water temperature, the water heater and the air conditioner indoor unit are controlled to be restored to a parallel connection.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the water heater is connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit, and the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is not lower than the preset heating demand, the water heater and the air conditioner indoor unit are controlled to be restored to a parallel connection.

9. A control device for an air conditioner-water heater combined system, wherein an air conditioner outdoor unit supplies heat to an air conditioner indoor unit and a water heater, and the device comprises: a determination module, configured to, when the air conditioner indoor unit and the water heater are both operated in a heating mode and a real-time water temperature of the water heater is greater than a set water temperature, determine whether a heating demand of a region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than a preset heating demand; and a control module, configured to, when the heating demand of the region where the air conditioner indoor unit is located is lower than the preset heating demand, control the water heater to be connected in series with the air conditioner indoor unit.

10. An electronic device, comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory, wherein the memory stores executable instructions of the processor; and the processor is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. An air conditioner-water heater combined system, applying the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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