Air conditioner and control method thereof

Abstract

An air conditioner according to the present disclosure, when a drying function is activated, in response to termination of a cooling operation, may perform a drying operation to remove moisture inside a main body, and when a ventilation function is activated, in response to the presence of an occupant not being detected in a state in which the cooling operation or the drying operation is not in progress, may perform a ventilation operation to clean the inside of the main body.

Description

Air conditioners and air conditioner control methods

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner that performs ventilation operation separately from drying operation and a control method for the air conditioner.

[0002] In general, an air conditioner is a device that cools or heats the air by utilizing the movement of heat generated during the evaporation and condensation of a refrigerant, and discharges the cooled or heated air to condition the air in a indoor space.

[0003] When operating in cooling or heating mode, an air conditioner circulates refrigerant and rotates a fan installed around an indoor heat exchanger to draw in indoor air. Furthermore, the air conditioner can exchange heat with the drawn-in air in the indoor heat exchanger and discharge the heat-exchanged air into the indoor space.

[0004] Additionally, the air conditioner performs a drying operation after the end of the cooling operation to remove moisture condensed in the indoor heat exchanger during the cooling operation. During the drying operation, the air conditioner stops the circulation of refrigerant and rotates a fan installed around the indoor heat exchanger to cause the condensed moisture on the indoor heat exchanger to fall or evaporate.

[0005] Conventional air conditioners can only evaporate moisture condensed in the indoor heat exchanger by performing drying operation after cooling operation ends or performing drying operation only when there is no occupant after cooling operation ends. However, they cannot resolve / reduce the problem of organic chemicals attached to the indoor heat exchanger decomposing into acidic substances that cause odor.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides an air conditioner and a control method for the air conditioner that performs a ventilation operation to remove volatile organic compounds attached to a heat exchanger separately from a drying operation to prevent / reduce the growth of microorganisms by evaporating moisture condensed in the heat exchanger.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure provides an air conditioner and a method for controlling the air conditioner that suppresses the growth of microorganisms by evaporating moisture condensed in a heat exchanger when cooling operation is terminated, and also suppresses the growth of microorganisms when no one is present.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure provides an air conditioner and a method for controlling the air conditioner, which remove organic chemicals attached to a heat exchanger when an occupant is absent, thereby making the occupant feel comfortable.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure provides an air conditioner and a method for controlling the air conditioner that detects the absence of an occupant without a separate sensor.

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure provides an air conditioner and a method for controlling the air conditioner that can be conveniently managed using a user device.

[0011] The technical problems to be achieved in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0012] An air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a main body including a discharge port; a heat exchanger; a compressor for compressing refrigerant supplied from the heat exchanger; a blower fan for blowing air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger toward the discharge port; and a control unit for performing a cooling operation by operating the compressor and the blower fan and a drying operation and a ventilation operation by operating the blower fan without operating the compressor; wherein, when a drying function is activated, the control unit performs the drying operation in order to remove moisture inside the main body in response to the termination of the cooling operation, and when a ventilation function is activated, the control unit performs the ventilation operation in response to the presence of an occupant not being detected while the cooling operation or the drying operation is not in progress.

[0013] A method for controlling an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: performing the drying operation to remove moisture inside the main body in response to the termination of the cooling operation when the drying function is activated; and performing the ventilation operation in response to the presence of an occupant not being detected while the cooling operation or the drying operation is not in progress when the ventilation function is activated.

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an air conditioner control system including an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0015] Figure 2 illustrates a refrigerant circulation circuit of an air conditioning system according to various embodiments.

[0016] Figure 3 illustrates the appearance of an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0017] Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0018] Figure 5 illustrates an open exhaust port of an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-section A-A' of FIG. 5 according to various embodiments.

[0020] Figure 7 illustrates a closed exhaust port of an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0021] Figure 8 illustrates the B-B' cross-section of Figure 7 according to various embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of another example air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0023] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional drawing showing the air conditioner according to Fig. 9 when it blows air through the first duct.

[0024] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional drawing of the air conditioner according to Fig. 9 when it blows air through the second and third ducts.

[0025] Fig. 12 is a control block diagram illustrating configurations of an air conditioner control system according to various embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for activating a drying function and / or a ventilation function of an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of an interface for setting a drying function and / or a ventilation function provided by a user device according to various embodiments.

[0028] Figure 15 illustrates how the drying function is automatically activated when the ventilation function of an air conditioner according to various embodiments is activated.

[0029] Fig. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control method of an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0030] Figure 17 is an exemplary diagram showing the intensity of radio waves received through a communication interface of an air conditioner according to various embodiments over time.

[0031] Figure 18 schematically illustrates how the characteristics of radio waves output by a connection repeater according to various embodiments are changed when an occupant is present and transmitted to an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 19 schematically illustrates how the characteristics of radio waves output by multiple access relays according to various embodiments are changed and transmitted to an air conditioner according to various embodiments when an occupant is present.

[0033] Figure 20 illustrates an installation of multiple air conditioners according to various embodiments.

[0034] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely preferred examples of the disclosed invention, and there may be various modified examples that can replace the embodiments and drawings of this specification at the time of filing of this application.

[0035] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments only and is not intended to limit and / or restrict the disclosed invention.

[0036] In this disclosure, expressions such as “A or B,” “at least one of A and / or B,” or “one or more of A or / and B” can include all possible combinations of the listed items. For example, “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” or “at least one of A or B” can all refer to cases where (1) only A is included, (2) only B is included, or (3) both A and B are included.

[0037] For example, in this specification, a singular expression may include a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0038] Additionally, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to express the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude the possibility of the additional presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0039] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0040] When we say that a component is "on" another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.

[0041] When it is said that a component (e.g., a first component) is “operatively or communicatively coupled with / to” or “connected to” another component (e.g., a second component), it should be understood that the component may be directly coupled to the other component, or may be connected through another component (e.g., a third component).

[0042] The expression "configured to" as used in the present disclosure may be used interchangeably with, for example, "suitable for," "having the capacity to," "designed to," "adapted to," "made to," or "capable of." The term "configured to" may not necessarily mean only "specifically designed to" in terms of hardware.

[0043] In some contexts, the phrase "a device configured to" may mean that the device, in conjunction with other devices or components, is "capable of" performing A, B, and C. For example, the phrase "a processor configured (or set) to perform A, B, and C" may refer to a dedicated processor (e.g., an embedded processor) for performing the operations, or a general-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU or application processor) that can perform the operations by executing at least one software program stored in a memory device.

[0044] Additionally, terms that include ordinal numbers, such as “first,” “second,” etc., are used to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit one component.

[0045] Additionally, terms such as "~part", "~device", "~block", "~absence", and "~module" may refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation. For example, the terms may refer to at least one piece of hardware such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) / ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), at least one piece of software stored in memory, or at least one process processed by a processor.

[0046] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the disclosed invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The same reference numbers or symbols used in the attached drawings may represent parts or components that perform substantially the same functions.

[0047] The operating principle and embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an air conditioner control system including an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 1, an air conditioner control system according to one embodiment may include an air conditioner (1), a user device (6), and / or a computing device (7) (e.g., a server).

[0050] The air conditioner (1) may include a communication interface (e.g., including a communication circuit) capable of communicating with a user device (6) and / or a computing device (7), a user interface device that receives user input or outputs various types of information, at least one processor that controls the operation of the air conditioner (1), and at least one memory that stores a program for controlling the operation of the air conditioner (1).

[0051] The computing device (7) may include a server device.

[0052] The computing device (7) may include a communication interface capable of communicating with the air conditioner (1) and / or the user device (6). The computing device (7) may include at least one processor (e.g., including various processing circuits) capable of processing data received from the air conditioner (1), another computing device (or another server device) and / or the user device (6), and at least one memory capable of storing a program for processing the data or processed data. The computing device (7) may be implemented as various computing devices such as a workstation, a cloud, a data drive, a data station, etc. The computing device (7) may be implemented as one or more servers that are physically or logically separated based on functions, detailed configurations of functions, or data, and may transmit and receive data and process the transmitted and received data through communication between each server.

[0053] The computing device (7) can store and / or manage user accounts, register an air conditioner (1) and / or a user device (6) by linking them to a user account, and perform functions of managing or controlling the registered air conditioner (1) and / or the user device (6). For example, a user can access the computing device (7) through the user device (6) and create a user account. The user account can be identified by an ID and password set by the user. The user can access the computing device (7) through the user device (6) and manage the user account. The computing device (7) can register the air conditioner (1) and / or the user device (6) to the user account according to a set procedure. For example, the computing device (7) can link identification information (e.g., serial number or MAC address, etc.) of the air conditioner (1) to the user account, thereby registering, managing, and controlling the air conditioner (1). Likewise, the computing device (7) can register and control the user device (6) to a user account.

[0054] According to various embodiments, the computing device (7) may include multiple servers.

[0055] For example, the computing device (7) may include a first server device and a second server device. The first server device may create and / or manage user account information, and register and / or manage information of the air conditioner (1) and / or the user device (6) in the user account information. The second server device may receive registration information of the air conditioner (1) and / or the user device (6) from the first server, and control the air conditioner (1) and / or the user device (6).

[0056] As another example, the second server device may perform the management function of the air conditioner (1) and / or user device (6) registered to the first server device on behalf of the first server device.

[0057] The number of computing devices (7) is not limited thereto, and the computing devices (7) may include multiple servers for performing the same operation and / or different operations.

[0058] The user device (6) may include a communication interface (e.g., including a communication circuit) capable of communicating with the air conditioner (1) and / or the computing device (7). The user device (6) may include a user interface device that receives user input or outputs information to the user. The user device (6) may include at least one processor that controls the operation of the user device (6) and at least one memory that stores a program for controlling the operation of the user device (6).

[0059] The user device (6) may be carried by the user or placed in the user's home or office, etc. The user device (6) may include, but is not limited to, a personal computer, a terminal, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a handheld device, a wearable device, a display device, etc.

[0060] In one embodiment, the user device (6) may include a remote control device capable of remotely controlling the air conditioner (1). The remote control device may include various interfaces for controlling the air conditioner (1) or for configuring the air conditioner (1). In one embodiment, when the user device (6) corresponds to a remote control device configured to remotely control the air conditioner (1), the air conditioner (1) and the user device (6) may communicate directly.

[0061] The memory of the user device (6) may store a program, i.e., an application, for controlling the air conditioner (1) and / or the computing device (7). The application may be sold installed on the user device (6) or downloaded and installed from an external server.

[0062] A user can access a computing device (7) by executing an application installed on a user device (6), create a user account, and perform communication with the computing device (7) based on the logged-in user account to register an air conditioner (1) on the computing device (7).

[0063] For example, if the air conditioner (1) is operated so that the air conditioner (1) can be connected to the computing device (7) according to the procedure guided by the application installed on the user device (6), the air conditioner (1) can be registered in the user account by registering the identification information (e.g., serial number or MAC address) of the air conditioner (1) in the corresponding user account on the computing device (7). It goes without saying that the information required to register a device such as the air conditioner (1) in the user account may be other information that can identify the device in addition to the serial number or MAC address of the device.

[0064] A user can control an air conditioner (1) using an application installed on a user device (6). For example, when a user logs into a user account using an application installed on the user device (6), a visual indicator representing an air conditioner (1) registered to the user account may appear. When a control command for the air conditioner (1) is input from the user device (6), the user device (6) can transmit the control command to the air conditioner (1) via the computing device (7).

[0065] The user device (6) can receive various information through the computing device (7) or directly from the air conditioner (1) registered to the user account.

[0066] A network can include both wired and wireless networks. Wired networks include cable networks or telephone networks, while wireless networks can include any network that transmits and receives signals via radio waves. Wired and wireless networks can be interconnected.

[0067] A network may include a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN) formed around an access point (AP), and a short-range wireless network that does not use an access point (AP). Short-range wireless networks may include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1), Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), Wi-Fi Direct, Near Field Communication (NFC), Z-Wave, etc.

[0068] An access point (AP) can connect the air conditioner (1) and / or the user device (6) to a wide area network (WAN) to which the computing device (7) is connected. The air conditioner (1) and / or the user device (6) can be connected to the computing device (7) via the wide area network (WAN).

[0069] The access point (AP) communicates with the air conditioner (1) and / or the user device (6) using wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1), Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), and can connect to a wide area network (WAN) using wired communication, but the wireless communication method of the access point (AP) is not limited to this.

[0070] An access point (AP) can output radio waves for wireless communication. The air conditioner (1) can receive the radio waves output from the access point (AP). To this end, the air conditioner (1) may include an antenna (communication interface (140)) for receiving the radio waves output from the access point (AP).

[0071] The radio waves output from the access point (AP) may include signals for wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1), and Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4).

[0072] According to various embodiments, the air conditioner (1) may be directly connected to the user device (6) and / or the computing device (7) without going through an access point (AP).

[0073] The air conditioner (1) can be connected to a user device (6) and / or a computing device (7) via a long-range wireless network or a short-range wireless network.

[0074] For example, the air conditioner (1) may be connected to the computing device (7) and / or the user device (6) via a short-range wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth). As another example, the air conditioner (1) may be connected to the user device (6) and / or the computing device (7) via a wide area network (WAN) using a long-range wireless network (e.g., a cellular communication module).

[0075] The air conditioner (1) can transmit information about the operation or status of the air conditioner (1) to the user device (6) and / or the computing device (7) via a network. For example, the air conditioner (1) can transmit information about the operation or status to the user device (6) and / or the computing device (7) when a request is received from the user device (6) and / or the computing device (7), when a specific event occurs in the air conditioner (1), and / or periodically or in real time.

[0076] When information on operation or status is received from the air conditioner (1), the computing device (7) can update the stored information on the operation or status of the air conditioner (1) and transmit the updated information on the operation and / or status of the air conditioner (1) to the user device (6) via the network. Here, updating information can include various operations in which existing information is changed, such as an operation of adding new information to existing information and an operation of replacing existing information with new information.

[0077] Information about the operation and / or status of the air conditioner (1) may include information related to the operation of the air conditioner (1).

[0078] For example, information related to the operation of the air conditioner (1) may include information about the operation time and operation end time of the air conditioner (1).

[0079] Information about the operation and / or status of the air conditioner (1) may include information collected by at least one sensor provided in the air conditioner (1).

[0080] For example, information about the operation and / or status of the air conditioner (1) may include humidity information, temperature information and / or quality information of the surrounding air.

[0081] The air conditioner (1) can obtain various information from the user device (6) and / or the computing device (7) and provide the obtained information to the user. For example, the air conditioner (1) can obtain information related to the function of the air conditioner (1) and various environmental information (e.g., weather, temperature, humidity, air quality, etc.) from the computing device (7) and output the obtained information through a user interface device (e.g., a display).

[0082] The air conditioner (1) can receive electrical signals corresponding to various notifications from the user device (6) and / or the computing device (7), and provide notifications corresponding to the electrical signals to the user.

[0083] The user device (6) can receive electrical signals corresponding to various notifications from the air conditioner (1) and / or the computing device (7), and provide notifications corresponding to the electrical signals to the user.

[0084] The air conditioner (1) can operate according to control commands received from the user device (6) and / or the computing device (7). For example, if the air conditioner (1) has obtained prior approval from the user so that it can operate according to the control commands of the computing device (7) even without user input through the user device (6), the air conditioner (1) can operate according to the control commands received from the computing device (7). Here, the control commands received from the computing device (7) may include, but are not limited to, control commands input by the user through the user device (6) or control commands based on preset conditions.

[0085] The user device (6) can transmit information about the user to the air conditioner (1) and / or the computing device (7) via the communication interface. For example, the user device (6) can transmit information about the user's location, the user's health status, the user's preferences, the user's schedule, etc. to the computing device (7). The user device (6) can transmit information about the user to the computing device (7) with the user's prior consent.

[0086] In one embodiment, the user device (6) can transmit settings related to the air conditioner (1) (e.g., settings for drying operation) to the air conditioner (1) and / or the computing device (7) via the communication interface.

[0087] The air conditioner (1), the user device (6), and / or the computing device (7) can determine control commands using artificial intelligence technology. For example, the computing device (7) can process information regarding the operation or status of the air conditioner (1) and information regarding the user of the user device (6) using artificial intelligence technology, and transmit the processing result or control command to the air conditioner (1) and / or the user device (6) based on the processing result.

[0088] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining an example of an air conditioner control system according to one embodiment in which an air conditioner (1), a user device (6), and / or a computing device (7) exchange information and / or control commands with each other. The communication method of the air conditioner (1), the user device (6), and / or the computing device (7) or examples of information transmitted from the air conditioner (1), the user device (6), and / or the computing device (7) are not limited to the above-described description.

[0089] Figure 2 illustrates a refrigerant circulation circuit of an air conditioning system according to various embodiments.

[0090] Referring to Fig. 2, the air conditioning system includes an air conditioner (1) and an outdoor unit (2). The air conditioner (1) may also be referred to as an indoor unit, as it is located in an indoor space requiring air conditioning. The air conditioner (1) may be installed inside a space separated from the outside by a wall or partition, such as the interior of a house or an office, for example.

[0091] The outdoor unit (2) may be located outside the air conditioning space. The outdoor unit (2) may be installed outdoors, for example.

[0092] An air conditioning system includes a refrigerant passage that circulates refrigerant between indoor and outdoor environments. The refrigerant circulates between indoor and outdoor environments along the refrigerant passage, and can absorb heat or release latent heat during a state change (e.g., from gas to liquid, or from liquid to solid).

[0093] In order to induce a change in the state of the refrigerant, the refrigerant circulation device may include a compressor (3), an outdoor heat exchanger (4), an expansion valve (5), and an indoor heat exchanger (20).

[0094] The compressor (3) compresses the gaseous refrigerant, thereby heating the refrigerant. The high-temperature / high-pressure gaseous refrigerant can be transferred to the outdoor heat exchanger (4) by the compressor (3). In the outdoor heat exchanger (4), the high-temperature / high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is converted from a gaseous state to a liquid state and also releases heat. The liquid refrigerant can be transferred to the expansion valve (5). The expansion valve (5) reduces the pressure of the liquid refrigerant, thereby cooling the refrigerant. The low-temperature / low-pressure liquid refrigerant can be transferred to the indoor heat exchanger (20). In the indoor heat exchanger (20), the low-temperature / low-pressure liquid refrigerant is converted from a liquid state to a gaseous state and also absorbs heat.

[0095] In this way, the refrigerant can release heat from the outdoor heat exchanger (4) and absorb heat from the indoor heat exchanger (20). The indoor heat exchanger (20) is installed in the air conditioner (1) together with the expansion valve (5), and the outdoor heat exchanger (4) can be installed in the outdoor unit (2) together with the compressor (3). Therefore, the indoor heat exchanger (20) can cool the air in the air-conditioned space (indoor).

[0096] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the indoor heat exchanger (20) is referred to as a 'heat exchanger (20)'. In addition, the components provided in the outdoor unit (2) may also be components of the air conditioner (1), and the air conditioner (1) may be a concept that includes both the indoor unit (1) and the outdoor unit (2).

[0097] Fig. 3 illustrates an external appearance of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded view of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. Fig. 5 illustrates an air conditioner with an open outlet according to various embodiments. Fig. 6 illustrates a cross-section taken along line A-A' of Fig. 5 according to various embodiments. Fig. 7 illustrates an air conditioner with an closed outlet according to various embodiments. Fig. 8 illustrates a cross-section taken along line B-B' of Fig. 7 according to various embodiments.

[0098] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 (FIGS. 3 to 8), the air conditioner (1) includes a main body (10) having at least one discharge port (41), a heat exchanger (20) for exchanging heat with air flowing into the interior of the main body (10), a blower (30) for circulating air into or out of the main body (10), and a discharger (40) for discharging air blown from the blower (30) to the exterior of the main body (10).

[0099] The main body (10) may include a front panel (10a) in which at least one discharge port (41) is formed, a rear panel (10b) arranged at the rear of the front panel (10a), a side panel (10c) arranged between the front panel (10a) and the rear panel (10b), and upper / lower panels (10d) arranged at the upper and lower portions of the side panel (10c). At least one discharge port (41) may be formed in a circular shape, and at least two or more may be spaced apart from each other in the upper / lower direction of the front panel (10a). For example, the discharge port (41) may include a first discharge port (41a), a second discharge port (41b), and a third discharge port (41c).

[0100] An intake port (19) may be formed on the rear panel (10b) to allow external air to be sucked into the interior of the main body (10).

[0101] An intake port (19) is provided on the rear panel (10b) located at the rear of the heat exchanger (20) to guide air from outside the main body (10) to flow into the inside of the main body (10). Air flowing into the inside of the main body (10) through the intake port (19) absorbs or loses heat as it passes through the heat exchanger (20). Air that has exchanged heat while passing through the heat exchanger (20) can be discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the discharge port (40) by the blower (30).

[0102] The blower (30) may include a blower fan (32) and a grill (34).

[0103] A grill (34) may be provided in the discharge direction of the blower fan (32). In one embodiment, the blower fan (32) is a diffusion fan, but the type of the blower fan (32) is not limited, and any configuration that allows air flowing in from the outside of the main body (10) to be discharged back to the outside of the main body (10) is sufficient. For example, the blower fan (32) may be a cross fan, a turbo fan, or a sirocco fan. The number of blower fans (32) is not limited, and in one embodiment, at least one blower fan (32) may be provided to correspond to at least one discharge port (41). For example, the blower fan (32) may include a first blower fan (32a), a second blower fan (32b), and a third blower fan (32c).

[0104] A blower (30) may be provided at the center of a blower fan (32), and a fan motor (33) for driving the blower fan (32) may be provided. For example, the fan motor (33) may include a first fan motor (33a) for driving a first blower fan (32a), a second fan motor (33b) for driving a second blower fan (32b), and a third fan motor (33c) for driving a third blower fan (32c). The fan motor (33) may include a motor whose rotation speed can be controlled. For example, the fan motor (33) may be a BLDC motor.

[0105] In the present disclosure, controlling the blower fan (32) may include controlling the fan motor (33).

[0106] The grill (34) is arranged in front of the blower fan (32) to guide air flow. In addition, the grill (34) is arranged between the blower fan (32) and the discharge port (41) to minimize and / or reduce external influences on the blower fan (32).

[0107] The blower fan (32) can blow air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger (20) to the outlet (41).

[0108] The grill (34) may include a plurality of blades (35). The plurality of blades (35) can adjust the number, shape, and arrangement angle to control the wind direction or wind volume of air blown from the blower fan (32) to the outlet (41).

[0109] A door actuator (66), which will be described later, may be positioned at the center of the grill (34). The door actuator (66) and the fan motor (33) may be positioned on the same line in the front-rear direction. Through this configuration, a plurality of blades (35) of the grill (34) may be positioned in front of the blower fan (32).

[0110] According to various embodiments, the blower (30) may further include a circular fan (37).

[0111] A circular fan (37) may be installed in a receiving space (37s) provided on one side of a heat exchanger (20). Unlike the blower fan (32), the circular fan (37) may be configured not to blow air toward the discharge port (41). Unlike the blower fan (32), the circular fan (37) may blow air that has not been heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger (20).

[0112] The circular fan (37) can blow air outside the air conditioner (1) that has not passed through the heat exchanger (20). The circular fan (37) can include a fan motor.

[0113] In the present disclosure, controlling the circular fan (37) may include controlling the fan motor of the circular fan (37).

[0114] The circular fan (37) can blow air outside the air conditioner (1) in the direction of the blower fan (32).

[0115] For example, the circular fan (37) may include a fan outlet connected to a duct that is connected in the direction of the blower fan (32), and when the circular fan (37) operates, air may flow into the duct through the fan outlet and be blown by the blower fan (32).

[0116] For example, a circular fan (37) can cause air that has not been heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger (20) to flow inside the air conditioner (1).

[0117] When the circular fan (37) operates, air that has not been heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger (20) flows inside the air conditioner (1), so that foreign substances (e.g., dust, organic chemicals, etc.) attached to the inside of the main body (10) of the air conditioner (1) (e.g., blower fan (32) and / or heat exchanger (20)) can be removed.

[0118] Of course, when the circular fan (37) operates, some of the air may leak out of the air conditioner (1) through the discharge hole (42) described later.

[0119] The blower (30) may include a duct (36). The duct (36) is provided in a circular shape surrounding the blower fan (32) and is provided to guide the flow of air flowing toward the blower fan (32).

[0120] A receiving space (37s) in which a circular fan (37) is installed can be provided in the duct (36).

[0121] A heat exchanger (20) is placed between a blower fan (32) and an intake port (19), and absorbs heat from air flowing in through the intake port (19) or transfers heat to air flowing in through the intake port (19). The heat exchanger (20) may include a tube (21) and a header (22) coupled to the upper and lower sides of the tube (21). However, the type of the heat exchanger (20) is not limited.

[0122] The number of heat exchangers (20) arranged inside the main body (10) may be provided at least one corresponding to the number of discharge ports (41). For example, the discharge ports (41) may include a first discharge port (41a), a second discharge port (41b), and a third discharge port (41c).

[0123] The air conditioner (1) can perform multiple operations. The multiple operations can include a cooling operation in which heat-exchanged air is discharged through the discharge port (41), and a drying operation in which non-heat-exchanged air is discharged through the discharge port (41) and / or the discharge hole (42). The drying operation can also be referred to as a blowing operation in that it discharges non-heat-exchanged air. According to various embodiments, the drying operation can include a blowing operation in which only the blowing fan (32) is operated without operating the compressor (3), and / or a heating operation in which the blowing fan (32) is operated together with the operation of the compressor (3).

[0124] In one embodiment, the plurality of operations may include a ventilation operation that discharges non-heat-exchanged air through the discharge port (41) and / or the discharge hole (42).

[0125] Ventilation operation may be an operation mode for cleaning the inside of the main body (10) by circulating the air inside the main body (10).

[0126] Cleaning the inside of the body (10) may include removing foreign substances (e.g., dust, organic chemicals, etc.) inside the body (10).

[0127] Ventilation operation can be distinguished from dry operation in that its performance depends on the presence of occupants. If ventilation operation is performed in the presence of occupants, the odors and noise generated during the removal of foreign substances can cause discomfort to users.

[0128] Ventilation operation may also be referred to as 'operation when no one is present' as its purpose is to be performed only when no one is present and thus not cause discomfort to the occupants.

[0129] The purpose of ventilation operation is to remove foreign substances (e.g., dust, organic chemicals, etc.) attached to the blower fan (32) and / or heat exchanger (20) rather than to remove moisture inside the air conditioner (1) (e.g., moisture around the heat exchanger (20)), and thus, it may also be called 'cleaning operation'.

[0130] The air conditioner (1) can perform ventilation operation to clean the interior of the main body (10).

[0131] The control unit (160) can perform ventilation operation in response to the presence of an occupant not being detected when the ventilation function is activated and cooling operation and drying operation are not being performed.

[0132] In the present invention, the control unit (160) performing a specific operation (e.g., ventilation operation, drying operation, etc.) may mean that the control unit (160) controls the air conditioner (1) to perform the specific operation.

[0133] Dry operation may be an operation mode for removing moisture inside the main body (10) (e.g., moisture around the heat exchanger (20)).

[0134] Dry operation may also be called microbial suppression operation from the perspective that it can suppress the growth of microorganisms (e.g., mold) by removing moisture inside the air conditioner (1) (e.g., moisture around the heat exchanger (20)).

[0135] Dry operation may also be referred to as ‘operation at the end of cooling’ as it is performed after the cooling operation of the air conditioner (1) is completed.

[0136] The air conditioner (1) can perform a drying operation to remove moisture inside the main body (10).

[0137] The control unit (160) can perform drying operation in response to the termination of cooling operation when the drying function is activated.

[0138] In one embodiment, the ventilation operation and the drying operation may have something in common in that they operate the blower fan (32) without the operation of the compressor (3).

[0139] The control unit (160) can control the air conditioner (1) to perform ventilation operation and drying operation by operating the blower fan (32) without operating the compressor (3).

[0140] In one embodiment, the ventilation operation and the drying operation may have different operation algorithms.

[0141] For example, the rotation speed of the blower fan (32) in dry operation and the rotation speed of the blower fan (32) in ventilation operation may be different from each other.

[0142] As another example, in dry operation, the discharge port (41) may be opened, and in ventilation operation, the discharge port (41) may be closed.

[0143] As another example, in dry operation, only the blower fan (32) can operate, and in ventilation operation, a circular fan (37) can additionally operate in addition to the blower fan (32).

[0144] In heating operation, the flow of refrigerant compressed by the compressor (3) can be controlled so that indoor air exchanges heat with the hot refrigerant of the heat exchanger (20).

[0145] The flow of refrigerant compressed by the compressor (3) can be changed by the operation of at least one valve (not shown) for changing the flow of refrigerant. For example, the control unit (160) can perform heating operation or cooling operation by controlling the flow of refrigerant compressed by the compressor (3) by controlling at least one valve.

[0146] In cooling operation, the compressor (3) operates and the blower fan (32) may rotate. In cooling operation, the flow of refrigerant compressed by the compressor (3) may be controlled so that indoor air exchanges heat with the cold refrigerant of the heat exchanger (20). In dry operation, only the blower fan (32) may rotate without the compressor (3) operating. In one embodiment, the compressor (3) may operate and the blower fan (32) may rotate even in dry operation. In dry operation, the flow of refrigerant compressed by the compressor (3) may be controlled so that indoor air exchanges heat with the hot refrigerant of the heat exchanger (20). According to various embodiments, the dry operation may also include a heating operation.

[0147] In ventilation operation, only the blower fan (32) can rotate without the compressor (3) operating. In ventilation operation, the blower fan (32) and / or the circular fan (37) can rotate without the compressor (3) operating.

[0148] The cooling operation may include a first cooling operation that discharges heat-exchanged air through at least one discharge port (41), and a second cooling operation that discharges heat-exchanged air through discharge holes (42) provided in a porous discharge plate (14). The size of the discharge port (41) may be larger than the size of the discharge holes (42). In addition, the number of discharge holes (42) is larger than the number of discharge ports (41), and the discharge holes (42) may be distributed approximately uniformly throughout the discharge plate (14).

[0149] For example, in the first cooling operation, the heat-exchanged air can be discharged to the outside of the air conditioner (1) through the open first discharge port (41a), second discharge port (41b), or third discharge port (41c). The air conditioner (1) can perform the first cooling operation by selectively opening the first discharge port (41a), second discharge port (41b), or third discharge port (41c) depending on the detected indoor temperature.

[0150] In the second cooling operation, the first discharge port (41a), the second discharge port (41b), and the third discharge port (41c) are all closed, and the heat-exchanged air can be discharged through the discharge hole (42) provided in the discharge plate (14).

[0151] For example, air that has been heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger (20) can be discharged to the outside of the air conditioner through at least one discharge port (41) and a discharge hole (42) by a blower fan (32).

[0152] In the first cooling operation, the heat-exchanged air is discharged through the discharge port (41), but not only through the discharge port (41), but also a portion of it may be discharged through the discharge hole (42). For example, in the first cooling operation, most of the heat-exchanged air may be discharged through the discharge port (41). In the second cooling operation, as in the first cooling operation, most of the heat-exchanged air may be discharged through the discharge hole (42).

[0153] Air passing through the blower (30) can be discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the discharge port (41).

[0154] When the air conditioner (1) performs the first cooling operation, the heat-exchanged air can be discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the discharge port (41). The discharge port (41) is provided so that the heat-exchanged air can be directly discharged to the outside. The discharge port (41) may be provided so as to be exposed to the outside of the main body (10). The discharge port (41) may be provided in the blowing direction of the blower fan (32) so that the heat-exchanged air can be directly discharged to the outside. The air blown by the blower fan (32) can flow through the first discharge path (41d) formed between the blower fan (32) and the discharge port (41). The first discharge path (41d) may be formed by a discharge guide (45).

[0155] The first discharge path (41d) can be formed by a discharge guide (45). The end (43) of the discharge guide (45) is connected to the discharge port (41), and the first discharge path (41d) can be formed along the inner surface of the discharge guide (45). The end (43) of the discharge guide (45) is exposed to the outside through the discharge port (41) of the main body (10), and the discharge guide (45) can be settled on the end (43) of the discharge guide (45) by moving the door (60) described later.

[0156] The outlet (41) can be opened and closed by the door (60).

[0157] The door (60) opens and closes the outlet (41), and heat-exchanged air can be selectively discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the outlet (41). For example, the door (60) may include a first door (60a) that opens and closes a first outlet (41a), a second door (60b) that opens and closes a second outlet (41b), and a third door (60c) that opens and closes a third outlet (41c).

[0158] The door (60) can move between an open position (P1) that opens the discharge port (41) and a closed position (P2) that closes the discharge port (41). The door (60) can move in the forward and backward directions between the open position (P1) and the closed position (P2).

[0159] For example, each door (60) may include a door blade (62) and a door actuator (66) that operates the door blade (62).

[0160] The door blade (62) may be formed in a circular shape to correspond to the shape of the discharge port (41). When the door (60) is in the open position (P1), the door blade (62) is spaced apart from the end (43) of the discharge guide (45), and when the door (60) is in the closed position (P2), the door blade (62) may contact the end (43) of the discharge guide (45) to close the discharge port (41). For example, the door blade (62) may include a first door blade (62a) that opens and closes the first discharge port (41a), a second door blade (62b) that opens and closes the second discharge port (41b), and a third door blade (62c) that opens and closes the third discharge port (41c).

[0161] The door blade (62) may include a blade body (63) that is formed in a circular shape to correspond to the discharge port (41), and a blade coupling portion (64) that extends from the blade body (63) and is coupled to a door actuator (66).

[0162] The blade body (63) may be provided in a roughly circular plate shape. In addition, the blade body (63) may be provided so that one side faces the outside of the main body (10), and the other side faces the discharge port (41).

[0163] A display is provided on one side of the blade body (63), and the display can be provided to display the operating status of the air conditioner or to operate the air conditioner.

[0164] The door actuator (66) can move the door blade (62). The door actuator (66) can include a motor (not shown). The door actuator (66) is coupled to the blade coupling portion (64) of the door blade (62) and can move the door blade (62).

[0165] For example, the door actuator (66) may include a first door actuator (66a) that moves a first door blade (62a), a second door actuator (66b) that moves a second door blade (62b), and a third door actuator (66c) that moves a third door blade (62c).

[0166] The grill (34) described above can be arranged around the door actuator (66). Air blown from the blower fan (32) provided on the rear surface of the grill (34) can be discharged forward through the grill (34).

[0167] When the air conditioner (1) performs the second cooling operation, the heat-exchanged air can be discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the discharge hole (42). Through this configuration, the heat-exchanged air can be discharged to the outside while reducing the wind speed. The discharge hole (42) may include a plurality of discharge holes (42) formed in a porous discharge plate (14) described below.

[0168] When the heat-exchanged air is discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the discharge hole (42), the air blown by the blower fan (32) can flow through the second discharge path (42a) formed between the blower fan (32) and the discharge hole (42). The second discharge path (42a) can be formed by the discharge guide part (45) and the discharge panel (12) described later.

[0169] The discharge panel (12) can form a second discharge path (42a). The heat-exchanged air can be discharged to the outside of the air conditioner at a low speed through the second discharge path (42a) formed by the discharge panel (12) and the discharge plate (14) described later.

[0170] The discharge panel (12) may include a euro forming frame (13) and a discharge plate (14).

[0171] The euro forming frame (13) can partition the interior of the main body (10) and the second discharge passage (42a). The air exchanged through the euro forming frame (13) can be prevented / reduced from flowing back into the interior of the main body (10). In one embodiment, the euro forming frame (13) can be extended from the grill (34) and connected to the exterior panel (11).

[0172] A discharge hole (42) may be formed in the discharge plate (14). The shape of the discharge hole (42) is not limited, but in one embodiment of the disclosed invention, it may have a plurality of discharge holes (42). The discharge hole (42) may penetrate the front and rear surfaces of the discharge plate (14).

[0173] The discharge hole (42) can form a discharge area. A plurality of discharge holes (42) can be uniformly distributed in the discharge area, or can be concentrated in at least a portion. In one embodiment, a plurality of discharge holes (42) can be uniformly distributed in the discharge area.

[0174] The discharge area may be formed on at least a portion of the discharge plate (14). However, it is not limited thereto, and discharge may be performed through the entire surface of the discharge plate (14).

[0175] The discharge unit (40) may include a first discharge path (41d) and a second discharge path (42a).

[0176] The air blown by the blower fan (32) can flow through at least one of the first discharge path (41d) and the second discharge path (42a).

[0177] In the first cooling operation, the air blown by the blower fan (32) can flow through the first discharge path (41d) formed between the blower fan (32) and the discharge port (41). In addition, in the second cooling operation, the air blown by the blower fan (32) can flow through the second discharge path (42a) formed between the blower fan (32) and the discharge hole (42).

[0178] The first cooling operation may also be called general wind operation in that the air blown by the blower fan (32) is directly discharged to the discharge port (41).

[0179] The second cooling operation may also be called windless operation in that the air blown by the blower fan (32) is not discharged directly to the discharge port (41) but to the discharge hole (42).

[0180] The discharge unit (40) may include a discharge guide (45). Air blown by the blower fan (32) may be controlled by the discharge guide (45). The discharge guide (45) is provided in front of the blower unit (30), and the discharge guide (45) is provided so that air flowing from the blower unit (30) can flow through at least one discharge path among the first discharge path (41d) and the second discharge path (42a).

[0181] The discharge guide (45) may include a guide body (46) and a guide groove (47).

[0182] The guide body (46) can form a first discharge path (41d) on its inner side. The guide body (46) can be provided in a cylindrical shape having a hollow portion. Specifically, the guide body (46) can be provided in the shape of a tube, with one side facing the blower (30) and the other side facing the discharge port (41).

[0183] The guide groove (47) is formed so that the second discharge path (42a) passes through it. The guide groove (47) may be provided on the guide body (46). The shape of the guide groove (47) is not limited, and any configuration that allows air to flow in the outward direction of the guide body (46) is sufficient. In one embodiment, the guide groove (47) may have a plurality of hole shapes along the circumference of the guide body (46).

[0184] In the first cooling operation, the door (60) opens the discharge port (41). In this case, air blowing from the blower (30) passes through the first discharge path (41d) formed on the inside of the guide body (46) and is discharged through the discharge port (41).

[0185] In the second cooling operation, the door (60) closes the discharge port (41). In this case, one side of the guide body (46) is blocked by the door (60), so that the air blowing from the blower (30) passes through the guide groove (47) formed in the guide body (46) and is discharged through the discharge hole (42).

[0186] Below, an example of the operation of the air conditioner (1) of the present invention is described.

[0187] Air drawn into the main body (10) from the outside exchanges heat with the heat exchanger (20). The air heated or cooled by the heat exchanger (20) is discharged to the outside of the main body (10) by the blower (30).

[0188] The air conditioner (1) discharges air that has passed through the heat exchanger (20) to the outside through at least one of the discharge port (41) and the discharge hole (42). For example, as in the first cooling operation, the air may be discharged through the discharge port (41) to quickly heat or cool the room, and as in the second cooling operation, the air may be discharged through the discharge hole (42) to slowly heat or cool the entire room.

[0189] The discharge port (41) can be opened and closed by the operation of the door (60). When the discharge port (41) is opened, heat-exchanged air is discharged through the discharge port (41), and when the discharge port (41) is closed, heat-exchanged air can be discharged through the discharge hole (42).

[0190] In the first cooling operation, heat-exchanged air is discharged through the discharge port (41). In the first cooling operation, the door blade (62) is positioned in the open position (P1), and the door blade (62) is spaced apart from the end (43) of the discharge guide (45), so that the discharge port (41) is opened.

[0191] In this case, the air flowing from the blower (30) flows to the discharge port (41) through the first discharge path (41d) formed by the guide body (46) of the discharge guide (45).

[0192] When discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the discharge port (41), it is discharged to the outside while maintaining the wind speed by the blower (30).

[0193] In the second cooling operation, heat-exchanged air is discharged through the discharge hole (42). In the second cooling operation, the door blade (62) is positioned at the closed position (P2), and the door blade (62) comes into contact with the end (43) of the discharge guide (45), so that the discharge port (41) can be closed.

[0194] In this case, the air flowing from the blower (30) passes through the guide groove (47) formed in the guide body (46) of the discharge guide (45) because the discharge port (41) is blocked by the door blade (62). Through this, the air flowing from the blower (30) passes through the second discharge path (42a) and flows into the discharge hole (42).

[0195] When the air is discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the discharge hole (42), the air passes through the multiple discharge holes of the discharge plate (14) and the wind speed is reduced, so that it is discharged to the outside at a low speed.

[0196] This configuration allows the user to cool or heat the room at a comfortable air speed.

[0197] In dry operation, air may be discharged to the outside of the air conditioner (1) through the open first discharge port (41a), second discharge port (41b) or third discharge port (41c), or may be discharged through the discharge hole (42) provided in the discharge plate (14) with the first discharge port (41a), second discharge port (41b) and third discharge port (41c) closed.

[0198] In the present disclosure, the discharge unit provided in the main body (10) may be a concept including at least one of a discharge port (41) and a discharge hole (42).

[0199] Meanwhile, the control method of the air conditioner according to the disclosed invention can be implemented in an air conditioner (1) in which the discharge port (41) is opened and closed by the door (60) as described in the above-described FIGS. 4 to 8, so that the heat-exchanged air is selectively discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the discharge port (41), and, as described later with reference to FIG. 9, can also be implemented in an air conditioner (1) in which a plurality of fine holes are uniformly distributed on the discharge panel (12) without the discharge port (41) so that the heat-exchanged air is discharged at a low speed.

[0200] Fig. 9 illustrates an exploded view of another example air conditioner according to various embodiments. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner according to Fig. 9 when it blows air through the first passage, according to various embodiments. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner according to Fig. 9 when it blows air through the second passage and the third passage, according to various embodiments.

[0201] Referring to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 (FIGS. 9 to 11), the air conditioner (1) may include a main body (10) forming an exterior, a blower (30) for circulating air into or out of the main body (10), and a heat exchanger (20) for exchanging heat with air flowing into the interior of the main body (10).

[0202] The main body (10) is equipped with a blower (30) and a heat exchanger (20), and can be combined with a front panel (16) covering the front of the main body (10). The main body (10) can include a first inlet (52), a second inlet (55), a main outlet (57), and guide outlets (53, 54).

[0203] The main body (10) can form the rear, both sides, top and bottom of the air conditioner (1). The main body (10) has an open front, and the open front can form a body case opening (11a), and the body case opening (11a) can be covered by a front panel (16) and an exhaust panel (12).

[0204] The front panel (16) can be coupled to the body case opening (11a). In Fig. 9, the front panel (16) is illustrated as being detachable from the main body (10), but the front panel (16) and the main body (10) may be formed integrally.

[0205] A main exhaust port (57) may be formed on the front panel (16). The main exhaust port (57) may be arranged on the front of the main body (10). The main exhaust port (57) may penetrate the front panel (16). The main exhaust port (57) may be formed on the upper portion of the front panel (16). The main exhaust port (57) may be arranged at a position approximately facing the first inlet port (52). Air that has been heat-exchanged inside the main body (10) may be discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the main exhaust port (57). The main exhaust port (57) may discharge air that has been introduced through the first inlet port (52).

[0206] A panel support member (17a) that supports the discharge panel (12) may be formed on a portion of the front panel (16) where the main discharge port (57) is formed. The panel support member (17a) may extend along the perimeter of the main discharge port (57). The panel support member (17a) may support the back surface of the discharge panel (12).

[0207] A first inlet (52) may be formed in the main body (10). The first inlet (52) may penetrate the back surface of the main body (10). The first inlet (52) may be formed at the upper portion of the back surface of the main body (10). External air may be introduced into the interior of the main body (10) through the first inlet (52).

[0208] Although Fig. 9 illustrates that two first inlets (52) are provided, the number of first inlets (52) is not limited thereto and may be provided in various forms as needed. Although Fig. 9 illustrates that the first inlet (52) is formed in a square shape, the shape of the first inlet (52) is not limited thereto and may be formed in various forms as needed.

[0209] A second inlet (55) may be formed in the main body (10). The second inlet (55) may penetrate the back surface of the main body (10). The second inlet (55) may be formed at the lower portion of the back surface of the main body (10). The second inlet (55) may be formed at the lower side of the first inlet (52). External air may be introduced into the interior of the main body (10) through the second inlet (55).

[0210] As with the first inlet (52), the number and / or shape of the second inlet (55) can also be varied as needed.

[0211] The front panel (16) can form guide outlets (53, 54) together with the discharge panel (12). The guide outlets (53, 54) can be formed on the same surface as the main outlet (57). The guide outlets (53, 54) can be formed on the left and / or right side of the main outlet (57). The guide outlets (53, 54) can be arranged adjacent to the main outlet (57). The guide outlets (53, 54) can be arranged at a predetermined distance from the main outlet (57). The guide outlets (53, 54) can include a first guide outlet (53) arranged on the left side of the main outlet (57) and a second guide outlet (54) arranged on the right side of the main outlet (57).

[0212] The guide discharge ports (53, 54) may extend along the vertical direction of the main body (10). The guide discharge ports (53, 54) may have a length approximately equal to the length of the main discharge port (57). Air that has not been heat-exchanged inside the main body (10) may be discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the guide discharge ports (53, 54). The guide discharge ports (53, 54) may be provided to discharge air introduced through the second inlet port (55).

[0213] The guide outlets (53, 54) may be configured to mix air discharged from the guide outlets (53, 54) with air discharged from the main outlet (57). For example, a portion of the front panel (16) forming the guide outlets (53, 54) may include a guide curved portion (53a, 54a) that guides air discharged from the guide outlets (53, 54) so ​​that air discharged from the guide outlets (53, 54) is mixed with air discharged from the main outlet (57).

[0214] The air discharged through the guide outlets (53, 54) can be discharged in a direction such that it can be mixed with the air discharged from the main outlet (57) along the guide curved portions (53a, 54a). The guide curved portions (53a, 54a) can guide the air discharged through the guide outlets (53, 54) to be discharged in approximately the same direction as the air discharged through the main outlet (57). The guide curved portions (53a, 54a) can be provided to guide the air discharged through the guide outlets (53, 54) forward.

[0215] Blades (81, 82) may be provided on the guide outlets (53, 54) to guide air discharged through the guide outlets (53, 54). The blades (81, 82) may be arranged in series along the length of the guide outlets (53, 54). A first blade (81) may be arranged on the first guide outlet (53), and a second blade (82) may be arranged on the second guide outlet (54).

[0216] The air flow path connecting the first inlet (52) and the main outlet (57) is called the first flow path (S1), the air flow path connecting the second inlet (55) and the first guide outlet (53) is called the second flow path (S2), and the air flow path connecting the second inlet (55) and the second guide outlet (54) is called the third flow path (S3). Here, the first flow path (S1) can be partitioned into the second flow path (S2) and the third flow path (S3). Accordingly, the air flowing through the first flow path (S1) may not be mixed with the air flowing through the second flow path (S2) and the third flow path (S3). The second flow path (S2) and the third flow path (S3) may overlap in some sections. For example, the second flow path (S2) and the third flow path (S3) may have a common section from the second inlet (55) to the circular fan (37).

[0217] A first duct (58) that divides a first flow path (S1) and a second flow path (S2) may be arranged inside the main body (10). The first duct (58) may be arranged on the left side of the blower (30). The first duct (58) may extend in the vertical direction. The first duct (58) may be communicated with a circular fan (37). The first duct (58) may be communicated with a fan outlet (37a) of the circular fan (37). The first duct (58) may guide a portion of the air blown by the circular fan (37) to the first guide outlet (53). A first duct filter (not shown) may be provided in the first duct (58) to filter foreign substances in the air flowing in from the circular fan (37).

[0218] A second duct (59) that divides a first flow path (S1) and a third flow path (S3) may be arranged inside the main body (10). The second duct (59) may be arranged on the right side of the blower (30). The second duct (59) may extend in the vertical direction. The second duct (59) may be communicated with a circular fan (37). The second duct (59) may be communicated with a fan outlet (37a) of the circular fan (37). The second duct (59) may guide a portion of the air blown by the circular fan (37) to the second guide outlet (54). A second duct filter (19a) may be provided in the second duct (59) to filter foreign substances in the air flowing in from the circular fan (37).

[0219] The air conditioner (1) can discharge air that has exchanged heat with the heat exchanger (20) through the main discharge port (57) and discharge air that has not passed through the heat exchanger (20) through the guide discharge ports (53, 54). For example, the guide discharge ports (53, 54) can be arranged to discharge air that has not been heat-exchanged. Since the heat exchanger (20) is arranged on the first flow path (S1), the air discharged through the main discharge port (57) can be heat-exchanged air. Since the heat exchanger is not arranged on the second flow path (S2) and the third flow path (S3), the air discharged through the guide discharge ports (53, 54) can be air that has not been heat-exchanged.

[0220] In one embodiment, the heat-exchanged air may be discharged through the guide outlets (53, 54). For example, heat exchangers may also be arranged on the second flow path (S2) and the third flow path (S3). For example, the heat exchanger for heat-exchanging the air discharged through the guide outlets (53, 54) may be arranged in the receiving space (11b) of the main body (10). According to this configuration, the air conditioner (1) may provide heat-exchanged air through both the main outlet (57) and the guide outlets (53, 54).

[0221] A receiving space (11b) in which electrical components (not shown) can be placed can be formed inside the main body (10). Electrical components required for operating the air conditioner (1) can be placed in the receiving space (11b). A circular fan (37) can be placed in the receiving space (11b).

[0222] The circular fan (37) may be arranged to be driven independently from the blower (30). The rotation speed of the circular fan (37) may be arranged to be different from the rotation speed of the blower (30).

[0223] The blower (30) may be placed on the first flow path (S1) formed between the first inlet (52) and the main outlet (57). Air may be introduced into the interior of the main body (10) through the first inlet (52) by the blower (30). The air introduced through the first inlet (52) may move along the first flow path (S1) and be discharged to the exterior of the main body (10) through the main outlet (57).

[0224] The blower (30) may be an axial fan or a diagonal fan. However, the type of blower (30) is not limited thereto, and the blower (30) is sufficient as long as it has a configuration that allows air flowing in from the outside of the main body (10) to be discharged back to the outside of the main body (10). For example, the blower (30) may be a cross fan, a turbo fan, or a sirocco fan.

[0225] In Fig. 9, the number of fans of the blower (30) is illustrated as being three, but the number of fans of the blower (30) is not limited thereto and may be provided in various numbers as needed.

[0226] In one embodiment, the blower unit (30) may include at least one blower fan module (30a, 30b, 30c).

[0227] At least one blower fan module (30a, 30b, 30c) may correspond to the blower fan (32) and fan motor (33) described above with reference to FIG. 4. For example, the first blower fan module (30a) may include a first blower fan (32a) and a first fan motor (33a) driving the first blower fan (32a). The second blower fan module (30b) may include a second blower fan (32b) and a second fan motor (33b) driving the second blower fan (32b). The third blower fan module (30c) may include a third blower fan (32c) and a third fan motor (33c) driving the third blower fan (32c).

[0228] The circular fan (37) may be placed on the second flow path (S2) and the third flow path (S3) formed between the second inlet (55) and the guide outlet (53, 54). The circular fan (37) may correspond to the circular fan (37) described above with reference to FIG. 4.

[0229] Air can be introduced into the interior of the main body (10) through the second inlet (55) by the circular fan (37). A portion of the air introduced through the second inlet (55) can move along the second flow path (S2) and be discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the first guide outlet (53), or can move along the third flow path (S3) and be discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the second guide outlet (54). This circular fan (37) can be implemented as a circulator according to one embodiment.

[0230] A heat exchanger (20) may be disposed between the blower (30) and the first inlet (52). The heat exchanger (20) may be disposed on the first flow path (S1). The heat exchanger (20) may absorb heat from air introduced through the first inlet (52) or transfer heat to the air introduced through the first inlet (52). The heat exchanger (20) may include tubes and a header coupled to the tubes. However, the type of the heat exchanger (20) is not limited thereto.

[0231] The air conditioner (1) may include a discharge panel (12) disposed on a portion of a front panel (16) in which a main discharge port (57) is formed. For example, the discharge panel (12) may be coupled to the main body (10) through the front panel (16). The discharge panel (12) may have a plurality of holes that allow air discharged from the main discharge port (57) to be discharged more slowly than air discharged from the guide discharge ports (53, 54). The plurality of holes may penetrate the inner and outer surfaces of the discharge panel (12). The plurality of holes may be formed in a fine size. The plurality of holes may be uniformly distributed over the entire area of ​​the discharge panel (12). Heat-exchanged air discharged through the main discharge port (57) by the plurality of holes may be uniformly discharged at a low speed. A blocking portion (40a) in which a plurality of holes are not formed may be provided at the lower end of the discharge panel (12).

[0232] Meanwhile, in one embodiment, the air conditioner (1) may not include a discharge panel (12), and the heat-exchanged air may be discharged to the air-conditioned space through the main discharge port (57). At this time, the main discharge port (57) is provided so that the heat-exchanged air can be directly discharged to the outside (air-conditioned space). For example, the main discharge port (57) may be provided so as to be exposed to the outside of the main body (10). In this case, the air introduced into the first inlet port (52) may be discharged to the room (air-conditioned space) through the main discharge port (57) after being heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger (20). In other words, when the air conditioner (1) does not include a discharge panel (12), it may be discharged to the outside through the main discharge port (57) without a speed reduction due to the discharge panel (12). At this time, the air conditioner (1) may or may not include components constituting the guide path (S2, S3), such as a second inlet (55), a circular fan (37), a distribution device (75), a first duct (58), a second duct (59), and a guide outlet (53, 54), depending on the embodiment.

[0233] The air conditioner (1) may include a first suction grill (71) coupled to a portion of the main body (10) where the first inlet (52) is formed. The first suction grill (71) may be provided to prevent foreign substances from entering through the first inlet (52). To this end, the first suction grill (71) may include a plurality of slits or holes. The first suction grill (71) may be provided to cover the first inlet (52).

[0234] The air conditioner (1) may include a second suction grill (72) coupled to a portion of the main body (10) where the second inlet (55) is formed. The second suction grill (72) may be provided to prevent foreign substances from entering through the second inlet (55). To this end, the second suction grill (72) may include a plurality of slits or holes. The second suction grill (72) may be provided to cover the second inlet (55).

[0235] The air conditioner (1) may include an exhaust grille (73) coupled to a portion of the front panel (16) where the main exhaust port (57) is formed. The exhaust grille (73) may be mounted on a panel support member (17a). The exhaust grille (73) may be provided to prevent foreign substances from being discharged through the main exhaust port (57). To this end, the exhaust grille (73) may include a plurality of slits or holes. The exhaust grille (73) may be provided to cover the main exhaust port (57).

[0236] The air conditioner (1) may include a distribution device (75). The distribution device (75) may be disposed inside the main body (10). The distribution device (75) may be disposed in the receiving space (11b) of the main body (10). The distribution device (75) may be disposed adjacent to the fan outlet (37a) of the circular fan (37). The distribution device (75) may be disposed at a portion where air flowing in from the second inlet (55) branches toward the first guide outlet (53) and the second guide outlet (54). The distribution device (75) may be disposed between the first inlet (52) and the second inlet (55). The distribution device (75) may be configured to distribute air blown by the circular fan (37) to the first duct (58) and the second duct (59). The distribution device (75) can be configured to control the flow rate of air discharged through the first guide discharge port (53) and the second guide discharge port (54).

[0237] Referring to Fig. 10, the air conditioner (1) can be operated in a first mode that discharges heat-exchanged air only through the main outlet (57). Since the main outlet (57) is provided with a discharge panel (12), the entire interior can be air-conditioned slowly. For example, when air is discharged to the exterior of the main body (10) through the main outlet (57), the air can pass through multiple holes of the discharge panel (12) at a reduced wind speed and be discharged at a low speed. According to this configuration, the user can cool or heat the interior at a wind speed that feels comfortable.

[0238] For example, as the blower (30) is driven, external air of the main body (10) can be introduced into the interior of the main body (10) through the first inlet (52). The air introduced into the interior of the main body (10) can be heat-exchanged while passing through the heat exchanger (20). The air that has exchanged heat while passing through the heat exchanger (20) can pass through the blower (30) and the discharge panel (12) and be discharged to the exterior of the main body (10) through the main discharge port (57) at a reduced speed. For example, the heat-exchanged air that is discharged while passing through the first flow path (S1) can be discharged at a wind speed that makes the user feel comfortable.

[0239] Since the circular fan (37) is not driven in the first mode, air is not discharged through the guide exhaust port (53, 54).

[0240] Referring to Fig. 11, the air conditioner (1) can be operated in a second mode in which non-heat-exchanged air is discharged only through the guide outlets (53, 54). Since the heat exchanger (20) is not arranged on the second flow path (S2) and the third flow path (S3), the air conditioner (1) can circulate indoor air.

[0241] Since the guide discharge ports (53, 54) are provided with guide curved portions (53a, 54a), air discharged through the guide discharge ports (53, 54) can be discharged toward the front of the air conditioner (1). Since blades (81, 82) are provided on the guide discharge ports (53, 54), air can be blown further toward the front.

[0242] For example, as the circular fan (37) is driven, external air of the main body (10) can be introduced into the interior of the main body (10) through the second inlet (55). The air introduced into the interior of the main body (10) can pass through the circular fan (37) and then move to the second flow path (S2) and the third flow path (S3) formed on both sides of the first flow path (S1). The air can move upward on the second flow path (S2) and the third flow path (S3) and then be discharged to the exterior of the main body (10) through the guide discharge ports (53, 54). At this time, the air can be guided to the front of the air conditioner (1) along the guide curved portions (53a, 54a).

[0243] In the second mode, the blower (30) is not driven, so no air is discharged through the main exhaust port (57). For example, in the second mode, the air conditioner (1) blows air that has not been heat-exchanged, so it can simply perform the function of circulating indoor air or provide a strong wind to the user.

[0244] Additionally, the air conditioner (1) can be operated in a third mode that discharges heat-exchanged air through the main discharge port (57) and the guide discharge ports (53, 54). The air conditioner (1) can discharge cold air further when operated in the third mode than when operated in the first mode.

[0245] For example, when the air conditioner (1) is operated in the third mode, the cold or warm air discharged through the main outlet (57) and the air discharged through the guide outlets (53, 54) can be mixed. In addition, since the air discharged through the guide outlets (53, 54) is discharged at a faster speed than the air discharged through the main outlet (57), the air discharged through the guide outlets (53, 54) can move the heat-exchanged air discharged through the main outlet (57) further.

[0246] According to this configuration, the air conditioner (1) can provide the user with comfortable cold or warm air mixed with heat-exchanged air and indoor air.

[0247] An air conditioner (1) according to one embodiment may be driven in any one of a first mode, a second mode, or a third mode when performing a cooling operation in which a refrigerant evaporates in a heat exchanger (20). For example, when performing a cooling operation, the air conditioner (1) may be driven in any one of a first mode in which heat-exchanged air is discharged only through a first flow path (S1), a second mode in which air is discharged only through guide flow paths (S2, S3), and a third mode in which air is discharged through both the first flow path (S1) and guide flow paths (S2, S3).

[0248] During cooling operation, the heat exchanger (20) is cooled by the refrigerant, and when air sucked in through the first inlet (52) comes into contact with the cooled heat exchanger (20), moisture may condense on the surface of the heat exchanger (20). Since the blower (30) blows air during cooling operation, moisture condensed on the surface of the heat exchanger (20) may be collected in a drain container provided at the bottom of the heat exchanger (20) by the blown air.

[0249] When the blower (30) is stopped after the cooling operation is terminated, moisture condensed in the heat exchanger (20) may not be removed. Not only the heat exchanger (20), but also the moisture condensed in the first inlet (52), the main outlet (57), and the discharge panel (12) may not be removed. Due to the moisture, microorganisms may multiply in the heat exchanger (20), the first inlet (52), the main outlet (57), and the discharge panel (12), which may cause stains and odors.

[0250] Fig. 12 is a control block diagram illustrating the configurations of an air conditioner control system according to one embodiment.

[0251] Referring to FIG. 12, an air conditioner (1) according to one embodiment may include a user interface device (110) (e.g., including an interface circuit), an environmental sensor (120), a compressor (3), a blower fan (32), a circular fan (37), an occupancy detection sensor (124), a sterilizing device (125), a communication interface (140) (e.g., including a communication circuit), and / or a control unit (160) (e.g., including a processing circuit and a memory).

[0252] The user interface device (110) includes various interface circuits and can enable interaction between the user and the air conditioner (1).

[0253] The user interface device (110) may include an output interface (112) and an input interface (111).

[0254] At least one output interface (112) can transmit various information related to the operation of the air conditioner to the user by generating sensory information.

[0255] For example, at least one output interface (112) can transmit information related to the settings of the air conditioner (1) and the operating time of the air conditioner (1) to the user. Information related to the operation of the air conditioner (1) can be output by a display, an indicator, and / or a voice. The at least one output interface (112) can include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, an indicator, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, a speaker, etc.

[0256] At least one input interface (111) can convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.

[0257] At least one input interface (111) may include a power button for turning on the power of the air conditioner (1), a setting button for setting the operation mode of the air conditioner (1), a control button for adjusting the rotation speed of the compressor (3) and / or the blower fan (32), a timer button, etc.

[0258] Each button may include a visual indicator (e.g., text, an icon, etc.) that indicates its function.

[0259] At least one input interface (111) may include, for example, a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and / or a microphone.

[0260] In the present disclosure, 'button' may be replaced with a UI element (User Interface Element), a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and / or a microphone.

[0261] The power button is a button to turn the air conditioner (1) on or off.

[0262] The setting button is a button for changing the operation mode of the air conditioner (1). The operation mode of the air conditioner may include cooling operation, heating operation, drying operation, etc.

[0263] Depending on each operating mode, the operating frequency of the compressor (3) and the rotation speed of the blower fan (32) may be different.

[0264] The control button is a button for controlling the operating frequency of the compressor (3) of the air conditioner (1) and / or the rotation speed of the blower fan (32). Depending on the operation of the control button, the operating frequency of the compressor (3) and / or the rotation speed of the blower fan (32) can be controlled.

[0265] The timer button is a button for setting the operating time of the air conditioner (1). The air conditioner (1) operates according to the operating mode selected by the user for the operating time set by the timer button, and can end operation when the operating time set by the timer button has elapsed.

[0266] The air conditioner (1) can process user input received through the input interface (111) or output information related to the air conditioner (1) through the output interface (112).

[0267] For example, user input received through the input interface (111) can be transmitted to the control unit (160). As another example, the control unit (160) can control the output interface (112) to output information related to the air conditioner (1).

[0268] The environmental sensor (120) can measure the temperature, humidity, and quality of the air around the air conditioner (1).

[0269] The environmental sensor (120) may include at least one temperature sensor (121), at least one humidity sensor (122), and / or at least one gas sensor (123).

[0270] Sensor data collected from the environmental sensor (120) may include temperature data, humidity data, and / or air quality data. Temperature data may include temperature data of air that has not passed through the heat exchanger (20) (hereinafter referred to as “intake air”) and temperature data of air that has passed through the heat exchanger (20) (hereinafter referred to as “discharge air”). Humidity data may include humidity data of intake air and humidity data of discharge air. Air quality data may include quality data of intake air and quality data of discharge air. Furthermore, air quality data may include air quality data around the heat exchanger (20).

[0271] At least one temperature sensor (121) can measure the temperature of the air surrounding the air conditioner (1). At least one temperature sensor (121) can transmit temperature data of the air surrounding the air conditioner (1) to the control unit (160).

[0272] According to various embodiments, at least one temperature sensor (121) may include a first temperature sensor that measures the temperature of air (intake air) drawn into the body (10) from the outside of the body (10) and / or a second temperature sensor that measures the temperature of air (outtake air) discharged from the inside of the body (10) to the outside of the body (10).

[0273] A first temperature sensor may be formed around the intake port (19). The first temperature sensor may measure the temperature of intake air. The first temperature sensor may transmit temperature data of the intake air to the control unit (160).

[0274] A second temperature sensor may be formed around the discharge plate (14). The second temperature sensor may measure the temperature of the discharged air. The second temperature sensor may transmit temperature data of the discharged air to the control unit (160).

[0275] According to various embodiments, at least one temperature sensor (121) may further include a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the surrounding air of the outdoor unit (2).

[0276] The temperature of the surrounding air of the air conditioner (1) can be referred to as the temperature of indoor air, and the temperature of the surrounding air of the outdoor unit (2) can be referred to as the temperature of outdoor air.

[0277] At least one humidity sensor (122) can measure the humidity of the air surrounding the air conditioner (1). At least one humidity sensor (122) can transmit humidity data of the air surrounding the air conditioner (1) to the control unit (160).

[0278] At least one humidity sensor (122) may include a first humidity sensor that measures the humidity of air drawn into the body (10) from the outside of the body (10) and / or a second humidity sensor that measures the humidity of air discharged from the inside of the body (10) to the outside of the body (10).

[0279] A first humidity sensor may be formed around the intake port (19). The first humidity sensor may measure the humidity of intake air. The first humidity sensor may transmit humidity data of the intake air to the control unit (160).

[0280] A second humidity sensor may be formed around the discharge plate (14). The second humidity sensor may measure the humidity of the discharged air. The second humidity sensor may transmit humidity data of the discharged air to the control unit (160).

[0281] According to various embodiments, at least one humidity sensor (122) may further include a humidity sensor that measures the humidity of the surrounding air of the outdoor unit (2).

[0282] The humidity of the air surrounding the air conditioner (1) can be referred to as the humidity of indoor air, and the humidity of the air surrounding the outdoor unit (2) can be referred to as the humidity of outdoor air.

[0283] At least one gas sensor (123) can measure the quality of air around the air conditioner (1). At least one gas sensor (123) can transmit air quality data around the air conditioner (1) to the control unit (160).

[0284] At least one gas sensor (123) can detect and measure the presence of gas in the surrounding environment, and can detect combustible gas, toxic gas, oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc.

[0285] For example, at least one gas sensor (123) can detect VOC (Volatile Organic Compound).

[0286] Measuring air quality may involve detecting combustible gases, toxic gases, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other substances contained in the air.

[0287] Poor air quality can include concentrations of flammable gases, toxic gases, oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc. in the air that are above a certain level.

[0288] At least one gas sensor (123) may include a first gas sensor that measures the quality of air drawn into the body (10) from the outside of the body (10), a second gas sensor that measures the quality of air discharged from the inside of the body (10) to the outside of the body (10), and / or a third gas sensor that is installed around the heat exchanger (20) and measures the quality of air around the heat exchanger (20).

[0289] The occupancy detection sensor (124) may include at least one sensor capable of detecting an occupant. For example, the occupancy detection sensor (124) may include a lidar sensor, a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a camera sensor, etc., but examples of the occupancy detection sensor (124) are not limited thereto. In the present disclosure, any sensor capable of detecting an occupant may be employed as the occupancy detection sensor (124).

[0290] In this disclosure, ‘occupant’ may mean a person in an indoor space where an air conditioner (1) is installed.

[0291] For example, 'occupant' may mean a person in a room, house or office where an air conditioner (1) is installed.

[0292] In this disclosure, ‘inside the house’ may mean the interior of an indoor space where an air conditioner (1) is installed.

[0293] The blower fan (32) can rotate according to the driving force provided by the fan motor (33).

[0294] Controlling the blower fan (32) by the control unit (160) may include controlling the fan motor (33) by the control unit (160). The control unit (160) can control the rotation speed of the blower fan (32) by controlling the fan motor (33).

[0295] The circular fan (37) can rotate according to the driving force provided by the fan motor of the circular fan (37).

[0296] Controlling the circular fan (37) by the control unit (160) may include controlling the fan motor of the circular fan (37) by the control unit (160).

[0297] The sterilizing device (125) may be configured to sterilize the heat exchanger (20). For example, the sterilizing device (125) may include an ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the heat exchanger (20). The sterilizing device (125) may include an electrostatic precipitator that removes dust from air flowing toward the heat exchanger (20).

[0298] The sterilizer (125) can operate during drying operation and / or ventilation operation. In one embodiment, the sterilizer (125) can operate during ventilation operation.

[0299] The compressor (3) can operate based on a control signal from the control unit (160).

[0300] The control unit (160) can operate the compressor (3) based on the start of cooling operation of the air conditioner (1).

[0301] The door actuator (66) can operate based on a control signal from the control unit (160).

[0302] As described above, the control unit (160) can control the door actuator (66) to open the discharge port (41) during the first cooling operation. In addition, the control unit (160) can control the door actuator (66) to close the discharge port (41) during the second cooling operation.

[0303] The air conditioner (1) may include a communication interface (140) for communicating with an external device (e.g., a user device (6) and / or a computing device (7)) via wired and / or wireless communication.

[0304] The communication interface (140) may include various communication circuits including at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-range communication module.

[0305] The communication interface (140) can transmit data to an external device (e.g., a user device (6) and / or a computing device (7)) or receive data from an external device. For example, the communication interface (140) can establish communication with the user device (6) and / or the computing device (7) and transmit and receive various types of data.

[0306] To this end, the communication interface (140) may support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between external devices, and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. According to one embodiment, the communication interface (140) may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Any of these communication modules may communicate with the external device through a first network (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN)). These different types of communication modules may be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips).

[0307] The short-range wireless communication module may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication module, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, a Zigbee communication module, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication module, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication module, an UWB (ultrawideband) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc.

[0308] The remote communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of remote communication and may include a mobile communication interface. The mobile communication interface transmits and receives wireless signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.

[0309] In one embodiment, the communication interface (140) can communicate with external devices such as a user device (6) and / or a computing device (7) via a surrounding access point (AP). The access point (AP) can connect a local area network (LAN) to which the air conditioner (1) and / or the user device (6) is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which the computing device (7) is connected. The air conditioner can be connected to the computing device (7) via the wide area network (WAN).

[0310] The communication interface (140) may include a receiving antenna that receives radio waves output from a surrounding access point (AP). Radio waves received by the receiving antenna may be transmitted to the control unit (160).

[0311] In one embodiment, the communication interface (140) can receive video of the home from an external device (e.g., a home cam that films the home).

[0312] The control unit (160) can process user commands received from the input interface (111).

[0313] The control unit (160) can process data collected from various sensors (e.g., environmental sensor (120), occupant detection sensor (124)).

[0314] The control unit (160) can process user commands received through the communication interface (140).

[0315] The control unit (160) can control various components of the air conditioner (1) (e.g., output interface (112), compressor (3), blower fan (32), circular fan (37), sterilizer (125), door actuator (66), and / or communication interface (140)).

[0316] The control unit (160) may include at least one processor (161) (e.g., including a processing circuit) for controlling the operation of the air conditioner (1) and at least one memory (162) in which a program and data for controlling the operation of the air conditioner (1) are stored.

[0317] At least one memory (162) can store data required for various embodiments. The memory (162) may be implemented in the form of a memory embedded in the air conditioner (1) or in the form of a memory that can be attached or detached from the air conditioner (1), depending on the purpose of data storage. For example, data for operating the air conditioner (1) may be stored in a memory embedded in the air conditioner (1), and data for expanding the functions of the air conditioner (1) may be stored in a memory that can be attached or detached from the air conditioner (1). Meanwhile, in the case of the memory embedded in the air conditioner (1), it may be implemented as at least one of volatile memory (e.g., DRAM (dynamic RAM), SRAM (static RAM), or SDRAM (synchronous dynamic RAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., OTPROM (one time programmable ROM), PROM (programmable ROM), EPROM (erasable and programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable ROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, flash memory (e.g., NAND flash or NOR flash), hard drive, or solid state drive (SSD). In addition, in the case of the memory that can be detachably attached to the air conditioner (1), it may be implemented as at least one of memory cards (e.g., CF (compact flash), SD (secure digital), Micro-SD (micro secure digital), Mini-SD (mini secure digital), xD (extreme digital), MMC (multi-media card)), external memory that can be connected to a USB port (e.g., USB memory), etc. It can be implemented.

[0318] At least one memory (162) can store an algorithm for performing cooling operation, drying operation, and ventilation operation.

[0319] At least one processor (161) includes various processing circuits and controls the overall operation of the air conditioner (1). For example, at least one processor (161) may be connected to each component of the air conditioner (1) to control the overall operation of the air conditioner (1). For example, at least one processor (161) may be electrically connected to a memory (162) to control the overall operation of the air conditioner (1). The processor (161) may be composed of one or more processors.

[0320] At least one processor (161) can perform operations of the air conditioner (1) according to various embodiments by executing at least one instruction stored in the memory (162).

[0321] At least one processor (161) may include one or more of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an APU (Accelerated Processing Unit), an MIC (Many Integrated Core), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an NPU (Neural Processing Unit), a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator. At least one processor (161) may control one or any combination of other components of the air conditioner (1) and may perform operations related to communication or data processing. At least one processor (161) may execute at least one program or instruction stored in the memory (162). For example, at least one processor (161) may execute at least one instruction stored in the memory (162) to perform a method according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. At least one processor (161) may include various processing circuits and / or multiple processors. For example, as used herein, including in the claims, the term "processor" may encompass various processing circuits including at least one processor, wherein one or more of the at least one processors may be configured to perform various functions described herein in an individually and / or collectively distributed manner. Where "processor," "at least one processor," and "one or more processors" are described herein as being configured to perform multiple functions, such terms include, but are not limited to, situations where one processor performs some of the recited functions and other processors perform other of the recited functions, and situations where a single processor can perform all of the recited functions.Additionally, at least one processor may comprise a combination of processors that perform various cited / disclosed functions, for example, in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions. At least one memory (162) may store an algorithm for controlling the compressor (3), the blower fan (32), the circular fan (37), and / or the sterilizer (125) depending on the operating mode of the air conditioner (1).

[0322] The configurations illustrated in FIG. 12 are examples of configurations of an air conditioner (1), and the air conditioner (1) according to one embodiment may further include some configurations in addition to the configurations illustrated in FIG. 12, and conversely, may not include some of the configurations illustrated in FIG. 12 (e.g., a door actuator (66), a circular fan (37), a gas sensor (123), an occupant detection sensor (124), and / or a sterilizing device (125)).

[0323] Although the air conditioner (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is described as a stand-alone air conditioner, the air conditioner (1) according to one embodiment is not limited to a stand-alone air conditioner, and may include various types of air conditioners such as a ceiling-type air conditioner and a window-type air conditioner.

[0324] A user device (6) according to one embodiment may include a user interface device (610) (e.g., including interface circuitry), a communication interface (640) (e.g., including communication circuitry), and / or a control unit (660) (e.g., including various processing circuitry and memory).

[0325] The user interface device (610) includes various interface circuits and can enable interaction between a user and a user device (6).

[0326] The user interface device (610) may include an output interface (612) and an input interface (611).

[0327] At least one output interface (612) can convey various information to the user by generating sensory information.

[0328] For example, at least one output interface (612) can transmit information related to the operation or status of an air conditioner connected to the user device (6) to the user. Various information can be output by a display, an indicator, and / or a voice, etc. At least one output interface (612) can include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, an indicator, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, a speaker, etc.

[0329] In one embodiment, at least one output interface (612) can output sensory information (e.g., visual information, auditory information, etc.) related to the settings of the air conditioner (1).

[0330] At least one input interface (611) can convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.

[0331] At least one input interface (611) can receive user input for manipulating an interface element included in an interface provided by the user device (6).

[0332] Each interface element may include a visual indicator (e.g., text, icon, etc.) that indicates its function.

[0333] At least one input interface (611) may include, for example, a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and / or a microphone.

[0334] The user device (6) can process user input received through the input interface (611) or output information related to the user device (6) through the output interface (612).

[0335] For example, user input received through the input interface (611) can be transmitted to the control unit (660). As another example, the control unit (660) can control the output interface (612) to output various information.

[0336] The control unit (660) can process user input received from the input interface (611).

[0337] The control unit (660) can process data received from an external device (e.g., an air conditioner (1) and / or a computing device (7)) through a communication interface (640).

[0338] The control unit (660) can transmit user input received through the input interface (611) to an external device (e.g., an air conditioner (1) and / or a computing device (7)) through the communication interface (640).

[0339] The control unit (660) can control various components of the user device (6) (e.g., output interface (612), communication interface (640)).

[0340] The control unit (660) may include at least one processor (661) that controls the operation of the user device (6) and at least one memory (662) that stores a program and data for controlling the operation of the user device (6).

[0341] At least one memory (662) can store data required for various embodiments. The memory (662) may be implemented as a memory embedded in the user device (6) or as a memory detachable from the user device (6) depending on the purpose of data storage. For example, data for operating the user device (6) may be stored in a memory embedded in the user device (6), and data for expanding the functions of the user device (6) may be stored in a memory detachable from the user device (6). Meanwhile, in the case of memory embedded in the user device (6), it may be implemented as at least one of volatile memory (e.g., dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., one time programmable ROM (OTPROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, flash memory (e.g., NAND flash or NOR flash), hard drive, or solid state drive (SSD)). In addition, in the case of memory that can be detachably attached to the user device (6), it may be implemented in the form of a memory card (e.g., compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro secure digital (Micro-SD), mini secure digital (Mini-SD), extreme digital (xD), multi-media card (MMC), etc.), external memory that can be connected to a USB port (e.g., USB memory), etc.

[0342] At least one processor (661) includes various processing circuits and controls the overall operation of the user device (6). For example, at least one processor (661) may be connected to each component of the user device (6) to control the overall operation of the user device (6). For example, at least one processor (661) may be electrically connected to a memory (662) to control the overall operation of the user device (6). The processor (661) may be composed of one or more processors.

[0343] At least one processor (661) can perform operations of the user device (6) according to various embodiments by executing at least one instruction stored in the memory (662).

[0344] At least one processor (661) may include one or more of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an APU (Accelerated Processing Unit), an MIC (Many Integrated Core), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an NPU (Neural Processing Unit), a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator. At least one processor (661) may control one or any combination of other components of the user device (6), and may perform operations related to communication or data processing. At least one processor (661) may execute at least one program or instruction stored in a memory (662). For example, at least one processor (661) may perform a method according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure by executing at least one instruction stored in the memory (662). At least one processor (661) may include various processing circuits and / or multiple processors. For example, as used herein, including in the claims, the term "processor" may encompass various processing circuits including at least one processor, wherein one or more of the at least one processors may be configured to perform various functions described herein in an individually and / or collectively distributed manner. Where "processor," "at least one processor," and "one or more processors" are described herein as being configured to perform multiple functions, such terms include, but are not limited to, situations where one processor performs some of the recited functions and other processors perform other of the recited functions, and situations where a single processor can perform all of the recited functions.Additionally, at least one processor may comprise a combination of processors that perform various cited / disclosed functions, for example, in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions.

[0345] At least one memory (662) can store an algorithm for providing an interface for changing the settings of the air conditioner (1).

[0346] The communication interface (640) may include various communication circuits including at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-range communication module.

[0347] The communication interface (640) can transmit data to an external device (e.g., an air conditioner (1) and / or a computing device (7)) or receive data from the external device. For example, the communication interface (640) can establish communication with the air conditioner (1) and / or the computing device (7) and transmit and receive various data.

[0348] To this end, the communication interface (640) may support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between external devices, and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. According to one embodiment, the communication interface (640) may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, a corresponding communication module may communicate with the external device through a first network (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN)). These different types of communication modules may be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips).

[0349] The short-range wireless communication module may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication module, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, a Zigbee communication module, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication module, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication module, an UWB (ultrawideband) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc.

[0350] The remote communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of remote communication and may include a mobile communication interface. The mobile communication interface transmits and receives wireless signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.

[0351] A computing device (7) according to one embodiment may include a processor (761) (e.g., including processing circuitry), a memory (762) and / or a communication interface (740) (e.g., including communication circuitry).

[0352] The processor (761) includes various processing circuits and can process data received from the communication interface (740).

[0353] For example, the processor (761) can process data collected from an external device (e.g., an air conditioner (1), and / or a user device (6)) via a communication interface (740).

[0354] The processor (761) can control the overall operation of the computing device (7).

[0355] The computing device (7) may include at least one memory (762) in which programs and data for controlling the operation of the computing device (7) are stored.

[0356] At least one memory (762) can store data required for various embodiments. The memory (762) may be implemented as a memory embedded in the computing device (7) or as a memory detachable from the computing device (7) depending on the purpose of data storage. For example, data for operating the computing device (7) may be stored in a memory embedded in the computing device (7), and data for expanding the functions of the computing device (7) may be stored in a memory detachable from the computing device (7). Meanwhile, in the case of memory embedded in the computing device (7), it may be implemented as at least one of volatile memory (e.g., dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., one time programmable ROM (OTPROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, flash memory (e.g., NAND flash or NOR flash), hard drive, or solid state drive (SSD)). In addition, in the case of memory that can be detachably attached to the computing device (7), it may be implemented in the form of a memory card (e.g., compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro secure digital (Micro-SD), mini secure digital (Mini-SD), extreme digital (xD), multi-media card (MMC), etc.), external memory that can be connected to a USB port (e.g., USB memory), etc.

[0357] At least one processor (761) controls the overall operation of the computing device (7). For example, at least one processor (761) may be connected to each component of the computing device (7) to control the overall operation of the computing device (7). For example, at least one processor (761) may be electrically connected to a memory (762) to control the overall operation of the computing device (7). The processor (761) may be composed of one or more processors.

[0358] At least one processor (761) can perform operations of a computing device (7) according to various embodiments by executing at least one instruction stored in a memory (762).

[0359] At least one processor (761) may include one or more of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an APU (Accelerated Processing Unit), an MIC (Many Integrated Core), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an NPU (Neural Processing Unit), a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator. At least one processor (761) may control one or any combination of other components of the computing device (7) and may perform operations related to communication or data processing. At least one processor (761) may execute at least one program or instruction stored in a memory (762). For example, at least one processor (761) may perform a method according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure by executing at least one instruction stored in the memory (762). At least one processor (761) may include various processing circuits and / or multiple processors. For example, as used herein, including in the claims, the term "processor" may encompass various processing circuits including at least one processor, wherein one or more of the at least one processors may be configured to perform various functions described herein in an individually and / or collectively distributed manner. Where "processor," "at least one processor," and "one or more processors" are described herein as being configured to perform multiple functions, such terms include, but are not limited to, situations where one processor performs some of the recited functions and other processors perform other of the recited functions, and situations where a single processor can perform all of the recited functions.Additionally, at least one processor may comprise a combination of processors that perform various cited / disclosed functions, for example, in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions.

[0360] At least one memory (762) may store an algorithm for processing data received from an external device (e.g., an air conditioner (1), and / or a user device (6)).

[0361] The communication interface (740) may include various communication circuits including at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-range communication module.

[0362] The communication interface (740) can transmit data to an external device (e.g., an air conditioner (1) and / or a user device (6)), or receive data from an external device. For example, the communication interface (740) can establish communication with the air conditioner (1) and / or the user device (6), and transmit and receive various data.

[0363] To this end, the communication interface (740) may support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between external devices, and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. According to one embodiment, the communication interface (740) may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, a corresponding communication module may communicate with the external device through a first network (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN)). These different types of communication modules may be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips).

[0364] The short-range wireless communication module may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication module, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, a Zigbee communication module, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication module, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication module, an UWB (ultrawideband) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc.

[0365] The remote communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of remote communication and may include a mobile communication interface. The mobile communication interface transmits and receives wireless signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.

[0366] When a method according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations may be performed by one processor (161, 661, 761), or may be performed by a plurality of processors (161, 661, 761). For example, when a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation are performed by a method according to at least one embodiment, the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may all be performed by the first processor, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by the first processor (e.g., a general-purpose processor) and the third operation may be performed by the second processor (e.g., an artificial intelligence-only processor).

[0367] At least one processor (161, 661, 761) may be implemented as a single core processor including one core, or may be implemented as at least one multicore processor including multiple cores (e.g., homogeneous multicore or heterogeneous multicore). When at least one processor (161, 661, 761) is implemented as a multicore processor, each of the multiple cores included in the multicore processor may include an internal memory of the processor, such as a cache memory or an on-chip memory, and a common cache shared by the multiple cores may be included in the multicore processor. In addition, each of the multiple cores (or some of the multiple cores) included in the multicore processor may independently read and execute a program instruction for implementing a method according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, or all (or some) of the multiple cores may be linked to read and execute a program instruction for implementing a method according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0368] When a method according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations may be performed by one core among the plurality of cores included in a multi-core processor, or may be performed by the plurality of cores. For example, when a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation are performed by a method according to at least one embodiment, the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may all be performed by a first core included in the multi-core processor, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by a first core included in the multi-core processor, and the third operation may be performed by a second core included in the multi-core processor.

[0369] In embodiments of the present disclosure, a processor (161, 661, 761) may mean a system on a chip (SoC) in which at least one processor and other electronic components are integrated, a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, or a core included in a single-core processor or a multi-core processor, wherein the core may be implemented as a CPU, a GPU, an APU, a MIC, a DSP, an NPU, a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0370] According to various embodiments, the communication interface (140) of the air conditioner (1) may be directly connected (e.g., connected via a short-range communication module) to the communication interface (640) of the user device (6).

[0371] According to various embodiments, the communication interface (140) of the air conditioner (1) may be indirectly connected to the communication interface (640) of the user device (6) (e.g., via the communication interface (740) of the computing device (7)).

[0372] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for activating a drying function and / or a ventilation function of an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0373] Referring to FIG. 13, an air conditioner (1) according to one embodiment can receive a user input to activate a drying function and / or a ventilation function (1100, 1200).

[0374] Activating the drying function and / or the ventilation function may include turning on the drying function and / or the ventilation function.

[0375] Activating the drying function and / or ventilation function may be the opposite of deactivating the drying function and / or ventilation function or turning off the drying function.

[0376] Receiving user input to activate the drying function and / or the ventilation function may include receiving a user command to activate the drying function and / or the ventilation function.

[0377] User input activating the drying function and / or ventilation function can be received by the air conditioner (1) in various ways.

[0378] In one embodiment, the air conditioner (1) can receive user input to activate the drying function and / or the ventilation function via the input interface (111).

[0379] To this end, the air conditioner (1) may provide a user interface for activating or deactivating the drying function and / or ventilation function through a user interface device (110).

[0380] In one embodiment, the air conditioner (1) can receive user input to activate the drying function and / or ventilation function from an external device (e.g., user device (6)) via a communication interface (140).

[0381] To this end, the user device (6) may provide a user interface for activating or deactivating the drying function and / or ventilation function through the user interface device (610).

[0382] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of an interface for setting a drying function and / or a ventilation function provided by a user device according to various embodiments.

[0383] Referring to FIG. 14, the user device (6) may provide an interface for setting a drying function and / or a ventilation function.

[0384] The user can set the drying function and / or ventilation function using the user device (6).

[0385] Setting the drying function and / or ventilation function may include activating or deactivating the drying function and / or ventilation function, and setting the mode of the drying function and / or ventilation function.

[0386] In one embodiment, the interface for setting the drying function and / or the ventilation function may include an interface element (K1) for activating or deactivating the drying function and an interface element (K2) for activating or deactivating the ventilation function.

[0387] When a user inputs to activate the drying function through an interface element (K1) for activating or deactivating the drying function, the air conditioner (1) can activate the drying function.

[0388] For example, when a user inputs a user input to activate the drying function through the user device (6), the user device (6) can transmit a control command to the air conditioner (1) to activate the drying function, and the air conditioner (1) can activate the drying function in response to receiving the control command to activate the drying function.

[0389] In one embodiment, when a user inputs to activate the drying function through an interface element (K1) for activating or deactivating the drying function, an interface (UI) for setting the mode of the drying function may be provided.

[0390] For example, at operation 1150, the user device (6) may provide an interface (UI) for selecting a drying mode in response to receiving user input activating the drying function (example of 1100).

[0391] In one embodiment, when a user selects a drying mode through an interface (UI) for setting the mode of the drying function, the drying function can be activated in the selected drying mode (1160).

[0392] For example, the user device (6) may transmit information about the selected drying mode to the air conditioner (1) in response to receiving a user input for selecting a drying mode, and the air conditioner (1) may activate the drying function in the selected drying mode.

[0393] In one embodiment, an interface (UI) for setting the mode of the drying function may be provided while the drying function is disabled, and in this case, when a user operation for selecting the mode of the drying function is performed through the interface (UI) for setting the mode of the drying function, the drying function may be automatically activated along with the selection of the mode of the drying function.

[0394] In one embodiment, the drying function may include multiple modes. For example, the drying function may include a first mode (e.g., an automatic drying mode), a second mode (e.g., a quick drying mode), and / or a third mode (e.g., a low-noise drying mode).

[0395] In one embodiment, when a user inputs activating the drying function through an interface element (K1) for activating or deactivating the drying function, the mode of the drying function may be automatically selected as a first mode (e.g., an automatic drying mode) among a plurality of modes. For example, when the user does not select a mode of the drying function through an interface (UI) for setting the mode of the drying function, the mode of the drying function may be automatically selected as a first mode (e.g., an automatic drying mode) among a plurality of modes.

[0396] Meanwhile, in one embodiment, when a user inputs to activate the drying function through an interface element (K1) for activating or deactivating the drying function, the mode of the drying function may be automatically selected as the mode previously selected by the user among a plurality of modes.

[0397] The automatic drying mode may mean, for example, a mode in which the air conditioner (1) performs optimal drying operation based on environmental information around the air conditioner (1) (e.g., sensor data collected by an environmental sensor (120).

[0398] For example, when the drying function is selected as the automatic drying mode, the air conditioner (1) performs drying operation in response to the end of the cooling operation, but can control the blower fan (32) based on the sensor data collected by the environmental sensor (120).

[0399] Controlling the blower fan (32) may include controlling the rotation speed of the blower fan (32) and / or the operating time of the blower fan (32).

[0400] Here, the operating time of the blower fan (32) may mean, for example, the execution time of the drying operation.

[0401] The rapid drying mode may mean, for example, a mode in which the air conditioner (1) performs drying operation in the shortest possible time.

[0402] For example, when the drying function of the air conditioner (1) is selected as the rapid drying mode, the air conditioner performs the drying operation in response to the end of the cooling operation, but can control the rotation speed of the blower fan (32) to the first speed so that the time required to perform the drying operation is minimized / reduced.

[0403] Low noise drying mode may mean, for example, a mode in which the air conditioner (1) performs drying operation while generating minimal noise.

[0404] For example, when the drying function of the air conditioner (1) is selected as a low-noise drying mode, the air conditioner performs drying operation in response to the termination of the cooling operation, but can control the rotation speed of the blower fan (32) to a second speed so that the noise generated during the drying operation is minimized / reduced. Here, the second speed may be slower than the first speed.

[0405] In one embodiment, the execution time of the drying operation in the rapid drying mode may be longer than the execution time of the drying operation in the low-noise drying mode.

[0406] In one embodiment, the rotation speed of the blower fan (32) in the rapid drying mode may be faster than the rotation speed of the blower fan (32) in the low-noise drying mode.

[0407] According to the present disclosure, an air conditioner (1) that performs drying operation according to user needs by allowing the user to easily select various modes of the drying function can be provided.

[0408] In one embodiment, when a user inputs to activate the drying function through an interface element (K1) for activating or deactivating the drying function, the mode of the drying function may be automatically selected from among a plurality of modes as the mode previously selected by the user.

[0409] When a user inputs to activate the ventilation function through an interface element (K2) for activating or deactivating the ventilation function (example of 1200), the air conditioner (1) can activate the ventilation function (1300).

[0410] For example, when a user inputs a user input to activate the ventilation function through the user device (6), the user device (6) can transmit a control command to the air conditioner (1) to activate the ventilation function, and the air conditioner (1) can activate the ventilation function in response to receiving the control command to activate the ventilation function.

[0411] For example, the air conditioner (1) can activate the ventilation function (1300) in response to receiving a user input to activate the ventilation function (example of 1200).

[0412] In one embodiment, for example, the air conditioner (1) may activate the drying function in a third mode (e.g., low noise mode) in response to receiving a user input to activate the ventilation function (e.g., 1200) (1400).

[0413] For example, the air conditioner (1) may activate both the drying function and the ventilation function in response to receiving a user input activating the ventilation function while the drying function is deactivated.

[0414] Fig. 15 illustrates a drying function being automatically activated when the ventilation function of an air conditioner (1) according to various embodiments is activated.

[0415] Referring to FIG. 15, the user device (6) can control an interface element (K1) for activating or deactivating the drying function to change the drying function to an activated state in response to receiving a user input for activating the ventilation function while the drying function is deactivated.

[0416] The intention of the user who wants to activate the ventilation function is to remove foreign substances (e.g., dust, organic chemicals, etc.) attached to the blower fan (32) and / or the heat exchanger (20). If only the ventilation function is activated and the drying function is not activated, after the cooling operation is performed, the moisture inside the air conditioner (1) (e.g., moisture around the heat exchanger (20)) is not removed, which increases the possibility of microorganisms (e.g., mold) being generated and foreign substances (e.g., dust, organic chemicals, etc.) attached to the blower fan (32) and / or the heat exchanger (20) increasing. Here, the foreign substances may include not only those attached to the blower fan (32) and / or the heat exchanger (20), but also all substances remaining inside the main body (10) of the air conditioner (1).

[0417] For example, if the air conditioner (1) only performs ventilation operation without drying operation, there is a concern that the efficiency of ventilation operation may decrease somewhat.

[0418] However, the intention of the user who activates only the ventilation function and not the drying function may be that he or she does not want to experience the smell or noise generated by the air conditioner (1) operating when he or she is located in the house.

[0419] In one embodiment, the air conditioner (1) can activate the drying function in a low-noise mode in response to receiving a user input activating the ventilation function while the drying function is deactivated.

[0420] A user who confirms that the drying function is automatically activated in low-noise mode through the user device (6) can deactivate the drying function according to his / her intention or keep the drying function activated.

[0421] According to the present disclosure, an air conditioner (1) is provided that secures the efficiency of the ventilation function by automatically activating the drying function when the ventilation function is activated while the drying function is deactivated, while partially satisfying the needs of a user who does not wish to activate the drying function by activating the drying function in a low-noise mode.

[0422] According to the present disclosure, an air conditioner (1) capable of setting ventilation operation separately from drying operation is provided.

[0423] The interface for setting the drying function and / or ventilation function described above may be provided by the air conditioner (1), and the user may also set the drying function and / or ventilation function using the user interface device (110) of the air conditioner (1).

[0424] Fig. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control method of an air conditioner (1) according to one embodiment.

[0425] Referring to FIG. 16, the control unit (160) can perform drying operation (2120) in response to the termination of cooling operation (2110) when the drying function is activated (example of 2100).

[0426] In one embodiment, the control unit (160) can perform a drying operation regardless of the presence of occupants in response to the termination of the cooling operation (2120).

[0427] As previously explained, dry operation can be performed using various algorithms depending on the mode of dry operation selected based on user input.

[0428] The control unit (160) can perform ventilation operation in response to the presence of an occupant not being detected (No of 2220) when the ventilation function is activated (Yes of 2200), when cooling operation or drying operation is not in progress (No of 2210), or when the presence of an occupant is not detected (No of 2220) (2230).

[0429] For example, the control unit (160) can perform ventilation operation only when the presence of an occupant is not detected, separate from the drying operation.

[0430] In one embodiment, the control unit (160) may transmit a message to the user device (6) asking for the intention to start ventilation operation in response to the presence of an occupant not being detected (No of 2220) when the ventilation function is activated (Yes of 2200), when cooling or drying operation is not in progress (No of 2210).

[0431] The user device (6) may provide a pop-up indicating the intention to start ventilation operation in response to receiving a message from the air conditioner (1) asking for the intention to start ventilation operation.

[0432] The air conditioner (1) can start ventilation operation in response to receiving a positive response from the user through the user device (6) or a predetermined period of time after transmitting a message asking for the user's intention to start ventilation operation.

[0433] According to the present disclosure, even if the presence of an occupant is not detected, it is possible to prevent a situation that occurs due to inaccurate detection of the presence of an occupant by reconfirming whether the user intends to perform ventilation operation.

[0434] The control unit (160) can perform drying operation by controlling the blower fan (32) based on a first operation profile (or a first algorithm), and can perform ventilation operation by controlling the blower fan (32) based on a second operation profile (or a second algorithm) different from the first operation profile.

[0435] The first motion profile and the second motion profile may be pre-stored in the memory (162). The first motion profile and the second motion profile may include the speed and operation time of the blower fan (32).

[0436] The first motion profile can be changed according to the mode of drying operation, and the second motion profile can also be changed according to the mode of ventilation operation.

[0437] In one embodiment, the control unit (160) can perform ventilation operation by operating the circular fan (37) for a first predetermined period of time (e.g., about 3 minutes) and then operating the blower fan (32) for a second predetermined period of time (e.g., about 1 hour). The control unit (160) can perform drying operation by operating only the blower fan (32) without operating the circular fan (37).

[0438] Drying operation is an operation to remove moisture around the heat exchanger (20), and air needs to pass through the heat exchanger (20) and be directly discharged to the outside of the air conditioner (1). On the other hand, ventilation operation is an operation to circulate air inside the air conditioner (1) to remove foreign substances (e.g., dust, organic chemicals, etc.) attached to the blower fan (32) and / or the heat exchanger (20), and air needs to circulate inside the air conditioner (1).

[0439] To this end, in one embodiment, the control unit (160) can perform a drying operation by controlling the door actuator (66) to open the exhaust port and operating the blower fan (32), and perform a ventilation operation by controlling the door actuator (66) to close the exhaust port and operating the blower fan (32).

[0440] For example, the control unit (160) can keep the discharge port open during drying operation and can keep the discharge port closed during ventilation operation.

[0441] Drying operation is performed regardless of whether or not occupants are present when cooling operation is completed, while ventilation operation is performed only when no occupants are present. Accordingly, users can expect ventilation operation not to be performed when occupants are present.

[0442] In one embodiment, in order to prevent the presence of an occupant from being falsely detected and ventilation operation being performed, thereby disappointing the user's expectations, the control unit (160) can perform ventilation operation in a windless mode so that minimal noise is generated from the air conditioner (1) during ventilation operation.

[0443] In one embodiment, the control unit (160) can perform drying operation in a blowing mode and ventilation operation in a windless mode.

[0444] The blowing mode may be a mode in which the blowing fan (32) operates with the outlet open, and the windless mode may be a mode in which the blowing fan (32) and / or the circular fan (37) operates with the outlet closed.

[0445] When the blower fan (32) and / or the circular fan (37) operate with the exhaust port closed, air circulates inside the air conditioner (1) and can be naturally discharged to the outside of the air conditioner (1) through the exhaust hole (42).

[0446] According to the present disclosure, since the operation profiles of the dry operation and the ventilation operation are set differently according to their purposes, the purpose of each operation can be smoothly achieved.

[0447] In one embodiment, the control unit (160) may perform ventilation operation at a predetermined cycle when the conditions for performing ventilation operation are satisfied. Here, the conditions for performing ventilation operation mean that the ventilation function is activated, cooling operation and drying operation are not being performed, and no occupants are detected.

[0448] For example, the control unit (160) may perform the first ventilation operation when the conditions for performing the ventilation operation are satisfied, and may perform the second ventilation operation when the conditions for performing the ventilation operation are satisfied after a predetermined period of time (e.g., 1 day) has elapsed without performing the cooling operation while performing the first ventilation operation.

[0449] For example, the control unit (160) can perform multiple ventilation operations even after one cooling operation is completed, unlike the drying operation.

[0450] Even if the ventilation function is activated and the conditions for performing ventilation operation are satisfied, ventilation operation may not necessarily need to be performed. For example, even if the ventilation function is activated and the conditions for performing ventilation operation are satisfied, ventilation operation may not need to be performed if foreign substances are not attached to the blower fan (32) and / or the heat exchanger (20).

[0451] In one embodiment, the control unit (160) may perform ventilation operation in response to the presence of an occupant not being detected while the air quality measured by the gas sensor does not meet a predetermined standard.

[0452] For example, in one embodiment, the control unit (160) may not perform ventilation operation in response to the environmental sensor (120) detecting that no foreign matter is attached to the blower fan (32) and / or heat exchanger (20), even if the conditions for performing ventilation operation are satisfied.

[0453] For example, the control unit (160) may not perform ventilation operation based on the fact that the air quality measured by the gas sensor (123) satisfies a predetermined standard even if the conditions for performing ventilation operation are satisfied. Here, the fact that the air quality satisfies a predetermined standard may include that the concentration of combustible gas, toxic gas, oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc. contained in the air is below a predetermined concentration.

[0454] In one embodiment, the control unit (160) may operate the sterilizer (125) while performing ventilation operation. Since the purpose of the ventilation operation is to remove organic chemicals attached to the blower fan (32) and / or the heat exchanger (20), the efficiency of the ventilation operation may increase when the sterilizer (125) is operated.

[0455] According to various embodiments, the control unit (160) may operate the sterilizer (125) even while performing a drying operation. Since the purpose of the drying operation is to remove moisture from the heat exchanger (20) and thereby suppress the growth of microorganisms, the efficiency of suppressing the growth of microorganisms may increase when the sterilizer (125) is operated.

[0456] The control unit (160) can display the progress of ventilation operation through the output interface (112) while performing ventilation operation. The progress of ventilation operation can indicate the remaining time.

[0457] There may be cases where the air conditioner (1) starts ventilation operation because no occupants are detected, and then detects occupants again.

[0458] If an occupant is detected again and ventilation operation is terminated, it is difficult to achieve the purpose of ventilation operation. However, since ventilation operation is performed only when there is no occupant, if an occupant is detected again after ventilation operation has started, whether or not ventilation operation is terminated may become an issue.

[0459] However, if an occupant is detected again, the occupant can stop ventilation operation at any time by operating the air conditioner (1).

[0460] In one embodiment, the control unit (160) can continue performing the ventilation operation even if the presence of an occupant is detected during the ventilation operation.

[0461] In one embodiment, the control unit (160) may terminate the ventilation operation in response to receiving a user input for controlling the air conditioner (1) while performing the ventilation operation.

[0462] Here, the user input for controlling the air conditioner (1) may be a user input for performing cooling operation and / or other operation modes. Here, the other operation modes may include, for example, a clean operation mode, a test run mode, a refrigerant charging mode, a freeze cleaning mode, an artificial intelligence diagnosis mode, etc.

[0463] For example, even if the presence of an occupant is detected while performing ventilation operation, the control unit (160) can continue performing ventilation operation unless the occupant inputs a command to control the air conditioner (1).

[0464] If the control unit (160) terminates the ventilation operation in response to receiving a user input for controlling the air conditioner (1) while performing the ventilation operation, the control unit (160) may perform an operation according to the user input again and then perform the ventilation operation again. If the control unit (160) re-performs the ventilation operation, the control unit (160) may resume the operation that was previously performed. For example, the execution time of the ventilation operation performed before re-performing the ventilation operation may be taken into account when counting the total execution time of the ventilation operation.

[0465] Drying operation and ventilation operation can be performed only when the conditions described above are satisfied and the air conditioner (1) is not operating in another operation mode.

[0466] The control unit (160) may perform drying operation (2120) in response to the termination of cooling operation (Yes in 2110) when both the drying function and the ventilation function are activated (Yes in 2100, Yes in 2200), and may perform ventilation operation (2230) in response to the termination of drying operation (No in 2210) and the detection of no occupant presence (No in 2220).

[0467] The control unit (160) can perform ventilation operation in response to the fact that the presence of an occupant is not detected (No of 2220) after the cooling operation is terminated (No of 2210) when the drying function is deactivated and the ventilation function is activated (No of 2100, Yes of 2200) (2230).

[0468] The control unit (160) performs drying operation (2120) in response to the termination of cooling operation (Yes of 2110) when the drying function is activated and the ventilation function is deactivated (Yes of 2100, No of 2200), and may not perform ventilation operation even if the presence of an occupant is not detected after the termination of drying operation.

[0469] The control unit (160) can detect the presence of an occupant in various ways.

[0470] In one embodiment, the control unit (160) can detect the presence of an occupant using an occupant detection sensor (124). However, when detecting the presence of an occupant using an occupant detection sensor (124), the unit price of the air conditioner (1) increases because an additional occupant detection sensor (124) must be provided, and power may be consumed to operate the occupant detection sensor (124).

[0471] In one embodiment, the control unit (160) can operate the occupancy detection sensor (124) while the ventilation function is activated and cooling or drying operation is not in progress.

[0472] For example, if the air conditioner (1) is equipped with an occupancy detection sensor (124), the occupancy detection sensor (124) can be operated in response to the end of cooling operation and / or drying operation while the ventilation function is activated.

[0473] Driving the occupancy detection sensor (124) may include turning on the occupancy detection sensor (124) and applying power to the occupancy detection sensor (124).

[0474] In one embodiment, the control unit (160) may detect the presence of an occupant based on images received from an external device (e.g., a home cam) via a communication interface (140).

[0475] If the home cam is registered in association with a user account on the computing device (7), the computing device (7) can receive images of the home from the home cam, and the processor (761) can detect the presence of a person in the home based on the images processed in the home.

[0476] In one embodiment, the computing device (7) may transmit a command to start ventilation operation to the air conditioner (1) in response to detecting that the ventilation function of the air conditioner (1) is activated and no occupants are present in the home.

[0477] In one embodiment, the air conditioner (1) can receive an image of the inside of the home from a home cam, and the processor (161) can detect the presence of an occupant in the home based on the image processed by the processor (161).

[0478] In one embodiment, the air conditioner (1) can prompt the user to input an absence time through the user interface device (110) and / or the user device (6), and the control unit (160) can determine that no one is present during the absence time input by the user.

[0479] In one embodiment, the communication interface (140) may include an antenna that receives radio waves output from an access point (AP) connected to the air conditioner (1).

[0480] The control unit (160) can also detect the presence of an occupant based on the characteristics of radio waves received through the communication interface (140).

[0481] When the air conditioner (1) detects the presence of an occupant based on the characteristics of radio waves received through the communication interface (140), the air conditioner (1) does not need to be equipped with a separate sensor such as an occupant detection sensor (124), and there is no need to install additional means such as a home cam in the house.

[0482] Fig. 17 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the intensity of radio waves received through a communication interface (140) of an air conditioner (1) according to various embodiments over time. Fig. 18 schematically illustrates how the characteristics of radio waves output by a connection repeater according to various embodiments are changed and transmitted to the air conditioner (1) according to various embodiments when an occupant is present.

[0483] The radio waves output from the access point (AP) can travel through the space where the air conditioner (1) is installed and reach the communication interface (140) of the air conditioner (1).

[0484] The radio waves output from the access point (AP) may be wireless communication signals (e.g., Wi-Fi signals). In one embodiment, the radio waves output from the access point (AP) may be, but are not limited to, 5 GHz channel signals.

[0485] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, it can be seen that the characteristics (e.g., intensity) of radio waves output from an access point (AP) change depending on the presence or absence of a user.

[0486] The control unit (160) can detect the presence of a person based on the CSI (Channel State Information) information of the radio waves output from the access point (AP).

[0487] When there is an occupant, the characteristics of the radio waves output from the access point (AP) are changed by scattering, attenuation, and diffraction between the transmitting antenna of the access point (AP) and the receiving antenna (communication interface (140)) of the air conditioner (1).

[0488] For example, when there is an occupant, the radio waves output from the access point (AP) are scattered, attenuated, and diffracted, causing the characteristics of the radio waves received through the communication interface (140) to continuously change. For example, when there is an occupant, the intensity of the radio waves received through the communication interface (140) may continuously change.

[0489] On the other hand, when there is no occupant, the radio waves output from the access point (AP) reach the communication interface (140) without being scattered, attenuated, or diffracted, so the characteristics of the radio waves received through the communication interface (140) do not change. For example, when there is no occupant, the amount of change in the intensity of the radio waves received through the communication interface (140) may be reduced.

[0490] The control unit (160) can determine that a person is present in a section (d1, d3) where the characteristics of the radio waves continuously change, and can determine that a person is not present in a section (d2) where the characteristics of the radio waves relatively do not change.

[0491] To this end, the memory (162) can store an artificial intelligence model that has been trained to detect the presence of an occupant by using the characteristics of radio waves as input data.

[0492] If the communication status between the access point (AP) and the air conditioner (1) is unstable, the characteristics of the radio waves may or may not change regardless of the presence of occupants.

[0493] Ventilation operation is performed only when there is no occupant, and it is desirable not to perform it when the presence of occupants cannot be accurately detected.

[0494] In one embodiment, the control unit (160) periodically identifies the communication strength between the access point (AP) and the air conditioner (1), and if it is determined that the communication between the access point (AP) and the air conditioner (1) is unstable, the control unit (160) may stop the operation of detecting the presence of an occupant based on the characteristics of the radio waves.

[0495] For example, if the control unit (160) determines that communication between the access point (AP) and the air conditioner (1) is unstable, the ventilation function can be temporarily disabled.

[0496] If the air conditioner (1) can communicate with multiple access points (APs), it can more accurately determine the presence of occupants.

[0497] FIG. 19 schematically illustrates how the characteristics of radio waves output by multiple access relays according to various embodiments are changed when an occupant is present and transmitted to an air conditioner (1) according to various embodiments.

[0498] Referring to Fig. 19, multiple access relays (AP1, AP2) may be installed in an indoor space where an air conditioner (1) is installed.

[0499] For example, the plurality of access repeaters (AP1, AP2) may include a first access repeater (AP1) that outputs a first radio wave and a second access repeater (AP2) that outputs a second radio wave.

[0500] Multiple access relays (AP1, AP2) can each transmit and receive signals to and from the air conditioner (1).

[0501] When an occupant exists between the first access repeater (AP1) and the air conditioner (1) and not between the second access repeater (AP2) and the air conditioner (1), for example, when the distance between the second access repeater (AP2) and the air conditioner (1) is short or the space therebetween is narrow, the radio waves output from the first access repeater (AP1) are scattered, attenuated, or diffracted by the occupant, thereby changing the characteristics of the radio waves, whereas the radio waves output from the second access repeater (AP2) can be transmitted to the air conditioner (1) without changing the characteristics.

[0502] In this case, if the air conditioner (1) detects the presence of an occupant based only on changes in the characteristics of the radio waves output from the second access repeater (AP2), the accuracy may decrease.

[0503] To improve the accuracy of detecting the presence of an occupant, both changes in the characteristics of the first wave and changes in the characteristics of the second wave need to be considered.

[0504] In one embodiment, the control unit (160) may determine that the presence of an occupant is detected when the presence of an occupant is not detected based on the characteristics of the first radio wave and is detected based on the characteristics of the second radio wave, and may determine that the presence of an occupant is not detected only when the presence of an occupant is not detected based on the characteristics of the first radio wave and is not detected based on the characteristics of the second radio wave.

[0505] As another example, when the distance between the first access repeater (AP1) and the air conditioner (1) is far, and the distance between the second access repeater (AP2) and the air conditioner (1) is relatively close, the radio waves output from the first access repeater (AP1) reach the air conditioner (1) with a greatly reduced intensity, whereas the radio waves output from the second access repeater (AP2) can reach the air conditioner (1) with a relatively reduced intensity.

[0506] In this case, if the air conditioner (1) detects the presence of an occupant based on a change in the characteristics of the radio wave output from the first access repeater (AP1), the accuracy may decrease.

[0507] The control unit (160) can detect the presence of an occupant based on the characteristics of a radio wave with a relatively high signal strength among the first radio wave or the second radio wave.

[0508] For example, the control unit (160) can detect the presence of a person based on the characteristics of radio waves output from a connection repeater with greater communication stability among the first connection repeater (AP1) and the second connection repeater (AP2).

[0509] According to the present disclosure, when multiple access repeaters (AP1, AP2) can communicate with the air conditioner (1), the air conditioner (1) can more accurately detect the presence of an occupant based on radio waves output from the multiple access repeaters (AP1, AP2).

[0510] Figure 20 illustrates an installation of multiple air conditioners according to various embodiments.

[0511] Although the air conditioner (1) in Fig. 20 is illustrated as a ceiling-type air conditioner, the embodiment described below can be employed without limitation even when the air conditioner (1) is of various types, such as a stand-type air conditioner or a window-type air conditioner.

[0512] Referring to Figure 20, multiple air conditioners (1000, 1000-1, 1000-2) may be installed in the house.

[0513] Multiple air conditioners (1000, 1000-1, 1000-2) can communicate with each other either wiredly or wirelessly.

[0514] Each of the plurality of air conditioners (1000, 1000-1, 1000-2) can detect the presence of an occupant in the manner described above, and, when the ventilation function is activated, can perform ventilation operation in response to the presence of an occupant not being detected while cooling operation or drying operation is not in progress.

[0515] An air conditioner (1; 1000) according to one embodiment can perform ventilation operation and transmit a ventilation operation start command to another air conditioner (1000-1, 1000-2) when a ventilation operation performance condition is satisfied. The other air conditioners (1000-1, 1000-2) can start ventilation operation in response to receiving a ventilation operation start command from the air conditioner (1; 1000).

[0516] For example, an air conditioner (1; 1000) according to one embodiment can simultaneously perform ventilation operation by linking multiple air conditioners (1000-1, 1000-2) when the presence of an occupant is not detected.

[0517] In one embodiment, the air conditioner (1; 1000) according to one embodiment performs ventilation operation when the presence of an occupant is not detected, and may also control a plurality of air conditioners (1000-1, 1000-2) to sequentially perform ventilation operation.

[0518] For example, an air conditioner (1; 1000) according to one embodiment can perform ventilation operation when the presence of an occupant is not detected, and when the ventilation operation is finished, control can be made to cause another air conditioner (1000-1, 1000-2) to perform ventilation operation.

[0519] In this case, the air conditioner (1; 1000) according to one embodiment can determine the ventilation operation execution order of multiple air conditioners (1000-1, 1000-2).

[0520] In one embodiment, the ventilation operation execution order can be set by the user through the user device (6).

[0521] In one embodiment, the air conditioner (1; 1000) may determine the order of performing ventilation operations so that ventilation operations are performed sequentially starting from the nearest air conditioners among the plurality of air conditioners (1000-1, 1000-2).

[0522] According to the present disclosure, when multiple air conditioners (1000, 1000-1, 1000-2) are installed in a home, ventilation operation can be performed flexibly and smoothly.

[0523] An air conditioner (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a main body (10) including a discharge port (41); a heat exchanger (20); a compressor (3) for compressing refrigerant supplied from the heat exchanger (20); a blower fan (32) for blowing air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger (20) toward the discharge port (41); and a control unit (160) for performing a cooling operation by operating the compressor (3) and the blower fan (32) and a drying operation and a ventilation operation by operating the blower fan (32) without operating the compressor (3). The control unit (160) may perform a drying operation to remove moisture inside the main body (10) in response to the termination of the cooling operation when the drying function is activated, and may perform a ventilation operation to clean the inside of the main body (10) in response to the detection of no presence of an occupant while the cooling operation or the drying operation is not in progress when the ventilation function is activated.

[0524] The control unit (160) can perform drying operation in response to the termination of cooling operation when both the drying function and the ventilation function are activated, and can perform ventilation operation in response to the presence of an occupant not being detected after the termination of drying operation.

[0525] The control unit (160) can perform drying operation by controlling the blower fan (32) based on the first operation profile, and can perform ventilation operation by controlling the blower fan (32) based on a second operation profile that is different from the first operation profile.

[0526] The air conditioner (1) may further include a circular fan (37) that blows air that has not been heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger (20).

[0527] The control unit (160) can perform ventilation operation by operating the circular fan (37) for a first predetermined period of time and then operating the blower fan (32) for a second predetermined period of time.

[0528] The air conditioner (1) may further include an actuator (66) that opens and closes the discharge port (41).

[0529] The control unit (160) can perform drying operation by controlling the actuator (66) to open the discharge port (41) and operating the blower fan (32), and can perform ventilation operation by controlling the actuator (66) to close the discharge port (41) and operating the blower fan (32).

[0530] The control unit (160) can activate both the drying function and the ventilation function in response to receiving a user input to activate the ventilation function while the drying function is deactivated.

[0531] The control unit (160) can continue performing ventilation operation even if the presence of an occupant is detected during ventilation operation.

[0532] The control unit (160) can terminate the ventilation operation in response to receiving a user input for controlling the air conditioner (1) while performing the ventilation operation.

[0533] The air conditioner (1) may further include a communication interface (140) that receives radio waves output from a connection repeater.

[0534] The control unit (160) can detect the presence of an occupant based on the characteristics of radio waves received through the communication interface (140).

[0535] The access relay may include a first access relay outputting a first radio wave and a second access relay outputting a second radio wave.

[0536] The communication interface (140) receives the first radio wave and the second radio wave, and the control unit (160) can detect the presence of an occupant based on the characteristics of the radio wave with a relatively large signal strength among the first radio wave and the second radio wave.

[0537] The control unit (160) may determine that the presence of an occupant is detected when the presence of an occupant is not detected based on the characteristics of the first radio wave and is detected based on the characteristics of the second radio wave, and may determine that the presence of an occupant is not detected only when the presence of an occupant is not detected based on the characteristics of the first radio wave and is not detected based on the characteristics of the second radio wave.

[0538] The control unit (160) can detect the presence of a person based on the characteristics of the radio waves only when the intensity of the radio waves is greater than a predetermined intensity.

[0539] The air conditioner (1) may further include a sterilizing device configured to sterilize the heat exchanger (20).

[0540] The control unit (160) can operate the sterilizing device during ventilation operation.

[0541] The air conditioner (1) may further include a gas sensor for measuring air quality.

[0542] The control unit (160) can perform ventilation operation in response to the presence of an occupant not being detected while the air quality measured by the gas sensor does not meet a predetermined standard.

[0543] A control method of an air conditioner (1) according to one embodiment may include, when a drying function is activated, performing a drying operation to remove moisture inside the air conditioner (1) in response to the termination of a cooling operation; and, when a ventilation function is activated, performing a ventilation operation to clean the inside of the air conditioner (1) in response to the presence of an occupant not being detected while the cooling operation or the drying operation is not in progress.

[0544] The control method of the air conditioner (1) may further include performing a drying operation in response to the termination of the cooling operation when both the drying function and the ventilation function are activated, and performing a ventilation operation in response to the presence of an occupant not being detected after the termination of the drying operation.

[0545] Performing ventilation operation may include operating a circular fan (37) that blows air that has not been heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger (20) for a first predetermined period of time and then operating a blower fan (32) for a second predetermined period of time.

[0546] Performing dry operation may include operating the blower fan (32) with the discharge port (41) open, and performing ventilation operation may include operating the blower fan (32) with the discharge port (41) closed.

[0547] The control method of the air conditioner (1) may further include activating both the drying function and the ventilation function in response to receiving a user input activating the ventilation function while the drying function is deactivated.

[0548] The control method of the air conditioner (1) may further include continuing to perform ventilation operation even if the presence of an occupant is detected during ventilation operation.

[0549] According to the present disclosure, an air conditioner (1) capable of removing organic chemicals attached to the inside of the main body of the air conditioner (1) by performing ventilation operation separately from drying operation and a control method of the air conditioner (1) are provided.

[0550] According to the present disclosure, an air conditioner and a control method of the air conditioner are provided that minimize user discomfort due to odor and noise generated when removing organic chemicals by performing ventilation operation only when there is no occupant.

[0551] According to the present disclosure, an air conditioner and a control method of the air conditioner are provided that can facilitate setting of drying operation and ventilation operation.

[0552] According to the present disclosure, an air conditioner and a method for controlling the air conditioner are provided that can detect the presence of an occupant without a separate sensor.

[0553] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing computer-executable instructions. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, may generate program modules to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0554] Computer-readable storage media include all types of storage media that store instructions that can be deciphered by a computer. Examples include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic tape, magnetic disks, flash memory, and optical data storage devices.

[0555] Additionally, a computer-readable recording medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, the term "non-transitory storage medium" simply means a tangible device that does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves). This term does not distinguish between cases where data is permanently stored in the storage medium and cases where data is temporarily stored. For example, a "non-transitory storage medium" may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0556] According to one embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in the present document may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable recording medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) via an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated on a machine-readable recording medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

[0557] The disclosed embodiments have been described above with reference to the attached drawings. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in forms other than the disclosed embodiments without altering the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that any of the embodiments described herein can be used in conjunction with other embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. In air conditioners, A body including a discharge port; heat exchanger; A compressor that compresses the refrigerant supplied from the above heat exchanger; A blower fan that blows air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger toward the outlet; and A control unit that performs cooling operation by operating the compressor and the blower fan and drying operation and ventilation operation by operating the blower fan without operating the compressor; The above control unit, When the drying function is activated, the drying operation is performed to remove moisture inside the main body in response to the termination of the cooling operation, An air conditioner that performs the ventilation operation to clean the interior of the main body in response to the presence of an occupant not being detected while the cooling operation or the drying operation is not in progress when the ventilation function is activated.

2. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, An air conditioner that performs the drying operation in response to the termination of the cooling operation when both the drying function and the ventilation function are activated, and performs the ventilation operation in response to the presence of an occupant not being detected after the termination of the drying operation.

3. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, The drying operation is performed by controlling the blower fan based on the first motion profile, An air conditioner that performs the ventilation operation by controlling the blower fan based on a second operation profile that is different from the first operation profile.

4. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a circular fan for blowing air that has not been heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger; The above control unit, An air conditioner that performs the ventilation operation by operating the above-mentioned circular fan for a first predetermined period of time and then operating the above-mentioned blower fan for a second predetermined period of time.

5. In paragraph 1, It further includes an actuator for opening and closing the above discharge port; The above control unit, The drying operation is performed by controlling the actuator to open the discharge port and operating the blower fan, An air conditioner that performs the ventilation operation by controlling the actuator to close the discharge port and operating the blower fan.

6. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, An air conditioner that activates both the drying function and the ventilation function in response to receiving an input for activating the ventilation function while the drying function is deactivated.

7. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, An air conditioner that continues to perform the ventilation operation even if the presence of an occupant is detected while performing the ventilation operation.

8. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, An air conditioner that terminates the ventilation operation in response to receiving an input for controlling the air conditioner while performing the ventilation operation.

9. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a communication interface for receiving radio waves output from a connection repeater; The above control unit, An air conditioner that detects the presence of an occupant based on the characteristics of radio waves received through the communication interface.

10. In paragraph 9, The above-mentioned connection repeater includes a first connection repeater outputting a first radio wave and a second connection repeater outputting a second radio wave, The above communication interface receives the first radio wave and the second radio wave, The above control unit, An air conditioner that detects the presence of an occupant based on the characteristics of a radio wave having a relatively high signal strength among the first radio wave or the second radio wave.

11. In paragraph 9, The above-mentioned connection repeater includes a first connection repeater outputting a first radio wave and a second connection repeater outputting a second radio wave, The above communication interface receives the first radio wave and the second radio wave, The above control unit, If the presence of the occupant is not detected based on the characteristics of the first radio wave and the presence of the occupant is detected based on the characteristics of the second radio wave, it is determined that the presence of the occupant is detected. An air conditioner that determines that the presence of the occupant is not detected based on the characteristics of the first radio wave and that the presence of the occupant is not detected based on the characteristics of the second radio wave.

12. In paragraph 9, The above control unit, An air conditioner that detects the presence of a person in a room based on the characteristics of the radio wave, based on the strength of the radio wave being greater than a predetermined strength.

13. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a sterilizing device configured to sterilize the heat exchanger; The above control unit, An air conditioner that operates the sterilizing device during the ventilation operation.

14. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a gas sensor for measuring air quality; The above control unit, An air conditioner that performs the ventilation operation in response to the presence of an occupant not being detected while the air quality measured by the gas sensor does not meet a predetermined standard.

15. A control method for an air conditioner that performs cooling operation by operating a compressor that compresses refrigerant supplied from a heat exchanger and a blower fan that blows air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger toward a discharge port, and a drying operation and ventilation operation by operating the blower fan without operating the compressor, When the drying function is activated, the drying operation is performed to remove moisture inside the air conditioner in response to the termination of the cooling operation; A control method for an air conditioner, comprising: performing the ventilation operation to clean the interior of the air conditioner in response to the presence of an occupant not being detected while the cooling operation or the drying operation is not in progress when the ventilation function is activated.

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