[0001] According to the invention there is a method for controlling an air conditioner comprising
operating a compressor to compress a refrigerant, supplying the compressed refrigerant,
condensed by an outdoor heat exchanger, to indoor units through an outdoor expansion
valve, and controlling an opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve according
to opening degrees of indoor expansion valves of the indoor units when performing
a cooling operation, and mean super heating temperatures of the indoor units, to control
the quantity of the refrigerant supplied to the indoor units.
[0002] The opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve is gradually increased when the
opening degrees of the indoor expansion valves of the indoor units exceed a first
predetermined opening degree and the super heating temperatures of the indoor units
exceed a predetermined super heating temperature, to increase the quantity of the
refrigerant supplied to the indoor units, and the opening degree of the outdoor expansion
valve is gradually decreased when the opening degrees of the indoor expansion valves
of the indoor units during cooling operation are not more than a second predetermined
opening degree and the super heating temperatures of the indoor units are not more
than the predetermined super heating temperature, to decrease the quantity of the
refrigerant supplied to the indoor units.
[0003] The first predetermined opening degree is higher than the second predetermined opening
degree.
[0004] The predetermined super heating temperature is a super heating temperature for allowing
the indoor units to have the optimum cooling efficiency.
[0005] According to a preferred embodiment an opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve
is increased or decreased by a predetermined value at an interval of a predetermined
time.
[0006] According to another embodiment of the invention there is an air conditioner comprising
a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger for condensing
the compressed refrigerant, an outdoor expansion valve for supplying the condensed
refrigerant to indoor units, and a control unit for controlling an opening degree
of the outdoor expansion valve, according to opening degrees of indoor expansion valves
of the indoor units and mean super heating temperatures of the indoor units when the
indoor units perform a cooling operation, to control the quantity of the refrigerant
supplied to the indoor units.
[0007] Generally, a multi-system air conditioner for simultaneously performing cooling and
heating operations is configured such that a plurality of indoor air conditioning
units are connected in parallel to at least one outdoor unit. The outdoor unit and
the plurality of indoor units are electrically connected by communication lines and
power lines, and include a plurality of refrigerant pipes and valves for controlling
the flow and quantity of a refrigerant.
[0008] In a case when an insufficient quantity of refrigerant is supplied to the indoor
heat exchanger (evaporator), the indoor heat exchanger (evaporator) cannot be filled
with refrigerant in a saturated state and so a rear portion of the indoor heat exchanger
(evaporator) is filled with the superheated refrigerant. This portion of the indoor
heat exchanger, which is filled with the superheated refrigerant, cannot function
as an evaporator, thereby decreasing the cooling capacity of the air conditioner.
[0009] Further, in the case where the practical super heating temperature is higher than
the designed value, for example, the designed value is 5°C, and the practical super
heating temperature is 10°C since the volume of the gaseous refrigerant is heavier
than that of the gaseous refrigerant when the practical super heating temperature
is 5°C, the quantity of the refrigerant circulated by the compressor is relatively
decreased, thereby further deteriorating cooling capacity of the air conditioner.
Moreover, since the compressor is operated at a higher temperature, the efficiency
of a compressor motor is decreased.
[0010] JP H09 210491A discloses a method of controlling the cooling temperature of an air conditioned space
wherein the valve travel of a utilization side expansion valve is controlled in reference
to a value travel determined by each of first and second value travel determination
devices when a super-cooling degree is in a range of predetermined threshold value.
[0011] The present invention seeks to provide a system which overcomes or substantially
alleviates the problems discussed above.
[0012] According to the invention there is provided a method for controlling an air conditioner
according to claim 1 and an air conditioner according to claim 5.
[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating a refrigerant cycle of an air conditioner
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a block diagram of a system for controlling the air conditioner shown
in Figure 1; and
Figures 3A and 3B are flow charts illustrating a method for controlling the air conditioner
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 the air conditioner comprising
an outdoor unit 120, first to fourth indoor units 140a,140b,140c and 140d and a mode
change unit (MCU) 160.
[0015] The outdoor unit 120 includes a four-way valve 124 for determining the direction
of the flow of a refrigerant discharged from a compressor 122. That is, the four-way
valve 124 changes the direction of the channel of the refrigerant in a main cooling
mode such that the refrigerant in a high-temperature and high-pressure state discharged
from the compressor 122 flows to a main cooling electric valve 186a and an outdoor
heat exchanger 126, and changes the direction of the channel of the refrigerant in
a main heating mode such that the refrigerant is supplied to the first to fourth indoor
units 140a,140b,140c and 140d through a backflow prevention valve 188 and the MCU
160. The outdoor heat exchanger 126 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outdoor
air, flowing into the outdoor unit 120 through an outdoor fan 102. The outdoor unit
120 further includes an outdoor electric expansion valve 128 for expanding the refrigerant,
a liquid receiver 130 for separating refrigerant in a liquid state from refrigerant
in a gaseous state, and an accumulator 132. The flow of the refrigerant between the
first to fourth indoor units 140a,140b,140c and 140d and the outdoor unit 120 is achieved
by a high-pressure gas pipe 134 and a low-pressure gas pipe 136.
[0016] Hereinafter, the states of the refrigerant in the pipes and the positions of the
valves of the outdoor unit 120 will be described. The low-pressure gas pipe 136 is
connected to an inlet side of the compressor 122 via the accumulator 132, and a high-pressure
liquid pipe 138 is connected to the outdoor electric expansion valve 128 via the liquid
receiver 130. A bypass valve 182a and a backflow prevention valve 182b, connected
in parallel to the outdoor electric expansion valve 128, are opened in a cooling mode,
and a part of the refrigerant in the liquid state discharged from the outdoor heat
exchanger 126 passes through the bypass valve 182a and the backflow prevention valve
182b and bypasses the outdoor electric expansion valve 128. On the other hand, the
bypass valve 182a and the backflow prevention valve 182b are closed in a heating mode,
and the refrigerant passes through the outdoor electric expansion valve 128, thereby
being expanded.
[0017] A high-pressure branch pipe 184, branched from the high-pressure gas pipe 134, is
connected between the four-way valve 124 and an inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger
126. The main cooling electric valve 186a serving as a switch valve and the backflow
prevention valve 182b for preventing the backflow of the refrigerant are installed
in the high-pressure branch pipe 184. The backflow prevention valve 188 for preventing
the backflow of the refrigerant is installed between the four-way valve 124 and the
high-pressure liquid pipe 138.
[0018] The first to fourth indoor units 140a,140b,140c and 140d are connected in parallel
to the outdoor unit 120, and respectively include first to fourth indoor heat exchangers
142a,142b,142c and 142d, first to fourth indoor electric expansion valves 144a,144b,144c
and 144d and first to fourth pairs of temperature sensors 174a-174a', 174b-174b',
174c-174c' and 174d-174d' serve to detect a difference of temperatures between inlets
and outlets of the first to fourth indoor heat exchangers 142a,142b,142c and 142d
thereby checking super heating temperatures of the first to fourth indoor heat exchangers
142a,142b,142c and 142.
[0019] The MCU 160 determines cooling and heating operations of the first to fourth indoor
units 140a,140b,140c and 140d. First to fourth heating electric valves 162a,162b,162c
and 162d are respectively installed in first to fourth high-pressure gas branch pipes
166a,166b,166c and 166d branched from the high-pressure gas pipe 134 in the MCU 160.
Further, first to fourth cooling electric valves 164a,164b,164c and 164d are respectively
installed in first to fourth low-pressure gas branch pipes 168a,168b,168c and 168d
branched from the low-pressure gas pipe 136. The first heating electric valve 162a
and the first cooling electric valve 164a are connected to a first refrigerant pipe
170a connected to the first indoor heat exchanger 142a, and the second to fourth heating
electric valves 162b,162c and 162d are sequentially connected to second to fourth
refrigerant pipes 170b, 170c and 170d.
[0020] Figure 1 illustrates a refrigerant cycle of an air conditioner in a main net cooling
mode. In the main cooling mode, the sum total of cooling capacities required by the
whole indoor units is larger than the sum total of heating capacities required by
the whole indoor units. In the main cooling mode, a large portion of the refrigerant
discharged from the compressor 122 is condensed by the outdoor heat exchanger 126
and supplied to the MCU 160, and the remainder of the refrigerant is directly supplied
to the MCU 160 through the high-pressure gas pipe 134. In Figure 1, the section expressed
by a thick solid line is a high-pressure section of the refrigerant and the section
expressed by a dotted line is a low-pressure section of the refrigerant.
[0021] Since the first and second cooling electric valves 164a and 164b in the MCU 160 are
opened, the first and second indoor units 140a and 140b perform cooling operations.
Since the third heating electric valve 162c and the third cooling electric valve 164c
are closed, the third indoor unit 140c does not perform any operation. Further, since
the fourth heating electric valve 162d is opened, the fourth indoor unit 140d performs
a heating operation.
[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the outdoor unit 120 of the air conditioner further comprises
an outdoor unit microcomputer 202 for controlling the component of the outdoor unit
120. The first to fourth indoor units 140a,140b,140c and 140d respectively further
comprises first to fourth indoor unit microcomputers 206a,206b,206c and 206d for controlling
the components of the first to fourth indoor units 140a,140b,140c and 140d. The MCU
160 further comprises an MCU microcomputer 204 for controlling the first to fourth
cooling electric valves 164a,164b,164c and 164d, and the first to fourth heating electric
valves 162a,162b,162c and 162d.
[0023] Figures 3A and 3B are flow charts illustrating a method for controlling the air conditioner
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 3A
and 3B, the whole system of the air conditioner is initialised (302), and the sum
total of cooling capacities required by the first to fourth indoor units 140a,140b,140c
and 140d is compared to the sum total of heating capacities required by the first
to fourth indoor units 140a,140b,140c and 140d (304). When the sum total of heating
capacities required by the first to fourth indoor units 140a,140b,140c and 140d is
higher than the sum total of cooling capacities required by the first to fourth indoor
units 140a,140b,140c and 140d, the air conditioner is operated in a net heating mode
(306). On the other hand, when the sum total of cooling capacities required by the
first to fourth indoor units 140a,140b,140c and 140d is higher than the sum total
of heating capacities required by the first to fourth indoor units 140a,140b,140c
and 140d, the air conditioner is operated in a net cooling mode (308).
[0024] In the main cooling mode, the opening degree of the outdoor electric expansion valve
128 is controlled according to a rate of heating operation (310). In this mode, the
refrigerant for cooling flows to the first and second indoor units 140a and 140b,
which are required to perform cooling operations via the outdoor heat exchanger (i.e.
condenser) 126 and the outdoor electric expansion valve 128, and a refrigerant for
heating flows to the fourth indoor unit 140d, which is required to perform a heating
operation, via the main cooling electric valve 186a and the high-pressure gas pipe
134. With reference to Figure 1, since two indoor units, i.e. the first and second
indoor units 140a and 140b, are required to perform cooling operations, and one indoor
unit, i.e. the fourth indoor unit 140d, is required to perform a heating operation,
the degree of opening of the outdoor electric expansion valve 128 is increased so
that a larger quantity of the refrigerant is supplied to the first and second indoor
units 140a and 140b. The relation between the rate of heating operation and the degree
of opening of the outdoor electric expansion valve 128 is stated by a lookup table.
The outdoor unit microcomputer 202 controls the degree of opening of the outdoor electric
expansion valve 128 based on the lookup table figures. One example of the lookup table
will be described, as follows. Here, the lower the rate of heating operation is, the
higher the degree of opening of the outdoor electric expansion valve 128.
Rate of Heating Operation |
0∼10% |
11∼20% |
21∼30% |
31∼40% |
41∼50% |
51∼60% |
Opening Degree of Outdoor Electric Expansion Valve |
100% |
50% |
30% |
20% |
15% |
12.5% |
[0025] As long as the degree of opening of the outdoor electric expansion valve 128 is controlled
according to the rate of heating operation requirements in the main net cooling mode
(310), the opening degrees of the first and second indoor electric expansion valves
144a and 144b and mean super heating temperatures of the first and second indoor units
140a and 140b, which perform cooling operation can be detected (312). When the degree
of opening of the first and second indoor electric expansion valves 144a and 144b
exceed 85% and the mean super heating temperatures of the first and second indoor
units 140a and 140b, which perform cooling operations, exceed a target super heating
temperature (for example, a super heating temperature representing the optimum cooling
efficiency), the outdoor electric expansion valve 128 is opened by 1% per predetermined
time (for example, 20 seconds) (314). Each of the mean super heating temperatures
is an average of the temperature difference between the inlet and the outlet of the
corresponding indoor unit, which are periodically detected. In a case when the opening
degrees of the first and second indoor electric expansion valves 144a and 144b are
comparatively high and the mean super heating temperatures of the first and second
indoor units 140a and 140b exceed the target super heating temperature, the refrigerant
passing through the first and second indoor heat exchangers 142a and 142b is excessively
rapidly vaporized, thereby causing difficulties in achieving a sufficient cooling
operation and in supplying a sufficient quantity of the refrigerant to the first and
second indoor units 140a and 140b. Accordingly, in this case, the opening degree of
the outdoor electric expansion valve 128 is gradually increased so that a larger quantity
of the condensed refrigerant is supplied to the first and second indoor units 140a
and 140b. In the opposite case, the air conditioner is continuously operated in the
main cooling mode under the condition that the degree of opening of the outdoor electric
expansion valve 128 is controlled according to the current rate of heating operation
(316).
[0026] During the main cooling mode (316), the degree of opening of the first and second
indoor electric expansion valves 144a and 144b and the mean super heating temperatures
of the first and second indoor units 140a and 140b, which perform cooling operations,
are detected (324). When the degree of opening of the first and second indoor electric
expansion valves 144a and 144b are 100%, i.e. the first and second indoor electric
expansion valve 128 is opened by 1% per predetermined time (for example, 20 seconds)
(326). Since the quantity of the refrigerant supplied to the first and second indoor
units 140a and 140b is sufficient under the condition that the first and second indoor
electric valves 144a and 144b are completely opened, the degree of opening of the
outdoor electric expansion valve 128 is gradually increased so that the quantity of
the refrigerant supplied to the first and second indoor units 140a and 140b is increased.
In the opposite case, the air conditioner is continuously operated in the main cooling
mode under the condition that the degree of opening of the outdoor electric expansion
valve 128 is controlled according to the current rate of heating operation (328).
[0027] As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides an air conditioner
and a method for controlling the same, in which the quantity of a refrigerant supplied
to indoor heat exchangers (evaporators) is controlled according to opening degrees
of indoor electric expansion valves and super heating temperatures of the indoor heat
exchangers (evaporators), thereby increasing cooling efficiency of the air conditioner.
[0028] Although an embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it would be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in this embodiment
without departing from the principles of the invention, the scope of which is defined
in the claims and the foregoing description should be regarded as a description of
a preferred embodiment only.
1. A method for controlling an air conditioner operable in a main heating mode (306)
and a main cooling mode (308), the method comprising:
operating a compressor (122) to compress a refrigerant,
supplying the compressed refrigerant, condensed by an outdoor heat exchanger (126),
to indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) through an outdoor expansion valve (128),
and
when in the main cooling mode (308), controlling an opening degree of the outdoor
expansion valve (128) according to:
a rate of heating operation (310),
opening degrees of indoor expansion valves (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) of the indoor
units when performing a cooling operation, and
mean super heating temperatures of the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d),
to control the quantity of the refrigerant supplied to the indoor units (140a, 140b,
140c, 140d),
wherein the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve (128) is gradually increased
(314) when the opening degrees of the indoor expansion valves (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d)
of the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) when performing a cooling operation exceed
85% and the mean super heating temperatures of the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c,
140d) exceed a predetermined super heating temperature (312), to increase the quantity
of the refrigerant supplied to the indoor units when the opening degrees of the indoor
expansion valves (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) of the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d)
when performing a cooling operation do not exceed 85% and the mean super heating temperatures
of the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) do not exceed a predetermined super heating
temperature, controlling the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve (128) according
to the rate of heating operation (316), and
wherein the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve (128) is gradually decreased
when the opening degrees of the indoor expansion valves (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) of
the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) during cooling operation are not more than
25% and the mean super heating temperatures of the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c,
140d) are not more than the predetermined super heating temperature, to decrease the
quantity of the refrigerant supplied to the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d)
when the opening degrees of the indoor expansion valves (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) of
the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) during cooling operation are more than 25%
and the mean super heating temperatures of the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d)
are more than the predetermined super heating temperature (318), controlling the opening
degree of the outdoor expansion valve (128) according to the rate of heating operation
(322).
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the predetermined super heating temperature
is a super heating temperature for allowing the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d)
to have the optimum cooling efficiency.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the opening degree of the outdoor expansion
valve (128) is increased or decreased by a predetermined value at an interval of a
predetermined time.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the predetermined value is 1% and the predetermined
time is 20 seconds.
5. An air conditioner operable in a main heating mode (306) and a main cooling mode (308),
the air conditioner comprising:
a compressor (122) for compressing a refrigerant,
an outdoor heat exchanger (126) for condensing the compressed refrigerant,
an outdoor expansion valve (128) for supplying the condensed refrigerant to indoor
units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d), and
a control unit (202) configured to control, when in the main cooling mode (308), an
opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve (128), according to:
a rate of heating operation (310),
opening degrees of indoor expansion valves (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) of the indoor
units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d), and
mean super heating temperatures of the indoor units when the indoor units (140a, 140b,
140c, 140d) perform a cooling operation,
to control the quantity of the refrigerant supplied to the indoor units,
wherein the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve (128) is gradually increased
when the opening degrees of the indoor expansion valves (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) of
the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) when performing a cooling operation exceed
85% and the mean super heating temperatures of the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c,
140d) exceed a predetermined super heating temperature, to increase the quantity of
the refrigerant supplied to the indoor units when the opening degrees of the indoor
expansion valves (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) of the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d)
when performing a cooling operation do not exceed 85% and mean super heating temperatures
of the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) do not exceed a predetermined super heating
temperature (312), the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve (128) is controlled
according to the rate of heating operation (316), and
wherein the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve (128) is gradually decreased
when the opening degrees of the indoor expansion valves (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) of
the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) during cooling operation are not more than
25% and the mean super heating temperatures of the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c,
140d) are not more than the predetermined super heating temperature, to decrease the
quantity of the refrigerant supplied to the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d)
when the opening degrees of the indoor expansion valves (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) of
the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) during cooling operation are more than 25%
and the mean super heating temperatures of the indoor units (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d)
are more than the predetermined super heating temperature (318), the opening degree
of the outdoor expansion valve (128) is controlled according to the rate of heating
operation (322).
1. Verfahren zum Steuern einer Klimaanlage, die in einer Hauptheizbetriebsart (306) und
einer Hauptkühlbetriebsart (308) betriebsfähig ist, wobei das Verfahren Folgendes
umfasst:
Betreiben eines Verdichters (122), um ein Kältemittel zu verdichten,
Zuführen des verdichteten Kältemittels, das durch einen außen liegenden Wärmetauscher
(126) kondensiert wird, an innen liegende Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) über
ein außen liegendes Expansionsventil (128), und
wenn in der Hauptkühlbetriebsart (308), Steuern eines Öffnungsgrads des außen liegenden
Expansionsventils (128) gemäß:
einer Rate des Heizbetriebs (310),
Öffnungsgraden von innen liegenden Expansionsventilen (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) der
innen liegenden Einheiten, wenn ein Kühlbetrieb durchgeführt wird, und
mittleren Überhitzungstemperaturen der innen liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c,
140d),
um die Menge des Kältemittels, das den innen liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c,
140d) zugeführt wird, zu steuern,
wobei der Öffnungsgrad des außen liegenden Expansionsventils (128) allmählich vergrößert
wird (314), wenn die Öffnungsgrade der innen liegenden Expansionsventile (144a, 144b,
144c, 144d) der innen liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d), wenn ein Kühlbetrieb
durchgeführt wird, 85 % überschreiten und die mittleren Überhitzungstemperaturen der
innen liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) eine vorher festgelegte Überhitzungstemperatur
(312) überschreiten, um die Menge des Kältemittels, das den innen liegenden Einheiten
zugeführt wird, zu vergrößern, wenn die Öffnungsgrade der innen liegenden Expansionsventile
(144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) der innen liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d), wenn
ein Kühlbetrieb durchgeführt wird, 85 % nicht überschreiten und die mittleren Überhitzungstemperaturen
der innen liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) eine vorher festgelegte Überhitzungstemperatur
nicht überschreiten, Steuern des Öffnungsgrads des außen liegenden Expansionsventils
(128) gemäß der Rate des Heizbetriebs (316), und
wobei der Öffnungsgrad des außen liegenden Expansionsventils (128) allmählich verkleinert
wird, wenn die Öffnungsgrade der innen liegenden Expansionsventile (144a, 144b, 144c,
144d) der innen liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) während des Kühlbetriebs
nicht mehr als 25 % betragen und die mittleren Überhitzungstemperaturen der innen
liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) nicht mehr als die vorher festgelegte
Überhitzungstemperatur betragen, um die Menge des Kältemittels, das den innen liegenden
Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) zugeführt wird, zu verkleinern, wenn die Öffnungsgrade
der innen liegenden Expansionsventile (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) der innen liegenden
Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) während des Kühlbetriebs mehr als 25 % betragen
und die mittleren Überhitzungstemperaturen der innen liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b,
140c, 140d) mehr als die vorher festgelegte Überhitzungstemperatur (318) betragen,
Steuern des Öffnungsgrads des außen liegenden Expansionsventils (128) gemäß der Rate
des Heizbetriebs (322).
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die vorher festgelegte Überhitzungstemperatur eine
Überhitzungstemperatur ist, um den innen liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d)
zu gestatten, die optimale Kühleffizienz aufzuweisen.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Öffnungsgrad des außen liegenden Expansionsventils
(128) um einen vorher festgelegten Wert in einem Intervall einer vorher festgelegten
Zeit vergrößert oder verkleinert wird.
4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, wobei der vorher festgelegte Wert 1 % beträgt und die vorher
festgelegte Zeit 20 Sekunden beträgt.
5. Klimaanlage, die in einer Hauptheizbetriebsart (306) und einer Hauptkühlbetriebsart
(308) betriebsfähig ist, wobei die Klimaanlage Folgendes umfasst:
einen Verdichter (122) zum Verdichten eines Kältemittels,
einen außen liegenden Wärmetauscher (126) zum Kondensieren des verdichteten Kältemittels,
ein außen liegendes Expansionsventil (128) zum Zuführen des kondensierten Kältemittels
an innen liegende Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d), und
eine Steuerungseinheit (202), die konfiguriert ist, um, wenn in der Hauptkühlbetriebsart
(308), einen Öffnungsgrad des außen liegenden Expansionsventils (128) zu steuern,
gemäß:
einer Rate des Heizbetriebs (310),
Öffnungsgraden von innen liegenden Expansionsventilen (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) der
innen liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d), und
mittleren Überhitzungstemperaturen der innen liegenden Einheiten, wenn die innen liegenden
Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) einen Kühlbetrieb durchführen,
um die Menge des Kältemittels, das den innen liegenden Einheiten zugeführt wird, zu
steuern,
wobei der Öffnungsgrad des außen liegenden Expansionsventils (128) allmählich vergrößert
wird, wenn die Öffnungsgrade der innen liegenden Expansionsventile (144a, 144b, 144c,
144d) der innen liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d), wenn ein Kühlbetrieb
durchgeführt wird, 85 % überschreiten und die mittleren Überhitzungstemperaturen der
innen liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) eine vorher festgelegte Überhitzungstemperatur
überschreiten, um die Menge des Kältemittels, das den innen liegenden Einheiten zugeführt
wird, zu vergrößern, wenn die Öffnungsgrade der innen liegenden Expansionsventile
(144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) der innen liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d), wenn
ein Kühlbetrieb durchgeführt wird, 85 % nicht überschreiten und die mittleren Überhitzungstemperaturen
der innen liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) eine vorher festgelegte Überhitzungstemperatur
(312) nicht überschreiten, der Öffnungsgrad des außen liegenden Expansionsventils
(128) gemäß der Rate des Heizbetriebs (316) gesteuert wird, und
wobei der Öffnungsgrad des außen liegenden Expansionsventils (128) allmählich verkleinert
wird, wenn die Öffnungsgrade der innen liegenden Expansionsventile (144a, 144b, 144c,
144d) der innen liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) während des Kühlbetriebs
nicht mehr als 25 % betragen und die mittleren Überhitzungstemperaturen der innen
liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) nicht mehr als die vorher festgelegte
Überhitzungstemperatur betragen, um die Menge des Kältemittels, das den innen liegenden
Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) zugeführt wird, zu verkleinern, wenn die Öffnungsgrade
der innen liegenden Expansionsventile (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) der innen liegenden
Einheiten (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) während des Kühlbetriebs mehr als 25 % betragen
und die mittleren Überhitzungstemperaturen der innen liegenden Einheiten (140a, 140b,
140c, 140d) mehr als die vorher festgelegte Überhitzungstemperatur (318) betragen,
der Öffnungsgrad des außen liegenden Expansionsventils (128) gemäß der Rate des Heizbetriebs
(322) gesteuert wird.
1. Procédé destiné à commander un conditionneur d'air apte à fonctionner dans un mode
de chauffage principal (306) et un mode de refroidissement principal (308), le procédé
comprenant :
le fonctionnement d'un compresseur (122) pour comprimer un frigorigène,
la fourniture du frigorigène comprimé, condensé par un échangeur de chaleur extérieur
(126), à des unités intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) par l'intermédiaire d'une
soupape de détente extérieure (128), et
dans le cas du mode de refroidissement principal (308), la commande d'un degré d'ouverture
de la soupape de détente extérieure (128) en fonction :
d'une cadence d'opération de chauffage (310),
de degrés d'ouverture de soupapes de détente intérieures (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d)
des unités intérieures lors de la réalisation d'une opération de refroidissement,
et
de températures moyennes de surchauffe des unités intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d),
afin de commander la quantité du frigorigène qui est fournie aux unités intérieures
(140a, 140b, 140c, 140d),
dans lequel le degré d'ouverture de la soupape de détente extérieure (128) est augmenté
(314) graduellement lorsque les degrés d'ouverture des soupapes de détente intérieures
(144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) des unités intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) lors de la
réalisation d'une opération de refroidissement dépassent 85 % et que les températures
moyennes de surchauffe des unités intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) dépassent une
température prédéterminée de surchauffe (312), afin d'augmenter la quantité du frigorigène
qui est fournie aux unités intérieures lorsque les degrés d'ouverture des soupapes
de détente intérieures (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) des unités intérieures (140a, 140b,
140c, 140d) lors de la réalisation d'une opération de refroidissement ne dépassent
pas 85 % et que les températures moyennes de surchauffe des unités intérieures (140a,
140b, 140c, 140d) ne dépassent pas une température prédéterminée de surchauffe, la
commande du degré d'ouverture de la soupape de détente extérieure (128) en fonction
de la cadence d'opération de chauffage (316), et
dans lequel le degré d'ouverture de la soupape de détente extérieure (128) est diminué
graduellement lorsque les degrés d'ouverture des soupapes de détente intérieures (144a,
144b, 144c, 144d) des unités intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) durant une opération
de refroidissement ne sont pas supérieurs à 25 % et que les températures moyennes
de surchauffe des unités intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) ne sont pas supérieures
à la température prédéterminée de surchauffe, afin de diminuer la quantité du frigorigène
qui est fournie aux unités intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) lorsque les degrés
d'ouverture des soupapes de détente intérieures (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) des unités
intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) durant une opération de refroidissement sont
supérieurs à 25 % et que les températures moyennes de surchauffe des unités intérieures
(140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) sont supérieures à la température prédéterminée de surchauffe
(318), la commande du degré d'ouverture de la soupape de détente extérieure (128)
en fonction de la cadence d'opération de chauffage (322).
2. Procédé tel que revendiqué dans la revendication 1, dans lequel la température prédéterminée
de surchauffe est une température de surchauffe pour permettre aux unités intérieures
(140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) d'avoir l'efficacité de refroidissement optimale.
3. Procédé tel que revendiqué dans la revendication 1, dans lequel le degré d'ouverture
de la soupape de détente extérieure (128) est augmenté ou diminué d'une valeur prédéterminée
à un certain intervalle d'un temps prédéterminé.
4. Procédé tel que revendiqué dans la revendication 3, dans lequel la valeur prédéterminée
est de 1 % et le temps prédéterminé est de 20 secondes.
5. Conditionneur d'air apte à fonctionner dans un mode de chauffage principal (306) et
un mode de refroidissement principal (308), le conditionneur d'air comprenant :
un compresseur (122) pour comprimer un frigorigène,
un échangeur de chaleur extérieur (126) pour condenser le frigorigène comprimé,
une soupape de détente extérieure (128) pour fournir le frigorigène condensé à des
unités intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d), et
une unité de commande (202) configurée pour commander, dans le cas du mode de refroidissement
principal (308), un degré d'ouverture de la soupape de détente extérieure (128) en
fonction :
d'une cadence d'opération de chauffage (310),
de degrés d'ouverture de soupapes de détente intérieures (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d)
des unités intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d), et
de températures moyennes de surchauffe des unités intérieures lorsque les unités intérieures
(140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) réalisent une opération de refroidissement,
afin de commander la quantité du frigorigène qui est fournie aux unités intérieures,
dans lequel le degré d'ouverture de la soupape de détente extérieure (128) est augmenté
graduellement lorsque les degrés d'ouverture des soupapes de détente intérieures (144a,
144b, 144c, 144d) des unités intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) lors de la réalisation
d'une opération de refroidissement dépassent 85 % et que les températures moyennes
de surchauffe des unités intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) dépassent une température
prédéterminée de surchauffe, afin d'augmenter la quantité du frigorigène qui est fournie
aux unités intérieures lorsque les degrés d'ouverture des soupapes de détente intérieures
(144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) des unités intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) lors de la
réalisation d'une opération de refroidissement ne dépassent pas 85 % et que les températures
moyennes de surchauffe des unités intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) ne dépassent
pas une température prédéterminée de surchauffe (312), le degré d'ouverture de la
soupape de détente extérieure (128) est commandé en fonction de la cadence d'opération
de chauffage (316), et
dans lequel le degré d'ouverture de la soupape de détente extérieure (128) est diminué
graduellement lorsque les degrés d'ouverture des soupapes de détente intérieures (144a,
144b, 144c, 144d) des unités intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) durant une opération
de refroidissement ne sont pas supérieurs à 25 % et que les températures moyennes
de surchauffe des unités intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) ne sont pas supérieures
à la température prédéterminée de surchauffe, afin de diminuer la quantité du frigorigène
qui est fournie aux unités intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) lorsque les degrés
d'ouverture des soupapes de détente intérieures (144a, 144b, 144c, 144d) des unités
intérieures (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) durant une opération de refroidissement sont
supérieurs à 25 % et que les températures moyennes de surchauffe des unités intérieures
(140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) sont supérieures à la température prédéterminée de surchauffe
(318), le degré d'ouverture de la soupape de détente extérieure (128) est commandé
en fonction de la cadence d'opération de chauffage (322).