Air conditioner and method of controlling the same
First Claim
1. An air conditioner comprising:
- a compressor;
a heat exchanger performing heat exchange between a refrigerant and air through movement of the air;
a frost formation detector provided in the heat exchanger for detecting a frost formation degree in the heat exchanger and to output a detection signal based on the frost formation degree; and
a controller configured to compute a frost formation level due to freezing in the heat exchanger according to the detection signal inputted from the frost formation detector, and to perform a defrosting operation according to the frost formation level,wherein the frost formation detector comprises a plurality of switches,wherein the switches are arranged in a body provided at the heat exchanger;
wherein each switch comprises;
layers of electrodes spaced apart from each other by air; and
insulation parts for insulating the layers of electrodes from the heat exchanger,wherein each of the layers of electrodes comprises two outer electrodes spaced apart from a central electrode,wherein one terminal of each of the electrodes is fixed to the body, and another terminal of each electrode is inserted into the heat exchanger, so that the outer electrodes are configured to turn the switches on by bending towards and making contact with the central electrode due to the freezing in the heat exchanger.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An air conditioner and a method for controlling the same for securing reliability and increasing efficiency are provided. The air conditioner and the method of controlling the same detect freezing occurring in the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit, determine a time of the defrosting operation according to a freezing degree such that the defrosting operation is performed, thereby preventing cooling/heating operation efficiency and capability due to a frequent defrosting operation from being deteriorated. The air conditioner and the method of controlling the same according to the present invention provide comfort of a predetermined level to the user to solve deterioration of convenience, and remove freezing due to a defrosting operation to thereby improve efficiency during cooling/heating operations.
7 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An air conditioner comprising:
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a compressor; a heat exchanger performing heat exchange between a refrigerant and air through movement of the air; a frost formation detector provided in the heat exchanger for detecting a frost formation degree in the heat exchanger and to output a detection signal based on the frost formation degree; and a controller configured to compute a frost formation level due to freezing in the heat exchanger according to the detection signal inputted from the frost formation detector, and to perform a defrosting operation according to the frost formation level, wherein the frost formation detector comprises a plurality of switches, wherein the switches are arranged in a body provided at the heat exchanger; wherein each switch comprises; layers of electrodes spaced apart from each other by air; and insulation parts for insulating the layers of electrodes from the heat exchanger, wherein each of the layers of electrodes comprises two outer electrodes spaced apart from a central electrode, wherein one terminal of each of the electrodes is fixed to the body, and another terminal of each electrode is inserted into the heat exchanger, so that the outer electrodes are configured to turn the switches on by bending towards and making contact with the central electrode due to the freezing in the heat exchanger. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating an air conditioner comprising a compressor, a heat exchanger performing heat exchange between a refrigerant and air through movement of the air, a frost formation detector provided in the heat exchanger and a controller and wherein the method comprises the steps of:
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detecting a frost formation degree in the heat exchanger by the frost formation detector; outputting a detection signal that is based on the frost formation degree by the frost formation detector; computing a frost formation level due to freezing in the heat exchanger according to the detection signal transmitted from the frost formation detector to the controller; and performing a defrosting operation according to the frost formation level using the controller, wherein the frost formation detector operates via a plurality of switches, wherein the switches are arranged in a body provided at the heat exchanger, and wherein each switch comprises; layers of electrodes spaced apart from each other by air; and insulation parts for insulating the layers of electrodes from the heat exchanger, wherein each of the layers of electrodes comprises two outer electrodes spaced apart from a central electrode, wherein one terminal of each of the electrodes is fixed to the body, and another terminal of each electrode is inserted into the heat exchanger, so that the outer electrodes are configured to turn the switches on by bending towards and making contact with the central electrode due to the freezing in the heat exchanger. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification