Multi-unit air conditioner and method for controlling the same
First Claim
1. A multi-unit air conditioner comprising:
- a plurality of indoor units each comprising a power controller adapted to independently power on or off an associated one of the indoor units;
an outdoor unit connected with the indoor units, the outdoor unit comprising a microcomputer for controlling an operation of the outdoor unit, and enabling the outdoor unit to communicate with the indoor units;
at least one controller for determining whether each of the indoor units is in an operation state or in a non-operation state, and controlling an operation of a distributor in accordance with the result of the determination;
a refrigerant line connected to the outdoor unit;
branch refrigerant lines connected between the refrigerant line and the plurality of indoor units;
sub electronic expansion valves respectively arranged in the branch refrigerant lines; and
a main electronic expansion valve arranged in the refrigerant line, anda plurality of first valves provided in the respective branch refrigerant lines,wherein the at least one controller controls at least one of the plurality of first valves to be closed when a corresponding indoor unit is determined to be in the non-operation state, and controls the corresponding indoor unit to be operated for a predetermined period of time after the closing of at least one of the plurality of first valves.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-unit air conditioner and a method for controlling the same are disclosed which are capable of preventing continuous introduction of a refrigerant into indoor units in an OFF state where the indoor units can be independently powered on or off, thereby preventing a degradation in the cooling and heating efficiencies. The air conditioner includes a plurality of indoor units each including a power controller adapted to independently power on or off an associated one of the indoor units, an outdoor unit connected with the indoor units, the outdoor unit including a microcomputer for controlling an operation of the outdoor unit, and enabling the outdoor unit to communicate with the indoor units, and a controller for determining whether each of the indoor units is in a normal operation state or in a non-operation state, and controlling an operation of a distributor in accordance with the result of the determination.
10 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A multi-unit air conditioner comprising:
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a plurality of indoor units each comprising a power controller adapted to independently power on or off an associated one of the indoor units; an outdoor unit connected with the indoor units, the outdoor unit comprising a microcomputer for controlling an operation of the outdoor unit, and enabling the outdoor unit to communicate with the indoor units; at least one controller for determining whether each of the indoor units is in an operation state or in a non-operation state, and controlling an operation of a distributor in accordance with the result of the determination; a refrigerant line connected to the outdoor unit; branch refrigerant lines connected between the refrigerant line and the plurality of indoor units; sub electronic expansion valves respectively arranged in the branch refrigerant lines; and a main electronic expansion valve arranged in the refrigerant line, and a plurality of first valves provided in the respective branch refrigerant lines, wherein the at least one controller controls at least one of the plurality of first valves to be closed when a corresponding indoor unit is determined to be in the non-operation state, and controls the corresponding indoor unit to be operated for a predetermined period of time after the closing of at least one of the plurality of first valves. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A multi-unit air conditioner comprising:
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a plurality of indoor units; an outdoor unit connected with the indoor units, the outdoor unit comprising a microcomputer for controlling an operation of the outdoor unit, and enabling the outdoor unit to communicate with the indoor units; an electronic expansion valve arranged in a refrigerant line through which a refrigerant from the outdoor unit is introduced into the indoor units; first valves arranged in a refrigerant line through which the refrigerant is introduced into the indoor units; second valves arranged in a refrigerant line through which the refrigerant from the indoor units is discharged into the outdoor unit; and at least one controller for determining whether each of the indoor units is in an operation state or in a non-operation state, and controlling an operation of a distributor in accordance with the result of the determination, the at least one controller being arranged in at least one of the outdoor unit and a distributor, respectively, wherein the electronic expansion valve comprises; sub electronic expansion valves respectively arranged in branch refrigerant lines, through each of which the refrigerant is introduced into an associated one of the indoor units; and
a main electronic expansion valve arranged in the refrigerant line, through which the refrigerant is introduced into the indoor units, and which is branched into the branch refrigerant lineswherein at least one of the first valves is controlled to be closed when a corresponding indoor unit is determined to be in the non-operation state, and the corresponding indoor unit is controlled to be operated for a predetermined period of time after the closing of the at least one of the first valves. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A multi-unit air conditioner comprising:
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a plurality of indoor units; an outdoor unit connected with the indoor units; at least one controller for determining whether each of the indoor units is in an operation state or in a non-operation state, and controlling an operation of a distributor in accordance with the result of the determination; refrigerant lines connected between the indoor units and the outdoor unit to allow refrigerant to flow from the outdoor unit to the respective indoor units; and valves arranged in the respective refrigerant lines, wherein the at least controller controls at least one of the valves to be closed when the corresponding indoor unit is determined to be in the non-operation state, and controls the corresponding indoor unit to be operated for a predetermined period of time after the closing of the at least one of the valves.
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Specification