WO2024225613A1 - Air conditioner and method for controlling same - Google Patents

Abstract

An air conditioner is disclosed. The present air conditioner comprises: an exhaust port arranged at the rear of the air conditioner; a fan that dissipates, to the exhaust port, heat generated from a heat exchanger; a temperature sensor arranged at the rear of the air conditioner to detect the temperature at the rear of the air conditioner; at least one memory storing at least one instruction; and at least one processor operating on the basis of the at least one instruction, wherein the at least one processor controls, when a cooling operation mode is set, the fan to dissipate the heat generated from the heat exchanger and determines to terminate the cooling operation mode on the basis of temperature change information, which is generated by using information about temperatures detected by the temperature sensor at preset time intervals.

Description

Air conditioner and control method thereof

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an air conditioner and a control method thereof capable of determining whether a window is closed based on the rear temperature.

An air conditioner is a device that cools or heats the air using a refrigeration cycle and discharges the cooled or heated air to control the temperature in a room.

There are various types of air conditioners like this depending on the arrangement of the components, and recently, window-type air conditioners that are easy to install have also been used.

These window air conditioners are installed on a window frame, and can be installed on the inside of an exterior window so that the window installed on the window frame can be closed or opened depending on the outside temperature (or season). Even when a window air conditioner is installed on a window frame like this, the user can optionally close or open the exterior door.

However, since heat exchange with the outside air is required for the operation of the air conditioner, there was a problem in that the cooling performance was reduced if the air conditioner was operated with the outside window closed or if the outside window was not sufficiently open.

Accordingly, recent window-type air conditioners required a method to determine whether the window on the installed window frame is closed or open.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and provides an air conditioner and a control method thereof capable of determining whether a window is closed based on the rear temperature.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an air conditioner includes an exhaust port arranged at a rear side of the air conditioner, a fan for transmitting heat generated from a heat exchanger to the exhaust port, a temperature sensor arranged at the rear side of the air conditioner for detecting a temperature of the rear side of the air conditioner, one or more memories storing at least one instruction, and one or more processors operating based on the at least one instruction, wherein the at least one processor controls the fan to transmit heat generated from the heat exchanger when a cooling operation mode is set, and determines the termination of the cooling operation mode based on temperature change information generated using temperature information detected by the temperature sensor at preset time intervals.

In this case, when a command to perform an operation in the cooling operation mode is input, the one or more processors can store the first temperature detected by the temperature sensor in the memory, and generate the temperature change information based on the second temperature detected by the temperature sensor after a preset time.

In this case, the one or more processors can calculate temperature change information based on a difference value between the first temperature and the second temperature, or calculate a temperature increase rate in a preset time unit as temperature change information.

Meanwhile, the one or more processors can generate the temperature change information using the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor at a preset cycle after the preset time.

In this case, the preset period may be 5 to 30 seconds.

Meanwhile, the one or more processors may determine to terminate the operation of the cooling operation mode if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is higher than a preset reference temperature for a preset period of time.

In this case, the air conditioner further includes a communication device for receiving outdoor weather information, and the one or more processors can set a reference temperature based on the outdoor weather information.

Meanwhile, the air conditioner further includes a pipe temperature sensor that detects a compressor pipe temperature, and the one or more processors can determine to terminate the operation of the cooling operation mode based on the generated temperature change information if the temperature detected by the pipe temperature sensor is higher than a preset temperature.

Meanwhile, the air conditioner further includes an intake port arranged at the rear of the air conditioner, and the temperature sensor may be arranged in a middle region of the intake port and the exhaust port among upper regions of the intake port and the exhaust port.

Meanwhile, the air conditioner further includes a display, and the one or more processors can control the display to display error information when the operation of the cooling operation mode is terminated based on the temperature change information.

Meanwhile, the air conditioner further includes a communication device for communicating with a user terminal device, and the one or more processors can control the communication device to transmit error information to the user terminal device when the operation of the cooling operation mode is terminated based on the temperature change information.

Meanwhile, a method for controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a step of controlling a fan to transmit heat generated in a heat exchanger to an exhaust port when a cooling operation mode is set, a step of detecting a temperature of a temperature sensor arranged at the rear of the air conditioner at preset time intervals, and a step of terminating the operation of the cooling operation mode based on temperature change information generated using temperature information detected at preset time intervals.

In this case, the detecting step can store the first temperature detected by the temperature sensor in the memory when an operation execution command in the cooling operation mode is input, and generate the temperature change information based on the second temperature detected by the temperature sensor after a preset time.

In this case, the detecting step can calculate temperature change information based on the difference value between the first temperature and the second temperature, or calculate the temperature increase rate in a preset time unit as temperature change information.

Meanwhile, the detecting step can generate the temperature change information by using the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor at a preset cycle after the preset time.

Meanwhile, the terminating step may determine the termination of the operation of the cooling operation mode if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is higher than the preset reference temperature for a preset time.

Meanwhile, the present control method may further include a step of receiving outdoor weather information, and a step of setting a reference temperature based on the outdoor weather information.

Meanwhile, the present control method further includes a step of detecting a compressor pipe temperature, and the terminating step can determine the termination of the operation of the cooling operation mode based on the generated temperature change information if the compressor pipe temperature is higher than a preset temperature.

Meanwhile, the present control method may further include a step of displaying error information when the operation of the cooling operation mode is terminated based on the temperature change information.

Meanwhile, in a computer-readable recording medium including a program for executing a control method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control method includes a step of controlling a fan to transmit heat generated in a heat exchanger to an exhaust port when a cooling operation mode is set, a step of detecting a temperature of a temperature sensor arranged at the rear of the air conditioner at preset time intervals, and a step of terminating an operation of the cooling operation mode based on temperature change information generated using temperature information detected at preset time intervals.

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an example of installation of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing another installation example of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining an operation for determining a window closing state according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining the operation of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram for explaining the operation of each component of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining a method for controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining whether there is an error state using temperature information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

It should be understood that the various embodiments of this document and the terminology used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments.

In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In this document, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" can include any one of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations of them.

The term “and/or” includes any combination of multiple related described elements or any one of multiple related described elements.

Terms such as "first", "second", or "first" or "second" may be used merely to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another component (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively,” it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

The terms “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in this document, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

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.

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.

In addition, the terms 'leading end', 'rear end', 'upper end', 'lower end', 'top end', 'bottom end', etc. used in the present disclosure are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

In addition, the temperature used in the present disclosure is described assuming the temperature in Celsius, but when implemented, the temperature value may be used in Fahrenheit.

An air conditioner according to various embodiments is a device that performs functions such as air purification, ventilation, humidity control, cooling or heating in an air-conditioned space (hereinafter referred to as “indoor”), and means a device equipped with at least one of these functions.

Unless otherwise defined, terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be interpreted as having the meaning commonly known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The cooling device (200) includes a refrigerant circuit that circulates a refrigerant. The refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant circuit and can absorb or release heat during a state change (e.g., a state change from gas to liquid, a state change from liquid to gas). Such a refrigerant circuit may also be referred to as a heat pump device.

To induce a change in the state of the refrigerant, the refrigerant circuit may include a compressor (210), an indoor heat exchanger (220), an expansion valve (230), and an outdoor heat exchanger (240).

The compressor (210) compresses the gaseous refrigerant to create a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The high-temperature/high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor (210) can be introduced into an outdoor heat exchanger (240).

And the compressor (210) side may include at least one sensor for measuring the operating state of the compressor (210). For example, the sensor may be a pipe temperature sensor (270) of the compressor. The pipe temperature sensor (270) of the compressor may be a temperature sensor attached to a pipe area through which the compressor (210) discharges refrigerant, and may measure the temperature of the discharge area of the compressor (210). The temperature measured by the pipe temperature sensor (270) may be referred to as a pipe temperature, and may also be referred to as a discharge temperature of the compressor.

The outdoor heat exchanger (240) can perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air by utilizing the phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation). For example, while the refrigerant condenses in the outdoor heat exchanger (240), the refrigerant releases heat to the outdoor air, and while the refrigerant flowing in the outdoor heat exchanger evaporates, the refrigerant can absorb heat from the outdoor air.

An outdoor fan (250) may be provided near the outdoor heat exchanger (240). The outdoor fan (250) may blow outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger (240) to promote heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air.

And the outdoor heat exchanger (240) side may include at least one sensor for measuring the outdoor environment. For example, the sensor may be provided as an environmental sensor. The outdoor unit sensor may be placed at any location inside or outside the outdoor unit. For example, the sensor may include, for example, a temperature sensor for detecting the air temperature around the air conditioner, a humidity sensor for detecting the air humidity around the air conditioner, etc.

Additionally, the outdoor heat exchanger (240) side may include a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting the refrigerant temperature of the refrigerant pipe to check the operation within the air conditioner, or a refrigerant pressure sensor for detecting the refrigerant pressure of the refrigerant pipe.

The expansion valve (230) can lower the pressure and temperature of the liquid refrigerant to make it a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant. The low-temperature/low-pressure liquid refrigerant discharged from the expansion valve (230) can be introduced into the indoor heat exchanger (220).

The indoor heat exchanger (220) can perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air by utilizing the phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation). For example, the indoor heat exchanger (220) can absorb heat from indoor air while the refrigerant evaporates, and the indoor air can be cooled by blowing the cooled indoor air while passing through the cooled indoor heat exchanger (220).

As described above, the refrigerant can release heat in the outdoor heat exchanger (240) and absorb heat in the indoor heat exchanger (220). Through this operation, the indoor heat exchanger (220) can cool the indoor air.

Meanwhile, in order to exchange heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger (220), the front area of the air conditioner may include an indoor intake port for sucking indoor air. Through the indoor intake port, indoor air may be introduced into the interior of the air conditioner. At this time, a filter may be arranged on one side of the intake port to filter out foreign substances in the air sucked through the indoor intake port.

And the front of the housing may include an indoor exhaust port. That is, air in which heat exchange has occurred in the indoor heat exchanger (220) may be exhausted to the outside of the housing (i.e., indoor space) through the indoor exhaust port.

At this time, an airflow guide may be provided on one side of the indoor exhaust port to guide the direction of the exhausted air. For example, the airflow guide may include a blade positioned on the indoor exhaust port. For example, the airflow guide may include an auxiliary fan for controlling the exhaust airflow. Without being limited thereto, the airflow guide may be omitted.

The blower (260) may include an indoor fan and a fan motor. For example, the indoor fan may include an axial fan, a diffusion fan, a crossflow fan, or a centrifugal fan.

The indoor heat exchanger (220) may be placed between the blower (260) and the indoor exhaust port, or may be placed between the indoor intake port and the blower (260). The indoor heat exchanger (220) may absorb heat from air introduced through the indoor intake port. The indoor heat exchanger (220) may include a heat exchange tube through which refrigerant flows, and heat exchange fins in contact with the heat exchange tube to increase the heat transfer area.

And, one side of the indoor heat exchanger (220) may include a drain tray for collecting condensate generated in the indoor heat exchanger (220). The condensate contained in the drain tray may be drained to the outside through a drain hose. The drain tray may be provided to support the indoor heat exchanger (220).

The gaseous refrigerant discharged from the indoor heat exchanger (220) is introduced into the compressor (210) and circulated through the refrigerant circuit again. Specifically, the air conditioner performs a cooling or heating function through a phase change process of the refrigerant circulating through the outdoor heat exchanger (240) and the indoor heat exchanger (220). The compressor (210) can inhale refrigerant gas through the inlet and compress the refrigerant gas. The compressor (210) can discharge high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas through the discharge port.

The refrigerant may be circulated in the order of a compressor (210), an outdoor heat exchanger (240), an expansion valve (230), and an indoor heat exchanger (220) through a refrigerant pipe, or may be circulated in the order of a compressor (210), an indoor heat exchanger (220), an expansion valve (230), and an outdoor heat exchanger (240).

For example, if an air conditioner has one outdoor unit and one indoor unit directly connected through a refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant can be arranged to circulate between one outdoor unit and one indoor unit through the refrigerant pipe.

For example, in an air conditioner, if one outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units through refrigerant pipes, the refrigerant can flow to multiple indoor units through refrigerant pipes branching from the outdoor unit. The refrigerants discharged from multiple indoor units can be combined and circulated to the outdoor unit. For example, multiple indoor units can be directly connected to one outdoor unit in parallel through separate refrigerant pipes.

The multiple indoor units can be operated independently according to the operation mode set by the user. That is, some of the multiple indoor units can be operated in cooling mode while others can be operated in heating mode at the same time. At this time, the refrigerant can be selectively introduced into each indoor unit in a high or low pressure state along a designated circulation path through a flow switching valve described later, and discharged to be circulated to the outdoor unit.

For example, when an air conditioner has two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units connected through multiple refrigerant pipes, the refrigerant discharged from the multiple outdoor units may join and flow through a single refrigerant pipe, then branch off at some point and flow into multiple indoor units.

The plurality of outdoor units may be driven or at least some of them may not be driven depending on the operating load according to the operating amount of the plurality of indoor units. At this time, the refrigerant may be arranged to be introduced into the outdoor unit that is selectively driven through the directional change valve and circulated. The air conditioner may include an expansion device to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant introduced into the heat exchanger. For example, the expansion device may be placed inside the indoor unit or the outdoor unit, or may be placed in both.

The expansion valve (230) can lower the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant by using, for example, the throttling effect. The expansion device can include an orifice that can reduce the cross-sectional area of the passage. The refrigerant passing through the orifice can have its temperature and pressure lowered.

The expansion valve (230) can be implemented as an electronic expansion valve capable of controlling, for example, the opening ratio (the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the valve's passage in a partially opened state to the cross-sectional area of the valve's passage in a fully opened state). The amount of refrigerant passing through the expansion valve (230) can be controlled depending on the opening ratio of the electronic expansion valve.

The air conditioner may further include a flow diverter valve disposed on the refrigerant circulation path. The flow diverter valve may include, for example, a 4-way valve. The flow diverter valve may determine the circulation path of the refrigerant depending on the operating mode of the indoor unit (for example, cooling operation or heating operation). The flow diverter valve may be connected to the discharge port of the compressor.

The air conditioner may include an accumulator. The accumulator may be connected to the suction port of the compressor (210). The accumulator may receive low temperature, low pressure refrigerant evaporated in an indoor heat exchanger or an outdoor heat exchanger.

The accumulator can separate the refrigerant liquid from the refrigerant gas when the refrigerant, which is a mixture of refrigerant liquid and refrigerant gas, is introduced, and provide the refrigerant gas from which the refrigerant liquid has been separated to the compressor.

Meanwhile, in the illustrated example, the refrigerant circuit is described as being provided within one cooling device (200), but when implemented, the expansion valve (230) and indoor heat exchanger (220) may be implemented as two devices, with the indoor unit comprising the expansion valve (230) and the indoor heat exchanger (220), and the outdoor unit comprising the compressor (210) and the heat exchanger (240).

For example, if the above-described components are built into one housing, the air conditioner may be referred to as a window air conditioner or a portable air conditioner. Conversely, if the above-described components are formed by dividing them into separate devices, the air conditioner may be referred to as a wall-mounted air conditioner, a stand-alone air conditioner, a system air conditioner, etc.

When formed by dividing into such separate devices, the air conditioner may be provided such that one outdoor unit and one indoor unit are connected via refrigerant pipes. For example, the air conditioner may be provided such that one outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units via refrigerant pipes. For example, the air conditioner may be provided such that two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units are connected via multiple refrigerant pipes.

And the outdoor unit can be electrically connected to the indoor unit. For example, information (or commands) for controlling the air conditioner can be input through an input interface provided on the outdoor unit or the indoor unit, and the outdoor unit and the indoor unit can operate simultaneously or sequentially in response to the user input.

Meanwhile, the following description assumes that the outdoor unit and indoor unit described above are window-type air conditioners or integrated air conditioners provided in one housing, but is not limited thereto. Specifically, even in the case where the outdoor unit and indoor unit are implemented by being separated into multiple housings, the contents of the present disclosure may be applied even when the outdoor unit is installed in an area such as a window frame, or when the outdoor unit's exhaust or intake port is installed in an environment where it is selectively opened or sealed by a window or sealing device.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the air conditioner (100) includes a cabinet forming an exterior, and the cabinet may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is approximately long and narrow. The length of the cabinet may be shorter than the length of a typical window frame, and the width of the cabinet may also be narrower than the width of a window installed in a typical window frame.

The front of these cabinets may be positioned toward the indoor space, and the rear of the cabinet may be positioned toward the outdoor space. The specific installation form will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Two openings (20, 30) may be arranged at the rear of the cabinet. First, the first opening is an exhaust port (20) for discharging air from the outdoor heat exchanger, and the second opening is an intake port (30) for sucking outside air into the interior of the cabinet.

In this way, the air conditioner takes in outdoor air through the intake port (30) and discharges the heat-exchanged air through the exhaust port (20). Meanwhile, in the illustrated example, the intake port (30) is arranged on the left side at the rear of the air conditioner (100) and the exhaust port (20) is arranged on the right side. However, when implemented, the intake port may be arranged on the left side and the exhaust port may be arranged on the right side. In addition, depending on the implementation method, the intake port (30) may be arranged on the lower side at the rear of the air conditioner (100) and the exhaust port (20) may be arranged on the upper side at the rear of the air conditioner.

Through this arrangement, when outside air is introduced into the air conditioner (100) through the intake port (30) of the air conditioner, air that has undergone heat exchange in the heat exchanger can be discharged through the exhaust port (20).

Meanwhile, the outdoor heat exchanger operates normally only when the outside air is sufficiently sucked in and discharged through the exhaust port (20) and the intake port (30) described above. However, if the air conditioner operates with the outside window not opened (or the outside air not flowing into the air conditioner), the outdoor heat exchanger does not dissipate heat, so the superheating degree of the refrigeration cycle increases and the compressor discharge temperature rises.

Such an increase in compressor discharge temperature not only causes a decrease in cooling performance, but if the condition persists, it can also cause abnormalities in the exterior of the air conditioner or the window frame (or window), so it is necessary to check whether heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger is being performed normally.

Accordingly, the present disclosure uses a temperature sensor placed at the rear of the air conditioner to check whether the external window is not opened.

The temperature sensor (140) is placed at the rear of the air conditioner. Specifically, the temperature sensor (140) may be placed in the middle region of the outside air intake port (30) and the outside air exhaust port (20) among the upper regions of the outside air intake port and the outside air exhaust port. For example, since the temperature emitted from the exhaust port has a characteristic of rising due to the high temperature of the air, the temperature sensor may be placed in the upper region of the exhaust port in order to more accurately measure the temperature emitted from the exhaust port. Meanwhile, although it is placed in the upper region in the illustrated example, it may also be placed in a region higher than the upper end of the exhaust port.

The operation of determining the closed state of the window based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (140) is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are drawings illustrating an example of installation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates an environment in which the rear surface of the air conditioner is exposed to the outside, and FIG. 4 illustrates an environment in which the rear surface of the air conditioner is interfered with by a window.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a window-type air conditioner can be installed in a window of a building. Meanwhile, the present disclosure assumes that it is installed in a window, but if there is an environment where the rear of the air conditioner can be opened and closed by a separate configuration other than the window, the present disclosure can be applied.

Depending on the installation environment, the air conditioner may be installed with the windows always open, but as shown, it may be installed so that the exterior windows can be opened or closed at the user's choice.

When installed in a state where the window can be opened or closed according to the user's choice, the air conditioner can operate in various environments such as wide open/partially open/closed windows.

If the air conditioner is operating with the windows wide open, exposing the back (or most of the back) of the air conditioner to the outside, normal operation is possible in this normal environment.

However, if the air conditioner operates with the window closed, or if the exhaust port that discharges the heated air to the outside is covered by the window as shown in FIG. 4, heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger does not proceed smoothly, causing the temperature on the outdoor heat exchanger to rise. Specifically, the hot air discharged from the outdoor exhaust port (20) of the air conditioner may not be discharged to the outside, but may be blocked by the window and flow into the outdoor air intake port (30) of the air conditioner. In other words, since the hot air discharged from the outdoor exhaust port (20) flows directly into the outdoor air intake port (30) of the air conditioner, the outdoor heat exchanger may not perform heat exchange smoothly.

In addition, since the hot air discharged from the external exhaust port (20) remains in the rear area of the air conditioner, deformation of the outdoor fan or the outdoor unit cover may occur. In addition, deformation of not only the air conditioner but also the window frame or window on which the air conditioner is installed may occur.

Therefore, the air conditioner needs a way to determine whether the window is closed or not opened enough.

Accordingly, the present disclosure uses a temperature sensor disposed at the rear of an air conditioner as described above to determine whether a window is open or the open state of the window by using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

Meanwhile, if the window is determined to be open only based on whether the temperature measured by the temperature sensor described above is above a certain temperature, there is a problem that the detection time is long. Specifically, the air conditioner can determine the window closing state by comparing the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor with a preset temperature value. However, the fact that the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor reaches the preset temperature value means that the air conditioner (100) has been operated for a certain period of time (for example, 30 minutes or more). However, the air conditioner (100) may be damaged or the window frame (or window) may be damaged due to the high temperature air emitted from the air conditioner (100) during the operation.

In order to solve these problems, the present disclosure uses temperature information received through a temperature sensor disposed at the rear of the air conditioner as described above, and determines whether the window is closed based on the temperature change rate (or temperature change degree). In the following, for ease of explanation, the expression “determining whether the window is closed” is used, but whether the window is closed includes not only a state where the window is closed, but also a state where the window is not sufficiently open and the air discharged from the exhaust port of the air conditioner is not sufficiently discharged to the external environment.

The specific detection operation is described below with reference to Fig. 5.

FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining an operation for determining a window closing state according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the cooling operation mode is set (or the cooling operation starts), the air conditioner (100) checks the temperature detected by the temperature sensor at preset time intervals. When the cooling operation mode is operated, high temperature air is discharged from the exhaust port, so the temperature measured by the temperature sensor gradually increases. Here, the setting of the cooling operation mode includes not only the user commanding the air conditioner (100) to operate the cooling function, but also the cooling function of the air conditioner (100) being activated when the reservation operation or the measured indoor temperature becomes higher than the preset temperature and meets the preset conditions.

However, the temperature increase patterns are different when the exhaust port is completely exposed to the outside and when the exhaust port is not exposed to the outside. Specifically, when the exhaust port is completely exposed to the outside, the air discharged from the exhaust port is quickly discharged to the outside, so the temperature increase measured by the temperature sensor is not large, and even if it operates for a long time, the measured temperature does not differ by more than a certain degree from the actual outdoor temperature.

However, if the exhaust port is closed or obscured by a window, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor located at the rear of the air conditioner (100) increases more rapidly than when it is open, and the maximum temperature measured also has a very large difference from the actual outdoor temperature.

In this respect, in the present disclosure, the degree of temperature change of the temperature sensor arranged at the rear is confirmed, and the confirmed degree of temperature change (or temperature change rate) is used to confirm whether the window is opened. Here, the temperature change rate represents the degree of temperature increase within a certain time unit, and the certain time unit may be 1 minute. Accordingly, the temperature change rate described above may be a temperature value change that increases per minute. However, such values are not examples, and the time unit described above may be expressed differently. In addition, the temperature value and the temperature change rate may be expressed in units of Celsius, but units of Fahrenheit may also be used.

In this way, by using the degree of temperature change to determine whether a window is open, it is possible to determine whether the window is open much more quickly than before. For example, while the existing detection method takes about 30 minutes, the method according to the present disclosure allows the window to be identified in 1 to 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in the following, for the sake of easy explanation, it is described that the window-closed state is identified based on the temperature change described above, but the window-closed state described above includes a state in which the window is not opened more than a certain amount (for example, the window is not completely closed, but the exhaust port at the rear of the air conditioner is covered by the window). In addition, it may be referred to as identifying a situation in which it is difficult to exhibit the cooling performance of the air conditioner (100) or a situation in which heat exchange cannot be smoothly performed in the outdoor heat exchanger, rather than a window-closed state.

Meanwhile, in the above, it is illustrated that only the degree of temperature increase is used to determine whether the window is open, but various additional conditions can be considered during implementation, and it is also possible to determine whether the window is open using additional conditions.

For example, there may be a case where the air conditioner is operated with the window closed and the cooling operation is stopped based on the temperature increase rate, but the user does not open the window and restarts the air conditioner.

In such a case, the air in the indoor space where the temperature sensor located at the rear of the air conditioner is located is already at a high temperature due to the closed cooling operation, so the temperature increase per preset time unit in the high temperature state may not be large compared to the initial operation. In order to identify such a case, the air conditioner (100) checks the temperature at the time of initial operation, and if the temperature of the checked temperature sensor is higher than the preset temperature and the measured temperature value higher than the preset temperature continues for a certain period of time (for example, 3 minutes), it can be identified that the operation was performed with the window closed.

For example, the preset temperature described above may be 55 degrees, and the preset temperature may be changed according to the outdoor temperature (or weather conditions). In the case of high solar irradiance in the summer, the external measured temperature may be higher than 55 degrees, and thus, the preset temperature described above may be 65 degrees instead of 55 degrees depending on the external temperature. This preset temperature may be changed in proportion to the external temperature, or may be set to a temperature corresponding to a temperature range to which the external temperature belongs. In addition, the preset temperature may be lowered as well as increased. The numerical range described above (temperature value and time) is an example and may vary depending on the implementation environment and the performance of the air conditioner. An operation of changing the preset temperature described above using the external temperature (or weather information) will be described later in FIG. 6.

In addition, whether or not to close the window based on the temperature change described above may not only use the value measured from the temperature sensor of the air conditioner, but also consider other factors.

For example, when the air conditioner starts operating in the cooling operation mode, the air discharged from the exhaust vent rises rapidly, and this rise can be rapid not only when the window is closed but also when it is fully open. Therefore, if the air conditioner determines whether the window is closed based only on the temperature increase rate in the initial state when the air conditioner is operating in the cooling operation mode, there is a possibility of malfunction. Therefore, the air conditioner can determine whether the window is closed based on the temperature change only when the initial operation temperature is equal to or greater than the preset temperature difference (for example, 11 degrees) from the currently measured temperature, or when the temperature measured by the pipe temperature sensor of the compressor is equal to or greater than 95 degrees, in addition to the temperature increase rate. Here, the pipe temperature sensor can be the temperature measured by the pipe temperature sensor illustrated in FIG. 1 above.

In this way, the air conditioner according to the present disclosure can determine whether a window is closed using conditions corresponding to various cases as well as one condition. An example of determining whether a window is closed using three conditions will be described below with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, the air conditioner (100) may include an input interface (110), a communication device (120), an output interface (130), a sensor (140), a control unit (150) and a cooling device (200).

The input interface (110) may include any type of user input means including buttons, switches, a touch screen, and/or a touch pad. The user may directly input setting data (e.g., desired indoor temperature, operation mode setting for cooling/heating/dehumidification/air purification, outlet selection setting, and/or wind speed setting) through the input interface. In addition, the user may input not only the current operating condition of the air conditioner (100), but also a reservation operation, a start condition of the reservation operation (e.g., information on the operating time, an operating condition (room temperature above a certain temperature), etc.) through the above-described input interface.

The input interface (110) may also be connected to an external input device. For example, the input interface may be electrically connected to a wired remote controller. The wired remote controller may be installed at a specific location in an indoor space (e.g., a portion of a wall).

A user can input setting data regarding the operation of the air conditioner (100) by operating a wired remote controller. An electrical signal corresponding to the setting data obtained through the wired remote controller can be transmitted to the input interface.

Additionally, the input interface may include an infrared sensor. The user may input setting data regarding the operation of the air conditioner (100) remotely using a wireless remote controller. Setting data input via the wireless remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface as an infrared signal.

In addition, the input interface (110) may include a microphone. A user's voice command may be acquired through the microphone. The microphone may convert the user's voice command into an electrical signal and transmit the converted electrical signal to the control unit (150). The control unit (150) may control the components of the air conditioner to execute a function corresponding to the user's voice command.

Setting data (e.g., desired indoor temperature, operation mode setting for cooling/heating/dehumidification/air purification, outlet selection setting, and/or wind speed setting) acquired through the input interface (110) may be transmitted to the control unit (150) described below. In one example, setting data acquired through the input interface (110) may be transmitted externally through a communication device.

The sensor (140) may be an environmental sensor disposed in a space inside or outside the housing. For example, the sensor may include one or more temperature sensors and/or humidity sensors disposed in a predetermined space inside or outside the housing (for example, the rear of the air conditioner as illustrated in FIG. 2, or the compressor piping as illustrated in FIG. 1). For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor (270) for detecting a refrigerant temperature of a refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include respective refrigerant temperature sensors for detecting inlet, middle, and/or outlet temperatures of refrigerant pipes passing through the indoor heat exchanger.

For example, each environmental information detected by an indoor unit sensor may be transmitted to a control unit (150) described below or transmitted externally through a communication device (120).

The communication device (120) may include at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-range communication module. The communication device (120) may include at least one antenna for wirelessly communicating with another device.

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, a UWB (ultrawideband) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc.

The long-distance communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of long-distance communication and may include a mobile communication unit. The mobile communication unit transmits and receives a wireless signal with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.

The communication device (120) can communicate with external devices such as a server, a mobile device, or other home appliances through a surrounding access point (AP). The access point (AP) can connect a local area network (LAN) to which the air conditioner or user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The air conditioner or user device can be connected to the server through the wide area network (WAN).

The communication device (120) can receive weather information through an external server (e.g., a server providing weather information, a manufacturer server, etc.). Here, the weather information can include information on outdoor temperature, weather conditions (cloudy, clear, etc.), ultraviolet index, etc.

The control unit (150) can be electrically connected to each component of the cooling device (200) and can control the operation of each component. For example, the control unit (150) can adjust the frequency of the compressor and control the flow switching valve so that the circulation direction of the refrigerant is switched. The control unit (150) can adjust the rotation speed of the outdoor fan. In addition, the control unit (!50) can generate a control signal for adjusting the opening degree of the expansion valve. Under the control of the control unit (150), the refrigerant can be circulated along the refrigerant circulation circuit including the compressor, the flow switching valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the indoor heat exchanger.

The various temperature sensors included in the air conditioner (100) can transmit electrical signals corresponding to the detected temperatures to the control unit (150). For example, the humidity sensors included in the air conditioner (100) can transmit electrical signals corresponding to the detected humidity to the control unit (150).

The control unit (150) can obtain user input from a user terminal device including a mobile device, etc., through a communication device (120), and can obtain user input directly through an input interface (110) or through a remote controller.

The control unit (150) can control components within the cooling device (1200), including a blower, etc., in response to received user input.

The control unit (150) can control the components of the cooling device (200), including the compressor, etc., based on information about the user input received from the indoor unit. For example, when the control unit (150) receives a control signal corresponding to a user input for selecting an operation mode such as cooling operation, heating operation, ventilation operation, defrosting operation, or dehumidifying operation, the control unit (150) can control the components of the cooling device (200) so that the operation of the air conditioner corresponding to the selected operation mode is performed.

The control unit (150) may include at least one processor (151) and at least one memory (152).

The memory (152) can store/remember various information necessary for the operation of the air conditioner. The memory (152) can store instructions, applications, data, and/or programs necessary for the operation of the air conditioner. For example, the memory (152) can store various programs for cooling operation, heating operation, dehumidification operation, and/or defrosting operation of the air conditioner. The memory (152) can include volatile memory such as S-RAM (Static Random Access Memory, S-RAM) and D-RAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing data. In addition, the memory (152) can include nonvolatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) for long-term storage of data.

The memory (152) can store temperature information measured by the initial temperature sensor when the air conditioner is initially operated. Alternatively, the memory (152) can store temperature information measured periodically by the temperature sensor.

The processor (151) can generate a control signal for controlling the operation of the air conditioner (100) based on instructions, applications, data and/or programs stored in the memory (152).

The processor (151) is hardware and may include logic circuits and operation circuits. The processor (151) may process data according to a program and/or instructions provided from the memory (152) and generate a control signal according to the processing result. The memory (152) and the processor (151) may be implemented as one control circuit or implemented as multiple circuits.

When the cooling operation mode is input (or a cooling command), the processor (151) can control the cooling device (200) to perform a cooling operation. Specifically, the processor (151) can control the fan to transmit heat generated in the heat exchanger. When implemented, even when the cooling operation mode is not input, when a situation matches the reservation information set in advance by the user, the processor (151) can control the cooling device (200) to automatically perform a cooling operation.

And the processor (151) can perform a series of detection operations to determine whether the window is closed. Specifically, the processor (151) can generate temperature change information using temperature information detected by a temperature sensor at preset time intervals.

For example, when a command to perform an operation in a cooling operation mode is input, the processor (151) can store the temperature detected by the temperature sensor as the initial operation temperature in the memory (152). Then, the processor (151) can generate temperature change information based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor after a preset time. Such temperature change information can be simply a temperature difference value between two times, or can be calculated as a temperature increase rate in a preset time unit (for example, a temperature increase of several degrees per second).

And, if the temperature change information causes a preset temperature change in a preset time unit or the detected temperature is maintained for a preset time or longer, the processor (151) determines that the window is closed and can terminate the cooling operation mode.

In addition, the processor (151) can perform the above-described termination judgment when a preset condition is met. For example, the processor (151) can determine that the closed state is established under conditions such as when the temperature measured by the pipe temperature sensor is higher than the preset temperature, when the initial temperature is lower than the preset temperature, or when the difference between the initial temperature and the current temperature is higher than a certain value.

In addition, the processor (151) can obtain outdoor weather information using the communication device (120), and can set a preset reference temperature using the outdoor weather information. For example, when the outside temperature is high, a preset reference temperature in a high state can be set, and when the outside temperature is low, a preset temperature in a low state can be set. For example, when the outside temperature is less than 30 degrees, a reference temperature of 55 degrees can be used, and when the outside temperature is 30 degrees or more, a reference temperature of 65 degrees can be used. Meanwhile, in the above-described example, an example of using a different reference temperature depending on whether it is a single criterion (for example, whether the outside temperature is 30 degrees or more or less) was given, but the above-described criterion can be divided more subtly when implemented. In addition, when implemented, it is also possible to calculate the reference temperature by inputting a preset calculation formula for the outside temperature.

In addition, although the present disclosure describes calculating or determining a reference temperature in an air conditioner (100), it is also possible to operate by receiving reference temperature information from an external server (not shown) during implementation.

In addition, during implementation, it is also possible to set the above-described reference temperature based on the installation environment (information input by the user or the installation engineer) of the air conditioner (100) as well as the external temperature. For example, the influence of the outdoor temperature on a window located in a position that directly receives sunlight and a window located in a position that does not may be different, and in the case of a window located between a veranda and a room and not directly exposed to the outdoor space, it may not be greatly affected by the influence of the outdoor environment. Therefore, the air conditioner (100) may set the above-described reference information based on the above-described installation environment.

The output interface (130) is electrically connected to the control unit (150) and can output information related to the operation of the air conditioner under the control of the control unit (150). For example, information such as the operating mode, wind direction, wind volume, and temperature selected by the user input can be output. In addition, the output interface (130) can output sensing information acquired from a sensor and warning/error messages.

The output interface (130) may include a display and a speaker. The speaker may output various sounds as an acoustic device. The display may display information input by a user or information provided to a user as various graphic elements. For example, operation information of an air conditioner may be displayed as at least one of an image or text. In addition, the display may include an indicator that provides specific information. The display may include an LCD panel (Liquid Crystal Display Panel), an LED panel (Light Emitting Diode Panel), an OLED panel (Organic Light Emitting Diode Panel), a micro LED panel, and/or a plurality of LEDs.

And when an error such as a window closed state is confirmed, the output interface (130) can display a message guiding the window closed state or output it by voice, and can also output a message or voice requesting the opening of the window to resolve the error. In addition, provision of such error information can be provided to the user terminal device through the communication device (120).

The cooling device (200) may include a refrigerant circuit. The specific configuration of the cooling device (200) is described in FIG. 1, and a duplicate description is omitted.

Meanwhile, although the basic configuration of the air conditioner is illustrated and described in FIG. 6, some of the illustrated configurations may be omitted during implementation, and additional configurations not illustrated may be provided.

For example, an air conditioner may include a power module for supplying power to each component within the air conditioner. For example, the power module may be connected to an external power source to supply power to each component within the air conditioner.

FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining the operation of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to Fig. 7, when the window of the window frame on which the air conditioner is installed is closed (710), the user can input a cooling command to the air conditioner through the remote control (10).

When a cooling command is input, the air conditioner (100) can control the cooling device (200) so that cold air can be discharged through the indoor exhaust port. At this time, the air conditioner (100) can store temperature information measured from the temperature sensor in the memory.

Meanwhile, since the operation is performed with the window closed, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor rises more rapidly than when the window is closed, and the air conditioner (100) can confirm that the operation was performed with the window closed based on this temperature change.

Accordingly, the air conditioner (100) may stop (or suspend) the cooling operation and display an error code (or error message) (730).

At this time, if the air conditioner (100) can communicate with the user terminal device (300), it may transmit information so that the information that the window is closed is displayed on the user terminal device (300).

If the user opens the window and restarts the air conditioner due to the display of such a notification or error message, the air conditioner (100) can perform normal cooling operation again.

Meanwhile, if the user restarts the air conditioner without opening the window after the error is displayed, as described above in Fig. 5, the temperature measured at the time of the air conditioner's operation is relatively high, and if it is maintained in that state for a certain period of time (e.g., 3 minutes), the cooling operation can be terminated by determining that the window is closed more quickly than before.

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram for explaining the operation of each component of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the operation timing of each component of the air conditioner is illustrated. First, the first waveform (810) is an operation waveform of the compressor (210) (Comp), the second waveform (820) is an operation waveform of the blower (260) (Fan in), the third waveform (830) is an operation waveform of the outdoor fan (250) (Fan Out), the fourth waveform (840) is a temperature value measured by a temperature sensor (Outdoor Temp) disposed at the rear of the air conditioner, and the fifth waveform (850) is a temperature value measured by a pipe temperature sensor (Discharge Temp) that detects the compressor pipe temperature.

First, when a cooling command is input (or when the performance of the cooling function is triggered), the system is turned on and the blower (260) operates first, and then the compressor (210) may operate. In response to the operation of the compressor (210), the outdoor fan (250) also operates.

And the air conditioner (100) can periodically measure and store the temperature value of the temperature sensor. In the illustrated example, as the compressor (210) operates with the window closed, the air discharged from the exhaust port (20) is not discharged to the outdoor space, but is introduced into the air conditioner (100) through the intake port (30), and it can be confirmed that the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor continues to rise over time. In this way, if the rate of increase of the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor is above a certain value, the air conditioner (100) can determine that the window is closed.

Alternatively, if the temperature rise value is greater than or equal to a preset value and the difference between the initial temperature and the measured temperature is greater than or equal to a certain value, it may be determined that the window is closed. Here, the initial temperature may be the temperature measured by the temperature sensor at the time when the compressor (210) is started by receiving a command from the user to start the cooling operation mode. Meanwhile, the initial temperature described above may be the temperature at the time when the air conditioner is first turned on, not at the time when the compressor (210) is started, and may be the temperature at the time when the user receives a command to start the cooling operation mode. Alternatively, all temperature values measured at the above-described times, etc. may be stored, and the lowest temperature value among the stored temperature values may be used, or the average of the corresponding temperature values may be used.

Additionally, as explained above, if the pipe temperature exceeds a preset value, the window is judged to be closed and the air conditioner can stop cooling.

If it is determined that the window is closed, the air conditioner may display an error message and stop the operation of the compressor (210) and the outdoor fan. As the operation of the compressor is stopped in this way, not only the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor but also the discharge temperature of the compressor (or the pipe temperature sensor) drops.

If the user later recognizes the window closed situation, opens the window, and restarts the air conditioner (set restart), the compressor and outdoor fan can restart.

And in response to the user's operation termination command, the operation of the compressor can be terminated, and after the termination of the operation of the compressor, the outdoor fan operates for an additional set period of time and then stops, and if the automatic drying function is activated thereafter, the indoor fan also operates for an additional set period of time and then stops.

Meanwhile, although the illustrated example illustrates and explains that the compressor and outdoor fan are continuously operated during the cooling operation mode, when implemented, operation may be temporarily stopped when the temperature of the indoor space falls below a temperature specified by the user.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a method for controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to Fig. 9, when the cooling operation mode is set (S910), the fan is controlled to discharge the heat generated in the heat exchanger to the exhaust port (S920).

And the temperature of the temperature sensor arranged at the rear of the air conditioner is detected at preset time intervals (S930). Specifically, when an operation execution command in the cooling operation mode is input, the first temperature detected by the temperature sensor is stored in the memory, and temperature change information can be generated based on the second temperature detected by the temperature sensor after a preset time. For example, the temperature change information can be calculated based on the difference value between the first temperature and the second temperature, or the temperature increase rate in the preset time unit can be calculated as the temperature change information. At this time, the temperature change information can be generated using the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor at a preset cycle after the preset time. Here, the preset cycle can be 5 to 30 seconds.

And the operation of the cooling operation mode is terminated based on the temperature change information generated using the temperature information detected at preset time intervals (S940). The specific operation of determining the termination of the operation of the cooling operation mode using the temperature information is described later with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining whether there is an error state using temperature information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, the temperature can be detected at a preset time unit (S1010). At this time, the temperature used may be the temperature measured by the temperature sensor located at the rear of the air conditioner described above and the temperature measured from the piping temperature of the compressor inside the air conditioner. For example, the temperature value can be measured from the above-described sensor at a preset cycle (e.g., 5 to 30 seconds). Although this drawing illustrates and describes the use of temperature information detected by two temperature sensors, the implementation may be implemented in a form that uses only the information of the temperature sensor located at the rear of the air conditioner, and temperature information measured from other temperature sensors other than the two temperature sensors described above may also be used.

And the air conditioner (100) can store the first measured temperature information as an initial temperature in the memory. Here, the initial temperature may be the temperature at the time when the air conditioner (100) operates in cooling mode, the temperature at the time when the air conditioner (100) is powered on, or the temperature measured at the time when a cooling start command is input from the user. Or, rather than a temperature value measured at a specific time, it may be an average temperature of the above-described time points, or an average temperature of temperature values measured during a certain period of operation based on the above-described time points.

First, it can be determined whether the measured temperature is higher than the preset temperature (or reference temperature) (S1020). Here, the preset temperature is a reference temperature for determining whether the temperature at the rear of the air conditioner is high, and can be, for example, 55 degrees. In this way, the preset temperature value can be changed based on weather information received from an external server. For example, if the external outdoor temperature is 30 degrees or higher, the above-mentioned reference temperature can be 65 degrees.

Meanwhile, when implementing, the reference temperature described above can be changed in various ways when using external weather information. For example, if the outdoor temperature is 20 to 30˚, the reference temperature can be 55 degrees, and if it is 30˚ or higher, the reference temperature can be 65 degrees, so that a reference temperature corresponding to the outdoor temperature range can be used. Alternatively, the reference temperature described above can be calculated and used based on a calculation formula based on a specific outdoor temperature value. For example, if the outdoor temperature is 25˚, the reference temperature becomes 55 degrees, and whenever the outdoor temperature increases by 1 degree from the reference temperature, the reference temperature also increases by 1 degree, or a certain weight can be applied to the increase amount.

In addition, when implementing, rather than using only the outdoor temperature value, information such as weather conditions (e.g., flow, rain) can be considered, so that the range of change in the reference temperature is reduced in weather conditions such as flow and rain, and the range of increase in the reference temperature is increased in weather with a high UV index or clear weather.

If the measured temperature is higher than the preset reference temperature, it can be determined whether the state above the reference temperature is maintained for a preset time or longer (S1030). For example, as described above in FIG. 5, if the air conditioner is started to cool with the window closed, but the user restarts the air conditioner without opening the window, the initial measured temperature may be higher than the reference temperature described above. Therefore, if the initial measured temperature is higher than the reference temperature described above and the state above the reference temperature is maintained for a certain period of time (for example, 3 minutes), it can be determined that the window is closed. The above-described period of time is not an example, and a different value may be used during implementation. In addition, the above-described period of time may also change depending on the outdoor temperature and/or weather conditions, as in the example of the reference temperature changing described above.

Specifically, the air conditioner (100) can start a timer if the measured temperature is higher than a preset reference temperature and periodically compare the time information of the timer with the periodically measured temperature. Here, the timer can be configured to increment and output a value every certain time unit (e.g., 1 second).

For example, after the timer is started, if the next measured temperature is still higher than the preset temperature, the counting value of the above-described timer may be kept increasing, and it may be checked whether the counting value is higher than the preset value (i.e., the value corresponding to the preset time). If the counting value is lower than the preset value, the current state may be maintained until the next temperature information is detected. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, after a temperature higher than the preset temperature is detected, an operation may be performed to determine whether a high temperature state is continuously maintained for a predetermined time (e.g., for 3 minutes), as illustrated in FIG. 10. Accordingly, in FIG. 10, if the high temperature state is not maintained for the preset time or longer (S1030-N), step S1030 is performed again. However, if the high temperature maintenance is not maintained for the preset time or longer (S1030-N), it may also be implemented in a form of returning to the initial step (S1010).

Meanwhile, after the timer is started, if the next measured temperature is lower than the preset temperature (reference temperature), instead of determining whether the high temperature state is maintained, a step of determining the temperature rise rate may be performed as described below. Meanwhile, in the implementation, if the timer is started as described above, instead of performing the process of checking the temperature rise rate, it is also possible to determine only whether the periodically detected temperature for the preset time remains higher than the reference temperature. In this case, if the temporarily measured temperature falls below the preset temperature, the timer operation may be paused, and if the temperature again becomes higher than the preset temperature, the timer may be restarted. In addition, if a temperature lower than the reference temperature is detected, the timer may be initialized and return to the previous initial step.

If the measured temperature is not higher than the preset reference temperature (S1020-N), it can be determined whether the temperature rise rate in the preset time unit is higher than the preset rise rate (S1040). The comparison operation of the temperature rise rate is described in detail in Fig. 5, and thus a duplicate description is omitted.

If it is not more than the preset rate of increase, it is checked whether the difference between the currently measured temperature and the initial temperature is more than the preset temperature difference (e.g., 11 degrees) (S1050), and it is checked whether the piping temperature of the compressor is more than the preset temperature (e.g., 95 degrees) (S1060). If the currently measured temperature is more than the preset temperature difference from the initial temperature and the piping temperature is more than the preset temperature, it can also be determined that the window is closed.

As described above, the control method according to the present disclosure can not only detect when the measured outside temperature is above a certain temperature, but also confirm that the window is closed or the window on the exhaust side is closed when the rate of increase of the measured outside temperature is above a preset rate of increase, thereby making it possible to more quickly confirm whether or not there is exchange with outside air. In addition, since the state of the window being closed, etc. can be confirmed more quickly, it is possible to more quickly prevent the window or window frame, etc. from being deformed by high-temperature air emitted from the exhaust port.

Meanwhile, in illustrating and explaining FIG. 10, it is illustrated and explained that the three judgment operations of a) first checking whether the detected temperature is a preset temperature (S1020, S1030), b) then checking the temperature rise rate (S1040), and c) checking the temperature difference (S1050, S1060) are sequentially used to check whether the window is closed. However, when implemented, the three judgment operations described above may be performed in parallel and simultaneously, or may be determined in a different order than the illustrated order. In addition, when implemented, additional operations may be used in addition to the three judgment operations described above, and some of the three judgment operations described above may be implemented in an omitted form.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the various embodiments described above may be implemented as software including instructions stored in a machine-readable storage media that can be read by a machine (e.g., a computer). The device may include an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (A)) according to the disclosed embodiments, which is a device that calls instructions stored from the storage media and can operate according to the called instructions. When an instruction is executed by a processor, the processor may directly or under the control of the processor use other components to perform a function corresponding to the instruction. The instruction may include code generated or executed by a compiler or an interpreter. The machine-readable storage media may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage media. Here, 'non-transitory' means that the storage media does not include a signal and is tangible, but does not distinguish between data being stored semi-permanently or temporarily in the storage media.

In addition, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method according to the various embodiments described above may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between sellers and buyers as a commodity. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a storage medium readable by a machine (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)) or online through an application store (e.g., Play StoreTM). In the case of online distribution, at least a part of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a storage medium such as a memory of a manufacturer's server, a server of an application store, or a relay server.

In addition, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the various embodiments described above can be implemented in a recording medium that can be read by a computer or a similar device using software, hardware, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the embodiments described in this specification can be implemented by the processor itself. According to a software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described in this specification can be implemented by separate software modules. Each of the software modules can perform one or more functions and operations described in this specification.

Meanwhile, computer instructions for performing processing operations of a device according to the various embodiments described above may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium, when executed by a processor of a specific device, cause the specific device to perform processing operations in the device according to the various embodiments described above. The non-transitory computer-readable medium refers to a medium that stores data semi-permanently and can be read by a device, rather than a medium that stores data for a short period of time, such as a register, a cache, or a memory. Specific examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium may include a CD, a DVD, a hard disk, a Blu-ray disk, a USB, a memory card, or a ROM.

In addition, each of the components (e.g., modules or programs) according to the various embodiments described above may be composed of a single or multiple entities, and some of the corresponding sub-components described above may be omitted, or other sub-components may be further included in various embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, some of the components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single entity, which may perform the same or similar functions performed by each of the corresponding components prior to integration. Operations performed by modules, programs or other components according to various embodiments may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively or heuristically, or at least some of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or other operations may be added.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made by a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the gist of the present disclosure as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be individually understood from the technical idea or prospect of the present disclosure.

Claims (15)

In air conditioners, An exhaust port located at the rear of the air conditioner; A fan that transmits the heat generated from the heat exchanger to the exhaust port; A temperature sensor positioned at the rear of the air conditioner to detect the rear temperature of the air conditioner; One or more memories storing at least one instruction; and comprising one or more processors operating based on at least one instruction; One or more of the above processors, An air conditioner that controls the fan so that heat generated in the heat exchanger is discharged when the cooling operation mode is set, and determines the termination of the cooling operation mode based on temperature change information generated using temperature information detected by the temperature sensor at preset time intervals. In the first paragraph, One or more of the above processors, An air conditioner which, when a command to operate in the cooling operation mode is input, stores the first temperature detected by the temperature sensor in the memory, and generates the temperature change information based on the second temperature detected by the temperature sensor after a preset time. In the second paragraph, One or more of the above processors, An air conditioner that calculates temperature change information based on the difference value between the first temperature and the second temperature, or calculates a temperature increase rate in a preset time unit as temperature change information. In the second paragraph, One or more of the above processors, An air conditioner that generates temperature change information by using temperature information detected by the temperature sensor at preset intervals after the preset time. In paragraph 4, An air conditioner wherein the preset cycle is 5 to 30 seconds. In the first paragraph, One or more of the above processors, An air conditioner that determines to terminate the cooling operation mode when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is higher than a preset reference temperature for a preset period of time. In Article 6, Further comprising a communication device for receiving outdoor weather information; One or more of the above processors, An air conditioner that sets a reference temperature based on the above outdoor weather information. In the first paragraph, Further comprising a pipe temperature sensor for detecting the compressor pipe temperature; One or more of the above processors, An air conditioner that determines to terminate the cooling operation mode based on the generated temperature change information when the temperature detected by the pipe temperature sensor is higher than a preset temperature. In the first paragraph, Further comprising an intake port disposed at the rear of the air conditioner; The above temperature sensor, An air conditioner disposed in a middle region of the intake port and the exhaust port among the upper regions of the intake port and the exhaust port. In the first paragraph, display; including more; One or more of the above processors, An air conditioner that controls the display to display error information when the operation of the cooling operation mode is terminated based on the temperature change information. In the first paragraph, Further comprising a communication device communicating with a user terminal device; One or more of the above processors, An air conditioner that controls the communication device to transmit error information to the user terminal device when the operation of the cooling operation mode is terminated based on the temperature change information. In a method for controlling an air conditioner, When the cooling operation mode is set, a step of controlling the fan to discharge the heat generated in the heat exchanger to the exhaust port; A step of detecting the temperature of a temperature sensor placed at the rear of the air conditioner at preset time intervals; and A control method comprising: a step of terminating the operation of the cooling operation mode based on temperature change information generated using temperature information detected at the preset time interval; In Article 12, The above detection step is, A control method for storing a first temperature detected by the temperature sensor in a memory when a command to perform an operation in the cooling operation mode is input, and generating temperature change information based on a second temperature detected by the temperature sensor after a preset time. In Article 13, The above detection step is, A control method for calculating temperature change information based on the difference value between the first temperature and the second temperature, or calculating a temperature increase rate in a preset time unit as temperature change information. A computer-readable recording medium comprising a program for executing a method for controlling an air conditioner, The above control method is, When the cooling operation mode is set, a step of controlling the fan to discharge the heat generated in the heat exchanger to the exhaust port; A step of detecting the temperature of a temperature sensor placed at the rear of the air conditioner at preset time intervals; and A computer-readable recording medium comprising: a step of terminating the operation of the cooling operation mode based on temperature change information generated using temperature information detected at the preset time interval;

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