OUTDOOR UNIT OF AIR CONDITIONER, AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/KR2023/012672 designating the United States, filed on Aug. 25, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Receiving Office and claiming priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0136714, filed on Oct. 21, 2022, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Field

The disclosure relates to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and a control method therefor, and for example, to an outdoor unit that performs one-way communication with an indoor unit of an air conditioner, and a control method therefor.

Description of Related Art

Recently, air conditioners for maintaining a pleasant indoor environment by adjusting the temperature, humidity, cleanliness, and air currents, etc. of an indoor space are being distributed.

An air conditioner includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, and each of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit includes a fan motor. Here, a fan motor may be implemented as an AC motor or a DC motor, etc.

An AC motor may operate by a single rotation, but the number of rotations of a DC motor is variable, and thus there is an advantage that the number of rotations can be adjusted to the number of rotations that is more appropriate for an operation state of an air conditioner.

However, for adjusting the number of rotations of a DC motor included in an outdoor unit to the number of rotations that is more appropriate for an operation state of an air conditioner, it is necessary that a processor that can perform complex operation processing is included inside the outdoor unit, or the outdoor unit performs two-way communication with the indoor unit and receives information related to the number of rotations of the DC motor included in the outdoor unit (or, the driving frequency of the DC motor).

Also, for including a processor that can perform complex operation processing or a communication module that can perform two-way communication in an outdoor unit, the production cost of the outdoor unit increases. Thus, there has been a demand for various methods for adjusting the number of rotations of a DC motor included in an outdoor unit to be appropriate for an operation state of an air conditioner.

SUMMARY

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an air conditioner includes: a compressor, a fan motor, a temperature sensor, a communication interface comprising communication circuitry, and at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, individually and/or collectively, configured to: based on receiving operation frequency information of the compressor from an indoor unit of an air conditioner through the communication interface, control the compressor based on the operation frequency information, identify a driving frequency corresponding to the operation frequency of the compressor and an outdoor temperature received from the temperature sensor, and control the fan motor at the identified driving frequency.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, a method of controlling an air conditioner includes: based on receiving operation frequency information of a compressor from an indoor unit of the air conditioner, controlling the compressor based on the operation frequency information, identifying a driving frequency of an outdoor unit fan corresponding to the operation frequency of the compressor and an outdoor temperature, and controlling an outdoor unit fan motor at the identified driving frequency.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium including a program which, when executed by at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, of an air conditioner, causes the air conditioner to perform a method for controlling the air conditioner including: based on receiving operation frequency information of a compressor from an indoor unit of the air conditioner, controlling the compressor based on the operation frequency information, identifying a driving frequency of an outdoor unit fan corresponding to the operation frequency of the compressor and an outdoor temperature, and controlling an outdoor unit fan motor at the identified driving frequency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating refrigerant circuitry of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit according to various embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating information related to a driving frequency according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of an outdoor unit that controls a fan motor by identifying a driving frequency according to various embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of an outdoor unit that re-identifies a driving frequency after a predetermined time passes according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of an outdoor unit that controls a fan motor at a driving frequency set in advance at the time of initial driving of the outdoor unit according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Terms used in this disclosure will be described briefly, and then the disclosure will be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings.

As terms used in the disclosure, general terms that are currently used widely were selected as far as possible, in consideration of the functions described in the disclosure. However, the terms may vary depending on the intention of those skilled in the art, previous court decisions, or emergence of new technologies, etc. Also, in some cases, there may be terms that are arbitrarily selected, and in such cases, the meaning of the terms will be described in detail in the relevant descriptions in the disclosure. Accordingly, the terms used in the disclosure should be defined based on the meaning of the terms and the overall content of the disclosure, not just based on the names of the terms.

Various modifications may be made to the various embodiments of the disclosure, and there may be various types of embodiments. Accordingly, various example embodiments will be illustrated in drawings, and the various example embodiments will be described in detail in the detailed description. However, it should be noted that the various embodiments are intended to limit the scope of the disclosure to a specific embodiment, but they should be interpreted to include all modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the various embodiments included in the ideas and the technical scope disclosed herein. In case it is determined that in describing various embodiments, detailed explanation of related known technologies may unnecessarily confuse the gist of the disclosure, the detailed explanation may be omitted.

Terms such as ‘the first,’ ‘the second,’ etc. may be used to describe various elements, but the terms are not intended to limit the elements. The terms are used simply for the purpose of distinguishing one element from another element.

Singular expressions include plural expressions, unless defined clearly differently in the context. In the disclosure, terms such as “include” and “consist of” should be construed as designating that there are such characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or a combination thereof described in the disclosure, but not as excluding in advance the existence or possibility of adding one or more of other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or a combination thereof.

In the disclosure, “a module” or “a part” performs at least one function or operation, and may be implemented as hardware or software, or as a combination of hardware and software. In addition, a plurality of “modules” or “parts” may be integrated into at least one module and implemented as at least one processor, except “a module” or “a part” that needs to be implemented as specific hardware.

Hereinafter, various example embodiments of the disclosure will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosure may be implemented in several different forms, and is not limited to the various example embodiments described herein. In the drawings, parts that are not related to explanation of the disclosure may have been omitted, to explain the disclosure clearly, and throughout the disclosure, similar components were designated by similar reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating refrigerant circuitry of an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

An air conditioner 1000 according to an embodiment of the disclosure is an air conditioning device, an air adjustment device, and an air conditioning system, and may refer, for example, to devices in various types that maintain an indoor space to be pleasant through heating, cooling, humidity reduction (or dehumidification), humidification, ventilation, etc.

As an example, the air conditioner 1000 may be implemented as a fan heater, a heater, an air conditioner that can perform both of heating and cooling, etc. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the air conditioner 1000 may be implemented as devices in various types that can increase or decrease an indoor temperature, and the disclosure can be applied even to a device that can only perform any one operation from among cooling or heating. Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, explanation will be described by assuming the air conditioner 1000 as an air conditioner that can perform both of heating and cooling.

The air conditioner 1000 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include an outdoor unit 100 and an indoor unit 200. The indoor unit 200 is connected with the outdoor unit 100, and the indoor unit 200 exchanges a refrigerant with the outdoor unit 100 through a pipe. The air conditioner 1000 including the indoor unit 200 and the outdoor unit 100 may perform various functions such as cooling that decreases the temperature of indoor air, heating that increases the temperature of indoor air, air blowing that forms air currents in the indoors, and dehumidification that decreases indoor humidity, etc.

The outdoor unit 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure exchanges heat with the outdoor air. The outdoor unit 100 may exchange heat with the outdoor air through a cooling cycle wherein heat transmitted from the indoor unit 200 through a refrigerant is discharged to the outside, or exchange heat with the outdoor air through a heating cycle wherein a refrigerant absorbs lost heat from the outside. The outdoor unit 100 includes a compressor 110 for compression of the refrigerant.

The air conditioner 1000 includes refrigerant circuitry that circulates the refrigerant between the indoor unit 200 and the outdoor unit 100. The refrigerant may circulate between the indoor unit 200 and the outdoor unit 100 along the refrigerant circuitry, and absorb or discharge heat during change of the state (e.g., change of the state from gas to liquid, change of the state from liquid to gas).

For inducing change of the state of the refrigerant, the refrigerant circuitry may include a compressor 110, an outdoor heat exchanger 140, an expansion valve 210, and an indoor heat exchanger 240.

The compressor 110 compresses the refrigerant in a gaseous state, and makes the refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant which has a high temperature and high pressure. The gaseous refrigerant of a high temperature/high pressure discharged from the compressor 110 is introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 140. The compressor 110 may be implemented as any one among a fixed velocity type, a step type (or a TPS) or an inverter type. The fixed velocity type is a form of controlling on/off of driving of the compressor 110 according to the loading amounts of cooling and heating. The step type is a form of including a plurality of compressors, and controlling the number of compressors that are driven according to the loading amounts of cooling and heating. The inverter type is a form of control wherein the driving capacity of the compressor 110 is increased or decreased linearly according to the loading amounts of cooling and heating.

At the outdoor heat exchanger 140, the gaseous refrigerant of a high temperature/high pressure becomes a refrigerant in a liquid state by the outdoor air, and discharges heat. The refrigerant in a liquid state discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 140 is introduced into the expansion valve 210.

The outdoor unit 100 may include an outdoor fan 130 for absorbing the outdoor air and making the air pass through the outdoor heat exchanger 140. The outdoor fan 130 may be formed to rotate by the outdoor fan motor 120.

The outdoor heat exchanger 140 will be referred to as a heat exchanger, and the outdoor fan 130 and the outdoor fan motor 120 will respectively be referred to as a fan and a fan motor, for the convenience of explanation.

The expansion valve 210 decreases the pressure and the temperature of the refrigerant in a liquid state and makes the refrigerant into a liquid refrigerant of a low temperature and low pressure. The liquid refrigerant of a low temperature and low pressure discharged from the expansion valve 210 is introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 240.

At the indoor heat exchanger 240, the liquid refrigerant of a low temperature/low pressure absorbs heat in the surrounding hot air, and evaporates into a gaseous state. The refrigerant in a gaseous state discharged from the indoor heat exchanger 240 is introduced into the compressor 110, and circulates the refrigerant circuitry again.

The indoor unit 200 may include an indoor fan 230 for absorbing the indoor air and making the air pass through the indoor heat exchanger 240. The indoor fan 230 may be formed to rotate by the indoor fan motor 220.

As described above, the refrigerant may discharge heat at the heat exchanger 140, and absorb heat at the indoor heat exchanger 240. According to an embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger 240 may be installed in the indoor unit 200 together with the expansion value 210, and the heat exchanger 140 may be installed in the outdoor unit 100 together with the compressor 110. Accordingly, the indoor heat exchanger 240 may cool the indoor air.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

The outdoor unit may include a compressor 110, a fan motor 120, a temperature sensor 150, a communication interface (e.g., including communication circuitry) 160, memory 170, and at least one processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) 180. Explanations regarding components overlapping with the components explained in FIG. 1 may not be repeated.

According to an embodiment, the fan motor 120 may include a DC motor. The driving frequency of the DC motor is variable, unlike an AC motor. For example, the rotation speed of the DC motor may be changed according to control by the at least one processor 180.

According to an embodiment, the driving frequency of the DC motor is variable, and thus the rotation speed of the DC motor may increase or decrease according to the loading degree of cooling/heating of the air conditioner 1000, and the power consumption of the air conditioner 1000 can be managed effectively.

To identify a driving frequency corresponding to the loading degree of cooling/heating of the air conditioner 1000, a processor included in a conventional outdoor unit (e.g., a main Micom) is needed to perform two-way communication with an indoor unit.

For example, a conventional outdoor unit performed two-way communication with an indoor unit and received the loading degree of cooling/heating and the indoor environment information (e.g., the indoor temperature), or transmitted the loading degree of the outdoor unit (e.g., the operation frequency of the compressor) and the outdoor environment temperature (e.g., the outdoor temperature), etc. The processor included in the conventional outdoor unit identified the driving frequency of the DC motor that is variable in consideration of the loading information of the indoor unit, the loading information of the outdoor unit, the indoor environment information, the outdoor environment information, etc.

The outdoor unit 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may perform one-way communication with the indoor unit 200, and identify the driving frequency of the DC motor using the operation frequency information of the compressor 110 received from the indoor unit 200. For example, the indoor unit 200 may identify the driving frequency of the fan motor 120 based on the operation frequency information of the compressor 110 received from the indoor unit 200 and the outdoor temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 150.

The temperature sensor 150 may sense the ambient temperature of the outdoor unit 100 arranged outdoors and transmit the temperature to the at least one processor 180. The temperature sensor 150 may include at least one of a contact type temperature sensor or a non-contact type temperature sensor.

The communication interface 160 may include various communication circuitry and communicates with an external device (e.g., the indoor unit 200), and receives inputs of various types of data and information. For example, the communication interface 160 may receive inputs of various types of data and information, etc. from a home appliance (e.g., a display device, an indoor unit of an air conditioner, an air purifier, etc.), an external storage medium (e.g., a USB memory), an external server (e.g., a webhard), etc. through communication methods such as AP-based Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi, a wireless LAN network), Bluetooth, Zigbee, a wired/wireless local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), an Ethernet, the IEEE 1394, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB), a mobile high-definition link (MHL), the Audio Engineering Society/European Broadcasting Union (AES/EBU), Optical, Coaxial, etc.

For example, the communication interface 160 according to an embodiment may include a one-way (simplex) communication interface. For example, the communication interface 160 can only receive data from the indoor unit 200, but cannot transmit data to the indoor unit 200.

According to an embodiment, the communication interface 160 may receive the operation frequency information of the compressor 110 from the indoor unit 200. For example, the indoor unit 200 may identify the operation frequency information of the compressor 110 based on the set temperature and the indoor temperature, and transmit the information to the outdoor unit 100. Then, the communication interface 160 may receive the operation frequency information from the indoor unit 200, and the at least one communication interface 160 may control the compressor 110 based on the received operation frequency information.

The memory 170 according to an embodiment may store data necessary for an embodiment of the disclosure. The memory 170 may be implemented in the form of memory embedded in the outdoor unit 100, or implemented in the form of memory that can be attached to or detached from the outdoor unit 100 according to the usage of stored data.

For example, in the case of data for driving the outdoor unit 100, the data may be stored in memory embedded in the outdoor unit 100, and in the case of data for an extended function of the outdoor unit 100, the data may be stored in memory that can be attached to or detached from the outdoor unit 100. In the case of memory embedded in the outdoor unit 100, the memory may be implemented as at least one of volatile memory (e.g.: dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), etc.) or non-volatile memory (e.g.: one time programmable ROM (OTPROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, flash memory (e.g.: NAND flash or NOR flash, etc.), a hard drive, or a solid state drive (SSD)). Also, in the case of memory that can be attached to or detached from the outdoor unit 100, the memory may be implemented in forms such as a memory card (e.g., compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro secure digital (Micro-SD), mini secure digital (Mini-SD), extreme digital (xD), a multi-media card (MMC), etc.) and external memory that can be connected to a USB port (e.g., a USB memory), etc.

According to an embodiment, the memory 170 may store at least one instruction for controlling the outdoor unit 100 or a computer program including instructions.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, various types of data may be stored in external memory of the processor 130, and some of the data may be stored in internal memory of the processor 130, and the rest may be stored in the external memory.

For example, the memory 170 according to an embodiment may be implemented as electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), and store information related to the driving frequency of the fan motor 120 of the outdoor unit corresponding to the operation frequency of the compressor 110 and the outdoor temperature. Detailed explanation regarding the information related to the driving frequency will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

The at least one processor 180 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include various processing circuitry and controls the overall operations of the outdoor unit 100.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 180 may be implemented as a digital signal processor (DSP) processing digital signals, a microprocessor, and a time controller (TCON). However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the at least one processor 180 may include one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), a micro controller unit (MCU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a controller, an application processor (AP) or a communication processor (CP), an ARM processor, and an artificial intelligence (AI) processor, or may be defined by the terms. Also, the at least one processor 180 may be implemented as a system on chip (SoC) having a processing algorithm stored therein or large scale integration (LSI), or implemented in the form of a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The at least one processor 180 may perform various functions by executing computer executable instructions stored in the memory.

The at least one processor 180 may include one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a many integrated core (MIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a neural processing unit (NPU), a hardware accelerator, and a machine learning accelerator. The at least one processor 180 may control one or a random combination of the other components of the electronic device, and perform an operation related to communication or data processing. Also, the at least one processor 180 may execute one or more programs or instructions stored in the memory. For example, the at least one processor 180 may perform the method according to an embodiment of the disclosure by executing the at least one instruction stored in the memory.

In case the method according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations may be performed by one processor, or performed by a plurality of processors. For example, when a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation are performed by the method according to an embodiment, all of the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may be performed by a first processor, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by the first processor (e.g., a generic-purpose processor), and the third operation may be performed by a second processor (e.g., an artificial intelligence-dedicated processor).

The at least one processor 180 may be implemented as a single core processor including one core, or may be implemented as one or more multicore processors including a plurality of cores (e.g., multicores of the same kind or multicores of different kinds). In case the at least one processor 180 is implemented as multicore processors, each of the plurality of cores included in the multicore processors may include internal memory of the processor such as cache memory, on-chip memory, etc., and common cache shared by the plurality of cores may be included in the multicore processors. Also, each of the plurality of cores (or some of the plurality of cores) included in the multicore processors may independently read a program instruction for implementing the method according to an embodiment of the disclosure and perform the instruction, or the plurality of entire cores (or some of the cores) may be linked with one another, and read a program instruction for implementing the method according to an embodiment of the disclosure and perform the instruction.

In case the method according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations may be performed by one core among the plurality of cores included in the multicore processors, or they may be performed by the plurality of cores. For example, when the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation are performed by the method according to an embodiment, all of the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may be performed by a first core included in the multicore processors, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by the first core included in the multicore processors, and the third operation may be performed by a second core included in the multicore processors. In other words, the at least one processor 180 may include various processing circuitry and/or multiple processors. For example, as used herein, including the claims, the term “processor” may include various processing circuitry, including at least one processor, wherein one or more of at least one processor, individually and/or collectively in a distributed manner, may be configured to perform various functions described herein. As used herein, when “a processor”, “at least one processor”, and “one or more processors” are described as being configured to perform numerous functions, these terms cover situations, for example and without limitation, in which one processor performs some of recited functions and another processor(s) performs other of recited functions, and also situations in which a single processor may perform all recited functions. Additionally, the at least one processor may include a combination of processors performing various of the recited/disclosed functions, e.g., in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the at least one processor 180 may refer, for example, to a system on chip (SoC) wherein at least one processor and other electronic components are integrated, a single core processor, a multicore processor, or a core included in the single core processor or the multicore processor. Also, here, the core may be implemented as a CPU, a GPU, an APU, a MIC, a DSP, an NPU, a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator, etc., but the various embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto.

When the operation frequency information of the compressor 110 is received from the indoor unit 200, the at least one processor 180 according to an embodiment may control the compressor 110 based on the operation frequency information.

The at least one processor 180 may identify a driving frequency corresponding to the operation frequency of the compressor 110 and the outdoor temperature received from the temperature sensor 150 based on the information related to the driving frequency stored in the memory 170.

The at least one processor 180 may control the fan motor 120 at the identified driving frequency.

The at least one processor 180 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be implemented as a sub-Micom (e.g., an inverter Micom) but not a main Micom. The main Micom may include a micro-controller that includes a large amount of logic gates and can perform relatively complex operations. The sub-Micom may include an embedded micro-controller that can perform relatively simple operations compared to the main Micom, or performs a special function. The outdoor unit 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may control the fan motor 120 using a sub-Micom but not a main Micom, unlike a conventional outdoor unit, and thus there is an effect that the cost of components (or, the unit production cost) required for production of the outdoor unit 100 can be reduced.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 3, the air conditioner 1000 includes an indoor unit 200 and an outdoor unit 100. The indoor unit 200 includes an indoor fan motor 220, a temperature sensor 250, a display 260, an inputter (e.g., including input circuitry) 270, at least one processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) 280, and a power supply unit (e.g., including a power supply) 290. Explanations regarding components overlapping with the components explained in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 may not be repeated here.

The indoor fan motor 220 may rotate the indoor fan 230 according to control by the at least one processor 280. The indoor fan motor 220 may include a DC motor, and adjust the rotation speed of the indoor fan 230 according to control by the at least one processor 280. When the indoor fan 230 rotates, the indoor heat exchanger 240 provided in the indoor unit 200 and the indoor air may perform heat exchange.

The temperature sensor 250 may measure the indoor temperature, and transmit the temperature to the at least one processor 280. For example, the temperature sensor 250 may include a thermistor of which electric resistance value is changed according to the temperature.

The display 260 according to an embodiment may receive information on the operation of the air conditioner 1000 and information on the indoor environment from the at least one processor 280, and display the received information. For example, the display 260 may display the set temperature, the indoor temperature, the operation mode, etc. The display 260 may include displays in various forms such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS), Digital Light Processing (DLP), a quantum dot (QD) display panel, quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs), etc.

The user inputter 270 may include various input circuitry and receive a user input related to an operation of the air conditioner 1000 from the user, and output an electric signal corresponding to the received user input to the at least one processor 180.

The user inputter 270 may include a plurality of buttons provided in the indoor unit 200. For example, the user inputter 270 may include a button for setting the set temperature, a button for selecting any one of a cooling mode, a dehumidification mode, or an air purifying mode, etc.

The plurality of buttons may include a push switch and a membrane switch that are operated by pushing by the user, or a touch switch that is operated by contact of a part of the user's body, etc.

The user inputter 270 may include a receiver that receives a wireless signal from a remote control. The remote control may include a plurality of buttons that perform the same functions as the plurality of buttons provided in the user inputter 270.

The at least one processor 280 may include various processing circuitry, and control the overall operations of the indoor unit 200.

The at least one processor 280 may output control signals for controlling the indoor fan motor 220, the fan motor 120, and the compressor 110.

The at least one processor 280 may include operation circuitry, memory circuitry, and control circuitry. The at least one processor 280 may include at least one chip. The at least one processor 280 may include at least one core.

For example, the at least one processor 280 may obtain the operation frequency information of the compressor 110 based on the indoor temperature received from the temperature sensor 250 and the set temperature. Then, the at least one processor 280 may transmit the obtained operation frequency information to the outdoor unit 100 through the communication interface (not shown) provided in the indoor unit 200. The at least one processor 280 may include various processing circuitry and/or multiple processors. For example, as used herein, including the claims, the term “processor” may include various processing circuitry, including at least one processor, wherein one or more of at least one processor, individually and/or collectively in a distributed manner, may be configured to perform various functions described herein. As used herein, when “a processor”, “at least one processor”, and “one or more processors” are described as being configured to perform numerous functions, these terms cover situations, for example and without limitation, in which one processor performs some of recited functions and another processor(s) performs other of recited functions, and also situations in which a single processor may perform all recited functions. Additionally, the at least one processor may include a combination of processors performing various of the recited/disclosed functions, e.g., in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions.

According to an embodiment, the communication interface provided in the indoor unit 200 may include various communication circuitry and be connected with an external device (e.g., a server, the outdoor unit 100, etc.), and transmit and receive data with the external device. The communication interface may communicate with an external device by various communication methods. For example, the communication interface may communicate with an external device through communication methods such as Bluetooth, infrared Data Association (IrDA), Zigbee, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ultra Wideband (UWB), near field communication (NFC), etc.

For example, the communication interface may transmit information regarding the operation of the air conditioner 1000 to the server, or receive a control command from the server.

The communication interface 100 may perform one-way communication with the outdoor unit 100, and transmit operation frequency information of the compressor 110.

According to an embodiment, the outdoor unit 100 may control the compressor 110 based on the operation frequency information of the compressor 110 received from the indoor unit 200, and identify a driving frequency corresponding to the operation frequency of the compressor 110 and the outdoor temperature from the information related to the driving frequency stored in the memory 170. Hereinafter, information related to the driving frequency will be explained.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating information related to a driving frequency according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 4, the information related to the driving frequency 10 stored in the memory 170 may include information on a driving frequency that increases in stages (or in a stepwise manner) in proportion to at least one of the operation frequency or the outdoor temperature.

For example, the information related to the driving frequency 10 stored in the memory 170 may include parameters for classifying the operation frequency of the compressor 110 into at least one section, and values (or, arguments) corresponding to the parameters.

For example, the information related to the driving frequency 10 stored in the memory 170 may divide the operation frequency of the compressor 110 into 0 to Comp step 1, Comp step 1 to Comp step 2, and Comp step 2 or bigger, and the Comp step 1 may correspond to the C1 value, and the Comp step 2 may correspond to the C2 value.

The information related to the driving frequency 10 stored in the memory 170 may include parameters for classifying the outdoor temperature into at least one section, and values (or, arguments) corresponding to the parameters.

For example, the information related to the driving frequency 10 stored in the memory 170 may divide the outdoor temperature into 0 to Out temp 1, Out temp 1 to Out temp 2, and Out temp 2 or bigger, and the Out temp 1 may correspond to the O1 value, and the Out temp 2 may correspond to the O2 value.

The at least one processor 180 according to an embodiment may identify a driving frequency corresponding to the operation frequency and the outdoor temperature. For example, if the operation frequency according to the operation frequency information received from the indoor unit 200 belongs to 0 to step 1 of the compressor (the C1 value according to FIG. 4), and the outdoor temperature belongs to 0 to step 1 (the O1 value according to FIG. 4), the driving frequency (e.g., the rotation speed of the DC motor) may correspond to RPM 1.

The at least one processor 180 may identify a value R1 corresponding to the parameter RPM 1 based on the information related to the driving frequency 10 stored in the memory 170.

As another example, if the operation frequency according to the operation frequency information received from the indoor unit 200 is step 2 (the C2 value according to FIG. 4) or bigger, and the outdoor temperature is step 2 (the O2 value according to FIG. 4) or bigger, the driving frequency (e.g., the rotation speed of the DC motor) may correspond to RPM 3. Then, the at least one processor 180 may identify a value R3 corresponding to the parameter RPM 3 based on the information related to the driving frequency 10 stored in the memory 170.

The driving capacity (e.g., the output, the maximum RPM, etc.) of the fan motor 120 included in the outdoor unit 100 may be different from the driving capacity of the fan motor included in another outdoor unit.

For example, the at least one processor 180 included in each of the outdoor unit 100 and the another outdoor unit may identify the driving frequency corresponding to the operation frequency and the outdoor temperature as the parameters (e.g., RPM 1, RPM 2, RPM 3, etc.). Then, the at least one processor 180 included in the outdoor unit 100 may identify a specific value (e.g., R1) corresponding to a parameter (e.g., RPM 1) identified from the information related to the driving frequency 10 stored in the memory 170.

As another example, the at least one processor 180′ included in the another outdoor unit may identify a specific value (e.g., R1′) corresponding to a parameter (e.g., RPM 1′) identified from the information related to the driving frequency 10′ stored in the memory 170′.

As the driving capacities of the fan motors 120, 120′ included in each of the outdoor unit 100 and the another outdoor unit are different, the information related to the driving frequency 10 stored in the memory 170 included in the outdoor unit 100 may include driving frequencies customized based on the driving capacity of the fan motor 120 included in the outdoor unit 100 (e.g., specific values R1, R2, R3), and the information related to the driving frequency 10′ stored in the memory 170′ included in the another outdoor unit may include driving frequencies customized based on the driving capacity of the fan motor 120′ included in the outdoor unit (e.g., specific values R1′, R2′, R3′).

According to an embodiment, the at least one processor 180 may identify the parameters (e.g., RPM 1, RPM 2, RPM 3, etc.), and identify a specific value (e.g., R1) corresponding to a parameter (e.g., RPM 1) identified from the information related to the driving frequency 10 stored in the memory 170.

The information related to the driving frequency 10 illustrated in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and is not limited thereto. For example, the information related to the driving frequency 10 may divide the operation frequency into i) 0 to step 1 to n) step n−1 to step n (e.g., divide into total n), and divide the outdoor temperature into i) 0 to step 1 to n) step n−1 to step n (e.g., divide into total n).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of an outdoor unit that controls a fan motor by identifying a driving frequency according to various embodiments.

In a control method for the air conditioner 1000 according to an embodiment, a set temperature may be obtained by the indoor unit 200 in step S510, and an indoor temperature may be obtained in step S520. Operation frequency information of the compressor 110 according to the set temperature and the indoor temperature may be obtained by the indoor unit 200, and the obtained operation frequency information may be transmitted to the outdoor unit 100 in step S530.

When the operation frequency information is received from the indoor unit 200, the compressor 110 may be controlled based on the operation frequency information by the outdoor unit 100, and a driving frequency corresponding to the operation frequency and an outdoor temperature may be identified from the information related to the driving frequency 10 in step S540.

The fan motor 120 may be controlled at the driving frequency by the outdoor unit 100 in step S550.

The at least one processor 180 included in the outdoor unit 100 according to an embodiment may identify the operation frequency of the compressor 110, e.g., the actual operation frequency of the compressor 110 while the compressor 110 is controlled according to the operation frequency information. In step S540, the at least one processor 180 may identify the driving frequency of the fan motor 120 based on the actual operation frequency and the outdoor temperature.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of an outdoor unit that re-identifies a driving frequency after a predetermined time passes according to various embodiments.

The at least one processor 180 according to an embodiment may control the fan motor 120 at the identified driving frequency, and in particular, control the fan motor 120 at the identified driving frequency during a predetermined time.

Referring to FIG. 6, each of the steps S610, S620, S630, S640 and S650 is the same as or similar to steps S510, S520, S530, S540 and S550 in FIG. 5, and thus overlapping explanation may not be repeated here.

Following step S650, the at least one processor 180 may control the fan motor 120 at the identified driving frequency during the predetermined (e.g., specified) time, and when the predetermined time passes in step S660: Y, re-identify each of the operation frequency of the compressor 110 and the outdoor temperature in step S670.

The at least one processor 180 may re-identify the driving frequency of the fan motor 120 based on the operation frequency and the outdoor temperature re-identified by the at least one processor 180 in step S680.

For example, if the driving frequency of the fan motor 120 is changed within a short time according to any one of the operation frequency information received from the indoor unit 200 or the outdoor temperature received from the temperature sensor 150, there is a risk that the load of the fan motor 120 may increase. Thus, when the driving frequency is identified, the at least one processor 180 according to an embodiment may control the fan motor 120 at the identified driving frequency during the predetermined period.

As explained in step S680, when the predetermined time passes, the at least one processor 180 may re-identify each of the operation frequency of the compressor 110 and the outdoor temperature, and re-identify the driving frequency of the fan motor 120 based on the re-identified operation frequency and the re-identified outdoor temperature. Then, the at least one processor 180 may control the fan motor 120 at the re-identified driving frequency during the predetermined period as explained in the step S660.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of an outdoor unit that controls a fan motor at a driving frequency that was set in advance at the time of initial driving of the outdoor unit according to various embodiments.

The at least one processor 180 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may control the fan motor 120 at a predetermined driving frequency during a predetermined time at the time of initial driving of the outdoor unit 100.

Referring to FIG. 7, each of the steps S710, S720 and S730 is the same as or similar to the steps S510, S520 and S530 in FIG. 5, and thus overlapping explanation may not be repeated here.

Following step S730, the at least one processor 180 may control the fan motor 120 at a predetermined (e.g., specified) driving frequency.

For example, when the indoor unit 200 receives a turn-on instruction of the user, the indoor unit 200 may transmit the instruction for turning on the outdoor unit 100 to the outdoor unit 100. The at least one processor 180 included in the outdoor unit 100 may control the compressor 110 based on the operation frequency information received from the indoor unit 200 in step S730, and control the fan motor 120 at the predetermined driving frequency in step S740.

For example, at the time of initial driving of the outdoor unit 100, the at least one processor 180 may control the fan motor 120 at the predetermined driving frequency such that breakdown of the fan motor 120 is not induced due to rapid increase of the load of the fan motor 120.

The at least one processor 180 may control the fan motor 120 at the predetermined driving frequency during the predetermined time in step S750, and when the predetermined time passes in step S750: Y, the at least one processor 180 may identify a driving frequency corresponding to the operation frequency received from the indoor unit 200 and the outdoor temperature received from the temperature sensor 150 based on the information related to the driving frequency 10 in step S760.

The at least one processor 180 may control the fan motor 120 at the driving frequency by the outdoor unit 100 in step S770.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 7, as explained in steps S660 to S680 in FIG. 6, the at least one processor 180 may control the fan motor 120 at the identified driving frequency during the predetermined time, and re-identify each of the operation frequency of the compressor 110 and the outdoor temperature after the predetermined time passes.

The at least one processor 180 may re-identify the driving frequency of the fan motor 120 based on the operation frequency and the outdoor temperature re-identified by the at least one processor 180.

In a control method for an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure, when operation frequency information of a compressor is received from an indoor unit of the air conditioner, the compressor is controlled based on the operation frequency information.

A driving frequency of a fan of an outdoor unit corresponding to the operation frequency of the compressor and an outdoor temperature is identified.

A fan motor of the outdoor unit is controlled at the identified driving frequency.

The step of identifying the driving frequency may include the steps of identifying an operation frequency of the compressor while the compressor is controlled according to the operation frequency information, and identifying the driving frequency corresponding to the identified operation frequency and the outdoor temperature.

The step of controlling the fan motor may include the step of controlling the fan motor at the identified driving frequency during a predetermined time, and the control method according to an embodiment may further include the steps of re-identifying the operation frequency of the compressor after the predetermined time passes, and re-identifying the driving frequency corresponding to the re-identified operation frequency and the outdoor temperature re-received from the temperature sensor.

The step of controlling the fan motor according to an embodiment may include the step of controlling the outdoor unit fan motor at the identified driving frequency during a predetermined time, and the control method according to an embodiment may further include the step of re-identifying an operation frequency corresponding to the operation frequency information re-received from the indoor unit and a driving frequency corresponding to the outdoor temperature re-received from the temperature sensor after the predetermined time passes.

The control method according to an embodiment may further include, during a predetermined time after an instruction for turning on the outdoor unit is received, controlling the outdoor unit fan motor at a predetermined driving frequency, and the step of identifying the driving frequency may include the step of identifying the driving frequency corresponding to the operation frequency and the outdoor temperature after the predetermined time passes.

The outdoor unit according to an embodiment may include information on the driving frequency that increases in stages in proportion to at least one of the operation frequency or the outdoor temperature.

The outdoor unit fan motor according to an embodiment may be a DC motor wherein the driving frequency is variable.

According to an embodiment, the step of controlling the compressor may include the step of performing one-way communication with the indoor unit and receiving the operation frequency information of the compressor from the indoor unit.

The various embodiments of the disclosure can not only be applied to an air conditioner, but also to all types of electronic devices.

The aforementioned various embodiments may be implemented in a recording medium that is readable by a computer or a device similar thereto, using software, hardware or a combination thereof. In some cases, the various embodiments described in this disclosure may be implemented as a processor itself. According to implementation by software, the various embodiments such as procedures and functions described in this disclosure may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described in the disclosure.

Computer instructions for executing the processing operations of the electronic device according to the aforementioned various embodiments of the disclosure may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Such computer instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium make the processing operations at the indoor unit 100 according to the aforementioned various embodiments performed by a specific machine, when they are executed by a processor of the specific machine.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium refers to a medium that stores data semi-permanently, and is readable by machines, including a medium that stores data for a short moment such as a register, a cache, and memory. As specific examples of a non-transitory computer-readable medium, there may be a CD, a DVD, a hard disc, a blue-ray disc, a USB, a memory card, ROM and the like.

While various example embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, the disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned example embodiments, and it will be apparent that various modifications may be made by one skilled in the art to which the disclosure belongs, without departing from the gist of the disclosure including the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that any of the embodiment(s) described herein may be used in conjunction with any other embodiment(s) described herein.