REFRIGERANT DISTRIBUTOR AND AIR CONDITIONER COMPRISING SAME

Description

CROSS-RFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/KR2023/020685, designating the United States, filed on Dec. 14, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Receiving Office, and claiming priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0010190, filed on Jan. 26, 2023, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Field

The disclosure relates to a refrigerant distributor and an air conditioner including the same.

Description of Related Art

An air conditioner is a device that cools or heats the air by the movement of heat generated during the evaporation and condensation of refrigerant, and discharges the cooled or heated air into the indoor space to condition the air in the indoor space.

An air conditioner is shipped with the indoor and outdoor units separated, requiring separate work to connect a refrigerant pipe and a refrigerant distributor between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit and connect various power sources at the installation site. When installing separate indoor units in multiple partitioned indoor spaces, refrigerant pipes and refrigerant distributors should be connected between one outdoor unit and the multiple indoor units. Each indoor unit is connected to the refrigerant port of the refrigerant distributor, independently performing cooling or heating mode by controlling the refrigerant flow.

When installing an additional indoor unit after the air conditioner and its piping are installed indoors, it is difficult to install additional piping, so additional indoor units may be installed by connecting multiple indoor units to one refrigerant port of the existing refrigerant distributor. In such cases, the multiple indoor units connected together to one refrigerant port cannot operate independently of each other. To operate the newly added indoor units independently, a refrigerant distributor should be added, which may incur significant costs for modifying the existing piping.

SUMMARY

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, it can be possible, for example, to add a plurality of individually controllable indoor units to a pre-installed air conditioner without changing the existing piping.

In an embodiment, an air conditioner may include an outdoor unit, one or more indoor units each including an indoor heat exchanger, and a first distributor disposed between the outdoor unit and the indoor units, and including a first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe connected to the outdoor unit and configured to allow a gaseous refrigerant of a first pressure to flow, a first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe connected to the outdoor unit and configured to allow a gaseous refrigerant of a second pressure lower than the first pressure to flow, a first liquid refrigerant pipe connected to the outdoor unit and configured to allow a liquid refrigerant to flow, and a plurality of control valves configured to regulate refrigerant flow according to an operation condition. The first distributor may include a first distributor connection pipe branched from the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe and configured to be fluidly connected to another distributor.

In an embodiment, the first distributor may include a first gaseous refrigerant connection pipe connected to the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe and the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe and configured to allow the gaseous refrigerant of the first pressure or the second pressure to flow selectively according to opening/closing of the plurality of control valves.

In an embodiment, the air conditioner may include a second distributor connected to the first distributor.

In an embodiment, the second distributor may include a second high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe connected to the first distributor connection pipe, a second low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe connected to the first gaseous refrigerant connection pipe, and a second liquid refrigerant pipe connected to the first liquid refrigerant pipe.

In an embodiment, the first gaseous refrigerant connection pipe may include a high-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipe branched from the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe, a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipe branched from the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe, and a gaseous refrigerant joined pipe where the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipe and the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipe are joined.

In an embodiment, the plurality of control valves may include a first control valve configured to selectively control the refrigerant flow between the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe and the first distributor connection pipe.

In an embodiment, the first control valve may be disposed on the first distributor connection pipe.

In an embodiment, the air conditioner may further include a second distributor connected to the first distributor.

In an embodiment, the first control valve may be opened in a state in which the first distributor connection pipe is connected to the second distributor.

In an embodiment, the first distributor connection pipe may include a 1-1th distributor connection pipe branched from the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe.

In an embodiment, the plurality of control valves may include a second control valve configured to selectively control the refrigerant flow between the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe and the 1-1th distributor connection pipe.

In an embodiment, the air conditioner may include a second distributor connected to the first distributor.

In an embodiment, the second control valve may be opened when all of indoor units directly connected to the second distributor perform a cooling mode.

In an embodiment, the first distributor may include outdoor unit connection ports positioned on a first surface and configured to connect the outdoor unit with pipes inside the distributor and a distributor connection port positioned on a surface perpendicular to the first surface and configured to connect to the first distributor connection pipe.

In an embodiment, the first distributor may include a first outdoor unit connection port configured to connect to the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe, a second outdoor unit connection port configured to connect to the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe, and a distributor connection port configured to connect to the first distributor connection pipe. In an embodiment, a diameter of the distributor connection port may be smaller than a diameter of the first outdoor unit connection port or the second outdoor unit connection port.

In an embodiment, the first distributor connection pipe may have a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe or the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a distributor adjusting (or regulating) a distribution of refrigerant between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit may include a first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe connected to the outdoor unit and configured to allow a gaseous refrigerant of a first pressure to flow, a first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe connected to the outdoor unit and configured to allow a gaseous refrigerant of a low pressure to flow, a first liquid refrigerant pipe connected to the outdoor unit and configured to allow a liquid refrigerant to flow, a first distributor connection pipe branched from the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe and configured to be fluidly connected to another distributor, and a plurality of control valves configured to regulate refrigerant flow according to an operation condition, and may include a first distributor connection pipe branched from the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe and configured to be fluidly connected to another distributor to be added.

According to various example embodiments of the disclosure, the air conditioner may additionally configure a distributor connection refrigerant pipe and a distributor connection port couplable to another refrigerant distributor. According to the various example embodiments, it may be possible to add other indoor units without changing the existing piping by connecting another refrigerant distributor (or sub refrigerant distributor) to the distributor connection refrigerant pipe of the existing refrigerant distributor when adding another indoor unit to a pre-installed air conditioner.

Various technical effects achievable in example embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be apparent and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments of the disclosure pertain, from the following description. In other words, unintended effects in practicing embodiments of the disclosure may also be derived by one of ordinary skill in the art from example embodiments of the disclosure.

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 view schematically illustrating a configuration of an example air conditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a configuration for adjusting (or regulating) refrigerant flow between an example outdoor unit and an example indoor unit according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example refrigerant distributor according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are views illustrating a example process for controlling refrigerant flow according to an operation mode; and

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are views illustrating example indoor units installed in a pre-installed air conditioner.

Reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in the following description, and specific examples that may be practiced are shown as examples within the drawings. Other examples may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the various examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various example embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5C, to describe the principle of the disclosure, and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principle of the disclosure may be implemented in any appropriately disposed system or device.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment.

With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements.

It is to be understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the things, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, each of such phrases as “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,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” and “at least one of A, B, and/or C” may include all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases.

The term “and/or” may denote a combination(s) of a plurality of related components as listed or any of the components.

As used herein, such terms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and do not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order).

It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term “operatively” or “communicatively”, as “coupled with,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” and/or “have,” as used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that when a component is referred to as “connected to,” “coupled to”, “supported on,” or “contacting” another component, the components may be connected to, coupled to, supported on, or contact each other directly or via a third component.

Throughout the specification, when one component is positioned “on” another component, the first component may be positioned directly on the second component, or other component(s) may be positioned between the first and second component.

An air conditioner according to various example embodiments may be a device that performs functions such as air purification, ventilation, humidity control, cooling, or heating in an air conditioning space (hereinafter referred to as “indoor”), and may refer to a device having at least one of the functions.

In an embodiment, the air conditioner may include a heat pump device to perform a cooling function or a heating function. The heat pump device may include a cooling cycle in which the refrigerant is circulated along the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the second heat exchanger. All of the components of the heat pump device may be embedded in one housing forming the exterior of the air conditioner, and a window air conditioner or a portable air conditioner corresponds to such an air conditioner. In various embodiments, some components of the heat pump device may be separately embedded in a plurality of housings forming one air conditioner, including a wall-mounted air conditioner, a standing air conditioner, a ceiling-mount air conditioner, and the like.

An air conditioner including a plurality of housings may include at least one outdoor unit installed outdoors and at least one indoor unit installed indoors. For example, the air conditioner may be disposed so that one outdoor unit and one indoor unit are connected through a refrigerant pipe. For example, the air conditioner may be disposed so that one outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units through the refrigerant pipe. For example, the air conditioner may be disposed so that two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units are connected through a plurality of refrigerant pipes.

The outdoor unit may be electrically connected to the indoor unit. For example, information (or a command) for controlling the air conditioner may be input through an input interface disposed in the outdoor unit or the indoor unit, and the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may operate simultaneously or sequentially in response to a user input.

The air conditioner may include an outdoor heat exchanger disposed in the outdoor unit, an indoor heat exchanger disposed in the indoor unit, and a refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger.

The outdoor heat exchanger may perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air by phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation). For example, while the refrigerant is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant may emit heat to the outdoor air, and while the refrigerant flowing in the outdoor heat exchanger evaporates, the refrigerant may absorb heat from the outdoor air.

The indoor unit may be disposed indoors. For example, the indoor unit may be classified into a ceiling type indoor unit, a stand type indoor unit, a wall-mounted type indoor unit, or the like according to how the unit is mounted. For example, the ceiling type indoor unit may be classified into a 4-way type indoor unit, a 1-way type indoor unit, a duct type indoor unit, or the like according to a method in which air is discharged.

Likewise, the indoor heat exchanger may perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the indoor air by phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation). For example, while the refrigerant evaporates in the indoor unit, the refrigerant may absorb heat from the indoor air, and the room may be cooled by blowing the cooled indoor air while passing through the cooled indoor heat exchanger. Further, while the refrigerant is condensed in the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant may emit heat to the indoor air, and the indoor may be heated by blowing the heated indoor air while passing through the high-temperature indoor heat exchanger.

In other words, the air conditioner performs a cooling or heating function through the phase change process of the refrigerant circulating between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger, and for the circulation of the refrigerant, the air conditioner may include a compressor for compressing the refrigerant. The compressor may suck the refrigerant gas through the suction unit and compress the refrigerant gas. The compressor may discharge high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas through the discharge unit. The compressor may be disposed inside the outdoor unit.

The refrigerant may circulate through the refrigerant pipe in the order of the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the indoor heat exchanger, or may circulate in the order of the compressor, the indoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the outdoor heat exchanger.

For example, in the air conditioner, when one outdoor unit and one indoor unit are directly connected through the refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may be configured to circulate between the one outdoor unit and the one indoor unit through the refrigerant pipe.

For example, when one outdoor unit of the air conditioner is connected to two or more indoor units through refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may flow to the plurality of indoor units through the refrigerant pipe branching from the outdoor unit. The refrigerant discharged from the plurality of indoor units may be configured to be joined and circulated to the outdoor unit. For example, each of the plurality of indoor units may be directly connected to one outdoor unit in parallel through a separate refrigerant pipe.

Each of the plurality of indoor units may operate independently according to an operation mode set by the user. In other words, some of the plurality of indoor units may operate in the cooling mode, and at the same time, others may operate in the heating mode. In this case, the refrigerant may be selectively introduced into each indoor unit in a high-pressure or low-pressure state along a designated circulation path through a flow path switching valve to be described below, and may be discharged and circulated to the outdoor unit.

For example, when two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units are connected through a plurality of refrigerant pipes, the refrigerant discharged from the plurality of outdoor units may be joined to flow through one refrigerant pipe, and then branched again at some point to flow into the plurality of indoor units.

All of the plurality of outdoor units may be driven or at least some of the plurality of outdoor units may not be driven according to the operation load according to the operation amount of the plurality of indoor units. In this case, the refrigerant may be configured to flow into and circulate to the outdoor unit selectively driven through the flow path switching valve. The air conditioner may include an expansion device to lower the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger. For example, the expansion device may be disposed inside the indoor unit or the outdoor unit, or may be disposed on two opposite sides.

The expansion device may lower the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant using, e.g., a throttling effect. The expansion device may include an orifice capable of reducing the cross-sectional area of the flow path. The temperature and pressure of the refrigerant passing through the orifice may be lowered.

The expansion device may be implemented as, e.g., an electronic expansion valve capable of adjusting (or regulating) an opening ratio (the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the valve in the partially opened state to the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the valve in the fully opened state). The amount of refrigerant passing through the expansion valve may be controlled depending on the opening ratio of the electronic expansion device.

The air conditioner may further include a flow path switching valve disposed on the refrigerant circulation flow path. The flow path switching valve may include, e.g., a four-way valve. The flow path switching valve may determine the circulation path of the refrigerant depending on the operation mode (e.g., a cooling mode or a heating mode) of the indoor unit. The flow path switching valve may be connected to the discharge unit of the compressor.

The air conditioner may include an accumulator. The accumulator may be connected to the suction unit of the compressor. The low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant evaporated from the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger may be introduced into the accumulator.

The accumulator may separate the refrigerant liquid from the refrigerant gas when the mixed refrigerant of the refrigerant liquid and the refrigerant gas is introduced, and provide the refrigerant gas from which the refrigerant liquid is separated to the compressor.

An outdoor fan may be disposed near the outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor fan may blow outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger to promote heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air.

The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include at least one sensor. For example, the sensor of the outdoor unit may be provided as an environmental sensor. The outdoor unit sensor may be disposed at any position inside or outside the outdoor unit. For example, the outdoor unit sensor may include, e.g., a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature around the outdoor unit, a humidity sensor for detecting the air humidity around the outdoor unit, a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting the refrigerant temperature of the refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit, or a refrigerant pressure sensor for detecting the refrigerant pressure of the refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit.

The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an outdoor unit communication unit (including, e.g., communication circuitry). The outdoor unit communication unit may be configured to receive a control signal from the controller of the indoor unit of the air conditioner to be described below. The outdoor unit may, for example, control the operation of the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, the flow path switching valve, the accumulator, or the outdoor fan based on the control signal received through the outdoor unit communication unit. The outdoor unit may transmit the sensing value detected from the outdoor unit sensor to the controller of the indoor unit through the outdoor unit communication unit.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a housing, a blower for circulating air to the inside or outside of the housing, and an indoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat with air introduced into the housing.

The housing may include a suction port. Indoor air may be introduced into the housing through the suction port.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a filter configured to filter foreign substances in the air introduced into the housing through the suction port.

The housing may include a discharge port. Air flowing inside the housing may be discharged to the outside of the housing through the discharge port.

An airflow guide for guiding the direction of air discharged through the discharge port may be disposed in the housing of the indoor unit. For example, the airflow guide may include a blade positioned on the discharge port. For example, the airflow guide may include an auxiliary fan for adjusting (or regulating) the discharge airflow. The disclosure is not limited thereto, and the airflow guide may be omitted.

Inside the housing of the indoor unit, an indoor heat exchanger and a blower disposed on the flow path connecting the suction port and the discharge port may be provided.

The blower may include an indoor fan and a fan motor. For example, the indoor fan may include an axial flow fan, a mixed flow fan, a crossflow fan, and a centrifugal fan.

The indoor heat exchanger may be disposed between the blower and the discharge port, or may be disposed between the suction port and the blower. The indoor heat exchanger may absorb heat from the air introduced through the suction port or transfer heat to the air introduced through the suction port. The indoor heat exchanger may include a heat exchange tube through which the refrigerant flows, and a heat exchange fin in contact with the heat exchange tube to increase the heat transfer area.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a drain tray disposed under the indoor heat exchanger to collect condensate generated in the indoor heat exchanger. Condensate accommodated in the drain tray may be drained to the outside through a drain hose. The drain tray may be configured to support the indoor heat exchanger.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an input interface (including, e.g., interface circuitry). The input interface may include any type of user input device including buttons, switches, touch screens and/or touch pads. The user may directly input setting data (e.g., desired indoor temperature, operation mode setting of cooling/heating/dehumidification/air cleaning, discharge port selection setting, and/or air volume setting) through the input interface.

The input interface may 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 position (e.g., a portion of the wall surface) of the indoor space. The user may input setting data regarding the operation of the air conditioner by manipulating the wired remote controller. An electrical signal corresponding to the setting data obtained through the wired remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface. Further, the input interface may include an infrared sensor. The user may remotely input setting data regarding the operation of the air conditioner using a wireless remote controller. The setting data input through the wireless remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface as an infrared signal.

Further, the input interface may include a microphone. The user's voice command may be obtained through the microphone. The microphone may convert the user's voice command into an electrical signal and transfer the converted electrical signal to the indoor unit controller (including, e.g., controller circuitry). The indoor unit controller may control the components of the air conditioner to execute the function corresponding to the user's voice command. The setting data (e.g., desired indoor temperature, operation mode setting of cooling/heating/dehumidification/air cleaning, discharge port selection setting, and/or air volume setting) obtained through the input interface may be transferred to the indoor unit controller to be described below. In an example, the setting data obtained through the input interface may be transmitted to the outside, i.e., the outdoor unit or the server, through the indoor unit communication unit (including, e.g., communication circuitry) to be described below.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a power module. The power module may be connected to an external power source to supply power to components of the indoor unit.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an indoor unit sensor. The indoor unit sensor may be an environmental sensor disposed in a space inside or outside the housing. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include one or more temperature sensors and/or humidity sensors disposed in a predetermined space inside or outside the housing of the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting the refrigerant temperature of the refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the entrance, middle, and/or exit of the refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor heat exchanger.

For example, each environmental information detected by the indoor unit sensor may be transferred to the indoor unit controller to be described below, or may be transferred to the outside through the indoor unit communication unit to be described below.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an indoor unit communication unit. The indoor unit communication unit may include at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-range communication module. The indoor unit communication unit may include at least one antenna for wirelessly communicating with another device. The outdoor unit may include an outdoor unit communication unit. The outdoor unit communication unit may also include at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-range communication module.

The short-range wireless communication module may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication module, a BLE communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, a Zigbee communication module, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication module, a Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication module, an ultrawideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, and a microwave (uWave) communication module.

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

The indoor unit communication unit may communicate with an external device such as a server, a mobile device, another home appliance, or the like through an access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN) to which an air conditioner or a user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The air conditioner or the user device may be connected to the server through a wide area network (WAN). The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an indoor unit controller for controlling components of the indoor unit including a blower or the like. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an outdoor unit controller (including, e.g., controller circuitry) for controlling components of the outdoor unit including a compressor or the like. The indoor unit controller (including, e.g., controller circuitry) may communicate with the outdoor unit controller through the indoor unit communication unit and the outdoor unit communication unit. The outdoor unit communication unit may transfer a control signal generated by the outdoor unit controller to the indoor unit communication unit, or transfer a control signal transferred from the indoor unit communication unit to the outdoor unit controller. In other words, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may communicate in both directions (bidirectionally). The outdoor unit and the indoor unit may transmit and receive various signals generated during the operation of the air conditioner.

The outdoor unit controller may be electrically connected to the components of the outdoor unit and may control the operation of each component. For example, the outdoor unit controller may adjust the frequency of the compressor and control the flow path switching valve to change the circulation direction of the refrigerant. The outdoor unit controller may adjust the rotational speed of the outdoor fan. Further, the outdoor unit controller may generate a control signal for adjusting (or regulating) the opening degree of the expansion valve. Under the control of the outdoor unit controller, the refrigerant may circulate along the refrigerant circulation circuit including the compressor, the flow path switching valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the indoor heat exchanger.

Various temperature sensors included in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the detected temperature to each of the outdoor unit controller and/or the indoor unit controller. For example, the humidity sensors included in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the detected humidity to the outdoor unit controller and/or the indoor unit controller.

The indoor unit controller may obtain a user input from a user device including a mobile device or the like through the indoor unit communication unit, and may obtain the user input directly through the input interface or through a remote controller. The indoor unit controller may control components of the indoor unit including a blower or the like in response to the received user input. The indoor unit controller may transmit the received user input information to the outdoor unit controller of the outdoor unit.

The outdoor unit controller may control components of the outdoor unit including a compressor or the like based on the user input information received from the indoor unit. For example, when the control signal corresponding to the user input for selecting the operation mode such as the cooling mode, the heating mode, the blowing operation, the defrosting operation, or the dehumidification operation is received from the indoor unit, the outdoor unit controller may control the components of the outdoor unit to perform the operation of the air conditioner corresponding to the selected operation mode.

Each of the outdoor unit controller and the indoor unit controller may include at least one processor (including processing circuitry) and a memory. The indoor unit controller may include at least one first processor and at least one first memory, and the outdoor unit controller may include at least one second processor and at least one second memory.

The memory may record/store various types of information necessary for the operation of the air conditioner. The memory may store instructions, applications, data, and/or programs necessary for the operation of the air conditioner. For example, the memory may store various programs for the cooling mode, the heating mode, the dehumidification operation, and/or the defrosting operation of the air conditioner. The memory may include a volatile memory such as a static random access memory (S-RAM) and a dynamic random access memory (D-RAM) for temporarily storing data. Further, the memory may include a non-volatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), and an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) for storing data for a long time.

The processor may generate a control signal for controlling the operation of the air conditioner based on instructions, applications, data, and/or programs stored in the memory. The processor may include a logic circuit and an operation circuit as hardware. The processor may process data according to a program and/or instruction provided from the memory, and generate a control signal according to a processing result. The memory and the processor may be implemented as a single control circuit or a plurality of circuits.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an output interface (including, e.g., interface circuitry). The output interface may be electrically connected to the indoor unit controller and output information related to the operation of the air conditioner under the control of the indoor unit controller. For example, information such as the operation mode, the wind direction, the wind volume, and the temperature selected by the user input may be output. The output interface may output sensing information and a warning/error message obtained from the indoor unit sensor or the outdoor unit sensor.

The output interface may include a display and a speaker. The speaker may output various sounds as an acoustic device. The display may display information input by the user or information provided to the user as various graphic elements. For example, operation information about the air conditioner may be displayed as at least one of an image or text. Further, the display may include an indicator that provides specific information. The display may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel, a micro LED panel, and/or a plurality of LEDs.

Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to various example embodiments is described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating a configuration of an example air conditioner according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, an air conditioner 1 may include an outdoor unit 100, refrigerant distributors 200 and 300, and an indoor unit 400. The refrigerant circulates between the outdoor unit 100, the refrigerant distributors 200 and 300, and the indoor unit 400, and may exchange heat with external air in the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit 100 or the heat exchanger of the indoor unit 400. The refrigerant distributors 200 and 300 may adjust the flow of refrigerant circulating between one outdoor unit 100 and a plurality of indoor units 400 according to the operation mode of each indoor unit 400.

A plurality of pipes 510 for moving the refrigerant may be disposed between the outdoor unit 100 and the refrigerant distributors 200 and 300. For example, three pipes (e.g., the first connection pipe 511, the second connection pipe 512, and the third connection pipe 513 of FIG. 2) may be disposed between the outdoor unit 100 and the refrigerant distributors 200 and 300, but the number is not limited thereto. For example, a high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, or a liquid refrigerant may flow through each of the three pipes 511, 512, and 513. The refrigerant distributors 200 and 300 may include a plurality of outdoor unit connection ports (e.g., the outdoor unit connection port 201 of FIG. 3) disposed on one side to be coupled to the three pipes 511, 512, and 513.

A plurality of distribution pipes 520 for moving the refrigerant may be disposed between the refrigerant distributors 200 and 300 and the indoor unit 400. For example, the air conditioner 1 may include a plurality of distribution pipes 520 connecting the refrigerant distributors 200 and 300 and the plurality of indoor units 400. The distribution pipes 520 may be disposed to correspond to the number of indoor units 400 connected to the refrigerant distributors 200 and 300. The distribution pipes 520 may include, e.g., a first distribution pipe (e.g., the first distribution pipe 521 of FIG. 2) and a second distribution pipe (e.g., the second distribution pipe 522 of FIG. 2). The first distribution pipe 521 and the second distribution pipe 522, respectively, may be configured to guide the inflow of the refrigerant into one indoor unit 400 and the outflow of the refrigerant from the one indoor unit 400. For example, if the refrigerant flows into the one indoor unit 400 through the first distribution pipe 521, the refrigerant flowing into the one indoor unit 400 may flow out from the one indoor unit 400 through the second distribution pipe 522. For example, if the refrigerant flows into the one indoor unit 400 through the second distribution pipe 522, the refrigerant flowing into the one indoor unit 400 may flow out from the one indoor unit 400 through the first distribution pipe 521. The moving direction of the refrigerant through the first distribution pipe 521 and the second distribution pipe 522 may vary depending on the operation mode (e.g., a cooling mode or a heating mode) of the indoor unit. For example, the first distribution pipe 521 may be a pipe through which a gaseous refrigerant flows, and the second distribution pipe 522 may be a pipe through which a liquid refrigerant flows.

According to an example, the refrigerant distributors 200 and 300 may include a plurality of indoor unit connection ports (e.g., the indoor unit connection port 203 of FIG. 3) disposed on one side to be coupled to the plurality of distribution pipes 520.

According to an example, the refrigerant distributors 200 and 300 may include a first refrigerant distributor 200 or a second refrigerant distributor 300. The first refrigerant distributor 200 may be directly connected to the outdoor unit 100 or, although indirectly connected to the outdoor unit 100, may be connected in series with the other first refrigerant distributor 200. The second refrigerant distributor 300 may be connected in parallel with the first refrigerant distributor 200. The refrigerant capacity of the first refrigerant distributor 200 may be, e.g., larger than the refrigerant capacity of the second refrigerant distributor 300. Here, the refrigerant capacity may, for example, refer to the maximum refrigerant capacity that may be accommodated in the pipes disposed inside the refrigerant distributor.

The first refrigerant distributor 200 and the second refrigerant distributor 300 may be fluidly connected to each other by the plurality of connection pipes 600. For example, the air conditioner 1 may include a plurality of connection pipes 600 connecting the first refrigerant distributor 200 and the second refrigerant distributor 300. A liquid or gaseous refrigerant may flow through each of the plurality of connection pipes 600. For example, three connection pipes (e.g., the fourth connection pipe 610, the fifth connection pipe 620, and the sixth connection pipe 630) may be disposed between the first refrigerant distributor 200 and the second refrigerant distributor 300, but the number is not limited thereto. For example, a gaseous refrigerant may flow through two of the three connection pipes 610, 620, and 630, and a liquid refrigerant may flow through the other pipe.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example configuration for adjusting (or regulating) refrigerant flow between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the air conditioner 1 may include refrigerant distributors 200 and 300 disposed between the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor unit 400. The refrigerant distributors 200 and 300 may, e.g., adjust the flow of liquid or gaseous refrigerant circulating between the outdoor unit 100 and each indoor unit 400 according to the operation mode of each indoor unit 400. The refrigerant distributors 200 and 300 may control the flow of the refrigerant through control valves provided therein.

According to an example, the air conditioner 1 may include a first refrigerant distributor 200. The first refrigerant distributor 200 may be disposed between the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor unit 400 to control the refrigerant flow according to the operation conditions (e.g., a cooling mode or a heating mode) of each indoor unit 400.

According to an example, the first refrigerant distributor 200 may include a first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 210 connected to the outdoor unit 100 to allow a gaseous refrigerant of a first pressure (hereinafter, referred to as a “high pressure”) to flow. The first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 210 may be fluidly connected to the outdoor unit 100 by a first connection pipe 511 coupled to one outdoor unit connection port 201a.

According to an example, the first refrigerant distributor 200 may include a first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 220 connected to the outdoor unit 100 to allow a gaseous refrigerant having a second pressure (hereinafter, referred to as a “low pressure”) lower than the first pressure to flow. The first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 220 may be fluidly connected to the outdoor unit 100 via a second connection pipe 512 coupled to an outdoor unit connection port 201b.

According to an embodiment, the first refrigerant distributor 200 may include a first gaseous refrigerant connection pipe 240. The first gaseous refrigerant connection pipe 240 may include a high-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipe 241, a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipe 242, and a gaseous refrigerant joined pipe 243. The high-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipe 241 may be a pipe branched from the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 210. The low-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipe 242 may be a pipe branched from the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 220. The gaseous refrigerant joined pipe 243 may be a pipe having one end connected to the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipe 241 and the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipe 242. The gaseous refrigerant joined pipe 243 may be a pipe connected to the indoor unit 400 to allow a high-pressure or low-pressure gaseous refrigerant to flow. A high-pressure or low-pressure gaseous refrigerant may selectively flow in the gaseous refrigerant joined pipe 243 according to the operation mode (e.g., the heating mode or the cooling mode) of the indoor unit 400 connected to the gaseous refrigerant joined pipe 243.

According to an example, the first refrigerant distributor 200 may include a first liquid refrigerant pipe 230 connected to the outdoor unit 100 to allow a liquid refrigerant to flow. The first liquid refrigerant pipe 230 may be fluidly connected to the outdoor unit 100 by a third connection pipe 513 coupled to one outdoor unit connection port 201c. The diameter of the first liquid refrigerant pipe 230 may be smaller than the diameter of the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 210 or the diameter of the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 220.

The first liquid refrigerant pipe 230 may include a first main liquid refrigerant pipe 231 and a plurality of first liquid refrigerant branched pipes 232. Each of the plurality of first liquid refrigerant branched pipes 232 may be branched from the first main liquid refrigerant pipe 231 and extended. Each of the first liquid refrigerant branched pipes 232 may be fluidly connected to one indoor unit 400. The first liquid refrigerant branched pipe 232 may be connected to the indoor unit 400 by the distribution pipe 520 coupled to the indoor unit connection port 203. For example, the first main liquid refrigerant pipe 231 may be connected to the outdoor unit 100, and the first liquid refrigerant branched pipe 232 may be connected to the indoor unit 400. The liquid refrigerant may flow between the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor unit 400 through the first liquid refrigerant pipe 230.

According to an example, a set of one first gaseous refrigerant connection pipe 240 and one first liquid refrigerant branched pipe 232 may be formed to be connected to one indoor unit 400. For example, one indoor unit 400 may be connected to one first gaseous refrigerant connection pipe 240 and one first liquid refrigerant branched pipe 232. For example, one indoor unit 400 may be connected to one gaseous refrigerant joined pipe 243 and one first liquid refrigerant branched pipe 232. One first gaseous refrigerant connection pipe 240 (or gaseous refrigerant joined pipe 243) and one first liquid refrigerant branched pipe 232 may be connected to the indoor unit 400 by a first distribution pipe 521 and a second distribution pipe 522, respectively. Therefore, the number of the first gaseous refrigerant connection pipes 240 (or the gaseous refrigerant joined pipes 243) and the number of the first liquid refrigerant branched pipes 232 may be configured to be the same.

According to an example, the first refrigerant distributor 200 may include a first distributor connection pipe 250. The first distributor connection pipe 250 may be a pipe configured to fluidly connect another refrigerant distributor (e.g., the second refrigerant distributor 300) to the first refrigerant distributor 200.

According to an example, the first distributor connection pipe 250 may be a pipe configured in addition to the first gaseous refrigerant connection pipe 240 configured to be connected to the indoor unit 400. One first gaseous refrigerant connection pipe 240 is a pipe paired with one first liquid refrigerant branched pipe 232, and the number of first gaseous refrigerant connection pipes 240 and the number of first liquid refrigerant branched pipes 232 may be the same. On the other hand, the first distributor connection pipe 250 may be disposed separately without being paired with the first liquid refrigerant branched pipe 232.

The first distributor connection pipe 250 may include a first distributor connection branched pipe 251, a second distributor connection branched pipe 252, and a distributor connection joined pipe 253. The first distributor connection branched pipe 251 may be a pipe branched from the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 210. The second distributor connection branched pipe 252 may be a pipe branched from the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 220. The distributor connection joined pipe 253 may be a pipe connected to the first distributor connection branched pipe 251 and the second distributor connection branched pipe 252. The distributor connection joined pipe 253 may be fluidly connected to another refrigerant distributor (e.g., the second refrigerant distributor 300) to be newly added.

According to an example embodiment, the configuration of the second distributor connection branched pipe 252 may be omitted from the first distributor connection pipe 250. For example, the first distributor connection pipe 250 may include only one pipe branched from the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 210.

According to an embodiment, the first refrigerant distributor 200 may include a plurality of first control valves 260. The plurality of first control valves 260 are respectively disposed in the pipes disposed in the first refrigerant distributor 200, and may be selectively turned on/off (or opened or closed) according to the operation condition. On/off of the first control valve 260 may be controlled by a processor (not shown) (including, e.g., processing circuitry) disposed in the air conditioner 1.

The plurality of first control valves 260 may include a first high-pressure refrigerant valve 261, a first low-pressure refrigerant valve 262, a first distributor connection valve 263, and a second distributor connection valve 264. Each of the plurality of first control valves 260 may be, e.g., a 2-way valve.

The first high-pressure refrigerant valve 261 may be positioned, e.g., on the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipe 241 of the first gaseous refrigerant connection pipe 240. One first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant valve 261 may be positioned on each of the plurality of high-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipes 241. The first high-pressure refrigerant valve 261 may be disposed to control the flow of the refrigerant passing through the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipe 241.

The first low-pressure refrigerant valve 262 may be positioned, e.g., on the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipe 242 of the first gaseous refrigerant connection pipe 240. One first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant valve 262 may be positioned on each of the plurality of low-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipes 242. The first low-pressure refrigerant valve 262 may be disposed to control the flow of the refrigerant passing through the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipe 242.

The refrigerant flowing through the gaseous refrigerant joined pipe 243 may differ according to the opening and closing of the first high-pressure refrigerant valve 261 and the first low-pressure refrigerant valve 262. For example, when the first high-pressure refrigerant valve 261 is opened and the first low-pressure refrigerant valve 262 is closed, a high-pressure gaseous refrigerant may flow into the gaseous refrigerant joined pipe 243. For example, when the first high-pressure refrigerant valve 261 is closed and the first low-pressure refrigerant valve 262 is opened, a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant may flow in the gaseous refrigerant joined pipe 243.

The first distributor connection valve 263 may be positioned, e.g., on the first distributor connection branched pipe 251 of the first distributor connection pipe 250. The first distributor connection valve 263 may be disposed to control the flow of the refrigerant passing through the first distributor connection branched pipe 251.

The second distributor connection valve 264 may be positioned, e.g., on the second distributor connection branched pipe 252 of the first distributor connection pipe 250. The second distributor connection valve 264 may be disposed to control the flow of the refrigerant passing through the second distributor connection branched pipe 252.

The first distributor connection valve 263 and/or the second distributor connection valve 264 may be selectively opened or closed according to the operation mode of the indoor unit(s) connected to the second refrigerant distributor 300 in a state in which the second refrigerant distributor 300 is connected to the first distributor connection pipe 250. The first distributor connection valve 263 and the second distributor connection valve 264 may be in the closed state, e.g., in a state in which the second refrigerant distributor 300 is not connected to the first distributor connection pipe 250.

If the first refrigerant distributor 200 is connected to the second refrigerant distributor 300, the first distributor connection valve 263 and/or the second distributor connection valve 264 may be selectively opened or closed by a processor (not shown).

According to an example, when the configuration of the second distributor connection branched pipe 252 is omitted from the first distributor connection pipe 250, the second distributor connection valve 264 may be omitted.

According to an example, the air conditioner 1 may include a second refrigerant distributor 300. The second refrigerant distributor 300 may have an internal configuration substantially identical or similar to that of the first refrigerant distributor 200. The capacity or size of the second refrigerant distributor 300 may be smaller than the capacity or size of the first refrigerant distributor 200. The second refrigerant distributor 300 may be connected to the first refrigerant distributor 200 by a plurality of connection pipes 600. Since the sizes of a plurality of connection pipes 600 through which the refrigerant passes are relatively small, the refrigerant capacity of the second refrigerant distributor 300 may be smaller than that of the first refrigerant distributor 200, but the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

According to an example, the second refrigerant distributor 300 may include at least one of a second high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 310, a second low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 320, a second liquid refrigerant pipe 330, a second gaseous refrigerant connection pipe 340, a second distributor connection pipe 350, or a plurality of second control valves 360.

The second high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 310 may correspond to the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 210 of the first refrigerant distributor 200, the second low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 320 may correspond to the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 220 of the first refrigerant distributor 200, the second liquid refrigerant pipe 330 may correspond to the first liquid refrigerant pipe 230 of the first refrigerant distributor 200, and the second distributor connection pipe 350 may correspond to the first distributor connection pipe 250 of the first refrigerant distributor 200. Thus, description of each of the second refrigerant distributor 300 is not repeated below.

For example, the second liquid refrigerant pipe 330 may include a second liquid refrigerant branched pipe 331 like the first liquid refrigerant pipe 230. For example, like the first distributor connection pipe 250, the second distributor connection pipe 350 may include a high-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipe 341, a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant branched pipe 342, and a gaseous refrigerant joined pipe 343. For example, like the first control valves 260, the plurality of second control valves 360 may include a second high-pressure refrigerant valve 361, a second low-pressure refrigerant valve 362, a third distributor connection valve 363, and a fourth distributor connection valve 364.

According to an example, the second refrigerant distributor 300 may be connected in parallel with the first refrigerant distributor 200. According to an example, the air conditioner 1 may include three parallel connection pipes 600 for connecting the first refrigerant distributor 200 and the second refrigerant distributor 300. The three parallel connection pipes 600 may include a fourth connection pipe 610, a fifth connection pipe 620, and a sixth connection pipe 630.

The fourth connection pipe 610 may be disposed to connect the first distributor connection pipe 250 of the first refrigerant distributor 200 and the second high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 310 of the second refrigerant distributor 300. The fifth connection pipe 620 may be disposed to connect the first gaseous refrigerant connection pipe 240 of the first refrigerant distributor 200 and the second low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 320 of the second refrigerant distributor 300. The sixth connection pipe 630 may be disposed to connect the first liquid refrigerant branched pipe 232 of the first refrigerant distributor 200 and the second liquid refrigerant pipe 330 of the second refrigerant distributor 300.

Here, the fourth connection pipe 610 connected to the first distributor connection pipe 250 among the plurality of parallel connection pipes 600 may have a smaller diameter than the first connection pipe 511 through which the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows or the second connection pipe 512 through which the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows among the plurality of connection pipes 510 connecting the outdoor unit 100 and the refrigerant distributors 200 and 300.

According to an embodiment, the air conditioner 1 may include a plurality of indoor units 400. For example, a first indoor unit 400a, a second indoor unit 400b, and a third indoor unit 400c may be connected to the first refrigerant distributor 200. For example, a fourth indoor unit 400d, a fifth indoor unit 400e, a sixth indoor unit 400f, and a seventh indoor unit 400g may be connected to the second refrigerant distributor 300.

Each of the plurality of indoor units 400 may include an indoor heat exchanger 410. The refrigerant introduced from the refrigerant distributors 200 and 300 may exchange heat with the indoor heat exchanger 410. After heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger 410, the refrigerant may flow back from the indoor unit 400 to the refrigerant distributors 200 and 300. During heat exchange, heat exchange between the indoor heat exchanger 410 and the refrigerant may be performed by the operation of the blowing fan 420 disposed in the indoor unit 400.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example refrigerant distributor according to an embodiment.

Although the first refrigerant distributor 200 is illustrated in FIG. 3, since the configuration of the first refrigerant distributor 200 is identical or similar to the configuration of the second refrigerant distributor 300, the following description may also be applied to the second refrigerant distributor 300.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first refrigerant distributor 200 may include all or some of an outdoor unit connection port 201, an indoor unit connection port 203, a serial connection port 202, and a parallel connection port 204. The outdoor unit connection port 201, the indoor unit connection port 203, the serial connection port 202, and the parallel port 204 may be formed to protrude to the outside of the body 200a of the first refrigerant distributor 200.

According to an example, as shown in FIG. 3, the first refrigerant distributor 200 may be provided with serial connection ports 202 that may be connected in ‘series’ with other refrigerant distributors, and in an embodiment of the disclosure, further include a parallel connection port 204 configured to be connected in ‘parallel’ with another refrigerant distributor.

Here, the ‘serial’ connection between the refrigerant distributors may refer to a connection between the serial connection port 202 of the first refrigerant distributor 200 and another refrigerant distributor. For example, the connection between the two first refrigerant distributors 200 in FIG. 1 may be referred to as a serial connection.

Here, the ‘parallel’ connection between the refrigerant distributors may refer to a connection between the parallel connection port 204 of the first refrigerant distributor 200 and another refrigerant distributor. For example, the connection between the first refrigerant distributor 200 and the second refrigerant distributor 300 in FIG. 1 may be referred to as a parallel connection.

According to an example, three outdoor unit connection ports 201 may be configured. The outdoor unit connection ports 201 may include a first outdoor unit connection port 201a, a second outdoor unit connection port 201b, and a third outdoor unit connection port. The first outdoor unit connection port 201a and the second outdoor unit connection port 201b may be connected to the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe (e.g., the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 210 of FIG. 2) and the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe (e.g., the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 220 of FIG. 2), respectively, of the first refrigerant distributor 200. The third outdoor unit connection port 201c may be connected to the first liquid refrigerant pipe (e.g., the first liquid refrigerant pipe 230 of FIG. 2) of the first refrigerant distributor 200. An inlet of the third outdoor unit connection port 201c serving as a passage for the liquid refrigerant may be smaller than an inlet of the first outdoor unit connection port 201a or the second outdoor unit connection port 201b serving as a passage for the gaseous refrigerant. The outdoor unit connection port 201 may not only be connected to the outdoor unit (e.g., the outdoor unit 100 of FIG. 1) by one pipe (e.g., the pipe 510 of FIG. 1) but may also be indirectly connected with another refrigerant distributor disposed between the outdoor unit 100 and the first refrigerant distributor 200.

According to an example embodiment, a plurality of indoor unit connection ports 203 may be configured. In the indoor unit connection port 203, one gaseous refrigerant connection port 203a and one liquid refrigerant connection port 203b may form a set to be connected to one indoor unit (e.g., the indoor unit 400 of FIG. 1). The indoor unit connection ports 203 may be configured in four sets, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 3, but the number of sets is not limited thereto.

According to an example embodiment, three serial connection ports 202 may be configured. The serial connection ports 202 may include a first serial connection port 202a, a second serial connection port 202b, and a third serial connection port 202c. The first serial connection port 202a and the second serial connection port 202b may be connected to the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 210 and the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 220 of the first refrigerant distributor 200. The third serial connection port 202c may be connected to the first liquid refrigerant pipe 230 of the first refrigerant distributor 200. An inlet of the third serial connection port 202c serving as a passage for the liquid refrigerant may be smaller than an inlet of the first serial connection port 202a or the second serial connection port 202b serving as a passage for the gaseous refrigerant.

For example, the first outdoor unit connection port 201a may be positioned at one end of the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 210, and the first serial connection port 202a may be positioned at the other end of the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 210.

For example, the second outdoor unit connection port 201b may be positioned at one end of the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 220, and the second serial connection port 202b may be positioned at the other end of the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 220.

For example, the third outdoor unit connection port 201c may be positioned at one end of the first liquid refrigerant pipe 230, and the third serial connection port 202c may be positioned at the other end of the first liquid refrigerant pipe 230.

For example, the outdoor unit connection port 201 and the serial connection port 202, respectively, may be positioned on opposite surfaces of the body 200a.

According to an example, the parallel connection port 204 may be provided for the first refrigerant distributor 200 to be coupled to another refrigerant distributor (e.g., the second refrigerant distributor 300 of FIG. 2). The parallel connection port 204 may be positioned, e.g., at the end portion of the first distributor connection pipe (e.g., the first distributor connection pipe 250 of FIG. 2). The parallel connection port 204 may have a smaller diameter than, e.g., the first outdoor unit connection port 201a or the second outdoor unit connection port 201b through which the gaseous refrigerant flows. The parallel connection port 204 may have a smaller diameter than, e.g., the first serial connection port 202a or the second serial connection port 202b through which the gaseous refrigerant flows. The parallel connection port 204 may be positioned, e.g., on a surface perpendicular to the surface of the body 200a where the outdoor unit connection port 201 is positioned. The parallel connection port 204 may be positioned, e.g., on a surface perpendicular to the surface of the body 200a where the serial connection port 202 is positioned.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are views illustrating an example process for controlling refrigerant flow according to an operation mode.

In FIGS. 4A to 4D, a relatively thick solid line among refrigerant circuit lines may refer to a pipe through which refrigerant flows, and a relatively thin solid line may refer to a pipe through which refrigerant does not flow.

Hereinafter, the flow of the refrigerant according to the operation of a single indoor unit 400 is described based on the first refrigerant distributor 200, but it may also be applied to the second refrigerant distributor 300.

When the single indoor unit 400 performs a cooling mode, the refrigerant flows from the second distribution pipe 522 to the single indoor unit 400 and from the single indoor unit 400 to the first distribution pipe 521. In this case, the first high-pressure refrigerant valve 261 is turned off (closed) and the first low-pressure refrigerant valve 262 is turned on (opened), so that a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant may flow through the first gaseous refrigerant connection pipe 240. Therefore, during the cooling mode, the liquid refrigerant may flow into the indoor unit 400 through the first liquid refrigerant pipe 230 and absorb heat through the heat exchanger 410, then vaporize into a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant and discharge from the indoor unit 400.

When the single indoor unit 400 performs a heating mode, the refrigerant flows from the first distribution pipe 521 to the single indoor unit 400, and from the single indoor unit 400 to the second distribution pipe 522. In this case, the first high-pressure refrigerant valve 261 may be turned on (opened) and the first low-pressure refrigerant valve 262 may be turned off (closed), so that a high-pressure gaseous refrigerant may flow through the first gaseous refrigerant connection pipe 240. Therefore, during heating mode, a high-pressure gaseous refrigerant may flow into the indoor unit 400 through the first gaseous refrigerant connection pipe 240 to release heat through the heat exchanger 410, then liquify into a liquid refrigerant and be discharged from the indoor unit 400.

FIG. 4A is a view illustrating the flow of refrigerant in a main cooling mode state. Here, the main cooling mode state may refer, for example, to a state in which more than half of the plurality of indoor units 400 to be operated perform a cooling mode. For example, FIG. 4A illustrates an overall main cooling mode state in which the first indoor unit 400a, the second indoor unit 400b, the fourth indoor unit 400d, and the fifth indoor unit 400e are in the cooling mode, the third indoor unit 400c and the sixth indoor unit 400f are in the heating mode, and the seventh indoor unit 400g is in the off state.

In the main cooling mode state, the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant may flow from the outdoor unit 100 to the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 210 through the first connection pipe 511, and the liquid refrigerant may flow from the outdoor unit 100 to the first liquid refrigerant pipe 230 through the third connection pipe 513. The low-pressure gaseous refrigerant may flow from the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 220 to the outdoor unit 100 through the second connection pipe 512.

In the second refrigerant distributor 300, refrigerant may circulate in the same direction as the first refrigerant distributor 200. For example, the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the fourth connection pipe 610 may correspond to the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the first connection pipe 511, the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the fifth connection pipe 620 may correspond to the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the second connection pipe 512, and the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the sixth connection pipe 630 may correspond to the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the third connection pipe 513. As the first distributor connection valve 263 is opened and the second distributor connection valve 264 is closed, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant may flow from the first distributor connection pipe 250 to the fourth connection pipe 610.

FIG. 4B is a view illustrating the flow of refrigerant in an example main heating mode state. Here, the main heating mode state may refer to a state in which, for example, more than half of the plurality of indoor units 400 are operated perform a heating mode. For example, FIG. 4B illustrates an overall main heating mode state in which the first indoor unit 400a and the fourth indoor unit 400d are in the cooling mode, the second indoor unit 400b, the third indoor unit 400c, the fifth indoor unit 400e, and the sixth indoor unit 400f are in the heating mode, and the seventh indoor unit 400g is in the off state.

In the main heating mode state, the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant may flow from the outdoor unit 100 to the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 210 through the first connection pipe 511. The low-pressure gaseous refrigerant may flow from the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 220 to the outdoor unit 100 through the second connection pipe 512. The liquid refrigerant may flow from the first liquid refrigerant pipe 230 to the outdoor unit 100 through the third connection pipe 513.

In the second refrigerant distributor 300, refrigerant may circulate in the same direction as the first refrigerant distributor 200. For example, the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the fourth connection pipe 610 may correspond to the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the first connection pipe 511, the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the fifth connection pipe 620 may correspond to the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the second connection pipe 512, and the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the sixth connection pipe 630 may correspond to the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the third connection pipe 513. As the first distributor connection valve 263 is opened and the second distributor connection valve 264 is closed, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant may flow from the first distributor connection pipe 250 to the fourth connection pipe 610.

FIG. 4C is a view illustrating an example flow of refrigerant in an all-room cooling mode state. Here, the all-room cooling mode state may refer to a state in which all of the plurality of indoor units 400 to be operated perform a cooling mode. For example, FIG. 4C illustrates an overall all-room cooling mode state in which the first indoor unit 400a to the sixth indoor unit 400f are in the cooling mode, and the seventh indoor unit 400g is in the off state.

In the all-room cooling mode state, the liquid refrigerant may flow from the outdoor unit 100 to the first liquid refrigerant pipe 230 through the third connection pipe 513. The low-pressure gaseous refrigerant may flow from the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 220 to the outdoor unit 100 through the second connection pipe 512. Since all of the high-pressure refrigerant valves are closed during the all-room cooling mode, refrigerant may not flow through the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 210 and the first connection pipe 511.

During the all-room cooling mode, unlike the other operation states, the first distributor connection valve 263 may be closed and the second distributor connection valve 264 may be opened. During the all-room cooling mode, the second distributor connection valve 264 may be opened to discharge the gaseous refrigerant through the fourth connection pipe 610 to increase the gaseous refrigerant discharge speed in the second refrigerant distributor 300. By opening the second distributor connection valve 264 during the all-room cooling mode, the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the indoor units 400d, 400e, and 400f connected to the second refrigerant distributor 300 may be moved to the first refrigerant distributor 200 through the second low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 320 as well as the second high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 310, thereby increasing the circulation speed of the gaseous refrigerant.

FIG. 4D is a view illustrating an example flow of refrigerant in an all-room heating mode state. Here, the all-room heating mode state may refer to a state in which all of the plurality of indoor units 400 to be operated perform a heating mode. FIG. 4D illustrates an overall all-room heating mode state in which the first indoor unit 400a to the sixth indoor unit 400f are in the heating mode, and the seventh indoor unit 400g is in an off state.

In the all-room heating mode state, the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant may flow from the outdoor unit 100 to the first high-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 210 through the first connection pipe 511. The liquid refrigerant may flow from the first liquid refrigerant pipe 230 to the outdoor unit 100 through the third connection pipe 513. Since all of the low-pressure refrigerant valves are closed during the all-room heating mode, refrigerant may not flow through the first low-pressure gaseous refrigerant pipe 220 and the second connection pipe 512.

In the second refrigerant distributor 300, refrigerant may circulate in the same direction as the first refrigerant distributor 200. For example, the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the fourth connection pipe 610 may correspond to the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the first connection pipe 511, the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the fifth connection pipe 620 may correspond to the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the second connection pipe 512, and the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the sixth connection pipe 630 may correspond to the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the third connection pipe 513. As the first distributor connection valve 263 is opened and the second distributor connection valve 264 is closed, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant may flow from the fourth connection pipe 610 to the first distributor connection pipe 250.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are views illustrating indoor units installed in a pre-installed air conditioner.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are views illustrating a method for configuring distribution pipes 520′, 520″, and 520″′ when a new indoor unit 400′ is added in a space in which a plurality of indoor units 400 are installed.

FIG. 5A illustrates a structure in which a new indoor unit 400′ is installed using a pipe with two distribution branched pipes 520′ in one set of distribution pipes 520. This is a structure that connects one set of indoor unit connection ports 203 to three indoor units 400, and although the piping structure may be simple, there is a disadvantage that a new indoor unit 400′ may not be operated independently.

FIG. 5B illustrates a structure in which a first refrigerant distributor 200 is additionally installed serially and then the added first refrigerant distributor 200 is connected to a new indoor unit 400′ through a distribution pipe 520″. In this case, the new indoor unit 400′ may be operated independently, but as shown, the length of the distribution pipe 520″ may be increased, and the piping structure inside the indoor ceiling is complicated, making it difficult to install.

FIG. 5C illustrates a structure in which a second refrigerant distributor 300 is additionally installed in parallel according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and then the second refrigerant distributor 300 is connected to a new indoor unit 400″′ through a distribution pipe 520″′. Since the second refrigerant distributor 300 is connected to the first refrigerant distributor 200 using the parallel connection pipe 600, the structure of the distribution pipe 520″′ is simplified compared to FIG. 5B, and each of the new indoor units 400′ may be operated independently, addressing the disadvantages occurring in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

In the disclosure, the above-described description has been made mainly of specific embodiments, but the disclosure is not limited to such specific embodiments, but should rather be appreciated as covering all various modifications, equivalents, and/or substitutes of various embodiments.