Patent ID: 9103557
Filing Date: 2015-08-11
Classification: F24F,F25B,G05D,Y02B

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling an air conditioner, the air conditioner comprising an outdoor device, a plurality of indoor devices, each including a sensor and an indoor expansion valve, the method comprising: detecting a malfunctioning sensor of any one of the plurality of indoor devices; when the malfunctioning sensor of any one of the plurality of indoor devices is detected, determining whether the air conditioner is operating by a normal superheat control, wherein the normal superheat control performs in a general heating or cooling mode; when the air conditioner is operating by the normal superheat control, calculating a temperature value of the malfunctioning sensor based on a temperature value of a normal functioning sensor of another indoor device of the plurality of indoor devices and controlling the indoor device that includes the malfunctioning sensor based on the calculated temperature value of the malfunctioning sensor, wherein an opening degree of the indoor expansion valve of the another indoor device including the normal functioning sensor is equal to or greater than, or equal to or less than an opening degree of the indoor expansion valve of the indoor device including the malfunctioning sensor, and wherein the normal functioning sensor senses a temperature of refrigerant and the indoor expansion valve throttles the refrigerant; determining whether the air conditioner operates by a direct control operation of the outdoor device when the air conditioner does not operate by the normal superheat control, wherein the direct control operation of the outdoor device is to control regardless of the value of the normal functioning sensor; and in case of the direct control operation of the outdoor device, controlling the indoor device regardless of the value of the normal functioning sensor.