Patent Description:
With the development of technology, air conditioners have become a necessity of people's daily life and provide users with a comfortable environment. During the operation of the air conditioner, the refrigerant is normally circulated in a refrigerant circulation circuit composed of a compressor, a four-way valve, an indoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor heat exchanger. Once the refrigerant leaks, it will bring safety risks. However, nowadays, the air conditioner generally does not have a function of detecting the refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, the air conditioner cannot effectively process in time, so the air conditioner is not safe enough to operate.

<CIT> discloses an air conditioner according to the preamble of claim <NUM>; and a method for operating said air conditioner. A refrigerant concentration sensor is disposed in the indoor unit and/or the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and is configured to detect a concentration of a flammable refrigerant that is leaked into the indoor unit and/or leaked into the outdoor unit. When it is determined that the concentration of the refrigerant leaking into the indoor unit and/or leaking into the outdoor unit exceeds the first predetermined concentration value, an inert gas is released to the indoor unit and/or the outdoor unit, and the gas line and the liquid line between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are closed.

The main objective of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner, a method for controlling the air conditioner, and a computer-readable storage medium, aiming at solving the technical problem that the existing air conditioner is not safe enough to operate.

In order to achieve the above objective, the present invention provides an air conditioner according to independent claim <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the air conditioner further includes an inert gas storage container connected to the controller; and the controller is further configured to control the inert gas storage container to release an inert gas.

In some embodiments, the air conditioner further includes a fire extinguishing agent storage container connected to the controller; and the controller is further configured to control the fire extinguishing agent storage container to spray a fire extinguishing agent after igniting a refrigerant.

In some embodiments, the fire extinguishing agent storage container is a dry powder storage container.

In some embodiments, the air conditioner further includes a smoke and fire detection device connected to the controller for detecting whether the refrigerant is ignited.

In some embodiments, the smoke and fire detection device is a smoke detector.

In some embodiments, the smoke and fire detection device includes a first smoke and fire detection device located inside of the air conditioner, and configured to detect whether an indoor refrigerant is ignited; and a second smoke and fire detection device located outside of the air conditioner, and configured to detect whether an outdoor refrigerant is ignited; and the controller is configured to control the fire extinguishing agent storage container to spray the fire extinguishing agent after the indoor refrigerant is ignited or the outdoor refrigerant is ignited.

In order to achieve the above objective, the present invention further provides a method according to independent claim <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the method further includes:.

Besides, in order to achieve the above objective, the present invention further provides a computer readable storage medium according to claim <NUM>.

The realization of the objective, functional characteristics, advantages of the present disclosure are further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

The present disclosure provides an air conditioner.

Referring to <FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment not according to the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the air conditioner includes a compressor <NUM>, an indoor heat exchanger <NUM>, an outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, a four-way valve <NUM>, a refrigerant concentration sensor <NUM> and a controller (not shown). The controller is connected to the compressor <NUM> and the refrigerant concentration sensor <NUM>. A refrigerant circulation circuit is composed of the compressor <NUM>, the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>, the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, and the four-way valve <NUM>.

The refrigerant concentration sensor <NUM> may be configured to detect the refrigerant concentration in the air conditioner and transmit the detected refrigerant concentration to the controller. The controller is configured to control an operation of the compressor <NUM> according to the refrigerant concentration transmitted by the refrigerant concentration sensor <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the refrigerant concentration sensor <NUM> is provided in the air conditioner duct.

In the present embodiment, when the air conditioner is cooling/heating, the controller is configured to start refrigerant concentration detection, control the refrigerant concentration sensor <NUM> to be powered on, and detect the refrigerant concentration in the air conditioner through the refrigerant concentration sensor <NUM> in real time or at regular intervals. When the refrigerant concentration sensor <NUM> detects the refrigerant concentration, it transmits the detected refrigerant concentration to the controller. When the controller receives the refrigerant concentration transmitted by the refrigerant concentration sensor <NUM>, it controls the operation of the compressor <NUM> according to the refrigerant concentration. For example, when the detected refrigerant concentration is low, e.g., the refrigerant concentration is lower than a certain concentration value, it means that the refrigerant has not leaked, and at this time, the controller is configured to control the compressor <NUM> to continue to maintain the current operating state. When the detected refrigerant concentration is high, e.g., the refrigerant concentration is higher than a certain concentration value, the refrigerant may leak, and at this time, the controller is configured to control the compressor <NUM> to stop, that is, the controller is configured to control the air conditioner to stop the cooling/heating operation.

In some embodiments, the refrigerant concentration sensor <NUM> includes: a first refrigerant concentration sensor located inside of the air conditioner, and configured to detect an indoor refrigerant concentration, and a second refrigerant concentration sensor located outside of the air conditioner, and configured to detect an outdoor refrigerant concentration. Both the first refrigerant concentration sensor and the second refrigerant concentration sensor are connected to the controller.

When the air conditioner is cooling/heating, the controller is configured to start refrigerant concentration detection, control the first refrigerant concentration sensor and the second refrigerant concentration sensor to be powered on, detect the indoor refrigerant concentration through the first refrigerant concentration sensor, and detect the outdoor refrigerant concentration through the second refrigerant concentration sensor.

After the first refrigerant concentration sensor detects the indoor refrigerant concentration, the indoor refrigerant concentration is transmitted to the controller. When the controller receives the indoor refrigerant concentration transmitted by the first refrigerant concentration sensor, the controller compares the indoor refrigerant concentration with the first concentration threshold. Optionally, the value range of the first concentration threshold is preset to be [<NUM>%, <NUM>%].

If the indoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold, it means that the indoor refrigerant concentration is not high. At this time, the air conditioner is controlled to continue to operate normally. Optionally, when the indoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold, the first refrigerant concentration sensor is controlled to continue to detect the indoor refrigerant concentration again. For example, a corresponding detection period is set in advance, and the first refrigerant concentration sensor is controlled to periodically detect the indoor refrigerant concentration according to the detection period.

If the indoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold, it means that the indoor refrigerant concentration is high. At this time, the controller is configured to control the compressor <NUM> to stop.

Similarly, after the second refrigerant concentration sensor detects the outdoor refrigerant concentration, the outdoor refrigerant concentration is transmitted to the controller. When the controller receives the outdoor refrigerant concentration transmitted by the second refrigerant concentration sensor, the controller compares the outdoor refrigerant concentration with the first concentration threshold.

If the outdoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold, it means that the outdoor refrigerant concentration is not high. At this time, the air conditioner is controlled to continue to operate normally. Optionally, when the outdoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold, the second refrigerant concentration sensor is controlled to continue to detect the outdoor refrigerant concentration again. For example, the second refrigerant concentration sensor is controlled to periodically detect the outdoor refrigerant concentration according to the detection period.

If the outdoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold, it means that the outdoor refrigerant concentration is high. At this time, the controller is configured to control the compressor <NUM> to stop.

In the technical solutions of the present disclosure, the air conditioner includes a refrigerant circulation circuit including a compressor <NUM>, an indoor heat exchanger <NUM>, an outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, and a four-way valve <NUM>; a refrigerant concentration sensor <NUM> being configured to detect a refrigerant concentration; and a controller connected to the compressor <NUM> and the refrigerant concentration sensor <NUM>, and the controller being configured to control an operation of the compressor <NUM> according to the detected refrigerant concentration. When the refrigerant concentration is high, the controller is configured to control the compressor <NUM> to stop, that is, control the air conditioner to stop the cooling/heating operation, thereby improving the safety of the air conditioner operation.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, based on the first embodiment, a second embodiment of the air conditioner according to the invention is proposed. According to the invention, the air conditioner further includes an indoor fan <NUM> and an outdoor fan <NUM>, and both the indoor fan <NUM> and the outdoor fan <NUM> are connected to the controller.

Besides, in the present embodiment, a second concentration threshold is also set in advance, and the second concentration threshold corresponds to the lower limit value of the flammable concentration of the refrigerant, and the second concentration threshold is greater than the first concentration threshold. Optionally, a preset value range of the second concentration threshold is [<NUM>%, <NUM>%].

If the indoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold and the outdoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold, the indoor refrigerant concentration is further compared with the second concentration threshold. If the indoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the second concentration threshold, it means that the indoor refrigerant concentration is high, but the lower limit value of the flammable concentration of the refrigerant has not been reached. At this time, the controller is configured to control the indoor fan <NUM> to start. That is, when the indoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold and less than or equal to the second concentration threshold, and the outdoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold, the controller is configured to control the indoor fan <NUM> to start. The indoor refrigerant concentration is reduced through operating the indoor fan <NUM>, thereby preventing the refrigerant from being ignited and improving safety.

Similarly, if the outdoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold and the indoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold, the outdoor refrigerant concentration is further compared with the second concentration threshold. If the outdoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the second concentration threshold, it means that the outdoor refrigerant concentration is high, but the lower limit value of the flammable concentration of the refrigerant has not been reached. At this time, the controller is configured to control the outdoor fan <NUM> to start. That is, when the outdoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold and no greater than the second concentration threshold, and the indoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold, the controller is configured to control the outdoor fan <NUM> to start. The outdoor refrigerant concentration is reduced through operating the outdoor fan <NUM>, thereby preventing the refrigerant from being ignited and improving safety.

In the technical solutions of the present embodiment, the air conditioner includes an indoor fan <NUM> and an outdoor fan <NUM>, and both the indoor fan <NUM> and the outdoor fan <NUM> are connected to the controller. The controller is configured to control the indoor fan <NUM> to start after the indoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold and no greater than a second concentration threshold, and the outdoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold. And, the controller is configured to control the outdoor fan <NUM> to start after the outdoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold and no greater than the second concentration threshold, and the indoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold. The indoor fan <NUM> is operated to reduce the indoor refrigerant concentration, and the outdoor fan <NUM> is operated to reduce the outdoor refrigerant concentration, thereby preventing the refrigerant from being ignited and improving safety.

Further, based on the first embodiment or the second embodiment, a third embodiment of the air conditioner is proposed. The air conditioner further includes an inert gas storage container connected to the controller, and the controller being further configured to control the inert gas storage container to release an inert gas.

In the present embodiment, if the indoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold and the outdoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold, the indoor refrigerant concentration is further compared with the second concentration threshold. If the indoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the second concentration threshold, it means that the indoor refrigerant concentration is very high and has reached the lower limit of the flammable concentration of the refrigerant. At this time, in order to prevent the refrigerant from being ignited, the controller is configured to control to start the inert gas storage container, so that the inert gas storage container releases the inert gas, thereby further preventing the refrigerant from being ignited and improving safety.

Similarly, if the outdoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold and the indoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold, the outdoor refrigerant concentration is further compared with the second concentration threshold. If the outdoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the second concentration threshold, it means that the outdoor refrigerant concentration is very high, and the lower limit value of the flammable concentration of the refrigerant is reached. At this time, in order to prevent the refrigerant from being ignited, the controller is configured to control to start the inert gas storage container, so that the inert gas storage container releases the inert gas, thereby further preventing the refrigerant from being ignited and improving safety.

In the technical solutions of the present embodiment, the air conditioner further includes an inert gas storage container connected to the controller. The controller is further configured to control the inert gas storage container to release an inert gas after the indoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the second concentration threshold and the outdoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold, or after the outdoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the second concentration threshold and the indoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold, thereby further preventing the refrigerant from being ignited and improving safety.

Further, based on any one of the above embodiments, a fourth embodiment of the air conditioner of the present disclosure is proposed. The air conditioner further includes a fire extinguishing agent storage container connected to the controller.

When a refrigerant is ignited in the air conditioner, the controller is configured to control to start the fire extinguishing agent storage container, and cause the fire extinguishing agent storage container to spray the fire extinguishing agent, so as to extinguish the refrigerant and improve safety.

In some embodiments, the air conditioner further includes a smoke and fire detection device connected to the controller.

In some embodiments, the smoke and fire detection device is a smoke detector, a flame detector, or the like.

When the air conditioner performs cooling/heating operation, the controller is configured to control to power on the smoke and fire detection device, detect whether the refrigerant is ignited by the smoke and fire detection device, and transmit the detection result to the controller.

If the detection result is that the refrigerant is not ignited, the controller does not perform response processing. In some embodiments, when detecting that the refrigerant is not ignited, the controller is configured to control the first refrigerant concentration sensor to detect the indoor refrigerant concentration again, and the second refrigerant concentration sensor to detect the outdoor refrigerant concentration again. The operations in the foregoing embodiments are executed cyclically, and details are not described herein again.

If the detection result is that the refrigerant is ignited, the controller is configured to control the fire extinguishing agent storage container to start and cause the fire extinguishing agent storage container to spray the fire extinguishing agent.

In some embodiments, the smoke and fire detection device includes: a first smoke and fire detection device located inside of the air conditioner, and configured to detect whether the indoor refrigerant is ignited, a second smoke and fire detection device located outside of the air conditioner, and configured to detect whether the outdoor refrigerant is ignited. Both the first smoke and fire detection device and the second smoke and fire detection device are connected to the controller.

When the air conditioner performs cooling/heating operation, the controller is configured to control to power on the first smoke and fire detection device and the second smoke and fire detection device. The first smoke and fire detection device detects whether the indoor refrigerant is ignited, and the second smoke and fire detection device detects whether the outdoor refrigerant is ignited, and transmits the detection result to the controller.

When it is detected that the indoor refrigerant is ignited or the outdoor refrigerant is ignited, the controller is configured to control the fire extinguishing agent storage container to spray the fire extinguishing agent to extinguish the refrigerant, thereby further improving safety.

In the technical solutions of the present embodiment, the air conditioner further includes the fire extinguishing agent storage container connected to the controller. When the refrigerant is ignited, the controller is configured to control the fire extinguishing agent storage container to spray the fire extinguishing agent to extinguish the refrigerant, thereby further improving safety.

Correspondingly, based on the air conditioner in any one of the above embodiments, the present disclosure further provides a method for controlling the air conditioner.

Referring to <FIG> is a schematic flowchart of a method for controlling the air conditioner according to a first embodiment not according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the method includes the following operations:.

In the present embodiment, the air conditioner is the air conditioner as described above. When the air conditioner performs cooling/heating operation, the indoor refrigerant concentration and the outdoor refrigerant concentration are detected. Specially, the controller of the air conditioner starts the refrigerant concentration detection, and controls the first refrigerant concentration sensor and the second refrigerant concentration sensor to be powered on. The first refrigerant concentration sensor detects an indoor refrigerant concentration, and the second refrigerant concentration sensor detects an outdoor refrigerant concentration.

In the technical solutions of the present embodiment, when the air conditioner is running, the indoor refrigerant concentration and the outdoor refrigerant concentration are detected. When the indoor refrigerant concentration or the outdoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold, the controller is configured to control the compressor <NUM> to stop, that is, control the air conditioner to stop the cooling/heating operation, thereby improving the safety of the air conditioner operation.

Further, the present invention provides a second embodiment of the method for controlling the air conditioner based on the first embodiment of the method for controlling the air conditioner. According to the invention, the method further comprises:.

In the present embodiment, a second concentration threshold is also set in advance, and the second concentration threshold corresponds to the lower limit value of the flammable concentration of the refrigerant, and the second concentration threshold is greater than the first concentration threshold. Optionally, a preset value range of the second concentration threshold is [<NUM>%, <NUM>%].

In the technical solutions of the present embodiment, the controller is configured to control the indoor fan <NUM> to start after the indoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold and no greater than a second concentration threshold, and the outdoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold. And, the controller is configured to control the outdoor fan <NUM> to start after the outdoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold and no greater than the second concentration threshold, and the indoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold. The indoor fan <NUM> is operated to reduce the indoor refrigerant concentration, and the outdoor fan <NUM> is operated to reduce the outdoor refrigerant concentration, thereby preventing the refrigerant from being ignited and improving safety.

Further, the present disclosure provides a third embodiment of the method for controlling the air conditioner based on the first embodiment or the second embodiment of the method for controlling the air conditioner. In the present embodiment, the method further including:
controlling the inert gas storage container to release the inert gas after the indoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the second concentration threshold, and the outdoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold; or after the outdoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the second concentration threshold, and the indoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold; and the second concentration threshold being greater than the first concentration threshold.

In the present embodiment, if the indoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold and the outdoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold, the indoor refrigerant concentration is further compared with the second concentration threshold. The second concentration threshold is the threshold described in the second embodiment, and optionally, the value range of the second concentration threshold is [<NUM>%, <NUM>%]. If the indoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the second concentration threshold, it means that the indoor refrigerant concentration is very high and has reached the lower limit of the flammable concentration of the refrigerant. At this time, in order to prevent the refrigerant from being ignited, the controller is configured to control to start the inert gas storage container, so that the inert gas storage container releases the inert gas, thereby further preventing the refrigerant from being ignited and improving safety.

In the technical solutions of the present embodiment, the controller is configured to control the inert gas storage container to release an inert gas after the indoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the second concentration threshold and the outdoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold, or after the outdoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the second concentration threshold and the indoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold, thereby further preventing the refrigerant from being ignited and improving safety.

Further, the present disclosure provides a fourth embodiment of the method for controlling the air conditioner based on any embodiment of the method for controlling the air conditioner. In the present embodiment, the method further including:
detecting whether the refrigerant is ignited; controlling the fire extinguishing agent storage container to spray the fire extinguishing agent, if the refrigerant is ignited.

In the present embodiment, when the air conditioner performs cooling/heating operation, the controller is configured to control to power on the smoke and fire detection device, detect whether the refrigerant is ignited by the smoke and fire detection device, and transmit the detection result to the controller.

If the detection result is that the refrigerant is not ignited, the controller does not perform response processing. Optionally, when detecting that the refrigerant is not ignited, the controller is configured to control the first refrigerant concentration sensor to detect the indoor refrigerant concentration again, and the second refrigerant concentration sensor to detect the outdoor refrigerant concentration again. The operations in the foregoing embodiments are executed cyclically, and details are not described herein again.

Optionally, the smoke and fire detection device includes a first smoke and fire detection device located inside of the air conditioner, and a second smoke and fire detection device located outside of the air conditioner. When the air conditioner performs cooling/heating operation, the controller is configured to control to power on the first smoke and fire detection device and the second smoke and fire detection device. The first smoke and fire detection device detects whether the indoor refrigerant is ignited, and the second smoke and fire detection device detects whether the outdoor refrigerant is ignited, and transmits the detection result to the controller.

In the technical solutions of the present embodiment, when the air conditioner performs cooling/heating operation, detecting whether the refrigerant is ignited, and when the refrigerant is ignited, the controller is configured to control the fire extinguishing agent storage container to spray the fire extinguishing agent to extinguish the refrigerant, thereby further improving safety.

In addition, the present invention further provides a computer readable storage medium. According to the invention, the computer readable storage medium stores a program for controlling an air conditioner, the program, when executed by a processor, implements the following operations:.

Optionally, the program, when executed by the processor, implements the following operations:
controlling the inert gas storage container to release the inert gas after the indoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the second concentration threshold, and the outdoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold; or after the outdoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the second concentration threshold, and the indoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold; and the second concentration threshold being greater than the first concentration threshold.

Optionally, the program, when executed by the processor, implements the following operations:.

In the technical solutions of the present embodiment, when the air conditioner is running, the indoor refrigerant concentration and the outdoor refrigerant concentration are detected. When the indoor refrigerant concentration or the outdoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold, the controller is configured to control the compressor to stop, that is, control the air conditioner to stop the cooling/heating operation, thereby improving the safety of the air conditioner operation.

It should be noted that, in the document, the terms "comprising", "including" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also includes other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or device. Without more restrictions, an element limited by the sentence "including a. " does not exclude that there are other identical elements in the process, method, article, or device that includes the element.

The serial numbers of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure are only for description, and do not represent the superiority or inferiority of the embodiments.

Claim 1:
An air conditioner, comprising:
a refrigerant circulation circuit comprising:
a compressor (<NUM>),
an indoor heat exchanger (<NUM>), and
an outdoor heat exchanger (<NUM>);
a refrigerant concentration sensor (<NUM>); and
a controller connected to the compressor (<NUM>) and the refrigerant concentration sensor (<NUM>), and the controller being configured to control an operation of the compressor (<NUM>) according to a refrigerant concentration detected by the refrigerant concentration sensor (<NUM>),
wherein the refrigerant concentration sensor (<NUM>) comprises:
a first refrigerant concentration sensor located inside of the air conditioner, and configured to detect an indoor refrigerant concentration; and
a second refrigerant concentration sensor located outside of the air conditioner, and configured to detect an outdoor refrigerant concentration; and
the controller is configured to control the compressor (<NUM>) to stop when the indoor refrigerant concentration is greater than a first concentration threshold or the outdoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold;
wherein the air conditioner further comprises:
an indoor fan (<NUM>) connected to the controller; and
an outdoor fan (<NUM>) connected to the controller;
characterized in that the air conditioner comprises a four-way valve (<NUM>); and in that the controller is further configured to:
control the indoor fan (<NUM>) to start after the indoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold and not greater than a second concentration threshold, and the outdoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold; and
control the outdoor fan (<NUM>) to start after the outdoor refrigerant concentration is greater than the first concentration threshold and not greater than the second concentration threshold, and the indoor refrigerant concentration is less than or equal to the first concentration threshold,
wherein the second concentration threshold is greater than the first concentration threshold.