Patent Description:
In the related art, air conditioning equipment includes a hydraulic device for heating. When the air conditioning equipment performs defrosting, the hydraulic device is often in a low-temperature environment due to participating in the defrosting. Therefore, a pipe in the hydraulic device is easily frozen, which may affect normal use of the hydraulic device. <CIT> relates generally to an air-conditioning hot-water supply combined system capable of performing an air-conditioning operation and a water heating operation with use of cold water or hot water generated by utilizing a heat pump cycle.

In the following, each of the described methods, apparatuses, embodiments, examples, and aspects, which do not fully correspond to the invention as defined in the claims is thus not according to the invention and is, as well as the whole following description, present for illustration purposes only or to highlight specific aspects or features of the claims. Embodiments not falling under the scope of the claims should be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the invention. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a control method, a control device, an air conditioning system, and a computer-readable storage medium.

According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a control method applied in an air conditioning system including an outdoor unit and a heating device. The outdoor unit includes an external heat exchanger and a first valve. The heating device is in a pipe connection with the external heat exchanger by the first valve. The control method includes: detecting, in response to obtaining a defrosting signal, an on/off state of the heating device; controlling, in response to the heating device being in the on state, the first valve to open to turn on the pipe connection between the heating device and the external heat exchanger and allow the heating device to participate in a defrosting operation; controlling, in response to the heating device is in the off state, the first valve to close to disconnect the pipe connection between the heating device and the external heat exchanger and allow the heating device not to participate in the defrosting operation; and in response to the heating device participating in the defrosting operation and a temperature of the heating device satisfying a predetermined condition, controlling the first valve to close, or ending the defrosting operation.

In the above control method, the heating device is capable of participating in the defrosting operation in the on state, and cannot participate in the defrosting operation in the off state. When the heating device participates in the defrosting operation and the temperature of the heating device satisfies the predetermined condition, the heating device cannot participate in the defrosting operation. Therefore, the heating device may be fully utilized for defrosting without being frozen, enabling the air conditioning system to operate normally.

In some embodiments, the air conditioning system further includes an indoor unit. The outdoor unit includes a second valve connecting the indoor unit with the external heat exchanger. The control method further includes: detecting, in response to obtaining the defrosting signal, a current operating mode of the indoor unit; in response to the heating device being in the off state or a mode confliction existing between the heating device and the indoor unit, controlling the first valve to close to disconnect the pipe connection between the heating device and the external heat exchanger and allow the heating device not to participate in the defrosting operation, and controlling the second valve to open to turn on a pipe connection between the corresponding indoor unit and the external heat exchanger and allow the indoor unit to participate in the defrosting operation; controlling, in response to the heating device being in the on state and no mode confliction existing between the heating device and the indoor unit, the first valve to open to turn on the pipe connection between the heating device and the external heat exchanger and allow the heating device to participate in the defrosting operation; and in response to the heating device participating in the defrosting operation and the temperature of the heating device satisfying the predetermined condition, controlling the first valve to close, and controlling the second valve to open to turn on the pipe connection between the corresponding indoor unit and the external heat exchanger and allow the indoor unit to participate in the defrosting operation.

In some embodiments, the control method further includes: controlling, in response to the heating device being in the on state and no mode confliction existing between the heating device and the indoor unit, the second valve to open to turn on the pipe connection between the corresponding indoor unit and the external heat exchanger and allow the indoor unit to participate in the defrosting operation.

In some embodiments, the temperature of the heating device includes a water inlet temperature and a water outlet temperature, and the predetermined condition includes a defrosting temperature threshold. The control method includes: determining, in response to a smaller one of the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature being less than or equal to the defrosting temperature threshold, that the temperature of the heating device satisfies the predetermined condition.

In some embodiments, the defrosting temperature threshold ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a control device for an air conditioning system. The air conditioning system includes an outdoor unit and a heating device. The outdoor unit includes an external heat exchanger and a first valve. The heating device is in a pipe connection with the external heat exchanger by the first valve. The control device includes: an obtaining module configured to obtain a defrosting signal; a detection module configured to detect an on/off state of the heating device; and a control module configured to: control, in response to the heating device being in the on state, the first valve to open to turn on the pipe connection between the heating device and the external heat exchanger and allow the heating device to participate in a defrosting operation; in response to the heating device is in the off state, control the first valve to close to disconnect the pipe connection between the heating device and the external heat exchanger and allow the heating device not to participate in the defrosting operation; and in response to the heating device participating in the defrosting operation and a temperature of the heating device satisfying a predetermined condition, control the first valve to close, or end the defrosting operation.

In the above control device, the heating device is capable of participating in the defrosting operation in the on state, and cannot participate in the defrosting operation in the off state. When the heating device participates in the defrosting operation and the temperature of the heating device satisfies the predetermined condition, the heating device cannot participate in the defrosting operation. Therefore, the heating device may be fully utilized for defrosting without being frozen, enabling the air conditioning system to operate normally.

In some embodiments, the air conditioning system further includes an indoor unit. The outdoor unit includes a second valve connecting the indoor unit with the external heat exchanger. The detection module is configured to detect, in response to obtaining the defrosting signal, a current operating mode of the indoor unit. The control module is further configured to: in response to the heating device being in the off state or a mode confliction existing between the heating device and the indoor unit, control the first valve to close to disconnect the pipe connection between the heating device and the external heat exchanger and allow the heating device not to participate in the defrosting operation, and control the second valve to open to turn on a pipe connection between the corresponding indoor unit and the external heat exchanger and allow the indoor unit to participate in the defrosting operation; control, in response to the heating device being in the on state and no mode confliction existing between the heating device and the indoor unit, the first valve to open to turn on the pipe connection between the heating device and the external heat exchanger and allow the heating device to participate in the defrosting operation; and in response to the heating device participating in the defrosting operation and the temperature of the heating device satisfying the predetermined condition, control the first valve to close, and control the second valve to open to turn on the pipe connection between the corresponding indoor unit and the external heat exchanger and allow the indoor unit to participate in the defrosting operation.

In some embodiments, the control module is configured to: control, in response to the heating device being in the on state and no mode confliction existing between the heating device and the indoor unit, the second valve to open to turn on the pipe connection between the corresponding indoor unit and the external heat exchanger and allow the indoor unit to participate in the defrosting operation.

In some embodiments, the temperature of the heating device includes a water inlet temperature and a water outlet temperature, and the predetermined condition includes a defrosting temperature threshold. The control module is configured to: determine, in response to a smaller one of the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature being less than or equal to the defrosting temperature threshold, that the temperature of the heating device satisfies the predetermined condition.

According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioning system including the control device according to any one of the above embodiments.

In the above air conditioning system, the heating device is capable of participating in the defrosting operation in the on state, and cannot participate in the defrosting operation in the off state. When the heating device participates in the defrosting operation and the temperature of the heating device satisfies the predetermined condition, the heating device cannot participate in the defrosting operation. Therefore, the heating device may be fully utilized for defrosting without being frozen, enabling the air conditioning system to operate normally.

According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioning system. The air conditioning system includes a memory, a processor, and computer-executable instructions stored in the memory and executable on the processor. The processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to implement steps of the control method according to any one of the above embodiments.

According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium including computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processor to perform steps of the control method according to any one of the above embodiments.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be provided at least in part in the following description, or will become apparent at least in part from the following description, or can be learned from practicing of the present invention.

The above and/or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent and more understandable from the description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Embodiments of the present invention. will be described in detail below with reference to examples thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which same or similar elements, or elements having same or similar functions, are denoted by same or similar reference numerals. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are illustrative only, and are intended to explain, rather than limiting, the present invention.

In the description of the present disclosure, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, the features associated with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present disclosure, "plurality" means at least two, unless otherwise specifically defined.

In the description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, terms such as "installed", "connected", and "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection or a detachable connection or an integral connection; mechanical connection or electrical connection; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate; internal communication of two components or the interaction relationship between two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present disclosure can be understood according to specific circumstances.

Various embodiments or examples for implementing different structures of the present invention are provided in the present disclosure. In order to simplify the description of the present disclosure, components and arrangements of specific examples will be described below. Of course, these specific examples are merely for the purpose of illustration, and they are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Further, the same reference numerals and/or reference letters may appear in different examples of the present disclosure for the purpose of simplicity and clarity, rather than indicating a relationship between different embodiments and/or arrangements as discussed. In addition, the present disclosure provides examples of various specific processes and materials. However, applications of other processes and/or the use of other materials are conceivable for those of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring to <FIG>, according to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a control method applied in an air conditioning system <NUM>. The air conditioning system <NUM> includes an outdoor unit <NUM> and a heating device <NUM>. The outdoor unit <NUM> includes an external heat exchanger <NUM> and a first valve <NUM>. The heating device <NUM> is in a pipe connection with the external heat exchanger <NUM> by the first valve <NUM>.

The control method includes steps as follows.

At step S110, an on/off state of the heating device <NUM> is detected in response to obtaining a defrosting signal.

At step S130, in response to the heating device <NUM> being in the on state, the first valve <NUM> is controlled to open to turn on the pipe connection between the heating device <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> and allow the heating device <NUM> to participate in a defrosting operation.

At step S150, in response to the heating device <NUM> being in the off state, the first valve <NUM> is controlled to close to disconnect the pipe connection between the heating device <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> and allow the heating device <NUM> not to participate in the defrosting operation.

At step S170, in response to the heating device <NUM> participating in the defrosting operation and a temperature of the heating device <NUM> satisfying a predetermined temperature, the first valve <NUM> is controlled to close, or the defrosting operation is ended.

The control method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented by a control device <NUM> according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, referring to <FIG>, the control device <NUM> includes an obtaining module <NUM>, a detection module <NUM>, and a control module <NUM>. The obtaining module <NUM> is configured to obtain a defrosting signal. The detection module <NUM> is configured to detect an on/off state of the heating device <NUM>. The control module <NUM> is configured to: in response to the heating device <NUM> being in the on state, control the first valve <NUM> to open to turn on the pipe connection between the heating device <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> and allow the heating device <NUM> to participate in a defrosting operation; in response to the heating device <NUM> being in the off state, control the first valve <NUM> to close to disconnect the pipe connection between the heating device <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> and allow the heating device <NUM> not to participate in the defrosting operation; and in response to the heating device <NUM> participating in the defrosting operation and a temperature of the heating device <NUM> satisfying a predetermined temperature, control the first valve <NUM> to close, or end the defrosting operation.

In the above control method and the control device <NUM>, the heating device <NUM> is capable of participating in the defrosting operation in the on state, and cannot participate in the defrosting operation in the off state. When the heating device <NUM> participates in the defrosting operation and the temperature of the heating device <NUM> satisfies the predetermined temperature, the heating device <NUM> cannot participate in the defrosting. In this way, the heating device <NUM> may be fully utilized for defrosting without being frozen, enabling the air conditioning system <NUM> to operate normally.

In some embodiments, in the air conditioning system <NUM> according to the embodiments illustrated in <FIG>, the outdoor unit <NUM> includes a compressor <NUM> and a four-way valve <NUM>. The heating device <NUM> includes a first heat exchanger <NUM>. The compressor <NUM> is a power source of the air conditioning system <NUM>. In the air conditioning system <NUM>, the compressor <NUM> is configured to compress a low-temperature refrigerant into a high-temperature refrigerant. Finally, the refrigerant will exchange heat with other media in the external heat exchanger <NUM>. The compressor <NUM> may be a volumetric compressor, a speed compressor, or the like. The four-way valve <NUM> is configured to allow the high-temperature refrigerant compressed by the compressor <NUM> to flow through different pipes by switching different channels, to enable the air conditioning system <NUM> switch between a refrigeration function and a heating function. In the illustrated embodiment, the four-way valve <NUM> is configured to communicate a D port with an E port, and communicate a C port with an S port, to implement the heating function of the air conditioning system <NUM>.

In addition, the first heat exchanger <NUM> is configured to allow the high-temperature refrigerant to exchange heat in the heating device <NUM> to realize the heating function of the heating device <NUM>. The first heat exchanger <NUM> includes, but is not limited to, a floating head type heat exchanger, a fixed tube plate type heat exchanger, a U-shaped tube plate type heat exchanger, a plate type heat exchanger, or the like. In one embodiment, the first heat exchanger <NUM> is the plate type heat exchanger.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in other embodiments, a temperature sensing element (not shown) may be disposed on the external heat exchanger <NUM>. The obtaining module <NUM> may obtain a temperature of the external heat exchanger <NUM> by the temperature sensing element. The temperature of the external heat exchanger <NUM> may be a temperature inside the external heat exchanger <NUM>, or may be an ambient temperature around the external heat exchanger <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the temperature sensing element may be an ambient thermal bulb for detecting the ambient temperature around the external heat exchanger <NUM>. In response to the ambient temperature around the external heat exchanger <NUM> being less than or equal to a predetermined temperature, the ambient thermal bulb performs corresponding feedback to allow the obtaining module <NUM> to obtain the defrosting signal. In other embodiments, the temperature sensing element may be a temperature sensor or an infrared sensor.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the defrosting signal is transmitted to the detection module <NUM>. The detection module <NUM> detects the on/off state of the heating device <NUM> based on the defrosting signal. It should be understood that, in other embodiments, the defrosting signal may be transmitted to the control module <NUM> to allow the control module <NUM> to control the detection module <NUM> to detect the on/off state of the heating device <NUM>.

In addition, the defrosting signal may be transmitted to a terminal in wireless communication with the air conditioning system <NUM>. The terminal includes, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a personal computer, a wearable device, other air conditioning systems <NUM>, or the like. The wireless communication may be implemented in a manner such as Bluetooth, WiFi, infrared, mobile network communication (for example, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.). In other embodiments, the defrosting signal may also be generated by a remote controller of the air conditioning system <NUM> or the above terminal, and transmitted to the control device <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in response to the control device <NUM> receiving the defrosting signal, the detection module <NUM> detects the on/off state of the heating device <NUM>, and transmits on/off state information of the heating device <NUM> to the control module <NUM> to allow the control module <NUM> to perform a corresponding operation.

In a further embodiment, in response to the heating device <NUM> being in the on state, the control module <NUM> controls the first valve <NUM> to open to turn on the pipe connection between the heating device <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM>. In this case, referring to <FIG> again, the high-temperature refrigerant generated in the compressor <NUM> sequentially passes through the D port and the E port into the first heat exchanger <NUM> in the heating device <NUM>, and finally flows to the external heat exchanger <NUM>, to realize the defrosting of the external heat exchanger <NUM> by the heating device <NUM>.

In response to the heating device <NUM> being in the off state, the control module <NUM> controls the first valve <NUM> to close to disconnect the pipe connection between the heating device <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM>. In this case, it is possible to avoid an internal pipe of the heating device <NUM> from being frozen when the heating device <NUM> participates in the defrosting operation, which may affect a subsequent normal operation of the heating device <NUM>.

In response to the heating device <NUM> participating in the defrosting operation and the temperature of the heating device <NUM> satisfying the predetermined condition, it can be confirmed that the heating device <NUM> is no longer suitable for participating in the defrosting operation, allowing the heating device <NUM> not to participate in the defrosting operation of the external heat exchanger <NUM> to prevent the internal pipe of the heating device <NUM> from being frozen. The predetermined condition can prevent the heating device <NUM> from being damaged due to too low temperature. The predetermined condition may be understood as an anti-low temperature condition or an anti-freezing condition.

The temperature of the heating device <NUM> may be a temperature of any of the pipes in the heating device <NUM>, or may be a temperature of other elements in the heating device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the predetermined condition includes a defrosting temperature threshold. The heating device <NUM> is provided with a temperature sensing element. In response to the temperature sensing element detecting that the temperature of the heating device <NUM> is less than or equal to the defrosting temperature threshold, the control module <NUM> may control the first valve <NUM> to close, or control the outdoor unit <NUM> to stop defrosting, to end the defrosting operation, which can prevent the temperature of the heating device <NUM> from being further reduced. The temperature sensing element includes, but is not limited to, a thermal bulb, a temperature sensor, an infrared sensor, etc. In other embodiments, the predetermined condition may also be a temperature variation of the detected temperature of the heating device <NUM> within a predetermined duration, and the description thereof in detail will be omitted herein.

It should be understood that, when the heating device <NUM> is in the on state, the heating device <NUM> may be heated to a higher temperature. In this case, the pipe in the heating device <NUM> is not easily frozen. Thus, it is possible for the heating device <NUM> to participate in the defrosting operation. When the heating device <NUM> is in the off state, the heating device <NUM> has a lower temperature. In this case, the heating device <NUM> cannot participate in the defrosting operation. Therefore, the pipe in the heating device <NUM> is not easily frozen to protect the heating device <NUM> from being affected.

In addition, the first valve <NUM> includes, but is not limited to, valves having different power sources, such as a solenoid valve, a hydraulic valve, a pneumatic valve, a backpressure valve, and valves having different opening and closing modes, such as a gate valve, a stop valve, a plug valve, a ball valve, a butterfly valve, a diaphragm valve, a check valve, a throttle valve, a pressure relief valve, and the like. In one embodiment, the first valve <NUM> is an electronic expansion valve.

In addition, in other embodiments, the first valve <NUM> has an opening degree. A flow velocity or a flow rate of the high-temperature refrigerant in the heating device <NUM> can be controlled by adjusting the opening degree of the first valve <NUM>. Thus, control precision can be improved. In one embodiment, the first valve <NUM> has a maximum opening degree of <NUM>.

In addition, the heating device <NUM> may be used for heating and generating domestic hot water. Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the heating device <NUM> includes an electric heating member <NUM>. In some embodiments, the heating device <NUM> may deliver the high-temperature refrigerant to the first heat exchanger <NUM> through the compressor <NUM> to realize the heating function, and may also generate the domestic hot water by delivering the high-temperature refrigerant and the heating by the electric heating member <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the air conditioning system <NUM> includes a heating coil <NUM>. The heating coil <NUM> may be mounted indoors. The heating device <NUM> may allow the heating coil <NUM> to generate heat through heating. The air conditioning system <NUM> further includes a water tank <NUM>. The heating device <NUM> can deliver the domestic hot water to the water tank <NUM> to meet requirement of a user for generating hot water by the heating device <NUM>. In some embodiments, in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the heating device <NUM> includes a water inlet <NUM> and a water outlet <NUM>. The water inlet <NUM> is configured to input cold water. The water outlet <NUM> is configured to output hot water. In one example, the electric heating member <NUM> is an electric heating tank.

Since the heating device <NUM> is in a high-temperature environment for a long time, in the case where the heating device <NUM> participates in the defrosting operation, when the pipe in the heating device <NUM> is frozen, the pipe in the heating device <NUM> may be deformed due to long-term thermal expansion and cold contraction, or even be damaged and broken, which would affect normal use of the heating device <NUM> and damage life safety of the user.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments, in response to the heating device <NUM> participates in the defrosting operation, referring to <FIG>, the control module <NUM> may transmit a signal to the heating device <NUM> to allow the heating device <NUM> to send an indication on participating in the defrosting operation. In some embodiments, the air conditioning system <NUM> includes an indicator (not shown) in one embodiment. The indicator includes, but is not limited to, a buzzer, an LED lamp, a display screen, a loudspeaker, etc. The heating device <NUM> may send indication information on the heating device participating in the defrosting operation to the user through at least one of alarm prompt tone, lighting with a specific change pattern, texts on a display screen, or voice.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in some embodiments, the air conditioning system <NUM> includes an indoor unit <NUM>. The outdoor unit <NUM> includes a second valve <NUM> connecting the indoor unit <NUM> with the external heat exchanger <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the control method includes the following steps.

At step S210, in response to obtaining the defrosting signal, a current operating mode of the indoor unit <NUM> is detected.

At step S230, in response to the heating device <NUM> being in the off state or a mode confliction existing between the heating device <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM>, the first valve <NUM> is controlled to close to disconnect the pipe connection between the heating device <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> and allow the heating device <NUM> not to participate in the defrosting operation, and the second valve <NUM> is controlled to open to turn on the pipe connection between the indoor unit <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> and allow the indoor unit <NUM> to participate in the defrosting operation.

At step S250, in response to the heating device <NUM> being in the on state and no mode confliction existing between the heating device <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM>, the first valve <NUM> is controlled to open to turn on the pipe connection between the heating device <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> and allow the heating device <NUM> to participate in the defrosting operation.

At step S270, in response to the heating device <NUM> participating in the defrosting operation and the temperature of the heating device <NUM> satisfying the predetermined condition, the first valve <NUM> is controlled to close, and the second valve <NUM> is controlled to open to turn on the pipe connection between the corresponding indoor unit <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> and allow the indoor unit <NUM> to participate in the defrosting operation.

The control method according to the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by the control device <NUM> according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, referring to <FIG>, the detection module <NUM> is configured to detect the current operating mode of the indoor unit <NUM> in response to obtaining the defrosting signal. The control module <NUM> is configured to: in response to the heating device <NUM> being in the off state or a mode confliction existing between the heating device <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM>, control the first valve <NUM> to close to disconnect the pipe connection between the heating device <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> and allow the heating device <NUM> not to participate in the defrosting operation, and control the second valve <NUM> to open to turn on the pipe connection between the indoor unit <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> and allow the indoor unit <NUM> to participate in the defrosting operation; in response to the heating device <NUM> being in the on state and no mode confliction existing between the heating device <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM>, control the first valve <NUM> to open to turn on the pipe connection between the heating device <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> and allow the heating device <NUM> to participate in the defrosting operation; and in response to the heating device <NUM> participating in the defrosting operation and the temperature of the heating device <NUM> satisfying the predetermined condition, control the first valve <NUM> to close, and control the second valve <NUM> to open to turn on the pipe connection between the corresponding indoor unit <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> and allow the indoor unit <NUM> to participate in the defrosting operation. In this way, the heating device <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM> may participate in the defrosting operation in cooperation with each other.

In some embodiments, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in the illustrated embodiments, the air conditioning system <NUM> has two indoor units <NUM> and two second valves <NUM>. Each indoor unit <NUM> is in communication with the compressor <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> to form respective independent pipe loops. Each pipe loop is provided with one second valve <NUM>. The second valve <NUM> is configured to turn on or disconnect the pipe loop. It should be understood that, by changing the port, to be communicated, of the four-way valve <NUM>, the indoor unit <NUM> may be switched among several modes. In other embodiments, one or more indoor units <NUM> may also be provided. For example, one, or more than two (for example, three or more) indoor units <NUM> may be provided. The number of the indoor units <NUM> may be selected as desired, and a specific principle is similar to that of the above embodiments, and thus the description thereof in detail will be omitted herein.

Referring to <FIG>, in response to obtaining the defrosting signal by the obtaining module <NUM>, the control module <NUM> may detect the operating mode of the indoor unit <NUM> by the detection module <NUM>. In some embodiments, the detection module <NUM> may receive operating mode information of the indoor units <NUM> in a wired or wireless communication manner. The control module <NUM> may determine the current operating mode of the indoor unit <NUM> based on the operating mode information of the corresponding indoor unit <NUM>. The operating mode of the indoor unit <NUM> may include a refrigeration mode, a heating mode, a dehumidification mode, a fresh air mode (or an air supply mode), etc..

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in response to the heating device <NUM> being in the off state or a mode confliction existing between the heating device <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM>, the control module <NUM> may determine that the heating device <NUM> cannot participate in the defrosting operation (that is, the heating device <NUM> cannot be continuously heated). Thus, the control module <NUM> controls the first valve <NUM> to close and control the second valve <NUM> to open, to allow the heating device <NUM> not to participate in the defrosting operation and allow the indoor unit <NUM> to participate in the defrosting operation. In this way, the defrosting operation may be achieved by the indoor unit <NUM> without the heating device <NUM> being frozen. The indoor unit <NUM> participating in the defrosting operation means that the control module <NUM> controls the second valve <NUM> to open to turn on the pipe loop where the corresponding indoor unit <NUM> is located and allow the high-temperature refrigerant to flow into the external heat exchanger <NUM> through the indoor unit <NUM>.

In response to the heating device <NUM> being in the on state and no mode confliction existing between the heating device <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM>, the control module <NUM> may determine that the heating device <NUM> can participate in the defrosting operation (that is, the heating device <NUM> is in a relatively high-temperature state due to heating). Thus, the control module <NUM> controls the first valve <NUM> to open to allow the heating device <NUM> to participate in the defrosting operation.

In response to the heating device <NUM> participating in the defrosting operation and the temperature of the heating device <NUM> satisfying the predetermined condition, it can be determined that an interior of the heating device <NUM> has a lower temperature. In this case, referring to <FIG>, the control module <NUM> controls the first valve <NUM> to close, and control the second valve <NUM> to open, allowing the heating device <NUM> not to participate in the defrosting operation of the external heat exchanger <NUM>, and allowing the outdoor unit <NUM> to participate in the defrosting operation. Therefore, the external heat exchanger <NUM> can be continuously defrosted without the internal pipe of the heating device <NUM> being frozen.

In addition, the air conditioning system <NUM> may detect current operating modes of the heating device <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM> for mode processing. In some embodiments, in response to the control module <NUM> determining that the indoor unit <NUM> is in the on state and a confliction existing between a mode of the heating device <NUM> and a mode the indoor unit <NUM>, it can be confirmed that there is a mode confliction between the heating device <NUM> and the outdoor unit <NUM>. In this case, the heating device <NUM> may be in a standby state or not operated or turned off, which may enable the heating device <NUM> not to turn on. The mode confliction may be determined as appropriate. In one embodiment, in response to the indoor unit <NUM> being in the on state and the heating device <NUM> being in the off state, the heating device <NUM> is turned on, which may generate the mode confliction for the heating device <NUM> and bring the heating device in the standby state. For example, in response to the indoor unit <NUM> operating in a cooling mode, the heating device <NUM> is turned on. In this case, the heating device <NUM> is heated, while the indoor unit <NUM> is cooled. Therefore, the mode confliction is generated.

It should be understood that, in response to no confliction existing between the mode of the heating device <NUM> and the mode of the indoor unit <NUM>, it can be confirmed that there is no mode confliction between the heating device <NUM> and the outdoor unit <NUM>.

In addition, the second valve <NUM> includes, but is not limited to, valves with different power sources such as a solenoid valve, a hydraulic valve, a pneumatic valve, a backpressure valve, and valves with different opening and closing modes such as a gate valve, a stop valve, a plug valve, a ball valve, a butterfly valve, a diaphragm valve, a check valve, a throttle valve, a pressure relief valve. In one example, the second valve <NUM> is an electronic expansion valve.

In addition, in other embodiments, the second valve <NUM> has an opening degree. A flow velocity or a flow rate of the high-temperature refrigerant in the indoor unit <NUM> may be controlled by adjusting the opening degree of the second valve <NUM>. Thus, control precision can be improved. In one embodiment, the second valve <NUM> has a maximum opening degree of <NUM>.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments, in response to the indoor unit <NUM> participating in the defrosting operation, the control module <NUM> may transmit a signal to the indoor unit <NUM> to allow the indoor unit <NUM> to send an indication on participating in the defrosting operation. In some embodiments, the indoor unit <NUM> has an indicator (not shown). The indicator includes, but is not limited to, a buzzer, an LED lamp, a display screen, a loudspeaker, etc. The indoor unit <NUM> may send indication information on the indoor unit <NUM> participating in the defrosting operation to the user through at least one of alarm prompt tone, lighting with a specific change pattern, texts on a display screen, or voice.

In other embodiments, the indoor unit <NUM> may be omitted in the air conditioning system <NUM>. In such an embodiment, in the heating device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the water inlet <NUM> is connected to the F port in <FIG>, and the water outlet <NUM> is connected to the E port in <FIG>. In addition, the water inlet <NUM> may also be in communication with a water supply pipe to supply water to the heating device <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, in some embodiments, the control method includes the following step.

At step S310, in response to the heating device <NUM> being in the on state and no mode confliction existing between the heating device <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM>, the second valve <NUM> is controlled to open to turn on the pipe connection between the corresponding indoor unit <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> and allow the indoor unit <NUM> to participate in the defrosting operation.

The control method according to the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by the control device <NUM> according to the embodiments of the present invention.

In some embodiments, referring to <FIG>, the control module <NUM> is configured to: in response to the heating device <NUM> being in the on state and no mode confliction existing between the heating device <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM>, control the second valve <NUM> to open to turn on the pipe connection between the corresponding indoor unit <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> and allow the indoor unit <NUM> to participate in the defrosting operation. In this way, the defrosting of the air conditioning system <NUM> can be performed at an increased speed.

In some embodiments, in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in response to the control module <NUM> confirming that no mode confliction exists between the heating device <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM>, the first valve <NUM> and the second valve <NUM> may be controlled to open to allow the heating device <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM> to perform the defrosting operation. Thus, it is possible to accelerate the defrosting speed of the external heat exchanger <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in some embodiments, the temperature of the heating device <NUM> includes a water inlet temperature and a water outlet temperature. The predetermined condition includes a defrosting temperature threshold. The control method includes the following step.

At step S510, in response to a smaller one of the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature being less than or equal to the defrosting temperature threshold, it is determined that the temperature of the heating device <NUM> satisfies the predetermined condition.

The control method according to the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by the control device <NUM> according to the embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, referring to <FIG>, the control module <NUM> is configured to: in response to the smaller one of the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature being less than or equal to the defrosting temperature threshold, determine that the temperature of the heating device <NUM> satisfies the predetermined condition. In this way, it is possible to accurately determine whether the current heating device <NUM> is capable of participating in the defrosting operation.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in some embodiments, the heating device <NUM> has a water inlet <NUM> and a water outlet <NUM>. The water inlet temperature corresponds to a temperature at the water inlet <NUM>, and the outlet water temperature corresponds to a temperature at the water outlet <NUM>. The heating device <NUM> is provide with temperature sensing elements (not shown) at the water inlet <NUM> and the water outlet <NUM>, respectively, and thus the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature can be detected by the temperature sensing elements. It should be understood that a smaller one of the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature can be obtained by comparing the water inlet temperature with the water outlet temperature.

In response to the heating device <NUM> participating in the defrosting operation, and the smaller one of the temperature at the water inlet 131and the temperature at the water inlet <NUM> is less than or equal to the defrosting temperature threshold, the control module <NUM> can determine that the pipe in the heating device <NUM> is at a lower temperature and is easily frozen. It should be understood that, in this case, the predetermined condition is that the smaller one of the temperature at the water inlet 131and the temperature at the water inlet <NUM> is less than or equal to the defrosting temperature threshold, and the control module <NUM> controls the first valve <NUM> to close to allow the heating device <NUM> not to participate in the defrosting operation.

In some embodiments, the defrosting temperature threshold ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>. In some embodiments, the defrosting temperature threshold may be adjusted as appropriate, or may be calibrated by testing. In one example, the defrosting temperature threshold is <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an air conditioning system <NUM> according to embodiments of the present disclosure includes the control device <NUM> according to any one of the above embodiments.

In the above air conditioning system <NUM>, the heating device <NUM> is configured to participate in the defrosting operation in the on state, and not to participate in the defrosting operation in the off state. When the heating device <NUM> participates in the defrosting operation and the temperature of the heating device <NUM> satisfies the predetermined condition, the heating device <NUM> cannot participate in the defrosting operation. In this way, the heating device <NUM> may be fully utilized for defrosting without being frozen, enabling the air conditioning system <NUM> to operate normally.

It should be noted that the above description of the implementation and beneficial effects of the control method and the control device <NUM> of the air conditioning system <NUM> are also applicable to the air conditioning system <NUM> of this embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted herein in order to avoid redundancy.

Referring to <FIG>, an air conditioning system <NUM> according to embodiments of the present invention includes a memory <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, and computer-executable instructions stored in the memory <NUM> and executable on the processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to implement steps of the control method according to any one of the above embodiments.

In the above air conditioning system <NUM>, the heating device <NUM> is configured to participate in the defrosting operation in the on state, and not to participate in the defrosting operation in the on state. When the heating device <NUM> participates in the defrosting operation and the temperature of the heating device <NUM> satisfies the predetermined condition, the heating device <NUM> cannot participate in the defrosting operation. Therefore, the heating device <NUM> may be fully utilized for defrosting without being frozen, enabling the air conditioning system <NUM> to operate normally.

For example, the processor <NUM> is configured to: in response to the heating device <NUM> being in the on state, control the first valve <NUM> to open to turn on the pipe connection between the heating device <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> and allow the heating device <NUM> to participate in the defrosting operation; in response to the heating device <NUM> being in the off state, control the first valve <NUM> to close to disconnect the pipe connection between the heating device <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> and allow the heating device <NUM> not to participate in the defrosting operation; and in response to the heating device <NUM> participating in the defrosting operation and the temperature of the heating device <NUM> satisfying the predetermined condition, control the first valve <NUM> to close or end the defrosting operation.

In some embodiments, the memory <NUM> and the processor <NUM> may be integrated in a controller, or on a control board, in a control box or the like. The processor <NUM> may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or may be another general-purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field- Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or a transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, etc..

Embodiments of the present invention provide a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium including computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processor to implement steps of the control method according to any one of the above embodiments.

For example, the program, when executed by the processor, implements the following steps of the control method.

At step S110, in response to obtaining a defrosting signal, an on/off state of the heating device <NUM> is detected.

At step S130, in response to the heating device <NUM> being in the on state, the first valve <NUM> is controlled to open to turn on a pipe connection between the heating device <NUM> and the external heat exchanger <NUM> and allow the heating device <NUM> to participate in a defrosting operation.

At step S170, in response to the heating device <NUM> participating in the defrosting operation and a temperature of the heating device <NUM> satisfying a predetermined condition, the first valve <NUM> is controlled to close, or the defrosting operation is ended.

The computer-readable storage medium may be disposed in the air conditioning system <NUM>, or may be disposed at a terminal such as a server. The air conditioning system <NUM> can be communication with the terminal to obtain a corresponding program.

It should be understood that the computer-readable medium may include any entity or apparatus capable of carrying the computer program codes, a recording medium, a USB disk, a mobile hard disk, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a computer memory, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a software distribution medium, etc. The computer program may include computer program codes. The computer program codes may be in a form of source codes, object codes, an executable file, or some intermediate forms, etc. The computer-readable medium may include any entity or apparatus capable of carrying the computer program codes, the recording medium, the USB disk, the mobile hard disk, the magnetic disk, the optical disk, the computer memory, the Read-Only Memory (ROM), the Random Access Memory (RAM), the software distribution medium, etc..

In some embodiments of the present invention, a controller is a single-chip microcomputer chip, on which a processor, a memory, a communication module, and the like are integrated. The processor may refer to a processor included in the controller. The processor may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), and may also be another general-purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, a discrete gate or a transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, and the like.

Any procedure or method described in the flowcharts or described in any other way herein may be understood to include one or more modules, segments or parts of codes of executable instructions that implement actions of particular logic functions or procedures. Moreover, advantageous embodiments of the present disclosure include other implementations in which functions are executed in the order different from which is depicted or discussed, including in a substantially simultaneous manner or in an opposite order according to the related functions, which should be understood by those skilled in the art.

The logic and/or step described in other manners herein or shown in the flowchart, for example, a particular sequence table of executable instructions for realizing the logical function, may be specifically implemented in any computer readable medium to be used by the instruction execution system, device or equipment (such as the system based on computers, systems including processors, or other systems capable of obtaining the instructions from the instruction execution system, device and equipment and executing the instructions), or to be used in combination with the instruction execution system, device and equipment.

It should be understood that each part of the present invention may be implemented by the hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. In the above embodiments, a plurality of steps or methods may be implemented by the software or firmware stored in the memory and executed by the appropriate instruction execution system. For example, if it is implemented by the hardware, likewise in another embodiment, the steps or methods may be implemented by one or a combination of the following techniques known in the art: a discrete logic circuit having a logic gate circuit for realizing a logic function of a data signal, an application-specific integrated circuit having an appropriate combination logic gate circuit, a programmable gate array (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc..

Claim 1:
A control method, applied in an air conditioning system (<NUM>) comprising an outdoor unit (<NUM>) and a heating device (<NUM>), the outdoor unit comprising an external heat exchanger (<NUM>) and a first valve (<NUM>), the heating device (<NUM>) being in a pipe connection with the external heat exchanger (<NUM>) by the first valve (<NUM>), the control method comprising:
detecting (S110), in response to obtaining a defrosting signal, if the heating device (<NUM>) is in an on or off state;
controlling (S130), in response to detecting that the heating device (<NUM>) is in the on state, the first valve (<NUM>) to open to turn on the pipe connection between the heating device (<NUM>) and the external heat exchanger (<NUM>) so that the heating device (<NUM>) participates in a defrosting operation;
controlling (S150), in response to detecting that the heating device (<NUM>) is in the off state, the first valve (<NUM>) to close to disconnect the pipe connection between the heating device (<NUM>) and the external heat exchanger (<NUM>) so that the heating device (<NUM>) does not participate in the defrosting operation; and
in response to the heating device (<NUM>) participating in the defrosting operation and a temperature of the heating device (<NUM>) satisfying a predetermined condition, controlling the first valve (<NUM>) to close, or ending the defrosting operation.