Patent ID: 12188696

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantages and features of the present disclosure and methods for achieving them will be made clear from the embodiments described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The present disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings for explaining an air conditioner according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Overall Configuration

Referring toFIG.1, the air conditioner of the present disclosure includes an outdoor unit10including a compressor12for compressing a refrigerant and an outdoor heat exchanger14for exchanging the refrigerant and outside air, a ventilation device100heat-exchanging indoor air to discharge to the outside and heat-exchanging outside air to supply to the indoor, and a plurality of refrigerant pipes30,40,50connecting the ventilation device100and the outdoor unit10.

The ventilation device100may be a ventilation apparatus that discharges indoor air to an outdoor space and supplies outside air to an indoor space. The ventilation device100may heat or cool outside air supplied to the indoor space by disposing a plurality of heat exchangers therein. The ventilation device100may exchange heat between outside air and indoor air. The ventilation device100may heat-exchange indoor air discharged to the outdoor space and then discharge the indoor air.

The ventilation device100includes a refrigerant distributor150that transfers refrigerant to each of the plurality of heat exchangers. The ventilation device100may supply a liquid refrigerant or a gaseous refrigerant to each of the plurality of heat exchangers disposed therein, through the refrigerant distributor150. Accordingly, each of the plurality of heat exchangers disposed inside the ventilation device100may heat the flowing air and cool the flowing air simultaneously.

The ventilation device100may be connected to the outdoor unit10through a plurality of refrigerant pipes30,40, and50. The ventilation device100may be connected to the outdoor unit10through three refrigerant pipes.

The plurality of refrigerant pipes30,40,50may include a liquid pipe30through which a liquid refrigerant flows, a high-pressure refrigerant pipe40through which a high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows, and a low-pressure refrigerant pipe50through which a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows.

The outdoor unit10may compress a refrigerant by a compressor12disposed therein, and transfer the compressed refrigerant to the outdoor heat exchanger14or to the ventilation device100.

Ventilation Device

Hereinafter, a ventilation device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.2to5B.

The ventilation device100of the present disclosure is installed between an indoor space and an outdoor space, and may allow indoor air to flow outdoors and outside air to flow indoors. The ventilation device100of the present disclosure may be a ventilation device that introduces outside air into the indoor and transfers indoor air to the outside.

The ventilation device100may be connected to the outdoor unit10through a plurality of refrigerant pipes30,40, and50. Referring toFIGS.1to3, the ventilation device100includes a liquid pipe30through which a liquid refrigerant flows, a high-pressure refrigerant pipe40through which a high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows, and a low-pressure refrigerant pipe50through which a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows, and is connected to the outdoor unit10.

The ventilation device100of the present disclosure includes a supply flow path120through which outside air flows therein, a case110forming a discharge flow path122through which indoor air flows, a partition wall124disposed inside the case110and separating the supply flow path120and the discharge flow path122, a total heat exchanger130disposed inside the case110and heat-exchanging the outside air flowing through the supply flow path120with the indoor air flowing through the discharge flow path122, a plurality of heat exchangers200,210,220,230,240disposed in the supply flow path120or the discharge flow path122, and heat-exchanging flowing air with a refrigerant, and a refrigerant distributor150flowing the refrigerant flowing from the outdoor unit10to at least one of a plurality of heat exchangers200,210,220,230,240, and sending the refrigerant flowing from at least one of the plurality of heat exchangers200,210,220,230,240to the outdoor unit10.

The ventilation device100includes a first blowing fan140rotatably disposed in the supply flow path120, a first blowing motor142that rotates the first blowing fan140, a second blowing fan144that is rotatably disposed in the discharge flow path122, and a second blowing motor146that rotates the second blowing fan144.

A plurality of heat exchangers include a main heat exchanger200disposed in the supply flow path120to heat-exchange the refrigerant with the flowing outside air, a recovery heat exchanger210disposed in the discharge flow path122to heat-exchange with the flowing indoor air, and a re-heat heat exchanger220disposed in the supply flow path and heat-exchanging the refrigerant with the outside air that passed through the main heat exchanger200. The plurality of heat exchangers may further include an auxiliary heat exchanger230disposed in the supply flow path120and heat-exchanging the outside air that passed through the re-heat heat exchanger220. The plurality of heat exchangers may further include a preheat heat exchanger240disposed in the supply flow path120and preheating the air introduced into an outside air intake port116.

The case110forms a supply flow path120and a discharge flow path122therein. The case110forms a space in which the refrigerant distributor150is disposed. The space in which the refrigerant distributor150is disposed may be a space separated from the supply flow path120and the discharge flow path122. In addition, the refrigerant distributor150may be disposed in one side of the supply flow path120or the discharge flow path122. The refrigerant distributor150may be disposed in a position that does not interfere with the flow of air in one side of the supply flow path120.

The case110includes an outside air intake port116, through which the inside of the case110and the outside communicate with each other, that is formed in one side of the supply flow path120, and an outside air supply port118, through which the inside of the case110and the interior communicate with each other, that is formed in the other side of the supply flow path120. The case110includes an indoor air discharge port114, through which the inside of the case110and the outside communicate with each other, that is formed in one side of the discharge flow path122, and an indoor air intake port112, through which the inside of the case110and the interior communicate with each other, that is formed in the other side of the discharge flow path122.

The outside air intake port116and the outside air supply port118may be disposed in a vertical direction. The indoor air intake port112and the indoor air discharge port114may be disposed in a vertical direction.

The supply flow path120forms a flow path shorter than the discharge flow path122. Referring toFIG.2, the supply flow path120may form a vertical flow path in the form of an “′” shape.

The supply flow path120may be separated into a first supply flow path120aformed between the outside air intake port116and the total heat exchanger130, a second supply flow path120bformed between the total heat exchanger130and the main heat exchanger200, a third supply flow path120cformed between the main heat exchanger200and the re-heat heat exchanger220, and a fourth supply flow path120dformed between the re-heat heat exchanger220and the outside air supply port118.

In the first supply flow path120a, a preheating heat exchanger (not shown) connected to the refrigerant distributor150, and heating the air flowing into the outside air intake port116may be disposed.

In the second supply flow path120b, the cross-sectional area of the flow path increases as it goes from upstream to downstream in the flow direction of air. The main heat exchanger200is disposed in the downstream end of the second supply flow path120b. The flow velocity of the air flowing through the second supply flow path120bdecreases as it goes downstream, and the flow path expands. Therefore, a large amount of air may be heat-exchanged in the main heat exchanger200.

A drain pan126for temporarily storing condensed water and discharging the condensed water to the outside may be disposed under the main heat exchanger200.

The third supply flow path120chas a shape in which the cross-sectional area of the flow path decreases as it goes from upstream to downstream in the flow direction of air. Accordingly, condensed water generated from the air flowing through the third supply flow path120cmay move to the drain pan126. The air flowing through the third supply flow path120cmay be formed to have a flow speed that becomes faster gradually.

A first blowing fan140is disposed in the fourth supply flow path120d. The fourth supply flow path120dmay form a flow path perpendicular to the third supply flow path120c. The first blowing fan140flows the air that passed through the re-heat heat exchanger220to the outside air supply port118.

The discharge flow path122may include a first discharge flow path122aformed between the indoor air intake port112and the total heat exchanger130, and a second discharge flow path122bformed between the total heat exchanger130and the indoor air discharge port114.

The second discharge flow path122bis disposed below the first supply flow path120a. The first discharge flow path122ais disposed below the second supply flow path120b.

The first discharge flow path122aforms a flow path perpendicular to the second discharge flow path122b.

A recovery heat exchanger210is disposed in the second discharge flow path122b.

A second blowing fan144is disposed in the second discharge flow path122bto flow air flowing through the discharge flow path122to the indoor air discharge port114.

A partition wall124that separates the supply flow path120and the discharge flow path122is disposed inside the case110.

The partition wall124includes a first partition wall124apartitioning between the second supply flow path120band the first discharge flow path122a, and a second partition wall124bpartitioning between the first supply flow path120aand the second discharge flow path122b.

The second partition wall124bmay have a horizontal plate shape that partitions the first supply flow path120aand the second discharge flow path122b. The first partition wall124amay include an inclined surface124alfor expanding the cross-sectional area of the second supply flow path120b.

The total heat exchanger130is an apparatus for recovering sensible heat and latent heat by using a temperature difference and a humidity difference between outside air and ventilated air while rotating at a low speed. The total heat exchanger130is formed in a cylindrical body shape, and the inside is formed in a honeycomb structure to allow air to pass therethrough.

The total heat exchanger130may recover sensible heat and latent heat by using a temperature difference and a humidity difference between outside air and ventilated air while rotating a heat exchanger132at a low speed. The heat exchanger132is formed of aluminum as a base material and may recover sensible heat by the heat transfer characteristics of aluminum. In addition, aluminum is impregnated with a desiccant, and latent heat may be recovered by the principle of absorption of water vapor.

The total heat exchanger130is disposed in both the supply flow path120and the discharge flow path122.

Each of the plurality of heat exchangers200,210,220,230,240is connected to the refrigerant distributor150by a plurality of indoor gas pipes170,172,174,176,178and a plurality of indoor liquid pipes160,162,164,166,168.

In the supply flow path120, the main heat exchanger200is disposed downstream of the total heat exchanger130. In the supply flow path120, the main heat exchanger200may be disposed in an enlarged cross-sectional area. The main heat exchanger200may exchange heat with air in a larger area than the re-heat heat exchanger220. The main heat exchanger200may be connected to the refrigerant distributor150to receive a compressed refrigerant flowing from a high-pressure refrigerant pipe40or a liquid refrigerant flowing from a liquid pipe30.

The recovery heat exchanger210is disposed, in the discharge flow path122, downstream of the total heat exchanger130. The recovery heat exchanger210heats or cools indoor air flowing to the outdoor space through the discharge flow path122. The recovery heat exchanger210may operate opposite to the main heat exchanger200. Here, the opposite operation may mean that heat exchanges for heating or cooling air are performed differently. That is, it may mean that when the main heat exchanger200cools the air flowing through the supply flow path120, the recovery heat exchanger210heats the air flowing through the discharge flow path122, and when the main heat exchanger200heats air flowing through the supply flow path120, the recovery heat exchanger210cools the air flowing through the discharge flow path122.

The recovery heat exchanger210may be disposed, in the discharge flow path122, upstream of the second blowing fan144.

The re-heat heat exchanger220is disposed, in the supply flow path120, downstream of the main heat exchanger200. The re-heat heat exchanger220may be disposed in an inlet end of the first blowing fan140. Accordingly, the re-heat heat exchanger220may heat air flowing into the inlet end of the first blowing fan140. The re-heat heat exchanger220may be connected to the refrigerant distributor150to receive the refrigerant discharged from the compressor12.

The re-heat heat exchanger220may heat the flowing air in consideration of the temperature and relative humidity of the air discharged into the indoor space. The re-heat heat exchanger220and the main heat exchanger200may control the temperature and relative humidity of air discharged to the indoor space.

That is, in consideration of the temperature (hereinafter, “set temperature) and humidity (hereinafter, “set humidity)” set by a user, the re-heat heat exchanger220and the main heat exchanger200may be operated. First, the main heat exchanger200cools the air to a dew point temperature corresponding to the set temperature and set humidity, and the re-heat heat exchanger220heats the air to a discharge temperature range, so that air may be discharged with the temperature and humidity range set by a user.

In addition, in another embodiment, the re-heat heat exchanger220may be directly connected to the high-pressure refrigerant pipe40to receive the refrigerant discharged from the compressor12. At this time, the re-heat heat exchanger220is connected to the high-pressure refrigerant pipe40to receive and heat-exchange a high-pressure gas refrigerant flowing through the high-pressure refrigerant pipe40. In this case, the re-heat heat exchanger220is directly connected to the refrigerant distributor150, or connected to the first indoor liquid pipe160connecting the main heat exchanger200and the refrigerant distributor150, so that the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the re-heat heat exchanger220may be supplied to the refrigerant distributor150.

The auxiliary heat exchanger230is disposed downstream of the re-heat heat exchanger220, in the supply flow path120. The auxiliary heat exchanger230is disposed at the discharge end of the supply flow path120to heat the air discharged to the outside air supply port118. The auxiliary heat exchanger230may be disposed in the outside air supply port118.

The preheat heat exchanger240is disposed upstream of the total heat exchanger130, in the supply flow path120. The preheat heat exchanger240is disposed at the suction end of the supply flow path120to heat the air introduced from the outside air intake port116. The preheat heat exchanger240may be disposed in the first supply flow path120a.

The refrigerant distributor150is connected to the outdoor unit10and connected to each of the plurality of heat exchangers200,210,220,230,240. The refrigerant distributor150is connected to the outdoor unit10through the liquid pipe30, the high-pressure refrigerant pipe40, and the low-pressure refrigerant pipe50.

The refrigerant distributor150is disposed inside the case110. The refrigerant distributor150is connected to each of a plurality of heat exchangers200,210,220,230,240which are disposed inside the ventilation device100, through a plurality of indoor gas pipes170,172,174,176,178and a plurality of indoor liquid pipes160,162,164,166,168. The plurality of indoor gas pipes may include a first indoor gas pipe170connected to the main heat exchanger200, a second indoor gas pipe172connected to the recovery heat exchanger210, and a third indoor gas pipe173connected to the re-heat heat exchanger220. The plurality of indoor gas pipes may further include a fourth indoor gas pipe176connected to the auxiliary heat exchanger230, and a fifth indoor gas pipe178connected to the preheat heat exchanger240.

Each of the plurality of indoor gas pipes170,172,174,176,178is branched inside the refrigerant distributor150and connected to a high-pressure refrigerant header154and a low-pressure refrigerant header156. Control valves170a,170b,172a,172b,174a,174b,176a,176b,178a,178bfor controlling the flow of refrigerant are disposed in each of a plurality of branched indoor gas pipes170,172,174,176,178.

The plurality of indoor liquid pipes may include a first indoor liquid pipe160connected to the main heat exchanger200, a second indoor liquid pipe162connected to the recovery heat exchanger210, and a third indoor liquid pipe164connected to the re-heat heat exchanger220. The plurality of indoor liquid pipes may further include a fourth indoor liquid pipe166connected to the auxiliary heat exchanger230, and a fifth indoor liquid pipe168connected to the preheat heat exchanger240. Indoor heat exchanger expansion valves202,212,222,232,242may be disposed in each of the plurality of indoor liquid pipes160,162,164,166,168. Accordingly, the indoor heat exchanger expansion valves202,212,222,232,242disposed in each of the plurality of indoor liquid pipes160,162,164,166,168may expand the refrigerant flowing through each of the plurality of indoor liquid pipes160,162,164,166,168.

The refrigerant distributor150is connected to the main heat exchanger200through the first indoor liquid pipe160and the first indoor gas pipe170. The refrigerant distributor150is connected to the recovery heat exchanger210through the second indoor liquid pipe162and the second indoor gas pipe172. The refrigerant distributor150is connected to the re-heat heat exchanger210through the third indoor liquid pipe164and the third indoor gas pipe174.

The refrigerant distributor150includes a liquid refrigerant header152connecting the liquid pipe30and each of the plurality of heat exchangers200,210,220,230,240, a high-pressure refrigerant header154connecting the high-pressure refrigerant pipe40and each of the plurality of heat exchangers200,210,220,230,240, and a low-pressure refrigerant header156connecting the low-pressure refrigerant pipe50and each of the plurality of heat exchangers200,210,220,230,240.

The liquid refrigerant header152connects the liquid pipe30and each of the plurality of indoor liquid pipes160,162,164,166,168. The high-pressure refrigerant header154connects the high-pressure refrigerant pipe40and each of the plurality of indoor gas pipes170,172,174,176,178. The low-pressure refrigerant header156connects the low-pressure refrigerant pipe50and each of the plurality of indoor gas pipes170,172,174,176,178.

Outdoor Unit

Hereinafter, the configuration of the outdoor unit of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.6A to6B.

The outdoor unit10includes a compressor12for compressing a refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger14which is disposed inside the outdoor unit10and exchanges heat between a refrigerant and an outside air, a first switching valve18that transfers the refrigerant discharged from the compressor12to the ventilation device100or transfers the refrigerant supplied from the ventilation device100to the compressor12, and a second switching valve20that transfers the refrigerant discharged from the compressor12to the outdoor heat exchanger14or transfers the refrigerant introduced from the outdoor heat exchanger14to the compressor12.

A compressor discharge pipe through which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor12flows is branched and connected to each of the first switching valve18and the second switching valve20.

The first switching valve18is connected to the compressor12, the low-pressure refrigerant pipe50, and the high-pressure refrigerant pipe40. The second switching valve20is connected to the compressor12, the outdoor heat exchanger14, and the low-pressure refrigerant pipe50.

The outdoor unit10further includes an outdoor blowing fan16which is disposed adjacent to the outdoor heat exchanger14, and forms a flow of air around the outdoor heat exchanger14. The outdoor heat exchanger14is connected to the liquid pipe30and transfers the liquid refrigerant heat-exchanged in the outdoor heat exchanger14to the ventilation device100. The outdoor heat exchanger14may receive the liquid refrigerant heat-exchanged in the ventilation device100through the liquid pipe30. The outdoor unit10includes an outdoor unit expansion valve22which is disposed in the liquid pipe30and expands the refrigerant flowing inside the liquid pipe30.

The outdoor unit10is connected to the ventilation device100by the liquid pipe30, the high-pressure refrigerant pipe40, and the low-pressure refrigerant pipe50. The liquid pipe30connects the outdoor heat exchanger14and the refrigerant distributor150of the ventilation device100. The high-pressure refrigerant pipe40connects the first switching valve18and the refrigerant distributor150. The low-pressure refrigerant pipe50connects the second switching valve20or the compressor12and the refrigerant distributor150.

Operation

Hereinafter, an operation of the air conditioner of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.5A to6B.

The air conditioner of the present disclosure may perform a cooling operation or a heating operation. The cooling operation and the heating operation may be determined based on the main heat exchanger200disposed inside the ventilation device100. When the air conditioner is in the cooling operation or a heating operation, the first blowing fan140and the second blowing fan144are operated. When the air conditioner is in the cooling operation or a heating operation, the total heat exchanger130rotates, thereby achieving a heat exchange between the air flowing through the supply flow path120and the air flowing through the discharge flow path122.

Referring toFIG.6A, when the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor12flows into the high-pressure refrigerant pipe40through the first switching valve18. In addition, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor12flows to the outdoor heat exchanger14through the second switching valve20. The refrigerant passed through the outdoor heat exchanger14flows into the liquid pipe30. In addition, the refrigerant supplied from the ventilation device100through the low-pressure refrigerant pipe50flows to the compressor12.

Referring toFIG.6B, when the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor12flows to the high-pressure refrigerant pipe40through the first switching valve18. The refrigerant supplied from the ventilation device100through the low-pressure refrigerant pipe50flows to the compressor12. In addition, the refrigerant supplied from the ventilation device100through the liquid pipe30flows to the outdoor heat exchanger14and is supplied to the compressor12through the second switching valve20.

Referring toFIG.5A, when the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, the main heat exchanger200is connected to the liquid refrigerant header152and the low-pressure refrigerant header156, respectively. When the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, the recovery heat exchanger210is connected to the high-pressure refrigerant header154and the liquid refrigerant header152, respectively.

When the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, the re-heat heat exchanger220is connected to each of the high-pressure refrigerant header154and the liquid refrigerant header152. When the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, in the auxiliary heat exchanger230, the control valve176a,176bdisposed in a fourth indoor gas pipe176is locked, so that the refrigerant does not flow. When the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, in the preheat heat exchanger240, the control valve178a,178bdisposed in a fifth indoor gas pipe178is locked, so that the refrigerant does not flow.

When the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, the main heat exchanger200cools the air flowing in the supply flow path120. When the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, the recovery heat exchanger210heats the air flowing in the discharge flow path122. When the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, the re-heat heat exchanger220may heat the air flowing in the supply flow path120.

When the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, the air flowing through the supply flow path120is exchanged with indoor air through the total heat exchanger130. When the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, air flowing through the supply flow path120may be cooled primarily by exchanging heat with cold air flowing through the discharge flow path122.

When the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, the air passed through the total heat exchanger130and flowing through the supply flow path120passes through the main heat exchanger200, and is cooled. At this time, condensed water may be generated from the cooled air. When the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, the flowing air that passed through the main heat exchanger200may be dried by passing through the re-heat heat exchanger220. The re-heat heat exchanger220has a size smaller than that of the main heat exchanger200. Since the re-heat heat exchanger220has a smaller size than the main heat exchanger200, and has a smaller amount of heat exchange than the main heat exchanger200, the air discharged to the outside air supply port118may be a cooled and dried air. Accordingly, when the air conditioner is in the cooling, the ventilation device100may supply cooled and dried air to the indoor space.

When the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, the air flowing through the discharge flow path122is exchanged with the outside air through the total heat exchanger130. When the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, the air flowing through the discharge flow path122may pass through the recovery heat exchanger210and be heated.

When the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor12may be supplied to the high-pressure refrigerant pipe40through the first switching valve18, and may be supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger14through the second switching valve20.

When the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, the refrigerant distributor150does not supply the refrigerant to the auxiliary heat exchanger230. That is, when the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, the auxiliary heat exchanger230does not heat the air flowing through the supply flow path.

Referring toFIG.5B, when the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the main heat exchanger200are connected to the high-pressure refrigerant header154and the liquid refrigerant header152, respectively. When the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the recovery heat exchanger210is connected to the liquid refrigerant header152and the low-pressure refrigerant header156, respectively.

When the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the re-heat heat exchanger220is connected to the high-pressure refrigerant header154and the liquid refrigerant header152, respectively. When the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the auxiliary heat exchanger230may be connected to each of the high-pressure refrigerant header154and the liquid refrigerant header152. When the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the preheat heat exchanger240may be connected to each of the high-pressure refrigerant header154and the liquid refrigerant header152.

When the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the main heat exchanger200heats the air flowing in the supply flow path120. When the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the recovery heat exchanger210cools the air flowing in the discharge flow path122. When the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the re-heat heat exchanger220may heat the air flowing in the supply flow path120. When the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the auxiliary heat exchanger230may heat the air flowing in the supply flow path120. When the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the preheat heat exchanger240may heat the air sucked into the outside air intake port116.

When the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the air flowing through the supply flow path120passes through the preheat heat exchanger240and is primarily preheated. In addition, when the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the air passing through the preheat heat exchanger240and flowing through the supply flow path120is heat-exchanged with indoor air through the total heat exchanger130. When the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the air flowing through the supply flow path120may heat exchange with warm air flowing through the discharge flow path122to be heated primarily.

When the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the air passing through the total heat exchanger130and flowing through the supply flow path120is heated by passing through the main heat exchanger200. When the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the air flowing through the main heat exchanger200may be heated by passing through the re-heat heat exchanger220. When the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the air passing and flowing through the re-heat heat exchanger220may be heated by passing through the auxiliary heat exchanger230. The auxiliary heat exchanger230may be selectively operated according to a target temperature set by a user.

When the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the air flowing through the discharge flow path122is heat-exchanged with the outside air through the total heat exchanger130. When the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the air flowing through the discharge flow path122may be cooled by passing through the recovery heat exchanger210.

When the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor12is supplied to the high-pressure refrigerant pipe40through the first switching valve18.

According to the air conditioner of the present disclosure, one or more of the following effects are provided.

First, it is possible to control the temperature of the air supplied to the indoor without adding a separate auxiliary heat source, by disposing a plurality of heat exchangers through which refrigerant flows through a single compressor inside the ventilation device that ventilates the indoor air and the outside air, thereby minimizing power consumption.

Second, since a plurality of heat exchangers disposed inside the ventilation device are connected to a refrigerant distributor, each of the plurality of heat exchangers can be simultaneously used as an evaporator or a condenser, thereby maximizing heat exchange efficiency due to a driving of single compressor.

Third, the re-heat heat exchanger and the auxiliary heat exchanger are disposed downstream of the main heat exchanger to control the temperature and humidity of the air discharged into the indoor in detail, thereby providing comfortable air to a user in the indoor space.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.