| Method of controlling over-load cooling operation of air conditioner -> Monitor Keywords |
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Method of controlling over-load cooling operation of air conditionerRelated Patent Categories: Refrigeration, Automatic Control, Refrigeration Producer, Single Refrigeration Producer Controlled By Plural Sensors, Compensating Or Modifying, Expansion Valve Or Variable Restrictor, External Condition SensorMethod of controlling over-load cooling operation of air conditioner description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060207273, Method of controlling over-load cooling operation of air conditioner. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a method of controlling an operation of an air conditioner, and, more particularly, to a method of controlling an over-load cooling operation of an air conditioner that is capable of enabling the cooling operation of the air conditioner to be performed without interruption, while protecting the air conditioner system, when over load is generated during the cooling operation of the air conditioner. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Generally, a heat-pump type air conditioner is a kind of air conditioner that is capable of performing a simultaneous cooling and heating operation. The heat-pump type air conditioner includes an evaporator and a compressor, by which the heat-pump type air conditioner is used as a cooling apparatus or a heating apparatus. Switching between the cooling apparatus and the heating apparatus is accomplished by reversing flow of coolant in a cooling cycle. [0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a conventional unitary air conditioner, which is one form of the above-mentioned heat-pump type air conditioner. The unitary air conditioner is constructed such that an operation or stop signal is transmitted to an indoor unit 20 and an outdoor unit 10 from a thermostat 20, which is mounted in a room, to operate the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 10. [0006] Generally, unitary air conditioners each having a 1-stage thermostat, which transmits only an ON/OFF signal, are widely used in ordinary houses. Recently, however, energy saving and more convenient cooling and heating operations have been increasingly required, and therefore, unitary air conditioners each having a 2-stage thermostat, by which change in capacity is possible, have been used. [0007] If the 2-stage thermostat is applied to the unitary air conditioner, a 2-stage variable compressor, whose capacity is variable, or a plurality of constant-speed compressors are used. Based on a signal from the thermostat, the cooling or heating operation is performed while the capacity of the compressor is changed. [0008] When the outdoor temperature increases or the temperature of a pipe exceeds a predetermined temperature (approximately 46.degree. C. according to regulations of AIR-CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION INSTITUTE (ARI) in USA) due to lack of heat transfer at the condenser during the cooling operation of the air conditioner, it is determined that the air conditioner is operated under an over-load condition, and therefore, the compressor is stopped, by which the air conditioner system is effectively protected. [0009] According to the method of controlling the over load of the conventional air conditioner as described above, however, the outdoor temperature increases under the over-load operation condition. As a result, users rather requires higher cooling operation of the air conditioner. When the air conditioner is stopped to protect the air conditioner system at this time, the indoor temperature increases, and therefore, the users feel discomfort. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of controlling an over-load cooling operation of an air conditioner that is capable of enabling the cooling operation of the air conditioner to be performed without interruption, while protecting the air conditioner system, when over load is generated during the cooling operation of the air conditioner, thereby improving user comfort and improving operational reliability of the air conditioner. [0011] In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a method of controlling an over-load cooling operation of an air conditioner including: an over-load operation mode in which, when an outdoor pipe temperature and an outdoor temperature exceeds reference temperatures, respectively, the operation capacity is changed to a low-level operation capacity, which is lower than the current operation capacity, the low-level operation capacity being one of plural operation capacities set according to the operation capacities of compressors, and the operation is performed; and a normal operation mode in which the outdoor pipe temperature is measured every predetermined period of time after the operation is performed in the over-load operation mode, and, when the measured outdoor pipe temperature is below the reference temperature, the operation is performed according to a signal from a thermostat. [0012] Preferably, the reference temperature of the outdoor pipe temperature is set to be higher than the reference temperature of the outdoor temperature. [0013] At the beginning in the over-load operation mode, the operation capacity is changed to a first low-level operation capacity, which is lower than the current operation capacity, and, if the outdoor pipe temperature or the outdoor temperature exceeds the reference temperatures when a predetermined period of time elapses after the operation is performed in the over-load operation mode, the operation capacity is changed to a second low-level operation capacity, which is lower than the first low-level operation capacity, and then the operation is performed in the second low-level operation capacity. [0014] On the assumption that the operation capacities of the compressors are set to X %, Y %, and Z % in order of operation capacities of the compressors in the over-load operation mode, when the operation capacity is the X % operation capacity, the compressors are operated with the Y % operation capacity, which is lower than the X % operation capacity, when the operation capacity is the Y % operation capacity, the compressors are operated with the Z % operation capacity, which is lower than the Y % operation capacity, and when the operation capacity is the Z % operation capacity, the compressors are stopped. [0015] When the compressors are operated in the over-load operation mode, an outdoor fan, by which an outdoor heat exchanger is cooled, is operated with high airflow, and, when the compressors are stopped in the over-load operation mode, the outdoor fan is stopped. [0016] If the signal from the thermostat, which controls operation stages of the air conditioner, is changed from a high-level operation signal to a low-level operation signal during operation in the over-load operation mode, the compressors are returned to the normal operation mode. [0017] If the signal from the thermostat is changed from a low-level operation signal to a high-level operation signal during operation in the over-load operation mode, the operation is still performed in the over-load operation mode. [0018] When the outdoor pipe temperature or the outdoor temperature exceeds the reference temperature after the compressors are returned to the normal operation mode, the operation mode is not changed to the over-load operation mode for a predetermined period of time. [0019] If the outdoor pipe temperature is a specific temperature, which is higher than the reference temperature, when a predetermined period of time elapses after the compressors are started, both the compressors are stopped. [0020] When a predetermined period time elapses after the compressors are stopped, the compressors are restarted in the normal operation mode. [0021] According to the present invention, the method of controlling the over-load cooling operation of the air conditioner is capable of performing the controlling operation such that the continuous cooling operation is possible even under the over-load condition during the cooling operation of the air conditioner, and the air conditioner system is protected through the variable-capacity operation. Consequently, the present invention has the effect of improving user comfort and improving operational reliability of the air conditioner. 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