KR102123428B1 - An air conditioner and a system thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is an outdoor unit that heats a refrigerant; An indoor unit that exchanges the outdoor unit with the refrigerant and harmonizes the indoor air; And a power receiving device that receives a power adjustment signal that provides a rating for the degree of power use. The outdoor unit or the indoor unit is stored in a processor, memory, and memory, and is executed by the processor, and corresponds to each time. It includes; a program for generating a trend information arranged in accordance with the passage of time whether the power adjustment signal is received.

Description

Air conditioner and air conditioner system {AN AIR CONDITIONER AND A SYSTEM THEREOF}

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an air conditioner and an air conditioner system having different control methods according to a power adjustment signal supplied by a power company or the like.

The air conditioner is installed to provide a more comfortable indoor environment to humans by discharging cold and warm air into the room to create a comfortable indoor environment, adjusting the indoor temperature, and purifying the indoor air. In general, an air conditioner includes an indoor unit installed in a room configured as a heat exchanger, and an outdoor unit configured as a compressor and a heat exchanger to supply refrigerant to the indoor unit.

The air conditioner is separated and controlled by an indoor unit composed of a heat exchanger and an outdoor unit composed of a compressor and a heat exchanger, and is operated by controlling the power supplied to the compressor or the heat exchanger. In addition, the air conditioner may be connected to at least one indoor unit in the outdoor unit, and the refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit according to a requested operation state, and thus is operated in a cooling or heating mode.

The air conditioner is operated by cooling or heating according to the flow of the refrigerant. In the cooling operation, when the high temperature and high pressure liquid refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit from the compressor of the outdoor unit through the outdoor unit heat exchanger, the refrigerant expands and vaporizes in the indoor unit heat exchanger to vaporize As the temperature of the air decreases and the indoor unit fan rotates, cold air is discharged into the room, and when the high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit from the compressor of the outdoor unit during the heating operation, the high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant is liquefied in the indoor unit heat exchanger. The air warmed by the emitted energy is discharged into the room according to the operation of the indoor fan.

In summer or winter, the use of air conditioners is maximized nationwide, which can lead to extreme power consumption. Therefore, the discussion about the system that can control the use of electricity nationally is intensifying. When a system for a method of instructing to reduce the use of various electronic devices is implemented at a time when power consumption is high, research on an air conditioner that regulates the power consumption is required.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner and an air conditioner system that controls power consumption by itself based on a power adjustment signal.

An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is an outdoor unit that heats a refrigerant; An indoor unit that exchanges the outdoor unit with the refrigerant and harmonizes the indoor air; And a power receiving device that receives a power adjustment signal that provides a rating for the degree of power use. The outdoor unit or the indoor unit is stored in a processor, memory, and memory, and is executed by the processor, and corresponds to each time. It includes; a program for generating a trend information arranged in accordance with the passage of time whether the power adjustment signal is received.

The air conditioner system according to an embodiment of the present invention receives a power adjustment signal that provides a rating for the degree of use of power, and arranges whether a power adjustment signal corresponding to each time is received over time. A plurality of air conditioners generating trend information; And a server configured to statistically calculate a plurality of trend information received from a plurality of air conditioners to determine the possibility of receiving a power adjustment signal.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention stores the date and time when the power adjustment signal is received, and based on this, identifies the possibility that the power adjustment signal will be received in the future, thereby enabling continuous power consumption management. .

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention stores weather information in a time zone in which the power adjustment signal is received, grasps the current weather and future weather, grasps the possibility of receiving the power adjustment signal, and consumes power in each situation. Can be adjusted.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is based on a power adjustment signal received from a power company or the like, so that the power consumption is adjusted, and a user does not need to separately control it.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may be easy to adjust the power by adjusting the operating frequency of the compressor based on the rating of the power adjustment signal.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may adjust the set temperature or the set air volume of the indoor unit based on the power adjustment signal, and thus, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit together with the power adjustment signal may enable efficient power adjustment.

An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention gives priority to a plurality of indoor units for an outdoor unit, and determines whether or not to operate according to priority levels, such that temperature and humidity of an important space have a high power control signal rating. Edo can be maintained comfortably.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may transmit a power adjustment signal to a portable terminal capable of accessing information, so that the user can easily check the operating condition of the air conditioner that is fluctuating due to the power adjustment signal.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may display a power adjustment signal and an operation state based thereon in the indoor unit, so that the user can recognize that the setting of the air conditioner is being adjusted due to the power adjustment signal.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may limit the setting of the operation mode selectable by the user as the level of the power adjustment signal increases, or control the amount of power consumption according to the situation.

1 is a view showing the contents that the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is supplied with power,
2 is a view showing the structure of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention,
3 is a view showing an operation method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention,
4 is a view showing a system including an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention,
6 to 9 are views showing a control method of an air conditioner system according to an embodiment of the present invention,
10 and 11 are views showing a path for receiving a power adjustment signal of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention,
12 and 14 are views showing the operation of the indoor unit and the display of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention,
15 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods for achieving them will be clarified with reference to embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only the embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully inform the person having the scope of the invention, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. The same reference numerals refer to the same components throughout the specification.

Terms such as first and second may be used to describe various elements, but these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first contact can be referred to as the second contact, and likewise, the second contact can be referred to as the first contact, and the first contact and the second contact are both All contact, but may not be the same contact.

The terms used in the description of the invention are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. When used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, singular forms are intended to include, of course, plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The use of an indication may indicate either or both the singular usage of the term, or the plural form, and vice versa.

It will be understood that the term “and/or” refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the listed related items. The terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” as used herein designate the presence of specified features, integers, steps, actions, elements and/or components, It will be further understood that it does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, actions, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

The term “if” means “when” or “~upon”, or “in response to determining” or “responding to a detection, depending on context. It can be interpreted as meaning ". Likewise, the phrases “when determined” or “when [specified condition or event] is detected”, depending on the context, “when determined” or “in response to the determination” or “when detected [of specified condition or event],” Or "in response to detecting [specified condition or event]".

In the following, embodiments of computing devices, user interfaces for such devices, and related processes for using such devices can be described.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a view showing the contents that the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is supplied with power.

Referring to FIG. 1, the air conditioner 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention may operate with power supplied by the power company 10.

The air conditioner 30 is a cooling/heating system that heats a room by a repetitive action of sucking hot air in the room and exchanging it with a low-temperature refrigerant and then discharging it into the room, or heating the room by an opposite action, Compressor-condenser-expansion valve-evaporator is a device that forms a series of cycles.

The air conditioner is mainly divided into an outdoor unit installed outdoors and an indoor unit installed mainly inside a building. An outdoor unit may be provided with a condenser and a compressor, and an indoor unit may be equipped with an evaporator. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit may be connected to a central controller (not shown) to receive a control signal.

The air conditioner 30 may receive power supplied by the power company 10 through the power receiving device 20. The power receiving device 20 may extract a power adjustment signal from the power supplied by the power company 10. The power receiving device 20 may include a router or a modem that extracts a power adjustment signal from a power source, but is not limited to the means.

The air conditioner 30 may adjust the power consumption amount based on the power adjustment signal. For example, the air conditioner 30 may control the operation differently according to a plurality of grades of the power adjustment signal to adjust the power consumption. For example, the air conditioner 30 may control the operation of a plurality of indoor units or control the operation of the compressor of the outdoor unit to adjust the power consumption.

The power receiving device 20 may further include a switching circuit (not shown) that varies the signal sent to the air conditioner 30 according to the class of the power adjustment signal. The switching circuit (not shown) may convert the power adjustment signal rating into a signal that can be recognized by the air conditioner 30 and transmit it to the air conditioner 30.

2 is a view showing the structure of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the indoor unit 200 of the air conditioner may be installed in an air conditioning space, that is, the indoor space 100. The indoor unit 200 may be provided with an auxiliary heater 380, an indoor heat exchanger 360, and an indoor fan 350 behind the indoor intake 370 located at the front.

The air in the indoor space 100 is sucked into the air conditioner through the indoor intake port 370, and the inhaled indoor air is heat exchanged through the indoor heat exchanger 360, so that the temperature is adjusted, and the indoor discharge port (not shown) City).

The indoor fan 350 may form a flow path for inhaling and discharging indoor air into the air conditioner, and when the auxiliary heater 380 performs a defrosting operation during the heating operation, the temperature of the indoor space 100 is increased. It can act auxiliaryly to prevent lowering.

The outdoor unit 400 may be installed outside the air conditioning space, that is, outdoors, connected to the indoor unit 200 through a conduit 150 through which the refrigerant flows. Inside the outdoor unit 400, a compressor 410 that compresses refrigerant and converts it into a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 420 that condenses the refrigerant during cooling operation, and evaporates the refrigerant during heating operation, and outdoor air. An outdoor fan 430 for forming a flow path for inhaling and discharging the outdoor unit 400, and an expansion device 440 for expanding the refrigerant and converting it into a low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant may be installed.

When the air conditioner starts the heating operation, the processor may send a control signal for operation to each of the aforementioned driving units. According to the control signal transmitted by the processor, the indoor fan 350 starts rotating, and the compressor 410 can compress and discharge the refrigerant at high temperature and high pressure.

The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 410 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 360 and exchanges heat with the air sucked into the indoor unit 200 by the rotational force of the indoor fan 350. The temperature of indoor air that has been sucked in in a relatively low temperature state may be increased by heat exchange.

The refrigerant heat exchanged through the indoor heat exchanger 360 flows in the order of the expansion device 440, the outdoor heat exchanger 420, and then flows back into the compressor 410, and then continues to the compressor 410, the indoor heat exchanger ( 360), the heating device 440, the outdoor heat exchanger 420 may repeat the heating cycle in order to increase the indoor temperature to a level desired by the user. In the case of the cooling cycle, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 410 may be passed through the expansion device 440, changed to a low temperature, and supplied to the indoor unit 200.

3 is a view showing an operation method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, an air conditioner according to an embodiment may have a different control method based on a power adjustment signal.

In an embodiment, when the air conditioner receives the power adjustment signal, it may grasp the power consumption demand required by the power adjustment signal. For example, the power adjustment signal may be any one of a plurality of classes. In one embodiment, the outdoor unit may grasp the power adjustment signal rating and grasp the power consumption demand.

The outdoor unit can control the operation state of the air conditioner to satisfy the power consumption. For example, the outdoor unit may adjust the operating frequency of the compressor based on the power consumption demand. For example, the power adjustment signal may include three classes (first class, second class, and third class).

The air conditioner can adjust the operation degree according to the level of the power adjustment signal. The air conditioner may set different operating standards in correspondence with each class of the power adjustment signal. The air conditioner may limit the operation mode or the degree of operation that the user can set according to the grade.

The air conditioner may stop operation when the power adjustment signal has a first rating. The air conditioner can immediately turn off the power when the power control signal has a first rating. The degree of limitation of the air conditioner may increase as the level of the power adjustment signal goes from the third level to the first level. In FIG. 3, the ratings of the power adjustment signal are shown as three, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may vary depending on the rating of the signal supplied by the power company.

The air conditioner may reduce the settable range of the set temperature when the power adjustment signal has a second rating. For example, the air conditioner may reduce the temperature setting range by 4°C when the power adjustment signal has a second rating, but this is only one example.

For example, when the air conditioner performs the cooling operation, in the general case, if the temperature can be set to 18°C, the power adjustment signal can be set to less than 22°C when the class of the power adjustment signal is the second class.

The air conditioner may reduce the temperature setting range by 2°C when the power adjustment signal has a third rating. For example, when the air conditioner performs the cooling operation, in the general case, if the temperature can be set up to 18°C, the power adjustment signal class may be set to less than 20°C when the class is the second class.

The air conditioner may reduce the settable range of the set wind speed when the class of the power adjustment signal is the second class. For example, a limit range of the set wind speed may be set to correspond to each of a plurality of classes of the power adjustment signal. For example, when the power adjustment signal is in the second class, the air conditioner may allow the indoor unit to have the lowest set wind speed. For example, when the power adjustment signal is in the third class, the air conditioner may be a step selected by the user among intermediate and weak steps except for the step in which the set wind speed of the indoor unit is strongest.

The air conditioner can grasp the class of the power adjustment signal. The outdoor unit may control the operation of the compressor (not shown) based on the power adjustment signal.

For example, when the air conditioner of an embodiment of the present invention uses an inverter to adjust the operating frequency of the compressor, it is possible to control the operating frequency of the compressor based on the power adjustment signal.

For example, if the power adjustment signal is of the first class, the air conditioner can turn off the compressor. When the power adjustment signal is in the second class, the air conditioner can reduce the operating frequency of the compressor to 50%. When the power adjustment signal is the third class, the air conditioner can reduce the operating frequency of the compressor to 75%.

For example, when the air conditioner of one embodiment of the present invention is a constant speed air conditioner, the power of the compressor may be turned on/off according to the class of the power adjustment signal.

For example, the constant-speed air conditioner may stop the operation of the compressor when the power adjustment signal is the first class. When the power adjustment signal is in the second or third class, the air conditioner maintains the operation of the compressor and adjusts the set temperature or the set air volume of the indoor unit to adjust power consumption, but this is only one example. And is not limited to this.

For example, if the air conditioner of another embodiment receives the power adjustment signal, the operation of the compressor may be stopped regardless of its class, but is not limited thereto.

The air conditioner can perform control to meet the power consumption demand. The air conditioner can adjust the operating frequency of the compressor of the outdoor unit 120, turn it on/off, and control whether the indoor unit 130 operates or operates in order to satisfy the power consumption demand.

The air conditioner can individually control the operation of a plurality of indoor units. The air conditioner may give priority to a plurality of indoor units, and determine whether to operate the indoor unit based on the given priority.

There may be a plurality of indoor units in which the priority given by the outdoor unit 120 corresponds to the first, second, or third priority. When there are multiple indoor units 130, the indoor units corresponding to the first rank, the indoor units corresponding to the second rank, and the indoor units corresponding to the third rank may each be a plurality.

The air conditioner of one embodiment may control whether or not a plurality of indoor units are operated according to the level of the power adjustment signal. For example, when the class of the power adjustment signal is the third class, the air conditioner may stop the operation of the third indoor unit among the plurality of indoor units. For example, when the class of the power adjustment signal is the second class, the air conditioner may stop the operation of the second and third indoor units among the plurality of indoor units. For example, when the class of the power adjustment signal is the first class, the air conditioner may stop the operation of all the indoor units among the plurality of indoor units.

The display of the indoor unit may display a set temperature or a set air volume of the indoor unit. The indoor unit may store data for a set temperature and a set air volume corresponding to each class of the power adjustment signal. The indoor unit display can display a set temperature and a set air volume corresponding to the level of the power adjustment signal.

However, the content of the table in FIG. 3 is only an example, and is not limited thereto.

4 is a view showing a system including an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 4, the air conditioner system according to an embodiment of the present invention is a power receiving device 20 for receiving a power adjustment signal from the power company 10, etc., the power adjustment signal from the power receiving device 20 The outdoor unit 400 receiving, the indoor unit 40 receiving the power adjustment signal from the outdoor unit 400, the remote control 60 controlling the indoor unit 40, and the indoor unit 40 receiving the power adjustment signal, and receiving information A portable terminal 50 to be read may be included.

The outdoor unit 400 may be supplied with power from the power company 10. The power receiving device 20 may extract a power adjustment signal from the power supplied from the power company 10. The power receiving device 20 and the power company 10 may perform a kind of power line communication.

The power receiving device 20 may be integral with the outdoor unit 400 or may exist separately. The power receiving device (not shown) may include a router or a model that extracts a power adjustment signal from a power source, but is not limited to the means.

The power receiving device 20 may further include a switching circuit (not shown) that varies the signal sent to the air conditioner according to the class of the power adjustment signal. The switching circuit (not shown) may convert the power adjustment signal rating into a signal that can be recognized by the air conditioner and transmit the signal to the air conditioner.

The power receiving device 20 may include a power device that receives power from a power company to separate the power adjustment signal and a switching circuit that converts the power adjustment signal into a signal that can be recognized by the air conditioner. The power device and the switching circuit may be configured separately, but are not limited thereto.

In FIG. 4, the power receiving device 20 is connected to the outdoor unit 400 (connected to the power receiving device C), but is not limited thereto, and each of the plurality of indoor units 40 (B) or each of a plurality of groups (A ), but is not limited thereto.

For example, the power receiving device 20 may transmit a power adjustment signal to a plurality of indoor units 40 included in a plurality of groups (dotted box processed parts). When connected to the A portion, the power receiving device 20 may transmit a power adjustment signal to one indoor unit group.

When connected to the B portion, the power receiving device 20 may transmit a power adjustment signal to one indoor unit.

Depending on where the power receiving device 20 is connected, the control method of the air conditioner may be different. For example, when the power receiving device 20 is connected to the outdoor unit 400, the outdoor unit 400 may determine a direction to adjust the amount of power consumption by itself.

The outdoor unit 400 may reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner as a whole by transmitting a countermeasure to the indoor unit 40 after performing the method of adjusting the power consumption by the outdoor unit itself.

For example, when the outdoor unit 400 receives a power adjustment signal, the outdoor unit 400 may determine the degree of operation of the compressor or whether it is on or off according to its class. The outdoor unit 400, in addition to adjusting the degree of operation of the compressor, by changing the operation direction of the indoor unit 40, it is possible to adjust the overall power consumption of the air conditioner.

The outdoor unit 400 may perform the same or different control direction of the connected indoor unit 40 based on the power adjustment signal. For example, in order to reduce the power consumption, the outdoor unit 400 may reduce the power consumption of the plurality of connected indoor units 40 as a whole, or may adjust the power consumption differently according to importance.

When the power receiving device 20 is directly connected to the indoor unit 40 (when connected to B), the indoor unit 40 may consider a method of adjusting the power consumption by itself. For example, the indoor unit 40 can grasp the level of the power adjustment signal and control the operation in response thereto.

The indoor unit 40 may communicate with other indoor units or outdoor units to determine whether or not its own operation or operation direction. For example, when the outdoor unit 400 lowers the power consumption by itself and the power consumption is maintained below the level required by the power adjustment signal, the indoor unit 40 may continue to operate normally.

When it is difficult for the outdoor unit 400 to reduce the power consumption by itself, each of the plurality of indoor units 40 may start an operation for reducing the power consumption. For example, if the difference between the current power consumption and the power consumption required by the power adjustment signal is too small for the outdoor unit 400 to reduce the operation of the compressor, the power consumption is controlled by adjusting the set temperature or the set air volume of the indoor unit 40. Can be.

The outdoor unit 400 may adjust power consumption of the air conditioner based on the power adjustment signal. For example, the outdoor unit 400 may control the operation of the compressor (not shown) based on the power adjustment signal. For example, when the air conditioner of an embodiment of the present invention uses an inverter to adjust the operating frequency of the compressor, it is possible to control the operating frequency of the compressor based on the power adjustment signal.

The power adjustment signal may be any one of a plurality of classes. The outdoor unit 400 can be lowered to the level of the power adjustment signal to adjust the operating frequency of the compressor. For example, the power adjustment signal may include three classes.

For example, when the air conditioner of one embodiment of the present invention is a constant speed air conditioner, the power of the compressor may be turned on/off according to the class of the power adjustment signal.

The outdoor unit 400 may be connected to a plurality of indoor units 40. The outdoor unit 400 may give priority to the plurality of indoor units 40. The outdoor unit 400 may determine whether to operate the indoor unit 40 according to the priority. When receiving the power adjustment signal, the outdoor unit 400 may determine whether to operate the plurality of indoor units 40 based on the priority.

The indoor unit 40 is an expansion valve (not shown) that expands the refrigerant supplied from the connected outdoor unit 400, an indoor heat exchanger that heat exchanges refrigerant, and allows indoor air to flow into the indoor heat exchanger, and the heat exchanged air is returned to the indoor unit. It includes an indoor fan to be exposed (not shown), a plurality of sensors (not shown), and control means (not shown) for controlling the operation of the indoor unit.

The indoor unit 40 includes a discharge port for discharging heat-exchanged air, and the discharge port may be provided with a wind direction control means for opening and closing the discharge port and controlling the direction of the discharged air. The indoor unit 40 may control the rotation speed of the indoor fan to control the air sucked in and the air discharged to adjust the air volume.

Each of the plurality of indoor units may be individually connected to a remote control to receive a control signal and operate correspondingly.

The indoor unit 40 may communicate with the remote control 60 by wire or wireless. The indoor unit 130 may include a communication module (not shown) for communicating with the remote controller 60 by wire or wirelessly. When receiving the control signal from the remote controller 60, the indoor unit 130 may notify the remote controller 60 that the control signal has been successfully received, but is not limited thereto.

The indoor unit 40 may transmit a driving state to the remote controller 60. The indoor unit 130 may transmit it to the remote controller 140 when the on/off or the driving state changes. The indoor unit 130 may communicate with the remote controller 140 when an event occurs or according to a certain period.

The indoor unit 40 may receive a power adjustment signal from the outdoor unit 400. The indoor unit 130 may adjust the set air volume that sets the amount of wind discharged by the indoor unit or the set temperature that sets the desired temperature of indoor air that the indoor unit harmonizes based on the power adjustment signal. For example, the power adjustment signal may be any of the first class, the second class, or the third class, and the indoor unit 40 may increase or decrease the set air volume or the set temperature according to the class of the power adjustment signal. have.

The indoor unit 40 may store information regarding a standard for adjusting the set air volume or the set temperature according to the grade of the power adjustment signal. For example, the indoor unit 40 may store a table in which a set air volume or a set temperature is set according to the class of the power adjustment signal, but is not limited to the method.

The indoor unit 40 may transmit a power adjustment signal to the portable terminal 50 capable of viewing information. The indoor unit 40 may transmit a power adjustment signal to the portable terminal 50 so that the user can easily check the operation status of the air conditioner.

The mobile terminal 50 can communicate with the indoor unit 40. The portable terminal 50 may receive a power adjustment signal from the indoor unit 40. The portable terminal 50 may receive information regarding the operation of the air conditioner from the indoor unit 40.

The air conditioner may include a remote control 60. The remote controller 60 can control each indoor unit 40. The remote controller 60 can change the operation mode of the indoor unit 40. The operation mode may include cooling, dehumidification, air cleaning or heating.

5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the outdoor unit 120 is a compressor 250 that exchanges heat of the refrigerant received from the indoor unit 130 and an outdoor unit processor 210 that controls the operation of the compressor 250 in response to a power adjustment signal. It may include.

In the description of FIG. 5, the outdoor unit processor 210 that controls the overall operation of the outdoor unit 120 and the indoor unit processor 310 that controls the overall operation of the indoor unit 130 are separately described, but are not limited thereto. , Depending on the reception of the power adjustment signal and its class, the processor performing the operation for reducing the power consumption may be either the outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310, or both.

The outdoor unit processor 210 may perform various functions for the outdoor unit 120 and execute or execute various sets of software programs and/or instructions stored in the outdoor unit memory 220 to process data. The outdoor unit processor 210 may process a signal based on information stored in the outdoor unit memory 220.

The power receiving device 20 may receive an external power source and extract a power adjustment signal that provides information on the degree of power use from the power source. The power receiving device 20 may include a power device that receives power from a power company to separate the power adjustment signal and a switching circuit that converts the power adjustment signal into a signal that can be recognized by the air conditioner. The power device and the switching circuit may be configured separately, but are not limited thereto.

In FIG. 5, the power receiving device 20 is shown as a configuration included in the outdoor unit 120, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured separately from the outdoor unit 120. In another embodiment, the power receiving device 20 may be included in the indoor unit 130, or may transmit a power adjustment signal to the indoor unit 130, but is not limited thereto.

For example, the outdoor unit 120 may include a switching circuit of the power receiving device 20, but is not limited thereto. The power device may provide power to the power supply unit 260.

The outdoor unit processor 210 may receive a power adjustment signal from the power receiving device 20. The outdoor unit processor 210 may control the operation of the compressor based on the power adjustment signal. When the compressor 250 is an inverter type, the outdoor unit processor 210 may adjust the operating frequency according to the power adjustment signal. The outdoor unit processor 210 may determine on/off based on the power adjustment signal when the compressor 250 is a constant speed type compressor that continuously compresses refrigerant at a constant speed.

When the outdoor unit processor 210 receives the power adjustment signal, the outdoor unit processor 210 may grasp the power consumption demand required by the power adjustment signal. For example, the power adjustment signal may be any one of a plurality of classes. The outdoor unit processor 210 may grasp the level of the power adjustment signal and grasp the power consumption demand.

The outdoor unit processor 210 may control the operation state of the air conditioner to satisfy the power consumption. For example, the outdoor unit processor 210 may adjust the operating frequency of the compressor based on the power consumption demand.

The outdoor unit processor 210 may execute a power limit mode that limits the movable range of various operations in order to adjust the amount of power consumption in response to the level of the power adjustment signal. For example, the outdoor unit processor 210 may adjust the operation of the compressor 250 correspondingly when the indoor unit changes the set temperature due to the power adjustment signal. For example, the outdoor unit processor 210 may vary a method of controlling the compressor 250 according to the shape of the compressor 250.

The outdoor unit processor 210 may determine the power consumption demand from the power adjustment signal. The outdoor unit processor 210 may grasp the power consumption demand by the grade of the power adjustment signal.

The power adjustment signal may be any one of a plurality of classes. The outdoor unit processor 210 may perform control to adjust the power consumption of the outdoor unit according to the grade of the power adjustment signal. For example, the outdoor unit processor 210 may adjust the operating frequency of the compressor 250 to adjust the power consumption of the outdoor unit.

The outdoor unit processor 210 may control the operation of the compressor based on the power adjustment signal. When the compressor 250 is an inverter type, the outdoor unit processor 210 may adjust the operating frequency of the compressor 250 according to the grade of the power adjustment signal to adjust the power consumption.

For example, when the power adjustment signal is the first class, the outdoor unit processor 210 may turn off the compressor 250. When the power adjustment signal is the second grade, the outdoor unit processor 210 may reduce the operating frequency of the compressor 250 to 50%. When the power adjustment signal is the third grade, the outdoor unit processor 210 may reduce the operating frequency of the compressor 250 to 75%.

The outdoor unit processor 210 may control operations of a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit 120 differently. The outdoor unit processor 210 may control the operation of each of the plurality of indoor units differently based on the power adjustment signal. The outdoor unit processor 210 may give priority to each of the plurality of indoor units, and determine whether to operate the indoor unit based on the priority.

The outdoor unit processor 210 may adjust the number of indoor units to be operated among the plurality of indoor units according to the level of the power adjustment signal. The outdoor unit processor 210 can reduce the number of indoor units operating as the power control signal level is higher.

The outdoor unit processor 210 may output control information for satisfying the power consumption demand. The outdoor unit processor 210 may output control information to the outdoor unit communication device 230. The control information may include a current power consumption demand, information on the operating state of the compressor of the outdoor unit, or a command for turning on/off the indoor unit. The outdoor unit processor 210 may allow the outdoor unit communication device 230 to transmit the operating frequency of the current compressor 250 or the operation of the compressor 250 to the indoor unit.

For example, when there are three indoor units 130 connected to the outdoor unit 120, and the class of the power adjustment signal is the first class, the outdoor unit processor 210 transmits a signal to turn off the power to all indoor units 130. Can be. When the class of the power adjustment signal is the second class, the outdoor unit processor 210 may transmit a signal to turn off the power to the remaining indoor units 130 except for the first order indoor unit 130. When the class of the power adjustment signal is the third class, the outdoor unit processor 210 may transmit a signal to turn off the power to the remaining indoor units 130 except for the first and second indoor units 130. Since this may vary depending on the number of indoor units 130, it is not common to all embodiments.

The outdoor unit memory 220 may include a high-speed random access memory. The outdoor unit memory 220 may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memory devices, but is not limited thereto, and may include a readable storage medium.

For example, the outdoor unit memory 220 may include Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory (EPP-ROM), but is not limited thereto. During the operation of the outdoor unit processor 210, the EEP-ROM may be written and erased by the outdoor unit processor 210. The EEP-ROM may be a storage device in which information stored therein is maintained without being erased even when the power supply of the outdoor unit 120 is turned off and power supply is stopped.

The outdoor unit memory 220 may store various programs or data in conjunction with the outdoor unit processor 210.

When the outdoor unit memory 220 receives a power adjustment signal that provides information on the degree of power use, it identifies the power consumption demand required by the power adjustment signal, controls the driving state to meet the power consumption demand, and , A program for outputting control information for satisfying the power consumption request may be stored in a communication device.

The program can control the operation of the outdoor unit or indoor unit. The program can grasp the power consumption demand required by the power adjustment signal. The program may adjust the operating frequency of the compressor of the outdoor unit or control the operation of the indoor unit according to the power consumption request amount, thereby controlling the power consumption of the air conditioner.

The program may be stored in both the indoor unit memory or the outdoor unit memory 220, but is not limited thereto. In the case of the embodiment stored in the indoor unit, the program will be described in detail again in the description of the indoor unit 130.

The power receiving device 20 may be supplied with external power. The power receiving device 20 may extract a power adjustment signal from an external power supply. The power receiving device 20 may be a receiver on one side of power line communication. The power line communication may be to communicate by adding a signal having a frequency different from that of a power supply for supplying power to a household appliance.

The power receiving device 20 may grasp the power adjustment signal from the supplied power and transmit it to the processor 210. The power receiving device 20 may extract the power adjustment signal and transmit the remaining power to the power supply unit 260. The power supply unit 260 may convert the power received from the power receiving device 20 into direct current and supply it to the outdoor unit processor 210, but is not limited thereto.

The outdoor unit communication device 230 may receive an instruction from the outdoor unit processor 210 and communicate with an indoor unit or a mobile terminal. The outdoor unit communication device 230 may be connected to the outdoor unit processor 210. The outdoor unit communication device 230 may receive a signal transmitted by the outdoor unit processor 210. The outdoor unit communication device 230 may transmit the signal generated by the outdoor unit processor 210 to the indoor unit or the portable terminal, but the communication partner is not limited. The outdoor unit communication device 230 may transmit the power adjustment signal to the indoor unit and information on the operation method of the compressor 250.

The outdoor unit communication device 230 may perform wired/wireless communication. The outdoor unit communication device 230 may include a radio frequency (RF) circuit when performing wireless communication. The outdoor unit communication device 230 may transmit and receive an RF signal, which is an electromagnetic signal. The RF circuit can mutually convert the electrical signal and the electromagnetic signal, and communicate with the communication network and other communication devices through the electromagnetic signal.

For example, the RF circuit may include, but is not limited to, an antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, memory, etc. Circuits.

The outdoor unit 120 of one embodiment is a compressor 250 that serves to compress the refrigerant, an electric motor for a compressor that drives the compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger that dissipates the compressed refrigerant, and is disposed on one side of the outdoor heat exchanger to cool the refrigerant. An outdoor fan made of an outdoor fan that promotes heat dissipation and an electric motor that rotates the outdoor fan, an expansion mechanism that expands the condensed refrigerant, a cooling/heating switching valve that changes the flow path of the compressed refrigerant, and vaporized refrigerant to temporarily store moisture and After removing the foreign matter, it may include an accumulator that supplies a refrigerant at a constant pressure to the compressor. The outdoor unit 120 may further include a number of other sensors, valves, and supercooling devices, but is not limited thereto.

Depending on the class of the power adjustment signal, the air conditioner may limit the operation of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit for a certain period of time, so that operation is impossible. For example, when the class of the power adjustment signal is the first class, the air conditioner immediately turns off the power and may not operate for a certain period of time, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to the indoor unit 130 block of FIG. 5, the indoor unit 130 is an indoor unit processor 310 that performs various signal processing and calculation, and an indoor unit memory 320 that stores programs or data in conjunction with the indoor unit processor 310. ), an indoor unit communication device 330 capable of receiving a control signal from the indoor unit processor 310 and displaying information, and communicating with an outdoor unit.

The indoor unit processor 310 may perform various functions for the indoor unit 130 and execute or execute various sets of software programs and/or instructions stored in the indoor unit memory 320 to process data. The indoor unit processor 310 may process a signal based on information stored in the indoor unit memory 320. The indoor unit memory 320 may store various programs or data in conjunction with the indoor unit processor 310.

According to an embodiment, the indoor unit processor 310 may receive a power adjustment signal from an outdoor unit, a portable terminal, or a power receiving device. For example, the indoor unit processor 310 may receive a power adjustment signal through the indoor unit communication device 330, but is not limited thereto.

The indoor unit processor 310 may perform various controls based on the received power adjustment signal. The indoor unit processor 310 may control the set temperature or the set air volume based on the power adjustment signal. For example, as the rating of the power adjustment signal increases, the set temperature may be set to be close to the outdoor temperature. The higher the rating of the power adjustment signal, the lower the set air volume.

The indoor unit processor 310 may transmit a power adjustment signal to the portable terminal through the indoor unit communication device 330. In another embodiment, the indoor unit processor 310 may transmit the power adjustment signal to the server to the indoor unit communication device 330, and allow the portable terminal to receive the power adjustment signal from the server, but is not limited to the intermediate process. The indoor unit processor 310 may transmit information regarding an operating state of the current air conditioner to the portable terminal to the indoor unit communication device 330.

The indoor unit processor 310 may control the operation of the indoor unit based on the control information. The control information may include power consumption demand or information regarding the operating state of the compressor of the outdoor unit. The indoor unit processor 310 may control the set temperature or the set air volume based on information on the operating state of the compressor of the outdoor unit. For example, the indoor unit processor 310 may maintain the set temperature or the set air volume when the operating frequency of the compressor is lower than the operating frequency before the outdoor unit receives the power adjustment signal, but is not limited thereto.

For example, when the reduction in the power consumption obtained by reducing the operating frequency of the compressor of the outdoor unit satisfies the power adjustment signal sufficiently, the indoor unit processor may maintain the set temperature or the set air volume of the indoor unit.

In one embodiment, when the reduction in power consumption obtained by reducing the operating frequency of the compressor of the outdoor unit does not sufficiently satisfy the power adjustment signal, the indoor unit processor may control the set temperature of the indoor unit close to the outdoor temperature or lower the set air volume.

The indoor unit processor 310 may limit the set temperature range according to the grade of the power adjustment signal. The indoor unit 130 may further include an indoor fan (blowing fan, 350) for blowing air indoors. The indoor unit processor 310 may limit the rotation speed of the blower fan 350 according to the grade of the power adjustment signal.

The outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 may limit the operation of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit for a predetermined time according to the level of the power adjustment signal. For example, when the outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 receives the power adjustment signal, the outdoor unit or the indoor unit processor may set an auto-off mode to automatically turn off the outdoor unit or the indoor unit.

The outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 may have a different time until the outdoor unit or the indoor unit is turned off according to the level of the power adjustment signal in the auto-off mode. The outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 may determine a time until the power of the outdoor unit or indoor unit is turned off according to the level of the power adjustment signal when performing the auto-off mode.

The indoor unit memory 320 may include a high-speed random access memory. The indoor unit memory 320 may also include a non-volatile memory such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memory devices, but is not limited thereto, and may include a readable storage medium.

The memory 320 of the indoor unit 130 may store a program. The program can determine the power consumption demand by analyzing the power adjustment signal. The program can grasp the level of the power adjustment signal and grasp the power consumption demand. Power consumption requirements may vary depending on the laws and regulations of each country.

For example, in the case of the first grade of the power adjustment signal, the power consumption is set to 0, in the case of the second grade, the power consumption is reduced to the level of 75%, and in the case of the third class, the power consumption is 50%. It can be reduced to, but it may vary depending on the situation.

The program may set a set air volume that sets the amount of wind discharged by the indoor unit or a desired temperature of indoor air that the indoor unit harmonizes based on control information or a power adjustment signal. The indoor unit memory 320 may store information regarding a standard for adjusting the set air volume or the set temperature according to the class of the power adjustment signal.

For example, the indoor unit memory 320 may store information regarding a plurality of stages of a set air volume or a set temperature, which are defined to correspond to a plurality of classes of the power adjustment signal.

The indoor unit 130 may include an output device displaying information and an input device receiving input, but is not limited thereto. The output device may include a speaker outputting sound or a display 340 that emits light to display visually. The input device may include means capable of accepting input from outside, such as physical buttons, dials, slider switches, click wheels, and the like.

The display 340 includes an LPD (light emitting polymer display), a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, and a flexible display. display), but may include at least one of a 3D display, but various methods are not limited thereto.

The display 340 may display operation information of the indoor unit 130. For example, the display 340 may display an operation mode such as cooling, heating, dehumidification, or air cleaning, and may display indoor temperature, wind direction, presence or absence of a heat source in the room, but is not limited thereto. Broad information required for control can be displayed.

According to an embodiment, the display 340 may include a touch-sensitive touch screen that displays a visual output to the user and accepts input from the user based on tactile contact, but is not limited thereto.

The display 340 may display settings that are changed based on the power adjustment signal and the power adjustment signal. The display 340 may display a set air volume or a set temperature that is changed due to the power adjustment signal. The display 340 may indicate that the indoor unit or the outdoor unit is currently being controlled based on the power adjustment signal.

The indoor unit communication device 330 may be connected to the indoor unit processor 310. The indoor unit communication device 330 may receive a signal transmitted by the indoor unit processor 310. The indoor unit communication device 330 may transmit a signal generated by the indoor unit processor 310 to an outdoor unit, a remote controller, or a portable terminal, but the communication partner is not limited.

The indoor unit communication device 330 may receive control information. The control information may include power consumption demand or information regarding the operating state of the compressor of the outdoor unit.

The indoor unit communication device 330 may transmit a power adjustment signal to the portable terminal. The indoor unit communication device 330 may transmit the changed control information to the portable terminal due to the power adjustment signal. The indoor unit communication device 330 may receive a power adjustment signal and an operation state of the compressor from the outdoor unit. The indoor unit communication device 330 may receive a signal for turning on/off the power from the outdoor unit.

The indoor unit communication device 330 may be connected to the outdoor unit communication device 230 by wire or wireless. The indoor unit communication device 330 may transmit and receive various signals to and from the outdoor unit communication device 230. The indoor unit communication device 330 may receive a power adjustment signal or a rating signal from the outdoor unit communication device 230.

The outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 executes a program stored in the outdoor unit memory 220 or the indoor unit memory 220, and arranges whether or not the power adjustment signal corresponding to each time is received according to time. Trend information can be generated. The outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 may allow the trend information to include operation information regarding an operation state performed by the air conditioner at each time.

The outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 may predict the possibility that the power adjustment signal will be received based on the date and time when the power adjustment signal is included, which is included in the trend information.

The outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 may perform an operation of reducing the power consumption when the probability that the power adjustment signal is received is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 may quantify the possibility of receiving the power adjustment signal. The outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 may start driving to reduce the power consumption when the probability that the power adjustment signal is received is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

The outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 may predict the class of the power adjustment signal that is likely to be received, and according to the class of the predicted power adjustment signal, may determine the level of reduction in power consumption.

The outdoor unit communication device 230 or the indoor unit communication device 330 may receive weather information for a weather condition from a server that supplies external weather information. The outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 may continuously organize weather information corresponding to each time in time with the trend information based on weather information. The outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 may continuously organize weather information according to the passage of time when a power adjustment signal is received in the trend information based on the weather information.

The outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 may predict the possibility that a power adjustment signal will be received by matching the future weather included in the trend information and the weather information. For example, the outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 may determine that the power adjustment signal is highly likely to be received when the current weather trend is similar to the weather trend in which the power adjustment signal was previously received.

The outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 may include the grade of the received power adjustment signal in the trend information. The outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 may determine that the power adjustment signal is highly likely to be received when the power adjustment signal is received or when the current time or weather is similar.

The outdoor unit 120 or the indoor unit 130 may further include a communication device that transmits the trend information to an external server. In FIG. 5, the communication device is subdivided into the outdoor unit communication device 230 and the indoor unit communication device 330, but the role may include a common portion.

The outdoor unit communication device 230 or the indoor unit communication device 330 may receive information regarding a possibility that a power adjustment signal is received from an external server. When the outdoor unit processor 210 or the indoor unit processor 310 receives a power saving operation command signal received from a communication device from a server, the outdoor unit processor 210 may start driving to reduce power consumption.

6 to 9 are views showing a control method of an air conditioner system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the air conditioner 30 may be supplied with power from the power company 10. The air conditioner may receive a power adjustment signal from the power receiving device. For example, the power receiving device may extract the power adjustment signal from the power supplied from the power company.

The air conditioner may receive a power adjustment signal from the power receiving device, and change the operation state according to the class of the power adjustment signal. The air conditioner may determine a configurable operation mode or operation degree according to the level of the power adjustment signal.

6, the air conditioner 30 and the power receiving device 20 are shown separately, but are not limited thereto, and the power receiving device 20 may be configured to be included in the air conditioner 30.

When receiving the power adjustment signal, the air conditioner 30 may continuously store the time at which the power adjustment signal was received. The air conditioner 30 may generate trend information arranged in accordance with the passage of time whether or not the power adjustment signal corresponding to each time is received.

The air conditioner 30 may transmit the trend information to the external server 70. The external server 70 may receive trend information from the plurality of air conditioners 30. The server 70 may grasp the possibility of receiving the power adjustment signal based on the plurality of trend information.

Referring to FIG. 7, the air conditioner 30 may include a communication device (not shown) that receives weather information about a weather condition from the weather information server 80. The communication device (not shown) may be installed in an outdoor unit or an indoor unit, but is not limited to either.

The air conditioner 30 may continuously organize weather information corresponding to each time in accordance with trend information based on the weather information. The air conditioner can continuously organize the weather information when the power adjustment signal is received in the trend information over time.

The air conditioner 30 may predict the possibility that a power adjustment signal will be received by matching the future weather included in the trend information and the weather information. The air conditioner 30 may predict the possibility that the power adjustment signal will be received by matching the trend information and the future weather included in the weather information.

The air conditioner 30 may generate trend information and transmit it to the server 70. The server 70 may receive a plurality of trend information from a plurality of air conditioners. The server 70 may receive a plurality of trend information and grasp the possibility of receiving a power adjustment signal based thereon.

8 and 9, the server 70 may receive trend information from a plurality of air conditioners. The server 70 may statistics trend information received from a plurality of air conditioners. The server 70 may generate statistical information that statistics a plurality of trend information.

The server 70 can grasp the possibility of receiving the power adjustment signal from the statistical information. For example, the server 70 may grasp the operation states of the plurality of air conditioners at the time when the power adjustment signal is received.

The server 70 may analyze the operating states of the plurality of air conditioners in a time period in which the power adjustment signal was received, and grasp the possibility of receiving the current power adjustment signal. The server 70 may look at the overall trend of the operating condition of the air conditioner and determine whether or not the power adjustment signal is received. The server 70 may determine whether or not the power adjustment signal is received according to weather information included in the trend information.

The air conditioner may further include a communication device that receives weather information about a weather condition. The air conditioner may continuously organize weather information corresponding to each time in time with the trend information based on the weather information.

The server 70 may predict the likelihood that a power adjustment signal will be received by matching the future weather included in the trend information and the weather information. For example, when the current weather trend is similar to that of the time zone when the power adjustment signal is received, the server 70 may determine that the power adjustment signal is likely to be received.

The server 70 may transmit a signal to perform an operation for reducing the power consumption amount to the air conditioner 30 when it is determined that the possibility of receiving the power adjustment signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

When the air conditioner 30 receives a signal from the server 70 to reduce the amount of power consumption, the air conditioner 30 may start a power consumption reduction operation. The air conditioner 30 predicts the class of the power adjustment signal that is likely to be received, and according to the predicted class of the power adjustment signal, may determine the level of reduction in power consumption.

10 and 11 are views showing a path for receiving a power adjustment signal of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the air conditioner may receive a power adjustment signal from a power receiving device. For example, the power receiving device may extract the power adjustment signal from the power supplied from the power company.

The air conditioner may receive a power adjustment signal from the power receiving device, and change the operation state according to the class of the power adjustment signal. The air conditioner may determine a configurable operation mode or operation degree according to the level of the power adjustment signal.

The air conditioner may transmit information on the type of operation currently being performed, the degree of operation, and the level of the power adjustment signal to the portable terminal.

The portable terminal 50 may display information on the type of operation, the degree of operation, and the grade of the power adjustment signal received from the air conditioner as an output unit.

Referring to FIG. 11, the portable terminal 50 may receive a power adjustment signal from the power company 10. The portable terminal 50 may determine whether the air conditioner 30 should execute the power limit mode based on the power adjustment signal. The portable terminal 50 may display the user to recognize that it is appropriate for the air conditioner to execute the power limit mode.

The portable terminal 50 may transmit a power adjustment signal to the air conditioner. The air conditioner may receive a power adjustment signal from the portable terminal 50. In another embodiment, the mobile terminal 50 may send an instruction to the air conditioner to execute the power limit mode.

12 and 14 are views showing the operation of the indoor unit and the display of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, the outdoor unit 120 may give priority to each of the plurality of indoor units 130.

The outdoor unit 120 may individually control operations of a plurality of indoor units. The outdoor unit 120 may give priority to a plurality of indoor units, and determine whether to operate the indoor unit 130 based on the given priority.

There may be a plurality of indoor units in which the priority given by the outdoor unit 120 corresponds to the first, second, or third priority. When there are multiple indoor units 130, the indoor units corresponding to the first rank, the indoor units corresponding to the second rank, and the indoor units corresponding to the third rank may each be a plurality.

The outdoor unit 120 may control the plurality of indoor units 130 differently according to the level of the power adjustment signal that may be received. For example, when there are three indoor units 130 connected to the outdoor unit 120, and the class of the power adjustment signal that is expected to be received is the first class, the processor 210 turns off all indoor units 130. Can transmit the signal.

For example, when the level of the power adjustment signal, which is expected to be received, is the second class, the processor 210 transmits a signal to turn off the power to the remaining indoor units 130 except for the first order indoor unit 130. You can.

For example, when the class of the power adjustment signal, which is expected to be received, is the third class, the processor 210 powers off the remaining indoor units 130 except for the first and second indoor units 130. Can transmit the signal. Since this may vary depending on the number of indoor units 130, it is not common to all embodiments.

13 and 14 are views showing the operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner and the display of the indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, the indoor unit 130 may receive a power adjustment signal from the outdoor unit 120 or a power receiving device (not shown).

The indoor unit 130 may adjust the set air volume that sets the amount of wind discharged by the indoor unit or the set temperature that sets the desired temperature of indoor air that the indoor unit harmonizes based on the power adjustment signal. The indoor unit 130 may store information regarding a standard for adjusting the set air volume or the set temperature according to the class of the power adjustment signal that may be received. The indoor unit 130 may adjust the set air volume or the set temperature based on information regarding a plurality of stages of the set air volume or the set temperature, which are prescribed to correspond to a plurality of classes of the power adjustment signal.

For example, the power adjustment signal may be any one of the first class, the second class, or the third class, and the indoor unit 130 predicts the class of the power adjustment signal determined to be likely to be received, and accordingly, The set air volume or set temperature can be increased or decreased.

The indoor unit 130 may display various information on the display 340. The indoor unit 130 may display a set temperature, a set air volume (B), and whether there is a possibility (A) whether a power adjustment signal may be received on the display 340.

The indoor unit 130 may store information regarding a standard for adjusting the set air volume or the set temperature according to the grade of the power adjustment signal. For example, the indoor unit 130 may store a table in which a set air volume or a set temperature is set according to the class of the power adjustment signal, but is not limited to the method.

For example, referring to (a) of FIG. 14, when the indoor unit 130 performs the cooling operation, when the class of the power adjustment signal that is likely to be received is predicted to be class 3, the set airflow is less than or equal to And, the set temperature can be limited to be more than 22 ℃. Referring to (b) of FIG. 10, when the indoor unit 130 performs a cooling operation, when the class of the power adjustment signal that is likely to be received is predicted as class 2, the set air volume is set to about, and the set temperature is It can be limited to 24°C or higher. Referring to (c) of FIG. 10, when performing the cooling operation, the indoor unit 130 may stop the operation when the class of the power adjustment signal that is likely to be received is predicted as the first class.

As described above, the display 340 of the indoor unit 130 may display the level of the power adjustment signal, the set temperature, and the set air volume to be checked simultaneously or separately.

The control value of the indoor unit 130 for each class of the power adjustment signal described above is only one embodiment for explaining the contents of the invention, and in other embodiments, the control value may be changed.

15 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

15, the control method of the air conditioner according to an embodiment is a step of receiving a power adjustment signal that provides a rating for the degree of use of power (S510), the transition over the time the power adjustment signal was received Step S520 for generating information, step S530 for determining the possibility of receiving the power adjustment signal based on the trend information, and operation for reducing power consumption if it is determined that the power adjustment signal is likely to be received. It may include a step of starting (S540).

In step S510 of receiving the power adjustment signal, the air conditioner may receive the power adjustment signal from the power receiving device. For example, the outdoor unit or the indoor unit of the air conditioner may receive a power adjustment signal from the power receiving device.

The power supplied by the power company may include a power adjustment signal having a different frequency component from the power component. The power receiving device may extract a power adjustment signal from the power source.

The air conditioner control method of an embodiment may further include a step (not shown) of predicting the level of a power adjustment signal that may be received. In the step (not shown) of predicting the level of the power adjustment signal that is likely to be received, the processor of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit predicts the class of the power adjustment signal that is likely to be received, thereby reducing power consumption accordingly Can judge. Depending on the class of the predicted power adjustment signal, the air conditioner may reduce the power consumption in percent or less than a certain amount, but is not limited to the method.

In step S520 of generating transition information about the time when the power adjustment signal is received, it is possible to arrange whether or not the power adjustment signal corresponding to each time is received according to the flow of time.

In step S520 of generating transition information on the time when the power adjustment signal is received, the weather information at the time when the power adjustment signal is received may be continuously arranged based on the received weather information. In step S520 of generating transition information for a time when the power adjustment signal is received, the grade of the received power adjustment signal may be included in the trend information.

Based on the trend information, the step of determining the possibility of receiving the power adjustment signal (S530) may predict the possibility of receiving the power adjustment signal based on the date and time the power adjustment signal included in the trend information was received. . Based on the trend information, the step of determining the possibility of receiving the power adjustment signal (S530) may predict the possibility that the power adjustment signal will be received by matching the future weather included in the trend information and the weather information.

When it is determined that the power adjustment signal is likely to be received, the step of starting the operation for reducing the power consumption (S540) performs an operation of reducing the power consumption when the possibility that the power adjustment signal is received exceeds a certain value. can do.

In operation S540 of starting the operation for reducing power consumption, the level of the power adjustment signal that is likely to be received may be predicted, and accordingly, the level of reduction in power consumption may be determined according to the predicted level of the power adjustment signal.

In operation S540 of starting the operation to reduce power consumption, the operating frequency of the compressor may be adjusted according to the level of the power adjustment signal that is likely to be received. For example, when the compressor of the outdoor unit is an inverter type, the air conditioner may adjust the operating frequency of the compressor according to the level of the power adjustment signal that is likely to be received to adjust the power consumption.

The air conditioner control method of an embodiment may further include transmitting trend information to an external server (not shown). The air conditioner control method of an embodiment may receive information regarding the possibility of receiving a power adjustment signal from an external server. The information on the possibility of receiving the power adjustment signal received from the external server may be a control signal to reduce the power consumption amount, depending on the possibility of receiving the power adjustment signal, but is not limited thereto.

For example, a server that has received trend information from a plurality of air conditioners may determine a possibility that a power adjustment signal is received by statistically counting the plurality of trend information. The server may transmit a signal to perform an operation for reducing power consumption to a plurality of air conditioners when the possibility that the power adjustment signal is received is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

Although all the components constituting the embodiments of the present invention are described as being combined or operated as one, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments. If within the scope of the object of the present invention, depending on the embodiment, all the components may be operated by selectively combining one or more.

All the components may be implemented by one independent hardware, but a part or all of the components are selectively combined, and a computer having a program module performing a part or all of functions combined in one or a plurality of hardware It can also be implemented as a program.

The plurality of codes and code segments constituting the computer program may be easily deduced by those skilled in the art of the present invention. Such a computer program is stored in a computer readable storage medium (Computer Readable Media) to be read and executed by a computer, thereby implementing an embodiment of the present invention. The storage medium of the computer program may include a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, a carrier wave medium, and the like.

The terms "include", "compose" or "have" as described above mean that the corresponding component can be inherent unless otherwise stated, and do not exclude other components. It should be construed that it may further include other components.

All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, unless otherwise defined.

Commonly used terms, such as predefined terms, should be interpreted as being consistent with the meaning of the context of the related art, and are not to be interpreted as ideal or excessively formal meanings unless explicitly defined in the present invention.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will be capable of various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

The embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention, but to explain them, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical spirits within the equivalent range should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

10: Electric power company
20: power receiving device
30: air conditioner

Claims (16)

An outdoor unit that exchanges refrigerant;
An indoor unit that exchanges refrigerant with the outdoor unit and harmonizes indoor air; And
Includes a power receiving device for receiving a power adjustment signal that provides a rating for the degree of use of power;
The outdoor unit or the indoor unit,
Processor; Memory; And a program stored in the memory and executed by the processor to set an operation for power consumption.
The processor executes the program, and generates trend information arranged in accordance with the passage of time whether the power adjustment signal corresponding to each time is received,
Based on the date and time at which the power adjustment signal is included, the trend information predicts the possibility that the power adjustment signal will be received, and when the probability that the power adjustment signal is received is greater than or equal to a certain value, the amount of power consumption Air conditioner to perform the operation to reduce the. delete delete According to claim 1,
The processor is an air conditioner that predicts the class of the power adjustment signal that is likely to be received, and determines a reduction level of power consumption according to the class of the predicted power adjustment signal. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a communication device for receiving the weather information about the weather conditions,
The processor is an air conditioner that continuously organizes weather information according to the passage of time when a power adjustment signal is received in the trend information based on the weather information. The method of claim 5,
The processor is an air conditioner for predicting a possibility that the power adjustment signal is received by matching the trend information and future weather included in the weather information. According to claim 1,
The processor is an air conditioner that includes the rating of the received power adjustment signal in the trend information. According to claim 1,
The outdoor unit or the indoor unit further comprises a communication device that transmits the trend information to an external server. The method of claim 8,
The communication device is an air conditioner that receives information on the possibility of receiving the power adjustment signal from an external server. According to claim 1,
The trend information is an air conditioner including operation information about an operation state performed by the air conditioner at each time. A plurality of air conditioners for receiving a power adjustment signal providing a grade for a degree of power consumption and generating trend information arranged according to the passage of time whether the power adjustment signal corresponding to each time is received; And
Includes a server for determining a possibility that the power adjustment signal is received by statistically calculating a plurality of trend information received from the plurality of air conditioners.
The plurality of air conditioners, based on the date and time at which the power adjustment signal is included, included in the trend information, predicts the probability that the power adjustment signal will be received, and the probability that the power adjustment signal is received is constant. When the value is greater than or equal to the value, an operation for reducing the power consumption is performed,
The server, based on the plurality of trend information, when the likelihood that the power adjustment signal is received is a certain value or more, an air conditioner system that transmits a signal to perform an operation to reduce the power consumption to the plurality of air conditioners . delete The method of claim 11,
The trend information is an air conditioner system including operation information regarding an operation state performed by the air conditioner at each time. The method of claim 13,
The server is an air conditioner system that analyzes the operation states of the plurality of air conditioners in a time period in which the power control signal is received, and grasps the possibility of receiving the current power control signal. The method of claim 11,
The air conditioner includes a communication device that receives weather information for a weather condition, and an air conditioner that continuously organizes weather information corresponding to each time in the trend information based on the weather information over time. system. The method of claim 15,
The server is an air conditioner system that predicts a possibility that the power adjustment signal is received by matching the trend information and future weather included in the weather information.

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