Method and apparatus for removing partial overload in an air conditioner

Abstract

A method for removing a partial overload in an air conditioner, which includes determining whether a plurality of indoor units provided in the air conditioner includes at least one indoor unit operating in an overload state; and performing a partial overload operation to increase the amount of a refrigerant introduced into a corresponding evaporator of the at least one indoor unit when the at least one indoor unit is operating in the overload state.

1 . A method for removing a partial overload in an air conditioners comprising: 
 determining whether a plurality of indoor units provided in the air conditioner includes at least one indoor unit operating in an overload state; and    performing a partial overload operation to increase the amount of a refrigerant introduced into a corresponding evaporator of the at least one indoor unit if it is determined that the at least one indoor unit is operating in the overload state.    
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 detecting at least one indoor unit operating in the overload state by using a detection signal of a temperature sensor provided in each of the plurality of indoor units.    
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the partial overload operation comprises 
 determining whether the overload state of the at least one indoor unit continues beyond a predetermined period of time;    determining whether the plurality of indoor units include at least another indoor unit operating in a normal load state; and    performing the partial overload operation if it is determined that the overload state of the at least one indoor unit continues beyond the predetermined period of time and the at least another indoor unit is operating in the normal load state.    
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising 
 operating the air conditioner according to the temperature of indoor air detected by the at least one indoor unit and the at least another indoor unit if it is determined that either the overload state of the at least one indoor unit does not continue beyond the predetermined period of time, or each of the at least one indoor unit and the at least another indoor unit is operating in the overload state.    
   
   
       5 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the at least another indoor unit is a plurality of units.  
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the increase in the amount of the refrigerant introduced into the evaporator of the at least one indoor unit also involves an increase in a refrigerant compression capacity of a compressor.  
   
   
       7 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein a plurality of compressors are provided, and the refrigerant compression capacity is increased by determining a refrigerant compression capacity according to the operations of at least one of the plurality of compressors that is currently driven, and selectively operating the compressors based on the determination results.  
   
   
       8 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the refrigerant introduced into the evaporator of the at least one indoor unit is increased by controlling an expansion device provided at a refrigerant inlet side of the evaporator of the at least one indoor unit.  
   
   
       9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the expansion device is a linear expansion valve.  
   
   
       10 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 operating the air conditioner according to the temperature of indoor air detected by each of the plurality of indoor units if the plurality of indoor units is operating in a normal state.    
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for removing a partial overload in an air conditioner, comprising 
 a controller that determines whether a plurality of indoor units, provided in the air conditioner, includes at least one indoor unit operating in an overload state,    wherein the controller performs a partial overload operation, such that the amount of a refrigerant introduced into a corresponding evaporator of the at least one indoor unit is increased, when the at least one indoor unit is operating in the overload state.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a temperature sensor, provided in each of the plurality of indoor units, that detects the overload state of the at least one indoor unit operating in the overload state.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the controller determines whether the at least one indoor unit is in the overload state for a time period longer than a predetermined period of time, and 
 wherein the controller determines whether the plurality of indoor units include at least another indoor unit operating in a normal load state; and    wherein the controller performs the partial overload operation when the at least one indoor unit has been in the overload state for a period of time longer than the predetermined period of time and the at least another indoor unit is operating in the normal load state.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the controller operates the air conditioner according to the temperature of indoor air detected by the at least one indoor unit and the at least another indoor unit when either one of the overload state of the at least one indoor unit is less than the predetermined period of time, or each of the at least one indoor unit and the at least another indoor unit is operating in the overload state.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  11 , wherein at least one of a plurality of compressors, having a compression capacity smaller than at least one of the remaining compressors, is stopped; and 
 wherein at least one of the remaining compressors, having a compression capacity larger that the at least one of the plurality of compressors, is driven to allow an increase in the amount of refrigerant introduced into the corresponding evaporator.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein a plurality of compressors are turned on to provide an increased compression capacity.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein an expansion device is provided at a refrigerant inlet side of the evaporator to increase the amount of refrigerant introduced into the evaporator.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the expansion device is a linear expansion valve.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least another indoor unit is a plurality of units.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the controller operates the air conditioner according to a detected temperature of indoor air detected by each of the plurality of indoor units when the plurality of indoor units is operating in a normal state.