Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
  • F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
  • F24F11/41—Defrosting; Preventing freezing
  • F24F11/43—Defrosting; Preventing freezing of indoor units
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
  • F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
  • F24F11/41—Defrosting; Preventing freezing
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
  • F24F11/62—Control or safety arrangements characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
  • F24F11/63—Electronic processing
  • F24F11/65—Electronic processing for selecting an operating mode
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
  • F25B13/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
  • F25B41/00—Fluid-circulation arrangements
  • F25B41/30—Expansion means; Dispositions thereof
  • F25B41/31—Expansion valves
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
  • F25B47/00—Arrangements for preventing or removing deposits or corrosion, not provided for in another subclass
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
  • F25B47/00—Arrangements for preventing or removing deposits or corrosion, not provided for in another subclass
  • F25B47/02—Defrosting cycles
  • F25B47/022—Defrosting cycles hot gas defrosting
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
  • F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
  • F25B49/02—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for compression type machines, plants or systems
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
  • F25D21/002—Defroster control
  • F25D21/004—Control mechanisms
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
  • F25D21/02—Detecting the presence of frost or condensate
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
  • F25D21/06—Removing frost
  • F25D21/08—Removing frost by electric heating
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
  • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
  • F25B2313/006—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for two pipes connecting the outdoor side to the indoor side with multiple indoor units
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
  • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
  • F25B2313/023—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units
  • F25B2313/0233—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units in parallel arrangements
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
  • F25B2400/00—Component parts or details not otherwise provided for in this subclass
  • F25B2400/01—Heaters
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
  • F25B2600/00—Control issues
  • F25B2600/25—Control of valves
  • F25B2600/2513—Expansion valves

Definitions

• the disclosure relates to a cooling system and a control method thereof.
• a cooling system may cool a designated space by circulating refrigerant according to a cooling cycle.
• the cooling cycle may include processes of compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating the refrigerant.
• the cooling system may include a compressor, an expansion valve, and a heat exchanger such as a condenser and an evaporator, to perform the cooling cycle.
• a temperature of the evaporator may be relatively low compared to ambient air. Accordingly, moisture may condense on a surface of the evaporator and frost is generated. The frost generated on the surface of the evaporator reduces heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator, and therefore the cooling system may perform a defrosting operation to remove the frost.
• the cooling system may include an outdoor unit and a plurality of cooling devices connected to the outdoor unit. For example, when some cooling devices among the plurality of cooling devices perform the defrosting operation, an internal temperature of adjacent cooling devices may increase. For example, when the cooling system includes a plurality of cooling devices, the defrosting operation of some cooling devices among the plurality of cooling devices may affect cooling efficiency of other cooling devices.
• Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a cooling system capable of easily controlling operations of a plurality of cooling devices by group by grouping the plurality of cooling devices and a control method thereof.
• Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a cooling system capable of easily set and/or change a defrosting group of each of a plurality of cooling devices and a control method thereof.
• Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a cooling system that does not require a separate communication line for setting a defrosting group and a control method thereof.
• An example embodiment of the disclosure provides a cooling system including: a plurality of cooling devices and an outdoor unit configured to provide a refrigerant to each of the plurality of cooling devices, wherein each of the plurality of cooling devices may include: an evaporator configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and air, a communication unit configured to communicate between the plurality of cooling devices, a user interface configured to obtain user input, and a controller electrically connected to the communication unit and the user interface and configured to set a defrosting group based on the user input, wherein based on any one of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group satisfying a specified defrosting entry condition, all of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may be controlled to enter a defrosting operation together.
• An example embodiment of the disclosure provides a method of controlling a cooling system, wherein the cooling system may include a plurality of cooling devices and an outdoor unit configured to provide a refrigerant to each of the plurality of cooling devices.
• the method of controlling the cooling system may include grouping the plurality of cooling devices based on user input.
• the control method of the cooling system may include controlling all cooling devices belonging to the same group to enter a defrosting operation together based on any one of the cooling devices belonging to the same group among the plurality of cooling devices satisfying a specified defrosting entry condition.
• each of phrases such as "A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B or C,” “at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding one of the phrases, or all possible combinations thereof.
• first,” “second,” “primary,” and “secondary” may simply be used to distinguish a given component from other corresponding components, and do not limit the corresponding components in any other aspect (e.g., importance or order).
• any (e.g., a first) component is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another (e.g., a second) component with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively”, this may refer, for example, to the any component being connected to the other component directly (e.g., by wire), wirelessly, or through a third component.
• any component is referred to as being "connected”, “coupled”, “supported” or “in contact” with another component, this includes a case in which the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact with each other through a third component as well as directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact with each other.
• any component is referred to as being located “on” or “above” another component, this includes not only a case in which any component is in contact with another component but also a case in which another component is present between the two components.
• ⁇ unit may denote a unit for processing at least one function or operation.
• the terms may refer to at least one hardware such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)/an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), at least one software stored in memory, or at least one process processed by a processor.
• FPGA field-programmable gate array
• ASIC application specific integrated circuit
• An identification number assigned to each step is used to identify each step, the identification numeral does not describe the order of the steps, and each step may be performed differently from the order specified unless the context clearly states a particular order.
• FIG. 1 illustrates an external appearance of an example of a cooling system according to an embodiment.
• a cooling system 1 may include an outdoor unit 10.
• the outdoor unit 10 may be provided in an outdoor space to perform heat exchange between outdoor air and refrigerant.
• the outdoor unit 10 may provide the refrigerant to a cooling device 20, which will be described in greater detail below.
• the outdoor unit 10 may provide the refrigerant to each of a plurality of the cooling devices 20, which will be described later.
• FIG. 1 illustrates that the cooling system 1 includes the one outdoor unit 10, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
• the cooling system 1 may include a plurality of the outdoor units 10.
• the cooling system 1 may include the cooling devices 20.
• the cooling device 20 may discharge cold air.
• the cooling device 20 may be provided in an indoor space to perform heat exchange between indoor air and the refrigerant.
• the cooling device 20 may decrease an internal temperature thereof through heat exchange between air inside the room and the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit 10.
• the cooling device 20 may keep a predetermined (e.g., specified) temperature in order to store a storage object at a low temperature.
• the cooling device 20 may be provided as a unit cooler, a refrigerator, a freezer, a showcase, or an air conditioner.
• the cooling device 20 may be a variety of devices for performing cooling operations (e.g., refrigeration operation, freezing operation, cooling operation, etc.).
• the cooling device 20 may be referred to as the indoor unit 20.
• the cooling system 1 may include the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• FIG. 1 illustrates that five cooling devices are provided, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
• the cooling system 1 may include six or more cooling devices.
• the cooling system 1 may include four or fewer cooling devices.
• the cooling system 1 may include one cooling device.
• the cooling system 1 may include a first cooling device 20a, a second cooling device 20b, a third cooling device 20c, a fourth cooling device 20d, and a fifth cooling device 20e.
• a first cooling device 20a a second cooling device 20b
• a third cooling device 20c a fourth cooling device 20d
• a fifth cooling device 20e a fifth cooling device 20e.
• at least one of the first cooling device 20a, the second cooling device 20b, the third cooling device 20c, the fourth cooling device 20d, and the fifth cooling device 20e may be omitted in the cooling system 1.
• cooling devices other than the first cooling device 20a, the second cooling device 20b, the third cooling device 20c, the fourth cooling device 20d, and the fifth cooling device 20e may be added to the cooling system 1.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a flow of refrigerant of an example of the cooling system according to an embodiment.
• the cooling system 1 may include a refrigerant pipe 30 configured to circulate the refrigerant between the outdoor unit 10 and the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• the refrigerant may absorb or release heat through a change in state (e.g., change in state from gas to liquid or change in state from liquid to gas) while circulating through the outdoor unit 10 and the plurality of cooling devices 20 along the refrigerant pipe 30.
• the refrigerant pipe 30 may include a liquid pipe 31 that serves as a passage through which liquid refrigerant flows.
• the refrigerant pipe 30 may include a gas pipe 32 that serves as a passage through which gaseous refrigerant flows.
• the cooling system 1 may include a compressor 13.
• the outdoor unit 10 may include the compressor 13.
• the compressor 13 may be configured to compress the refrigerant.
• the compressor 13 may discharge high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant.
• the cooling system 1 may include an outdoor heat exchanger 11.
• the outdoor unit 10 may include the outdoor heat exchanger 11.
• the outdoor heat exchanger 11 may be configured to perform heat exchange between outdoor air and the refrigerant.
• the outdoor heat exchanger 11 may dissipate heat.
• the outdoor heat exchanger 11 may operate as a condenser.
• the outdoor heat exchanger 11 may be referred to as the condenser 11.
• the outdoor heat exchanger 11 may include an outdoor heat exchanger refrigerant pipe (not shown) through which the refrigerant passes.
• the outdoor heat exchanger 11 may include outdoor heat exchanger cooling fins (not shown) to increase a surface area that comes into contact with outdoor air. As the surface area in contact between the outdoor heat exchanger and outdoor air is increased, efficiency of heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air may be improved.
• the cooling system 1 may include an outdoor fan 12.
• the outdoor unit 10 may include the outdoor fan 12.
• the outdoor fan 12 may be provided around the outdoor heat exchanger 11.
• the outdoor fan 12 may flow outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 11.
• the outdoor fan 12 may blow outdoor air before heat exchange to the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and simultaneously blow the heat-exchanged air outdoors.
• the outdoor fan 12 may discharge air around the outdoor heat exchanger 11 to the outside of the outdoor unit 10.
• FIG. 2 illustrates that the one outdoor fan 12 is provided, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
• a plurality of the outdoor fans 12 may be provided.
• the cooling system 1 may include an accumulator 15.
• the accumulator 15 may be provided on a suction side of the compressor 13.
• the accumulator 15 may store liquid refrigerant and vaporize the stored liquid refrigerant.
• the accumulator 15 may prevent liquid refrigerant from being introduced into the compressor 13.
• FIG. 2 illustrates that the outdoor unit 10 includes the accumulator 15, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
• the outdoor unit 10 may not include the accumulator 15.
• the accumulator 15 may be omitted in the cooling system 1.
• the cooling system 1 may include a four-way valve 14.
• the four-way valve 14 may change a flow direction of high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor 13.
• the four-way valve 14 may guide the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 13 to the outdoor heat exchanger 11 or to an indoor heat exchanger 21.
• the outdoor unit 10 may include the four-way valve 14 configured to change a flow direction of the refrigerant.
• FIG. 2 illustrates that the outdoor unit 10 includes the four-way valve 14, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
• outdoor unit 10 may not include the four-way valve 14.
• the four-way valve 14 may be omitted in the cooling system 1.
• the cooling system 1 may include an expansion valve 23.
• the expansion valve 23 may expand the refrigerant.
• the expansion valve 23 may expand high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant and discharge refrigerant in which gas and liquid of low-temperature and low-pressure are mixed.
• the expansion valve 23 may regulate a flow rate of the refrigerant provided to the indoor heat exchanger 21.
• the expansion valve 23 may depressurize the refrigerant using a throttling action.
• the throttling action may refer, for example, to when refrigerant passes through a narrow passage, a pressure of the refrigerant decreasing without heat exchange with the outside.
• FIG. 2 illustrates that the cooling device 20 includes the expansion valve 23, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
• the outdoor unit 10 may include an expansion valve (not shown), and the cooling device 20 may not include the expansion valve 23.
• both the outdoor unit 10 and the cooling device 20 may include an expansion valve.
• FIG. 2 illustrates that each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 includes the one expansion valve 23, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
• the expansion valve 23 may be provided as two or more expansion valves connected in series.
• the expansion valve 23 may be provided as two or more expansion valves connected in parallel. As long as the expansion valve 23 may depressurize the refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and directed to the indoor heat exchanger 21, the configuration and/or arrangement thereof is not limited.
• the expansion valve 23 may be an electronic expansion valve (EEV) with an adjustable opening degree.
• the expansion valve 23 may be, for example, a thermoelectric type electronic expansion valve utilizing deformation of a bimetal, a thermal actuating type electronic expansion valve utilizing volume expansion due to heating of an encapsulating wax, a pulse width modulation type electronic expansion valve opening and closing a solenoid valve by a pulse signal, or a stem motor type electronic expansion valve opening and closing the valve using a motor.
• each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may include the expansion valve 23.
• an nth cooling device may include an nth expansion valve.
• the first cooling device 20a may include a first expansion valve 23a.
• the second cooling device 20b may include a second expansion valve 23b.
• the third cooling device 20c may include a third expansion valve 23c.
• the fourth cooling device 20d may include a fourth expansion valve 23d.
• the fifth cooling device 20e may include a fifth expansion valve 23e.
• each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may not include the expansion valve 23, and the outdoor unit 10 may include an expansion valve.
• each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 and the outdoor unit 10 may all include an expansion valve.
• the cooling system 1 may include the indoor heat exchanger 21.
• the cooling device 20 may include the indoor heat exchanger 21.
• the indoor heat exchanger 21 may be configured to perform heat exchange between indoor air and the refrigerant.
• the indoor heat exchanger 21 may absorb heat.
• the indoor heat exchanger 21 may operate as an evaporator.
• the indoor heat exchanger 21 may be referred to as the evaporator 21.
• the indoor heat exchanger 21 may include an indoor heat exchanger refrigerant pipe (not shown) through which the refrigerant passes.
• the indoor heat exchanger 21 may include indoor heat exchanger cooling fins (not shown) to increase a surface area with which indoor air comes into contact. As the surface area in contact between the indoor heat exchanger and indoor air is increased, the efficiency of heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air may be improved.
• each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may include the indoor heat exchanger 21.
• the nth cooling device may include an nth indoor heat exchanger.
• the first cooling device 20a may include a first indoor heat exchanger 21a.
• the second cooling device 20b may include a second indoor heat exchanger 21b.
• the third cooling device 20c may include a third indoor heat exchanger 21c.
• the fourth cooling device 20d may include a fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d.
• the fifth cooling device 20e may include a fifth indoor heat exchanger 21e.
• the cooling system 1 may include an indoor fan 22.
• the cooling device 20 may include the indoor fan 22.
• the indoor fan 22 may be provided around the indoor heat exchanger 21.
• the indoor fan 22 may flow indoor air into the indoor heat exchanger 21.
• the indoor fan 22 may blow indoor air before heat exchange to the indoor heat exchanger 21 and simultaneously blow the heat-exchanged air into the indoor space.
• FIG. 2 illustrates that each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 includes the one indoor fan 22, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
• a plurality of the indoor fans 22 may be provided.
• each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may include the indoor fan 22.
• the nth cooling device may include an nth indoor fan.
• the first cooling device 20a may include a first indoor fan 22a.
• the second cooling device 20b may include a second indoor fan 22b.
• the third cooling device 20c may include a third indoor fan 22c.
• the fourth cooling device 20d may include a fourth indoor fan 22d.
• the fifth cooling device 20e may include a fifth indoor fan 22e.
• a flow of the refrigerant may be explained as follows.
• the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor 13 may move to the outdoor heat exchanger 11.
• the liquid or near-liquid refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 11 may be expanded and depressurized in the expansion valve 23.
• the refrigerant passed through the expansion valve 23 may move to the indoor heat exchanger 21.
• the refrigerant introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 21 may be evaporated through heat exchange with ambient air. Accordingly, a temperature of the heat-exchanged ambient air may decrease, and the cooling device 20 may discharge cold air.
• the cooling device 20 may perform the cooling operation (refrigeration or freezing operation).
• FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of an example of an outdoor unit according to an embodiment. Components that are the same as those of the outdoor unit 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are assigned the same numbers, and detailed descriptions thereof may not be repeated here.
• the outdoor unit 10 may include the compressor 13.
• the outdoor unit 10 may include the outdoor fan 12.
• the outdoor unit 10 may include the four-way valve 14.
• the outdoor unit 10 may include the accumulator 15.
• the outdoor unit 10 may include a communication unit (e.g., including communication circuitry) 18.
• the outdoor unit 10 may include a controller (e.g., including circuitry) 19.
• the controller 19 may include a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) 191.
• the controller 19 may include memory 192.
• Each of the components of the outdoor unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be omitted according to an embodiment, and components not illustrated in FIG. 3 may also be included as components of the outdoor unit 10 according to an embodiment.
• the outdoor unit 10 may include the communication unit 18 configured to communicate with at least one of the cooling device 20 and an external device (e.g., a server, a user device, and/or a home appliance) (not shown).
• the communication unit 18 may communicate by wire and/or wirelessly with at least one of the cooling device 20 and an external device.
• the communication unit 18 may transmit signals and/or data to at least one of the cooling device 20 and an external device under the control of the controller 19.
• the communication unit 18 may receive signals and/or data from the cooling device 20 or an external device under the control of the controller 19.
• the communication unit 18 may establish communication with at least one of the cooling device 20, a server, a user device, and a home appliance, and transmit and receive various signals and/or data.
• the communication unit 18 may support establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or wireless communication channel between external devices, and performance of communication through the established communication channel.
• the communication unit 18 may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication module).
• GNSS global navigation satellite system
• the communication module may communicate with an external device through the first network (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network (e.g., a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communications network, the Internet, or a long-range communication network such as a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN)).
• a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)
• the second network e.g., a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communications network, the Internet, or a long-range communication network such as a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN)
• a computer network e.g., LAN or WAN
• the short-range wireless communication module may include, but is not limited thereto, a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, a ZigBee communication module, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication module, a Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication module, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, microwave (U-wave) communication module, and the like.
• a Bluetooth communication module a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication module
• a near field communication module a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module
• a ZigBee communication module an infrared data association (IrDA) communication module
• Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication module Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication module
• UWB ultra-wideband
• Ant+ communication module microwave (U-wave) communication module, and the like.
• the long-distance communication module may include a communication module performing various types of long-distance communication and may include a mobile communication device.
• the mobile communication device transmits and receives wireless signals to and from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.
• the communication unit 18 of the outdoor unit 10 may be referred to as the outdoor unit communication unit 18.
• the controller 19 may include hardware such as a CPU or memory, and software such as a control program.
• the controller 19 may include an algorithm for controlling operations of the components in the outdoor unit 10, and the at least one memory 192 storing data in the form of a program.
• the controller 19 may include the at least one processor 191 performing the operations described above using data stored in the at least one memory.
• the memory 192 and the processor 191 may each be implemented as a separate chip.
• the processor 191 may include one or two or more processor chips or one or two or more processing cores.
• the memory 192 may include one or two or more memory chips or one or two or more memory blocks.
• the memory 192 and the processor 191 may be implemented as a single chip.
• the controller 19 of the outdoor unit 10 may be referred to as the outdoor unit controller 19.
• the processor 191 of the outdoor unit 10 may be referred to as the outdoor unit processor 191.
• the memory 192 of the outdoor unit 10 may be referred to as the outdoor unit memory 192.
• the controller 19 may be electrically connected to each of the components of the outdoor unit 10. The controller 19 may control the operation of each of the components of the outdoor unit 10.
• the controller 19 may control an operation of the compressor 13. For example, the controller 19 may regulate an operating frequency of the compressor 13.
• the compressor 13, under the control of controller 19, may compress the refrigerant and discharge the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant.
• the controller 19 may control an operation of the outdoor fan 12. For example, the controller 19 may regulate a rotation speed of the outdoor fan 12. For example, the controller 19 may regulate the rotation speed of the outdoor fan 12 based on an outdoor temperature.
• the controller 19 may control the four-way valve 14 to change the flow direction of the refrigerant. For example, during a cooling operation of the plurality of cooling devices 20, the four-way valve 14 may guide the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 13 to the outdoor heat exchanger 11 under the control of the controller 19.
• the controller 19 may control an operation of the accumulator 15.
• the accumulator 15 may include a level sensor (not shown), and the controller 19 may control the operation of the accumulator 15 based on a level of the liquid refrigerant measured by the level sensor.
• the controller 19 may control an operation of the communication unit 18.
• the controller 19 may control the communication unit 18 to transmit information about the outdoor unit 10 to at least one of the cooling device 20 and an external device.
• the controller 19 may control the communication unit 18 to receive information from at least one of the cooling device 20 and an external device.
• FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of an example of a cooling device according to an embodiment. Components that are the same as those of the cooling device 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are assigned the same numbers, and detailed descriptions thereof may not be repeated here. Additionally, the cooling device 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may include components of the cooling device illustrated in FIG. 3 . For example, each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may include all or some of the components of the cooling device illustrated in FIG. 3 .
• the cooling device 20 may include the indoor fan 22.
• the cooling device 20 may include the expansion valve 23.
• the cooling device 20 may include a defrosting heater 24.
• the cooling device 20 may include a sensing unit (e.g., including at least one sensor) 25.
• the cooling device 20 may include a user interface (e.g., including circuitry) 26.
• the cooling device 20 may include a communication unit (e.g., including communication circuitry) 28.
• the cooling device 20 may include a controller (e.g., including circuitry) 29.
• the controller 29 may include a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) 291.
• the controller 29 may include memory 291.
• Each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may include the indoor fan 22. Each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may include the expansion valve 23. Each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may include the defrosting heater 24. Each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may include the sensing unit 25. Each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may include the user interface 26. Each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may include the communication unit 28. Each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may include the controller 29.
• Each of the components of the cooling device 20 illustrated in FIG. 4 may be omitted according to an embodiment, and components not illustrated in FIG. 4 may also be included as components of the cooling device 20 according to an embodiment.
• the cooling device 20 may include the defrosting heater 24.
• the defrosting heater 24 may be configured to heat the indoor heat exchanger 21.
• the defrosting heater 24 may be configured to remove frost generated on the indoor heat exchanger 21.
• the defrosting heater 24 may be configured to operate during a defrosting operation.
• the cooling device 20 may not include the defrosting heater 24, and in this case, the cooling device 20 may remove frost generated on the indoor heat exchanger 21 through various methods without the defrosting heater 24.
• ambient air with a relatively higher temperature than that of the indoor heat exchanger 21 may be flowed toward the indoor heat exchanger 21 by the indoor fan 22.
• hot water may be sprayed onto the indoor heat exchanger 21.
• high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant may be flowed toward the indoor heat exchanger 21.
• the cooling device 20 may include the sensing unit 25.
• the sensing unit 25 may be configured to detect various conditions of the cooling device 20.
• the sensing unit 25 may include a capacitive sensor, an optical sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, and/or a temperature sensor to detect various conditions of the cooling device 20.
• the sensing unit 25 may transmit a detection result to the controller 29.
• the sensing unit 25 may include a temperature sensor (not shown).
• the temperature sensor may detect a temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 21.
• the temperature sensor may detect the indoor temperature.
• the temperature sensor may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the detected temperature to the controller 29.
• the sensing unit 25 may include a pressure sensor (not shown).
• the pressure sensor may detect an inlet pressure and/or an outlet pressure of the cooling device 20.
• the pressure sensor may detect a pressure of the refrigerant flowing between the expansion valve 23 and the indoor heat exchanger 21 inside the cooling device 20.
• the pressure sensor may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the detected pressure to the controller 29.
• the sensing unit 25 may include a frost detection sensor (not shown).
• the frost detection sensor may detect an amount of frost generated on the indoor heat exchanger 21.
• the frost detection sensor may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of the detected frost to the controller 29.
• the sensing unit 25 is not limited to the above-described examples, and may detect various factors to determine the conditions of the cooling device 20.
• the cooling device 20 may include the at least one user interface 26.
• the user interface 26 may obtain user input.
• the user interface 26 may output information about the cooling device 20.
• the user interface 26 may transmit an electrical signal (e.g., voltage or current) corresponding to the user input to the controller 29.
• the controller 29 may control an operation of the cooling device 20 based on an electrical signal transmitted from the user interface 26.
• the user interface 26 may include at least one inputter 261 and/or at least one outputter 262.
• the user interface 26 may be implemented as a control panel.
• the at least one inputter 261 may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.
• the at least one inputter 261 may include a power button, an operation button, a course selection dial (or course selection button), and washing/rinsing/dewatering setting buttons.
• the at least one inputter 261 may include, for example, a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone, etc.
• the inputter 261 may be referred to as the input interface 261.
• the at least one outputter 262 may deliver various data related to the operation of the cooling device 20 to the user by generating sensory information.
• the at least one outputter 262 may deliver the information about the cooling device 20 to the user.
• the information about the cooling device 20 may be output as a screen, indicator, voice, etc.
• the at least one outputter 262 may display information about a defrosting group of the cooling device 20 and/or information about an operation mode (e.g., defrosting operation, cooling operation, or standby operation) of the cooling device 20, which will be described later.
• the at least one outputter 262 may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, a speaker, etc.
• LCD liquid crystal display
• LED light emitting diode
• the cooling device 20 may include the communication unit 28.
• the communication unit 28 may be configured to communicate with at least one of the outdoor unit 10, the other cooling device 20 (the at least one cooling device 20 different from the cooling device 20 including the corresponding communication unit 28), and an external device (e.g., a server, a user device, and/or a home appliance) (not shown).
• the communication unit 28 may communicate by wire and/or wirelessly with at least one of the outdoor unit 10, the other cooling device 20, and an external device.
• each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may include the communication unit 28 for communication between the plurality of cooling devices 20. A detailed explanation thereof will be described later.
• the communication unit 28 may transmit signals and/or data to at least one of the outdoor unit 10, the other cooling device 20, and an external device under the control of the controller 29.
• the communication unit 28 may receive signals and/or data from at least one of the outdoor unit 10, the other cooling device 20, and an external device under the control of the controller 29.
• the communication unit 28 may establish communication with at least one of the outdoor unit 10, the other cooling device 20, and an external device, and transmit and receive various signals and/or data.
• the communication unit 28 may support establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or wireless communication channel between external devices, and performance of communication through the established communication channel.
• the communication unit 28 may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication module).
• GNSS global navigation satellite system
• the communication module may communicate with an external device through the first network (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network (e.g., a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communications network, the Internet, or a long-range communication network such as a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN)).
• a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)
• the second network e.g., a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communications network, the Internet, or a long-range communication network such as a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN)
• a computer network e.g., LAN or WAN
• the short-range wireless communication module may include, but is not limited thereto, a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, a ZigBee communication module, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication module, a Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication module, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, microwave (U-wave) communication module, and the like.
• a Bluetooth communication module a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication module
• a near field communication module a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module
• a ZigBee communication module an infrared data association (IrDA) communication module
• Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication module Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication module
• UWB ultra-wideband
• Ant+ communication module microwave (U-wave) communication module, and the like.
• the long-distance communication module may include a communication module performing various types of long-distance communication and may include a mobile communication device.
• the mobile communication device transmits and receives wireless signals to and from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.
• the controller 29 may include hardware such as a CPU or memory, and software such as a control program.
• the controller 29 may include an algorithm for controlling operations of the components in the cooling device 20, and the at least one memory 292 storing data in the form of a program.
• the controller 29 may include the at least one processor 291 performing the operations described above using data stored in the at least one memory.
• the memory 292 and the processor 291 may each be implemented as a separate chip.
• the processor 291 may include one or two or more processor chips or one or two or more processing cores.
• the memory 292 may include one or two or more memory chips or one or two or more memory blocks. Also, the memory 292 and the processor 291 may be implemented as a single chip.
• the controller 29 may be electrically connected to each of the components of the cooling device 20.
• the controller 29 may control the operation of each of the components of the cooling device 20.
• the controller 29 may control an operation of the sensing unit 25.
• the controller 29 may control the sensing unit 25 to detect various conditions of the cooling device 20 at a predetermined detection period.
• the controller 29 may control an operation of the defrosting heater 24.
• the controller 29 may operate the defrosting heater 24 based on the cooling device 20 entering the defrosting operation.
• the controller 29 may stop the operation of the defrosting heater 24 based on the cooling device 20 entering the cooling operation.
• the controller 29 may stop the operation of the defrosting heater 24 based on the cooling device 20 entering a standby operation (an operation before entering the cooling operation after terminating the defrosting operation).
• the controller 29 may control the expansion valve 23.
• the controller 29 may control opening and closing of the expansion valve 23.
• the controller 29 may adjust an opening degree of the expansion valve 23.
• the expansion valve 23 may regulate the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing from the outdoor heat exchanger 11 to the indoor heat exchanger 21 under the control of the controller 29.
• the controller 29 may close the expansion valve 23 based on the cooling device 20 entering the defrosting operation.
• the controller 29 may open the expansion valve 23 based on the cooling device 20 entering the cooling operation.
• the controller 29 may close the expansion valve 23 based on the cooling device 20 entering the standby operation.
• the controller 29 may control an operation of the indoor fan 22.
• the controller 29 may regulate a rotation speed of the indoor fan 22.
• the controller 29 may adjust the rotation speed of the indoor fan 22 based on the indoor temperature.
• the controller 29 may control the operation of the cooling device 20.
• the controller 29 may control the operation of the cooling device 20 to perform the cooling operation, the defrosting operation, or the standby operation.
• each of the controllers 29 of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may control the operation of the corresponding cooling device 20.
• each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may be controlled to perform the defrosting operation in which the expansion valve 23 is closed and the defrosting heater 24 is operated.
• each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may be controlled to perform the standby operation in which the expansion valve 23 is closed and the operation of the defrosting heater 24 is stopped.
• each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may be controlled to perform the cooling operation in which the expansion valve 23 is opened and the operation of the defrosting heater 24 is stopped.
• the controller 29 may generate a signal corresponding to the cooling device 20 satisfying a predetermined condition (e.g., a defrosting entry condition or a defrosting releasing condition).
• the controller 29 may control the communication unit 28 to transmit and receive the signal corresponding to satisfaction of the predetermined condition. A detailed explanation thereof will be described later.
• the controller 29 may process the user input received through the user interface 26.
• the controller 29 may control various components of the cooling device 20 based on processing the user input.
• the user interface 26 may operate under the control of the controller 29.
• the user interface 26 may operate based on a signal from the controller 29.
• the user interface 26 may be configured to visually display the information about the cooling device 20 by being controlled by the controller 29.
• the user interface 26 may visually display the information about the defrosting group of the cooling device 20 and/or information about the operation mode of the cooling device 20 (e.g., the defrosting operation, cooling operation, or standby operation).
• the controller 29 may control an operation of the communication unit 28.
• the controller 29 may control the communication unit 28 to transmit the information about the cooling device 20 to at least one of the outdoor unit 10, the other cooling device 20, an external device.
• the controller 29 may control the communication unit 28 to receive information from at least one of the outdoor unit 10, the other cooling device 20, an external device.
• FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an example of communication in the cooling system according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an example of communication in the cooling system according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an example of communication in the cooling system according to an embodiment.
• the cooling system 1 may include the outdoor unit 10 and the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• the cooling system 1 includes the first cooling device 20a, the second cooling device 20b, the third cooling device 20c, the fourth cooling device 20d, and the fifth cooling device 20e.
• Each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may include the communication unit 28 for communication between the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• Each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may include the user interface 26 for obtaining the user input.
• Each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may include the controller 29 electrically connected to the communication unit 28 and the user interface 26. The controller 29 may set the defrosting group based on the user input. The plurality of devices 20 may share the information about the defrosting group.
• each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may include the components of the cooling device 20 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 .
• the nth cooling device may include an nth communication unit, an nth controller, and an nth user interface.
• the first cooling device 20a may include a first communication unit 28a, a first controller 29a, and a first user interface 26a.
• the second cooling device 20b may include a second communication unit 28b, a second controller 29b, and a second user interface 26b.
• the third cooling device 20c may include a third communication unit 28c, a third controller 29c, and a third user interface 26c.
• the fourth cooling device 20d may include a fourth communication unit 28d, a fourth controller 29d, and a fourth user interface 26d.
• the fifth cooling device 20e may include a fifth communication unit 28e, a fifth controller 29e, and a fifth user interface 26e.
• a fifth communication unit 28e may include a fifth communication unit 28e, a fifth controller 29e, and a fifth user interface 26e.
• the ordinal numbers “first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth”, and “fifth” may not limit the components thereof.
• the first communication unit 28a of the first cooling device 20a may communicate with at least one of the outdoor unit 10, the second communication unit 28b of the second cooling device 20b, the third communication unit 28c of the third cooling device 20c, the fourth communication unit 28d of the fourth cooling device 20d, the fifth communication unit 28e of the fifth cooling device 20e, and an external device.
• the second communication unit 28b of the second cooling device 20b may communicate with at least one of the outdoor unit 10, the first communication unit 28a of the first cooling device 20a, the third communication unit 28c of the third cooling device 20c, the fourth communication unit 28d of the fourth cooling device 20d, the fifth communication unit 28e of the fifth cooling device 20e, and an external device.
• the third communication unit 28c of the third cooling device 20c may communicate with at least one of the outdoor unit 10, the first communication unit 28a of the first cooling device 20a, the second communication unit 28b of the second cooling device 20b, the fourth communication unit 28d of the fourth cooling device 20d, the fifth communication unit 28e of the fifth cooling device 20e, and an external device.
• the fourth communication unit 28d of the fourth cooling device 20d may communicate with at least one of the outdoor unit 10, the first communication unit 28a of the first cooling device 20a, the second communication unit 28b of the second cooling device 20b, the third communication unit 28c of the third cooling device 20c, the fifth communication unit 28e of the fifth cooling device 20e, and an external device.
• the fifth communication unit 28e of the fifth cooling device 20e may communicate with at least one of the outdoor unit 10, the first communication unit 28a of the first cooling device 20a, the second communication unit 28b of the second cooling device 20b, the third communication unit 28c of the third cooling device 20c, the fourth communication unit 28d of the fourth cooling device 20d, and an external device.
• the first user interface 26a of the first cooling device 20a may obtain user input.
• the first user interface 26a of the first cooling device 20a may obtain the user input for setting a defrosting group of the first cooling device 20a.
• the defrosting group of the first cooling device 20a may be determined depending on the user input obtained through the first user interface 26a.
• the defrosting group of the first cooling device 20a may be set by a number inputted into the first user interface 26a.
• FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate that a defrosting group setting of the first cooling device 20a is "1", but is not limited thereto.
• the defrosting group setting of the first cooling device 20a may be arbitrarily changed depending on the user input obtained through the first user interface 26a.
• the first cooling device 20a may belong to a first defrosting group.
• the first cooling device 20a belongs to the same group as at least one other cooling device (e.g., the second cooling device 20b) belonging to the first defrosting group, and the cooling devices belonging to the same group may be controlled in conjunction with each other.
• the first user interface 26a of the first cooling device 20a may obtain the user input for at least one of a defrosting entry condition and a defrosting releasing condition of the first cooling device 20a.
• the defrosting entry condition of the first cooling device 20a may be changed depending on the user input.
• the defrosting entry condition of the first cooling device 20a may be the same as or different from the defrosting entry conditions of the other cooling devices.
• the defrosting releasing condition of the first cooling device 20a may be changed depending on the user input.
• the defrosting releasing condition of the first cooling device 20a may be the same as or different from the defrosting releasing conditions of the other cooling devices.
• the second user interface 26b of the second cooling device 20b may obtain user input.
• the second user interface 26b of the second cooling device 20b may obtain the user input for setting a defrosting group of the second cooling device 20b.
• the defrosting group of the second cooling device 20b may be determined depending on the user input obtained through the second user interface 26b.
• the defrosting group of the second cooling device 20b may be set by a number inputted into the second user interface 26b.
• FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate that a defrosting group setting of the second cooling device 20b is "1", but is not limited thereto.
• the defrosting group setting of the second cooling device 20b may be arbitrarily changed depending on the user input obtained through the second user interface 26b.
• the second cooling device 20b may belong to the first defrosting group.
• the second cooling device 20b belongs to the same group as at least one other cooling device (e.g., the first cooling device 20a) belonging to the first defrosting group, and the cooling devices belonging to the same group may be controlled in conjunction with each other.
• the second user interface 26b of the second cooling device 20b may obtain the user input for at least one of a defrosting entry condition and a defrosting releasing condition of the second cooling device 20b.
• the defrosting entry condition of the second cooling device 20b may be changed depending on the user input.
• the defrosting entry condition of the second cooling device 20b may be the same as or different from the defrosting entry conditions of the other cooling devices.
• the defrosting releasing condition of the second cooling device 20b may be changed depending on the user input.
• the defrosting releasing condition of the second cooling device 20b may be the same as or different from the defrosting releasing conditions of the other cooling devices.
• the third user interface 26c of the third cooling device 20c may obtain user input.
• the third user interface 26c of the third cooling device 20c may obtain the user input for setting a defrosting group of the third cooling device 20c.
• the defrosting group of the third cooling device 20c may be determined depending on the user input obtained through the third user interface 26c.
• the defrosting group of the third cooling device 20c may be set by a number inputted into the third user interface 26c.
• FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate that a defrosting group setting of the third cooling device 20c is "2", but is not limited thereto.
• the defrosting group setting of the third cooling device 20c may be arbitrarily changed depending on the user input obtained through the third user interface 26c.
• the third cooling device 20c may belong to a second defrosting group.
• the third cooling device 20c belongs to the same group as at least one other cooling device (e.g., the fourth cooling device 20d) belonging to the second defrosting group, and the cooling devices belonging to the same group may be controlled in conjunction with each other.
• the third user interface 26c of the third cooling device 20c may obtain the user input for at least one of a defrosting entry condition and a defrosting releasing condition of the third cooling device 20c.
• the defrosting entry condition of the third cooling device 20c may be changed depending on the user input.
• the defrosting entry condition of the third cooling device 20c may be the same as or different from the defrosting entry conditions of the other cooling devices.
• the defrosting releasing condition of the third cooling device 20c may be changed depending on the user input.
• the defrosting releasing condition of the third cooling device 20c may be the same as or different from the defrosting releasing conditions of the other cooling devices.
• the fourth user interface 26d of the fourth cooling device 20d may obtain user input.
• the fourth user interface 26d of the fourth cooling device 20d may obtain the user input for setting a defrosting group of the fourth cooling device 20d.
• the defrosting group of the fourth cooling device 20d may be determined depending on the user input obtained through the fourth user interface 26d.
• the defrosting group of the fourth cooling device 20d may be set by a number inputted into the fourth user interface 26d.
• FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate that a defrosting group setting of the fourth cooling device 20d is "2", but is not limited thereto.
• the defrosting group setting of the fourth cooling device 20d may be arbitrarily changed depending on the user input obtained through the fourth user interface 26d.
• the fourth cooling device 20d may belong to the second defrosting group.
• the fourth cooling device 20d belongs to the same group as at least one other cooling device (e.g., the third cooling device 20c) belonging to the second defrosting group, and the cooling devices belonging to the same group may be controlled in conjunction with each other.
• the fourth user interface 26d of the fourth cooling device 20d may obtain the user input for at least one of a defrosting entry condition and a defrosting releasing condition of the fourth cooling device 20d.
• the defrosting entry condition of the fourth cooling device 20d may be changed depending on the user input.
• the defrosting entry condition of the fourth cooling device 20d may be the same as or different from the defrosting entry conditions of the other cooling devices.
• the defrosting releasing condition of the fourth cooling device 20d may be changed depending on the user input.
• the defrosting releasing condition of the fourth cooling device 20d may be the same as or different from the defrosting releasing conditions of the other cooling devices.
• the fifth user interface 26e of the fifth cooling device 20e may obtain user input.
• the fifth user interface 26e of the fifth cooling device 20e may obtain the user input for setting a defrosting group of the fifth cooling device 20e.
• the defrosting group of the fifth cooling device 20e may be determined depending on the user input obtained through the fifth user interface 26e.
• the defrosting group of the fifth cooling device 20e may be set by a number inputted into the fifth user interface 26e.
• FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate that the defrosting group of the fifth cooling device 20e is not set, but is not limited thereto.
• the defrosting group of the fifth cooling device 20e may be set depending on the user input obtained through the fifth user interface 26e.
• the fifth cooling unit 20e may belong to a nth defrosting group. In a case in which the defrosting group of the fifth cooling device 20e is not set, the fifth cooling device 20e may perform an independent operation. The fifth cooling device 20e may perform a defrosting operation independently from the other cooling units 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d. The fifth cooling device 20e may perform a cooling operation independently from the other cooling units 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d.
• the fifth user interface 26e of the fifth cooling device 20e may obtain the user input for at least one of a defrosting entry condition and a defrosting releasing condition of the fifth cooling device 20e.
• the defrosting entry condition of the fifth cooling device 20e may be changed depending on the user input.
• the defrosting entry condition of the fifth cooling device 20e may be the same as or different from the defrosting entry conditions of the other cooling devices.
• the defrosting releasing condition of the fifth cooling device 20e may be changed depending on the user input.
• the defrosting releasing condition of the fifth cooling device 20e may be the same as or different from the defrosting releasing conditions of the other cooling devices.
• the user may also set the defrosting group of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 through the user interface of any one of the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• the user may also set the defrosting entry condition of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 through the user interface of any one of the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• the user may also set the defrosting releasing condition of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 through the user interface of any one of the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• the user may also set the defrosting group, the defrosting entry condition and/or the defrosting releasing condition of the first cooling device 20a, the second cooling device 20b, the third cooling device 20c, the fourth cooling device 20d, and the fifth cooling device 20e through the first user interface 26a of the first cooling device 20a.
• the user may also set the defrosting group of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 through an external device.
• the user may also set the defrosting entry condition of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 through an external device.
• the user may also set the defrosting releasing condition of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 through an external device.
• the user may also remotely set the defrosting group, the defrosting entry condition and/or the defrosting releasing condition of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 through an external device.
• the first controller 29a of the first cooling device 20a may set the defrosting group of the first cooling device 20a based on the user input.
• the first controller 29a may set the defrosting group of the first cooling device 20a based on the user input obtained through the first user interface 26a.
• the first controller 29a may control an operation of the first cooling device 20a.
• the first controller 29a may control the operation of the first cooling device 20a based on the defrosting group setting of the first cooling device 20a.
• the first controller 29a may control the operation of the first cooling device 20a to enter the defrosting operation together with at least one cooling device belonging to the same defrosting group as the first cooling device 20a.
• the first controller 29a may control the operation of the first cooling device 20a to enter the defrosting operation together with at least one cooling device having the same defrosting group number as the first cooling device 20a.
• the first controller 29a may control the operation of the first cooling device 20a to enter the defrosting operation together with the second cooling device 20b.
• the first cooling device 20a may enter the defrosting operation simultaneously with the second cooling device 20b under the control of the first controller 29a.
• the first controller 29a may control the operation of the first cooling device 20a to enter the cooling operation together with at least one cooling device (e.g., the second cooling device 20b) belonging to the same defrosting group as the first cooling device 20a.
• the second controller 29b of the second cooling device 20b may set the defrosting group of the second cooling device 20b based on the user input.
• the second controller 29b may set the defrosting group of the second cooling device 20b based on the user input obtained through the second user interface 26b.
• the second controller 29b may control an operation of the second cooling device 20b.
• the second controller 29b may control the operation of the second cooling device 20b based on the defrosting group setting of the second cooling device 20b.
• the second controller 29b may control the operation of the second cooling device 20b to enter the defrosting operation together with at least one cooling device belonging to the same defrosting group as the second cooling device 20b.
• the second controller 29b may control the operation of the second cooling device 20b to enter the defrosting operation together with at least one cooling device having the same defrosting group number as the second cooling device 20b.
• the second controller 29b may control the operation of the second cooling device 20b to enter the defrosting operation together with the first cooling device 20a.
• the second cooling device 20b may enter the defrosting operation simultaneously with the first cooling device 20a under the control of the second controller 29b.
• the second controller 29b may control the operation of the second cooling device 20b to enter the cooling operation together with at least one cooling device (e.g., the first cooling device 20a) belonging to the same defrosting group as the second cooling device 20b.
• the third controller 29c of the third cooling device 20c may set the defrosting group of the third cooling device 20c based on the user input.
• the third controller 29c may set the defrosting group of the third cooling device 20c based on the user input obtained through the third user interface 26c.
• the third controller 29c may control an operation of the third cooling device 20c.
• the third controller 29c may control the operation of the third cooling device 20c based on the defrosting group setting of the third cooling device 20c.
• the third controller 29c may control the operation of the third cooling device 20c to enter the defrosting operation together with at least one cooling device belonging to the same defrosting group as the third cooling device 20c.
• the third controller 29c may control the operation of the third cooling device 20c to enter the defrosting operation together with at least one cooling device having the same defrosting group number as the third cooling device 20c.
• the third controller 29c may control the operation of the third cooling device 20c to enter the defrosting operation together with the fourth cooling device 20d.
• the third cooling device 20c may enter the defrosting operation simultaneously with the fourth cooling device 20d under the control of the third controller 29c.
• the third controller 29c may control the operation of the third cooling device 20c to enter the cooling operation together with at least one cooling device (e.g., the fourth cooling device 20d) belonging to the same defrosting group as the third cooling device 20c.
• the fourth controller 29d of the fourth cooling device 20d may set the defrosting group of the fourth cooling device 20d based on the user input.
• the fourth controller 29d may set the defrosting group of the fourth cooling device 20d based on the user input obtained through the fourth user interface 26d.
• the fourth controller 29d may control an operation of the fourth cooling device 20d.
• the fourth controller 29d may control the operation of the fourth cooling device 20d based on the defrosting group setting of the fourth cooling device 20d.
• the fourth controller 29d may control the operation of the fourth cooling device 20d to enter the defrosting operation together with at least one cooling device belonging to the same defrosting group as the fourth cooling device 20d.
• the fourth controller 29d may control the operation of the fourth cooling device 20d to enter the defrosting operation together with at least one cooling device having the same defrosting group number as the fourth cooling device 20d.
• the fourth controller 29d may control the operation of the fourth cooling device 20d to enter the defrosting operation together with the third cooling device 20c.
• the fourth cooling device 20d may enter the defrosting operation simultaneously with the third cooling device 20c under the control of the fourth controller 29d.
• the fourth controller 29d may control the operation of the fourth cooling device 20d to enter the cooling operation together with at least one cooling device (e.g., the third cooling device 20c) belonging to the same defrosting group as the fourth cooling device 20d.
• the fifth controller 29e of the fifth cooling device 20e may set the defrosting group of the fifth cooling device 20e based on the user input.
• the fifth controller 29e may set the defrosting group of the fifth cooling device 20e based on the user input obtained through the fifth user interface 26e.
• the fifth controller 29e may control an operation of the fifth cooling device 20e.
• the fifth controller 29e may control the operation of the fifth cooling device 20e based on the defrosting group setting of the fifth cooling device 20e.
• the fifth controller 29e may control the operation of the fifth cooling device 20e to enter the defrosting operation together with at least one cooling device belonging to the same defrosting group as the fifth cooling device 20e.
• the fifth controller 29e may control the operation of the fifth cooling device 20e to enter the defrosting operation together with at least one cooling device having the same defrosting group number as the fifth cooling device 20e.
• the fifth controller 29e may control the operation of the fifth cooling device 20e to enter the defrosting operation together with at least one cooling device belonging to the same defrosting group as the fifth cooling device 20e.
• the fifth controller 29e may control the operation of the fifth cooling device 20e to enter the defrosting operation together with at least one cooling device having the same defrosting group number as the fifth cooling device 20e.
• the fifth cooling device 20e may enter defrosting operation independently from the other cooling devices 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d under the control of the fifth controller 29e.
• the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may be synchronized. According to the present disclosure, the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may share the information about the operation mode of each of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group.
• any one of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group satisfying a predetermined defrosting entry condition does not simply refer, for example, to only one of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group satisfying the predetermined defrosting entry condition.
• At least one of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may satisfy the predetermined defrosting entry condition.
• At least two of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may simultaneously satisfy the predetermined defrosting entry condition.
• all of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may enter the defrosting operation simultaneously.
• the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may perform the defrosting operation together. Accordingly, the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may perform the defrosting operation together, and thus may not affect an internal temperature of each of the cooling devices.
• the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b belong to the same defrosting group. Based on just any one of the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b satisfying the predetermined defrosting entry condition, the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b may be controlled to enter the defrosting operation together.
• the first controller 29a may control the operation of the first cooling device 20a so that the first cooling device 20a enters the defrosting operation together with the second cooling device 20b
• the second controller 29a may control the operation of the second cooling device 20b so that the second cooling device 20b enters the defrosting operation together with the first cooling device 20a.
• the controller 29a of the first cooling device 20a may generate a first defrosting entry signal based on the first cooling device 20a satisfying a predetermined first defrosting entry condition.
• the controller 29a of the first cooling device 20a may transmit the first defrosting entry signal to the second cooling device 20b belonging to the same defrosting group as the first cooling device 20a.
• the first communication unit 28a of the first cooling device 20a may transmit the first defrosting entry signal to the second communication unit 28b of the second cooling device 20b under the control of the first controller 29a.
• the controller 29b of the second cooling device 20b may generate a second defrosting entry signal based on the second cooling device 20b satisfying a predetermined second defrosting entry condition.
• the controller 29b of the second cooling device 20b may transmit the second defrosting entry signal to the first cooling device 20a belonging to the same defrosting group as the second cooling device 20b.
• the second communication unit 28b of the second cooling device 20b may transmit the second defrosting entry signal to the first communication unit 28a of the first cooling device 20a under the control of the second controller 29b.
• the first defrosting entry condition of the first cooling device 20a and the second defrosting entry condition of the second cooling device 20b may be the same or different.
• the first defrosting entry condition and the second defrosting entry condition may be provided to be synchronized at one point in time.
• the first defrosting entry condition and the second defrosting entry condition are not limited thereto and may be kept under different conditions.
• the defrosting entry condition of the cooling device 20 may include a case in which a predetermined time period approaches.
• the controller 29 of the cooling device 20 may generate a defrosting entry signal at every set time.
• the defrosting entry condition of the cooling device 20 may include a case in which a predetermined time approaches.
• the controller 29 of the cooling device 20 may generate the defrosting entry signal at a specific time.
• the defrosting entry condition of the cooling device 20 may include a case in which the amount of frost generated on the indoor heat exchanger 21 is outside a preset (e.g., specified) range.
• the controller 29 of the cooling device 20 may generate the defrosting entry signal based on the amount of frost detected by the sensing unit 25 exceeding a set value.
• all of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may be controlled to enter the cooling operation (e.g., refrigeration operation or freezing operation) together.
• the cooling operation e.g., refrigeration operation or freezing operation
• all of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may enter the cooling operation simultaneously.
• some of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may stand by until the remaining cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group satisfy the defrosting releasing condition.
• the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b belong to the same defrosting group.
• the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b may be controlled to enter the cooling operation together.
• the first controller 29a may control the operation of the first cooling device 20a so that the first cooling device 20a enters the cooling operation together with the second cooling device 20b
• the second controller 29a may control the operation of the second cooling device 20b so that the second cooling device 20b enters the cooling operation together with the first cooling device 20a.
• the first cooling device 20a satisfies a predetermined first defrosting releasing condition earlier than the second cooling device 20b during the defrosting operation will be described below.
• the first cooling device 20a may stand by until the second cooling device 20b satisfies a predetermined second defrosting releasing condition.
• the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b may enter the cooling operation together.
• the controller 29a of the first cooling device 20a may generate a first defrosting releasing signal based on the first cooling device 20a satisfying the determined first defrosting releasing condition earlier during the defrosting operation.
• the controller 29a of the first cooling device 20a may transmit the first defrosting releasing signal to the second cooling device 20b belonging to the same defrosting group.
• the first communication unit 28a of the first cooling device 20a may transmit the first defrosting releasing signal to the second communication unit 28b of the second cooling device 20b under the control of the first controller 29a.
• the controller 29b of the second cooling device 20b may transmit information about an operating condition of the second cooling device 20b to the first cooling device 20a based on receiving the first defrosting releasing signal from the first cooling device 20a.
• the controller 29a of the first cooling device 20a may determine the operation (cooling operation or standby operation) of the first cooling device 20a based on the information about the operating condition of the second cooling device 20b.
• the controller 29b of the second cooling device 20b may generate a second defrosting releasing signal and transmit the second defrosting releasing signal to the first cooling device 20a, based on receiving the first defrosting releasing signal and then the second cooling device 20b satisfying the predetermined second defrosting releasing condition.
• the second communication unit 28b of the second cooling device 20b may transmit the second defrosting releasing signal to the first communication unit 28a of the first cooling device 20a under the control of the second controller 29b.
• the first defrosting releasing condition of the first cooling device 20a and the second defrosting releasing condition of the second cooling device 20b may be the same or different.
• the defrosting releasing condition of the cooling device 20 may include a case in which the predetermined time has elapsed after defrosting operation entry.
• the controller 29 of the cooling device 20 may generate the defrosting releasing signal based on the predetermined time having elapsed after defrosting operation entry.
• the defrosting releasing condition of the cooling device 20 may include a case in which a temperature of the cooling device is higher than a predetermined reference temperature after defrosting operation entry.
• the defrosting releasing condition of the cooling device 20 may include a case in which the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 21 is higher than the predetermined reference temperature after defrosting operation entry.
• the controller 29 of the cooling device 20 may generate the defrosting releasing signal based on the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 21 being higher than the reference temperature.
• the defrosting releasing condition of the cooling device 20 may include a case in which the amount of frost generated on the indoor heat exchanger 21 after defrosting operation entry is within the preset range.
• the controller 29 of the cooling device 20 may generate the defrosting releasing signal based on the amount of frost detected by the sensing unit 25 being below the set value.
• the cooling system 1 may include a communication line 40 for at least one of communication between the outdoor unit 10 and the plurality of cooling devices 20 or communication between the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• the plurality of cooling devices 20 may be configured to communicate with each other via the communication line 40.
• the plurality of cooling devices 20 may be electrically connected to each other via the communication line 40.
• the plurality of cooling devices 20 may share the information about the defrosting group of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 via the communication line 40.
• the plurality of cooling devices 20 may share the information about the operating condition of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 via the communication line 40.
• the communication line 40 may individually connect the outdoor unit 10 and the communication unit 28 of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• the communication line 40 may individually connect the communication unit 18 of the outdoor unit 10 and the communication unit 28 of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• the communication line 40 may correspond one-to-one with the communication unit 18 of the outdoor unit 10 and the communication unit 28 of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• each of a plurality of the communication lines 40 may be provided corresponding to each of the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• the communication line 40 may be provided with five lines 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, and 41e corresponding to the first to fifth cooling devices 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e.
• the cooling system 1 may include the communication line 41a for connecting the communication unit 18 of the outdoor unit 10 and the first communication unit 28a of the first cooling device 20a.
• the cooling system 1 may include the communication line 41b for connecting the communication unit 18 of the outdoor unit 10 and the second communication unit 28b of the second cooling device 20b.
• the cooling system 1 may include the communication line 41c for connecting the communication unit 18 of the outdoor unit 10 and the third communication unit 28c of the third cooling device 20c.
• the cooling system 1 may include the communication line 41d for connecting the communication unit 18 of the outdoor unit 10 and the fourth communication unit 28d of the fourth cooling device 20d.
• the cooling system 1 may include the communication line 41e for connecting the communication unit 18 of the outdoor unit 10 and the fifth communication unit 28e of the fifth cooling device 20e.
• the first cooling device 20a may communicate with the outdoor unit 10 via the communication line 41a.
• the second cooling device 20b may communicate with the outdoor unit 10 via the communication line 41b.
• the third cooling device 20c may communicate with the outdoor unit 10 via the communication line 41c.
• the fourth cooling device 20d may communicate with the outdoor unit 10 via the communication line 41d.
• the fifth cooling device 20e may communicate with the outdoor unit 10 via the communication line 41e.
• the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b may communicate via the communication lines 41a and 41b.
• the third cooling device 20c and the fourth cooling device 20d may communicate via the communication lines 41c and 41d.
• a cooling system includes, in addition to a main communication line for communication between an outdoor unit and a plurality of cooling devices, a separate group communication line for group control of a plurality of cooling devices.
• the group communication line corresponds to a line for connecting cooling devices belonging to the same group.
• additional group communication lines must be installed.
• the existing installed group communication line must be removed or moved. That is, after a group of a plurality of the cooling devices has been already set, it may not be easy to change this group.
• a separate group communication line for connecting cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group among the plurality of cooling devices 20 is unnecessary.
• the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b belonging to the same defrosting group may communicate via the communication lines 41a and 41b, a communication line for separately connecting the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b is unnecessary.
• the defrosting group setting of each of the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b belonging to the same defrosting group may be changed.
• the first cooling device 20a may belong to the same defrosting group as the fifth cooling device 20e
• the second cooling device 20b may belong to the same defrosting group as the third cooling device 20c and the fourth cooling device 20d.
• the first cooling device 20a and the fifth cooling device 20e may communicate via the communication lines 41a and 41e, a communication line for separately connecting the first cooling device 20a and the fifth cooling device 20e is unnecessary.
• the second cooling device 20b, the third cooling device 20c, and the fourth cooling device 20d may communicate via the communication lines 41b, 41c, and 41d, there is no need for a communication line for separately connecting the second cooling device 20b, the third cooling device 20c, and the fourth cooling device 20d.
• a separate group communication line for defrosting group control of the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b does not originally exist, and therefore there is no need to remove or move such a group communication line. Accordingly, the defrosting group setting and/or a defrosting group change of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may be facilitated. Ultimately, the user convenience may be improved.
• the communication line 40 may be provided to correspond to a number that is one less than a number of the total devices in which a number of the outdoor unit 10 and a number of the plurality of cooling devices 20 are added.
• the communication line 40 may be provided to have a number (five) of communication lines 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, and 42e which is one less than the number (six) of the total devices.
• the cooling system 1 may include the communication line 42a for connecting the communication unit 18 of the outdoor unit 10 and the communication unit 28 of any one of the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• the cooling system 1 may include at least one of the communication lines 42b, 42c, 42d, and 42e, which is provided to be electrically connected to the communication line 42a and interconnect the communication units 28 of two adjacent cooling devices among the plurality of cooling devices.
• the cooling system 1 may include the communication line 42a for connecting the communication unit 18 of the outdoor unit 10 and the first communication unit 28a of the first cooling device 20a.
• the cooling system 1 may include the communication line 42b for connecting the first communication unit 28a of the first cooling device 20a and the second communication unit 28b of the second cooling device 20b.
• the cooling system 1 may include the communication line 42c for connecting the second communication unit 28b of the second cooling device 20b and the third communication unit 28c of the third cooling device 20c.
• the cooling system 1 may include the communication line 42d for connecting the third communication unit 28c of the third cooling device 20c and the fourth communication unit 28d of the fourth cooling device 20d.
• the cooling system 1 may include the communication line 42e for connecting the fourth communication unit 28d of the fourth cooling device 20d and the fifth communication unit 28e of the fifth cooling device 20e.
• the first cooling device 20a may communicate with the outdoor unit 10 via the communication line 42a.
• the second cooling device 20b may communicate with the outdoor unit 10 via communication lines 42a and 42b.
• the third cooling device 20c may communicate with the outdoor unit 10 via the communication lines 42a, 42b, and 42c.
• the fourth cooling device 20d may communicate with the outdoor unit 10 via the communication lines 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d.
• the fifth cooling device 20e may communicate with the outdoor unit 10 via the communication lines 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, and 42e.
• the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b may communicate via the communication line 42b.
• the third cooling device 20c and the fourth cooling device 20d may communicate via the communication line 42d.
• a separate group communication line for connecting cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group among the plurality of cooling devices 20 is unnecessary.
• the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b belonging to the same defrosting group may communicate via the communication line 42b, a communication line for separately connecting the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b is unnecessary.
• the defrosting group setting of each of the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b belonging to the same defrosting group may be changed.
• the first cooling device 20a may belong to the same defrosting group as the fifth cooling device 20e
• the second cooling device 20b may belong to the same defrosting group as the third cooling device 20c and the fourth cooling device 20d.
• the first cooling device 20a and the fifth cooling device 20e may communicate via the communication lines 42b, 42c, 42d, and 42e
• a communication line for separately connecting the first cooling device 20a and the fifth cooling device 20e is unnecessary.
• the second cooling device 20b, the third cooling device 20c, and the fourth cooling device 20d may communicate via the communication lines 42c and 42d, there is no need for a communication line for separately connecting the second cooling device 20b, the third cooling device 20c, and the fourth cooling device 20d.
• a separate group communication line for defrosting group control of the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b does not originally exist, and therefore there is no need to remove or move such a group communication line. Accordingly, the defrosting group setting and/or the defrosting group change of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may be facilitated. Ultimately, the user convenience may be improved.
• the cooling system illustrated in FIG. 7 may correspond to a non-communication system.
• communication may not be performed between the outdoor unit 10 and the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may operate by detecting a change in the refrigerant introduced from the outdoor unit 10.
• each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may operate based on a pressure change in the expansion valve 23.
• the plurality of cooling devices 20 may operate based on an on/off contact signal.
• the communication line 40 may be provided to correspond to a number that is one less than the total number of the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• the communication line 40 may be provided to have a number (four) of communication lines 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d which is one less than the total number (five) of the first to fifth cooling devices 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e.
• the cooling system 1 may include at least one of the communication lines 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d provided to interconnect the communication units 28 of two adjacent cooling devices among the plurality of cooling devices.
• the cooling system 1 may include the communication line 43a for connecting the first communication unit 28a of the first cooling device 20a and the second communication unit 28b of the second cooling device 20b.
• the cooling system 1 may include the communication line 43b for connecting the second communication unit 28b of the second cooling device 20b and the third communication unit 28c of the third cooling device 20c.
• the cooling system 1 may include the communication line 43c for connecting the third communication unit 28c of the third cooling device 20c and the fourth communication unit 28d of the fourth cooling device 20d.
• the cooling system 1 may include the communication line 43d for connecting the fourth communication unit 28d of the fourth cooling device 20d and the fifth communication unit 28e of the fifth cooling device 20e.
• the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b may communicate via the communication line 43a.
• the third cooling device 20c and the fourth cooling device 20d may communicate via the communication line 43c.
• a separate group communication line for connecting cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group among the plurality of cooling devices 20 is unnecessary.
• the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b belonging to the same defrosting group may communicate via the communication line 43a, a communication line for separately connecting the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b is unnecessary.
• the defrosting group setting of each of the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b belonging to the same defrosting group may be changed.
• the first cooling device 20a may belong to the same defrosting group as the fifth cooling device 20e
• the second cooling device 20b may belong to the same defrosting group as the third cooling device 20c and the fourth cooling device 20d.
• the first cooling device 20a and the fifth cooling device 20e may communicate via the communication lines 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d
• a communication line for separately connecting the first cooling device 20a and the fifth cooling device 20e is unnecessary.
• the second cooling device 20b, the third cooling device 20c, and the fourth cooling device 20d may communicate via the communication lines 43b and 43c, there is no need for a communication line for separately connecting the second cooling device 20b, the third cooling device 20c, and the fourth cooling device 20d.
• a separate group communication line for defrosting group control of the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b does not originally exist, and therefore there is no need to remove or move such a group communication line. Accordingly, the defrosting group setting and/or the defrosting group change of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may be facilitated. Ultimately, the user convenience may be improved.
• the configuration and/or connection method of the communication line 40 illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7 are merely examples.
• various configurations and/or various connection methods may be included.
• all or part of the configurations of the communication line 40 may be omitted.
• all or part of the communication lines 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, and 41e in FIG. 5 may be omitted.
• all or part of communication lines 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, and 42e in FIG. 6 may be omitted.
• all or part of the communication lines 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d in FIG. 7 may be omitted.
• FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example of a control method of the cooling system according to an embodiment.
• a flowchart illustrated in FIG. 8 is not intended to limit the order of each of steps (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000), and the order of each of the steps (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000) may be changed according to various embodiments. Additionally, at least some of the steps (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000) may be omitted, or some steps not illustrated in the drawing may be added.
• the plurality of cooling devices 20 may be grouped based on user input.
• the defrosting group of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may be set based on the user input.
• Each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may have a defrosting group number based on the user input.
• the user input may be obtained through the user interface 26 provided on each of the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group among the plurality of cooling devices 20 may enter the cooling operation (refrigeration operation or freezing operation) (1000).
• the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may perform the cooling operation in which the expansion valve 23 is opened and the operation of the defrosting heater 24 is stopped.
• the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group While the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group are performing the cooling operation, it may be determined whether any one of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group satisfies the defrosting entry condition (2000). In a case in which any one of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group satisfies the defrosting entry condition, all of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may become a state of being capable of entering the defrosting operation.
• the controller 29 of the cooling device 20 may determine whether the cooling device 20 satisfies the defrosting entry condition.
• the controller 29 of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may determine whether the corresponding cooling device 20 satisfies the defrosting entry condition.
• the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may enter the defrosting operation (3000). Based on just any one of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group satisfying the defrosting entry condition, all of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may enter the defrosting operation together. For example, the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may perform the defrosting operation in which the expansion valve 23 is closed and the defrosting heater 24 is operated.
• the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may continue to perform the cooling operation.
• the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group While the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group are performing the defrosting operation, it may be determined whether all of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group satisfy the defrosting releasing condition (4000). In a case in which each of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group satisfies the defrosting releasing condition, all of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may become a state of being capable of entering the cooling operation.
• the controller 29 of the cooling device 20 may determine whether the cooling device 20 satisfies the defrosting releasing condition.
• the controller 29 of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may determine whether the corresponding cooling device 20 satisfies the defrosting releasing condition.
• the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may enter the cooling operation (1000). Based on all of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group satisfying the defrosting releasing condition, all of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may enter the cooling operation together.
• a cooling device satisfying the defrosting releasing condition first among the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may stand by (5000).
• the cooling device satisfying the defrosting releasing condition first among the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may stand by until the remaining cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group satisfy the defrosting releasing condition.
• the cooling device satisfying the defrosting releasing condition first among the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may perform the standby operation in which the expansion valve 23 is closed and the operation of the defrosting heater 24 is stopped.
• FIG. 9 schematically illustrates an example of a case in which cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group among a plurality of the cooling devices of the cooling system according to an embodiment change an operation mode.
• the first cooling device 20a may satisfy the first defrosting entry condition earlier than the second cooling device 20b.
• the first cooling device 20a may satisfy the first defrosting entry condition at a first point in time t1. Based on the first cooling device 20a satisfying the first defrosting entry condition, the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b may enter the defrosting operation together.
• the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b may enter the defrosting operation simultaneously at the first time point t1, as illustrated in FIG. 9 .
• the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b are not limited thereto, and may enter the defrosting operation simultaneously after a predetermined time has elapsed from the first time point t1.
• the second cooling device 20b may satisfy the second defrosting entry condition earlier than the first cooling device 20a, and the first cooling device 20a satisfying the first defrosting entry condition and the second cooling device 20b satisfying the second defrosting entry condition may be achieved substantially simultaneously.
• the second cooling device 20b may satisfy the second defrosting releasing condition earlier than the first cooling device 20a.
• the second cooling device 20b may satisfy the second defrosting releasing condition at a second time point t2.
• the first cooling device 20a may satisfy the first defrosting releasing condition at a third time point t3.
• the second cooling device 20b may stand by until the first cooling device 20a satisfies the first defrosting releasing condition.
• the second cooling device 20b may stand by for a predetermined time (e.g., t3 - t2).
• the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b may enter the cooling operation together.
• the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b may enter the cooling operation simultaneously at the third time point t3, as illustrated in FIG. 9 .
• the first cooling device 20a and the second cooling device 20b are not limited thereto, and may enter the defrosting operation simultaneously after a predetermined time has elapsed from the third time point t3.
• the first cooling device 20a may satisfy the first defrosting releasing condition earlier than the second cooling device 20b, and the first cooling device 20a satisfying the first defrosting releasing condition and the second cooling device 20b satisfying the second defrosting releasing condition may be achieved substantially simultaneously.
• the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a storage medium storing instructions executable by a computer.
• the instructions may be stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, a program module may be created to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments.
• the machine-readable recording medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium.
• the 'non-transitory storage medium' simply means that it is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g. electromagnetic waves), and this term does not distinguish between cases where data is semi-permanently stored in a storage medium and cases where data is stored temporarily.
• the 'non-transitory storage medium' may include a buffer where data is temporarily stored.
• the computer program product is a commodity and may be traded between sellers and buyers.
• the computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online, through an application store (e.g., Play Store TM ) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones).
• an application store e.g., Play Store TM
• two user devices e.g., smartphones.
• at least a portion of the computer program product e.g., a downloadable app
• a cooling system 1 may include a plurality of cooling devices 20 and an outdoor unit 10 configured to provide a refrigerant to each of the plurality of cooling devices.
• Each of the plurality of cooling devices 20 of the cooling system 1 may include an evaporator 21 configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and air, a communication unit 28 configured to communicate between the plurality of cooling devices, a user interface 26 configured to obtain user input, and a controller 29 electrically connected to the communication unit and the user interface and configured to set a defrosting group based on the user input.
• all of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may be controlled to enter a defrosting operation together.
• operations of the plurality of cooling devices may be easily controlled by group by grouping the plurality of cooling devices.
• the user input may be obtained through the user interface of each of the plurality of cooling devices, so that a defrosting group setting and/or a defrosting group change of each of the plurality of cooling devices may be facilitated.
• the plurality of cooling devices 20 may share information about the defrosting group. According to the present disclosure, the plurality of cooling devices 20 may share the information about the defrosting group by communicating with each other.
• all of the cooling devices belonging to the same defrosting group may be controlled to enter a cooling operation together.
• the first cooling device may stand by until a second defrosting releasing condition of a second cooling device belonging to the same defrosting group is satisfied.
• a controller of the first cooling device belonging to the same defrosting group may generate a defrosting entry signal based on the first cooling device satisfying the predetermined defrosting entry condition.
• the controller of the first cooling device belonging to the same defrosting group may transmit the defrosting entry signal to the second cooling device belonging to the same defrosting group.
• the controller of the first cooling device belonging to the same defrosting group may generate a defrosting releasing signal based on the first cooling device satisfying a predetermined defrosting releasing condition.
• the controller of the first cooling device belonging to the same defrosting group may transmit the defrosting releasing signal to the second cooling device belonging to the same defrosting group.
• a controller of the second cooling device may transmit information about an operating condition of the second cooling device to the first cooling device based on receiving the defrosting releasing signal from the first cooling device.
• the cooling system 1 may further include a plurality of communication lines configured to individually connect the outdoor unit 10 and the communication unit 28 of each of the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• the cooling system 1 may include a first communication line configured to connect the outdoor unit 10 and the communication unit 28 of any one of the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• the cooling system 1 may further include at least one second communication line electrically connected to the first communication line and configured to interconnect the communication units of two adjacent cooling devices among the plurality of cooling devices.
• the cooling system 1 may include at least one communication line configured to interconnect the communication units of two adjacent cooling devices among the plurality of cooling devices 20.
• the defrosting entry condition may include a case in which a predetermined time period or a predetermined time approaches.
• the defrosting entry conditions of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may be the same or different.
• the defrosting releasing condition may include a case in which a predetermined time has elapsed after defrosting operation entry or a temperature of the evaporator is higher than a predetermined reference temperature after defrosting operation entry.
• the defrosting releasing condition of the plurality of cooling devices 20 may be the same or different.
• Each of the plurality of cooling devices may further include an expansion valve 23 configured to regulate a flow rate of the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit.
• Each of the plurality of cooling devices may further include a defrosting heater 24 configured to heat the evaporator.
• a controller of each of the plurality of cooling devices may be configured to control opening and closing of the expansion valve 23.
• the controller of each of the plurality of cooling devices may be configured to control an operation of the defrosting heater 24.
• Each of the plurality of cooling devices may be controlled to perform the defrosting operation in which the expansion valve 23 is closed and the defrosting heater 24 is operated, a standby operation in which the expansion valve 23 is closed and the operation of the defrosting heater 24 is stopped, or the cooling operation in which the expansion valve 23 is opened and the operation of the defrosting heater 24 is stopped.
• the controller 29 of each of the plurality of cooling devices may be configured to control the user interface 26 to visually display the information about the defrosting group.
• a method of controlling a cooling system which may include a plurality of cooling devices 20 and an outdoor unit 10 configured to provide a refrigerant to each of the plurality of cooling devices according to an aspect of the present disclosure, may include grouping the plurality of cooling devices based on user input.
• the control method of the cooling system may include controlling all cooling devices belonging to the same group to enter a defrosting operation together based on any one of the cooling devices belonging to the same group among the plurality of cooling devices satisfying a predetermined defrosting entry condition.
• the method of controlling the cooling system may further include controlling all of the cooling devices belonging to the same group to enter a cooling operation together based on each of cooling devices belonging to the same group satisfying a predetermined defrosting releasing condition.
• the method of controlling the cooling system may further include controlling cooling devices satisfying the predetermined defrosting releasing condition among the cooling devices belonging to the same group to stand by until each of the cooling devices belonging to the same group satisfies the predetermined defrosting releasing condition.
• Each of the plurality of cooling devices may further include a user interface 26 configured to obtain the user input.
• the group of the plurality of cooling devices may be changed through the user interface.
• Each of the plurality of cooling devices may further include a communication unit 28 configured to communicate between the plurality of cooling devices.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Fuzzy Systems (AREA)
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• Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)
• Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)

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• 2023
  • 2023-02-17 KR KR1020230021675A patent/KR20240128460A/ko active Pending
  • 2023-12-20 EP EP23923071.7A patent/EP4632296A4/fr active Pending
  • 2023-12-20 WO PCT/KR2023/021080 patent/WO2024172272A1/fr not_active Ceased
• 2025
  • 2025-07-02 US US19/258,458 patent/US20250334288A1/en active Pending

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