APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AIR CONDITIONER, AIR CONDITIONER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AIR CONDITIONER

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a control apparatus of an air conditioner, an air conditioner, and a control method of an air conditioner that computes a result of detecting temperature and humidity according to a specific reference to calculate and accumulate a growth index of mold in a heat exchanger based on a result of the computation and a growth indicator of the mold, and estimate a growth state of the mold according to a stage corresponding to an accumulated value of the growth index so as to output information on the growth state.

Description

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), this application claims the benefit of the earlier filing date and the right of priority to Korean Patent Applications No. 10-2025-0005986, filed on January 15, 2025, and No. 10-2025-0014047, filed on February 4, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosure relates to a control apparatus for controlling an air conditioner, an air conditioner, and a control method for controlling an air conditioner.

2. Description of the Related Art

The technology underlying the disclosure relates to mold growth in a heat exchanger of an air conditioner.

An air conditioner such as an air conditioning system, a chiller, an HVAC, and the like has a heat exchange system based on a refrigerant cycle and control it to adjust the indoor air temperature. The heat exchange system includes an outdoor unit consisting of an electronic expansion valve (EEV), an outdoor heat exchanger, and a compressor, and an indoor unit consisting of an indoor heat exchanger and a fan. Among them, indoor air conditioning, which is a target of air conditioning, is performed by an indoor heat exchanger, and moisture is generated as heat exchange is performed in the heat exchanger. Due to the generation of moisture, an indoor heat exchanger creates conditions in which mold can grow, thereby causing mold growth and hygiene problems, which are one of the most common problems with air conditioners. However, in existing air conditioner-related technologies, there was no technology to predict a growth of such mold.

Meanwhile, prior literature 1 ("Measured fungal index determined using fungal growth and computed fungal index based on temperature and relative humidity in houses." Proc 6th Int conf on indoor air quality, ventilation and energy conservation in buildings. Vol. 1. 2007), one of technologies for predicting a growth of mold, proposed an index for a growth state of mold predicted based on indoor temperature and humidity. However, the content disclosed in the prior literature 1 estimates a growth state of mold in a general indoor environment, not an air conditioning-related product, and there is a limitation in that it is difficult to apply to an air conditioner with large changes in temperature and humidity.

In addition, prior literature 2 (WO 2023/210189 A1) also discloses a technology for estimating an occurrence situation of mold. However, the content disclosed in the prior literature 2 also estimates a growth state of mold in an indoor building structure, not an air conditioning-related product, and there is a limitation in that it is difficult to apply to an air conditioner with different temperature and humidity changes and mold growth conditions from the building structure.

That is, in the past, there was no technology that could predict/estimate a growth of mold in air conditioners, and existing mold growth inference technologies were based on environmental conditions different from those of air conditioners, so when applied to air conditioners, accurate mold growth estimation could not be achieved, making it difficult to apply them to air conditioners. As a result, an estimation of mold growth in an air conditioner could not be made, and a problem of using the air conditioner due to the growth of mold could not be solved. Therefore, there is a need to propose a technology for estimating a growth state of mold applicable to an air conditioner.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the disclosure is intended to improve the foregoing limitations of the related art.

Accordingly, this specification aims to provide an embodiment that can predict a growth state of mold in a heat exchanger.

Furthermore, an embodiment that can accurately and appropriately predict a growth state of mold in a heat exchanger will be provided.

In addition, an embodiment that can predict a growth state of mold to display information on the growth state will be provided.

Moreover, an embodiment that can provide information on a degree of growth state of mold will be provided.

Besides, an embodiment in which appropriate notification and response can be made according to a growth state of mold will be provided.

The foregoing problems of the disclosure are not limited to those described above, and can also include problems that can be described in the detailed description below or inferred/derived from the detailed description.

The disclosure for solving the foregoing problems is to calculate a growth index for a growth state of moth, estimate the growth state of moth based on an accumulation value thereof, and output information differently depending on the growth state.

Specifically, a result of detecting temperature and humidity can be computed according to a specific reference to calculate and accumulate a growth index of mold in a heat exchanger based on a result of the computation and a growth indicator of the mold, and estimate a growth state of the mold according to a stage corresponding to an accumulated value of the growth index.

Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately predict a growth state of mold in a heat exchanger according to an environmental condition of the heat exchanger as well as provide appropriate notifications and solutions accordingly, thereby solving the foregoing problems.

The technical features can be applied and implemented to a control apparatus of an air conditioner, an air conditioner, a control method of an air conditioner, a control apparatus of an indoor unit, and a method for predicting a mold growth state of an indoor unit, and this specification provides an embodiment of a control apparatus of an air conditioner, an air conditioner, and a control method of an air conditioner using the technical features as a means for solving the problems.

An apparatus for controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment includes a detection part that detects one or more of temperature and humidity on an environment in which an indoor unit of the air conditioner and the air conditioner are installed, an estimation part that calculates and accumulates a growth index for a growth state of mold in a heat exchanger of the indoor unit based on a detection result of the detection part and a growth indicator of mold according to an operation state of the indoor unit, in which data on the growth indicator according to temperature and humidity is pre-stored, and a controller that controls an output of an output apparatus of the air conditioner so as to allow information on the growth state to be output differently to the output apparatus according to an accumulation result of the estimation part.

In addition, an air conditioner according to an embodiment, which is an air conditioner including an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, wherein the indoor unit includes a heat exchanger, an output apparatus that outputs one or more of visual information and audio information related to an operation of the air conditioner, and a control apparatus that controls an output of the output apparatus and an operation of the indoor unit, and the control apparatus calculates and accumulates a growth index for a growth state of mold in the heat exchanger based on a detection result of detecting one or more of temperature and humidity on an environment in which the indoor unit and the air conditioner are installed and a pre-stored growth indicator, and controls the output apparatus so as to allow information corresponding to the accumulated value to be output to the output apparatus according to whether the accumulated value reaches or exceeds any of a plurality of preset reference values.

In addition, a method for controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment, which is a method for controlling an air conditioner including an indoor unit, includes detecting one or more of temperature and humidity on an environment in which an indoor unit of the air conditioner and the air conditioner are installed, correcting a detection result according to an operation state of the indoor unit to calculate an hourly average of a correction result, calculating a growth index for a growth state of mold in a heat exchanger of the indoor unit based on a calculation result and a pre-stored growth indicator to accumulate the calculated growth index according to an operation mode of the indoor unit, and outputting information on the growth state to an output apparatus of the air conditioner according to an accumulation result.

The foregoing embodiments of a control apparatus of an air conditioner, an air conditioner and a control method of an air conditioner are not limited to the foregoing description, and can include embodiments that can be described in the detailed description below or inferred/derived from the detailed description.

According to the foregoing embodiments of a control apparatus of an air conditioner, an air conditioner and a control method of an air conditioner, a temperature and humidity of a heat exchanger in an indoor unit can be calculated from a result of detecting temperature and humidity to calculate a growth index according to the temperature and humidity of the heat exchanger based on a growth indicator of mold, thereby allowing prediction of a growth state of mold on the heat exchanger based on the growth index.

Furthermore, a growth state of mold can be predicted, thereby having an effect of allowing information to be displayed on the growth state and provided to a user.

In addition, a growth index can be calculated and accumulated, and a growth state of mold can be determined based on a degree of the accumulation value, thereby having an effect of allowing a degree of the growth state to be predicted by dividing it into stages.

Moreover, information can be displayed by dividing the growth state of mold into stages, thereby having an effect of allowing appropriate notifications and responses according to the growth state of mold as well as facilitating the hygiene management of the air conditioner.

Besides, the hygiene management of the air conditioner can be facilitated, thereby having an effect of increasing the hygiene, comfort, and reliability of an environment using the air conditioner as well as increasing the lifespan and user satisfaction of the air conditioner.

The effects according to the foregoing embodiments are not limited to those described above, and can also include effects that can be described in the detailed description below or inferred/derived from the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and other advantages of the disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerant circulation in an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a control apparatus in an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram showing a specific configuration of a control apparatus in an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a specific control process of a control apparatus in an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram of a growth indicator according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram of a reference for correcting temperature and humidity for each operation state of an indoor unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram of an accumulation section according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is Exemplary Diagram 1 of a reference form for each accumulation section according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is Exemplary Diagram 2 of a reference form for each accumulation section according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a process for predicting a growth state of mold in an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary diagram showing a specific operation process according to the accumulation of a growth index in an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a control method in an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of a control apparatus of an air conditioner, an air conditioner, and a control method of an air conditioner disclosed in this specification will be described in detail in order with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar elements are designated with the same reference numerals regardless of the numerals in the drawings, and a redundant description thereof will be omitted, and moreover, in describing embodiments disclosed herein, the detailed description will be omitted when specific description for publicly known technologies to which the disclosure pertains is determined to obscure the subject matter disclosed herein.

Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are provided only for a better understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification and are not intended to limit technical concepts disclosed in this specification, and therefore, it should be understood that the accompanying drawings include all modifications, equivalents and substitutes within the concept and technical scope of the disclosure.

Control Apparatus of Air Conditioner

A control apparatus 200 of an air conditioner 100 according to an embodiment (hereinafter referred to as a control apparatus) refers to an apparatus that controls the air conditioner 100 as shown in FIG. 1.

The air conditioner 100 refers to an apparatus that performs an air conditioning function including an outdoor unit 10 including a compressor 11, and an indoor unit 20 including a heat exchanger 21, an output apparatus 22 and the control apparatus 200.

The air conditioner 100, as shown in FIG. 2, includes the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 connected to the outdoor unit 10 to perform air conditioning, and the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 can be connected through a (refrigerant) pipe 30.

FIG. 2 shows one example of a stand-alone air conditioner, and the air conditioner 100 can be a wall-mounted, ceiling-type, or multi-air conditioner in addition to the stand-alone air conditioner as shown in FIG. 2.

The control apparatus 200 can be included in the indoor unit 20 of the air conditioner 100 to control an operation of the air conditioner 100.

In the indoor unit 20, the output apparatus 22 outputs one or more of visual information and audio information related to an operation of the air conditioner 100.

The output apparatus 22 can include a display element for displaying various data, information, and the like in the form of characters or images, an audio output element, and the like.

The output apparatus 22 can preferably include both a display that outputs the visual information and a speaker that outputs the audio information.

The indoor unit 20 can also further include an input apparatus that receives a command for operating the air conditioner 100 from the outside.

The input apparatus has one or more buttons, switches, and the like, and can receive setting commands, operation commands, and the like from a user or the like.

The indoor unit 20 can preferably include the output apparatus 22 and the input apparatus.

In this case, the display of the output apparatus 22 can also correspond to the input apparatus.

That is, the display can be configured with a touch screen through which an input of a command and a display output of information are performed, thereby allowing the visual information to be displayed and a user command input to be performed through the display.

The control apparatus 200 can control the operation of the air conditioner 100 by controlling one or more apparatuses included in the air conditioner 100 according to an operation mode of the air conditioner 100.

For example, the output of the output apparatus 22 can be controlled. A specific air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 100 controlled by the control apparatus 200 can be as shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioner 100 includes a refrigeration cycle consisting of the compressor 11, an outdoor heat exchanger 12, an expansion valve 13, and an indoor heat exchanger 21 in the outdoor unit 10, and includes a plurality of fans 15 on an upper surface or side surface of the outdoor unit 10 to suck in outside air to exchange heat with the outdoor heat exchanger 12, and the refrigerant pipe 30 for supplying cold water or hot water to the indoor unit 20 can be connected to the indoor heat exchanger 21, and a refrigerant switching valve 16 can be provided at an outlet of the compressor 11 to switch compressed refrigerant toward the outdoor heat exchanger 12 or the indoor heat exchanger 21 according to an operating condition.

The air conditioner 100 having the foregoing configuration can be operated as a cooling device in a summer season and as a heating device in a winter season.

The air conditioner 100 can operate in a cooling operation mode operated by a cooler or a heating operation mode operated by a heater according to the setting of the operation mode.

When the air conditioner 100 operates in a cooling operation mode, the refrigerant switching valve 16 can guide refrigerant compressed at high temperature and high pressure in the compressor 11 to the outdoor heat exchanger 12 to exchange heat with air in the outdoor heat exchanger 12 so as to radiate heat, make the refrigerant at low temperature and low pressure in the expansion valve 13, and then exchange heat with water in the indoor heat exchanger 21 to supply the heat-exchanged water to the indoor unit 20 using it as a cooling source.

In addition, when the air conditioner 100 operates in a heating operation mode, the refrigerant switching valve 16 can guide refrigerant toward the indoor heat exchanger 21 to allow the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant to exchange heat with water in the indoor heat exchanger 21 so as to supply the heat-exchanged water to the indoor unit 20 using it as a heating source.

A specific configuration of the control apparatus 200 that controls the air conditioner 100 having such a configuration can be as shown in FIG. 4.

The control apparatus 200 includes a detection part 210, an estimation part 220, and a controller 230, as shown in FIG. 4.

That is, the detection part 210 can be controlled by the controller 230.

The detection part 210 can be controlled by the controller 230 to detect the state information.

The detection part 210 can include one or more sensors to detect one or more of state information items through the one or more sensors.

For example, one or more of an operating speed, an operating frequency, a torque, a drive current, a drive voltage, an ambient pressure, a suction temperature, a discharge temperature, an internal temperature, an internal humidity, an external temperature, an external humidity of the compressor 11, a heat exchange cycle temperature and an ambient temperature of the air conditioner 100 can be detected.

The detection part 210 can include one or more temperature sensors 211 that detect the suction temperature and discharge temperature of the compressor 11, and the heat exchange cycle temperature and ambient temperature of the air conditioner 100.

The detection part 210 can include one or more humidity sensors 212 that detect the ambient humidity of the air conditioner 100.

The detection part 210 can also further include one or more pressure sensors 213 that detect a pressure of refrigerant flowing into the compressor 11 and discharged from the compressor 11, and a pressure of the refrigerant pipe 30.

The detection part 210 can also further include one or more sensors among one or more voltage sensors 214 that detect a voltage of input power applied to the outdoor unit 10 or the indoor unit 20, and a voltage applied to the compressor 11 and the fan 15, and one or more current sensors 215 that detect a current of input power applied to the outdoor unit 10 or the indoor unit 20, and a current applied to the compressor 11 and the fan 15.

The detection part 210 can generate a signal for a result of detecting one or more of the state information items through the one or more sensors and transmit the signal to the controller 230.

The estimation part 220 can be controlled by the controller 230.

The estimation part 220 can receive a detection result of the detection part 210 to perform one or more computations based on the detection result.

For example, the detection result can be analyzed according to specific analysis references.

The estimation part 220 can receive a detection result of the detection part 210, analyze the detection result, and transmit the analysis result to the controller 230.

The estimation part 220 can estimate a growth state of mold in the heat exchanger 21 based on the detection result by using, for example, the detection result of the detection unit 210 as an input.

Meanwhile, the estimation part 220 can include an artificial neural network to estimate the growth state through the artificial neural network.

The artificial neural network, which is an artificial neural network (ANN) trained through machine learning or deep learning, can refer to an artificial intelligence implementation circuit or an artificial intelligence implementation algorithm.

That is, the artificial neural network can be implemented in the form of software form or in the form of hardware such as a chip.

Here, the machine learning can refer to that a computer learns through data and allows the computer to solve problems on its own without a person directly instructing the computer on a logic.

The deep learning is an artificial intelligence technology that allows a computer to learn on its own like humans without being taught by humans in a method of teaching the computer how to think like humans based on an artificial neural network (NN) for constructing artificial intelligence.

In this way, the artificial neural network can be configured as an artificial intelligence implementation circuit or an artificial intelligence implementation algorithm trained based on the machine learning or deep learning, configured as a computation apparatus of the estimation part 220, or configured as a computation algorithm or computation program of the computation apparatus.

The estimation part 220 can be included in the controller 230.

In this case, the estimation part 220 can include a calculation apparatus that performs a dedicated computation in the controller 230.

The controller 230 can be a central processing apparatus of the control apparatus 200.

The controller 230 can also be a computation apparatus of the control apparatus 200.

The controller 230 can process data and signals from the control apparatus 200 to perform operation control of the air conditioner 100.

The controller 230 can control an operation of the air conditioner 100 by controlling an operation of the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20.

The controller 230 can control an operation of the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 according to an execution of an operation of the air conditioner 100, or control an execution of the operation of the air conditioner 100 according to one or more of a detection result of the detection part 210, an estimation (calculation) result of the estimation part 220, a determination result of the controller 230, and a control result of the components.

The controller 230 can also perform communication with an external apparatus 300 to link with the air conditioner 100.

Here, the external apparatus 300 can be a terminal apparatus of a user in the air conditioner 100.

In this case, the controller 230 can transmit information output to the output apparatus 22 to the external apparatus 300 so as to allow the information output to the output apparatus 22 to be also output to the external apparatus 300.

In addition, the controller 230 can control an operation of the air conditioner 100 in response to a command received from the external apparatus 300.

The external apparatus 300 can also further include one or more of a remote control apparatus capable of remotely controlling the air conditioner 100, a central control apparatus, and a home appliance that can be connected in communication to link with the external apparatus 300 through communication.

A specific configuration of the control apparatus 200 including the detection part 210, the estimation part 220, and the controller 230 can be as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 shows one example of the control apparatus 200, and the control apparatus 200 can further include other configurations in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 5, or can be made with a configuration different from the configuration shown in FIG. 5.

The control apparatus 200, as shown in FIG. 5, includes the detection part 210, the estimation part 220, and the controller 230, and can further include one or more of a drive part 240, a storage part 250, and a communication part 260.

The drive part 240 can be controlled by the controller 230.

The drive part 240 can be controlled by the controller 230 to drive the compressor 11.

The drive part 240 can generate a drive signal according to a control command received from the controller 230, and apply the drive signal to the compressor 11 to drive the compressor 11.

The drive part 240 can also generate a drive signal for each of apparatuses constituting the outdoor unit 10 or the indoor unit 20 according to a control command received from the controller 230, and apply each of the drive signals to the apparatuses constituting the outdoor unit 10 or the indoor unit 20 to drive the apparatuses constituting the outdoor unit 10 or the indoor unit 20.

The drive part 240 can include one or more of a compressor drive part 241 that drives the compressor 11, a fan drive part 242 that drives the fan 15, and a valve drive part 243 that drives the valve 13, 16.

The compressor drive part 241 can apply power or a drive signal that drives the compressor 11 based on an input current to the compressor 11.

The compressor drive part 241 can apply a drive signal that drives the compressor 11 in response to a control command of the controller 230 to drive the compressor 11.

Accordingly, the drive part 240 can drive the compressor 11 through the compressor drive part 241.

The fan drive part 242 can drive a fan motor such that at least one fan 15 rotates in response to a control command of the controller 230.

The valve drive part 243 can control the opening and closing of at least one valve 13, 16 according to the control command of the controller 230, and control an opening amount of the valve as needed.

That is, the storage part 250 can be controlled by the controller 230.

The storage part 250 can store data of the air conditioner 100.

The storage part 250 can include a memory such as an EEPROM, and store data necessary for operating an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, controlling an indoor fan, controlling a valve, and the like, and store operation information and state information.

The communication part 260 can be controlled by the controller 230.

The communication part 260 can transmit and receive data to and from a communication target apparatus of the air conditioner 100.

That is, the communication part 260 can perform communication with the external apparatus 300.

The communication part 260 can transmit and receive data to and from the communication target apparatus in a wired or wireless communication manner.

The control apparatus 200 can include the detection part 210, the estimation part 220, and the controller 230 to predict a growth state of mold growing in the heat exchanger 21 of the indoor unit 20 and control the execution of an operation corresponding to the growth state.

For example, the growth index of the mold can be calculated to estimate a growth state of the mold based on an accumulation value thereof, and output information on the growth state according to the growth state.

In the control apparatus 200 for predicting a growth state of mold as described above, the detection part 210 detects one or more of temperature and humidity on an environment in which the indoor unit 20 and the air conditioner 100 are installed, the estimation part 220 pre-stores data on a growth indicator of mold according to temperature and humidity, and calculates and accumulates a growth index for a growth state of mold in the heat exchanger 21 of the indoor unit 20 based on a detection result of the detection unit 210 and the growth indicator according to an operation state of the indoor unit 20, and the controller 230 controls an output of the output apparatus 22 so as to allow information on the growth state to be output differently to the output apparatus 22 of the air conditioner 100 according to an accumulation result of the estimation part 220.

That is, the control apparatus 200 can control, when the detection part 210 detects the temperature and humidity, the estimation part 220 to calculate and accumulate the growth index based on the detection result and the growth indicator according to the operation state, and the controller 230 to output information corresponding to the growth state to the output apparatus 22.

A specific control process of the control apparatus 200 that predicts (estimates) a growth state of the mold and controls the display of information corresponding thereto can be as shown in FIG. 6.

In the control apparatus 200, the detection part 210 can include one or more of the temperature sensors 211 and one or more of the humidity sensors 212 to detect (B1) one or more temperatures and one or more humidity on an environment in which the indoor unit 20 and the air conditioner 100 are installed.

The detection part 210 can detect at least a pipe temperature of the heat exchanger 21.

That is, the detection part 210 can include one or more temperature sensors 211 that detect a pipe temperature of the heat exchanger 21, thereby detecting the pipe temperature.

The detection part 210 can also include one or more temperature sensors 211 that detect an indoor temperature, thereby detecting the indoor temperature.

The detection part 210 can detect at least an indoor humidity.

That is, the detection part 210 can include one or more humidity sensors 212 that detect an indoor humidity in an indoor environment in which the indoor unit 20 is installed, thereby detecting the indoor humidity.

The detection part 210 can also further include one or more humidity sensors 212 that detect a pipe humidity of the heat exchanger 21, thereby detecting the piping humidity.

In this way, the detection part 210 can detect at least the pipe temperature and the indoor humidity.

The detection part 210 can detect the temperature and humidity in units of predetermined time periods.

Here, the predetermined time period can be a time period preset in the detection part 210.

The predetermined time period can be set for each of the temperature and the humidity.

Accordingly, the detection part 210 can detect the temperature and humidity in units of preset predetermined time periods.

For example, the temperature can be detected every preset a [s], and the humidity can be detected every preset b [s].

Meanwhile, the predetermined time period can be set in one of the units of seconds [s], minutes [m] and hours [h], and preferably in the units of seconds [s].

The predetermined time period can be set before an initial operation of the control apparatus 200, and the setting can be changed during operation.

The detection part 210 can detect each of the temperature and humidity in units of preset predetermined seconds.

That is, the predetermined time period for the temperature and the predetermined time period for the humidity can be set in units of seconds [s].

The detection part 210 can detect the temperature and humidity in different units of predetermined time periods.

That is, the predetermined time period for the temperature and the predetermined time period for the humidity can be set differently from each other.

Accordingly, the detection part 210 can detect the temperature and humidity by differentiating a time unit for detecting the pipe temperature and a time unit for detecting the indoor humidity.

For example, the temperature can be detected every 4 [s] and the humidity can be detected every 8 [s].

Accordingly, a number of detections of the temperature and a number of detections of the humidity can differ over a predetermined period of time.

Additionally, according to an environment in which the indoor unit 20 is installed, the detection part 210 can detect each of the temperature and humidity in the same unit of predetermined seconds.

A detection time unit of the detection part 210 can be preset and can also be changed through the controller 230.

The detection part 210 can transmit, when detecting the temperature and humidity, a result of the detection to the estimation part 220.

In the control apparatus 200, the estimation part 220 can receive the detection result from the detection part 210 to calculate and accumulate (B2 to B4) the growth index for a growth state of mold on the heat exchanger 21 based on the detection result and the pre-stored growth indicator.

Here, the growth indicator can be an index that tabulates a growth index of the mold according to temperature and humidity, as shown in FIG. 7.

That is, the growth indicator can be a table for a reference of the growth index according to temperature and humidity.

The growth indicator can be an index that numerically represents a growth status of mold at each temperature (0 to A [°C]) and humidity (B to 100 [%]) on the heat exchanger 21.

The growth indicator can be an indicator in which index values corresponding to the temperature and humidity are listed in plurality of rows and plurality of columns.

The growth indicator can be an indicator whose index increases according to a magnitude of the temperature and the humidity.

The growth indicator can be pre-stored in the estimation part 220 in a data form.

The growth indicator can be derived from an experimental result on a growth environment of the mold.

For example, it can be derived by reflecting a result of a mold growth experiment on the heat exchanger 21 in a result of a mold growth experiment on a bio specimen.

Alternatively, it can be derived by reflecting data on an environmental condition on the heat exchanger 21 in data on a growth indicator of mold on another environment.

In addition, the estimation part 220 can generate the growth indicator by reflecting one or more data or computation results in pre-input/stored data.

For example, a predetermined learning process can be performed based on pre-input/stored data to generate the growth indicator as a result of performing the predetermined learning process.

Alternatively, the growth indicator can be generated by reflecting a specific coefficient for a growth state on the heat exchanger 21 in the data.

The estimation part 220 can calculate an index of a portion corresponding to the temperature and humidity from the growth indicator as the growth index.

For example, when the temperature is 0 [°C] and the humidity is B [%], the growth index can be calculated as n1, and when the temperature is A [°C] and the humidity is 100 [%], the growth index can be calculated as n12.

In this way, the estimation part 220 that calculates the growth index based on the detection result and the growth indicator can or cannot calculate the growth index based on the detection result according to which state the operation state corresponds to.

In particular, the estimation part 220 can differently calculate, when calculating the growth index according to which state the operation state corresponds to, the growth index according to the operation state.

For example, when the operation state corresponds to a first state, the growth index can be calculated in a first method, and when the operation state corresponds to a second state, the growth index can be calculated in a second method different from the first method.

Here, calculating the growth index differently can refer to correcting the detection result according to a specific reference, but differentiating the correction of the detection result according to the operation state.

The operation state can include one or more of a cooling operation state in which the indoor unit 20 operates in a cooling operation, a standby operation state in which the indoor unit 20 is waiting for operation in a non-operation state, a dry operation state in which the indoor unit 20 performs a drying operation, and a dry end state in which the indoor unit 20 has finished performing the drying operation.

Meanwhile, the drying operation can include an automatic drying operation that automatically performs a drying operation and a general drying operation other than the automatic drying operation.

Accordingly, the estimation part 220 can calculate the growth index differently based on the detection result, or cannot calculate the growth index, according to whether the operation state corresponds to any one of the cooling operation state, the standby operation state, the dry operation state, and the dry end state.

A reference by which the estimation part 220 calculates or does not calculate the growth index according to the operation state can be as shown in FIG. 8.

The estimation part 220 cannot calculate the growth index when the operation state is the cooling operation state.

That is, the estimation part 220 cannot calculate or accumulate the growth index when the indoor unit 20 is operating in the cooling operation.

This is because, during the cooling operation state, the temperature and humidity of the heat exchanger 21 are low, which is an environment state unfavorable for the growth of the mold, and therefore, there is less need to calculate the growth index in the cooling operation state, and thus the growth index is not calculated or accumulated.

Accordingly, the calculation and accumulation of the growth index can be appropriately performed so as to accurately predict a growth state of the mold.

The estimation part 220 can calculate the growth index based on the detection result and the growth indicator when the operation state is the standby operation state.

That is, the estimation part 220 cannot correct the detection result when the indoor unit 20 is waiting for operation, and can calculate the growth index based on the detection result and the growth indicator.

This is because, during the standby operation state, the temperature and humidity of the heat exchanger 21 do not change significantly, and thus the growth index is calculated and accumulated based on the detection result without correction of the detection result.

wherein the estimation part 220 can correct, when the operation state is either one of the dry operation state and the dry end state, one or more of the temperature and the humidity according to a preset correction reference to calculate the growth index based on a result of the correction and the growth indicator.

That is, the estimation part 220 can correct one or more of the temperature and humidity of the detection result according to the correction reference when the indoor unit 20 is performing the drying operation or has finished the drying operation, and calculate the growth index based on the corrected correction temperature and correction humidity and the growth indicator.

This is because, during the dry operation state or the dry end state, the temperature and humidity of the heat exchanger 21 change significantly, such that an error can occur between the detection result and the actual mold growth environment state, and therefore, the detection result can be corrected according to the correction reference to be closer to the actual environment state of the heat exchanger 21 so as to allow the growth index to be calculated and accumulated based on the correction result.

Here, the correction reference can be a reference for correcting the detection result according to each of the operation states as shown in FIG. 8.

The correction reference can be a reference set based on a result of experimentally comparing a difference between the detection result and the actual temperature and humidity of the heat exchanger 21 according to the operation state.

The estimation part 220 can correct, when the operation state is the dry operation state, the temperature by reflecting a first correction temperature value C1 in the temperature, and correct the humidity by reflecting a first correction humidity value D1 in the humidity.

The estimation part 220 can differently correct, when the operation state is the dry end state, one or more of the temperature and the humidity according to whether the humidity corresponds to any one of first to fourth humidity sections.

That is, when the operation state is the dry end state, the estimation part 220 can correct one or more of the temperature and the humidity as a correction reference corresponding to the corresponding section among the first humidity section to the fourth humidity section.

In this case, a correction reference corresponding to each of the first humidity section to the fourth humidity section can be set differently.

Accordingly, the estimation part 220 can correct the humidity differently for each case in which the humidity corresponds to the first humidity section, the humidity corresponds to the second humidity section, the humidity corresponds to the third humidity section, and the humidity corresponds to the fourth humidity section.

The first humidity section can be a section in which the humidity is below 40 [%].

The estimation part 220 can correct, when the humidity corresponds to the first humidity section, the humidity by reflecting the first humidity correction value D1, and reflecting a first weight H1 or a fifth weight H5 different from the first weight H1 in the humidity.

That is, when the humidity is 40 [%], the first humidity correction value D1 and the first weight H1 or the fifth weight H5 can be reflected in the humidity.

The second humidity section can be a section in which the humidity is 40 to 70 [%].

The estimation part 220 can correct, when the humidity corresponds to the second humidity section, the humidity by reflecting the first humidity correction value D1, and reflecting a second weight H2 different from the first weight H1 or a sixth weight H6 different from the fifth weight H5 in the humidity.

That is, when the humidity is 40 to 70 [%], the first humidity correction value D1 and the second weight H2 or the sixth weight H6 can be reflected in the humidity.

The third humidity section can be a section in which the humidity is above 70 [%].

The estimation part 220 can correct, when the humidity corresponds to the third humidity section, the humidity by reflecting the first humidity correction value D1, and reflecting a third weight H3 different from the second weight H2 or a seventh weight H7 different from the sixth weight H6 in the humidity.

That is, when the humidity is above 70 [%], the first humidity correction value D1 and the third weight H3 or the seventh weight H7 can be reflected in the humidity.

The fourth humidity section can be a section in which the humidity is above 80 [%].

The estimation part 220 can correct, when the humidity corresponds to the fourth humidity section, the temperature by reflecting a second temperature correction value C2 or a third temperature correction value C3 different from the first temperature correction value C1 in the temperature and correct the humidity by reflecting the first humidity correction value D1, and reflecting a fourth weight H4 different from the second weight H2 or an eighth weight H8 different from the sixth weight H6 in the humidity.

That is, when the humidity is above 80 [%], the second temperature correction value C2 or the third temperature correction value C3 can be reflected in the temperature, and the first humidity correction value D1 and the fourth weight H4 or the eighth weight H8 can be reflected in the humidity.

Meanwhile, the estimation part 220 can perform different corrections of the humidity when the dry end state corresponds to an automatic dry end state and when the dry end state corresponds to a general dry end state.

That is, the estimation part 220 can differently correct the humidity when the dry end state corresponds to an automatic dry end and the humidity corresponds to the first humidity section, and the humidity when the dry end state corresponds to a general dry end and the humidity corresponds to the first humidity section.

For example, when the operation state corresponds to the automatic dry end and the humidity corresponds to the first humidity section, the humidity can be corrected by reflecting the first correction humidity value D1 and the first weight H1 in the humidity, and when the operation state corresponds to the general dry end and the humidity corresponds to the first humidity section, the humidity can be corrected by reflecting the first correction humidity value D1 and a fifth weight H5 different from the first weight H1 in the humidity.

That is, the first weight H1 and the fifth weight H5 can be different from each other, the second weight H2 and the sixth weight H6 can be different from each other, the third weight H3 and the seventh weight H7 can be different from each other, and the fourth weight H4 and the eighth weight H8 can be different from each other.

The estimation part 220 can or cannot correct the detection result according to the operation state, and then accumulate each of the temperature and the humidity in units of one hour to calculate (B2) an hourly average of each of the temperature and the humidity from the accumulated result.

That is, the estimation part 220 can accumulate a result of correcting or not correcting the detection result for one hour to calculate an hourly average temperature and average humidity of each of the temperature and the humidity based on the accumulated result.

The estimation part 220 can calculate (B3) the growth index when one or more of the calculated average temperature and average humidity correspond to a specific reference.

The estimation part 220 cannot calculate the growth index when the average temperature and the average humidity do not correspond to the specific reference.

That is, the estimation part 220 can calculate and accumulate the growth index when one or more of the average temperature and the average humidity correspond to the specific reference, and cannot calculate and accumulate the growth index when one or more of the average temperature and the average humidity do not correspond to the specific reference.

The specific reference can be a reference for temperature and humidity conditions under which the mold can grow.

That is, when the average temperature and the average humidity do not correspond to the specific reference, it is determined that the mold does not grow because it does not correspond to the temperature and humidity conditions at which the mold can grow so as to allow the growth index not to be calculated.

Conversely, when the average temperature and average humidity correspond to the specific reference, it is determined that the mold grows because it corresponds to the temperature and humidity conditions at which the mold can grow so as to allow the growth index to be calculated.

The specific reference can be set to one or more of the temperature range and humidity range of the growth indicator.

The specific reference can include a temperature range of above 0 and below A [°C].

In this case, the estimation part 220 can calculate, when the average temperature corresponds to a range of above 0 and below A [°C], the growth index because the average temperature corresponds to the specific reference.

Here, the A can be a temperature value set and/or determined according to an environment in which the indoor unit 20 is installed.

The A can be preset and can also be changed through the controller 230.

The A can be, for example, 38 to 40.

In this case, the estimation part 220 can calculate the growth index when the average temperature is above 0 and below 38 to 40 [°C].

The specific reference can include a humidity range of above B and below 100 [%].

In this case, the estimation part 220 can calculate, when the average humidity is above B and below 100 [%], the growth index because the indoor humidity corresponds to the specific reference.

Here, the B can be a humidity value set and/or determined according to an environment in which the indoor unit 20 is installed.

The B can be preset and can also be changed through the controller 230.

The B can be, for example, 68 to 70.

In this case, the estimation part 220 can calculate the growth index when the average humidity is above 68 to 70 and below 100 [%].

In this way, the estimation part 220 can calculate and accumulate the growth index only when the average temperature and the average humidity correspond to the specific reference so as to calculate the growth index only in an environment where the mold can grow, thereby allowing accurate calculation of the growth index, that is, accurate estimation of the growth state.

As such, the estimation part 220 that calculates (B2) the average temperature and the average humidity to calculate the growth index based on whether the average temperature and the average humidity correspond to the specific reference can calculate (B3) the growth index based on a result of comparing the average temperature and the average humidity with the growth indicator.

The estimation part 220 can compare the average temperature and the average humidity with the growth index to calculate the growth index based on an index corresponding to the average temperature and the average humidity among the growth indicators.

For example, in the growth indicator as shown in FIG. 7, an index corresponding to the average temperature and the average humidity can be calculated as the growth index (B3).

The estimation part 220 can calculate (B3) and then accumulate (B4) the growth index in this way to transmit the accumulation result to the controller 230.

The estimation part 220 can also transmit, when the controller 230 accumulates the growth index, the growth index to the controller 230.

In the control apparatus 200, the controller 230 controls (B5 and B6) the output of the output apparatus 22 such that information on the growth state is output differently to the output apparatus 22 according to the accumulation result received from the estimation part 220.

That is, the controller 230 can control the output of the output apparatus 22 such that the output apparatus 22 displays information differently according to the accumulation result.

The controller 230 can control the output of the output apparatus 22 by generating information to be output to the output apparatus 22 and transmitting the information to the output apparatus 22.

The controller 230 can determine (B5) which section of the growth state the accumulation result corresponds to, generate (B6) information for controlling the output apparatus 22 such that information on the corresponding section is output to the output apparatus 22, and transmit the generated information to the output apparatus 22 such that the output apparatus 22 outputs information on the corresponding section, thereby controlling the output of the output apparatus 22.

The controller 230 can determine (B5), when receiving the accumulation result, which section among a plurality of accumulation sections divided according to a size of the accumulation value the accumulation value of the growth index corresponds to.

That is, the controller 230 can determine which stage a growth state of the mold on the heat exchanger 21 corresponds to based on the accumulation value.

In addition, the controller 230 can control (B6) the output of the output apparatus 22 such that information on the growth state is output in a reference form set for the corresponding section to which the accumulation value corresponds among the plurality of accumulation sections.

Accordingly, the output apparatus 22 can output (B7) information on the growth state according to the information received from the controller 230.

The plurality of accumulation sections and the reference form can be preset in the controller 230.

The plurality of accumulation sections and the reference form can be set differently according to the use environment of the air conditioner 100, and the settings can be changed by the controller 230.

One example of the plurality of accumulation sections can be as shown in FIG. 9.

The plurality of accumulation sections can include first to fifth sections in which the accumulation value (MI) of the growth index is divided into sections according to a growth state of the mold as shown in FIG. 9.

Among the plurality of accumulation sections, a first section can be a section in which the accumulation value (MI) is 0 to less than X1.

The first section can be a section corresponding to a stage in which the mold spores are introduced into the heat exchanger 21.

That is, the controller 230 can determine that, when the accumulation value (MI) corresponds to the 0 to less than X1, it corresponds to a stage in which the mold spores are introduced into the heat exchanger 21.

In this case, the controller 230 can generate information that controls information on a stage in which the mold spores are introduced to be displayed on the output apparatus 22 to transmit the information to the output apparatus 22.

Accordingly, the output apparatus 22 can output information on a stage in which the mold spores are introduced.

That is, the output apparatus 22 can output, when the accumulation value (MI) corresponds to the first section, information indicating the inflow of the mold spores, which is information corresponding to the first section.

Among the plurality of accumulation sections, a second section can be a section in which the accumulation value is X1 to less than X2.

The second section can be a section corresponding to a stage in which the mold mycelia grow in the heat exchanger 21.

That is, the controller 230 can determine that, when the accumulation value (MI) corresponds to the X1 to less than X2, it corresponds to a stage in which the mold mycelia grow in the heat exchanger 21.

In this case, the controller 230 can generate information that controls information on a stage in which the mold mycelia grow to be displayed on the output apparatus 22 to transmit the information to the output apparatus 22.

Accordingly, the output apparatus 22 can output information on a stage in which the mold mycelia grow.

That is, the output apparatus 22 can output, when the accumulation value (MI) corresponds to the first section, information indicating the growth of the mold mycelia, which is information corresponding to the second section.

Among the plurality of accumulation sections, a third section can be a section in which the accumulation value is X2 to less than X3.

The third section can be a section corresponding to a stage in which the mold spores are formed into the heat exchanger 21.

That is, the controller 230 can determine that, when the accumulation value (MI) corresponds to the X2 to less than X3, it corresponds to a stage in which the mold spores are formed into the heat exchanger 21.

In this case, the controller 230 can generate information that controls information on a stage in which the mold spores are formed to be displayed on the output apparatus 22 to transmit the information to the output apparatus 22.

Accordingly, the output apparatus 22 can output information on a stage in which the mold spores are formed.

That is, the output apparatus 22 can output, when the accumulation value (MI) corresponds to the third section, information indicating the formation of the mold spores, which is information corresponding to the third section.

Among the plurality of accumulation sections, a fourth section can be a section in which the accumulation value is X3 to less than X4.

The fourth section can be a section corresponding to a stage in which the mold spores are released into the heat exchanger 21.

That is, the controller 230 can determine that, when the accumulation value (MI) corresponds to the X3 to less than X4, it corresponds to a stage in which the mold spores are released into the heat exchanger 21.

In this case, the controller 230 can generate information that controls information on a stage in which the mold spores are released to be displayed on the output apparatus 22 to transmit the information to the output apparatus 22.

Accordingly, the output apparatus 22 can output information on a stage in which the mold spores are released.

That is, the output apparatus 22 can output, when the accumulation value (MI) corresponds to the fourth section, information indicating the release of the mold spores, which is information corresponding to the fourth section.

Among the plurality of accumulation sections, a fifth section can be a section in which the accumulation value is above X4.

The fifth section can be a section corresponding to a stage in which the mold spores are released in a large amount into the heat exchanger 21.

That is, the controller 230 can determine that, when the accumulation value (MI) corresponds to the X4 or more, the heat exchanger 21 corresponds to a stage in which the mold spores are released in a large amount.

In this case, the controller 230 can generate information that controls information on a stage in which the mold spores are released in a large amount to be displayed on the output apparatus 22 to transmit the information to the output apparatus 22.

Accordingly, the output apparatus 22 can output information on a stage in which the mold spores are released in a large amount.

That is, the output apparatus 22 can output, when the accumulation value (MI) corresponds to the fifth section, information indicating the release of the mold spores in a large amount, which is information corresponding to the fifth section.

Meanwhile, each of the first to fifth sections can have a solution set corresponding to a growth state of the mold to output information on the corresponding solution when the output apparatus 22 outputs information on the corresponding section.

In this case, a solution for each of the first to fifth sections can be set differently.

For example, the first section can be set to require air filter replacement, the second section can be set to require drying, the third section can be set to require freeze cleaning, and the fourth section can be set to require a cleaning service.

In addition, each of the first to fifth sections can have different reference forms, which are output references for information to be output to the output apparatus 22.

For example, the first section can be set as a first reference form, the second section can be set as a second reference form different from the first reference form, the third section can be set as a third reference form different from the first reference form and the second reference form, the fourth section can be set as a fourth reference form different from the first reference form to the third reference form, and the fifth section can be set as a fifth reference form different from the first reference form to the fourth reference form.

Accordingly, the output apparatus 22 can output information in the first reference form in the case of the first section, output information in the second reference form in the case of the second section, output information in the third reference form in the case of the third section, output information in the fourth reference form in the fourth section, and output information in the first reference form in the case of the fifth section.

The reference form can be a form for one or more of an image indicating the growth state, text indicating the growth state, a message indicating the growth state, and a solution corresponding to the growth state.

For example, the first reference form can be set to output one or more of the image, the text, the message, and the solution in a first form, and the third reference form can be set to output one or more of the image, the text, the message, and the solution in a third form.

That is, the output apparatus 22 can output, when the accumulation value is the first section, one or more of the image, the text, the message, and the solution differently from the case of the third section.

A specific example in which the output apparatus 22 outputs information on the growth state by varying the reference form for each of the plurality of accumulation sections can be as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

The output apparatus 22 can output, when the accumulation value corresponds to the first section, the image in a first brightness or a first color and output the message as "very good" as in (a) of FIG. 10.

The output apparatus 22 can output, when the accumulation value corresponds to the second section, the image in a second brightness or a second color and output the message as "good" as in (b) of FIG. 10.

The output apparatus 22 can output, when the accumulation value corresponds to the third section, the image in a third brightness or a third color and output the message as "normal" as in (c) of FIG. 10.

The output apparatus 22 can output, when the accumulation value corresponds to the fourth section, the image in a fourth brightness or a fourth color and output the message as "bad" as in (d) of FIG. 10.

The output apparatus 22 can output, when the accumulation value corresponds to the fifth section, the image in a fifth brightness or a fifth color and output the message as "very bad" as in (e) of FIG. 10.

In addition, the output apparatus 22 can further output the accumulation value (MI) as the text, as shown in FIG. 11.

In this case, while outputting the accumulation value at the top, the output apparatus 22 can output, when the accumulation value corresponds to the first section, the image in a first form corresponding to "very good" while outputting the message as "very good" as in (a) of FIG. 11, output, when the accumulation value corresponds to the second section, the image in a second form corresponding to "good" while outputting the message as "good" as in (b) of FIG. 11, output, when the accumulation value corresponds to the third section, the image in a third form corresponding to "normal" while outputting the message as "normal" as in (c) of FIG. 11, output, when the accumulation value (MI) corresponds to the fourth section, the image in a fourth form corresponding to "bad" while outputting the message as "bad" as in (d) of FIG. 11, and output, when the accumulation value (MI) corresponds to the fifth section, the image in a fifth form corresponding to "very bad" while outputting the message as "very bad" as in (e) of FIG. 11.

In this way, the output apparatus 22 can output information on the growth state in a reference form according to a section to which the accumulation value (MI) corresponds, thereby outputting information on the growth state differently according to which stage the growth state corresponds to.

Accordingly, a user of the air conditioner 100 can intuitively and accurately identify a stage for the growth state and information corresponding thereto.

The controller 230 can control information on the growth state to be output to the output apparatus 22 according to the accumulation result as described above, and then initialize the accumulation result when an operation corresponding to the output information is performed.

For example, when the accumulation value (MI) corresponds to the third section to control information in the third reference form including "need for a freeze cleaning" to be output to the output apparatus 22, and then a freeze cleaning operation is performed by the user, it is determined that the mold in the heat exchanger 21 is removed to initialize the growth state so as to allow the accumulation result to be initialized to 0.

Here, when the corresponding operation is not performed, the detection part 210 can detect (B1) the temperature and humidity and continue to calculate and accumulate (B2 to B7) the growth index.

The embodiment of the control apparatus 200 can be implemented by applying it to an embodiment of the air conditioner 100 and an embodiment of the control method of the air conditioner to be described below, and can also be implemented independently of the air conditioner 100 and the control method of the air conditioner.

Air Conditioner

The air conditioner 100 according to an embodiment is an air conditioner including the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the air conditioner 100, the indoor unit 20 includes the heat exchanger 21, the output apparatus 22 that outputs one or more of visual information and audio information related to an operation of the air conditioner 100, and the control apparatus 200 that controls the output of the output apparatus 22 and the operation of the indoor unit 20.

In the air conditioner 100, the control apparatus 200 calculates and accumulates a growth index for a growth state of mold in the heat exchanger 21 based on a detection result of detecting one or more temperature and humidity on an environment in which the indoor unit 20 and the air conditioner 100 are installed and a pre-stored growth indicator, and controls the output apparatus 22 so as to allow information corresponding to the accumulated value to be output to the output apparatus 22 according to whether the accumulated value reaches or exceeds any of a plurality of preset reference values.

That is, the air conditioner 100 can predict a growth state of the mold based on the accumulated value to output information corresponding to the growth state to the output apparatus 22.

Here, the control apparatus 200 can be the control apparatus 200 described above.

That is, the control apparatus 200 can include one or more of the detection part 210, the estimation part 220, and the controller 230.

The air conditioner 100 can predict a growth state of the mold in an order as shown in FIG. 12.

The control apparatus 200 can start operation while the accumulated value is an initial value 0, and detect (P1) one or more of the temperature and the humidity.

In this case, the control apparatus 200 can preferably detect at least a pipe temperature of the heat exchanger 21 and an indoor humidity.

Here, when detecting (P1) the temperature and the humidity, the control apparatus 200 can correct one or more of the detected temperature and the detected humidity as a correction reference corresponding to the operation state as shown in FIG. 8 according to whether the indoor unit 20 corresponds to one of a standby operation state, a dry operation state, and a dry end state.

Then, the control apparatus 200 can calculate an hourly average of each of the detected temperature and detected humidity, and compare (P2) the calculated average temperature and average humidity with a preset reference range.

The control apparatus 200 can calculate (P3 ~) the growth index or cannot calculate the growth index based on a result of comparing (P2) each of the average temperature and the humidity with the reference range.

As a result of comparing (P2) each of the average temperature and the humidity with the reference range, the control apparatus 200 can calculate (P3) the growth index when the average temperature corresponds to a first reference range (0 to A [°C]) or the average humidity corresponds to a second reference range (B to 100 [%]).

As a result of comparing (P2) each of the average temperature and the humidity with the reference range, the control apparatus 200 cannot calculate the growth index when the average temperature does not correspond to the first reference range (0 to A [°C]) and the average humidity does not correspond to the second reference range (B to 100 [%]).

When the growth index is not calculated, the control apparatus 200 can be re-executed from an initial stage (P1).

When calculating the growth index (P3), the control apparatus 200 can calculate an index of a portion corresponding to the average temperature and the average humidity on the growth indicator as shown in FIG. 7 as the growth index.

For example, when the average temperature is 1 [°C] and the average humidity is B+1 [%], n5 can be calculated as the growth index.

The control apparatus 200 can calculate (P3) the growth index, then determine (P4) an operating method of the indoor unit 20, and accumulate (P5) or not accumulate the growth index according to a result of the determination.

As a result of determining (P4) the operation method of the indoor unit 20, the control apparatus 200 can accumulate (P5) the calculated growth index when the indoor unit 20 is operating in a method other than a cooling operation.

As a result of determining (P4) the operating mode of the indoor unit 20, the control apparatus 200 cannot accumulate the calculated growth index when the indoor unit 20 is operating in the cooling mode.

When the growth index is not accumulated, the control apparatus 200 can be re-executed from the initial stage (P1).

The control apparatus 200 can accumulate (P5) the growth index, and then determine (P6) whether the accumulation result reaches or exceeds a first reference value among the plurality of reference values to perform operation control (P7) according to the determination result.

Here, the first reference value can be an accumulation value at the time when the cleaning of the heat exchanger 21 is required.

The first reference value can be set to, for example, any one value of the third section in the plurality of accumulation sections.

The control apparatus 200 can control information on a cleaning notification of the heat exchanger 21 to be output (P7) to the output apparatus 22 when the accumulation result reaches or exceeds the first reference value.

That is, when the accumulation result is above the first reference value, the control apparatus 200 can determine that the growth state corresponds to a level requiring cleaning, and control the output apparatus 22 to allow information on the cleaning notification to be output (P7) through the output apparatus 22.

Meanwhile, when the accumulation result reaches or exceeds the first reference value, the control apparatus 200 can transmit data to the external apparatus 300 so as to allow the accumulation result and information on the cleaning notification to be displayed at least once on the external apparatus 300 being communicated therewith until the accumulation result becomes lower than the first reference value.

Accordingly, the accumulation result and information on the cleaning notification can be displayed on the external apparatus 300 so as to allow the user of the external apparatus 300 to recognize the cleaning notification.

Meanwhile, when the accumulation result is less than the first reference value, the control apparatus 200 can re-execute from the initial stage (P1).

The control apparatus 200 can initialize (P9) the accumulation value according to whether cleaning is performed (P8) subsequent to outputting (P7) information on the cleaning notification by the output apparatus 22, or compare (P10) the accumulation value with a second reference value that is greater than the first reference value among the plurality of reference values.

Here, the second reference value can be an accumulation value at the time when the service of the heat exchanger 21 is required.

The second reference value can be set to, for example, any one value of the fifth section in the plurality of accumulation sections.

The control apparatus 200 can initialize (P9) the accumulation value when cleaning is performed (P8) subsequent to outputting (P7) information on the cleaning notification by the output apparatus 22.

The control apparatus 200 can compare (P10) the accumulation value with the second reference value when cleaning is not performed (P8) subsequent to outputting (P7) information on the cleaning notification by the output apparatus 22.

As a result of comparing (P10) the accumulation value with the second reference value, the control apparatus 200 can control information on a service recommendation notification of the heat exchanger 21 to be output (P11) to the output apparatus 22 when the accumulation result reaches or exceeds the second reference value.

That is, when the accumulation result is above the second reference value, the control apparatus 200 can determine that the growth state corresponds to a level requiring service inspection, and control the output apparatus 22 to allow information on the service recommendation notification to be output (P11) through the output apparatus 22.

Meanwhile, when the accumulation result reaches or exceeds the second reference value, the control apparatus 200 can transmit data to the external apparatus 300 so as to allow the accumulation result and information on the service recommendation notification to be displayed at least once on the external apparatus 300 being communicated therewith until the accumulation result becomes lower than the first reference value.

Accordingly, the accumulation result and information on the service recommendation notification can be displayed on the external apparatus 300 so as to allow the user of the external apparatus 300 to recognize the service recommendation notification.

Meanwhile, when the accumulation result is less than the second reference value, the control apparatus 200 can re-execute from the initial stage (P1).

The control apparatus 200 can initialize (P9) the accumulation value or maintain the calculation and accumulation of the growth index according to whether a service is performed (P12) subsequent to outputting (P11) information on the service recommendation notification by the output apparatus 22.

As such, a specific operation example of the air conditioner 100 in which the control apparatus 200 operates by predicting a growth state of the mold can be as shown in FIG. 13.

The air conditioner 100 can output information indicating that the growth state is "very good" to the output apparatus 22 when the accumulation value reaches the first section corresponding to 0 to X1, and output information indicating that the growth state is "good" to the output apparatus 22 when the accumulation value reaches the second section corresponding to X1 to X2 during operation while accumulating the growth index.

For example, information can be output in a form such as (a) and (b) of FIG. 10 or FIG. 11.

The air conditioner 100 can output information indicating that the growth state is "normal" to the output apparatus 22 when the accumulation value reaches the third section corresponding to X2 to X3, and output information regarding the cleaning notification to the output apparatus 22 when the accumulation value reaches the first reference value during operation while accumulating the growth index.

For example, information can be output in a form such as (c) of FIG. 10 or FIG. 11.

Here, the first reference value can be set to a value corresponding to 70 [%] from section values of the third section.

In this case, the air conditioner 100 can transmit data to the external apparatus 300 such that information on the cleaning notification is also displayed on the external apparatus 300 while outputting information on the cleaning notification to the output apparatus 22.

In addition, the air conditioner 100 can check whether the heat exchanger 21 can be cleaned prior to outputting information on the cleaning notification to the output apparatus 22, and further output information on whether cleaning is possible to the information on the cleaning notification.

Here, when the cleaning of the heat exchanger 21 is performed according to the output of information on the cleaning notification, the accumulation value can be initialized, and when the cleaning of the heat exchanger 21 is not performed according to the output of information on the cleaning notification, the accumulation value can be maintained and the accumulation of the growth index can be maintained.

Meanwhile, the air conditioner 100 can display the accumulation result and information on the cleaning notification at least once (1 PUSH) on the output apparatus 22 and/or the external apparatus 300 until the accumulation value becomes less than the first reference value.

That is, the air conditioner 100 can display information on the cleaning notification at least once (1 PUSH) on the output apparatus 22 and/or the external apparatus 300 from the time when the accumulation value exceeds the first reference value.

The air conditioner 100 can output information indicating that the growth state is "bad" to the output apparatus 22 when the accumulation value reaches the fourth section corresponding to X3 to X4, and output information indicating that the growth state is "very bad" to the output apparatus 22 when the accumulation value reaches the fifth section corresponding to X4 or more.

For example, information can be output in a form such as (d) and (e) of FIG. 10 or FIG. 11.

The air conditioner 100 can output information on the service recommendation notification to the output apparatus 22 when the accumulation value reaches the second reference value.

In this case, the air conditioner 100 can transmit data to the external apparatus 300 such that information on the service recommendation notification is also displayed on the external apparatus 300 while outputting information on the service recommendation notification to the output apparatus 22.

Here, when the cleaning of the heat exchanger 21 is performed according to the output of information on the service recommendation notification, the accumulation value can be initialized, and when the cleaning of the heat exchanger 21 is not performed according to the output of information on the service recommendation notification, the accumulation value can be maintained and the accumulation of the growth index can be maintained.

Meanwhile, the air conditioner 100 can display the accumulation result and information on the cleaning notification at least once (2 PUSH) on the output apparatus 22 and/or the external apparatus 300 until the accumulation value becomes less than the first reference value.

That is, the air conditioner 100 can display information on the cleaning notification at least once (2 PUSH) on the output apparatus 22 and/or the external apparatus 300 from the time when the accumulation value exceeds the first reference value.

The embodiment of the air conditioner 100 can be implemented by applying it to the foregoing embodiment of the control apparatus 200 and an embodiment of the control method of the air conditioner to be described below, and can also be implemented independently of the control apparatus 200 and the control method of the air conditioner.

Control Method of Air Conditioner

A control method of the air conditioner 100 according to an embodiment (hereinafter referred to as a control method) refers to a method for controlling the air conditioner 100 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The control method can also be a method in which the control apparatus 200 controls the air conditioner 100.

That is, the control method can be performed in the control apparatus 200.

The control method includes, as shown in FIG. 14, detecting one or more of temperature and humidity on an environment in which the indoor unit 20 and the air conditioner 100 are installed (S10), correcting a detection result according to an operation state of the indoor unit 20 to calculate an hourly average of a correction result (S20), calculating a growth index for a growth state of mold in the heat exchanger 21 of the indoor unit 20 based on a calculated result and a pre-stored growth indicator to accumulate the calculated growth index according to an operating mode of the indoor unit 20 (S30), and outputting information on the growth state to the output apparatus 22 of the air conditioner 100 according to an accumulation result (S40).

That is, the control method can control an operation of the air conditioner 100 in an order of detecting the temperature and humidity (S10) to correct the detection result according to the operation state, then calculating an average (S20), calculating the growth index based on the calculation result and the growth indicator to accumulate (S30), and outputting information on a growth state corresponding to the accumulation value to the output apparatus 22 according to the accumulation result (S40).

The detecting step (S10) can detect at least each of the pipe temperature and the indoor humidity of the heat exchanger 21.

The detecting step (S10) can detect each of the temperature and humidity in units of predetermined time periods.

The detecting step (S10) can detect each of the temperature and the humidity in different units of predetermined time periods.

The detecting step (S10) can detect each of the temperature and the humidity in different units of predetermined seconds.

The calculating step (S20) can correct one or more of the temperature and the humidity according to whether the indoor unit 20 corresponds to one of a standby operation state, a dry operation state, or a dry end state, and calculate an hourly average of each of the corrected correction temperature and correction humidity.

The calculating step (S20) can correct one or more of the temperature and the humidity according to the operation state as shown in FIG. 8.

The calculating step (S20) cannot correct the temperature and humidity when the operation state corresponds to the standby operation state.

The calculating step (S20) can correct one or more of the temperature and the humidity when the operation state corresponds to the dry operation state or the dry end state.

The calculating step (S20) can correct one or more of the temperature and the humidity according to the operation state as shown in FIG. 8, and then calculate an average of each of the corrected temperature and the corrected humidity.

The accumulating step (S30) can calculate an index corresponding to the average temperature and average humidity calculated in the calculating step (S20) among the growth indicators as shown in FIG. 7 as the growth index.

The accumulating step (S30) can calculate the growth index, and then accumulate the growth index when the indoor unit 20 is operating in an operation mode other than a cooling operation.

The accumulating step (S30) can calculate the growth index, and then cannot accumulate the growth index when the indoor unit 20 is operating in the cooling operation.

The outputting step (S40) can output one or more of an image, text, a message indicating the growth state, and a solution for the growth state in the first reference form when the accumulation result corresponds to 0 to less than X1.

That is, the outputting step (S40) can allow, when the accumulation result is 0 to less than X1, the output apparatus 22 to output information on the growth state in the first reference form.

For example, the output apparatus 22 can output information on the growth state as in (a) of FIG. 10 or FIG. 11.

The outputting step (S40) can output, when the accumulation result corresponds to the X1 to less than X2, one or more of the image, the text, the message, and the solution in the second reference form different from the first reference form.

That is, the outputting step (S40) can allow, when the accumulation result is less than the X1 to less than X2, the output apparatus 22 to output information on the growth state differently from the first reference form.

For example, the output apparatus 22 can output information on the growth state as in (b) of FIG. 10 or FIG. 11.

The outputting step (S40) can output, when the accumulation result corresponds to the X2 to less than X3, one or more of the image, the text, the message, and the solution in the third reference form different from the first reference form and the second reference form.

That is, the outputting step (S40) can allow, when the accumulation result is less than the X2 to less than X3, the output apparatus 22 to output information on the growth state differently from the first reference form and the second reference form.

For example, the output apparatus 22 can output information on the growth state as in (c) of FIG. 10 or FIG. 11.

The outputting step (S40) can output, when the accumulation result corresponds to the X3 to less than X4, one or more of the image, the text, the message, and the solution in the third reference form different from the first reference form to the third reference form.

That is, the outputting step (S40) can allow, when the accumulation result is less than the X3 to less than X4, the output apparatus 22 to output information on the growth state differently from the first reference form to the third reference form.

For example, the output apparatus 22 can output information on the growth state as in (d) of FIG. 10 or FIG. 11.

The outputting step (S40) can output, when the accumulation result corresponds to the X4 or more, one or more of the image, the text, the message, and the solution in the third reference form different the first reference form to the third reference form.

That is, the outputting step (S40) can allow, when the accumulation result is the X4 or more, the output apparatus 22 to output information on the growth state differently from the first reference form to the third reference form.

For example, the output apparatus 22 can output information on the growth state as in (e) of FIG. 10 or FIG. 11.

The control method can also further include outputting information on the growth state to the output apparatus 22 according to the accumulation result (S40), and then initializing the accumulation result when an operation corresponding to the output information is performed (S50).

For example, when outputting information on the growth state in the first reference form, and then performing a cleaning of an air filter, or outputting information on the growth state in the second reference form, and then performing a dry operation, or outputting information on the growth state in the third reference form, and then performing a freeze cleaning of the heat exchanger 21, or outputting information on the growth state in the fourth reference form, and then performing a cleaning service, the accumulation result can be initialized.

Although the embodiments of the control apparatus, the air conditioner, and the control method have been described so far, the described embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the disclosure, and the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling an air conditioner, the apparatus comprising:

a detection part that detects one or more of temperature and humidity on an environment in which an indoor unit of the air conditioner and the air conditioner are installed;

an estimation part that calculates and accumulates a growth index for a growth state of mold in a heat exchanger of the indoor unit based on a detection result of the detection part and a growth indicator of mold according to an operation state of the indoor unit, in which data on the growth indicator according to temperature and humidity is pre-stored; and

a controller that controls an output of an output apparatus of the air conditioner so as to allow information on the growth state to be output differently to the output apparatus according to an accumulation result of the estimation part.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detection part detects at least a pipe temperature and an indoor humidity of the heat exchanger.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detection part detects each of the temperature and the humidity in units of preset predetermined time periods.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the estimation part does not calculate the growth index when the operation state is a cooling operation state.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the estimation part calculates the growth index based on the detection result and the growth indicator when the operation state is a standby operation state.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the estimation part corrects, when the operation state is either one of a dry operation state and a dry end state, one or more of the temperature and the humidity according to a preset correction reference to calculate the growth index based on a result of the correction and the growth indicator.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the estimation part corrects, when the operation state is the dry operation state, the temperature by reflecting a first correction temperature value to the temperature, and corrects the humidity by reflecting a first correction humidity value in the humidity.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the estimation part differently corrects, when the operation state is the dry end state, one or more of the temperature and the humidity according to whether the humidity correspond to any one of first to fourth humidity sections.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the estimation part differently corrects, when the dry end state corresponds to an automatic dry end state and when the dry end state corresponds to a general dry end state, the humidity.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the estimation part calculates an hourly average of each of the temperature and the humidity to calculate the growth index when one or more of the calculated average temperature and average humidity correspond to a specific reference, and not to calculate the growth index when the average temperature and the average humidity do not correspond to the specific reference.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the specific reference comprises:

a temperature range of above 0 and below A [°C]; and

a humidity range of above B and below 100 [%].

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the estimation part calculates the growth index based on an index corresponding to the average temperature and the average humidity among the growth indicators.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller controls an output of the output apparatus so as to allow information on the growth state to be output in a reference form set in a section corresponding to the accumulation result among a plurality of accumulation sections divided according to a size of an accumulation value of the growth index.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the plurality of accumulation sections comprise:

a first section in which the accumulation value is 0 to less than X1;

a second section in which the accumulation value is the X1 to less than X2;

a third section in which the accumulation value is the X2 to less than X3;

a fourth section in which the accumulation value is the X3 to less than X4; and

a fifth section in which the accumulation value is above the X4, and

wherein each of the first to fifth sections has a different reference form.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the reference form is a form for one or more of an image, text, a message indicating the growth state, and a solution corresponding to the growth state.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller controls information on the growth state to be output to the output apparatus according to the accumulation result, and then initializes the accumulation result when an operation corresponding to the output information is performed.

17. An air conditioner including an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, wherein the indoor unit comprises:

a heat exchanger;

an output apparatus that outputs one or more of visual information and audio information related to an operation of the air conditioner; and

a control apparatus that controls an output of the output apparatus and an operation of the indoor unit, and

wherein the control apparatus calculates and accumulates a growth index for a growth state of mold in the heat exchanger based on a detection result of detecting one or more of temperature and humidity on an environment in which the indoor unit and the air conditioner are installed and a pre-stored growth indicator, and controls the output apparatus so as to allow information corresponding to the accumulated value to be output to the output apparatus according to whether the accumulated value reaches or exceeds any of a plurality of preset reference values.

18. The air conditioner of claim 17, wherein the control apparatus corrects one or more of the detected temperature and the detected humidity as a correction reference corresponding to the operation state according to whether the indoor unit corresponds to one of a standby operation state, a dry operation state, and a dry end state.

19. The air conditioner of claim 17, wherein the control apparatus calculates an hourly average of each of the detected temperature and the detected humidity to calculate the growth index when the calculated average temperature corresponds to a first reference range or the average humidity corresponds to a second reference range, and not to calculate the growth index when the average temperature does not correspond to the first reference range and the average humidity does not correspond to the second reference range.

20. The air conditioner of claim 17, wherein the control apparatus accumulates the growth index when the indoor unit is operating in a method other than a cooling operation, and does not accumulate the growth index when the indoor unit is operating in the cooling operation.

21. The air conditioner of claim 17, wherein the control apparatus controls information on a cleaning notification of the heat exchanger to be output to the output apparatus when an accumulation result reaches or exceeds a first reference value among the plurality of reference values.

22. The air conditioner of claim 21, wherein the control apparatus transmits, when the accumulation result reaches or exceeds the first reference value, data to an external apparatus so as to allow the accumulation result and information on the cleaning notification to be displayed at least once on the external apparatus being communicated therewith until the accumulation result becomes less than the first reference value.

23. The air conditioner of claim 21, wherein the control apparatus controls information on a service recommendation notification of the heat exchanger to be output to the output apparatus when the accumulation result reaches or exceeds a second reference value greater than the first reference value.

24. The air conditioner of claim 23, wherein the control apparatus transmits, when the accumulation result reaches or exceeds the second reference value, data to an external apparatus so as to allow the accumulation result and information on the service recommendation notification to be displayed at least once on the external apparatus being communicated therewith until the accumulation result becomes less than the first reference value.

25. A method for controlling an air conditioner, the method comprising:

detecting one or more of temperature and humidity on an environment in which an indoor unit of the air conditioner and the air conditioner are installed;

correcting a detection result according to an operation state of the indoor unit to calculate an hourly average of a correction result;

calculating a growth index for a growth state of mold in a heat exchanger of the indoor unit based on a calculation result and a pre-stored growth indicator to accumulate the calculated growth index according to an operation mode of the indoor unit; and

outputting information on the growth state to an output apparatus of the air conditioner according to an accumulation result.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the detecting step detects at least a pipe temperature and an indoor humidity of the heat exchanger, respectively, in different units of predetermined time periods.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the calculating step corrects one or more of the temperature and the humidity according to whether the indoor unit corresponds to one of a standby operation state, a dry operation state, or a dry end state, and calculates an hourly average of each of the corrected correction temperature and correction humidity.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the accumulating step calculates an index corresponding to the average temperature and average humidity calculated in the calculating among the growth indicators as the growth index, and then accumulates, when the indoor unit is operating in an operation mode other than a cooling operation, the growth index, and does not accumulate, when the indoor unit is operating in the cooling operation, the growth index.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the outputting step comprises: outputting, when the accumulation result corresponds to 0 to less than X1, one or more of an image, text, a message indicating the growth state, and a solution for the growth state in a first reference form; outputting, when the accumulation result corresponds to the X1 to less than X2, one or more of the image, the text, the message, and the solution in a second reference form different from the first reference form; outputting, when the accumulation result corresponds to the X2 to less than X3, one or more of the image, the text, the message, and the solution in a third reference form different from the first reference form and the second reference form; outputting, when the accumulation result corresponds to the X3 to less than X4, one or more of the image, the text, the message, and the solution in a fourth reference form different from the first reference form to the third reference form; and outputting, when the accumulation result corresponds to the X4 or more, one or more of the image, the text, the message, and the solution in a fifth reference form different from the first reference form to the fourth reference form.

30. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

outputting information on the growth state to the output apparatus according to the accumulation result, and then initializing the accumulation result when an operation corresponding to the output information is performed.