US 12,352,480 B2
Air conditioner with defrosting operation and method for controlling the same
Kwangsik Han, Suwon-si (KR); Sangho Yoo, Suwon-si (KR); Jaeyang Lee, Suwon-si (KR); Jejin Lee, Suwon-si (KR); Hyeongseok Lim, Suwon-si (KR); Byoungguk Lim, Suwon-si (KR); Yonghee Jang, Suwon-si (KR); Gwangchel Jeong, Suwon-si (KR); and Dongil Jung, Suwon-si (KR)
Assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed by SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed on Dec. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/086,270.
Application 18/086,270 is a continuation of application No. PCT/KR2022/020296, filed on Dec. 14, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2022-0033444 (KR), filed on Mar. 17, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0296273 A1, Sep. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. F24F 11/42 (2018.01); F25B 13/00 (2006.01); F25B 41/26 (2021.01); F25B 47/02 (2006.01); F24F 140/10 (2018.01); F25B 5/02 (2006.01); F25B 6/02 (2006.01)
CPC F25B 47/022 (2013.01) [F24F 11/42 (2018.01); F25B 13/00 (2013.01); F25B 41/26 (2021.01); F25B 47/025 (2013.01); F24F 2140/10 (2018.01); F25B 5/02 (2013.01); F25B 6/02 (2013.01); F25B 2313/0251 (2013.01); F25B 2313/02742 (2013.01); F25B 2313/0315 (2013.01); F25B 2347/021 (2013.01); F25B 2600/23 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An air conditioner comprising:
a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, and including a discharge port;
an outdoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with outside air, and including:
an upper portion including an upper inlet, and
a lower portion including a lower inlet;
a first four-way valve arranged between the discharge port of the compressor and the upper inlet;
a second four-way valve arranged between the discharge port of the compressor and the lower inlet; and
a controller electrically connected to the compressor, the first four-way valve and the second four-way valve,
wherein the controller is configured to:
control the first four-way valve and the second four-way valve to perform a first defrosting operation which defrosts the upper portion and the lower portion during a heating operation, and
control the first four-way valve and the second four-way valve to perform a second defrosting operation which operates the upper portion as an evaporator, and operates the lower portion as a condenser, based on a need for additional defrosting of the lower portion being detected,
wherein detecting the need for additional defrosting of the lower portion includes detecting a preset compressor protection condition including at least one of inflow of a liquid refrigerant to the compressor, a current supplied to the compressor exceeding a reference current, or temperature at the discharge port of the compressor exceeding a reference temperature.