Apparatus and method for controlling operation of compressor

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling an operation of a compressor includes a controller for generating a control signal for selecting an operation mode of a compressor according to an operation load of the compressor; a first switching unit connected to a motor including a main coil and a sub-coil, and selecting only the main coil or both the main coil and the sub-coil according to the control signal; first and second capacitors electrically connected to the first switching unit; and a second switching unit connected to the first capacitor and selectively connecting the first capacitor in parallel to the second capacitor according to the control signal.

1 . An apparatus for controlling an operation of a compressor comprising: 
 a controller for generating a control signal for selecting an operation mode of a compressor according to an operation load of the compressor;    a first switching unit connected to a motor of the compressor having a main coil and a sub-coil, and selecting the main coil or both the main coil and the sub-coil according to the control signal;    first and second capacitors electrically connected to the first switching unit; and    a second switching unit connected to the first capacitor and selectively connecting the first capacitor in parallel to the second capacitor according to the control signal.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein if the operation load of the compressor is greater than a reference load, the controller generates a first control signal for selecting the main coil.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein if the operation load of the compressor is greater than a reference load, the controller generates a first control signal for selecting the main coil.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the second switching unit connects the first capacitor to the second capacitor in parallel when the main coil is selected by the first switching unit.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second switching unit cuts off power applied to the first capacitor when the main coil and the sub-coil are selected by the first switching unit.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second capacitors are connected in parallel by the second switching unit when the main coil is selected by the first switching unit.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first and second capacitors is opened by the second switching unit when the main coil and the sub-coil are selected by the first switching unit.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for controlling an operation of a reciprocating compressor comprising: 
 a voltage detector for detecting a voltage applied to a reciprocating compressor as a stroke of the reciprocating compressor is varied;    a current detector for detecting a current applied to the reciprocating compressor as the stroke is varied;    a microcomputer for calculating a stroke based on the voltage value detected by the voltage detector and a current value detected by the current detector, comparing the calculated stroke with a stroke reference value, generating a switching control signal according to the comparison result, and generating a mode control signal for selecting an operation mode of the reciprocating compressor according to an operation load of the reciprocating compressor;    a power supply unit for supplying a stroke voltage to the reciprocating compressor by on/off controlling AC power applied to the reciprocating compressor with an internal triac;    a first switching unit connected to a motor including a main coil and a sub-coil installed in the reciprocating compressor, and selecting only the main coil or both the main coil and the sub-coil according to the mode control signal;    first and second capacitors electrically connected to the first switching unit; and    a second switching unit connected to the first capacitor and selectively connecting the first capacitor in parallel to the second capacitor according to the mode control signal.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein when the operation load of the reciprocating compressor is greater than a reference load, the microcomputer generates a first control signal for selecting the main coil.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein when the operation load of the reciprocating compressor is smaller than the reference load, the microcomputer generates a second control signal for selecting the main coil and the sub-coil.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein when the main coil is selected by the first switching unit, the second switching unit connects the first capacitor to the second capacitor in parallel.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein when the main coil and the sub-coil are selected by the first switching unit, the second switching unit cuts off power applied to the first capacitor.  
   
   
       13 . A method for controlling an operation of a compressor comprising: 
 a step in which if an operation load of a compressor is greater than a reference load, power is applied to a main coil of a motor of the compressor, and at the same time, first and second capacitors connected to the motor are connected in parallel; and    a step in which if the operation load of the compressor is smaller than the reference load, power is applied to the main coil and the sub-coil of the motor of the compressor, and at the same time, one of the first and second capacitors connected to the motor is opened.