Air conditioner and self-cleaning control method therefor

Abstract

The air conditioner includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, an indoor temperature measurement apparatus, and a controller. The indoor unit includes an indoor heat exchanger. The outdoor unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor temperature measurement apparatus is configured to measure the indoor ambient temperature. The controller is configured to: control the air conditioner to enter a self-cleaning mode in response to a received self-cleaning instruction, causing the heat exchanger to be cleaned to operate as an evaporator and cause ice to form on a surface of the heat exchanger to be cleaned; adjust an operating parameter of the air conditioner according to the indoor ambient temperature; and control the air conditioner to enter the defrosting stage, where the heat exchanger to be cleaned is the outdoor heat exchanger or the indoor heat exchanger.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air conditioner, comprising:
 an indoor unit, which comprises an indoor heat exchanger;   an outdoor unit, which comprises a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an expansion valve;   an indoor temperature detection apparatus, which is configured to detect an indoor ambient temperature; and   a controller, which is configured to:   control the air conditioner to enter a self-cleaning mode in response to a received self-cleaning instruction, causing a heat exchanger to be cleaned to operate as an evaporator to cause the heat exchanger to be cleaned to perform a frosting treatment;   adjust an operating parameter of the air conditioner according to the indoor ambient temperature in a frosting treatment stage; and   control the air conditioner to enter a defrosting stage of the heat exchanger to be cleaned after the frosting treatment stage ends;   wherein the heat exchanger to be cleaned is the outdoor heat exchanger or the indoor heat exchanger, and wherein the self-cleaning instruction comprises a first instruction and a second instruction, the first instruction is configured to instruct cleaning of the indoor heat exchanger, and the second instruction is configured to instruct cleaning of the outdoor heat exchanger.   
     
     
         2 . The air conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein the self-cleaning instruction is the first instruction, wherein a step of adjusting the operating parameter of the air conditioner according to the indoor ambient temperature in the frosting treatment stage, comprises:
 determining that the indoor ambient temperature is in a first preset range, and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the self-cleaning mode to a first mode or a first sub-mode;   determining that an operation duration of the air conditioner in the first mode or the first sub-mode is within a first preset duration, and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the first mode or the first sub-mode back to the self-cleaning mode if the indoor ambient temperature is detected to reach a first preset temperature, wherein the first preset temperature is greater than an upper limit value of the first preset range; or   controlling the air conditioner to switch from the first mode or the first sub-mode back to the self-cleaning mode to cause the air conditioner to execute a self-cleaning task until completion, if the operation duration of the air conditioner in the first mode or the first sub-mode exceeds the first preset duration.   
     
     
         3 . The air conditioner of  claim 2 , wherein the first preset range comprises a first sub-preset range and a second sub-preset range, and an upper limit value of the first sub-preset range is less than a lower limit value of the second sub-preset range;
 wherein the first preset temperature comprises a first sub-preset temperature and a second sub-preset temperature;   wherein the first preset duration comprises a first heating time period and a second heating time period;   wherein the first sub-preset temperature and the first heating time period correspond to the first sub-preset range, and the second sub-preset temperature and the second heating time period correspond to the second sub-preset range.   
     
     
         4 . The air conditioner of  claim 3 , wherein determining that the operation duration of the air conditioner in the first mode or the first sub-mode is within the first preset duration, and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the first mode or the first sub-mode back to the self-cleaning mode if the indoor ambient temperature is detected to reach the first preset temperature, comprises:
 determining whether the indoor ambient temperature is within the first sub-preset range; if so, controlling the air conditioner to switch from the self-cleaning mode to the first mode or the first sub-mode; and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the first mode or the first sub-mode back to the self-cleaning mode when the indoor ambient temperature reaches the first sub-preset temperature; and   if the indoor ambient temperature is not within the first sub-preset range, determining whether the indoor ambient temperature is within the second sub-preset range; if so, controlling the air conditioner to switch from the self-cleaning mode to the first mode or the first sub-mode; and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the first mode or the first sub-mode back to the self-cleaning mode when the indoor ambient temperature reaches the second sub-preset temperature.   
     
     
         5 . The air conditioner of  claim 3 , wherein controlling the air conditioner to switch from the first mode or the first sub-mode back to the self-cleaning mode to cause the air conditioner to execute the self-cleaning task until completion, if the operation duration of the air conditioner in the first mode or the first sub-mode exceeds the first preset duration, comprises:
 determining whether the indoor ambient temperature is within the first sub-preset range; if so, controlling the air conditioner to switch from the self-cleaning mode to the first mode or the first sub-mode; and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the first mode or the first sub-mode back to the self-cleaning mode to cause the air conditioner to execute the self-cleaning task until completion, if the operation duration of the air conditioner in the first mode or the first sub-mode exceeds the first heating time period; and   if the indoor ambient temperature is not within the first sub-preset range, determining whether the indoor ambient temperature is within the second sub-preset range; if so, controlling the air conditioner to switch from the self-cleaning mode to the first mode or the first sub-mode; and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the first mode or the first sub-mode back to the self-cleaning mode to cause the air conditioner to execute the self-cleaning task until completion, if the operation duration of the air conditioner in the first mode or the first sub-mode exceeds the second heating time period.   
     
     
         6 . The air conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein the self-cleaning instruction is the second instruction, wherein a step of adjusting the operating parameter of the air conditioner according to the indoor ambient temperature in the frosting treatment stage, comprises:
 determining that the indoor ambient temperature is in a second preset range, and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the self-cleaning mode to a second mode or a second sub-mode;   determining that an operation duration of the air conditioner in the second mode or the second sub-mode is within a second preset duration, and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the second mode or the second sub-mode back to the self-cleaning mode if the indoor ambient temperature is detected to be lower than a second preset temperature, wherein the second preset temperature is lower than a lower limit value of the second preset range; or   controlling the air conditioner to switch from the second mode or the second sub-mode back to the self-cleaning mode to cause the air conditioner to execute a self-cleaning task until completion, if the operation duration of the air conditioner in the second mode or the second sub-mode exceeds the second preset duration.   
     
     
         7 . The air conditioner of  claim 6 , wherein the second preset range comprises a third sub-preset range and a fourth sub-preset range, and an upper limit value of the third sub-preset range is less than a lower limit value of the fourth sub-preset range;
 wherein the second preset temperature comprises a third sub-preset temperature and a fourth sub-preset temperature;   wherein the second preset duration comprises a first refrigeration time period and a second refrigeration time period;   wherein the third sub-preset temperature and the first refrigeration time period correspond to the third sub-preset range, and the fourth sub-preset temperature and the second refrigeration time period correspond to the fourth sub-preset range.   
     
     
         8 . The air conditioner of  claim 7 , wherein determining that the operation duration of the air conditioner in the second mode or the second sub-mode is within the second preset duration, and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the second mode or the second sub-mode back to the self-cleaning mode if the indoor ambient temperature is detected to be lower than the second preset temperature, comprises:
 determining whether the indoor ambient temperature is within the third sub-preset range; if so, controlling the air conditioner to switch from the self-cleaning mode to the second mode or the second sub-mode; and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the second mode or the second sub-mode back to the self-cleaning mode when the indoor ambient temperature is lower than the third sub-preset temperature; and   if the indoor ambient temperature is not within the third sub-preset range, determining whether the indoor ambient temperature is within the fourth sub-preset range; if so, controlling the air conditioner to switch from the self-cleaning mode to the second mode or the second sub-mode; and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the second mode or the second sub-mode back to the self-cleaning mode when the indoor ambient temperature is lower than the fourth sub-preset temperature.   
     
     
         9 . The air conditioner of  claim 7 , wherein controlling the air conditioner to switch from the second mode or the second sub-mode back to the self-cleaning mode to cause the air conditioner to execute the self-cleaning task until completion, if the operation duration of the air conditioner in the second mode or the second sub-mode exceeds the second preset duration, comprises:
 determining whether the indoor ambient temperature is within the third sub-preset range; if so, controlling the air conditioner to switch from the self-cleaning mode to the second mode or the second sub-mode; and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the second mode or the second sub-mode back to the self-cleaning mode to cause the air conditioner to execute the self-cleaning task until completion, if the operation duration of the air conditioner in the second mode or the second sub-mode exceeds the first refrigeration time period; and   if the indoor ambient temperature is not within the third sub-preset range, determining whether the indoor ambient temperature is within the fourth sub-preset range; if so, controlling the air conditioner to switch from the self-cleaning mode to the second mode or the second sub-mode; and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the second mode or the second sub-mode back to the self-cleaning mode to cause the air conditioner to execute the self-cleaning task until completion, if the operation duration of the air conditioner in the second mode or the second sub-mode exceeds the second refrigeration time period.   
     
     
         10 . The air conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein a step of adjusting the operating parameter of the air conditioner according to the indoor ambient temperature in the frosting treatment stage, comprises:
 periodically obtaining the indoor ambient temperature in the frosting treatment stage;   controlling an operating parameter of at least one of the compressor and the expansion valve to be subjected to first adjustment when determining that the indoor ambient temperature reaches a critical temperature; and   controlling the operating parameter of at least one of the compressor and the expansion valve to be subjected to second adjustment when determining that the indoor ambient temperature is lower than the critical temperature;   wherein the first adjustment and the second adjustment each comprise increasing or decreasing one of frequency of the compressor and an opening degree of the expansion valve; or simultaneously increasing or decreasing the frequency of the compressor and the opening degree of the expansion valve.   
     
     
         11 . The air conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein a step of adjusting the operating parameter of the air conditioner according to the indoor ambient temperature in the frosting treatment stage, comprises:
 performing a refrigeration frosting process for a first preset duration, performing more than one indoor ambient temperature detections within the first preset duration, controlling an operating parameter of at least one of the compressor and the expansion valve to be subjected to first adjustment when the indoor ambient temperature is greater than or equal to a critical temperature; and controlling the operating parameter of at least one of the compressor and the expansion valve to be subjected to second adjustment when the indoor ambient temperature is lower than the critical temperature;   detecting the indoor ambient temperature, and controlling the air conditioner to switch modes based on the detected indoor ambient temperature;   continuing the refrigeration frosting process, and   determining whether the refrigeration frosting process reaches a termination condition, wherein the termination condition comprises:   a duration of the heat exchanger to be cleaned operating as the evaporator reaches a preset time, or a temperature of a coil pipe in the heat exchanger to be cleaned reaches a preset temperature, or the temperature of the coil pipe in the heat exchanger to be cleaned reaches the preset temperature and lasts for a preset time, or the indoor ambient temperature reaches a preset temperature and lasts for a preset time.   
     
     
         12 . The air conditioner of  claim 11 , wherein detecting the indoor ambient temperature, and controlling the air conditioner to switch modes based on the detected indoor ambient temperature comprises:
 determining that the indoor ambient temperature is within a first preset range, and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the self-cleaning mode to a first mode or a first sub-mode; or
 determining that the indoor ambient temperature is within a second preset range, and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the self-cleaning mode to a second mode or a second sub-mode; or 
   determining that the indoor ambient temperature is within a third preset range, and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the self-cleaning mode to a third mode;   wherein continuing the refrigeration frosting process comprises:   performing the frosting treatment for the first preset duration, and performing more than one indoor ambient temperature detections within the first preset duration, controlling the operating parameter of at least one of the compressor and the expansion valve to be subjected to the first adjustment when the indoor ambient temperature is greater than or equal to the critical temperature; and controlling the operating parameter of at least one of the compressor and the expansion valve to be subjected to the second adjustment when the indoor ambient temperature is lower than the critical temperature; and   continuing to detect the indoor ambient temperature, and determining to execute a first refrigeration freezing mode or a second refrigeration freezing mode based on the indoor ambient temperature.   
     
     
         13 . The air conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein after a step of adjusting the operating parameter of the air conditioner according to the indoor ambient temperature in the frosting treatment stage, the controller is further configured to:
 control a fan to be started when the frosting treatment is completed, wherein when the self-cleaning instruction is the first instruction, the fan is an indoor fan; and when the self-cleaning instruction is the second instruction, the fan is an outdoor fan.   
     
     
         14 . The air conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein a step of controlling the air conditioner to enter the defrosting stage of the heat exchanger to be cleaned after the frosting treatment stage ends, comprises:
 controlling the air conditioner to enter the defrosting stage of the heat exchanger to be cleaned after the frosting treatment stage ends, causing the heat exchanger to be cleaned to implement a function as a condenser to enable the heat exchanger to be cleaned to perform defrosting treatment, wherein an opening degree of the expansion valve during the defrosting treatment is less than or equal to an opening degree of the expansion valve during the frosting treatment.   
     
     
         15 . A self-cleaning control method for an air conditioner, wherein the method is applied to a controller of the air conditioner, wherein the air conditioner comprises an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and an indoor temperature detection apparatus; the indoor unit comprises an indoor heat exchanger, wherein the outdoor unit comprises a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an expansion valve, wherein the indoor temperature detection apparatus is configured to detect an indoor ambient temperature, and wherein the method comprises:
 controlling the air conditioner to enter a self-cleaning mode in response to a received self-cleaning instruction, causing a heat exchanger to be cleaned to operate as an evaporator to cause the heat exchanger to be cleaned to perform a frosting treatment;   adjusting an operating parameter of the air conditioner according to the indoor ambient temperature in a frosting treatment stage; and   controlling the air conditioner to enter a defrosting stage of the heat exchanger to be cleaned after the frosting treatment stage ends;   wherein the heat exchanger to be cleaned is the outdoor heat exchanger or the indoor heat exchanger, and wherein the self-cleaning instruction comprises a first instruction and a second instruction, the first instruction is configured to instruct cleaning of the indoor heat exchanger, and the second instruction is configured to instruct cleaning of the outdoor heat exchanger.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein adjusting the operating parameter of the air conditioner according to the indoor ambient temperature in the frosting treatment stage, comprises:
 periodically obtaining the indoor ambient temperature in the frosting treatment stage;   controlling an operating parameter of at least one of the compressor and the expansion valve to be subjected to first adjustment when determining that the indoor ambient temperature reaches a critical temperature; and   controlling the operating parameter of at least one of the compressor and the expansion valve to be subjected to second adjustment when determining that the indoor ambient temperature is lower than the critical temperature;   wherein the first adjustment and the second adjustment each comprise increasing or decreasing one of frequency of the compressor and an opening degree of the expansion valve; or simultaneously increasing or decreasing the frequency of the compressor and the opening degree of the expansion valve.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein adjusting the operating parameter of the air conditioner according to the indoor ambient temperature in the frosting treatment stage, comprises:
 performing a refrigeration frosting process for a first preset duration, performing more than one indoor ambient temperature detections within the first preset duration, controlling an operating parameter of at least one of the compressor and the expansion valve to be subjected to first adjustment when the indoor ambient temperature is greater than or equal to a critical temperature; and controlling the operating parameter of at least one of the compressor and the expansion valve to be subjected to second adjustment when the indoor ambient temperature is lower than the critical temperature;   detecting the indoor ambient temperature, and controlling the air conditioner to switch modes based on the detected indoor ambient temperature;   continuing the refrigeration frosting process, and   determining whether the refrigeration frosting process reaches a termination condition, wherein the termination condition comprises:   a duration of the heat exchanger to be cleaned operating as the evaporator reaches a preset time, or a temperature of a coil pipe in the heat exchanger to be cleaned reaches a preset temperature, or the temperature of the coil pipe in the heat exchanger to be cleaned reaches the preset temperature and lasts for a preset time, or the indoor ambient temperature reaches a preset temperature and lasts for a preset time.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein detecting the indoor ambient temperature, and controlling the air conditioner to switch modes based on the detected indoor ambient temperature, comprises:
 determining that the indoor ambient temperature is within a first preset range, and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the self-cleaning mode to a first mode or a first sub-mode; or
 determining that the indoor ambient temperature is within a second preset range, and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the self-cleaning mode to a second mode or a second sub-mode; or 
 determining that the indoor ambient temperature is within a third preset range, and controlling the air conditioner to switch from the self-cleaning mode to a third mode; 
   wherein continuing the refrigeration frosting process comprises:   performing frosting treatment for the first preset duration, and performing more than one indoor ambient temperature detections within the first preset duration, controlling the operating parameter of at least one of the compressor and the expansion valve to be subjected to the first adjustment when the indoor ambient temperature is greater than or equal to the critical temperature; and controlling the operating parameter of at least one of the compressor and the expansion valve to be subjected to the second adjustment when the indoor ambient temperature is lower than the critical temperature; and
 continuing to detect the indoor ambient temperature, and determining to execute a first refrigeration freezing mode or a second refrigeration freezing mode based on the indoor ambient temperature. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein after adjusting the operating parameter of the air conditioner according to the indoor ambient temperature in the frosting treatment stage, the method further comprises:
 controlling a fan to be started when the frosting treatment is completed, wherein when the self-cleaning instruction is the first instruction, the fan is an indoor fan; and when the self-cleaning instruction is the second instruction, the fan is an outdoor fan.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein controlling the air conditioner to enter the defrosting stage of the heat exchanger to be cleaned after the frosting treatment stage ends, comprises:
 controlling the air conditioner to enter the defrosting stage of the heat exchanger to be cleaned after the frosting treatment stage ends, causing the heat exchanger to be cleaned to implement a function as a condenser to enable the heat exchanger to be cleaned to perform defrosting treatment, wherein an opening degree of the expansion valve during the defrosting treatment is less than or equal to an opening degree of the expansion valve during the frosting treatment.