MULTI-AIR CONDITIONER

Abstract

A multi-air conditioner may comprise: an outdoor unit; a plurality of indoor units; a header module including an inlet pipe, branching to supply a refrigerant compressed by the outdoor unit, and a collection pipe for heat-exchanging the refrigerant by the plurality of indoor units collected at the outdoor unit; and connection kits detachably coupled between the header module and the plurality of indoor units. The connection kit may include: a connection inlet pipe; a connection collection pipe; connection regulating valves provided at the connection inlet pipe and the connection collection pipe to suppress the refrigerant from being supplied to the plurality of indoor units; and a connection bypass portion connecting the connection inlet pipe and the connection collection pipe to bypass, to the connection collection pipe, the refrigerant flowing into the connection inlet pipe.

Claims

1. A multi-air conditioner, comprising: an outdoor unit; a plurality of indoor units; a header module comprising an inlet pipe branched and configured to supply refrigerant compressed by the outdoor unit to the plurality of indoor units and a collection pipe joined and configured to collect refrigerant heat-exchanged in the plurality of indoor units for return to the outdoor unit; and a connection kit detachably coupled between the header module and the plurality of indoor units, wherein the connection kit comprises: a connection inlet pipe configured to introduce refrigerant from the inlet pipe of the header module to the plurality of indoor units; a connection collection pipe configured to collect refrigerant from the plurality of indoor units to the collection pipe of the header module; a connection regulating valve provided to the connection inlet pipe and the connection collection pipe and configured to suppress refrigerant from being supplied to the plurality of indoor units; and a connection bypass portion connecting the connection inlet pipe and the connection collection pipe and configured to bypass refrigerant introduced into the connection inlet pipe to the connection collection pipe.

2. The multi-air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the connection regulating valves comprise: a connection inlet regulating valve provided to the connection inlet pipe; and a connection collection regulating valve provided to the connection collection pipe.

3. The multi-air conditioner of claim 2, wherein the connection bypass portion comprises: a connection bypass pipe; and a connection bypass valve provided to the connection bypass pipe, and wherein one end of the connection bypass pipe is disposed upstream of the connection inlet regulating valve provided to the connection inlet pipe.

4. The multi-air conditioner of claim 3, wherein an other end of the connection bypass pipe is disposed downstream of the connection collection regulating valve provided to the connection collection pipe.

5. The multi-air conditioner of claim 3, wherein the header module comprises: a main inlet pipe configured to be supplied with refrigerant from the outdoor unit; a branch inlet pipe branched from the main inlet pipe and connected to the connection inlet pipe of the connection kit; a branch collection pipe connected to the connection collection pipe of the connection kit; and a main collection pipe joined from the branch collection pipe and configured to collect refrigerant to the outdoor unit.

6. The multi-air conditioner of claim 5, wherein the header module further comprises a bypass portion configured to connect the main inlet pipe and the main collection pipe.

7. The multi-air conditioner of claim 6, wherein the bypass portion comprises: a bypass pipe; and a bypass valve provided to the bypass pipe, wherein the multi-air conditioner further comprises: a controller, comprising circuitry, configured to cause the multi-air conditioner to open and close the bypass valve, and wherein the controller is configured to cause the multi-air conditioner to open the bypass valve based on the plurality of indoor units stopping operation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example configuration of a multi-air conditioner according to various embodiments;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example configuration of a multi-air conditioner according to various embodiments;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example configuration of a multi-air conditioner according to various embodiments; and

[0018] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example configuration of a multi-air conditioner according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Various example embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0020] In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

[0021] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0022] In the disclosure, phrases, such as A or B, at least one of A and B, at least one of A or B, A, B or C, at least one of A, B and C, and at least one of A, B, or C may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0023] As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0024] Terms such as 1st, 2nd, primary, or secondary may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, without limiting the element in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

[0025] When an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being (functionally or communicatively) coupled or connected to another element (e.g., a second element), the first element may be connected to the second element, directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third element.

[0026] It will be understood that when the terms includes, comprises, including, and/or comprising are used in the disclosure, they specify the presence of the specified features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

[0027] When a given element is referred to as being connected to, coupled to, supported by or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element. When a given element is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element through a third element.

[0028] It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being on another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.

[0029] An air conditioner according to various embodiments may refer to a device that performs functions such as purification, ventilation, humidity control, cooling or heating in an air conditioning space (hereinafter referred to as indoor space), and in particular a device having at least one of these functions.

[0030] According to an embodiment, an air conditioner may include a heat pump device to perform a cooling function or a heating function. The heat pump device may include a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant is circulated through a compressor, a first heat exchanger, and an expansion device and a second heat exchanger. Components of the heat pump device may be embedded in a single housing forming an exterior of an air conditioner, which includes a window-type air conditioner or a portable air conditioner. On the other hand, some components of the heat pump device may be divided and embedded in a plurality of housings forming a single air conditioner, which includes a wall-mounted air conditioner, a stand-type air conditioner, and a system air conditioner.

[0031] The air conditioner including the plurality of housings may include at least one outdoor unit installed outdoors and at least one indoor unit installed indoors. For example, the air conditioner may be provided such that a single outdoor unit and a single indoor unit are connected by a refrigerant pipe. Alternatively, the air conditioner may be provided such that a single outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units by a refrigerant pipe. Alternatively, the air conditioner may be provided such that two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units are connected by a plurality of refrigerant pipes.

[0032] The outdoor unit may be electrically connected to the indoor unit. For example, information (or commands) for controlling the air conditioner may be received through an input interface provided in the outdoor unit or the indoor unit. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit may operate simultaneously or sequentially in response to a user input.

[0033] The air conditioner may include an outdoor heat exchanger provided in the outdoor unit, an indoor heat exchanger provided in the indoor unit, and a refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger.

[0034] The outdoor heat exchanger may be configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant and air from outdoor through a phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation). For example, while the refrigerant is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant may radiate heat to the outdoor air. While the refrigerant flowing in the outdoor heat exchanger evaporates, the refrigerant may absorb heat from the outdoor air.

[0035] The indoor unit is installed indoors. For example, according to the arrangement method of the indoor unit, the air conditioner may be classified into a ceiling-type indoor unit, a stand-type indoor unit, a wall-type indoor unit, and the like. For example, the ceiling-type indoor unit may be classified into a 4-way type indoor unit, a 1-way type indoor unit, a duct type indoor unit and the like according to a method of discharging air.

[0036] The indoor heat exchanger may be configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant and outdoor air through a phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation). For example, while the refrigerant evaporates in the indoor unit, the refrigerant may absorb heat from the indoor air. The indoor space may be cooled by blowing the indoor air cooled through the cooled indoor heat exchanger. While the refrigerant is condensed in the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant may radiate heat to the indoor air. The indoor space may be heated by blowing the indoor air heated through the high-temperature indoor heat exchanger.

[0037] The air conditioner may perform a cooling or heating function by a phase change process of a refrigerant circulated between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. To circulate the refrigerant, the air conditioner may include a compressor to compress the refrigerant. The compressor may draw refrigerant gas through an inlet and compress the refrigerant gas. The compressor may discharge high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas through an outlet. The compressor may be disposed inside the outdoor unit.

[0038] Through the refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may be circulated sequentially through the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the indoor heat exchanger or sequentially circulated through the compressor, the indoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0039] For example, in the air conditioner, when a single outdoor unit and a single indoor unit are directly connected through a refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may be circulated between the single outdoor unit and the single indoor unit through the refrigerant pipe.

[0040] For example, in the air conditioner, when a single outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units through a refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may flow from the single outdoor unit to the plurality of indoor units through branched refrigerant pipes. Refrigerant discharged from the plurality of indoor units may be combined and circulated to the outdoor unit. For example, each of the plurality of indoor units may be directly connected in parallel to the single outdoor unit through a separate refrigerant pipe.

[0041] Each of the plurality of indoor units may be operated independently according to an operation mode set by a user. In other words, some of the plurality of indoor units may be operated in a cooling mode while others of the plurality of indoor units are operated in a heating mode. At that time, the refrigerant may be selectively introduced into each indoor unit in a high-pressure state or a low-pressure state, discharged, and circulated to the outdoor unit along a circulation path that is designated through a flow path switching valve to be described later.

[0042] For example, in the air conditioner, when two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units are connected by the plurality of refrigerant pipes, refrigerant discharged from the plurality of outdoor units may be combined and flow through one refrigerant pipe, and then diverged again at a certain point and introduced into the plurality of indoor units.

[0043] The plurality of outdoor units may be driven or at least some of the plurality of outdoor units may not be driven, in accordance with to a driving load corresponding to an operating amount of the plurality of indoor units. At that time, the refrigerant may be provided through a flow path switching valve to be introduced into and circulated to an outdoor unit that is selectively driven. The air conditioner may include the expansion device to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger. For example, the expansion device may be disposed inside the indoor unit or inside the outdoor unit, or disposed both inside the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

[0044] The expansion device may reduce the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant using a throttling effect. The expansion device may include an orifice configured to reduce a cross-sectional area of a flow path. A temperature and pressure of the refrigerant passing through the orifice may be lowered.

[0045] For example, the expansion device may be implemented as an electronic expansion valve configured to adjust an opening ratio (a ratio of a cross-sectional area of a flow path of a valve in a partially opened state to a cross-sectional area of the flow path of the valve in a fully opened state). According to the opening ratio of the electronic expansion valve, the amount of refrigerant passing through the expansion device may be adjusted.

[0046] The air conditioner may further include a flow path switching valve disposed on the refrigerant circulation path. The flow path switching valve may include a 4-way valve. The flow path switching valve may determine a refrigerant circulation path depending on an operation mode of the indoor unit (e.g., cooling operation or heating operation). The flow path switching valve may be connected to the outlet of the compressor.

[0047] The air conditioner may include an accumulator. The accumulator may be connected to the inlet of the compressor. A low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant, which is evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger, may flow into the accumulator.

[0048] When a refrigerant mixture of refrigerant liquid and refrigerant gas is introduced, the accumulator may separate the refrigerant liquid from the refrigerant gas, and supply the refrigerant gas separated from the refrigerant liquid to the compressor.

[0049] An outdoor fan may be installed near the outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor fan may blow outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger to promote heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air.

[0050] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include at least one sensor. For example, the outdoor unit sensor may be provided as an environmental sensor. The outdoor unit sensor may be disposed at a given position of the inside or the outside of the outdoor unit. For example, the outdoor unit sensor may include a temperature sensor configured to detect an air temperature around the outdoor unit, an air humidity sensor configured to detect air humidity around the outdoor unit, or a refrigerant temperature sensor configured to detect a refrigerant temperature in a refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit, or a refrigerant pressure sensor configured to detect a refrigerant pressure in a refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit.

[0051] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an outdoor unit communication circuitry. The outdoor unit communication circuitry may be configured to receive a control signal from an indoor unit controller of the air conditioner, which will be described later. Based on a control signal received through the outdoor unit communication circuitry, the outdoor unit may control the operation of the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, the flow path switching valve, the accumulator, or the outdoor fan. The outdoor unit may transmit a measurement value detected by the outdoor unit sensor to the indoor unit controller through the outdoor unit communication circuitry.

[0052] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a housing, a blower configured to circulate air inside or outside the housing, and the indoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with air introduced into the housing.

[0053] The housing may include an inlet. Indoor air may flow into the housing through the inlet.

[0054] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a filter configured to filter out foreign substance in air that is introduced into the inside of the housing through the inlet.

[0055] The housing may include an outlet. Air flowing inside the housing may be discharged to the outside of the housing through the outlet.

[0056] An airflow guide configured to guide a direction of air discharged through the outlet may be provided in the housing of the indoor unit. For example, the airflow guide may include a blade positioned in the outlet. For example, the airflow guide may include an auxiliary fan for regulating an exhaust airflow, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the airflow guide may be omitted.

[0057] The indoor heat exchanger and the blower arranged on a flow path connecting the inlet and the outlet may be disposed inside the housing of the indoor unit.

[0058] The blower may include an indoor fan and a fan motor. For example, the indoor fan may include an axial fan, a mixed-flow fan, a cross-flow fan and a centrifugal fan.

[0059] The indoor heat exchanger may be arranged between the blower and the outlet or between the inlet and the blower. The indoor heat exchanger may absorb heat from air introduced through the inlet or transfer heat to air introduced through the inlet. The indoor heat exchanger may include a heat exchange tube through which refrigerant flows, and heat exchange fins in contact with the heat exchange tube to increase a heat transfer area.

[0060] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a drain tray disposed below the indoor heat exchanger to collect condensed water generated in the indoor heat exchanger. The condensed water contained in the drain tray may be drained to the outside through a drain hose. The drain tray may be arranged to support the indoor heat exchanger.

[0061] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an input interface. The input interface may include any type of user input means including a button, a switch, a touch screen and/or a touch pad. A user can directly input setting data (e.g., desired indoor temperature, cooling/heating/dehumidifying/air cleaning operation mode setting, outlet selection setting, and/or air volume setting) through the input interface.

[0062] The input interface may be connected to an external input device. For example, the input interface may be electrically connected to a wired remote controller. The wired remote controller may be installed at a specific location (e.g., a part of a wall) in an indoor space. A user may input setting data related to the operation of the air conditioner by manipulating the wired remote controller. An electrical signal corresponding to the setting data obtained by the wired remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface. In addition, the input interface may include an infrared sensor. A user may remotely input the setting data for operating the air conditioner using a wireless remote controller. The setting data received by the wireless remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface as an infrared signal.

[0063] In addition, the input interface may include a microphone. A user's voice command may be obtained through the microphone. The microphone may convert a user's voice command into an electrical signal and transmit the converted electrical signal to the indoor unit controller. The indoor unit controller may control components of the air conditioner to perform a function corresponding to the user's voice command. The setting data obtained through the input interface (e.g., desired indoor temperature, cooling/heating/dehumidifying/air cleaning operation mode setting, outlet selection setting, and/or air volume setting) may be transmitted to the indoor unit controller to be described later. For example, the setting data obtained through the input interface may be transmitted to the outside, that is, to the outdoor unit or a server through an indoor unit communication circuitry to be described later.

[0064] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a power module. The power module may be connected to an external power source to supply power to components of the indoor unit.

[0065] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an indoor unit sensor. The indoor unit sensor may be an environmental sensor disposed inside or outside the housing. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include one or more temperature sensors and/or humidity sensors disposed in a predetermined space inside or outside the housing of the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor configured to detect a refrigerant temperature of a refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor each configured to detect a temperature of an entrance, a middle portion and/or an exit of the refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor heat exchanger.

[0066] For example, each environmental information detected by the indoor unit sensor may be transmitted to the indoor unit controller to be described later or transmitted to the outside through the indoor unit communication circuitry to be described later.

[0067] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include the indoor unit communication circuitry. The indoor unit communication circuitry may include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module and a long-range wireless communication module. The indoor unit communication circuitry may include at least one antenna for wirelessly communicating with other devices. The outdoor unit may include the outdoor unit communication circuitry. The outdoor unit communication circuitry may also include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module and a long-range wireless communication module.

[0068] The short-range wireless communication module may include a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, and a Zigbee communication module, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication module, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication module, an ultrawideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0069] The long-range wireless communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of long-range wireless communication, and may include a mobile communication circuitry. The mobile communication circuitry transmits and receives radio signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server in a mobile communication network.

[0070] The indoor unit communication circuitry may communicate with an external device such as a server, a mobile device and other home appliances through an access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN), to which an air conditioner or a user device is connected, to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The air conditioner or the user device may be connected to the server through the WAN. The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include the indoor unit controller configured to control components of the indoor unit including the blower. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an outdoor unit controller configured to control components of the outdoor unit including the compressor. The indoor unit controller may communicate with the outdoor unit controller through the indoor unit communication circuitry and the outdoor unit communication circuitry. The outdoor unit communication circuitry may transmit a control signal generated by the outdoor unit controller to the indoor unit communication circuitry, or transmit a control signal, which is transmitted from the indoor unit communication circuitry, to the outdoor unit controller. In other words, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may perform bi-directional communication. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit may transmit and receive various signals generated during the operation of the air conditioner.

[0071] The outdoor unit controller may be electrically connected to components of the outdoor unit and may control the operation of each component. For example, the outdoor unit controller may adjust a frequency of the compressor and control the flow path switching valve to change a circulation direction of the refrigerant. The outdoor unit controller may adjust a rotational speed of the outdoor fan. In addition, the outdoor unit controller may generate a control signal to adjust the opening degree of the expansion valve. Under the control of the outdoor unit controller, the refrigerant may be circulated along the refrigerant circulation circuit including the compressor, the flow path switching valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the indoor heat exchanger.

[0072] Various temperature sensors included in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may transmit electrical signals corresponding to detected temperatures to the outdoor unit controller and/or the indoor unit controller. For example, the humidity sensors included in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may respectively transmit electrical signals corresponding to the detected humidity to the outdoor unit controller and/or the indoor unit controller.

[0073] The indoor unit controller may obtain a user input from a user device including a mobile device through the indoor unit communication circuitry, or directly obtain a user input through the input interface or the remote controller. The indoor unit controller may control components of the indoor unit including the blower in response to the received user input. The indoor unit controller may transmit information related to the received user input to the outdoor unit controller of the outdoor unit.

[0074] The outdoor unit controller may include various circuitry (e.g., processing circuitry) and control components of the outdoor unit including the compressor based on the information related to the user input received from the indoor unit. For example, when a control signal corresponding to a user input for selecting an operation mode such as a cooling operation, a heating operation, a fan operation, a defrosting operation, or a dehumidifying operation is received from the indoor unit, the outdoor unit controller may control components of the outdoor unit to perform an operation of the air conditioner corresponding to the selected operation mode.

[0075] The outdoor unit controller and the indoor unit controller may include a processor and a memory, respectively. The indoor unit controller may include at least one a first processor and at least one a first memory, and the outdoor unit controller may include at least one a second processor and at least one a second memory. Thus, the processor(s) may include various processing circuitry and/or multiple processors. For example, as used herein, including the claims, the term processor may include various processing circuitry, including at least one processor, wherein one or more of at least one processor, individually and/or collectively in a distributed manner, may be configured to perform various functions described herein. As used herein, when a processor, at least one processor, and one or more processors are described as being configured to perform numerous functions, these terms cover situations, for example and without limitation, in which one processor performs some of recited functions and another processor(s) performs other of recited functions, and also situations in which a single processor may perform all recited functions. Additionally, the at least one processor may include a combination of processors performing various of the recited/disclosed functions, e.g., in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions.

[0076] The memory may record/store various types of information necessary for the operation of the air conditioner. The memory may store instructions, applications, data and/or programs necessary for the operation of the air conditioner. For example, the memory may store various programs for the cooling operation, the heating operation, the dehumidifying operation, and/or the defrosting operation of the air conditioner. The memory may include volatile memory, such as a static random access memory (S-RAM) and a dynamic random access memory (D-RAM) for temporarily storing data. In addition, the memory may include a non-volatile memory, such as a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), and an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) for long-term storage of data.

[0077] The processor may generate a control signal for controlling an operation of the air conditioner based on instructions, applications, data, and/or programs stored in the memory. The processor may be hardware and may include a logic circuit and an arithmetic circuit. The processor may process data according to a program and/or instructions provided from the memory, and may generate a control signal according to a processing result. The memory and the processor may be implemented as one control circuit or as a plurality of circuits.

[0078] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an output interface. The output interface may be electrically connected to the indoor unit controller, and output information related to the operation of the air conditioner under the control of the indoor unit controller. For example, the output interface may output information, such as an operation mode selected by a user input, a wind direction, a wind volume, and a temperature. In addition, the output interface may output sensing information obtained from the indoor unit sensor or the outdoor unit sensor, and output warning/error messages.

[0079] The output interface may include a display and a speaker. The speaker may be a sound device and configured to output various sounds. The display may display information, which is input by a user or provided to a user, as various graphic elements. For example, operational information of the air conditioner may be displayed as at least one of an image and text. In addition, the display may include an indicator that provides specific information. The display may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel, a micro-LED panel, and/or a plurality of LEDs.

[0080] Hereinafter, various example embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0081] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example configuration of a multi-air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0082] A multi-air conditioner system 1 may include an outdoor unit 20 installed on the outdoor side, a plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D respectively installed in indoor occupancy spaces to be cooled or heated, and a header module 60 including refrigerant pipe for distributing refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit 20 to each of the indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D or for collecting the supplied refrigerant.

[0083] The outdoor unit 20 may include a compressor 22 that compresses refrigerant, a four-way valve 23 disposed on a discharge portion side of the compressor 22 and switching the flow path to a heating operation or a cooling operation state, an outdoor heat exchanger 24 disposed at one side of the compressor 22, an outdoor expansion valve 25 disposed at one side of the outdoor heat exchanger 24 to decompress and expand refrigerant, and an accumulator 27 provided at one side of the compressor 22 to allow gas-phase refrigerant to be sucked into the compressor 22. One outdoor unit may be provided.

[0084] A plurality of indoor units 50 may be provided. The plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D may be installed in respective occupancy spaces. In the drawings, four indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D are illustrated by way of example, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the number of indoor units may be three or less, or five or more.

[0085] The indoor unit 50 may include a first indoor unit 51A and a second indoor unit 51B distinguished from the first indoor unit 51A. The second indoor unit 51B may be disposed in a space different from the space where the first indoor unit 51A is disposed.

[0086] The indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D may include an indoor heat exchanger that performs heat exchange to perform heating and cooling according to the state of the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit 20. The indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D may include an indoor expansion valve connected to the indoor heat exchanger to decompress and expand the refrigerant introduced from the outdoor unit 20.

[0087] The indoor expansion valve may not be provided in the indoor unit 50, but may be provided in the header module 60. The header module 60 may be detachably coupled to the outdoor unit 20 and/or the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D.

[0088] The header module 60 may include a first header 61 and a second header 62.

[0089] The first header 61 may include inlet pipes 63, 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D branched to supply refrigerant compressed by the outdoor unit 20 to the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D. The second header 62 may include collection pipes 65, 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D joined to collect refrigerant heat-exchanged from the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D to the outdoor unit 20.

[0090] The inlet pipes 63, 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D may include a main inlet pipe 63 provided to be supplied with refrigerant from the outdoor unit 20 and a plurality of branch inlet pipes 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D branched from the main inlet pipe 63. Each of the plurality of branch inlet pipes 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D may be connected to the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D.

[0091] The collection pipes 65, 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D may include a plurality of branch collection pipes 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D provided to be supplied with refrigerant from the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D. Each of the plurality of branch collection pipes 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D may be connected to the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D. The collection pipes 65, 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D may include a main collection pipe 65 joined from the plurality of branch collection pipes 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D and connected to the outdoor unit 20.

[0092] During a heating operation of the indoor unit 50, the inlet pipes 63, 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D may be high-pressure gas pipes provided to supply high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 22 of the outdoor unit 20 to the indoor unit 50, and the collection pipes 65, 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D may be liquid pipes provided to collect high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant heat-exchanged from the indoor unit 50 to the outdoor unit 20.

[0093] During a cooling operation of the indoor unit 50, the collection pipes 65, 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D may be liquid pipes provided to supply high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant compressed by the compressor 22 of the outdoor unit 20 and then condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 24 to the indoor unit 50, and the inlet pipes 63, 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D may be low-pressure gas pipes provided to collect low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant gas decompressed and expanded and then heat-exchanged in the indoor unit 50, to the outdoor unit 20.

[0094] In the branch inlet pipes 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D located inside the first header 61, inlet regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D may be installed. The first header 61 may include a plurality of inlet regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D provided in the plurality of branch inlet pipes 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D. Each of the plurality of branch inlet pipes 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D may have the plurality of inlet regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D installed therein.

[0095] When the inlet regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D are opened, refrigerant may flow between the branch inlet pipes 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D and the indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D, and when the inlet regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D are closed, refrigerant may not flow between the branch inlet pipes 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D and the indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D.

[0096] In the branch collection pipes 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D located inside the second header 62, collection regulating valves 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D may be installed. The second header 62 may include a plurality of collection regulating valves 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D provided in the plurality of branch collection pipes 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D. Each of the plurality of branch collection pipes 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D may have the plurality of collection regulating valves 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D installed therein.

[0097] When the collection regulating valves 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D are opened, refrigerant may flow between the branch collection pipes 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D and the indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D, and when the collection regulating valves 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D are closed, refrigerant may not flow between the branch collection pipes 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D and the indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D.

[0098] When the first indoor unit 51A performs heating operation, refrigerant introduced from the outdoor unit 20 may be introduced into the branch inlet pipe 64A via the main inlet pipe 63. In this case, because the inlet regulating valve 71A is opened, the refrigerant is introduced into the first indoor unit 51A. Thereafter, because the collection regulating valve 72A is opened, the refrigerant is collected to the outdoor unit 20 through the branch collection pipe 72A via the main collection pipe 65. This is referred to as a heating cycle.

[0099] When the first indoor unit 51A performs a cooling operation, the refrigerant introduced from the outdoor unit 20 may be introduced into the branch collection pipe 72A via the main collection pipe 65. In this case, because the collection regulating valve 72A is opened, the refrigerant is introduced into the first indoor unit 51A. Thereafter, because the inlet regulating valve 71A is opened, the refrigerant is collected to the outdoor unit 20 through the main inlet pipe 63 via the branch inlet pipe 64A. This is referred to as a cooling cycle.

[0100] When the operation of the first indoor unit 51A is stopped, the inlet regulating valve 71A of the branch inlet pipe 64A connected to the first indoor unit 51A and the collection regulating valve 72A of the branch collection pipe 66A may be closed.

[0101] The first indoor unit 51A may be an indoor unit that has stopped operation. The first indoor unit 51A may be an indoor unit in which the cooling operation and the heating operation are stopped.

[0102] A controller may control to close the inlet regulating valve 71A and the collection regulating valve 72A connected to the first indoor unit 51A. The controller may prevent/suppress/reduce refrigerant from being introduced into the first indoor unit 51A. The term prevent as used herein may be understood to be interchangeable with prevent/suppress/reduce and is not limited to complete prevention.

[0103] When the first indoor unit 51A stops operation after performing a heating operation, the inlet regulating valve 71A may be closed to prevent refrigerant from being further introduced into the first indoor unit 51A.

[0104] When the first indoor unit 51A stops operation after performing a cooling operation, the collection regulating valve 72A may be closed to prevent refrigerant from being further introduced into the first indoor unit 51A.

[0105] Because refrigerant may be prevented/suppressed from being introduced into the stopped indoor unit 51A, it is possible to prevent refrigerant and/or oil from accumulating in the stopped indoor unit 51A. In addition, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon in which noise is generated due to refrigerant flow in the stopped indoor unit 51A.

[0106] It is possible to prevent a phenomenon of refrigerant shortage occurring due to refrigerant stagnation on the side of the stopped indoor unit 51A.

[0107] Even if the operation of the first indoor unit 51A is stopped, a second indoor unit 51B distinguished from the first indoor unit 51A may be operated.

[0108] For example, the second indoor unit 51B may perform a heating operation or a cooling operation. For a heating cycle or a cooling cycle of the second indoor unit 51B, the inlet regulating valve 71B of the branch inlet pipe 64B and the collection regulating valve 72B of the branch collection pipe 66B connected to the second indoor unit 51B may be opened.

[0109] In this case, because the inlet regulating valve 71A and/or the collection regulating valve 72A of the first indoor unit 51A are closed, refrigerant stagnated in the branch inlet pipe 64A and/or the branch collection pipe 66A of the first indoor unit 51A may move to the branch inlet pipe 64B and/or the branch collection pipe 66B of the second indoor unit 51B. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a refrigerant shortage phenomenon.

[0110] The multi-air conditioner 1 may include the header module 60. The header module 60 may include inlet regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D and collection regulating valves 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D.

[0111] The header module 60 may be provided to connect the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 50. The header module 60 may be detachably coupled between the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 50. One header module 60 may be simultaneously connected to a plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D.

[0112] Therefore, because the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D may be coupled to the header module 60 including the inlet regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D and the collection regulating valves 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D, compatibility with the indoor unit 50 may be improved.

[0113] The header module 60 may include a first header 61 and a second header 62. The first header 61 and the second header 62 may be connected by a bypass portion 75. The inlet pipe 63 of the first header 61 and the collection pipe 65 of the second header 62 may be connected by the bypass portion 75.

[0114] The bypass portion 75 may include a bypass pipe 76 and a bypass valve 77 installed therein.

[0115] Meanwhile, the multi-air conditioner 1 may include a plurality of header modules 60. Although only the first header module 60 is illustrated in the drawing for convenience, the multi-air conditioner 1 may further include a second header module distinguished from the first header module 60.

[0116] The second header module may have the same configuration as the first header module 60 and perform the same function. An indoor unit distinguished from the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D connected to the first header module 60 may be connected to the second header module.

[0117] When all of the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D connected to the first header module 60 stop operation, all of the plurality of inlet regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D and the plurality of collection regulating valves 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D may be closed. In this case, the bypass portion 75 may be provided to prevent refrigerant from stagnating in the first header 61 and the second header 62.

[0118] When there is an indoor unit performing operation among the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D, the bypass valve 77 may be closed. For example, when the operation of the first indoor unit 51A is stopped and the second indoor unit 51B performs a heating operation, the refrigerant may be introduced into the operating indoor unit 51B through the main inlet pipe 63 and the opened branch inlet pipe 64B, and then be collected to the main collection pipe 65 through the opened branch collection pipe 66B.

[0119] For example, the refrigerant stagnated in the branch inlet pipe 64A and the branch collection pipe 66A of the stopped indoor unit 51A may move to the branch inlet pipe 64B and the branch collection pipe 66B of the operating indoor unit 52A.

[0120] However, when all of the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D stop operation, the bypass valve 77 may be opened. Therefore, during a heating operation, the refrigerant may be introduced into the main collection pipe 65 through the opened bypass pipe 76 after passing through the main inlet pipe 63, and then be collected to the outdoor unit 20.

[0121] For example, when all of the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D stop operation, it is possible to prevent refrigerant from being introduced into the stopped indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D by closing all of the inlet regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D and the collection regulating valves 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D in the first header module 60.

[0122] In this case, because refrigerant may stagnate inside the first header module 60, the refrigerant may be collected to the outdoor unit 20 through the bypass portion 75 of the first header module 60. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a refrigerant shortage phenomenon for the second header module.

[0123] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example configuration of a multi-air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0124] A multi-air conditioner 2 illustrated in FIG. 2 may include an outdoor unit 20 having the same configuration as the outdoor unit in FIG. 1. Descriptions of components and contents overlapping with FIG. 1 may not be repeated here.

[0125] The multi-air conditioner 2 may include connection kits 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D connecting the header module 60A and the indoor unit 50. The connection kits 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D may be provided in plurality corresponding to each of the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D.

[0126] The connection kits 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D may be detachably coupled between the header module 60A and the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D. The connection kits 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D may be provided in a kit shape capable of being coupled to the header module 60A and/or the indoor unit 50. To this end, connection portions for pipe connection may be provided respectively in the header module 60A, the indoor unit 50, and the connection kits 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D.

[0127] The connection kits 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D may include connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D connected to the first header 61 of the header module 60A, and connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D connected to the second header 62 of the header module 60A.

[0128] The connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D may include a plurality of connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D connected to the plurality of branch inlet pipes 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D of the header module 60A. The connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D may include a plurality of connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D connected to the plurality of branch collection pipes 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D of the header module 60A.

[0129] The connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D may be provided to introduce refrigerant of the header module 60A into the indoor unit 50. The connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D may be provided to collect refrigerant of the indoor unit 50 into the header module 60A.

[0130] The connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D and/or the connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D may have connection regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D, 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D installed therein to be provided to prevent refrigerant from being supplied to the indoor unit 50.

[0131] The connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D may have connection inlet regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D installed therein. The connection inlet regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D may be provided to prevent refrigerant from being introduced into the indoor unit 50 from the connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D.

[0132] The connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D may have connection collection regulating valves 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D installed therein. The connection collection regulating valves 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D may be provided to prevent refrigerant from being introduced into the indoor unit 50 from the connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D.

[0133] The connection collection regulating valves 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D may be indoor expansion valves. That is, the indoor expansion valves may not be installed in the indoor unit 50, but may be installed on the connection kits 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D.

[0134] When the indoor unit 51A stops operation, the connection inlet regulating valve 71A and the connection collection regulating valve 72A connected to the indoor unit 51A may be closed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent refrigerant from being introduced into the indoor unit 51A that has stopped operation.

[0135] The connection kits 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D may include connection bypass portions 85A, 85B, 85C, and 85D. The connection bypass portions 85A, 85B, 85C, and 85D may be provided to bypass refrigerant introduced into the connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D to the connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D. The connection bypass portions 85A, 85B, 85C, and 85D may be provided to connect the connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D and the connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D.

[0136] The connection bypass portions 85A, 85B, 85C, and 85D may include connection bypass pipes 86A, 86B, 86C, and 86D and connection bypass valves 87A, 87B, 87C, and 87D provided in the connection bypass pipes 86A, 86B, 86C, and 86D.

[0137] Regarding the flow direction of the refrigerant, one end of each of the connection bypass pipes 86A, 86B, 86C, and 86D may be disposed upstream of the connection inlet regulating valves 83A, 83B, 83C, and 83D provided in the connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D, and the other end of each of the connection bypass pipes 86A, 86B, 86C, and 86D may be disposed downstream of the connection collection regulating valves 84A, 84B, 84C, and 84D provided in the connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D.

[0138] When the indoor unit 51A stops operation, because the connection inlet regulating valve 71A and the connection collection regulating valve 72A are closed and the connection bypass valve 87A is opened, the refrigerant introduced into the connection inlet pipe 82A may move to the connection collection pipe 82A through the connection bypass pipe 86A. Thereafter, by being introduced into the operating indoor units 51B, 52C, and 52D, a refrigerant shortage phenomenon can be prevented.

[0139] The connection kits 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D may be disposed such that the connection bypass portions 85A, 85B, 85C, and 85D are adjacent to the outdoor unit 20 side compared to the connection inlet regulating valves 83A, 83B, 83C, and 83D and/or the connection collection regulating valves 84A, 84B, 84C, and 84D. The connection kit 80A may be disposed such that the connection bypass portions 85A, 85B, 85C, and 85D are adjacent to the header module 60A side compared to the connection inlet regulating valves 83A, 83B, 83C, and 83D and/or the connection collection regulating valves 84A, 84B, 84C, and 84D. The separation distance between the connection bypass portions 85A, 85B, 85C, and 85D and the header module 60A may be provided to be shorter than the separation distance between the connection inlet regulating valves 83A, 83B, 83C, and 83D and/or the connection collection regulating valves 84A, 84B, 84C, and 84D and the header module 60A.

[0140] For example, because the connection kit 80A is installed such that one end of each of the connection bypass pipes 86A, 86B, 86C, and 86D is disposed upstream of the connection inlet regulating valves 83A, 83B, 83C, and 83D provided in the connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D, when the indoor unit 51A stops operation, refrigerant may be bypassed to the connection bypass pipe 86A disposed upstream of the connection inlet regulating valve 83A. Therefore, because refrigerant flow may be prevented in the pipe provided between the connection bypass pipe 86A and the connection inlet regulating valve 83A, a refrigerant stagnation phenomenon may be more efficiently prevented.

[0141] The connection kit 80A may be provided integrally. The connection kit 80A may be integrally coupled to the header module 60A. The connection kit 80A may be integrally coupled to the indoor unit 50A. Therefore, by coupling the connection kit 80 without installing the connection inlet regulating valve 83, the connection collection regulating valve 84, and the connection bypass portion 85 individually for each indoor unit 50, a refrigerant shortage phenomenon may be prevented.

[0142] Because the connection inlet regulating valve 83A, the connection collection regulating valve 84A, and the connection bypass portion 85A are provided in the connection kit 80A detachable from the indoor unit 51A, compatibility between the connection kit 80A and the indoor unit 50 may be improved. That is, because various indoor units 50 may be coupled to the connection kit 80A, the convenience of installing the indoor unit 50 may be improved.

[0143] The connection kit 80A may be detachably coupled to the indoor unit 50 and/or the header module 60A. The connection kit 80A may be kit-formed to be replaceable. Therefore, when a problem occurs individually in the connection inlet regulating valve 83, the connection collection regulating valve 84, or the connection bypass portion 85, maintenance may be facilitated by replacing the connection kit 80A.

[0144] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example configuration of a multi-air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0145] A multi-air conditioner 3 may be a simultaneous cooling and heating type multi-air conditioner.

[0146] The multi-air conditioner 3 may include an outdoor unit 20A, an indoor unit 50A, a cooling and heating switching device 90, and a high-pressure gas pipe 91, a low-pressure gas pipe 92, and a liquid pipe 93 disposed between the outdoor unit 20A and the indoor unit 50A through the cooling and heating switching device 90.

[0147] The indoor unit 50A may include an indoor unit. The indoor unit may include an indoor heat exchanger 51A and an indoor expansion valve 52A connected thereto.

[0148] The indoor unit may be provided in plurality. The indoor unit 50A may include a plurality of indoor heat exchangers 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D and indoor expansion valves 52A, 52B, 52C, and 52D. The indoor expansion valves 52A, 52B, 52C, and 52D may be connected in series to the indoor heat exchangers 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D.

[0149] The cooling and heating switching device 90 may perform a full-room heating operation for heating all the indoor units, a full-room cooling operation for cooling all the indoor units, a heating-main operation in which a small number of indoor units are cooling-operated and the remaining majority of indoor units are heating-operated, or a cooling-main operation in which a small number of indoor units are heating-operated and the remaining majority of indoor units are cooling-operated.

[0150] The cooling and heating switching device 90 may include heating regulating valves 96A, 96B, 96C, and 96D and/or cooling regulating valves 97A, 97B, 97C, and 97D. The cooling and heating switching device 90 may selectively open or close the heating regulating valves 96A, 96B, 96C, and 96D and/or the cooling regulating valves 97A, 97B, 97C, and 97D to regulate refrigerant introduction and/or collection for each indoor unit.

[0151] The plurality of indoor units of the indoor unit 50A may each perform a heating operation or a cooling operation, and the first indoor unit 51A and 52A may perform both a heating operation and a cooling operation.

[0152] A four-way valve 23 of the outdoor unit 20A may be provided such that a first port 23A is connected to a discharge portion of the compressor 22 through an oil separator 37, a second port 23B is connected to the liquid pipe 93 through an outdoor heat exchanger 24, an outdoor expansion valve 25, and a receiver tank 26, a third port 23C is connected to the high-pressure gas pipe 91, and a fourth port 23D is connected to the low-pressure gas pipe 92.

[0153] Between the second port 23B and the liquid pipe 93, a high-pressure branch pipe 38 may be branched and connected to the high-pressure gas pipe 91. The high-pressure branch pipe 38 may be branched between the second port 23B of the four-way valve 23 and the outdoor heat exchanger 24. An electronic valve 38A and a check valve 38B for preventing refrigerant backflow from the high-pressure gas pipe 91 side may be installed in the high-pressure branch pipe 38.

[0154] The fourth port 23D may be connected to the low-pressure gas pipe 92 downstream of the accumulator 27.

[0155] The high-pressure gas pipe 91, the low-pressure gas pipe 92, and the liquid pipe 93 may be branched from the cooling and heating switching device 90. The branched liquid pipes 93 may be respectively connected to the indoor expansion valves 52A, 52B, 52C, and 52D of the indoor unit 50A. The branched high-pressure gas pipes 91 may be respectively connected to the indoor heat exchangers 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D through the heating regulating valves 96A, 96B, 96C, and 96D of the cooling and heating switching device 90. The branched low-pressure gas pipes 92 may be respectively connected to the indoor heat exchangers 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D through the cooling regulating valves 97A, 97B, 97C, and 97D of the cooling and heating switching device 90.

[0156] The high-pressure gas pipe 91 and the low-pressure gas pipe 92 may be provided to be connectable to each other through an electronic valve 35A and a capillary tube 35B. The high-pressure gas pipe 91 and the low-pressure gas pipe 92 may be connected to each other at a position adjacent to the outdoor unit 20A rather than the heating regulating valves 96A, 96B, 96C, and 96D and the cooling regulating valves 97A, 97B, 97C, and 97D.

[0157] During a heating operation, refrigerant discharged from the outdoor unit 20A may be introduced into the indoor heat exchangers 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D of the indoor unit 50A through the high-pressure gas pipe 91 via the heating regulating valves 96A, 96B, 96C, and 96D, and then pass through the liquid pipe 93 via the indoor expansion valves 52A, 52B, 52C, and 52D to be introduced back to the outdoor unit 20A to form a heating cycle.

[0158] In this case, the heating regulating valves 96A, 96B, 96C, and 96D may be opened while the cooling regulating valves 97A, 97B, 97C, and 97D may be closed. The opening degree of the indoor expansion valves 52A, 52B, 52C, and 52D may be regulated according to the temperature.

[0159] During a cooling operation, refrigerant discharged from the outdoor unit 20A may be introduced into the indoor heat exchangers 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D of the indoor unit 50A through the liquid pipe 93 via the indoor expansion valves 52A, 52B, 52C, and 52D, and then pass through the low-pressure gas pipe 92 via the cooling regulating valves 97A, 97B, 97C, and 97D to be introduced back to the outdoor unit to form a cooling cycle.

[0160] In this case, the cooling regulating valves 97A, 97B, 97C, and 97D may be opened while the heating regulating valves 96A, 96B, 96C, and 96D may be closed. The opening degree of the indoor expansion valves 52A, 52B, 52C, and 52D may be regulated according to the temperature.

[0161] The controller may control the multi-air conditioner 3 to perform a full-room heating operation, a full-room cooling operation, a heating-main operation, or a cooling-main operation. The controller may be provided to control various valves such as the four-way valve 23, each of the heating regulating valves 96A, 96B, 96C, and 96D, each of the cooling regulating valves 97A, 97B, 97C, and 97D, each of the indoor expansion valves 52A, 52B, 52C, and 52D, and various devices such as the compressor 22.

[0162] To describe by taking a heating-main operation as an example, it is assumed that the first indoor unit 51A and 52A performs a cooling operation, and the remaining second indoor unit 51B and 52B, third indoor unit 51C and 52C, and fourth indoor unit 51D and 52D perform heating operations. The four-way valve 23 may connect the first port 23A and the third port 23C, and at the same time, connect the second port 23B and the fourth port 23D. In this case, the electronic valve 38A of the high-pressure branch pipe 38 may be closed.

[0163] In case of the indoor unit 51A and 52A performing heating operation, the heating regulating valves 96A of the high-pressure gas pipe 91 in the cooling and heating switching device 90 may be opened, while the cooling regulating valves 97A of the low-pressure gas pipe 92 may be closed. In contrast, in case of the indoor unit 51B and 52B performing cooling operation, the heating regulating valves 96B of the high-pressure gas pipe 91 may be closed, while the cooling regulating valves 97B of the low-pressure gas pipe 92 may be opened.

[0164] Refrigerant discharged from the compressor 22 may be supplied to the high-pressure gas pipe 91 through the first port 23A and the third port 23C of the four-way valve 23, and supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 51A of the indoor unit 51A and 52A performing heating operation from the heating regulating valve 96A of the cooling and heating switching device 90, where it is condensed to heat the indoor space, and then sent to the liquid pipe 93 through the indoor expansion valve 52A. A portion of the refrigerant sent to the liquid pipe 93 may be supplied to the indoor unit 51B and 52B performing cooling operation, where it is evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 51B to cool the indoor space, and then sent to the low-pressure gas pipe 92 through the cooling regulating valve 97B. The refrigerant sent to the low-pressure gas pipe 92 may be circulated to the suction portion of the compressor 22 through the accumulator 27. In addition, the remaining refrigerant sent to the liquid pipe 93 may return to the outdoor unit 20A side, be evaporated by the outdoor heat exchanger 24 after passing through the receiver tank 26 and the outdoor expansion valve 25, and then be circulated to the compressor 22 through the second port 23B and the fourth port 23D of the four-way valve 23 and the accumulator 27.

[0165] The first indoor unit 51A and 52A may stop operation after performing heating or cooling operation. The controller may control to close the heating regulating valve 96A, the cooling regulating valve 97A, and the indoor expansion valve 52A connected to the first indoor unit 51A, 52A when the indoor unit 51A and 52A stops operation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent refrigerant from being introduced into the first indoor unit 51A and 52A.

[0166] The multi-air conditioner 3 may include control valves 98A, 98B, 98C, and 98D. The control valves 98A, 98B, 98C, and 98D may be installed in the liquid pipe 93 provided in the cooling and heating switching device 90.

[0167] The control valves 98A, 98B, 98C, and 98D may be connected in series with the indoor expansion valves 52A, 52B, 52C, and 52D.

[0168] The control valves 98A, 98B, 98C, and 98D may be provided to control the flow of refrigerant toward the indoor expansion valves 52A, 52B, 52C, and 52D of the indoor unit 50A through the liquid pipe 93.

[0169] For example, when the first indoor unit 51A and 52A performing a cooling operation stops operation, the control valve 98A may prevent refrigerant from moving to the indoor expansion valve 52A of the first indoor unit 51A and 52A. Therefore, the control valve 98A may prevent a refrigerant stagnation phenomenon in the liquid pipe 93 extending between the control valve 98A and the indoor expansion valve 52A, thereby preventing a refrigerant shortage phenomenon.

[0170] The control valves 98A, 98B, 98C, and 98D may be provided in the cooling and heating switching device 90. That is, because the control valves are provided in the cooling and heating switching device 90, not in the indoor unit 50A, compatibility may be improved by connecting various indoor units to the cooling and heating switching device 90. The cooling and heating switching device 90 may be detachably coupled to the indoor unit 50A.

[0171] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example configuration of a multi-air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0172] A multi-air conditioner 4 illustrated in FIG. 4 may include an outdoor unit 20A having the same configuration as the outdoor unit of FIG. 3. Descriptions of components and contents overlapping with FIG. 3 may not be repeated here.

[0173] The multi-air conditioner 4 may include a cooling and heating switching device 90A. The cooling and heating switching device 90A may include gas pipes 94A, 94B, 94C, and 94D, which are connected to the indoor units by joining the high-pressure gas pipe 91 and the low-pressure gas pipe 92.

[0174] When the first indoor unit 51A and 52A stops operation after performing a heating or cooling operation, the heating regulating valve 96A, the cooling regulating valve 97A, and the indoor expansion valve 52A of the first indoor unit 51A and 52A may be closed. Therefore, refrigerant already introduced into the first indoor unit 51A and 52A may be trapped and stagnated inside the first indoor unit 51A and 52A, thereby causing a refrigerant shortage phenomenon.

[0175] The cooling and heating switching device 90A may include bypass portions 99A, 99B, 99C, and 99D that connect the gas pipes 94A, 94B, 94C, and 94D and the liquid pipe 93.

[0176] The bypass portions 99A, 99B, 99C, and 99D may include bypass pipes 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D and bypass valves 101A, 101B, 101C, and 101D provided in the bypass pipes 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D.

[0177] Regarding the flow direction of the refrigerant, the bypass pipes 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D may be disposed downstream of the heating regulating valves 96A, 96B, 96C, and 96D and upstream of the cooling regulating valves 97A, 97B, 97C, and 97D.

[0178] The controller may control to open and close the heating regulating valves 96A, 96B, 96C, and 96D, the cooling regulating valves 97A, 97B, 97C, and 97D, and the bypass valves 101A, 101B, 101C, and 101D.

[0179] The controller may control to close the heating regulating valve 96A and the cooling regulating valve 97A and to open the bypass valve 101A when the first indoor unit 51A stops operation. Refrigerant stagnated in the gas pipe 94A or in the first indoor unit 51A and 52A may be collected through the bypass pipe 100A. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a refrigerant shortage phenomenon.

[0180] The example embodiment of FIG. 1 may be coupled with the example embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0181] The example embodiment of FIG. 3 may be coupled with the example embodiment of FIG. 4.

[0182] A multi-air conditioner 2 according to an embodiment includes an outdoor unit 20, a plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D, a header module 60A including inlet pipes 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D branched to supply refrigerant compressed by the outdoor unit 20 to the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D and collection pipes 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D joined to collect refrigerant heat-exchanged from the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D to the outdoor unit 20, and connection kits 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D detachably coupled between the header module 60A and the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D, in which the connection kits 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D includes connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D provided to introduce refrigerant from the inlet pipes 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D of the header module 60A to the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D, connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D provided to collect refrigerant from the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D to the collection pipes 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D of the header module 60A, connection regulating valves 83A, 83B, 83C, 83D, 84A, 84B, 84C, and 84D provided to the connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D and the connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D to prevent refrigerant from being supplied to the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D, and connection bypass portions 85A, 85B, 85C, and 85D connecting the connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D and the connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D to bypass refrigerant introduced into the connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D into the connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D. According to the present disclosure, compatibility with a plurality of indoor units may be improved through the connection kit. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent noise generation by preventing refrigerant from being introduced into a stopped indoor unit, and prevent a refrigerant shortage phenomenon by collecting refrigerant.

[0183] The connection regulating valves 83A, 83B, 83C, 83D, 84A, 84B, 84C, and 84D may include connection inlet regulating valves 83A, 83B, 83C, and 83D provided to the connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D and connection collection regulating valves 84A, 84B, 84C, and 84D provided to the connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D. According to the present disclosure, refrigerant introduction into an indoor unit may be prevented when the operation of the indoor unit is stopped.

[0184] The connection bypass portions 85A, 85B, 85C, and 85D may include connection bypass pipes 86A, 86B, 86C, and 86D and connection bypass valves 87A, 87B, 87C, and 87D provided in the connection bypass pipes 86A, 86B, 86C, and 86D, and regarding the refrigerant flow direction, one end of each of the connection bypass pipes 86A, 86B, 86C, and 86D may be disposed upstream of the connection inlet regulating valves 83A, 83B, 83C, and 83D provided in the connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D. Regarding the refrigerant flow direction, the other end of each of the connection bypass pipes 86A, 86B, 86C, and 86D may be disposed downstream of the connection collection regulating valves 84A, 84B, 84C, and 84D provided in the connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D. According to the present disclosure, a refrigerant stagnation phenomenon may be more efficiently prevented when the indoor unit stops operation.

[0185] The header module 60 may include a main inlet pipe 61 provided to be supplied with refrigerant from the outdoor unit 20, branch inlet pipes 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D provided to be branched from the main inlet pipe 61 and connected to the connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D of the connection kits 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D, branch collection pipes 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D provided to be connected to the connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D of the connection kits 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D, and a main collection pipe 65 joined from the branch collection pipes 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D to collect refrigerant to the outdoor unit 20. The header module 60 may further include a bypass portion 75 provided to connect the main inlet pipe 63 and the main collection pipe 65. The bypass portion 75 may include a bypass pipe 76 and a bypass valve 77 provided in the bypass pipe 76, and may further include a controller capable of opening and closing the bypass valve 77, in which the controller may control to open the bypass valve 77 when all of the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D stop operation. According to the present disclosure, a refrigerant stagnation phenomenon may be more efficiently prevented when the indoor unit stops operation.

[0186] A multi-air conditioner 1 or 2 according to an embodiment may include an outdoor unit 20, a plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D, a header module 60 including a first header 61 including inlet pipes 63, 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D branched to supply refrigerant compressed by the outdoor unit 20 to the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D, and a second header 62 including collection pipes 65, 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D joined to collect refrigerant heat-exchanged from the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D to the outdoor unit 20, in which the header module 60 may include regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D, 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D provided to the inlet pipes 63, 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D and the collection pipes 65, 66A, 66B, and 66C to prevent refrigerant from being supplied to the plurality of indoor units, and a bypass portion 75 connecting the inlet pipes 63, 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D and the collection pipes 65, 66A, 66B, and 66C to bypass refrigerant introduced into the inlet pipes 63, 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D to the collection pipes 65, 66A, 66B, and 66C. According to the present disclosure, even if any one of the plurality of indoor units stops operation, a refrigerant stagnation phenomenon may be prevented and a refrigerant shortage phenomenon may be avoided.

[0187] The inlet pipes 63, 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D may include a main inlet pipe 63 provided to be supplied with refrigerant from the outdoor unit 20 and branch inlet pipes 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D branched from the main inlet pipe 63 and connected to the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D, and the regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D, 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D may include inlet regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D provided to the branch inlet pipes 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D. The collection pipes 65, 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D may include branch collection pipes 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D provided to be supplied with refrigerant from the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D, and a main collection pipe 65 joined from the branch collection pipes 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D and connected to the outdoor unit 20, and the regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D, 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D may include collection regulating valves 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D provided to the branch collection pipes 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D. According to the present disclosure, refrigerant introduction into an indoor unit may be prevented when the operation of the indoor unit is stopped.

[0188] The bypass portion 75 may include a bypass pipe 76 and a bypass valve 77 provided in the bypass pipe 76, and may further include a controller capable of opening and closing the regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D, 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D and the bypass valve 77, in which the controller may control to close the regulating valves 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D, 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D and open the bypass valve 77 when all of the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D stop operation. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent noise generation by preventing refrigerant from being introduced into a stopped indoor unit, and prevent a refrigerant shortage phenomenon by collecting refrigerant.

[0189] The header module 60 may be detachably provided to the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D. According to the present disclosure, compatibility with a plurality of indoor units may be improved.

[0190] The header module 60 may further include an outdoor unit-side header module 60A connected to the outdoor unit 20 and connection kits 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D detachably coupled between the outdoor unit-side header module 60A and the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D, and the connection kits 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D may include connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D provided to introduce refrigerant from the inlet pipes 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D of the header module 60A to the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D, connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D provided to collect refrigerant from the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D to the collection pipes 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D of the header module 60A, connection regulating valves 83A, 83B, 83C, 83D, 84A, 84B, 84C, and 84D provided to the connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D and the connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D to prevent refrigerant from being supplied to the plurality of indoor units 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D, and connection bypass portions 85A, 85B, 85C, and 85D connecting the connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D and the connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D to bypass refrigerant introduced into the connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D into the connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D. According to the present disclosure, compatibility with a plurality of indoor units may be improved through the connection kit.

[0191] The connection regulating valves 83A, 83B, 83C, 83D, 84A, 84B, 84C, and 84D may include connection inlet regulating valves 83A, 83B, 83C, and 83D provided to the connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D and connection collection regulating valves 84A, 84B, 84C, and 84D provided to the connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D. The connection bypass portions 85A, 85B, 85C, and 85D may include connection bypass pipes 86A, 86B, 86C, and 86D and connection bypass valves 87A, 87B, 87C, and 87D provided in the connection bypass pipes 86A, 86B, 86C, and 86D, and regarding the refrigerant flow direction, one end of each of the connection bypass pipes 86A, 86B, 86C, and 86D may be disposed upstream of the connection inlet regulating valves 83A, 83B, 83C, and 83D provided to the connection inlet pipes 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D, and the other end of each of the connection bypass pipes 86A, 86B, 86C, and 86D may be disposed downstream of the connection collection regulating valves 84A, 84B, 84C, and 84D provided to the connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D. According to the present disclosure, a refrigerant stagnation phenomenon may be prevented when the indoor unit stops operation.

[0192] A multi-air conditioner 3 or 4 according to an embodiment may include an outdoor unit 20A, a first indoor unit 51A and 52A connected to the outdoor unit 20A, a second indoor unit 51B and 52B disposed spaced apart from the first indoor unit 51A and 52A, and a cooling and heating switching device 90 provided to connect the outdoor unit 20A, the first indoor unit 51A and 52A, and the second indoor unit 51B and 52B, the cooling and heating switching device 90 or 90A including a liquid pipe 93, a high-pressure gas pipe 91, heating regulating valves 96A and 96B provided to the high-pressure gas pipe 91, a low-pressure gas pipe 92, and cooling regulating valves 97A and 97B provided to the low-pressure gas pipe 92, and a controller provided to control the heating regulating valves 96A and 96B and the cooling regulating valves 97A and 97B, in which the controller may control to close the heating regulating valve 96A and the cooling regulating valve 97A connected to the first indoor unit 51A and 52A when the operation of the first indoor unit 51A and 52A is stopped to prevent refrigerant from being supplied to the first indoor unit 51A and 52A. According to the present disclosure, refrigerant introduction into an indoor unit may be prevented when the operation of the indoor unit is stopped.

[0193] The cooling and heating switching device 90 may further include a control valve 98A provided to the liquid pipe 93 to prevent refrigerant from being supplied to the first indoor unit 51A and 52A. The first indoor unit 51A and 52A may include an indoor heat exchanger 51A and an indoor expansion valve 52A connected to the indoor heat exchanger 51A, and the control valve 98A may be connected in series with the indoor expansion valve 52A. According to the present disclosure, a refrigerant stagnation phenomenon may be prevented when the indoor unit stops operation.

[0194] The cooling and heating switching device 90A may further include bypass portions 99A, 99B, 99C, and 99D that connect gas pipes 94A, 94B, 94C, and 94D, which are connected to the indoor units by joining the high-pressure gas pipe 91 and the low-pressure gas pipe 92, with the liquid pipe 93. The bypass portions 99A, 99B, 99C, and 99D may include bypass pipes 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D and bypass valves 101A, 101B, 101C, and 101D provided to the bypass pipes 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D, and regarding the refrigerant flow direction, the bypass pipes 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D may be disposed downstream of the heating regulating valves 96A, 96B, 96C, and 96D and disposed upstream of the cooling regulating valves 97A, 97B, 97C, and 97D. The controller may control to open the bypass valve 101A connected to the first indoor unit 51A when the first indoor unit 51A stops operation. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent noise generation by preventing refrigerant from being introduced into a stopped indoor unit, and prevent a refrigerant shortage phenomenon by collecting refrigerant.

[0195] A multi-air conditioner 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an outdoor unit 20, a first indoor unit 51A connected to the outdoor unit 20, a second indoor unit 51B connected to the outdoor unit 20 and disposed spaced apart from the first indoor unit 51A, a header module 60A including inlet pipes 64A and 64B branched to supply refrigerant compressed by the outdoor unit 20 to the first indoor unit 51A and the second indoor unit 51B, and collection pipes 66A and 66B joined to collect refrigerant heat-exchanged from the first indoor unit 51A and the second indoor unit 51B to the outdoor unit 20, and a connection kit 80A detachably coupled between the header module 60A and the first indoor unit 51A, in which the connection kit 80A may include a connection inlet pipe 81A provided to introduce refrigerant from the header module 60A to the first indoor unit 51A, connection collection pipes 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D provided to collect refrigerant from the first indoor unit 51A to the header module 60A, connection regulating valves 83A and 84B provided to the connection inlet pipe 81A and the connection collection pipe 82A to prevent refrigerant from being supplied to the first indoor unit 51A, and a connection bypass portion 85A connecting the connection inlet pipe 81A and the connection collection pipe 82A to bypass refrigerant introduced into the connection inlet pipe 81A to the connection collection pipe 82A. The connection regulating valves 83A and 84B may include a connection inlet regulating valve 83A provided to the connection inlet pipe 81A and a connection collection regulating valve 84A provided to the connection collection pipe 82A. The connection bypass portion 85A may include a connection bypass pipe 86A and a connection bypass valve 87A provided to the connection bypass pipe 86A, and regarding the refrigerant flow direction, one end of the connection bypass pipe 86A may be disposed upstream of the connection inlet regulating valve 83A provided to the connection inlet pipe 81A, and the other end of the connection bypass pipe 86A may be disposed downstream of the connection collection regulating valve 84A provided to the connection collection pipe 82A. The multi-air conditioner 2 may further include a controller that controls the connection inlet regulating valve 83A, the connection collection regulating valve 84A, and the connection bypass valve 87A, and the controller may control to close the connection inlet regulating valve 83A and the connection collection regulating valve 84A connected to the first indoor unit 51A when the first indoor unit 51A stops operation. The controller may control to open the connection bypass valve 87A connected to the first indoor unit 51A when the first indoor unit 51A stops operation. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent noise generation by preventing refrigerant from being introduced into a stopped indoor unit, and prevent a refrigerant shortage phenomenon by collecting refrigerant.

[0196] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent/suppress/reduce refrigerant from being introduced into an indoor unit that has stopped operation.

[0197] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent/suppress/reduce oil from being introduced into an indoor unit that has stopped operation.

[0198] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent/suppress/reduce noise from generating in an indoor unit that has stopped operation.

[0199] According to the present disclosure, compatibility with the indoor units may be improved.

[0200] While the disclosure has been illustrated and described with reference to various example embodiments, it will be understood that the various example embodiments are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. It will be further understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, alternatives and/or variations of the various example embodiments may be made without departing from the true technical spirit and full technical scope of the disclosure, including the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that any of the embodiment(s) described herein may be used in conjunction with any other embodiment(s) described herein.