Air conditioner and control method thereof

Abstract

An air conditioner may include: a compressor; a flow path switching valve; a first flow path connecting an outlet of the compressor to the flow path switching valve; a first heat exchanger; a second flow path connecting the first heat exchanger to the flow path switching valve; a first refrigerant port fluidly connected to an indoor unit; a third flow path extending from the first heat exchanger to the first refrigerant port; a sub-cooler provided on the third flow path; a first expansion valve provided between the first heat exchanger and the sub-cooler on the third flow path; a second expansion valve provided between the sub-cooler and the first refrigerant port on the third flow path; a fourth flow path branched from a branch point of the third flow path, passing through the sub-cooler, and extending to an inlet of the compressor; a third expansion valve provided between the sub-cooler and the branch point on the fourth flow path; a second refrigerant port fluidly connected to the indoor unit; a fifth flow path connecting the second refrigerant port to the flow path switching valve; and a sixth flow path connecting the flow path switching valve to an intake port of the compressor.