CONTROL METHOD OF DEHUMIDIFIER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefits of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0034893, filed in Korea on Mar. 13, 2024, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

A method for controlling a dehumidifier is disclosed herein.

2. Background

A dehumidifier is a device that lowers a humidity in a space in which the dehumidifier is installed by suctioning in air, removing moisture contained in the air, and discharging the dehumidified air back into the room. In general, dehumidifiers are widely used to lower the humidity of indoor air in humid summer or to quickly dry laundry.

Dehumidifiers are divided into a desiccant type and a condensation type depending on a dehumidification method. In the condensation type, a refrigerant cycle is installed inside of the dehumidifier, air suctioned in by a fan passes through an evaporator to condense moisture contained in the air, and then passes through the condenser and is discharged back into a room in a heated state.

Conventionally, because the compressor was driven at a constant or maximum speed for dehumidification regardless of whether a person was indoors, there was a problem of feeling considerable discomfort when high-temperature dry air was discharged directly towards a person in a room.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment with a discharge port in a closed state;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dehumidifier of FIG. 1 with the discharge port in an open state;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the dehumidifier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a control diagram of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method for controlling a dehumidifier according to an embodiment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a dehumidifier according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment with a discharge port in a closed state. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dehumidifier of FIG. 1 with the discharge port in an open state. FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the dehumidifier.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, dehumidifier 10 according to an embodiment may have a slim shape with a relatively thin thickness in a frontward-to-backward direction. The dehumidifier 10 may have a thickness extending in the frontward-to-backward direction, a width extending in a leftward-rightward or lateral direction, and a height extending in a vertical direction.

The dehumidifier 10 may include a housing that forms an exterior thereof. The dehumidifier 10 may further include a dehumidification module installed inside of the housing. The dehumidifier 10 may further include a water tank 20 that stores condensate generated during the dehumidification process.

The housing may include a base 11, a case 12, and a top cover 13. The base 11 may form a lower portion of the dehumidifier 10. A plurality of wheels 16 may be mounted on a bottom of the base 11 to facilitate movement of the dehumidifier 10. The case 12 may be disposed on an upper edge of the base 11, and an upper opening of the case 12 may be shielded by the top cover 13.

A suction grill 121 may be formed on a back of the case 12 to intake indoor air. A filter module may be mounted in front of the suction grill 121. The suction grill 121 may be defined as a suction port or inlet through which indoor air is suctioned.

A main discharge port 131, through which dehumidified air may be discharged may be formed on one or a first side of the top cover 13. The main discharge port 131 may be selectively opened or closed by the discharge cover 14.

A handle 15 may be provided on the other or a second side of the top cover 13. The handle 15 has an n-shape so that a vertical portion thereof may be inserted into the case 12 or pulled out from the case 12. When the vertical portion is fully inserted into the case 12, a horizontal portion of the handle 15, that is, an upper surface of a portion configured to be held by a hand, may be flush with the top cover 13.

The main discharge port 131 may be disposed at one or a first edge of the top cover 13. The handle 15 may be placed on the other or a second edge of the top cover 13. The main discharge port 131 and the handle 15 may be located on opposite edges. A discharge grill 141 may be mounted on the main discharge port 131.

A cutout into which the water tank 20 may be inserted may be formed at one edge of the case 12, and the water tank 20 may be detachable from the case 12. When the water tank 20 is mounted on the case 12, an outer surface of the water tank 20 may form a portion of the case 12. The water tank 20 may be located right beneath the main discharge port 131.

The dehumidification module may include a compressor 31 that compresses a refrigerant, a condenser 32 that condenses the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 31, an expansion valve that expands the refrigerant that has passed through the condenser 32 into a two-phase refrigerant, and an evaporator 33 that evaporates the refrigerant that has passed through the expansion valve. The dehumidification module may further include a fan module 34 that suctions indoor air through the suction grill 121. The evaporator 33 may be located in front of the suction grill 121, the condenser 32 may be located in front of the evaporator 33, and the fan module 34 may be located in front of the condenser 32.

The condenser 32 and the evaporator 33 may be seated on an upper surface of a drain pan 35. Condensed water flowing down from a surface of the evaporator 33 may flow along the drain pan 35 and collected in the water tank 20.

An outlet of the fan module 34 may be connected to the main discharge port 131. The discharge grill 141 may be disposed right above the outlet of the fan module 34.

Indoor air may sequentially pass through the suction grill 121, a filter module, the evaporator 33, and the condenser 32 and then be suctioned into the fan module 34. Air suctioned into the fan module 34 may be discharged through the main discharge port 131.

The air introduced into the case 12 through the suction grill 121 may be dehumidified while passing through the evaporator 33, and moisture contained in the air condensed. As a result, the incoming air becomes low-temperature and dry as it passes through the evaporator 33.

The low-temperature dry air absorbs heat while passing through the condenser 32, and as a result, is changed to a high-temperature dry state and is then discharged back into the room through the main discharge port 131. The term “high temperature air” may refer to air with a temperature slightly higher than a temperature of an indoor space in which the dehumidifier 10 is installed.

A control box 17 may be accommodated inside of the case 12, to control operation of the dehumidification module and various drive means.

A sub discharge port 122 through which dehumidified air may be discharged may be further formed in the case 12. The sub discharge port 122 may be selectively opened or closed by a damper module 40.

When the sub discharge port 122 is open, the main discharge port 131 may be closed, and when the sub discharge port 122 is closed, the main discharge port 131 may be open. Accordingly, the dehumidified air may be selectively discharged only through either the main discharge port 131 or the sub discharge port 122.

The sub discharge port 122 may be formed on a front surface or a rear surface of the case 12. The sub discharge port 122 may be disposed at an upper side of the fan module 34. For example, the sub discharge port 122 may be formed on the rear surface of the case 12 and may be located above the suction grill 121.

The dehumidifier 10 may further include the damper module 40 that selectively opens or closes the sub discharge port 122. The damper module 40 may be installed inside of the sub discharge port 122 and may open or close the sub discharge port 122. The damper module 40 may operate in a direction to close the sub discharge port 122.

A cover drive unit 50 may be mounted on or at the outlet of the fan module 34 to tilt the discharge cover 14 up and down and to rotate the discharge cover 14 in a tilted state clockwise or counterclockwise. A user may perform these actions.

FIG. 4 is a control diagram of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 4, the dehumidifier 10 according to an embodiment may include a controller 101, an input unit (input) 102, an output unit (output) 103, a drive 104, a memory 105, and a sensor 106. The input unit 102 may include a control panel provided on the top cover 13. The output unit 103 may include a display unit (display) and a speaker provided on the top cover 13.

The drive 104 may include a compression unit 1041, a fan drive unit 1042, and a battery 1043. The compression unit 1041 may refer to the compressor 31. The fan drive unit 1042 may refer to the fan module 34.

The sensor 106 may include a temperature sensor 1061 that detects an indoor temperature, a humidity sensor 1062 that detects an indoor humidity, and an occupancy sensor 1063 that detects the presence or absence of an occupant and a location of the occupant.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method for controlling a dehumidifier according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, the occupancy sensor 1063 may detect whether there is an occupant in an indoor space in which the dehumidifier 10 is installed (S11). When the presence of an occupant or person is detected by the occupancy sensor 1063, a detection signal may be transmitted to the controller 101. If it is determined that an occupant is present based on the received signal (S12), the controller 101 may control the compressor 31 to operate at a low speed, for example, at 20 to 30 Hz.

While the compressor is operating at the low speed, the occupancy sensor 1063 may detect an exact location or position of the occupant indoors (S14). When the location or position is detected, a detection signal may be transmitted to the controller 101, and the controller 101 may rotate the discharge cover 14, for example, to the left or right or laterally a predetermined angle from the occupant, such that dry air discharged through the main discharge port is not directed toward the occupant (S15).

While the dehumidified dry air is being discharged indoors through the main discharge port 131, the humidity sensor 1062 may detect the indoor humidity in real time and transmits it to the controller 101. The controller 101 may determine whether a received humidity value has reached a target humidity (S16), and if it is determined that the indoor humidity has reached the target humidity, the compressor 101 may be controlled to stop operating (S17), and the main discharge port 131 may be controlled to be closed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the indoor humidity has not reached the target humidity, the process may return to step S11 and the method according to embodiments may be repeatedly performed.

If the occupancy sensor 1063 does not detect an occupant (S12), the controller 101 may determine that there is no occupant indoors and control the compressor 31 to operate at a constant or high speed (S19). For example, the compressor 31 may be operated at a frequency of 60 Hz or higher.

At the same time, the controller 101 may control the cover drive unit 50 to tilt the discharge cover 14 to maximize an opening angle of the discharge cover 14. Then, high-temperature dry air discharged through the main discharge port 131 may be discharged upward toward the indoor ceiling.

The controller 101 may receive the indoor humidity value from the humidity sensor 1062 in real time and repeatedly performs the steps to determine whether the indoor humidity has reached the target humidity.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a method for controlling a dehumidifier. The humidifier may include a dehumidifying module having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a fan module. The method may include determining whether a person or occupant is present indoors by an occupancy sensor; operating the compressor at a low speed when it is determined that there are people or occupants indoors; operating the compressor at a constant or high speed when it is determined that there are no people or occupants indoors; and stopping operation of the compressor when the indoor humidity reaches a target humidity. When there are people or occupants indoors, the compressor may be configured to operate at 20 to 30 Hz. When no person or occupant is present indoors, the compressor may be operated at 60 Hz or higher.

The method may include determining a person's or occupant's location using the occupancy sensor, when a person or occupant is present indoors, and rotating the discharge cover a predetermined angle to the left or right or laterally from the person or occupant. The method may include tiling the discharge cover to maximize an opening angle of the discharge cover, when no person or occupant is present indoors.

When there are people or occupants indoors, a frequency of the compressor may be lowered so that relatively low-temperature dry air is discharged, and the compressor may be operated at a constant or high speed only when there are no people or occupant indoors, thereby minimizing discomfort to users indoors. Additionally, when a person or occupant is indoors, the discharge cover may rotate so that the discharged dry air is not directed toward the person or occupant, thereby preventing high-temperature dry air from being discharged directly to the user.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.