Control method of dehumidifier

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control method of a dehumidifier, in which the dehumidifier includes a dehumidification module including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a fan module, the control method comprising: a step of determining whether a person is in a room by an in-room detection sensor; when it is determined that the person is in the room, the compressor operates at a low speed; when it is judged that no person is in the room, the compressor operates at a constant speed or a high speed; and stopping the driving of the compressor when the indoor humidity reaches the target humidity.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0034893, filed on March 13, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a control method for a dehumidifier. Background Art

[0004] A dehumidifier is a device that reduces the humidity of the space where it is installed by drawing air in, removing moisture from it, and expelling the dehumidified air back into the room.

[0005] Typically, dehumidifiers are used to reduce the humidity of indoor air or to quickly dry clothes during humid summer months.

[0006] Dehumidifiers are categorized by their dehumidification method as either desiccant or condensing. Condensing dehumidifiers are essentially refrigerant-based dehumidifiers. Air drawn in by a fan passes through an evaporator, where moisture is condensed. The air then passes through a condenser and is discharged back into the room in a heated state.

[0007] Conventionally, for dehumidification, the compressor was driven at a constant speed or maximum speed regardless of whether the room was occupied. This caused a problem in which hot, dry air was blown directly toward the people in the room, causing them to feel very uncomfortable. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention has been proposed in order to improve the above-mentioned problems.

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, according to the control method of a dehumidifier of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the dehumidifier includes a dehumidification module, and the dehumidification module includes: a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator and a fan module, the control method includes: a step of judging whether there is someone in the room by an indoor detection sensor; a step of running the compressor at a low speed when it is judged that there is someone in the room; a step of running the compressor at a constant speed or a high speed when it is judged that there is no one in the room; and a step of stopping the driving of the compressor when the indoor humidity reaches the target humidity.

[0010] The characteristic is that when there is someone in the room, the compressor runs at 20-30 Hz.

[0011] The characteristic is that the compressor runs at 60 Hz or above when no one is in the room.

[0012] The control method includes: determining the location of a person by using a room detection sensor when a person is present in the room; and opening and closing a discharge cover of the discharge port of the dehumidifier so as to rotate a predetermined angle to the left or right with the person as the center.

[0013] The feature is that when no one is in the room, the dispensing cover is tilted to have a maximum opening angle.

[0014] The control method for a dehumidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure has the advantage that when there is someone in the room, the frequency of the compressor is reduced so that the dehumidifier can discharge relatively low-temperature dry air, and only when there is no one in the room, the compressor is operated at a constant speed or high speed so that the dehumidifier can discharge high-temperature dry air, thereby minimizing the discomfort felt by the user.

[0015] Furthermore, when there is a person in the room, the discharge cap is rotated so that the discharged dry air does not go toward the person, thereby having the advantage of preventing the high-temperature dry air from being discharged directly toward the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the dehumidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention when the discharge port is closed.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the dehumidifier in a state where the discharge port is opened.

[0018] Figure 3 It is a rear perspective view of the dehumidifier.

[0019] Figure 4 4 is a control structure diagram of a dehumidifier for implementing a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, a control method of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention when the outlet is closed. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the dehumidifier with its outlet opened. Figure 3 It is a rear perspective view of the dehumidifier.

[0023] Reference Figures 1 to 3 , the dehumidifier 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention may have an elongated form with a relatively thin thickness in the front-rear direction.

[0024] Specifically, the dehumidifier 10 may have a thickness extending in the front-rear direction, a width extending in the left-right direction, and a height extending in the up-down direction.

[0025] The dehumidifier 10 includes a housing forming an exterior, a dehumidifier module disposed inside the housing, and a water tank 20 storing condensed water generated during the dehumidification process.

[0026] The cover may include a base 11 , a shell 12 and a top cover 13 .

[0027] The base 11 may form the lower end of the dehumidifier 10. A plurality of wheels 16 are mounted on the bottom surface of the base 11 to facilitate movement of the dehumidifier 10.

[0028] The housing 12 stands upright on the top edge of the base 11 , and an opening on the top of the housing 12 is shielded by the top cover 13 .

[0029] The back of the housing 12 may be formed with a suction grille 121 for sucking in indoor air. A filter module may be installed in front of the suction grille 121. The suction grille 121 may be defined as a suction port through which indoor air is sucked in.

[0030] A main outlet 131 for discharging dehumidified air is formed on one side of the top cover 13. The main outlet 131 can be selectively opened and closed by a discharge cover 14.

[0031] A handle 15 may be provided on the other side of the top cover 13 .

[0032] The handle 15 is in an N-shape, so that the vertical portion can be inserted into or pulled out of the housing 12. When the vertical portion is inserted into the housing 12 to the maximum extent, the top surface of the horizontal portion of the handle 15, i.e., the grip portion, can be flush with the top cover 13.

[0033] The main outlet 131 may be disposed on one side edge of the top cover 13. The handle 15 may be disposed on the other side edge of the top cover 13. The main outlet 131 and the handle 15 may be disposed on opposite edges.

[0034] A discharge grille 141 may be installed at the main discharge port 131 .

[0035] A cutout portion for inserting the water tank 20 is formed on one side edge of the housing 12, allowing the water tank 20 to be separated from the housing 12. When the water tank 20 is installed in the housing 12, the outer surface of the water tank 20 can form a portion of the housing 12. The water tank 20 can be positioned directly below the main outlet 131.

[0036] The dehumidification module includes a compressor 31 for compressing refrigerant, a condenser 32 for condensing the refrigerant passing through the compressor 31, an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant passing through the condenser into a two-phase refrigerant, and an evaporator 33 for evaporating the refrigerant passing through the expansion valve. The dehumidification module may also include a fan module 34 for drawing indoor air through the suction grille 121.

[0037] The evaporator 33 may be located in front of the suction grille 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 .

[0038] The condenser 32 and the evaporator 33 may be mounted on a top surface of a drain pan 35. Condensed water flowing down from the surface of the evaporator 33 flows along the drain pan 35 and is collected in the water tub 20.

[0039] The outlet of the fan module 34 may be connected to the main outlet 131. The outlet grille may be disposed directly above the outlet of the fan 34.

[0040] Indoor air may be sucked into the fan module 34 after passing through the suction grille 121 , the filter module, the evaporator 33 , and the condenser 32 in sequence. The air sucked into the fan module 34 may be discharged to the main outlet 131 .

[0041] The air flowing into the housing 12 through the suction grille 121 is dehumidified by passing through the evaporator 33 , whereby moisture contained in the air is condensed. Consequently, the inflowing air passes through the evaporator 33 and becomes a low-temperature, dry state.

[0042] The low-temperature, dry air absorbs heat while passing through the condenser 32, and is subsequently converted to a high-temperature, dry air before being discharged back into the room through the main outlet 131. The high-temperature air may be understood as air having a temperature slightly higher than that of the room in which the dehumidifier 10 is installed.

[0043] A control box 17 is housed inside the housing 12 , and the control box 17 is used to control the operation of the dehumidification module and various driving devices.

[0044] The housing 12 may further include a secondary outlet 122 for discharging dehumidified air. The secondary outlet 122 may be selectively opened and closed by a damper module 40.

[0045] The main outlet 131 may be closed when the auxiliary outlet 122 is opened, and the main outlet 131 may be opened when the auxiliary outlet 122 is closed. Therefore, dehumidified air may be selectively discharged from either the main outlet 131 or the auxiliary outlet 122.

[0046] The auxiliary outlet 122 may be formed on the front or rear side of the housing 12 . The auxiliary outlet 122 may be disposed on the upper side of the fan module 34 .

[0047] For example, the sub-discharge port 122 may be formed on the back surface of the housing 12 and may be disposed above the suction grille 121 .

[0048] The dehumidifier 10 may further include a damper module 40 for selectively opening and closing the auxiliary outlet 122. The damper module 40 is disposed inside the auxiliary outlet 122 and can open or close the auxiliary outlet 122. The damper module 40 can be moved in a direction to close the auxiliary outlet 122, thereby closing the auxiliary outlet 122.

[0049] A cover driving device may be installed at the discharge port of the fan module 34 to tilt the discharge cover 14 in the vertical direction and rotate the tilted discharge cover 14 in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

[0050] Figure 4 4 is a control structure diagram of a dehumidifier for implementing a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] 4 , the dehumidifier 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 101 , an input unit 102 , an output unit 103 , a driving unit 104 , a memory 105 , and a sensor unit 106 .

[0052] Specifically, the input unit 102 may include a control panel disposed on the top cover 13 .

[0053] The output unit 103 may include a display unit and a speaker, and the display unit and the speaker are disposed on the top cover 13 .

[0054] The driving unit 104 may include a compression unit 1041 , a fan driving unit 1042 , and a battery 1043 . The compression unit 1041 may be understood as the compressor 31 . The fan driving unit 1042 may be understood as the fan module 34 .

[0055] The sensor unit 106 may include a temperature sensor 1061 for detecting indoor temperature, a humidity sensor 1062 for detecting indoor humidity, and a presence detection sensor 1063 for detecting whether a person is present in the room and the position of the person present in the room.

[0056] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Reference Figure 5 The presence detection sensor 1063 detects whether there is a person in the indoor space where the dehumidifier 10 is installed (S11).

[0058] Specifically, when the presence sensor 1063 detects a person, a detection signal is transmitted to the control unit 101. Based on the received signal, if the control unit 101 determines that a person is present (S12), the compressor 31 is controlled to operate at a low speed, for example, 20 to 30 Hz.

[0059] While the compressor is running at low speed, the presence detection sensor 1063 detects the precise location of a person in the room (S14). When the user's location is detected, a detection signal is transmitted to the control unit 101, which controls the discharge cover 14 to rotate to the left or right by a predetermined angle with the user as the center, thereby preventing the dry air discharged through the main discharge port 131 from being directed toward the user (S15).

[0060] Furthermore, as the dehumidified dry air is discharged into the room through the main outlet 131, the humidity sensor 1062 detects the indoor humidity in real time and transmits the information to the control unit 101. The control unit 101 determines whether the received humidity value has reached the target humidity (S16). If the indoor humidity has reached the target humidity, the compressor 31 is stopped (S17) and the main outlet 131 is closed (S18).

[0061] On the contrary, when it is determined that the indoor humidity has not reached the target humidity, the process returns to step S11 and repeatedly executes the control method according to the present invention.

[0062] On the other hand, when the presence detection sensor 1063 does not detect a person, the control unit 101 determines that no one is in the room and controls the compressor 31 to operate at a constant speed or high speed (S19). As an example, the compressor 31 can operate at a frequency of 60 Hz or higher.

[0063] At the same time, the control unit 101 controls the cover driving device to tilt the discharge cover 14 to maximize the opening angle. As a result, the high-temperature dry air discharged through the main discharge port 131 is discharged upward toward the indoor ceiling.

[0064] At the same time, the control unit 101 receives the indoor humidity value from the humidity sensor 1062 in real time, and repeatedly executes the step of determining whether the indoor humidity reaches the target humidity and subsequent steps.

Claims

1. A control method for a dehumidifier, wherein the dehumidifier includes a dehumidification module, the dehumidification module including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a fan module, the control method comprising: The step of determining whether there is someone in the room by detecting a sensor in the room; The step of operating the compressor at a low speed when it is determined that there is someone in the room; The step of operating the compressor at a constant speed or a high speed when it is determined that there is no one in the room; as well as and stopping the driving of the compressor when the indoor humidity reaches a target humidity.

2. The dehumidifier control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: When there is someone in the room, the compressor runs at 20-30 Hz.

3. The dehumidifier control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: When no one is in the room, the compressor operates at a frequency of 60 Hz or above.

4. The dehumidifier control method according to claim 2, comprising: When there is someone in the room, the step of determining the person's location by using the presence detection sensor; as well as The step of opening and closing the discharge cover of the discharge port of the dehumidifier and rotating it to the left or right by a predetermined angle with a person as the center.

5. The dehumidifier control method according to claim 3, characterized in that: When no one is in the room, the dispensing cover is tilted to have the largest opening angle.

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