Air conditioner units with improved makeup air systems and methods

Abstract

An air conditioner unit and methods of operating the same are provided. The air conditioner unit may include a housing and a makeup air system. The housing defines an outdoor portion and an indoor portion. Methods of operating the air conditioner unit may include, and / or a controller of the air conditioner unit may be configured for, determining an air quality characteristic and operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to air conditioner units, and more particularly to air conditioner units that utilize makeup air and related methods. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Air conditioner units, which may also be referred to as air conditioning units, are conventionally utilized to adjust the temperature indoors, i.e., within structures such as dwellings and office buildings. Such units commonly include a closed refrigeration loop to heat or cool the indoor air. Typically, the indoor air is recirculated while being heated or cooled.

[0003] A variety of sizes and configurations are available for such air conditioner units. For example, some units may have one portion installed within the indoors that is connected, by e.g., tubing carrying refrigerant through the closed refrigeration loop, to another portion located outdoors. These types of units are typically used for conditioning the air in larger spaces.

[0004] Another type of unit, e.g., one-unit type room air conditioner units, such as single-package vertical units (SPVU), or package terminal air conditioners (PTAC), may be used for somewhat smaller indoor spaces that are to be air conditioned, for example, a single room or group of rooms of a structure. Such units are, for example, sometimes installed in windows or positioned within an opening of an exterior wall of a building. These units may include both an indoor portion and an outdoor portion which are separated, e.g., by a bulkhead, but which are integrated within a single structural package, such as supported within the same frame or casing. The indoor portion generally communicates (e.g., exchanges air) with the area within a building, and the outdoor portion generally communicates (e.g., exchanges air) with the area outside the building. Generally, a fan may be operable to rotate to motivate air through the indoor portion. Another fan may be operable to rotate to motivate air through the outdoor portion.

[0005] Makeup air, e.g., additional fresh air from outside of the building, is typically provided when the outdoor ambient conditions are favorable, e.g., when the outdoor temperature is within a certain range of the target temperature in the indoor conditioned space, such that the additional air from outside (i.e., makeup air) can be utilized with minimal or little conditioning, such as conditioned by a makeup air module which is generally smaller and less energy-intensive than the primary sealed refrigerant system of the air conditioner unit. Thus, utilizing makeup air may provide energy savings and increased fresh air within the conditioned space.

[0006] Whether to provide makeup air, and how much makeup air to provide, is typically determined based on occupancy of the conditioned space (e.g., whether people are present in a conditioned room, and / or how many people are present) as well as ambient conditions such as temperature and / or humidity, as mentioned. In some cases, however, additional factors such as indoor air quality or outdoor air quality may influence the desirability of drawing in additional air from outside. For example, when the outdoor air quality is undesirable, such as a high level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), pollen, or other substances is found in the outdoor air, some users may prefer less makeup air (or none at all) than would otherwise be provided, e.g., based on occupancy and / or ambient conditions. As another example, in some cases the indoor air quality may be impaired (e.g., the level of VOCs indoors may be significantly higher than outdoors) such that more makeup air than would typically be provided (e.g., based on occupancy / ambient conditions) is desired.

[0007] Accordingly, improved air conditioner units and associated methods for providing makeup air are desired. In particular, air conditioner units and associated methods that can provide improved air quality control would be useful. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

[0009] In accordance with one embodiment, a method of operating an air conditioner unit is provided. The air conditioner unit includes a housing and a makeup air system. The housing defines an outdoor portion and an indoor portion. The method includes determining an air quality characteristic and operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic.

[0010] In accordance with another embodiment, an air conditioner unit is provided. The air conditioner unit includes a housing and a makeup air system. The housing defines an outdoor portion and an indoor portion. The air conditioner unit further includes a controller. The controller is configured for determining an air quality characteristic and operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic.

[0011] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

[0013] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an air conditioner unit, with part of an indoor portion exploded from a remainder of the air conditioner unit for illustrative purposes, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of components of an indoor portion of the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a bulkhead assembly of the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of components of the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of components of an outdoor portion of the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of components of an outdoor portion of the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective section view of components of the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective section view of components of the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a side section view of components of the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of an auxiliary fan positioned within a vent aperture in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 11 provides a perspective view of an air conditioner unit according to one or more additional exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 12 provides a transverse cross section view of the exemplary air conditioner unit of FIG. 11.

[0025] FIG. 13 provides a top down view of the exemplary air conditioner unit of FIG. 11.

[0026] FIG. 14 provides a schematic lateral cross section view of the exemplary air conditioner unit of FIG. 11.

[0027] FIG. 15 provides a perspective view of a makeup air module for an air conditioner unit, such as the air conditioner unit of FIG. 11, according to one or more additional exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 16 provides a flow diagram of an exemplary method of operating an air conditioner unit according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0030] As used herein, the terms “first,”“second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and / or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0031] Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,”“about,”“approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components and / or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin, i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V.

[0032] The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” In addition, references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “an embodiment” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 1, an air conditioner unit 10 is provided. The air conditioner unit 10 is a one-unit type air conditioner, also conventionally referred to as a room air conditioner. The unit 10 includes an indoor portion 12 and an outdoor portion 14, and generally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T. Each direction V, L, T is perpendicular to each other, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined.

[0034] A housing 20 of the unit 10 may contain various other components of the unit 10. Housing 20 may include, for example, a rear grill 22 and a room front 24 which may be spaced apart along the transverse direction T by a wall sleeve 26. The rear grill 22 may be part of the outdoor portion 14, and the room front 24 may be part of the indoor portion 12. Components of the outdoor portion 14, such as an outdoor heat exchanger 30, outdoor fan 32, and compressor 34 may be housed within the wall sleeve 26. A casing 36 may additionally enclose the outdoor fan, as shown.

[0035] Referring now also to FIG. 2, indoor portion 12 may include, for example, an indoor heat exchanger 40, a blower fan 42, and a heating unit 44. These components may, for example, be housed behind the room front 24. Additionally, a bulkhead 46 may generally support and / or house various other components or portions thereof of the indoor portion 12, such as the blower fan 42 and the heating unit 44. Bulkhead 46 may generally separate and define the indoor portion 12 and outdoor portion 14.

[0036] Outdoor and indoor heat exchangers 30, 40 may be components of a refrigeration loop (the refrigeration loop may also be referred to a sealed refrigeration system). The refrigeration loop may, for example, further include compressor 34 and an expansion device 50 (see, e.g., FIG. 5). As illustrated, compressor 34 and expansion device 50 may be in fluid communication with outdoor heat exchanger 30 and indoor heat exchanger 40 to flow refrigerant therethrough as is generally understood. More particularly, the refrigeration loop may include various lines for flowing refrigerant between the various components of the refrigeration loop, thus providing the fluid communication there between. Refrigerant may thus flow through such lines from indoor heat exchanger 40 to compressor 34, from compressor 34 to outdoor heat exchanger 30, from outdoor heat exchanger 30 to expansion device 50, and from expansion device 50 to indoor heat exchanger 40. The refrigerant may generally undergo phase changes associated with a refrigeration cycle as it flows to and through these various components, as is generally understood. One suitable refrigerant for use in the refrigeration loop is 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane, also known as R-134A, although it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such example and rather that any suitable refrigerant may be utilized.

[0037] As is understood in the art, the refrigeration loop may alternately be operated as a refrigeration assembly (and thus perform a refrigeration cycle) or a heat pump (and thus perform a heat pump cycle). When the refrigeration loop is operating in a cooling mode and thus performs a refrigeration cycle, the indoor heat exchanger 40 acts as an evaporator and the outdoor heat exchanger 30 acts as a condenser. Alternatively, when the assembly is operating in a heating mode and thus performs a heat pump cycle, the indoor heat exchanger 40 acts as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger 30 acts as an evaporator. The outdoor and indoor heat exchangers 30, 40 may each include coils through which a refrigerant may flow for heat exchange purposes, as is generally understood.

[0038] According to an example embodiment, compressor 34 may be a variable speed compressor. In this regard, compressor 34 may be operated at various speeds depending on the current air conditioning needs of the room and the demand from the refrigeration loop. For example, according to an exemplary embodiment, compressor 34 may be configured to operate at any speed from a minimum speed, e.g., 1500 revolutions per minute (RPM), to a maximum rated speed, e.g., 3500 RPM. Use of variable speed compressor 34 may permit efficient operation of the refrigeration loop (and thus air conditioner unit 10), minimizes unnecessary noise when compressor 34 does not need to operate at full speed, and may ensure a comfortable environment within the room.

[0039] In exemplary embodiments as illustrated, expansion device 50 may be disposed in the outdoor portion 14 between the indoor heat exchanger 40 and the outdoor heat exchanger 30. According to the exemplary embodiment, expansion device 50 may be an electronic expansion valve that enables controlled expansion of refrigerant, as is known in the art. More specifically, electronic expansion device 50 may be configured to precisely control the expansion of the refrigerant to maintain, for example, a desired temperature differential of the refrigerant across the indoor heat exchanger 40. In other words, electronic expansion device 50 throttles the flow of refrigerant based on the reaction of the temperature differential across indoor heat exchanger 40 or the amount of superheat temperature differential, thereby ensuring that the refrigerant is in the gaseous state entering compressor 34. According to alternative embodiments, expansion device 50 may be a capillary tube or another suitable expansion device configured for use in a thermodynamic cycle.

[0040] Bulkhead 46 may include various peripheral surfaces that define an interior 52 thereof. For example, and additionally referring to FIG. 3, bulkhead 46 may include a first sidewall 54 and a second sidewall 56 which are spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction L. A rear wall 58 may extend laterally between the first sidewall 54 and second sidewall 56. The rear wall 58 may, for example, include an upper portion 60 and a lower portion 64. Lower portion 64 may have a generally linear cross-sectional shape, and may be positioned below upper portion 60 along the vertical direction V. Rear wall 58 may further include an indoor facing surface and an opposing outdoor facing surface. The indoor facing surface may face the interior 52 and indoor portion 12, and the outdoor facing surface may face the outdoor portion 14. Bulkhead 46 may additionally extend between a top end 62 and a bottom end 66 along vertical axis V. Upper portion 60 may, for example, include top end 62, while lower portion 64 may, for example, include bottom end 66. Bulkhead 46 may additionally include, for example, an air diverter 68, which may extend between the sidewalls 54, 56 along the lateral direction L and which may flow air therethrough.

[0041] Upper portion 60 may have a generally curvilinear cross-sectional shape, and may accommodate a portion of the blower fan 42, which may be, for example, a centrifugal fan. Alternatively, however, any suitable fan type may be utilized. Blower fan 42 may include a blade assembly 70 and a motor 72. The blade assembly 70, which may include one or more blades disposed within a fan housing 74, may be disposed at least partially within the interior 52 of the bulkhead 46, such as within the upper portion 60. As shown, blade assembly 70 may for example extend along the lateral direction L between the first sidewall 54 and the second sidewall 56. The motor 72 may be connected to the blade assembly 70, such as through the housing 74 to the blades via a shaft. Operation of the motor 72 may rotate the blades, thus generally operating the blower fan 42. Further, in exemplary embodiments, motor 72 may be disposed exterior to the bulkhead 46. Accordingly, the shaft may for example extend through one of the sidewalls 54, 56 to connect the motor 72 and blade assembly 70.

[0042] Notably, according to an exemplary embodiment, outdoor fan 32 and blower fan 42 are variable speed fans. For example, referring to blower fan 42, motor 72 may be configured to rotate blade assembly 70 at different rotational speeds, thereby generating different air flow rates through blower fan 42. It may be desirable to operate fans 32, 42 at less than their maximum rated speed to ensure safe and proper operation of the refrigeration loop at less than its maximum rated speed, e.g., to reduce noise when full speed operation is not needed. In addition, fans 32, 42 may be operated to urge makeup air into the room.

[0043] According to the illustrated embodiment, blower fan 42 may operate as an evaporator fan in the refrigeration loop to encourage the flow of air through indoor heat exchanger 40. Accordingly, blower fan 42 may be positioned downstream of indoor heat exchanger 40 along the flow direction of indoor air and downstream of heating unit 44 along the flow direction of outdoor air (when makeup air is being supplied). Alternatively, blower fan 42 may be positioned upstream of indoor heat exchanger 40 along the flow direction of indoor air, and may operate to push air through indoor heat exchanger 40.

[0044] Heating unit 44 in exemplary embodiments includes one or more heater banks 80. Each heater bank 80 may be operated as desired to produce heat. In some embodiments as shown, three heater banks 80 may be utilized. Alternatively, however, any suitable number of heater banks 80 may be utilized. Each heater bank 80 may further include at least one heater coil or coil pass 82, such as in exemplary embodiments two heater coils or coil passes 82. Alternatively, other suitable heating elements may be utilized.

[0045] The operation of air conditioner unit 10 including compressor 34 (and thus refrigeration loop generally) blower fan 42, outdoor fan 32 (FIG. 8), heating unit 44, expansion device 50, and other components of the refrigeration loop may be controlled by a processing device such as a controller 84. Controller 84 may be in communication (via for example a suitable wired or wireless connection) to such components of the air conditioner unit 10. By way of example, the controller 84 may include a memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of unit 10. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor.

[0046] Unit 10 may additionally include a control panel 86 and one or more user inputs 88, which may be included in control panel 86. The user inputs 88 may be in communication with the controller 84. A user of the unit 10 may interact with the user inputs 88 to operate the unit 10, and user commands may be transmitted between the user inputs 88 and controller 84 to facilitate operation of the unit 10 based on such user commands. A display 90 may additionally be provided in the control panel 86, and may be in communication with the controller 84. Display 90 may, for example be a touchscreen or other text-readable display screen, or alternatively may simply be a light that can be activated and deactivated as required to provide an indication of, for example, an event or setting for the unit 10.

[0047] Referring briefly to FIG. 3, a vent aperture 92 may be defined in the rear wall 58 of bulkhead 46. Vent aperture 92 may allow air flow therethrough between the indoor portion 12 and outdoor portion 14, and may be utilized in an installed air conditioner unit 10 to allow outdoor air to flow therethrough into the room through the indoor portion 12. In this regard, in some cases it may be desirable to allow outside air to flow into the room in order to compensate for negative pressure created within the room by, e.g., turning on a bathroom fan. In this manner, according to an exemplary embodiment, outside air, also referred to as makeup air, may be provided into the room through vent aperture 92 when a negative pressure is created, e.g., as air is drawn out of the room by the bathroom fan.

[0048] As explained in detail below, blower fan 42 and outdoor fan 32 may be used to provide makeup air into the room when desired. However, referring now generally to FIGS. 3 through 10, air conditioner unit 10 may further include an auxiliary fan 94 (see, e.g., FIGS. 9 and 10) that may be used with the existing refrigeration loop to force additional outdoor air through vent aperture 92. Auxiliary fan 94 may, according to the illustrated example embodiment, be positioned within outdoor portion 14 proximate to vent aperture 92. Additionally or alternatively, auxiliary fan 94 may be partially or wholly disposed in vent aperture 92 or partially or wholly disposed in indoor portion 12. Accordingly, auxiliary fan 94 may urge or induce a flow of outdoor air from the outdoors through vent aperture 92 to the indoor portion 12.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 10, auxiliary fan 94 is a single fan disposed within vent aperture 92. Notably, if auxiliary fan 94 does not cover the entire vent aperture 92, gaps may allow air to flow around auxiliary fan 92 into indoor portion 12. In circumstances where it is desirable to force all outdoor air through auxiliary fan 94, covers may be placed over these gaps to prevent flow around auxiliary fan 94. According to another exemplary embodiment, more than one auxiliary fan may be used. In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment, a screen may be positioned over vent aperture 92 to capture any bugs or large particles in the flow of makeup air.

[0050] A door 96 may be pivotally mounted to the bulkhead 46 proximate to vent aperture 92 to open and close vent aperture 92. More specifically, according to the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 9, door 96 is pivotally mounted to the indoor facing surface of indoor portion 12. Door 96 may be configured to pivot between a first, closed position where door 96 prevents air from flowing between outdoor portion 14 and indoor portion 12, and a second, open position where door 96 is positioned parallel to a heat shield 91 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9) and allows makeup air to flow into the room. According to the illustrated embodiment, door 96 may be pivoted between the open and closed position by an electric motor 98 controlled by controller 84, or by any other suitable method.

[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, air conditioner unit 10 may, in some embodiments, further include one or more air quality sensors, such as an outdoor air quality sensor 95 and an indoor air quality sensor 97. Outdoor air quality sensor 95 may, for example, be disposed within outdoor portion 14 and indoor air quality sensor 97 may, for example, be disposed within indoor portion 12. Each air quality sensor may be configured to measure one or more air quality characteristics of air in the respective environment, e.g., the outdoor air quality sensor in the outdoor environment and the indoor air quality sensor in the indoor environment. One skilled in the art will appreciate that sensors 95, 97 may be positioned at any other suitable location within unit 10, and that additional sensors may be used throughout unit 10. For example, the measured air quality characteristic(s) may be or may include a particulate matter (PM) level (e.g., PM2.5 and / or PM10), a level of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), a carbon monoxide (CO) concentration, a carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, and / or other similar air quality characteristics. Multiple air quality characteristics may be measured by a single sensor, or multiple sensors may be used where each sensor measures a specific air quality characteristic.

[0052] Another exemplary air conditioner unit 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 15. FIG. 11 provides a perspective view of the exemplary air conditioner appliance 100. FIG. 12 provides a transverse cross section view of the exemplary air conditioner unit, e.g., the section of FIG. 12 is taken along a transverse-vertical plane defined by the transverse direction T and the vertical direction V. FIG. 13 is a top-down view of the air conditioner 100. FIG. 14 is a schematic section view taken along the section line 4-4 in FIG. 13. The line 4-4 in FIG. 13 extends along the lateral direction L, e.g., FIG. 14 is a lateral section view taken along a lateral-vertical plane defined by the lateral direction L and the vertical direction V. In some embodiments, the air conditioner unit 100 may be provided as a one-unit type air conditioner 100, such as a single-package vertical unit (SPVU), as illustrated, or a package terminal air conditioners (PTAC). Throughout the discussion herein, references to a “single-package air conditioner unit” are to be understood as referring to any suitable one-unit type air conditioner appliance, such as but not limited to an SPVU or a PTAC. Air conditioner 100 includes a package housing 114 supporting an indoor portion 112 (FIG. 12) and an outdoor portion 110 (FIG. 12) within an interior of the housing 114. A makeup air module 170 is positioned at least partially on an outside or exterior of the housing 114, e.g., on an external surface 113 of the housing 114, such as on a vertically upward facing top external surface 113, whereby at least a portion of the makeup air module 170 is mounted atop the housing 114.

[0053] Generally, air conditioner 100 defines a vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T. Each direction V, L, T is perpendicular to every other of the V, L, and T directions, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined.

[0054] In some embodiments, housing 114 contains various other components of the air conditioner 100. Housing 114 may include, for example, a rear opening 116 (e.g., with or without a grill or grate thereacross) and a front opening 118 (e.g., with or without a grill or grate thereacross) may be spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction T. The rear opening 116 may be part of the outdoor portion 110, while the front opening 118 is part of the indoor portion 112. Components of the outdoor portion 110, such as an outdoor heat exchanger 120, outdoor fan 124, and compressor 126 (FIG. 12) may be enclosed within housing 114 between front opening 118 and rear opening 116. In certain embodiments, one or more components of outdoor portion 110 are mounted on a basepan 136, as shown.

[0055] During certain operations, outdoor air 1000 (FIG. 12) may be drawn to outdoor portion 110 through rear opening 116. Specifically, an outdoor inlet 128 defined through housing 114 may receive outdoor air 1000 motivated by outdoor fan 124. Within housing 114, the received outdoor air 1000 may be motivated through or across outdoor fan 124. Moreover, at least a portion of the outdoor air 1000 may be motivated through or across outdoor heat exchanger 120 (FIG. 12) before exiting the rear opening 116 at an outdoor outlet 130. It is noted that although outdoor inlet 128 is illustrated as being defined above outdoor outlet 130, alternative embodiments may reverse this relative orientation (e.g., such that outdoor inlet 128 is defined below outdoor outlet 130) or provide outdoor inlet 128 beside outdoor outlet 130 in a side-by-side orientation, or another suitable discrete orientation.

[0056] As shown, indoor portion 112 may include an indoor heat exchanger 122 and a blower fan 142. These components may, for example, be housed behind the front opening 118. The indoor blower fan 142 may be mounted within a fan housing 134. As illustrated for example in FIGS. 12 and 14, the fan housing 134 may include a partial circular portion in which the blower fan 142 is mounted and a transition duct portion which extends from the partial circular portion and the blower fan 142 therein to an indoor outlet 140 above the indoor fan 142. Fan housing 134 may thereby at least partially separate and define the indoor portion 112 and outdoor portion 110 within housing 114. Additionally or alternatively, fan housing 134 or indoor heat exchanger 122 may be mounted on basepan 136 (e.g., at a higher vertical position than outdoor heat exchanger 120).

[0057] During certain operations, indoor air 1002 (FIG. 12) may be drawn to indoor portion 112 through front opening 118. Specifically, an indoor inlet 138 defined through housing 114 may receive indoor air 1002 motivated by blower fan 142. At least a portion of the indoor air 1002 may be motivated through or across indoor heat exchanger 122 (e.g., before passing to fan housing 134). From blower fan 142, indoor air 1002 may be motivated and returned to the indoor area of the room through an indoor outlet 140 defined through housing 114 (e.g., above indoor inlet 138 along the vertical direction V) and into a vertical exhaust duct (not shown) extending upward along the vertical direction V from the housing 114. It is noted that although indoor outlet 140 is illustrated as generally directing air 1002 upward, it is understood that indoor outlet 140 and exhaust duct 141 may be defined in alternative embodiments to direct air 1002 in any other suitable direction.

[0058] Outdoor and indoor heat exchanger 120, 122 may be components of a thermodynamic assembly (i.e., sealed system), which may be operated as a refrigeration assembly (and thus perform a refrigeration cycle) or, in the case of the heat pump unit embodiment, a heat pump (and thus perform a heat pump cycle). Thus, as is understood, exemplary heat pump unit embodiments may be selectively operated perform a refrigeration cycle at certain instances (e.g., while in a cooling mode) and a heat pump cycle at other instances (e.g., while in a heating mode). By contrast, exemplary A / C exclusive unit embodiments may be unable to perform a heat pump cycle (e.g., while in the heating mode), but still perform a refrigeration cycle (e.g., while in a cooling mode).

[0059] The sealed system may, for example, further include compressor 126 (e.g., mounted on basepan 136, as illustrated in FIG. 12 and an expansion device (e.g., expansion valve or capillary tube—not pictured), both of which may be in fluid communication with the heat exchangers 120, 122 to flow refrigerant therethrough, as is generally understood. The outdoor and indoor heat exchanger 120, 122 may each include coils 146, 148, as illustrated, through which a refrigerant may flow for heat exchange purposes, as is generally understood.

[0060] Additionally, a plenum 200 (FIG. 12) may be provided to direct air to or from housing 114. When installed, plenum 200 may be selectively attached to (e.g., fixed to or mounted against) housing 114 (e.g., via a suitable mechanical fastener, adhesive, gasket, etc.) and extend through a structure wall 150 (e.g., an outer wall of the structure within which air conditioner 100 is installed). In particular, plenum 200 extends along an axial direction (e.g., parallel to the transverse direction T) through a hole or channel in the structure wall 150 that passes from an internal (indoor) surface 154 of the structure wall 150 to an external (outdoor) surface 156 of the structure wall 150. The plenum 200 may include a divider wall 256 within the plenum 200. When assembled, divider wall 256 defines a separate upper passage 258 and lower passage 260. Generally, upper passage 258 and lower passage 260 may divide or define two discrete air flow paths for air through the plenum 200. When assembled, upper passage 258 and lower passage 260 may be fluidly isolated by divider wall 256 (e.g., such that air is prevented from passing directly between passages 258 and 260 through divider wall 256, or another portion of plenum 200). Upper passage 258 may be positioned upstream from outdoor inlet 128. Lower passage 260 may be positioned downstream from outdoor outlet 130.

[0061] The operation of air conditioner 100 including compressor 126 (and thus the sealed system generally), blower fan 142, outdoor fan 124, and other suitable components may be controlled by a control board or controller 158. Controller 158 may be in communication with (e.g., connected to, via for example a suitable wired or wireless connection) such components of the air conditioner 100. By way of example, the controller 158 may include a memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of air conditioner 100. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH.

[0062] Air conditioner 100 may additionally include a control panel 160 and one or more user inputs 162 (FIG. 13), which may be included in control panel 160. The user inputs 162 may be in communication with the controller 158. A user of the air conditioner 100 may interact with the user inputs 162 to operate the air conditioner 100, and user commands may be transmitted between the user inputs 162 and controller 158 to facilitate operation of the air conditioner 100 based on such user commands. A display may additionally be provided in the control panel 160, and may be in communication with the controller 158. Display may, for example be a touchscreen or other text-readable display screen, or alternatively may simply be a light that can be activated and deactivated as required to provide an indication of, for example, an event or setting for the air conditioner 100.

[0063] Turning now to FIG. 15, an exemplary makeup air module 170 according to one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in greater detail. The makeup air module 170 is depicted in isolation in FIG. 15 (e.g., without the remainder of the air conditioner unit 100) and with external components of the makeup air module 170 illustrated in dashed lines in order to more clearly illustrate components of the makeup air module 170. As may be seen in FIG. 15, the makeup air module 170 may include a fan box 180 with a plurality of makeup air fans 182 positioned in the fan box 180. For example, the plurality of makeup air fans 182 may include two makeup air fans 182, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 15. The makeup air module 170 may also include a vent cover 186 and a door 184 between the fan box 180 and the vent cover 186. The plurality of makeup air fans 182 may be positioned and configured for parallel flow, e.g., with no fan 182 upstream or downstream of any other fan 182 of the plurality of makeup air fans 182, such that the makeup air fans 182 collectively provide a makeup air flow.

[0064] Providing the plurality of makeup air fans 182 in parallel, e.g., rather than a single makeup air fan, may advantageously provide a quieter operation of the makeup air module 170. Quieter operation may be particularly desirable in the exemplary configurations of the air conditioner unit 100 shown and described, where the makeup air module 170 is relatively close to an occupied space, e.g., the room which is conditioned by the air conditioner unit 100, for example, in contrast to a makeup air unit which is provided separately from the air conditioner unit 100 at a remote location.

[0065] The door 184 may, in some embodiments, be a motorized door, e.g., the door 184 may be coupled to a motor and the motor may be in operative communication with and controlled by the controller 158 to move the door 184 between a closed position (FIG. 14) where the door 184 prevents or limits air flow into the vent cover 186 and an open position (FIG. 15) where the door 184 permits air flow into the vent cover 186. In some embodiments, the door 184 may rotate between the closed position and the open position. For example, the door 184 may be rotatably mounted to the housing 114, such as to a top wall 115 of the housing 114, such that the door 184 is rotatable between the closed position and the open position. In some embodiments, the door 184 may be parallel to the external surface 113 of the housing 114 when the door 184 is in the closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0066] As may be seen, e.g., in FIGS. 12 and 14, the fan box 180 may be disposed within the housing 114, such as within the outdoor portion 110, and the vent cover 186 may be positioned outside of the housing 114. Thus, the makeup air module 170 may extend between the interior of the housing 114, e.g., the outdoor portion 110 of the housing 114, and an outside of the housing 114. For example, the makeup air module 170 may extend from an inlet 172 inside of the housing 114 to an outlet 176 outside of the housing 114. In some embodiments, the inlet 172 of the makeup air module 170 may be defined by an open bottom end of the fan box 180 and the outlet 176 may be defined by the vent cover 186. In some embodiments, the vent cover 186 of the makeup air module 170 may be mounted on an external surface of the housing 114, such as the vertically-facing external surface 113 of the top wall 115 of the housing 114. Thus, in such embodiments, the vent cover 186 of the makeup air module 170 may be mounted to the housing 114 atop the housing 114. Further, the outlet 176 of the makeup air module 170 may be positioned above the housing 114, e.g., along the vertical direction V.

[0067] In some embodiments, the makeup air module 170 may extend through the external surface 113 of the housing 114. For example, the external surface 113 may be an outer vertically upward-facing surface of a top wall 115 of the housing 114. In such example embodiments, the fan box 180 may be mounted on one side of the top wall 115, e.g., inside of the housing 114, and the vent cover 186 may be mounted to the other side of the top wall 115, e.g., at the external surface 113 of the top wall 115, whereby the makeup air module 170, which is at least partially defined by the fan box 180 and the vent cover 186 collectively, extends through the top wall 115 and through the external surface 113 thereof.

[0068] As may be seen in FIG. 12, in some embodiments, the makeup air module 170 may be in fluid communication with the outdoor portion 110 of the housing 114 to draw makeup air 1004 (which is a portion of the outside air 1000) from within the housing 114 into the makeup air module 170, e.g., via the inlet 172 of the makeup air module 170. For example, in at least some embodiments, the inlet 172 may be in direct fluid communication with the outdoor portion 110 to draw outside air (e.g., makeup air 1004 which, as mentioned, is a portion of the outside air 1000) from within the housing 114, e.g., from within the outdoor portion 110, directly into the makeup air module 170 at the inlet 172 of the makeup air module 170.

[0069] The portion of the outside air 1000 which is diverted from the exhaust flow (the exhaust flow is indicated by the left-pointing lower arrow 1000 coming out of the outdoor outlet 130 in FIG. 12) may depend at least in part on the relative capacity of the plurality of makeup air fans 182 and the outdoor fan 124. The capacity of the various fans is generally measured and described in terms of cubic feet per minute (“CFM”). For example, the plurality of makeup air fans 182 may collectively provide a makeup air flow and the outdoor fan 124 may provide an exhaust flow, and in various embodiments, the exhaust flow may be between about 300 CFM and about 900 CFM, while the makeup air flow may be between about 20 CFM and about 75 CFM. Thus, the makeup air flow may be between about two percent (2%) and about twenty-five percent (25%) of the exhaust flow, such as between about four percent (4%) and about ten percent (10%), such as about six percent (6%), or about eight percent (8%), or about five percent (5%).

[0070] In some embodiments, the outlet 176 of the makeup air module 170 may be aligned with a front surface 117 of the housing 114. For example, the outlet 176, or any other portion of the makeup air module 170, may not extend past the housing 114, e.g., may not extend past the front surface 117 of the housing 114 along the transverse direction T. Thus, in at least some embodiments, for example as illustrated in FIG. 12, where the housing 114 of the air conditioner unit 100 is spaced apart from a partition 152, e.g., a wall, access door, or access panel, which separates the air conditioner unit 100 from the room, the makeup air module 170, in particular the outlet 176 thereof, may also be spaced apart from the partition 152 and the louvers 174 defined therethrough. Thus, the makeup air 1004 may be provided from the makeup air module 170 to an indoor area (room or rooms) within the structure via the louvers 174, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 12. Accordingly, the makeup air module 170 may be in fluid communication with the room only indirectly, e.g., air from the outlet 176 of the makeup air module 170 may pass through the ambient environment immediately around the air conditioner unit 100 before reaching the louvers 174. For example, the ambient environment immediately around the air conditioner unit 100 may be a plenum space or an interior of a closet or utility room. Accordingly, the outlet 176 of the makeup air module 170 may be in direct fluid communication with the ambient environment immediately around the air conditioner unit 100.

[0071] In some embodiments, the makeup air module 170 may include one or more air treating or conditioning components, such as an air filter 188 or a dehumidifier (not shown). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the air filter 188 may be positioned in or near the outlet 176 of the makeup air module 170.

[0072] In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 12, the air conditioner unit 100 may further include a resistance heater 132. In such embodiments, the compressor 126 may be a variable-speed compressor and may, for example be operatively coupled to the controller 158 such that the controller 158 may control the speed of the compressor 126, e.g., vary the speed of the compressor 126 within a greater than zero range. Also in such embodiments, each makeup air fan 182 of the plurality of makeup air fans 182 may be a variable-speed fan. Thus, such embodiments may provide dehumidification as well as ventilation to the occupied space, e.g., room. For example, in such embodiments, the air conditioner unit 100 may be operable in a cooling mode wherein the variable speed compressor 126 operates at a first speed and in a dehumidification mode wherein the variable speed compressor 126 operates at a second speed less than the first speed and greater than zero. Also in the dehumidification mode, the plurality of makeup air fans 182 may be activated and the resistance heater 132 may be activated. The dehumidification mode may be useful to avoid over-cooling the room. For example, the variable speed makeup air fans 182 may be controlled by the controller 158 such that the controller 158 can adjust, e.g., increase or decrease within a greater than zero range, the speed of the makeup air fans 182 depending on, for example, the temperature and / or humidity of the outdoor air 1000. For example, the controller 158 may adjust the speed of the fans 182 using pulse width modulation.

[0073] The makeup air module 170, e.g., the door 184 and the fans 182 thereof, may be controlled based, at least in part, on input from an air humidity sensor (not shown). The air humidity sensor may be positioned in the outdoor portion 110 of the housing 114, for example. When the humidity of the outdoor air 1000 exceeds a threshold, the controller 158 may operate the air conditioner unit 100 in the dehumidification mode as described above in order to thereby reduce the humidity of the makeup air 1004 provided to the indoor environment as compared to the humidity of the outdoor air 1000. The threshold may be about fifty-five percent (55%) relative humidity, where “about” includes plus or minus ten percentage points of the stated value, e.g., about 55% includes between 45% and 65%. Additionally, as will be described further below, the makeup air module 170 may also be controlled based on one or more measured air quality characteristics and / or air quality data.

[0074] When the indoor room is not occupied, which may be detected by, e.g., the main control 158 or by an external control device, the door 184 may be closed (e.g., actuated by a motor from the open position or an intermediate position to the closed position, where air flow into the makeup air module 170 is prevented or obstructed), the makeup air fans 182 are shut down, and the makeup air module 170 is thereby deactivated. As will described further below, in some embodiments, the makeup air module 170 may be deactivated when the indoor room is occupied, e.g., in certain scenarios based on the indoor air quality and / or the outdoor air quality.

[0075] The foregoing descriptions of air conditioner units 10 and 100 is provided by way of example only. The present disclosure may be used with a variety of air conditioner units which provide makeup air.

[0076] Turning now to FIG. 16, embodiments of the present disclosure also include methods of operating an air conditioner unit such as method 500 illustrated in FIG. 16, where the air conditioner unit may be, e.g., the air conditioner unit 10 or 100 described above.

[0077] As illustrated in FIG. 16, method 500 may include (510) determining an air quality characteristic, e.g., at least one air quality characteristic of the indoor air and / or outdoor air. For example, the one or more air quality characteristics may be determined by measuring with one or more air quality sensors, and / or by receiving air quality data via a wireless signal. The wireless signal may be or may include communication by the controller (e.g., controller 84 or 158) of the air conditioner unit with one or more separate external devices to permit interaction, data transfer, and other communications between the air conditioner unit and the one or more external devices. The external devices may be or may include remote user interface devices, e.g., a personal phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop or personal computer, a wearable device, a smart home system, etc., and / or remote computing devices such as a remote database, a distributed computing system such as the fog, edge, or cloud, etc. The wireless signal may be transmitted from one or more external devices and received by the controller of the air conditioner unit using any suitable communications protocols, such as via Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, wireless radio, laser, infrared, etc. In addition, such communication may use a variety of communication protocols (e.g., TCP / IP, HTTP, SMTP, FTP), encodings or formats (e.g., HTML, XML), and / or protection schemes (e.g., VPN, secure HTTP, SSL).

[0078] Methods according to the present disclosure may generally include operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic. For example, a door of the makeup air system may be positioned based on the one or more determined air quality characteristics and / or a fan of the makeup air system may be operated, e.g., rotated, at a speed based on the one or more determined air quality characteristics. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, method 500 may include (520) determining a position of the door (e.g., door 96 illustrated in FIG. 9 or door 184 illustrated in FIGS. 13-15) based on the determined air quality characteristic and (530) moving the door to the determined position. As another example, method 500 may also or instead include (522) determining a speed of the fan (e.g., fan 94 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 or one or both of fans 182 illustrated in FIGS. 13-15) based on the determined air quality characteristic and (532) operating the fan at the determined speed.

[0079] The makeup air system may be operated based on occupancy of the room or other conditioned space, as well as ambient conditions, such as temperature and / or humidity, in the indoor and outdoor environments. In methods according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the makeup air system may further be operated based on and in response to air quality of the indoor space and / or the outdoor environment. For example, the makeup air system may be operated in response to air quality alone, such as without considering occupancy or ambient conditions or despite the occupancy or ambient conditions.

[0080] Operating the makeup air system despite the occupancy or ambient conditions may include activating the makeup air system (e.g., opening a door of the makeup air system and / or rotating a fan of the makeup air system) when there is no call for makeup air based on the occupancy or ambient conditions, or may include deactivating the makeup air system when there is a call for makeup air in response to one or both of occupancy and ambient conditions, e.g., overriding the call for makeup air, such as when the outdoor air quality is poor (either when considered in isolation or in comparison to the indoor air quality, e.g., when the outdoor air quality is worse than the indoor air quality). The makeup air system may also be operated based on air quality as well as occupancy and / or ambient conditions.

[0081] For example, a preliminary setting for the makeup air system, such as a preliminary fan speed, may be determined based on occupancy and / or ambient conditions, and a final fan speed which is actually implemented may be determined based on air quality, e.g., methods according to the present disclosure may include determining a first value of an operating parameter for the makeup air system (e.g., position of the door, speed of the fan, etc.) based on occupancy and / or ambient conditions, determining a second value of the operating parameter (or a modifying factor for the first value) based on air quality, and then implementing the second value or modified value, e.g., operating the makeup air system according to the second value or modified value, such as rotating the fan of the makeup air system at the second speed or modified speed which is based on the air quality and is different from the makeup air fan speed based on occupancy and / or ambient conditions alone.

[0082] Thus, methods according to the present disclosure may include determining an air quality characteristic and operating the makeup air system of an air conditioner unit in response to the determined air quality characteristic. Determining an air quality characteristic includes determining at least one air quality characteristic of the indoor air and / or an outdoor air. The air quality characteristic(s) may be determined by one or more sensors in the indoor portion and / or outdoor portion of the air conditioner unit, and / or may be determined via a wireless signal, such as downloading air quality data from the internet, receiving air quality data from a remote sensor separate and apart from the air conditioner unit which communicates wirelessly, e.g., via Bluetooth® or the like, with the controller of the air conditioner unit, or other wireless signals.

[0083] For example, determining the air quality characteristic may include measuring at least one of an outdoor air quality characteristic with an outdoor air quality sensor and an indoor air quality characteristic with an indoor air quality sensor. In such embodiments, determining the air quality characteristic may, for example, include measuring both of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the outdoor air quality sensor and the indoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality sensor, and may further include comparing the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic, such as comparing indoor and outdoor PM levels, VOC’s, and / or other similar air quality characteristics. In such embodiments, operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic may be in response to the comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic. For example, when the indoor air quality characteristic is better than the outdoor air quality characteristic (e.g., a lower level of a substance of concern is found / determined in the indoor air), operating the makeup air system in response to the comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic may include opening the door of the makeup air system and / or rotating the makeup air fan (such as increasing speed of the fan of the makeup air system) in response to the comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic. As another example, when the indoor air quality characteristic is worse than the outdoor air quality characteristic, operating the makeup air system in response to the comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic may include closing the door of the makeup air system and / or slowing or stopping the makeup air fan in response to the comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic.

[0084] In additional embodiments which include comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic, one of the air quality characteristics may be measured with a sensor and the other air quality characteristic may be determined by receiving, by a controller of the air conditioner unit, air quality data via a wireless signal, or both air quality characteristics may be determined by receiving, by the controller of the air conditioner unit, air quality data via a wireless signal. For example, the air quality data may represent an outdoor air quality characteristic, and such embodiments may also include measuring, with an indoor air quality sensor of the air conditioner unit, an indoor air quality characteristic. Such embodiments may further include comparing the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic, and the makeup air system may be operated in response to the comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic, e.g., as described above.

[0085] The air quality characteristic(s) which may be determined by measuring with a sensor or receiving air quality data wirelessly include, for example, pollen count, an air quality index, smog alerts and / or ozone (O3) levels, particulate matter levels or concentrations (e.g., of PM2.5 and / or PM10), levels or concentrations of various substances such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and / or other similar air quality characteristics. Accordingly, for example, when the indoor air quality and outdoor air quality are compared, the air including the higher level or concentration of one or more of the foregoing example substances may be considered as having the worse air quality in such embodiments. Thus, for example, when it is determined that CO is higher in the indoor air than in the outdoor air, the makeup air system may be activated in response to such determination, e.g., a fan of the makeup air system may be activated or the speed thereof may be increased in response to comparing the indoor CO level to the outdoor CO level and determining that the indoor CO level is higher. In additional examples, any one or more air quality characteristics may be compared and the makeup air system may be activated in response to some or all of such comparisons, such as any one air quality characteristic reaching a critical level, or an average or composite of multiple air quality characteristics, e.g., the makeup air system may be activated in response to a majority of comparisons of air quality characteristics, etc.

[0086] Methods according to the present disclosure, e.g., method 500, may further include a user in the loop (e.g., instead of automatically operating or adjusting the makeup air system based on air quality). For example, methods may include providing a user notification of the one or more determined air quality characteristics. The user notification may be provided, e.g., on a display of the air conditioner unit (such as display 90 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4) and / or on a remote user interface device. In such embodiments, the methods may also include receiving an input in response to the user notification, e.g., from a local input or control of the air conditioner unit (e.g., user inputs 88 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 or user inputs 162 illustrated in FIG. 16) and / or from the remote user interface device. In such embodiments, operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic may include operating the makeup air system based on the received input. For example, where the determined air quality characteristic is a pollen count, a user with allergies or pollen sensitivity may wish to override a call for makeup air or reduce the amount of makeup air provided, whereas a different user may still desire makeup air in the same circumstances, e.g., in spite of a high pollen count which may not be a concern to such users.

[0087] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0029] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0030] As used herein, the terms “first,”“second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” a...

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to air conditioner units, and more particularly to air conditioner units that utilize makeup air and related methods. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Air conditioner units, which may also be referred to as air conditioning units, are conventionally utilized to adjust the temperature indoors, i.e., within structures such as dwellings and office buildings. Such units commonly include a closed refrigeration loop to heat or cool the indoor air. Typically, the indoor air is recirculated while being heated or cooled.

[0003] A variety of sizes and configurations are available for such air conditioner units. For example, some units may have one portion installed within the indoors that is connected, by e.g., tubing carrying refrigerant through the closed refrigeration loop, to another portion located outdoors. These types of units are typically used for conditioning the air in larger spaces.

[0004] Another type of unit, e.g., one-unit type room air conditioner units, such as single-package vertical units (SPVU), or package terminal air conditioners (PTAC), may be used for somewhat smaller indoor spaces that are to be air conditioned, for example, a single room or group of rooms of a structure. Such units are, for example, sometimes installed in windows or positioned within an opening of an exterior wall of a building. These units may include both an indoor portion and an outdoor portion which are separated, e.g., by a bulkhead, but which are integrated within a single structural package, such as supported within the same frame or casing. The indoor portion generally communicates (e.g., exchanges air) with the area within a building, and the outdoor portion generally communicates (e.g., exchanges air) with the area outside the building. Generally, a fan may be operable to rotate to motivate air through the indoor portion. Another fan may be operable to rotate to motivate air through the outdoor portion.

[0005] Makeup air, e.g., additional fresh air from outside of the building, is typically provided when the outdoor ambient conditions are favorable, e.g., when the outdoor temperature is within a certain range of the target temperature in the indoor conditioned space, such that the additional air from outside (i.e., makeup air) can be utilized with minimal or little conditioning, such as conditioned by a makeup air module which is generally smaller and less energy-intensive than the primary sealed refrigerant system of the air conditioner unit. Thus, utilizing makeup air may provide energy savings and increased fresh air within the conditioned space.

[0006] Whether to provide makeup air, and how much makeup air to provide, is typically determined based on occupancy of the conditioned space (e.g., whether people are present in a conditioned room, and / or how many people are present) as well as ambient conditions such as temperature and / or humidity, as mentioned. In some cases, however, additional factors such as indoor air quality or outdoor air quality may influence the desirability of drawing in additional air from outside. For example, when the outdoor air quality is undesirable, such as a high level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), pollen, or other substances is found in the outdoor air, some users may prefer less makeup air (or none at all) than would otherwise be provided, e.g., based on occupancy and / or ambient conditions. As another example, in some cases the indoor air quality may be impaired (e.g., the level of VOCs indoors may be significantly higher than outdoors) such that more makeup air than would typically be provided (e.g., based on occupancy / ambient conditions) is desired.

[0007] Accordingly, improved air conditioner units and associated methods for providing makeup air are desired. In particular, air conditioner units and associated methods that can provide improved air quality control would be useful. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

[0009] In accordance with one embodiment, a method of operating an air conditioner unit is provided. The air conditioner unit includes a housing and a makeup air system. The housing defines an outdoor portion and an indoor portion. The method includes determining an air quality characteristic and operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic.

[0010] In accordance with another embodiment, an air conditioner unit is provided. The air conditioner unit includes a housing and a makeup air system. The housing defines an outdoor portion and an indoor portion. The air conditioner unit further includes a controller. The controller is configured for determining an air quality characteristic and operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic.

[0011] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

[0013] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an air conditioner unit, with part of an indoor portion exploded from a remainder of the air conditioner unit for illustrative purposes, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of components of an indoor portion of the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a bulkhead assembly of the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of components of the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of components of an outdoor portion of the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of components of an outdoor portion of the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective section view of components of the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective section view of components of the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a side section view of components of the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of an auxiliary fan positioned within a vent aperture in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 11 provides a perspective view of an air conditioner unit according to one or more additional exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 12 provides a transverse cross section view of the exemplary air conditioner unit of FIG. 11.

[0025] FIG. 13 provides a top down view of the exemplary air conditioner unit of FIG. 11.

[0026] FIG. 14 provides a schematic lateral cross section view of the exemplary air conditioner unit of FIG. 11.

[0027] FIG. 15 provides a perspective view of a makeup air module for an air conditioner unit, such as the air conditioner unit of FIG. 11, according to one or more additional exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 16 provides a flow diagram of an exemplary method of operating an air conditioner unit according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0030] As used herein, the terms “first,”“second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and / or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0031] Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,”“about,”“approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components and / or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin, i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V.

[0032] The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” In addition, references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “an embodiment” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 1, an air conditioner unit 10 is provided. The air conditioner unit 10 is a one-unit type air conditioner, also conventionally referred to as a room air conditioner. The unit 10 includes an indoor portion 12 and an outdoor portion 14, and generally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T. Each direction V, L, T is perpendicular to each other, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined.

[0034] A housing 20 of the unit 10 may contain various other components of the unit 10. Housing 20 may include, for example, a rear grill 22 and a room front 24 which may be spaced apart along the transverse direction T by a wall sleeve 26. The rear grill 22 may be part of the outdoor portion 14, and the room front 24 may be part of the indoor portion 12. Components of the outdoor portion 14, such as an outdoor heat exchanger 30, outdoor fan 32, and compressor 34 may be housed within the wall sleeve 26. A casing 36 may additionally enclose the outdoor fan, as shown.

[0035] Referring now also to FIG. 2, indoor portion 12 may include, for example, an indoor heat exchanger 40, a blower fan 42, and a heating unit 44. These components may, for example, be housed behind the room front 24. Additionally, a bulkhead 46 may generally support and / or house various other components or portions thereof of the indoor portion 12, such as the blower fan 42 and the heating unit 44. Bulkhead 46 may generally separate and define the indoor portion 12 and outdoor portion 14.

[0036] Outdoor and indoor heat exchangers 30, 40 may be components of a refrigeration loop (the refrigeration loop may also be referred to a sealed refrigeration system). The refrigeration loop may, for example, further include compressor 34 and an expansion device 50 (see, e.g., FIG. 5). As illustrated, compressor 34 and expansion device 50 may be in fluid communication with outdoor heat exchanger 30 and indoor heat exchanger 40 to flow refrigerant therethrough as is generally understood. More particularly, the refrigeration loop may include various lines for flowing refrigerant between the various components of the refrigeration loop, thus providing the fluid communication there between. Refrigerant may thus flow through such lines from indoor heat exchanger 40 to compressor 34, from compressor 34 to outdoor heat exchanger 30, from outdoor heat exchanger 30 to expansion device 50, and from expansion device 50 to indoor heat exchanger 40. The refrigerant may generally undergo phase changes associated with a refrigeration cycle as it flows to and through these various components, as is generally understood. One suitable refrigerant for use in the refrigeration loop is 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane, also known as R-134A, although it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such example and rather that any suitable refrigerant may be utilized.

[0037] As is understood in the art, the refrigeration loop may alternately be operated as a refrigeration assembly (and thus perform a refrigeration cycle) or a heat pump (and thus perform a heat pump cycle). When the refrigeration loop is operating in a cooling mode and thus performs a refrigeration cycle, the indoor heat exchanger 40 acts as an evaporator and the outdoor heat exchanger 30 acts as a condenser. Alternatively, when the assembly is operating in a heating mode and thus performs a heat pump cycle, the indoor heat exchanger 40 acts as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger 30 acts as an evaporator. The outdoor and indoor heat exchangers 30, 40 may each include coils through which a refrigerant may flow for heat exchange purposes, as is generally understood.

[0038] According to an example embodiment, compressor 34 may be a variable speed compressor. In this regard, compressor 34 may be operated at various speeds depending on the current air conditioning needs of the room and the demand from the refrigeration loop. For example, according to an exemplary embodiment, compressor 34 may be configured to operate at any speed from a minimum speed, e.g., 1500 revolutions per minute (RPM), to a maximum rated speed, e.g., 3500 RPM. Use of variable speed compressor 34 may permit efficient operation of the refrigeration loop (and thus air conditioner unit 10), minimizes unnecessary noise when compressor 34 does not need to operate at full speed, and may ensure a comfortable environment within the room.

[0039] In exemplary embodiments as illustrated, expansion device 50 may be disposed in the outdoor portion 14 between the indoor heat exchanger 40 and the outdoor heat exchanger 30. According to the exemplary embodiment, expansion device 50 may be an electronic expansion valve that enables controlled expansion of refrigerant, as is known in the art. More specifically, electronic expansion device 50 may be configured to precisely control the expansion of the refrigerant to maintain, for example, a desired temperature differential of the refrigerant across the indoor heat exchanger 40. In other words, electronic expansion device 50 throttles the flow of refrigerant based on the reaction of the temperature differential across indoor heat exchanger 40 or the amount of superheat temperature differential, thereby ensuring that the refrigerant is in the gaseous state entering compressor 34. According to alternative embodiments, expansion device 50 may be a capillary tube or another suitable expansion device configured for use in a thermodynamic cycle.

[0040] Bulkhead 46 may include various peripheral surfaces that define an interior 52 thereof. For example, and additionally referring to FIG. 3, bulkhead 46 may include a first sidewall 54 and a second sidewall 56 which are spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction L. A rear wall 58 may extend laterally between the first sidewall 54 and second sidewall 56. The rear wall 58 may, for example, include an upper portion 60 and a lower portion 64. Lower portion 64 may have a generally linear cross-sectional shape, and may be positioned below upper portion 60 along the vertical direction V. Rear wall 58 may further include an indoor facing surface and an opposing outdoor facing surface. The indoor facing surface may face the interior 52 and indoor portion 12, and the outdoor facing surface may face the outdoor portion 14. Bulkhead 46 may additionally extend between a top end 62 and a bottom end 66 along vertical axis V. Upper portion 60 may, for example, include top end 62, while lower portion 64 may, for example, include bottom end 66. Bulkhead 46 may additionally include, for example, an air diverter 68, which may extend between the sidewalls 54, 56 along the lateral direction L and which may flow air therethrough.

[0041] Upper portion 60 may have a generally curvilinear cross-sectional shape, and may accommodate a portion of the blower fan 42, which may be, for example, a centrifugal fan. Alternatively, however, any suitable fan type may be utilized. Blower fan 42 may include a blade assembly 70 and a motor 72. The blade assembly 70, which may include one or more blades disposed within a fan housing 74, may be disposed at least partially within the interior 52 of the bulkhead 46, such as within the upper portion 60. As shown, blade assembly 70 may for example extend along the lateral direction L between the first sidewall 54 and the second sidewall 56. The motor 72 may be connected to the blade assembly 70, such as through the housing 74 to the blades via a shaft. Operation of the motor 72 may rotate the blades, thus generally operating the blower fan 42. Further, in exemplary embodiments, motor 72 may be disposed exterior to the bulkhead 46. Accordingly, the shaft may for example extend through one of the sidewalls 54, 56 to connect the motor 72 and blade assembly 70.

[0042] Notably, according to an exemplary embodiment, outdoor fan 32 and blower fan 42 are variable speed fans. For example, referring to blower fan 42, motor 72 may be configured to rotate blade assembly 70 at different rotational speeds, thereby generating different air flow rates through blower fan 42. It may be desirable to operate fans 32, 42 at less than their maximum rated speed to ensure safe and proper operation of the refrigeration loop at less than its maximum rated speed, e.g., to reduce noise when full speed operation is not needed. In addition, fans 32, 42 may be operated to urge makeup air into the room.

[0043] According to the illustrated embodiment, blower fan 42 may operate as an evaporator fan in the refrigeration loop to encourage the flow of air through indoor heat exchanger 40. Accordingly, blower fan 42 may be positioned downstream of indoor heat exchanger 40 along the flow direction of indoor air and downstream of heating unit 44 along the flow direction of outdoor air (when makeup air is being supplied). Alternatively, blower fan 42 may be positioned upstream of indoor heat exchanger 40 along the flow direction of indoor air, and may operate to push air through indoor heat exchanger 40.

[0044] Heating unit 44 in exemplary embodiments includes one or more heater banks 80. Each heater bank 80 may be operated as desired to produce heat. In some embodiments as shown, three heater banks 80 may be utilized. Alternatively, however, any suitable number of heater banks 80 may be utilized. Each heater bank 80 may further include at least one heater coil or coil pass 82, such as in exemplary embodiments two heater coils or coil passes 82. Alternatively, other suitable heating elements may be utilized.

[0045] The operation of air conditioner unit 10 including compressor 34 (and thus refrigeration loop generally) blower fan 42, outdoor fan 32 (FIG. 8), heating unit 44, expansion device 50, and other components of the refrigeration loop may be controlled by a processing device such as a controller 84. Controller 84 may be in communication (via for example a suitable wired or wireless connection) to such components of the air conditioner unit 10. By way of example, the controller 84 may include a memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of unit 10. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor.

[0046] Unit 10 may additionally include a control panel 86 and one or more user inputs 88, which may be included in control panel 86. The user inputs 88 may be in communication with the controller 84. A user of the unit 10 may interact with the user inputs 88 to operate the unit 10, and user commands may be transmitted between the user inputs 88 and controller 84 to facilitate operation of the unit 10 based on such user commands. A display 90 may additionally be provided in the control panel 86, and may be in communication with the controller 84. Display 90 may, for example be a touchscreen or other text-readable display screen, or alternatively may simply be a light that can be activated and deactivated as required to provide an indication of, for example, an event or setting for the unit 10.

[0047] Referring briefly to FIG. 3, a vent aperture 92 may be defined in the rear wall 58 of bulkhead 46. Vent aperture 92 may allow air flow therethrough between the indoor portion 12 and outdoor portion 14, and may be utilized in an installed air conditioner unit 10 to allow outdoor air to flow therethrough into the room through the indoor portion 12. In this regard, in some cases it may be desirable to allow outside air to flow into the room in order to compensate for negative pressure created within the room by, e.g., turning on a bathroom fan. In this manner, according to an exemplary embodiment, outside air, also referred to as makeup air, may be provided into the room through vent aperture 92 when a negative pressure is created, e.g., as air is drawn out of the room by the bathroom fan.

[0048] As explained in detail below, blower fan 42 and outdoor fan 32 may be used to provide makeup air into the room when desired. However, referring now generally to FIGS. 3 through 10, air conditioner unit 10 may further include an auxiliary fan 94 (see, e.g., FIGS. 9 and 10) that may be used with the existing refrigeration loop to force additional outdoor air through vent aperture 92. Auxiliary fan 94 may, according to the illustrated example embodiment, be positioned within outdoor portion 14 proximate to vent aperture 92. Additionally or alternatively, auxiliary fan 94 may be partially or wholly disposed in vent aperture 92 or partially or wholly disposed in indoor portion 12. Accordingly, auxiliary fan 94 may urge or induce a flow of outdoor air from the outdoors through vent aperture 92 to the indoor portion 12.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 10, auxiliary fan 94 is a single fan disposed within vent aperture 92. Notably, if auxiliary fan 94 does not cover the entire vent aperture 92, gaps may allow air to flow around auxiliary fan 92 into indoor portion 12. In circumstances where it is desirable to force all outdoor air through auxiliary fan 94, covers may be placed over these gaps to prevent flow around auxiliary fan 94. According to another exemplary embodiment, more than one auxiliary fan may be used. In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment, a screen may be positioned over vent aperture 92 to capture any bugs or large particles in the flow of makeup air.

[0050] A door 96 may be pivotally mounted to the bulkhead 46 proximate to vent aperture 92 to open and close vent aperture 92. More specifically, according to the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 9, door 96 is pivotally mounted to the indoor facing surface of indoor portion 12. Door 96 may be configured to pivot between a first, closed position where door 96 prevents air from flowing between outdoor portion 14 and indoor portion 12, and a second, open position where door 96 is positioned parallel to a heat shield 91 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9) and allows makeup air to flow into the room. According to the illustrated embodiment, door 96 may be pivoted between the open and closed position by an electric motor 98 controlled by controller 84, or by any other suitable method.

[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, air conditioner unit 10 may, in some embodiments, further include one or more air quality sensors, such as an outdoor air quality sensor 95 and an indoor air quality sensor 97. Outdoor air quality sensor 95 may, for example, be disposed within outdoor portion 14 and indoor air quality sensor 97 may, for example, be disposed within indoor portion 12. Each air quality sensor may be configured to measure one or more air quality characteristics of air in the respective environment, e.g., the outdoor air quality sensor in the outdoor environment and the indoor air quality sensor in the indoor environment. One skilled in the art will appreciate that sensors 95, 97 may be positioned at any other suitable location within unit 10, and that additional sensors may be used throughout unit 10. For example, the measured air quality characteristic(s) may be or may include a particulate matter (PM) level (e.g., PM2.5 and / or PM10), a level of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), a carbon monoxide (CO) concentration, a carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, and / or other similar air quality characteristics. Multiple air quality characteristics may be measured by a single sensor, or multiple sensors may be used where each sensor measures a specific air quality characteristic.

[0052] Another exemplary air conditioner unit 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 15. FIG. 11 provides a perspective view of the exemplary air conditioner appliance 100. FIG. 12 provides a transverse cross section view of the exemplary air conditioner unit, e.g., the section of FIG. 12 is taken along a transverse-vertical plane defined by the transverse direction T and the vertical direction V. FIG. 13 is a top-down view of the air conditioner 100. FIG. 14 is a schematic section view taken along the section line 4-4 in FIG. 13. The line 4-4 in FIG. 13 extends along the lateral direction L, e.g., FIG. 14 is a lateral section view taken along a lateral-vertical plane defined by the lateral direction L and the vertical direction V. In some embodiments, the air conditioner unit 100 may be provided as a one-unit type air conditioner 100, such as a single-package vertical unit (SPVU), as illustrated, or a package terminal air conditioners (PTAC). Throughout the discussion herein, references to a “single-package air conditioner unit” are to be understood as referring to any suitable one-unit type air conditioner appliance, such as but not limited to an SPVU or a PTAC. Air conditioner 100 includes a package housing 114 supporting an indoor portion 112 (FIG. 12) and an outdoor portion 110 (FIG. 12) within an interior of the housing 114. A makeup air module 170 is positioned at least partially on an outside or exterior of the housing 114, e.g., on an external surface 113 of the housing 114, such as on a vertically upward facing top external surface 113, whereby at least a portion of the makeup air module 170 is mounted atop the housing 114.

[0053] Generally, air conditioner 100 defines a vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T. Each direction V, L, T is perpendicular to every other of the V, L, and T directions, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined.

[0054] In some embodiments, housing 114 contains various other components of the air conditioner 100. Housing 114 may include, for example, a rear opening 116 (e.g., with or without a grill or grate thereacross) and a front opening 118 (e.g., with or without a grill or grate thereacross) may be spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction T. The rear opening 116 may be part of the outdoor portion 110, while the front opening 118 is part of the indoor portion 112. Components of the outdoor portion 110, such as an outdoor heat exchanger 120, outdoor fan 124, and compressor 126 (FIG. 12) may be enclosed within housing 114 between front opening 118 and rear opening 116. In certain embodiments, one or more components of outdoor portion 110 are mounted on a basepan 136, as shown.

[0055] During certain operations, outdoor air 1000 (FIG. 12) may be drawn to outdoor portion 110 through rear opening 116. Specifically, an outdoor inlet 128 defined through housing 114 may receive outdoor air 1000 motivated by outdoor fan 124. Within housing 114, the received outdoor air 1000 may be motivated through or across outdoor fan 124. Moreover, at least a portion of the outdoor air 1000 may be motivated through or across outdoor heat exchanger 120 (FIG. 12) before exiting the rear opening 116 at an outdoor outlet 130. It is noted that although outdoor inlet 128 is illustrated as being defined above outdoor outlet 130, alternative embodiments may reverse this relative orientation (e.g., such that outdoor inlet 128 is defined below outdoor outlet 130) or provide outdoor inlet 128 beside outdoor outlet 130 in a side-by-side orientation, or another suitable discrete orientation.

[0056] As shown, indoor portion 112 may include an indoor heat exchanger 122 and a blower fan 142. These components may, for example, be housed behind the front opening 118. The indoor blower fan 142 may be mounted within a fan housing 134. As illustrated for example in FIGS. 12 and 14, the fan housing 134 may include a partial circular portion in which the blower fan 142 is mounted and a transition duct portion which extends from the partial circular portion and the blower fan 142 therein to an indoor outlet 140 above the indoor fan 142. Fan housing 134 may thereby at least partially separate and define the indoor portion 112 and outdoor portion 110 within housing 114. Additionally or alternatively, fan housing 134 or indoor heat exchanger 122 may be mounted on basepan 136 (e.g., at a higher vertical position than outdoor heat exchanger 120).

[0057] During certain operations, indoor air 1002 (FIG. 12) may be drawn to indoor portion 112 through front opening 118. Specifically, an indoor inlet 138 defined through housing 114 may receive indoor air 1002 motivated by blower fan 142. At least a portion of the indoor air 1002 may be motivated through or across indoor heat exchanger 122 (e.g., before passing to fan housing 134). From blower fan 142, indoor air 1002 may be motivated and returned to the indoor area of the room through an indoor outlet 140 defined through housing 114 (e.g., above indoor inlet 138 along the vertical direction V) and into a vertical exhaust duct (not shown) extending upward along the vertical direction V from the housing 114. It is noted that although indoor outlet 140 is illustrated as generally directing air 1002 upward, it is understood that indoor outlet 140 and exhaust duct 141 may be defined in alternative embodiments to direct air 1002 in any other suitable direction.

[0058] Outdoor and indoor heat exchanger 120, 122 may be components of a thermodynamic assembly (i.e., sealed system), which may be operated as a refrigeration assembly (and thus perform a refrigeration cycle) or, in the case of the heat pump unit embodiment, a heat pump (and thus perform a heat pump cycle). Thus, as is understood, exemplary heat pump unit embodiments may be selectively operated perform a refrigeration cycle at certain instances (e.g., while in a cooling mode) and a heat pump cycle at other instances (e.g., while in a heating mode). By contrast, exemplary A / C exclusive unit embodiments may be unable to perform a heat pump cycle (e.g., while in the heating mode), but still perform a refrigeration cycle (e.g., while in a cooling mode).

[0059] The sealed system may, for example, further include compressor 126 (e.g., mounted on basepan 136, as illustrated in FIG. 12 and an expansion device (e.g., expansion valve or capillary tube—not pictured), both of which may be in fluid communication with the heat exchangers 120, 122 to flow refrigerant therethrough, as is generally understood. The outdoor and indoor heat exchanger 120, 122 may each include coils 146, 148, as illustrated, through which a refrigerant may flow for heat exchange purposes, as is generally understood.

[0060] Additionally, a plenum 200 (FIG. 12) may be provided to direct air to or from housing 114. When installed, plenum 200 may be selectively attached to (e.g., fixed to or mounted against) housing 114 (e.g., via a suitable mechanical fastener, adhesive, gasket, etc.) and extend through a structure wall 150 (e.g., an outer wall of the structure within which air conditioner 100 is installed). In particular, plenum 200 extends along an axial direction (e.g., parallel to the transverse direction T) through a hole or channel in the structure wall 150 that passes from an internal (indoor) surface 154 of the structure wall 150 to an external (outdoor) surface 156 of the structure wall 150. The plenum 200 may include a divider wall 256 within the plenum 200. When assembled, divider wall 256 defines a separate upper passage 258 and lower passage 260. Generally, upper passage 258 and lower passage 260 may divide or define two discrete air flow paths for air through the plenum 200. When assembled, upper passage 258 and lower passage 260 may be fluidly isolated by divider wall 256 (e.g., such that air is prevented from passing directly between passages 258 and 260 through divider wall 256, or another portion of plenum 200). Upper passage 258 may be positioned upstream from outdoor inlet 128. Lower passage 260 may be positioned downstream from outdoor outlet 130.

[0061] The operation of air conditioner 100 including compressor 126 (and thus the sealed system generally), blower fan 142, outdoor fan 124, and other suitable components may be controlled by a control board or controller 158. Controller 158 may be in communication with (e.g., connected to, via for example a suitable wired or wireless connection) such components of the air conditioner 100. By way of example, the controller 158 may include a memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of air conditioner 100. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH.

[0062] Air conditioner 100 may additionally include a control panel 160 and one or more user inputs 162 (FIG. 13), which may be included in control panel 160. The user inputs 162 may be in communication with the controller 158. A user of the air conditioner 100 may interact with the user inputs 162 to operate the air conditioner 100, and user commands may be transmitted between the user inputs 162 and controller 158 to facilitate operation of the air conditioner 100 based on such user commands. A display may additionally be provided in the control panel 160, and may be in communication with the controller 158. Display may, for example be a touchscreen or other text-readable display screen, or alternatively may simply be a light that can be activated and deactivated as required to provide an indication of, for example, an event or setting for the air conditioner 100.

[0063] Turning now to FIG. 15, an exemplary makeup air module 170 according to one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in greater detail. The makeup air module 170 is depicted in isolation in FIG. 15 (e.g., without the remainder of the air conditioner unit 100) and with external components of the makeup air module 170 illustrated in dashed lines in order to more clearly illustrate components of the makeup air module 170. As may be seen in FIG. 15, the makeup air module 170 may include a fan box 180 with a plurality of makeup air fans 182 positioned in the fan box 180. For example, the plurality of makeup air fans 182 may include two makeup air fans 182, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 15. The makeup air module 170 may also include a vent cover 186 and a door 184 between the fan box 180 and the vent cover 186. The plurality of makeup air fans 182 may be positioned and configured for parallel flow, e.g., with no fan 182 upstream or downstream of any other fan 182 of the plurality of makeup air fans 182, such that the makeup air fans 182 collectively provide a makeup air flow.

[0064] Providing the plurality of makeup air fans 182 in parallel, e.g., rather than a single makeup air fan, may advantageously provide a quieter operation of the makeup air module 170. Quieter operation may be particularly desirable in the exemplary configurations of the air conditioner unit 100 shown and described, where the makeup air module 170 is relatively close to an occupied space, e.g., the room which is conditioned by the air conditioner unit 100, for example, in contrast to a makeup air unit which is provided separately from the air conditioner unit 100 at a remote location.

[0065] The door 184 may, in some embodiments, be a motorized door, e.g., the door 184 may be coupled to a motor and the motor may be in operative communication with and controlled by the controller 158 to move the door 184 between a closed position (FIG. 14) where the door 184 prevents or limits air flow into the vent cover 186 and an open position (FIG. 15) where the door 184 permits air flow into the vent cover 186. In some embodiments, the door 184 may rotate between the closed position and the open position. For example, the door 184 may be rotatably mounted to the housing 114, such as to a top wall 115 of the housing 114, such that the door 184 is rotatable between the closed position and the open position. In some embodiments, the door 184 may be parallel to the external surface 113 of the housing 114 when the door 184 is in the closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0066] As may be seen, e.g., in FIGS. 12 and 14, the fan box 180 may be disposed within the housing 114, such as within the outdoor portion 110, and the vent cover 186 may be positioned outside of the housing 114. Thus, the makeup air module 170 may extend between the interior of the housing 114, e.g., the outdoor portion 110 of the housing 114, and an outside of the housing 114. For example, the makeup air module 170 may extend from an inlet 172 inside of the housing 114 to an outlet 176 outside of the housing 114. In some embodiments, the inlet 172 of the makeup air module 170 may be defined by an open bottom end of the fan box 180 and the outlet 176 may be defined by the vent cover 186. In some embodiments, the vent cover 186 of the makeup air module 170 may be mounted on an external surface of the housing 114, such as the vertically-facing external surface 113 of the top wall 115 of the housing 114. Thus, in such embodiments, the vent cover 186 of the makeup air module 170 may be mounted to the housing 114 atop the housing 114. Further, the outlet 176 of the makeup air module 170 may be positioned above the housing 114, e.g., along the vertical direction V.

[0067] In some embodiments, the makeup air module 170 may extend through the external surface 113 of the housing 114. For example, the external surface 113 may be an outer vertically upward-facing surface of a top wall 115 of the housing 114. In such example embodiments, the fan box 180 may be mounted on one side of the top wall 115, e.g., inside of the housing 114, and the vent cover 186 may be mounted to the other side of the top wall 115, e.g., at the external surface 113 of the top wall 115, whereby the makeup air module 170, which is at least partially defined by the fan box 180 and the vent cover 186 collectively, extends through the top wall 115 and through the external surface 113 thereof.

[0068] As may be seen in FIG. 12, in some embodiments, the makeup air module 170 may be in fluid communication with the outdoor portion 110 of the housing 114 to draw makeup air 1004 (which is a portion of the outside air 1000) from within the housing 114 into the makeup air module 170, e.g., via the inlet 172 of the makeup air module 170. For example, in at least some embodiments, the inlet 172 may be in direct fluid communication with the outdoor portion 110 to draw outside air (e.g., makeup air 1004 which, as mentioned, is a portion of the outside air 1000) from within the housing 114, e.g., from within the outdoor portion 110, directly into the makeup air module 170 at the inlet 172 of the makeup air module 170.

[0069] The portion of the outside air 1000 which is diverted from the exhaust flow (the exhaust flow is indicated by the left-pointing lower arrow 1000 coming out of the outdoor outlet 130 in FIG. 12) may depend at least in part on the relative capacity of the plurality of makeup air fans 182 and the outdoor fan 124. The capacity of the various fans is generally measured and described in terms of cubic feet per minute (“CFM”). For example, the plurality of makeup air fans 182 may collectively provide a makeup air flow and the outdoor fan 124 may provide an exhaust flow, and in various embodiments, the exhaust flow may be between about 300 CFM and about 900 CFM, while the makeup air flow may be between about 20 CFM and about 75 CFM. Thus, the makeup air flow may be between about two percent (2%) and about twenty-five percent (25%) of the exhaust flow, such as between about four percent (4%) and about ten percent (10%), such as about six percent (6%), or about eight percent (8%), or about five percent (5%).

[0070] In some embodiments, the outlet 176 of the makeup air module 170 may be aligned with a front surface 117 of the housing 114. For example, the outlet 176, or any other portion of the makeup air module 170, may not extend past the housing 114, e.g., may not extend past the front surface 117 of the housing 114 along the transverse direction T. Thus, in at least some embodiments, for example as illustrated in FIG. 12, where the housing 114 of the air conditioner unit 100 is spaced apart from a partition 152, e.g., a wall, access door, or access panel, which separates the air conditioner unit 100 from the room, the makeup air module 170, in particular the outlet 176 thereof, may also be spaced apart from the partition 152 and the louvers 174 defined therethrough. Thus, the makeup air 1004 may be provided from the makeup air module 170 to an indoor area (room or rooms) within the structure via the louvers 174, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 12. Accordingly, the makeup air module 170 may be in fluid communication with the room only indirectly, e.g., air from the outlet 176 of the makeup air module 170 may pass through the ambient environment immediately around the air conditioner unit 100 before reaching the louvers 174. For example, the ambient environment immediately around the air conditioner unit 100 may be a plenum space or an interior of a closet or utility room. Accordingly, the outlet 176 of the makeup air module 170 may be in direct fluid communication with the ambient environment immediately around the air conditioner unit 100.

[0071] In some embodiments, the makeup air module 170 may include one or more air treating or conditioning components, such as an air filter 188 or a dehumidifier (not shown). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the air filter 188 may be positioned in or near the outlet 176 of the makeup air module 170.

[0072] In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 12, the air conditioner unit 100 may further include a resistance heater 132. In such embodiments, the compressor 126 may be a variable-speed compressor and may, for example be operatively coupled to the controller 158 such that the controller 158 may control the speed of the compressor 126, e.g., vary the speed of the compressor 126 within a greater than zero range. Also in such embodiments, each makeup air fan 182 of the plurality of makeup air fans 182 may be a variable-speed fan. Thus, such embodiments may provide dehumidification as well as ventilation to the occupied space, e.g., room. For example, in such embodiments, the air conditioner unit 100 may be operable in a cooling mode wherein the variable speed compressor 126 operates at a first speed and in a dehumidification mode wherein the variable speed compressor 126 operates at a second speed less than the first speed and greater than zero. Also in the dehumidification mode, the plurality of makeup air fans 182 may be activated and the resistance heater 132 may be activated. The dehumidification mode may be useful to avoid over-cooling the room. For example, the variable speed makeup air fans 182 may be controlled by the controller 158 such that the controller 158 can adjust, e.g., increase or decrease within a greater than zero range, the speed of the makeup air fans 182 depending on, for example, the temperature and / or humidity of the outdoor air 1000. For example, the controller 158 may adjust the speed of the fans 182 using pulse width modulation.

[0073] The makeup air module 170, e.g., the door 184 and the fans 182 thereof, may be controlled based, at least in part, on input from an air humidity sensor (not shown). The air humidity sensor may be positioned in the outdoor portion 110 of the housing 114, for example. When the humidity of the outdoor air 1000 exceeds a threshold, the controller 158 may operate the air conditioner unit 100 in the dehumidification mode as described above in order to thereby reduce the humidity of the makeup air 1004 provided to the indoor environment as compared to the humidity of the outdoor air 1000. The threshold may be about fifty-five percent (55%) relative humidity, where “about” includes plus or minus ten percentage points of the stated value, e.g., about 55% includes between 45% and 65%. Additionally, as will be described further below, the makeup air module 170 may also be controlled based on one or more measured air quality characteristics and / or air quality data.

[0074] When the indoor room is not occupied, which may be detected by, e.g., the main control 158 or by an external control device, the door 184 may be closed (e.g., actuated by a motor from the open position or an intermediate position to the closed position, where air flow into the makeup air module 170 is prevented or obstructed), the makeup air fans 182 are shut down, and the makeup air module 170 is thereby deactivated. As will described further below, in some embodiments, the makeup air module 170 may be deactivated when the indoor room is occupied, e.g., in certain scenarios based on the indoor air quality and / or the outdoor air quality.

[0075] The foregoing descriptions of air conditioner units 10 and 100 is provided by way of example only. The present disclosure may be used with a variety of air conditioner units which provide makeup air.

[0076] Turning now to FIG. 16, embodiments of the present disclosure also include methods of operating an air conditioner unit such as method 500 illustrated in FIG. 16, where the air conditioner unit may be, e.g., the air conditioner unit 10 or 100 described above.

[0077] As illustrated in FIG. 16, method 500 may include (510) determining an air quality characteristic, e.g., at least one air quality characteristic of the indoor air and / or outdoor air. For example, the one or more air quality characteristics may be determined by measuring with one or more air quality sensors, and / or by receiving air quality data via a wireless signal. The wireless signal may be or may include communication by the controller (e.g., controller 84 or 158) of the air conditioner unit with one or more separate external devices to permit interaction, data transfer, and other communications between the air conditioner unit and the one or more external devices. The external devices may be or may include remote user interface devices, e.g., a personal phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop or personal computer, a wearable device, a smart home system, etc., and / or remote computing devices such as a remote database, a distributed computing system such as the fog, edge, or cloud, etc. The wireless signal may be transmitted from one or more external devices and received by the controller of the air conditioner unit using any suitable communications protocols, such as via Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, wireless radio, laser, infrared, etc. In addition, such communication may use a variety of communication protocols (e.g., TCP / IP, HTTP, SMTP, FTP), encodings or formats (e.g., HTML, XML), and / or protection schemes (e.g., VPN, secure HTTP, SSL).

[0078] Methods according to the present disclosure may generally include operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic. For example, a door of the makeup air system may be positioned based on the one or more determined air quality characteristics and / or a fan of the makeup air system may be operated, e.g., rotated, at a speed based on the one or more determined air quality characteristics. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, method 500 may include (520) determining a position of the door (e.g., door 96 illustrated in FIG. 9 or door 184 illustrated in FIGS. 13-15) based on the determined air quality characteristic and (530) moving the door to the determined position. As another example, method 500 may also or instead include (522) determining a speed of the fan (e.g., fan 94 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 or one or both of fans 182 illustrated in FIGS. 13-15) based on the determined air quality characteristic and (532) operating the fan at the determined speed.

[0079] The makeup air system may be operated based on occupancy of the room or other conditioned space, as well as ambient conditions, such as temperature and / or humidity, in the indoor and outdoor environments. In methods according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the makeup air system may further be operated based on and in response to air quality of the indoor space and / or the outdoor environment. For example, the makeup air system may be operated in response to air quality alone, such as without considering occupancy or ambient conditions or despite the occupancy or ambient conditions.

[0080] Operating the makeup air system despite the occupancy or ambient conditions may include activating the makeup air system (e.g., opening a door of the makeup air system and / or rotating a fan of the makeup air system) when there is no call for makeup air based on the occupancy or ambient conditions, or may include deactivating the makeup air system when there is a call for makeup air in response to one or both of occupancy and ambient conditions, e.g., overriding the call for makeup air, such as when the outdoor air quality is poor (either when considered in isolation or in comparison to the indoor air quality, e.g., when the outdoor air quality is worse than the indoor air quality). The makeup air system may also be operated based on air quality as well as occupancy and / or ambient conditions.

[0081] For example, a preliminary setting for the makeup air system, such as a preliminary fan speed, may be determined based on occupancy and / or ambient conditions, and a final fan speed which is actually implemented may be determined based on air quality, e.g., methods according to the present disclosure may include determining a first value of an operating parameter for the makeup air system (e.g., position of the door, speed of the fan, etc.) based on occupancy and / or ambient conditions, determining a second value of the operating parameter (or a modifying factor for the first value) based on air quality, and then implementing the second value or modified value, e.g., operating the makeup air system according to the second value or modified value, such as rotating the fan of the makeup air system at the second speed or modified speed which is based on the air quality and is different from the makeup air fan speed based on occupancy and / or ambient conditions alone.

[0082] Thus, methods according to the present disclosure may include determining an air quality characteristic and operating the makeup air system of an air conditioner unit in response to the determined air quality characteristic. Determining an air quality characteristic includes determining at least one air quality characteristic of the indoor air and / or an outdoor air. The air quality characteristic(s) may be determined by one or more sensors in the indoor portion and / or outdoor portion of the air conditioner unit, and / or may be determined via a wireless signal, such as downloading air quality data from the internet, receiving air quality data from a remote sensor separate and apart from the air conditioner unit which communicates wirelessly, e.g., via Bluetooth® or the like, with the controller of the air conditioner unit, or other wireless signals.

[0083] For example, determining the air quality characteristic may include measuring at least one of an outdoor air quality characteristic with an outdoor air quality sensor and an indoor air quality characteristic with an indoor air quality sensor. In such embodiments, determining the air quality characteristic may, for example, include measuring both of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the outdoor air quality sensor and the indoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality sensor, and may further include comparing the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic, such as comparing indoor and outdoor PM levels, VOC’s, and / or other similar air quality characteristics. In such embodiments, operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic may be in response to the comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic. For example, when the indoor air quality characteristic is better than the outdoor air quality characteristic (e.g., a lower level of a substance of concern is found / determined in the indoor air), operating the makeup air system in response to the comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic may include opening the door of the makeup air system and / or rotating the makeup air fan (such as increasing speed of the fan of the makeup air system) in response to the comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic. As another example, when the indoor air quality characteristic is worse than the outdoor air quality characteristic, operating the makeup air system in response to the comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic may include closing the door of the makeup air system and / or slowing or stopping the makeup air fan in response to the comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic.

[0084] In additional embodiments which include comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic, one of the air quality characteristics may be measured with a sensor and the other air quality characteristic may be determined by receiving, by a controller of the air conditioner unit, air quality data via a wireless signal, or both air quality characteristics may be determined by receiving, by the controller of the air conditioner unit, air quality data via a wireless signal. For example, the air quality data may represent an outdoor air quality characteristic, and such embodiments may also include measuring, with an indoor air quality sensor of the air conditioner unit, an indoor air quality characteristic. Such embodiments may further include comparing the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic, and the makeup air system may be operated in response to the comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic, e.g., as described above.

[0085] The air quality characteristic(s) which may be determined by measuring with a sensor or receiving air quality data wirelessly include, for example, pollen count, an air quality index, smog alerts and / or ozone (O3) levels, particulate matter levels or concentrations (e.g., of PM2.5 and / or PM10), levels or concentrations of various substances such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and / or other similar air quality characteristics. Accordingly, for example, when the indoor air quality and outdoor air quality are compared, the air including the higher level or concentration of one or more of the foregoing example substances may be considered as having the worse air quality in such embodiments. Thus, for example, when it is determined that CO is higher in the indoor air than in the outdoor air, the makeup air system may be activated in response to such determination, e.g., a fan of the makeup air system may be activated or the speed thereof may be increased in response to comparing the indoor CO level to the outdoor CO level and determining that the indoor CO level is higher. In additional examples, any one or more air quality characteristics may be compared and the makeup air system may be activated in response to some or all of such comparisons, such as any one air quality characteristic reaching a critical level, or an average or composite of multiple air quality characteristics, e.g., the makeup air system may be activated in response to a majority of comparisons of air quality characteristics, etc.

[0086] Methods according to the present disclosure, e.g., method 500, may further include a user in the loop (e.g., instead of automatically operating or adjusting the makeup air system based on air quality). For example, methods may include providing a user notification of the one or more determined air quality characteristics. The user notification may be provided, e.g., on a display of the air conditioner unit (such as display 90 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4) and / or on a remote user interface device. In such embodiments, the methods may also include receiving an input in response to the user notification, e.g., from a local input or control of the air conditioner unit (e.g., user inputs 88 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 or user inputs 162 illustrated in FIG. 16) and / or from the remote user interface device. In such embodiments, operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic may include operating the makeup air system based on the received input. For example, where the determined air quality characteristic is a pollen count, a user with allergies or pollen sensitivity may wish to override a call for makeup air or reduce the amount of makeup air provided, whereas a different user may still desire makeup air in the same circumstances, e.g., in spite of a high pollen count which may not be a concern to such users.

[0087] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0029] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0030] As used herein, the terms “first,”“second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” a...

Claims

1. A method of operating an air conditioner unit, the air conditioner unit comprising a housing and a makeup air system, the housing defining an outdoor portion and an indoor portion, the method comprising: determining an air quality characteristic; and operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the makeup air system comprises a door, the door movable between an open position wherein makeup air flow from the outdoor portion is permitted and a closed position wherein air flow directly from the outdoor portion is obstructed, wherein operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic comprises determining a position of the door based on the determined air quality characteristic and moving the door to the determined position.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the makeup air system comprises a fan operable to urge a flow of air between the outdoor portion and the indoor portion, wherein operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic comprises determining a speed of the fan based on the determined air quality characteristic and operating the fan at the determined speed.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the air quality characteristic comprises measuring at least one of an outdoor air quality characteristic with an outdoor air quality sensor and an indoor air quality characteristic with an indoor air quality sensor.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining the air quality characteristic comprises measuring both of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the outdoor air quality sensor and the indoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality sensor.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising comparing the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic, wherein operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic is in response to the comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the air quality characteristic comprises receiving, by a controller of the air conditioner unit, air quality data via a wireless signal.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the air quality data represents an outdoor air quality characteristic, further comprising measuring, with an indoor air quality sensor of the air conditioner unit, an indoor air quality characteristic.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising comparing the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic, wherein operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic is in response to the comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a user notification of the determined air quality characteristic and receiving an input in response to the user notification, wherein operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic comprises operating the makeup air system based on the received input.

11. An air conditioner unit, comprising: a housing defining an outdoor portion and an indoor portion; a makeup air system; and a controller, the controller configured for:determining an air quality characteristic; and operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic.

12. The air conditioner unit of claim 11, wherein the makeup air system comprises a door, the door movable between an open position wherein air flow from the outdoor portion is permitted and a closed position wherein air flow from the outdoor portion is obstructed, wherein operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic comprises determining a position of the door based on the determined air quality characteristic and moving the door to the determined position.

13. The air conditioner unit of claim 11, wherein the makeup air system comprises a fan operable to urge a flow of air between the outdoor portion and the indoor portion, wherein operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic comprises determining a speed of the fan based on the determined air quality characteristic and operating the fan at the determined speed.

14. The air conditioner unit of claim 11, wherein determining the air quality characteristic comprises measuring at least one of an outdoor air quality characteristic with an outdoor air quality sensor and an indoor air quality characteristic with an indoor air quality sensor.

15. The air conditioner unit of claim 14, wherein determining the air quality characteristic comprises measuring both of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the outdoor air quality sensor and the indoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality sensor.

16. The air conditioner unit of claim 15, wherein the controller is further configured for comparing the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic, wherein operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic is in response to the comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic.

17. The air conditioner unit of claim 11, wherein determining the air quality characteristic comprises receiving, by the controller of the air conditioner unit, air quality data via a wireless signal.

18. The air conditioner unit of claim 17, wherein the air quality data represents an outdoor air quality characteristic, further comprising measuring, with an indoor air quality sensor of the air conditioner unit, an indoor air quality characteristic.

19. The air conditioner unit of claim 18, wherein the controller is further configured for comparing the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic, wherein operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic is in response to the comparison of the outdoor air quality characteristic with the indoor air quality characteristic.

20. The air conditioner unit of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured for providing a user notification of the determined air quality characteristic and receiving an input in response to the user notification, wherein operating the makeup air system in response to the determined air quality characteristic comprises operating the makeup air system based on the received input.

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