AU662599B2 - Portable dehumidifier - Google Patents

Description

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DATE 03/08/93 DATE 14/10/93 APPLN ID 34395/93 PCT NUMBER PCT/US93/00165 111111 I 'AU9334395 tiN iCIN I n Ut IVNAL ArrLILti I uIN t LruDLui.,ncyi u INL 1-1i n 1t- I ;It i t t,1\ I I'REATY (PCT) (51) International Patent Classification 5 (11) International Publication Number: WO 93/14353 F24F3/14 Al (43) International Publication Date: 22 July 1993 (22.07.93) (21) International Application Number: PCT/US93/00165 (72) Inventors; and Inventors/Applicants (for US only) ACHTNER, Joseph (22) International Filing Date: 7 January 1993 (07.01.93) [US/US]; 8345 Wilcox Road, Dublin, OH 43017 (US).

BUSICK, Louis, M. [US/US]; 2769 Minerva Lake Rd., Columbus, OH 43231 CHANEY, David, B. [US/ Priority data: US]; 453 Meadow New Dr., Powell, OH 43065 (US).

07/817,940 8 January 1992 (08.01.92) US WHARTON, Steven, W. [US/US]; 555 Heatherbrook Way, Westerville, OH 43081 (US).

Parent Application or Grant (74) Agent: RAMBO, William, Cates; Porter, Wright, Morris (63) Related by Continuation Arthur, 250 E. 5th St., No. 2200, Cincinnati, OH 45202 US 07/817,940 (CIP) (US).

Filed on 8 January 1992 (08.01.92) (81) Designated States: AU, CA, JP, KR, NO, NZ, US, Euro- (71)Applicant (for all designated States except US): EBCO pean patent (AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FR, GB, GR, MANUFACTURING COMPANY [US/US]; 265 N. IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE).

Hamilton Road, Columbus, Oh 13213 (US).

Published With international search report.

Before the expiration of the time limit for amending the claims and to be republished in the event of the receipt of amendnts.

(54)Title: PORTABLE DEHUMIDIFIER (57) Abstract A unitary molded synthetic resin mounting mem- f her (45) is formed with a horizontal base (46) and a ver- s tical partition wall Front (48) and rear (53) external half-shells are detachably mounted on the base. The front half-shell is provided with an air inlet (50) and u with an access panel (49) which houses a water recepta- 24 o cle The rear half-shell is provided with upper and o opposing side air outlets, and a pair of coverplates are o o provided for removable attachment over any of the air o o outlets. A handle (57) is provided in the rear external a o a 0 half-shell and is supported by an upper portion (59) of a the partition wall. A detection device is provide to signal intermediate and maximum water levels in the water receptacle.

4, a G 7a wnwffmwU i SWO 93/14353 PCT/US93/00165 Title: Portable Dehumidifier Related Application: This application is a continuation-in-part of United States Patent Application Serial No. 07/817,940, filed January 8, 1992, now abandoned.

Background of the Invention: The present invention relates generally to air conditioning apparatus and more particularly to electrically actuated dehumidifiers.

Conventional dehumidifiers are equipped with relatively heavy operative components, such as an evaporator coil, a condenser, a compressor and a fan motor. Typically, these components are mounted upon internal support members and are surrounded by one or more external panels or shells. There I are several shortcomings or drawbacks to the manner in which, the functional components, internal supports and external coverings of dehumidifiers have been designed in the past.

First, the support members were usually formed from a I plurality of metal components which required considerable SUBSTITUTE SHEET 1 1 WO 93/14353 PCT/US93/00165 -2 assembly time, were subject to corrosion, were electrically conductive and permitted water to pass through gaps therebetween. The lack of unity in the internal support structure resulted in one or more of the internal support members being affixed to an exterior cover member. Upon removing the exterior cover member, the support member attached thereto, as well as any components carried by the support member, would separate from the other internal structures, thereby making it difficult to operate or test the various operative components when the exterior covers were removed. Also, previous support assemblies did not provide substantial separation between the water collecting components and the relatively high voltage components of the dehumidifier and thus did not reduce the pcssibility of electrical damage.

During the dehumidifying process, ice collects on the i evaporator fins and coils. Typically, the compressor is turned off before air flow through the evaporator is substantially impeded by the ice. A defrost cycle is provided wherein the fan is on, the compressor is off and i relatively warm air passes through the evaporator to thaw the i 4:3 ice. In the past, the defrost cycle was initiated when the i evaporator reached a selected low temperature, such as 270 F, and ended at a selected high temperature, such as 370 F. At that point, the compressor resumed operation, if the desired humidity level had not been reached. As a result, there was a tendency in high humidity environments for the compressor SUBSTITUTE SHET L A 1 1 i SWO 93/14353 PCT/US93/00165 3 to cycle on and off a great deal, thereby reducing the useful life of this critical component.

Portable dehumidifiers are, by virtue of their portability, subject to certain drawbacks or considerations that are less significant in standard sized dehumidifiers.

One of the most important considerations is the presence of the portable dehumidifier in living areas which would be stained or otherwise damaged if water is spilled. The water receptacle in a portable dehumidifier is typically smaller than the one in a standard unit and is likely to require more frequent emptying. To do so, the user must carry the full receptacle across flooring, carpeting and furniture to a sink, bath tub or other drain site. In previous portable dehumidifiers, a relatively large opening was provided at the top of the receptacle for receiving the condensate from the evaporator coils. As a result, removing and carrying the full receptacle to the drain without spilling water was difficult.

Another concern, particularly with portable dehumidifiers, was the possibility of the appliance operating when the water receptacle was full or out of place and the attendant damage to the surroundings caused by water seeping from the appliance. To prevent this problem, previous dehumidifiers were provided with float switches and/or sight gauges for sensing or determining the water level in the receptacle. Typically, the sight gauge was located close to the base of the dehumidifier, making it difficult to read if i1 SUBSTITUTE

SHEET

I

1 y r WO 93/14353 PCT/US93/00165 4 -4 the appliance was on the floor. The conventional float switch tended to become inaccurate over time and, in any event, provided no indication that the receptacle was approaching maximum capacity until that point was reached.

Thus, no warning was provided to a user who, expecting tY, dehumidifier to operate during an extended absence, left the premises shortly before the float switch turned the dehumidifier off.

Another significant consideration in designing a portable dehumidifier is providing a stable and secure handle. In the past, handles have been supported only by the external shell of the appliance. This arrangement required the external shell to be strengthened in some fashion so that it could support the relatively heavy operative components housed therein. This strengthening inevitably resulted in increased cost. Occasionally, more than one handle was provided so that the weight of the appliance would be divided between i relatively opposing points on the outer shell. This arrangement, however, required the user to employ both hands i when carrying the dehumidifier, without eliminating the need for the shell to be capable of bearing a substantial portion of the load.

Since they are intended for use in living areas, portable dehumidifiers are more likely than' standard size units to be i placed beside a wall or furniture. Typically, a single area on conventional dehumidifiers was provided for air outlet louvers. As a result, it was frequently impossible to place SUBSTITUTE SHEET The present air conditioning apparatus was invented in an effort to eliminate or *I ~5 substantially reduce the above-described drawbacks and limitations of previous portable dehumidifiers.

The present invention in one broad form provides an electrically actuated dehumidifier comprising a removable water receptacle, a condenser, an evaporator, .a fan, a fan motor, a compressor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, electrical circuit means, circuit control means, a pair of exterior half-shells and a handle disposed on at least one of the exterior half-shells, said dehumidifier further comprising: S* a mounting member formed with a generally horizontally disposed base adapted to receive the exterior half-shells, the water receptacle and the compressor and with a partition wall extending generally vertically from the base, said partition wall having a lower portion which separates the base into a water receptacle area and a compressor area and which defines a substantially impermeable barrier to the movement of water therebetween, an intermediate portion adapted to carry the condenser, the evaporator, the fan and the fan motor, and an upper portion aclapted to support the handle.

t; :c I I L I [N:\libttlOO621:BFD -6- In addition, the present invention preferably includes the following features: the above-described mounting member is unitarily molded from synthetic resin material; a detection device is provided to generate signals corresponding to selected intermediate and maximum water levels in the water receptacle; a clock device is connected to the circuit control device with the circuit control device being responsive to the temperature sensor and the clock device to maintain operation of the compressor for a selected period of time after a selected low temperature is reached; at least two substantially spaced apart air outlets are provided on one of the exterior half-shells for exhausting the air in at least two substantially different directions; and a substantially restricted opening is provided in the water receptacle for receiving and discharging water.

Important objects of the present invention are as follows: to provide a Sdehumidifier with an internal support member by which the dehumidifier may be Scarried; to provide a dehumidifier which may be operated during production and/or •i 15 maintenance with the external covers removed; to eliminate or substantially reduce S' corrosion and the possibility of short circuiting caused by water reaching electrical components, and particularly high voltage electrical components; to permit the dehumidifier to be placed in close proximity to walls, furniture and other objects without hindering the flow l 2 S. .[N:\libttl0621 :BFD ,4 SWO 93/14353 PCT/US93/00165 7 of air through the dehumidifier; to eliminate or 7< substantially reduce the likelihood of spillage from the water reservoir; to provide the user with an indication when the water receptacle is nearly full; and to improve the efficiency and life of the compressor. The foregoing objects and advantages of the present invention, as well as others, may be more readily understood in view of the following drawings and detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

Brief Description of the Drawings: FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a portable dehumidifier according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof; FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof; FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof; FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view thereof; FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the present portable dehumidifier particularly illustrating the internal Isupport member and the positioning of various electrically powered components (in diagrammatic fashion) thereon; FIG. 7 is perspective of the internal mounting member and the water receptacle detection armature; FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the float assembly in the water receptacle; FIGS. 9A-9D are diagrammatic views of the operation of the water receptacle detection device; SUBSTITUTE SHEET WO 93/14353 PCT/US93/00165 -8- FIG. 10 is a wiring diagram of the high voltage power circuit board; and FIG. 11 is a wiring diagram of the low voltage control circuit board.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment: As particularly illustrated in FIG. 6, the present portable dehumidifier, generally designated 20, is equipped with several operative internal components, namely, a compressor 21, a fan 22, a fan motor 23, a condenser 24, an evaporator coil unit 25, a removable water receptacle 26, an electrical inlet 27 and associated electrical conductors (not shown), a low voltage control circuit board 28 (FIG. 11), a high voltage power circuit board 29 (FIG. 10), a humidity sensor 30 and a temperature sensor 81. The specifications for some of these components are as follows: input voltage and frequency: 198 to 264 VAC RMS, 47-63 Hz; the compressor has a full loan amps (FLA) rating of 1.5 amps at 220/240 VAC and maximum inductive startup current of 12.4 amps. The fan motor has an FLA rating of .24 amps at 220/240 VAC. The J compressor is of the reciprocating motor type, resistance start, induction run.

The control circuit board 28 is provided with a series of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) which are visible through a touch panel 31 (FIG. 2) mounted on an upper exterior surface of the dehumidifier. LED 32 flashes on and off when the water level in the receptacle 26 reaches 80% capacity and SUBSTITUTE SHEET /1 ,t 1 iv- WO 93/14353 PCT/US93/00165 -9 remains constantly on when the receptacle 26 is completely full. LED 33 is illuminated when the defrost cycle is on.

LED 34 is illuminated when the fan is operating at high speed and the compressor is off. LED 35 is illuminated when the fan is operating at low speed and the compressor is on. LED 36 is illuminated when the fan is operating at high speed and the compressor is on. LED 37 is illuminated when a relative humidity level is selected. LEDs 38-41 are illuminated when 40, 50, 60, and 70% relative humidity levels are respectively selected. Switch 42 controls the fan/compressor selections indicated by LED's 34-36. Switch 43 controls the humidity level selections indicated by LED's 37-41. Switch 44 turns the present dehumidifier on and off.

As indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a unitary molded mounting member 45 is formed with a generally horizontal base portion 46 and a generally vertical partition wall 47. A front exterior half-shell 48 (FIGS. 1, 3, 6) is removably mounted on the base portion 46 and is formed with a movable access panel 49 and with an air inlet 50. An upper corner portion 51 on the front shell 48 is removable therefrom and is attached to an air filter 52 slidably mounted in grooves on opposite inner surfaces on the front shell. A rear exterior half-shell 53 (FIGS. 3, 5, 6) is removably mounted on the base 46 and is provided with substantially spaced apart air outlets 54, 55, 56, which direct the exhaust air in substantially different directions. An inwardly projecting I handle 57 (FIGS. 5, 6) is formed in an upper portion of the SUBSTITUTE SHEET I

A

WO 93/14353 PCT/US93/00165 external half-shell for insertion into a handle-supportinc cavity 58 (FIGS. 6,7) formed in an upper portion 59 of the partition wall 47. The mounting member 45 and the front and rear half-shells 48 and 53 are integrally molded from synthetic resin material.

As indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the base 46 is adapted to receive the front and rear shells 48, 53, the water receptacle 26 and the compressor 21. A lower portion 60 of the partition wall 47 separates the base into a water receptacle area 61 and a compressor area 62 and defines a substantially impermeable barrier to the movement of water between these areas 61, 62. An intermediate portion 63 of the partition wall 47 is adapted to carry the condenser 24, evaporator 25, fan 22, and fan motor 23. Advantageously, the evaporator 25 is mounted on a drip pan 64 which is secured to the intermediate portion 63 of the partition wall. The drip pan is molded from synthetic resin material and is integrally formed with an apertured drain trough ti The water receptacle 26 is blow-molded from synthetic I resin material and is removably mounted in an inwardly ii 1 projecting shelf 66 on the front access panel 49. The receptacle is formed with a substantially restricted opening 67 for receiving and dispensing water. The opening 67 is provided in tlh upper surface of the receptacle and is positioned so that it is directly below the apertured drain trough 65 when the front access panel 49 is closed. SUBSTITUTE SHEET WO93/14353 PCT/US93/00165 S 11 1 The upper surface of the water receptacle 26 is formed at an end opposite the water-receiving opening 67 with a second aperture adapted to receive a float assembly 68. As indicated in FIG. 8, the float assembly 68 includes a water-permeable cage or sleeve 69 and a float 70 made of a buoyant material such as styrofoam. T' cag. 69 consists of a generally circular floor and a generally cylindrical wall, each having pores or voids therein to allow water to penetrate the cage 69. The wall has a lip 71 that overhangs the outer edge of the second aperture in the receptacle 26 to secure the cage in a desired position. The float 70, which is generally bullet-shaped, is vertically movable within the cage 69 in response to the water level in the reservoir. A relatively wide circumferential groove is formed in the outer surface of the floaf 70; and an inwardly projecting, circular groove-engaging li; is formed in the sleeve to prevent the float from escaping.

As indicated in FIGS. 7 and 9A-9D, an armature 72 is pivotally mounted on the partition wall 47. The armature includes a forwardly projecting finger 73 which is disposed to engage the float 70 when the water receptacle is in place (FIG- 9B). Three electronically detectable members, 74A-C, Spreferably magnets, are disposed in spaced relation to one another on the armature 72 and the finger 73. A pair of relatively spaced-apart electronic sensors 75, 76, such as magnetic reed switches or Hall Effect sensors, are mounted on the partition wall behind the armature 72. The sensors SUBSTITUTE SHEE I 'j WO 93/14353 PCT/US93/00165 -12 76 are positioned on the partition wall and the magnets 74A-C are positioned on the armature 72 and finger 73 in such a manner that only one magnet/sensor alignment can occur at any given time and so that the alignment is indicative of the water level in the receptacle 26 or the position of the receptacle, as described below.

FIG. 9A illustrates the condition in which the receptacle 26 is either not in place in the access door 49 or the access door is not completely closud. In either instance, the magnet 74C in the finger 73 is aligned with the upper sensor 76 and the control circuit 28 will not permit the compressor to operate.

FIG. 9B illustrates the condition in which the receptacle 26 is disposed in an operative position, and is either empty or less than sufficiently full for the water level to reach the float 70. In this condition, the finger 73 engages the recessed float 70 and is elevated by the float, thereby breaking the contact between the finger magnet 74C and the upper sensor 76. Although the armature 72 is slightly j elevated, neither of the other magnets 74A, 74B is aligned i with the lower sensor 75. The control circuit 28 responds by i no longer impeding the compressor 21.

FIG. 9C illustrates the condition where the water level il 77 reaches approximately 80 percent of the receptacle's capacity. In this condition, the float 70 rises in response i i to the elevated water level, thereby causing the armature 72 i| to pivot further upwardly-so that the innermost magnet 74A is SUBSTITUTE SHEET i Ii WO 93/14353 PCT/US93/00165 13 aligned with the lower sensor 75. In this position, the control circuit causes LED 32 (FIG. 2) to flash intermittently but permits the dehumidifier to continue operating in its normal mode.

FIG. 9D illustrates the condition in which the water level 77 reaches the top of the receptacle 26. In this situation, the float 70 rises to its highest position, thereby causing the armature 72 to pivot upwardly and align the intermediate magnet 74B with the upper sensor 76. In this position, the control circuit causes the "Reservoir full" LED 32 to light continuously and suppresses the compressor.

The source code for the control circuit microprocessor accompanies this application and is identified as Appendix A. As indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 6, a temperature sensor 81 is attached to the evaporator coil 25. A timing device 77 (FIG. 10) is provided on the control circuit board 28. The control circuit is programmed so that when the evaporator coil reaches a selected temperature, preferably 27 i degrees F, the control circuit initiates the clock 78. Once the clock has run for a selected period of time, preferably minutes, the control circuit stops the compressor 21 while the fan 22 and its associated motor 23 continue to operate in order to defrost the evaporator coils 25. During the defrost period, the associated LED 33 is illuminated. When the coil temperature rises to a selected temperature, preferably 37 degrees F, the compressor restarts.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET :i' a:.

iiLi~ WO 93/14353 PC/US93/00165 14 As indicated in FIG. 5, the air outlets 54-56 are substantially identical in size and shape. A pair of detachable coverplates 79, 80 are provided and are formed to provide a snap-fit engagement with portions of the rear half-shell 53 disposed in surrounding relation to the outlets 54-56.

While a single preferred embodiment of the present portable dehumidifier has been illustrated and describee in some detail, the foregoing specification is not intended to unduly limit or restrict the spirit of the invention nor the scope of the following claims.

SUBSTITUTE

SHEET

1: 1. i SWO 93/14353 PTU9/06 PCr/US93/00165 APPENDIX A Parallax PIC14C5x Assembler

I

2 000- 3 000- 4 000- 000- 6 7 8 9 12 13 14 '0077 16 *007A 17 *007E 18 *0082 19 '0084 21 22 '0005 23 '0004 24 '0007 26 '.0008 27 '0009 28 'OOOA 29 '0008 *000C 31 '0000 32 'OOOE 33 'OOOF 34 *0010 36 *0011 37 '0012 38 *0013 39 '0014 *0015 41 '0016 42 *0017 43 *0018 44 '0019 *OO1A 46 '0018 47 *001c 48 '0010 49 'OO1E *001 F 51 52 53 *0000 54 '0001 55 '0002 56 '0003 57 58 59 '0000 '0001 61 '0002 62 '0002 63 *0003 ,RAM LOCATIONS PORT A PORT 8 PORT C 051 082

BITS

FAN

H1UMID HiUMIDITY

SLK

TEMP

HUMIDITY COUNT RAM417 EOU RAM18 EOU RAM19 EOU RAM20 EOU RAM21 EOU RAM22 EOU RAM23 EOU RAM424 LOU RAM25 EOU RAM26 EOU RAM27 EOU RAM28 LOU RAM29 EOU RAM30 LOU RAM31 LOU ,PORT A LINES TEMP 27 TEMP 37

BUCKET-DO

BUCKET FULL ,PORT B LINES SW FAM SW HUMIDITY LED RESERVOIR LED BUCKET LED DEFROST EOU EOU 6 EOU '7 EOU 8 EOU 9 EOU EOU I11 EOU 12 EOU 13 LOU 14 EOU LOU 16 17 is 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 31 EOU 0 EOU 1 EOU 2 EOU 3 DEVICE PIC14C57 DEVICE RC-OSC DEVICE WOT-OFF DEVICE PROTECT-OFF Register Assignments

VALUES

,THE HIGHER THE HUMIDITY THE LOWER THE COUNT *IE LOW HUMIDITY-BIG COUNT HIGH HUMIDITY-SMALL COUNT RAISE LOWER RAISE HUMIDITY THRESHI EOU 119 122 .123 70% HUMIDITY THRESH2 EOU 122 123 .128 60% HUMIDITY THRESH3 LOU 126 126 .129 50% HUMIDITY THRESH4 EOU 130 130 ,130 40% HUMIDITY THRESH5 EOU 132 133 .131 30% HUMIDITY

J.

I

I

SUBSTmITE SHEE I I

I

SIl le WO 93/14353 PC/US93/00165 "0004 "0005 *0006 *0007 *0000 *0001 *0002 *0003 *0004 *0005 *0006 "0007 000- 000- 000- 961 001- 466 002- 9E3 003- A93 004- 606 005- A09 006- 626 007- A09 008- A93 009- 009- 407 OOA- C01 00B- 02B OOC- 467 0OD- C01 OOE- 02C 00F- OOF- 915 010- 925 011- 93C 012- 9CC 013- 9C3 014- AOF 015- 015- 665 016- AID 017- 446 018- 9E5 019- 9ED 01A- 800 018- SCOPE EOU 4 OUT MOTOR LO EOU OUT MOTOR HI EOU 6 OUT COMPRESSOR EOU 7 ,PORT C LINES LED FAN HIGH EOU 0 LED FAN LOW EOU 1 LED FAN ONLY EOU 2 LED 30 EOU 3 LED 40 EOU 4 LED 50 EOU LED 60 EOU 6 LED 70 EOU 7 ORS OOW

START

CALL IMIT BCF PORT B.LED DEFROST BCF PORT C.LED GOTO START CALL COMPRESSOR ON CALL COMPRESSOR OFF goto display humidity BTF9C PORT B.SW FAN GOTO HERE BTF9C PORT B.SW HUMIDITY GOTO HERE GOTO DISPLAY HUMIDITY HERE ,REPLACE WITH STATUS OF E3PROM BCF PORT C.LED FAN HIGH MOVLW 00000001D MOVWF FAN BCF PORT C.LED 30 MOVLW 0000001D MOVWF HUMID ,IMIT PORTS ,CHECK IF TEST MODE ,BOTH SWITCHES ARE ACTIVE 90 T ,DEFAULT TO FAN HIGH SPEED ,DEFAULT TO 30% HUMIDITY LEVEL r i

I-

11

C

i: di MAIN LOOP CALL CHECK RESERVOIR LEVEL CALL CHECK FAM SWITCH CALL CHECK HUMIDITY SWITCH CALL CHECK DEFROST TEMPERATURE CALL CHECK HUMIDITY GOTO MAIN LOOP SUBROUTINES FOLLOW CHECK RESERVOIR BTF9C

GOTO

DCF

CALL

CALL

RETLM

CALl

LEVEL

PORT A.BUCKET FULL CRL1 PORT B.LED RESERVOIR COMPRESSOR OFF MOTOR OFF 0 ,NO RESERVOIR ISN'T FULL SEE I ,YES RESERVOIR IS FULL TURN 0 ,SHUT OFF UNIT SUBSTITUTE

SHEET

l WO 93/14353 PCT/US93/00165 17 130 018- 546 BSF PORT B.LED RESERVOIR ,TURN OFF RESERVOIR LED 131 01C- 645 BTFSC PORT A.BUCKET BO ,CHECK IF BUCKET IS STILL 132 OlD- 800 RETLW 0 ,SWITCH OPEN SO RETURN 133 01E- 745 BTFSS PORT A.BUCKET FULL ,CHECK IF BUCKET IS NOW ALL FU 134 01F- 800 RETLW 0 135 136 020- 446 BCF PORT D.LED RESERVOIR ,YES, RESERVOIR IS 80% TURN ON 137 021- 905 CALL LONG DELAY ,BLINK RESERVOIR LED 138 022- 546 BSF PORT D.LED RESERVOIR ,TURN OFF RESERVOIR LED 139 023- 905 CALL LONG DELAY ,BLINK RESERVOIR LED 140 024- A1B GOTO CALl ,LOOP UNTIL RESERVOIR IS EMPTI 141 142 143 144 025- CHECK FAN SWITCH 145 025- 406 BTFSC PORT B.SW FAN 146 024- 800 RETLM 0 147 148 027- CFSO 149 027- 70B BTFSS FAN.O 150 028- A2E GOTO CFS1 151 029- 407 BCF PORT C.LED FAN HIGH 152 02A- 547 BSF PORT C.LED FAN ONLY 153 02B- C02 MOVLW 000000108 154 02C- 028 MOVWF FAN 155 02B- 800 RETLW 0 156 157 02E- CFS1 158 02E- 72B BTFSS FAN.1 159 02F- A35 GOTO CFS2 160 030- 427 BCF PORT C.LED FAN LOW 161 031- 507 BSF PORT C.LED FAN HIGH 162 032- C04 MOVLW 000001008 163 033- 02B MOVWF FAN 164 034- 800 RETLW 0 165 I 166 035- CFS2 167 035- 74B BTFSS FAN.2 168 036- 800 RETLW 0 169 037- 447 BCF PORT C.LED FAN ONLY i 170 038- 527 BSF PORT C.LED FAN LOW 171 039- CO1 MOVLW 00000001B 172 03A- 028 MOVWF FAN 173 038- 800 RETLW 0 174 175 i 176 177 03C- CHECK HUMIDITY SWITCH 178 03C- 626 BTFSS PORT B.SW HUMIDITY 179 03D- 800 RETLW 0 180 181 03E- CHSO 182 03E- 70C BTFSS HUMID.0 183 03F- A45 GOTO CHS1 184 040- 467 BCF PORT C.LED 185 041- 5E7 BSF PORT C.LED 186 042- C02 MOVLW OLO0001OB S187 043- 02C MOVWF HUMID 188 044- 800 RETLW 0 189 190 045- CHSI r f 191 045- 72C BTFSS HUMID.1 192 046- A4C GOTO CHS2 193 047- 487 BCF PORT C.LED 195 049- C04 MOVLW 000001008B SUBSTITUTE SHEET oI L 1_ I_ i C~ WO 93/14353 PCI/US93/00165 18 196 04A- 02C MOVWF HUMID 197 048- 800 RETLW 0 198 199 04C- CHS2 200 040- 74C BTFSS HUMID.2 201 040- A53 GOTO CHS3 202 04E- 4A7 BCF PORT C.LED 203 04F- 587 BSF PORT C.LED 204 050- C08 MOVLW 000010006 205 051- 02C MOVWF HUMID 206 052- 800 RETLW 0 207 208 053- CHS3 209 053- 74C BTFSS HUMID.3 210 054- A5A GOTO CHS4 211 055- 4C7 BCF PORT C.LED 212 056- 5A7 BSF PORT C.LED 213 057- C10O MOVLW 00010000B 214 058- 02C MOVWF HUMID 215 059- 800 RETLW 0 216 217 05A- CHS4 218 05A- 78C *BTPSS HUMID.4 219 05B- 800 RETLW 0 220 05C- 4E7 BCF PORT C.LED 221 058- 5C7 BSF PORT C.LED 222 05E- C01 MOVLW 00000001B 223 05F- 02C MOVWF HUMID 224 040- 800 RETLM 0 225 226 227 228 229 230 040- INIT 231 041- COF MOVLW 000011118 232 042- 005 TRIS PORT A 233 234 063- C03 MOVLW 00000011B 235 064- 006 TRIS PORT B 236 045- CFF MOVLW OFFH 237 044- 024 MOVWF PORT B 238 239 047- COO MOVLW ooooooo00000000B 240 248- 007 TRIS PORT C 241 049- CFF MOVLW OFFH 242 04A- 027 MOVWF PORT C 243 04B- 800 RETLW 0 244 245 uuuwww** 245 246 247 04C- DELAY 248 04C- C03 MOVLW 03H 249 040- 028 MOVWF 001 250 04E- DLY1 251 04E- 069 CLRF 002 252 04F- 2E8 DECFS2 001 253 070- A72 GOTO DLY2 254 071- 800 RETLW 0 255 072- DLY2 256 072- 2E9 DECFS2 002 257 073- A72 GOTO DLY2 258 074- A6E GOTO DLY1 259 260 261 SUBSTITUTE SHEET N WO 93/14353 PFU9/06 PCr/US93/00165 075- 075- C01 076- lEE 077- 077- 446 078- 9D5 079- 905 07A- 905 076- 905 07C- 546 07D- 905 07E- 905 07F- 905 080- 905 081- 2EE 082- A77 083- 800 084- 084- 466 085- 905 086- 566 087- 905 088- 800 089- 089- 705 08A- A8F 086- 466

OBC-

08C- 725 080- A91 08E- 446 08F- 08F- 544 090- ABC 091- 091- "46 092- AE9 093- 093- 041 094- 586 095- 905 096- 9D5 097- 905 098- 905 099- 905 09A- 201 09B- 486 09C- 030 090- CFF 09E- 027

BLINKS

BLK2 MOVLW 1 ADOWF BLK

BCF

CALL

CALL

CALL

CALL

6SF

CALL

CALL

CALL

CALL

DECFSZ

GOTO

RET LW PORT B.LED BUCKET LONG DELAY LONG DELAY LONG DELAY LONG DELAY PORT B.LED BUCKET LONG DELAY LONG DELAY LONG DELAY LONG DELAY

BLK

BLK2 0 BLINK2 BCF PORT B.LEO DEFROST CALL LONG DELAY 6SF PORT B.LIE0 DEFROST CALL LONG DELAY RETLW 0 TEST TEMPS BTFSS PORT A.TEMP 27 GOTO OFFi BCF PORT B.LED DEFROST NEXT LOOP BTFSS PORT A.TEMP 37 GOTO OFF2 BCF PORT B.LED BUCKET OFF1 6SF PORT B.LED DEFROST GOTO NEXT LOOP OFF2 6SF PORT B.LED BUCKET GOTO TEST TEMPS DISPLAY HUMIDITY CLRF RTCC 6SF PORT B.SCOPE CALL LONG DELAY CALL LONG DELAY CALL LONG DELAY CALL LONG DELAY CALL LONG DELAY MOVF RTCC.W BCF PORT B.SCOPE MOVWF HUMIDITY COUNT MOVLW OFFH HOVWF PORT C ,CLEAR RTCC REGISTER ,SET TEST SIGNAL DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN ,DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN ,DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN ,CLEAR TEST 'SIGNAL ,TURN OFF ALL LEDs SUBSTITUTE SHEET WO093/14353 PTU9/06 PCr/US93/00165 09F- C77 0A0- 090 OAl- 703 0A2- A93 0A3- 4E7 0A4- 0A4- C7A 090 0A6- 703 0A7- A93 0A8- 4C7 OA9- 5E7

OAA-

OAA- C7E CAB- 090 OAC- 703 OAB- A93 OAE- 4A7 OAF- SC7 080- 5E7 081- 081- C82 082- 090 083- 703 084- A93 085- 487 086- SA7 087- SC7 088- SE7 089- 089- C84 08A- 090 088- 703 08C- A93 080- 467 08E- 587 08F- 5A7 OCO- SC7 OCd- SE7 0C2- 0C2-A93 0C3- 0C3- 041 0C4- 905 905 0C6- 905 0C7- 905 0C8- 905 0C9- 201 OCA- 02D OCB- 800 0CC- 0CC- 405 OCD- ACF OCE- 466 NEXT2 NEXT3 NEXT4 NEXT6

MOVLW

SU8WF

BTFSS

GOTO

BCF

MOVLW

SUBWF

BTFSS

GOTO

BCF

5SF

MOVLW

SUBWF

BTFSS

GOTO

BCF

8SF 8SF

MOVLW

SUBWF

BTFSS

GOTO

BCF

8SF 8SF 8SF

MOVLW

SU8WF

BTFSS

GOTO

BCF

8SF 8SF 8SF

BSF

THRESH 1 HUMIDITY COUNT.0 STATUS 0 DISPLAY HUMIDITY PORT C.LED THRESH2 HUMIDITY COUNT.O

STATUS.O

DISPLAY HUMIDITY PORT C.LED PORT C.LED THRESH3 HUMIDITY COUNT.O STATUS .0 DISPLAY HUMIDITY PORT C.LED PORT C.LED PORT C.LED THRESH4 HUMIDITY COUNT.O

STATUS.O

DISPLAY HUMIDITY PORT C.LED PORT C.LED PORT C.LED PORT C.LED HUMIDITY COUNT.O STATUS .0 DISPLAY HUMIDITY PORT C.LED PORT C.LED PORT C.LED PORT C.LED PORT C.LED ,SUB PUT RESULT IN JTEST FOR CARRY ,SUB PUT RESULT IN JTEST FOR CARRY ,SUB PUT RESULT IN JTEST FOR CARRY ,SUB PUT RESULT IN JTEST FOR CARRY ,SUB PUT RESULT IN JTEST FOR CARRY GOTO DISPLAY HUMIDITY CHECK HUMIDITY

CLRF

CALL

CALL

CALL

CALL

CALL

RTCC

LONG DELAY LONG DELAY LONG DELAY LONG DELAY LONG DELAY ,CLEAR RTCC REGISTER ,DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN ,DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN ,DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN ,DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN ,DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN MDVF RTCC.W MOVWF HUMIDITY RETLM 0 '3 CHECK DEFROST TEMPERATURE BTFSC PORT A.TEMP 27 6010 BYPASS TEMP BCF PORT B.LED DEFROST ,WHEN TEMP 27 GOES LOW ITS LESS ,START DEFROST CYCLE TIME ,NOT BELOW 27 90 RETURN ITURN ON DEFROST LED SUBSTITUTE SHEET

I-

WO 93/14353 PCFr/US93/00 165 21 394 TURN ON FAN NOW OR AFTER 45 MIN WHEN COMPRESSOR GOES OFF? 395 OCF- BYPASS TEMP 396 OCF- 444 BTFSC PORT B.LED DEFROST ,NOT IN DEFROST SO NO NEED FOR 397 D000- 800 RETLW 0 398 D001- 725 BTFSS PORT A.TEMP 37 ,TEST IF ABOVE 37, IF SO END D 399 002- 800 RETLW 0 ,ELSE RETURN 400 003- 544 BSF PORT D.LED DEFROST ,TURN OFF DEFROST LED 401 ,TURN ON FAN 402 0040 TEMP RETURN 403 004- 800 RETLW 0 404 405 406 407 005- LONG DELAY 408 D005- CFF MOVLM OFFH 409 0D6- 028 MOVWF 001 410 007- LDLYI 411 007- 049 CLRF 002 412 008- 2E8 DECFSZ 001 413 009- AD8 GOTO LDLY2 414 ODA- 800 RETLM 0 415 ODB- LDLY2 416 ODB- 2E9 DECFSZ 002 417 ODC- AD8 GOTO LDLY2 418 ODD- AD7 GOTO LDLY1 419 420 421 422 ODE- ONE MINUTE 423 ODE- 984 CALL BLINK2 424 ODF- 800 RETLW 0 425 426 427 428 OEO- THREE MINUTE 429 OEO- 984 CALL BLINK2 430 OE1- 800 RETLW 0 431 432 433 434 0E2- FORTY-FIVE MINUTE 435 436 0E2- 800 RETLW 0 437 438 438 mwn*man u wsmanm.*...u.wu mmw.*.aww...w www*.*w*w.uww 439 440 0E3- COMPRESSOR ON 441 0E3- 4E6 BCF PORT B.OUT COMPRESSOR 442 0E4- 800 RETLW 0 443 444 0E5- COMPRESSOR OFF 445 OES- 504 BSF PORT B.OUT MOTOR HI 446 0E6- 800 RETLW 0 447 448 *1 1 l **IIl 449 450 0E7- MOTOR LO 451 0E7- SC6 BSF PORT B.OUT MOTOR HI 452 0E8- 4A6 BSF PORT B.OUT MOTOR LO 453 0E9- 800 RETLM 0 454 455 OEA- MOTOR HI 456 OEA- 546 BSF PORT B.OUT MOTOR LO 457 OEB- 4C6 BCF PORT B.OUT MOTOR HI 458 OEC- 800 RETLW 0 459 SUBSTITUTE SHEET SUBSTITUTE SHIMT WO 93/14353 PCT/US93/00165 460 .OED- 461 OED- 5C6 462 OEE- 5A6 463 *OEF- 800 464 466 467 7FF- 468 7FF- AOO 469 470 800- MOTOR OFF 6SF PORT B.OUT MOTOR HI 5SF PORT B.OUT MOTOR LO RETLW 0 ORG 7FFH GOTO START Errors, 0

I

i SUBSTITUTE

SHEET

I I

Claims (11)

1. An electrically actuated dehumidifier comprising a removable water receptacle, a condenser, an evaporator, a fan, a fan motor, a compressor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, el.,ctrical circuit means, circuit control means, a pair of exterior half-shells and a handle disposed on at least one of the exterior half-shells, said dehumidifier further comprising: a mounting member formed with a generally horizontally disposel base adapted to receive the exterior half-shells, the water receptacle and the compressor and with a partition wall extending generally vertically from the base, said partition wall having a lower portion which separate 0 the base into a water receptacle area and a compressor area and which defines a substantially impermeable barrier to the movement of water therebetween, an intermediate portion adapted to carry the condenser, the evaporator, the fan and the fan motor, and an upper portion adapted to support the handle.

2. The electrically actuated dehumidifier according to claim 1, wherein the mounting member is unitarily molded from synthetic resin material.

3. The electrically actuated dehumidifier according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising,.detection means adapted to generate a first signal corresponding to •i an ~,termediate water level in the water receptacle and a second signal corresponding to a maximum water level in the water receptacle.

4. The electrically actuated dehumidifier according to claim 1, further comprising clock means electrically connected to the circuit control means, said circuit i control means being responsive to the temperature sensor and the clock means to continue operation of the compressor for a selected period of time after said temperature sensor reaches a selected low temperature.

The electrically actuated dehumidifier according to claim 1, further comprising at least two substantially spaced apart air outlets provided on one of the p t r e exterior half-shells for exhausting the air in at least two substantially different directions. i

6. The electrically actuated dehumidifier according to claim 1, wherein -IS1 the water receptacle is formed with a restricted opening for receiving and discharging water.

7. The electrically actuated dehumidifier according to claim 3, wherein the detection means comprises a float assembly mounted in the water receptacle, an armature movably mounted on the partition wall and adapted to engage the float assembly, a plurality of magnets affixed to the armature and a pair of sensors, each of said sensors being electrically connected to the circuit conLrol means and adapted to Sgenerate a signal upon alignment of one of the magnets with said semnr. SI i n t SUBSTITUTE SHEET L- I il- i IP D i -24-

8. The electrically actuated dehumidifier according to claim 4, wherein the selected period of time is at least 30 minutes.

9. The electrically actuated dehumidifier according to claim 5, wherein the air outlets are substantially identical to one another in shape and size.

10. The electrically actuated dehumidifier according to claim 9, further comprising a coverplate being adapted to be remo -ably received on portions of the exterior half-shell surrounding each of the air outlets.

11. An electrically actuated dehumidifier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this Twenty-seventh Day of June 1995 Ebco Manufacturing Company Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON 0 .4 *c S S 5454 54 S .r 4( 5* o4 S IN:\libttl00621:BFD