CA2127129A1

CA2127129A1 - Portable dehumidifier

Info

Publication number: CA2127129A1
Application number: CA2127129A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Joseph Achtner; Louis M. Busick; David B. Chaney; Steven W. Wharton
Original assignee: Joseph Achtner; Louis M. Busick; David B. Chaney; Steven W. Wharton; Ebco Manufacturing Company
Current assignee: EBCO Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1992-01-08
Filing date: 1993-01-07
Publication date: 1993-07-22
Also published as: EP0620907A1; NO942569L; WO1993014353A1; JPH07503059A; CN1089346A; NO942569D0; NZ246813A; KR940703985A; AU662599B2; AU3439593A

Abstract

A unitary molded synthetic resin mounting member (45) is formed with a horizontal base (46) and a vertical partition wall (47).
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 with an access panel (49) which houses a water receptacle (26). The rear half-shell is provided with upper and opposing side air outlets, and a pair of coverplates are provided for removable attachment over any of the air outlets. A handle (57) is provided in the rear external half-shell and is supported by an upper portion (59) of the partition wall. A detection device is provide to signal intermediate and maximum water levels in the water receptacle.

Description

WO~3/14353 ~ 2 7 1 2 9 PCT/U~93/0016 Title: Portable Dehumidif;er Rela~d Application:
This application is a continuation-in~part of United States Patent Application Serial ~o. 07~8l7,940, filed January 8, l992, now abandoned.

Backgr~und of the Inven~ion: .
Th~ present invention relates generally tu air conditioning apparatus and more particularly to electrically actuated dehumidifiers.
Conventional dehumidifiers are ~quipped with relatively heavy operative components, such as an evaporator coil, a condenser, a compres~or and a fan motor. Typically, these components are mounted upon internal support members and are surrounded by one or more e~ternal panels or shells. There are several shortcomings or drawbacks to the manner in which the fun~tional com~onents, internal supports and e~ternal coverin~s of dehumidifiers have been designed in the past.
First, the support mem~ers were usually formed from a plurality of metal components which required considerable SUE3ST~l~JTE S~9~

wos3/14353 PC~/US93/0016~
2127123 `

assembly time, were ~ubject to corrosion, were electrically conductive and permitted water ~o pass through gaps therebetween. The lack of unity in the internal support structure resulted in one or more of the inte~nal support members being affi~ed to an e~terior coYer member. Upon removing the e~terior 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 e~terior covers were removed. Also, previous support assemblies did not pxovide substantia~ separation betwle~n the water collecting components and the relatively high voltage components of the dehumidifier and thus did not reduce the possibility of electrical damageO
During the dehumidifying proce~s, ice collects on the evaporator fins and coils. Typically, the compressor is turned off before air flow throu~h the evaporator is substantially impeded by the ice. A d~frost cycle is pro~ided wherein the fan i~ on, the compressor is off and relatively warm air passes through the evaporator to thaw the ice. In the past, the defrost cycle was initiated when the evaporator reached a selected low temperature, such as 27 F, and ended at a selected high temperature~ such as 37 F. At that point, the compressor resumed operation, if the desired humidity level had not been reach~d. A~ a result, there was a tendency in hi~h hurnidity ~nvironments for the compressor SU!E3STITUT3~ SHEF~

W093/14353 2 ~ 2 7 ~ 2 ~ P~T/US93/0~165 to cycle on and off a great deal, thereby reducing the useful li~e of this critical component.
Portable dehumidifi~rs 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 stalned 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 acro~s flsorin~, 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 or receiving the condensate from the evaporator coils. ~s a result, removing and caxryîng the full receptacle to the drain without spilling water was difficult.
Another concern, particularly - with portable dehumidiiers, was the possibility of the appliance operating when the water receptacle was full or out of place and the attendant damage to the surroundin~s caused by water ~eeping 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 t-he base of the dehumidifier, making it difficult to read if S llB~i;TlTlJTE SHEEl~

3 PCr/VS93/001~5 2~ ~7129 4 _ the applian-~e was on the floor. The conventional float switch tended to become inaccurate over time and, in any event, provided no indication that the re eptacle was approaching ma~imum Capacity until that poin~~was reached.
Thus, no warning was provided to a user who, e~pecting the dehumidifier to operate during an e~tended 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, hanclles have been supported only by the e~ternal 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 thexein. ThiS strengthening inevitably resulted in increased cost. Occ:asiorl~lly, more lthan one handle was prsvided so that the weight of the appliance would be divided between relatively opposing points on the outer shell. This arrangement, howe~er, requi:red the user to employ bot:h hands when carrying the dehumidif ier, without eliminatiny the need for the sh~ll to be capable of ~earing a substantial portion of the loal~.
Since they are intended for use in living areas, portable dehumidifil3rs are more like:Ly than standard size units to b~
placed b~side a wall or furniture. Typically, a single area on convent:ional dehumidifi~rs was provided for air outlet louvers . As a result, it was f requently impossible to place ~3UBST3TUTE SHE~E~

WO93/14353 ~ ~?, 7 ~ 2 3 PCT/US93/00165 the appliance in a dPsirec~ position because the f].ow of dehumidified air would be impeded, thereby reducing the efficiency of the unit.

Summary and Obiects of the Invention:
The present air conditioning apparatus was invented in an effort to eliminate or substantially reduce the above-described drawbacks and limitations of previous porta~le dehumidifiers. In doin~ so, the present inventors employed the followinq components in devising their new electrically powered air conditioning apparatus; namely, a removable water receptac1e, a condensex, an evaporator, a fan, a fan motor, a compressor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sen~or, an electrical circuit e~tending between the ele~trically actuated components, a circuit control devic , a pair of exterior half-shel1s and a handle di~posed on at least one of th2 e~terior half-shells. The present inventivn represents an improvement which basically compri~es: 8 mounting member formed with a general1y horizontally disposed base adapted to receive the exterior half-she~ls, the water receptacle and the compressor and with a partition wall e~tending 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 ther~between, an intermediate portion adapted to carry the condenser, the SUBS~ITUTE SHE~

~27~29 - 6 -evaporator, the fan and the fan motor, and an upper portion adapted to support the handle. In addition, the present invention preferably includes the following features: the above-described mounting member is unitaril~ 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 reach~d; at least two subst~ntially spaced apart air outlets are provided on one of the e~terior half-shells for e~hausting the air in at least two substantially different directions; and a substantially restricted opening is provided in the water r~ceptacle for receiving and ~ischaryi11g water.
Impor1:ant object~ of the pr~sent invention are as follows: to provid~ a dehumidifier with an internal support member by which the dehumidifier may be carried; tQ provide a dehumidifier which may be operated during production and~or m~intenance with the external covers removed; to eliminate or substantially reduce corxosion and the possibility of short circuitin~ caused by water reachin~ electrical components, and particularly high voltage electxical components; to permit the dehumidifier to be placed in close pro~imity to walls, furniture and other objects without hindering the flow SUBSTITUTE SHEEr WO 93J14353 h ~ ~, 7 ~ 2 u~ PCTJUS93~00165 of air through the dehumidifier; to eliminate or sub~tantially reduce the likelihood of spillage from the water reservoir to provide the user with an indication when the water receptacle is nearly full; and ~o improve the efficiency and life of the compressor. The foregoing objects and advantayes 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 embcdiment.

Brief Description of the Drawin~s:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a portable dehumidifier according to th~ present invention;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof; -~
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof;
FIG. ~ 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 support member and the positioning of various electrically powered components (in diagramma~ic fashion) thereon;
FIG. 7 is perspectiv~ of the internal mountin~ member and the water receptacle detection armature;
FTG. 8 is a vertical secti.onal view of the float assembly in the water receptacle;

FIGS. 9A-9D are diagrammatic views of the operation of the water receptacle detection device;

SUBSTITU~E SH~ET

W~93/1~353 PCT/VS93/0~16~
7 ~ 8 FIG. 10 is a wiring diagram of the high voltage power ~ircuit board; and FIG. 11 is a wiring diagram of the low voltage control circuit board. ~~~~

~De~ail~d Description of the Preferred Embodimen~:
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 voltag2 control circuit board 28 (FIG. 11), a ~.:
high voltage power circuit board 29 ~F~G. 10), a humidity sensor 30 and a temperature ~ensor IBl~ The specifications for some of these components are as follows: input voltage and fr~quency: 198 to 264 V~C RMS, 47-63 Hz; the compressor has a full loan amps (FLA) rating of 1.5 amps at 220~240 VAC
and ma~imum inductive startup current of 12.4 amps. The fan motor has an FLA rating of .24 amps at 220/240 VAC. The 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 exter~or surface of the dehumidifier. LED 32 flashes on and of~ when the water level in the receptacle 26 reaches B0% capacity and SUE~STITUTE SHEET

WO 93/14353 2 l~ ~ 7 1 ~ 3 PCI~US93/OOt~5 remairls constantly on when the receptacle 26 is completely full. LED 33 is illumillated 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 illumi~ed when the fan is operating at low spePd 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 30%
relative humidity level is selected. LEDs 38-41 are illuminated when 40, S0, 60, and 70~ relative humidity levels are respectively selected. Switch 42 controls the fan/compressor selections i~dicated by LED's 34-36. Switch 43 controls the humidity level selections indicated by LED's 37-41. Switch 4~ turns the present dehumidifier on and off.
As i~dicated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a unitary molded mountiny member ~5 is formed with a generally horizontal bas~ portion 46 and a generally vertical partition wall 47. A front e~t~rior half-shell 48 (FIGS. 1, 3, ~) is removably mounted on the base portion ~6 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 e~teriox 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 e~haust air in substantially diff~rent directions. An inwardly projecting handle S7 (FIGS. 5, 6) is formed in an upper portion of the SUBSTlTUTE SHE~

2~71~g - 10-e~ternal half-shell for insertion into a handle-supporting caYity 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 integrall~ molded from synthetic resin material.
As indica~ed in FIGS. S and 7, the base 46 is adapted to receive the front and rear shells 48, 53, the water raceptacle 26 and the compressor 21. A lower portion 60 of the partition wall 47 separates the base i.nto a water ~:
receptacle area ~1 and a compressor area 62 and defines a substantially impermeable barrier to the movement of water between these areas 61, 62. An int:ermediate portion 63 of the partition wall 47 is adapted to carry the conden~er 24, ~vaporator 25, fan 22, and fan motor ~-3. 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 draîn trough 65. .
The water receptacle 26 is blow-molded $rom synthetic resin material and is removably mounted in an inwardly projecting shelf 66 on the front access panel 49. The recep~acle is formed with a su~stantîally restricted opening 67 for rec~iving and dispensin~ water. The opening 67 is provided in the upper surface of the receptacle and is position~d so that it is directly below the apertured drain trough 65 when the front a~c~ss panel 49 is closed.

SU~3$TI~JTE SHE~ET

W093/~4353 2~7 1~ ~ PCT/US93/0~165 The upper surface of the water receptacle 26 îs 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 ~8- includes a water-permeable cage or sleev~ 69 and a 10at 70 made of a buoyant material such as styrofoam. The cage 69 çonsists 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 2~ 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
xelatively wide circumferential groove is formed in the outer surface of the float 70; and an inwardly projecting, circular groove-engaging lip 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, preferably 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 ~,;,gnetic reed switches or Hall Effect sensors, are mounted on the partition wall behind the armatur~ 72. The sensors 75, SlJBSTlTIJTE StlEET

WO~3/14353 PCT/US93/00165 2 ~ ~ 7 1 ~ 3 ~ l2 -76 are positioned on the partition wall and the ma~nets 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 ind~cative of the water level in the receptacle 26 or the position of the receptacle, as described belQw.
FIG. 9A illustrates the condition in which the receptacle ~6 is either not in place in the access door 49 or the access door is not completely closedO In either i~stance, the magnet 74C in the finger 73 is aligned with the upper sensor 7~ and the control circuit 28 will not permit the compressor to operate.
FIG~ 9B illustrates the condition in whic~ the receptacle 26 is disposed in ~n 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 elevated, neither of the other ma~nets 74A, 74B is aligned with the lower scnsor 75. The control circuit 28 responds by no longer impeding the compressor 21.
FIG. 9C illustrates the condition where the water level 77 reaches appro~imately 80 percent of the receptacle's capacity. In this csndition, the float 70 rises in response to the ele~ated water level, thereby causing the armature 72 to pivot further upwardly so that the innermost magnet 74A is $UBSTITUTE SH~ET

WO 93tl~353 ~ ~ 2 7 1 2 9 PCl[/V~i93/00165 aligned with the lower sensor 75. In this position, the control circuit causes LED 32 ~FIG. 2) to flash intermi~t~antly ~ut permits the dehumidifier to continue operating in its normal mode.
FIG. 9D illustrates the condition in wh;ch the water level 77 reaches the top of the receptacle 26. In this situation,~ the float 70 rises to its hi~hest position, thereby c'ausing the armature 72 to pivot upwardly and align the inter~ediat~ magnet 74B with the upper sensor 76. In this posi.tion, the control circuit causes the ~'Reservoir full" LE~ 32 to light continuously and suppresses the compressor.
The source code for the control circuit microprocessor accompa~ies this application and i.s identified as Appendix A. As indicated diagrammatically in FIGo 6, a temperature sensor 81 is attached to the evaporator coil 25. A timing device 77 ~FIG~ 10) is pxovided on the control circuit board 28. The control circuit is programmed so that when the evaporator coil reaches a selected temper~ture, preferably 27 degrees F, the control circuit initiates the cloek 78~ Once the clock :has run for a selected period of time, preferably 45 minutesl, the control eircuit stops the compressor 21 while the fan 22 and its associatecl motor 23 continue to operate in order to de~frost the evaporator coils 25. During the ~defrost period, th~ associated LED 33 is illuminated. When the coil temperature rises to a selected temperature, preferalbly 37 degrees F, the compressor restarts.

SWE~STITIJTE SHIEET

WO93/143S3 PCT/U~S~3/0~16~ :
2~ 2~

As indicated in FIG. ~, 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 ~urrounding relation to the outlets ~4-56.
While a single preferred embodiment of the present portable dehumidifier has ~een illustrated and described in some detail, the foregoing specification is not intencled to unduly limit or restrict the spirit of the invention nor the scope of the following claims.

SllE~STll~UTE Sl IEFr WO 93/114353 2 :~ ~ 7 ~ , P~/US93J01)165 APPENDIX A
* Parallax PIC14C5x Asse~bler v2.û ~*~

4 000- DEVICE Wl)T~FF
S 000- DEVICE PROTECT~S)FF

8 ,~ R~g;ste~ Assignments 1 1 ,VALUES
12 THE HIGHER THE HUMIDITY TIIE LOWER THE Cû!JNT

14 RAISE LOWER RAISE HUMlDITY
R0077 THRESHI EOU119 , 122 ,123 70X HUMIDITY
16 ~007A T13RESH2 EOUlZ2 123 ,128 60% HUMIDITY
17 ~007E THRESH3 EOU126 126 ,129 50% HlJMI~ITY
18 ~0082 THRESH4 EOU.130 , 130 ,130 40% HUMIDITY
19 ~0084 THRESH5 EOU132 , 133 ,131 30% HUMIDITY
21 ,RAM LOCATIONS
22 ~0005 PORT A EOU 5 23 ~0004 PORT B EOIJ 6 24 ~0007 PORT C EOU 7 26 ~0008 OBl EOU 8 27 ~0009 ~B2 EOU 9 28 ~OOOA BITS EOU10 29 *OOOB FAM EOU11 ~OOOC HUM~D EOU 12 31 ~ûOOD HUMIDITY EOU 13 32 ~OOOF BLK EOU14 33 ~OOOF TEMP EOU15 34 ~0010 HUMIDITY COUNT EOU 16 36 ~0011 RAM17 EOU17 37 ~0012 RAM18 EOU13 38 ~0013 RAMl9 EOU19 39 ~0014 RAM20 EOU20 4û ~UOl~ l EOU 21 41 ~0016 RAM22 E9U22 i2 ~0017 RAM23 EOU23 43 *001~ RAM24 EOU24 M ~0019 RAM25 0U 25 sOOlA RAM26 EOU26 46 ~OOlB RAM~7 EOll 27 47 ~ODlC RAM28 EOU` 28 48 ~0010 RAM29 EOU29 49 ~001 E RAM30 EOU30 ~OOlF RAM31 EOU31 52 , PORT A LINES
53 ~OûOO TEMP 27 EOU O
54 ~OOû 1 TEMP 37 EOU
~0002 BUCKET-DO EOU 2 56 ~OOû3 BUCKET FULL EOU 3 58 , PORT ~ LINES
59 ~0000 S~l FAM EOIJ O
~0001 S~ HUMIDITY E9lJ
61 *aoo2 LED RESERVOIR EOU 2 62 ~0002 LED BUCKET EOIJ 2 63 ~0003 LED DEFROST EOlJ 3 $1,11~STlTlJTE SIH~ET

W O 93/14353 ~ 2 ~ 16 P~r/US93/00165 64 ~0004 SCOPE EOU 4 *0005 OUT MOTO~ LO EOU 5 66 ~000~ OUT MOTOR HI EOU 6 67 "0007 OUT COMPRESSOR EOU 7 6~
69 ,PORT C LINES
~0000 LED FAN HIGH EOU O
71 ~0001 LED FAN LOW EOU
72 ~0002 LED FAN ONLY EOU 2 73 *0003 LED 30 EOU 3 74 ~0004 LED 40 EOU 4 ~0005 LED 50 EOU 5 76 ~0006 LED 60 EOU 6 77 ~0007 LED 70 EOU 7 ~0 82 000- 961 CALL IMIT ,IMIT PORTS
83 001- 466 LCF PORT B.LED DEFROST

, BCF PORT C.LED 70 86 , GOTO START

~9 , CALL COMPRESSOR OFF
91 003- A93 goto display humidity 93 004- 606 BTF9C PORT B.SW FAN ,CHECK IF TEST MODE

006- 626 ~TF9C PCRT B.SW HUMIDITY ,- -97 008- A93 50TO D~SPLAY HUMIDITY ,BOTH SWITCHES ARE ACTIVE 90 T

99 005- HERE ,REPLACE WITH STATUS OF E3PROM

101 009- 407 BCF PORT C.LED FAN HIGH ,DEFAULT TO FAN HI~M SPEED
102 OOA- COl MOVLW O0000001D

10~
105 00C- 467 BCF PORT C.LED 30 ,DEFAULT TO 30X HUMIDITY LEVEL

1~8 119 ,~ 5U~ROUTINES FOLLOW

123 015 665 BTF9C PORT A.BUCKET FULL
124 016- AlD GOTO CRLl ,NO RESERVOIR ISN'T FULL SEE I :~
125 D17- 446 OCF PORT B.LED RESERW IR ,YES RESERVOIR IS FULL TURN O ::
126 018- 9ES CALL COMPRESSOR OFF ,SHUT OFF UNIT

128 OlA- 500 RETLM O
129 OlB- CALl SVBSTlTlJTE SHE~

WO 93/143~3 2 :~ 2 7 1 2 g PCI'/US93/00165 130 OlB- 546 BSF PORT B.LED RESERVOIR ,TURN OFF RESERVOIR LED
131 OlC- 645 BTFSC PORT A.BUCKET BO ,CHECK IF BUCKET IS STILL 80 132 OlD- 800 RETLW O ,SWITCH OPN SO RETURN
133 OlE- 745 BTFSS PORT A.BUCKET FULL ,CHECK IF BUCKET IS NOW ALL FU
134 OlF- 800 RETLt~l 0 136 020- 446 BCF PORT D.LED RESERVOIR ,YES, RESERYOIR IS 80X TURN ON

138 022- 546 BSF PORT D.LED RESERYOIR TURN OFF RESERVOIR LED
139 023- 9D5 CALL LONG DELAY ,BLINK RESERVOIR LED
140 024- A18 GOTO CALl ,LOOP UNTIL~ RESERYOIR IS EMPTI
142 ~*~*~*~**~w~*~*~x~*~x 145 025- 405 BTFSC PORT B.SW FAN
146 024~ 800 RETLM O

149 027- 70B BTFSS FAN.O
150 028- A2E COTO CFSl 151 029- 407 BCF PORT C.LD FAN HIGH
152 02A 547 8SF PORT C.LED FAN ONLY
153 02B- C02 MOVLW OOOOOOlOB

157 02E- CFSl 158 02E- 72B BTFSS FAN.l 160 030- 427 BCF PORT C.LED FAN LOW
161 031- 507 BSF PORT C.EED FAN HIGH
162 032- C04 MOVLW OOOOOlOOB

167 035- 74B BTFSS FAN.2 169 037- 447 BCF PORT C.LED FAH ONLY
170 038- 527 BSF PORT C;LED FAN LOW
171 039- COl MOVLW OOOOOOOlB

173 03B- 800 RE~W O

175 7111~R~ *11~ ~*RWRllll~llW11~R~ *~111~11~'JI~/tSl-ll~$~flY W~IR~l*#A~ R1~R*t~115t~ **
1~6 178 03C- 626 ~TFSS PORT B.SW HUMIDITY

182 03E- 70C BTFSS HUMID.O
183 03F- A45 ~iOTO CHSl 184 040- 467 9CF PORT C.LED 30 185 041- 5E7 BSP PORT C.LED 70 190 045- CHSl 191 045- 72C BTFSS HUMID.l 192 046- A4C liOTO CHS2 193 047- 487 BCF PORT C.LED 40 194 048- 547 BSF PORT C.LED 30 195 049- C04 MOVLW OOOOOlOOB

WO 93/143S3 ~ 7 1 ~,? ~ PCI`/US93/00165 197 04~- BOO RETLW O

199 04C- C~S2 200 04C- 74C BTFSS HUMID.2 202 04E- 4A7 3CF PORT C.LED 50 203 04F- 587 8SF PORT C.LED 40 204 050- C08 MOVLW OOOOlOOOB

209 053- 74C BTFSS HUMID.3 211 055- 4C7 BCF PORT C.LED 60 212 056- 5A7 85F PORT C.LED 50 213 057- C10 MOVLW OOOlOOOOB

218 05A- 78C BTFSS HUMID.4 220 O5C- 4E7 ~CF PORT C.LED 70 221 05B- 5C7 8SF PORT C.LED 60 222 05E- COl MOVLW OOOOOOOlB

228 1~ t*R~ R~*RRR~RR*~*~ ~Rlll~*~ *~~ st~R~ *~~ r*~ ty***1~x~ ~x~'<

231 041- COF MOVLW OOOOllllB

234 063- C03 MOVLW OOOOOOllB

236 045- CFF , MOV-W OFFH

~39 047- COO MOVLW OOOOOOOOB
240 248~ 007 TRIS PORT C

~ M
245 ~11*~1*1/~R~ ~*~r111*Yl~*~a~l~ ~*llllll~llr*llll~ ~slr*~ *~ *~ r ?46 249 04D- 028 MOVWF DOl 250 04E- DLYl :

252 04F- 2E8 DECFS2 DOl 258 074- A6E GNTO DLYl 260 ~ RIl~R~tl*lirRC*~ *~ R*~~ rR~ ~*~ ~r~

~13BSTITUTE SHEET

WO 93/14353 2 ~ ~ 7 ~ 2 ~ P~/US93tOOI~
lg 263 075- COl MOVLW
264 076- lEE ADDWF BLK

266 0~7- 446 BCF PORT B.LED BUBKET

271 07C- 546 9SF PORT B.LED BUCKET
272 Q7D- 9D5 CALL LONG DELA~

274 07F- 9D5 CALL LONG DELAY ~ -277 082~ A77 GOTO BLK2 280 ,~*~*~R~*~*~2~*~*~*~*j*~*
2~1 283 084- 466 BCF PORT 8.LED DEFROST

285 086- 566 BSF PORT B.LED DEFROST

290 ,~A~*~R~*~*~*~*~

293 OB9- 705 BTFSS PORT A.TEMP 27 294 08A- A8F GOTO OFFl 295 08~- 466 BCF PORT 8.LED DEFROST

2g7 08C- NEXT LOOP
298 08C- 725 BTFSS PORT A.TEMF 37 300 08E- 446 0CF PORT B.LED BUCKET

303 08F- OFFl 304 OBF- 544 8SF PORT B.LED DEFROST

308 091- 546 8SF PORT B.LED BUCKET

311 ,~*~*~R***~ ~*~YU*~#

314 093- 041 CLRF RTCC ,CLEAR RTCC REGISTER
315 094- 586 85F PORT B.SCOPE ,SET TEST SIGNAL
316 095- 9D5 CALL LONG DELAY ,DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN
317 096- 9D5 CALL LONG DELAY ,DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN
318 097- 9D5 CALL LONG DELAY ,DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN
319 098- 9D5 CALL LONG OELAY ,DFLAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN
320 099- 9D5 CALL LONG DELAY ,DEL~Y TIME ro SAMPLE RTCC PIN
321 O9A- 201 MOVF RTCC.~
322 O9B- 486 ~CF PORT B.SCOPE ,CLEAR TEST SIGNAL

~24 325 O9D- CFF MOVLW OFFH ,TURN OFF ALL LEDS

SUEI$TITU~F ~;HEET

W 0 93/143S3 2 ~ 2 7 ~ 2 ~ PC~r/U ~93J0016~

328 O9F- C77 M9VLW THRESHl 329 OAO- 090 SU~WF HUMIDITY COUNT.O ,SUB & PUT RESULT IN
330 OAl- 703 aTFSS STATUS O ,TEST FOR rARRY

332 DA3- 4E7 BCF PORT C.LED 70 336 OA5- 090 SU8WF HUMIDITY COUNT.O ,SUB & PUT RESULT IN
337 OA6- 703 8TFSS STATUS.O ,TEST FOR CARRY

339 OA8- 4C7 BCF PORT C.LED 60 340 DA9- SE7 RSF PORT C.LED 70 344 OAB- 090 SU~WF HUMIDITY COUNT.O ,SUB & PUT RESULT IN
345 OAC- 703 BTFSS STATUS.O ,TE~T POR CARRY

347 OAE- 4A7 9CF PORT C.LED 50 348 OAF- SC7 BSF PORT C.LED 60 349 080- 5E7 BSF PORT C.LED 70 ~51 081- NEXT4 353 082- 090 SUBWF HUMIDITY COUNT.O ,SUB & PUT RESULT IN
354 083- 703 BTFSS STATUS.O ,TEST FOR CAQRY

356 085- 487 BCF PORT C.LED 40 357 086- SA7 BSF PORT C.LED 50 358 087- SC7 BSF PORT C.LED 60 359 088- SE7 BSF PORT C.LED 70 363 08A- 090 SUBWF HUMIDITY COUNT.O ,SUB & PUT RESULT IN
364 08a- 703 BTFSS STATUS.O ,TEST FOR CARRY

366 08D- 467 BCF PORT C.LED 30 367 08E- 5~7 BSF PORT C.LED 40 368 08F- 5A7 CSF PORT C.LED 50 369 OCO- SC7 8SF PORT C.LED 60 370 OCl- SE7 BSF PORT C.LED 70 374 ~v*%~~ ~#~ ~*~r~*~ **~ *~ *~

377 OC3~ 041 CLRF RTOC ,CLEAR RTCC REGISTER
378 OC4- 9D5 CALL LONG DELAY ,DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN
379 OC5- 9D5 CALL LONG DELAY ,DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN
380 OC6 9D5 CALL LONG DELAY ,DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN
381 OC7- 9D5 CALL LONG DELAY ,DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN
382 OC8- 955 CALL LONG DELAY ,DELAY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN
384 OC9- 201 MDVF RTCC.W

3~7 390 OCC- CHECK DEFROST TEMPERATURE ,WHEN TEMP 27 GOES LOW ITS LESS391 OCC- 405 ~TFSC PORT A.TEMP 27 ,START DEFROST CYCLE TIME 45 392 OCD- ACF GOTO BYPASS TFMP ,NOT BELOW 27 90 RETURN
393 OCE- 466 ECF PORT e.LED DEFROST ,TURN ON DEFROST LED

W~ g3/14353 ~ ? Q P~/US93J001~5 394 ,TURN ON FAN NOW 9R AFTER 45 MIN WHEN COMPRESSOR GOES OFF?
395 OCF- ~YPASS TEMP
396 OCF- 444 ~TFSC PORT ~.IED DEFQOST ,NOT IN DEFROST SO NO NEED FOR

398 UDl- 725 BTFSS PORT A.TEMP 37 ,TEST IF ABOVE 37, IF SO END D
399 OD2- 800 RETLW O ELSE RET~RN
400 OD3- 544 BSF PORT D.LED DEFROST TURN OFF DEFROST LED
401 ,TURN ON FAN

405 ~R~ *~ R~1lhn~11~*~1~J~*~*~ ~n~ ~J~X~~ ***~ *R~ *
406 , 409 OD6- 028 MOVWF DOl 410 OD7- LDLYl 412 OD8- 2E8 DECFSZ W l 418. ODD- AD7 GOTO LDLYl 420 *~11~J~l~h~llllRl~ RX~ 1r1~ hJlllh1~ Y~ 1h~rllrR~R~ lr~h~*AJn~111111~Rl~lR~ h~lrhh~ll~

426 ~z~*~*n~v~x~r~

429 OEO- ~84 CALL BLINK2 430 OEl- 800 RETL~ O

432 . ~Rh~n~Rn#~a~J~*~~n~2 434 OE2~ FORTY-FIVE HINUTE

436 0~2- 800 RETLW O

438 ~*~#~hx~#~R~*~*x~R~n~hh~R~w~

441 OE3- 4E6 BCF PORT B.OUT COMPRESSOR

445 OE5- SC4 BSF PORT B.OUT MO~OR HI

~47 451 OE7- 5C6 BSF PORT B.OUT MOTOR HI
452 OE8- 4A6 BSF PORT 8.0UT MOTOR LO

456 OEA- 5A6 BSF PORT B.OUT MOTOR LO
457 OEB~ 4C6 BCF PORT B.OUT MOTOR HI

~59 - SU~3STITUTF SHEET

WO ~3/14353 PCT/US93/01)165 ~ ~3 2 7 1 2 ~ 22 461 OED- 5C6 BSF PORT B.OUT MOTOR HI
462 OEE- 5A6 BSF PORT B.OUT MOTOR LO

465 R~8~ X~:~X11~*11~tl~X~X~tRfl*~*R7 ~*R~l~ XX~t~t**~Atlr9~11*11t1111~ *R*~t~X~

--- Errors, O

$1l)B~:~lTlJTE~ SHEE-r

Claims

Claims:

1. In an electrically actuated dehumidifier provided with 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, the invention characterized by:
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 adapted to support the handle.

2. The dehumidifier according to Claim 1, and further characterized by the mounting member being unitarily molded from synthetic resin material.

3. The dehumidifier according to Claim 1, and further characterized by detection means adapted to generate a first signal corresponding to an intermediate water level in the water receptacle and a second signal corresponding to a maximum water level in the water receptacle.

4. The dehumidifier according to Claim 1, and further characterized by clock means electrically connected to the circuit control means, said circuit 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.

5. The dehumidifier according to Claim 1, and further characterized by at least two substantially spaced apart air outlets provided on one of the exterior half-shells for exhausting the air in at least two substantially different directions.

6. The dehumidifier according to Claim 1, and further characterized by the water receptacle being formed with a restricted opening for receiving and discharging water.

7. The dehumidifier according to Claim 3, and further characterized by the detection means comprising 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 control means and adapted to generate a signal upon alignment of one of the magnets with said sensor.

8. The dehumidifier according to Claim 4, and further characterized by the selected period of time being at least 30 minutes.

9. The dehumidifier according to Claim 5, and further characterized by the air outlets being substantially identical to one another in shape and size.

10. The dehumidifier according to Claim 9, and further characterized by a coverplate being adapted to be removably received on portions of the exterior half-shell surrounding each of the air outlets.