WO1993014353A1

WO1993014353A1 - Portable dehumidifier

Info

Publication number: WO1993014353A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/000165
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph Achtner; Louis M. Busick; David B. Chaney; Steven W. Wharton
Original assignee: Ebco Manufacturing Company
Priority date: 1992-01-08
Filing date: 1993-01-07
Publication date: 1993-07-22
Also published as: JPH07503059A; AU3439593A; CA2127129A1; KR940703985A; AU662599B2; NZ246813A; CN1089346A; NO942569D0; NO942569L; EP0620907A1

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

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 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 plurality of metal components which required considerable 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 possibility of electrical damage.

During the dehumidifying process, ice collects on the 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 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 reached. As a result, there was a tendency in high humidity environments for the compressor 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 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 the 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 relatively opposing points on the outer shell. This arrangement, however, required the user to employ both hands 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 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 the appliance in a desired position because the flow of dehumidified air would be impeded, thereby reducing the efficiency of the unit.

Summary and Objects 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 portable dehumidifiers. In doing so, the present inventors employed the following components in devising their new electrically powered air conditioning apparatus; namely, a removable water receptacle, a condenser, an evaporator, a fan, a fan motor, a compressor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, an electrical circuit extending between the electrically actuated components, a circuit control device, a pair of exterior half-shells and a handle disposed on at least one of the exterior half-shells. The present invention represents an improvement which basically comprises: 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. 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 dehumidifier with an internal support member by which the dehumidifier may be carried; to provide a dehumidifier which may be operated during production and/or maintenance with the external covers removed; to eliminate or substantially reduce 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 towalls, furniture and other objects without hindering the flow of air through the dehumidifier; to eliminate or 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 support 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; 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 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 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 30% 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 projectinghandle 57 (FIGS. 5, 6) is formed in an upper portion of the external half-shell for insertion into a handle-supporting 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 65.

The water receptacle 26 is blow-molded from synthetic resin material and is removably mounted in an inwardly 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 the 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. 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. The cage 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 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 magnetic reed switches or Hall Effect sensors, are mounted on the partition wall behind the armature 72. The sensors 75, 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 closed. 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 elevated, neither of the other magnets 74A, 74B is aligned with the lower sensor 75. The control circuit 28 responds by no longer impeding the compressor 21.

FIG. 9C illustrates the condition where the water level 77 reaches approximately 80 percent of the receptacle's capacity. In this condition, the float 70 rises in response to the elevated water level, thereby causing the armature 72 to pivot further upwardly so that the innermost magnet 74A is 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 degrees F, the control circuit initiates the clock 78. Once the clock has run for a selected period of time, preferably 45 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. 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 described 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.

APPENDIX A

***** Paral l ax PIC14C5x Assembl er v2.0 ***** 1

2 000- DEVICE PIC14C57

3 000- DEVICE RC-OSC

4 000- DEVICE WDT-OFF

5 000- DEVICE PROTECT-OFF

6

7 , **********************************************************************

*

8 ,* Regi ster Assi gnments * 9 ********************************************************************** 10

11 ,VALUES

12 ,THE HIGHER THE HUMIDITY THE LOWER THE COUNT

13 , IE LOW HUMIDITY-BIG COUNT HIGH HUMIDITY-SMALL COUNT

14 RAISE LOWER RAISE HUMIDITY

15 *0077 THRESHI EOU 119 , 122 ,12370% HUMIDITY

16 *007A THRESH2 EOU 122 , 123 ,12860% HUMIDITY

17 *007E THRESH3 EOU 126 , 126 ,12950% HUMIDITY

18 *0082 THRESH4 EOU 130 , 130 ,13040% HUMIDITY

19 *0084 THRESH5 EOU 132 , 133 ,131 30% HUMIDITY

20

21 ,RAM LOCATIONS

22 *0005 PORT A EOU 5

23 *0004 PORT B EOU 6

24 "0007 PORT C EOU 7

25

26 *0008 DB1 EOU 8

27 *0009 DB2 EOU 9

28 *000A BITS EOU 10

29 *000B FAM EOU 11

30 *000C HUMID EOU 12

31 *000D HUMIDITY EOU 13

32 *000E BLK EOU 14

33 *000F TEMP EOU 15

34 *0010 HUMIDITY COUNT EOU 16

35

36 *0011 RAM!7 EOU 17

37 *0012 RAM18 EOU 18

38 *0013 RAM19 EOU 19

39 *0014 RAM20 EOU 20

40 *0015 RAM21 EOU 21

41 *0016 RAM22 EOU 22

42 *0017 RAM23 EOU 23

43 *0018 RAM24 EOU 24

44 *0019 RAM25 EOU 25

45 *001A RAM26 EOU 26

46 *001B RAM27 EOU 27

47 *001C RAM28 EOU 28

48 *001D RAM29 EOU 29

49 *001E RAM30 EOU 30

50 *001F RAM31 EOU 31

51

52 ,P0RT A LINES

53 *0000 TEMP 27 EOU 0

54 *0001 TEMP 37 EOU 1

55 *0002 BUCKET-DO EOU 2

56 *0003 BUCKET FULL EOU 3

57

58 .PORT B LINES

59 *0000 SW FAM EOU 0

60 *0001 SW HUMIDITY EOU 1

61 *0002 LED RESERVOIR EOU 2

62 *0002 LED BUCKET EOU 2

63 *0003 LED DEFROST EOU 3 64 *0004 SCOPE EOU 4

65 *0005 OUT MOTOR LO EOU 5

66 *0006 OUT MOTOR HI EOU 6

67 *0007 OUT COMPRESSOR EOU 7

68

69 .PORT C LINES

70 *0000 LED FAN HIGH EOU 0

71 *0001 LED FAN LOW EOU 1

72 *0002 LED FAN ONLY EOU 2

73 *0003 LED 30 EOU 3

74 *0004 LED 40 EOU 4

75 *0005 LED 50 EOU 5

76 *0006 LED 60 EOU 6

77 *0007 LED 70 EOU 7

78

79 000- ORS OOW

80

81 000- START

82 000- 961 CALL IMIT , IMIT PORTS

83 001- 466 BCF PORT B . LED DEFROST

84

85 BCF PORT C. LED 70

86 GOTO START

87

88 002- 9E3 CALL COMPRESSOR ON

89 CALL COMPRESSOR OFF

90

91 003- A93 goto di spl ay humidi ty

92

93 004- 606 BTF9C PORT B . SW FAN ,CHECK I F TEST MODE

94 005- A09 GOTO HERE

95 006- 626 BTF9C PORT B.SW HUMIDITY ,--

96 007- A09 GOTO HERE

97 008- A93 GOTO DISPLAY HUMIDITY , BOTH SWITCHES ARE ACTIVE 90 T

98

99 009- HERE , REPLACE WITH STATUS OF E3PROM

100

101 009- 407 BCF PORT C . LED FAN HIGH , DEFAULT TO FAN HIGH SPEED

102 00A- CO! MOVLW 0000000I D

103 00B- 02B MOVWF FAN

104

105 00C- 467 BCF PORT C. LED 30 , DEFAULT TO 30% HUMIDITY LEVEL

106 00D- CO! MOVLW 0000000 I D

107 00E- 02C MOVWF HUMID

108

109

no OOF- MAIN LOOP

m OOF- 915 CALL CHECK RESERVOIR LEVEL

112 010- 925 CALL CHECK FAM SWITCH

113 Oil- 93C CALL CHECK HUMIDITY SWITCH

114 012- 9CC CALL CHECK DEFROST TEMPERATURE

115 013- 9C3 CALL CHECK HUMIDITY

116 014- AOF GOTO MAIN LOOP

117

118 , ***********************************************************************

119 , * SUBROUTINES FOLLOW

120 , ***********************************************************************

122 015- CHECK RESERVOIR LEVEL

123 015- 665 BTF9C PORT A.BUCKET FULL

124 016- AID GOTO CRL1 ,NO RESERVOIR ISN'T FULL SEE I

125 017- 446 DCF PORT B.LED RESERVOIR ,YES RESERVOIR IS FULL TURN 0

126 018- 9E5 CALL COMPRESSOR OFF ,SHUT OFF UNIT

127 019- 9ED CALL MOTOR OFF

128 01 A- 800 RETLM 0

129 01 B- CAL1 130 01B- 546 BSF PORT B.LED RESERVOIR ,TURN OFF RESERVOIR LED

131 01C- 645 BTFSC PORT A.BUCKET BO ,CHECK IF BUCKET IS STILL 80%

132 01D- 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- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY ,BLINK RESERVOIR LED

138 022- 546 BSF PORT D.LED RESERVOIR ,TURN OFF RESERVOIR LED

139 023- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY ,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.0

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 00000010B

154 02C- 02B MOVWF FAN

155 02B- 800 RETLW 0

156

157 02E- CFSl

158 02E- 72B BTFSS FAN.l

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 00000100B

163 033- 02B MOVWF FAN

164 034- 800 RETLW 0

165

166 035- CFS2

167 035- 74B BTFSS FAN.2

168 036- 800 RETLW 0

169 037- 447 BCF PORT C.LED FAN ONLY

170 038- 527 BSF PORT C.LED FAN LOW

171 039- C01 MOVLW 00000001B

172 03A- 02B MOVWF FAN

173 03B- 800 RETLW 0

174

175 , **********************************************************************

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 30

185 041- 5E7 BSF PORT C.LED 70

186 042- C02 MOVLW 0000001OB

187 043- 02C MOVWF HUMID

188 044- 800 RETLW 0

189

190 045- CHS1

191 045- 72C BTFSS HUMID.1

192 046- A4C GOTO CHS2

193 047- 487 BCF PORT C.LED 40

194 048- 547 BSF PORT C.LED 30

195 049- C04 MOVLW 00000100B 196 04A- 02C MOVWF HUMID

197 04B- 800 RETLW 0

198

199 04C- CHS2

200 04C- 74C BTFSS HUMID.2

201 04D- A53 GOTO CHS3

202 04E- 4A7 BCF PORT C.LED 50

203 04F- 587 BSF PORT C.LED 40

204 050- C08 MOVLW 00001000B

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 60

212 056- 5A7 BSF PORT C.LED 50

213 057- C10 MOVLW 00010000B

214 058- 02C MOVWF HUMID

215 059- 800 RETLW 0

216

217 05A- CHS4

218 05A- 78C BTFSS HUMID.4

219 05B- 800 RETLW 0

220 05C- 4E7 BCF PORT C.LED 70

221 05B- 5C7 BSF PORT C.LED 60

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- C0F MOVLW 00001111B

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- C00 MOVLW 00000000B

240 248- 007 TRIS PORT C

241 049- CFF MOVLW OFFH

242 04A- 027 MOVWF PORT C

243 04B- 800 RETLW 0

244

245 , **********************************************************************

246

247 04C- DEUY

248 04C- C03 MOVLW 03H

249 04D- 028 MOVWF D01

250 04E- DLY1

251 04E- 069 CLRF D02

252 04F- 2E8 DECFS2 D01

253 070- A72 GOTO DLY2

254 071- 800 RETLW 0

255 072- ULYέ

256 072- 2E9 DECFS2 D02

257 073- A72 GOTO DLY2

258 074- A6E GOTO DLY1

259

260 ,*********************************************************************

261 262 075- BLINKS

263 075- C01 MOVLW 1

264 076- 1EE ADDWF BLK

265 077- BLK2

266 077- 446 BCF PORT B.LED BUCKET

267 078- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY

268 079- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY

269 07A- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY

270 07B- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY

271 07C- 546 BSF PORT B.LED BUCKET

272 07D- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY

273 07E- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY

274 07F- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY

275 080- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY

276 081- 2EE DECFSZ BLK

277 082- A77 GOTO BLK2

278 083- 800 RETLW 0

279

280 ,*********************************************************************

281

282 084- BLINK2

283 084- 466 BCF PORT B.LED DEFROST

284 085- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY

285 086- 566 BSF PORT B.LED DEFROST

286 087- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY

287 088- 800 RETLW 0

288

289

290 ,*********************************************************************

291

292 089- TEMPS

293 089- 705 BTFSS PORT A.TEMP 27

294 08A- A8F GOTO OFFl

295 08B- 466 BCF PORT B.LED DEFROST

296

297 08C- NEXT LOOP

298 08C- 725 BTFSS PORT A.TEMP 37

299 08D- A91 GOTO OFF2

300 08E- 446 BCF PORT B.LED BUCKET

301

302

303 08F- OFFl

304 08F- 544 BSF PORT B . LED DEFROST

305 090- ABC GOTO NEXT LOOP

306

307 091- 0FF2

308 091- 546 BSF PORT B. LED BUCKET

309 092- AE9 GOTO TEST TEMPS

310

311 ,*********************************************************************

312

313 093- DISPUY HUMIDITY

314 093- 041 CLRF RTCC ,CLEAR RTCC REGISTER

315 094- 586 BSF PORT B.SCOPE ,SET TEST SIGNAL

316 095- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY ,DEUY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN

317 096- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY ,DEUY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN

318 097- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY ,DEUY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN

319 098- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY ,DEUY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN

320 099- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY ,DEUY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN

321 09A- 201 MOVF RTCC.W

322 09B- 486 BCF PORT B.SCOPE ,CLEAR TEST SIGNAL

323 09C- 030 MOVWF HUMIDITY COUNT

325 09D- CFF MOVLW OFFH ,TURN OFF ALL LEDS

326 09E- 027 MOVWF PORT C 328 09F- C77 MOVLW THRESH1

329 0A0- 090 SUBWF HUMIDITY COUNT.0 ,SUB & PUT RESULT IN

330 0A1- 703 BTFSS STATUS 0 ,TEST FOR CARRY

331 0A2- A93 GOTO DISPUY HUMIDITY

332 0A3- 4E7 BCF PORT C.LED 70

333

334 0A4- NEXT2

335 0A4- C7A MOVLW THRESH2

336 0A5- 090 SUBWF HUMIDITY COUNT.0 ,SUB & PUT RESULT IN

337 0A6- 703 BTFSS STATUS.0 .TEST FOR CARRY

338 0A7- A93 GOTO DISPUY HUMIDITY

339 0A8- 4C7 BCF PORT C.LED 60

340 0A9- 5E7 BSF PORT C.LED 70

341

342 0AA- NEXT3

343 0AA- C7E MOVLW THRESH3

344 0AB- 090 SUBWF HUMIDITY COUNT.0 ,SUB & PUT RESULT IN

345 0AC- 703 BTFSS STATUS.0 ,TEST FOR CARRY

346 0AB- A93 GOTO DISPUY HUMIDITY

347 0AE- 4A7 BCF PORT C.LED 50

348 0AF- SC7 BSF PORT C.LED 60

349 080- 5E7 BSF PORT C.LED 70

350

351 081- NEXT4

352 081- C82 MOVLW THRESH4

353 082- 090 SUBWF HUMIDITY COUNT.0 ,SUB & PUT RESULT IN

354 083- 703 BTFSS STATUS.0 ,TEST FOR CARRY

355 084- A93 GOTO DISPUY HUMIDITY

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

360

361 089- NEXT5

362 089- C84 MOVLW THRESH5

363 08A- 090 SUBWF HUMIDITY COUNT.0 ,SUB & PUT RESULT IN

364 08B- 703 BTFSS STATUS.0 ,TEST FOR CARRY

365 08C- A93 GOTO DISPUY HUMIDITY

366 08D- 467 BCF PORT C.LED 30

367 08E- 587 BSF PORT C.LED 40

368 08F- 5A7 BSF PORT C.LED 50

369 0C0- SC7 BSF PORT C.LED 60

370 0C1- SE7 BSF PORT C.LED 70

371 0C2- NEXT6

372 0C2-A93 GOTO DISPUY HUMIDITY

373

374 ,*********************************************************************

375

376 0C3- CHECK HUMIDITY

377 0C3- 041 CLRF RTCC . CLEAR RTCC REGISTER

378 0C4- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY . DEUY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN

379 0C5- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY ,DEUY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN

380 0C6- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY , DEUY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN

381 0C7- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY ,DEUY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN

382 0C8- 9D5 CALL LONG DEUY . DEUY TIME TO SAMPLE RTCC PIN

383

384 0C9- 201 MDVF RTCC.W

385 OCA- 02D MOVWF HUMIDITY

386 OCB- 800 RETLM 0

387

388 ,*********************************************************************

389

390 0CC- CHECK DEFROST TEMPERATURE ,WHEN TEMP 27 GOES LOW ITS LESS

391 0CC- 405 BTFSC PORT A.TEMP 27 ,START DEFROST CYCLE TIME 45

392 0CD- ACF GOTO BYPASS TEMP ,NOT BELOW 2790 RETURN

393 0CE- 466 BCF PORT B.LED DEFROST ,TURN ON DEFROST LED 394 ,TURN ON FAN NOW OR AFTER 45 MIN WHEN COMPRESSOR GOES OFF?

395 0CF- BYPASS TEMP

396 0CF- 444 BTFSC PORT B. LED DEFROST ,NOT IN DEFROST SO NO NEED FOR

397 0D0- 800 RETLW 0

398 0D1- 725 BTFSS PORT A.TEMP 37 ,TEST IF ABOVE 37, IF SO END D

399 0D2- 800 RETLW 0 ,ELSE RETURN

400 0D3- 544 BSF PORT D.LED DEFROST ,TURN OFF DEFROST LED

401 ,TURN ON FAN

402 0D40 TEMP RETURN

403 0D4- 800 RETLW

404

405 ,*********************************************************************

406

407 0D5- LONG DEUY

408 0D5- CFF MOVLM OFFH

409 0D6- 028 MOVWF D01

410 0D7- LDLY1

411 0D7- 049 CLRF D02

412 0D8- 2E8 DECFSZ D01

413 0D9- AD8 GOTO LDLY2

414 0DA- 800 RETLM 0

415 0DB- LDLY2

416 0DB- 2E9 DECFSZ D02

417 0DC- AD8 GOTO LDLY2

418 0DD- AD7 GOTO LDLY1

419

420 ,*********************************************************************

421

422 0DE- ONE MINUTE

423 0DE- 984 CALL BLINK2

424 0DF- 800 RETLW 0

425

426 ,*********************************************************************

427

428 0E0- THREE MINUTE

429 0E0- 984 CALL BLINK2

430 0E1- 800 RETLW 0

431

432 ,**************************************************************************

433

434 0E2- FORTY-FIVE MINUTE

435

436 0E2- 800 RETLW 0

437

438 ,**********************************************************************

439

440 0E3- COMPRESSOR ON

441 0E3- 4E6 BCF PORT B.OUT COMPRESSOR

442 0E4- 800 RETLW 0

443

444 0E5- COMPRESSOR OFF

445 0E5- 5C4 BSF PORT B.OUT MOTOR HI

446 0E6- 800 RETLW 0

447

448 ,**********************************************************************

450 0E7- MOTOR LO

451 0E7- 5C6 BSF PORT B.OUT MOTOR HI

452 0E8- 4A6 BSF PORT B.OUT MOTOR LO

453 0E9- 800 RETLM 0

454

455 0EA- MOTOR HI

456 0EA- 5A6 BSF PORT B.OUT MOTOR LO

457 0EB- 4C6 BCF PORT B.OUT MOTOR HI

458 0EC- 800 RETLW 0

459 460 0ED- MOTOR OFF

461 0ED- 5C6 BSF PORT B.OUT MOTOR HI

462 0EE- 5A6 BSF PORT B.OUT MOTOR LO

463 OEF- 800 RETLW 0

464

465 ,***************************************************************

466

467 7FF- ORG 7FFH

468 7FF- A00 GOTO START

469

470 800- END

-------- Errors. 0 - --------

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.