WO2025251301A1

WO2025251301A1 - Dehumidifier appliance and method of operating the same

Info

Publication number: WO2025251301A1
Application number: PCT/CN2024/098182
Authority: WO
Inventors: Qiang Luo; Jian Cui; Shimiao LIU
Original assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2024-06-07
Filing date: 2024-06-07
Publication date: 2025-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-07

Abstract

A dehumidifier appliance (100) may include a cabinet (110), a refrigeration system (130), a water tank (120), and a pressure sensor (200) in operative communication with the water tank (120). The dehumidifier appliance (100) may be configured for, and/or methods of operating the dehumidifier appliance (100) may include, receiving, by the water tank (120), water condensation from the refrigeration system (130), and detecting, by the pressure sensor (200), a height of the water condensation within the water tank (120).

Description

DEHUMIDIFIER APPLIANCE AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to dehumidifier appliances, and more particularly to dehumidifier appliances having one or more features for water management therein.

BACKGROUND

Dehumidifying appliances, which may also be referred to as dehumidifiers, and other air treatment devices, such as air cleaners, and personal coolers (i.e., swamp coolers) , are common for use in the home and office. Typical dehumidifiers often include a refrigeration system having a compressor, along with a collection bucket to gather water condensation that forms at the refrigeration system. An air flow system, such as a fan and one or more ducts, draws in ambient air that dehumidified and expelled from the dehumidifier. Generally, water within the collection bucket must be emptied or replaced on a regular basis as water condensation fills the collection bucket.

During operation of the refrigeration system, moisture from the air circulated through the appliance unit may accumulate, e.g., condense, on one or more components of the appliance unit. For example, the refrigeration system typically includes at least two heat exchangers, one of which operates as an evaporator. As the air passes over, around, and/or through the evaporator, the temperature of the air is reduced and water vapor from the air condenses on and/or around the evaporator. Such condensate generally drains to a bottom of the appliance unit where the condensate is collected, e.g., in a collection bucket as mentioned above. The collected condensate may be permitted to evaporate from the bottom of the appliance unit and/or active condensate removal, such as one or more mechanisms which are configured to remove condensate from the collection bucket, may be employed.

Oftentimes, there is a balance that must be struck between multiple design constraints, including overall size, noise constraints, and operational constraints of the refrigeration system (e.g., at a compressor thereof) . Although consumers generally prefer relatively small designs for a dehumidifier, a smaller design typically constrains the appliance’s efficacy (e.g., by limiting either moisture removal rate or the size of the collection bucket) . For instance, a limited collection bucket capacity increases the frequency with which the condensate collection bucket must be emptied. Additionally or alternatively, a limited rate of moisture removal means the dehumidifier may not be able to meet the consumer's needs in drying out a room, especially if it is a larger room or has higher humidity. Moreover, a relatively small design may limit the ability to use sound-absorbing materials that might otherwise limit the amount of user-perceptible noise generated during use. As a result, existing designs are often required to have a relatively large footprint or provide relatively poor performance.

Furthermore, even with active condensate removal, the rate of condensate accumulation may exceed the rate of condensate removal. If such conditions persist for a sufficient time, undesirable effects may occur. Similarly, undesirable effects may occur if the condensate escapes from the collection bucket. Conventional dehumidifiers, however, are limited in their ability to detect such issues, e.g., may have limited or no ability to monitor a rate of change (increase or decrease) in the level of condensate in the collection bucket.

Thus, there is a need for a dehumidifier appliance addressing one or more of the above issues. For instance, a dehumidifier appliance with more sophisticated condensate measurement, detection, and/or management features is desired in the art.

SUMMARY

In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a dehumidifier appliance is provided. The dehumidifier appliance may include a cabinet, a refrigeration system, a water tank, and a pressure sensor. The cabinet may define an air inlet and an air outlet spaced apart from the air inlet. The refrigeration system may be mounted within the cabinet. The water tank may be disposed below the refrigeration system to receive water condensation therefrom. The pressure sensor may be in operative communication with the water tank. The pressure sensor may be operable to detect a height of the water condensation within the water tank.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating a dehumidifier appliance is provided. The dehumidifier appliance may include a cabinet defining an air inlet and an air outlet spaced apart from the air inlet, a refrigeration system mounted within the cabinet, a water tank disposed below the refrigeration system, and a pressure sensor in operative communication with the water tank. The method may include receiving, by the water tank, water condensation from the refrigeration system and detecting, by the pressure sensor, a height of the water condensation within the water tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a dehumidifier appliance according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the exemplary dehumidifier appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the exemplary dehumidifier appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the exemplary dehumidifier appliance of FIG. 1, wherein an outer panel and water bucket have been removed for clarity.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the exemplary dehumidifier appliance of FIG. 1, wherein an outer panel has been removed for clarity.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the exemplary dehumidifier appliance of FIG. 1, wherein an outer panel has been removed for clarity.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of the exemplary dehumidifier appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a schematic section view of an exemplary collection tank and pressure sensor for a dehumidifier appliance according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary collection tank and pressure sensor for a dehumidifier appliance according to one or more additional exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary collection tank and pressure sensor for a dehumidifier appliance according to one or more further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the exemplary collection tank and pressure sensor of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of operating a dehumidifier appliance according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

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

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

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

Turning now to the figures, FIGS. 1 through 3 provide various views of an assembled dehumidifier appliance 100 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Generally, dehumidifier appliance 100 includes a cabinet 110 that defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T. Each direction V, L, T is perpendicular to the other directions, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined. As would be understood, cabinet 110 may include a frame 112 and one or more outer panels covering various portions of frame 112. As will be described in greater detail below, various components of dehumidifier appliance 100 may be housed therein. In particular, one more portions of a refrigeration system (e.g., refrigeration loop 130) are mounted within cabinet 110.

Along with housing various components, cabinet 110 defines an airflow passage between an air inlet 116 and an air outlet 118 spaced apart from the air inlet 116. In some embodiments, cabinet 110 defines air inlet 116 at a front grill that extends over a front face of cabinet 110. In additional or alternative embodiments, cabinet 110 defines air outlet 118 at a top grill (e.g., positioned at a top end of cabinet 110 or otherwise above air inlet 116) . Thus, relative to the direction of airflow through cabinet 110, air outlet 118 may be defined downstream from air inlet 116 and thereabove. During use, ambient air may flow into air inlet 116 and through cabinet 110 (e.g., via natural convection or forced airflow motivated by an internal fan) . Within cabinet 110, water vapor or moisture may be removed from the air (i.e., the air within cabinet 110 may be dehumidified) . From the cabinet 110, such dehumidified air may be expelled (e.g., upward) through air outlet 118 and returned to the ambient environment.

In some embodiments, a water tank 120 defining a reservoir is mounted (e.g., removably mounted) to cabinet 110 to receive at least a portion of the water condensation. For instance, water tank 120 may be slidably mounted to cabinet 110 below an evaporator 124.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 through 6, various views are provided of dehumidifier appliance 100 wherein various portions (e.g., outer casing or panels of cabinet 110) have been removed for clarity. FIG. 7 provides a schematic block diagram of dehumidifier appliance 100 illustrating operative connections between various features.

As shown, a refrigeration loop 130 having a discrete evaporator 124 and condenser 126 may be included with dehumidifier appliance 100. Specifically, evaporator 124 may be disposed along the airflow path within cabinet 110. Relative to the flow of air, evaporator 124 may thus be mounted downstream from air inlet 116. In some embodiments, condenser 126 is further disposed along the airflow path within cabinet 110. For instance, relative to the flow of air, condenser 126 may be mounted between evaporator 124 and air outlet 118 (i.e., downstream from evaporator 124 and upstream from air outlet 118) .

Refrigeration loop 130 may further include compressor 132 and an expansion device 134 mounted within cabinet 110 (e.g., below evaporator 124 or otherwise apart therefrom) . As illustrated, compressor 132 and expansion device 134 may be in fluid communication with condenser 126 and evaporator 124 to flow refrigerant therethrough, as is generally understood. More particularly, refrigeration loop 130 may include various lines for flowing refrigerant between the various components of refrigeration loop 130, thus providing the fluid communication there between. Refrigerant may thus flow through such lines from evaporator 124 to compressor 132, from compressor 132 to condenser 126, from condenser 126 to expansion device 134, and from expansion device 134 to evaporator 124. The refrigerant may generally undergo phase changes associated with a refrigeration cycle as it flows to and through these various components, as is generally understood. One example of a suitable refrigerant for use in refrigeration loop 130 is 1, 1, 1, 2-Tetrafluoroethane, also known as R-134A, although it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such example and rather that any suitable refrigerant may be used.

In some embodiments, compressor 132 is a variable speed compressor 132. In this regard, compressor 132 may be operated at various speeds depending on the dehumidification needs of the room (i.e., the room in which the appliance 100 is disposed) and the demand from refrigeration loop 130. For example, compressor 132 may be configured to operate at any speed between a minimum speed to a maximum rated speed. In some embodiments, use of variable speed compressor 132 enables efficient operation of refrigeration loop 130 (and thus dehumidifier appliance 100) , minimizes unnecessary noise when compressor 132 does not need to operate at full speed, and ensures a comfortable environment within the corresponding room. During a dehumidification routine, moisture within the air may thus be condensed at the evaporator 124 without excessively reducing the temperature thereof.

As shown, expansion device 134 may be disposed within the cabinet 110 in fluid communication between the evaporator 124 and the condenser 126 relative to the flow of refrigerant. In some embodiments, expansion device 134 is an electronic expansion valve that generally enables controlled expansion of refrigerant. More specifically, the expansion device 134 may be an electronic expansion valve configured to precisely control the expansion of the refrigerant to maintain, for example, a desired temperature differential of the refrigerant across the evaporator 124. In other words, electronic expansion valve 134 selectively throttles the flow of refrigerant based on the reaction of the temperature differential across evaporator 124 or the amount of superheat temperature differential, thereby ensuring that the refrigerant is in the gaseous state entering compressor 132. In alternative embodiments, expansion device 134 may be a capillary tube or another suitable expansion device configured for use in a thermodynamic cycle.

In optional embodiments, a blower fan 138 may be mounted within cabinet 110 and directed at evaporator 124 to urge or motivate the flow of air across evaporator 124. For instance, blower fan 138 may be positioned downstream of evaporator 124 relative to the airflow path through cabinet 110, as shown, to pull air through evaporator 124. Alternatively, blower fan 138 may be positioned upstream of evaporator 124 along the airflow path, and may operate to push air through evaporator 124.

The operation of dehumidifier appliance 100, including compressor 132, blower fan 138, expansion device 134, or other components of refrigeration loop 130 may be controlled by a processing device, such as a controller 136. Controller 136 may be operably coupled (via for example a suitable wired or wireless connection) to such components of the dehumidifier appliance 100. By way of example, the controller 136 may include a memory (e.g., non-transitory storage media) and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, central processing units (CPUs) or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of dehumidifier appliance 100. The memory may represent random access memory (RAM) such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) , or read only memory (ROM) such as electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) or flash memory. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor.

In some embodiments, dehumidifier appliance 100 includes a control panel 140 and one or more user inputs 142, which may be included in control panel 140 (see, e.g., FIG. 3) . The user inputs 142 may be operably coupled to the controller 136. A user of the dehumidifier appliance 100 may interact with the user inputs 142 to operate the dehumidifier appliance 100, and user commands may be transmitted (e.g., as command signals) between the user inputs 142 and controller 136 to facilitate operation of the dehumidifier appliance 100 based on such user commands. In particular, a unit may select a humidity input or relative amount of dehumidification at control panel 140. A display 144 may additionally be provided in the control panel 140, and may be operably coupled to the controller 136. Display 144 may, for example be a touchscreen or other text-readable display 144 screen, or alternatively may simply be a light that can be activated and deactivated as required to provide an indication of, for example, an event or setting for the dehumidifier appliance 100.

As noted above, water condensation collects on or at evaporator 124 during use. As shown, a collection tray 146 is disposed below the evaporator 124 to receive at least a portion of such water. An elevated rim may extend above a bottom wall such that water can gather within collection tray 146. Collection tray 146 is thus generally open along the vertical direction V to receive water as it falls. A tray outlet (not pictured) may be defined through the bottom wall and thus permit water to flow therefrom (e.g., to a separate line or portion of cabinet 110) such as to the water tank 120.

In some embodiments, a pressure sensor 200 may be provided in operative communication with the water tank 120. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the pressure sensor 200 may also be connected to and in signal communication with the controller 136. Also as may be seen in FIG. 7, the dehumidifier appliance 100 may be in wireless communication with a remote user interface device 1000 and a network 1100. For example, the dehumidifier appliance 100 may include an antenna (not shown) by which the dehumidifier appliance 100 communicates with, e.g., sends and receives signals to and from (e.g., as indicated by two-way arrows in FIG. 7) , the remote user interface device 1001 and/or network 1100. The dehumidifier appliance 100, e.g., the controller 136 thereof, may be operable to connect wirelessly, e.g., over the air, to one or more other devices via any suitable wireless communication protocol. For example, the controller 136 may include a communications module, e.g., onboard the controller or as a separate module connected to the controller. The communications module may be amodule, amodule, or a combination module providing bothand connectivity. The remote user interface device 1000 may be a laptop computer, smartphone, tablet, personal computer, wearable device, smart speaker, smart home system, and/or various other suitable devices.

The dehumidifier appliance 100 may be in communication with the remote user interface device 1000 through various possible communication connections and interfaces. The dehumidifier appliance 100 and the remote user interface device 1000 may be matched in wireless communication, e.g., connected to the same wireless network. The dehumidifier appliance 100 may communicate with the remote user interface device 1000 via short-range radio such asor any other suitable wireless network having a layer protocol architecture. As used herein, “short-range” may include ranges less than about ten meters and up to about one hundred meters. For example, the wireless network may be adapted for short-wavelength ultra-high frequency (UHF) communications in a band between 2.4 GHz and 2.485 GHz (e.g., according to the IEEE 802.15.1 standard) . In particular, Low Energy, e.g., Version 4.0 or higher, may advantageously provide short-range wireless communication between the dehumidifier appliance 100 and the remote user interface device 1000. For example, Low Energy may advantageously minimize the power consumed by the exemplary methods and devices described herein due to the low power networking protocol ofLow Energy.

The remote user interface device 1000 is “remote” at least in that it is spaced apart from and not structurally connected to the dehumidifier appliance 100, e.g., the remote user interface device 1000 is a separate, stand-alone device from the dehumidifier appliance 100 which communicates with the dehumidifier appliance 100 wirelessly. Any suitable device separate from the dehumidifier appliance 100 that is configured to provide and/or receive communications, information, data, or commands from a user may serve as the remote user interface device 1000, such as a smartphone (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 7) , smart watch, personal computer, smart home system, or other similar device. For example, the remote user interface device 1000 may be a smartphone operable to store and run applications, also known as “apps” , and some or all of the method steps disclosed herein may be performed by a smartphone app.

The remote user interface device 1000 may include a memory for storing and retrieving programming instructions. Thus, the remote user interface device 1000 may provide a remote user interface which may be an additional user interface to the control panel 140. For example, the remote user interface device 1000 may be a smartphone operable to store and run applications, also known as “apps” , and the additional user interface may be provided as a smartphone app.

As mentioned above, the dehumidifier appliance 100 may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with a network 1100. The network 1100 may be, e.g., a cloud-based data storage system including one or more remote computing devices such as remote databases and/or remote servers, which may be collectively referred to as “the cloud” . The network 1100 may include, e.g., one or more remote computing devices, such as a remote database, remote server, etc., in a distributed computing environment. Such distributed computing environments may include, for example, cloud computing, fog computing, and/or edge computing. For example, the dehumidifier appliance 100 may communicate with the network 1100 over the Internet, which the dehumidifier appliance 100 may access viasuch as from aaccess point in a user’s home, office, etc.

The remote user interface device 1000 may be configured to capture and/or display images. For example, the remote user interface device 1000 may be a smartphone, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 7, which includes both a camera (not shown) for capturing images and a display 1002, e.g., a touchscreen or other screen, for displaying images. For example, the remote user interface device 1000 may receive data, e.g., via one or more signals transmitted directly or through the network 1100, from the dehumidifier appliance 100, and thus may cause one or more notifications, alerts, and/or prompts to be provided on the display 1002 of the remote user interface device 1000. For example, a height of condensate in the water tank 120 or fill level of the water tank 120 may be provided on the display 1002, e.g., the fill level may be displayed as a percentage, e.g., “XX%” as illustrated in FIG. 7, of a full level which corresponds to a present or current height of water condensate in the water tank 120 as measured by the pressure sensor 200. In some embodiments, the remote user interface device 1000 may also be operable and configured to display additional information, such as a full level alert, a leak alert, a sensor fault, a tank removal warning, etc.

As shown in FIG. 8, the pressure sensor 200 may be operable to measure a height H of condensate C within the water tank 120. For example, the height H of the condensate C may be measured with respect to an aperture or opening, e.g., an inlet 206 of a pipe 204 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, which is connected to the pressure sensor 200. Thus, the height H may be a distance along the vertical direction V which the condensate C extends above the aperture, e.g., inlet 206. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor 200 may include a piezoresistive gauge pressure sensor element 202. The pressure sensor 200 may be isolated from the liquid condensate in the water tank 120, such as the pressure sensor 200 may not contact the liquid and may instead measure the pressure of air within a contained structure, e.g., the pipe 204 in the example illustrated in FIG. 8, which is proportional to the height H of the condensate C above the aperture, e.g., inlet 206. For example, the water condensate may flow partially into the contained structure with a head space between the water level and the pressure sensor 200 (e.g., above the top of the water condensate) , such that the pressure sensor 200 measures the pressure of the air entrapped within the contained structure, e.g., in the head space, and such pressure is proportional to the height H of the condensate C within the water tank 120. The pressure sensor 200 may be positioned at any suitable location for operative communication with the water tank 120 whereby the pressure sensor 200 can measure the height H as described. For example, the pressure sensor 200 may be mounted to the water tank 120, at an internal or external side of the water tank 120, in a corner of the water tank 120 or in the middle of the water tank 120, as well as along one or more edges of the water tank 120, such as at a top edge of the water tank 120.

In various embodiments, the contained structure may be or may include one or more of a pipe, tube, conduit, housing, or other similar structures and combinations thereof. Suitable contained structures may provide a channel which the liquid condensate flows partially into with a head space above the liquid or otherwise between the liquid and the pressure sensor 200 such that the liquid does not contact the pressure sensor 200. Accordingly, the size, orientation, and position of the contained structure may vary in numerous ways to provide the foregoing features.

Thus, the pressure sensor 200 may be operatively configured to detect the level of liquid condensate C within water tank 120 and communicate the liquid level to controller 136 (FIG. 7) via one or more signals. Thus, pressure sensor 200 and controller 136 are communicatively coupled, as mentioned above. The pressure sensor 200 may send signals to controller 136 as a frequency, as an analog signal, or in another suitable manner or form. Pressure sensor 200 can be any suitable type of sensor capable of sensing the height H of the condensate C within water tank 120. For example, the pressure sensor 200 nay includes a pressure plate or other pressure element, such as a piezoresistive element as mentioned, that is acted on by the pressure of the condensate within water tank 120. For example, the electrical resistance of the piezoresistive gauge pressure sensor element 202 may vary in proportion to the pressure applied thereon by the condensate C (through the contained structure, e.g., pipe 204, as noted above) , such that the pressure sensor 200 may provide an electrical signal to the controller 136 which varies continuously with the air pressure within the contained structure, e.g. pipe 204, such that the height H of the condensate C within the water tank 120 may be continuously monitored.

The pressure sensor 200 may provide numerous advantages in the dehumidifier appliance 100, such as in comparison to a mechanical condensate detector, e.g., a float switch or float sensor. For example, such float sensors are typically limited to detecting only a single designated fill level and thus provide only limited information, e.g., are unable to continuously monitor the height H of the condensate C in the water tank 120 instead of only detecting a limited number of discrete fill levels. In some situations, float mechanisms may not operate as expected, e.g., may provide inaccurate level detection, such as due to deposits that build up and interfere with the proper operation of the float mechanism. In additional situations, the float mechanism may be stuck or jammed and thus provide inaccurate level detection.

Referring now to FIG. 9, in some embodiments, the contained structure may be or may include a housing 208, and the aperture may be provided as a slot 210 formed in and through an inner face of the housing 208. For example, the housing 2078 may be defined along a wall of the water tank 120. In such embodiments, the pressure sensor 200 may be connected to the housing 208 by a conduit 212 extending from the pressure sensor 200 to the housing 208. In such embodiments, the water tank 120 may include a plurality of walls, e.g., a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, a left wall, and a right wall. The plurality of walls may collectively define an internal volume of the water tank 120. As may be seen, e.g., in FIG. 9, the housing 208 may be located in the water tank 120, e.g., in the internal volume of the water tank 120. The slot 210 may open into the internal volume of the water tank 120, such that the pressure sensor 200 may be operable to detect the height H (FIG. 8) of the condensation C (FIG. 8) within the water tank 120 based on air pressure within the housing 208, e.g., within the housing 208 and the conduit 212. The housing 208 may be sloped. For example, the housing 208 may adjoin and be connected to the conduit 212 at an intersection of the conduit and the housing, and the housing 208 may taper away from the intersection of the conduit 212 and the housing 208.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, in some embodiments, the pressure sensor 200 may be positioned outside of the internal volume of the water tank 120. In such embodiments, the dehumidifier appliance 100 may further include a tube 214 extending from the pressure sensor 200 to the internal volume of the water tank 120, whereby the pressure sensor 200 may be operable to detect the liquid height H (FIG. 8) within the water tank 120 based on air pressure within the tube 214. For example, as may be seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, the pressure sensor 200 may be mounted to one of the walls of the water tank 120, such as in a niche formed in an outer surface or external side of one of the walls of the water tank, e.g., the back wall. Accordingly, the tube 214 may extend from the pressure sensor 200, through the wall of the water tank 120, and into the internal volume of the water tank 120, such as the tube 214 may extend to a tube inlet 216 (FIG. 11) within the internal volume of the water tank 120. Thus, the contained structure discussed above may be embodied as a tube, such as the tube 214, e.g., which may be a flexible tube, and the aperture discussed above may be embodied as the tube inlet 216.

As may be seen in FIG. 10 in particular, the pressure sensor 200 may be spaced apart from the top edge of the water tank 120. For example, the pressure sensor 200 may be positioned at about a middle of the water tank along the vertical direction V. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor 200 may be mounted to the water tank 120 in a lower half of the water tank 120, or generally in the lower half, where “generally in the lower half” includes, e.g., the pressure sensor 200 may be mounted to the tank 120 with at least ninety percent of a vertical dimension (e.g., height) of the pressure sensor 200 positioned below the vertical midline of the water tank 120.

Embodiments of the present disclosure also include methods of operating a dehumidifier appliance, such as the exemplary method 300 illustrated in FIG. 12. Method 300 may be used with any suitable dehumidifier appliance, such as but not limited to the exemplary dehumidifier appliance 100 described above. For example, the dehumidifier appliance may include a cabinet, e.g., cabinet 110, defining an air inlet (e.g., 116) and an air outlet (e.g., 118) spaced apart from the air inlet, a refrigeration system (e.g., 130) mounted within the cabinet, a water tank (e.g., 120) disposed below the refrigeration system, and a pressure sensor (e.g., 200) in operative communication with the water tank.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, method 300 may begin with an initialization (302) . After initialization, method 300 may perform a pressure sensor status check, e.g., as indicated at 310. For example, the pressure sensor may be in communication with the controller via an inter-integrated circuit (I²C) communication bus, or other similar two-way communication bus, such that the pressure sensor may provide signal feedback to the controller. Thus, if the pressure sensor is not functioning within normal parameters, e.g., is operating abnormally, such as if a wire is broken or short-circuited, the sensor will not communicate successfully and the controller may thus be notified of the abnormal operation of the pressure sensor. Thus, for example, the pressure sensor status check, e.g., determining the status of the pressure sensor, may include communicating (or attempting to communicate) with the pressure sensor via the inter-integrated circuit communication bus.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, when the pressure sensor does not pass the status check, a pressure sensor status alert may be provided, such as a tray (or tank) removal alert (312) . For example, the determined status of the pressure sensor may be an absence of the pressure sensor, such as the pressure sensor may be mounted to the water tank 120 (e.g., in or on the water tank, such as in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 8-11) , whereby a lack of communication from the pressure sensor may indicate that the water tank has been removed, and alerting the user may prompt the user to replace the water tank before operating the dehumidifier appliance, such that condensate which may be generated during such operation can be collected in the water tank.

When the pressure sensor status check is passed, e.g., following the “YES” arrow from (310) in FIG. 12, method 300 may proceed to process (320) of measuring or detecting, by the pressure sensor, a height of the water condensation within the water tank. Method 300 may also include (330) displaying a current level, e.g., height, of the condensate in the water tank. For example, the current level may be output to a display on a control panel, e.g., the control panel 140, of the dehumidifier appliance and/or to a display of a remote user interface device, such as the percentage full, “XX%, ” illustrated in FIG. 7, for example.

In some embodiments, method 300 may also include a leak detection process, such as determining a rate of change of the height of the water condensation within the water tank. The determined rate of change may be compared to a threshold, e.g., maximum, rate of change, (in particular, the change may be a decrease in the water level within the water tank) where a rate of change greater than the maximum may indicate water condensate escaping the water tank, e.g., leaking from the water tank. Thus, for example as illustrated at (342) in FIG. 12, when the rate of change is greater than a predetermined threshold, method 300 may include providing a user notification, e.g., a leak alert, in response to the excessive rate of change of the height of condensate in the water tank.

In some embodiments, method 300 may also include a full tank detection process, such as comparing the measured height to a full threshold. As indicated at (350) in FIG. 12, method 300 may include determining whether the height of the water condensation within the water tank is equal to or greater than a full threshold. Method 300 may further include (352) providing a full alert in response to the height of the water condensation equal to or greater than a full threshold. The full alert may be or may include a notification (e.g., graphical and/or text) provided on the remote user interface device and/or locally on the dehumidifier appliance, a warning tone, e.g., a buzzer, and other similar alerts, including combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the method 300 may also include deactivating the refrigeration system, e.g., stopping the compressor, in order to prevent or limit further condensation forming and flowing to the already full water tank.

Some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above. The description thereof merely aims to help to understand the present disclosure. Many modifications or equivalent substitutions with respect to the exemplary embodiments may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art based on the present disclosure. Thus, these modifications or equivalent substitutions shall fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

A dehumidifier appliance comprising:

a cabinet defining an air inlet and an air outlet spaced apart from the air inlet;

a refrigeration system mounted within the cabinet;

a water tank disposed below the refrigeration system to receive water condensation therefrom; and

a pressure sensor in operative communication with the water tank, the pressure sensor operable to detect a height of the water condensation within the water tank.
The dehumidifier appliance of claim 1, further comprising a pipe coupled to the pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor is operable to detect a liquid height within the water tank based on air pressure within the pipe.
The dehumidifier appliance of claim 1, wherein the water tank defines an internal volume, further comprising a housing in the water tank, the housing defining a slot which opens into the internal volume of the water tank, wherein the pressure sensor is operable to detect a height of the water condensation within the water tank based on air pressure within the housing.
The dehumidifier appliance of claim 3, wherein the housing is defined along a wall of the water tank.
The dehumidifier appliance of claim 3, further comprising a conduit extending from the pressure sensor to the housing.
The dehumidifier appliance of claim 5, wherein the housing tapers away from an intersection of the conduit and the housing.
The dehumidifier appliance of claim 1, wherein the water tank defines an internal volume, wherein the pressure sensor is positioned outside of the internal volume of the water tank, further comprising a tube extending from the pressure sensor to the internal volume of the water tank, wherein the pressure sensor is operable to detect a liquid height within the water tank based on air pressure within the tube.
The dehumidifier appliance of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is mounted to the water tank at a top edge of the water tank.
The dehumidifier appliance of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is mounted to the water tank in a niche formed in an outer surface of a wall of the water tank.
The dehumidifier appliance of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is mounted to the water tank generally in a lower half of the water tank.
The dehumidifier appliance of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a piezoresistive gauge pressure sensor element.
The dehumidifier appliance of claim 1, further comprising a controller in communication with the pressure sensor, wherein the controller is configured for detecting an absence of the pressure sensor, and wherein the controller is configured for providing a tank removal alert in response to the absence of the pressure sensor.
The dehumidifier appliance of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured for determining a rate of change of the height of the water condensation within the water tank, and providing a user notification when the rate of change is greater than a predetermined threshold.
The dehumidifier appliance of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured for determining whether the height of the water condensation within the water tank is equal to or greater than a full threshold, and providing a full alert in response to the height of the water condensation within the water tank being equal to or greater than the full threshold.
A method of operating a dehumidifier appliance, the dehumidifier appliance comprising a cabinet defining an air inlet and an air outlet spaced apart from the air inlet, a refrigeration system mounted within the cabinet, a water tank disposed below the refrigeration system, and a pressure sensor in operative communication with the water tank, the method comprising:

receiving, by the water tank, water condensation from the refrigeration system; and

detecting, by the pressure sensor, a height of the water condensation within the water tank.
The method of claim 15, further comprising determining a rate of change of the height of the water condensation within the water tank, and providing a user notification when the rate of change is greater than a predetermined threshold.
The method of claim 16, wherein the user notification is provided on a remote user interface device.
The method of claim 15, further comprising displaying the height of the water condensation within the water tank on a display of a remote user interface device.
The method of claim 15, further comprising determining whether the height of the water condensation within the water tank is equal to or greater than a full threshold, and providing a full alert in response to the height of the water condensation within the water tank being equal to or greater than the full threshold.
The method of claim 15, further comprising detecting an absence of the pressure sensor and providing a tank removal alert in response to the absence of the pressure sensor.