Control method of dehumidifier

Abstract

A method for controlling a dehumidifier is provided. The dehumidifier may include a dehumidifying module having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a fan module. The method may include determining by an occupancy sensor whether an occupant is present in an indoor space in which the dehumidifier is located; operating the compressor at a low speed when the occupancy sensor determines that an occupant is present in the indoor space; operating the compressor at a constant or high speed when the occupancy sensor determines that there are no occupants in the indoor space; and stopping operation of the compressor when an indoor humidity reaches a target humidity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling a dehumidifier including a dehumidifying module having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a fan module, the method comprising:
 determining by an occupancy sensor whether an occupant is present in an indoor space in which the dehumidifier is located;   operating the compressor at a low speed when the occupancy sensor determines that an occupant is present in the indoor space;   operating the compressor at a constant or high speed when the occupancy sensor determines that there are no occupants in the indoor space; and   stopping operation of the compressor when an indoor humidity reaches a target humidity.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein when the occupancy sensor determines that an occupant is present in the indoor space, the compressor is operated at 20 to 30 Hz. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 determining a location of the occupant using the occupancy sensor, when the occupancy sensor determines an occupant is present in the indoor space; and   rotating a discharge cover of the dehumidifier a predetermined angle laterally away from the occupant.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein when the occupancy sensor determines that there are no occupants in the indoor space, the compressor is operated at 60 Hz or higher. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising tilting a discharge cover to maximize an opening angle of the discharge cover, when the occupancy sensor determines that there are no occupants in the indoor space. 
     
     
         6 . A method for controlling a dehumidifier, the dehumidifier including a dehumidifying module having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a fan module; a controller that controls the dehumidifying module; an occupancy sensor that determines whether an occupant is present in an indoor space in which the dehumidifier is located; and a humidity sensor that senses an indoor humidity of the indoor space, the method comprising:
 determining by the occupancy sensor whether an occupant is present in the indoor space in which the dehumidifier is located;   operating via the controller the compressor at a low speed when the occupancy sensor determines that an occupant is present in the indoor space;   operating via the controller the compressor at a constant or high speed when the occupancy sensor determines that there are no occupants in the indoor space; and   stopping via the controller operation of the compressor when the indoor humidity sensed by the humidity sensor reaches a target humidity.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein when the occupancy sensor determines that there are no occupants in the indoor space, the controller controls the compressor to operate at 20 to 30 Hz. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 determining a location of the occupant using the occupancy sensor, when the occupancy sensor determines that an occupant is present in the indoor space; and   rotating a discharge cover of the dehumidifier away from the occupant.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the discharge cover is rotated a predetermined angle laterally away from the occupant. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein when the occupancy sensor determines that there are no occupants in the indoor space, the controller controls the compressor to operate at 60 Hz or higher. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising tilting a discharge cover to maximize an opening angle of the discharge cover, when the occupancy sensor determines that there are no occupants in the indoor space. 
     
     
         12 . A method for controlling a dehumidifier, the dehumidifier including a dehumidifying module having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a fan module; a controller that controls the dehumidifying module; an occupancy sensor that determines whether an occupant is present in an indoor space in which the dehumidifier is located; and a humidity sensor that senses an indoor humidity of the indoor space, the method comprising:
 determining by the occupancy sensor whether an occupant is present in the indoor space in which the dehumidifier is located;   operating via the controller the compressor at a low speed when the occupancy sensor determines that an occupant is present in the indoor space; and   operating via the controller the compressor at a constant or high speed when the occupancy sensor determines that there are no occupants in the indoor space.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein when the occupancy sensor determines that there are no occupants in the indoor space, the controller controls the compressor to operate at 20 to 30 Hz. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 determining a location of the occupant using the occupancy sensor, when the occupancy sensor determines that an occupant is present in the indoor space; and   rotating a discharge cover of the dehumidifier away from the occupant.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the discharge cover is rotated a predetermined angle laterally away from the occupant. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein when the occupancy sensor determines there are no occupants in the indoor space, the controller controls the compressor to operate at 60 Hz or higher. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising tilting a discharge cover to maximize an opening angle of the discharge cover, when the occupancy sensor determines that there are no occupants in the indoor space.